“You do realize who you work for? I know it isn’t in your blood, Adalina, but seriously, you need to think and be prepared. You’re a target. You work for Tudoro Garlitto and now will be seen with me and Solencio Monteith. People will know that you’re important and could try to grab you, hurt you to get to us.” He loosened his hold, her expression of shock more than likely causing him to settle down. He caressed her arm and then reached up and stroked her jaw.
“You are important to me,” he whispered.
“Turk, I’m fine. I’ve been taking care of myself for quite some time. Besides,” she said, pulling back and walking around him to gather her papers and avoid being close to him, “I am part of the legit side of this business. No one is going to come after me to get to any of you.”
She started to gather up her belongings while he looked around the apartment.
“Great view, but the security around here sucks.”
“It does not.” She put her files into her bag, and then she grabbed the dirty plate from her breakfast and walked it into the kitchen. She quickly washed it and could feel Turk standing a few feet behind her, watching her.
“Tudoro approves of this place?”
She swung her head around to look at him. “No, Tudoro doesn’t need to ‘approve’ this place. I’ve lived here for four years.”
He glanced around. “There are nicer places.”
“I like this one, and I know a lot of people who live in the building and also Al, the doorman.”
“Who is old and incapable of stopping anyone from entering the elevator to get to this floor.”
“If that happened, he would call security and the police would also come and probably arrive before the bad guy even got up here.” She wiped her hands and then started to walk past him. He caged her in and pressed her back against the counter. She held on to his forearms.
“I don’t like it.”
“It doesn’t matter that you don’t like it, Turk. This is my place, where I can get away from it all, lean back on that comfy couch, and look out at that view of the river and the city and remember why I choose to live in New York. I don’t need to live here and work. I choose to.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You would leave here?”
“If the circumstances called for it or I was compelled to, yes.”
He squeezed her hips.
“Turk, don’t. I told you already that I’m not interested. This is business and, also, the last time you come to pick me up here.” She went to move, and he wouldn’t let her go a moment, but she widened her eyes in challenge, and something changed in his expression. It was a warning to her but also he conceded this time, but her gut warned her not to defy this man.
“We’ll see about that, once I speak to Tudoro about this building and how you opened the door without knowing who was there.”
He stepped back, and she placed her hands on her hips and squinted at him.
“Seriously?” she asked.
His gaze swept over her body.
“You need protection, and I’m going to make sure you get it.”
She exhaled and threw her hands up in the air. The man was impossible to deal with. Impossible.
* * * *
Turk watched Adalina from the time he picked her up at her apartment. She was gorgeous, classy, and assertive and received a positive response from everyone she met. She asked great questions, even took notes, and by the time they met Solencio for lunch, she no longer seemed to tighten up when he touched her. She seemed a bit surprised at the choice of restaurant, though, and Turk couldn’t help but smirk at Solencio for choosing this one. It was Louie Costanza’s restaurant. Bella, Vinny, and Sunny’s uncle.
“Adalina, it’s so nice to see you.” Louie Costanza greeted her with a hug and kiss to her cheek hello before he reached out to shake their hands and greet Solencio, then Turk, then Broadway and Crane.
“You, too, Uncle Louie,” she stated and then looked around the place. “How is Aunt Gianna feeling?”
Turk noticed how she referred to them as if they were her family. It pissed him off and made him think that Vinny and Sunny had an upper hand in trying to snag her as their own. Two fucking guys. He was one man, and one strong enough, commanding enough to make a woman like Adalina beg for more and for mercy.
“Excuse me a moment while I go say hello,” she stated. She didn’t ask. One day she would learn to ask. He felt the hand on his shoulder.
“It’s fine. Remember she has known them for years. But them seeing her here with us, it sends a message. Believe me,” Solencio told him. He nodded, hoping that his boss was right.
“She liked the setup we have. I think the job is in the bag,” Crane stated.
“Of course she did, and it is in the bag. Tudoro already said it’s ours. This is a show, for Turk here, and to let those Costanza men know that she is off-limits.” Solencio winked then smiled as the waiter came over and started opening a new bottle of wine and pouring it.
* * * *
Adalina hugged Gianna and then looked at her. “You look wonderful, Aunt Gianna. You’re feeling well?”
“It’s a good week, Adalina. A good week.” She wiped her hands on her apron.
The kitchen was hustling and bustling with orders, and Adalina saw Miguel, a young man who was the son of her aunt’s neighbor.
“Miguel. Oh my God, how good to see you. I didn’t know you were working here.”
“Hi, Adalina. Your aunt got me the job,” he told her, and Gianna smiled.
“Your aunt called a few weeks ago. Seems Miguel was getting into hanging with the wrong crowds,” she told Adalina, and Adalina squinted at her.
“Don’t you worry. Sunny took care of everything. He makes sure that Miguel stays on the straight and narrow.”
Adalina was surprised to hear about this. It had been weeks since she spoke to her Aunt Helena, the woman who’d raised her as her daughter. She needed to go see her and also find out more about how Sunny had helped Miguel. It warmed her heart to know Sunny looked out for Miguel as well as her aunt.
