She was an ethereal angel in red-bottomed stiletto heels.
And she was trying her best to chew her date up before spitting him back out.
“So, what got you into the boring world of finance, Mr. Kyle?” Alianna asked.
“My father’s in finance. I guess you could say I followed in his brogued footsteps,” Kyle said.
“Oh, broguing on leather. Such a waste of space.”
“I’ve never been a fan of it, either. Looks gaudy, and it gives me less patterns to play around with when it comes to my suits.”
“Patterns?” she asked.
“I’ve always been a fan of that paisley pattern? Or a nice plaid. I thought about getting a kilt once. Twice. Well, three times.”
“You’re about to tell me you own a kilt right now, aren’t you?” she asked.
“And if I am, would you like me to wear it normally or in true Scottish fashion?”
I couldn’t help but snicker. I cleared my throat, trying to cover it with a cough before I reached for my water. But, I saw Alianna rip her head up, and I was concerned she’d made me. Holy fuck, this man was on fire tonight. This needed to be recorded for posterity or something.
I set my water glass back down as the waitress came out with my food. Then, she refilled my drink. Giving me a smooth surface for which to continue studying Alianna and her very imaginative date for the night.
Maybe I’d order dessert, in case this show ran long.
“Look, Kyle--.”
“I know what you’re going to say, and it’s fine,” he said.
Part of me honestly felt sorry for the man. Because it was clear he really did enjoy Alianna’s presence.
“It’s not you, really,” she said.
Oh, bad form.
“No, no. It is. But, not in the way we think about that statement. We aren’t compatible. At the very least, it’s obvious you don’t want to be out on this date with me. Which is fine,” he said.
Alianna sighed. “I’m sorry, Kyle.”
“No need to be sorry. I’m still going to treat you to food. Dessert. More wine, if you want it. Then, I’ll take you home, steal a kiss on your cheek, and tell you I had a marvelous time. Then, I’ll spare you the agony of having to turn down my offer for a second date.”
“It’s just--.”
Kyle held up his hand, and I silently commended him for how he was handling the situation.
“You don’t owe me an explanation. All you owe me is the truth. Thank you for giving that to me,” he said.
“If it makes you feel better, if I were in a better place, I’d actually consider a second date,” Alianna said.
“The Scottish joke got you, didn’t it?” he asked.
She giggled. “It really did. You’re quick with those responses.”
And as her soft laughter filled the space around them, I felt myself being dragged along with the current.
Dragged along by the notes that defined the soft laughter falling from her full, crimson lips.
5
Luca
Every piece of steak I ate reminded me of just how good my mother’s steak was. I mean, the restaurant did a decent-enough job cooking it. Got the char right on all sides, even though it was still a rare steak. The broccoli was still crunchy, and laced with a bit of garlic. Even the sweet potato was decked out with all the things it needed. Brown sugar, butter, cinnamon. But, there was something missing. That passion was missing. That love for the food was missing.
I decided to skip on dessert and order coffee instead.
“So, now that we’ve cleared that up, what’s on your mind?” Kyle asked.
“Honestly? My record studio,” Alianna said.
“Your what now?”
“Mhm. My dream for my degree is actually to have my own little in-home recording studio with a camera. You know, record myself doing original pieces and remixes of popular songs.”
“You want to become a YouTube sensation or something like that?” he asked.
“I mean, I know my way around social media. I don’t think it’d be that hard for me to figure it out. And with regular posting, I could grow an audience. I know I’m at least that talented.”
Kyle paused. “You want to be a YouTube star. That’s the dream?”
I saw Alianna cock her head in the reflection of my glass.
“Is there something wrong with that?” she asked.
“No. I just--I guess I thought--.”
Uh oh. He was about to ruin it. Again.
“You just what? Come on, spit it out, Kyle,” she said.
Don’t do it. Don’t give into it. It’s a trap, Kyle. Run!
“I just figured with a woman of your poise and stature, you’d want more than likes and hearts and smiley faces on the internet from complete strangers.”
And, that was my cue.
“Wait, what--? Do you think--? I--?”
I stood up as Alianna stumbled over her words. This was about to get out of control very quickly if I didn’t do something about it. He was going to call her out as the daughter of a mob boss. And that was not something I should allow to happen.
Or for her to publicly freak out about it.
I took one last sip of my coffee before I pulled out my wallet, laying down a few twenties on the table. I figured that would cover the food as well as a decent tip for my waitress. I tucked my wallet into my back pocket and buttoned my suit coat up. Then, I turned toward their table and approached.
“Miss Russo?” I asked.
Alianna whipped her head over to me before she scoffed.
“Really? Are you serious?” she asked.
“There’s been an emergency at your home. I need to get you there,” I lied as gracefully as I had been taught.
“Is everything all right?” Kyle asked.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss it. But, Miss Russo, I do need you to come with me. It’s a matter of personal insistence.”
