For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate)

by Naomi, Soraya

  His posture tenses and Luca’s movement in my hair stills. “We have to shower,” he comments as he stands up.

  Are we just going to play happy couple?

  “Come, Fallon,” he urges.

  I follow him to the enormous, spotless, white-tiled room with a toilet, two sinks, and a shower with two shower heads. Uneasily, I stand in the middle of the room and catch my reflection in the mirror, not recognizing my pale skin with a purple bruise. Hesitantly, I touch the swollen skin under my eye.

  Luca places his hands on my shoulders. “We’ll talk later.”

  Talk? I need to escape.

  “I want to shower alone,” I whisper.

  “Fine, but the door stays open.”

  I beg him with my eyes to leave me alone, to no avail.

  “Shower however long you want, Fallon.” He pauses, searching for his next words. “Look at me, Fallon.”

  My gaze whips to him.

  “I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll clean your injuries after you’re done.” Luca wants to add something but decides against it.

  The silence is weighing around us and neither of us moves.

  Finally, he reaches into the shower and turns on the faucet. Luca dismisses a heavy breath and leaves the bathroom, keeping the door open while sitting on the bed, facing me. That’s all the privacy I get.

  I strip out of the shirt - that smells like him - and my underwear. Stepping into the shower, I cry when the hot water connects with my cut open skin.

  “Are you okay?” Luca inquires.

  I don’t speak. The steam of the warming water is clouding the shower stall. Luca and I can still clearly see each other. His eyes are stained with repentance. Mine are teeming in tears. With just his stare, he forces the happy memories we’ve created over the last months to the surface of my mind.

  I tear my gaze away from him and scrub my body clean while trembling in pain. The physical discomfort isn’t as bad. The bruising on my face is more uncomfortable than painful. Standing straight under the showerhead with my head tossed back, I let the droplets rinse my face and try desperately to achieve some calm to arrange my thoughts.

  I was almost raped. Luca’s part of the Mafia. I’m kidnapped. What will happen to me? What will happen to us? The last question pops up and instantly certifies my anger. I will not think about us. There’s no us in this situation. Least important is my love for this man. Most important now, is for me to focus on getting out of here. Luca has already started to provide me with answers. Pushing my hurt, confusion, and anger aside is easier said than done. So many emotions swirl chaotically in my tightly-wound body. I exhale a deep breath and turn off the faucet. Boxer briefs and a clean black t-shirt have been placed on the sink for me to wear.

  Luca’s rummaging through his drawer. “Sit on the bed, dol—Fallon.” He comes over to me and crouches before me to apply antiseptic to my knees and cover them with a bandage. He uncaps Arnica cream and lotions the discoloration under my eye.

  My eyes drift shut under his affectionate touch. I hear him heave a sigh but refuse to meet his gaze as he’s too close. The pad of his thumb wipes my bruised skin, but my hurt and fear are far greater than this lone bruise implies.

  “I’m going to shower quickly. I must take care of some business before you and I can talk.”

  My eyes pop open. “You’re leaving me alone again?”

  “Listen. You’re safe here. Do you understand?”

  I just stare at him.

  Think. Think. Being alone is perfect, gives me time to find a way to escape.

  “Yes,” I answer to appease him and don’t move an inch from the bed as Luca showers and dresses quickly. I lean forward to watch him dress in the walk-in closet, just in time to see him stash a gun in the back of his pants.

  He has a gun? Did he ever carry it when he was with me?

  He comes out of his closet wearing navy dress pants and a white dress shirt without a tie. “Are you hungry?”

  I shake my head, ignoring my empty stomach.

  “Try to drink the water and eat the apple or orange.” He points to the nightstand. “I’ll bring more food later.” Luca laces his fingers through my still wet hair. As much as I want to pull away, I let him. “Nothing is going to happen to you, Fallon. I’ll explain everything tonight.” His hand slides into his pocket to retrieve the room key, and he heads out without looking back at me.

