Fallen Angel, Part II

by Tracie Podger

  We arrived at the club, Patricia was already there, and the others followed shortly after. Our usual bottle of wine was already cooling on our table and I told the girls about the nurse, Travis’s lunch date. I didn’t feel I was breaking any confidences, we were family, they were as close to Travis as Robert was. After lunch I followed Taylor to her store, to discuss the dress. I texted Robert my movements in case he had forgotten, but Gary would have notified him anyway.

  Taylor had arranged for Casey to be there as well. She took my measurements and sketched a design similar to the one I had seen. Instead of the halter neck, thin straps would go over my shoulders and under my arms, holding the dress to me. We chose the fabric and I had the most fun time. I’d never had clothes made for me, she suggested a wrap to match and we talked about shoes. I really liked her and I was surprised to learn that she had come from the home. She had been there a few years ago, leaving to go to design college. She had such talent and was already making a name for herself.

  “You’ll have to make my wedding dress, Casey,” I said casually.

  “What!” I heard Taylor screech.

  “Please, don’t get excited yet. Robert kind of hinted we would get married last Saturday.”

  “Tell me, now,” she said, dragging me to one of the sofas in the centre of the room.

  “All he said was that when we married at least the tattoo on his chest would still be appropriate, the letter S.”

  “What did you say?” she asked.

  “I told him, if that was a proposal he would have to do better. He said that he would.”

  A huge grin had spread over my face.

  “Oh honey, I am so happy for you,” she said, pulling me into a hug.

  “Please don’t tell anyone, he might change his mind.”

  “There is no way he’ll change his mind, I would have his balls if he did. This is just too exciting.”

  “I know, all I hope is that he doesn’t take too long about it, I can’t bear the waiting.”

  “The minute he does I want to know, morning or night, you call me. For now it will be our secret. However, it wouldn’t hurt to have Casey sketch a few designs now, would it.”

  ****

  I wanted to stop by the office, I really wanted to see him. I had missed him that morning and I also wanted to catch up with Gina, get my diary sorted. I was starting to like her and although we would never be friends, she was Robert’s PA, that coldness I’d first felt from her had started to fade. I texted him, to make sure that he had five minutes.

  “Always for you,” he replied.

  We parked in the car park and made our way through security.

  I was greeted with, “Good Afternoon, Miss Stiles.” I smiled my thanks and returned the greeting.

  As I exited the lift I noticed Gina on the telephone, she smiled when she saw me, rolling her eyes at the caller. I mouthed the word “tea” and she nodded. I noticed Robert had someone with him, so headed to the kitchen. I made two teas and a pot of coffee for Robert and his guest. Gina was still on the phone and I hesitated, I didn’t want to barge in but I saw Robert motion, calling me in.

  “I’m sorry to barge in, I thought you might like coffee,” I said.

  His guest rose, a very obvious Italian looking man, in a dark navy suit with black wavy hair. I hadn’t noticed his security sitting on the sofa at the other end of the office.

  “Brooke, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Luca Gioletti,” he said the name with a perfect accent.

  I held out my hand which he took but then surprised me by kissing both cheeks.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you finally, Brooke. Robert has told me a lot about you.” He had a New York accent.

  “All good I hope,” I laughed. He had exactly the same look as Robert and I knew instantly what he was.

  “Shall I get another cup?” I asked, motioning to his security.

  “No, sit with us,” Robert replied.

  I poured their coffee and trying to still my slightly shaking hands, I raised my cup to my lips, my eyes finding Robert’s. It's okay, his were telling me.

  “Luca, what brings you to Washington?” I asked, not sure if I should be asking.

  “Robert and I have business in New York, I had a meeting here so wanted to catch up. Robert and my father were friends for a long time.”

  I noticed the word ‘were’ but pressed no further.

  “Luca has invited us to dinner tonight,” Robert told me.

  “Thank you, that would be lovely and I’m sorry if I’ve interrupted your meeting, I can come back later,” I said.

  He rose, finishing his coffee, his security also stood.

  “I’m just leaving, I look forward to seeing you tonight,” he said.

  After shaking hands with Robert, I watched as he made his way to the lift.

  “Now that man has most definitely just stepped out of the Godfather,” I said.

  Robert laughed. “He would be honoured to know that, since the film was loosely based on his family.”

  I looked sharply at him, my mouth agape. I had meant it as a joke.

  “You’re kidding me right.”

  “No, seriously. His family are a very old one. I knew his father from when we first started to build in New York. It’s still the case today that you have to get that family on side with anything you do there.”

  “Please, tell me you are not involved with them.”

  “No, only in a perfectly legal business sense. Brooke, nothing happens in New York without that man knowing about it.”

  “What about his father then, is he dead?”

  He chuckled. “No, in prison though, racketeering charges.”

  “Oh please, don’t tell me anymore.”

  He relaxed back in his chair. “So, what’s up?” he asked.

  “I just had a fitting with Taylor, I wanted to check it was still okay for me to have that dress.”

  He rolled his eyes, a sigh leaving his lips.

  “I know, you don’t have to say it. Anyway, I missed you this morning, thought I would come and say hi.”

