Luca
I’m waiting for James in my office at our headquarters to finally discuss Camilla when Adriano steps inside. “Just in time. I’m expecting James soon.”
Taking a bite of his green apple, he chews hurriedly and displays a grin when he sees a picture frame on my desk and points to it. “How domestic of you,” he mocks and takes a seat across my desk.
“Fuck off.” I throw my pen at him, but he ducks quickly.
“How is she?”
“Great. We’ve established a comfortable routine, and I’m quite enjoying it. You should try settling down with one woman.”
He cocks his head. “Not going to happen.”
“Yeah, yeah. Wait until you find someone you want exclusively who you can’t function without. It’s an overwhelming sensation, and you just want to take care of her and protect her constantly. To have her waiting for me at home at the end of each night fills me with indescribable joy. She makes me receive happiness. She has allowed me to accept that our lives don’t always have to revolve around our work.” I pause and gaze at the picture on my desk of Fallon with her arms thrown around my neck. “Have you ever had that feeling?”
“No,” Adriano admits.
“E 'incredibile, amico mio.” It’s amazing, my friend.
A knock announces James, and he passes Adriano to stand at the window, so I swivel in my chair to face him. “Finally ready to tell us?”
“What do you want to know?” He leans with one shoulder against the window and a hand in his pocket.
I disclose, “We saw you at Club 7. Well, leaving the club. What were you doing there?”
“Looking for Camilla.”
“Why are you, personally, looking for Camilla?” Adriano asks while chucking the fruit in the garbage can next to my desk.
James hesitates before answering. “It doesn’t leave this room, Capito?” Understood?
We both nod to confirm.
“She’s my daughter.”
My gaze cuts to Adriano, whose mouth is hanging open at the confession.
“Are you the person who so meticulously deleted her records?” Henry and I were baffled at the great lengths someone was going to for Camilla. Everything suddenly falls into place; only a man as powerful as James could’ve done that.
“Yes.”
“How long have you known?” I query.
“She’s the result of a one-night stand while I was already with Alessa, but I didn’t find out until a couple of years ago. I had to learn that I had a daughter who was working in Sal’s depraved sex club.” James’ tone rises. “Do you realize how much that hurt me? My own flesh and blood was selling her body while I have more money than I could ever spend. Through an associate, I eventually got her out and to our headquarters, hoping that I could tell her one day after we’d bonded, but I didn’t get a chance because you two let her go.”
“If you’d have told us, we would’ve handled things differently,” I counter.
“Well, it’s done now, and I can’t change the past. And you almost had her! I need you to find her again for me because she’s creating a mess, and I will not allow my daughter to roam this world alone anymore,” he orders to me and then points to Adriano. “And you stay the fuck away from her. I couldn’t say anything before when you were screwing my daughter under my own roof, but I swear to god, I’ll cut off your balls if you touch her again.”
Adriano holds up both palms, still in utter shock at the revelation.
“Adriano has a better chance of finding her than I do,” I suggest.
James inhales a deep breath. “Fine, but you don’t touch her!”
I laugh and James shoots me a stern look, so I hold up my palms too.
“Just find her!” Then he marches out.
Adriano discovers his voice again. “What the fuck!”
“I’d find her quickly if I were you. I’m going home to my girl.” Rising, I slap his shoulder as I pass by him. “Good luck. Let me know if you need me.”
EPILOGUE
Luca
Do we have a perfect life? No. There are always moments when she needs to distance herself from me after I come back from business, moments when her conscience plagues her. But her love always prevails.
Fallon never asked about the Syndicate or any specifics of my job, but I did brief her on the necessities to keep her safe without scaring her away with too much information. Her quiet persona is back to having a calming effect on me. She is back to being my solace – I don’t drink anymore, even after a rough day. All I need is her waiting for me, preferably in bed.
