Villain of Secrets

by L A Cotton

  “Does a bear shit in the woods?” My mouth quirked.

  “You’re gonna fit right in, kid. Let’s go.”

  I’d been here before. DiMarco’s was a high-end strip club in the city owned by an arrogant asshole called Zander DiMarco. After he and Nicco almost got into it once last summer, Uncle Toni had given Uncle Michele responsibility over it.

  Zander might have been a sleazy asshole known for getting a little handsy with his girls, but his club was a nice earner, one the Family wasn’t prepared to lose. The décor was moody and seductive, crushed purple velvet curtains and a lot of chrome and glass. A runway jutted out from the stage, ending in the middle of the room where a pole was situated.

  “Well, holy shit, Enzo Marchetti. Gino told me you’d be coming around.” Zander swaggered over to us in his crisp white shirt and black slacks. His collar was open at the chest revealing a big gold medallion, and his hair was slicked back in that way guys with too much money and too few morals tended to wear it.

  The guy was a grade A asshole, but I wasn’t here to start anything. I was here to let off some steam before focusing on the task at hand.

  “What’ll it be, gentlemen?” He slung his arm over my shoulder, guiding us to a booth in the roped off VIP section. A couple of guys gave us the once over but soon dropped their gazes when they realized who we were.

  I dropped down on the plush leather bench.

  “I’ll have one of my best girls come take your order. First round is on the house. Whatever you want… pussy, blow… dick…” His brow lifted with mild amusement. “I’ll provide it.” Zander snapped his fingers. “Gisele, get over here and keep my friends company.” He glanced back at us. “Enjoy your evening, gentlemen.”

  The second he was out of earshot, I said, “I really don’t like that guy.”

  “But the whisky is good, and the pussy is tight, my friend.” Gino clapped me on the back. “Check out the redhead. Wouldn’t mind me a little one on one time with her.” He flicked his eyes over to the stage where one of Zander’s girls was working the pole. She had legs for miles as she swung herself around it, performing some mesmerizing moves while her ample rack jiggled into the tiny little bra she wore.

  “I’m more of a blonde hair, fake tits kind of man,” one of Gino’s guys said.

  “Marc, you wouldn’t know good pussy if it landed on your dick primed and ready to go.”

  “Fuck you, coglioni, fuck you.” He flipped Gino off. “Hey, Enzo, back me up… redhead with a small handful, or blonde and busty?”

  There had been a time I would have said blonde and busty. But all I saw now was a petite brunette with big doe eyes, pouty lips, and a smile that could bring a guy to his damn knees.

  “My bad, man. If you like dick, that’s all good—”

  “Cazzo si,” I tsked. “I like pussy as much as the next guy.”

  “Shit, bet you still can’t believe Nicco went and got himself married?”

  Thankfully, Gisele chose that exact moment to come and take our drink order. “What’ll it be, gentlemen?” she said.

  “Beers all round?” Gino answered.

  “Nah, I’ll take a whisky on the rocks. The top shelf stuff.”

  “Anything else?” She batted her eyelashes at me. She was exactly the kind of girl we’d just been discussing. Bottle blonde. Fake tits. Small waist and a pert, round ass. She had a body made for sin and lips made for sucking… and I didn’t feel a damn thing.

  Fuck.

  I was broken. My dick protesting at the fact I’d drawn a line on anymore one on one time with Nora.

  “Cat got your tongue or something?” Marc kicked my boot under the table, and I jerked out of my reverie.

  “Huh, what?”

  The guys chuckled, but I wasn’t laughing. I was still stuck on the part where a hot girl was offering me so much more than just top shelf whisky, and I was too busy comparing her to the dark-haired girl I needed to get the fuck out of my system.

  Chapter 8

  Nora

  “Nora.” Luca flashed me a blinding smile. “Fancy seeing you this morning.” His eyes dipped to my chest, and I chuckled.

  “No boo bees t-shirt today, sorry to disappoint.” Heat flashed through me. Luca’s gaze seemed innocent enough, but I was only human, and the guy was a snack.

  “You’re leaving for work?”

