Reckless & Ruined

by Bethany-Kris

  Alessa’s shoulders heaved, pressing her back harder into Adriano’s chest. “I don’t know what is wrong with me.”

  “Nothing. You’re confused.”

  “You’re biased.”

  Adriano chuckled. “Maybe so, but you’re entitled to be a little angry, Lissa.”

  “Why didn’t he want us to know? Terrance, I mean.”

  Thinking about the letter he’d finally gotten the chance to read in full, Adriano figured the answer to that question was obvious. “He had a wife to protect and a family to keep in good standing. It’s one thing to run around with a goomah, but it’s entirely different to be sleeping with your son’s wife, Alessa.”

  “Appearance is everything.”

  “To a lot the men in the Outfit, yes.”

  “Appearances are deceiving,” Alessa mumbled.

  Adriano hugged her again. “Sometimes.”

  “Have you ever … done that, I mean?”

  “Done what?” he asked.

  “I know we never put labels down or whatever, so I guess there isn’t much for me to say if you were with other girls.”

  “No,” Adriano said. “Never, not once. You didn’t label me, but you were always mine. I’ll do a lot of bad shit, but running around on you isn’t one of them.”

  “Am I a hypocrite?” she asked.

  Again, he knew exactly what she was talking about without asked. “Because of Dean?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re not even engaged, yet. It’s just a promise of something in the future. You didn’t agree to that. You’ve never agreed to that. You’ve said from the start you wouldn’t follow through with that,” he replied, hoping his point was clear.

  “We’re still expected to get engaged.” Alessa spat the word out like it was vomit. “And I’ve been with you several times since that happened.”

  “Show me a ring and it’ll stop.”

  Alessa’s laughter was light. “Oh, is that what it’ll take?”

  Adriano cleared his throat. “Maybe a wedding dress, a priest, and a gun to my head, too. I’m here for this all the way to the bitter end, pretty girl. I always have been.”

  “Damn.”

  “I’m not letting you go, Lissa. I don’t give a fuck about Dean Artino.”

  Alessa sighed. “Thank you for coming.”

  “You know I always will.”

  “I was awful to you, too,” she whispered.

  Adriano pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck. “Actually, I’m happy you called me first instead wondering and hating me. We got the bullshit out of the way quickly. There’s enough drama around us without adding to the crazy.”

  Alessa fingered the leaves hanging from one of the low lying branches. “You should go soon. I don’t know when Joel is coming home.”

  “Not yet.”

  He didn’t mind the risk.

  “Not yet,” she echoed.

  “What do we know?” Riley asked.

  Kolin sidled up beside the car with a coolness that could rival any made man in the vicinity. There happened to be quite a few Outfit men in the area, considering the sit-down that was about to go down a block away at one of Riley’s restaurants.

  “We know the restaurant is clean and clear,” Kolin said.

  “One-hundred percent?”

  Kolin nodded. “The boys didn’t take their eyes off it once since you told Joel that’s where you wanted the meeting.”

  Adriano couldn’t shake his odd feeling.

  “Your driver will be ready to pick you up at the door the moment he sees you once this sham of a meeting is over. But I do think it would be better to walk down and take them off guard by not arriving in a vehicle like they suspect you will.”

  “I like that idea, too,” Adriano said. “Who else showed up?”

  “Laurent and a great deal of his crew,” Kolin explained. “Seems the Rossi crew is dispersed outside doing whatever it is they want. I have people on them.”

  “And the DeLuca side?” Riley asked.

  “Just Theo. But he hasn’t made any effort to go inside. And the Artinos are inside.”

  Adriano frowned. “Dad, you could always tell Theo that you weren’t involved with his brother’s death.”

  “I like it better this way,” Riley said as he clipped the end of a Cuban cigar. “Besides, young Theo is just one man in the DeLuca crew.”

  “Heading it at the moment,” Kolin reminded Riley. “And Laurent?”

  Riley waved dismissively. “We will handle him when the times comes. For now, let’s get this sit-down over with.”

