Chance Encounters

by C L Wesley

  “Stephanie!” Vinny used a stern voice with her. It took me a second to realize why he snapped at her.

  “What!?” She giggled, clearly a little tipsy from too much wine.

  I smiled at my drunk friend and excused myself to find Cappie on the lower deck.

  What I found was Carlina sitting on the stern with Vincent. She patted the seat next to her when she saw me. “Come sit, Bella.” I walked over slowly watching Vincent intensely who did not look like the mogul he usually does, especially for one who should be in Chicago. I took a seat and looked to the power couple. “I’m no longer sure of Luca’s intentions, but I can tell you Cappricio is a good man despite his past, even if he’s too wary to tell you himself how he feels. You, sweet girl, have made such an impact on his life. He rarely came around before you and now I feel as if we are getting our son back, because of you.”

  Vincent decided to actually speak to me, “Cameron, I know you and I seem to always cross paths but I can assure you that you will always be safe. You have been tested numerous times and have earned my respect. You do not have to stay with anyone, if you like you can have a home with security, however, it will not be your apartment. We will find you appropriate accommodations. I don’t want you to feel like you have to be with one of my sons.” Ouch. I’m not sure if that was a compliment or an insult.

  After a second, his words dawned on me, “What do you mean tested?”

  Carlina stepped in, “Luca was instructed to do or say certain things to see how you react or if you would tell anyone.” She touched my hand, “You are loyal and that means so much to us. You can choose to take what you know and do what you may. I have grown to love you like a daughter because I truly believe in my heart one of my boys will make you a Morano one day, but I do feel the need to warn you as well. You are only scratching the surface of what our family can do, what these type of families, can do.”

  “I see.” It is the only thought I could form as I stood up and walked back to the railing where my last happy moment on this boat happened. Looking out at the shoreline, I was so confused. I needed to talk to Willa and I’m hoping Cappie will get me her contact number. I was thankful that the Morano’s decided to give me some space the rest of our ride back to the marina because I needed to be alone with my thoughts. The moment our boat pulled up to the dock, I stepped onto the dock and met the hazel eyes that invaded my dreams for months. “Chicago huh?” I watched as Luca sighed in defeat before looking over my right shoulder. I knew the warmth that stood behind me, I felt it every night, unbeknownst to the man standing in front of me.

  I could hear the rest of the family making their way onto the dock. I hear Carlina first, “Luca, honey, you missed the fireworks.”

  “Yeah there were fireworks.” Stephanie laughed so hard she snorted, barely able to hold herself upright. “This is so romantic.” She hiccupped and came to stand next to me. “Who would have thought you would love them both? Such a good movie it would be, man runs over woman with his car, heals her, sets her up, they fall in love, and she falls for two out of three very handsome brothers.” I hear the intake of breaths all around me like she just spilled a secret. I stood staring into Luca’s eyes and I could see the regret swirling.

  “What do you mean man runs over woman? Luca found me after I was hit by a car. He wasn’t the one who hit me.” I spun towards Stephanie, who turned to Vinnie, whom was giving her a death stare. “What the fuck don’t I know?” I scream at the Morano’s.

  Vinnie took a deep breath, “Luca was doing a deal with the Carini family and things went south. When Luca and Tommie sped away, he rounded the corner and you were in the middle of the street.”

  “Vinnie!” Luca growled at his brother, daggers spiking from his glare, his knuckles white from the tightness of his fist.

  After I closed my mouth, I turned around and finally spoke never taking my eyes from Luca, “So you hit me with your car and because your family is who they are, you took me home to cover it up?”

  Luca looked down, “Yes.” Yeah, I’d be embarrassed too.

  “And the Carini’s know about this?” Luca shakes his head. “That is why they wanted to talk with me?”

  “They wanted you because you got close to me. If you turned me in, you’d be doing them a large favor by taking down our family.” Vinnie pulled Stephanie back as Cappie moved in closer to me cautiously.

  “Does everybody know about this?” I turn around and ask.

  “I did not know that you did not know.” Stephanie said apologetically, tears falling down her face.

  “What about?”

  “Me?” Cappie cut me off, “I am with Stephanie. I knew he did it. I did not know that you didn’t know.” I felt the tears stream down my cheek. Cappie moved closer and folded me into his arms. “I swear on my life kitten, I did not know.”

  “I’m such a fool.” I sobbed. I did not return Cappie’s affection keeping my arms stiff at my side. This entire time I thought Luca was my hero, the dark knight in shining armor, and here he just felt an immense amount of guilt. There were no real feelings on his part, he was covering his own ass.

  “Get your fucking hands off her, Capriccio.” Luca was now directly behind us sandwiching me between the two brothers. I screamed out as I ducked under them both and took off running down the dock. I could hear both of them running behind me as I continued to push my feet as fast as they would take me.

