Lucien Valentino

g{x fàÉÜç Éy _âv|xÇ itÄxÇà|ÇÉ Copyright © February 2008, Dahlia Rose Cover art by Amira Press © February 2008 This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. Amira Press, LLC Baltimore, MD 21216 www.amirapress.com

1882 “Lucien, who are you staring at?” George asked. “My future bride,” Lucien responded to his long time friend. Lucien Valentino was a man of some wealth in New Orleans. He had the charm and the looks that made the woman around him flutter. In the pub tonight it was no different, his wavy brown hair that flowed over the collar of his tailor made suit. The green eyes that glittered like jade on a face that was lean and sculpted caught him all of the attention other men wanted. But Lucien did not see the yes that batted at him was they passed. He did not hear the suggestions that were whispered to him from women who would love him to warm their beds. His eyes were on the serving girl across the room. Her she shyly looked at him as she served other customers, who looked at her curvaceous body with appreciation. Her hair was dark as a raven’s wing and it curled around her face. Against the brown sugar color of her skin it made a striking contrast. Her lips were full with no color on them. He knew other women liked to color their lips but she wore hers plain. She smiled and Lucien felt his breath catch, her smiled was not only on her face but in her big dark eyes. “So your future bride is going to be a serving wench” George asked. George Mills had been Lucien longtime friend and had seen his discerning taste in women. Now his attention seemed to be taken by this girl carrying a tray full of drinks. “I would think that turning thirty tonight would have made your taste in women better not worse.” “My taste is right where it needs to be George.” Lucien murmured. His eyes never left the young woman as she moved between tables. She moved quickly and fended off advances from other men with subtle grace. Lucien had turned thirty today and he knew what was coming. He was a Valentino man and on their thirtieth birthday their beloved beckoned and no Valentino man could resist the call. He had spent the years leading up to his thirtieth birthday for fun and cavorting, knowing full well when his time came around he would be smitten by his beloved. He did not expect it so quickly but he found her the same night. Lucien could tell she was the one, the heat that filled his body and made his cock throb was something he had never experienced with such intensity. His heart felt like it carried a weight wrapped around it and held in chains. He had heard his father speak of it and how he fell in love with his mother. But to experience it himself was a whole different thing. He wanted her and she would be his. “She looks good for a romp in the hay Lucien but nothing more she is a servant after all.” George pointed out. He cried out when Lucien caught his arm in a brutal grip spilling his beer across the wooden countertop of the bar. “She is not to be spoken of in that way. Do you understand me George? Lucien said quietly.

“Lucien….what is the mater with you? When Lucien’s grip tightened George replied. “Okay, okay I understand. Christ what is the matter with you!? George asked as he rubbed his sore wrist. Lucien sighed knowing it was the need to claim this girl that changed his mood. Having George talk about her like she was nothing raised his anger as well. She was his beloved and his soon to be wife after all. “I am sorry George here, have another beer on me.” He heard a cry and looked over just in time to see a burly man pull his beloved down on his lap. The man’s meaty hand was trying to go under her long skirt as she struggled. His other hand trying to grab her breasts through the laced up blouse. Lucien crossed the busy room in a flash and pulled her from the man’s grasps. He pushed her behind him as the man got up with his fist clenched ready for a fight. “Hey that’s my serving girl.” The man’s slurred his speech and swayed while he was standing. “She belongs to me. I would not have you touch her!” Lucian spat out. The smell of stale whiskey and sweat filled Lucien’s nose. He could only imagine how his beloved felt being pawed by this lowly animal. “Eh I don’t see your name on her, get out of my way! The man replied trying to push Lucien out of the way. He was action was met by Lucien’s fist connecting squarely on his jaw. The force of it sending him sprawling across the table he had gotten up from, spilling the drinks of his companions. The other two men got up ready to fight as well. Lucien was ready he had a taste for a little rowdy behavior. Need a hand?” George asked from behind him. He had seen his friend’s action and automatically moved knowing that more was to come. He was not going to be left out of a good bar brawl. “Glad to have you but I think I can take care of this.” Lucien said as one man swung at him. He ducked the man’s fist and took him down with tow solid punches. The rest of the busy bar suddenly became of big fight. Most of the patrons were drunk anyway and soon there were chairs flying along with fists, bottles and glass mugs. Lucien looked down to see his beloved crouched under a table before he ducked as a bottle passed his head. He also caught a glance of her reaching up and hitting a guy in the head with a bottle of the table when he tried to get up off the floor. “I’m going to get her out of here?” Lucien shouted to George over the ruckus. George raised his hand in acknowledgement before folding into a fist o hit a man coming at him. Lucien reached under the table and grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the bar that was now being destroyed by its once happy patrons.

