Chasing Arlo (Genoa Mafia Series Book 5)

by Ginger Ring

  “Yeah, that’s true. I’m just not ready for colder temperatures.” She bounced in her seat toward him. “Hey, we should go somewhere. Take a trip or something.”

  “You know we can’t right now. The Russians have been quiet for a long time but that could change any minute.”

  Crossing her legs, she pouted. After the attack on their businesses, Fedor had been in and out of jail. There’d been no new attacks, however, any minute that could change.

  “What are your plans for the day?”

  “I have some things to do at the club.” There was always something to do at the club.

  “Layla, are you sure you want to run the place?”

  “Yeah, why do you say that?”

  “You could have opened it a month ago. It just feels like your heart isn’t in it. Personally, I couldn’t be happier. I don’t like to think of you working there every night until late. We’d never see each other.”

  That was true. She enjoyed their evenings together and after the opening that would come to an end very quickly.

  “What would you really like to do in life? What is your dream? It can’t be running a strip joint.”

  “It’s not a strip club but you’re right. I’ve run my father’s clubs for so long, it’s all I feel like I know how to do.”

  “You’re a smart woman. I know you can do anything you set your mind to.” Layla had to admit she’d never felt so comfortable with another person before. There was no doubt in her mind that Arlo would support her in whatever she decided to do in life as long as it was with him. “How long do you want to stay?” They pulled into the parking lot of the rehab center.

  “How long will you be with Alexander?” Checking her phone, she noticed a missed text from Madison.

  “Probably not more than half an hour.” Arlo turned off the car, got out, and came around to open her door. Reading the text, she tossed the phone in her purse.

  “Everything all right?”

  “Just a text from Maddy. I guess there’s a package at their house for me.”

  “A package?” His eyebrows arched. “From who?”

  “Have no clue.” She looped her elbow through his. “Guess we’ll find out later.”

  Arlo escorted her to Tonya’s room.

  “Hi, Tonya.” Arlo waved a hand in greeting and she waved back. Tonya had slowly warmed up to him but she was still nervous around men.

  “I’ll be back in forty minutes or less.”

  “See you soon.” Layla kissed his lips. The guy had been a bit shy about PDA but she’d worn him down. Watching him retreat down the hallway, Layla felt like part of her went with him. They’d become two parts of one heart.

  “When’s the wedding?” Tonya tucked her leg under her knee.

  “What wedding?” Layla smiled as she made her way to the easy chair next to Tonya’s bed.

  The young woman laughed. “You two, of course.”

  Layla brushed it aside, they hadn’t talked about that yet. “Maybe someday. We have a few things to figure out yet.” Digging into her bag, she handed the note from inside to Tonya. “For you.”

  It was barely out of her purse before Tonya plucked it from her fingers and squealed. Layla had been couriering letters back and forth between Christopher and his girl for weeks.

  Tonya held the note to her chest. “How soon can we see each other?”

  “I haven’t heard anything yet.” Roman wanted no changes in procedure until they knew Fedor was fully contained. “Hopefully soon.”

  “I’m just going to get a coffee and be right back.” It was their usual routine. Give the girl time to read the letter in privacy, while Layla got something to drink. Entering the room again, Tonya was all smiles.

  “Anything good in the letter?” Layla took her seat again.

  “It’s always good to know he still cares about me after all this time. I can’t wait to thank Roman for all he’s done for us.” Any other mob boss would have killed Christopher on the spot for what he did to protect his woman. Roman was smart enough to use that love to work for them.

  “Well, it’s not over yet.” Layla crossed one leg over the other. “Have you thought about what you want to do once you get out? Roman has a lot of businesses in town.”

  “No.” Tonya hesitated and bit her lip.

  “Well, if you don’t want to work for Roman, I’m opening my club soon.”

  “What kind of club is it?”