  I looked back to see how close they were when I felt a hand on my arm swing me around and into a brick wall of a man. “Marshall?”

  “Cameron, please stand behind me.” I did as instructed for once, chest heaving, unable to catch my breath.

  “Marshall stand down.” I hear Luca say as he approached.

  “I’m sorry sir. I just received word from your father that she will be at the hotel tonight and that neither one of you are welcome.” Marshall turned, putting his hand on my lower back leading me to the car. Once safely in the front seat, I found the courage to look at the sidewalk where I left them, taking swings at each other while Vinnie and Vincent attempted to break them apart. “Miss Cameron, Vincent has instructed me to take you to the Bellissimo.”

  “Thank you, Marshall.” I manage to choke out between tears.

  “Miss Cameron, in my line of work, I do and see a lot of dishonest things. I want you to know that although I am paid to keep my mouth shut, with your permission I’d like to offer you a piece of advice.”

  “Go ahead. Nothing you can say will shock me.”

  “He may have taken a mistress as the other Morano men have as well, but I can honestly tell you that I’ve never seen him love like he loves you.”

  “Thank you, I will take what you told me into consideration, however, I don’t trust a damn thing anyone says to me anymore, not about this family!” Those were the last words I spoke that night, other than a thank you to the concierge who took me to my suite.

  I have barely moved off the couch since Marshall brought me here three days ago. Carlina came Monday and visited for hours. She didn’t say much and I think she enjoyed simply watching television with me. She told me Cappie was miserable, Luca was disgusted with himself, and she was sorry she was unable to tell me at first. Carlina thought after the night of the gala, Luca told me.

  I think I have watched the same episode of Shameless three times on Netflix when I hear the door open, probably Marshall or Leroy spying yet again.

  “Hey baby girl!” I hear a familiar voice I’ve missed for so long now. I ran into the foyer of the suite and saw a very tan and healthy Willa standing with her arms out. I smiled and dove into my best friend.

  “I’m so happy you are here. How did you get home? When did you get back? Oh my God I have so much to tell you.”

  “Cappie had Vincent bring us back. My mother is on her way to her new brownstone in Little Italy. She’s in heaven. I get to stay here with you as long as you need me.”

  We settled in and ordered room service, including everything on t
he desert menu. I gave her the entire story from beginning to end, some she knew, most she did not.

  “So, you fell in love with them both?” She asked sipping her mudslide we made.

  “Yeah. My life has turned upside down since you left.” I took a long drink of my frozen yumminess.

  “They say God will never give you more than you can handle but just enough to push your strengths.” Willa smiled. “You have an intense relationship with Luca and yes he was dishonest, but he didn’t leave you for dead and that speaks millions of his true character, and you have fun with Cappie, it’s a light and romantic situation based on honesty. The real question is, who do you love more, the dark knight or the white prince?”

  I smiled, “God, I’ve missed you. Only you would turn my turmoil into a storybook fairytale.”

  “So, when are you going to decide who gets the happy ending?” Willa adjusts herself on the couch waiting for the juicy answer.

  “I don’t know. I am drawn to the intensity of Luca and despite his dark side, the lies, and Elina, I love him. I can’t just pull myself away from him.”

  “And Cappie?”

  I take a deep breath, “What’s not to love other than his family?” I laugh, “He’s fun, and light, he has a seriousness to him, but he’s not Luca.” I smiled, stood up, and rushed to get dressed. “Willa, I’ll be back later.”

  “Go get him girlie!” Willa screamed as I ran into the elevator.

  Twenty minutes later my heart was pounding and I was scared as hell as I stood in front of the elevator that would take me up to my future. I’ve made my decision and although I am not sure it is the right one or what the consequences would be, here I am, about to take a leap of faith. Things are not, nor will they ever be easy and there is a lot I have to accept to make this work. The elevator pings and I walk inside, my feet feeling like cement blocks. I smile as I press the number for the floor I want and step back. When the doors open, I see him standing there, every bit the man he is. “Cameron?”

  “I love you.” I say as I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, and brushing my lips against his. I’ve made my decision and I am home.

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people to thank for helping me become the person I am today that is able to write these stories. Chance Encounters came to me from a very vivid dream. I was so excited that I put another project on the back burner and began writing about Cameron, Luca, Cappie, and the entire Morano clan.

  I want to especially thank my sister-in-law, Nicki, for letting me bounce my ideas off her and teasing her with the love story that is Chance Encounters. Only she truly knows who Cameron goes home to.

  I also want to thank my best friends, without you I would not be me. You ladies make the best fan base a girl could ask for.

  The Dark Knight vs. The White Prince

  Who does Cameron go home to? Does she choose her love for the dark, intense, and always brooding Luca? Or did she go to the light-hearted, passionate, and courageous Cappricio? Find out in Future Encounters coming January 2018.