Authors: Soraya Naomi
“
Mi zio.
First night with him, we made pasta together. I was sad and didn’t want to talk. He understood and just let me make a mess with dough.”
“He sounds so nice. Does he have any children of his own?”
“No. He had one love, but her family didn’t want her marrying my uncle. This was back in Italy. He never married. As far as I know, he never had a serious relationship while living here.”
I taste the wine. “He lives alone in Venice?” The wine has a deep, rich taste which is astoundingly dry, yet delicious.
“He has many friends and some family members. He isn’t lonely over there.”
I hear a vibrating sound, and disapproval paints Luca’s face as he checks his screen and types a short message.
I’ve already finished my second glass of wine and feel lazy and warm. I’m not in the mood to make the pasta anymore. “Luca.” I smile at him. “I think you can make the pasta much better than me so maybe you should do it.” I slip off the stool and sink into the soft couch cushions.
He humors me.
“Of course.” Then adds, “I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that you just want to hang on the couch.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t.” I laugh him off.
I’ve dozed off and am awakened by Luca’s soft voice near my ear. “
Dolcezza
, dinner’s ready.” He’s squatted before me on the couch and pushes my hair out of my eyes.
I sit up and see that he has the dinner table set up with candles.
Luca holds out my chair and plates up the food. “You make a mouthwateringly good shrimp pasta with garlic and parsley,” I commend him.
“I don’t cook often, so I’m pleased you’re enjoying it.”
“I never thought I would say this, but no dessert for me tonight.” This pasta is filling.
“Never thought you’d say that either. Are you positive?”
“Quite positive,” I confirm. “Are you busy this week?”
“A little.”
“It’s my birthday soon,” I hint.
“I know.”
“How?”
“I checked your Facebook,” he admits quietly.
“So you do like Facebook—”
“No, I only checked yours. That’s all.”
“Yeah, right,” I throw back. “Well, when you’re not busy this week, you can stop by my apartment after work.”
“I definitely will. I’d rather be busy with you
than work.” He smiles wickedly.
Fallon
And that’s what we do for the next few months, busy ourselves with each other. Always planned dates.
I give Luca an unplanned visit after I’ve had a meeting with a client three streets from his penthouse. I try persuading the reception to let me go on up, but they’re unyielding in checking with Mr.
DeMiliano first. They’re strict here. I get clearance to go up after they’ve phoned Luca, and he greets me at the door.
“Hi. I was in the neighborhood and wanted to see you.”
“Hi, Fallon. I wish you would’ve called; I’m actually working.” Displeasure is carved in his features.
Taken aback by his rigid, unwelcome posture, I try to look past him into the apartment. Luca has never been anything but courteous, and his discontented manner warrants my suspicion. Normally Luca is in tight control of his emotions to the point that it’s sometimes challenging for me to interpret his reaction. “That’s fine. I just wanted to say hi. I’m obviously interrupting.” I want in that apartment because my instinct is screaming at me to check it out. “I’ll just grab a bottle of water, and I’ll be on my way.”
Luca’s brows crease - he knows I’m on to him and whatever business is going on in there.
I shoulder him out the way and stride to the kitchen. There I’m greeted by the guy who was waiting impatiently outside the coffee shop the second time I met Luca. He has
pitch black hair and dark brown eyes, but he has a kind undercurrent about him. His hair is longer than Luca’s, falling over his ears slightly and curling at the nape.
The guy stands from his seat at the kitchen island. He’s dressed in a tailored grey suit, so he obviously shares Luca’s love for the finer Italian suits. “Hi, I’m Adriano.
Luca’s business partner. You must be Fallon. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Luca
is
actually busy with work. Adriano’s here and I see the two laptops on the counter. “Hi, Adriano. I’ve heard significantly less about you.”
He feigns a hurt expression when Luca - who is still not acting like himself - enters the kitchen. “Luca,
stronzo
, you don’t tell your girlfriend about the most important man in your life.” He points at himself.