  Immediately, I jump up and press my ear to the door - listening to his receding footsteps - and click the door handle. Locked. I race to the other side of the room and check the window frame. Where does it open? There isn’t a single handle on these windows. Nothing to see outside, only land and trees and a river in the distance ahead. No neighboring houses. The sun is hanging low in the baby blue sky, so it must be early morning. I look down and see that we’re pretty high up - not on the first floor of this house. It’s impossible to jump down anyway, so I give up my effort to open the window and head to search the drawers. First one is filled with men’s underwear. The second has first aid kit material. The other ones are empty. Next, I search the bathroom but come up empty also. I don’t know what I expect to find. Maybe a weapon to defend myself, if needed.

  The closet is my last hope. It’s a small room with several of Luca’s tailored suits hanging on the rack. Shirts and pants are folded in square compartments next to the suits, and two pairs of shoes are on the floor. I check all the pockets - the pocket of every pair of pants and suit jacket. Nothing. Disheartened, I throw myself onto the bed to glare out the window.

  What to do now?

  CHAPTER 30

  Luca

  I hear Fallon running to the door as soon as I close and lock it behind me. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I compose myself after dealing with her cold behavior. She needs time to process everything.

  After my discussion with James, I hope to tell her that I’m taking her home. I need to convince James that she won’t contact the police. A soldier or I will guard her at all times until I’ve gained her trust again. And she will trust me again. I’ll make sure of that. I still feel her love for me through the animosity and mistrust. Our love hasn’t been overpowered by her current hate for me - yet.

  On the second floor, I knock on James’ office door.

  “Come in.”

  “James.”

  “Good morning, son.” James pours me a cup of coffee and places it on his desk as he leans against it. “Let’s cut right to business; we have a busy day.”

  We do?

  I take the leather chair and sit down.

  “Luca, I need to commend you for being on top of everything these last few months while I’ve been arranging our new ventures in the east. I’m, as always, content with your smooth and swift execution of all businesses and liabilities.”

  I rest my ankle over my knee and lean back. “You’re welcome. I’m pleased you’re still content.” I decide to cut to the chase. “I have to talk about a private matter.”

  “Sure.”

  “I met a woman.”

  James smiles.

  “You know of her too.”

  James brows knit together.

  “It’s Fallon Michaels.”

  “Danny’s girl?”

  My lips thin in irritation. “She’s my girl. But yes, Danny’s ex-girlfriend.”

  “And you’ve been dating her?”

  “Yes. At first it was only to find out if Danny had contacted her - he hasn’t. There hasn’t been any communication between Danny and Fallon except for that one time he called her, which she never returned. She’s of no importance in regards to catching Danny.” I look him in the eye and instead of disgruntlement, I recognize fatherly pride. “There’s an additional complication. She witnessed a kill last night - by accident. Frank screwed up and kidnapped her. Adriano and I took care of Frank after he tried to rape her in this house. She’s up in my room now. She didn’t know about the Syndicate until yesterday. She loves me and I love her. After her initial shock wear
s off, I know I’ll persuade her to avoid contacting the police.”

  James slides into his chair. “Hmm. I’m not happy you didn’t tell me about her from the start.” He pauses and cracks one knuckle. “But I do get it. I never told you how I met Alessa, did I? She was a friend of one of my girls.” He scratches his chin. “When I saw her, I was a goner. I was in a similar situation. I didn’t tell anyone about her because I thought it was the only way to keep her. To this day, she doesn’t know all I do, but over the years she has found out things that made her question her love for me. Luca, not every woman is cut out for this world. Is she trustworthy? Can you vouch for her? I protect Alessa by keeping her in the dark. Fallon has now been exposed to our Syndicate.”

  Leaning forward with my elbows on my knees, I vouch. “She’s trustworthy. She’s smart. It will take time for her to trust me again. She won’t go to the police if I ask her not to.” I relay all this as if it’s a done deal, but it’s not. Many of Chicago’s police officers are on my payroll anyway. I can make her statement disappear if that’s needed.

