Page 1 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

Chapter

One

TITUS

THREE YEARS AGO

“Yes, I’m almost to the meet.”

My father was particularly neurotic tonight, and I didn’t like the fact that he hadn’t said why. Other than the same old ‘You can’t trust Cesare’ routine, there hadn’t been anything new.

“And before you ask, I have my girls with me and brought the guards as you instructed.”

“I hear the disdain in your tone, Titus. The guards have guns. Your dogs only have teeth.”

I’d take the teeth defending me over the guns any day. My girls’ loyalty couldn’t be questioned, guns not so much.

“Besides, you can’t be too careful when dealing with Cesare. The man is a paranoid idiot,” he snarled.

Pot-meet-kettle was all that ran through my mind. My father had many issues, but suspicion and a thirst for power were neck and neck, depending on the day.

“I’ll let you know once I have the payment. Did you ever get an answer as to why Cesare couldn’t just wire you the money?”

“Titus, you don’t simply wire a half million in illegal gambling money.” I rolled my eyes. We made transactions larger than that daily, so that was complete bullshit. “Cesare said that the guy gave him physical payment that needed to be picked up.”

I didn’t believe that either. Two pairs of eyes reflected the dash light in the rearview mirror.

Daisy and Bella were sitting up in the very back, their massive heads shrouded in darkness.

I could see why everyone thought they were scary.

It was exactly why I loved them. You wouldn’t find two better guards.

“So, what you’re saying is that I could be walking into a trap? Great. Tell me straight. Do you think he is planning on killing me?”

“No, don’t be ridiculous, Titus.” I shook my head, my hands tightening on the steering wheel. Me? Unbelievable. “Cesare owes me and doesn’t want a war. It won’t come to that.”

Sure, like my death would cause a war. The only son he would fight for was Ronan, and only because Ronan was his best ‘yes’ man. There was nothing my father loved more than having someone ask how high when he said, ‘jump.’

“Then why are you so worried?” The line remained silent, and I knew he was trying to come up with a lie. “It’s fine. I’m almost there. I’ll call when it’s done. Whatever happens, happens.”

I hung up before he had a chance to respond. Not that I was actually worried. Of all my family members, I was the least likely to be killed or captured by the Mancinis. After some friendly negotiating, I usually ended up on the golf course instead of the wrong end of a gun.

Signaling, I pulled off the dark industrial road and checked the buildings for the right number. The further I drove, the more rundown and seedier everything became.

“Maybe I was wrong, and there is something to worry about,” I said, glancing in my rear-view mirror as Bella tilted her head. “Not you, girl.”

The only other light in this part of town came from the two vehicles filled with guards following me.

People were not as reliable as dogs, but my father insisted that I bring them as a show of force.

I much preferred the honey-over-vinegar approach, but some shit just wasn’t worth fighting over when it came to Father.

The windows on the building were smashed, and the front lawn was overgrown when I found my destination.

Driving around to the back as instructed, I spotted Fat Ricky outside smoking with a guy that I assumed was another guard.

I’d dealt with Ricky in the past, and he was… fine, if not a little dense sometimes.

I pulled up in a strategic position to make a fast escape if needed, but running from a hail of bullets was something I wanted to avoid.

Four guards met me and fanned out as I exited my vehicle.

“Give me some breathing room,” I ordered. They each took a single step back, making me roll my eyes. Guess it was better than nothing.

Hitting the unlock button for the SUV hatch, it slowly lifted. My two girls waited for their cue to jump down. Cane Corsos were a large breed, but both Bella and Daisy exceeded standards, reaching almost two hundred pounds.

At my hand signal, they jumped down. “ Ryadom ,” I said, walking toward the entrance. The Mancini’s men eyed my dogs as they padded along beside me.

“Ricky,” I said, holding out my hand in greeting. He shook it but kept his wary eyes down like the dogs were going to suddenly jump on him and rip his arm from its socket. They would if they thought he was a threat or if I gave the command.

“We were expecting Dimitri,” Ricky said, smiling.

“Disappointed?”

“Hardly. They are waiting for you inside.”

That got my attention. “Who is they? This seems highly unusual for a pickup.”

Ricky shrugged, holding the door open to let me and my men through.

“I do what I’m told. The rest is above my pay grade. But you get everyone, so feel special. Cesare, Antonio, and Romeo. Saul is even here.”

