[Made Men 6] The Root of All Evil Read online

  Made Men 6: The Root of All Evil

  Giada doesn't think she can ever love again, and definitely not men who live dangerous lives. She lost her first and only love to combat. Getting involved with made men wouldn't be smart at all.

  In an attempt to avoid the feelings she has for the Coglonie men, she gives in to a small attraction to two very sexy clients who put her on edge and are definitely interested in taking her to bed. Little does she know, they're connected to a Cuban gang and potential enemies of the Coglonies. Trying to avoid the dangers of being a woman to made men could actually put her into a worse predicament, after all.

  Andreas, Dominick, and Giuseppe Coglonie won't accept Giada's denial any longer. They make her see that their love is real and so powerful it can't be avoided. As she accepts their love, they make more demands she isn't ready to commit to—and it nearly costs her life.

  Because they are unaware of an enemy out for revenge against them, abducting the most important person in the Coglonie men's lives will give him the revenge he is looking for.

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense

  Length: 65,352 words

  MADE MEN 6: THE ROOT OF

  ALL EVIL

  Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  MADE MEN 6: THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

  Copyright © 2017 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-258-3

  First Publication: April 2017

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  Dear readers,

  Thank you for purchasing this legal copy of Made Men 6: The Root of All Evil.

  May you enjoy this story about Giada and her journey to love again after facing such loss and heartache. For such a petite woman, she sure is a powerhouse. She stands her ground, fights when pushed to the edge or threatened, and, more importantly, fights for love and for her men.

  The fears she has are justified, but she soon realizes that the power of her attraction to Andreas, Giuseppe, and Dominick is much stronger and more valuable than anything they have worked for and achieved in life.

  They say that money is the root of all evil. Perhaps that’s true, when it becomes your sole purpose for living and breathing instead of the simple things like love, laughter, companionship, empathy, and simply belonging.

  Enjoy Giada’s story.

  Happy reading.

  Hugs,

  Dixie

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  People seem to be more interested in my name than where I get my ideas for my stories from. So I might as well share the story behind my name with all my readers.

  My momma was born and raised in New Orleans. At the age of twenty, she met and fell in love with an Irishman named Patrick Riley Dwyer. Needless to say, the family was a bit taken aback by this as they hoped she would marry a family friend. It was a modern day arranged marriage kind of thing and my momma downright refused.

  Being that my momma’s families were descendants of the original English speaking Southerners, they wanted the family blood line to stay pure. They were wealthy and my father’s family was poor.

  Despite attempts by my grandpapa to make Patrick leave and destroy the love between them, my parents married. They recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

  I am one of six children born to Patrick and Lynn Dwyer. I am a combination of both Irish and a true Southern belle. With a name like Dixie Lynn Dwyer it’s no wonder why people are curious about my name.

  Just as my parents had a love story of their own, I grew up intrigued by the lifestyles of others. My imagination as well as my need to stray from the straight and narrow made me into the woman I am today.

  Enjoy The Root of All Evil and allow your imagination to soar freely.

  For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  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

  Epilogue

  Landmarks

  Cover

  MADE MEN 6: THE ROOT OF

  ALL EVIL

  DIXIE LYNN DWYER

  Copyright © 2017

  Prologue

  Giada was fuming mad and a little scared walking into the back room of Govan’s bar. It was a dive and a place she wouldn’t get caught dead in. Unfortunately for her, Uncle Les was in trouble—again.

  She came prepared, or she hoped she was prepared, with her can of mace and loose clothing so she could defend herself if she needed to use her martial arts moves. She’d gotten a call from some guy who said her uncle got beaten up and been left in the back alley of their place. He asked they didn’t call the cops but instead call her. She didn’t know why. Giada hadn’t spoken with Uncle Les since the Coglonie men took over protection for her. That was months ago. She had been so angry that he’d insulted Rayanna and even the Coglonie men. If it weren’t for Andreas, Giada would be dead.

  “You Giada?” some big guy asked her as he looked her over.

  “Yup.”

  “We put him in the back hallway. He’s all frigged up. Not sure if you want to take him to the hospital,” the guy said to her.

  For a big bouncer-type guy with a beard and a rugged air about him, he seemed kind. “I suppose he won’t want to go. God knows what he got himself into.”

  When she rounded the corner and saw Uncle Les leaning against the wall all battered, nose bleeding, eye swelled out badly, she cringed. She shouldn’t be here. The man only showed up in her life when he needed money, wanted to pretend he cared and be part of her life, and when he was down and out. They weren’t close—never had been—so why was she even here?