Luca provides him a bored look. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
Adriano returns his attention to me. “Anyway, I’m his best and
only
friend.” He slaps Luca’s back. “I’m the only guy confident enough to be this Mr. Universe’s friend.” He offers a wicked grin.
Adriano’s comical attitude has eased the stiffening air between Luca and me.
“If you’re my only friend, that means you’re my best friend by default,” Luca chides.
Adriano shrugs. “I’ll take that.”
Luca and Adriano have an endearing brotherly bond. I smile and retrieve a bottle of water from the fridge. I hold the bottle up. “Anyone else?” As I turn back around, I catch a strange look being exchanged between Luca and Adriano.
“No,” Luca answers.
“I’ll be right back,” Adriano informs us and walks down the hall to the guest room.
Taking the cap of the bottle, I take a swig while keeping my stare locked on Luca. “What’s wrong, Luca?”
Luca cocks his head in question. “Why would anything be wrong?”
I close in on him standing next to the kitchen island. “You don’t like surprises? You haven’t even kissed me.”
A lazy smile pulls at his mouth. “You came here for a quickie, Ms. Michaels?”
“Maybe—”
Heels are clicking loudly on the floor. Someone is descending the stairs. Then several things happen that bother me. Luca takes a step back from me. Adriano opens the guest room door and comes out looking contrite. And I see a woman is heading toward us with a smug look on her face.
Shocked, I ask Luca, “Who is that?”
The woman takes a stand beside Luca, effectively making me the outsider in this equation. Annoyance reflects behinds his eyes.
Attempting to defuse the situation, Adriano responds tersely, “This is Gina, a friend of mine.” His irritation deters her from opening her mouth.
Gina - with her obvious fake breasts, painted face, acrylic nails, and plastic high heels - stands there glowering at me.
My eyes are glued to Luca, and I completely ignore her. If she’s a friend of Adriano, why is she being possessive over Luca? Is his annoyance directed at me or her?
It’s directed at her because as she touches his arm, he shrugs her off and anger brims inside him. Luca relays something to Adriano without any words; they only lock eyes briefly.
I stay quiet, too curious to see how these men are going to weasel themselves out of this awkward situation.
Adriano speaks up first. “She’s in some trouble, and I told her to come here. I’ll take her home now.” He’s anything but gentle in handling his lady friend. Adriano practically bulldozes her out of the apartment.
The front door closes, and I tip my head to the side for Luca to start talking.
He wipes his hand over his mouth. “Say something.” Luca takes the water bottle I’ve been clutching and places it on the counter.
I release a deep breath. This entire encounter has me speculating what’s going on in his life. “Who’s she?”
Luca steps forward to touch me, but his hand stops mid-air when I glare at him. “She’s a friend of Adriano’s. She called him while we were working.” He gestures toward the laptops. “Look we
were
working, Fallon. Adriano told her to come here. She got here a few minutes before you arrived. She was freshening up in the bathroom, and Adriano was taking her home after we settled one last e-mail.”
“Why was she all over you if she’s only a friend of Adriano? You know her too?”
“Yes.” A curt reply.
“You know what I mean. Don’t play coy with me now. How
well
do you know her?” I’m asking if he slept with her.
“I’m not attracted to her, Fallon.” No answer is an affirmative answer. He steps forward and I immediately step back. Luca’s eyes soften in culpability and defeat.
“I knew by your reaction to my visit that something was wrong. And then I find a woman in your apartment—”
Luca casually interrupts. “Adriano was here too. I wasn’t alone with her, Fallon. Don’t make this bigger than it is.”
“Don’t make it bigger? I felt the tension, Luca. I felt something was off, and the way she wanted to mark her territory with you is unsettling. And don’t think I didn’t notice you evading my questions until I literally spelled it out for you.” My voice mirrors his frustration.
“You want to know?” His voice rising. “She’s a stripper. Adriano is the idiot who befriended her. We had business to finish, and it was easier for her to come by here because Adriano couldn’t leave yet. This is exactly what I wanted to prevent.” He waves to the distance between us and expels an exaggerated breath.
