For Adriano (17 page)

His glower doesn’t falter. “Why are you so adamant about helping Santino?”

“Because he helped me. Without him, I’d still be stuck down there,” I defend and struggle in his hold.

“No, you’re wrong. Without
me
, you’d still be down there. You were stupid enough to go back!” He reminds me of the correct turn of events and releases me. “Is there anything sexual between you and him?”

Perhaps there was for Santino, but not on my side. And a lot of memories are blurred to me. My hesitation rubs salt in his wounds.

“Answer me!” he barks.

“No.”

His eyes turn to slits, and this man before me is
Capo
Adriano. No trace of the man that used to make love to me, that entertained me with his comical side.

“You’re not telling the entire story,” he comments, seeing straight through my lies.

I still can’t risk them not helping Santino. The only thing I can’t expose is how he drugged me in the first place and dragged me down to that underground club.

Adriano’s anger prevents him from being rational. His gaze drops to my lips for a second.

I want his arms around me, consoling me like he used to, telling me without words that life will always work out in the end. I take this opportunity and brush my lips against his.

We stand in the middle of the library, lips touching, but the electrical current that fires through him is clearly painful because his stiff body doesn’t relax. My hand comes up to rest on his unshaven jaw, and his eyelids close automatically.

But then he curls his fingers tightly around my wrist and pushes me back. “I can’t do this.”

Clamping down the sting of his rejection, I resolve to give him more time. At least we’ve started a dialogue.

“Where do we go from here?” I hold back impending tears.

He wrings both hands in his hair, messing it up further. “You need to focus on rebuilding your life. Find your place within your family.”

“Does that family include you?”

“No. It can’t be how it was between us anymore.”

“I don’t want that either.”
I want more.

“Cam, focus on yourself, on your future,” he insists in a gentler voice.

I frown because he’s pushing me away, yet again, after I’ve only been back in his life for one day. That will to fight comes barreling back.

“Maybe
you
should take some time to think about this”—I point to him, then to my chest—“before you say more things you’ll regret.”

Frustration reflects behind his hardened exterior; he hates that I can also see through him.

I don’t even get the chance to relay my feelings about all the changes in my life before he twists away and disappears without a word, leaving me staring after him.

Sitting down on the windowsill, I’m confused at what just happened. I never realized it bothered him so deeply that I called him a man-whore. Everyone did that. He
was
one.

Fallon enters the library. “Are you okay?”

Am I?

Despite Adriano’s refusal, I’m in a much better place with better prospects than yesterday, and I cling to that. “Yes.”

She sits down next to me. “I heard him yelling.”

“Is he gone?”

She shakes her head with a dejected smile. “He and Luca are in the kitchen, arguing.”

“Adriano will come to his senses.” I have to believe that. Eventually, he’ll be drawn to me – I hope.

“He will,” she agrees like a good friend.

And we sit in silence, watching a bright star fall from the sky.

CHAPTER 18

Adriano

Her nearness is always disordering my state.

During dinner, I could sense her envy while I talked to another woman. Making it seem like I’m ignoring her appears to be easy, but inside, a war is raging. The attraction cooking between us is like a flame waiting to ignite.

Luca stops me by my arm as I barge by him toward the elevator doors.

Fallon’s standing next to him with a mix of a scowl and compassion.

“As you heard, that went well,” I throw to them sarcastically.

Of course, they heard me shouting. I slam both hands down on the granite top kitchen island and drop my head. Cam looks just like the woman I met two years ago, with short hair that exposes her long, elegant neck. Her seductive exterior is sidetracking me, but I did get my answers.

“She did sleep with Damian. She didn’t sleep with Santino, but she won’t tell the entire story – I think he might’ve also drugged her, but she’s afraid to say it.”

“Makes sense,” Luca muses. “But that doesn’t excuse your unwillingness to regain your composure.”

“It’s not unwillingness,” I dispute. “It’s impossible when it comes to
her
.”

“I’m going to check on Cam.” Fallon slips down the hall quietly.

“This is dangerous territory, Adriano. Maybe you should keep your distance from Cam – for now,” he adds.

He’s right. If I can’t control myself, I’d better stay away. My mind knows it’s the better option, but my body wants her with a ferocity that tears me apart.

