Bella smiled bigger and nodded. Wow, she was totally on a journey to self-discovery and all that shit. Maybe locking herself away and protecting her heart had been good in the past, maybe not, but possibly she should branch out, but slowly there are just too many…people out there.
With a little wave she moved to the hallway and wanted to laugh out loud, maybe not though, she may scare someone. As she approached the door to the office she heard voices and pushed open the door without knocking. All of the men were sitting at a huge table. They turned and looked at her but it was Ricco who stood and walked to her and smiled.
“Bella,” he said smoothly. “How is Carmi?”
She sighed and said, “Sleeping, I assume she will wake up with a raging headache and be a raging bitch because she is in pain.”
“This is new?” Raph snorted and Bella glared at him. “Sorry!” he said and held up his hands.
“Come on, we were discussing the men who we now have identified,” Ricco said smoothly and led her to the table where there was a stack of papers already waiting for her. Nice, he hadn’t been thinking about cutting her out, she had been a little worried about that.
“Dinner is—” Bella said and Ricco squeezed her hand.
“Let’s do this quickly. So, the Black Hearts,” Ricco prompted Bruno who had apparently been talking.
“The leader, a Jonas ‘Grim’ Lone has been president of the club for years. He claims that the Acciai family stole their money and their land. They came to Vegas in order to appeal to the Tomasi family whom they thought were enemies of the Acciai family. They want the mine, and the land, and they will not stop until they get it. Once they found out Bella wouldn’t cooperate, they apparently think if they hurt her, her father will be more forthcoming with help.”
“Well that will not work,” Ricco said. “So we know they have fifty, is there a possibility there could be more?”
Bruno shook his head but Raph is the one who answered. “No, they are the scum of the MC world. According to Z and Te, no one wants anything to do with them. They know if they did, the Ops would come down on them, none of them want that.”
“So that will help a little, however, it does not cut down the numbers any from fifty, so we plan for that many and hope they don’t all show,” Ricco said.
Bella tilted her head and said, “How much firepower do you have?”
Ricco smiled. “More than enough, I just didn’t want to bury that many people on my land.”
She shook her head and said, “Well, first we need to make sure they know where we are, I do not want our casinos to be affected.”
“Dinner,” Ricco announced and the men got up and walked to the door. Bella and Ricco were the only ones standing in the room together when he spoke again. “You seem different.”
She frowned and looked at him. “How so?”
“Don’t take offense to this, babe, but you can be a cold bitch when you want, suddenly you are cooperative, why?”
“What do you know about me, really know about me?” Bella asked and Ricco smiled.
“Your mother died when you were young, she was murdered right in front of you. After that, your father protected you, made sure you always had a guard, you went to college, got a degree in Business, then a masters. You began to help your father three years ago, firmly announcing your intention of taking over for him when he stepped down. You moved to Vegas a year and a half ago taking over the Rome, brought it around, made it what your father wanted. Since you began helping your father you have killed six men, all of them have been in Vegas where you earned the title Black Widow since your first kill was your fiancé.”
Bella nodded slowly and said, “Those are the facts.”
Ricco shrugged. “I was thorough checking you out.”
