“Ladies,” Gian greets when we return, drinks in hand. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem.” Gemma smiles, slipping back into her seat.
“Annie, one more person for you to meet. This is my father, Giuseppe.” Gio gestures to an older man, maybe late 50’s, with salt and pepper hair. He’s slim with a little bit of a gut wearing a crisp dark gray suit and black linen shirt. His hair is slicked back and he oozes confidence.
“You’re face,” I mumble, looking over at the familiar man Gio presented to me. “It’s on build boards, right?”
This caused laughter from all of them. “Giuseppe DelGado.” he extends his hand. “I’m a lawyer.”
Yes, that was it. His face everywhere, he was one of those lawyers with tons of billboards claiming to get you the money you deserved, to right the wrongs of others, and so on.
“Yes,” I smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Giuseppe is equally as handsome as his sons. His strong grip pulls me close so he can lightly kiss my cheek. “You as well.” He has an easy smile and I can see this is where Gio inherited his charm from. No wonder this guy wins court cases.
Who could deny him?
Who could deny a DelGado?
Surely, not me.
I’m hooked in their claws now.
Gemma was the baby and Gian is the oldest, I learned over dinner. Gio was the wild child. His father laughed as he told stories of raising them, Gio testing his patience the most. Gemma was cherished and protected, overly so. She told stories of her brothers chasing down her first boyfriend who broke her heart. The love in this family was clear to Annie.
It made me miss my family. Once upon a time when we were “normal”, when I had a mother and father, but those days were long gone.
“Hey,” Gio whispered, pressing a hand to my back as he leaned in close. “You okay?”
I was sad. Not because of him, but because of what I was missing.
I smiled, the most genuine one I could muster. “I’m good.” I met his eyes. “I love your family.”
“They love you.” He returns. “You’re pretty perfect, ya know that?” He presses his lips to my ears.
“I’m missing Johnny,” I admit.
He closes his eyes at this statement and pulls me firmly into his grasp. “Haven’t heard from him, hmm?”
“No.” I answer, curling further into him.
“He’ll come around.”
“Time to dance!” Gemma’s laughter breaks through our moment.
The dance floor is filled with people laughing and dancing. There has to be hundreds of people at this wedding.
Gio captivated the dance floor, he wraps his arms around me and sways.
He’s sweet with his family.
He’s being considerate with me.
I even watch him dance with his younger cousins.
He was taking over all of my senses without even trying.
I’m falling in love with Gio DelGado.
The fucking mobster.
Johnny Byrne should be dead.
This is a fact I know, all of my men know, hell, even Johnny probably knows this. Instead of being dead, he’s sitting across from me on the cushy chairs in my office.
Is she worth it?
That question is nagging at me. I think the answer should be no. I don’t deserve her, I can’t protect her, and if I let her go I could wash my hands of her brother and be done.
Deep down though, I know the answer is yes. There is no way I can hurt Annie by hurting her brother. Instead, I’m going to treat the piece of shit how you treat all addicts: rehab.
Frank stands in front of the door with stony eyes as I tell Johnny about his new fate. “It’s a nice place,” I say, though I don’t really know or care. I just know it’s costing me a shit ton of money and is shady enough that they’re letting me commit him instead of a family member.
Johnny was high on something when my guys picked him up. The ride over and the hour I made him sweat it out had only begun to sober him up. The sobering was making him antsier. He was in a full panic mode, pacing, and rambling about the money we were costing him.
Yeah, we’re costing him money. He has the audacity to say that when my pocket is a hundred g’s lighter because of him.
“Fuck you.” He tries to stand but is quickly met with Frank pushing him back into the seat. “I’m not going.”
“It’s not a choice.”
The kid’s face is livid, and he looks like he might burst a blood vessel. “You don’t understand, this bet, this is the one! I’m going to make us millionaires, you’re not listening.”
“I’m already a millionaire.” I dismiss it. “Frank here is going to take you to the clinic. You’re not leaving until you’re fucking clean, hear me?” I take a breath, thankful to be met with silence for a minute. “Your sister deserves better.”
A scowl crosses his face. “And you think you know what she deserves? You’ve known her for-” he mimes checking his watch. “Ten seconds?”
“Yep.” I deadpan. “And I’ve been sober for the whole ten. More than you can say.”
“Ah, fuck you!” He spits.
“No thanks, I have your sister for that.”
The anger Johnny was showing rises tenfold at that comment. He jumps, ready to cross the desk for me. Frank catches him quickly, keeping him just far enough from me that he touch me, but close enough that he can see the grin on my face. “Fuck you!” he spits again. “You fucking dago, you’re gonna fucking regret this!”
His threats are useless.
Even his slurs don’t scratch my back.
I’ve heard them all.
Dago, ginzo, goombah, guinea.
People who hate Italians have a list of words to call us, but I don’t give a shit.
At the end of the day I’m the one with money in my pocket.
“Get him out of here.” I wave a hand to dismiss him.
I have a meeting to prepare for, and I’m done with this little shit. Gian and I are having a sit down with Lil Bobby Paladina and it’s important that it goes well. In order for us to prevent a civil war, Gian needs to take his seat at the head of the family with everyone in agreeance. The men would follow their captains, so we need to get the last two captains in line, Bobby is one of them.