Outside the girl who was smiling at him shyly was now scowling at him in anger. “Now look what you have done I could of handled it. I have to work there you know” Her voce was husky and think with the French Creole accent that New Orleans was known for. Lucien appreciated it instantly. “I was trying to save you from his unwanted attention. And I am sure I saw you hit some man with a bottle” “The owner will make me work off all the damage that was caused tonight you know. All because you could not mind your own business, and I could repay the cost of one bottle not a whole bar” she said. Her hands were on the generous hips that Lucien was now looking at. He could almost imagine her naked and his hands holding on to her sweet curves.. “I’ll pay for the damage, and you don’t have to work there anymore.” Lucien told her with a smile on his face. “Oh so now you will hire me to be what, your whore? I’ll tell you Mister. I am not anyone whore so you take your offer and well...well….” she fumed unable to find the words. Lucien laughed he loved the way she looked when she was mad. “What is your name since you are accusing me of trying to buy your body. A very nice body I should say.” “I will not tell you my name!” she said hotly. “I do not know you!” “Then I’ll introduce myself, I am Lucien Valentino.” He held out his hand for her to shake his hand. “Well then since I know your name, I am Kaleen Batiste.” She placed her hand in his. Lucien wrapped his long fingers around her small hand and shook before pulling her against his chest. “Hey now!” Kaleen stammered as she hit his solid frame she began to struggle. “I knew you were a lecher. I should never have trusted you!” Lucien held her easily against his body. “I am not a lecher Kaleen. I am going to be your husband because you are my beloved.” Kaleen stared at him. “You are completely mad! “No I am completely in love.” He replied and took her lips in a kiss. *** In the weeks that followed Lucien chased Kaleen and Kaleen ran from his advances. He kept true to his word and paid for all the damages in the pub. She continued to work there and Lucien went into the tavern every night. Any one who dared looked at her or to even touch her met with his fist. Until every patron who came in there knew that Kaleen was off

limits. He brought her flowers and gifts and she gave then back to him but Lucien was undeterred. Kaleen would let him walk her up to her room above the pub. He would steal kisses and leave her breathless but still she would not say she would marry him. This night the rain made then run up the stairs to her little room above the pub. With his hair dripping wet from the nights showers he looked at Kaleen. Her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath from the sprint to the stars that led to her room. She turned to him and he caught her lips in a passionate kiss. He pulled away and caressed her face. “Kaleen, you are loved, like no other in this world could love you. You are my beloved.” Kaleen looked into Lucien’s eyes and saw the truth of his words there. She saw his passion for her and she saw his love, she felt as if she was drowning in the depths of the emotions he saw in those green eyes. She took his hand and let him into her room and let the door close softly behind them. Lucien stood in the middle of the room as she lit the lamp and its glow illuminated the small area she lived in. There was a bed that was old and very worn and the bed side table where she lit the lamp. The dresser had a wash basin and pitcher and there was little else in the room. Lucien vowed she would have better that she would never want for anything in life again. “You invite me in Kaleen, you know that I will never leave you after this,” Lucien said softly as she stood in front of him. “I know Lucien, but I feel things, things I have never felt until I met you. I am tired of fighting them,” Kaleen said. She placed her hands shyly on his chest. “Say my name again, it has never be said better than from your lips.” “Lucien,” she whispered, “Lucien I think you have made me fall in love with you.” “That is a good thing my love, because I have been in love with your for weeks.” Lucien kissed her again tenderly. Sampling her lips and feasting in her exotic taste. Her lips tasted like brown sugar and spices to Lucien. He felt his arousal grow as she molded herself against him. He trailed kisses down her neck all the while his fingers were busy unlacing her tight bodice. Kaleen moaned softly as his big hands cupped her breasts. Lucien lifted her suddenly and Kaleen gasped in surprise. “You are so strong Lucien,” Kaleen said on a breathless laugh. “And you my love are so very desirable,” he replied. He undressed her slowly, taking time to kiss her skin and lick the delectable spots he uncovered. He drove her to the height of passion and when she was writhing in ecstasy he slipped into her hot wet body. They moved together in unison as if they were made each other. Lucien felt her body shiver under him as he thrust into her. A groan slipped from his

