by Ali Parker
Chapter 17
Demetri
I'd given her as much space as I could after we reached the cemetery. Though every part of me wanted to go over and pull her into my arms, I forced myself to stand back. My own mother's death weighed heavy on me, as did her secrets. I wanted to open up to Izzy, to tell her everything and find comfort in her presence, but I couldn't. We were too close to stepping over the line, and I hated to admit it, but I prayed like hell that she would be the first to reach out. I couldn't push her away again.
We stayed at the graveyard until thirty minutes until eight and drove over to Gino's together without saying a word. There was a comfortable silence between us that felt so good, so right. It had always been there, and I knew she enjoyed it as much as I did.
I offered her a hand as I parked beside Gino's, but she refused me, getting off herself and walking into the restaurant without me. Smart girl. The last thing we'd want is for anyone to see us getting along. Everyone would have far too much fun with that.
After locking everything up, I walked into the delicious smell of garlic and tomatoes and waved to Gino through the opening from the restaurant to the kitchen. We would be in the back room like we always were. Joe and Gino having been friends for over forty years meant that we got special treatment all the time, which meant we were almost always there.
"Hey, D. Where did you buzz off to? I came into the house looking for you after I finished working on Joe's car." My cousin Danny reached out and offered me a hand.
I took it and pulled him in for a quick hug. "I ran a few errands. Is Marco here?"
"Yeah, he's up front, shuffling through papers as usual." Danny shook his head before nodding toward the room. "Jesse and Eliza are here too. I figured they wouldn't make this one. A monthly meeting is one thing, but having to travel from Las Vegas to see you fuckers is another."
I popped him in the chest and walked over to the couple.
"Hey, guys. Good to see you made it." I leaned in and gave Eliza a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before shaking her husband’s hand. Jesse's eyes lit up, and he started talking a million miles an hour, reminding me of a used car salesman. The couple was perfect to head up our gambling operation in Vegas.
"Man, it's been a fucking billy blast out there in Sin City. When are you coming to visit? You've been promising for a while now." He poked me in the stomach and laughed loudly.
"Jesse, shit." Eliza swatted her husband's hand away from me as she smiled. The petite blonde was dressed in a tight cream-colored dress that accented all her curves and left her the second-most beautiful woman in the room. Her brown eyes lifted to my face as her cheeks colored pink. "Excuse him. He's just excited."
"Yeah, I'm excited. I never get to be around you guys. Gets fucking lonely out there." He reached out and squeezed my shoulder tightly as his smile lifted to his eyes. His spiky brown hair reminded me of a teenage boy, but the life he'd lived was obvious through the laugh lines around his lips and eyes. They were good people, and I was glad that Edward had helped us find them.
"It's all right. I'm glad to see you guys. How long are you in town for?" I glanced over my shoulder as someone laid a hand on me.
"We leave in the morning." Eliza moved around me and let out a loud yelp. "Eddy! You look great."
"I do, right?" Edward smiled and moved up beside me, giving me the right to nod and walk away. I hated the fact that the little shit had put his hand on me, but I needed to get over myself. Just because Izzy chose to use him for sex over someone she didn't know — or me — wasn't any of my business. Sure as fuck felt like it was, but it wasn't.
"D, up here, man." Marco waved me over and extended a piece of paper with an agenda on it.
"What's this?" I snorted and read through it. "Are you seriously putting us on an agenda tonight?"
"Fuck yes. The last meeting was six hours. I know you remember that shit because you kept getting up and pacing the room like a tiger trapped in a cage too long."
"That's true. I'd forgotten." I turned to lay eyes on Izabella and found her talking with Madame Gizelle, who ran our prostitution ring, and Carlos, our transportation capo. Why Danny had been working on Joe's car instead of Carlos was a mystery I wanted the answer to. From the looks of things, Carlos looked healthy and fully capable of doing the job.