I’ve reduced the out-of-state business trips significantly, after consulting with James of course, who accepted us easily when he saw how much I relied on her. How much her happiness affected me. And that’s resulted in me being back to my old self, which pleases James.
Business is good, and we don’t need to expand any more. Drug routes are completely set up all over Chicago, and everything around us finally settled down after the previous year of chaos and disorder, giving me more time to spend with Fallon.
The first few weeks after she moved in were blissful. We were both content to be back together, and I treasured how devoted she became to me. How every ounce of devotion I showed her in the past was returned to me. She learned to always have her phone with her and to always answer when I called or else I’d worry. We had dinner together every night. A simple act that satisfied my restless soul. She finally stopped complaining about taking my money, so I set up two accounts for her. One in America and one offshore account in case anything ever happens to me. I explained how she could access the offshore account, which is filled with more money than she would ever be able to spend, because I don’t want her to ever worry about monetary problems.
Her resilience and determination to move forward makes me respect and love her even more. We sold her apartment, since Teagan isn’t moving back to the States anytime soon. And she’s still applying for jobs, which is unnecessary because I have enough money for both of us, but I understand and support her need to work, so I suggested that she try volunteering for now. She started working at the community center two days a week, talking with other rape victims and even helping them financially, which isn’t what my money was intended for, but as long as it makes her happy, I’m fine with however she decides to spend it. And she spends it by paying for professional therapy for some of the victims. She sends them to Sylvia Lenter, her own therapist.
She’s still taking yoga classes and learning more Italian. Little by little, her love of reading has returned, but these days, her favorite pastime is watching that paranormal TV show while devouring a piece of cake. I’ve arranged for different fresh pastries to be delivered to our home every morning, and every day, she’s exultant to see what the pastry chef has made for her. I – in turn – am pleased that she stopped with the no-carb diet and is just enjoying her food since she has the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I’ve ever met.
We now work out together because I do expect her to stay strong. You never know what kind of situations we could end up in, so I’ve also enrolled her in self-defense classes, which makes her feel more empowered. I never want her to feel powerless again.
However, she’s still not bearing my name, and I need to make her mine officially. Since our penthouse is still filled with dozens of unopened moving boxes that are full of books, I’ve decided to surprise her and have had a crew working for hours while she’s at the community center. I’ve taken care of every detail, with the help of my assistant at Security Simplicity, because I know Fallon better than anyone. She isn’t the kind of woman who has to plan everything herself, and she adores to be surprised, so I’m positive this will end up the way I want it to. But for the first time ever, I’m nervous while I wait for her to return. The elevator doors open, and she’s startled that I’m home before she is.
“Hey!” She closes the distance quickly and greets me with a long kiss.
“Dolcezza.” Sweetheart
. Placing my hands on either side of her head, I inhale Fallon’s familiar sweet scent and immediately calm down. Her touch soothes all the tension from my body, and only her touch grants me the peace to just be. “Come with me.” Tugging her to the extra bedroom that isn’t used, I open the door for her.
Her hands fly to her mouth as she takes in the space. The walls are freshly painted a bright, clean white, and there are now white bookshelves running up to the ceiling on the left wall with a sliding library ladder. The right wall is decorated with huge, white bookcase letters spelling ‘dolcezza’. At the floor-to-ceiling windows, there’s a newly-built white wooden reading bench with soft, cream cushions and pillows. I chose white for her library because the bookcases in her old apartment were that color. White is serene, calm, and clean; just like her.
Swiveling around, she excitedly jumps into my arms. “Luca, this is amazing! How did you do this?”
“Well, a lot of people worked very hard and very fast today.” Holding her up by her ass, I walk us around the room, and one of her hands hooks around my neck while the other traces the books on the shelves.
“Oh my, there are new books?” Her huge eyes twinkle with joy.
I peck her on the cheek. “I had to fill it up to the ceiling, so Amazon made a huge delivery today. And not only books.” Stepping to the letter bookcases on the other wall, I stop before the ‘d’ and make sure she sees what’s in it.
