“You okay?” he asked. She nodded, and stared up at the monstrosity of a man who was filled with muscles. She could see his neck muscles in the tight shirt he wore. His dark brown eyes, wide shoulders and crew cut hair made him look military. She didn’t think he ever served, but what did she know.
Lenox and Ziek walked Alessa away and Alda looked at her cousins as Logic, Train, Royce, and Brew all gathered around them.
“Sorry, Alda. Fogerty drank too much and was being an asshole. Will you be okay with these guys?” C.J. asked her.
“She’s obviously safer with us,” Brew barked at him.
“Of course I’m fine. Maybe you and Randy shouldn’t be hanging out with him. Maybe he’ll only get you into trouble,” she said to C.J. He looked her over, then looked at the guys surrounding her like she was important and they were her personal security team. She gulped.
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” C.J. said to her.
“C.J., Randy, leave here. Whatever is going on with you and those men—”
Royce gripped her shoulders and she leaned back as if needing his strength to deal with her cousins. C.J. narrowed his eyes at her.
“This isn’t the time to talk. I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said and then gave the men dirty looks and he and Randy walked away.
Royce turned her away from them and looked down into her eyes.
“Cousins, huh?” he questioned, as if not believing her.
“Stupid ones, apparently,” she said and started to pull away from him to put some distance between them.
Brew reached for her hand.
“You okay, slugger?” he asked and she shook her head, and willed the tears away. She wasn’t going to let those men ruin her night. She wanted to celebrate with her friends. She was getting a raise, a promotion and the company wasn’t being sold off. If her cousins wanted to hang out with thugs and pretend to be made men, what was she to do? She felt guilty suddenly and knew this wouldn’t end here tonight. She would talk to them this week. Hound them until they promised to stay away from Fogerty and Brendan.
Royce reached over and cupped her cheek.
“Those guys are assholes. Don’t ever talk to them again. Understand me?” he ordered.
“Two of them are my cousins,” she said and Train slid his hand to her hip and squeezed.
“They didn’t protect you from those guys. Unacceptable,” he said.
“Come on, let’s go over toward the others,” Logic suggested and they all walked to the bar and Giada and Gisella asked what happened and Alessa explained. All the while Train kept a hold on her hip and Brew, Logic, and Train stared at her, making her feel like they were trying to read her mind. She had to be smart here. They weren’t the commitment types and no matter how much she liked them and was attracted to them, she needed to see this for what it was. Nothing. Hanging out with them and letting them touch her, hold her, protect her would make other people think she really was their woman, or how Fogerty said, their bitch. No way. She wanted more. Had more respect for her body, for her reputation and for everything she worked for. Lust wasn’t going to make her do something stupid.
Chapter 3
Royce was half paying attention to the conversation between Brew and Andreas over some ultimate fighting event that was going to be on next Saturday. They disagreed over who would take the title and win the big match. The other guys threw in their comments, but Royce’s mind drifted to last week. He was getting pissed at himself thinking about Alda so much. She wasn’t capable of taking care of herself. Men watched her, wanted her, and those dicks would have forced her to remain with them all night if he hadn’t stepped in with Train and the others. That pissed him off. So did how quickly Alda became quiet, closed up and then headed out early.
He tried to focus on the new responsibilities he and the team would have. Dominick, Giuseppe, and Andreas were assigning family members to Giada’s security and Royce and his team had been training them the last month so that they could keep watch at the other clubs like Oliva, to make sure they stayed top notch. Their bosses and the other bosses in the Fiorre family didn’t want the drugs, the prostitutes and other shit in the clubs or at least not so noticeable.
They didn’t want to risk any cops coming snooping around. They had their inside people in the departments and would catch wind, hopefully, of any operations, and they kept the clubs as clean as they could. Other clubs had reputations of being the spots to be for that kind of shit. Their clubs and bars were upscale and tended to draw in the wealthier clientele, as well as more professional men and women. That thought brought Royce’s mind back to Alda.
