For Adriano (20 page)

CHAPTER 22

Adriano

“Has Fat Sal contacted James?” I ask Luca from the passenger seat of a beat-up old Honda while staking out the Chicago Harbor.

Two point eight kilograms of pure, best-quality-in-the-U.S. cocaine is going to be exchanged for seven hundred thousand cash between my soldiers and Fat Sal’s soldiers at nine p.m. sharp. During the last deal,
Capo
John disappeared, and so did our one million dollars
and
the drugs. 

“Not yet.” And he looks at me. “Where did you disappear to last night?”

I snuck out of Rosalia’s birthday party an hour after Luca busted Cam and me. Our altercation absolutely rattled me, and I surprised myself by voicing the words that have been afflicting me for days.

I’ll never allow you peace with another man.

I’ve been so caught up in obeying orders that I never thought about beyond the present. She’ll have more dates and a new life, with someone else. And the idea of her moving on– which will happen eventually, because I can sense she’s growing weary – is like a dagger to my heart.

I fled her magnetic pull and visited my parents for a drink, and then I called it a night, feeling even more conflicted. Perhaps she’s right; why am I not fighting if we can’t stay away from one another? As time passes, my need to punish her evaporates, leaving me with a deep, unfulfilled longing that’s slowly tearing me in half. 

“I was tired, so I left,” I answer, scanning the dark area where the ships are docked. 

“Look.” He points outside my window. “There’s another car coming.”

Another vehicle without its headlights on creeps behind a dumpster and comes to a stop.

I can’t discern how many men are in the car. “We’re not the only ones who brought back-up.” 

Luca opens the glove compartment and produces two extra handguns and silencers, shoving one into my hand. “Is your regular loaded?”

I nod and screw the suppressor on. “In my ankle holster.”

The deal takes place on the boat at the left side of the pier. Our two soldiers are already in place, waiting on deck, as Fat Sal’s two soldiers step aboard. Two briefcases are exchanged, but Sal’s soldier cocks a gun and shoots one of my men in the head, the bullet report resounding into the night. Our extra guy targets Sal’s extra guy and then rears back – I think he got shot in the shoulder – as he pulls the trigger, and his opponent falls back. Sal’s soldier pitches both briefcases off the deck and jumps after them. 

Luca places his hand on the door handle. “I want the money and our drugs. Go after him. I’ll distract the men in the other car.” And he throws open the door.

I bolt out of the vehicle with my gun in hand, chasing the soldier who’s holding both of my belongings under his arms. 

He sprints down the straight path and to the left where some massive steel containers are located, lined up neatly next to each other. The man cranes his neck and then quickly rounds a container, out of sight.

Slowing down, I keep my gun held up against my chest as I edge along the sides of the container, and then I hear hurried footsteps. I turn the corner and aim my weapon just as he, again, disappears around the other corner. 

I retrace my steps and stand still, holding my breath as I can hear him tiptoeing toward me again. Then he stops a few feet before reaching me.

Silence thickens through the water sloshing in the distance and the creaking of the boats. 

Seconds tick by. 

Unexpectedly, I hear him running away from me.

Rounding the corner, I race after him, gaining on him since the cases are slowing him down.

“Stop!” I yell, and I jump on him, landing on his back.

He hits the concrete with a loud thud and screams out in pain, but he still manages to twist around and attempts to punch me. I dodge his fist, and blood streams out of his head when I hit him with my gun, but he’s strong and knees me in the stomach.

The gun slips out of my grasp as we roll over, and then he knocks the back of my head against the ground.

“Jesus fuck!” Stars form behind my eyelids, but I hook him in the jaw and roll him onto his back. Swiftly retrieving my other gun from the ankle holster, I raise it to his forehead. 

He holds up his hands, and I move off him.

Out of breath, I order, “Get up.” All ten fingers are wrapped around my gun to keep it steady. 

“Okay! Yes!” he stammers and obeys immediately.

I heard footsteps right before I got up. Without knowing if it’s Luca or an enemy, I glance around while edging back from between the two containers. I hear a noise in the distance and spot a shadow far behind the soldier. My aim moves to the shadow, and I pull the trigger. Then I direct my weapon back on the soldier right in front of me as he charges at me, so I shoot him in the heart. Both bodies hit the ground, and I retrieve the briefcases of money and drugs.