The unknown guard walked ahead of us, and I watched him carefully for any sign that this was a trap. All my senses were alert as we moved through the industrial building with only a few dull bulbs lighting the way. When my father collected money, he was greeted with a fancy meal and entertainment.

We stopped in front of a set of double doors, and the guard looked back.

“You’ll have to leave your guns here.”

I smirked and signaled for my guards to turn around. They pulled their guns and took up position behind me as I walked away.

“Where are you going,” Ricky called after me.

“Tell Cesare that we keep our weapons, or he can transfer the money.”

“Fuck…hang on.” He disappeared inside the door, and I heard the low, hushed tone of people talking before Ricky reappeared. “Keep your weapons.”

Bella and Daisy sensed my unease and closed rank, pressing against my legs.

I tapped my fingers on my thigh, trying to decide if this was a good idea.

The girls weren’t growling yet, but I felt the tension running through their large bodies as easily as if it were my own.

Ricky pulled his gun, and that was all it took.

Their gums pulled up over their dangerous canines.

“Easy, I’m handing over my piece to show you there is no threat.”

Nodding, I gave the girls the signal to stand down as he held the handle out to me.

“Alright, let’s go.” If it was my day to die…it was my day to die.

Ricky and the guard opened both doors, allowing the girls to stay beside me. My eyebrows shot up when I looked around. The Mancini men sat around a fancy green velvet poker table like they were at a high-stakes game. Cigar smoke rose in the air as Romeo tossed chips into the center.

“I call,” he said as I stepped closer.

Looking around the large open space, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why they hadn’t just invited me to one of their casinos instead.

The hand continued, and Cesare groaned and swore as he tossed his cards down. Romeo swiped all the chips as he smirked.

“Welcome, Titus. This is a mildly welcome surprise,” Cesare said. His chair scraped along the concrete as he stood.

“Likewise,”

We shook hands, and then he pointed to the game.

“Are you interested in playing a few hands?”

I smiled. “Hoping to win back what you owe my father?”

“The thought crossed my mind.” He smirked and pointed to the two unfamiliar men. “That’s Saul and Antonio.” I knew both men by reputation only and gave a passive nod. “Stunning dogs. Do you mind if I pet them?

“I wouldn’t if you like your hand,” I said, and Cesare stepped back.

Pointing around us, I had to ask. “Why have you chosen this…rather out-of-the-way location?”

“Well…I don’t exactly have your payment,” Cesare said. I narrowed my eyes as he turned and walked away.

“What does that mean? Why did you make me drive out here and go through the theatrics?”

Once more, I searched the mostly barren space for something off. But other than the few guards stationed at the doors and the two who walked in with us, there was no sign of a threat.

“Let me alter that. We have your payment, but it’s not in the way of funds.”

My men shuffled behind me, pulling their guns. I held up my hand, telling them to stand down as my eyes bounced from one Mancini head to the next.

“Stop playing games, and tell me what you mean. If you don’t, I’ll leave right now and tell my father that you reneged on the payment.”

“As I mentioned before…we were expecting Dimitri,” Cesare said, looking at Saul. He rose and walked across the room to what looked like a box covered in a sheet. Gripping the material, he pulled it off. A girl was curled up in the back corner of the cage.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as I pointed at the obviously terrified teenager.

“What the fuck is this?”

“The man who lost to your father never should’ve been allowed to play or to lose as much as he did. There was a technical oversight.”

“And this is our fucking problem, how?”

“When we went to collect…he didn’t have the cash, the house was worthless, and he had no other assets to sell off. So, we took his daughter as payment.”

“You what?” I yelled, setting Bella and Daisy off. They began to growl low, their bodies tensing. “Have you all lost your fucking minds? You want to give us a girl?” The anger inside of me was instant, and my voice echoed off the walls in the open space.

“Titus, please spare us the infuriated display. We both know that your father will happily take a beautiful sixteen-year-old in lieu of the money owed. He has very particular tastes, and she ticks all the boxes. Brunette, petite, young, and willing to do whatever is needed to save her family from death.”

Cesare waved his hand at me like I was the one being ridiculous as he picked up his drink.

My teeth ground together. Not only was this insulting, but my mind was suddenly racing.

Had others paid off debts this way? My mind went to the girls my father flaunted around.