She gave me a narrow-eyed glance before dabbing at her lips with her napkin. She tossed it over her half-eaten food, then threw back the rest of her wine. She stood up, her head barely coming up to my shoulders even in her five-inch stilettos.
“Lead the way, Mr…?”
“Bianchi,” I said.
“Lead the way, Mr. Bianchi,” she said.
Kyle shot out of his chair. “At least let me accompany you back. Is everything going to be okay? Maybe I could help.”
I held my hand out, easing him back down into his chair as I pinned him with an ‘official look’.
“No need. I’ve got it from here. You just take care of the tab and say goodnight to the young woman,” I said.
He nodded his head quickly and spouted off a stuttered ‘good night’. Then, I held my hand out for Alianna to walk in front of me. She gazed up at me with a grin on her face, and I knew she knew what I was up to.
I escorted her out of the restaurant, all the way to my SUV, before she finally piped up.
“Let’s go on a walk, shall we?” she asked.
I raised an eyebrow. “I think I should just take you home.”
“You and I both know there’s no emergency, you’re a decent liar but that was a little too well rehearsed for me. C’mon, what’s your name?”
“Luca,” I responded curtly, not liking how she made me want to abandon my job.
“Luca, I like that. Anyway my parents think I’m on a date. You can tell them it went fine, but he wasn’t for me. And we can enjoy the city summer air. Plus, there’s a bakery down the road that has these cinnamon rolls I’ve been thinking about for weeks now.”
“I really should be getting you home,” I said.
“Only if you can keep up first.”
She sprinted away from me, her ass literally running in stiletto heels. I cursed underneath my breath as I slammed my door, then took off after her. We rushed out of the parking lot and she hit the sidewalk pavement before I did. Her giggles rose from the crowd as I followed her bright red dress, weav
ing in and out of people she easily slipped through because of her petite form.
“Miss Russo!” I exclaimed.
“Gotta catch me first!” she yelled back.
I growled as I started sprinting for her, jumping in front of her before I gazed down into her face. She came to an abrupt stop, looking up at me as her chest panted for air.
It took all the energy I had not to watch the flush in her cheeks trickle all the way down to her exposed cleavage.
“Gotcha,” I said flatly.
“Now, ready for that walk?” she asked coyly.
I sighed as I stepped toward the road, blocking her from any oncoming traffic. I ushered for her to lead the way toward the bakery, but I could already smell its delectable desserts. We walked along, with Alianna whistling to herself. And when it dawned on me what she was whistling, I smiled.
“Sibelius’ Second,” I said.
She paused, her head whipping over to me as I gazed down into her ice blue eyes.
“You know that symphony?” she asked.
“It’s my mother’s favorite. I grew up on that playing around our home.”
“Do you… like any other ones?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I took her to see Beethoven’s Ninth once. When the New York Symphony put it on.”
“Wait, the one they did a decade ago? I wanted tickets to that so badly, but couldn't get them! How did you get them?”
I chuckled. “I put us on a waitlist for almost eight months.”
“Oh, you lucky bastard,” she said breathlessly.
She shook her head as I grinned down at her. Then, together, we continued walking toward the bakery.
“Do you play any instruments?” Alianna asked.
“Not past high school. I did play trumpet in band, though. Before I dropped out,” I said.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“You’re not going to ask me why I dropped out?”
“That’s not important to me.”
Interesting.
She was the only person I’d come across that wasn’t completely curious as to why I didn’t finish high school.
“Uh, it was just an expensive instrument to upkeep. And at the time, my mother and I lived in a small townhome. Not really ideal for practicing a loud brass instrument,” I said.
Alianna giggled. “No, I suppose not.”
I enjoyed that laugh of hers a little too much.
“Do you ever think about taking it back up? Judging by that suit and what I know my father pays his employees, it seems like you’ve got the money now.”
I chuckled. “Haven’t thought much of it, no. I’m more of a consumer of music. Not a producer of it.”
“Well, maybe one day,” she said.
She tossed me a playful wink and it made my pulse quicken.
“Thank you, by the way,” she said.
“For what?” I asked.
“For saving me back there.”
“Well, for a while there, I wasn’t sure if I’d have to intervene.”
“You could have at any point. I pegged you about ten minutes after you sat down.”
“You did not.”
“The moving of your glass to position it just right gave you away. I know that trick. My father taught it to me,” she said.
I paused. “Okay, maybe you did.”
She giggled and it filled my soul with such light. It was so distracting and so pleasant that it overrode the smells pouring from the bakery we were standing in front of.
It wasn’t until I read the sign that I reached out for the door, ushering Alianna in.
“Thank you,” she said, still giggling.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” I said.
I looked around, making sure no one was following us before we slipped into the bakery. Alianna ordered herself two massive cinnamon rolls. And me? Well, I was a sucker for a fresh, homemade cannoli. I got three of them, along with another coffee, then the two of us took a seat at a small table in the corner.