lips as he felt her hips rise to meet him. When she cried out his name as she reached the pinnacle of pleasure, Lucien was right there with her to fall into the abyss they created. They made love throughout the night, while the rain beat against the wooden shutters of her room. Lucien fell asleep holding his beloved Kaleen in his arms whispering word of love in her ears. In the darkened room later that night her door crashed open waking both of then from their sleep. To big men walked in and pulled Kaleen from the bed and Lucien’s arms. There faces was painted and looked like skulls, both men wore thick necklaces around their necks. Amidst her screams to let her go Lucien fought like a wild man to reach her, he tore one of the beaded charms off the man’s neck before he was hit on the head with something that sent his body crashing to the floor. Before his world slipped into blackness he heard one of the men speak. His voice was thick with the accent of the New Orleans people who lived deep in the swamp. “Stop struggling Kaleen, it took us a longtime to find you, but now you must go home to your father.” The voice said. “Lucien!” Kaleen screamed as she was dragged from the room. Lucien out stretched his hand towards the door. “Kaleen!” he yelled. But then blackness over took him and he slipped into unconsciousness. *** Lucien stumbled through the rain and the dark night until he came to George’s door. He leaned against the thick wood and pounded heavily on the wood until a light came on and the door opened. “My God Lucien! What happened?” George asked as he helped his friend into the house and out of the rain. “They took her, they took Kaleen.” Lucien said urgently. “We have to find her.” George handed him a glass filled with an amber liquid. “Who took Kaleen? Your head is bleeding Lucien.” “I don’t give a damn about my head!” he shouted. They have my beloved! We have to get her back! I took this off the neck of one, I have to find out what this means!” He held up the necklace he still had gripped in his hand. “Ok calm down Lucien,” George replied, he had never seen his friend like this. He took the necklace and studied it. “We will find her but you are in no shape right now to get back to your own home let alone to go out searching. I’ll help you upstairs and you need to rest. Tomorrow we will find her.” “No now! They said something about her father, her father has her!” Lucien tried to stand, if George was not there to catch him he would of fallen to the floor.