“I’m glad to hear that. Well, I should head back out to the table. It’s a business meeting.”
“Oh, so it isn’t true?” Gianna asked.
“Gianna,” Louie scolded.
Gianna smiled and patted Adalina’s hand. “Have a good lunch and be sure to give your aunt my love.”
“Will do.” Adalina then turned to look up at Uncle Louie.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’ll walk you back out.”
She stopped him and looked around them before she spoke. She didn’t know why she did it or felt compelled to make an excuse for why she was here with Solencio and his men.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been by in a while. Things have been crazy,” she told him as they walked toward the main doors.
“New business position, I heard,” he said to her.
She glanced at the table, could see the men watching her. She turned to look at Uncle Louie.
“It’s just business, and, actually, my highlight to an otherwise boring and annoying morning will be your homemade ravioli.”
He smiled. “I know you love them. Been eating them since you were in kindergarten.”
She smiled, and then he looked past her, his eyes widening. She turned to see Dominick Coglonie with Alfredo and Toro, Vinny and Sunny’s cousins.
“Hey, what are the chances we see you here today, gorgeous?” Toro stated, heading toward her and pulling her into an embrace.
She hugged him tight and locked gazes with Alfredo and Toro. Toro immediately looked at the table with Turk and the others there.
She greeted them all with hugs, and Toro pulled her against his side.
“Join us for a drink and some lunch.”
“I can’t. I’m here on business,” she told him and nodded toward the table. Turk stood up.
“I don’t like the company you’re keeping, Adalina,” Alfredo whispered to her.
“It’s
business, Alfredo. Nothing more.”
“I’ll walk you back and say hello to Solencio,” Dominick said and placed his arm around her waist. She said goodbye to them and could see that Uncle Louie, Alfredo, and Toro were not happy about her doing business with these men and more than likely with Turk.
“Dominick, how are you?” Solencio asked, standing up to shake Dominick’s hand.
“I’m doing well, but not as well as you gentleman are, having this gorgeous, intelligent woman as your dining partner.” Dominick winked.
Turk placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “I think we’re going to like it so much we’ll make a habit out of it.” Turk pulled her chair out for her to sit. Then he said, “Or at least I will.” Turk poured Adalina a glass of wine.
She smiled at Dominick.
“Well, enjoy, and, Adalina, I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”
“Yes, you will. Take care and enjoy lunch.”
She crossed her legs and then looked back toward Alfredo and Toro as Dominick joined them. Toro pulled out his cell phone, and she wondered if he was calling Vinny and Sunny and informing them that she was with Turk. God, this was crazy. She didn’t want to be seen with these men or for it to seem as if she and Turk were an item. He leaned closer, and she felt his hand on her knee under the table. He gave it a squeeze.
“Aren’t you going to look at the menu?” Turk asked.
“No need to.” She pushed his hand off her knee and took a sip of her wine.
“So, Solencio, I’m sure by now Tudoro has sent over the contracts for this deal. What do you say we toast to it?” she asked, wanting to show Solencio and Turk that she wasn’t stupid and she knew things before they happened. Maybe it would keep them on their toes around her. Something told her it wouldn’t, but she would keep her distance from Turk any way she possibly could.
Solencio smiled. “I like you, Adalina. You’re a very sharp, intelligent woman, and you seem to have a knack for this type of business.” She and Solencio clinked glasses.
“I’ve known Tudoro for many years. Before we even set this meeting up and I got to see the warehouse and the offices, it was a done deal. That’s Tudoro though. When he sets his eyes on something, there is no talking him out of it.”
“He’s like a pit bull,” Crane stated, and they chuckled.
Turk placed his arm over the back of her chair.
“I can be the same way when there’s something I want,” Turk said, and before she could come back with some sort of retort, the waiter approached to take their order.
Chapter 5
“So what’s the problem?” Adalina asked Bella over the phone.
Adalina was typing on her laptop, trying to finish up some last-minute work before she headed out of the office. It had been a crazy week.
“I don’t know what to get Paulana for her thirtieth birthday. The party is tomorrow. What did you get her?”
“Shoot.” Adalina ran her fingers through her hair then checked the calendar.
“I forgot. Actually, I don’t know if I’m going to make it.”
“What? You have to. The family has been planning this for months. You helped to secure the hotel and the venue. Come on, Adalina, there’s no excuse.”
“Really, it’s been crazy with work…and other crap.”
“Are you talking to Tudoro yet?”
“No, and he’s not happy about it.”
“You’ve never stopped talking to him before. What happened, really?”
“Grrr, it’s a long story.”
“Well then, meet me and we can shop for a gift and catch up. I could use the time to talk, too, considering we may not get a moment alone tomorrow during the party.”
“Okay, but like I said, I’m not sure I can go.”
“You’re going, and that’s final. Meet me at Delia’s. Turbo is going to be with me, just so you know.”
“Aw, your own bodyguard. I bet Turbo is thrilled,” Adalina said, thinking of the big guy who was not exactly the personal bodyguard type.
“We get along very well, actually.”
Adalina chuckled.
