“Well, they’re having fun.” He smiles, gazing at Fallon.
Wade’s sitting at a booth and sees me, holding up his glass in greeting.
“I just want to watch her for a while,” I say to Luca and he nods, placing an order for two whiskeys to a passing waitress.
Cam’s magnificent in that white dress that flows loosely to her ass but still outlines her seductive curves. I detect men ogling her, wondering what’s beneath the fabric of her clothing.
The waitress hands me my drink, but I give it to Luca when I note a man going up behind Cam while she’s dancing with Rosalia.
In a quick stride, I tug him back by his shirt, blending back into the crowd behind them, and snarl, “I wouldn’t touch her if I were you.”
He turns furiously, but Luca’s beside me and opens his suit jacket, flashing his gun. “Get out.”
The man backs away. “I don’t want trouble.”
We watch him exit and redirect our attention back to our women. Fallon has returned to Wade.
“I’m going to Fallon,” Luca announces.
For a second, I’ve lost sight of Cam but notice her going to the other side of the room with Rosalia.
I beat a path through the multitude of people and see Cam gesturing heavily at a young blond guy who’s siting at a table. Something tells me that he’s Mykhail, the boy that gave Rosalia ecstasy. The boy that received a warning from one of my Capi that he should stay far away from Rosalia.
Mykhail slams his drink on the table and surges to his feet, raising his hand, but I catch it mid-air and push Cam out of the way.
Then I shove him back and grab my handgun from my ankle holster, pushing the barrel into his crotch, and lean into his face to hiss, “Never, ever raise your hand to her again. And never give Rosalia drugs again or I will shoot your cock off. Do you understand?” I rear back, and he sits there staring at me, motionless and scared to death. “Nod if you understand.”
He nods unsteadily.
I holster my gun and move away.
Rosalia is smiling, but it fades quickly when I point my finger at her. “I told you not to involve Cam anymore.”
Startled, she defends, “I wasn’t. He just happened to be here.”
“She didn’t do anything,” Cam adds, irritated, but I twine our hands and drag her with me to Wade. “Take Rosalia home.” I continue on to the BMW while Cam reluctantly follows.
“Get in.” I hold open the door for her, then I round the car to my side and fire up the engine.
“What the fuck was that?” she demands, irately clicking her seatbelt into the lock. “Why the hell do you have to undermine me like that? I can’t do anything for myself without you meddling, and you dare to say that I meddle?”
I keep my focus trained on the road, and tension rises in the vehicle while she seethes next to me. All reason leaves my system when she’s in danger. I can’t help it. It won’t ever change.
“Adriano? Oh my god, you are impossible!”
“I’m impossible? You are! Can’t you just stay out of trouble?”
“I wasn’t in trouble.”
“A guy slapping you constitutes as trouble in my book.”
“And a skank trying to pry her way into my man’s life is trouble in my book,” she counters.
“One more word about Serena and I’ll...” I let the words trail off.
“What? You wanted me to back off? I did. I do my own thing, and you still barge in and take over. When are you going to trust me a little again?”
“I trust you.”
“No, you don’t trust my judgment. I can’t get through to you. I don’t know how to find you again. How to talk to you, because you’re busy with this empire and with her.”
“Unless you want me to blow up, I’d advise you to keep your inner thoughts to yourself right now,” I state in a low voice that effectively shuts her up. “I’m done with this discussion. You want Serena out? Then give me another plan for how to get girls for the club that also brings in high powered clientele.”
“It’s not only about that club. You were busy with taking her to your parents’!” she blurts.
“Enough. I’ve had enough of your attitude!”
“Attitude? I’m not one of your whores. I’m a Capo!”
“Then act like one! Stop this petty jealousy now.”
She looks at me as if I’ve slapped her. I’ve never reprimanded her like this, and it successfully ends the argument.
