Property of Benvolio

By Susan Horsnell

When Elijah Ashe becomes indebted to Enzo Abruzzenesa—the Don of a powerful mafia family, an agreement is made for repayment to take place in the future.

Two decades later, the time has come, and Enzo calls in Elijah's debt.

Nikita Ashe would rather see both men rot in hell before she is forced into marriage with a stranger—Or so she thought.

She will not be a party to the conditions of a draconian agreement sealed on a handshake between two chauvinistic men.

Benvolio Abruzzenesa was raised knowing Nikita Ashe would become his property, and when the time came, he would have no choice but to honour his father's order to take her as his wife. He did everything in his power to change the terms of the agreement, but his father stood firm.

How were two people, who hated each other on sight, supposed to accept and weather a marriage made in hell?

Despite how they both felt, they realised they were powerless to refuse the demands of their fathers.

Benvolio's refusal would bring his father, and their family, humiliation in the mafia world.

Nikita's refusal would seal her father's fate and he would face death on Enzo's orders.

Although the situation was not one of their making, the marriage takes place and  Nikita becomes known in the dark underworld as 'The Property of Benvolio.' Word spreads that she is not to be touched, but the wife of a future Don proves to be the opportunity enemies have been waiting for and when her life is in danger it's a race against time.

Set in Australia and written in Australian English.

**DARK MAFIA ROMANCE

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Horsnell
• Release date: Mar 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223535898

Susan Horsnell

I’m an Australian author who lives in Queensland when not travelling and I write in a variety of Romantic sub-genres, including Western,  Historical, Gay, Mafia, and Contemporary Romance.  I have published over 60 books and novellas, many of which feature strong, independent heroines and rugged, alpha male heroes. Some of my popular series include the Outback Australia series and The Carter Brothers series. My books are known for their well-researched historical details, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and real life experiences. My work has garnered praise from readers and critics alike, and I have been a Finalist in both the Rone Awards and Laramie Awards as well as being a multiple times International Bestselling Author and USA Today Bestselling Author. If you're interested in learning more about my books:  Linktree https://linktr.ee/SusanHorsnell   

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Contents

Contents

Copyright © 2024 by

Disclaimer

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

About the Author

Property of BENVOLIO

La Famiglia Abruzzenesa

Copyright © 2024 by

USA Today Bestselling Author - Susan Horsnell

The right of Susan Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed, or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon, or similar organizations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

Disclaimer

This story is set in Sydney Australia and written in Australian English.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

Edited: Redline Editing

Proofread: Leanne Rogers

Published by: Lipstick Publishing

Chapter One

Sydney, Australia

BENVOLIO

What the fuck happened? You know not to draw attention to the club.

I strode back and forth in front of the man barely out of his teenage years, who had become a pain in my arse.

I'd sent three of my men, including Gaetano—my enforcer, to one of the exclusive strip clubs—Segreti (Secrets), owned by the famiglia, to get the manager, Valerio Farino, who we'd discovered had been skimming funds.

Two weeks he’d been employed by the famiglia despite my protests. Two fucking weeks! And he’d begun stealing from the club from day one.

The prick opened fire as soon as we walked in the door. Luckily, no one else was around. It was too early in the morning, and the girls were still upstairs. They know to mind their own business and didn't come out of their rooms. Savastino was on the door and said the shots didn't draw anyone from the surrounding properties, Gaetano explained. Being on a large property away from other homes has its advantages.

Who the fuck tipped you off that the men were on their way? I asked Valerio who was struggling against Danila's hold. I don't know why he bothered; he wasn't getting free any time soon. Danila was huge in both height and build.

No one. Gaetano and Cosimo barged inside and pulled their guns. I thought it was a raid, panicked, and started firing. It was just a reaction.

Gaetano looked at me and raised an eyebrow, we both knew Valerio was lying.

I warned Father you were too young for this business and couldn't be trusted. My temper was spiking with the arsehole.

I had no idea why Father had come home from attending the funeral of a friend and been so fucking insistent about giving the deceased's son a position of importance.

That's bullshit. I ain't done nothing wrong. I'm loyal to the Abruzzenesa Famiglia and you.

I crossed to my desk, hit a few keys on the computer, and brought up one of the club's ledgers before turning the monitor so Valerio could see what was on the screen.

