Greed: The Sinners Brotherhood, #1

By Izzy Williams

I was trying to protect my sister.

I didn't want to catch the eye of a Portuguese mob boss.

He's found us once, now we have to run again…

Maybe a job at a sex club wasn't the best way to stay out of trouble, but the pay was good.
I want normality, but he walks in and decides I'm going to be his.
Everyone fears him.
He is dangerous.
Maybe he is dangerous enough to keep me and my sister safe.


Grayson
I'm on the brink of a war.
But its my brothers and I that run London, no one else.
Women are the last thing on my mind, especially when I know what they're capable of.
But then she starts to perform at the sex club.
My interest in her gets her in trouble.
Now I have to keep her safe.

She has to know my secret.
When she finds out why I went to prison, will she run.
I won't let her.
She is mine.
I need to convince her that she's safer with me than without me.


First in the series of seven standalone Mafia Romance. These are not dark romance. They are romantic suspense with plenty of extra heat thrown in. if you like anti-hero grumpy-sunshine with a man who will do anything to save his woman, you need to read Grayson's story.

Trigger warning: drug use, rape discussed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Izzy Williams
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215491539

Book preview

Chapter 1

Her

Ican’t believe I'm practically naked, standing in this strange dressing room that is way classier than it should be, waiting to be called out. I look at my hands, they’re shaking. I have to do this.

How did I get here? I inhale slowly, trying to keep my nerves in check. Oh yeah, my pain in the arse, sister, that's how. Trouble since the day she was born. Being the big sister to my little sister comes with its challenges, but who would have thought it would come to this? I would end up naked, waiting to step out into a sex club to keep us in food, rent and anything else that will stop her going back on drugs and back in the hands of Mateus De Cruz. My life isn’t my own. It's hers. She owns it even though she doesn’t realise it. I will do anything to stop her from going back down that road, even if it means putting on a show for some seedy perves, wanting to get off watching the stranger in front of them touching themselves.

Cassie, the Manager, bobs her head around the door and smiles. She’s gorgeous, blonde shaggy bob, a little shorter than me and looks like the girl next door with an edge. She is stunning. The girl next door with a foul mouth. For the umpteenth time, I wonder why a woman would manage a club like this. Isn't there some girl code or something that would stop her? Maybe she hasn’t heard of the girl code. Instead, she employs girls like me... desperate, and gets them to dance and more for horny men. She has been nothing but kind to me though. Maybe she wants to do it because she wants us to respect ourselves and don’t have to deal with some seedy guy that gives us cash in hand.

Only the confident apply. Full discretion is needed,

Dancing experience an advantage

From the advert, it doesn't take a genius to work out that my self-respect needs to get left at the door. The trouble is, I was desperate.

She steps into the dressing room when she sees the state I'm in. Goosebumps cover my visible skin - and there's a lot of it - dressed in a red lacy bra and matching satin knickers with my highest heels. I shiver. I'm not really the kind of girl that gets nervous, but even I have my limits.

You OK, hon? she smiles.

I give her a shaky smile. First time is always the worst, I'm sure.

She nods. I promise, after doing it a few times, you will wonder what you worried about.

But they're not allowed to touch me, right? Something I've reassured myself with a hundred times tonight.

She shakes her head. Absolutely not. You've seen how it is when Lauren danced for you. The person watching you will be far from you, in a cubicle. There is a full one-way mirror in front of you and security right outside. You will be fine, totally safe, I promise. I bet my job on it. Everyone that comes here knows the owner and his connections. Trust me, no one would dare touch you.

I sigh and relax shoulders I didn't realise I’d been tensing. The head girl, Lauren, performed for me yesterday, which was awkward, but she showed me what I had to do as though it was a run-of-the-mill day for her. It was, I guess. So, I know what to expect and what is expected of me. What does she mean about the owner, though? Probably best I don’t know. Turn up, get my pay, and then go home. God, this is only my trial run for one of the manager's business partners or something. How bad can it be? Bad, Nadia, very, very bad.

I wince. I'm so sorry, but please can I run through it with you again? I'm terrified, and I think it will help.

She leans against the wall. Dressed in fitted jeans and a blouse showing off her ample cleavage. She is beautiful. I need her story. Of course. What's the first thing you do?

I take a deep breath. Okay, so I walk in there with balls of steel.