My annoyance has risen to unbelievable heights after the stripper confession. “This is not sitting well with me, Luca. Are there other situations where you don’t want to upset me and therefore you omit things?” Moisture pools in my eyes.
“I want to protect you from any harm.” Luca’s gradually advancing on me and tries to palm my neck.
I shake him off. “Harm? What are you talking about? I’m not quite sure you’re getting my point. You will not find a random man – someone you don’t know - in my house when you decide to visit me.”
I swear I see guilt and anger battling in his intense green eyes. “I’m trying here, Fallon. Don’t overreact.”
“What? Are you serious? You think I’m overreacting?” I say sullenly. “You shouldn’t trivialize this.”
Luca paces back and forth. “Yes… No… Fuck!” he mutters.
I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m upset and I want to be away from you right now.” The unsettling thoughts haven’t been negated by our talk. I desperately need to leave. “I’m going home.”
Disappointed, Luca implores, “No, stay. Don’t go like this.” He closes the distance between us and touches my face. I stop him and move his hand away because I don’t want to be softened by his touch.
His disappointment fades and pure fury blisters to the surface at my rejection of his touch. He’s not used to hearing no. Luca grabs my shoulders vehemently, forcing my gaze on him. “You are not going anywhere like this.”
My brows shoot skyward at his directive tone, making me defensive. “You don’t decide whether I stay or go.” I throw the water bottle in my purse and dash out of his house. As I close the apartment door, I hear Luca cursing a string of profanities.
One unplanned meeting between us has planted the seeds of mistrust in me. There’s a small voice in the back of my head shouting to be acknowledged.
Luca
I did not handle that well. I fist my hands in my hair.
Fucking Gina has some nerve.
This is why I don’t allow people in my home. Only because Adriano couldn’t leave immediately to get her, did I permit her coming here. Adriano’s soldier was supposed to pick her up and take her to the house, but we put him on another assignment last minute. Gina’s as stupid as she’s fake. I cringe at the memory of fucking her. She’s one of the reasons why I don’t drink too much anymore.
All I wanted was to finish our business quickly and visit Fallon. That plan obviously failed. Adriano left without his laptop, but I’m not positive Fallon perceived that as sketchy. We opened the laptops when the reception notified me that Fallon was downstairs.
Adriano and I own a software development company. The company develops and implements special requirements software for businesses worldwide. We act as silent owners, and the office is located in The Loop. Of course the software developments are used for the Syndicate to breach firewalls and government systems. Apart from being the silent owners, Adriano and I are also the investors – which is how we legalize the profit from the drug earnings, making it appear that we are just two noble and successful entrepreneurs. Usually once, twice a week, Adriano or I visit the office to sign documents and answer e-mails or prepare for audits. Every detail has been covered to ensure this company looks legitimate. We have operational, sales, and finance directors who manage the day-to-day business, and we have managed to stay behind the scenes as much as possible. The three directors are associates on my payroll, not true Syndicate members.
To the outside world, we’re entrepreneurs who avoid the media; not that uncommon. One of the most important aspects of our Syndicate life is to uphold the façade of being a contributing member of society. None of the high-ranking men have a criminal record. Once you have a criminal record, you can never be anything more than a soldier in any Syndicate, whether it’s New York Syndicate, Chicago, or LA. This
is our strength. Soldiers are never seen in public with
made
men.
Capo crimine
, underbosses,
Consiglieri
, and
Capi
are artists, entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, police men, all with clean records and no run-ins with the police or ties to any criminal activity that is documented by the government. Chicago Syndicate is the largest and most influential venture, devoted to regulating the drug traffic in Central Chicago and now expanding to East Chicago. Crystal Lake and some other small areas have been sold because they weren’t beneficial enough for us. We have smooth-running drug trafficking procedures set up that benefit all parties. Even though Leggia’s now in charge of Crystal Lake, we still own the veto right to the Chicago territory, which means that James can still overpower anything Leggia does in Crystal Lake if it affects our business. The other Syndicates will not interfere as long as it benefits the status quo: nobody is exposed or incriminated or linked to criminal activity. James has always been careful about expanding because expanding also brings along more intricate planning and risk of exposure.