“Okay, see you in about thirty minutes.”
“Great. Bye.”
Adalina disconnected the call then looked back at the screen. Something wasn’t right about these numbers and the quantities of products in these shipments from months ago. She knew the last guy was a bit of an idiot, but there seemed to be a pattern here, and she couldn’t put her finger on it. It was in the liquor deliveries. Every few months about a dozen cases went missing. That was a decent amount, but considering they were shipped by tractor-trailer load, some numbers could get screwed up. Well, not really, but her gut reacted. It wasn’t an error. Something wasn’t right.
She glanced at her watch. She would look deeper on Monday.
As she started to gather her things, her cell phone vibrated. She looked at the caller I.D. Turk. Who else? Like clockwork. She thought he was away on business or something.
“Hello.”
“Hey, gorgeous, finishing up work?”
“Just about. What can I do for you? I’m kind of in a hurry,” she said, being cold like she had been the last week. She knew that Tudoro had probably told him about their conversation and how pissed off she was that Tudoro was pushing for Turk to be her personal escort everywhere and hopefully more.
“Where are you going?”
“Out. Is there something you needed? I have a lot on my plate and was trying to finish up some last-minute details on the computer.” She logged out of the laptop then closed it up. She started to pack her bag and placed the laptop in there. Maybe tomorrow night or Sunday when she was home sitting around she would look further into the details of those shipments.
“Out where and with who?”
“None of your business. What did you need? Something work related?” she asked.
“Why are you being such a bitch?” he snapped at her, and her jaw dropped.
She didn’t react right away, and then his firm tone shot through the phone, rendering her speechless.
“Watch your tone and the way you speak to me. I’m a powerful man, one in charge and above you. So remember that. Now, where are you going?”
“Out.”
“Adalina, I’ll have Crane there in five minutes. Where the fuck are you going and with who?”
“Out with Bella shopping.”
“Was that so hard?”
She exhaled.
“I won’t be back into town until Monday. Crane will be available to escort you wherever you go.”
“I don’t need an escort.”
“I say otherwise.”
“Turk, you don’t own me, and I don’t work for you. Technically, you work for me, and our relationship is strictly business. I spoke with Tudoro, and he knows where I stand.”
“I spoke with him, too, and he knows where I stand. Wait for Crane.”
“No.” She disconnected the call and felt her body shaking. She knew the man was insane and acted possessive and controlling. It was part of why she’d called Tudoro to get Turk off her ass. He followed her everywhere and would just show up. He would be here right now if he weren’t away on business or whatever. Her phone started ringing. She saw it was him calling back. She packed the rest of her things and ignored the call.
“Fuck you, buddy. I’m my own woman, and enough is enough.”
* * * *
“Are you even looking at what I’m picking out?” Bella asked Adalina as they shopped in the boutique.
Adalina sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not really focusing.”
Bella touched her arm and held her gaze. “What is going on? Talk to me.”
“I can’t.”
“You won’t,” Bella replied, upset. “I’ve shared so much with you. Personal things.”
Adalina smirked. “I’m going fucking insane.”
“With the new job?”
“No, Turk.”
Bella stuck her tongue out. “He’
s bad news. I don’t know why you have to work with him and why he insists on being around you all the time. In fact, I was surprised he wasn’t here with you.”
“He’s away on business, and it isn’t my choice to have him near me.”
“Then whose is it?”
“Tudoro’s.”
“What do you mean?” Bella asked and glanced to the right where she saw Turbo listening in.
“Tudoro is protective of me. We’ve known one another forever, and his family and my aunt were close, so he feels like I need protection.”
“You mean from my brothers?” Bella said with her hands on her hips.
“Please, Bella, this is hard enough.”
“You like Vinny and Sunny.”
“What’s not to like? That isn’t the problem. The problem is Tudoro doesn’t trust them, and right now we’re doing business with the Monteith family and Turk is his main guy.”
“So what?”
“I know you’re new to how this power thing works, but I’m at the bottom of the totem pole, per se, here. Turk, Tudoro, Solencio, are up top. I have to do what Tudoro says to an extent.”
“So what? You’re going to let Turk manipulate you and force you into a relationship you don’t want?” Bella asked, shocked.
“No, actually I told off Tudoro after I was forced to have lunch at your uncle’s restaurant with Turk, Crane, Broadway, and Solencio. Turk acted like I was his woman.”
“I heard about that.”
“Wonderful.”
“What happened?”
“As soon as lunch was over, I said I was heading home and Turk insisted on bringing me home. I couldn’t get out of it, and one thing led to another and he got handsy.”
“Did he force himself on you?” Bella asked, and then Adalina glanced up and realized Turbo was listening in. He narrowed his eyes at her.
“I took care of it,” she said loud enough for him to hear, and then she looked at Bella.
“It’s bullshit, that’s all. I haven’t spoken to Tudoro since, and Turk keeps calling me, and right before I came here to meet you, he got pissed off and demanding with me, so I hung up the damn phone. He’s called and left several messages, and to be honest, I’m waiting for Crane or Broadway to show up here.”
Made Men 2: Forbidden Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 6