  “Arlo calls it a strip joint but it’s actually more of a gentlemen’s club, but we will have special nights for the ladies with male dancers.” Her voice proclaimed her excitement but it didn’t go all the way to her heart.

  “I studied dance for years but I don’t think that’s the kind of dancer you’re looking for.”

  “Really?” Layla exclaimed. “I took dance classes for years, too. Ballet, tap, jazz. Unfortunately, I had more desire than talent. Plus, I’m way too tall to be a dancer.”

  “I’d just gotten hired to a dance company back home. The trip here was to celebrate that success, but now because of my injuries, I’ll probably never be able to dance professionally again.”

  It was true. Her legs had both been broken and she still walked with a slight limp.

  “You could teach.” As soon as she suggested it an idea lit up like a light bulb in her head. Her brain buzzed with ideas. That was it. Instead of a dance club, what about a dance school? “Really, can you teach?”

  Tonya glanced toward the ceiling before turning her attention to Layla again. “I’m sure I could. I’d have to see what qualifications I’d need to be certified but like I said, I’ve taken classes since I was a child. Why?”

  “I just had the idea about starting a dance school. I don’t have the skill to be a professional, but I still love it and want to be involved somehow. I could be home at night as well.”

  “But you know kids have class during the days, so you would have to schedule lessons in the evening as least a couple nights a week.”

  “Anything would be better than getting home after midnight.”

  “I like that idea.” She rose and walked to the window. “Let me look something up online and see what I would need to be qualified. Is there a school in town?”

  Layla stood up also and went to her side. “No, but there should be and we should run it.”

  Tonya turned her way, her smile the brightest she’d seen since coming there. “Yes, we should.”

  ***

  Arlo

  Rubbing his chin, Arlo sat in the vehicle and stared at the safe house. They couldn’t keep Alexander here forever. They either had to kill him or use him to get back at his brother. The change in the man had been nothing short of a miracle. He still couldn’t comprehend that they were the same person. When he’d first laid eyes on Alexander when he’d kidnapped Jackie, the guy was a psychopath monster. He didn’t even look the same, especially in the eyes.

  Under the careful supervision of the doctor, the Russian had become a new person but was it real? Could he be trusted? Carrie swore it was but had he conned her also?

  Easing out of the SUV, Arlo glanced around the neighborhood. They’d gotten a handle on the surveillance situation but it would be too hard to believe that Fedor didn’t have any idea where Alex was. They hadn’t acted on it, so who the hell knew.

  Knocking on the door, Arlo was soon let in. As usual, they’d known he was coming. It had become a weekly ritual. He’d dropped Layla off to visit Tonya while he spoke with Alex and his keepers. The man was no longer behind glass but had a monitor strapped to his ankle. The doctor had him earning privileges like he was at summer camp or some such shit. It seemed messed up but who was he to say otherwise.

  “Guys.” Arlo pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table. “Would you mind if I chatted with Alex in private?”

  “Sure, we’ll be in the kitchen.” The two guards left.

  They were about the same size. In a fight it would be a pretty even match. Alex hadn’t flinched when
he’d used torture on him. Today, he wasn’t so sure that would be the same result.

  Alex was the first to speak. “What are you going to do with me?”

  “Not sure yet.” Arlo picked up the deck of cards that lay nearby and started to shuffle it.

  “Any word from my brother?” He cracked his knuckles.

  “Nope. The law is keeping him busy.”

  “Good, but you’ll hear from Fedor again. He needs me back or he’ll lose control.”

  “You think so?” Arlo set the deck in the middle of the table.

  “Let me at him and I will take him out of the picture.”

  “I thought you couldn’t kill him.”

  “I’ll think of something. The bastard fucking poisoned me. Look would he did to me. Turned me into a crazy person.”

  “Well, from what the doctor said, you were already crazy. He just helped it along.” Arlo wasn’t letting him off easy. The Bratva men were legends at cruelty.

  “That’s true. She’s a saint and I’m a sinner. Still he needs to be put down like the dog he is.”

