For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2)

by Naomi, Soraya

  ***

  “I really thought I would have to drag you out of that apartment kicking and screaming.” Jason kisses my cheek after I slide into the cab, and we drive away from my building.

  “For the first ten minutes, I was trying to come up with any excuse to get out of this, but I drew a blank.” I smile. “I actually do feel somewhat better after my shower and shaving my legs again after three weeks,” I whisper, and he winces while glancing at my legs. “I did shave.” I tie the belt of the blue cardigan I’m wearing over my sleeveless, ivory-tiered dress as a shiver runs up my spine from the cold. It’s not even that chilly, just the mildly cool temperature of fall, but I’m cold because I barely get out.

  “Thank god, or else we’d be heading right back to your place.”

  “Where are we going?” I’m determined to try to have a pleasant Saturday evening. That constant emptiness still lingers, but tonight I’ll make an effort to enjoy myself with my friend.

  “Cocktails & Heels.”

  “I’m not wearing heels.” I look down to my extremely comfortable nude flats.

  His lips thin in a straight line. “Not a good enough excuse. Even without heels, you’ll get in. Besides, we’re almost there.” He meets my eyes. “Ten minutes.”

  The place is swarming with people when we arrive, and I follow Jason directly to the bar to order some drinks as I untie and remove my cardigan. It only takes five minutes for me to swoop in on an empty barstool, and Jason brings our drinks.

  “Long Island Iced Tea.” A grin pulls at his lips as he hands me the tall, cold glass.

  “You do realize this is my first drink in months, and you give me this?” I arch a brow but pull my lips over the straw.

  Jason laughs and stands right in front of me so no one bumps into me and makes me fall off the seat. “You look good. Not what I was expecting,” he blurts bluntly.

  “Well, thanks.” I roll my eyes.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I do.” I sigh and lean forward so he can hear my words in this jam-packed place. “I’m having a difficult time getting over him, but I really want to. It’s confusing and draining.”

  He caresses my hair affectionately. “Give it a little more time.”

  “That’s all I can do. I need a job to establish a routine again because now I have too much time on my hands. How’s your job?” I change the topic to a more fun subject and take another sip of my drink as I notice Jason’s gaze straying to the blonde on the stool next to me.

  “So far, so good. It’s a lot more administrative work than they said it would be, and I’m not enjoying that aspect, but I can’t complain. At least I found one quickly. I’m keeping my eyes open in case any position becomes available for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  We exchange a hasty grin when the blonde finally flirts back with him. He inconspicuously points his thumb to her, so I nod, relaying that he can flirt away and doesn’t need to stay with me.

  Swiveling around in my chair, I face the bar. The wall is lined with liquor bottles, and two bartenders put on an entertaining show while mixing the cocktails.

  Jason almost bumps me off the stool when he helps the blonde from her chair and turns to me with a sorrowful look. “Sorry. Come dance with us?”

  I shake my head. “No, no. You can go.” I’m not going to be the third wheel on the dance floor.

  With my attention back on the bartenders, I taste my drink again and realize how lonely I feel surrounded by all these unknown faces. A few men smile kindly, but I just ignore them.

  I’m startled when I’m suddenly engulfed by two big arms but instantly relax when Jason’s cheek is pressed to mine. “So…my wingman did such a good job, I can call it a night already, but I don’t want to leave you.”

  He releases his hold, and I pivot around to face him. “You suck! You drag me here, and after half an hour, you leave?”

  “Come on; we’ll leave together.”

  I point my thumb over my shoulder to my half-empty drink on the bar. “I’m finishing my drink, and then I’ll take a cab home. Go have fun.”

  “You sure?”

  I know he would stay if I asked him to. “Yes. Just call me tomorrow.”

  “Definitely,” he replies and walks backward two steps before bumping into someone.

  I watch him disappear through the door with his latest conquest, then I spin back to the bartenders and my drink. The alcohol is starting to make me feel warm and relaxed. One of the bartenders throws me a wink. I’m starting to feel less lonely with every passing minute while the music is improving.