She laughs. Absolutely, carry on.

Then I stand in front of the mirror and wait for the guy's chosen music to start. I swallow, Then stand in front of a complete stranger, who I can't see, and pretend to get myself off in front of them.

Look at me, pretending this is a normal conversation.

She shrugs. "If you actually get yourself off without pretending, even better, it's more convincing... more of a turn-on for them, and to be honest, after a while, the girls say it's easier than faking it."

I huff. Is she serious? Sexy is the last thing I feel like now.

Well, trust me, girl, you look it. You are sex on legs. You only need to look at a guy for him to cream his pants. If I wasn't as straight as they come, I'd have a go at you.

I warm at her nice but somewhat vulgar words. Even so, her heart's in the right place. It doesn’t ease the panic, though.

But I definitely won’t need to talk? I ask.

I have a very slight accent. Most people wouldn’t even notice it, but seeing as it's Portuguese thugs looking for me, it only takes one of their acquaintances to visit somewhere like this. If I’m recognised, all this will be for nothing. I don’t want to be on the run again. I'm sick of running. That's why I chose London for our safe haven. It's anonymous, and anyone can blend in here, be invisible. It’s a place for runaways, hopefuls, people in business and students. It has a whole mix of different lives and it’s the last place he would expect us to run to.

She shakes her head. No, no talking required... a few gasps and moans here and there wouldn’t hurt, but that's it. It’s the international language of love, darling.

I roll my eyes and huff out a laugh. I can do this... I have to do it.

Have you ever...?

Her eyebrows shoot up. Me? God no, what I do to get myself off stays between me and the men I decide to fuck.

Fair enough.

Who is watching me tonight? I don’t really need to know, but the idea that it's not some 80-year-old wrinkly pervert with his tongue hanging out might help. Actually no. you know what, its best I don’t know.

Something flashes in her eyes, but she quickly hides it. It doesn't matter to you. One guy, or girl, is the same as all the rest.

But if they have a special request, one I'm willing to do, they'll say it through the intercom?

She nods. Just give it a go. What have you got to lose?

Everything.

She reads a message on her phone and looks at me. Show-time, baby-doll.

My stomach lunges to my feet. I take a deep breath and nod.

The money is good, the money is good, the money is good. We need this. I have to do it.

It'll be worth it. How bad can it be?

I walk into the small, darkened room, feeling like each leg weighs a thousand tonnes. It has plush red velvet-lined walls, enhanced by mood lighting, and the room is warmed to the perfect temperature. I muster the courage from somewhere to walk to the full-length mirror, waiting for the music to start, trying not to imagine someone there watching me.

Pretend it's just a mirror Nadia, you can do this.

The high heels make me taller than my already tall five-foot-eight frame, but I'm so used to wearing them that I don't even feel them anymore. My long brown hair is as out there as possible, volumising shampoo, conditioner, you name it... big hair means sexy. Make-up wasn't a problem. I wear it heavy on a night out, so a little sultrier on the eye makeup and bigger false lashes, and I was done. 

My naturally brown Portuguese skin looks good against the red satin. I have never been as grateful for body confidence as I am right now. I have curves, and I own them. I'm toned but way curvier and bigger than the average ‘it’ girl, but I know I have a good body - a body that a lot of guys want. It took me a long time to get there with my body and liking what god gave me, but I'm on board with it now. In my experience, men like curves and I have lots of those - but confidence will only get you so far. Am I really going to touch myself in front of a complete stranger for cash? Don't I have any boundaries at all? Truth is, desperation trumps boundaries.

'This way' by Khalid starts to play at a low volume.

I close my eyes and try to imaging the hottest guy standing in front of me naked, wanting to get me ready for the fucking of my life... it's been a while.

Right, what did Lauren say? Legs slightly apart. I can sit on the sofa or stand. I choose to stay standing for now. Mouth parted, eyes closed, and run my hands over my body... a lot. They like to imagine it's their hands.

I hear a voice through the intercom, a deep gravelly voice that gives me goosebumps, Do what you want, no instructions from me.

Okay, at least I have free rein, or is that worse? I'm not sure. At least if you're being told what to do, you don't have to think.

Right, come on, Nadia, sort yourself out. Huh, literally.

