“I’ve got my connections. You know that.”
“Yes.”
“I heard that Paulie did a job for this guy to try and make it look like your friend Miguel Lupo did it.”
“What?”
“Yeah, and the next part I’m telling you, I’m only revealing because she’s your friend. You know I don’t give two fucking shits about her cousins, but they’re involved.”
“This has something to do with Bella?” she asked, shocked as she looked around, knowing Bella just got back from the guys’ place.
“This Miantelli guy is her fucking boss. He owns the company she works for and has been trying to push his way into her life. Word from a friend is that he’s trying to force her into a relationship with him.”
“No way. Bella wouldn’t do that for anything. She’s so—”
Adalina stopped talking as she thought about Bella’s behavior lately, and the phone calls and text messages. She went from happy to sad until she met Major and Mateus.
“You know something. What is it?”
“She has been acting funny, and even makes these comments like this is her last getaway. She goes from happy to sad and someone keeps texting her. Shit. It’s probably him.”
“It probably is. She’s a sweet, beautiful woman, but this guy Miantelli is a fucking train wreck. What he doesn’t know and what Bella doesn’t know is—”
“About her cousins and their connections to organized crime. What could this guy be using as leverage to get her to cooperate?”
“Adalina, Paulie Jr. should be fucking dead. He’s in critical condition last I checked.”
“Damn it. She’s trying to protect Paulie from getting killed. Maybe this guy even threatened the family. You know how protective she is of everyone.”
“I know.”
“I’ll have to confront her.”
“And tell her what? That you and your family are involved in organized crime? That you’ve done crazy shit to protect your own family?”
“If I have to, then I will. This guy could force her into a relationship. Rape her. Do you think I’m going to allow that?”
“What about Vinny and Sunny?”
“What about them?” she asked, feeling her heart race.
“Do you think I’m fucking stupid? I know if you could you would make yourself accessible to them.”
“And piss off the family? Piss off you because of the grudge you hold about a deal from five years ago? No one knows I’m related to you. Getting adopted into the legitimate side of the family secured my safety.”
“It could all come out if you reveal your connections.”
“She’s one of my best friends. I’m not going to let this asshole hurt her. Besides, she met these two guys here.”
“What two guys?”
“Some very wealthy men. I don’t know their last name. Never seen them before or the company they keep. They seem like they may be into things, but they’ve shown nothing but kindness to Bella and have made her smile. Hell, made her stay with them the last three days.”
“Which means if this dick Miantelli finds out, he could get them killed.”
“You think this guy Miantelli’s reach is that far?”
“I don’t know. None of this affects me or the family businesses. It affects Miguel Lupo. My shit dealings in New York are long gone.”
She sighed and thought about what to do.
“Thanks for the info, Tudoro.”
“Of course. Call me if you need any help.”
“Will do. Thank you.”
She ended the call and leaned against the wall in the hallway. She could hear someone talking and knew that it was Bella. Slowly, she walked closer to the door to her bedroom and listened.
* * * *
“I was busy. This is a vacation for me,” Bella stated into the phone.
“Too fucking busy to answer my calls? I don’t think so. I think letting you even go on the trip was pretty fucking kind of me. Easing you into this relationship slowly as opposed to forcefully. Would you prefer I do that?”
“No. Of course not. None of this is fair to me. I had nothing to do with what Paulie did. I tried calling him and got no answer.”
“We went over this. Big things are coming and you’re going to be by my side during it all. Paulie tried to interfere in my plans and he suffered because of it.”
“What does that mean?” she demanded to know.
“He is alive, but that won’t be the same outcome if you give me any problems from here on out.”
“You promised not to hurt him or the rest of the family.”
“I won’t unless you provoke me to. I want you back here. When is your flight?”
“Friday night. We arrive in New York after eight.”
“I need you for a special dinner meeting Saturday evening. I’ll have the salon get everything ready. Your appointment is for twelve. I’ll be flying in Saturday morning so I won’t be able to see you until the event. After that, we’ll start working on this relationship and what I expect from you. Understood?”
Tears stung her eyes.
“Yes.”
Bella ended the call and sat on her bed. She looked at the text message from Don. Paulie was still unconscious and no one knew what was going on or who did it. She did. She wanted to tell Don and see if there was any way he and her other cousins could help. But how could they? They ran regular businesses and didn’t deal with criminal gangsters like Miantelli.
She thought about Major and Mateus. They were businessmen, too. Very wealthy, and tough. Hell, they had bodyguards and she hadn’t even realized it. So did Rayanna, which she found out Major and Mateus assigned to her for protection after a stalker. They were incredible men. Tough, demanding, sexy, caring, and she wished she could just get lost with them inside of her and pretend that none of this other shit existed. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was going to be Miantelli’s whore by Saturday night. There was no other way to look at it. She had to end things with Major and Mateus before it got more complicated and Colosar found out. He would kill them.