In the bristling silence, we arrive home and she storms up the stairs while I stay downstairs. For the second night in a row, we sleep apart. And it’s the first time I wonder why I ever took this fucking job. Perhaps running away with Cam would’ve been better? Maybe we wouldn’t be so angry with each other then?
***
Apparently, Luca informed James about the situation with Cam, and he steps up as Consigliere the next morning, seeing how Cam and I are falling apart. I also think Cam’s been confiding in him.
James and Luca are seated across from me in my office while I sit with my ankle crossed over my knee.
James starts, “You became boss because I knew only you could handle it and keep Cam safe. Working together in the Syndicate with your partner is challenging. That’s why I forbade it, Adriano. Only two strong people can survive, and you two can do it, but this is just your first big hurdle. The power of being boss is potent. It makes one hungry for more. You need to leash that to keep on top of everything. And remember, I’m your Consigliere too while I’m preparing Carmine to take over the position, so lean on both me and Carmine. Luca and you keep too much business to yourselves. You need to take a step back; give your team the opportunity to grow into their roles. Use us now to allow you the time to fix this rift between you and Cam, because putting Cam before business is affecting you negatively, and as boss, you can’t afford that. Let either me or Luca handle Serena.”
“I’m not putting Cam before business. I only need Serena because, in the long run, her connections save me hours of work. Cam just needs to accept that.”
“Because you’re boss?” Luca says. “See how the role of boss is seeping into your psyche? You can order the Syndicate around but not her – she can’t live like that. She doesn’t want to be weak, and we need to give her the space to grow again. You’re forgetting why you accepted this position in the first place. Last night showed me how on edge you are. This isn’t working out. We need to expand the team so that we all have less work. And Serena’s a disruption in your relationship. As your friend and underboss, it’s my duty to help you. And I don’t understand why Serena’s always prowling around here; Cam’s right in that regard.”
I take in his words and recognize that I have been in boss mode constantly. I’ve been seduced by the power. And this isn’t working.
“You love her still?” Luca adds.
“Of course.”
“Then you make sacrifices. And I think Cam’s right. Serena’s your core problem. I don’t trust Serena, but I do trust Cam.”
At my wits’ end, I ask, “How can I cut ties with Serena while not jeopardizing keeping those girls? We’ll never find other trustworthy, trained girls like that. I’ve put so much time into it already.”
“I’ll start with having Tez offer the girls contracts. Same benefits they have with Serena but more pay. We buy their loyalty. We can afford it now that our revenues have grown to their highest in months. We start pushing Serena out.”
“Do it,” I order, knowing I want her gone because it’ll get Cam back in my corner as well. “But how do I deal with having Cam as my Capo?”
“I think that once Serena’s out of the equation, Cam will start listening to you again,” James advises. “You need to show her trust, and then she’ll do whatever you need – just like she did before.”
“Thank you, James.”
“I’ve been there too with Alessa. Don’t forget the reason why you’re here. Don’t forget it’s not easy for our spouses. Don’t lose your persuas
ive charm. Right now, you’re handling her like a caveman; that only pushes her away while you have an ex hanging around who she believes has a hidden agenda.”
“I see your point. In that regard, I have been putting business before her, but I’m done dealing with this situation now. I can’t function when she shuts me out like this. I need to reel her back in.”
“Start tonight,” James counsels. “We have a Halloween party at the club, and everyone is going to be there. We’re working separately too much at the moment and need a night with our families as well. Cam loved the first few months when we had Sunday dinners and everyone was getting to know each other. You, as boss, need to make us a team again, and Cam is part of that team. Accept that, like she needs to accept you.”
I can tell he’s speaking from experience, and I decide right then and there to start transforming into the true Capo crimine, leading from the top and releasing the day-to-day business handlings.
I nod while agreeing with them, and clearly, relief washes over Luca.
“Today, I’ll inform Serena that you’ll be her first point of contact, James. Luca and Tez can start drawing up the papers for the girls and discreetly analyzing which ones they think will go ahead and sign with us. Most of them like working with Tez because he has soft people skills – unlike us.”
