Gina - with her obvious fake breasts, painted face, acrylic nails, and plastic high heels - stands there glowering at me.
My eyes are glued to Luca, and I completely ignore her. If she’s a friend of Adriano, why is she being possessive over Luca? Is his annoyance directed at me or her?
It’s directed at her because as she touches his arm, he shrugs her off and anger brims inside him. Luca relays something to Adriano without any words; they only lock eyes briefly.
I stay quiet, too curious to see how these men are going to weasel themselves out of this awkward situation.
Adriano speaks up first. “She’s in some trouble, and I told her to come here. I’ll take her home now.” He’s anything but gentle in handling his lady friend. Adriano practically bulldozes her out of the apartment.
The front door closes, and I tip my head to the side for Luca to start talking.
He wipes his hand over his mouth. “Say something.” Luca takes the water bottle I’ve been clutching and places it on the counter.
I release a deep breath. This entire encounter has me speculating what’s going on in his life. “Who’s she?”
Luca steps forward to touch me, but his hand stops mid-air when I glare at him. “She’s a friend of Adriano’s. She called him while we were working.” He gestures toward the laptops. “Look we were working, Fallon. Adriano told her to come here. She got here a few minutes before you arrived. She was freshening up in the bathroom, and Adriano was taking her home after we settled one last e-mail.”
“Why was she all over you if she’s only a friend of Adriano? You know her too?”
“Yes.” A curt reply.
“You know what I mean. Don’t play coy with me now. How well do you know her?” I’m asking if he slept with her.
“I’m not attracted to her, Fallon.” No answer is an affirmative answer. He steps forward and I immediately step back. Luca’s eyes soften in culpability and defeat.
“I knew by your reaction to my visit that something was wrong. And then I find a woman in your apartment—”
Luca casually interrupts. “Adriano was here too. I wasn’t alone with her, Fallon. Don’t make this bigger than it is.”
“Don’t make it bigger? I felt the tension, Luca. I felt something was off, and the way she wanted to mark her territory with you is unsettling. And don’t think I didn’t notice you evading my questions until I literally spelled it out for you.” My voice mirrors his frustration.
“You want to know?” His voice rising. “She’s a stripper. Adriano is the idiot who befriended her. We had business to finish, and it was easier for her to come by here because Adriano couldn’t leave yet. This is exactly what I wanted to prevent.” He waves to the distance between us and expels an exaggerated breath.
My annoyance has risen to unbelievable heights after the stripper confession. “This is not sitting well with me, Luca. Are there other situations where you don’t want to upset me and therefore you omit things?” Moisture pools in my eyes.
“I want to protect you from any harm.” Luca’s gradually advancing on me and tries to palm my neck.
I shake him off. “Harm? What are you talking about? I’m not quite sure you’re getting my point. You will not find a random man – someone you don’t know - in my house when you decide to visit me.”
I swear I see guilt and anger battling in his intense green eyes. “I’m trying here, Fallon. Don’t overreact.”
“What? Are you serious? You think I’m overreacting?” I say sullenly. “You shouldn’t trivialize this.”
Luca paces back and forth. “Yes… No… Fuck!” he mutters.
I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m upset and I want to be away from you right now.” The unsettling thoughts haven’t been negated by our talk. I desperately need to leave. “I’m going home.”
Disappointed, Luca implores, “No, stay. Don’t go like this.” He closes the distance between us and touches my face. I stop him and move his hand away because I don’t want to be softened by his touch.
His disappointment fades and pure fury blisters to the surface at my rejection of his touch. He’s not used to hearing no. Luca grabs my shoulders vehemently, forcing my gaze on him. “You are not going anywhere like this.”
My brows shoot skyward at his directive tone, making me defensive. “You don’t decide whether I stay or go.” I throw the water bottle in my purse and dash out of his house. As I close the apartment door, I hear Luca cursing a string of profanities.
One unplanned meeting between us has planted the seeds of mistrust in me. There’s a small voice in the back of my head shouting to be acknowledged.
CHAPTER 14
Luca
I did not handle that well. I fist my hands in my hair.
Fucking Gina has some nerve.
This is why I don’t allow people in my home. Only because Adriano couldn’t leave immediately to get her, did I permit her coming here. Adriano’s soldier was supposed to pick her up and take her to the house, but we put him on another assignment last minute. Gina’s as stupid as she’s fake. I cringe at the memory of fucking her. She’s one of the reasons why I don’t drink too much anymore.
All I wanted was to finish our business quickly and visit Fallon. That plan obviously failed. Adriano left without his laptop, but I’m not positive Fallon perceived that as sketchy. We opened the laptops when the reception notified me that Fallon was downstairs.
Adriano and I own a software development company. The company develops and implements special requirements software for businesses worldwide. We act as silent owners, and the office is located in The Loop. Of course the software developments are used for the Syndicate to breach firewalls and government systems. Apart from being the silent owners, Adriano and I are also the investors – which is how we legalize the profit from the drug earnings, making it appear that we are just two noble and successful entrepreneurs. Usually once, twice a week, Adriano or I visit the office to sign documents and answer e-mails or prepare for audits. Every detail has been covered to ensure this company looks legitimate. We have operational, sales, and finance directors who manage the day-to-day business, and we have managed to stay behind the scenes as much as possible. The three directors are associates on my payroll, not true Syndicate members.