I used my regular gun without the silencer. We need a clean-up crew here as soon as possible. I run back to the car where Luca’s waiting for me. 

I yank open the door and deposit the briefcases in the back seat. “There was one more man. Both are dead. Call a clean-up crew.”

Luca plops into the seat with his in phone in hand as I rev up the engine and drive away as fast as I can.

“What happened with the other car?” I ask as the harbor shrinks in my rearview mirror.

“I’m not sure they were Fat Sal’s men. They witnessed the scene, debated something in the car – two men by the way, not Italian – and then drove off,” Luca explains.

“That’s odd. So someone else is watching Fat Sal’s soldiers?”

“It seems so. Maybe we’re not Sal’s only enemy? Or maybe someone was watching us too?”

“Are we going to wait until Fat Sal makes a move? I’d advise we take action sooner rather than later because this is getting too personal. We already have extra security around our families.” Especially Cam, Alessa, Rosalia, and Fallon, who are being guarded by two men each. “And now, new, unknown parties might be involved. This is going to become a big problem if we don’t contain it. Club 7 is a liability.”

“What do I suggest to James? We need to know who else is against Fat Sal first,” Luca retorts. “Although I do agree that we need to strike back – soon. I hate having so many guards around Fallon, because she becomes annoyed with me.”

I laugh. “I hate it too.” And Luca knows I wasn’t only talking about my family but also about Cam; I detest that she’s in danger. 

“I’m going home,” Luca says and stashes the gun back in the glove compartment.

“I’m going with you.” Cam might be in danger, so I want to see her. Abstaining is proving to be more and more difficult.

Luca sends me a disillusioned look.

“Just to talk to Cam,” I add.

“Yes, sure, to talk,” he repeats sarcastically.

CHAPTER 23

Camilla

Saturday after Rosalia’s party is spent with my half-sister again while Fallon is at the community center for a couple of hours. 

After dinner, we arrive back at the penthouse at the same time as Fallon.

“Did you have fun last night, Rosalia?” Fallon asks as we enter her penthouse. She chucks her stack of mail onto the coffee table. 

“Yes.” Rosalia sighs. “But it was more a business event than a birthday.”

I laugh at her. “Be thankful you had a party.”

“I am.” She sticks her tongue out. 

Fallon rummages through her purse. “Guess what I took from a young man at the community center. He came in with red eyes, stoned out of his mind.” She holds up a joint between two fingers.

Rosalia claps her hands. “We’re getting high!”

Fallon’s head whips to her, and she snatches it against her chest when Rosalia tries to take it. “No. I confiscated this from a kid.”

“What were you planning on doing with it?” Rosalia asks with a hand on her hip.

“Umm... Throw it away?
”
she states but poses it as a question.

“No!” we both object and smile at each other. My half-sister and I have more in common than I initially thought. 

“I’m with her,” I say to Fallon, pointing my thumb at Rosalia. “I want to get high. Just to loosen up and forget everything about the last few weeks.”

Fallon’s expression softens, and she glances at Rosalia’s hopeful face. “Fine, but we smoke outside.”

“Yes!” Rosalia celebrates. “We need water and food.”

“I’ll get water bottles and snacks.” Fallon goes into the kitchen. 

“Get a lighter!” I yell and remove my shoes.

On the terrace, Fallon and Rosalia tie their hair up.

There are five loungers, but we huddle together on two: Fallon and I on one, and Rosalia next to us. 

Rosalia lights the joint with a cupped hand and inhales deeply. Without coughing, she rounds her lips and a stream of smoke drifts up.

After repeating it, Rosalia hands it over to me. “Good stuff.”

I take a draw and cough a little. Then I take a few smaller ones, letting the drug flow through my system. A sense of calmness descends on me, and a fog starts to form in my head. 

After I give the joint to Fallon, she places the tip to her lips while Rosalia is already eagerly awaiting another turn.

“You are so greedy,” Fallon says with a smile.

“It’s been months since I smoked. I’m never alone; always have guards around.
This
is my birthday party.” Rosalia’s tone becomes softer.

Fallon breaks out in a coughing fit, and I hand her a bottle of water as Rosalia takes the joint.

She gulps it down and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’m already stoned.” Giggling loudly, she practically falls over my lap.

“Here. Take more.” Rosalia shoves the joint into her hand. “She’s fun stoned!”

