“I killed him,” I reply.
Cam senses Luca’s disapproval and glances from me to him. “Why did you suddenly kill him?”
“Because he threatened you.” I lean in close and utter, “We’ll discuss it later, not here and now.” I send a pointed glance to Luca telling him not to mention Sal’s bounty on my head yet, and he understands me perfectly.
Cam drops it. “So do I get you to myself tonight?”
“That was the initial plan before”—I tighten my hand in her hair—“I heard about your little excursion to the warehouse, which I’m not too happy to hear about.”
She appears regretful and not even surprised that I already knew. “Listen, I was going to tell you, but you were busy the entire morning.”
“What did you discuss with Santino?”
She shakes her head, so I loosen my grip and tuck her hair back behind her ear, inhaling a calming breath. Even though I don’t like Cam venturing out on her own, she is a Capo. And I would accept this behavior from any other Capo. So, the first problems in our new positions arise. I get agitated beyond reason if I’m not up-to-date on Cam’s whereabouts twenty-four seven. Sometimes I wish I could lock her up in my loft. However, I also secretly get turned the fuck on by Cam’s wild side. She’s a resilient woman, a strong Capo – fit to rule by my side, and I’m extremely proud of her. But every day that I love her more, my fear of losing her grows.
“Discuss?” she spits spitefully. “I didn’t discuss anything. I only asked what he’d do if I released him.”
I plow both my hands through my hair. “Cam, I’m not letting him go.” She’s about to say something, but I add, “Not yet, anyway. Something’s off. His records are perfect and easily traceable. He’s too clean. You always know that something’s up when someone’s background can easily be traced or when something seems too perfect – like with Luca and me. He’s not who he claims to be; it’s impossible.”
A defeated expression is aimed at me. “Fine. He’s tightlipped anyway. He said you were moving him back here.”
“Well, I wanted to talk to him as well but didn’t have time to drive up north. We’ll discuss him tomorrow. We might need to eliminate him, Cam.”
She doesn’t protest, making me feel relieved. And I decide not to come down too hard on her about taking off by herself to visit Santino. I learned long ago to give Cam space to be her own person. If I give her too many restrictions, she’ll be uncontrollable. But I can be quite convincing in other ways.
“So regarding your little mission; maybe you need punishment.” I change the subject back.
“Why? Do you feel that I disobeyed the boss?” she retorts teasingly.
And just like that, she obliterates any discontent and centers me like only she can.
I grab her ass cheeks and jerk her off the stool and against me. “Yes, and I’ll punish you however I see fit.”
She looks at me beneath her lashes and smirks. “When?”
“Incoming,” Luca warns.
Regrettably, before I can answer Cam, we’re interrupted, and I release her.
Tez comes up to us wearing an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, but the investors are leaving within an hour, so if you want to speak to them...”
I catch Luca’s eyes and nod. “Give me a minute.” Then I say to Fallon and Cam, “We have to talk to them.”
They both look disappointed, but Cam replies, “I understand.”
“Where’s your gun?” I ask.
“In my purse,” she answers haughtily.
Smiling, I swat her ass. “Have fun with Fallon. Stay and dance where we can see you.” She knows I don’t like her being here if I can’t keep an eye on her.
Cam bobs her head. “We will. When you have time, find us in the crowd.” She takes Fallon’s hand in hers, and without kissing us goodbye, they saunter away to the dance floor.
I gawk at Cam as she leaves me wanting.
“They have too much influence on each other,” Luca remarks around a grin before we head to the staircase to go talk money. And he adds, “Adriano—”
“I got it.” I anticipate his request. As we pass a bodyguard, I instruct him, “I want two guards watching over Fallon and Cam every second. Ensure no one bothers or lays a hand on them.”
He confirms as Luca and I carry on to my office to meet with our potential new investors.
Unfortunately, business keeps me at Club 7 until three in the morning. I could spend the night there, but I sleep at home every night. Even if it’s just for a few hours, because I can’t sleep without Cam anymore. I’d rather get into my car and drive for hours to sleep one hour at home in our bed with her than stay wherever I am and try to get a good night’s rest.