  Adriano pushed the back passenger side door open. “Lead the way then.”

  Kolin reached in through the window, stopping Riley from getting out. Adriano waited for his father and the Capo to finish before he moved away from the car.

  “Are you good?” Kolin asked quietly.

  Riley laughed under his breath. “Are you asking if I’m nervous, old friend?”

  “No, I’m asking if you’re safe, Riley.”

  “Trust no one,” Riley murmured. “I’m good.”

  Adriano had no fucking clue what his father and Kolin were talking about, but he figured if it was for him to know, they would have let him in on it already.

  Kolin nodded. “Good. Say the word, Riley, and I’ll finish this shit the proper way.”

  Riley sighed heavily. “Bullets won’t solve the underlying issue with these men.”

  “I think it would solve a world of their problems, Boss. After all, it stems from Joel.”

  “I want him to do it to himself, Kolin. It might take a little longer for Joel to dig his own grave, but don’t worry, I’m sure he will shoot himself in the foot a few times along the way.”

  Riley waved at his friend to move away from the door. When Kolin did, Riley opened the door and joined his son on the side of the street.

  Adriano fixed the knot on his tie, feeling suffocated in the humid air outside. “It’s hot.”

  “Mmm,” Riley hummed in agreement. “It’s a very good day for this. Don’t worry, Adriano. Stop minding the small things.”

  “What should I concern myself with then, Dad?”

  “Helping me shoot Joel in the foot, of course.”

  Adriano chuckled.

  Yeah, he should have known that.

  Adriano’s carefully hidden anger flared to life as he watched Joel hold a hand out to help his sisters, one at a time, out of a black car. No one had said a thing about Alessa or Abriella being invited to the meeting. They didn’t have a reason to come, frankly.

  Laurent Rossi stood from his seat although his son stayed seated. Tommas Rossi didn’t give his father or the arriving Trentinis any of his attention as they made their way inside the restaurant. In fact, Tommas continued talking to his cousin Damian as Laurent greeted Joel and his sisters.

  Adriano surveyed the men loitering outside the restaurant. Theo DeLuca was amongst the men, keeping one eye on the windows and the people inside while maintaining what looked like some kind of conversation with a few men of his crew.

  Dean and Walter Artino sat quietly in the corner, looking smug as fuck and entirely unbothered by the fact a sit-down was about to occur just feet from their table. Adriano supposed Theo didn’t need to be inside if the Artinos were standing in place for the DeLuca family. It was too bad Theo didn’t realize Walter and his cunt of a son were looking to take over for Theo completely, not on a part-time basis.

  Adriano stood with his father as Joel approached their table.

  Alessa and Abriella followed close behind their brother.

  “Look at that,” Riley said.

  “Dirty pool,” Adriano murmured.

  “Yes, but smart. I’ve not given Joel enough credit, clearly. Bringing along his sisters is sure to keep things peaceful between all the men at this meeting.”

  “Maybe that’s what he wants,” Adriano said.

  Riley scoffed. “I’m sure.”

  Kolin stepped in front o
f Joel, blocking the man’s path to Riley. Without a word, Kolin went about checking Joel quickly before taking the man’s suit jacket and laying it over a chair. It showed Riley that Joel was clear of weapons.

  All the while, Adriano watched Alessa from the corner of his eyes, taking in her appearance and tired gaze. Clearly, she hadn’t slept much after he left her the night before. An unexpected ache started up in Adriano’s chest. He rubbed at the spot, hoping it looked like he had an itch or something.

  Riley’s voice broke Adriano’s daze.

  “Not even a gun?” Riley asked Joel.

  Joel smiled falsely. “Oh, I don’t believe I’ll be needing anything of the sort today, Riley.”

  Riley’s expression didn’t change. “I’m sure. Sit, my boy.”

  Joel managed to find some kind of gentlemanly bone by pulling out the chairs at the table for his sisters. Then, Joel took a seat for himself before a man Adriano recognized as an enforcer for the Trentini crew came to stand behind him.

