Giovanna smirked, shaking his head as if confused. “And again, I remind you that isn’t an option. Just because you don’t listen to what the streets say doesn’t mean we don’t. Mom and Dad aren’t liking what’s constantly being presented to them. They’re about to do away with you. And if you bring her to this party? You know damn good and well they’ll remove you from that seat.”
Would they really go that far? Or was this just Gio pushing buttons? “No one can take my seat without challenging me. Dad officially stepped down three years ago, and he handed everything to me. That’s what you can’t stand. That’s why you’re always in here, rattling off at the mouth whenever you’re in town. Visiting, my ass. You’re here for a personal reason, but you won’t achieve it off the back of Bonnie and me. Understood?”
He grinned. “Man, she must’ve been a good lay.”
I gathered his lapels in my fist. “Get out.”
“Don’t bring her if you don’t want to kill Dad at his own anniversary party.” He just wasn’t giving up. “Because if you do bring her, he’ll challenge you for the seat. Mark my words. And then, you’ll actually have to make a ballsy decision. Think you’re ready for it?”
My nostrils flared. “Security!”
My office door burst open, and there stood three burly men, ready to whisk my brother away and throw him into whatever dumpster he’d climbed out of.
He shrugged me off before I could toss him their way. “Iz, I get you’re under some serious pressure right now, but you have no idea the kind of evil you’ve invited into your own damn home. All Mom and Dad want is a strong front at their anniversary party to show other families that we won’t be shaken by this nonsense. This is the kind of thing that will—quite literally—save us from future attacks because people view us as weak. And you want to decimate all of that for what? A girl you who was supposed to kill you per her uncle’s orders?”
“She didn’t, Gio.”
He scoffed. “And that’s what you’re basis is?”
My security guard spoke. “Boss?”
I held up my hand. “My basis for what?”
Gio took a step toward me. “For ruining everything this family has worked so fucking hard for. The respect. The fear. The resentment. The friends. You’re willing to throw our one chance to prove we’re stronger than ever into the garbage disposal to be chewed up and spat out because you want to bring Bonnie? Because of some girl?”
I made eye contact with one of the guards. “You can take him away now.”
My brother’s jaw fell open. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
I returned to my desk and made a dismissing gesture with my hand. “Take him away.”
My guard’s voice filled the room. “Of course, boss.”
Giovanni started yelling. “You’re going to ruin this. You’re going to ruin us!”
Did he think he could handle this seat? “Whatever.”
“You’re going to ruin this family forever, Israel.”
“Sir?”
I turned around at the sound of my secretary’s voice. “Yes, Miss Caswell?”
She held out a Manilla envelope. “This just came. Got it scanned and tested. It’s clean.”
I motioned for her to come in. “Just set it on my desk.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mark my words, Israel,” Giovanni roared down the hallway.
I looked at my secretary. “Close the door on the way out, please. And make sure that man isn’t allowed back in here.”
“For today?”
I paused. “For good.”
If my brother thought he could waltz in here and talk to me like that, he was mistaken. Clearly, he didn’t see me as the head of this family yet. That meant I had to teach him a lesson. Even though he was my brother, I cut his paychecks. I gave him his jobs. I made sure he was comfortable and had everything he needed. But he was still operating off the idea that Dad wielded some sort of power in this family.
When really, he only wielded the power we gave him ourselves.
I picked up the manilla envelope and flipped it over. On the front was stamped ‘urgent,’ in bold, black letters. I quickly tore it open as I leaned against the edge of my desk. My eyes scanned the documents before I raked my hand through my hair.
More fires to put out. More people to fire. More hires to be made, and another undercover operation to plan.
“I usually send Gio for this,” I murmured.
But I figured this was a great time to start that lesson.
I set the papers down and picked up my office phone. I dialed the number seven, then waited until the phone rang. One ring, two rings, three rings exactly.
“Yes, sir?”
I grinned. “Porter. Got a job for you.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Come to my office at two. We’ll talk then.”
“Yes, sir. See you then.”
“Thanks.”
I set the phone back down on the receiver and smiled to myself. If my brother thought I was going to keep giving him work after a display like that, he was sorely mistaken. I picked the papers back up and pushed off the edge of the desk, walking back around to my chair. I sat in the buttery leather seat, feeling it give way as it molded to my body.
Then, I slid my reading glasses on and started reading.
The more I read, though, the more I found myself thinking about that damn party. It was this weekend, and after planning this with my brother since well before Bonnie ever entered the picture, I was glad to have it almost past us. Three more days and I’d never have to plan another wedding anniversary party like this for as long as I lived. Including my own, because I sure as hell wouldn’t live long enough in my line of work to ever see that milestone.
The smallest pang of regret touched my gut. As quickly as it came on, I pushed it away. “Come on, focus.”