"You ready? Let's call this thing to order." Marco patted the top of my back and moved over beside his father, who was seated at a table with Cat and Freddy. I was rather surprised to see the little fucker there. Izzy had to have scared him shitless with her threats, and yet there he sat, looking better than I'd seen him look in a while.
"Yeah." I moved up to the table closest to me and picked up a water glass, tapping a fork against it and clearing my throat. "Find a seat please. We're going to get started."
"Where is dinner?" Joe called out and got a cheer for asking.
"It's coming, Dad. We're going to go through the meeting items first, and then the food will be brought out." Marco lifted his hands as everyone started to bitch. "It's easier this way. You guys will move quickly through issues, and we'll be done in an hour instead of two."
"Marco is right. Sit down, and we'll get our drinks refilled while he starts. Give him your attention, and if you butt in too often, Izzy will cut out your tongue." I winked and walked toward Joe's table, taking a seat next to Freddy and pulling out Izabella's chair as she moved in to sit next to me.
She lifted a butter knife in the air and smiled. "I could use a bit of relief."
"Tease," I whispered and pulled my napkin into my lap, ignoring the hot press of her stare from beside me.
"All right, first things first." Marco walked languidly to the back of the room and closed the door. "We need an insider on the police force, and the last time we met together, we'd decided that the Don would talk with Armstrong Kelley and get the old man to help us work on bringing over his son, Jonathan, but that's not proven too fruitful, so it's time to discuss what our next steps are. It's not a democracy in here, as you know, but Joe loves to hear your thoughts, so spill."
"Are we sure Jonathan is the key to our success on the force?" Cat asked, lifting her hand.
"I'm pretty sure he's our guy," I responded and stood up. "We've profiled everyone and feel like he's the right age, the right socioeconomic class, and has the necessary skills to do just about anything we need done. The problem is that he's got serious ethics."
"What will it take to buy him off?" Jesse asked. "Every man has a price, right?"
"He doesn't need money," Joe answered and glanced over to Izabella. "He needs a woman."
"A woman?" Edward asked. "And what are you guys proposing exactly?"
"I think we should scare the shit out of him. It works with just about everyone else we've dealt with." Marco lifted his glass of wine to his lips. "Threaten his life. Promise him that we'll send Izabella after him if he doesn't do our bidding."
"I think he would like that -— a lot." Daniel lifted his hand. "I know Jonathan. We went to school together. He's a couple years older than me, but we played soccer on the same team."
I glanced over at Joe. "You want to see what Daniel could do?"
"No." Joe stood up and turned his attention back to Marco. "I think we're going to try and woo him over to our side."
"Do you need help?" Madam Gizelle gave Joe a sexy smile. Her dark red hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and her alabaster skin was very much on display thanks to her low-cut black dress. "I can send a girl over if you want. A gift maybe?"
Joe turned and winked at her. "I like that idea, but I think he's the good boy type."
"Then we're screwed." Daniel laughed, and everyone joined in with him.
"I'll woo him." Izabella spoke up but didn't look up from her glass of bourbon. Every man in the room wanted her to woo him. Fuck, I wanted her to woo me.
"I don't like it." I shook my head as she glanced up at me. "You're not the type of woman to woo a man, and what if you decide you care for him? You kn
ow insiders never last long. Sounds like we're setting you up for failure."
"Now she's definitely going to do it." Marco chuckled beside me.
"I hate the idea of her wooing someone too, but I'm pretty fucking sure if we want this guy on our side that Izzy is the only one that can win him over." Edward locked eyes with me for a minute before turning away.
At least he hates the idea too.
"It's up to you if you want to take on this assignment, baby." Joe reached across me to squeeze his daughter’s forearm. "It's not the type of work you're used to, but we need someone on our side."
"I'll do it. No problem." She downed her whiskey as Marco moved on to the next order of business.
She might have been fine with it, and the rest of the damned room seemed to be good with it, but I wasn't — not in the slightest. Funny enough, for the first time in a long time, my opinion didn't matter.
