Lust, Money & Murder

• Title Page
  
• PROLOGUE
  
• CHAPTER 1.1
  
• CHAPTER 1.2
  
• CHAPTER 1.3
  
• CHAPTER 1.4
  
• CHAPTER 1.5
  
• CHAPTER 1.6
  
• CHAPTER 1.7
  
• CHAPTER 1.8
  
• CHAPTER 1.9
  
• CHAPTER 1.10
  
• CHAPTER 1.11
  
• CHAPTER 1.12
  
• CHAPTER 1.13
  
• CHAPTER 1.14
  
• CHAPTER 1.15
  
• CHAPTER 1.16
  
• CHAPTER 1.17
  
• CHAPTER 1.18
  
• CHAPTER 2.1
  
• CHAPTER 2.2
  
• CHAPTER 2.3
  
• CHAPTER 2.4
  
• CHAPTER 2.5
  
• CHAPTER 2.6
  
• CHAPTER 2.7
  
• CHAPTER 2.8
  
• CHAPTER 2.9
  
• CHAPTER 2.10
  
• CHAPTER 2.11
  
• CHAPTER 2.12
  
• CHAPTER 2.13
  
• CHAPTER 2.14
  
• CHAPTER 2.15
  
• CHAPTER 2.16
  
• CHAPTER 3.1
  
• CHAPTER 3.2
  
• CHAPTER 3.3
  
• CHAPTER 3.4
  
• CHAPTER 3.5
  
• CHAPTER 3.6
  
• CHAPTER 3.7
  
• CHAPTER 3.8
  
• CHAPTER 3.9
  
• CHAPTER 3.10
  
• CHAPTER 3.11
  
• CHAPTER 3.12
  
• CHAPTER 3.13
  
• CHAPTER 3.14
  
• EPILOGUE
  

Lust, Money & Murder

a Serial Trilogy

by

Mike Wells

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Mike Wells

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real.

Any resemblances to persons living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Mike Wells is an international bestselling author of “unputdownable” thriller and suspense stories. Here’s what readers have to say about Lust, Money & Murder:

5 Stars! Good, unclean fun! Buy buy buy—this is a sure satisfier, trust me on this.

5 Stars! If there was a 10star rating then that’s what I would have given as 5 stars do not do this book justice.

5 Stars! You will be hooked! Not since Sidney Sheldon has a male author captured a woman's perspective so well.

5 Stars! Plot keeps you guessing with one unexpected twist after another. You won’t go wrong with this book. I want more!!!

5 Stars! Mike hooked me. And yeah, I agree with the other reviewers, I couldn't put it down. That's saying a lot, because I'm very busy, get bored easy, and was already reading a bestseller. I put down the other book in favor of this one.

5 Stars! Fast paced, brilliantly written, I am definitely a fan of Mike Wells and will be reading more of his books. I would love to see this turned into a movie...

5 Stars! This book is a journey through the entire emotional spectrum. Love, revenge, danger, and pride propel the reader through this excellent novel.

5 Stars! Laundry? Forgotten. Dishes? Piled up in the sink. And don’t talk to me. I am finishing Lust, Money & Murder.

5 Stars! This book was so captivating and amazing I couldn't put it down. I bought the book at 10pm and opened it up, at 2am I clicked to the last page with even more enthusiasm than when I started.

5 Stars! Don’t start this book if you have anything important to do...like collecting your children from kindergarten! I nearly forgot.

5 Stars! Mr. Wells, The value you provide for the money is unparalleled.

5 Stars! I enjoyed reading the book tremendously. The plot is catching, the characters are realistic, the author's research and knowledge on a subject is very thorough. When I started reading the novel, I couldn't stop until I finished it.

5 Stars! This could be a movie! Well-written and factual in detail, I enjoyed this face-paced thriller and look forward to reading more of Mike's work!

5 Stars! I am totally hooked and can't wait to read the other two books in this series.

5 Stars! Once you start the series, you will want to finish it! Mike uses the twists and turns of the story where you never know what is coming. It is an exciting page-turner, a book you won't be able to put down! Remember Mike Wells name, he will be someone we see much more from in the future!

5 Stars! Mr. Wells, you don’t charge enough for your books.

5 Stars! The kind of book you want to give to your daughter, but also have the urge to hide from her! This story touches on the brightest and darkest aspects of human nature.

5 Stars! Awesome! Written in a crisp, straight to the point style—it’s clear that Wells is a very skilled writer who knows exactly what he’s doing. Unputdownable? Definitely! Can’t say enough good things about this writer & book. Get a copy and devour it.

5 Stars! I could not put the book down. It was full of action, the story felt realistic and I loved every protagonist, even the villain.

For Anya, with love

Book 1

Lust

PROLOGUE

Italy – Present Day

The man picked her up in Vernazza, a picturesque village perched along the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera.