***
Just a couple of hours before sunrise, I arrive at my spacious studio loft with its exposed brick classic elements on the fortieth floor of the Astoria Tower in the South Loop neighborhood. After tossing my keys onto the bar of my open kitchen, which looks out into the living room and is angled toward the eighty-five inch TV hanging on the opposite brick wall, I hurry up the floating staircase that extends across one side of the loft to the mezzanine level that’s utilized as our master bedroom and opens up into a terrace.
Cam’s asleep in our bed, so I strip my clothes in the adjacent brown marble bathroom before I lift the sheets and smile to see her in my white dress shirt and lying on her side. Deftly, I remove the shirt, and she’s naked underneath. Because I can’t help it, I bite the swell of her ass, but she merely groans, so I slip in behind her and lock my arm around her waist, pulling her against me.
Her luscious ass pushes against my groin and my cock twitches. The sweet fragrance of her vanilla perfume invades my nostrils, tempting me, and I stroke my tongue along the delicate skin behind her ear.
“Cam...” I whisper against the shell.
Fuck. I’m rock-hard, but she mumbles and remains in a deep sleep. I rub her stomach and bury my nose into her hair. She’s exhausted, so I let her sleep, even though I’d love to fuck her ass. Lazily, I slide my palm up to cup her breast. Yet fatigue pulls at me, and I drift off as well now that I’m home with Cam in my arms.
***
Dawn breaks too quickly. When Cam and I wake, we have to hurry and drive up north to headquarters to announce the new hierarchy of the Chicago Syndicate.
With our hands entwined, we step inside the foyer of the three-story house that is our center of operation. On the second floor is my office and a strip club where the men can unwind. On the third floor are two private rooms.
Ascending the stairs, we’re quiet, realizing we’re inside this headquarters for the first time in our new roles.
“Are you ready?” Cam asks while I touch the door handle.
“I am, as long as you’re by my side.”
Her lips curve up into a heartfelt smile that eradicates all my apprehension. This was the goal. To be with her, even if it meant taking over the role of Capo crimine from James. While I never wanted to be boss, for Cam, I’ll do it. Only for Cam.
She edges closer and brushes back strands of my hair that have fallen over my forehead. “I’m never going anywhere.”
“I’m nothing without you,” I whisper against her lips.
“Don’t you forget it,” she retorts in that husky tone I’ve come to adore.
And our mouths meet for a brief kiss before I turn around. “Then let’s inform the team.”
As we enter the mahogany furnished room, the other members, including Luca, James, Carmine, and a dozen Capi/captains, are already waiting for us.
Reluctantly, I let go of Cam as she takes a seat next to Luca in front of my desk, which used to be James’s.
“Gentlemen and lady, good morning.” Claiming my chair, I get down to business. “After the raid at Club 7, I informed you about some changes within this Syndicate. Along with our former boss, James, we’ve decided on the new hierarchy. As mentioned, I’m your new Capo crimine and first in rank. Luca is still the un
derboss, second in rank, and reports directly to me. My brother, Carmine, is my new Consigliere and third in rank. Carmine is a lawyer, and with James’s guidance, he’ll be the perfect counselor. And all Capi are now fourth in rank. The current Capi will remain at their positions and directly instruct all the soldiers. Cam is now officially a Capo.” I study all the faces and see some surprised reactions regarding Cam, but most hide it. “Let me be clear that I expect everyone to treat Cam as an equal Capo.”
She won’t actually be treated as an equal, because to me, she’s most important. Still, I feel the need to order them to protect Cam in our first phase of transitioning to boss and Capo while also being lovers in the Syndicate. It’s a precarious situation where I’ll be walking a fine line to keep all the Capi pleased without favoring Cam.