  “I am.” He nodded. “Walk you out?”

  “Sure. Although if I don’t get a move on, I’m going to be late.”

  Of course, the one morning I could have done with Maurice being around, he was taking a personal day. I usually enjoyed the walk to campus, but I was going to be late, on the first day of semester no less.

  “I can give you a ride?” Luca said.

  “For real? I don’t want you to go out of your way.”

  “It’s no problem, I’m going right past the college.”

  “Oh okay. Well, if you don’t mind?”

  “Nora,” he chuckled, flashing me another blinding smile of his, “I wouldn’t have offered if I minded. Come on. If we’re quick, we can stop for coffee on the way.”

  We hurried out of the building and Luca led me to his car.

  “A Mustang. Niiiiice.”

  “You know about cars?” His brow lifted as his hand paused on the door handle.

  “I know a little. My dad and brother restored a 1966 Shelby Mustang before my brother left for college.”

  “My kind of people.”

  “Really? I didn’t have you down as a supercar enthusiast.”

  “I’m a complex guy.” Luca smirked, pulling the door open and motioning for me to get in.

  “A gentleman too, it would seem.”

  “Oh, trust me, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

  The slam of the door startled me as heat trickled through my veins. Luca was flirting with me—at least, I think he was.

  When he climbed inside, he ran a hand through his thick, dark hair and flashed me another blinding smile. “Coffee? It’ll be a five-minute detour.”

  “Sure, I have five minutes.” I enjoyed his company, the easy banter, and those warm smiles.

  Luca—

  “What’s your surname?” I blurted out, realizing I didn’t know.

  “Luca Bianco. And you are?”

  “Nora.” I smiled. “Nora Abato.”

  “Well, Nora Abato,” he fired up the engine, “let’s get you coffee and then to class.”

  Luca insisted on driving me to the parking lot right beside my building. I’d arranged to meet Arianne and sure enough there she stood with Nicco and Matteo.

  A deep frown crossed her expression as she made her way over to us.

  “That’s… the Capizola—”

  “Arianne,” I corrected Luca who looked a little starstruck.

  Dejection flashed through me. It was silly. Arianne was somewhat of a local celebrity and I was no one. But I knew that starry-eyed look Luca was wearing. He was already bewitched by my best friend and they hadn’t even officially met yet.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I said, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice. Shouldering the door, I climbed out, expecting Luca to stay put. Only, he didn’t.

  “Nora, what’s going on?” Ari asked me.

  “I was running late, so Luca gave me a ride,” I said.

  “Luca? The new neighbor.”

  “Hey,” he joined us. “I’m Luca. Luca Bianco.”

  “And she’s married.” Nicco wrapped his arm around Arianne, moving her behind him ever so slightly.

  “Whoa, man. I know, I was just… okay, that sounded all wrong. I apologize. I’m Luca.” He thrust out his hand at Nicco. “Nora’s new neighbor.”

  “You give all your neighbors a ride to class?” Matteo asked, and Nicco ignored his hand.

  I shot them both a hard look, Luca let out a strained chuckle. “I can see I’ve got my work cut out for me. It’s okay though, I like a challenge.”

  “And just what are your intentions for our… N
ora”.

  “Matt,” Ari scolded him.

  “What? It’s not like we aren’t all thinking the same thing.” He shrugged.

  I wanted to be pissed at him, and part of me was. But I couldn’t deny it felt nice witnessing his big brother routine. It made me feel like a part of their inner circle.

  “You guys know I just moved into La Stella, right?” Luca’s gaze flicked to mine and I gave him a weak smile.

  “They know.”

  “So, I’ve been vetted.”

  “Okay, okay.” I threw up my hands in exasperation. “This is just getting weird now. Luca offered to give me a ride because I was late for class and MU was on his route.”

  “Where do you work?” Nicco asked, still holding Ari protectively at his side.

  “At VC Marketing Solutions.”

  He frowned. “Isn’t that on the other side of the neighborhood?”

  “What?” I looked up at Luca, feeling my cheeks heat. “You said it was on your way.”

