Violent Daylight

by Caroline Angus Baker

  “But if they do find it?”

  “I don’t know what that means for us. Come on, leaders of prominent institutions like ours lie and steal. There have been all sorts of financial impropriety. Is anyone languishing in prison? No. As long as the appeals court exists, we are going to be fine,” Canna smiled.

  “Though perhaps shamed and stripped of our money and titles.”

  “There are worse things.”

  “Maybe for you, there are.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, Giorgio, I enjoy billionaire status. It’s even more fun when you have the money but none of the responsibility of being a billionaire. Leadership has been thrust upon us. I saw your uncle Giuseppe struggle with the pressure of the role as head of this company for years, and it’s not pretty. Be careful what you wish for.”

  “I don’t want to be ordinary.”

  Canna scoffed. “No one wants that. I think we need to acknowledge the fact that the brothel is part of our business. We can say it’s owned by a subsidiary of the company, and we didn’t know about it, or we can say it’s ours and it’s a legitimate business.”

  “My wife would like me to say I had no idea about the brothel.”

  “Never mind what Tatiana wants. I’m the face of this problem, not you.”

  “You could surrender leadership of the company to me if you wanted.”

  “You would love that, wouldn’t you? You must be pleased that the opportunity to get rid of me has arisen so soon.”

  “We need to go to Naples and check out this brothel. You’re ultimately listed as the owner.”

  “The director of Caraceni Properties is the owner.”

  “But you are his boss.”

  “So are you.”

  “So,” Giorgio shrugged, “let’s go to Naples.”

  “Now?”

  “Why not? We have a plane. It only takes an hour.”

  “What purpose would it serve?’

  “We should take a look at what we own, see if it’s all legal, that the girls are old enough to work there and whether we can make some money off them.”

  “Make money off them lying on their backs?”

  “For the prices they charge, it’s more than just on their backs. In reality, what is the difference between the prostitutes in the brothels and you sleeping with my uncle?”

  “I loved your uncle once.”

  “Sure you did.” Giorgio fiddled with his iPad for a moment and handed it to Canna. “Here,” he smiled, “look at the brothel website. Check out the video.”

  Canna took it from him and started the clip. The video launched straight into a threesome with two beautiful young girls and a guy, whose fake groans of passion made her stomach turn. She stopped it and flicked it back into Giorgio’s hands. “I hate porn.”

  Giorgio had a smug grin. “So, you don’t have the stomach to own a brothel?”

  “I have no problem with legal, consensual prostitution. But porn is different, it incorrectly portrays sex. I feel sorry for people who see sex as something solely for pleasure.”

  “Does it have any other purpose?”

  “It does. If you don’t know what it is, you clearly haven’t loved someone.”

  “I like to get laid, what can I say?”

  “Your wife is a lucky lady,” Canna said sarcastically.

  “My wife drives me crazy. I can’t stand her.”

  “If we go to the brothel, you could try the merchandise.”

  “I don’t have to pay for sex. I have a mistress.”

  “We all pay for sex, one way or another.”

  “Then why can’t you and I go and see how we can make some money out of other people having sex?”

  ~~~

  Canna sat in silence throughout the flight to Naples. She wanted to call Claudio, just to hear his voice. As long as Giorgio sat in earshot, it was a lousy idea. She hated the Caraceni private plane; it seemed like a symbol of gluttony.

  She tossed her phone into her handbag as they walked across the private runway of Naples Municipal Airport. It had been raining, and the ground seemed slippery as hell in her sky-high black heels. Despite her best efforts, her heart almost stopped when she slipped on the wet concrete, but Giorgio grabbed her arm and held her upright.

  “Fuck,” she muttered. “What a lovely way to start the trip. Grazie.”

  “Prego,” Giorgio said and let her arm go. He reached out and brushed his hand against her ear. “Your earring is caught in your hair,” he said as he untangled to pearl drop. He brushed a black curl behind her ear for her.

  “Is attentiveness the trick to getting into women’s pants?”

  “Usually works.”

  “Not this time, sunshine.”

  Giorgio laughed. “You would need considerably more wooing than just a few kind gestures.”

  “Trust me, whatever it takes to ‘woo’ me, you don’t have any of it.”

  “You’re a lady of specific tastes.”

  “I am.”

  “Tastes like my uncle. That was a bold play for money. Uncle Giuseppe was a hard man.”

  “I loved Giuseppe.”

  Giorgio opened the door of the waiting car. “Sure.”

  “Don’t believe me, I don’t care.”