  CHAPTER 12

  Luca

  Two months have passed excruciatingly slowly. I’ve done everything I could to tamper with Alex’s investigation, and the case will be closed soon. However, I haven’t found Collopy – which definitely concerns me. Adriano and I obeyed James and have focused solely on Alex, but James still hasn’t discovered anything leading us to Camilla or any other suspects for the bombing.

  I’m on my way to my penthouse, and I frown when, for the first time in weeks, David calls me. David’s primary assignment has been to follow Fallon’s every move since that weekend I took her home. I’ve resisted stalking her myself but couldn’t let her out of my care completely. She’s not talking to the police, so I was pleased to cross Fallon off our list of suspects. But I still feel responsible for her. I still feel for her. And my need to protect her will always be there, even when I'm enraged at her dishonesty in not confiding in me about Alex's note.

  I hurriedly answer, “Yes.”

  “Someone, other than me, just followed Fallon and companion to West Madison Street. She went into a bar or club named Cocktails & Heels.” A door is being slammed on his end. “I’m walking in too.”

  Unease instantly pours in. “Don’t reveal yourself unless absolutely necessary. Protect Fallon without scaring her.” I turn my steering wheel and hit the gas to go to West Madison Street. “I’m on my way. Don’t let her out of your sight.” I raise my voice and end the conversation to immediately touch base with Adriano.

  “Ciao.” Hello.

  “Where are you?”

  “Loop.”

  “Are you close to West Madison?” I ask.

  “I think so, let me check.”

  “Hurry.” I ignore a red light and speed through the streets. “Someone followed Fallon into Cocktails & Heels. David just went in, and I’m on my way. I have no idea what I’m walking into.”

  “I’m there within ten minutes. I’ll find you inside.”

  Flinging the phone on the passenger seat, I race to the club. While driving, I realize I’m finally going to see her after two long months. My palms are perspiring from both apprehension and the anticipation of being close to her again.

  I park the car and jump out, striding into the bar. Music is blaring from the speakers, and the place is packed, so I check my phone screen. A message from David informs me that she’s sitting at the bar to my left.

  My head whips to the illuminated area, and at the end of the bar stands David, watching Fallon and everyone around her like a vigilante. I head over to him first as I recognize her posture right away. She’s in a white dress with her back to me, but people keep disrupting my line of vision. She’s gaping at the bartender’s antics as he shows off while mixing his drinks.

  “Who is it?” I ask David when I join him, without taking my eyes off her.

  “Fuck. I lost him, but no one approached her.”

  Disgruntled, I instruct as I unbutton my suit jacket. “Find him. I’ll take care of Fallon tonight.”

  A throbbing below ensues when I cross the distance between us and stand right behind her. Her long hair flows down to her lower back and her smooth legs are crossed. Stepping forward, I place both my hands on the bar, caging her in from behind, and lean down to the shell of her ear, without pressing my front to her back.

  She turns her head, and I’m completely thrown off guard when a wide, genuine smil
e sweeps across her face. Fallon’s eyes twinkle, but her expression is somewhat bemused. Her bangs are gone, and I’m struggling not to trace the contours of her beautiful face. This is clearly not the distant welcome I was expecting.

  “What are you doing here, Fallon?” I intentionally graze my teeth over her earlobe, and she eases back against me, so I instantly circle her waist and bury my nose in her hair. I close my eyes at the comforting sense of familiarity we’re both currently enjoying.

  “Luca.” She arches into my touch and traces my unshaven jaw with trembling fingers. “I missed you.”

  Her breath smells like rum. I quickly grab the seat to turn her around and hook my hand behind her head. Our eyes lock, but mine drop to her full lips that have parted slightly from my touch. “Are you drunk?” I smile, and my gaze wanders down to her cleavage. I’m unable to resist her pull, so my palm slides up her bare thigh while her perfume wafts around us.

  “Yes.” She throws her arms around my neck, dragging us face-to-face. “I miss you so much, Luca. I…still want you.”