Chapter 18
Four Days Later
Izabella
"You sure about all of this stuff with Jonathan?" Marco reached out and touched my arm as I poured myself a glass of water in the kitchen.
"Yes, I'm good." I glanced up and ignored the concern in his face. "What's the big damned deal? You guys send me out to kill the scariest guys in the world, but I go on a date with a good-guy cop and everyone is up in arms? Demetri is pacing the fucking floor in his office."
"Right, well, his concerns are very different from mine." Marco chuckled and reached for my glass.
I snatched it away and shook my head. "It's a date. I'm trying to get the bastard to fall in love with me so he'll help us. Stop acting like I'm excited about it, or feel anything at all other than the need to succeed at any cost."
D walked into the kitchen and stopped by Marco before running his fingers through his dark hair. It had been a long weekend with him gone and working on finding something to help us with figuring out who killed my mother.
"You're not sleeping with him." He pressed his hands to the counter in front of me and gave me a hard stare.
"Correct. I'm not." I lifted my glass to my lips and drank deeply of the cold water.
"And make sure that you don't mention what we need from him until he's a little ga-ga over you, all right?" Marco reached out and snagged the glass as I brought it down only to finish it in two gulps.
"Hey, this isn't my first rodeo, boys, and I don't sleep with anyone but Eddy." I turned and walked around them. "Lay off."
"You look good. Almost too good." D's voice followed me out into the hall.
"Too good?" I glanced over my shoulder and readjusted the strap to the purse Sylvia had let me borrow. It felt awkward on my shoulder, but I'd get over it. Just like I'd get over having to wear a stupid sundress and put my hair into a ponytail. My mother would have been thrilled to see me looking so feminine.
"Yes. Too good for this idiot." D moved toward me but stopped just before reaching me. "Don't dress like this often. I could see myself taking full advantage of you."
I laughed and turned to walk past him, brushing my fingers by his hardening cock and grazing him with my nails. "You're not taking advantage of anything. We're just associates, remember?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
I turned and looked over my shoulder as Nathaniel opened the door. "We could be more. I could come back from my date today and let you tear this silly dress from my body before bending me over the balcony and — "
"I'm right here!" Nathaniel tugged at my purse. "Don't give me a coronary."
"You? Shit. What about me?" D turned and walked back toward the kitchen as the sound of Marco laughing filled the hallway.
"I'm just practicing on how to win over this cop." I shrugged like my heart wasn't racing in my chest and walked out into the midmorning sun. It was beautiful, and springtime had shown up almost overnight. Flowers lined the edge of our property, and the brilliant reds and pinks my mother had chosen and planted the year before were a testament to her still being near us somehow.
"You're not going to have a problem winning over a man. Just be yourself." Nathaniel gave me a warm smile as I turned to look back at him.
"Why aren't you married? You're far too handsome to be single." I tilted my head and studied the blond-haired, blue-eyed hunk.
"I love my job, but it's dangerous. Until I find a woman that I love more and leave this life, I'm good with just dating here and there. Why, you offering?" He smirked.
D moved out onto the driveway and popped him in the stomach. "No, she's not. She's got a line of men waiting for her to whisper “Yes,” and you aren't even invited in the line. Get out of here, Izzy. You're making us crazy with that fucking dress."
"You flatter me." I lifted my key fob and hit the button, bringing my Porsche to life.
"Be safe, and come back here when you're done. I want to tell you what I've found out about your mother." He slipped his hands into his slacks and watched me with his dark gaze.
I wanted to kick off my ridiculously high heels and go back into the house to find out what he knew, but my father expected me to help fill this need we had, and I would — without fail.
"Tell me tonight then." I walked to the car and got in, letting out a quick sigh and checking myself in the rearview mirror to ensure that my makeup still looked perfect.
I waited a minute longer and pulled out of the long driveway, slowing only as I approached the edge of our massive property to get a closer look at the flowers.
