by Soraya Naomi
So Adriano already knew about my receiving the box before I’d even opened it? I’m positive it’s from Sal, but whose ear is that? Santino’s? I knew this would happen if I waited too long. That pesky feeling of guilt screams at me that I waited much too long, and the hatred for Sal multiplies even more. This is why I want to be part of the Syndicate; I want to be able to protect myself and to strike back. I’m so done with being defenseless.
We stand there in silence, and I can tell that Fallon also wants to fire a million questions but knows never to talk about Syndicate business to anyone other than one of the four highest ranking men.
Again, the doors open, and James steps inside, giving me a once-over as he approaches me. “Did you open it?”
“Yes.”
He places an arm around my shoulders, and it’s strangely reassuring, yet still a little awkward.
“Was there a note?”
I shrug while I’m swimming in thoughts. “I don’t know.”
Again, someone enters the penthouse: Adriano, who searches me out instantly, perking a brow and asking if I’m okay without a sound, so I nod.
He’s sending me a look I haven’t seen since I’ve been back. The look he used to give me when we first met. As if I’m not real, but a figment of his imagination.
We’re gathered around the island when Luca arrives last.
“A note?” he asks and wraps his arms around Fallon. She pushes her face into his chest, and he caresses the back of her head. “Go to the bedroom. I’ll be there in a minute.”
James presents a typed note with blood spatters: Dear Camilla, guess whose ear?
I bend my head, letting out a sigh, and press a palm on the counter. “It’s Santino’s.”
No one speaks a word, but I’m sure the men around me are communicating silently, and then James says to Luca and Adriano, “I need to talk to you two on the terrace.”
They follow him out, leaving me with David and the box. And my remorse. And my growing loathing for Fat Sal, which I’ve already carried for years.
CHAPTER 26
Adriano
I slide the terrace door closed for privacy. After stealing a glance at Cam’s bent head, I’m itching to be alone with her; to know what she’s thinking and feeling, but James’s face is already radiating thunder.
“How the hell is it possible that my daughter receives an ear at a private residence?” James stresses, almost disbelieving it himself. “And what happened at SS?”
“There was a sniper in the tower across from our building,” I clarify what I saw.
“I was also followed when I was driving back into the Loop. I shook them off, then Luca called and told me you were being shot at.” James looks inside to the kitchen where Cam is standing.
“Fat Sal’s been busy,” Luca speaks in a low tone.
“Any witnesses?” James asks.
“A pedestrian was shot, and a kid spotted me with my gun,” I reveal.
“I’ll have Chicago P.D. notified. I hope this doesn’t become a media circus. I’ll have a detective on our payroll check to see if a child’s statement giving your description comes in. If it does, you will handle the situation,” James warns me.
I nod in acknowledgement.
“And someone has obviously been tailed to your private residence without anyone noticing, Luca,” James spits.
Luca and I have various residences in our names, but everything’s classified. The fact that Fat Sal knows this home address is the biggest breach of privacy we’ve ever encountered.
“That’s David’s job.” I defend and scrub a hand down my tired face. “He’s supposed to make sure the girls aren’t followed home – ever. I’ll deal with him. New guards are already on the way here.”
“I need to get to Alessa and Rosalia. Extra soldiers are at my house, just in case it’s breached too. I can’t take Cam with me, and it’s better if we split up now, anyway. Can she go with you, Adriano? Additional guards will also be stationed at your building for you and your parents.”
His request alleviates the tension in my muscles; however, I’m surprised that he’s leaving Cam in my custody, but that’s tempered down.
In a stern tone, James adds, “The rules still apply, Capo. She’s off limits. I’m entrusting her to you.”
“I’ve never been trailed home. I’m sure of that. She’ll be safe,” I speak through my displeasure.
This is the moment that I start to resent my Capo position. I’ve experienced this fleeting feeling once before, also concerning Cam. I hate that I’m restrained in my affection toward her while my lust seems to be mounting with every second she’s near me.
“Furthermore, I want to know where Fat Sal is: is he still in the Loop?” James inquires. “We meet tomorrow at eight a.m. at Adriano’s.” He anticipates my next question and adds, “I don’t have a plan of attack right now. Ensure that all the Capi and soldiers are notified to be on high alert. They have permission to shoot to kill any of Sal’s soldiers. Everyone in the Syndicate needs to be brought up to date.”
