A Dark Shadow Play E-Book

L. Z. Hammond

• Herausgeber: Dutch Venture Publishing
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 189

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

For years, Julie Willington has planned to start up a theater summer camp for underprivileged children from San Diego at her grandfather's villa. When Grandfather Henry passes away and leaves her the house, that dream seems closer to becoming a reality. But if she doesn't find an investor soon to put money into maintaining the house, her plan is doomed to fail.

When drop-dead sexy Romeo Ramirez comes into her life, she wants to persuade this realtor from Bonita to find the best buyer for her villa, but also to respect her wishes regarding the purpose of the house - it needs to stay available for the summer camp.
Romeo promises her to consider her terms, but what Julie doesn't know is that he actually works for the Mexican mafia... and they want her house at all costs as a new base of operations.

Romeo Ramirez never had problems with playing a double role, until he is tasked with double-crossing Julie Willington and convincing her to sell her house to the highest bidder. It should be a piece of cake to persuade her to sell her luxury villa to his shady cousin Julio, but when he witnesses with his own eyes the kind of idealistic project she wants to set up there, a tiny bit of light penetrates his dark heart. Plus, the fact that he'd love to get this feisty young woman in the sack isn't really helping either.

Julie and Romeo are extremely attracted to each other, despite their difficult circumstances, but can their love truly blossom when Romeo is too afraid to follow his heart, and Julie doesn't know who his employer really is..?

Leseprobe

A Dark Shadow Play

L Z Hammond

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter 1- Romeo

Chapter 2 - Julie

Chapter 3 - Romeo

Chapter 4  - Julie

Chapter 5 - Romeo

Chapter 6 - Romeo

Chapter 7- Julie

Chapter 8 – Romeo

Chapter 9  - Julie

Chapter 10 - Romeo

Chapter 11  - Julie

Chapter 12 – Romeo

Chapter 13  - Julie

Chapter 14 – Romeo

Chapter 15 – Julie

Chapter 16 – Romeo

Chapter 17 – Julie

Chapter 18 – Romeo

Chapter 19 – Julie

Chapter 20 – Romeo

Chapter 21 – Julie

Chapter 22 - Julie

Chapter 23 – Romeo

Chapter 24 – Julie

Chapter 25 – intermezzo

Chapter 26 – Romeo

Chapter 27 - Julie

Chapter 28 - Romeo

Chapter 29 - Julie

Chapter 30 – Romeo

Chapter 31 – Romeo

Chapter 32 – Julie

Chapter 1- Romeo

Romeo Ramirez leaned back in the leather chair, his posture deceptively relaxed as he faced the man across the desk – his older cousin. Julio “The Viper” Mendez’s office was dimly lit, the only light source a lamp with a shade that cast serpentine patterns on the walls. The shadows played over Julio’s face, accentuating the sinister ink of the snake tattoo that coiled around his neck.

“Romeo, primo, you’re the best we have—a chameleon among men,” Julio began, his voice low and smooth like gravel wrapped in velvet. “But even chameleons can be squashed underfoot.”

Romeo’s dark eyes held steady, betraying none of the cold adrenaline coursing through him. “You surely didn’t call me here to discuss reptilian hierarchies, Julio.”

“Direct as ever.” Julio flicked some ash from his cigarette into a crystal tray. “Let me get to the point. There’s a villa in Bonita and I want it. It’s prime real estate ripe for our taking. Perfect for our new headquarters, because it’s close to that crystal meth lab we have in the same town. But it’s currently... occupied.”

“And you want me to occupy myself with it,” Romeo replied, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

“Yes. You’re gonna convince the current owner that selling is in her best interest,” said Julio, leaning forward, the lamplight glinting off his dark eyes. “Make her an offer she can’t refuse. Her grandfather used to own the villa and lived there until he passed away, but our research shows that she already has a town house in San Diego. There’s no need for her to live in her grandfather’s house. Make her a tempting offer and she’ll be eager to sell.”

“Consider it done.” Romeo stood, the leather creaking beneath him like a whispered threat.

“Remember, this stays between us,” Julio warned him with a pointed look. “No loose ends, Romeo.”