I stand from my chair, adjusting my suit. We’ll have the meeting downstairs in the bar. It was early, the place isn’t open yet and the only employee here is Justine, the bar manager. She’s good at staying out of sight when I’m conducting business.
I tuck the Glock I favor safely away in my desk drawer before heading down to the bar. It’s frowned upon to bring a gun to a meeting with another capo.
Frank and Charlie are both taking Johnny to rehab, I don’t want to risk him throwing a fit and trying to run off so I sent them both. Unfortunately, that leaves me with just Tony for the meeting. Meetings with other capos are typically less violent, as we know the rules and live by them. And even if I wanted to, rules say I can’t touch another capo.
Made men, in general, are off-limits, this is a brotherhood. You don’t hit a made man, and you definitely can’t kill them. Most of all you stay the fuck away from their women, whether they’re a wife or a side piece.
This thing of ours, or better known as la Cosa Nostra was a group based on common values and rules. These things keep us in line, keep us connected. Gian is a stickler for these rules, he believes in this brotherhood more than any man I’ve ever met.
He also fucking loves money.
That doesn’t hurt.
Bobby Paladina, the capo we’re meeting with, has been around for a long time. He runs a large crew that brings in a lot of money for la Famiglia. His crew has a few construction rackets, sports betting, and some low-end poker games. They’re a tight team, avoid drama for the most part, and bring in money.
There’s an unspoken rule in la Famiglia that the men who bring in the most money are the ones who get promoted. When you add up the dollars, that ma
n is Gian. He has monthly poker games with high rollers that bring in so much cash I get twitchy thinking about it. His crew boosts trucks and turns the profits in a day, faster than anyone else in New England. Gian runs a tight ship. and they make bank because of it.
The problem is, even though the old guard knows how well Gian is doing, they’re too spiteful to hand him the promotion he rightfully deserves.
Things are going to change, we’re going to make sure of it.
Bobby arrives at The Alibi first. He’s a fat and stubborn man. He drinks too much, smokes too much, and is far too loud. He enters the bar like he owns the place, his stubby legs carrying him over to my table.
“Bobby,” I stand for his arrival, giving him a customary kiss on the cheek.
“Gio,” he gives me a curt nod. “Where’s your brotha at?”
“He’ll be here.” I respond politely.
It’s not that I hate the man, I just don’t like anyone who’s not backing my brother. My blood brother.
Since the former bosses’ death, there’s been a power vacuum in this city. I know my brother is meant for the boss’s seat, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get him there.
On cue, Gian walks into The Alibi. He wears a fitted stone gray suit and a white silk shirt. We have good genes, no one can deny that. Gian’s black hair is slicked back showing off his prominent facial features. His lips curve into a smile as he greets Bobby. His sleeve lifts to show off his $25,000 Rolex as he shakes the man's hand.
He flips open the button on his suit jacket as he takes a wide-legged seat at the table, lifting a hand to signal for Bobby and me to join him.
He’s already in command of the room.
Sometimes, the title follows power.
“So,” Bobby trails. “You wanted to see me, huh?”
“Yep,” Gian responds cooly. “It’s been to fucking long.”
Bobby sighs, leaning back into his chair. “Yeah, yeah it has.”
“Massimo’s been dead, what seven months?”
Bobby groans in response. The former boss has been dead a while, leaving the organization in turmoil.
“You know we can’t continue like this?” Gian asks, eliciting another groan from Bobby.
There’s no debate that we need a leader, that’s how this shit works.
The problem is who.
“My crew has been making money, haven’t stopped even though all the bullshit Marazano left us with.”
The former boss left us with a nice FBI investigation that had paused a lot of business.
“We haven’t been so lucky,” Bobby admits. “Fed’s have been on us.”
“I think I can help with that.” Gian grins, “But I’m going to need your support.”
In this world, it’s always tit for tat.
Bobby’s eyebrows raise. “I’m listening.”
Those words are the start of every successful negotiation.
“Sal sent the cannolis you like,” I call entering my loft, where I left Annie here this morning when I went to go handle her brother.
I hate leaving her, but I like the thought of her waiting in my bed.
“Annie,” I called again, juggling the pizza box and the tray of cannolis as I shut the door behind me.
I hear her coming down the steps of the loft, I look up to see her bare legs taking each step. She’s wearing only a pair of red panties and a matching bra. The rest of her body is bare, showing her creamy white skin.
I love her like this, exposed to me.
“Gio,” The sound of my name on her lips is heaven.
“Sweetheart,” I lick my lips as she crosses the remaining space between us.
“I…” she trails, a soft blush rising to heat her cheeks. “I want you.”
My cock perks at the statement. Those dirty words coming from her innocent lips.
“Whatever you want baby.”
In a flash, we’re up the stairs, at the bed. “On your hands and knees.” I order.
She complies with a smile on her face.
She listens so well when I order her around, and her pussy weeps at my dirty mouth. She fucking loves it.
She kneels on the bed in front of me and leans forward making contact with her hands. She flips her hair over her shoulder and then looks back at me, showing off her perfectly round ass.