“Our top soldiers are already on that,” I confirm. “By the way, my car is still at SS.”
“My driver will take you and Cam to the Astoria, and I’ll have a soldier drive your car to your building,” James offers. “Luca, Adriano, we’re on the verge of a huge operation. We deliberate retaliation tomorrow.” He effectively concludes this discussion and walks back inside to check on Cam.
David meets my eyes when I step back into the living room, and I point my finger toward the elevator, ordering him to follow me.
“You’re dismissed,” I say while James is talking to Cam and Luca disappears in his bedroom to be with Fallon.
“Sir, why?”
“You were tailed to this private residence. Another guard is taking over your duty.”
“Sir—”
“This is non-negotiable. Leave,” I command, impatient to be alone with Cam.
This entire night has flashed by in haste, and I’m confronted with the realization of how easily she could be ripped away from me, or I from her. Earlier tonight, when we crossed a boundary outside on the lounger, everything changed. My resolve that was cracking has now vanished into thin air. We’re in the middle of a war in which she can be stripped from my life at any second, and every cell in my body is repelling that idea.
I’m going to defy my boss’s order.
I wait until James and Cam’s conversation ends before I ask Cam, “Shall we go?”
She edges toward me but then stops, knowing James is watching us. “Let me pack some clothes and say goodbye to Fallon.” Her voice is steady with just a hint of a tremble that unmasks her unease, and she goes to her room.
Within minutes, she’s back with a bag hanging over her shoulder, stuffing a final item of clothing into it.
“I’m ready.” She comes toward us, and I take her bag.
“Call me if you need me,” James says to both of us.
Cam’s hand reaches for mine, but she stills her movement and lowers her arm when I lead the way to the elevator.
As soon as the doors close, I let the bag fall out of my grasp, and I pull Cam into an embrace.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, releasing a loaded sigh, as her arms hook around my neck.
“Just a little shaken.”
Tightening my hold, I run one hand through her hair while we find comfort in one another. After a distressing hour, her hug evinces that emotion only she can wake in me – that emotion I’ve fought for years, but that’s never left.
“This is bad, Adriano. Sal cut off Santino’s ear!”
“Shhh. We’re going to take care of it.” I cradle her face in both hands. “I promise you.”
We arrive on the first floor, and James’s driver is already waiting outside the entrance.
“To the Astoria Tower,” I state, sitting in the back with Cam tucked safely against my side.
CHAPTER 27
Camilla
I’m on my way to Adri
ano’s apartment for the first time.
The shock of seeing Santino’s ear has subsided, and now, anger burns beneath my skin. I’m letting Sal intimidate me, and I’ll not tolerate that. I wonder if James, Luca, and Adriano will let me in on their plan. Adriano promised to take care of it, and I’m hoping this will finally jump start them into action. But if it doesn’t, I have a back-up plan: Wade. I’m curious to find out if he’ll accept my assignment tomorrow.
Snuggling against Adriano in the car, I revel in his tight grasp. I was correct; we have made progress since earlier tonight when we almost had sex on the lounger on Fallon’s terrace. Even though a part of me was scared he might try to pull away again, I think that tendency has abandoned him.
“Are you sure it was Santino’s ear?” he asks.
“No. I’m not positive.”
“Then it could also be from someone else, and Sal’s just trying to rile you.”
“That’s possible.”
While our cuddle calms us visibly by the ebbing tension of our bodies, and Adriano’s presence is comforting, the guilt about Santino remains, as usual.
“I have to visit my parents first, but I don’t want to leave you alone at my loft, so you’re coming with me.”
I look up with a smile. “I’m going to meet your parents?”
One brow arches, and he gives me a mocking glance. “Yes. So, behave.”
“I always behave. But I’m a mess.” I pluck the fabric of my tight top and rumpled skirt.
“You look beautiful,” he comments, checking his phone messages.
Taken aback by his tender tone, I stare at him while he types with one hand, his other arm around me. I place my lips to his ear, and his palm sneaks down my back, resting on my ass.
“Thank you.”
Adriano’s head turns slightly until our faces are an inch apart, and we admire each other with the rumble of the engine fading away.
“You’re always beautiful,” he whispers and grips my behind.
Our lips almost touch, but we pull apart just as we hit a bump in the road and slide away from each other.
The vehicle stops at a high-rise where the valet is waiting at the front entrance.