  “What do you think we should do with you?” Was he playing good all along just to get free?

  “Let me go,” he insisted.

  “Not going to happen.” Arlo snorted and shook his head.

  “You can’t keep me here forever.” No, they couldn’t. It was costing a fortune in security, not to mention the rent and other expenses involved in keeping him here.

  “We can do anything we want. Would you rather be dead?”

  “No, let me out and I will make sure there is peace between the Italians and the Bratva.”

  “You can’t make promises you can’t keep.” This was a waste of his time.

  “I would keep that one,” the guy insisted while looking him straight in the eye.

  Arlo groaned and leaned back in his chair. “I need more info. Something I can take back to Roman. Something that shows we can trust you.”

  Alex rested his elbows on the table. “My brother is very vain. He thinks all women love him.”

  “What good is that information?” Frustrated, Arlo cursed and threw the deck on the floor.

  “I’m sure it will come in handy someday.” Alex bent to pick up the cards. It was one of the few pleasures the guy enjoyed there. When all the cards were accounted for, he placed them back in the center of the table. “Give me a piece of paper and pen.”

  Spying a notebook nearby, Arlo pushed it across the table. The man wrote some numbers down and shoved it back. “What’s this?”

  “A secret account Fedor has. Tap into it and you’ll have him right where you want him. He loves money more than anything.”

  “We take his money, then what?” Arlo folded the paper and put it in his pocket.

  “He’ll strike back.” Alexander seemed sure of himself. “But you’ll be ready for him.”

  “What’s in this for you? If we get Fedor and his money, your organization will be in ruins.”

  “It already is but I can bring it back. With your help, of course.”

  “Again, why would we help you? You must be crazy.”

  “Fedor made me crazy but he really is. I would like nothing better than to take my rightful spot as the head of the family again. I am the oldest and deserve to rule. You make that happen and I will be loyal forever. We’ll never trouble you again. You have my word on it.”

  Taking a deep breath, Arlo studied the man again. He didn’t trust him, didn’t like him, but they couldn’t kill him in case they needed him. It was a bad game they were playing and he had no idea who was going to win. In the back of his mind, there was a nagging feeling they would need Alex someday and he hadn’t the slightest clue which way the man would go when that happened.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Layla

  “How was your visit with Tonya?” They were now on their way to Roman’s.

  “Good. She’s anxious to leave and get on with her life.” What that poor girl must have gone through these past months. “I hope once she and Christopher are reunited, they can move on with things and be a normal couple again.”

  “Me too,” Arlo echoed her sentiment.

  “Who knew you were such a romantic?” Wiggling her eyebrows, she smiled at her man. Yes, he was her man whether he was ready to admit it himself or not. He had a kind heart despite the hard exterior. Tonya’s idea for a dance studio still buzzed in her mind. It would be perfect but she wasn’t ready to give up her club just yet. What kind of qualifications would she need to open a school? Maybe visiting her business one more time might put things in perspective. The club would take more of her time away from Arlo than she wanted. For once in her life, her thoughts were more about how it would affect someone else instead of herself or the family business. Whether it was from maturity or love, did the reason really make a difference?

  “I just want peace. I’m getting too old for this shit,” he grumbled.

  “You’re not old but I agree with you.” Living day to day, always looking over your shoulder for threats was wearing them all down. Even Roman clearly wanted the issues with the Russians settled before his child was born. Things were quiet now but any second Fedor could strike back and end someone’s life.

  They waved at the soldiers guarding Roman’s gate.

  “What did you want to do again?” At first, she thought he was only concerned with her whereabouts but it finally dawned on her that Arlo really cared about what occupied her mind and time.

  “Remember, I wanted to go to the club?”

  “That’s right. What’s left to do? I thought you’d be open by now.”