“Bella?” Adalina pushed open her door and Bella hurriedly dried her eyes. She forced a smile and Adalina gave her a sympathetic look then she placed her hands on her hips.
“What’s going on? And don’t lie to me.”
“I got a text from Don, he said that Paulie is in the hospital in critical condition,” she stated, thinking she could at least share this information. Everyone would find out when they got back to New York.
When Adalina didn’t respond but instead closed the bedroom door and joined her on the bed, Bella’s gut clenched.
Adalina covered her hand with hers.
“Don’t ask me questions of how I know because it’s safer for you not to know too much.”
Bella squinted her eyes at her.
“Tell me about this boss of yours.”
Bella gasped and her eyes widened in disbelief.
“Please, honey. Tell me what he threatened you with.”
“How do you know? Did he threaten you? Did he do something to you?” she asked, and Adalina shook her head.
“There are things I can’t explain to you or reveal because it could put you in further danger. You just need to trust me, Bella. We’ve been friends since elementary school. Please, tell me what this guy Colosar is demanding and why.”
Bella couldn’t help but to cry. She couldn’t believe that she had someone she could confide in about this. Adalina hugged her. “It’s going to be okay. I’m going to help you.” She looked up and stared at her gorgeous friend. Adalina had long blonde hair, big green eyes, and was so strong and filled with confidence.
“I don’t want him to hurt you.”
Adalina smiled softly. “That isn’t your concern.”
“But it is, Adalina. He hurt Paulie. Twice. And this time Paulie is in critical condition. Colosar said he would kill him if I didn’t cooperate.”
“I know he’s your cousin, but he hasn�
�t exactly been staying out of trouble for years.”
Bella looked down at her hands on her lap. “I know that.”
“I know you aren’t gullible or easily manipulated. So what else is this guy threatening you with?”
Bella looked up at her. Tears filled her eyes, her nose got all clogged up.
“He knows about my family. About my uncles’ businesses and about my aunt being sick. He’ll destroy all of them. Set fire to the dry cleaners, the restaurant, and the deli. He’ll destroy all they have.”
Adalina looked angry and a scowl formed on her face.
“The fucking bastard. Why would he do all that?”
“Because Paulie ripped him off. He owes him more than fifty thousand dollars and I’m supposed to help pay that off by being under his command, his thumb, and be his whore,” she stated and more tears fell.
Adalina shook her head and then pulled Bella into her arms.
“I’m not going to let that happen.”
Bella pulled back.
“How? I have to go back Friday night. He expects me at an event on Saturday and I’m sure that’s when he’s going to make me go home with him and consummate this forced relationship.”
Adalina stood up and paced a moment.
“Let me think. There’s more to this. From my understanding, there’s some things going on with two organized families.”
“What? How do you know that? What do you mean? Like Colosar is in the Mafia or something?”
“Or something. Or trying to get in with some big shots. I have a few connections. Some friends I can trust. There has to be more to this. Give me some time.”
“I have two days left here. Maybe I should just head home now.”
“No. You’re enjoying time with Major and Mateus. They’re super sexy and, hell, important to you. They’ll take your mind off of Colosar.”
Bella looked at her. “No matter what happens I won’t regret what I did with them. I wanted to be in charge when it happened. I didn’t want to be forced into it like Colosar would have done.”
“What do you mean? Forced into what? Having sex?”
“Adalina,” she said her name and then the words entered her mind first. “I’m in love with Major and Mateus. I don’t want to leave them.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“I kind of screwed up.”
“How so?”
“I went and…fell in love,” she said and more tears fell.
“Shit, Bella. I’m assuming they were your first ménage encounter? I hear that’s pretty intense.”
“They were my firsts, period.”
Adalina’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No.”
“Yes. They’re the first men I’ve wanted to give my virginity to and they couldn’t have come at a worse time in my life. At a time when an evil, manipulative asshole owns me and will own my body. I wanted to have a say in losing my virginity. I wanted to choose and not feel forced or like I should just do it to get it over with. I wanted Mateus and Major to always have a part of me no one else ever would. The last three nights are all I’ll focus on when I’m forced to be Colosar’s lover or whatever.”
Adalina shook her head and hugged Bella tight.
“Give me time. I’ll figure this out. I promise.”
Chapter 10
“Who the fuck is the one responsible for doing this shit?” Mateus asked his cousin Fedarro.
“It looks like it was Miguel Lupo. Like he’s been stealing from us, as well. If the deal went through and you guys back out, then he would more than likely try to take over.”
“I don’t believe it. Miguel has been a good business partner. He understands how the family does business and he is still our first choice if we decide to leave our position,” Mateus stated.
“I don’t understand what exactly is going on, but I know that we don’t need cops or feds sniffing around the pier or the warehouses. This is risky business. There’s more. Some fucking loser got beaten up badly. He’s in the hospital, but my sources say he was part of the job that night when your shit got ripped off.”
“So why isn’t he dead?”
“He’s got protection.”
“Protection from who?” Major asked.
“Dominic Coglonie and his people.”