“Charmed! You’re amazing.”
“All the seasons are there. Now you can watch it as often as you like.” I chuckle when she throws her arms tightly around me and presses her lips to my neck, inching higher until our mouths meet. Before I rip off her clothes, I need to give her my other – more important – surprise because I’m not done yet. “Wait.” I pull back and let her drop to her feet, and I adjust my pants as she grins at me. I get the envelope from the bookcase and hand it over.
She rips it open enthusiastically. “Yes! We’re going to Italy?” she screams with excitement.
“We’re going to Venice, and you’re going to meet zio Joseph, the man who raised me after my parents died.”
In Venice is my other surprise.
***
After a comfortable flight in first class, we arrive in Venice, Italy.
“Ragazzo mio.” My boy. Zio Joseph kisses me on my cheek. His hair has become even whiter, and he’s lost some weight, but he looks healthy.
“Zio,” I greet, equally overjoyed to see him again, but I’m pushed aside quickly when he spots Fallon behind me. I turn and grin when he wraps her in a tight embrace.
She laughs back at me over zio’s shoulder. “Hey, zio.”
“Sei bellissima, mia cara. Benvenuti a Venezia.” You’re beautiful, my dear. Welcome to Venice.
“Grazie.” Thank you.
Since I have a tight schedule, I ask, “Zio, back to the castle?”
“Si, come, children. I’m so happy you finally brought your woman, Luca.” He hooks his arm around Fallon, and I take our luggage.
The warm Italian wind blows against my face as we make our way outside. Then we head to a Renaissance Castle where Fallon thinks I rented us a room, but in actuality, I’ve rented the entire castle.
***
Once we’re in our suite, Fallon heads directly to the balcony and watches the sun setting behind the scenery of the Italian landscape and vineyards. “This place is unreal.” And then she quietly roams through the other rooms. The sixteenth century castle, decorated in Michelangelesque style, is definitely enough to impress her.
“Let’s take a bath, and then we’ll have dinner downstairs.” Lifting her up, I stroll to the magnificent bathroom which has a huge, black marble bathtub in the center and a ceiling covered with painted frescoes displaying narratives of the Old Testament.
“Wow! It’s gorgeous.” She strips her dress and panties as I fill the bath with water and bubbles, and the smell wafts around us as we step into the warm water.
After we’re seated with her back to my front, I lather her with soap, and then I cup her between her thighs.
“Hmm.” She pushes her ass against me.
Her arms come around my neck as I skim my hands up the inside of her thighs, spreading her wider while her fingers sift through my hair.
I cup her between her legs and tighten my grip, making her gasp. “I’m going to fuck you hard and quick.” Thrusting my finger in, I knead her breast while showering her with kisses as my erection presses against her ass. She starts to ride my finger, and I grind against her as water sloshes over the edge of the tub.
“Turn,” I order in a soft voice, grazing my teeth over her earlobe.
She straddles my lap, hands gripping the rim of the tub, while I grasp her hips and drive into her. Fallon meets my thrusts, rounding her hips. I push up and as deep into her as I can. Her head falls back, and I lean forward while she rides me, our slick bodies moving together as one, causing water to fall everywhere on the floor beside the tub. Taking her nipple in my mouth, I suck and bite, elongating her pink tip.
“Ah…Luca…”
One hand massages the wet skin of her ass as the other cradles her head, and I kiss my way up her throat. “Look at me.” I’m panting from holding in my release until after she comes.
As our eyes lock, hers are filled with abiding passion. I can tell she’s climbing to release because her hips are moving faster and faster, so I let go at the same time she does, coming in violent spurts, growling while holding her eyes. Her loud screams resonate off the painted walls, and she grips my shoulders, nails digging roughly into my skin. With shallow breaths, we lean back against the tub.
“Fuck, that was good, I feel like I’m still coming.”