  Arlo’d been distracted ever since his visit with Alex but then so was she. What was there left to do? She had all the employees hired. Marketing was done. Supplies all ordered, and yet she’d dragged her feet. Not willing yet to give the go.

  “I don’t know. My heart’s just not in it.”

  “Really?” His eyes perked up. He’d made it perfectly clear that he didn’t want her to do it but the decision would ultimately be hers.

  “We’ll see.” There were a lot of things to consider. What about her father and running his businesses, she couldn’t do that from here. The club was an impulse purchase. Granted it would make money, but would it make her happy?

  Dominic and Jasper waited by the front door.

  “Hi, guys. Where are your ladies at?” Stephanie and Jackie had fast become friends. They’d even started getting together once a week to do lunch and catch up with each other. That was something she’d lacked growing up in Chicago. It was hard having friends when you didn’t get out much.

  Jasper spoke for them both. “Jackie’s at work and Stephanie is home working on another book.”

  “Really? That’s exciting. Well, I mean the writing part. Not sure how exciting Jackie’s job is but she seems to enjoy it,” she rattled on.

  “I’m pretty sure she’s spending just as much time online planning our wedding.”

  “Oh, and when is that?” Seeing as Jasper had proposed on the boat after Dominic and Stephanie’s reception, she’d not heard a lot about when that would happen and had truthfully been a little afraid to ask.

  “We’re not in any rush.” The guy brushed it off but the shy grin told otherwise. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll just up and elope to Vegas someday.”

  “You should have a wedding here. It’s tradition.” Arlo’s answer could have knocked Layla over with a stick. Since when did he care about wedding traditions?

  “Just because Roman, Valentina, and Dom all had weddings here doesn’t mean it’s a tradition we all have to follow.” Jasper raised his chin.

  “We’re family, and a family celebrates major events together,” Arlo reinforced his point.

  “And family accepts when some members want to do things differently.” Jasper shook his head and headed into the building with Arlo right on his heels.

  “That’s bullshit. If you’re getting married, have the wedding here so everyone c
an attend.”

  Layla gawked as she witnessed something she’d never expected to see. Two tough made men arguing over wedding details. Her gaze locked on Dominic, the only man still standing outside with her.

  Dom remained silent but just motioned with his hand for her to go in first. He obviously thought the sun rose and set on Stephanie but the cleaner for the mob didn’t bother wasting too many words on others.

  Pushing her sunglasses up on her forehead, she looked around for her sister.

  “Maddy’s not feeling well.” Roman poked his head out of the office. “Would you mind checking on her upstairs?”

  “Of course.” Her foot was on the second step before he addressed her again.

  “And Bruno sent you a package. It’s on the table in the dining room.”

  “Oh, thanks. I’ll grab it before I leave. Probably just some paperwork to sign or my mail.” Hurrying up the stairs, the click of the office door closing echoed as she reached the top.

  Maddy had suffered with morning sickness the first few months of her pregnancy and the second trimester hadn’t been any easier. Knocking lightly, a weak voice from inside welcomed her in.

  The curtains had been drawn and the TV played quietly in the background. Madison hit pause on the remote and told Layla to have a seat.

  “How are you feeling?” The greenish tint to her skin and the bucket near the bed spoke volumes.

  Madison’s growing belly rose and fell with her deep sigh. “The same. Mornings are hell and seem to last until around five in the afternoon, then I start to feel okay. Is it five yet?” She at least still had a sense of humor.

  “Have you seen a doctor?”

  “If I would let him, Roman would have one here twenty-four-seven.” She settled into the pillows and reached for a glass of water. “Every pregnancy is different. The doc said everything is fine. I just need to take it easy, rest, and hope it goes away soon. Like I said, usually around five in the afternoon, I start to feel better.”

  “Five! I couldn’t handle that.” Layla wore a path in the carpet. Everything had started to weigh on her mind. Her concern for her sister, the ongoing battle with the Russians, the club, and where her relationship with Arlo was headed.