After Fallon and I smoke until the sky feels like it’s spinning around me, Rosalia plops back on the lounger and stretches out while opening a bag of chips. “I’m so hungry.”

“I’m so thirsty,” I reply, and my head feels heavy. “Move, woman.” I jostle Fallon off my lap, and we lie next to each other on the lounger.

“I’m so horny,” Fallon adds to the conversation while she’s propped on her elbow against my side, her heartbeat racing against my arm.

“I’m horny too.” My voice is lethargic.

“Me too,” Rosalia whines and stuffs a handful of chips into her mouth. “Chips?”

“No, I want—”

“I have red velvet cupcakes,” Fallon murmurs with eyes closed.

“Oh my god!” I exclaim. “I want that.” 

Rosalia sits up and checks the chair next to her where Fallon deposited the food and drinks and comes up with a cupcake with white frosting.

I consume it within five bites while still lying down. 

Fallon snuggles against me and throws an arm around my middle to scoot closer.

“Hey! Are you comfortable?” I joke.

Rosalia laughs at our intimate pose. 

“I am, thank you,” Fallon retorts dryly. 

“Oh my god, if Luca or Adriano walked in now, we could make a fortune!” Rosalia mentions around a full mouth.

Fallon chuckles with her head on my chest and holds up her palm for Rosalia. “That’s from
Friends
,” she mumbles.

“Damn right!” Rosalia returns the high five.

Fallon pinches my side, and I twitch. 

“You are so frisky when you’re stoned,” I accuse Fallon, but then we’re quiet all of a sudden.

The dark sky is revealing a million stars, and unexpectedly, I hear snores.

“She fell asleep,” I say to Fallon, who snorts.

Rosalia lies with her mouth open, hand in the bag of chips in her lap.

“I’m going to take a few more hits.” I jerk my body, and Fallon rolls off, landing on the concrete ground. 

“Ouch!”

“I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

She’s laughing while rubbing the back of her head. “You bitch! Give me more too.”

I get the joint from the ashtray on the ground and inhale as I light it, letting my blood absorb the smoke. Then I hand it over to Fallon, who sits on the ground against the lounger. When she’s about to take a draw, the terrace doors slide open, and Luca and Adriano appear. 

Fallon slowly turns her head and lowers her hand with the joint while I’m pursing my lips with wide eyes.

A wrinkle is embedded in both their foreheads; only, Luca appears bothered while Adriano is smirking when he takes me in.

“What’s going on here?” Luca strides to Fallon.

I exhale gradually, and the smoke leaves my lungs. 

Adriano’s brows hit his hairline, and his lips curl up. “They’re high.”

“Nothing,” Fallon says right then, and Luca tugs her up to a standing position.

“What’s this?” he asks calmly while taking the joint and smelling it, which seems to appease him since he hands it to me.

“Just a joint,” she answers and smiles. “It’s good stuff. I missed you.” Then she mouths to me, “I’m still horny.” Her arms twist around his neck, and she hangs onto him. 

He kisses her right below the ear and whispers something, causing her to laugh. “Is Rosalia okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine. Just sleeping,” I reply, feeling so light.

Luca lifts up Rosalia and lays her on the couch inside.

Fallon leans down to me. “Don’t come in for twenty minutes.” She winks and stumbles after Luca.

“Well, they’ll be busy.” I pull up my knee, letting my skirt fall down my thigh.

Adriano shifts closer and sits down on the lounger.

I light the joint again and offer it to him.

He takes it and inhales. “Are you cold?”

“No.”

He brings the joint to his lips again, breathes in and holds it, then crushes it in the ashtray and leans in close to my lips. I open my mouth as he exhales, and I suck in the smoke from him. Then he sits back with the hard heat of his hand on my thigh.

My eyes are only half-lidded, but I still notice his tousled state. “What happened?” I wave my hand up and down his wrinkled and stained white dress shirt and pants. 

“Nothing important.”

“Always the mystery, Adriano Montesi.” My cheek hits the cushion. 

He turns his body toward me, and he slides his palm down my thigh, his thumb almost touching me between my legs. “I’m not a mystery to you, Cam.”

“Yes, you are, always have been. You’ve always kept me at arm’s length. I don’t even know where you live. Who are your parents? You mentioned a brother and sister once. Sometimes, I felt I knew every little thing you were thinking, and sometimes, I felt as if you were a stranger.” I look straight at him. “It still feels like that now too.”

