by Amy Cecil
“And how do you expect me to do that when we all came on our bikes?”
“Put them on a fucking plane. I don’t care. I just don’t want them around when shit hits the fan.”
He turns back toward me and says, “We got you.”
“Thanks, Ice. I knew I could count on you,” I say.
“So what now?”
“We wait.”
“Well, if you all don’t mind then, I’m gonna go spend some time with my old lady before Hawk breaks the news to her that I’m sending her home.”
“What?” Hawk says in surprise. “Me? Oh, hell no. She’s your old lady.”
“Yeah, and I’m your prez. You do what I tell you. Getting you grunts to do the dirty work is a perk of the job.” He raises his eyebrows with a smirk.
“Ice, man, come on. You know what Emma did to me the last time I told her no about something.”
“Yeah, she left you in Edinboro with your dick in your hand while she flew to Ireland.”
“Exactly.”
He laughs. “What can I say? My girl is resourceful.”
“Ice, come on.”
“Look at it this way, maybe you’ll have better luck this time.”
We all laugh ’cause if I didn’t know better, I would think that Hawk, Ice’s big VP, was afraid of Ice’s lady.
Hawk shakes his head. “You suck. You all fucking suck!”
“Oh quit your pouting, big guy. You take care of calling Reefer and arranging the flight. I’ll talk to Emma and the girls.”
“Really?” Hawk makes me laugh. I never expected him to cower because of a woman, but then, when she’s his prez’s old lady I guess it can be pretty intimidating.
“Call Reefer, Hawk,” Ice says and laughs.
“You don’t need to worry about the flight. The family jet is at your disposal,” I say.
Ice holds his cigar in front of him and nods. “Thanks, man, that’s really nice of you.”
“It’s the least I can do,” I say. “I’m just so thankful you and your boys are here.”
“Well, there ya go, Hawk. Let Reefer know,” Ice says.
“You got it.” He gets up happily and heads out of my office.
“So I have to ask, what in the hell did Emma do to him?”
Ice laughs. “Me and some of the boys were in Ireland several weeks ago, and Hawk was left in Edinboro to hold down the fort and watch after the girls. Emma and two other ladies, including his own, booked a flight to Ireland and left right under his nose. Emma called him from the airport right before they were about to board their flight, just as a courtesy so he wouldn’t worry, to let him know where they were and that they were okay. She completely duped him. We’ve been ragging him about it ever since.”
“Oh shit, that’s good. But I’m finding it hard to believe Hawk is still part of the MC, seeing that he was meant to watch the girls and they left?”
“If it were any other member of my club and if the circumstances were different, I would have been more pissed and had done something more drastic about it. But I realized Emma did the right thing by leaving both Edinboro and Hawk.
“Circumstances be damned in my organization. When you are told to do something, you do it and suffer the consequences if it is not done accordingly.”
“Well, that’s where we differ, I guess. Believe me, he gets enough blowback from our jokes, and as it turned out, the girls, especially Emma, weren’t safe staying in Edinboro.” Ice looks around the room as the others laugh. “So we good here?”
“Yeah, man, go spend time with your girl.”
Ice and the rest of his crew get up and turn to leave.
“You’re having dinner with us tonight, right?” I ask.
“Oh, hell yeah. My boys would impeach me if I let them miss a good Italian meal.”
“Great, it’ll be at six in the main dining room. Oh and, Ice, please feel free to take advantage of the pool or whatever. Make yourselves at home.”
“Thanks, Michael.”
Chapter 8
Zaira
It’s been two days since Michael and I talked, and in just a couple of hours, I have to make an appearance at his omertà. He’s probably going to have the leggy brunette with him again. Asshole. Why does it bother me so much? I ask myself and then quickly answer, because you still love him!