  Those words give me more pleasure than I could ever imagine. Wondering whether the one you love misses you as much as you do her is a feeling that breaks a person down. Time apart hasn’t damaged our connection. And I don’t remember why I even came in here when all I’m focused on is tasting her. She scrapes her nails up into my hair, and I make my way between her spread thighs, wanting her to feel my growing excitement.

  “How much have you missed me?” Oblivious to everyone around us, I kiss her neck and nuzzle the sweet-smelling mass of her hair, feeling her familiar warmth. Her back bows to meet my pelvis, and I get a raging hard-on.

  “So much that I want you right now,” she whispers.

  Finally our lips meet, and I crush her into me with my hands covering her ass. Tongues search in a frantic attempt to taste a love that was destroyed in those six days two months ago.

  A tap on my shoulder interrupts us.

  “Luca.”

  Without releasing Fallon, I look over my shoulder at Adriano’s huge smirk.

  “I see there’s serious trouble,” he comments sarcastically and cocks his head as Fallon rests hers against my thumping chest.

  “Bathroom.” I jerk my head to the end of the bar.

  “I’m not one to cock block.” Adriano parts the way, and I lift Fallon off the stool, grabbing her sweater while she clings to me. I clasp her to me tightly and then take her hand in mine.

  She laughs and follows close behind, continuously pressing herself against me.

  I want her now.

  Adriano takes care of the waiting line in front of the ladies room. “Ladies, toilet is clogged. You can use the men’s.” He extends an arm to the men’s room and dazzles them with a lopsided grin; they happily oblige him.

  When I open the door, it’s yanked back, and two women step out, leaving the space empty. After pushing Fallon inside, I shove her sweater, jacket, whatever it is into Adriano’s hands and close the door behind me. When I turn to her, she’s leaning against the black marble sink, looking at the bulge in my dress slacks.

  In a low voice, I command, “Spread your legs.”

  Eager to comply, she lifts her sweet ass onto the sink and spreads her legs wide, making her dress ride up to her hips.

  “Move your panties to the side.” I unbuckle my belt and am about to blow as she, again, complies instantly while watching her own movement, nudging her black lace panties aside.

  With two determined strides, I bury my head between her legs, and she fists my hair.

  “Ah Luca…”

  I lock my arms around her hips to hold her in place. Then I replace her hand with mine, holding her panties to the side while the other rakes down the soft skin of her stomach. I’m spurred on by her unyielding grasp in my hair as she grinds against my mouth, and I suck and lick relentlessly. I touch as much bare skin as possible under her dress and pinch her nipple to elicit her distinctive, enticing moan.

  God, I missed you.

  I was foolish to think that she was ever under my spell when I’m utterly dominated by hers. She’s so loud and close to exploding; I fucking love it and continue to devour her, circling my tongue. I look up at her tightly shut eyes, and it’s so sexy when her back arches while her hand flies to the mirror behind her as she rides out her climax, smothering me entirely, but I don’t give a shit.

  I rise and unbutton my pants as I cup her head and pull her forward to press our lips together. “Kneel,” I order.

  With my hand tangled in her hair, she lowers, tugging down my boxer briefs and instantly taking me into her mouth.

  Oh fuck!

  I press my palm against the sink to keep from falling forward as her warm mouth sucks me off, and her hair tickles my thighs. “Faster,” I urge and drive into her mouth.

  She sucks and wraps her fingers around me while peeking up at me through her eyelashes with those light brown eyes that have beguiled me since that night we met so many months ago. Without warning, I coat the back of her throat. “Fuck!” I growl and slow my thrusting while she keeps sucking, and I’m tempted to stay in her mouth.

  She swallows, and our heavy breathing is suddenly all I hear. My chest is heaving as I stare down my nose at her.

  Shit! She’s drunk, and I fucked her mouth.

  Fallon struggles up, almost slipping, so I curl a hand around her arm and help her. She kisses me hard on the lips before she starts adjusting her clothes.

