For Adriano (14 page)

Just as the Syndicate supplies Club 7. It was the Syndicate’s drugs that were injected into me.

“We four”—James points to the men—“are the highest ranking members. Beneath us, there are hundreds of soldiers and associates who do the street work. We manage from above and at a distance. When problems arise or when a situation becomes personal, like with you, then either me, Luca, or Adriano gets involved.”

I knew James was the boss, and now I learn Luca and Adriano’s ranks.

Luca adds, “No one attends our meetings, Camilla. Not soldiers, not James’s wife, not my wife. We’re permitting you insight so you can see that you can trust us. But whatever is discussed here must never leave these four walls. Do you understand?”

I swallow while one thing confuses me. “Fat Sal isn’t part of the Syndicate, right?”

James answers, “No, he’s not. The Chicago Syndicate only rules the world of drugs. We’re not in the slavery or sex club business. Fat Sal’s also a
Capo crimine
, but he’s a boss of a smaller sub-Mafia operation compared to ours. He became larger and more powerful though, because many high powered men visited the sex club. The ‘legal’ one, not the fight club that’s also being used as a BDSM or sex fetish club. He buys drugs from us, Camilla.”

“Please call me ‘Cam’,” I request.

“Of course, Cam. We’ll have to discuss what to do with Fat Sal and Santino,” James explains, knowing I want help with Santino.

I don’t want to push my luck, so I lean back in my seat.

Adriano is boring holes into my temple from my right side. He’s going to ask more questions about Santino later; I can feel it in my bones.

He speaks after an awkward silence. “I’ve had Fat Sal’s first soldier in the warehouse since yesterday.”

Luca’s head twists to Adriano. “Why?”

“James ordered it right before we found Cam. I never released him. He’ll come in handy, but by now, Sal will know his soldier is missing in action.”

James strokes his chin thoughtfully. “We’ll handle that. Cam, did you cancel the lease on your apartment?”

“Uhm…No…Yes. I didn’t have an official lease; it was all under the table. I just paid monthly, and then I could stay.”

“You said you don’t have any personal belongings. Do you have your driver’s license?” James probes.

“No, I think that’s still with Fat Sal,” I answer, still constantly alert of Adriano’s every move.

His ankle rests on his knee, and he leans his elbows on the armrests, linking his fingers. His elbow strokes my arm, the touch thrilling to me.

“Can you get her a new driver’s license?” James asks Salvatore.

“Yes. I’ll do it today,” Salvatore confirms with a smile to me.

“I think it’s best you keep your own surname and not change it to Calderone. Salvatore will get you a phone. I will, of course, have a new will drawn up and let you review the papers,” James says, moving through everything extremely quickly.

“Okay…” This is all a little overwhelming. I need to get to know him first.

“Salvatore and I will have you review any documents that concern you. Now, for other business, like your living arrangements,” James comments. “It’s safest for you to live in the Loop.”

But that’s where Fat Sal is.

“I know Sal is in the Loop, but so are we three,” James adds as if reading my thoughts. “Luca and Adriano live in the Loop, and I live just outside it. I’d prefer you live near-by. You can stay with either of us until you’ve found an apartment to your liking.”

Is staying with Adriano an option?

Luca offers, “You’re welcome to stay with Fallon and me. Maybe you’d prefer to stay with a friend, and Fallon would love it.”

“Be prepared to be bored to death by quotes from really old romance novels if you stay with his wife,” Adriano jokes and throws his crumpled napkin at Luca, who grins at him.

Finally, someone cuts through the seriousness.

Salvatore stands, and all our heads turn to him. “I have an appointment. Camilla, it was nice to meet you. I’ll take care of getting you a new driver’s license and phone today. Gentlemen.” He gives a formal goodbye.

James continues straightaway, “I’d like you to meet my wife, Alessa, tonight and join us for dinner. Luca, Fallon, and Adriano will be there as well. Luca and Adriano will drop you off at Fallon’s, so you can stay with her today. We all have appointments for the rest of the day, but know that David, the guard that used to drive you around sometimes, will be assigned to watch over you today. Do you have any questions?”

“Uhm... Do we go now?”

“Yes,” James replies, and all the men rise.

“Okay, I’ll get my purse.”

I hurry toward the other side of the house, back to the strip club, and spot Damian and the blonde on the couch.

He inspects me as if I’m a ghost. “Cam?”

“Hey!” I close the distance and throw my arms around him, and he returns my embrace. “How are you?”

“Good. Since when are you back?” His gaze moves over my shoulder behind me, and I can hear irate strides: Adriano.

I’m prepared for him to ignore me or something, because I can’t interpret his mood.

However, when I crane my neck, his eyes are blazing with violence, and he tugs me back by my arm. “Don’t you fucking talk to him in front of me!”

I yank my arm out of his grip. “What?!”

And I look to Damian, who doesn’t seem surprised by the inflexible lines on Adriano’s face. What exactly does Adriano know about Damian and me?

Damian and I hold each other’s stare for a nanosecond, setting Adriano off.

He comes between us, blocking me from Damian’s view and crowding him.

Hesitantly, I reach out to touch his shoulder, but his stiff body is unyielding.

While towering over Damian, he spits through clenched teeth, “Don’t even look at her! I swear I’ll—”

“Adriano,” the composed and controlled voice of Luca interrupts this scene, thankfully, before Adriano explodes.

He keeps spitting fire at Damian.

Luca speaks to me. “Get your purse, Cam.”

I hesitate, and he persists, practically pushing me toward the private room.

Grabbing my purse from the bed, I rush back to witness Luca and Adriano muttering back and forth in Italian while Damian is propped on the couch again.