  “Come here,” he said.

  He placed his arms around my waist pulling me so I stood between his legs. “If you don’t want to go tonight, it's fine, we won’t.”

  “No, I’m being silly, he just made me a bit nervous, I don’t know why.”

  “I guess he can be quite intimidating but he’s a nice guy.”

  “When he stood, he looked exactly like you. Not in looks, you’re much more handsome, but just that presence, that scary manner, if you know what I mean.”

  He laughed. “I don’t scare you, do I?”

  “Not now. You did once, especially that first time I met you. I don’t know if scared is the right word. You certainly excited me, made my stomach knot.”

  I watched his eyes darken. “Oh yeah, tell me about it?” he asked.

  “Not here,” I said laughing. “Now, what time are we going out?” I asked.

  “Early, Luca has a flight to catch after.”

  “We might as well get ready in the apartment then,” I said.

  “Before you go, sign these papers,” he replied, his hand covering most of them.

  “What am I signing?”

  “The first is your new bank account, the second is a surprise, do it without looking, please.”

  I cupped his face, gave him a kiss and told him I was heading for the apartment, I would see him later.

  I made my way upstairs and realised we hadn’t stayed in the apartment since that first night. Although now totally redecorated, its old purpose long gone, it still felt a little strange to walk around. I made myself some tea and settled with a magazine. I had a couple of hours before I needed to get ready so I fished my iPad from my bag and carried on with my Christmas list.

  Sam was easy, I would pick something up from Taylor’s New York store, it had the clothes he loved. Scott, I was unsure about, I would have a chat with Sam on that one. I had a plan for
Evelyn and I was doing the same for Travis as Robert, thirty seven presents.

  I had ideas for most of what I wanted to get, these boys had pretty much everything or at least the money to buy whatever they wanted. My plan was for lots of fun, silly things, books, neither had ever read one, DVD’s for movie nights and such like. I fired up the iPad, I could order a lot on line and having scoured the internet, I booked the appointment I wanted for Robert’s main present. I snapped the cover over, quickly.

  “Did you see that?” I asked.

  He laughed, I knew he was behind me, I had felt him.

  “What am I not supposed to see?” he asked.

  “A Christmas present,” I said, turning around on the sofa to face him.

  “No, I didn’t see but I warn you, I’m no good with surprises,” he said, leaning down to kiss me.

  “You should be working still,” I said.

  “Playing hooky,” he replied. “Anyway, I had a thought, we haven’t made love here yet, and right now that’s all that’s on my mind.”

  “Shouldn’t it be mergers, acquisitions and so forth.”

  “Mmm, mergers and acquisitions it most definitely is. I want to merge and I want to acquire you, right now,” he said, leading me to the bedroom.

  An hour later I was in the shower, inspecting yet another round of bruising from his teeth.

  “I’m going to start calling you Edward,” I shouted through the door.

  “Edward?” he replied.

  “Yeah, Edward Cullen. Mind you, he can most certainly bite me,” I said laughing.

  I heard him stride into the bathroom, naked and watched his dark eyes as he came towards me.

  “Who the fuck is Edward Cullen and why would he bite you?”

  “Oh baby, don’t get jealous. He’s a character in a film, a vampire,” I laughed.

  “Well, not even a fucking vampire, real or otherwise, gets my permission,” he said, his head lowering to my neck as he joined me under the warm jets of water.

  “If you mark my neck, I will put you on your arse, for sure,” I told him as his hands circled my waist.

  I felt him laugh as he planted the gentlest kiss before pushing me out so he could wash himself.

  ****

  We made our way downstairs, having to share the lift with people leaving for the day. Everyone offered a “good evening” to him, he would just smile and nod in return. No-one spoke to me and once their backs were turned, facing the doors I poked my tongue out at them, causing him to laugh. Travis was by the car waiting for us and we drove off towards a restaurant Luca had selected. Instead of just dropping us off as usual, Travis came in. He greeted Luca and his wife warmly but then sat at a table with other security.

  “Brooke, I would like you to meet my wife, Lucia this is Brooke.”

  She smiled at me. So much for Robert’s version of gangster molls, she was stunning. Black hair, dark brown eyes and tanned skin. She greeted Robert and me with a kiss to both cheeks before we sat. I chatted to her, letting the boys talk shop, she was easy to talk to and I enjoyed her company. She had been born in Italy, Rome, but came to America to marry Luca she told me. She asked about me, my life and it seemed boring in comparison.

  “I would love to visit Rome,” I said.

  “Then you must, we have a house there, you are more than welcome to use it. I’ll make sure Luca provides Robert with the details.” She had such a lovely accent. “Perhaps we could holiday at the same time,” she added.

  “Thank you, that’s really generous of you. I’m planning a trip back home for Evelyn. She’s never been back to her family village. I thought it would make a wonderful Christmas gift for her.” I said quietly, I didn’t want Robert to know, just yet.

  “I know Evelyn, her father and Luca’s grandfather were friends.”

  We chatted about our homes, fashion and I invited her to join me in New York, perhaps lunch, she accepted immediately. Too soon the evening was over, Luca and Lucia having to head to the airport. We said our goodbyes with promises to meet again and headed out to the car. Outside, I noticed two men, standing fully on show against a car, watching us. I squeezed Robert’s arm, he gave me a small smile and a very subtle nod.