Michael arranged for us to take the family jet to Italy. D and I leave first thing tomorrow morning. I know I will feel much better once I get on that plane. Distance is a good thing, and I have this strange notion that if I keep reminding myself of it, I will actually believe it. In all honesty, I think the main reason I want to leave so badly is because I just want to run away. I want to run away from everything. The only person I feel I can truly trust right now is Darius. He has been by my side and has always given it to me straight. Sometimes I wonder if I have allowed him to get too close. I’ve been beginning to wonder if he has romantic feelings for me. The last thing I want to do is give him false hope.
I need to get ready for this party, but I have been stalling. I have no idea what to wear, and in all honesty, I don’t want to go. But it was part of the agreement. If I wanted to go to Italy, I had to attend Michael’s right of advancement. Looking through my closet for the umpteenth time, I finally decide on a fitted black dress. It’s low-cut in the back, almost low enough my butt crack shows. It’s perfect. I pull out a pair of black lace garters and matching panties. Finishing off the ensemble, I pull out a pair of black Jimmy Choo stilettoes.
Once I’m dressed, I tend to my hair and makeup. Taking one last glance at myself in the mirror, I realize it doesn’t get any better than this. I turn to leave my room when there is a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I say, and in walks Darius.
“Wow! Z, you look fabulous!” His reaction only confirms my fears, and I realize I definitely need to talk to him about this. But I’ll wait until we get settled in Florence before I do.
“Thank you, I was just coming downstairs.”
“Good, I was just coming to tell you the car is ready. Vince and Mia have already left.” He looks in the corner and sees my suitcase. “You’re already packed?”
“Yes, can you tell I am anxious to get out of dodge?”
He laughs. “Can’t say I blame you,” he says. “Why don’t we put your suitcase in the car, then everything will be ready for the morning?”
“Okay, but I don’t think I will need it tonight.”
“Oh, I’m sure you won’t.” I look at him curiously. What does he know that would make him say something like that? Realizing he just created an awkward moment, he quickly holds out his arm and asks, “Shall we?”
“Of course.” Vince allowed D to escort me tonight because he knew we were leaving early in the morning and I would be free to return home early instead of waiting for him. Darius and I walk down the stairs and out the front of the house toward the car.
“Who’s driving?” I ask. I don’t recognize the man standing at the door waiting for us to approach. “Oh, that’s Freddy. He’s one of my guys,” Darius says. He turns toward Freddy. “Zaira’s suitcase is ready. Can you load it in the car before we leave?”
“Yes, sir,” Freddy says. “I’ll be right back.”
Darius and I get in the car and wait for Freddy to return. A few minutes later, we hear the trunk open and some banging around and then the trunk closes. Freddy then gets in the driver’s seat.
“All set?” Darius asks.
“Yes, sir,” Freddy replies. He starts the car, and we drive off.
When we arrive at the Vitalis’, I can see there are so many people already here. The house is lit up like a Christmas tree, and I have to say, it is absolutely beautiful. When we get out of the car, I hear the band playing a soft, sultry Frank Sinatra tune. Suddenly I feel like Cinderella arriving at the ball. It’s a shame my handsome prince is a killer and a liar, not to mention a first-rate asshole.
Enough of that. I’m gonna have a good time tonight. I w
ill stay the appropriate amount of time and then I will make my exit. I am so ready to go. I just need to get past this last hurdle, and I’ll be on my way.
We walk into the house, and people are milling around in the foyer. The party is outside around the pool, so Darius and I make our way to the open French doors that lead to the terrace. The music gets louder, and I see many couples dancing around the pool. I quickly scan the party for Michael and spot him in an all-black tuxedo on the far side of the pool. He looks delicious, and I quickly notice there isn’t a tall leggy brunette glued to his hip. I’m pleased.
“D, I’m gonna go congratulate Michael. Will you excuse me?”
“Of course, Z.” I turn and walk away and notice he’s following me. He’s not right behind me. He’s keeping his distance, but it is still odd. A chill runs through my body. I make my way toward Michael. He’s talking with Ice and a man I recognize from my wedding, though I can’t remember his name.
When I approach, I say, “Forgive me, gentlemen, I just wanted to make my congratulations to our host.” I turn to face Michael and smile. “Congratulations.”