“No you are going to lie down,” George said firmly. “I will begin to find out who took Kaleen. By morning I should have some answers. There is nothing you can’t find out when money crosses a palm.” George helped Lucien in bed listening with sympathy to his friend’s ramblings about having to find Kaleen and how much he loved her. The gash on his head was not deep but enough to send Lucien back into an unconscious state. George got his man servant to clean his wound and get him into some dry clothing. While he went to begin a search for Kaleen, first he would need to find out who her father was.” *** Lucien’s eyes opened and he sat up in bed instantly. The events of the night before filled his head. The pleasure he felt holding Kaleen and making love to her. How she whispered his name and cried out in pleasure. Then how she was ripped from his arms by the two buffoons with painted faces. Lucien got out of bed not even caring about the pounding in his head and rushed own stairs only in his pants and bare foot. He threw open the doors of George’s study who looked up startled when Lucien burst in the room. “Christ Lucien you could have dressed, I am sure my man laid out some closes for you,” George said. “What time is it? Lucien asked. “Have you found Kaleen?” “Its after ten in the morning and I think I have but you are not going to like it. George replied. He pulled a long braided rope next to his desk and his servant arrived to the door quickly. “Bring us coffee and some breakfast for our guest.” The man scurried off quickly to do his bidding and George turned back to Lucien who sat holding his head. “I’m sure the bump on your head is giving you some pain?” “It does not matter George what have you found out?” Lucien asked. “It’s not good news my friend. I had my man servant go out with the necklace you had with you. It’s a charm for a witch doctor that lives in the Bayou,” George explained. “Why would a witch doctor want Kaleen?” Lucien asked. Before George could respond his servant came back with the food and coffee he had requested. George let him serve and leave before he started speaking once again. “It seems Lucien that you have fallen in love with the daughter of a witch doctor. And from what I hear a very powerful one at that.” “Why did he kidnap his own daughter? It does not make sense!” “Because she ran away from the Bayou and he has been searching for her ever since.” George looked at Lucien and implored. “Lucien you have to give her up, this is no good.

From what I have heard this man is powerful and uses black magic to keep his people secure from the outside world. You have to forget Kaleen.” “I can’t do that George! She is my beloved. I have to find her!” Lucien jumped from his chair and started pacing. “Don’t be foolish Lucien! He will kill you, you could not live in New Orleans if you take her! “Then we’ll move, I’ll make arrangements to move to another part of the country. We’ll leave the same night! They will not know where we are. He is a witch doctor how can he find us? He has spent all his life in the Bayou. “This is madness, just madness! You have lived in New Orleans for years made a home here and a business. Lucien you can find another woman….” George began. “None of that means anything with out her George! This is my fate to have her! Will you help me or not? Lucien said. “It seems I have not choice because if I say no you will do it anyway.” George said in a resigned tone. “Now drink your coffee, eat some damn breakfast and get dressed. It seems we are on a mission to retrieve your beloved.” “Thank you my friend,” Lucien said solemnly and took a sip of the hot liquid. He sent a silent message to Kaleen hoping that she could here him. I’m coming to get you my beloved. *** Deep in the New Orleans Bayou Kaleen sat in her father’s home and waited. Outside she could hear the birds and the noises of the swamp. It always smelled lush and fertile, but she never wanted to live there among her fathers so called people who believed more in magic and her father’s power than anything else. They lived cut off from the outside world, no one came in and no one was allowed to leave. She was not going to be part of that, to be used as a breeding machine for his men. So they could rise in ranks in her father’s glory. Kaleen wanted to be free. Kaleen turned as the door opened and her father walked in. he wore what he called the shroud of the masses which just a plain shirt and pants. Kaleen knew them just as well as the witch doctor’s ceremonial garb that he wore for rituals. Kaleen looked at the man who raised her, her mother was sent from the village even before she could walk. She could not even remember her face but she knew her father well, how loyal his followers were and how cruel he could be. “Kaleen, you look well,” he said as she crossed the room. “Spare me father. I see you are still living in luxury while your people live in squalor and filth,” Kaleen spat out.