“Cam has us now: a family. Take a step back. You don’t need to hover around her anymore. I’ll protect her. James will protect her. The dynamic of your relationship has changed, Adriano,” Luca says, nailing my emotions perfectly. “Accept that. If you’re not willing to take the risk and go against your
Capo crimine’s
order, then you need to move on. This isn’t healthy for either of you. I’ve never seen you this worked up. You’re constantly being pulled in different directions. I’ll handle Damian and Cam; you get this out of your system.”

“It
is
best you handle Damian directly. It’s not like I have a choice anyway. I can’t tell James that I want Damian dead because he slept with his daughter whom I’m fucking obsessed with.” I scrape my beard. “I’m not sure how to get her out of my system.”

“Then don’t. But make a choice. Or else you’ll drag her down with you.” He rounds the island. “I care for her, but I care more for you. You’re my brother. Go home and rest. Or go out, whatever helps you wind down nowadays.”

“You mean go out and get laid?” I counter with a smirk.

He purses his lips to hide a grin. “Maybe not that.”

Fishing my keys out of my pocket, I head to the elevator. “I’ll call you tomorrow morning.”

“Rest, Adriano,” Luca persists right before the doors close.

His words of advice echo in my mind as my BMW flies across the asphalt. Distance will be challenging, but I’m beginning to understand that it’s inevitable.

Nine months of despising the distance, and now, I have to force it on us again because Damian dropped the bomb yesterday. I wish I’d never found out so I could enjoy our reunion, but that’s inconceivable at this point.

Unsure of where I’m going, I find myself not heading toward the Astoria Tower, but alongside the Chicago River and up north, toward the house, toward the strip club.

Calmness is out of reach. I need a diversion, just to take the edge off. I’m about to blow, and her presence is the cause.

CHAPTER 19

Camilla

History is repeating itself. Adriano is MIA the rest of the week. I only catch glimpses of him at James’s house twice or at the Syndicate headquarters.

Fallon hangs around me, helping me put my life back together, brick by brick. I’ve joined her self-defense classes, and I’ve also started total body training.

For now, James is keeping it a secret from the Syndicate members that I’m his daughter. He’s emphasized how important it is for me to have physical strength and speed so that if problems ever arise and I’m alone, I’m tough enough to protect myself. And the work-outs are building my confidence.

Whenever I have the chance to be with James, I grab it with both hands, and unexpectedly, he allows me much insight into the Syndicate’s wheelings and dealings. He can be harsh sometimes and guides me in the most unusual way but always with a serene undertone. We’re both learning how to deal with each other. It’s often uncomfortable, although less and less so as we spend more time together.

My respect for him grows daily. How he handles his family and his men with thorough supremacy. His family is genuinely interested in me, and their guidance is empowering. I can feel it building in my nerves that grow with self-confidence. Their lifestyle is lavish, and so far, James has deposited ridiculous amounts of money into a new bank account that was set up for me.

While my life seems to have shifted in a positive direction overnight, that feeling of guiltiness still crops up. James has been avoiding my questions about Fat Sal and Santino, and I’m unsure about what to do.

Adriano and I cross paths for the first time in seven days at the headquarters while I’m in James’s office pressuring him for information about Fat Sal. I’ve accompanied James to the Syndicate house because Fallon’s at work at the community center, and since I overheard James mention that he had a meeting with Luca and Adriano, I’m also hoping to run into him, of course. I’m adapting well to my instant life change, but Adriano stays in my mind. He still has a death grip on my heart, and I’ve failed to let him go.

I go to the strip club while James is making a call. The club is quiet with some men I don’t know, but the girls I do recognize. They ignore me and just send me dirty looks.

I can’t wait for them to find out that I’m James’s daughter.

My fingers trace the smooth bar top just as Damian walks out of one of the private rooms with a girl behind him. He freezes when he sees me, and I check down the hall through the open door to make sure no one’s coming.

Damian comes up to me. “Cam.”

I nod toward the girl. “Having fun?”

Uneasy, he stands before me. “I’m sorry about telling Adriano.”

“You should be. I’m in the doghouse.” I’m furious he told Adriano.

Before he utters another empty apology, I wave him off. “Go to your girl.”

I retreat toward the west side of the house where James’s office door is open again. Tightening the straps of my salmon wrap around dress, I take an encouraging breath.