“Tez is indeed good,” Luca comments. “I’m glad we appointed him. Now, you and I must take care of Santino. We’ve been putting that off for far too long.”
“After I delegate some tasks, I’ll call you,” I say to Luca, right before he and James stand up.
“I’ll send Serena to you,” Luca adds. “Then we need to decide on a course of action regarding Santino. Wade will be here with an update at noon. I’ll be back then.”
Resolved to mend this rift and lead my team, including Cam, by entrusting them with more tasks, a sense of optimism fills me.
***
Thirty minutes later, Serena appears in my doorway. “Luca said you wanted to talk.” She sweeps inside.
“Yes, regarding the sex club. James will oversee all business in the club from now on, so you can discuss any problems or concerns with him. He has full mandate to make any executive decision.”
A crease forms between her brows. “Why? Is something wrong?”
I staple my fingers together and lean back in my desk chair.
She rounds the desk and rests her hip against the edge. “It’s fine. You just seem different lately.”
“I am different.”
Inconspicuously, she inches closer, but I catch the minute movement. Her body language has changed. All of a sudden, she reaches forward and touches a strand of my hair, brushing it away from my forehead.
Apparently, James working with her isn’t as appealing as working with me. And I wonder why? Why is she suddenly acting this interested in me? Now, warning bells do ring in my head.
“What are you doing?” I demand as realization dawns on me that Cam was right all along.
“What we both want.” Serena bends forward, pressing her lips to mine.
But I grip her shoulders and shove her away. “Get off me. When have I ever given you the impression that I wanted something like that to happen?”
She doesn’t seem startled. Instead, a vindictive smile crosses her face. “Why can’t you work with me? Is it because of Cam? I didn’t mean to come between you and her.”
I lunge up and crowd her back against the desk. “Yes, you did.”
“Adriano,” Cam’s voice interrupts us as she scrutinizes Serena.
I snare Serena’s wrist. “Did you arrange this? If you did, you’ll be very sorry.” And I look at Cam, the only woman who means anything to me.
I should’ve listened to her.
CHAPTER 15
Camilla
Thankfully, Adriano’s already gone from our loft when I head downstairs for the first time after our fight last night, because I’m meeting Wade, who’s already waiting for me at the front entrance of the building, to drive to Chinatown.
In the passenger seat of Wade’s car, I fasten the belt of my camel-colored trench coat as he parks on a narrow street. Wade had Serena followed last night to a restaurant here, and she’s there again now.
“You only go to Chinatown this early if you have a shady business appointment,” Wade states ominously as we get out of the vehicle and enter the alleyway next to the place Serena’s in.
The brick wall of the building has rectangular windows that are too high for us to look through, and without finding anything we can climb on besides a filthy dumpster, I expectantly glance at Wade.
“Lift me up so I can see through the window,” I mutter.
His face falls.
“Unless you want to climb on that”—I point to the disgusting container—“because I’m not touching it.”
“Fine.” He bends his knees slightly and interlocks his fingers, offering his palms for me to step on.
“No. Lift me up by my legs or let me sit on your shoulders.”
Reluctantly, he stoops low, so I swing my legs around his neck. When he rises, I grab his hair for support.
“Ow! Don’t rip out my hair,” he whisper-shouts.
“Sorry, lost my balance.” I hold on to the window frame and peek over the edge. “It’s the kitchen. I can see Serena through the round window in the door that leads to the restaurant. She’s talking to a man, but his back is to me. He’s tall, short hair. I can’t see anything distinctive because the lighting’s too dim and they’re too far away.”
“My guy said that whomever it is, he ensures no one sees him entering or leaving before her, so he’s being cautious.” Wade sways a bit and grips my thighs.