Holy shit, he never thought about any woman as much as he thought about her. Royce was starting to think that if he just made a move and screwed her already maybe he could get her out of his head. But every time he thought that thought out of frustration for this foreign reaction to this woman, he felt guilty and lower than dog shit. She was not some whore. She was a professional, young…fuck, very young woman with the body of a model, well, pin-up model, not super thin and no brains. Every conversation with her, or that he listened to as she spoke, she came across so worldly, professional and sweet. Maybe that was it. Maybe he was getting tired of the bad girls, the wild ones who let him achieve the release he needed and especially after having to do crazy shit in this line of work. Every time he got his adrenaline pumping, had to knock someone around or put them in their place, that need to claim, to conquer would become overwhelming. Sometimes if it was accessible, sex would lessen that deep inner need, yet lately it was getting worse and he knew why. Alda. Just the thought of her did something to his insides. Royce was pissed off about it. A woman? A five foot six, sexual goddess was doing this to him? Fuck.
Brew was bullshitting with Andreas, Cobra, Rogan and Maverick until the bosses spoke to them about their responsibilities and some new security measures at the clubs.
Morano, Collin, Dominick, Major and Sunny were discussing business deals and some rumors about drugs making their way into their businesses and ways to stop them, especially as it seemed someone not connected to the family was supplying.
“Well, first of all, what exactly are they selling? That would help us narrow down who these assholes are,” Brew asked the bosses.
“That’s the problem, Brew, it’s something new. This is just buzz we’ve gotten wind of from other club owners. I don’t want this shit at any of our places,” Collin stated very seriously.
“Of course not, but if we don’t know what to look for, how can we stop it from coming into our places?” Brew asked.
“That’s why we need to put out some feelers, and keep your eyes open. Get security on top of the customers more. Use the surveillance videos, improve that at each place so if something goes down, or we hear about what this shit is, we may catch them on surveillance video,” Morano stated.
“This is why you’re transitioning all of us from our previous details?” Train asked.
Andreas nodded.
“Our women are top priority for protecting, obviously. We’ve all got them covered. You’re all part of the businesses. It’s your money, investments and interest as well as all of the families. We’ve worked together for many years and have profited immensely. That will continue as long as we protect what is ours and do not allow any problems to push their way into our businesses and destroy them. No investigations by law enforcement and we’ll be fine,” Dominick stated.
“This may not be a situation. As we mentioned, it’s rumor. Andreas, Cobra, and Sunny caught wind of it,” Major said to them.
“Sunny, any inside information from your end?” Royce asked.
“No, and nothing underground or on the streets. I’m thinking this is high-end shit. Something that whomever is supplying it wants it kept quiet. We can’t find shit,” Sunny said to them.
“Do you really think it’s a problem then for us?” Logic asked.
“It’s a problem for the simple fact that we aren’t running it or making money
from it. Something so secretive could be deadly, and if bodies started to pop up then the cops would start sniffing around. As they push things and investigate then they uncover other shit. Shit we’ve kept lids on for years and are profitable. We need to be aware. This meeting is about awareness, and hopefully won’t eventually turn into future meetings about elimination of product and dealers attempting to either move in on our territory or take advantage of our successes,” Collin stated firmly.
“Whatever you need. We’ll do what is necessary and put out feelers of our own. I think a good place to start would be our bartenders. They see and hear a lot,” Ziek said to them.
“They also don’t want to risk losing their jobs and pretend to not see or hear, just make and serve drinks,” Rogan, Morano’s guard, stated.
“It’s precaution for now. Perhaps these little inquiries will be enough to keep whomever is dealing and whatever this shit is, out of our places so it won’t become our problem,” Morano said.
“Wouldn’t that be nice and neat,” Train mumbled and they chuckled.
The bosses ended the meeting and then the bullshitting began again.
“What was with those dicks messing with Alda the other night?” Morano asked Brew. The others stopped talking and Brew looked at Royce.