  After tucking my dress shirt back in, I speak to her quietly because I don’t want to set her off. “Adriano is taking you home.”

  “No…” she whines.

  This is exactly what I’m not in the mood for. She’s drunk and wants to dance and flirt, but no one is going to dance or flirt with her, and she needs to go home in order for us to figure out who was stalking her.

  “Yes.” I pull Fallon’s body flush against mine, and her playful side is still calling the shots because her swollen lips curve up. “He’ll take you home when you’re done. He’s right outside with your sweater. Are your keys in there?” I trace my thumb over her bottom lip.

  “Pocket.” She turns around to untangle her hair, facing the mirror and letting the strands flow through her fingers while staring at her hand.

  Momentarily, I frown, but a knock reminds me to hurry up.

  Adriano is guarding the door in the exact same spot with that same smirk on his face. “She’s loud.”

  “Take her home. I’m going to follow you guys to her house from a distance to check to see if you have a tail.”

  He holds up her sweater. “Is she ready?”

  “Yeah.” I circle my pointer finger once. “I’m doing one round through this place.”

  Pacing back to the bar, I take one quick walk around to ensure David completely scoped it out. I do recognize several associates, but they’re harmless. I scan the entire place and my gaze freezes on Fallon on the dance floor. Looking past her, I see Adriano marching toward her, and I also head that way.

  I hold up my palm to stop Adriano as I approach Fallon and pull her back to my front to cease her movement. “I told you to go home.”

  She pushes her ass into my groin, and I automatically skim my hands down her hips. I can’t keep my hands to myself when she’s this eager, but I’m also coldly reminded of why we don’t work; because she never listens, so I fist her hair and bend down to her ear. “I have no problem taking out my piece and killing someone here for eye-fucking you. Go. Home.”

  “Oh Luca, lighten up. I want to dance with you. Like this, forever,” she slurs.

  Her body is swaying, wildly energetic, and I force her to stop. This doesn’t sound like Fallon. She’s clenching her jaw and mumbling something. I pull back and cup her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. Her pupils have dilated, making her eyes black as night, and I release her chin when I see she’s gritting her teeth.

  “What the fuck did you take?” I demand, practically shouting in her ear.


  She doesn’t answer but is very alert.

  I look up to Adriano. “She’s on something!”

  She’s fucking high on ecstasy.

  His eyes round in shock, and he takes her by her shoulders to help me calm her dancing body.

  “Fallon, look at me.” He studies her and recognizes the same symptoms I’m seeing. “She’s high on X.” Stepping back, he adds, “Did you give her something?”

  “Hi,” she says in a sugar sweet tone to Adriano.

  “No! Quando?” No! When? “The five minutes in the bathroom isn’t long enough for it to work its way through her system.”

  “She took it herself?” he questions incredulously. “You didn’t notice in the bathroom that she was high?”

  “Either she took it, or someone spiked her drink. I was kind of distracted in the bathroom,” I defend. “Get your car; I’m leaving mine, and we’re taking her home now.”

  “No!” She turns her head to face me. “I just wanna dance. I don’t wanna go home.”

  “But we’ll have fun,” I whisper in her ear as I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and suck on her earlobe to try to make her as compliant as she was five minutes ago.

  She softens immediately in my embrace. “Mmm…”

  “Come on.” I entwine our fingers, and we escape that place, getting into the backseat of Adriano’s BMW.

  I catch Adriano’s amused expression in the rearview mirror as I’m persistently trying to calm her while she rains kisses over my neck and even cups my balls. And that’s the moment I cave again.

  “Fuck it, I surrender.” I ravage her mouth with mine and let her straddle me while I stroke and grope the bare flesh under her dress. “Look away, asshole.” I grin at Adriano while sinking my teeth into her shoulder, and she shrieks in delight, but I know I shouldn’t spur her on.

  Grabbing my shirt with two fists, she leans forward as I swipe her hair behind her ear, and her look of adoration makes time stand still.

  “Are you coming up with me?” she asks.