"Everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power."
...
A slow smirk dances across his lips as he takes in the chained girl in front of him. A sight to behold, he thinks, a sight he is going to destroy, soon.
"Keep her chained." His command echoes throughout the room and for the next few seconds, the only sound which resonates are rattles of chains and sweet, innocent whimpers.
And then, he finally spoke, sealing the girls fate under their hold.
"Let's begin, shall we?"
...
Stephan Alonso Ortiz had never been the one to show mercy. The day he was born, he was destined to rule the throne of the Italian Mafia.
As he grew older, his tendencies and actions, only proved, fate had been right in choosing him as the Capo-Mandamento. When twelve years old, he made his first kill. He stood in front of his enemy and slowly watched them die. One would think he'd be traumatized by that memory, but no, he relives that memory with a smile on his lips and a sparkle of elation in his eyes, relishing the pain on his enemy's face, over and over again.
When he saw a helpless bruised girl lying in the basement of an enemy gang, he simply looked at her up and down and claimed that she'd be of good use.
And so he took her. People thought she'd change him, make him a better person, but how wrong they were.
...
21+
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
***
Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.