“That is how you speak to me, your father your savior?” He asked. Kaleen looked at him and hated him, his cruel hard face his big hands she remembered could hit her so hard. “What did you save me from I wonder father? Me being happy, working for myself away from you and this hell?” “Instead I find you warming some mainlander’s bed, being his whore. Is that how you make your money, Kaleen?” her father asked. “He loves me and I love him and he is going to marry me,” Kaleen stated firmly with her head raised proudly. And even if it was that I was his whore, it would be better that being here with you.” Her father raised his hand to punish her the way he always did. Kaleen flinched expecting the hard pain that came with a raised fist. When it did not come she looked over at him and saw him staring at her. “He will never find you this mainlander and by the new moon you will be married to my elder. You will take your place and bear him sons. He will punish you how he sees fit and I will not intercede.” Her father walked to the door and opened it to a woman who stood on the other side waiting. “Take her to her room and lock the door. Do not let anyone in or out with my permission.” The woman nodded and led Kaleen away. She turned suddenly and looked at her father. “I will run father, I will escape and I will find him and I will never have to come here or see your face again.” “Not this time child,” her father replied and closed the door in her face. As she was lead away Kaleen was already planning away to escape once again. Maybe it was hopeless but she had to try. She had to try to get away and get to Lucien. *** Kaleen did not have to wait long that same night as her father and his people did their rituals in his ceremonial place Lucien came to get her. He made his plans to leave as soon as he had her. They would leave by train that night and head for San Francisco. He had sold all of the assets he could in a few hours, most of it to George and he would send him the rest as soon as he got everything sold. “This is a bad idea Lucien,” George remarked. They will be guards and we do not know where exactly she is being kept. “I have to do this George, the man you bought the information from said she would be the main house.” Lucien said.

As the boat they were in glided along the dark water of the Bayou silently. The lights of the big main house glittered in the dark night. There was one other with them, a man paid very handsomely to be a guide through the murky bayou. They pulled the boat next to the bank of the river and they got out onto the mossy bank. Moving quickly up to the house they could hear the drums and chanting a distance away. Lucien and his two companions were bent low into the darkness as the moved up to the door of the main house. The guide stayed outside to keep watch while Lucien and George entered. No one was in the large foyer of the house and the two men moved quickly up the stairs of the old wooden house. The stair creaked as they stepped but no one came to see. Lucien spied a woman sitting out side a room down the hall. Before she could scream or call out George had his hand over her mouth and they made her unlock the door. Pushing her inside the room as they went it they walked into the dimly lit room. “Kaleen!” Lucien whispered her name. “Kaleen!” “Lucien!” Her voice came through and she stepped out of the shadows and Lucien’s heart leapt for joy. Kaleen rushed into his arms and Lucien held her tight placing kisses on her lips and eyes and cheeks. “You came for me!” “Ok Lucien that’s enough of that, save it for when we are out of this ghastly place.” George interrupted the reunion of the lovers. “Why were you in the shadows my love?” Lucien said. It was then he noticed the bed sheets ripped and braided part way the rest was hanging out the window. Kaleen noticed his gaze. “How was I to know you would come, I thought I had to rescue myself. The man who I call father has me to wed his elder. Its not a fate I was looking forward too.” “I would not have left you, my love, I would have come through the fires of hell to find you.” “With that said can we please leave now? This place is making me quite uncomfortable.” George said. As he spoke the woman who he held captive bit George’s hand that was over her mouth. He let go with a cry and she dashed of screaming in Creole and English. Raising the alarm that there were intruders in the house and Kaleen was escaping. “Time for us to take out leave.” Lucien said and grabbed Kaleen’s hand. The trio ran down the stairs and by the time they reached the porch where they left the guide. The drums had stooped and now they could see lit torches coming towards the house. Kaleen did not dare look back she was so afraid that if she did she would see her father and his followers upon them. If they were caught she knew that Lucien and his companions would be killed and left to rot in the swamp. No one would ever find them because the New Orleans Bayou was enormous and many people were lost and died there. Lucien helped her

