“How was school today, son?” By the look on Nero’s face, he knew he understood what he meant.
“Promising. I got her to come around.”
“Really? How’s that?” He studied his son. He would make sure everything that came from his mouth was the whole fucking truth.
“I gained her trust. She’s not exactly the most popular girl in school, so I made them lay off her and her friend a little. Then I got lucky and one of them slashed her friend’s tires, the same friend who takes her to and from school. Took her home. Taking her to school. Going to make that a permanent thing.”
“That’s good. Do you have any proof you have her trust? Not that I don’t believe you, Son, but she’s smarter than you think.” He did believe Nero was telling the truth; he just knew a girl like Elle could pull the wool over his eyes.
“Yeah, she gave me her work schedule. Told her I needed it to see when we could go out sometime.” Nero handed over his phone with the picture already up on the screen. Boss Caruso looked it over.
He heard the flip of the lighter open, then it firing, his older son moving on to another cigarette. He watched him flip the lighter shut. His son had learned every Zippo trick out there. He’s gonna break the fucking thing soon. The only reason he didn’t take it back was because he knew his son would get it repaired if need be.
He took out a cigar. He didn’t care about the smells mixing at this point. He pulled out his own lighter and lit the end.
Inhaling the wonderful taste, he moved on, “So, what is it you really wanted to tell me?”
He watched Nero run his hands through his hair. “I don’t think she will ever tell. She keeps a lot of shit hidden. Been beat up real bad a couple of times, but would never tell who it was. I asked her if a certain person did something to her, and she protected him. He’s a real piece of shit, too, so there’s no reason for her not to tell. I asked her why and she told me she wasn’t a rat.”
He exhaled after a long hit. “She said that she wasn’t a rat, specifically?” When he watched his son nod, he flexed his jaw. He would move on for now. “Who is her friend?” Elle might tell her over anyone.
To his surprise, his other son answered the question and Nero looked just as shocked. “Chloe Masters.” He watched his son emerge from the corner and squeeze Nero’s shoulder. “You’re welcome, brother. I figured she might have given you something good for taking her home. I hope you can save her by her eighteenth birthday. You don’t mind sharing, do you? Don’t worry; you can have her first. Virgins aren’t my thing. I prefer a little experience.”
Nero stood, looking his brother in the face. “I don’t think either of us are her type.”
“Let’s hope she learns how to willingly love a Caruso in a month. You know, for her sake.” He inhaled his cigarette, letting the end turn bright red.
“Yeah, Lucca, let’s hope that ends up being me. You know, for her sake.” Nero left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Boss Caruso squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Chloe Masters, huh?”
Lucca finally took a seat in front of him. “That’s the one.”
“Shit, we were all getting along so well.” The relationship they had with Chloe’s father was crucial to his business. It had taken a while to get him on his payroll, and it hadn’t been easy.
“Yeah, one big, happy family.” Lucca put his cigarette out in the ashtray and got up to head for the door.
“Keep following her, son.”
He had known the second he saw that one-week schedule, Elle was one step in front of Nero. He owned the Casino Hotel; therefore, he knew schedules were typically more than a week in advance.
“I planned on it, boss.” Lucca left the room without a sound. Boss Caruso wasn’t even sure the door had closed.
He thought about what Nero had said as he brought the cigar to his mouth. ‘She told me she wasn’t a rat.’ His gut had been right; she had done more than just hear what happened in that alleyway, and he was going to do whatever it took to find out exactly what she had seen. He exhaled in an attempt to get rid of the horrible cigarette smell permeating the room. I’ve seen a lot of men turn rat.
* * *
Nero walked out of the room, fuming on the inside. He only hoped he didn’t give himself away. When he made it to the elevator, he decided to text Elle again.
Need a ride home?
While the elevator traveled down, he made sure to keep his calm. He had to keep in mind that this whole place had cameras everywhere.
When he exited the elevator, he started his journey back to his car, passing the security guards, going down the escalator and walking out of the casino. He had walked into the casino earlier with a different feeling than he had when he walked out.
When the city noise greeted him, he turned his head to look at the diner next door. It took everything he had in him not to walk in there and take a seat at one of her tables, especially seeing how packed it was now with men. He took a deep breath in and smoothed his hair down before he walked back to his car.
He unlocked the doors and slid in, glad the windows were tinted. At night, it was impossible to see in.
He punched the steering wheel with his already-battered hand, drawing blood from his knuckles for the second time today.
You’re welcome, brother.
Nero wanted to fight his brother like they usually had when they didn’t agree. But this time, he couldn’t. It was job related and you didn’t just get in a fight with the underboss unless you’re prepared to get your hand chopped off. Not even if you’re brothers. The family was built upon one thing, respect.
He knew his brother wouldn’t touch Elle in that way, but he still didn’t like the words that spat from his mouth about her.
That’s not why I’m even fucking mad, is what he told himself. They don’t fucking think I can do it.
He hated the fact they were going behind his back. Once you give someone the job, then it was their job alone. There was no bullshit. This was Nero’s first job, and he didn’t want any help.
