by Jade, Ella
“May I?” Gianni held out his hand for my phone again.
“It’s nothing at all,” I insisted.
“Sweetheart,” my dad said. “Let him see it.”
I glanced up, staring into Gianni’s encouraging eyes as he waited for me to let him see my latest text. The three men stared at me in the eerily quiet room. “It’s okay.” I reluctantly gave him my phone because I didn’t want to involve Gianni in this mess. “Just some guy who doesn’t like to take no for an answer. I thought I’d handled him.”
It seemed as if all the muscles in Gianni’s body tensed as he read the text. His jaw tightened as the veins bulged down his neck. I wondered if that was what he looked like when he was caught up in a moment of sweaty, dirty passion. What’s wrong with me? As if I’d ever seen a man hot, writhing, and caught up in pleasure. But if I had, I’d want it to be him.
“Unfortunately, some men can’t appreciate the word no.” He gave me back my phone. “Sometimes they need help understanding.” He looked at my father before returning his attention to me. “I’m sorry you have to deal with him but don’t reply to that text.”
“I’ll keep ignoring him.”
“That’s a good idea.” He lingered for a moment as our fathers engaged in conversation. “I’ll text you the details for this weekend. I hope you’ll join us.”
“I’d like to.” I sent him a smiley face emoji text. “Now you have my number.”
“Good.” When he leaned in to kiss my cheek, he caught me by surprise. The first kiss was a greeting, totally understandable. Almost obligatory. The second one? Not necessary at all. “It was nice seeing you.”
“You too.” When he let go of me, I stumbled, hitting the back of the sofa in a less than graceful attempt to be alluring.
As I tried to compose myself, Gianni moved toward my dad and said something to him and Dante Marchelli. The three men nodded in what seemed to be a mutual agreement.
What are they up to?
Chapter Two
GIANNI
You Made it Personal
After handing my keys to the valet, I joined Dominick in front of the trendy bar located in one of the busiest spots in the city. Too bad we weren’t here for pleasure.
“Can you believe this loser uses other people’s phones to stalk her?” I had tried to put Leo out of my head but that text message pissed me off. Normally, I could separate business from my emotions. My father would ask me to do something and I would do it. “If you could have seen the look in that poor girl’s eyes when she read the message. She was disgusted. Annoyed. Maybe frustrated. I don’t know.” I shrugged as we entered the bar. “She shouldn't have to live like this. She should have told him to fuck off.”
“You’re going to tell him for her.” Dominick took a seat at the bar as I scanned the room for my target. Surprisingly, the place wasn’t that crowded. It was early on a Thursday night but the lack of people would make my position that much easier.
“He called her a bitch.” I cracked my knuckles. “How could he disrespect her like that?”
“Do you want me to handle this?”
“No.” I took a seat next to him. “Why?”
“Because I can see you’re going to make this shit personal.”
“Why would I? It’s a job.”
“She’s all you’ve talked about the whole ride here. It’s already personal. When you make it personal you get extra. You know?”
“Extra?”
“Gia taught me that. It means—”
“I know what it means. When have I ever made it personal?”
“Do you really want a recap?”
Maybe I did take things to heart but when something wasn’t right, I took action. “Just because I think she’s pretty doesn’t mean I can’t do my job.”
“All I’m saying is, I’ll put this jerk in his place and then we can go have dinner. I’m dying for a burger.”
As we fucked around over who was going to take care of Leo, the prick walked in the door and sat across from us. How convenient.
“I’ll do it.” I stood. “Then we’ll eat. You watch the door, pay off the bartender and the bouncers.”
“They already know who we are.”
“That’s probably why they’re staying away from us.” I made my way over to Leo and his group of friends. Once I approached, two of them looked away, one went to the men’s room, and Leo stared at me. Smug prick. “Can I have a few minutes of your time?”
When he picked up his beer, I noted the bruise below his left eye. I wondered who’d given him that shiner? He probably smack talked some guy in a bar. He seemed to be the type who went looking for trouble. I saw it when he tried to stare me down.
“Why would I be lucky enough to have Gianni Marchelli seek me out?”
It was always good when they knew who I was. It made things less messy. They backed down much quicker. Although this one might be too stupid.
“I have a message for you.” I leaned against the bar, resting my elbow on it as I faced him. “One you’re going to hear loud and clear.”
“Who’s it from?”
“The message is from me.” I committed him to memory. His faded blue jeans, tight long-sleeved black t-shirt, and expensive shoes with the thick white bottoms. He was as privileged as I was but at least I had manners when it came to women. “It’s on behalf of a very good friend of mine.”
“Who would that be?”
“Angelique Bruno.”
“Oh,” one of the idiots he was with mumbled. “The one with the right hook.”
The other idiot laughed but Leo didn’t seem very amused.
“Angelique did that to your face?” I moved closer to him, looking down at him as he shifted on the bar stool. “Good for her.”
“She’s crazy.” He shook his head. “It makes sense she associates with the likes of you.”
“You’re either really brave or pathetically stupid.” I clenched my fist, remembering I was supposed to deliver a message, not rearrange his pretty-boy face. “I’m going to go with the latter.”