“Loose ends are for amateurs,” Romeo shot back, his scar pulling taut over his cheekbone – a stark reminder of the consequences he once faced for not tidying up.

Contrary to popular belief, the Mexican mafia they both belonged to didn’t originate in Mexico. It was born from the harsh reality of the Californian prison system. Julio had been an inmate for a few years. He’d been incarcerated at a young age. In order to survive, he had joined the Mexican mafia, and once he was out, he’d continued to climb the ranks, called himself The Viper. He was currently running drugs for “La eMe”, as they were known by, and Romeo Ramirez was his faithful right, although he operated under the guise of a legitimate job.

The one time Romeo had slipped up, his enemy scarred him for life. That day, he had sworn not to ever let it happen again.

***

As Romeo approached the sprawling villa in Bonita in his sleek, black car, the late afternoon sun caught the tips of its marble columns, turning them a white gold. The property exuded wealth, each manicured hedge and bubbling fountain a testament to opulence.

He stepped out of his car, the gravel crunching beneath his cowboy boots. His attire of business suit, white shirt and black cowboy boots was classy, but undeniably rougher than the silk and linen that must grace these halls. The scar on his cheek felt like it burned under the scrutiny of the villa’s grandeur. This place had never seen violence, nor scars; it knew only beauty and extravagance. God, how he hated rich people flaunting their riches in his face. It reminded him of the hard times he’d experienced as a kid – and the many rich assholes that had crossed his path.

“Quite the fairy tale castle,” Romeo murmured to himself, the irony bitter on his tongue. He ran a hand through his hair, the thick, brown strands slipping through his fingers.

With every step toward the grand entrance, his boots echoed against the stone pathway, a steady drumbeat announcing his intent. The door loomed large, carved wood polished to a sheen, and as Romeo reached out for the doorbell, he could feel the weight of his task pushing down on him.

“Time to weave some magic,” he whispered, allowing the ghost of a smirk to cross his features before he rang. After all, if there was one thing Romeo Ramirez knew how to do, it was playing the part of reputable estate agent. A charming businessman, secretly doing the dirty deeds of the Mexican mafia.

And so, with a deep breath to steel himself, he prepared to spin his web of persuasion, ready to ensnare his unwitting prey.

Chapter 2 - Julie

Julie Willington’s laughter rang clear as crystal, harmonizing with the delighted shrieks of children darting through the meticulously-kept gardens of the villa. As she chased after a soccer ball, her cheeks were flushed with exertion and joy. Her blonde hair was a bit damp with sweat, but she didn’t care. She’d put on this simple, white sundress in order to move freely.

“Miss Julie! Miss Julie, look!” A small boy, skin-kissed by the sun, held up a clumsily crafted paper airplane, beaming with pride.

“Marco, that’s fantastic,” Julie cheered, squatting down to admire his handiwork and looking at it with genuine delight. “You’ll have to teach me how to make one later.”

She stood, brushing a grass stain from her dress, her gaze sweeping the villa with an air of determination. She had a plan, and it was a great plan. This beautiful place with its stone fountains and sprawling terraces was no longer meant to be just a hollow shell of wealth like it was when her grandfather still lived here. No. It was going to be a sanctuary – a place for summer theater camps where underprivileged children could find respite, if only for a weekend. That is what she’d dreamed of setting up when she was still in college, studying theater arts, and that was what she was going to make sure would happen now. She was only twenty-two years old and fresh out of college, but she knew what she wanted.

“Miss Julie,” called Rosa, the elderly housekeeper, from the veranda. “There’s a man at the door for you.”

“Thank you, I’ll be right there!” Julie replied, casting a final glance toward the children who were now engrossed in their game. She wasn’t expecting anyone and wondered who it might be at the door. She took a steadying breath, ready to face whatever the world beyond the gates would throw at her.

As she approached, she saw a tall, Mexican-looking man standing in the foyer, his imposing frame casting a shadow that seemed to darken the bright space. His dark-brown eyes, sharp and assessing, flickered over her approach. Something about that gaze made her blush despite herself. Who was this tall, dark stranger? And why was he in her villa?

“Can I help you?” Julie asked, her tone polite, but guarded.