I read through what had been included in the “urgent” envelope so I could be prepared to brief Porter once he got there. My mind was still swirling about the party. Why the hell did my brother care all of a sudden? Did he really think he could take my place like Bonnie suggested? A few days ago, he wouldn’t have given a shit who I brought to that party. And now, I wasn’t supposed to take Bonnie? Yes, I didn’t trust her. Yes, I hadn’t brought her with me that day for a plethora of reasons. Yes, I was entranced by her. Hell, even wooed by her at some points. But I was a man. I was strong. And I could make my own damn decisions.
I wanted her with me at that party.
So, she’d go with me to that party. “That settles that.”
Something about my brother’s actions still bugged me, though.
I mean, he’d never come to visit me. Ever. The last time he’d come to stay any length of time with me had been after his fucking divorce. That bitch of a woman he’d married against Mom and Dad’s will had kicked him out. She’d taken everything he’d owned since he was stupid enough not to make her sign a damn prenup. He’d come and had crashed in the library for two solid months before I’d finally told him to get out. And now, after all these years, he popped back up again?
He’s got something he’s working.
“Or, something he and Dad are working on.”
As I sat there, staring at my laptop, I wondered if the threat really was Bonnie’s family. If Pava Moretti really was the biggest wall I had standing in front of me right now. As my mind wandered and as I slowly started piecing some things together, a new picture formed in my mind’s eye.
And I started wondering if the real threat to my family right now… was my own.
14
Israel
Finally, the evening had come.
The evening of my parent’s anniversary party—and I couldn’t wait to get it over with.
I was tired of the back and forth. Tired of the judgment. Tired of Mom changing things at the last minute and Dad never putting his foot down. I swear, that woman was the weakest part of him. And that truth echoed a sentiment my father
had preached to me my entire life.
Women are nothing but targets. Do better than I did.
My day at work had been long enough. But, to pile on an event where I had to plaster on a smile and act like things were okay? It felt a bit too much. My shoulders were already stacked with mounds of chips that weighed me down with every step. I slept with both eyes open to make sure my home wasn’t invaded again. I kept tabs on my enemies to make sure none of them became as bold and brazen as Bonnie’s uncle.
And Bonnie. She was a much different beast altogether.
I rose up the elevator with my hands slid into my pockets. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, enjoying the silence that came with such an encasement. Some days, I wanted to move into this elevator. Just ride it up and down with nothing but my clothes, a toilet in the corner, and some books. God, I missed sitting in my library and reading books. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a moment to sit down and enjoy something merely for pleasure. I missed my adventures. The love stories crafted between the pages of old books I stole from my mother’s library the day I moved out. Every time I walked by my library, it called to me. It called out for mercy and for a fresh start because all too quickly, my library had become my interrogation room.
How did my life get here?
Being born into something like this never got any easier. Every time I thought I was out of the woods with one thing, another thing would pop up and take its shot at me. I admired the tenacity of those around me. Those who wanted to take me down and mount my head on a wall for someone to show off at darkened dinner parties. I’d never give them the satisfaction, though.
They’d all die by my hand if it meant scraping together a life I might actually want to live.
All too soon, though, the elevator slowed to a stop. I felt my body weight temporarily shift and it made me raise my head. I looked at the Rolex watch on my left wrist and sighed. Damn it; I only had forty-five minutes to get ready for this damned thing before we had to head out. And while I knew Bonnie had probably been getting ready all afternoon, I wouldn’t have the luxury of showering off the stench of blood-caked beneath my fingernails before we walked out the door.
Such is life, I suppose.
“Bonnie,” I called as I got off the elevator.
“Yes?” Her voice was muffled and sounded like it came from the bedroom.
I climbed the stairs, looking around the empty room. “Bring me those diamond cufflinks from my top drawer.”
She poked her head out of my closet. “I’m telling you, those things are—wait. Where did you get that tuxedo from?”
I grinned. “You like it?”
I looked over at her, and my heart fell into my stomach. Bonnie mindlessly rummaged through the top drawer of my accessories right by the door. Her body filled out the beautiful black dress she’d donned for the evening. The sash she had around her bare shoulders sparkled like stars in the night sky. Her hair was piled high on top of the crown of her head, with wispy curls hanging softly against her face. And when she stood to look at me, with those diamond cufflinks in her hands, I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.
She looked at me in questions as she handed me the cufflinks. “Too much?”
I blinked. “Not nearly enough to outshine how beautiful you are.”
She blushed. “Here you go.”
Our fingers brushed together as I took them from her, sending a bolt of electricity down my body. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I turned back to the mirror and watched her maneuver behind me. As I lifted my wrists and placed the cufflinks through the buttonholes, I fumbled around with the backs of them. I couldn't pay attention long enough to fix them. I couldn't stop looking at Bonnie in that fucking mirror long enough to finish dressing.
“Here.” She looked up and noticed my issue. Smiling, she moved to assist. “Let me.”
I turned to face her and watched as she voluntarily helped me get dressed. I mean, I thought my all-black tuxedo with my crimson red skinny tie made a bold statement. A powerful statement. One that would tell everyone at this damn party tonight that I wasn’t going anywhere. But I had nothing on how wondrous Bonnie looked.