I can do this on my own.
Nero watched Elle through the diner windows. He saw her laughing while she filled up cups at a table full of men. He gripped the steering wheel, having had enough. He was going to walk in there.
He got out of his car and saw Elle go to the bar. She looked down and started smiling. He had stopped walking immediately. The smile stopped him in his tracks. The smile she had on her face was one he hadn’t seen before. He felt his phone vibrate.
Bite me, he read.
He pulled up the keyboard. I’d love to, when I take you home.
He stayed put, watching her just a little longer.
She went back to the bar and smiled that same smile that made his chest a little weaker. He wasn’t sure what it was.
His phone vibrated again.
I’m sure you would, wolf. I can make it home to grandma on my own.
Nero texted back, You watch way too many movies. What’s your favorite movie, anyway?
Nero smiled as he got back in the car. Elle’s smile had calmed him down. Now that he knew what her real smile looked like, the ones she was giving her customers couldn’t even compare.
I don’t have one. I like too many. You? he read when his phone vibrated again.
Nero and Elle texted each other throughout her shift, getting to know one another. Nero surprisingly enjoyed it; watching her smile behind the bar when she thought no one was looking at her, while secretly texting.
He wasn’t into texting girls. Really never gave a shit what they had to say. High school girls only wanted to gossip and he only wanted to fuck them. Elle was different; she only answered his questions and asked her own of him. He told himself that this was a good thing for the job; she had to get to know him to completely trust him.
He watched her end her shift and put on her coat. He was relieved she was finally getting out of there. She walked the few blocks to the bus stop and got on while Nero followed r
ight behind her the entire time. She exited the bus and he turned his headlights off, trailing her until she made it to her house.
When she got in, Nero rubbed his eyes. The night had been rough on him. He didn’t think he could watch her go to and from work again. The city was dangerous and Nero really knew exactly how dangerous it could be. He had no idea how she was still in one piece, or sane for that matter, for as long as she had been working there. He was going to have to come up with something. And by seeing her schedule, he needed to do it soon; otherwise, his sanity was going to be the one lost, for good.
He picked up his phone, rolling through his contacts before he hit call. It rang three times before it was answered.
“What do you need now, Nero?”
Nero laughed. “You didn’t let the two little girls get to you, did you?”
“Nope, not at all.”
Nero could hear something in the background. Smiling, he asked, “Is that anyone I know?”
“Nope, she goes to public school. I’d rather not have all your sloppy seconds.”
Nero started thinking. “Public school, huh?”
“Yeah, and they come without sticks up their asses.”
“Does she come with friends?” Nero knew he was going to go crazy if he didn’t find someone to get rid of his blue balls.
“A lot of them. That’s the best part about public school.”
“Well, let’s set something up.” Nero looked at Elle’s house. “Immediately.”
A deep laugh came over the phone. “Sounds like one little girl is getting to you.”
“Well, that’s actually why I called. Amo, I have a job for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
The Enjoyment of Terrorizing Little Kids
Elle woke the next morning exhausted. Her body wasn’t used to going to school and working. She knew it would take until the end of the week to do so. She got out of bed and went through her usual morning routine.
She looked at her small collection of clothes and couldn’t decide what to wear. I really gotta go shopping, soon.
She decided to grab one of her favorite t-shirts—Goodwill was always good for awesome t-shirts, whether they were funny, strange, or band shirts. This one was white and sported her favorite band. She picked dark, tight jeans; brown booties; and an old, brown leather jacket. The jacket was another piece from thrift shopping that had become one of her staples.
She was happy with her outfit. She had never believed the price tag determined how good an outfit could look. However, without fancy labels sewed in her clothes, everyone at school had free reign to pick on her.
She moved on to brush her hair, the wavy mass softened by the bristles and making it shine. She threw on her usual light makeup; powder, mascara, and her pink lip balm. Satisfied with the way she looked, she grabbed her satchel and headed out her bedroom door.
She walked through her house and checked the time. Nero was supposed to be there in five minutes. She wasn’t sure if she would still ride with him; she would make up her mind when she walked out the front door.
When she made it to her kitchen, her family was already seated at the table, eating breakfast. She grabbed a biscuit and started smothering grape jelly in between.
“Good morning, sweetie,” her mother said.
Elle smiled. “Morning, Mom.” She walked over to her brother and ruffled his hair. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Hey,” Josh said, picking at his food.
“He doesn’t want to go to school today,” her father broke in.
“Why don’t you want to go to school today?” Elle looked at her brother.
“I just don’t want to ride the bus.” He picked at his food a little more.
“I know, kiddo. I hated riding the school bus, too. Want me to walk with you to the bus stop?”
“Yeah, I guess.” He put his fork down.
“All right, go get your stuff.” Elle took a bite of her biscuit.
“That boy taking you to school today?” her dad asked.
“I don’t know yet.” Elle took another bite.
“Well, let your mother know what day you’re off this week, and she will cook a dinner so you can invite him over.” Elle looked at her father. He didn’t look very pleased by the way he was shoveling food.
“Dad, it’s not like that with us.”