  “Who did you piss off this time?” she asked him.

  “I’m sorry, Giada. There wasn’t anyone else to call.”

  “I don’t need any trouble, Uncle Les. I don’t, not after the past six months I’ve had.”

  She went to help him up, and he struggled. “It’s not that bad. They could have killed me.”

  She looked at the guy who helped him inside. “Thanks for the help. Sorry if he caused any trouble.”

  “No problem, honey. He isn’t welcome back, but you, you can
stop by anytime.” He winked.

  She gave a slight smile, well, not really. It was more out of being polite than anything to avoid any more trouble. She helped her uncle outside and then leaned him up against the wall.

  “So what’s the deal?”

  “No deal. It’s good. I just need a little help.”

  “Money?”

  “Just to get me by. I’m going to get a job. It’s coming through this week, a good one, too.”

  “I don’t want to hear it, Uncle Les. In fact, I thought I told you our relationship was over.”

  He looked at her. “Because of those no-good thugs hounding you? You’re a good woman, a beautiful young woman who deserves a man who can take care of you and love you, not use you. I did what I did, said those things to those gangsters for your own good. Be mad at me all you like. I saved you from being used goods.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You didn’t save me from anything.”

  “They’re not around anymore, right?”

  “No. The danger is over.”

  He grabbed onto her as she hailed a cab. “Stay clear of them, Giada. Listen to me. I’m taking care of everything. I’m making things up to you. I’m getting things better.”

  “What are you talking about? It’s the middle of the night, in the middle of the week, and I’m dragged out of bed to come get you from a shit bar all beaten up, and you’re talking to me about making things right? I don’t need or want anything from you, Uncle Les. What I want is for you to straighten yourself out, get a job, and leave me be. I’m fine taking care of myself.”

  “You aren’t fine if those gangsters are still sniffing around you. You need a man who can protect you from thugs like those guys, someone who respects your profession and beauty and will protect you from the harm men like the Coglonies can cause you.” He was rambling.

  “What are you even talking about?”

  “Nothing. You’ll see. Just stay clear of those men. There are better men out there for you. You’ll see.”

  “My life is not your concern. I think you need to focus more on your life.”

  They got into the cab, and she told the driver where to take him. She would make the trip to Queens, drop him off, and head back to Manhattan.

  “You going out Friday night?” he asked her.

  “Why?”

  “Just asking. You should stay clear of Club X. That’s where those guys hang out, right?”

  “Who?”

  “You know who. Coglonie.”

  “They own that club and others, too.”

  “They’re not good for you.”

  “Stop it,” she warned, and he was silent.

  “I’m sorry I keep failing you as an uncle and as your family. I know the two of us is all we got left. I’m going to make things right.”

  “There’s nothing to make right. Just stay out of trouble. You keep messing with the wrong guys, and you’ll end up dead.”

  She leaned back, waiting for the cab to get to her uncle’s small house. He got out, and she handed him some money. “Try not to spend it foolishly.”

  He nodded. “I’ll pay you back. I’ll make it so you won’t need to work another day in your life.”

  He then stumbled to his door. She told the cab driver to wait a moment. She wanted to be sure her uncle got inside okay. Once he was inside, the cab driver headed back to Manhattan, an expensive cab fare in the middle of the night on a Tuesday. She glanced at her watch. She had three hours until she needed to get up for work. What the hell kind of trouble had he gotten into, and why had he asked her to come get him? She leaned back and covered her mouth as she yawned. Never again. She wasn’t going to do this again.

  * * * *

  Uncle Les looked out the window and watched Giada leave. He was shaking he was so scared. He hadn’t wanted to call her, but they had given him no choice. He was in over his head. He had to promise them something. He knew that the Coglonie men wanted his niece in their beds. She meant something to them, but they were no good for her. They were made men, thugs who did violent shit, even killed people. These men, the ones who approached him, wanted to destroy the Coglonies and the Fiorre family. Their boss had a lot of money and power and was a good-looking older guy. He would make a better husband for Giada, and he wouldn’t want to share her with his friends or anyone else. That wasn’t even normal.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. His body ached, and his nose and eye throbbed. He had no idea they had been following him and had seen Giada, watched her for the last couple of months. These men had connections, and they could just take her right now if they wanted to, but that wasn’t what they were after. They wanted to destroy the two families, specifically Dominick and Giuseppe Coglonie. They could do that. Plus, he could make some money and work for them, too, and Giada would be set for life, would have a man who would take care of her, provide for her, and protect her.