  “I… uh, I may have told a tiny white lie.”

  “But why would you do that?” My brows knitted.

  “I—”

  The blare of Nicco’s cell phone cut the air like a knife and I averted my gaze, feeling stripped bare sharing this strange moment with Luca… in front of my best friend, her overprotective husband, and his best friend.

  Nicco barked into the phone before kissing Ari and stalking off to give himself some privacy.

  “I should go.” Luca touched my arm, startling me.

  “Uh, yeah… sorry.” My eyes flicked over to where Nicco was shouting into his cell phone. “Thanks for the ride,” I said, finally giving Luca attention.

  “Anytime.” He smiled. “It was nice to meet you all, even if slightly weird.”

  “You too,” Ari said, but Matteo simply frowned.

  He was especially grumpy today, which was weird, because the guy was usually a hoot.

  I went to walk Luca back to his car, but he held up his hands. “I’ll see you around, Nora.”

  With a wink, he jogged back to his car, climbed inside and drove off.

  “I don’t like him,” Matteo said the second he was gone.

  “Funny, I didn’t ask.” I poked my tongue out at him.

  “So what’s his deal?”

  We began to walk toward the building, leaving Nicco on his call.

  “Who Luca? He moved in across the hall.”

  “So he’s interested?”

  “Interested?” I balked. “I hardly know him.”

  “Matt, stop.” Ari laced her arm through mine. “He seems… nice.”

  “But?” My narrowed gaze slid to hers.

  “He’s…”

  “An outsider?” A derisive sigh escaped my lips. “You know, I’m not exactly part of the gang either.”

  “Nora, that’s not—”

  Just then, Nicco came back.

  “Everything good?” Matteo asked.

  “It will be.”

  The air turned thick with the dark cloud circling Nicco.

  “What is it, what’s wrong?” Ari asked.

  Nicco glanced at me. “It’s nothing.”

  “I see.” My expression tightened, my stomach dropping. “How is Enzo by the way?”

  “Fuck,” Matteo hissed, but I’d already taken off toward the doors.

  “Nora, wait.” Arianne caught up with me. “He can’t…”

  “I know. But it doesn’t change the fact I’ll always be on the outside while you’re…” I stopped myself. I wasn’t being fair. Arianne hadn’t asked to fall in love with a mafioso any more than I’d asked to fall for a guy who couldn’t give me what I needed.

  Just because she’d got her happy ending and I never would, wasn’t reason to push her away.

  “I’m sorry. I’m acting crazy,” I said around a strained smile.

  “You care about him.”

  “Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter, does it? He left and didn’t even think to tell me.”

  “Maybe it’s time to move on. Enzo is going through some stuff…”

  “You think I don’t know that? I might not know everything, but I know…”

  “He’s gone, Nor. Enzo is gone, and from what I can tell, no one knows when he’s coming back.” She reached for my hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine.” The words spilled from my lips with a heavy sigh. “I’m fine.”

  Ari nodded. “You’re one of the strongest people I know.”

  Yeah. I’d thought so too.

  But I wasn’t so sure anymore.

  After two hours of Intro to Sociology, I met Arianne in the food court for lunch. But as I approached the table where she sat with Nicco, I could tell everything was not fine.

  “Hey, guys, what’s up?”

  “Oh, hey, I didn’t see you there.” Arianne smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Is everything okay?” I glanced between them.

  “Yeah, it’s fine,” she said a little too quickly.

  “If I interrupted, I can—” I thumbed to the direction I’d just come from.

  “No, don’t go. Nicco’s just worried about Enzo.”

  “Bambolina.” The word vibrated deep in his chest.

  “She deserves to know. Besides, I’m not telling her anything, not really.”

  Sitting down, I inhaled a deep breath. “Where is he?”

  “Out of town, on… business.”

  “I’m not an idiot, Nicco. I know what business means.” My lips pursed. “Did something happen?” Fear snaked through me.

  “I don’t think so, but he hasn’t called me in almost three days.”

  “Okay.” My brows crinkled. “He’s a big boy, I’m sure he can—”

  “He’s never gone that long without calling me.”

