Chasing Arlo (Genoa Mafia Series Book 5)

by Ginger Ring

  He pulled his briefs off and again she was wrapped in the embrace of this amazing man, her man, and she would never get tired of saying it. How she wished she could have seen all of him before he got into bed but from the size and weight of his hard length pressed against her, it was probably a good thing. She had enough anxiety flowing through her veins right now to worry about anything else but dammit he was huge. Everything about him was.

  “I don’t want to wait any longer to make you mine.” Arlo brushed the hair from her face and she nodded as he maneuvered again between her legs. This time it would be forever. He was making her his, marking her as his. His gaze never left hers as he entered her slowly, ever so slowly. The man had the will and patience of a saint. He was so gentle with her for their first time. After tonight, chances were good they’d be doing every position, in every place, but he clearly wanted this to be special for her. “All right?” Again, the caring lover, he kissed her lips.

  “Yes.” Tears threatened but she kept them at bay. Happiness poured over her. Dancing with him was her favorite thing until now, this…was off the charts. When he began to move, her whole world shifted. This was the start of the rest of her life. His thrusts brought her closer and closer to the edge again. Her gasps sounded in the room as he hit her sweet spot. Layla’s ears burned and her face flushed. Her climax hit as pleasure rolled over and over her before falling back to earth. Arlo groaned and then joined her in their afterglow. His lips dropped kisses on the tip of her nose and each cheek. It was as if his eyes were seeing her soul and it belonged to him.

  He rolled over, bringing her to his side. Resting her head on his hairy, roughened chest, the pounding of his heart matched hers. It hurt that Arlo had always thought he wasn’t a high enough rank for her. Well, if he thought of her as queen, she knew he was her king.

  Chapter Sixteen

  So much for getting up and making breakfast. As Layla finally crawled out of bed, she realized she’d be lucky if she could walk straight. Throwing on Arlo’s abandoned dress shirt, she stretched and purred like a cat. They’d made love four times last night, exhaustion and elation were battling it out to see who might win. Finally making it to the bathroom, a new woman appeared in the mirror staring back at her. One that looked sexy, satisfied, and totally in love. Freshening up, she wobbled back to the bedroom. Muscles she never knew she had ached but in a good way.

  “Coffee?” Arlo leaned against the wall, the grin on his face making him appear years younger. He was bare chested and wearing a pair of grey sweat pants low on his hips.

  “A man after my heart.” She drew the mug to her nose and inhaled. Bliss in a cup.

  “I thought I already had it,” he teased.

  “That’s right, you do.” Setting the cup on a table, Layla strolled over and wrapped her arms around his waist. Looking up, she fluttered her fingers across his chest hair. They were both sweaty and smelled like sex. “We need a shower. Care to join me?”

  “I’d love to but I have something to tell you first.”

  Layla raised an eyebrow.

  “I have an appointment for you to meet with Tonya today.”

  “Who?”

  “The Russian girl. I found out her name and the place she’s recuperating at. If we can be there by ten, you can talk to her.”

  “Then we better get cleaned up.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the bathroom.

  ***

  As were most medical buildings in Genoa, the rehab center was fairly new and up to date. A lot of the improvements had been funded by the Caponelli family as they’d made numerous investments and donations to the town.

  Layla decided on a simple sundress and light-colored wedges. It was peach with white flowers. She’d always loved pretty things but for some reason, she felt especially girly and feminine today. Layla placed her hand on Arlo’s leg and he covered it with his. His strength eased some of the edge that she’d always felt the need to present to others. They complemented each other well, and during the journey over each had discussed different ways to approach the situation.

  For this visit, empathy would hopefully get a better response than coming off too fierce. It was important to find out if Christopher could be trusted and this the first connection anyone had with the woman that they’d found. Arlo parked the SUV near the door and took her hand in his. When she turned his way, he greeted her with a kiss.

  “I haven’t met Tonya in person but I heard it was pretty bad, so be prepared,” he warned while rubbing his thumb on her skin. In the middle of their many lovemaking sessions last night, she’d shared one of her fears. The sight of blood left her light headed, something that would be seen as a weakness for a leader. So far, Layla’d hidden it well, but knowing the poor woman would be missing a finger and who knows what else left her hands shaking.

  “I will. Thanks.” Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she waited for Arlo to get out and go around to open the door for her. Her man reached for her arm and held it as they walked. They were supposed to pretend to be a couple and now they officially were. Reaching the front of the building, he moved his hand to her lower back and guided her through the front entrance.

  A member of the staff greeted them. “Can I help you?”

  “We’re here to see Tonya Yerkhov.” Layla studied the place as Arlo spoke with the administrator, at least that was what her name tag stated she was. Her name, Sandra Evans, was in bold letters above her title.

  The friendly expression on the woman’s face dropped and was replaced with a guarded one. “And you know this person how?”

  “We’re here representing the Caponellis,” Arlo volunteered. They’d personally been paying all her healthcare since the woman had arrived there.