“Oh, the latter?” He smirked. “If you know what that means, I guess you’re more than the muscle of the Marchelli thugs.”
“Leo,” his one friend warned. “Stop it.”
“You’re going to stay away from her.” I continued with my message. The sooner I delivered it, the sooner I could leave. Leo did not want me to hang around here any longer than I had to. It wouldn’t end well for him. “You won’t contact her again. No more using friends’ phones to upset her. She isn’t interested in you. No more stalking. Are we clear?”
“Are you going to threaten me next? Because I would’ve expected more from you. Maybe you’re surrounded by hype.” He chugged his beer. “You’re not as tough as I thought.”
Dominick came and stood next to me. “Did you deliver the message?”
“I’m getting there.” I grabbed the beer bottle from him and smashed it on the bar, leaving a sharp piece of glass in my hand, inches from his cheek. The bouncers looked the other way as Leo’s friends back up. The bartender went about his business. Leo’s eyes were wide as he stared at the shattered pieces of glass in front of him. “To answer your question, you womanizing piece of shit, no, I’m not going to threaten you. I don’t deal in threats. I deal in promises.” I dropped the shard of glass on the floor, crushing it with my shoe. “If you approach her again, I’ll come back for you and you can bet it won’t be in such a public place. I can make it so you’ll be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your sad life. Got it?”
He nodded.
“Perfect.”
It could have been over right there but Leo was more unintelligent than I had given him credit for.
“I have a message for Angelique,” he said.
“Leo.” One of his friends sighed.
“What would that be?” I lived for the fucking moment.
“You can tell that little bitch that I wouldn’t let her suck my cock if she was the
last skank in New York.”
“Ah fuck!” Dominick mumbled.
Now I have to be extra. I swiftly reached for his hand, gripping it in my firm hold as I yanked him off the bar stool. “You should have quit while you were ahead.”
DOMINICK AND I WAITED for the valet to bring my car around as Leo’s friends helped him out of the bar. He held his limp hand in his other but it didn’t look good. None of them dared to glance in our direction.
“Just say it,” I said to my brother. “You know you want to.”
“What?” Dominick shrugged but I saw his smug smirk under the glow of the streetlight.
“Get it out of your system now.”
“You made it personal.”
“It felt fucking good.”
“I’ll bet.”
“He shouldn’t have disrespected her. I was leaving. He got what was coming to him.”
“I agree.”
I gave the valet a twenty after he handed me my keys.
“Thank you, Mr. Marchelli.” The skinny kid with the thick, black glasses shoved the money into his pocket as he gazed up at me with some misguided admiration. “Have a good night.”
“You too.”
Dominick got in the passenger side as I walked around and slid into the driver’s seat.
“Can you text Dad and tell him the situation is handled?”
“I already did.” Dominick was nothing if not efficient. “He’s pleased. The Senator will be too.”
“Now maybe Angelique can relax.”
As I moved into traffic the valet was still waving at me. I put my hand up and nodded a quick goodbye.
“Looks like you have a fan,” Dominick said.
“Don’t we always?” I shrugged. “These kids have no idea.”
“No, they don’t.” Dominick stared out the window. “They all want to be gangsters.”
“And we want to be legit.” How absurd. “That’s some irony.”
“We’re getting there.”
Maybe that was true. The turf wars were a thing of the past. Our dad had backed down in the last ten years. He’d been focusing more on the family winery business. There were some deals that still had to be honored. Many people still relied on us for protection. Others needed our cash flow. But in a few years, we could be completely out. Right. They were words my father told my mother so she would believe that Dominick and I could lead normal lives one day.
“Come on.” I accelerated once the light turned green. “I’ll buy you that burger.”
“I’m going to need a beer too.” He glanced at his phone. “I need something to get Leo’s girly screams out of my head.”
“Maybe he’ll remember tonight when he’s thinking about tormenting another woman.”
If he ever touches Angelique again, I’ll break more than his hand.
Chapter Three
GIANNI
The Princess Is Here
Sitting inside the enclosed porched with all of my brothers, we took a few moments to talk before the guests arrived. Sal and Santino were arguing over football. Dominick handed me a beer as Vincenzo sat next to me.
“You’re meeting with Antonio tomorrow?” Dominick asked Vince.
Antonio Collandra was Nadia’s father. She recently found out about her mob boss dad this past summer. The initial meeting was a bit explosive. She and Vincenzo had quite the adventure before they fell in love. Until now, she had no interest in connecting with her dad. Antonio had been patient but it was only a matter of time before he would want to know his daughter.
“Yeah, we’re going to his house. Nadia’s ready to get aquatinted with him,” Vincenzo said. “I think it’s time.”
“You take Tommy with you,” Dominick reminded him. “I’m sending two more guys in a separate car.”
“Is that really necessary?” Vincenzo asked. “He’s meeting with his daughter. I doubt he’s going to ambush us.”
“It’s non-negotiable.” Dominick finished his beer. “Besides, I’m not worried about Antonio.”
Antonio and my father had made peace with one another once Vincenzo and Nadia began dating. Antonio’s son Franco was another story. He was a loose cannon and now that it was rumored that he was estranged from his father, the Marchellis had to be prepared for anything.