Something takes over me, something that has been with me for as long as I can remember. Determination. Strength. Nothing will beat me, not ever. I need to do this to live, to give us a life away from Portugal and the ghosts there. I will do this. So, I fake getting off to a mirror, so what? I've done it a million times at home, alone, so I just need to pretend I'm at home now.

I take a deep breath and slowly drag my hands along my body, starting at my stomach and sliding it over the lacy cup of my bra. Eventually, I have to get naked, but not yet. Let them wait, whoever they are.

I palm my breasts over my bra and let my head fall back, my lips parting, my nipples hardening, behaving themselves like good girls. Slowly, I let my hands trail back down my stomach, carrying one hand to my v, where I slide between my legs, inside the top of my underwear, then back up. Am I getting wet? Am I hell. But I can pretend for sure.

I remain standing and turn to lean over the couch arm so that whoever it is can see me from behind in my thong. Might as well show them my best asset. I reach behind, caress my bum, then unclasp my bra. Time to turn around and show them the goods.

I unclasp it and let it slide down my arms slowly, finally letting it fall to the floor. Standing with my back to the mirror now in only a thong, I start to turn around when the intercom sounds again.

Stop. Get dressed. The deep gravelly voice says in an abrupt tone.

I freeze. What did I do? Did I do something wrong? This was supposed to be a trial run with someone who knows the standard I have to be at. I didn’t live up to that standard. Why else would he stop me? He didn't think I was sexy enough. That opens up an entire basket of worms for me. I thought I knew what I was doing when it comes to playing men to get what I want, not for fun, but when I've had to. Maybe I'm not as attractive as I thought I was. I can’t exactly say I’ve been in this situation before, so maybe I wasn’t turning him on. I need to find out so that I can fix it. Because I do not give up. Ever. Even if it means I have to be the master at this.

Heat flooding me, I reach for my bra and head to the door. The shame. I've never been so mortified. I bite my lip. What is waiting for me when I leave this room? Can I be fired already? Panic takes over me. I need this job, so I need to fix whatever the hell it is that I did wrong.

Chapter 2

Him

Ishift in my chair as I release the intercom button, trying to control the hard-on that my dick is thinking about.

What did I just see? A fucking vision getting naked for me. Was she the sexiest girl I'd ever seen in my life? What in the fucking living hell is she doing working here? Ade and Cassie run the classiest sex club in the country, but she way outclasses this place, so what made her come work here?

When Ade asked me to test out the new girl, I never expected her to give me a hard-on by walking across the fucking room. That walk and that fucking figure, carved from an hourglass - curves like I've never seen. Before she closed her eyes, the piercing blue colour of them cut into me as though she was looking straight at me - even though the one-way mirror meant she didnt know who was behind the screen. My mouth went dry. It's been a long time since I've been affected like that. 

Why did I stop her, then? Why didn't I watch her... let her give me the full show? Could have had a cheap wank watching her. It's not like anyone was watching me. So why didn't I?

Something made me want to stop her. I wanted to see her naked... of course... but not like that. Some girls that work here get off on having customers drooling over them, paying them massive tips - laughing at men and feeling like they hold all the power. She isn't one of them. She was determined to do it, but it was obvious she didn't want to. I'm sure every girl doesn't want to go through with their first time, but this was different. It was like she was being forced into it. But I know she wasn't. I know Adrian. He loves sex. He sells sex for fuck's sake, or as close as you can get to sex. But he treats his girls like princesses, no scrap that, queens. He and Cassie work as a team. They look after every woman that walks through these doors. No one will come to any harm working for him. He loves the female form. In fact, he could talk about it for fucking hours and hours and has done on many occasions when he was hammered, but he protects them. Respects them. They come here and do a job, but it's more for him, girls putting themselves out here like this for men's pleasure. It means something to him, and they come under his protection. I respect him for that. He has immense respect for women, considering what an absolute man-hoar he is. Unlike me, who wouldn't trust a woman as far as they can throw them, but then, I have every reason to distrust them. What happened to me, not only takes away any trust for women, but human beings in general. Apart from my brothers, everyone else can all go fuck themselves.

My brothers. Except they're not really my brothers, but it doesn't have to be about blood—often, stronger relationships are forged out of respect, experience and having each other’s back all your lives. That's what happened to us. The shit we've been through together made us stronger. I’d die for any one of them and I know they’d die for me. Christ, the number of times we’ve risked our lives for each other, I couldn’t even count. An unbreakable bond. It’s the one thing I can rely on in this shitty life.