  Once in the car and moving away from the curb I asked, “Who were those men?”

  “Probably FBI,” Travis said.

  “No seriously, who were they?”

  “Probably FBI,” Robert answered this time. “No doubt we’ll get a visit,” he said to Travis.

  “What! I just had dinner with the man from the Godfather and now the FBI is going to come visit, Jesus. Anyway, don’t they wear black suits, dark glasses?” I said, trying to lift my spirits a little.

  Travis laughed, “You watch too many movies,” he said.

  “Lucia was lovely, I really enjoyed talking to her. She invited us to stay at her house in Rome,” I said, trying to change the subject.

  “She is, comes from a very powerful family in Italy, when she married Luca, it merged two families,” Robert added.

  “Is this for real? Are there really still Mafia here, in America?” I asked.

  “Of course,” Travis said. “Many are in prison but they still run their families, their organisations still exist, still into drugs, trafficking, prostitution.”

  I looked shocked, “Luca isn’t, don’t worry. Well, so he says, of course,” Robert said, giving Travis a look he thought I hadn’t noticed.

  “So what’s your involvement with them?” I asked

  “I told you, nothing gets built in New York without him knowing about it. The first time I went to meet his father, we had a project in Manhattan. I told him I wasn’t there for his permission, just to ensure we wouldn’t meet with any problems,” he said with a laugh.

  “You were lucky you didn’t get a bullet for disrespecting him,” Travis said, also finding the memory funny.

  “I’m not coming to New York now,” I said, shocked at what I was listening to.

  “Yes you are, that was over ten years ago, things are very different now, trust me.”

  I thought back to something Patricia had told me when she found out about Jonathan, she said that she found the whole thing quite exciting and if I had to be honest, it was a little.

  “Listen, baby, honestly, I wouldn’t take you anywhere I thought you would come to harm. Forget your Godfather movie, it isn’t like that anymore. Luca owns a lot of businesses and we have a couple of building projects together, perfectly legal ones, okay.”

  “If you do that look, Travis, I’m going to punch you straight in the head,” I said.

  He raised his hands, turning to glance at me, “What look?”

  “The look you give Robert when he has just told me some bullshit,” I said as we pulled up on the drive outside the house.

  The boys sniggered as Travis opened the door for me, a smirk on his face.

  “Goodnight,” I said to him and turning to Robert I said. “You, in, now.” I heard Travis laughing as he made his way to his apartment.

  I headed up the stairs and once in the lounge turned to face him, hands on my hips.

  “Robert, why were the FBI there if everything Luca does is legal? I’m not dumb, don’t treat me like I am,” I said. I wasn’t angry, I was worried for him.

  “Okay, I’m sorry but I told you the truth. He does own many businesses, all legal. His family are no different to us, Brooke. They started off one way and have now ended up another. The reason the FBI follow him is to just let him know they’re still around. He has many people in his pocket, they know it, but they can’t do anything about it.”

  “And what about you? If you’re seen with him, how does that reflect on you?”

  “They’ve investigated Vassago many times. I’ve sat in front of them and answered their questions and they’ve inspected our books. We have nothing to fear from them. Years ago, for sure, but we have been out of that game for a long time.”

  “Do you have people in your pocket?” I asked.

>   “I have people that owe me favours and rarely, very rarely, I might call them in but it won’t be for anything significant. I don’t pay bribes, backhanders, to me, that’s a waste of money.”

  I relaxed a bit, kicked off my shoes and poured us both a glass of wine. I was still getting used to this lifestyle, to this knowledge.

  “I know so much, Robert, aren’t you scared I might leave, tell someone,” I said.

  “No, first you’re not going anywhere and second you’re the only person, other than Travis and Evelyn that I trust, that’s why you know these things. You don’t have it in you to betray me,” he said, his fingers brushing my cheek.

  He was right, I could never betray him, no matter what happened to us and it dawned on me, not that I would ever want to leave him but I doubted I would be allowed to either.

  “One question,” I said, “Rosa was allowed to leave Paul, what if she talks?”

  “Brooke, no-one is here under lock and key. Of course I worry what she is capable of saying. She’s never been my greatest fan but she knows the score, she has money, she has her kids, if she talked she would lose all of that.”

  “You would threaten her with her kids!” I said, astounded.

  “Not me, Paul would. What can she say, who’s going to listen? At the end of the day, all she can tell would be things she knows about Paul, the rest is hearsay.”

  I took a sip of my wine, not sure I was liking the way this conversation was going.

  “Baby, please, listen to me. You know more than anyone and now I’ve worried you. I shouldn’t have taken you tonight,” he said, more to himself.

  “Yes you should have, I’m sorry. I’m over thinking it, I’m still getting used to all this I guess.”

  I held his hands to my face and gave him a smile. I had chosen to stay with this man, I had to learn to quickly accept his lifestyle and to stop being freaked out about it.

  “If the FBI ever speaks to me, can I have a lawyer on speed dial?” I said, half joking.