“My name is Romeo Ramirez, Miss Willington,” he said, the name rolling off his tongue with practiced ease. “I’m here about the property.”

“Ah... the realtor.” Julie’s brow furrowed slightly; she hadn’t expected anyone until next week. Plus, she couldn’t remember that realtor had a Latino name. “Did something go wrong with our appointment schedule?”

“Nothing a little flexibility can’t fix,” Romeo countered smoothly, stepping forward with a confidence that seemed to claim the space as his own. “I believe in making the most of an opportunity when it arises.”

She could sense something in the air around this man, a tension that set her nerves on edge. “Opportunity,” Julie echoed, a hint of steel entering her voice. “This villa isn’t just a transaction, Mr. Ramirez. It’s supposed to be a haven for children who have nothing. I won’t sell it to someone who doesn’t understand that.”

“Business is business, Miss Willington,” Romeo replied, the corner of his mouth twitching in what might have been amusement or annoyance—it was hard to tell. “And everyone has a price.”

She hated his cock-sure attitude already and gave him a steely glare. “Not me,” she said firmly, meeting his gaze head-on. “I have a plan for this place. A plan that is more important than maximizing the profit I will make by selling this villa. The buyer will have to go along with my vision for the future, or I’m not selling.”

Silence stretched taut for a moment.

“So, hold on...” His voice suddenly sounded hesitant, and it made her feel just a tiny bit smug. “You have specific conditions for selling your house?”

‘Yes.” She stood a little taller. “I don’t want to sound like Martin Luther King here, but – I have a dream.”

A sigh escaped the realtor’s lips. She wasn’t sure it was a pondering sound or a sign of disapproval.

“Well, Miss Willington,” he then said. “That changes things. But let me tell you, dreams are a luxury sometimes even the rich can’t afford.”

His cell phone started to vibrate in his pocket at that exact moment, and with a haughty glance in her direction, Romeo Ramirez turned on his heel, leaving her standing in the sunlit foyer when he walked out the door. Her heart pounded a rhythm of war drums against the peaceful chirping of birds outside as Julie stared after him.

Wait. What the hell just happened? The appointment hadn’t even begun and it was already over... or so it seemed. What was this realtor’s deal? Surely he wouldn’t just leave – not without discussing matters more thoroughly and taking her wishes into account. If she had to pay the mortgage for this house by herself, she’d be in trouble. She did need a buyer. Was it truly so impossible for him to find someone to partner up with and turn this into a sanctuary for underprivileged children?

With a determined stride, she stepped out the door to follow the insufferable Mr. Ramirez through the front yard and make him see sense.

Chapter 3 - Romeo

Romeo strode through the lush gardens of the villa, his eyes tracing the golden hues of the sun as it kissed the terra cotta tiles. The scent of blooming jasmine did little to soothe the turmoil brewing within him. He pictured Julie’s defiant stance as she spoke of dreams and aspirations that were worlds apart from his own, dark reality. What was he supposed to do now? He could already sense that this woman wouldn’t fall for his usual tricks.

That phone call from one of the enforcers had come at just the right time for him to take a moment and come up with a different approach. Sadly, nothing came to mind. When he had entered the villa, he’d been sure he could dazzle Julie Willington with tales of profit. The rich were like that – easily lured by the promise of even more money to sit on. However, it turned out that the woman he had to convince was more like an innocent girl with dreams in her head and stars in her eyes.

Romeo groaned. He shouldn’t have stepped out the door like he did. He didn’t know what it was, but Julie got under his skin somehow. She looked sweet and pliant, but underneath that beautiful exterior, he could sense she had a will of steel. Despite that, she was also radiant and passionate. She wasn’t anything like the women he was used to. In all his twenty-eight years on this earth, he’d never encountered a specimen like her.

If anything, she reminded him of his auntie Alejandra. He hadn’t seen her since he left Mexico as a child. The distant memory felt painful, almost as if it was begging him not to suppress it anymore.

To his surprise, he was shaken from his reverie by someone calling his name. “Mr. Ramirez?” Julie called out after him, her voice a melody that seemed in tune with the gentle breeze. He turned around next to the jasmine bush with a frown on his face and she approached him, her hair catching the light, turning it into a blonde halo around her determined face. “I hope you can listen to me with an open mind. I didn’t want to let you go on that negative note, but you must understand where I’m coming from.”

