I didn’t judge her, because I wished I could be like that. Sometimes.
“What are you doing, and what is that you’re wearing?” She smirked and pointed to my fluffy pink pajamas with a unicorn on the front.
“I’m going to bed,” I huffed. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen me in this before.
“Not going to bed with Claudius tonight? Please tell me that’s not what you wear.” She gave me that menacing look.
I wouldn’t bother to tell her that when Claudius and I were together, we didn’t need anything but the bare skin on our backs. She thought she was so hot and the ‘it’ girl just because men lined up to be with her.
I loved her. Love for her was encoded in my DNA, but sometimes she got on my nerves.
“It’s none of your business what I wear when I’m with my boyfriend.”
“God, you’re testy, testy. What’s with you? I kind of thought you’d be away for the next few days anyway. Spending your last days with said boyfriend.” She placed her hands on her hips and sauntered closer to the bed. She had to move the dress higher up her thigh to sit. Maybe she planned to stand all night at wherever it was she was going.
“He’s working.”
“Working?” She quirked a brow. “I wonder what the mysterious Claudius could be doing tonight. What sort of work was so important that he couldn’t spend tonight with you?”
I never missed the hitched tone in her voice. It held an air of bitterness she tried to hide. I could sense it though. I’d never said this to anyone, but I always thought she was into Claudius.
It was the way she looked at him. I could tell. No, I knew it. I knew, too, that she was against me for being with him, and surprised that he liked me and didn’t pick her.
It didn’t take shared DNA to guess that. That was just down to plain old women’s intuition. That was it. Because of that, it always made me wary of talking about him with her.
I spoke to Kelly, but she lived in LA. We saw each other at college, and it was awkward meeting up sometimes.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s busy.”
“Busy. That’s odd,” she cooed. “He knows you’re leaving in a few days, and he’s busy. I take it he didn’t react that well when you told him about Paris.”
I pulled in a ragged breath and straightened, embarrassed.
She gasped and placed her hand to her heart. The look in her eyes mischievous and cunning. “He doesn’t know. You devil, Ava.”
“I’m going to tell him.”
“When? On the day?” She laughed a laugh of satisfaction.
“No, I’ll tell him tomorrow.” Tomorrow was my deadline. Tomorrow would be when I’d know for sure that I was either going or staying. Either way, I’d tell him that I had the chance.
“Why tomorrow?”
“Because I’m not sure if I want to go.” I frowned, and she laughed.
“Are you serious? Ava, it’s Europe. Fuck, do you realize you’d be the first person in this family to get such an opportunity?” Her features softened, and a slight warmth filled her green eyes.
Those were the main differences between us. When we were little, we used to try to spot any kind of difference we could about each other.
We worked out it was our eyes. Not the color, not the shape or anything physical. But the expression, the emotion that came from within.
We knew what we meant. Maybe it was crazy to be able to tell who a person was from the emotion reflected in their eyes. It was what we agreed on though. It was how I could tell when she was being genuine and when she was not.
Right now, as in this second, I knew she was.
“I know, and it’s hard. I want to go. I’ve dreamed of the chance since I applied, but it’s hard.” Honestly, when I’d applied, I didn’t think I would get the position. Chez la Meire only took on three apprentices every year. Those three people could have come from anywhere in the world.
I’d just thought to apply because I wasn’t one to pass up a chance. I was the take-a-chance-even-if-it-was-crazy kind of girl.
It was crazy that they’d accepted me and even crazier that I was here in my little room contemplating on whether or not I’d be going.
“What are your plans with Claudius, then?” Her voice cut into my thoughts.
“We haven’t really planned… anything.” I didn’t think we would plan anything. We’d been together for a year and a half, and it was crazy wild. I just thought we’d continue from here, here where we were.
“So, you graduated from college last month, and you’ve been working at the restaurant. You’re with this guy you don’t know if you have a future with, and you’re contemplating passing on a chance of a lifetime opportunity when he’s made no promises to you?” She pushed out her full red lips and smirked.
It annoyed me that she was right. “We haven’t been together long. It’s been a year and a half. You don’t push these things.”
“Exactly, which is why you should definitely go. Ava, think big. Not just qualifying for Pa’s restaurant. Come on. It’s Europe. You’re going to be in all the major European cities. Paris, London, Milan, Barcelona. And you’ll be doing what you love. You love cooking. Fuck, have you ever thought of not cooking? Let’s take a walk down the road to the future. We both know that Pa can talk out of his ass and say whatever the hell he wants, but we both know he’ll be giving you the restaurant. It’s the best- and worst-case scenario. Best case, he’ll see you fit to have it. Worst case, he’ll get too old and can’t run it anymore, and he’d rather give it to you than sell the place. Simple.” She pulled in a breath, then continued. “So, that established you know you’re going to get the restaurant. I really doubt that you spent all these years working so hard just for that. There’s more. What if you owned your own chain? Took Delizioso to the top, and it’d be some kind of Michelin-starred hot spot? That’s you, Ava. That’s you.”