  “Of course, but I will need to follow protocol and give them a call. I need your names and photo IDs please.” They each gave her their driver’s licenses. “Thanks, I’ll make a call and get back to you shortly. Please take a seat while you wait.” Miss Evans pointed to a small waiting room. The flat screen above a fireplace played the weather channel.

  “We will. Thank you.” Arlo entwined his fingers with hers and led her over to a loveseat.

  “Did you know about their policies?” This was obviously more than your average rehabilitation center. It was a maximum-security facility.

  He took a seat against the wall and patted the seat beside him. “I’ve never been here before so I had no idea, but it makes sense. She’s the victim of a crime. Tonya needs quiet, care, and above all, to feel safe.”

  A few minutes later, Miss Evans returned. “I just talked to Mr. Caponelli and he said you were here on his behalf. Please follow me and I will escort you to Miss Yerkhov’s room.”

  They were buzzed through a metal door and into the patient area. A common room held a few people chatting over mugs of coffee. Several rooms they passed had open doors. Patients were in their beds, some reading, resting, or watching TV. Applause for what sounded like a game show echoed as they passed one.

  Sandra placed her hand on the door of the last room. “Tonya’s made great progress since she’s been with us but there is still a long way to go.”

  “What were the extent of her injuries?” Layla wanted to prepare herself for the worst.

  “Mr. Caponelli gave me permission to share that information with you. She was tortured. Bones were broken, she was burned and cut, including missing a finger. Her body will heal but it’s her mental state that concerns us most.”

  “That bastard,” Arlo grumbled. “Was she sexually assaulted?”

  “Fortunately, no. The woman is in a deep depression, as is expected after what she’s been through. Hopefully your visit will improve that and give her something else to think about.”

  “Yes, let’s hope.” Layla nodded, her heart in her throat. “Thank you, Miss Evans.” How horrible! If she was working for the Russians, why did they do this to her? Arlo had filled her in on what Alexander had said. That the woman was a favorite of his brother’s
and that’s why he took her. Revenge against Fedor. He’d also said that their captive showed no remorse and then went on to take Jackie. It didn’t make sense as far as she was concerned. If it was done to hurt his brother, why pick someone else right off the street?

  Sandra knocked lightly on the door and a woman’s voice answered from the room. The administrator opened it and took a step inside. “Tonya, you have visitors.”

  Sitting in a chair by the window was a small blonde woman, in her lap was a book. Her hair curtained her facial features, but her eyes widened when they landed on Arlo. “Don’t worry, dear, these people are with the Caponellis. They’re just here to see how you’re doing. Is it okay that they sit with you? Would you like to go out in the common area?”

  Tonya’s eyes fluttered back and forth between the three before finally settling on Layla. Her head slowly nodded up and down.

  “Here, or out there?” Sandra asked again.

  The young woman’s mouth twitched. “Here.” She untucked her feet from under her and placed them on the floor.

  “I’ll leave the door open and check back in a bit,” Miss Evans said to Tonya before leaving.

  An awkward silence settled in the room before Layla spoke. “Hi, I’m Layla.” Ambling forward with her hand out, she stood before her but there was no response from the young lady. Letting her arm fall to her side, she tried again. “Is it okay if I take a seat on the bed?” Arlo remained by the door.

  Tonya slowly nodded and set her book on the window sill. It appeared to be a paperback romance. Grabbing a nearby pillow, she placed it in front of her chest. Again, her eyes darted to the large man leaning against the doorway. Up close the traces of her injuries were more apparent. It had been months but scars and discoloration still marred her face. Her nose and perhaps even her jaw had been broken.

  “I’m sorry for what you went through. Like I said, my name is Layla Rinaldi, and this is Arlo Brunetti, he works very closely with Mr. Caponelli. Roman’s wife is my half-sister.”

  Tonya’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “We are here to try and help. Are you feeling better? Is there anything we can get for you?” Layla remembered the nearby paperback. “More books perhaps? Any favorite kinds of chocolate or food we can get you?”

  The woman shook her head. “What is it that you want to know?” Tonya spoke with a distinct Russian accent. “The Caponellis have been paying my bills so I figured it would come with a price.”

  “No price, but we do have questions.” Arlo stepped away from the wall. “We know you worked at one of the whorehouses owned by the Bratva. How did you come to be here?”

  “You know the answer. That pig, Alexander, took me and…” Her voice cracked. “Did horrible things and tossed me by the side of the road.”

  “Why you?” Layla asked but there was no response.

  “Alexander said you were a favorite of his brother’s. Did he visit you often at the brothel?” Arlo gave it a try and when she remained silent added, “Were you there willingly?”

  Tonya took a deep breath. “Hell no. I was drugged at a club while on holiday in France. A few days later I woke up in what I later found out was Chicago. They made me work in the house but as a housekeeper, cleaning the rooms. Fedor said if I didn’t want to end up as a whore, I needed to do work for him. Do as he said.”

  “What kind of work?” he asked.

  “My English was good so he said he had a job for me. Told me if I could make someone fall for me, a man. Then I could go free.”

  “And did you?” Layla crossed one leg over the other.

  “I’d have done anything to go home and not have to be forced into prostitution.”

