Miami Inferno

  Miami Inferno

  Miami Nights

  Book One

  By Elle Boon

  © Copyright 2015 Elle Boon

  ISBN: 978-1-943844-13-5

  All cover art and logo © Copyright 2015 by Elle Boon

  All rights reserved.

  Cover by Tibbs Designs

  Smashwords Edition

  Dedication

  To the best crit partner and truly the greatest lady I’ve met in this industry…Caitly O’leary. You are without a doubt the best partner in crime. Look out world, we are so going to take over. I honestly don’t think I’d be as sane “snort” as I am without your support, friendship, and endless supply of help. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done for me and for all the late night, early morning, phone calls you’ve taken from this erratic gal. You are my “brain” lol. Tell your hubby thanks for sharing you with me (hehehehe). Truly, I LOVE YOU SOOO HARD
  There are so many people I’d like to thank, beginning with my awesome beta readers Debbie Ramos, Trenda London, and Jenna Underwood. BIG HUGE thank you to Kate Richards of Wizards In Publishing, you are truly fabulous, and went above and beyond on this book for me. Y’all totally rock and without your input, and help, I’d still be at square one with this book.

  Many thanks to my hubby for his unwavering support, my oldest, Jaz for being so damn awesome, and to my Goob who is still my baby even though he’s six-foot tall. Without their love and support I’d never be able to do what I love, write.

  To the amazingly talented cover artist Valerie Tibbs of Tibbs Design. I love this cover sooo hard, and I know I am now marked down as “that client” with squinty eyes, I Love You.

  Miami Inferno

  A Wounded Temptress

  Angelina Rugiero loved Lorenzo Delgado with a budding woman’s passion, until he broke her heart. Now she has the life she always dreamed of with another man, or so she thought.

  A Determined Man

  Lorenzo has loved Angel for years. He knew that he had to wait for her to grow up. With one thoughtless act on the night of her eighteenth birthday, he destroyed all hopes of a future, leaving him devastated….and determined to make things right.

  A Love That Can’t Be Denied

  As Angel goes home to Miami one last time, Lorenzo realizes this is his opportunity to prove his love. Can they have the life they’d always wanted together, or will a man bent on revenge destroy their happily ever after before it begins

  Chapter One

  Angelina Rugiero stood at the top of the grand staircase, waiting patiently to be announced by the emcee. The exclusive country club her parents were members of was the prime location to have your big event. Her name being called through the speakers was her signal. She descended the stairs wearing a red steel-boned corset, with a short, flirty black skirt, and a pair of red stilettos. She’d never felt so sexy and beautiful. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she scanned the crowd for one man.

  The ballroom was filled with familiar faces, from close friends and relatives to casual acquaintances. Instead of having a sweet sixteen, she’d opted for a new car and a shopping expedition to Italy with her mom and her best friend Gia Delgado. Tonight was her night. Angelina was ready to show a certain someone that she was all grown up, and have him notice she was a woman, not the little girl who’d played with his baby sister. At eighteen, she was a woman in her own right. She hoped he would finally see that for himself.

  “You’re gorgeous.” Gia laughed.

  Knowing she wouldn’t come right out and ask who the last gift was from, Angel hugged her. “You are, too.”

  After dancing and laughing with many, she was anticipating the opening of gifts. Even knowing what her parents had already gotten her didn’t diminish the excitement as she opened each beautifully wrapped box. The last present on the huge table was a small square box. The distinctive Cartier insignia on the gold foil made her heart pound. Most of the gifts had been receipts for donations made on her behalf to some of her favorite charities. But this one was going to be all hers. She barely restrained herself from grabbing the gift up and ripping into it like a child after she’d spotted the name of the giver. She’d seen the way her best friend had raised her eyebrows as she’d saved it for last.

  With hands not quite steady, she opened the card. Seeing his masculine handwriting did funny things to her. The words blurred before her eyes as she read. Happy Birthday, beautiful. The significance of this gift is to always treasure yourself, and others will too. With love, Ren.