He stares at me with a solemn expression. 

The fog wrapping around my head is thickening, and I keep feeling lighter, like I’m floating, and so aware of our point of contact because when he touches me, blood rushes feverishly through my veins. I keep talking and talking. “I didn’t like you at first.”

A grin flashes across his face. “I knew that.”

“But I couldn’t stay away.” My fingers trace down his chest, and I feel his muscles ripple beneath my exploration. 

“You’re very talkative.” He beams and adds, “And high as a kite.”

“How can you tell?”

“Your eyes are tiny slits and red, and your cheeks have a rosy blush.” His finger trails down one cheek. “I live in the Astoria Tower, about ten minutes from here. My sister lives with my parents in the same building, and I also have a younger brother, Carmine.”

“Why didn’t you ever take me to your home?” I ask.

“I don’t know.”

“Is it a shag pad?”

He barks out a laugh but doesn’t answer.

“Why do you always push me away but then reel me back in?”

His fingers dig into my thigh. “Because you pull me to you. You keep enticing me and”—he looks at me pointedly—“you know it.”

I hold his gaze and stroke my fingers through his hair as he bends forward. “But we can’t go back to how it was. If you can’t be with me, then you need to leave me alone.” The drugs have given me a lot of boldness to speak my mind, and it feels liberating. “We can’t keep doing this. It will kill my spirit. You’ll break my heart; you already are with this distance.”

“You’ll never deny me,” he counters arrogantly and without remorse.

And therein lies the problem. I’ll never deny him, because he obliterates my resolution the moment he’s in my sphere. “Are you still mad about Damian and Santino?”

“Yes.” He grips my thigh. “I want to throttle and spank you.”

“Maybe I’d like that.”

He smirks as we both remember how roughly we used to fuck. 

“But I also want to fuck them out of your mind, preferably in your ass.” His jaw clenches as he sends me a smoldering look.

“They were never in my mind. It’s always been you. You obsess my mind, and you know it,” I admit and flatten a palm on his chest. “But your pride prevents you from accepting that truth. I’m sorry. I can’t erase what happened with Damian, but I can make it better. Just give me the chance, and we’ll find a way around James somehow. I’m a grown woman.”

“I have too much going on now, Cam; Security Simplicity and Syndicate business that needs my full attention. I’m not sure it’s smart.”

My eyes are becoming weary, and it’s hard to focus. 

“Then I don’t know what to say anymore.” Even through my state of ecstasy, I feel the cracks materializing in my soul.

We stare at one another without words. Because the words have been spoken, and he refuses to budge. 

I wonder what it is that lures me to him. “You’re too damn handsome for your own good,” I mumble. “What did you think of me when we first met?”

I pause as he lifts my other leg over his lap. Now he’s sitting sideways between my legs, one cocked on the lounger behind his back and the other draped over him as he slithers his palms up and down my feet, shin, and knee.

He gazes straight ahead, massaging my leg. “When I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.”

My brows shoot up, but when he grins at me, I frown, waiting for him to add a joke.

“See, you
do
know me,” he states.

I tilt my head sideways in question.

“You’re waiting for a snarky comment.”

I nod with a smile.

“I’d better live up to my reputation then.” His hand strokes up my thigh, over the flare of my hip. “The night we met, I imagined your perfect little breasts gripped in both my palms while my face was buried between your legs until you came on my tongue, quivering, over and over again.”

Oh dear god, this is what attracts me to him. With a few looks, or touches, or words, he can have me squirming under his spell.

“Aren’t you still mad at me?” he asks and stops caressing my legs.

“Yes,” I moan from the loss.

“No, you’re not. You’re too stoned to be angry with me.” His movement starts again.

“Shut up,” I murmur.

“Do you want me to make you feel better?” He kneels up on the lounger faster than my fuzzy brain can process.

My legs snap shut. “No! You’ll leave me hanging again.”

He pries my legs apart easily and yanks me forward from behind my knees, covering my body with his. Then he spreads my legs with his thighs, resting his forearms next to my ears. “Stop thinking.” 

I stop him when he’s an inch above my face with my palm flat on his chest. “You should take your own advice.” His eyes are full of desire and expectation.

“Yes, ma’am.” His lips curve up, and he covers them over mine as he massages my breast. Then he easily unbuttons my blouse with one hand while ravishing my mouth.