in to the boat and the rest of them followed by the time Kaleen’s father and his followers reached the bank so f the slow moving water, Lucien and Kaleen and their companions were blending into the darkness. “We will get the boats and go after them.” One of the witch doctors elders spoke and turned to leave. Kaleen’s father raised hand stopped the man. “No she is lost to us, but I will exact my vengeance.” They will pay a dear price for tonight. Kaleen and her lover both would feel it for years to come. Lucien and Kaleen fled New Orleans that same night, Kaleen knew she could never return to the place of her birth. But she knew she could not live without Lucien anymore than she could stop breathing. But in the back of her mind she feared her father wrath. She knew of his power and the evil that lived in his heart. What was the price of her freedom, what kind of revenge would he take? She could only hope that the distance between them would keep him and his followers at bay. *** One year later…. The night was filled with rain, thunder and lightning. For San Francisco it was the strongest storm that anyone had seen in years. Lightning tore through trees cutting them in half and burning them to their roots. Outside the storm raged while inside a new life was being brought into the world. Lucien and Kaleen’s son was being born on the night where the heavens opened up and people prayed for mercy from the storm. Even though Kaleen was in labor she knew the storm was much more than it was to other people. It was her father’s ultimate revenge. They had arrived in a new city and started a new life. Lucien had built them a grand house and they lived safe and free. For a time she thought that her father had actually turned away from revenge and would let them live in peace. Until she became pregnant, from that time he sent her dreams of what life would be for her child. And every child born to the Valentino name. She spoke of her dreams to Lucien who tried to calm her fears. Her father could not harm them there, his people never left the Bayou. But Kaleen knew, she tried to tell him of her father’s power but Lucien shook it off as myth and old wives tales. No man could have power like that, he did not believe it when he went to the Bayou to rescue her and he did not believe it now. Now as she lay gripped in labor pains bringing his child into the world Kaleen knew the time for her father’s revenge was at hand. No one else could hear it but she could, she could her the united chant of her father and his followers. She could hear the bones in the sack rattles as he shook them. His voice was clear in her head as if she was standing right there as the women dance around the fire beckoning the evil that aided her father hand. Kaleen wished somehow that she could keep her child inside her womb safe from the fate that would befall him. Lucien wiped her fore head with a damp cloth, murmuring words of love and encouragement. He would not leave even when the mid wife told him this was no place for a

man to be. Lucien wanted to see his child being born. Tears ran down her cheeks as she screamed one last time and pushed Lucien’s son from her body and into the world. The room was silent for seconds the only sound heard was her breathing until the baby’s first cry. At that time Kaleen heard her father laughter and the tears she shed was not in happiness but for the sorrow her child and the children after him would face. The midwife handed the baby wrapped in a bundle to Lucien who sat next to his wife. “Look beloved, look at our son,” Lucien said proudly. “He is the most handsome boy in the world.” Kaleen tried to smile through her tears knowing that Lucien still did not believe in her fathers power. “And what shall we name this most handsome boy Lucien?” “Marcus, he is Marcus Valentino” Lucien said proudly looking at his son. The both watched as their new born son struggled to open his eyes. He stared at his parents as if he could see them clearly and for a moment his eyes turned to the yellow eyes of a wolf. “Kaleen, did you see that or did my eyes deceive me?” Lucien asked softly. For the first time since Kaleen had told him about her dreams he felt a worry about what evil might befall his son. “I saw his eyes my love, I saw them change. Our son is cursed all because of our love. He is cursed.” Kaleen’s tears fell on the blanket that held her son. “Don’t fret beloved, he is a Valentino. He can over come any evil your father has sent his way.” Lucien said stubbornly. “I pray he can Lucien, for if he can’t all of our souls are lost.” Kaleen replied. The Valentino fate was sealed that night and it continued for years after. The curse still goes on until one of them can free the entire line of males that has fallen under the evil that started at Marcus Valentino’s birth.

TuÉâà à{x Tâà{ÉÜ Dahlia Rose, best selling author of contemporary erotica, suspense and paranormal romance. She was born and raised on a Caribbean island and now currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her four kids who she affectionately nicknamed "The children of the corn and her biggest supporter/long time love. She has a love of erotica, dark fantasy, Sci-fi and the things that go bump in the night. Books and writing are her biggest passion and she hopes to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of her books.