Someone enters the kitchen, and in response, I duck and let go of the window frame, causing Wade to lose his footing. He kneels down quickly, but I still fall forward, and my palms scrape down the wall while I’m trying to get my balance. Hissing from the burn, I climb over his neck and accidentally bump his nose with my ass.
“Fuck, Cam!” His hand flies to his nose.
“Sorry,” I offer softly.
Fortunately, he managed to catch our fall well enough that we didn’t make any excessive noise.
“Let’s go before someone sees us,” Wade insists.
***
Wade has another appointment, so he drops me off at Club 7 where decorators are busy putting the final touches on the extravagant décor for the Halloween party tonight. Disappointed that I still don’t have any evidence against Serena, I go to Adriano’s office because I do miss him, and I don’t like arguing with him continuously.
His door is slightly ajar, so I peek inside to see Serena speaking with Adriano as she leans against his desk. He has a guarded look on his face, and sure as hell, she suddenly kisses him. Jealousy battles with anger, but instead of bursting inside, I wait for his reaction.
“Get off me. When have I ever given you the impression that I wanted something like that to happen?” Adriano leaps to his feet and spits fire at her.
She answers, but I can’t decipher her words.
“Adriano...” I reveal my presence, and he notices me.
His hand shoots out to grab Serena’s wrist while his stare is unrelenting, waiting for me to act.
I’ve waited so long to be with him, and I’m not letting some pimp ruin that for us. So I draw in a deep breath and wander inside the room, taking my gun from my pocket and setting it on the seat of the black chair. Then I unbuckle my belt and throw my jacket on it too.
“Well, finally showing your claws, Serena?” It would be the greatest pleasure of my life to strangle her.
She sneers at me as she tries to tug free from Adriano’s grip, but he whirls her around with a flick of his wrist and holds her immobile with both of her hands secured to her back. Angling his body to the side, he slides open the drawer to take out some metal handcuffs to restrain her.
“Adriano—” Serena begins.
“Don’t say a word.” He shunts
her into his chair, and then he approaches me in a few fluid paces. “She—”
“I know. I saw. Do you believe me now?”
“Yes.”
I let out a sigh, releasing the harsh bitterness I’ve been harboring deep inside. “What exactly happened?”
“I’m not even sure. She kissed me, completely out of the blue.” And he mouths, “I’m sorry.”
His eyes evaluate me wistfully, and I touch his cheek when he rests his forehead against mine, sheltering us in our own realm, rebuilding the walls of our broken bubble.
“It’s okay. Now we can move forward again. I’m actually glad she finally made a move. She was in Chinatown yesterday and this morning.”
He pulls back and regards me inquisitively.
“I was with Wade,” I add in a rush. “Serena had a meeting with someone who obviously wanted to stay a secret. I don’t know who it was. And I do wonder why she suddenly kissed you now? After being purely professional for so long.”
Adriano gives Serena a stony stare. “That is peculiar.”
“You’re setting a plan in motion.” I advance on her, but her expression remains indifferent.
“You two are seeing conspiracies everywhere. Yes, I’m attracted to Adriano. And I thought he was acting differently the last few days; that’s why I kissed him. I didn’t mean to cause problems.” She acts suspiciously conceited.
“You didn’t cause problems.” I rest my palm on the tall back of the chair that she’s sitting in with her wrists tied to her back. “You’re nothing but a small hiccup in my love story with Adriano. And I believe you’ve thought this scenario through, because you’re too composed.”
“Jesus Christ. I won’t do it again, okay? You’re seriously overreacting.”
Serena’s a damn good actress, because I’m inclined to believe her – almost.
“What were you doing in Chinatown?” I ask.
“Business for my own club,” she replies.
“With whom?”
She carefully considers her answer. “That, I cannot say.”
After three weeks of being forced to accept this woman in our lives, I’m unable to control my primal reaction to her arrogance. With the back of my hand, I slap her cheek hard enough that her heads shoots to the side. She grimaces and loosens her jaw.
For Cam (Chicago Syndicate Book 4) Page 10