Damn, I love the sight of her looking at me, waiting for me, with her ass in the air.
“Ass high, baby.”
She licks her lips before bringing her elbows to the bed and lifting her ass high for me.
Damn.
This girl.
I admire the look of her pale skin against the bright red of her panties. I tear off my suit jacket, letting it land on the floor. I unbutton my shirt and toss it to the pile, my slacks following close behind.
I start by running my hands across her ass, relishing the feel of her smooth skin. Using a single finger I pull the red fabric aside.
“You’re always so ready for me. So needy.”
She hums a response that quickly turns into a moan as I slip a finger between her folds and circle her swollen clit with a finger. “That’s it, baby, give it to me.”
Her eyes flash back to me, bright blue meeting brown. “Please,” the word leaves her lips in a breathless whisper.
Damn, I love it when she begs.
She’s breathless as I bring her closer and closer to her orgasm. “Come on, little thief.” I kiss up the back of her spine. “Call my name when you cum. Tell me who is giving this to you.”
Her eyelids sag with the heavy weight of her orgasm, and I can hear her breath getting heavier. “Gio,” she calls my name as the waves of pleasure begin to crash over her. “Fuck, Gio.” she screams, my name on his lips is fucking heaven.
“Yeah, baby.” I pull my hand away from her wet heat to replace it with the promise of my erection. I slide the tip through her slick folds, she’s ready for me. Her eyes look back at me with need as I hover above her.
I slide into her in one quick thrust.
“Fuck, yes!” she cries.
Her wet heat is overwhelming. “Jesus,” I growl, feeling the walls of her pussy grip my dick.
She’s beautiful beneath me like this. Pale skin covered in red lingerie, blonde waves of hair fanned out on the bed, and those bright blue eyes staring back at me.
I could fuck Annie all day.
All night.
I would never tire of her.
Annie Bryne is the best fucking thing in my life.
Yeah, she’s worth it.
Annie is asleep, curled up against me after our fucking session. She looks perfect like this too. Her blonde hair splayed out, her hand resting on my chest, wearing absolutely nothing. I love it, I could lay here next to her all day.
Until my fucking phone rings, distributing the quiet peace we’ve created in this bed.
I answer the call quickly to stop the ringing, peeling myself out from under Annie and retreating downstairs.
“What?” I growl.
“Skip, it’s Charlie.”
“What do you need?”
“We just dropped off Johnny, they had to sedate him.”
“Damn it, he was that worked up?” I ask, making my way to the kitchen that’s hidden in the back of the loft.
“Yep,” Charlie responds. “It was a fucking scene.”
“I’m sure,” I mutter. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that,” I add, “But at least Johnny Byrne is out of our fucking hair for a while, right?”
Charlie laughs. “Yeah, right.”
“What about the Pearce job, we still on track?”
“Yep, we’re gonna run the test tonight.”
I check the Rolex on my wrist. “What time?”
“About ten PM.” Charlie returns.
“Yeah, I’m in.”
I hear a door shut behind me. “I’ll call you later.” I hung up.
Padding lightly out into the empty living room, I check to see the front door is shut. “An
nie?” I call out.
Nothing.
I check the downstairs one more time and then make my way upstairs. The bed is empty, sheets tangled in a messy pile.
No Annie.
She was gone.
At Least Johnny Byrne is out of our hair for a while.
My heart stops when I hear the words leave Gio’s mouth. What does that mean? Out of our hair?
My chest is tight.
I press Johnny’s contact on my phone again, listening to the ringing sound until I hear his voicemail play.
Gio promised me he wouldn’t hurt him.
But I know, deep down I know. I should have never trusted him. He’s not a good guy.
He’s in the mafia, I know this, yet I still let myself fall for him. I let myself get wrapped up in his strong arms and dirty words. I let myself fall so hard for him.
And in return, he used me and betrayed me.
Panic begins to swell in my chest. This can’t be happening. I feel like I can’t breathe now, each breath is harder than the last. I think I’m going to pass out.
Tears well in my eyes. I need to at least get myself out of his parking lot before he finds me like this.
Would he kill me too?
He told me the day he met me he should kill us.
Maybe he’s finally making good on that statement.
I pull my old Camry out of the lot and onto the road. I need to get as far away as possible. My phone rings as I coast down the highway, the caller ID reading Gio. I swipe to decline the call.
It rang again. Again and again, he calls me, but not one word from Johnny.
I steer the Camry into my apartment parking lot, stumble up the stairs, and finally slam the door behind me.
I sink to the floor and let everything out.
I let all of the emotions flow, tears sliding off my cheek and down my neck. I let it all out. Then I vow to myself, that I am absolutely done with Gio DelGado.
I check my phone one last time for any signs of life from Johnny, when they all come back negative I shove the thing in my locker at work. The only reason it’s still on is in case Johnny contacts me, but I can’t stand to be around it. Gio calls and texts non-stop. He sent Charlie to my door last night. The kid pounded on my door for an hour before resorting to just sitting outside instead.
Gio: The DelGado Trilogy (An Enemies to Lovers Romance) Page 11