He pulls me into a hug and whispers in my ear, “God, you look beautiful.” I feel myself blush as I hug him back. I miss him.
“Thank you, Michael.” We stand there in awkward silence, and when I’ve had enough, I say, “Well, I should mingle. I don’t want to keep you.” I turn and walk away, but he calls after me.
“Zaira, please wait.”
I turn back around, and he walks to me. “Can I just have a minute?” When I don’t answer right away, he grabs onto my hand. “I just want to apologize for the other night. I was an ass.”
I smile. “You were, but your apology is accepted.”
“Thank you. It won’t happen again,” he says.
And although it is a relief to hear him say it, I find I am more disappointed than not by his words.
“When do you leave for Italy?” he asks.
“First thing tomorrow morning,” I reply.
“All ready to go?”
“Yes, more than ready. Thank you for this, Michael. I promise I will behave and be careful.”
“I know. That’s all I ask.”
Ice steps up and nods, interrupting us. “Hey, got a minute?”
“Yeah.” Michael turns back toward me and says, “Zaira, if you will excuse me.”
As they walk away, I hear Ice say, “Just got word that the girls got home.” I realize then that I don’t see Emma. That must be whom he is talking about. I wonder why they left before the party.
I don’t think much more about it and decide to go find my brother and sister. They are talking with Ricco and Sal when I approach.
“Zaira, good to see you, sweetheart,” Sal says and gives me a hug.
“Nice to see you too, Sal.”
“Hey, doll,” Ricco says.
Sal raises an eyebrow. “You better watch it, Ricco. You better not let Michael hear you speak to her like that.”
Ricco laughs. “It’s all good.”
I spend quite some time talking with them and then move on to mingle with some of the other guests I know. I notice Darius is always close by. He takes his bodyguard duties quite seriously.
After a couple of hours at the party, Darius approaches me. “Zaira, we should go.”
I’m a little disappointed because I was actually having a nice time. Better than I had expected, especially since things started off on a good note with Michael. “What time is it?”
“It’s after ten.”
“Oh goodness, I didn’t realize it was so late. Let me say good-bye to Vince and Mia, since I probably won’t see them in the morning.”
He nods, and we make our way back to my brother. I say my good-byes and then scan the party for Michael. Last I had seen him, he was going off with Ice. Damn, I really wanted to see him before I left. I won’t interrupt his meeting; I know how busy he is. I can’t shake the urge to see Michael before I leave, and I linger a few more minutes, hoping he returns.
“Z, we need to go.” Darius tugs on my arm. I give the party one last look as Darius and I make our way back out and toward the car. Freddy is already waiting in the circle drive for us.
As we drive off, a melancholy feeling washes over me. As excited as I am to get away, my heart is tugging at me to stay. I’m heartbroken I couldn’t tell him good-bye, so I do the next best thing. I pull out my phone and send him a quick text:
Hey- Just wanted to say good-bye and thank you.
Good-bye, Michael.
Chapter 9
Michael
I got back to the party just as Darius whisked Zaira away from the party. My heart sinks as I realize she didn’t say good-bye. Everything in me wanted to stop her from going. There was so much I wanted to say to her. I wanted to tell her I love her, but instead—for the third time in my life—I let her go. Just then, my phone beeps. I pull it out of my pocket and see I’ve received a text from her. I read it, and although I’m pleased she at least texted me, I’m pissed at myself for letting her go in the first place. Why does this feel so final?
Well, fuck! There’s not a damn thing I can do about it now. Once the dust settles with Gallardi, I will take a trip to Italy, and Zaira and I will settle things between us once and for all.
“Hey, you okay?” Ricco asks.
I shake my head and shrug. “Yeah, I’m good.” I turn back toward the party and Ricco follows.
He grabs my shoulder. “Mikey, she’ll be back.”
