Sheltered Spirits (Crime Kings Book 5) Read online




  Sheltered Spirits

  Crime Kings Book 5

  May Gordon

  Copyright © 2019 by May Gordon

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover Photo: Bigstock Photos

  Cover Design: May Gordon

  Editor: Elizabeth Neal

  Created with Vellum

  Stalk the author

  Warning: Sweet, sexy and safe reads! Happily ever after guaranteed! This author writes what she likes to read. That means there will be instalove, OTT Heroes, and, brace yourselves, virgin characters at times. If none of those float your boat, you might want to find another book. If they do, you're in the right place.

  Contents

  Sheltered Spirits

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue 1

  Epilogue 2

  Crime Kings Series

  More books

  Sheltered Spirits

  Faye Amos has been sheltered due to being born and raised in a small Amish community. She dreams big though and wants to see the world outside her little piece of it but doesn’t dare disobey her father. Then Faye gets the adventure she’s always craved, just not the way she’d hoped. What she doesn’t realize is her dreams just might come true after all.

  Porter Rysk, crime king of Illinois, lives in the shadows, building an empire based upon wise leadership and a deadly reputation. Nothing else matters, but when Faye is dropped at his feet, he believes heaven must have sent him an angel…and he’s never letting her leave.

  Faye doesn’t understand the world she’s been thrust into, and Porter finds himself fighting a war to protect her while trying to hide the dark side of his life. Will he succeed? Or will Faye find out the truth, sending him back into hell without her?

  Warning: Sweet, sexy and safe reads! Happily ever after guaranteed! This author writes what she likes to read. That means there will be instalove, OTT Heroes, and, brace yourselves, virgin characters at times. If none of those floats your boat, you might want to find another book. If they do, you're in the right place.

  Prologue

  Faye

  I pull the fresh bread from the oven and put the biscuits inside, then place the muffins I made earlier in the basket before returning to my book. I’m rereading Thumbelina, my mother’s favorite, something I do a few times a year, or whenever I miss her. I was born and raised here in Fort Peace, Illinois, a small Amish community three hours from Chicago. I’ve never not liked my life, but I also don’t know anything else. My father, Eli, is very stern, but that’s what’s needed as the head of the household. Unlike others here, instead of harping on our faith or the Bible, he’s more about his rules and what he expects of us. My mother wasn’t much for organized religion either, which gave her a bad reputation and caused our little town to view her as a rebel. She went on her Rumspringa at sixteen and came back with a love of fairy tales and passed it down to me. I remember all the stories she’d tell me every night before bed and they filled me with awe and wonder. I wanted to do the same when it was my time to go on mine, but fate had other plans.

  My brother, Samuel, was eight years older than me and never came back from his. We all thought he ran away, finding life outside Fort Peace better, but men came to our little farm and told us he was murdered. It tore our family apart, the sadness devastating us all, especially my mother. She died not long after that when I was only nine. My father told me it was from a broken heart, but as I grew older, I started forming my own theory and realized she killed herself. Now it’s just me and my father, and when I came of age he refused to allow me to go. I was disappointed because I wanted to experience everything my mom did and more, but I didn't dare disobey him. So, I stayed, helping with the daily tasks. It’s a sheltered life, but I really can't complain. For now, I get my adventures differently. My mother’s friend, Hanna, who isn’t Amish, owns an apple orchard just outside Fort Peace. I visit her as much as my father allows and she tells me stories of her life and time spent in the city and gives me books. I hide them since my father doesn’t approve of my reading choices, neither does most our community. I feel like I’m sinning every time but I don’t stop. I guess I’m more like my mother than I thought.

  I hear footsteps on the porch and quickly close my book and hide it under some dish towels on the counter. My father takes off his hat and jacket before moving to the table and picking up the newspaper. I pull out the lunch I made and serve it to him.

  “Greetings, father. Thank you for your hard work,” I say, bowing my head like always. A man of few words, he grunts and starts eating.

  “You can continue with your chores, Faye,” he informs me.

  I nod and head back to the kitchen, packing the bread that’s now cooled and removing the biscuits. I sell baked goods to the local shops and planned to deliver more today as part of my chores. It’s one of my passions and I love doing it.

  “It’s past time I found you a sound match. So, you’ll be married by the end of the month,” he mentions casually. I freeze for a second, then recover and continue with the basket.

  “Yes, father,” is all I say.

  I recently turned twenty, the age for marriage. I’ve been trying to convince him to hold off, but his patience must’ve finally worn off. I can't see myself with any of the men. It’s not that they’re bad, I just can’t imagine ever being really and truly happy here. However, I’ll have to make do and try to find contentment with my lot in life because I know I must continue the family line.

  Done, I stand by his side, head bowed, and ask, “Father, can I please pick more apples for baking after I visit the shops?”

  He lets out a frustrated sound and reminds me, “That’s outside the boundaries.”