“Two of the guys were her cousins. The other two dicks are wannabes working with Mickey and Spence. They’re losers, like bottom of the barrel shit,” Brew told Morano.
“The two guys, you say are her cousins, they asked Derrick about jobs with us, and if we were hiring,” Dominick said and the guys started laughing. Derrick worked with Andreas and was one hard ass security guy.
“What did Derrick tell them?” Logic asked.
“I think he laughed in their faces and told them that being mall cops better suited them,” Morano said and they laughed.
“I noticed Alda left alone after you guys stepped in to save her from getting mauled by the two dicks,” Ziek stated. Everyone got quiet and Royce stared at Ziek.
“Noticed Alessa left with someone, and it wasn’t you, Ziek,” he countered and the low “oohs” went through the room. It had become pretty fucking obvious who was interested in what women. The fact that Royce and his team now became the brunt of this type of teasing pushed him to take these feelings more seriously. It pissed him off. No woman was going to make him constantly think of her or want her. That gave a woman power and no woman ever had power over him.
“That’s a guy she works with. He’s got a girlfriend,” Ziek added straight-faced. Royce could tell Ziek was getting pissed and Cobra, too.
“Well, maybe all of you can get your heads out of your asses and just claim the woman you want and move on already. This back and forth teasing is bullshit,” Collin stated.
“Well, they’ll all have plenty of more free time to make dates, and court the lucky lady they’ve chosen. Just don’t go breaking their fucking hearts or treating them like trash or we’ll be dealing with our women giving us shit. This is a family. We don’t need controversy or other nonsense. Now get your minds on work and what needs to be done. We’ll see everyone at Club Magique Friday night,” Morano told them and everyone began to walk out of the room.
Royce looked at Brew, Logic, and Train. Could anything more than sex come from making moves on Alda? Did he want that? Have the patience for something more, or the desire? Royce didn’t think so. He was not the commitment type or one to be empathetic and caring. Hell, he was a rotten bastard who would think nothing of fucking the woman and then never talking to her again. His heart was hard and cold. A life’s worth of heartache, pain, and near death experiences, too many to keep count of. No room for flowers, romantic dinners and being gentle and passionate. Not for him anyway, but he wouldn’t hold back the others if she was what they wanted. He glanced at Logic, Train, and then Brew. They were just as hard and cold-hearted as he was. Who was he kidding?
* * * *
Alda was sitting at her desk. It was a hell of a Monday morning. The office was buzzing with gossip over the visit from Antonio Sparks and the possibility of the company going international. Multiple people tried to press her for information but she refused to say a word and merely told them that she knew as much as they did.
Alda glanced at the clock, now concerned even more that Lisa wasn’t at work yet. Lisa told her that she had an emergency and would be late.
There was a knock at her door and as she looked up Haley was there. Alda’s heart instantly began to race. The woman put her on edge because Alda never knew what side of her personality Haley would show. The calm easy-going side or the vicious pit bull side.
“Good morning, Alda.”
“Good morning, Haley. How are you?”
Haley looked around the office and walked over to the bookshelf. She touched one of the ceramic cupcakes Alda had gotten as a birthday gift from Donata. She turned toward Alda and smiled.
“What did you think about Antonio?” she asked her, surprising Alda. It must have shown on Alda’s face as Haley quickly continued talking.
“He’s a very attractive man, wealthy, important, and very interested in the company. He has some great ideas, and although Max and I are concerned about getting too big too quickly, we’re hoping that you and Antonio can come up with something together.”
“Together? What do you mean?” Alda asked.
“I would like you to run negotiations with Antonio and the future international sales of our products through his exporting company. As I mentioned, Max and I don’t want to explode and then wind up imploding, if you know what I mean. It has the ingredients for disaster.”
“Don’t you usually handle this aspect of the business, along with the CEOs and negotiators?” Alda asked.