  The fact he’d taken the time to write it himself was proof he cared, making her body tingle. She traced his scrawled signature lovingly, interpreting the meaning behind his words. Carefully, she peeled back the tape, wanting to keep every piece of his gift for her keepsake trunk. When the red box was finally exposed, she popped open the lid and held her breath. There, nestled in the center, was a beautiful heart-shaped pendant enclosed in a larger circle in platinum with tiny diamonds around the edges. Lifting it out, she admired the beauty and noticed an inscription. The word Angel had been etched on the inside.

  Angelina slipped it over her head, loving the way it nestled between her breasts. She wished he had been there to put it on her, and then hoped to see him standing with her family, but, to her distress, he was nowhere to be seen. Surely he hadn’t just dropped off her present and left? Disappointment hit her like a punch to the stomach.

  Her parents and Gia rushed forward, admiring the gift. She smiled and showed the inscription. A feeling of being cherished had her heart beating as her parents murmured about how thoughtful Lorenzo Delgado was. The party was half over as she was rushed into cutting her cake, still thanking everyone for the wonderful gifts. Everyone except the one person she really wanted to thank. Lorenzo, or Ren to his family and friends, was still absent, but she wasn’t going to let that ruin her night. He’d show up, and then she’d show him how much she loved his gift.

  “That is a beautiful necklace, Angel. My brother must have put a lot of thought into the gift.” Gia lifted the heart-shaped pendant, her finger tracing the edges.

  “I wish he was here so I could thank him.” Angel stood on her toes, staring over the crowd as she searched for what felt like the hundredth time.

  Gia’s eyes were all too knowing. “My brother is way too hard for my bestie. You’d be better off cutting your teeth on a sweet boy like Jack.”

  Angel laughed. “You did not just suggest I go out with Jackson Wells because, if you did, then we are over.”

  “Hey, just because he is most probably gay, and sorta in a relationship with a dude…” Gia stopped as Angel narrowed her eyes.

  “I rest my case. Jack is a dear, sweet young man, who I love like a brother. However, I think there would be a major issue, since he is clearly in love with Mark, and Mark is obviously the top in that relationship.” Angel finished.

  “Fair enough, but that doesn’t mean you should be turning your sights on my big brother.”

  She wished Gia would have forgotten where their original argument had started, but, like a dog with a bone, her best friend wasn’t ready to give up. “Gia, I’m eighteen, and we graduate next week. It’s not like I’m a little kid anymore.”

  “Angel, your mother is looking for you. Some of your guests are leaving. Come so you can say goodbye,” her father said.

  Hours later, exhausted but far from ready to end the night, she excused herself from the guy she’d been dancing with. When she said she needed to use the ladies room, it wasn’t a total lie, since she hadn’t stopped moving, except to drink a glass of water here or there, since her party began. Between stilettos and the nonstop dancing, a break was just what was needed. Weaving her way through the crowd, she tried the handle on the women’s, findi
ng it locked. With a shrug, she turned the knob on the family room, stepping into her own version of a nightmare.

  The large room had a small couch for the women to come in and take a break during the day. However, tonight, that wasn’t what it was being used for. There, seated on the couch, was none other than Lorenzo himself. His head was thrown back as a woman with short brown hair bobbed up and down between his legs. She couldn’t actually see what was going on, but, from his groans and the sounds coming from the woman she recognized as Candis, she knew.

  Her stomach heaving, she tried to back out without being seen. She must have made some kind of noise that alerted them they were no longer alone. Lorenzo’s eyes snapped open, pinning her with a glare. Her hand flew to her mouth, suppressing the keening wail building in her lungs from escaping. Before she could make a hasty exit, he said two damning words that would forever be etched on her brain. “Get Out,” Lorenzo snarled.

  Turning, Angelina yanked open the door, unable to form a reply as she ran out. She glanced toward the grand ballroom, but returning and facing her family and friends was the last thing she wanted to do. Knowing her car was with the valet, she kept her head down and headed to the front doors.