To the outside world, we’re entrepreneurs who avoid the media; not that uncommon. One of the most important aspects of our Syndicate life is to uphold the façade of being a contributing member of society. None of the high-ranking men have a criminal record. Once you have a criminal record, you can never be anything more than a soldier in any Syndicate, whether it’s New York Syndicate, Chicago, or LA. This is our strength. Soldiers are never seen in public with made men. Capo crimine, underbosses, Consiglieri, and Capi are artists, entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, police men, all with clean records and no run-ins with the police or ties to any criminal activity that is documented by the government. Chicago Syndicate is the largest and most influential venture, devoted to regulating the drug traffic in Central Chicago and now expanding to East Chicago. Crystal Lake and some other small areas have been sold because they weren’t beneficial enough for us. We have smooth-running drug trafficking procedures set up that benefit all parties. Even though Leggia’s now in charge of Crystal Lake, we still own the veto right to the Chicago territory, which means that James can still overpower anything Leggia does in Crystal Lake if it affects our business. The other Syndicates will not interfere as long as it benefits the status quo: nobody is exposed or incriminated or linked to criminal activity. James has always been careful about expanding because expanding also brings along more intricate planning and risk of exposure.
We we’re discussing Leggia when Gina called Adriano. I made a snap decision for Gina to wait here because I had to update my Capo.
I can’t control Fallon, which irks and intrigues me. She has a mind of her own, a free spirit that doesn’t consent giving into me. Waves of fury and excitement swished through m
e at her dismissal of staying here. She’s a challenge, and she’s reeling me in.
First, the hindrance, Gina, will be dealt with. She made the wrong move in coming between Fallon and me. I text Adriano on my way out.
Where are you?
Riding around the area still. I’m guessing Gina won’t be going back to the house.
Meet me at the park, all the way in the back.
Gina’s smugness has vanished. All I see is fear written all over her while they pad across the grass.
Adriano joins me on the bench while Gina keeps her stance before us.
We both glare at her as I speak. “Where is her boldness now?”
Adriano moves his head from left to right slowly in mock disappointment.
Gina begs, “Luca, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You know… I thought you liked me too.”
Never have I given her the time of day except for that one time we fucked, which I barely remember. What’s left of my conscience obligated me to let her stay after our fucking since I was partly at fault. But she doesn’t know when to shut her irritating trap. Gina’s manipulative and vindictive. A woman scorned could pose a problem for me personally, though I’m sure she wants to live, so she’ll disappear quietly. She isn’t a danger to the Syndicate because she has absolutely no incriminating information on us. Holding up my hand, I hush her.
Adriano says, “You don’t belong with us, Gina. You are not to come to the house anymore.”
She trembles and cries, “What about my stuff at the house? I don’t have any money.”
“Your stuff will be sent to you. Adriano will give you some cash.”
“Luca, Adriano, please, I want to stay with you. I’m so sorry.”
“You should’ve thought about that before you decided to interfere in my life,” I reply.
Adriano rises. “See you at the house?”
I nod briefly.
“Come.” He yanks Gina with him.
***
I’m palming my phone, ready to call Fallon, but I need to let her cool off. “Camilla, can I have water?”
She gets a bottle from the fridge behind her and hands it to me. “What’s on your mind, Luca?”
Propping one foot on the foot rest, I sit forward. Camilla might be able to help me get back into Fallon’s good graces. “A woman,” I reveal.
She swipes a cloth over the bar counter and stops at my confession. “Well, I never. Has a woman finally captured your attention beyond fucking?”
“Stop working; sit with me. Nobody is here anyway.” The room is deserted while I’m waiting for Adriano.
“Let me just clean the counter. Do tell, Luca.” She stops across from me.
“I need to make a woman stop being mad at me.”
“Is she special?”
I confess, “Yes.” I pause, unsure whether to tell this to her. “Every time I’m with her, something cuts short or ruins our time together.”
Camilla smiles tentatively, knowingly. She stays quiet, allowing me to continue.
“I’m tainting her with my presence.”
“How?” she questions.
I angle my head sideways. “You know more about what goes on around here than any of the other women, Camilla. I see how you’re unobtrusively absorbing this lifestyle.”
“Does she know about this?” Camilla waves her hand around.
“No. She was untainted, but now she’s been dragged in without even realizing.” I’ve said too much to Camilla. Changing the subject, I add, “It’s her birthday Sunday. I have a gift, but I need something extra.”
“What did you get her?”
“A few books.”
Camilla scrunches her nose up. “Books?”
The corner of my lip turns up. “She’ll love them.”
“What does she like, except for books?”
My mind tries to think of everything Fallon’s told me. “Mostly books…theater, movies.” I screw the top off the water bottle.
Camilla’s eyes start to glow. “I have an idea. Get your laptop - we can arrange everything online. You have a budget?”
“No budget, give me your best idea.”