This is just an example. There are dozens of pages showing the same. Look here… I pointed at the screen. I'm no mathematician, but even I can see the figures don't match Germaine's ledger showing customer payments. Are you really so stupid that you think I wouldn't find out what you were doing?

Germaine, the club's accountant, had called to alert me about the skimming the previous night when he was doing his monthly report.

I ain’t done anything, Valerio insisted.

Germaine found almost two hundred thousand dollars missing. Are you saying it walked off on its own?

I didn’t take anything. Valerio obviously wasn’t going to admit what he’d done.

I tapped a few more keys, and the screen showed Valerio entering a bank the famiglia and our employees didn't frequent. Is that you?

He nodded his head. That’s where I’ve always banked.

He was fucking lying. His earnings were deposited into an account at the same bank everyone associated with the famiglia used.

I brought up another screen. This one showed Valerio's deposits into a bank account he'd opened only two weeks earlier. The balance was one hundred and ninety-two thousand dollars. The amount matched the discrepancy in the ledger.

Valerio paled. I wondered how he would try and talk his way around this mess.

I can explain...I'll pay you back.

I shook my head, not interested in his bullshit excuses. It was clear Valerio didn’t have a clue how to be honest or loyal.

You have to let me go. Your father will demand to know what happened if I disappear.

"You think I give a fuck about my father’s demands? I’m head of this famiglia now. I make the decisions. You’re of no consequence."

Valerio glared. Tell your fucking gorilla to take his hands off me now! I’m gonna make you regret this bullshit. I’ll come for you when you least expect me to be there.

His stupidity seemed to have no limits. Who in their right mind threatened the head of a mafia family? I'd had enough. Reaching into a desk drawer, I pulled out my gun and, before Valerio could blink, put a bullet straight between his eyes. His head exploded, painting Danila's black suit with blood and brain matter.

Get rid of him and clean up in here, I snarled.

I clicked my fingers at Gaetano. Come with me, I have a meeting with Elijah Ashe. I said we'd be there at ten, and it's after nine-thirty.

Are you sure about this? Do you really want to claim his only daughter, Gaetano asked as he walked by my side.

I sighed as we continued to the three-car garage attached to my two-story Neutral Bay home. I've told you over and over—the bitch was bred to be mine.

Gaetano knew it was a deal brokered between our fathers when Elijah was unable to pay the gambling debts he owed. For some ridiculous reason, my father said the debts would be wiped if Ashe pledged his firstborn daughter to his son. I had grown up knowing marrying her was my fate. The agreement was like something out of the fucking dark ages, but my father's honour was at stake.

I can't understand why you have never met the woman. I mean, she's lived two streets from here all her life. You could have been getting to know her so when the time came it was a little easier.

Father said we would meet when it was time. I never questioned him because I was sure the stupidity would eventually be forgotten. I didn't think he and Ashe would keep their fucking word. She's obviously been as successful at saying no to her father as I have been to mine.

I wonder what her father threatened to take away from her? I mean, it's not like she's the boss of a famiglia like you, who could be stripped of your position.

No idea, and to be honest, I don't fucking care. My intention is to marry Nikita Ashe as is demanded and then stick her with Amber at the strip club.

Elijah won’t like that if word gets back to him.

I don't give a fuck what he likes. Ashe fucked up when he couldn't pay my father what he owed, so he doesn't get a say in things now.

Gaetano slipped behind the wheel of my Audi A7. I climbed into the passenger seat and pushed a button on the remote. The garage door slid up, and after he backed the car out, I hit the remote again to close the door.

I thank fuck I’m not in your shoes. Gaetano reached over and entered the code for the gates. When they swung open, he drove through.

"It pisses me off. I'm the boss of the most powerful mafia famiglia in Sydney. I mean, we fucking own the city, and I don't have any fucking say in the bitch I marry."

I don’t know who I pity most, you or her.

Pity me, especially if the bitch is ugly as sin and not suitable for the strip club. Fuck knows what I'll do with her then.

Gaetano laughed as he turned the car into the street where the Ashe family lived. We could have walked to the place, but what kind of impression would that have given?

***

We pulled up to elaborate steel gates securing the Ashe property. Gaetano slid the car window down, reached out, and pressed a button on an intercom attached to a nearby post.