“Well, like I said those are the facts, but the facts are not always the whole story. Yes, I began helping my father with the intention of taking over for him when he stepped down. It is what is expected in the family, even though I am a woman. When my mother died I knew my father would never marry again. He had told me stories when I was young about how he took over for his father. He always said I was his princess, and was happy with me, even if my mother didn’t give him a son. I just did what I knew he wanted, which was to turn it over to his child. The kills, well, my fiancé was making a play to take over my father, I discovered it the night before the wedding, and I would never let that happen. I did what I had to do in order to protect him. The others, there was a drug dealer who peddled drugs to minors, a pedophile, a traitor to my father, a rapist, and of course the man who threatened me. There were reasons behind every single man I killed, they weren’t just because, they were needed. Some people may not understand why I did what I did. However, those people who have children can sleep a little better at night knowing those scum are no longer around their children. And the others, you will never be a leader if you constantly have someone plotting to overthrow your leadership. True, I could have kicked them out, but then what, they would come back and it would be worse. All of the men who enter this family know the risks, they make the choices. If they are loyal, like Bruno, then they are rewarded. Bruno knows anything he wants or needs, all he needs to do is ask. I would do everything I could to make sure it would happen. No questions asked,” Bella explained and then shrugged. “If that makes me cold and unfeeling, then so be it. Since my mother died I have been around men, and very few women, I was awkward and truthfully, I missed my mom. I wanted someone to comfort me, Carmi was the only one who offered me a friendship asking for nothing in return. She also lost her mother, although in a much worse way, but still. I have and will always be reserved around people I do not know. I don’t feel comfortable in crowds, all that smiling and fakeness, really isn’t me. I am just me. When I feel comfortable around people, I tend to loosen up. I am pretty sure, after everything that has happened, you should realize I am comfortable around you.”
“Why?” Ricco frowned. “Not that I am asking for why I am so amazing, I just mean, why me?”
Bella smiled and shook her head. “At the police station when you got the call from Raph, you told me immediately what happened, you didn’t hide it, or try to make me feel better, no, you took my hand and sat with me, offering me nothing but your presence.”
Ricco nodded. “That was all it took?”
“No one has ever done that, ever,” Bella said simply and then pulled back and turned to leave.
Ricco shook his head and said, “Whoa there, princess.”
She looked at him with a wary expression and raised her eyebrows. “What?”
Ricco pulled her back and then leaned over and kissed her lips softly and whispered against them, “Have we come to an accord?”
Bella chuckled and shook her head. “No, we have come to an intersection, which way things go, will depend on your actions.”
Ricco frowned. “But you just said.”
“No, I said I relaxed around you and opened the door. You need to walk through it and prove you are worthy of my affections.”
Chapter Eight
Two days they had been in the mansion and Bella’s patience was wearing thin. Not only was Carmi a horrible patient, but the guys were completely locked in the office most days, trying to track where the Black Hearts were at. So far nothing, it was like they vanished from the face of the earth.
From their old compound in Arizona, to any hotel in Vegas, not one of the fifty men who claimed to be part of the club had shown up. They were currently tracing last known addresses and any other information they were finding on the net during their search. It was frustrating to say the least.
Carmi was constantly wanting to get up and move around, even though the doctor told her no, so Bella was forced to remain in her room all day and not leave until she was sure Carmi was asleep, then she walked the three steps to her room, which she had to admit was freaking amazing. Bruno had thankfully brought her clothes, when she had seen the huge tub and shower in her bathroom though,
she hadn’t even worried about them. It was like heaven, she wasn’t sure who designed this place, but whoever it was, she wanted to kiss. Everything a girl could want was in the bathroom. Lighting over the mirrors on dimmers. Lights in the shower and also in the bath, which gave a glow that was relaxing and comforting.
“Come on,” Carmi groaned and slammed her hand down on the bed. “Let me at least have my sidearm. What if they come in here when I am sleeping, I need to have it by my side?”
Bella rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know where you come up with this shit, but tone it down. The doc said you needed to rest to heal, and dammit, you are gonna do exactly what he said.”
Carmi frowned at her and then snapped, “I know my own body, the bullets hit the fat, that is the only place, the fatty tissue, which means, one, I need to be running more because apparently I have enough fatty tissue to stop a bullet, but I may have the wrong take on that because you know how much I love my cake, and if eating it gives me a little cushion, then hell yeah that would work too. Two, fatty tissue doesn’t hurt, so really the only pain I have is in the ass because you will not let me get up. Basically either way, it is a win-win situation for me because guess what? I AM FINE!”
Bella threw up her hands. “That’s it, I have had enough, do what you are gonna do, but if you pass out on the way down the stairs I am stepping over your body and moving on.”