From his salt-and-pepper hair, and his lined face, Maria guessed he was in his early 50s. He bought her a drink, then dinner, then a new dress and a pair of pumps and a few other things, spending lavishly on her in the quaint village shops.

There were no pretenses. They went to his plush villa, which afforded a breathtaking view of the sea. When she asked his name, he looked at her with his brooding dark eyes and said, “Are names important
, cara?
”

All she knew was that he was a businessman from Rome. She supposed it didn’t matter.

They were soon hungrily making love to each other on the king-sized bed. She hadn’t expected such energy out of a man his age—he was insatiable. She often had to fake orgasms with older men, but not with this one.

They spent most of the weekend in the bedroom. In between sexual bouts, they hiked up and down the cobblestone streets of the village, admiring the view and the lovely, narrow houses that were painted in pink, blue and yellow pastels. They gorged themselves on the local cuisine—
cappon magro
, a pyramid made of fresh vegetables and a half dozen different types of fish, and the
torta pasqualina
, a cake made of 18 layers of light pasta and stuffed with
ricotta
cheese.

They spoke very little. Maria didn’t care. Words might break the spell, and she didn’t want this to end.

* * *

On the third day, he felt that he had won the girl’s trust.

The experiment he wanted to perform was far too important to delegate to one of his lieutenants. There was much riding on the outcome. He needed to see the results first hand.

But he had to be careful.

When she lay in his arms, spent, he said, “Did you know I am celebrating this weekend,
cara
?” He stroked one of her full, firm breasts. “You are a gift to myself.”

She looked up at him with liquid brown eyes. “What do you mean? What are you celebrating?”

He rose naked from the bed and picked up a small leather Gucci bag that was sitting on the coffee table. He knew she was curious about what was inside—he had been carrying it around everywhere they went, keeping it close at all times.

When he opened it, she gave a little gasp.

The satchel was packed with crisp, new U.S. $100 bills.

“So much money,” she said in a hush. “Where did it come from?”

“I sold a flat in Portofino, a dilapidated hovel I have been trying to rid myself of for years. I finally found an American gullible enough to buy it, but he insisted on paying part cash. It’s only about fifty thousand dollars.”

Even though she was trying to hide it, he could see the greed in her 21-year-old eyes. She was a
velina
, a soft hooker who survived on her good looks, roaming up and down the Riviera, living off one rich man after another, staying a few days or weeks in a villa or onboard a yacht until the current sponsor tired of her and threw her out, after which she moved on to the next.

He said, “I was thinking of driving up to San Remo and trying my luck. Have you ever been to the casino there?”

“No,” she lied.

“You’d love it—it’s the largest casino in Italy. All the richest people gamble there.” He also happened to know that the establishment had just updated its currency verifying machines with the latest software.

He motioned to the cash, feigning frustration. “Unfortunately, I left my passport in Rome. There’s no way to change this kind of money without one.”

“I could change it for you,” she blurted, but then checked herself. “I mean, if you want me to.” When he didn’t react, she said, “I have my passport right here,” and reached over to her purse and produced it.

He smiled. He already knew she had a valid passport. He also knew that she had left her home in Naples at the age of 16, and was unknown to anyone in these parts.

* * *

Ten minutes later, they were driving up the coast, heading towards San Remo in a metallic blue Porsche cabriolet, the wind blowing through their hair. It was just before sunset. The highway ran up and down the rugged cliffs along the shore. Soon, the sky exploded into a riot of orange and indigo and violet.

Maria was excited, looking forward to a few more days of luxurious meals, plush accommodations, and expensive presents. Maybe he would buy her a diamond bracelet at the casino gift shop. Why not?

* * *

When they reached San Remo, he surprised her again. He pulled up in front of the sidewalk that led to the casino entrance and handed her the Gucci bag. “Take that inside and convert all of it to casino chips.” He motioned to the other side of the street. “I’m going to have a cup of coffee and catch up on a few business calls I have to make.”

Maria was astounded that he was going to let her walk away with all that cash. When she got out of the car, he leaned over and looked up at her and smiled. “Try not to gamble it all away before I get there!”

She walked up the long sidewalk towards the casino. When the uniformed man opened the door for her, she glanced over her shoulder. Her generous friend was just sitting down at one of the tables at the cafe. He waved at her.

Maria was tempted to try and run away with the money. But she wasn’t some stupid
puttana
—she knew better than to try and steal from a man like him.

Carrying the Gucci bag in one hand and feeling very chic and powerful, she went inside the busy currency exchange.

There were security cameras above each counter. Then she noticed a sign on the wall:

- WARNING -

ANYONE CAUGHT TRYING TO PASS AS MUCH AS ONE COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE ON THESE PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE POLICE

Of course the money she had to change wasn’t fake—she had nothing to worry about.