  Not paying attention to who or what was in front of her, she ran into a large man. His arms came up and kept her from falling. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled into his chest. Glancing up, she recognized him as one of Lorenzo’s friends.

  “Hey, don’t apologize, birthday girl. Where were you going in such a hurry?” He held her by the arms.

  Angel tried to hold back her tears, but knew she failed when he exhaled then shook his head. “I’m fine. I was just going to go outside for some fresh air.” Her voice caught on the lie.

  “Ah. Angel, you are a poor liar. Come on. Let’s go for a ride and clear your head. You shouldn’t be alone when you’re so upset. Besides, I could use a friend, too.” His blond hair was styled to perfection, his big hand gentle as he brushed it across her cheek then led her outside.

  The first raindrops started to fall, and she held onto his hand like a lifeline, determined to erase what she’d seen. She let the semi-stranger pull her behind him, having no clue where he was leading her, and, in that moment, she didn’t care.

  The rain beat down, and the wind whipped at her now soaking wet hair, but she embraced the violent storm, matching the emotions churning inside her. She wanted to lash out at someone or something. Angrily, she swiped at the tears flowing down her cheeks seeming to blend with the rain, except, when she licked her lips, she tasted salt.

  When they reached a low-riding sports car, a moment of hesitation almost made her change her mind. She didn’t even know the man’s name, and here she was, letting him lead her away from her own party. A vision of Lorenzo and the other woman sent a fresh wave of pain through her.

  “It’s okay Angelina, I won’t hurt you. I’m Derek. I’ve known Lorenzo since college.”

  He looked sweet and sincere. His smile seemed to convey he knew what she was going through, that he felt her pain. Making up her mind, she nodded and ducked into the passenger seat.

  The heavy roar of the engine and the loud beat of some heavy metal song drowned out the storm. With the expertise of a racecar driver, Derek drove them out of the parking lot with proficiency and speed, and she wondered again if it was a smart idea to go with him.

  “Derek, do you think you’re driving a little too fast?” she yelled over the throbbing music. Imagining them spinning out of control on the wet roads, Angelina couldn’t help but feel like it would be okay to die tonight. If a person could die from a broken heart, then she was already dead. She shivered, more from the memories than the cold from being wet and dressed in little to nothing.

  “Here. Drink this. It’ll warm you up.” Derek’s deep voice soothed her frayed nerves.

  He held out a diamond-encrusted flask. She sniffed the contents and smelled sweet lemon. With a shrug, Angelina tipped her head back and let the refreshingly cool liquid slide down her throat, coughing a little at the bite of strong alcohol. It tasted like lemonade with a kick, and she wanted it to stop the chill taking over her body. Several large gulps later, she began to feel a sense of blessed warmth, along with numbness. They passed the drink back and forth between them.

  “Yikes, this is some good stuff. But I think we need more.” Angelina shook the container, showing him there was nothing left.

  “Ah, sweets, you weren’t supposed to drink so much. Shit, Ren is going to fucking kill me,” he muttered.

  “Screw Ren. He’s not my boss, or my anything. He’s a baas-turd.” Her words slurred, and, if she wasn’t mistaken, she sounded like a baby sheep. The thought made her giggle and then break into a full-blown laugh as she repeated the word several times out loud.

  Derek seemed to be speaking to himself, muttering under his breath about doing good deeds and killing the messenger. His words made no sense to her fuzzy brain, but she no longer felt like crying. No longer had a sharp pain, like someone had taken a knife and jabbed her in the chest. So whatever he said or did was okay in her not-so-clear mind. He was her knight in shining armor, after all.

  Leaning over the space separating them, Angelina placed her palm on his leg. It was wet from the rain, but the muscle beneath her fingers tensed at her touch. Curious, she trailed her hand up, stopping at the juncture between his thighs. She gave an experimental squeeze, and it jumped beneath her fingers. Goodness, she wondered how he kept it contained in his slacks.