“The day-to-day operations will continue as usual with each Capo assigned to his own territory to sell the drugs. But there’s one major change: I will be closing down the strip club in this house. As you know, Luca and I own Club 7. All leisure activities will now take place on the underground floor of Club 7. Logistically, it’s easier, and I don’t want any strangers, strippers, or anyone else in here anymore. The sex club will have a private area for my soldiers, and we’ll meet new buyers there, not here. Headquarters will be available to all members for accommodations, and this will still be our main safe place; however, important meets and drug deals will take place in the sex club, so we won’t have to drive up here so often anymore. Remember, this is a new world for us, so we can’t trust anyone outside our Syndicate. Any questions?”
“So do we already have new drug buyers?” one Capi asks.
“Yes. We need to keep a supply of cocaine in the sex club because we sold a fortune down there during the last four weeks. And soldiers who work in the Loop area will get busier as my clientele there grows. As far as the sex club itself goes, I’m currently restructuring it. I’ve hired a manager, and I need to find legitimate girls who can work for us, professional girls, but that’s proving to be problematic. I’m not interested in buying slaves or getting involved in human trafficking like Sal was. That’s why I closed down the second underground floor, which housed the fight club and some kind of BDSM club. The sex club is a posh establishment and will stay that way. But as long as I haven’t found trustworthy and discreet escorts, I can’t accept more clientele in the sex club. Currently, we have the girls from the strip club working there, but they’re not elegant enough. In time, it could be our most profitable venture if we can procure escorts who bring in high rollers. And the sex club can be easily used to launder our money if it becomes as prosperous as the dance club. Although my main concern is any new businessmen we work with, everyone needs to be screened carefully if they want a regular supply of drugs.”
“Do you still have your software company, Security Simplicity?”
“Yes, but more money will be laundered through Club 7 in the future because SS isn’t profitable enough anymore to be used as a front. My Consigliere, Carmine, will discuss any changes in cash flow with all the Capi,” I explain, looking to Carmine standing off to the side.
Carmine’s an up-and-coming lawyer and has just started to provide for himself. But until he graduated, I paid for his expenses, just as I do for the rest of my family: my parents and my sister, Mary. Mary lives with my parents on one floor of the Astoria Tower, and Carmine has his own apartment on a different floor. I revealed to Carmine what I actually do for work when I became boss, and I offered him the position of Consigliere because, as my brother, he’ll never betray me.
All of a sudden, I remember to divulge the last change. “Lastly, we have one new associate, Richard Wade. He proved to be trustworthy during the raid of Club 7. His connections, mostly in obtaining the latest government technological developments, will aid us. But keep in mind that he’s just an associate of this Syndicate; he works for us but isn’t an official member. And he’s an intelligent CIA agent, so my instinct tells me that we can use him. He has access to state-of-the-art technological gadgets and will help in building a new security system in Club 7, but that will take a couple of months, so until then, I want extra manpower in my club and around our women.”
Luca adds, “We’ll assign new guards today.”
“Any questions?” I ask.
Everyone shakes their head.
“Report all urgent matters to Luca. If a pressing matter arises and you can’t reach Luca, you contact Carmine or James. No one may contact me directly anymore.”
“Si, Capo crimine.” Yes, boss.
I’m not sure I hide my grimace when they call me by my new title. Cam catches my gaze, and amusement twists her sensual mouth. We share a private joke because she and I know what just went through my head. She’s the only one who really knows me besides Luca.
I look away since the mere sight of her with her legs elegantly crossed in an indigo wrap-around dress causes a blaze of passion within me, and I end the meeting. “You can go inform all the soldiers and do your business as usual.” I fix my eyes on Cam. “Except you.”
Everyone but Cam leaves, and when James closes the door behind him, I lock it.
I’m not sure when I’ll have a moment alone with Cam again, but I refuse to continue this day without having tasted her.
CHAPTER 3
Camilla
“How do you think it went?” I ask Adriano as James exits.
“Very well. Not a lot of changes for the members, and they realize that. As long as they’re loyal to me, everything will be fine.”
Beneath the casual façade he presents, I see desire blooming as well.