  James taps his pen on the desk. “I trust you. If you believe she’s worth it, then you have my blessing. She’s your responsibility,” he stresses. “From now on, she’ll be under the protection of the Syndicate. Our Syndicate needs to be informed that she’s your partner. So I presume she’s coping well with all that happened last night?”

  “She is,” I lie. “Like I said, she’s a calm and intelligent woman.”

  “Good, good.” James pauses and adds, “I call you ‘son’ because you are a son to me, Luca. I’ve always wanted you to find someone. A good woman will make this life bearable. We can be ruthless men. That doesn’t mean we don’t deserve the love of a good woman.”

  “I just don’t want all of this to change her.”

  “It will change her. This life changes everyone, Luca. You can still be happy with her, though. I’ve had a suspicion you met someone. There was a distinct change in you, and it hasn’t been a negative change. I am disappointed you didn’t entrust me with this earlier. I would’ve backed you. I’ve chosen you as my underboss for a reason.”

  “There was so much going on, James. I wanted us to focus purely on the east. “

  James nods. “Ensure it doesn’t happen again. You only get one second chance with me. You settle things with Fallon.”

  “I’m taking her home tonight.”

  “Good. It’s better that she’s not here. I wouldn’t want Alessa here. Since the drug traffic is set up in the east, Danny is now our number one priority,” James reminds me.

  “Someone must be helping him hide. It’s like he vanished from the face of the earth.”

  “Did we contact all associates?” James asks.

  “All of them. There isn’t any trace of Danny Mancuso.”

  “Feds?”

  I shake my head in denial. We have men everywhere, even in the FBI. “No.”

  James stands up and gets his jacket from the coat rack. “We have a meet with Leggia in an hour.”

  “Why?”

  “I have no idea. You know how it goes - if a meet is requested, I must go. If it’s not important, we’ll leave immediately. I don’t trust Leggia. He’s frustrated by Crystal Lake.”

  I think he’s wrathful. “He knows about Fallon. He had someone following her when she was spotted with me.”

  James turns to me and his hands clench in anger. “He also had Alessa followed this week. Leggia’s a jealous, power-hungry idiot. At least his underboss is smarter than him. It’s only a matter of time until that Syndicate implodes. Nobody looks after each other. Let’s go. We have to be at The Carlton in the city.”

  I rise from my seat. “I need someone to look after Fallon. As a precaution, let’s take Adriano with us to Leggia. Is Consigliere coming here or meeting us there?”

  “Salvatore is meeting us there. Meet me downstairs in ten.” James walks out of the room first.

  Damian can stand guard outside, but I don’t want him to enter my room. It will scare her to see him again, so my only other option is Camilla, who’s ascending the stairs when James heads down.

  I wait for her at the top. “I need your help. Fallon’s in my room. To keep her safe, she’s locked in. Long story, I or Adriano will tell you tonight.”

  Camilla looks appalled.

  “Calm down. She’s fine, but she needs food today. I need to leave now, and I don’t want to send one of the men to her, understand?”

  Camilla glances at me uncertainly, obviously hesitant to get involved. “Yes.”

  “Get savory food, one thing with no carbs, and some chocolate pastries. Take it to my room. Can you do that? I’m entrusting you with her. I don’t want to see a scratch on Fallon. Capito?” Understood? “Just leave the food in my room. Here’s the key.”

  “Ricevuto.” Got it. She takes the key.

  “Camilla, I’ll explain tonight.” I step down the stairs, and Adriano appears from the kitchen eating a sandwich. “Let’s go. You’re coming with us to meet Leggia,” I instruct him.

  “Right now?” he asks with his sandwich hanging out of his mouth.

  “Yes. Move,” I order and head outside. “You have to fill Camilla in on Fallon tonight. Tell her what’s needed to calm her down. I just asked Camilla to bring Fallon food today. She’ll ask for her help, so talk to Camilla.”

  “I will. Don’t worry about Camilla.” Adriano eases my apprehension.