CHAPTER 15
Fallon
I lie awake as the sun comes up the next morning. This quiet voice in my head is screaming louder and louder that Luca is holding back from me. I’ve fallen for him, but some things don’t add up. Am I overanalyzing this? Could be; that’s what I told myself last night. That woman in his house and the way he and Adriano reacted has made me wary. His explanation could be true or not. However, my questions about Luca aren’t stopping me from pursuing this relationship. I check my phone, and just then Luca texts me that he’s coming over. Not ten minutes later, I buzz him in and leave the front door open before crawling back into bed.
I’m lounging in bed when he appears in the doorway with a silver box in hand. He sets it on my nightstand. “Morning.”
“Morning.” I turn on my side to face him.
The dark circles around his eyes betray he had a rough night. Luca takes an encouraging breath, preparing himself for an apology. “Fallon, I’m sorry about last night. Gina’s truly nothing to me.”
I wasn’t even worried about the woman per se. It’s the situation that had me upset. “I believe you. The situation was just awkward and it made me apprehensive to believe you.”
Luca edges closer to my bed. “I truly get that. It won’t happen again.”
He removes his clothes until he’s in just his boxers and joins me in bed.
Before he gets the chance to open his mouth, I cut in, “Can I open my present?”
He nods with a tentative smile.
I turn to the table and Luca slips in behind me. His arms encircle my waist. “Can we forget about yesterday, Fallon?” His palms wander over the inside of my thighs, forcing my legs apart.
I greedily lift the top off of the box and remove the silver tissue paper. My heart skips a beat. “Oh, my… What… How?” I trace the three volumes of The Count of Monte Christo, each with a dissimilar hardcover.
Luca’s lips warm the side of my neck. “Good?”
Amazed, I glimpse at him over my shoulder. “Good?” I almost yell incredulously and point to the books. “This will get you laid.”
He grins and kisses my cheek.
“Wait. It can’t be coincidence that you just happened to get me the ones with the covers I didn’t have yet.”
“I checked to see which volumes you had. You told me the second time we met in the coffee shop that you purchase your favorite books with all the different covers, and you haven’t completed your Count of Monte Christo collection yet.”
I’m still riveted by my new additions, and Luca grants me this moment in solitude. Luca apologized and I’m not in the mood to fight, so I lean back against his chest.
His fingers trace the sensitive skin on the inside of my thighs. “Fuck, Fallon. Your skin feels peachy soft.” He grunts appreciatively. “Your luscious body is playing tricks on me. You’re consuming my thoughts. All. Day. And. Night.”
I’m pleased I’m not the only one starting to feel that way. “Same goes for you.”
He lets out a quiet laugh. “I have another gift for you,” Luca whispers while still hugging me to him sitting in his lap. “You haven’t noticed the envelope in the box underneath your books.”
I clap my hands in eagerness before rummaging through the silver tissue paper until I’ve found a black envelope. Tearing it open, I take out tickets to The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I’ve always wanted to see that show on Broadway in New York. I frown when I see the date: my birthday, tomorrow. My eyes cut to Luca’s. “Are we—”
“Go pack your bags. We’re flying to New York to attend The Phantom matinee.”
I shriek in delight and throw myself at Luca, peppering kisses all over his face.
***
The Phantom was two-and-a-half hours of sublime theater. Luca and I slept in the Grand Suite at the ideally-located P
eninsula, and we have to check out at noon.
When I come out of the bathroom dressed in only my towel, he’s on the phone in the living room. Music is playing, but as I step closer to him, I hear his words. “Don’t start. I’ll take care of it tonight. No, I’ll call you later,” he replies in an authoritative tone to the person he’s talking to.
I walk up to him and loop my arms around him. His anxiety edges off of him.
He hangs up and turns in my embrace. “Hmmm, your addictive scent… I was waiting for you. I don’t like to be kept waiting,” he mumbles into my neck.
“Well, that’s how relationships work. Sometimes you wait. Better get used to it,” I retort while lacing my fingers through his hair. My nails softly scrape his skin, making him growl in appreciation.
He lifts his head and looks down his nose to stare at me, shocked and amused. “Is that a challenge, Michaels?” he counters with a mischievous smile.
“Absolutely,” I breathe.
“I love a good, feisty challenge,” he says seductively.
I look up at him amiably when he strokes the inside of my thigh with the back of his forefinger and snatches the towel off of me, leaving me standing naked in front of him. A cold rush of air sweeps over my skin as I take in his dark expression. The darkness isn’t fueled by lust. There’s a menacing undertone on his handsome face. “Are you okay?” I search his eyes for some light.
He hugs my naked form and breathes me in. “I hate that this weekend with you has been interrupted by my work.”
“Well, you don’t have to be this upset and mad about it.” I try a lighthearted tone.
The guitar intro music notes of ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ by Van Morrison start to play from the speakers.
“Do you have to leave now, or can we have dinner in New York tonight?” I sway my hips to the music as his hands trail down to my behind.
“No,” he growls. “We can stay in New York for a couple more hours.” Luca takes in another sharp breath.
For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate) Page 9