Elle’s dad stopped shoving food in his mouth. “Do it.”
Elle nodded and took another bite of her biscuit before setting it down. Josh was ready, wearing his backpack. Elle checked the time, seven-thirty.
She and Josh headed out the house, and she held Josh’s hand as they walked down the driveway. Nero wasn’t there, so she took that as a sign to take the bus. She would drop Josh off at his school bus stop first since it was on the way. They started walking down the street.
“Is there a reason why you don’t want to ride the bus anymore?”
Josh didn’t say anything.
“Fifth-grader, huh?”
“How’d you know?” Josh looked up at her finally.
“Because I’ve been picked on, too.”
“What did you do?”
Elle thought for a second and decided to tell him the truth. “Nothing.”
“That’s what I do, and they haven’t stopped.” Elle’s heart started to break. She didn’t want her brother to go through what she had.
When they were about halfway to Josh’s stop, a car Elle recognized drove past them and then parked on the curb in front of them. Nero stepped out of the car and leaned on it, crossing his arms. Elle could see Nero looked even unhappier than he usually did. Great, just what I needed.
“Hey, isn’t that your boyfr—” Elle covered his mouth.
Nero’s face started to become less pissed. “I still heard him.”
When Elle and Josh caught up to Nero, she felt his eyes look her up and down. She noticed his face didn’t look pissed at all anymore.
Elle became self-conscious and grabbed her jacket tighter around her. “Josh, this is my friend, Nero. Nero, this is my brother, Josh.”
“Hey, little man.” Nero held out his fist. Elle noticed it looked worse than the day before.
Josh smiled and fist bumped him. “Hey, Nero. Cool name!”
“Thanks, it’s Italian. Is there a reason why you’re walking toward the bus stop, Elle?”
Elle decided to not tell the whole truth. “Yes, I told Josh I would drop him off at the bus stop.” Elle lowered her voice. “I think a fifth-grader is giving him some trouble.”
“And you think you going with him is going to solve his problem?”
“Maybe I can talk to the kid and—”
“Jesus, Elle, that will only make it worse. Here, come on.” Nero nodded his head toward the bus stop, and Elle and Josh started walking again with Nero walking beside Elle the rest of the way to the stop.
When they were a few feet away, Nero stopped. “All right, Elle, you wait here.”
Elle decided not to argue. I’m not the popular one. He would know.
Elle ruffled Josh’s hair. “All right, kiddo, I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Elle-bell.” Josh hugged her waist before he and Nero headed toward the bus.
When they got there, Elle could tell exactly who the kids were that had been picking on Josh. They were already picking on another poor, little kid. However, as soon as they noticed Nero and Josh, every kid stared. Elle knew why, too; Elle, herself, had been a little terrified when she saw Nero for the first time, and that had been years ago.
When the school bus pulled up, Josh and Nero bumped fists again and Josh jumped on the bus. Nero walked over to the older bullies. The little kid was able to run free when Nero reached them. She knew Nero was talking to them but wasn’t able to hear what he was saying. By the looks on the kids’ faces, Elle knew it wasn’t things you should probably say to a kid. Under different circumstances, Elle might have cared by the way they ran like their lives depended on it once he was done, but she was getting
sick of all the bullying. Moreover, she certainly wasn’t going to tolerate it when it concerned her little brother.
Nero started walking back toward her with a smug look on his face. He might have enjoyed that too much.
Then Elle pictured Josh’s upset face. Nah.
When he reached Elle, he grabbed her hand to start the walk back to his car. Elle let him do it without resisting. He did just help Josh.
“Hmm, I wonder what kind of thank you I should get for that.”
That’s what the smug face was for. “The enjoyment of terrorizing little kids?”
“No, that was just a bonus.” He pulled her body in a little closer. “I’ll think of something.”
Elle laughed. “I have no doubt.”
“Good, Elle-bell.” Nero said the last part sarcastically.
“Oh, gosh. Don’t you start that.”
“What? I think it’s cute, like a Disney movie or some shit like that.” He wasn’t done being sarcastic. She thought she might have deserved that, though.
“Yeah, from an eight-year-old boy.”
She and Nero walked to the car peacefully. She almost didn’t want it to end. She liked walking her street in the cold beside him.
Nero held onto her hand and went to the passenger door. Elle was expecting him to open it for her; instead, he pushed her up against the car.
“So, I’m going to pretend your ass was going to come back and meet me in your driveway.”
“I was just going to help Jo—”
As Nero moved and pinned her body against his, she looked up at him, thanking God this wasn’t happening in front of her house. She noticed his face looked tired, like he had hardly gotten any sleep the night before, and she was clearly making him cranky.
“What have I told you about lying to me, Elle?” His face was just inches from hers. She figured he was super cranky; however, she didn’t know why he was taking it out on her.
“I believe you told me not to lie to you. Not now, not ever.” She didn’t like his attitude at all. It’s his fault he can’t sleep.
“So, why did you just try to lie to me?”
Elle really didn’t know why other than it honestly was a reflex at this point.
Nero (Made Men #1) Page 9