All I could do was stare at her, and the light from her eyes told me she meant it for me. She meant well for me.
She did that one-shoulder sassy shrug, her trademark move, and I moved to hug her. It was times like this when we were just sisters.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome. Trust me. One day, when you’re rich and successful, you’ll thank me. Ava, don’t give up your dreams for anyone, and not for someone who’s made you no promises that can rival what you truly want.”
I pulled back and looked at her. She was right, but I didn’t really want to think that way.
“If he loves me, he’ll wait, right?”
“Yes. He’ll understand and wait. Anyone who loves you would do that. That’s how you’ll know how he truly feels. If he can’t, then you’re just another piece of ass to him.”
“Another?”
She laughed. “Ava, you have so much to learn about men. And guys like Claudius. He’s one of the capos for the Rossi family. You think he’s betrothed to you? If he is, I absolutely fucking give him credit. Think of yourself for a change. Do what your heart tells you.”
My heart wanted both things, but I couldn’t deny that she was right.
If I gave up Europe, it would be something I would never forgive myself for.
So, I guess that meant I was going. I was going, and I’d hope that Claudius would wait for me.
Maybe it would be just like in the movies where the guy tells his girl he’ll go with her. He’d go anywhere in the world with her.
Maybe…
Chapter 9
Claudius
* * *
Present day…
“I think it’s fascinating that you have such a setup,” David stated with a curt nod.
He’d said something else before, but I wasn’t listening. He’d been talking about his company and the plans he had for his new brand.
I didn’t have many meetings like this, and I kind of hated anything of this nature where I’d need to know the ins and outs of the businesses that wanted to work with us.
It was impo
rtant though. I was just miles away.
I had Dante on my left and Gio on my right. Alex and Jude were working the streets. I gave them the task of finding whatever they could on the Manellos. Check out all their old hangouts and speak to anyone who used to associate with them. That sort of stuff, but keep it on the down-low.
I didn’t want to start a fire and make a big issue. Not until I had to. Not until I knew what I was dealing with, if it was anything.
Looking for the Manellos wasn’t anything new to me, but people would start to talk if I suddenly started up my witch hunt again.
“Well, I’m glad you like it. It’s been established this way for years, and our clients are happy,” I replied.
“That’s not very surprising. Your reputation proceeds you.” David nodded.
The thing was, I wasn’t exactly known for business. Not like this, anyway.
“Glad to see I’m known.” I straightened and gazed at him. At least my damn brain was working enough to form an answer.
I’d been at the office for over an hour. When I woke up to find Ava gone, the first thing I wanted to do was go find her.
I even got ready with the mind to do just that.
But I stopped myself.
Find her and do what? That was what I was faced with. Find her and say what?
It wasn’t as if the problems that surrounded us were resolved.
Today, however, I felt more than ever that I had to tell her the truth. Then she could decide what she wanted to do with it.
It was like that moment when she’d first asked me if I was a mobster. That day was so long ago it felt like it never happened.
I was straight with her and told her the truth. I told her the truth then because I couldn’t lie to her. Even if I wanted to.
David tilted his head to the side and mirrored the way I sat by leaning forward in his chair, elbow down on his left knee.
“I actually had another proposal for you,” he declared.
I wasn’t so sure if I liked this guy yet. There was something off about him, but then to me, there was something off about everyone.
“What’s that?”
“Of course, on your word I’d love to lease the company, but in actual fact, I wondered what you’d think about selling it to me.” His face brightened.
Dante looked at me, and Gio tensed. I wondered if they sensed something too or if they just thought it was a bad idea to sell.
The assets that were owned all worked together in a tandem with each other. I wasn’t sure what would happen if I got rid of one. From what I could think right now, maybe nothing would happen, but I’d have to check things out.
“The shipping company wasn’t for sale. We have clients that use the service and have done so for years.”
“Oh, and they still would be able to. I wouldn’t just up and get rid of them or what you already have set up. It’s just that it’s worth it to me to have access to something I own.” A lock of his hair fell forward over his eyes, and he smiled.
“What do you want to offer?” I would be interested to know what he thought the company was worth.
“I was thinking five million. I checked it out, and that’s a hell of a lot more than your annual turnover for the company.”
I leaned my head to the side. It pissed me off that he’d checked the place out and was bold enough to throw dirt at me that wasn’t dirt.
“I’m very comfortable with the current earnings on the place. Sometimes money isn’t everything.” I made sure I gave him a pointed stare.
“Mr. Morientz, I apologize if I offended you. I didn’t mean to.” He held up his hands and widened his smile. “I just meant it seemed like a reasonable offer.”
“It is, and I will think about it.”
“Oh, good. Can I ask when I may get an answer. I don’t mean to rush you. I just want an idea so I can plan. That’s it.”
“Draw up your proposal and send it over to me by Monday. I’ll look over everything and get back to you.” By look over everything I meant check things inside out.
