by Soraya Naomi
I repressed that emotion religiously, but it was inevitable I’d meet a person who would tilt my world on its axis. And I’m damn glad she did. Some people need food and water to survive. I only need her.
Rosa brings me back to the present when she states, “Adam, we need to go. Say goodbye.” She stands up and speaks to Cam, “He’s going to preschool for a couple of hours so he can get used to the new environment.”
I pick him up so that he can kiss Cam.
“Have fun, Adam,” she cheers.
However, Adam doesn’t relay the same eagerness, gripping my hand when we go down to the parking garage.
We return to the West Loop to a private preschool I enrolled him in that’s within walking distance of our penthouse. Adam’s quiet until I park in front of the high-rise where the school is located on the first floor. His arms brace my neck when I unstrap him out of his car seat and carry him to the front door with Rosa behind us.
Adam winds his legs around my waist, murmuring into my neck, “Logan, I don’t want to go.”
I rub his back. “Don’t be scared, little man. You’ll meet new friends.”
“No!” he sobs, clinging to me.
I catch Rosa, who senses I’m caving, smirking at me.
Still, I suggest, “Maybe we should do this another time.”
She plants a hand on her hip. “We have to toughen him up, right?” Amused, she throws my previous statement back in my face.
“Fine.” I let go of Adam, yet he locks his arms and legs around me, holding on for dear life. I wave down the length of him as passing pedestrians smile at seeing his drama. “Then you get him off me and drag him inside.”
She rolls her eyes and whispers, “Man up, Logan. He’s got us wrapped around his finger, and he needs to learn to be more social.”
He does need other children to play with, so I remove one of his arms from my neck and look at him in his teary, grey eyes. “You just have to stay for two hours. Then Mommy will be back to pick you up, and you and I will watch Cars together tonight, okay?”
“Promise?” he mumbles, not appearing convinced.
“I promise.” I swipe the tear from his flushed cheek.
Suddenly, the teacher opens the door after she’s witnessed Adam’s reluctance through the window.
“Hey, this must be Adam. Do you want to join our game? We’re just about to begin.”
I cross the threshold and see a bunch of kids sitting in a circle where I set Adam down on a vacant chair and wait behind him since he checks to be sure I’m not leaving.
As the teacher takes her seat, she starts to put all the kids at ease, and I edge backward to Rosa at the doorway. She rests her chin on my shoulder as we stare at Adam’s body slowly relaxing. When he looks sideways, we wave and he smiles a little, not yet happy, but accepting his fate like a good boy. A sense of pride warms my soul.
“We should go now before he freaks out again,” Rosa remarks. She pulls me with her by my arm with a knowing grin. “You’re spoiling him more than I am, you know.”
I rake my hair back with one hand before unlocking the door to my convertible. “I know,” I reply, turning around and pulling her into a hug.
She presses her lips against my mouth. “I’ll walk home, and I’ll pick him up later.”
“Okay. I have to go meet Henry to take care of some business.” I give her a lingering kiss before opening the door and leaving for work.
***
The hot and humid summer wind blows through my hair as I steer my convertible through the West Loop with the hardtop drawn back, eager to get home and find out if Adam enjoyed preschool.
Arriving at the penthouse’s master bedroom, I undo the top buttons of my dress shirt when I hear a ruckus upstairs and Adam chuckling and shrieking, “Mommy, watch out!”
I smile – he’s rather overprotective of Rosa.
“Stay there!” she warns.
I hike up the rounded staircase, reaching the open kitchen and living room area to catch Rosa tossing a mug into the sink as a flame dies down.
“Okay, Houdini, no more fire tricks in the house with Adam,” I declare, approaching the kitchen island.
Adam is already seated on a bar stool, and pasta bolognese and a salad is set out, fragrant tomato sauce wafting through the air.
Rosa spins around, looking guilty and much too appealing in her bright yellow summer dress. “Hello to you too.”
With a grin, I point my finger at her. “I told you that you were trouble.” Then I kiss Adam’s curls.
“But I’m your trouble,” she retorts, strutting over to me as I sit down on the stool next to Adam.