“So about me...I went down in rank. Now, I’m a Capo and below Luca and Carmine. Before, I was ranked as highly as James as his daughter,” I tease.
He perks a brow and crosses his arms. “Do you want to be underboss?”
“No,” I admit. “But I do wonder, between Luca and me, whom would you choose if there was a burning building and you could only save one of us?”
“Don’t ask me that, woman! I’d always choose you.” And he adds on a whisper, “Then I would go back to save Luca.”
I purse my lips to hide my grin, but he sees it and smirks.
“So how do you think it went?” he asks.
“I also think it went well. I was surprised about how easily they all accept you as the Capo crimine now. I could see the loyalty in their eyes.”
“Like I said, the change is minimal for them. James already knew they were loyal to me when I was a Capo. They understand how powerful Luca and I are together.”
“It’s like you decide everything now? Like God?”
“Not like God, Cam. More like Satan,” he says with another smirk, and I laugh.
“So you can order anything you want? Kill anyone or kick anyone out of this Syndicate? Even kick me out?” I stand up and take one step forward.
“I am the boss. I can do that.” A mischievous gleam flashes across his eyes.
“You can kill me...”
Adriano cocks his head. “I could. If you cheated on me, I’d have to kill you.” Then he smiles, but it’s tinged with a hint of threat as he lurks toward me. “And the fucking man you cheated with and anyone who knew. It would be such a massacre.”
“Same goes for you.” I try to grab his groin, but he’s faster and snatches my wrist, cool and collected, without even moving his body.
“Too slow, Cam.” He tugs me flush against him, bending his head and squeezing my ass. “I guess we’ll have to keep pleasing each other to make sure no one strays and ends up dead.”
I let out a laugh, enjoying how he can always dispel my nervousness. Hooking my arms around his neck, I stand pressed close against him as his lips touch my neck. My breath lodges at that innocently sensual gesture.
“I love you, Cam. And there are a lot of changes on the horizon, but right now, I just want to eat your pussy,” he growls. “Let me show you how much I need you. I won’t wait until tonight.”
W
hen he crushes his mouth to mine, the bruising, punishing pressure of his lips lights a fire that rises to exhilarating heights. I open my mouth and our tongues clash desperately in a teasing foray.
Groaning, Adriano kneads my ass cheeks and bites down my throat. Then he pulls back and his pupils have dilated, his dark-brown irises almost invisible, making him treacherously bewitching.
“I want you naked, Cam.”
Passion flares to life in my lower stomach as he hurriedly unknots the lace cord of my dress and slides it from my shoulders where it anchors at my elbows before he lets it flutter to the floor. Without taking his eyes off me, he skillfully takes my panties off while kissing his way down my thighs and then back up. With a flick of his wrist, he undoes my bra, and his gaze scorches my skin as I stand before him naked.
We crash together, kissing and roaming our hands over each other as he lifts me up, guides my legs around his hips, and positions me on the edge of his desk. Adriano feverishly touches me, and I throw my head back, gripping his shoulders as he sucks my nipple.
I let out a low moan, reveling in how quickly he can play my body. Rapidly, he cradles the back of my head and kisses me hard, forcing me to lie flat on my back. And then he places my feet on the edge of the desk so that I’m spread wide open while he kneels down between my legs and blows.
“Ah...” The sensation is absolutely enthralling.
His palms move down the inside of my thighs, and my eyes roll back when his tongue slices through my core. I raise my head, but he spins me around so that my head hangs off the side of the desk, facing his cock in an upside down position. He unfastens his slacks and pumps his huge erection, tracing the head of his shaft over my lips.
“Open your mouth,” he orders as he bends forward and forces my legs apart again.
I wrap my lips around his arousal, and he locks his arms around my thighs. My pussy against his mouth, he fucks me with his tongue in carnal pleasure while driving his cock down my throat, wild and brutal. I’m sure to be bruised tomorrow from grinding against his desk as he explores every inch.
For Cam (Chicago Syndicate Book 4) Page 2