A woman’s voice snaps me out of going down my own twisted memory lane. Thank God.

What did I do wrong, Lauren? A woman's voice says in an English accent but there is a strange twang there that I can't place. It’s her. What is that accent? With her dark colouring, she could well be Mediterranean. I need to sort this out before it escalates. I don’t want to get her fired... do I? Maybe I do. I don't want her working here, I don't want her under Adrian's protection, for some unknown reason I don't want her owing to him, and I sure as hell don’t want any man coming in here and jacking off over her performance then going home dreaming of her. Nope. No way.

I don't want her to know it was me in here. I stay quiet. Someone answers her. I don't know, honey. I'm sure you were fine. Who was in the viewing room? Let’s find Cassie and find out what's going on.

They walk away, so I quickly sneak out of the cubicle and into Ade's office. I dial his number, and he answers.

Gray, how’s it going? He says in that lazy tone of his.

Ade, where did you get this new girl?

Thanks for sitting in for me. I had to go see a girl about a cat.

In other words, he was busy fucking pussy somewhere, as per usual.

I roll my eyes, Whatever. Where did you get her?

He is quiet for a moment. I'm not sure, actually. I think she replied to the ad. Cassie deals with it all, and she was pretty excited when she interviewed her and said she would bring in plenty of business. She knows what’s going on there a lot better than me, ask her. Why? Was there a problem?

I run my hand over my closely shaved head. Nah, not really, but I called it quits after the first few minutes.

Why the fuck would you do that?

Christ if I know. Listen, would it bother you if I gave her a job at the club? I think she'd be more suited to hostessing than doing this. She's a duck out of water here. Am I actually doing this? I don’t do women favours. Or am I doing myself one? Something about her made me want to help her—she seemed... desperate somehow.

He won’t question me. They challenge me if it’s something important, or they think I'm in the wrong, but he won’t about this.

Sure, bro. If you think that's best. This girl is intriguing me now. He says quietly.

I don't want his interest piqued. He will get into anything with a skirt and usually does it quickly, with the girl begging for it. I don't like the thought of this one begging him for anything.

She doesn't need to intrigue you. It's nothing, it didn't sit right, her doing this. She wasn't into it, but she's gorgeous, so she would make just as much money hostessing at the club.

Gorgeous, huh? he asks.

Yeah, so what? I snap.

He's quiet for a minute. Not heard you talk about a girl like that since... well, doesn’t matter. Go for it, but run it by Cassie first, or she'll kill you. She won't be happy about this.

You scared of her or something? I grin.

His relationship with Cassie is a close one. After hiring her to run this place, they’ve developed a genuine relationship where they both say what they think, and it works. He wanted a woman running it, as he knew the girls would trust a female running a sex club more than a male. It works. She has him by the balls most of the time, but runs the place smoothly. As far as I know, he has never fucked her, probably why it's working so well.

Yeah, fucking terrified, aren't we all?

No, bro, that’s just you. I wonder if he ever wanted to go there with her. She’s around five years older than him, but she’s hot and sexy as hell. He'd be an idiot if he did anything to mess up their working relationship, and as much as he struggles to keep his dick in his pants, he respects her. Hopefully, that’s enough to stop him from going there.

He chuckles. Anyway, I was just balls deep in a hot redhead. Can I get back to that?

Whatever, I say and hang up. He's always balls-deep in someone.

It's been a long time since I've been balls deep in anyone thanks to that bitch, Evelyn. That reminds me, I get my phone and text the guy we have on retainer.

Josh, update on Evelyn if you will.

I get one back immediately. Sure thing. Same as usual?

I give him a thumbs up. Let’s see what the bitch is up to.

Right, back to business. I need to find Cassie.

I walk out of Ade's office and straight into her. Whatever her name is. She is more fucking gorgeous up close. Her eyes are so big and blue. Christ. She smiles at me, and I feel it in my dick.

Um, hi, she says, her eyes darting around, I'm looking for Cassie.

You and me both, darlin'. She's not in there. I jerk my head towards Cassie’s office.

She frowns. Oh, right, Lauren said she would be here. I need her.

She has thick brown wavy hair that seems to bounce around her head. What the fuck is wrong with me? I'm surrounded by gorgeous women all the time, but none