I’d never suspected they weren’t willingly with him, but now… now, I wasn’t so sure.

“So, let me see if I understand this correctly. You fuck up and let a man who doesn’t have two cents to rub together into your high-stakes poker game.

He loses to my father, and instead of fronting the money in his stead and having him work it off, you kidnap his daughter and use her as payment. Do I have that right?”

“You make it sound worse than it is.” Cesare walked over to the cage, but the girl didn’t shy away when he opened the door. “Come on, my dear, let’s show Mr. Mikhailov what he’s getting.”

The girl crawled out and slowly stood. She was dressed like any other teen, and for all I knew, they’d swiped her off the streets and slapped the debtor's name on her. Jeans with rips that I didn’t think were just fashion adorned her legs, and an extra-large hoodie made her seem even more petite.

She kept her eyes down, her long hair hiding most of her features as he grabbed her arm and escorted her closer.

“ Ryadom ,” I said. Bella and Daisy took the cue and stepped back, relaxing.

Cesare walked the girl right up to me. Her hands stayed clasped in front of her as she lifted her chin to look up.

She was stunning, and I could see where she would be exquisite as she got older and grew out of the gangly teenage stage.

Cesare was right. My father would’ve taken her in a heartbeat and kept her like a prize before he destroyed her innocence.

I glared over at Cesare, pissed that I was being put in this position.

“And if your father doesn’t want her…I’m sure if you put her on the market, she will make back the money in no time.”

My hand curled into a fist, but I kept myself in check. “You want me to turn her into a sex worker?”

Cesare again shrugged. “What you decide is up to you. I’m merely offering suggestions.”

“And what if I refuse?”

Cesare sat down again and picked up his cigar. He took a few puffs and blew the smoke into the air. “Then I will put her to work to pay off her father’s debt and send installments. Should only take until she’s thirty before she’s free.”

I’d never known the Mancini family to be involved in human trafficking, but not hearing about it and it not happening were two different things.

I glanced down at the girl again as Daisy stepped forward and nudged her hand.

She rubbed Daisy’s snout, her small hand looking even smaller next to the massive head.

She had a pixie quality to her in the way she moved.

Son of a bitch. This was the epitome of a rock and a hard place.

My decision was made when Bella stepped forward, jealous that Daisy was getting all the attention.

Instead of being frightened, the girl smiled and kneeled.

She cooed softly to my dogs, and there was no way I could let her end up in a sex ring. I’d never fucking forgive myself.

“What’s your name,” I asked, and her big green eyes turned up to me.

“Fawn,” she said, her voice as sweet as she looked.

“And your last name?”

“I’m a Rayburn, but my stepfather is a Carmichael. He’s the one that owes the money.”

“Is that true,” I asked, looking at Cesare.

“I don’t know who her birth father is, but it doesn’t matter. She’s still the stepdaughter. That is as good as a blood relative in this case.”

I shook my head. Un-fucking-believable.

“I’ll take her. But, Cesare…don’t ever fucking pull something like this again.”

The corner of his mouth turned up, and I wanted to grab him and knock him the fuck out.

“Let’s go,” I barked out, turning to leave.

“Do you want her cage or maybe a collar so she can crawl by your side like the dogs,” Cesare asked. His attempt at humor almost got him shot. I wasn’t in the mood. The men in the room laughed but stopped when I glared at them.

Turning away before I did something like pull my gun and start a war, I walked out. I half expected Fawn to take off the moment we were outside. I would let her go if she did. Instead, she stood quietly with her hand on Bella’s head.

“Do you want to run,” I asked.

Fawn didn’t even look toward the street before shaking her head. What the hell did they do to her? Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“You’ll ride with me,” I ordered, pointing to my SUV.

I opened the back hatch, and Bella and Daisy jumped inside. Once they were secure, I closed the door and took a long, steadying breath.

“You really going to accept her as payment,” Maurice asked.

“I don’t have a fucking choice.”

“Your father is going to eat her for lunch,” he said as he walked to his vehicle.

That was exactly what I was afraid of, and it was also the reason why my father was never getting his hands on her.

Fawn was in my care now. What that meant exactly…

I didn’t know. Sex trafficking was one of the few things in this world of corruption that I wouldn’t stand for, and handing Fawn over to my father was only a half step down from it. I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t.

From now on, Fawn was mine.