“Yes we do, and I’m not giving you complete control and range here, I’m asking that you use your experience, your knowledge of the company and what we want to achieve here at MAX and see if we can agree on some sort of business terms with Antonio. I want a clear mind, not one opinionated by the desires of his products reaching the masses, and surely not one solely on hoping to make a lot of money and not break even or sink.”
She was describing herself and Maxwell. Alda nodded and gave a soft smile.
“If it’s a clear head you need then I am more than willing to assist. What is the plan of action?”
Haley smiled.
“Very good. Antonio’s secretary, Belinda, will be contacting you to set up some sort of meeting, casual or more formal. Antonio loves the city and the city life. I expect he’ll want to take you out. Just keep in mind that we want this to work out. That we aren’t ready or willing to sell the company or shares in it to him. Please him, Alda. Everything else will fall into place.”
Alda didn’t care for the way she said to please him. Especially as the woman gazed over Alda’s body. Maybe it just appeared that way and she was just checking out Alda’s business suit dress? She was meeting with the sales department in fifteen minutes, discussing what areas of promotion had been most successful and deciding on where to budget the funds for promotional purposes. This would all change if they were going to come up with an international deal with Mr. Sparks.
“Keep me posted,” Haley said then squinted at her. “Where is Lisa? She was supposed to finalize the artwork on the design you came up with.”
“Oh, she had an emergency. I’m sure Benny will be up to see you shortly.”
“Good. It’s an excellent design. You are truly talented, Alda, and an asset to any company, anywhere,” she said to her. Alda smiled as Haley walked out of the room, but then she thought about her comment. What the hell did that mean? Was she trying to say she may not have a job for that much longer?
She felt her belly ache. She gathered her files and spreadsheets for the meeting and then called Benny on her way out of the office. He didn’t pick up.
“Gale, have you seen Benny?” Alda asked her as she walked past the front desks.
“Yes, he was on the phone in his office th
en he headed upstairs to meet with Haley.”
“Okay, excellent. I’ll be back after my meeting,” she told her and then headed upstairs.
* * * *
Lisa tried calling Alda again. She was still in the damn meeting and she didn’t know what to do. There was no way she would make it to work today. Lisa’s sister Maggie had called her this morning after one of her roommates never came home Friday night. Then she got a call by police that Cindy was in the hospital after being found in an alleyway. Lisa paced the waiting area as her sister, her sister’s roommate Annie, and Lisa waited to find out how Cindy wound up in the alleyway. As Cindy spoke with the nurses and the police, she believed that Cindy was drugged and more than likely raped. They needed descriptions of the men who were dancing with her and Cindy’s sister and roommate couldn’t remember what the men looked like. They were the only possible suspects because the two men were the last ones seen with Cindy.
Lisa felt sick to her stomach. Especially as the officers explained about how often this occurs, how a lot of women don’t report it because they’re embarrassed about not knowing what happened to them and getting into this type of situation. The police went on to explain about how hard it is to prosecute even if they found the men who did this because the victim had very little if any recollection of what occurred.
She looked at her sister Maggie. She was three years younger than her. This could have been her sister at that club who was drugged and sexually assaulted. Tears stung her eyes and they waited to see what the next steps were. Cindy was going to need their support and a lot of counseling. There was no way Lisa was making it in to work today. No way.
* * * *
Alda was shocked and she covered her mouth with her hand and felt the tears fill her eyes. Poor Cindy, Lisa’s sister’s roommate. How terrible of a thing to happen to her. Alda couldn’t imagine being in such a situation. Years ago she and her friends talked about watching their drinks, and not accepting drinks from guys unless they were right there watching the drinks get poured. There were so many precautions she and her friends would take over the years and perhaps they needed to revisit those precautions and not take for granted the familiarity of the places. Alda also couldn’t believe that it happened at Fairway. She was pretty sure that club was owned by the Coglonie men.
Made Men 8: All or Nothing (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Page 5