I pull her between my legs, skimming my palm up her hip. “Yes, you are, cricket; but those fire tricks are too dangerous.”
“It was just a small one. I wouldn’t take that risk,” she defends with remorse.
“I’d rather you don’t do them at all with him in the house,” I explain. If anything ever happened to Rosa or Adam, I’d lose my mind.
“Okay,” she relents yet adds, “You don’t have any trust in my skills.”
“I trust your skills,” I counter and she smiles, understanding the innuendo. “Just not your fire magic skills in front of our boy.”
“Logan, I can do magic too. I’m a big boy now that I go to school,” Adam pipes in.
“You are. But you’re still my little man, and I need you to protect Mommy.”
“Okay,” he replies, spearing his fork with a carrot and bringing it to his mouth.
We laugh as Rosa rolls her eyes.
“Did you like school today?” I ask him.
“Hmm, yeah,” he answers, shrugging his shoulders somewhat undecidedly.
Rosa rounds the island and snatches a piece of paper from the kitchen counter, stopping opposite me and sliding it over the surface of the island. “For you.”
Adam seems to be bursting to say something, but Rosa gives him a warning look, so he purses his lips together.
I flip over the paper, and the first thing I read is Adam Calderone Wade.
“He’s your child now too, legally,” Rosa informs me.
And Adam adds, “Mommy said that I can call you daddy now.”
My vision blurs, and I mouth, “Thank you,” to Rosa before I joyfully assure Adam, “Yes, I’m your daddy.” I bend forward to flick his button nose. “And I’m going to protect you and love you forever.”
He smiles widely before we dig into a scrumptious dinner. Even though Adam doesn’t replace Logan, I’ll honor my first son by doing everything in my power to ensure that my second son will have a good life ahead of him.
A new routine has begun in my life, and it’s one that eases my soul. The second I step inside the penthouse, I’m not a head Capo or CIA agent, I’m a father and Rosa’s Logan, which are much more rewarding positions. Money makes life easier, but companionship and family makes it whole.
***
As my first summer with Rosa and Adam comes to an end, the need to make her mine officially burns deep. I certainly don’t like calling her my girlfriend, because she’s much more than that. Fortunately, I know the perfect place to surprise her.
On a warm Saturday night when I’m handing over my car keys to the valet at the front entrance of Club 7, Adam’s bouncing ahead of Rosa and me as we advance toward the elevator, and he pushes the button relentlessly.
As we ascend, I stare at Rosa’s cleavage in the emerald strapless dress I asked her to wear. My most fond memory is of her in that dress, challenging me to kiss her at that first party. In turn, she told me she prefers my navy shirt and slacks, so for her, I wore them.
The doors glide open, and her eyes widen when conversation reaches her ears. For once, we’re not welcomed by an empty restaurant. Waiters are bustling around as the hostess leads us outside toward the terrace where the fireplace is burning in the center of the polished wooden deck.
Currently, many customers occupy square timber tables that are scattered around the
round sofa. I pull back her padded chair before I claim mine across from her with Adam between us. She gazes sideways at the blue-orange hue in the sky as the sun is low on the horizon. Then she cranes her neck to the canopy lounger behind her and raises a brow.
“I thought I’d take you here like a regular customer,” I tease, using her words.
Her lips curl up, but Adam interrupts my entire schedule of having dinner first by commenting, “Mommy, we have something for you.”
With a feigned glare, I look at Adam. Though his adorable expression makes it impossible to be mad at him. Furthermore, I’m glad I can do this now instead of waiting through an entire meal.
As discussed, Adam skips off his chair and strolls to one end of the canopy with closed curtains. Rosa frowns, turning around as Adam screeches the curtains open and standing up. On the grey sheets are white rose petals that spell out, will you be my wife?
Rosa’s palm shoots up to cover her mouth before she spins around. I go down on one knee as Adam perches on my leg, and I click open a black jewelry box, presenting a white platinum engagement ring with a square-cut diamond.
A collective gasp is heard behind me. Both Rosa and I smile.
“Will you be my wife, Rosa?” I propose, my pulse pounding in my ears from anticipation.
She touches the ring, so I take it out, and she places her soft hand in mine, yet I’m still waiting for an answer as I slide the ring on her finger – it fits perfectly.