  “He’s ignoring Nicco’s calls.” Arianne tucked herself into his side.

  “Maybe he wants some space?”

  “Yeah, that’s what worries me.” Nicco’s jaw clenched as he stared off into the distance.

  “He’ll be okay though, right?” The words felt like ash on my tongue. “I mean, it’s Enzo.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “Has Matteo call—”

  “Has Matteo what?” He appeared out of nowhere, dropping down on the bench beside me.

  “Spoken to Enzo?” I asked.

  “Hold up, she knows?” He frowned at Nicco.

  “Nice, douchebag, real nice.”

  “Shit, I’m sorry.” He grimaced, running a hand down his face. “I didn’t… it came out wrong. I’m just surprised Nicco caved and told you.”

  “Matteo,” Ari sighed, “you’re not helping.”

  “Look, I get it. I’m an outsider. I’m not supposed to know this stuff. But Enzo is my… friend too.” God, that word sounded so stupid. Enzo wasn’t my friend.

  “Friend, really?” Matteo’s brow lifted. “Does E know about your friendship?”

  “Just because he’s gone, doesn’t mean you have to replace him as the snarky asshole.”

  “I can see why he likes you.”

  “Matt!” Nicco snapped.

  “Yeah, sorry. I’m just trying to keep things light. E is… he’s E. He’ll call when he’s ready to call. If you’re that worried, call Gino.”

  “Gino?” I asked.

  “Shit, sorry.” Matteo grimaced, rubbing his jaw. “Just how much are we telling them?”

  “I think we’re done here.” Nicco gently nudged Ari off him and stood. “I’m heading to the gym.” He stalked off toward the doors.

  “The gym?” Ari said, leaping up, taking off after him.

  “He’s really that worried?” The knot in my stomach twisted.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Nora, you know I can’t tell you anything.”

  “Right.”

  He let out a frustrated breath. “Enzo will be fine. He’s just dealing with some stuff. He probably hasn’t called because he’s ass over elbow drunk and kne
e deep in pus—” I sucked in a sharp breath and he muttered, “Fuck, I’m sorry.”

  “For what? Telling me the truth?”

  His eyes dropped and he cupped the back of his neck. When Matteo looked up again, his expression softened. “You were good for him, you know? And for what it’s worth, I was rooting for you. But Enzo… he isn’t like me or Nicco.”

  “So what you’re saying is, he’s a lost cause?”

  “No, what I’m saying is… maybe you should focus on a guy that is emotionally available, like Luca.”

  “Luca?” I spluttered. “You think me and Luca—”

  “Nora, he gave you a ride to class when he works a five-minute walk away from your building.”

  “Maybe he’s just a nice guy?” I shrugged.

  “Yeah, and maybe I’m the Easter Bunny.”

  “Hmm, I don’t see it.” My lips curved with amusement.

  “Luca is nice… But he doesn’t have that dark brooding vibe working for him.”

  “Oh, shut up. I’m not talking about this with you.”

  Awkward silence fell over us and then Matteo said, “I know this can’t be easy for you. Watching Ari with Nicco. Being on the periphery to… everything.”

  “It is what it is. She’s happy.”

  “They both are. But still, it sucks to want someone who doesn’t feel the same.”

  His words weren’t intended to be malicious, but it didn’t stop them from cutting deep. I did want Enzo. I’d wanted him the first time I’d ever laid eyes on him. There was something in his haunted icy gaze that caught my interest. It had pulled me in, shackled me to him whether he wanted me or not.

  “What do you know about unrequited feelings?” I teased.

  It was a joke, but the second the words came out I saw the flash of hurt in Matteo’s eyes.

  “Matt?”

  “Nothing.” He gave me a tight smile. “You’re right, I know nothing. But I know something about guys who give their neighbors a ride to class.”

  Laughter bubbled in my chest. This was the Matteo Bellatoni I knew and loved. Funny and warm. But something bothered me about his earlier mood. Something I realized probably had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with his best friend.

  “He’ll be okay, right?” I whispered, locking eyes on Matteo.