She’d outshine me the entire night.
“There,” she said as she took my hands in hers. “All settled.”
I grinned. “Thank you.”
She looked up at me. “Anytime, Israel. I mean that.”
I winked. “Careful what you wish for.”
“And why is that?”
I pulled her close to me. “Because I might call you one day and ask for something to be removed.”
She fluttered her eyelashes. “Don’t mind if I squeal with delight, then.”
I chuckled. “You like that?”
“What? The idea of taking your clothes off? I think you know me better than that by now.”
I do.
As those two little words danced around in my mind, I felt her breath pulsing against my lips. My hand slid into hers, our fingers softly intertwining. I heard her draw in a shuddered breath. I squeezed her hand as everything within me mounted. I felt my cock stiffen. My gut clenched. My toes curled in my freshly-shined shoes as I licked my lips.
“Israel?”
“Yes?”
She sighed. “We’re going to be late.”
The sadness in her voice ripped me out of my trance, and I studied her. I really, genuinely studied her. She stepped away from me and turned her back. And I could have sworn her shoulders were slumped. “Stand up straight.”
She peered over her shoulder. “What?”
I straightened. “Stand up straight. Never give the appearance that something is weighing you down. Not in front of this crowd.”
“I didn’t realize I had to put that front on with you as well.”
Then, she disappeared from my closet.
“Damn it,” I murmured.
After I finished getting ready, I headed downstairs. Bonnie stood by the elevator, waiting for me, but she didn’t turn around when I approached. She had her sash over her bare shoulders, and her clutch squeezed tightly within her grasp. I plucked my coat off the rack and slid it over my shoulders before wrapping my neck up with a scarf. “Ready?”
She rolled her shoulders back. “Whenever you are.”
I placed my hand on the small of her back before I summoned the elevator. “And just so we’re clear, I want to say one thing.”
She slowly looked up at me as the elevator doors slid open. “What is it?”
I led her inside the cab. “I will never expect you to put on any kind of front with me. Ever. Understood?”
She took in a deep breath and released it. “I understand.”
I nodded curtly. “Good.”
The elevator whisked us away before four new security guards I had hired followed us out to the town car. I opened the door for Bonnie and helped her inside, which gave me a moment to gather my bearings. I knew I’d kick up some dust with this. I knew my father wouldn't like this at all, especially since I had that lunch date with Mrs. Esposito the very next day.
But I knew where I stood with Bonnie, and I knew what we were trying to do.
And no one would take that away from me.
I slipped into the car, and one of my security officers closed the door. Then, the driver took off towards the party destination. I already knew what the place would look like, but I was anxious to see what Bonnie thought of it. If I knew her as well as I thought I did, her reaction would be a refreshing one.
“You okay?” she asked.
Not really. “I’m fine, yes.”
“In my world, ‘fine’ isn’t good.”
I peered down at her. “Well, in my world, ‘fine’ is just fine.”
She smiled. “Good to know, then.”
I took her hand. “Good to know, indeed.”
The way our fingers intertwined made me feel rooted. Feeling her small hand swallo
wed up by my palm, made me feel powerful. Manly. As if I could conquer the world that laid itself out for me. I scooted closer to her as we got closer to the venue. We slid into the long line of black, gaudy limousines owned by people who wanted to flaunt their wealth rather than actually doing something with it.
As we pulled up to the front of the hotel my brother and I rented for this party, I looked over at Bonnie. “Ready?”
She peeked out the window. “I take it there’s a ballroom inside or something?”
I nodded. “There is. We’ll also get a key as we pass by the front desk.”
“A key? To what?”
“A hotel room, of course.”
She furrowed her brow. “We have a hotel room for the night?”
I opened the door. “For the weekend. Everyone gets one. We booked out the entire hotel for the weekend.”
She frowned up at me. “Wait, you did what?”
I helped her out of the car and slid her sash back her shoulders. I offered my arm to her as she gawked up at the facade of the building, gazing up at all of the darkened rooms.
“Every single one of those is for the party tonight?”
It was rather impressive, wasn’t it? “They are, yes.”
She shook her head. “If it were me? I’d have been just fine with a cookout beside a pool.”
Bingo. “Well, my parents are a bit more uppity than that.”
She giggled. “You did not just call them that.”
I grinned. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
She smiled up at me, and it filled me with strength. I led her through the opened double doors of the hotel, and we were automatically given a key. The penthouse key, of course. My father never did like a penthouse suite. He much preferred smaller hotel suites. “Less to secure,” he’d always said. That meant Bonnie and I could spend a weekend in a luxurious penthouse with meals brought right to our door and a bed we didn’t have to make ourselves.
It wasn’t much of a change from how we lived now, but sometimes a change of scenery could breathe life back into something.
Or someone.
“My God, Israel?” Uncle Rickie’s voice called. “Is that you?”
Mob Princess: An Arranged Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel King Book 2) Page 9