"Beautiful," I whispered and blinked in quick secession to keep my tears from falling. I wouldn't soon get over losing her, but then again none of us would.
*
"Izzy. Good to see you again, dear." Armstrong Kelley stood up from the table he was sitting at in the center of La Griglia and gave me a warm hug.
"It's good to see you too." I smiled up at the large guy who'd been my father's best friend for as long as I could remember.
"Jonathan is running a little late, but I'll stay and visit until he gets here if you're okay with that."
"That sounds great." I moved toward the table and took the seat that Armstrong pulled out. "How is Joe? He seemed very much like himself at the funeral, but I know how much he loved your mother."
"He's doing okay, I think. He's pulled back a lot from the business, but I honestly had hoped that he and Mother would do that soon anyway. Everyone deserves the chance to retire." I glanced up at the server and ordered a water and glass of white wine.
"I agree, no matter what business you're in." He leaned back and dropped his hands into his lap. "Who's going to take his place when he's done? Marco? You? Demetri?"
"I'm not sure, though I would assume that Marco would be the best fit. D's never been one to sit behind a desk and order people around."
"This is true. I miss the days of being on the force and working with you guys. It was like the best of both worlds."
Another voice spoke up from behind us. "You reminiscing again, Dad?"
"I am." Armstrong chuckled and lifted his hand toward the handsome young cop dressed in a button down and slacks. "Izabella, this is my son, Jonathan."
"Nice to meet you." I lifted my hand and shook his firmly as he moved in to take the seat across from his father but next to me.
"Pleasure is all mine." His eyes moved across my face but never dropped any lower.
He was handsome but in a military sort of way. His green eyes were beautiful, his features very masculine and his hair cut in a tight buzz cut against his head. He didn't look like the type of man that would have trouble getting a date or finding love if he wanted it. He had a story to tell, and I was rather surprised to feel the drive to want to hear it.
"I'll leave you two kids alone. I just wanted to introduce you both, as I know Joe and I have been friends for a long time." Armstrong stood and squeezed the top of my shoulder. "Tell your old man he owes me a game of golf. He whooped my ass something terrible last time."
I chuckled softly and glanced up. "I'll tell him for sure. It was nice to se
e you again, Mr. Kelley."
"You too, dear." He pointed to Jonathan. "Behave. I like this girl. A lot."
Jonathan rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to me. "Nothing like being set up on a blind date by your dad."
"This is true. It could have been worse though. He could have stayed and told stories from your childhood." I smiled and took the glass of wine the server sat down in front of me.
He laughed and pulled his napkin into his lap. "It could have been a lot worse. I'm not sure it could have been better though. You're clearly one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen."
"Thanks." I glanced down as if shy. "That's sweet of you, Jonathan."
"Jon. Call me Jon." He pulled the breadbasket toward him. "You want a piece?"
"Yeah. Tell me about your job. I can see you're a cop, and my father mentioned that you work at the local precinct." I took the basket and buttered my roll slowly before lifting it to my lips and licking at the excess butter.
His eyes moved with my teasing, and his cheeks turned pink. I had to stop myself from laughing at him. He was an innocent boy stuck in a man's body from what I could tell.
"Yeah, I love my job. I ride patrol with another cop who's a bit older and more seasoned, but he's going to be retiring soon. We're in an odd predicament at the station in that they're not going to be able to replace him for a while, so I'm rolling solo." He shrugged and turned his attention to the menu. "What do you do?"
"Lots of things. I work for my father, so mostly whatever he needs done." I took a bite of my roll and pointed at a girlie salad when the server came over. Had it been anyone else, I'd have ordered a steak or a hamburger, but I was asked to woo the good guy in front of me, and something told me the more feminine I could appear, the better.
"Ahh, your father." He smiled and glanced up at me. "My dad seems to think a lot of the great Joseph Castaletta, but some of the guys down at the station think he's into some bad shit. Is he?"