We we’re discussing
Leggia when Gina called Adriano. I made a snap decision for Gina to wait here because I had to update my
Capo
.
I can’t control Fallon, which irks
and
intrigues me. She has a mind of her own, a free spirit that doesn’t consent giving into me. Waves of fury and excitement swished through me at her dismissal of staying here. She’s a challenge, and she’s reeling me in.
First, the hindrance, Gina, will be dealt with. She made the wrong move in coming between Fallon and me.
I text Adriano on my way out.
Where are you?
Riding around the area still. I’m guessing Gina won’t be going back to the house.
Meet me at the park, all the way in the back.
Gina’s smugness has vanished. All I see is fear written all over her while they pad across the grass.
Adriano joins
me on the bench while Gina keeps her stance before us.
We both glare at her as I speak. “Where is her boldness now?”
Adriano moves his head from left to right slowly in mock disappointment.
Gina begs, “Luca, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You know… I thought you liked me too.”
Never have I given her the time of day except for that one time we fucked, which I barely remember. What’s left of my conscience obligated me to let her stay after our fucking since I was partly at fault. But she doesn’t know when to shut her irritating trap. Gina’s manipulative and vindictive. A woman scorned could pose a problem for me personally, though I’m sure she wants to live, so she’ll disappear quietly. She isn’t a danger to the Syndicate because she has absolutely no incriminating information on us. Holding up my hand, I hush her.
Adriano says, “You don’t belong with us, Gina. You are not to come to the house anymore.”
She trembles and cries, “What about my stuff at the house? I don’t have any money.”
“Your stuff will be sent to you. Adriano will give you some cash.”
“Luca, Adriano, please, I want to stay with you. I’m so sorry.”
“You should’ve thought about that before you decided to interfere in my life,” I reply.
Adriano rises. “See you at the house?”
I nod briefly.
“Come.” He yanks Gina with him.
***
I’m palming my phone, ready to call Fallon, but I need to let her cool off. “Camilla, can I have water?”
She gets a bottle from the fridge behind her and hands it to me. “What’s on your mind, Luca?”
Propping one foot on the foot rest, I sit forward. Camilla might be able to help me get back into Fallon’s good graces. “A woman,” I reveal.
She swipes a cloth over the bar counter and stops at my confession. “Well, I never. Has a woman finally captured your attention beyond fucking?”
“Stop working; sit with me. Nobody is here anyway.” The room is deserted while I’m waiting for Adriano.
“Let me just clean the counter. Do tell, Luca.” She stops across from me.
“I need to make a woman stop being mad at me.”
“Is she special?”
I confess, “Yes.” I pause, unsure whether to tell this to her. “Every time I’m with her, something cuts short or ruins our time together.”
Camilla smiles tentatively, knowingly. She stays quiet, allowing me to continue.
“I’m tainting her with my presence.”
“How?” she questions.
I angle my head sideways. “You know more about what goes on around here than any of the other women, Camilla. I see how you’re unobtrusively absorbing this lifestyle.”
“Does she know about this?” Camilla waves her hand around.
“No. She was untainted, but now she’s been dragged in without even realizing.” I’ve said too much to Camilla. Changing the subject, I add, “It’s her birthday Sunday. I have a gift, but I need something extra.”
“What did you get her?”
“A few books.”
Camilla scrunches her nose up. “Books?”
The corner of my lip turns up. “She’ll love them.”
“What does she like, except for books?”
My mind tries to think of everything Fallon’s told me. “Mostly books…theater, movies.” I screw the top off the water bottle.
Camilla’s eyes start to glow. “I have an idea. Get your laptop - we can arrange everything online. You have a budget?”
“No budget, give me your best idea.”