  ~~~

  “I haven’t been to Naples in years,” Canna commented as they headed through the streets of the ancient city. “We stayed at the Hotel Excelsior, overlooking the Bay of Naples and out towards Vesuvius. Pizza, coffee, gelato… Naples knows how to relax.”

  “And the mafia is very in control,” Giorgio as he sat in the seat next to her.

  “That’s just a generalisation.”

  “Why do you think I had to bribe a government official to get the construction job here?” Giorgio shot back. “It’s because these people are dodgy. The job has cost a fortune and almost isn’t worth the hassle. If Caraceni hadn’t been in such a shaky financial position, Giuseppe wouldn’t have put in a bid on the job. The way they do business here compared to back home… it’s not pleasant.”

  “I’m not interested, I don’t live here.”

  “You don’t care about anything unless it affects you directly, do you?”

  “I don’t care about anything, full stop.”

  “That’s what I like about you,” Giorgio smirked.

  “Shut up.”

  “Catherine, I’m not the enemy. I have no soul… just like you.”

  Canna eyed the man next to her, and he smiled again. He had a point; Giorgio Savelli was the male equal of Canna Medici. He saw the world her way - full of idiots who could be manipulated. That was what made him hard to trust. Had he not been the nephew of her late husband, Giorgio could have been a whole lot of fun, wife or not. His dark green eyes displayed no warmth or kindness, much like Canna’s eyes. He had her smug smile.

  The overly-long moment of their gaze at one another snapped when the driver pulled the car to the side of the road. “This is the address you gave, Signore,” the driver said over his seat.

  “Have you been here before?” Canna asked him.

  “Si, Signora, it’s a popular place. Though, just for men. Not women.”

  “There aren’t many women like this woman right here,” Giorgio said as Canna climbed out of the car. “I want you to wait here for us, as long as it takes.”

  Canna looked up at the building in front of her. The row of high-end stores glittered along the beautifully kept street, and the 300-year old four-storey building gave away none of its secrets. Giorgio directed her to a single door between two clothing stores.

  They scaled a steep staircase before they stepped into a minimalist reception room, headed a beautiful young woman, who seemed nervous when Giorgio gave his name. They moved through to a lounge filled with plush antique furniture and mood lighting.

  “My name is Tia,” the young woman said as Canna and Giorgio sat down on a leather couch. “The boss will be with you in a moment, and asked me to give you anything you may like.”

 
“I’m interested in the financials that your boss will be providing, but I would like to take a quick look around, just to see the facilities,” Canna replied.

  “I can give you the full tour. However, certain rooms are occupied. We promise full discretion to our clients at all times."

  “Naturally,” Canna retorted, and tried to hide her smile. She glanced over at Giorgio and watched him feast his eyes on the young woman. His eyes started at her sleek high ponytail, past her bright eyes and over-painted lips, and stopped at her perky breasts and tiny waist. Tia had squeezed her perfect body into a very short black dress.

  “I would like to meet some of the staff,” Giorgio said and licked his lips.

  “Of course, Signore,” young Tia said. “I’m sure we can help…”

  “I’m sure,” Canna muttered.

  “I didn’t mean to suggest that your husband would be introduced to anything that would fall outside the boundaries of your marriage,” Tia stuttered.