With Adriano’s back to me, I silently shift closer and mouth to Damian, “Did you tell him?” He knows I’m asking if he told Adriano about the one time we slept together.

He nods, and I feel the blood drain from my face. Luca looks in my direction, and Adriano whirls around, lips in a thin, straight line.

“Let’s go.” Luca sighs to both of us.

Outside, with the device in hand, he clicks open the doors of his enormous, black Maserati.

Sliding onto the leather, I sit behind the driver’s seat, and Adriano takes the front.

Luca starts the car, and when the radio powers on, he silences it.

Adriano’s surveying the outside scenery as it flies by.

I meet Luca’s concerned eyes in the rearview mirror while fighting the urge to push Adriano to talk now. However, I can’t hold it in. “Adriano, we really need to talk. Alone.”

Silence is all I get in return while he doesn’t move a muscle.

I’m about to give up and also start glaring at the cloudless sky when he answers in a low voice, “Not now. I can’t now.”

And that’s it. Typical Adriano to never elaborate or explain himself.

I exhale a heavy breath of frustration. I’ll give him some time to settle down, but I vow now, in this car, that I will not go back to how we were. I’m not just some employee of his anymore.

Luca helps me take my mind off Adriano. “I’m dropping you off at our penthouse. Fallon’s excited to see you again.”

“I am too,” I reply softly.

***

We arrive at a posh glass high-rise in the Loop and head up to the penthouse floor. The elevator opens up into a large, bright living room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Luca goes right, to the kitchen island and shouts, “Fallon!”

I follow, and Adriano stands at the window.

She comes down the hall while fastening her hair up into a tight bun, smiling widely. “Cam!”

Luca blocks her path, and she grins at him. He bends his head, grips her hips, and kisses her sweetly on the lips. “Hey, wife.”

“Morning, husband. You left early today.”

I look away from the intimate moment.

“You were snoring.” Another peck on her mouth, and he releases her to join Adriano at the window.

Fallon hugs me tightly. “Are you okay?” She holds me back by my shoulders.

“I am. You look good.” She has a healthy glow and is awfully tanned and elegant with straight bangs, dressed in taupe pants and a cream colored blouse, feet bare. So unlike the last time I saw her, which was months ago, at the beginning of this year when she was at rock bottom, just like I was yesterday.

She motions her head toward Adriano and Luca at the window. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll tell you when we’re alone,” I whisper, and she squeezes my arms upliftingly.

“So what’s the plan?” she asks, approaching the men.

“Cam will stay with you just as we discussed,” Luca tells her.

Adriano turns around and has finally calmed his nerves a bit. He’s in control again, impassive.

They walk by us, and he does at least acknowledge me with a chin dip.

Luca throws an arm around Fallon’s waist and presses his lips to her hair. “We’ll meet you later at James’s house. David will drive you today. Don’t take the subway,
dolcezza
.”

“Yes, yes.” She’s clearly used to Luca giving her orders.

The elevator doors open, and they step inside.

“And answer your phone,” Luca adds while Adriano watches me.

“Bye,” I mouth. Once he’s had time to cool off, he’ll come to me. I’m counting on that.

And finally, he gives me a twinge of hope when he winks right before the doors close.

“Tea?” Fallon offers as I sit on the adjustable barstool around her kitchen island.

“Coffee, please.” She opens cabinets and presses buttons for coffee and tea.

“How did you sleep? What have you been doing? Did James talk to you?” She leans on her elbows across from me.

“What do you want to know first?” I smile through all her questions.

“Sorry. We got back just a few hours ago.”

“Back from where?” I ask.

“Italy.”

“You were on vacation?”

The coffeemaker pings.

“Uhm... Yes, we got married there.”

“Now I feel bad. You had to cut your honeymoon short? And congratulations. I can’t believe you two are married.” I’m confronted with how long I’ve been gone. While everyone’s life has moved on, I’ve been stuck in the same place. But not anymore.

“Thanks. We had a honeymoon, and I don’t mind. I was happy to hear you were okay and come back early. What happened to you the last time we were supposed to meet at my therapist’s office? Why didn’t you show up?” Fallon slides a cup of coffee to me and holds her tea mug with two hands.

“I panicked. You brought Luca and Adriano with you. Back then, I was so confused and scared. I bolted when I saw you drive up with them.”

“Well, I guess I can understand.”

I take a sip and cough from the strong taste. “Strong,” I explain through a grimace.

“Sorry
.
I don’t drink coffee. That’s how Luca drinks it.”

I continue, “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Fallon and I met under unusual circumstances. When she was held at the Syndicate’s house and the three times we saw one another while I was on the run, I lied to her often. Sometimes for her protection, sometimes for my own, because I just didn’t know what to tell whom anymore. I lied to her about my involvement with Adriano, and I lied to her about the bomb. I led her to believe that I planted it, while I honestly didn’t. I was just stupidly hoping she’d be more inclined to help me if I gave her the explanation that I believed matched the reason why the Syndicate was looking for me.

“Please don’t. I, of all people, can understand why you chose to lie. But why did you tell me you planted the bomb?”

“I don’t know. I guess I thought maybe you’d be more willing to help.”

She tilts her head, and sadness glimmers behind her eyes. “So you talked to James?”

I stroke my annoyingly outgrown hair back with my fingers. “He told me.”

“And how do you feel about it?”

“It’s strange to suddenly hear you have a father. I don’t know yet how I feel. At the moment, I feel dazed. Yesterday, my future was exceptionally bleak. And today, my future is being discussed with three other men. My life took a one-eighty within twenty-four hours.”

It’s liberating to freely speak my mind with a woman who might relate to me. But I wonder how much she knows about the Syndicate.