“Dominick’s right,” Gianni said. “I can go with you. I’d feel better if I did.”
“That’s a good idea,” Dominick agreed. “I’m sure Franco won’t show up but it wouldn’t hurt to have Gianni there in case a situation arises.”
“You’re both overreacting.” Vincenzo shook his head. “But I’m not going to argue.”
“You’re not?” I smacked his back. “The lawyer’s not going to make an appearance?”
“That’s a first.” Dominick snickered. “Santino would argue.”
“You’re damn right I would but I’m a better lawyer.” Santino teased Vincenzo.
“Didn’t you pass the bar like five minutes ago?” Vincenzo shot back at him. “You know everything you know because of me.”
“It’s been three weeks,” Santino said. “I’m practically an expert.”
“Now what are you going to do?” Sal asked. “Work full-time with Vince? Between Dad’s real estate deals, Gianni and Dom’s construction company, and the thriving winery, we could use another lawyer.”
“I haven’t decided.”
Santino’s niche was in criminal law. He wanted to be a defense attorney. Lord knew my dad, Dominick, and I could keep him in business but my father didn’t want that for him. Santino’s dream of becoming Consiglieri for the Marchelli family was not going to happen any time soon. Not if my father had any say, and let’s face it, my father had all the say.
“If you’re going to meet with Antonio tomorrow,” I asked Vincenzo. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
“It means Nadia is ready to explore a relationship with him and I want to support her.” He sipped his drink. “Don’t read into it.”
“You can’t fool us.” I nodded toward my brothers. “You’re going to ask her to marry you.”
Vincenzo grinned into his beer bottle.
“Does Mom know?” Sal asked. “She’ll want to book the winery. Shut the whole place down for that wedding day.”
“No!” Vince looked up at him. “Don’t tell her.”
“Why not?” Sal moved closer to us. “She loves Nadia.”
“Because I’d like to ask Nadia before the whole family knows.” Vince stood and paced the porch. “I’m not sure when I’m going to do it. I have the ring but I haven’t worked out the details. I thought we’d get through this visit with her dad first. Let her come to terms with who she is.”
“That’s really cool.” Santino shook his hand. “I’m happy for you.”
“We all are.” Dominick hugged him. “This stays between the five of us until Vincenzo asks Nadia. Agreed?”
The five of us had mastered keeping things between us for years. Our brother code of honor.
“Good for you.” I hugged him. “I knew when I left those condoms at the safe house this summer that she was the woman for you.”
“Shut up.” Vince laughed. “But I appreciate you looking out for me.”
“Uh oh. Maybe we should look out for Gianni.” Sal gazed out at the path that connected the house to the lake. “Incoming.”
We all followed his stare.
“Shit,” I mumbled. “Maria.”
“Who invited her?” Santino asked.
“We never invite her,” Dom said. “She kind of shows up.”
“Like the stomach virus.” Sal opened the porch door for her. “Maria, how lovely to see you.”
Maria Rastelli had been a family friend since birth. Our moms went to school together. Dominick was right. She had a way of showing up even when no one invited her.
“This is my lucky night.” She kissed each of my brothers on the cheek. “All five of you in one room? Any girl would kill to be in this position.”
&n
bsp; “I’ll bet she knows all about positions,” Santino whispered.
She scowled at me. “You haven’t answered any of my texts.”
“I’m going to go rescue Nadia from Mama Stella.” Vince smirked at me. “Have fun.”
“I need to get Gia ready for the hayride.” Dom followed closely behind Vince. Bastards.
Maria took a seat next to me. “Well?”
“Work has kept me really busy.” I set my beer bottle on the table beside me. “I was surprised you texted me at all.”
“I need to set up the tasting for those who want to sample our new line of wine,” Sal said. “You want to help me, Santino?”
“Lead the way.” Santino grinned at me. “We’ll see you two later unless you disappear.”
“We might.” Maria winked at him. “Like old times.”
No way!
They scattered fast but Maria had a way of clearing a room. I was often left to deal with her. That was my fault. When we were younger, she was... shall we say agreeable?
“Maria, I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” I kissed her cheek before standing and creating some distance between us.
“I’ve decided I’m no longer going to waste time on Todd. If he doesn’t want to be engaged then I’m done with him.”
“Good for you.” None of us ever really saw her marrying poor Todd. She was far too extravagant for him. “Have you seen my mother? I’m sure she’d love to chat with you.”
“I did.” She inched closer to me, taking my hand in hers. “I met Nadia. She’s adorable.”
“Vincenzo is a lucky man.”
“I could make you a lucky man.” She ran her hand down my back. “Let’s ditch this party and go back to your place. We could reminisce.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“So?”
“You’re looking for revenge sex to hurt Todd.”
“Again, so? It’s a win for you.”
“I’m not into games.” I let go of her hand, searching the patio for someone to save me. Guests started to gather around the various bonfires. Damn my brothers. Not one of them to be found.
“Since when?” She stepped closer to me, tracing her finger along my jaw. “You’re still as sexy as ever.”