  “Who was the man?” Arlo inched closer and took a seat in a nearby chair.

  “His name was Christopher. He was an IT specialist that I met at a bar. Somehow they knew he would be there.” A slight blush crossed her face. “He was nice and kind to me. We began dating. The more time we spent together the more I liked him. We fell in love. It was no longer just a job to me.” Her blue eyes watered. “I really cared for him and hoped he could get me out of there. Have a future together.”

  “What happened next?” Layla knew but they needed to know for sure.

  “They threatened me to get information from him. At that point I didn’t want to but they said they would hurt him. It made me sick. I knew what they’d do to me so I couldn’t bear to have them hurt him.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  Layla wanted to give the girl comfort but they needed to know more. “Why did Alexander take you, he said you were his brother’s favorite but yet you were helping them.”

  “I hated Fedor, and no, I never slept with him or anyone there. It was the one promise he kept to me in exchange for doing what I was told. It was just an excuse he told everyone so they would leave me alone. I didn’t really know Alex. I used to feel sorry for him. It was rumored that he was being drugged or poisoned by Fedor. I’m not sure which.”

  Layla’s eyes locked on Arlo. “Poisoned?”

  “Yes, the girls used to say he was kind and that Fedor was a beast. That Fedor wanted to run the business in the worst way and the only way was to get rid of his older brother. Alex changed and became crazy, and…I can’t think of the word. Part…pare…paranoid.” She snapped her fingers. “That’s what it is, paranoid. That everyone was out to get him. When he’d visit the house, women would be terrified he’d want to be with them because he was so mean. Brutal. But he hadn’t been that way before.” Tonya pulled the pillow tighter to her body. “Right before he took me, Fedor cut off my finger and sent it to Christopher. They were blackmailing him for information on his employer. They’re both monsters,” she cried.

  “Do you know who Christopher worked for?” Layla asked and Tonya shook her head.

  “No, I didn’t ask questions but I did what they told me to. Before I was taken, Fedor told me he was done with me. He also said he was done with Chris and that he was going to kill him. I tried to escape and it was then that Alex took me.” The pillow fell to the floor and Tonya rested her elbows on her knees. “I’m responsible for his death. He was a good man and it was my actions that killed him. I just wanted to be free, not fall in love with someone. I deserve what was done to me. This was all my fault.”

  “No, no, you didn’t. None of this is your fault.” Layla inched closer to the edge of the bed and rested her hand on Tonya’s shoulder. “And I have good news for you. Your Christopher is alive.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Arlo

  Tonya was full of questions and they tried to fill her in as much as they could. As a patient there, she’d had no contact with the outside world and hadn’t since being admitted. Now that she knew her lover was safe and sound, Tonya’s spirits improved by leaps and bounds.

  Layla promised to come visit her again and she managed to find out a few of the girl’s favorite things. Knowing Layla’s kind heart, she would soon be returning with a care basket filled with goodies.

  “Where to now?” Back in the vehicle, his beautiful companion asked while typing on her phone.

  “We’re meeting the family doctor at the safe house. She has some new insight on Alexander that she wants to discuss with us.”

  “Insight?” She put away her phone and looked his way.

  “Apparently, he’s had some drastic changes in behavior the last month.” The guy couldn’t get any worse so it was hard to guess what this could mean.

  “Changes?” Layla crossed her legs and his eyes naturally fell to her long limbs. Damn, she was beautiful. Every day he spent with her, he felt his heart grow larger as it filled with love. Sure, their time together had been brief, but it had been years in coming.

  “Yeah, that’s what they said. I’m curious to hear what she has to say. Anything to get some insight into what’s going on.”

  “What’s your gut tell you?” Layla flipped the visor down and flicked a piece of fuzz from her dress.

  “My gut tells me something happe
ned between the brothers. Alexander ruled after their father’s death but Fedor took over. It was after that, that the attacks on the Rinaldi and Caponelli territories started to happen.” Before that there was somewhat of a truce between the families and the Bratva but that changed dramatically in the last few months. Not to mention what happened with them trying to eliminate everyone this past weekend.

  It took a little longer than usual to get through town, the tourist season was in full force. Parking downtown was pretty much non-existent. The normal ten-minute drive took over twenty. When they reached the safe house, Arlo parked in the driveway next to the doctor’s car. Just like Valentina was the Caponellis’ full time lawyer, the family also had an MD on call at all times.

  The curtains inside the house moved as Alexander’s guard checked them out. “Let’s go.”

  “Is Alex under control?” Layla reached for her purse and put it in her lap.

  “Don’t worry, he’s under glass.” That got him a confused look from the woman next to him but she didn’t ask anything more. Arlo got out of the car and surveyed the area. It was a work day and this was a working-class neighborhood so very few cars or people were around.

  “Under glass, huh?” she asked when he opened her door and helped her out.

  “You’ll see.”

  Oscar greeted them at the side door and quickly closed and locked it behind them. “What’s new, Ar?”

  “Not much, O, how about yourself?” Oscar had been working with them for a few months and so far, seemed to work out well. He was becoming a loyal and trusted member of the family.