  “Yes, father,” I nod, waiting for him to continue. I hope he agrees because I haven't seen Hanna in a few weeks.

  “You might as well get beef from the butcher too,” he says, giving me his approval.

  I try not to smile or feel giddy in front of him. “Thank you, father,” I nod then put on my robe and straighten my head cover. I grab the basket, slipping the book inside, and tell him, “Good day, father. Thank you.” Again, he only grunts as he eats and I take that as his response, leaving as quickly as possible.

  I rush toward Hanna’s after visiting the shops, deciding not to ask for a ride on a wagon. I want as much time away from home as possible. I look forward to my time with her because she’s full of knowledge and stories. I hang on every word she says, especially those involving my mother. As I start on my long walk, I pull out my book. I’ve found that I’m an excellent multitasker, especially when it comes to reading.

  Forty-five minutes in, I’m so focused on Thumbelina I wasn’t paying attention to anything around me. A large vehicle screeches to a halt, and I jump back, surprised to see one so close to Fort Peace. I scream when three men hop out and I don’t hesitate to start running. I don’t get far before I'm tackled to the ground and hit my head, I don’t know what happens next as I begin feeling dizzy, my eyes slowly closing. And then it’s just black.

  Chapter 1


  Porter

  “Fuck no,” Duke mutters over the phone.

  “Why? I’ve put more money into training my fighters and it’s made the underground rings and gambling more popular than ever,” Griffin replies. "Quinn’s doing the same."

  “You’re biased being a fighter for years yourself. No wonder they’re profiting. Plus, that shit takes a lot of work,” Duke adds.

  “That’s why they flock to his; he knows the sport inside and out,” I say to which Duke huffs.

  Duke and Griffin are my best friends. Duke is the crime king of Texas and comes from a long line of them. His father gave him a portion to rule and added more over the years, so Duke now runs it all, though his dad still acts as an adviser of sorts. But, being such a vast state, it’s still a tremendous amount of area to cover, and Duke is always stressed and overworked.

  Griffin is a different story, having fought for his position. He grew up on the streets and made a living in the underground rings. He worked his way to the top and become head of one of the most powerful gangs in New York, running the state along with the Russian mafia.

  “I’d rather spend my money on the casinos. They’re more popular here,” Duke informs us, cutting through my thoughts.

  “Hey, just a suggestion, man,” Griffin mumbles, causing me to laugh at their bickering.

  At thirty-seven, I feel like an old man, even though Griffin is thirty-five and Duke thirty-two. Maybe I just have an old soul. My upbringing was like Griffin’s, but it wasn’t always like that. My father was a smuggler and worked for every criminal here in Chicago. When I was thirteen, my whole family was gunned down for a reason I still don’t know; sometimes these things just happen in this line of work. From then on, I fought, killed and bought off everyone that got in my way to get where I am today. By the age of twenty-five, the entire city of Chicago was mine and most of the state. My position doesn’t allow a lot of freedom due to my enemies or those wanting what I have, but I really can’t complain as it’s the life I chose.

  “Let’s get back on topic,” Griffin says, bringing me back to the present.

  “Ryan Leo,” I supply.

  “Fuck! He’s still a problem? Why haven't you dealt with him, Porter?” Duke snaps out.

  “He’s just a nuisance,” I mutter.

  “He’s more than that. Sure, his gang is small, but he’s gaining members left, right, and center and is constantly sabotaging you and our shipments,” Duke corrects me.

  “He’s aiming to overthrow you,” Griffin states.

  “That’s not going to happen,” I snap, tired of their worrying. “I won't let it.”

  “You’ve been king a long time,” Griffin taunts. “Maybe you’ve gotten comfortable. Too much peace can make you weak.”

  I roll my eyes, not that he can see it, and ask, “Would you want to fight me?”

  “In the ring? Bring it on. A war, no way. You have too much firepower,” he replies.

  “Leo is ruthless, he’s already proven that,” Duke chimes in.

  “Please. He’s a puppy compared to me.”

  “Fine, old man. You want us to come help?” Griffin offers.

  “I don’t need any to take out the garbage,” I grumble, making him laugh.

  “Any other points of discussion?” Duke asks.

  “Not for now. Shipments for me leave tomorrow,” I tell them.

  “Great. We’ll talk later.” And then they hang up.

  I let out a breath and turn in my office chair to look out the window. The view is incredible, something I never thought I’d have. Being the son of a smuggler never got us much, neither did living on the streets after losing my family. But here I am, after all these years, and I hate to say it doesn’t have the same effect it used to.

  My phone rings and let out a sigh; no sleep for the wicked, I guess. “What?”

  “Boss,” David, my second-in-command, says before adding, “Connor’s here to see you.”

  I smirk as I ask, “Does he have my money or a death wish?”