  Canna snorted. The titles of Catherine Savelli and Giorgio Savelli had confused the girl. “Oh no, I’m not offended. I can assure you that the boundaries of our arrangement are wide open.” Canna paused when Giorgio threw her a look. “In fact, Giorgio is due to have a birthday soon. Perhaps you have something I could buy him as a gift?”

  “Anything particular?”

  “Giorgio was looking at your website earlier. There was a video…”

  “It is very popular.”

  “Catherine,” Giorgio tried to interrupt.

  “No, my darling,” she gushed. “You can have whatever you like for your birthday.” Canna turned back to Tia. “You see, in his video, one of the women was lying on the bed, fondling her own breasts. Another woman had her head between this woman’s legs. That second woman had a decidedly eager tongue. I have never seen a woman be so pleasured by another. I’m sure the most satisfaction came from the man, who had the second woman positioned doggie-style while he fucked her from behind. That would be quite a sight in front of any man while he comes.”

  “That is one position the woman can try,” Tia replied as if she were describing something as straightforward as a floral arrangement. “For threesomes, we do recommend Viagra beforehand. That way, the client can take women as many times as he likes with less fatigue on his erection.”

  “Wise choice,” Canna said as if she had just ordered coffee and a dessert. “Tell me, while I’m in a business meeting with your boss, are there two women who could take care of the gentleman here? I know Giorgio is dying for a terrifically hard fuck.”

  “Is there a particular style of woman that you would like for your birthday, Signore?” Tia asked Giorgio as she dialled a number on her phone.

  “Why are you doing this?” Giorgio muttered to Canna. “Is this funny to you?”

  “Not at all.” Canna turned back to Tia. “Do you have blondes with olive skin available?” Canna asked Tia, who nodded. “I think he likes something completely different to how I look when he steps outside our relationship.”

  “For fucks sake,” Giorgio said while Tia spoke on the phone. “Catherine, I get it. You’re annoyed about the porn I showed you. This isn’t funny.”

  “You’ve fucked women other than your wife since you got married, haven’t you?”

  “I have a mistress. I don’t just fuck anyone.”

  Canna snorted again. “How noble of you. What if I said that it would make me horny to know you were fucking two strangers while I dealt with the manager here?”

  “I would say you’re a liar.”

  “We are both liars. I think we can agree we both love sex, too. I saw that you were about to wet your pants because of young Tia.”

  No sooner than Tia had finished her call, a door opened and young almost identical blondes appeared. They had every surgical enhancement that a woman with zero self-esteem needed. To their management’s credit, they were beautiful and so young. The two women gravitated towards Giorgio and Canna pulled the salivating man to his feet. “Ladies,” she said to the pair. “I know you’re classy, and I need a favour. I want you to keep my darling busy. He has been under so much stress, and desperately needs to fuck your brains out. Both of you.”

  “Sounds fun,” one of them said.

  “Would you like to watch?” the other asked Canna.

  “I would love to, but I’m afraid that I have business to attend.”

  They each lead Giorgio away, who didn’t even bother to glance back at Canna before he disappeared out of sight. “Men, they’re so fickle,” Canna chuckled.

  “Indeed. It’s good for business,” Tia replied.

  “I assume those girls are over 18.”

  “Always, we have a strict policy, and we enforce that rule. We have video cameras in every room, to monitor their safety. We also enforce a safe sex rule.”

  “That’s comforting for wives. Please, tell me, do you know a man called Max Cabrini?”

  “I cannot give you details about clients.”

  “Even for a substantial fee?”

  “Even then.”

  “Your boss, Tia? I’m his boss. I’m sure you read the paper this morning; you look like a smart girl. If government officials frequent this brothel, I really need to know.”

  “You’re Contessa di Caraceni?”

  “The one and only. All the rumours you’ve heard about the family, they’re all true. You have to be nice to me, for your sake.”

  Tia took a deep breath. “The clientele we have includes Max Cabrini, but also many other members of the government and local council. We also have clients from out of town. We are a high-end, top-shelf escort service, with no limits on the services we can provide men, women and couples.”