“Camilla.” He’s never gotten used to calling me ‘Cam’, saying the Italian shortened version is ‘Milla’. He calls me Camilla with a thick Italian accent, and I like it.

“Sit.”

“No, thanks. James, what did you do with the microchip?”

I’ve wondered what happened to the chip Fat Sal implanted. Sal was supposed to contact me – I don’t know how – but I haven’t heard a thing. I also have my personal bodyguard with me, who hasn’t detected any irregularities.

“It’s in my desk drawer. Why?” The chair creaks under his shifting weight.

“I was wondering what the status is? What are you planning to do with Santino? And Sal? I’d like to know.”

“Why? Are you going to fight with us?” A familiar deep voice laced with ridicule interrupts from behind me.

I swirl around to see Luca and Adriano strolling in. Luca kisses my cheek, and I glare at Adriano, who’s smiling while he gives me a once-over and lingers at my cleavage. A hurricane of sexual tension swirls around us, and I’m positive a blush is creeping up. A ray of sunlight lands on his white dress shirt, and I can clearly make out the hard planes of his chest and the shadow of the intricately gorgeous compass tattoo on his left side. I prefer Adriano’s teasing over being ignored anytime, but I need to finish this with James.

“Fight? So you have a plan already?” I speak to James.

He narrows his eyes slightly, but I note it. “No.”

“Then what did Adriano mean?” I fire back.

“Adriano,” Adriano emphasizes coming next to me, “meant to tease you. Why are you so adamant about helping him?”

I inch sideways, guaranteeing we aren’t touching, and Luca moves to the window behind James.

“I’ve told you why. James, please tell me.” I rub a hand over my forehead.

“
You
are not telling
us
everything.” James backs Adriano.

“Why? Because
he
says so?” I jerk my head to Adriano to bait him, without success. “
He
doesn’t know me at all.”

Adriano regards me with amusement dancing behind his facade. But I see his fist constricting for a split second and meet his gaze with a raised brow.

I hurry on, switching subjects. “I want to help too.”

“What?!” Six hard eyes focus directly on me.

“I can help you with Sal… If you help me with Santino,” I reply evenly.

“No!” Adriano’s objection amazes everyone.

“Can we talk alone, James?” I request, not wanting Adriano to get his say and veto my proposal right off the bat.

“Camilla,” James placates. “They stay. This concerns Syndicate business; I’ll not ask my underboss and first
Capo
to leave. And I agree with my
Capo
.”

I want to smack Adriano’s smug grin off his face. “Hear me out, please.”

“As long as I don’t know what exactly his reason was for helping you, I’m not risking any of my men’s lives.” James redirects the conversation back on subject and holds out his palm, giving me the chance to speak.

“I know the way inside the underground club. It’s a maze of passageways that are all interconnected. If you can get me in, I’ll have a chance to get Santino out with the help of one of your members. When Santino’s out, he’ll help us to bring Fat Sal down.”

“I don’t need Santino’s help in bringing Sal down,” James answers dryly.

Hesitantly, I challenge, “Are you sure?”

I’ve listened to and absorbed everything around me persistently this last week, and I particularly remember Adriano mentioning that Sal must have some important connections that provide him with the latest technological widgets that aren’t on the market yet. And I’ll use any information to my advantage.

So I continue, “Santino knows the ins and outs of Fat Sal’s organization. Don't you want to know what an insider has on that organization both before you destroy Sal and before you bring down Club 7? If so, then you’ll need a high ranking insider.”

Adriano states with a chuckle, “Are you Michael Corleone now?”

The corner of Luca’s mouth tilts up, and I see James smiling too.

“No,” I reply, irked that Adriano’s smartass comments are deterring them.

“Did Santino ever drug you, Cam?” Luca asks me.

I sigh in defeat. Who am I kidding? It occurs to me that they already know and are probably just testing me. And therefore, they haven’t done anything with the situation. When we were sorting through my papers yesterday, James said to always read between the lines during meetings. Quickly reevaluating my position, I decide to be straightforward. Give them total disclosure, hoping my truthfulness will gain their trust. And I’ll make sure Santino gets out alive, or else the guilt will consume me.

“Yes,” I answer honestly.

“Does he have...feelings for you that might cause him to make rash decisions?” James asks.

“It’s possible. He helped me because there was an attraction.”