  Connor works the whores in town, an area I never wanted to work closely in because just thinking about it turns my stomach. However, money is money, so I set him up to deal with it. He asked for a large loan to build a new gentleman's club and I agreed it was a good idea. Unfortunately, I soon found out he used all of it for gambling and gave him two choices, give me my money or pay with his life.

  "He says he has it."

  “On my way.” I live in a high-rise building, the top four floors being residences, the rest various legal and illegal businesses. Standing, I walk to my private elevator and hit the basement floor, reserved for more sensitive meetings, and enter my code. When the doors open, David is waiting. “So, what’s the story?” I ask as we head toward the garage and loading bay.

  “He says he has it, boss, but he's acting sketchy,” David tells me. I know he couldn’t have come up with all of it in such a short amount of time.

  “That lowlife better or he’ll be replaced, permanently. Either way, I need a new man I can trust,” I tell him.

  “I have a few options, and each will do a better job than he ever did,” David replies.

  “Do it,” I order.

  We make it to the garage, and I see Connor with three of his men and an SUV.

  “Hey, boss man!” Connor yells like a fucking frat boy, but I can tell he’s scared of me. Most are, finding my size and demeanor intimidating. I’m instantly annoyed, questioning why I hired this fucker in the first place. Though I haven’t dealt with him a lot since he sends a runner with the monthly earnings. He moves to shake my hand, and I glare at him, causing him to instantly takes a step back, appearing even more frightened.

  “Do you have what I want?” I ask.

  “I have something even better,” he announces, and I raise my brow in disbelief.

  He nods to his guys and they head to the vehicle, pulling someone out of it. I can tell it’s a woman by her frame, but that’s about it. Her dress looks like a potato sack and she has a hood over her head. The men tug her towards me then push her onto her knees, and she yelps when they hit the hard floor.

  “What’s this?” I ask, genuinely curious.

  “This should clear all my debt,” Connor says with a smile, despite his obvious fear.

  “How will this woman do that?” I snap, annoyed he thinks she’ll make up for what he took.

  “We snatched her from a few of Ryan Leo’s men a couple hours ago.”

  I give him a long look and snap, “You just bought yourself two more minutes.”

  “She can be useful. I heard his men talking and Leo wants her. Bad,” he emphasizes. “You can use her for leverage or bait since I know he’s been a problem for you,” he adds hastily.

  I laugh at the thought of a man like Leo wanting a bride. “You expect me to believe that?”

  “It’s true. His men said he wanted a pure and innocent woman. They picked her up earlier outside of the city on some farm.”

  “What? No virgins here?” David jokes.

  “This one's special. You can use her,” he says again.

  This whole time I can hear her crying under the hood, though I have a feeling she’s trying to be as quiet as possible. I still can't wrap my mind around this entire situation. “So, you kidnapped her from her kidnappers?” I clarify.

  “For you, boss,” Connor nods

  “Take off her hood.”

  Connor walks behind her and pulls it off, and I’m shocked to the core. Long blonde hair, and the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen. Her porcelain skin looks perfect, and it takes all my power not to stroke her face. She’s terrified, and I fucking hate seeing her tears. When I move closer, she tries to back away, but with Connor there, she has nowhere to go.

  I kneel, taking in the shaking throughout her body, her eyes a pool of confusion and fright. I pull a knife from my ankle and she sucks in a breath.

  “Please, please don’t kill me,” her voice is soft, broken, and it makes me ache in
side.

  “I’m not going to,” I assure her in a low voice. I would never hurt her.

  I hold her wrists and cut the zip ties off. The feel of her soft skin is perfect against my rough one, then I notice bruising in the shape of fingers and I push up her sleeve to see more.

  “Did you do this to her?”

  He seems confused and says with a shrug, like it answers my question, “She was a fighter.” I feel rage boil up inside me, then I glance at her again and something in my heart settles, while a fire starts burning for her as well. I offer her my hand and she looks at them then me. With slow, shaky movements, she places hers in it, and I help her up. She’s fucking terrified, and that pisses me off.

  “So, it’s a deal? My debt is paid?” Connor asks, sounding way too keen.

  I gently move her closer to David, and I can feel her resisting. Wanting to soothe her, I lean down to whisper in her ear, "It's okay, David won't hurt you." She’s still shaking, but she joins David, and he gently guides her to the elevator. I wait until they’re out of sight and hear the ding as the doors close. “It is.”

  He lets out a sigh of relief before I pull the gun from the back of my pants and shoot all three in the head. I’ve wanted to get rid of Connor for a while now but knowing one of them hurt her fills me with fury. Grabbing my phone, I dial a number and say, “I need a cleanup, home base garage,” then hang up. Afterward, I press the elevator button, surprised to see David and the woman are waiting for me when it opens.

  She’s still terrified. I punch in the floor to my penthouse and enter the code before turning to her. She’s huddled in the corner trying hard not to cry. “You don’t have to be frightened any longer,” I say, her wide eyes staring at me, my words not reassuring her.