“What the fuck is going on? Why would Dominic be protecting some asshole who ripped us off? Does he even know it was us that got ripped off?”
“Listen, Mateus, I’m finding out this shit in drips and drabs and trying to keep a low profile. I was thinking that you could ask Rayanna since Dominic has a thing for her.”
“Shit. I don’t want her involved with him and his family,” Mateus stated, feeling concerned.
“Like I do? We need more information on this kid. Oh, his name is Paulie Costanza Jr. A twenty-year-old kid from Brooklyn who works at an auto body shop.”
“Did you just say Costanza?” Major asked and stood up. Mateus felt sick, pissed off, and could hardly breathe.
“You know them?”
“We met a woman here and her friends. Her last name is Costanza,” Mateus stated.
“Wait, the one the two of you have been shacked up with?” he asked.
“What the fuck?” Major asked.
“The guys talk. Heard she has hot friends, too, and that a few of the guys were really into them.”
“None of that matters if she was sent here to pull something on us,” Major stated in anger.
Mateus looked at him and narrowed his eyes. “You think Bella would do that?”
“There’s one way to find out. Grab her and interrogate her. She could know who is going after our stuff and trying to take over our territory. This is fucking bullshit,” Fedarro said to them.
Mateus disconnected the call and began to pace.
“She can’t be involved. That wasn’t fake. What we shared. What we felt,” Major stated.
“It could be, she could have faked the whole fucking thing to set us up,” Mateus said to him.
“What do we do? Go get her right now and find out?” Major asked.
“We have to be smart about this. Assume she won’t know that we know.” Mateus stopped talking. He couldn’t believe how hurt he felt. He had been antsy all day, not having her here with him. He anticipated five o’clock coming and it was hours away. Now a different side of him was taking over. The untrusting, evil, killer side of him. No one got away with messing with the Fiorre family, and definitely not men like him and his brother. He’d killed men for less. Killed Rayanna’s boyfriend for using her to get into the family. It seemed their little angel, Bella, was no angel at all.
* * * *
“How is he?” Bella asked Don over the phone.
“He’s still unconscious.”
Bella looked at Adalina and her cell phone rang. She walked to the side of the room while Bella listened to Don.
“Who could have done this?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“We don’t know yet. Listen, it’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“I should head home.”
“No, stay until Friday as planned and when you get in we’ll bring you over to see him. The doctors don’t think his condition will change.”
“Okay, but call me if anything changes.”
“I will.”
“And how is Uncle Paulie, and everyone else?”
“Trying to deal with it. Coming by with food and saying prayers.”
“Oh God. He’s going to make it, though, right?”
“It’s touch and go but the doctors think so.”
“Please call me if anything changes.”
“We will. Love you, cuz,” Don said.
“Love you, too,” she stated and then hung up the phone. She felt sick.
“Are you sure? I need for you to be sure.” She heard Adalina raise her voice and then look at Bella and appear frantic.
“I’ll tell her. I don’t know either. I need more time. Okay. Call me.” She got off the ph
one and exhaled.
“Miantelli’s private jet is here in the D.R. One of his goons, Clover, is in the main lobby of the resort. I think he’s coming here for you.”
Bella stood up. “What? Why? Colosar said he was away until Saturday and we would see one another Saturday night.”
“He probably didn’t trust you and thought you sounded like you were cheating on him.”
“What am I going to do? What about Mateus and Major? If they find out about Colosar—”
“Honey, this is turning into a nightmare. You’re going to have to either sneak out of here and get away without him finding you while I still figure things out or you’re going to have to go with him and take your chances and hope that Colosar isn’t in New York and is away until Saturday.”
“Shit. If I take off and leave he’ll hurt my family. You know he will. I can’t risk that. Not with Paulie already in critical condition in the hospital.”
Adalina rubbed her chin and jaw. Fina came to the door in her bathing suit.
“Hey, there’s this super badass looking guy here and says he came to pick Bella up for the airport. What the hell is going on?” Fina asked. Bella looked at Adalina.
“Paulie’s been in an accident. He’s in critical condition in the hospital in New York. Bella is heading home to be with the family.”
“Oh God, Bella, I’m so sorry. Should we pack up, too, and get ready to go?”
“No, I’m going to head back early, too. You guys enjoy the last few days and we’ll catch up next week,” Adalina said, and Bella was shocked.
“Shit. Okay. Call us, though, to let us know about Paulie,” Fina said.
“Will do,” Bella said, and then Fina hugged them both and left the room.
“What are you doing?” Bella asked her.
“Hitching a ride back with you and helping to protect you while we figure shit out. Pack up,” Adalina stated and then pulled out her phone and hurried to her room to pack.
Bella did the same thing until Clover was standing in her doorway.
* * * *
“She’s gone. Took off an hour ago for the airport,” Harley, one of Mateus’s and Major’s main guys, told them. Mateus slammed his hand down on the counter.
Made Men 1: Bad Timing (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 11