  She was a tiny thing, feminine and sweet, but also successful, smart, and sexy. The man was instantly interested in Giada and went from wanting to take her to hurt the Coglonies to wanting her for himself. Les would make things right. He would get her out of trouble and going down the wrong path with the Coglonies and have her married into a powerful, wealthy family.

  So what they weren’t from New York and wouldn’t be living here. He would have enough money to go see her, and she could even send for him and pay for it, as well. It would work out for both of them. Now he just had to sit and wait for the orders to come in, not go looking for trouble like he had tonight. That could have destroyed the plan and his deal with the man in charge. He needed to be smart. He wouldn’t let Giada make the wrong decisions. He was the only family she had left. It was his job to protect her.

  * * * *

  Giada Slane walked back into her office in the executive wing of the bank’s corporate headquarters. It was a busy morning, and the weekend was finally in sight. She had a lunch meeting with two potential new clients for the firm, along with her boss, Monterro Spain. She handed over some folders to her assistant, Julia.

  “That meeting lasted kind of long. I thought he just needed a few minutes,” Julia said to Giada.

  “Me, too, but I guess Monterro is enthusiastic about these new clients we’re meeting today for lunch.”

  “Who are they anyway?” Julia asked.

  “I don’t even know. Just that they’re international investors or something. He wants to impress them and of course made reservations at Rinaldi’s uptown.”

  Julia’s eyes widened, and she smiled. “Yummy. You are so lucky. I hear that place is amazing.”

  “I’ve only been there one time before, and personally, I wouldn’t drop that kind of money on lunch, and dinner is a mortgage payment for most people.”

  “You don’t need to tell me. My idea of fancy and splurging is at Celia’s down on Hendrickson Avenue. I’d pay a meal’s price for their mocha martini.”

  Giada chuckled. “I would, too. They are amazing. In fact, I’m supposed to meet some friends there on Friday night. If you want to join us, you should come along.”

  “Aw, man, I can’t. I’m babysitting for my sister and her husband. They haven’t been out alone since the baby was born nine months ago. I promised.”

  “Aw, that’s so sweet of you. I love babies. You’re a good sister.” Giada’s cell phone buzzed with a message. She glanced down, looked at the text, and smiled. “It’s a day away, and the ladies are already texting about Friday night.” She chuckled.

  “Don’t rub it in. I’ll be elbows-deep in dirty diapers, bottles, and Einstein videos when you’ll be drinking my martini,” Julia said.

  Giada gave her a sympathetic smile. “Next time. Right now you’re being an angel.”

  Julia smiled. “Thanks, Giada.”

  Giada walked into her office and sat down at her desk. She needed to hit the ladies’ room, reapply her lip gloss, and make sure she looked good for this meeting. She had no idea who these men were, but by her boss’s insistence on pe
rfection and impressing them, they were loaded. Monterro had even mentioned that bonus coming her way and the raise in salary. She’d earned it, despite missing work for a few weeks. That had been two months ago, after the concussion.

  She ran her hand along the back of her head. Thank God she no longer had the headaches or the ringing in her ears. She texted Fina, Alessa, Alda, and Donata back in the group chat.

  I can’t wait either. I have a client meeting so take me off group text. See you tomorrow night at Celia’s at six.

  Fina texted back. We’re going to hit a few places after so dress to kill and look superhot so we can get into the clubs. Wear your dancing shoes, Giada.

  Giada exhaled. She really needed this night out. It would be the first in weeks, and finally the idea of loud music, crowds, and drinking didn’t make her head ache and her stomach hurt. Maybe things were finally getting back to normal again?

  That thought made her look back at her phone and the text just last week from Andreas Coglonie. He had been checking in on her, and she had blown him off just like she had been since Rayanna had been found safe and sound and Puento was no longer a problem. More than two months had passed. She thought about Rayanna and seeing her in a couple of weeks when she visited New York. Hopefully she would look and feel a lot better than she had months ago.

  Giada swallowed hard. Seeing what Rayanna had gone through and knowing about the dangers of being involved with made men were the perfect remedy to stop her from getting involved with Dominick, Giuseppe, and Andreas. She feared them for so many reasons, despite being attracted to them. It would never work. They were so much older and more experienced. Plus, they were huge, filled with muscles, and she was petite. Taking martial arts classes and kickboxing had built her confidence and was how she’d met Jimmy. He was an instructor when he wasn’t called to active duty.