  “Do you supply male prostitutes?”

  “Yes. They provide sex for men and women. If you like…”

  “No, I don’t like,” Canna stopped her. “I have a financial interest. I just need Giorgio distracted while I get to know this place.”

  “Of course, Contessa. We do distraction well. I feel for Signore Cabrini. He has been accused of sexual deviances. The people who accuse him of this so-called ‘impropriety’ routinely visit here. I doubt there will be any investigation into this place. We’re a private business, and it’s perfectly legal.”

  “I like this place. Could you go and see what is keeping your boss?”

  Tia nodded and left the room. Canna pulled her phone from her bag and pressed one on her speed dial. A special person occupied number one spot. It rang and rang, and she imagined him watching his phone, debating whether or not to answer.

  “Hello.” Claudio sounded reluctant to talk.

  “I’m in Naples, at Discrezione Bellissima. I just sent Giorgio off with two lovely blonde prostitutes.”

  She heard Claudio cough. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “Giorgio had this bright idea of taking me to the brothel to shock me. He wanted to cause me trouble, so I set him up with two girls. Now, next time he bothers me, I can threaten to tell his wife what happened here. They have cameras in every room, for insurance purposes.”

  “Blinky, you’re truly wicked.”

  “They offered me a hooker, male or female.”

  “Any interest?”

  “Not in any man. Plus, I don’t think I would make a good lesbian, even for a short while. It doesn’t excite me.”

  “What a shame.”

  “Have I discovered a fantasy of yours?”

  Claudio laughed. “No. I’m too old for sex games.”

  “Too old or too smart?”

  “You decide.”

  “Too smart, I hope.”

  “I love you. I don’t need silly games with others, be them lovers or strangers. I only want you.”

  Canna smiled. “It’s weird to speak of love while in a brothel. I can see how handy this place could be, not just for cash flow, but also in terms of being able to blackmail people. People make themselves look weak by visiting here.”

  “Like I say, you’re wic
ked.”

  “I’m sorry about last night.”

  “Wow, did you choke on those words?”

  “Very funny! Look, I’m sorry for not telling you that I went to meet Dane, and I’m sorry I had wine with lunch. I needed wine. I felt anxious.”

  “You don’t get anxious.”

  “Sometimes I do. I love you, Claudio. I’m not a complete asshole.”

  Claudio sighed. “No, I don’t think you’re an asshole. You’re just extremely… strong.”

  “Did I hurt your masculinity? I let you rescue me from my addiction. Does that satisfy your need to be in charge?”

  “I don’t want to be in charge. I’m sorry that I argued with you last night.”

  “I need to be here. I want to see you, but I need to work.”

  “I’m not stupid, but I miss you. You came to London and bought me a house and tried to fix my career troubles. I can’t even run my own life.”

  “I just tried to help!”

  “You did help, and I appreciate it. Blinky, it’s normal to want to take care of someone you love. You don’t give me that opportunity.”

  “I will go and catch the flu, and then come and see you so you can take care of me.”

  “Thank you.”

  Canna chuckled. “It feels weird to be talking about love and care. Right here, all that matters are pleasure and money.”

  “You love both of those things.”

  “But I love you far more.”

  “Then let’s not argue anymore.”

  Canna watched the door open, and a well-dressed man entered. “I will call you later.” She hung up the phone and stood up to greet the man. “Signore Leon, I understand you can help me,” she said. “I want to know my business better, starting with your client list.”

  CHAPTER 12

  NAPLES

  Canna started to worry about Giorgio from the moment they boarded the plane for Milan. He seemed hyped up, and even a quick threesome didn’t have that much effect. Canna had all the information she needed from Signore Leon about the brothel. Half of the Naples government had been in that brothel, and many of Caraceni’s directors had as well, all taking advantage of a discreet discount. Now Giorgio had emerged from his sexual dalliance a changed man.