Carmi glared at her and threw back the covers and moved slowly, but she did move without grimacing. She would never have known her friend was in pain if she hadn’t watch the small beading of sweat that built up on her lip. Bella fought the urge to snicker at her, but she knew it would only make Carmi want to get up more.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and then finally grimaced a little when she tried to stand on her leg. “Son of the fucking biscuit,” Carmi swore and fell back on the bed.
Bella crossed her arms over her chest and said, “I—”
“Do not fucking say it, not unless you want a foot up your ass,” Carmi growled and Bella smiled and finished her sentence in her head…told you so.
“Okay fine, at least let me help you back into bed.”
“NO!” Carmi yelled and Bella heard a male voice chuckle. She turned and saw Ricco and Raph both in the doorway staring at the two of them.
“Feeling a little cooped up?” Ricco drawled.
Carmi tilted her head back and snapped, “Yes, I am bored as shit, and Florence Nightingale is a bitch on wheels.”
Ricco shook his head and laughed. “Well, let’s see if we can do something about that.”
“Really?” Bella said hopefully. Ricco nodded and held out his hand. She walked to him and took it then watched as Raph walked into the room to Carmi’s bed and picked up her without speaking.
The two men took them down the stairs and through the kitchen where Lucia and Maria were cooking and laughing. They saw Bella and Carmi and waved and said hello. Both of the women loved them now, and it was amazing how much she missed having a mother figure. Maria had explained to her last night how she never had any children, she took care of Ricco and his brothers for a long time, but when Ricco moved here, she requested to follow because her sister lived close. Bella expressed her sympathy and Maria had smiled, shook her head, and put a hand on her cheek. “Bella, if I had a daughter…”
She had choked up, and honestly Carmi had almost been worse, but whatever, the women loved Carmi and her so if the guys were assholes, they wouldn’t be getting any gelato for dinner.
They walked onto the back patio, which they had only been able to look at from the inside. It was gorgeous, the green trees and grass must cost a fortune to upkeep, but Bella was too entranced to ask. They continued until she saw two small cottages. She frowned but followed as Ricco pulled her behind him.
“That house is my vault, we can look at it later,” Ricco said as he looked around and pointed to the side of the small buildings. “Over there, we will also use later, it is a firing range, we will get some practice in soon. We need to be on our toes when they come.”
She nodded and Carmi yelled over Raph’s shoulder, “I am coming too.”
Ricco waved as they continued on. “So, this house is a spare cabin. I usually let my parents stay here when they come to town, or my brothers. But since they aren’t here much, I actually only set it up for guests when they are coming, the rest of the time, Raph and the other guys convinced me to turn it into…”
Carmi crowed loudly and would have bounced right out of Raph’s arms when she saw the inside. Curious, Bella moved forward and laughed when she walked in.
“Are you serious?”
Ricco shrugged and said, “Game house, the guys like to come out here and have a break from the tourists, I give them a place to go. In the back there are two bedrooms, which are always open for anyone who needs to crash. Also, there is a pool house connected to the back, it has both a sauna, hot tub, and pool all climate controlled so it doesn’t get too hot out here.”
“This is,” Bella started and Carmi finished.
“THE FUCKING BOMB! They have Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, all of them, look, and a wall size TV to play, movies up the ass, and OMG, is that a pinball machine?”
Ricco chuckled. “Raph likes the classics.”
Carmi looked at him and folded her arms across her chest. “That does not mean I like you, just because you have excellent taste in game.”
Raph chuckled and sat her down in a plush leather chair, there were six of them and they were all top of the line reclining gaming chairs. Ricco pulled Bella further past the large room to where there was a sliding glass door. He pushed it open and then entered, there was a huge Olympic sized pool all glassed in with tinted windows, and there were several small areas with chairs and table scattered around. It didn’t even smell like a pool, it smelt like, flowers. She grinned as Ricco pulled her to two doors, he pointed in them and said, “Changing rooms, come on, let’s go for a swim.”
Hell yeah, she thought when she opened the door and looked in. Brand new swimsuits were folded neatly on shelves and when she poked through them she saw all different sizes. With a grin she closed the door and pulled off her shirt. A swim sounded wonderful, since working all the time she hadn’t had any time to have fun, this was fun to her.