  Alessa watched Adriano through her lashes, quiet and pretty. Knowing he needed to keep his feelings for Alessa in check when people were near, Adriano focused his attention on anyone else but her.

  The ache in his chest increased.

  Kolin took his spot to stand behind Riley, silent and formidable.

  Adriano, at his father’s left, leaned back in his seat as Joel waved a skittish server over.

  “Surely we can drink?” Joel asked Riley.

  Riley nodded. “On the house, of course.”

  Joel flashed the waiting server a charming grin. “Whiskey, four fingers; neat.”

  The girl scampered off. Adriano didn’t blame her. The restaurant had been cleared of normal patrons for the meeting, but the workers were asked to stay in case they were needed.

  “Terrance always said there was nothing that couldn’t be solved over a drink and a few words,” Joel said, still smiling falsely.

  Riley smirked. “And a gun, Joel. If you would have listened to him more, you might have heard the rest of what he was trying to tell you. Anything can be solved between normal men over a few drinks and words. With men like us, anything can be solved with a drink and words … or a gun.”

  Abriella snorted indelicately. “Or a marriage.”

  Riley offered Abriella a serene smile. “Or that. I hear you’re back at the mansion, my dear.”

  Joel’s gaze narrowed in on Riley. “How—”

  “We are,” Abriella replied, interrupting her brother without batting a lash. “I’d like to say it’s good to be home and all …”

  “But I don’t imagine it is because you probably weren’t given a choice,” Riley finished for her. He flicked a look in Joel’s direction before going back to Abriella. “How close am I?”

  Abriella simpered him with a smile. “Bang on.”

  “I usually am, Ella.”

  Joel scowled. “Enough of this. She isn’t here to make chitchat, Riley.”

  “Then why did you bring her here today?” Riley asked, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Because you see, I happen to find Abriella interesting when she opens up that mouth of hers to talk. She’s got a dark humor that’s difficult to find in a woman, not to mention, she isn’t hard on the eyes.”

  Abriella laughed. “Thank you.”

  “Ah, you’ve earned those compliments, my dear,” Riley replied. “But Joel here, he’s obviously brought you along for this sit-down with other intentions. If he expects you to sit, shut up, and look pretty, then you’re not doing very damn much for me here.”

  Silence answered Riley back from Joel.

  Riley, apparently, wasn’t looking for a response. “Which leads me to believe you’re not a distraction, but perhaps his failsafe for something. It’s a terrible thing when a man doesn’t have enough confidence in his own standing that he has to bring along not one but two females in order to ensure his safety with another man. Terrible indeed.”

  Joel openly glared. “You have—”

  Riley waved Joel’s words off, whatever it was he planned on saying. “Oh, don’t bother denying it, Joel. You are the only man inside and outside of this restaurant that believes the men in the Outfit are stupid and easily manipulated. Keep believing that, my boy, and they’ll run you straight into an early grave.”

  “I highly doubt that,” Joel muttered.

  “As I said, keep believing it, Joel, while the rest of us stand around and watch as someone digs six feet down into dirt where your casket will rest.”

  Adriano damn near laughed, but managed to hold it back somehow. Without even realizing it, Joel had given Riley an opening to start in on. And like the fucking shark Adriano knew his father to be, Riley would bite on and rip out a bloody, messy chuck, leaving Joel scrambling to pick up the pieces.

  It was Riley’s game. He played it especially well.

  Alessa’s gaze jumped between Joel and Riley. Adriano caught her stare in between, held it for a brief second, and then dropped it just as fast.

  “You’re mighty arrogant today,” Joel said.

  Riley chuckled. “No, Joel. I’m arrogant every day. I’ve earned this right. Someday, you might have the benefit of saying the same, but not today.”

  Adriano stayed quiet at his father’s side, grateful there was nothing between Joel and Riley that might possibly get caught in their heated glares. Even the men gathered around the room, watching the two front runners vying over the boss’s seat in the Outfit couldn’t help but stare, enraptured and likely confused.

  Who would win this one?