  “Angelina, stop. You don’t want to do this.” The growl had her gaze jerking up to see Derek’s jaw bunched tight.

  “Oh, but I do. Don’t you want me?” She hiccupped, ruining her feigned whine.

  With her fingers, she released his belt. The sound of the zipper lowering was overly loud, and his hiss echoed throughout the closed interior, giving her the courage to continue. She marveled at the fact he wore no underwear. The seat belt kept her from her goal. Angelina wanted to erase the image of the other woman with Lorenzo. She wanted to do what she saw Candis doing, be the one to make those sounds come out of his mouth. Finally, the seat belt was open. All barriers between her mouth and the hard cock in her hand were gone.

  The car swerved, coming to a shuddering halt. A strong male hand gripped her fingers, pulling them away from his dick before she could explore further.

  “Stop,” Derek bit out.

  Angelina leaned back in her seat as he got out. The world was spinning around her, making her dizzy and light-headed. The passenger door was jerked open, Derek leaned in, grabbed a blanket from the backseat, and then picked her up, cradling her against his chest. He carried her down the beach with long strides, not saying a word. She had no clue how they’d gotten there but was glad he was doing the walking.

  When he stopped and set her on her feet, her knees nearly buckled. The rain was still coming down, the waves in the distance crashing against the beach just feet away from where they stood. He guided her down to the blanket he’d placed on the ground and then kissed her. Angelina had been kissed, but never before by a man. All the boys she’d dated seemed clumsy, but Derek kissed like he drove, recklessly.

  “Lorenzo,” she whispered, eyes closed tight.

  Pulling him closer, the feel of his beard scraping against her palm sent a thrill through her. She tasted the lemonade they’d drunk on his tongue and moaned. Her world spun out of control as Derek rolled them to their side. She tried to raise her arm, thinking to pull him back over her.

  “Are we spinning?” she asked.

  Angelina must have passed out from too much alcohol. The only times she ever drank was on special occasions with her parents, and, even then, only a small glass.

  A noise alerted her to the man lying beside her. The rain was still coming down, but now it was a light sprinkle and, typical of Florida weather, it was warming up. She wiggled out from under his body that was still partially covering her, not wanting to wake him yet. Her heart ached, childhood dreams torn apart
by her reckless behavior. Sure, she could blame the alcohol, but, at the end of the day, or night, as it were, she was a big girl, who’d made the decision. Poor Derek. He’d been nice enough to take her away when he’d seen she needed an escape, and she had basically thrown herself at him. Shame threatened to swamp her. She squared her shoulders, knowing you couldn’t cry over spilled milk, or in this case, ninety proof alcohol, silently vowing to never make the same mistake again. The next time she made love it would be with a man she loved, and she would remember it.

  On shaky legs, Angelina tried to stand, but felt like she was on a tilt-a-whirl. Not knowing how far they were from the country club, she didn’t want to try to walk back. In her getup, she’d be mistaken for a prostitute. Thinking about how she would explain to her family where she’d spent the evening and how perfectly her birthday had started and how it had ended, she was more than ready to leave. With the toe of her bare foot, she kicked Derek in the side, making him groan.

  “Derek, wake up. I need to go home.” Speaking hurt her head, so she whispered.

  “Huh.” He rolled over, giving her a view of his unzipped pants, and she couldn’t help but notice his dick was still exposed.

  She looked away and motioned with her hand. His eyes snapped down, and he expelled a loud breath, and a few curse words.

  “God, Angelina. Did we? You know?” He sounded like he was in pain.

  She didn’t understand why he was upset. She was the one who had lost her virginity and had no memory of it. Shouldn’t she feel different? Wasn’t it supposed to hurt? So many things swirled through her hazy mind, but in the forefront was the need to flee.

  “Could you please just take me home? I don’t feel well.” Her hand on her stomach gave credence to the lie.