“Miss Willington,” he began, carefully schooling his features into a mask of indifference, “we need to discuss practical matters, not indulge in fantasies.” His words were ice, but he could feel his gaze betraying him, lingering just a moment too long on the warmth of her smile. Those lips... he wondered what they would feel like on his mouth.

Dammit, what was wrong with him?

“Practicality doesn’t inspire change, though,” she countered, stepping closer. Close enough for him to catch the subtle fragrance that clung to her skin – something floral and entirely too inviting. Why did she have to stand so close? He could feel something stir in his groin. Dio mio, this was fucking inconvenient. He inwardly groaned.

“Change is overrated.” Romeo’s voice was gruff, an attempt to shield the unsettling emotions she stirred within him. He didn’t just feel attracted to her body – he felt the pull of her passionate personality, the allure of her dream to transform this place. It was a dream that clashed all too violently with his orders.

She cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, is it? You don’t think these children deserve a chance at something better?” Her question hung heavy, laden with challenge, but also genuine curiosity.

He wanted to scoff, to dismiss her as naive, but instead found himself actually weighing her words. “It’s... it’s not about what I think.”

“Isn’t it?” Julie pressed, tilting her head. “You’re here now, Mr. Ramirez. You have a say in how this all plays out. What do you think?”

“Trust me, you wouldn’t want to know my thoughts,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. It was dangerous territory, letting her believe he had any say in the matter. The Viper’s orders were clear, but Julie’s vision blurred the lines of his mission.

“Try me,” she dared, her hazelnut brown eyes locked onto his, unflinching.

“Fine,” Romeo relented, feeling the weight of the role he was playing shift uncomfortably on his shoulders. “I think... I think you’re fighting an uphill battle.” He could hear the bitter tone in his own voice and hated himself for it.

“Good thing I’m used to climbing, then,” she quipped with a smirk, her sassy retort disarming him even further.

“Your tenacity is admirable, Miss Willington,” he conceded, the corner of his mouth quirking up despite his best efforts to suppress it. “But this villa...”

“Was my grandfather’s property,” she cut in, her voice softening. “And now it’s mine. And I intend to do it justice by breathing new life into these walls and filling the house with joy, not by selling to the highest bidder.”

“Life is often about compromise,” Romeo deadpanned.

“Perhaps,” Julie acknowledged, “but some things are worth standing your ground for.”

As they stood there, Romeo felt the edge of his resolve crumble just a little bit. The golden sunlight cast a glow on her face, illuminating the fierceness and hope that emanated from her very being.

“Fine,” he grumbled. “Show me around, then. Maybe you’ll be able to change my mind.” It was a lie – there was no room for him to change his mind. It wasn’t his own. This whole plan was for him to execute, not rewrite to accommodate this woman’s whims.

“I definitely will,” she said with a sly smile.

***

The golden hour imbued the villa with an ethereal glow as Julie led Romeo through the grand hallway, her footsteps echoing off the marble. Vibrant paintings adorned the walls, each telling silent tales of a rich history.

“Every summer, my grandfather would host grand parties here,” Julie reminisced, her fingers brushing against the gilded frames. “Philanthropists, artists, dreamers... they all walked these halls. He believed in the power of community, but he never worked with the very people he wanted to help. It was all.... a bit elitist.”

Romeo watched her, suddenly captivated by the way her eyes danced with memories. “And you’ve inherited that belief?” he probed, his voice low, trying to keep himself anchored to his purpose.

“More than that,” she said, pausing before a large portrait of an elderly man with kind eyes who looked so much like her that it must be her grandfather. “I’ve inherited his vision, but I would like to approach it from a different angle. This place could be more than just a place where people talk about doing good; it can be a haven for children who have nothing. A place where dreams are nurtured.”

The intensity in her voice stirred something in him. An ache – a yearning to be part of something so pure. When had he lost that desire? It clashed violently with the darker threads of his life. He cleared his throat, attempting to regain composure. “It’s a noble cause, but the world is not always kind to those who dream.”