Ashe residence, a male voice sounded.

Benvolio Abruzzenesa to see Elijah Ashe, Gaetano answered.

There was no further communication, but the gates separated and swung open. Gaetano made his way along a paved driveway flanked by magnificent gardens and rounded a huge fountain before coming to a stop in front of the house entry doors.

He switched off the motor, and we stepped from the car. While I buttoned my suit jacket, I observed the heritage mansion. Architecture was one of my passions, and I particularly admired structures built in the 19th century.

A large brass plaque to the left of the double wooden doors that were intricately carved read, 'Phoenix House.' I wondered if the name referenced Elijah Ashe's rise from the dungeon. When the deal over his debt had been struck with Father, Ashe had been on the bones of his arse and struggling to put a roof over his head. He was unable to afford even the most modest of properties in Sydney's far western suburbs, where prices were set for the working classes, and had been forced to stay with a relative.

Father had monitored Ashe’s movements closely over the years since he had a vested interest in him honouring their deal.

Fortunes changed dramatically when Ashe met, dated, and eventually married Elouise, the only daughter of the extremely wealthy Clifton Jassifer. He was in shipping and was also the owner of the largest casino in Sydney, where we laundered substantial amounts of money acquired from our various clubs and gambling ventures. When he'd died, a short time after his wife, Ashe and his wife had inherited his empire.

I focused back on the home. The name plaque indicated it had been built in 1896, and the two-storey structure was typical of mansions of the era—built from red brick with posts and window frames accented in white. The building was impressive, and the gardens were exquisite.

The door swung open before we knocked, and Elijah Ashe stood before us with a frown on his face.

It's time, I stated, and he nodded in acceptance.

His daughter, Nikita, had turned twenty-one the previous week, the age it had been agreed she would become mine. At twenty-nine, I was eight years her senior, an age gap that didn’t bother me in the least since I didn’t want her. I didn’t want any wife. I was perfectly fine fucking the strippers I owned at Segreti.

Unfortunately, Father demanded I honour his deal with Ashe, and when Father demanded anything, no matter who you were, you obeyed—even me as his son.

Father also insisted it would forge a beneficial friendship between our two families. I disagreed. My trust in people, except those I'd known for years and who had proven their loyalty over and over, was non-existent.

Mr Abruzzenesa. Elijah offered his hand, and I shook.

This is Gaetano Cocciola.

The two men shook hands, and I took note of how my right-hand man studied Ashe. He was an excellent judge of character, and I never doubted his opinion.

We had never openly dealt with Ashe because Father had never trusted him. Nikita's father was most likely oblivious to the fact his casino was our primary venue for laundering.

I raked my eyes over the man who technically was about to become my father-in-law. He was tall, dressed in a grey suit, ruby-coloured shirt, and grey tie. His obviously dyed dark hair was styled short, his beard was cropped short and his blue eyes studied me briefly before we were invited into his home.

The interior was tastefully decorated, honouring the era of the home with oversized antique pieces of furniture and soft furnishings in pastel shades. The home spoke of elegance and refined taste. I suspected the décor was the result of a professional decorator.

We were led through the house and into a living room with wall-to-wall bi-fold doors that had been opened, allowing a cool morning breeze to waft into the space. The views over Middle Harbour almost rivalled those from my home. Almost.

A full-length deck had a table and chairs, and we were led in that direction. Shortly after we sat, a young woman, smartly dressed in long blue pants and a white shirt, appeared at Elijah's side. I was disappointed that she was average in appearance, and certainly not to my taste, but I reminded myself she was ideally suited to work at the strip club for which she was destined.

Our 'wedding' would not be a grand affair, it was arranged to take place in the living room of my home with only Father, Ashe, and my closest men present as witnesses. No one else would be aware of our union, and I doubted Nikita would speak of it after I threatened her father with bodily harm if she didn't stay quiet.

Gentlemen, this is my housekeeper and cook, Serina.

Gaetano glanced my way; he'd obviously thought the woman was Nikita, as I had. We acknowledged the introduction, and when she asked if we would like something to drink, Gaetano and I requested mineral water with a twist of lemon, while Ashe requested two fingers of rum. I filed away the fact that the man wasn't averse to drinking hard liquor early in the day.

Serina left to fulfil our orders, and I glanced at