She pulled out a one piece, with a grin, it was black and simple. Quickly she changed into the suit but when she looked in the mirror she could see it wasn’t as simple as she thought. The sides were cut high so you could see a lot of skin, and the back plunged down to right above her ass. She turned and groaned. Leave it to Ricco to even make something as innocent as a swim turn into a seduction, and she had no doubt in her mind that was what this was.
Bella took a deep breath and walked out of the changing room. He was standing right there, with his back to her, giving her a prime opportunity to look at his now swimsuit clad body. And oh what a sight he made. His broad shoulders, his lean legs filled out with the perfect amount of muscles. And he was wearing a speedo, hells to the yeah, she thought when he turned and her eyes were still pointed down. Holy crap, his was packing.
He chuckled and her eyes swung up and she glared at him. He held out his hands and said, “Sorry, continue your shameful exploitation of my body with your thoughts.”
Bella walked slowly toward him as he stood just off the edge of the deep end. With a grin, she ran a hand up his chest and his eyes were focused on her. Bella licked her lips and whispered, “You wish,” and she pushed him in the pool.
Ricco looked surprised when he went into the water, but when he surfaced she saw the glint of something there. He was plotting, she thought and then smiled and walked slowly to the other end of the pool where there were stairs. She made sure she put an extra little wiggle in her hips as she walked, although it shouldn’t be a problem, she was not skinny.
Ricco remained where he was, treading water but his eyes were on her. She grinned and stuck a toe in the water and moved it around. Then sh
e took a step down, perfect. Another step, and Ricco began drifting toward her. By the time she reached the bottom of the pool the water was waist high and Ricco was emerging from the water and grinning.
“Think that was funny?” he muttered and she nodded.
“Of course, you are way too arrogant.”
He shrugged and said, “Maybe, but still you know you want me.”
Bella laughed. “I am beyond physical hook-ups that don’t mean anything.”
Ricco tilted his head and then nodded. “Me too.”
Bella licked her lips again. “We don’t know each other.”
“I know you,” he said.
“Well, I don’t know you, other than what is on paper, I know the basics, but I don’t know the man,” she said and swung her hand on top of the water, making small little waves. Ricco stopped again and stared at her.
“Okay,” he said smoothly. “What do you want to know?”
She shook her head. “Please, like having one conversation would ever allow me to get to know you.”
“Really? Then how do I know you so well. We have only been nice to each other for a total of three days. Before that, we fought. However, I know you care about your people, yes, you told me the other night, but now I am actually calling you on that bullshit. It isn’t the people who are close to you that you would do anything for. It is any of your people. When the casino called yesterday and told you one of the worker’s cars had broken down for the third time and the manager was going to fire the woman. You said no, you said no because you knew she was a single mother with a mom to take care of as well as two small children. You also told your manager to go and find her a car, a dependable one she would not have to worry about. You told him to pay with your credit card you had on file. I also know that you love your family, that is your father, Carmi, her father, and Bruno. You would do anything for them, including making sure Bruno’s dog was taken care of, and Carmi’s apartment was locked up and had a guard on it. You also call your father every morning, not to talk business, but to make sure he takes his pills and vitamins without argument. You have taken to Maria and Lucia and they have taken to you. Maria was all a flutter about recipes you had your father’s secretary scan and send her from your mother’s cookbook from the old country. She was so excited because they reminded her of her mother’s recipes. And let’s not forget the very cool duster you showed Lucia and ordered for her that has an extension so she doesn’t need to crawl on the chairs or ladders anymore,” Ricco said and took a step closer. “And finally, I know you are worried about not only me, but my men, when you really don’t have to, but you do because you make sure every night that in the office where the night shift is working always has a fresh fruit tray, bottles of water, and of course a huge sandwich which you make, not Maria, since you told her you would take care of it since she is on her feet all day long.”
Capo Ricco Page 6