I sat with my back to the wall, making sure I could survey from all sides in case something happened.
“Settle down, Big Boy. We’re fine here,” Alianna said.
I furrowed my brow. “Did you just call me ‘Big Boy’?”
“Yep. That’s your nickname now. It’ll piss my father off and get under your skin, so it’s a win-win for me.”
“Well, nice to know that’s your gauge on things.”
“Getting under people’s skin is a hobby of mine. Mom’s easy. All I have to do is tell her how terrible these dates are and it makes her upset.”
“Wait, your mother’s setting you up on these things?” I asked.
She nodded. “Sounds like a job for Dad, huh? But, no. My mother’s the traditional one. Dad supported my music degree, but Mom fought me at every turn. I mean, she means well. She wants me to have a good life, and to her that means marrying well, having kids, and having my hair and nails done twice a week.”
“Twice a week?”
She smiled. “Mhm. Mom’s wonderful, but she lives a life I don’t want. Thankfully, my father sees that. Kind of. He’s protective, but that comes at a cost.”
“What kind, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“The kind that prevents me from getting my own place and living out my musical dreams with a degree he had no issues paying for.”
I nodded slowly. “Ah.”
“Yes. Ah.”
“Have you thought about setting up a stud--.”
“Don’t even mention putting it in their house. The last thing I need is more of someone else’s control in my life,” she said.
“Well, that doesn’t bode well for our working relationship then, does it?” I asked.
She grinned. “You’ll be on the ride of your life with me.”
“Bring it on. I’ve dealt with worse.”
“What kind of worse?”
“I was raised by a single Italian mother who worked two dead-end jobs just to put food on the table. And she still managed to cook dinner, every single night.”
“Yep. You’ve dealt with worse,” she said.
I chuckled, and the smile that slid across her face illuminated the space around us. I watched her dig into the cinnamon roll with a fork, using the tips of her perfectly-manicured fingernails to slowly rip the thing apart. I’d never seen someone eat a cinnamon roll with a fork before. And the more she ate, the more she struck me as the kind of person that would eat pizza with a fork and a knife. Her back was straight. Her hair, in its place. Every brush of makeup on her face was perfection and there wasn’t a part of her that was out of place. Her mother’s influence, I was sure of it.
But, she had a wild spark in those icy blues eyes of hers. One that boasted of mischief and rule-breaking. And every time she peeked over at me, I caught a glimpse of it.
A glimpse of the wild girl underneath the poise.
“My father would kill you where you sat if he knew you were staring at me,” Alianna said.
Her voice ripped me from my trance. “Can’t really keep track of you if I’m not looking at you, right?”
I saw her cheeks flush as she took another bite of her cinnamon roll.
“You make a good point,” she said.
“No argument? Or fight? Like with Kyle at the restaurant?”
She shrugged. “No need to. I know I can’t scare you away. You're a hired gun of my father’s. Yes?”
I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Then, why waste my energy trying to get you to do something you’re literally paid not to do?”
“Why do I get the feeling you’ve got something else up your sleeve?” I asked.
She grinned. “Guess you’ll have to stick around and stare at me long enough to find out.”
6
Alianna
Our time at the bakery ended all too soon. I kept trying to convince him to keep walking with me. Keep guarding me as we walked around the city or something like that. But, he was insistent o
n getting me home. He led me back to the restaurant before walking me over to his blacked-out SUV. A car that most certainly had my father’s guardsmen’s names written all over it. He opened my door and helped me up. But, I didn’t move.
“You need to get in, Miss Russo. I need to get you home,” Luca said.
“Well, offer me your hand like a gentleman and I will,” I said, smiling.
He chuckled as he held out his hand, and it was the first time I touched him. Electricity soared up my arm as he helped me into the car. But, all too soon, it was over. I wanted to hold his hand a little while longer. I wanted to know what it felt like, having his fingers between the slats of mine. I watched him walk around to the driver’s side and hop in, then he fished around for his keys in his pocket.
I got a wonderful glimpse of just how muscular his legs were beyond that tailored silken suit.
And suddenly, I wanted to know what those muscles felt like against my skin.
The car ride back to my father’s estate was silent. We pulled all the way up to the porch before he hopped out, not even bothering to turn off the car. He opened my door and offered me his hand this time, to which I smiled and grabbed on tightly. I had to hold back a groan at how strong his hands felt. How broad his palms were. I felt every callous on his hands he’d made in the gym, keeping up that painstakingly good form of his. I wondered what those callouses would feel like traveling the expanse of my body. Traveling up my legs. Around my thighs. Over my stomach.
I shivered as we walked up the porch steps, and he reached around to open the door.
“Are you escorting me inside? Or am I doing this part by myself?” I asked.
Luca: Sinful Shadows Mafia #1 Page 3