  ***

  Giacomo Leggia ordered an executive hotel room for a meet - which is highly unusual. Meets are short and quick, most of the time in cafés or restaurants of our associates.

  We meet Salvatore in the lobby of the Carlton Hotel and go straight to the room. Leggia’s underboss, Biagio, welcomes us into the living room seating area, and we’re not searched for weapons because none of us will take the risk of using his gun in this hotel - we’re on camera and the reception saw us walking in. I’m positive every one of Leggia’s men is packing a piece, as are we. Leggia’s with two men, flanking on either side of him. Luckily we’re with one more person in case of any trouble.

  “James, Luca, Salvatore, Adriano,” Leggia welcomes in a fake hospitable tone while he stands up.

  “Giacomo.” James shakes his hand. James and I sit across from him. Adriano and Salvatore stand behind us.

  “So, gentlemen, I have an interesting offer for you,” Leggia starts.

  James and I wait for him to continue.

  “You’re not curious?” he asks.

  “I’m not in the mood to play games,” James says calmly. “What do you want, Giacomo?”

  Leggia motions for his underboss. “Get the boy.”

  Biagio disappears into the bedroom.

  “Drinks, gentlemen?” Giacomo offers.

  “No,” all of us decline. Never take drinks at meets. You never know what poison might be added to it.

  His underboss comes out holding a blond, surfer-type hacker: Danny Mancuso. James and I avoid eye contact; we never give anything away at these meets. Danny’s hands are tied behind him and his mouth is sealed shut with a piece of grey duct tape. His eyes round in horror as he takes notice of us.

  “I seem to have found your hacker. Word on the street is that you’re quite determined to get him back.” Leggia’s looking from me to James.

  “How long have you had him?” I query in a bland tone.

  Giacomo’s eyes cut to me. “A few days. As an offer of my friendship, I’d like to propose a deal.”

  I’m afraid I foresee where this is going, and I’m trying extremely hard to remain calm.

  “I have something you want, and you have something I want.” Leggia displays a snide smile while he adds, “I know Ms. Fallon Michaels is in your hands. I’ll trade you Danny for Fallon.” He keeps his eyes on me to check my reaction before moving back to James.

  I keep a straight face, masking the pure fury that’s scorching through my veins. He’s finally using her as leverage.

  James as
ks, “What do you want with the girl?”

  Leggia retorts, “What I want with the girl is of no importance. I have the guy you want.”

  “What you want with the girl is important to me. I’m not into human trafficking, Giacomo. However, I do want Danny, so I’ll think about it and will get back to you tomorrow night.” James rises and heads out.

  Leggia’s speechless by James’ dismissal of his proposal.

  Adriano, Salvatore, and I steadily follow. I look at back at Giacomo before closing the door, and he holds up his drink to me with a derisive sneer.

  It was only a matter of time before he would use her against me.

  We’re quiet as we enter the car. Adriano steps on the gas while I’m silently fuming and having difficulty containing my reaction. I’m losing control over this fucking situation. Fallon’s being pulled into my world, yet pulled away from me instead of toward me.

  “Do you have Fallon Michaels?” Salvatore starts asking questions first.

  “We do,” James answers from the back seat. “What is he playing at, Luca?”

  “He’s trying to create a wedge between us. Leggia thinks I haven’t told you about Fallon. He’s still one step behind, thinking he can use her as leverage to hurt me - to indirectly hurt you and create a wedge in our Syndicate. He can’t take us on as a team. He needs us to fall apart first,” I answer tersely without turning my head to face the backseat.

  “Yes,” James agrees. “How did he know we had her?”

  “He must’ve had her followed last night.”

  “Somebody fill me in,” Salvatore interrupts.

  “Fallon is Luca’s woman. She’s Syndicate protected now,” James explains.

  “What does Leggia want with Fallon?” Salvatore asks.

  “He doesn’t want anything with her. He’s only using her to create a problem between James and me. He knows I would never allow the trade. Leggia thought James would agree immediately," I retort.