From the corner of my eye, I notice Adriano’s jaw clenching.

James grins broadly. “You did well, Cam. Relax. When you open up to us and always share the truth, we’ll aid you with the extent of our power. But never lie. I won’t lift a finger then. Understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Now I want to talk to my men in private, and you have to be patient, Camilla. It takes time and planning for us to decide on a course of action. I’m not making any promises until we’ve assessed the circumstances. Since he’s a liability, I’m not keen on breaking him out.”

I avoid Adriano’s triumphant face.

“But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, as my daughter, and will discuss this with my men. And when I have new information, I’ll inform you,” he dismisses me with a kind, yet dominant tone.

I make sure to graze my fingers across Adriano’s hand in a feather light caress as I turn to leave, and he shivers noticeably.

Don’t taunt me. I’ll taunt you back. You and I are not finished.

With my confidence growing, so is my optimism that one day he’ll forgive me my indiscretion with Damian.

I close the door behind me, and they’re quiet, so I walk away, letting them hear my receding footsteps. Then I tiptoe back.

“What’s going on? Why are you involving her in the Syndicate?” Adriano speaks first.

“She’s already involved and rather stubborn. She’s also a fast learner and tough,” James answers.

“Where is this going? Are you seriously contemplating her offer?” I hear Luca ask.

“Yes. She’s shown interest in what we do, and she’s very perceptive, I noticed. She gets my guidance without my having to spell it out,” James replies.

I smile at his awe-filled tone.

“Reminds me of someone else I took under my wing.”

“You cannot compare us,” Adriano retorts. “She’s your daughter and a...”

“Woman? If she was my son, no one would see it as a problem.”

“So she’s going to be in on the Syndicate?” Luca probes.

“That’s not what I said. We’ll see how she develops, but for now, I’ll allow her to grow beside me, within the Syndicate. She’ll learn most from us three.”

Silence.

I hurriedly tiptoe to the stairway and go down to the kitchen.

After scrambling an egg, I put down my plate at the island just when Adriano enters.

“Why hello, stranger,” I greet.

“You’ve adapted quickly.” He closes the distance and takes a bite of my egg with the fork on the plate.

“If you’d call, you’d know how I was doing.” I steal my fork back.

“I know every second of what you’re doing.” He shuffles closer. “You and James are growing attached.”

Lifting my chin, I say, “We are.”

“Are you comfortable around him?”

“Yes.” I smile, taking what he gives me, yet again. “Thankfully. Since my first thought when I met him was how handsome he was.”

His mouth tilts down in disgust. “That’s disturbing, Cam.”

I lift my shoulders. “I didn’t know back then that he was my father,” I defend with a smile and add, “But I didn’t find him nearly as handsome as I found you.”

“Cam,” he whispers as I lay a hand on his chest.

“I miss you, Adriano. Talk to me. Everything’s in the open now.” My other hand moves up the side of his neck, into his hair.

Adriano’s arms pull me close, one palm groping my behind and the other between my shoulder blades as his head drops into my neck.

Years of longing and desire tie us together. I caress his hair while he hugs me tightly and wedges a leg between mine.

“Why are you ignoring me?” I ask, my lips against his wavy hair.

His body trembles, and he utters, “Because I’m punishing you.”

I rear back, and a disarray of emotions play behind his dark eyes.

“But I’m starting to wonder whom I’m actually punishing.” He grabs my wrist and hurls me around, edging forward until my stomach hits the kitchen island.

With his heaving chest to my back, he growls into my ear, “Is this what you want?” He pushes his arousal against me, sealing me in a tight embrace.

“Yes...”
Anything except the silent treatment.

When I turn my head and try to kiss him, he denies me and hauls my arms to my lower back. Then he roughly bends me forward over the counter top by my neck, my cheek hitting the cold surface.

My body heats from finally having his recognizable forceful touch on me. I want his anger to seek an escape. Perhaps that will allow him to give us a second chance.

One hand holds both wrists caged and another trails a path up the inside of my thigh, stopping right at my core. “You want me to forgive you?”

His fingers rub me aggressively, and I moan softly, wriggling underneath his solid spell. His words are spoken with ominous intent, and pleasure overrides. I can feel the tingles forming. I’m breathing noisily, steaming up the counter top, searching for release.