Adam is much less patient than I am and prompts, “Mommy?”
“Yes!” she says as Adam shifts off me.
I leap up, cradling her cheeks in both hands, stroking her dimple before I slant my mouth over hers. People applaud behind us while she parts her lips, surrendering to me forever in every way two people can be connected in this lifetime.
She grips my sides, resting her forehead against mine and repeats, “Yes, yes. Sono così felice. I’m so happy.”
“Me too.” Groaning, I swipe my hands down her spine, pressing her into me. “But save the Italian for later, Rosa. I can’t ravish you on this bed now, even though it’s tempting.”
She brushes her lips over mine. However, Adam yanks my slacks, so we reluctantly let go.
Rosa looks down. “Did you help Daddy?”
“Yeah, we did the roses this morning,” he explains to her.
I lift him up easily as we turn toward the Chicago Loop skyline, and Rosa leans into me while I press a kiss behind her ear and hook my other arm around her waist.
She holds out her hand to study the sparkling diamond, and then she gazes up to me. “Ti amo, my Logan.”
“I love you, cricket,” I say, skimming my palm up and down her curves.
At long last, we’re together, out in the open with a family of our own making. An American agent, an Italian mob princess, and a Ukrainian mafia little prince. We’re a mismatched trio that fit together in ways others can’t understand.
In reality, opposites most certainly do attract.
The end of Logan and Rosa.
Chicago Syndicate series
For Fallon (#1) on Goodreads
For Luca (#2) on Goodreads
For Adriano (#3) on Goodreads
For Cam (#4) on Goodreads
For Logan (#5) on Goodreads
The love story of Henry and Mary.
For Henry (#6) on Goodreads
Untitled (#7) on Goodreads
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Soraya Naomi
First off, I must thank the Godmother of these mafia men, Renee, editor extraordinaire. Without your outstanding editing acumen, I could’ve never published these books. I couldn’t do without your critique! Thank you for working on countless rounds of editing and continually being a perfectionist. Thank you for always taking the time to teach me, to guide me, and to brainstorm with me. You’re my rock in our own mafia world.
I want to give a big shout-out to my girl, Cora. My crazy friend who isn’t afraid to tell me when I’m making no sense. I love you for being your quirky self. I appreciate your time and friendship beyond what words can express.
Thank you to the amazing Amélie, who can find all the last missing words and errors in a manuscript like no one else can. Your help and input was very much appreciated!
Thank you to Rosalyn for working on one round of edits. Your comments made me laugh and helped me fine-tune this story.
A huge thank you to Give Me Books blog for taking care of every detail of the release day perfectly, as always.
Thank you to the awesome readers of the Chicago Syndicate Reader Group and the Mafia Book Club, where I find the best new releases too!
And thank you to the ARC reviewers, bloggers, and all readers who’ve taken the time to read and review the novel. I promise that I see and read all your awesome messages.
Lastly, I need to thank the readers of the Chicago Syndicate novels who’ve embraced this series from the start and asked for Wade’s story back when it was just a duet series. This one’s for you guys!
TRADEMARKS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Smith & Wesson: Smith & Wesson Corp.
Glock: Glock, Inc.
Batman: DC Comics, Inc.
Cars: Disney Enterprises Inc.
Countess Dracula: Twentieth Century Fox (USA).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soraya Naomi reads many genres but favors intense, seductive, and provocative novels where the male character loves fiercely, without remorse or boundaries. She has a passionate obsession with the written word and indulges in chocolate pastries much too often. Her debut novel For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate, #1) was released on July 26, 2014. She’s honored that For Fallon won “Best Breakout Novel 2014” in the Novel Grounds Semi Annual Literary Awards.
For more information about the novel and author:
Website
Facebook
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Amazon Author Page
ABOUT THE NOVEL
For Logan
Copyright © 2016 by Soraya Naomi
Published by Soraya Naomi
Book 5 of Chicago Syndicate series.
First digital edition published August 27, 2016.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief and correct quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, businesses, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Top Cover Photo credit: Bezikus/Shutterstock.
Bottom Cover Photo credit: David Niblack.
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