Five million was a lot of money to turn down. It was also usually a dead giveaway that I needed to be certain I’d left no stone unturned. This proposal of his might be something I’d be better placed talking to Pa about because he knew all the things we used that company for. Right from way back when. He’d be back by the weekend.
“Fantastic.”
“Great. Meeting adjourned. I’ll be in touch.” I needed to wrap this up. I wanted to touch base with Dante and Gio, then take off and see Ava.
“Thanks for your time.” David put his hand out to shake mine. I took it and gave a polite smile.
He let himself out.
When the door closed, Gio stood up and moved over to the window.
We were all in the small meeting room. My office was still a mess from yesterday with the books from the shelf all over the floor and broken glass near the window where I’d smashed the paperweight.
I’d come in to the cleaner asking if there’d been a fight.
If that happened to someone else, I would have laughed, but it reminded me of my debacle with Ava.
“Don’t sell it,” Gio said, turning back to face me and Dante.
“Five million is a lot to say no to, Gio.” Dante frowned. “Why in the ever-living fuck would we say no to that kind of money?”
“Something’s off with that guy, that’s why.” Gio nodded.
I smirked, glad that it wasn’t just me who’d picked up on that and that I wasn’t completely off my game.
“What made you think that? He’s fucking David Shipel. What could be off about him?”
“Five million for a shipping company that doesn’t have a huge annual turnover, some beat-up ships, and only offers service to a handful of routes.”
“You think it’s too much?” I asked.
“Nah, it’s not that. Something else. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“I’ll have him followed and see if there’s something else Mr. David isn’t telling us.”
Dante gave me an uneasy look. “Boss, we have bigger fish to fry.”
“Jesus Christ, what now?” I had too much on my plate.
I looked at the two of them, and they both looked like they’d found something they didn’t want to tell me.
“We thought we do a little digging around of our own last night. Just seeing what we could gather on the Manellos.”
“What did you find?”
“Not the fucking Manellos. We found worse. So much worse.” Gio bit the inside of his lip.
The hair stood up on the back of my neck. There were only a few things that were worse than the Manellos, but I didn’t want to think of any of those things.
“The Antonellas,” Dante said with a very, very grim expression. “Barabbas Antonella. We saw him at the old theatre.”
“Fucking hell,” I breathed and brought my hand up to my chin.
What the fuck did it all mean? Luc had seen one of the Manello lackeys, and now Dante and Gio saw Barabbas.
Both crime families had been absent for too many years for this to just be some coincidence. It fucking well wasn’t.
“Should I even bother to say that something’s going on?” I hissed.
This was it. I was sure. This was the signal of things changing. We’d had it easy for the last three years and some.
People knew who we were, knew we ran the streets of Chicago. Didn’t mean they liked any of it.
“Something indeed is going on, and whatever it is to involve Barabbas Antonella is something colossally big,” Dante stated.
“So, what do we do?” Gio asked.
I wanted the Manellos for my own personal vendetta. The Antonellas were something else. In the days of Raphael, he would have just let sleeping dogs lie.
Me though? What should I do?
I knew what sightings of both crime families meant. My gut instinct told me it could mean they were here for something.
“What do you want to
do?”
Both men looked shocked to shit at my question. Not surprising because I gave them orders. The Four as a unit, however, were designed for this shit, and these were my streets. I at least needed to know what was going on.
“Well, I’m not going to be a schmuck and say leave it alone.” Dante took out his gun and ran his fingers along the barrel. “Definitely not for the fucking Antonellas.”
I knew Dante had something going on with the Antonellas, but he never said. People thought I was bad when I didn’t want to talk. He was worse than me. He was the most vocal among us. Gio next. Dante talked about everything, but it was the things he didn’t say that spoke the loudest.
I also knew it wasn’t them who drew him to my merry band of men. His hang-up on them was something else entirely.
“And if Dante’s not leaving it alone, then he needs me to watch his back.” Gio chuckled.
“Something’s here that they want,” I offered.
“Something’s here, for sure. We just have to find out what that is.” Gio quirked a brow.
I released a slow sigh. While I was definitely curious to know what these people wanted, I didn’t want to dig around too deep.
“Usually, if you see any Antonella, someone huge is about to get assassinated or something valuable’s about to get taken.” Dante nodded.
“Let’s just find out what’s going on, but don’t do anything rash,” I cautioned.
“Rash, boss? The last time anyone saw Barabbas Antonella was a good eight or nine years ago. We’d just made rank in Raphael’s crew. What if this blows up into something else?”
“Then we cross that bridge when we get to it.”
This was the line I had to draw. To know when to start a war and when to just get the intel I needed and back the fuck off. The setup we had lasted forever because of that code.
The last thing I wanted to do was anything that could mess that up.
I was after Goliath. Anything or anyone that could lead me to him.
That was it.
Nothing more, and definitely not a repeat of the past.
I knew firsthand what messing things up would lead to. These people weren’t the compassionate type.
Dirty Hearts: A Bad Bod Mafia Romance Page 8