“Then I’ll fight twice as hard for those who can’t,” she countered, her jaw set with determination. “My grandfather taught me that resilience is our greatest asset.”

Julie’s passion was magnetic. Romeo caught himself pondering whether she would be this fiery and passionate between the sheets, too.

“What about the dangers?” he quickly countered. “What about the people who might want to take advantage of your generosity?”

Her laughter was like a chime in the quiet hall. “Oh, I see. You think I’m naive. But trust me, Mr. Ramirez, I know when to play nice and when to stand my ground.”

He didn’t doubt it. “Spoken like a true warrior,” he admitted, admiration lacing his words despite himself. His hand instinctively went to the scar on his cheek – a reminder of his own battles.

Her gaze drifted to the part of his face that he was touching. “Your scar,” Julie observed quietly. “It – speaks of pain. Of survival.”

“Yes. But obviously, survival often comes at a cost,” Romeo replied cryptically. The weight of his double life pressed down on him, the pressure mounting as the reality of what he was supposed to do to this villa loomed over him like a guillotine.

“Isn’t that the truth,” she sighed. “But we keep moving forward, don’t we?”

“Always forward,” he echoed, though the path ahead suddenly seemed treacherous with her on it. The Viper’s orders rang in his ears, but they were dulled by the sincerity in Julie’s voice, the vision in her eyes.

“I had to,” she added. “Perhaps you don’t know this, but my grandfather actually raised me. I lost both my parents at a young age, so I moved in with Grandpa Henry. He’d been a widower for some time. I think he liked the life I brought back to this house. I only moved out when I started college and he bought me a town house in the Gaslamp Quarter.”

Romeo could feel the pain hiding behind her words. So she’d also lost a parent – two, in fact. And now she no longer had her grandfather, either. Of course she’d had a life very different from his own. The fact that her grandpa had bought her an entire house in San Diego’s most popular area like it was an everyday occurrence was testament to that, but he still felt as though she was more like him than he’d expected before setting foot in this villa.

Meanwhile, Julie continued her impassioned explanation of how each room in the villa would be transformed into a haven for those children she held so dear.

“Each child will leave with more than just memories; they’ll have hope,” she declared. “After a few weeks of doing theater, they will come to realize that the world can be something better. That they deserve to be in the spotlight. That they will have a chance to shine.”

He swallowed hard. This wasn’t turning out like he’d hoped – not at all. Shouldn’t he warn her about the intentions of the investor he was bringing to the table?

With a stealthy glance around, ensuring no prying eyes were upon them, Romeo leaned in. “Julie,” he began, her first name tasting like a forbidden fruit on his lips, “there’s something you need to know...”

Her gaze locked onto his, a flicker of alarm passing through those bright eyes. “What is it?”

The confession almost spilled over his lips, but the vision of his cousin Julio’s cold, unforgiving stare emerged in his mind like a silent warning. Betrayal to The Viper was not just personal; it was a death sentence.

“Mr. Ramirez?” she pressed, her hand reaching out to rest lightly on his arm. And then she spoke his first name, hesitantly and a bit hoarsely. “Romeo? What is it?”

He reeled back as though scorched by flames, the warmth of her touch scalding his skin. Fuck, he wanted her to touch him again. He wanted to know what it felt like when this young woman, who was still fresh out of college by the looks of it, undressed him and covered his tattooed chest with fiery kisses. He wanted to caress her and defile her at the same time. He wanted her to scream his name in ecstasy. She was so innocent – so pure. So unlike anything he was used to. “Nothing,” he gritted out, the lie bitter on his tongue. “I just... I just wanted to say how admirable your project is.”

Suspicion clouded her features, and she withdrew her hand slowly, folding her arms defensively across her chest. “You’re hiding something. I can tell.”

“Everyone has their secrets, Julie,” he countered, the sardonic edge of his voice a poor attempt to mask the turmoil within.

“Secrets, huh?” she challenged. “Well, I’m an open book. Maybe one day, you’ll trust me enough to read it.”

“That day may never come,” he muttered, more to himself than to her.

“Never say never,” she quipped with a wink, though the playfulness didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Life is full of surprises,” he conceded.