“It’s always amazing with you,” she mumbles against my throat.
“I have another surprise for you.”
She sits back instantly, and I pinch her nipple. “Ahh…stop! It’s too sensitive right now.” She slaps my hand away steps out. “More surprises? I can’t wait!”
Leaving the bathroom in a cotton bathrobe, I open my suitcase by the foot of the bed and take out the pristine white, floor-length satin gown with a plunging, yet elegant, neckline.
“It’s beautiful.” She lets the soft material flow through her fingers and looks at me expectantly, but I don’t elaborate.
“Dress; do your thing and take however long you need. A stylist is coming to do your makeup and hair. I’m suiting up and going to keep zio company in his room. Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll come get you.”
A knock at the door announces the makeup artist has arrived.
“Okay…” she says hesitantly with a grin from ear to ear, and I give her a lingering kiss on the mouth before exiting.
As I join zio in the room across from ours, he’s already looking handsome in his tux, and mine is perfectly pressed and waiting for me on the bed.
While putting on the tux, I ask, “È tutto pronto?” Is everything ready?
In an excited and gentle voice, he answers, “Tutto pronto, figlio mio.” All ready, my son.
***
After an hour, Fallon’s ready, and I head back to our room in my black tux, white dress shirt, and black bow tie. She turns away from the mirror, and I’m stunned into silence. My gaze moves from the silver strappy sandals on her feet to the white gown that hugs her curvaceous body perfectly up to a graceful neckline. Her hair is pulled up loosely with strands of auburn curls framing her lovely face, and as always, she isn’t wearing a lot of makeup. Just the way I find her irresistibly attractive: natural. Our eyes meet, and we gawk at each other without speaking a word for several minutes.
“Sei una delizia.” You’re exquisite.
I need to touch her, so I stride toward Fallon and trail a path up her hip.
“You’re looking dashing yourself.” Her lips curve into a smile that melts my heart, and she traces a knuckle down my cheek, making the hairs on my neck stand on end. “You trimmed your beard.”
She smiles
in amusement, and I think she’s on to me, so I proceed as planned quickly. “Let’s go.”
She dutifully follows me out, downstairs to the ballroom. Before I open the heavy wooden doors, I take an encouraging breath and look at her beside me.
“This is all for you.” I turn the gold knobs.
She takes in the huge ballroom, which is decorated with golden framed paintings, golden and burgundy draperies, and painted angels flying on the ceiling. To the left and right are two long tables with warm and cold Italian delicacies and our guests, who she’s starting to recognize as the band on the elevated podium at the end of the room starts to play.
She leans into my side and looks up through her lashes. “How did you pull this off?”
I link our fingers and walk her down the aisle as she greets people left and right. I’m deliberately walking her down the aisle myself, so she won’t miss her father too much later on.
“Teagan! Jason!”
They both circle their arms around her as she continues to hold onto my hand. Teagan took care of the guest list on Fallon’s side. I recognize an uncle and some cousins who were at her parents’ funeral.
“Wade! Oh my god, you all came to Venice for me?!” She sees him next, and he places a kiss on her cheek, so she rubs her thumb gently over my knuckles, knowing my jealous side must be acting up.
Wade greets me with a firm handshake, which I return, and speaks to Fallon. “I’ll always be there for you, kid.”
After I guide her to the front, she steps aside to hug my best friend. “Adriano! I can’t believe you guys are all here.”
He presses a soft kiss on her cheek too and winks at me. “Anything for you, Fallon.”
I’m pleased that she and Adriano have bonded.
“Salvatore, James,” she greets them with a kiss too.
They each introduce Fallon to their other halves after giving her a tender embrace that astounds me.
When I give the signal, the band ceases playing, everyone returns to their seat, and the room goes silent as I go down on one knee just as she turns to me, and the first thing she does is graze her fingers over my beard, instantly reassuring me.
For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2) Page 26