  The server broke Joel and Riley’s staring contest by setting the glass of whiskey to the table with a loud clink. She disappeared into the back of the place just as quickly as she’d came.

  “Is the engagement between Alessa and Dean still going through?” Riley asked, passing a look in the Artinos direction.

  “Of course, eventually,” Joel replied. “When the time is right. Why shouldn’t it?”

  Riley raised a single brow high. “A few reasons.”

  Joel didn’t look like he gave much of a damn. “Like what, Riley?”

  “Well, for one, because bosses typically okay an arrangement between families and there is no official boss to do that, Joel.”

  “I am more than capable of making those decisions for my sisters.”

  “Alessa is young,” Adriano said before he could stop himself. Alessa’s head snapped up, her pretty blue eyes widening with shock. “You’re planning to marry her off before she’s even had time to graduate college or do anything, Joel.”

  He knew better. Riley had been specific in his instructions that Adriano stay quiet during the meeting and learn from it.

  Joel’s gaze cut to Adriano. “I would love to know when my sister’s welfare became any of your concern, Conti.”

  Riley pinched his son’s thigh under the table hard enough to bruise. It kept Adriano quiet.

  “He, like any man in this family, has a right to an opinion where there is concern for someone else,” Riley said, almost like he was daring Joel to deny it. “And there is a great deal of concern to go around with this match you’re preparing to make between Alessa and Dean. Which brings me to my second point, Joel. You’re going to end up marrying your sister off far below her reaching. That is disgusting.”

  “I beg your fucking pardon, Conti?” Walter barked from the corner.

  Joel held up a hand, quieting the man. “Which one is too low for you, Riley? Dean or his father?”

  Riley laughed. “Both, my boy.”

  “Perhaps a marriage would be the chance for them to advance.”

  Christ.

  Joel was stupider than Adriano thought.

  “Does young Theo DeLuca realize that’s what the marriage is intended for?” Riley asked quietly. “Does he realize there are men moving in on him under the guise of a promised engagement? Or are you using the distress he’s feeling over his brother’s passing to help the Artino cause along?”

  Hushed mu
rmurs passed through the men in the restaurant.

  Too bad Theo was outside.

  Adriano was sure the man would be filled in eventually.

  Joel scowled. “You—”

  “My God, Joel,” Riley said, sighing. “You are nowhere near ready for the role you’re attempting to take from me. And you are nowhere near the man I am, so your useless attempt at marking me inept and incapable is entirely pointless. Save yourself the trouble, step down before I have to force your hand into it, and save what face you might have left for your men. If you have even the slightest ounce of respect for your family and your crew in this game, you will take my advice before I rip what sense of dignity you have left away. I’ve let you have your shows, shooting up my son’s car and making nice with other families, but I’m done with all that nonsense, Joel.”

  Flicking his wrist in Joel’s direction, Riley added, “I have given you every available chance to step down to me in the easy, honorable way. I can’t help but wonder if you even understand that stepping down for me to take the seat would be far from a failure on your part, but instead, an incredibly smart move. I have offered you my hand and a spot in this family even with Terrance—your father—dead in the ground. I have given you far more than any other man in this room would have, trust in that. After today, I don’t know that I’ll be willing to offer you the same thing again.”

  Silence echoed in the room. Not a fucking soul made a sound or moved an inch.

  Adriano swore he heard Joel’s teeth clench across the table.

  Alessa sucked in a quiet breath, eyeing her brother from the side. Even Abriella seemed to watch Joel with a little more interest, like maybe she was curious about what his reaction would be to Riley’s statement.

  Riley didn’t give Joel the chance to say anything as he stood fast from the table, tossed down three one-hundred dollar bills for the waitress, and straightened his jacket.

  “This is done, Joel,” Riley murmured calmly.

  Never once had Adriano’s father raised his voice. Not once had he physically threatened Joel or used the men he brought along to scare him into compliance. Riley didn’t need any of that. As much as Adriano hated to think that his father had only used Mia’s death as a way to advance his position in the Outfit, he couldn’t help but admit what he knew was a fact.