“I know.” We head back into the party and straight for the bar. Just as we’re about to grab our drinks from the top of the pool deck bar, Ricco’s phone buzzes. He looks at the text and then back at me. “Our security team just texted. Choppers are en route. They’re coming in from the south.” Ricco and I both look at each other in terror. Our estate is not on any regular flight plan from any airport nearby. This is a hit, and if we don’t move fast, we could easily have a massacre on our hands.
Ricco rushes to the band and grabs the microphone from the singer. “May I have your attention, please.”
Everyone stands still and is quiet. As calmly as if nothing dangerous was about to happen, Ricco continues.
“We’d like everyone to make their way into the house as quickly as possible. The Vitalis have a special presentation for you in the ballroom. Once you get inside the house, a staff member will direct you accordingly.” He smiles. “Please, ladies and gentlemen, move quickly.” He pauses, then says, “Thank you.”
He directs the band, bartenders, and servants to go inside as well, but Ricco remains on the bandstand with the microphone. I walk toward him, and before I can utter a word he says, “So help me, Michael, if you don’t get your fucking ass inside, I’ll shoot you myself. I can’t keep everyone safe if I’m worrying about you.”
I raise my hands and nod. “Get yourself inside as soon as you can, please.”
“I will.”
I turn to head toward the door when I’m approached by Ice.
“What’s going on?”
“Choppers are approaching the house.”
“Yeah? So?” Ice replies.
“The compound is not on any flight path. I’m hoping I am wrong, but I believe that is Gallardi.”
“Oh, fuck. What can we do?”
“Help Ricco get everyone inside!”
“Go! Get your family and yourself safe. We got this,” Ice says.
I look back at Ricco, and he’s clearly pissed. “Okay, okay, I’m going!” I yell and head for the door. I pay these men to protect my family and me. The least I can do is follow their orders when it comes to our safety. But fuck, it’s so hard. I’m not a run-and-hide type of guy, but being head of the family changes things for me. I have to be more protective of myself since the entire Vitali family’s safety is in my hands. I turn back toward the house and see my parents struggling to get inside. I immediately forget everything else and rush toward them.
My father is hunched over, and it ap
pears he is having a difficult time breathing. “Mamma, cosa c'è di sbagliato in Papà?” I ask.
“Non lo so, Mikey. I don’t know.” she frantically replies. “He just started gasping for air. I don’t know what to do.” She starts to cry.
I take my father and say, “Here, Mamma, let me get him inside. Follow me, you have to get inside. I’ve got Papà.” I get him in and help him sit on the bench in the foyer. Marco comes rushing inside behind us. I turn toward him and say, “Call nine one one! I think it’s his heart! And get Dr. Siegel. He’s in the ballroom.”
At this point, most of the guests are inside and in the ballroom. I’m not worried about anyone getting hit inside the house. All the windows and glass doors are made from the highest quality armored glass. The ballroom is an interior room in the house. It also has been converted to serve as a bomb shelter in the event it should be needed. The last few guests come inside, and following close behind them are Ricco, his boys, and Ice and his men from the MC. I’m relieved to see everyone made it inside safely, and for the first time tonight, I’m glad Zaira left. I make a mental note to give Darius a raise for getting her out of here. They got out of here just in time.
Marco returns with Dr. Siegel, and he immediately lays my father on the floor. “Domenic, can you hear me?”
My father nods. He looks up at me and nods. I take it as a good sign.
The doctor is checking Pop’s heart and pulse when I hear two things. First the wail of a siren from the approaching ambulance, and second the text I just received from Ricco telling me they are getting closer and there is more than one. All hell is about to break loose. I hold onto my father’s hand. “It’s gonna be okay, Pop. I got this.”
He nods. He knows something is up, and it’s killing him he isn’t capable to help. Tears run from the corners of his eyes and down the sides of his face.
I wipe his tears away and whisper, “Everyone is safe, Pop. You don’t need to worry.”
He nods again as he makes a feeble attempt at a smile.
Paramedics come rushing in, and before I leave his side for them to attend him, I say, “The ambulance is here, Pop. We’re gonna get you to the hospital as soon as possible.”