As we walk through the pristine white and metal foyer toward the elevator, Adriano entwines our fingers, and I feast on our tangled hands and the glint in his eyes.
“My brother and sister will also be there. No one knows about any Syndicate business, Cam, so no speaking of anything Syndicate related. I’ll take the lead if they ask you any questions you’re apprehensive to answer,” he says as we head up to his parents’ floor.
“Okay.”
His thumb swirls over the back of my hand, sending a shiver up my spine. The elevator comes to a stop on a spacious floor with only two apartment doors on each side of the hall. Adriano lets go of my hand and knocks on the left one. It’s opened by a remarkably handsome Italian with the same thick black hair as Adriano’s that curls where it’s longer. His brows hit his hairline when he spots me, and the corner of his mouth tilts up.
I smile back, and Adriano throws the door open. “Carmine, this is Cam.”
Carmine covers my hand with both of his. “Cam, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Then he asks Adriano softly, “Fratello, che cosa succede?” Brother, what’s going on?
“Ti spiegherò più tardi.” I’ll explain later.
Adriano proceeds the way toward the end of the hall, into a living room with thick curtains hanging down the windows and an indoor terrace.
His father’s seated on the sofa in the living room, and his mom’s lying down with her legs draped over his father’s lap.
She notices her son and stands up. “Adriano!”
He kisses his mother’s cheek and hugs his father. He’s as tall as his father but has his mother’s black hair.
From the corner of the room, a beautiful brunette dressed in satin sleepwear shifts closer to greet us.
“Cam, these are my parents, Sophia and Max. This is my sister, Mary.” He presses his lips to Mary’s forehead, and adoration paints her face when she looks at her older brother.
Everyone’s silent, then his mom says joyfully, “Cam, nice to meet you.” His mom has a thick Italian accent, and while her welcome exudes warmth, I can’t help but notice how thin she is. “Would you like something to drink?” And she asks Adriano, “Have you eaten, son?”
“I have, Mama, thank you. I’m just stopping by to say hello. Sorry I’m this late, but I couldn’t come earlier. We were just on our way up.”
“My son, you come here with a girl for the first time. Do you think I care about the time?” She puts her arms around his middle.
I swear a look of guilt blazes behind his eyes, and it’s endearing to see how affectionate he and his mom are.
“I want to get to know her,” Sophia scoffs and smiles playfully at me.
He sighs and can’t deny his mother.
“Sit.” She waves her hands downward, so we’re forced onto the couch.
While Mary sits on the armrest and talks about her graduate program to Adriano, Carmine joins me.
“So, Cam, you’re a friend of Adriano’s?”
“Yes.” For now, I’m just a friend.
Adriano’s arm comes around the back of the couch, hand resting on my shoulder.
Carmine’s boyish grin is eerily similar to Adriano’s, and he scoots closer. “Just a friend? He’s very possessive of his friend.”
Adriano swats the back of his head. “Don’t bother her.” And he laughs at his brother, who’s soothing the sting.
His father is constantly at his mom’s side and gives her pills to swallow at one point, making me wonder what kind of health issues she has.
After ten minutes of teasing back and forth and answering many questions, his mother chokes when she’s taking her medicine. Sadness and worry descend over the room when she coughs and becomes very light-headed. Adriano’s on his mother within seconds and carries her down the hall, to the bedroom, with his father and sister in tow.
“Is your mother sick?” I ask Carmine.
“You should direct your questions to Adriano,” he answers, combing his unruly hair back.
We’re still sitting on the couch in awkward silence as Carmine observes me unashamedly.
Pretending to ignore him, I keep my focus on the window.
Adriano returns, and after witnessing our uncomfortable demeanor, he’s eager to leave.
So am I. Seeing him interact with his family reinforces my feelings for him. I knew he was protective of them, and they’re clearly close. Understanding dawns on me as to why he’s fighting our being together. He already told me he couldn’t take that risk because he also supports his family, but I think he’s their primary provider. Although Carmine’s somewhat of a mystery. His brother should be able to support himself, and he evidently has some suspicions about Adriano’s work.
“Let’s go.” Adriano offers his hand to me, and then he informs Carmine, “Mama will be fine. Thanks for staying. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Adriano—”
“Carmine,” he warns, cutting off his line of questioning before it starts. “Tomorrow.”
“Is everything all right with your mother?” I ask.
“She’ll be fine. She has lupus, but her medications lessen the severity of the symptoms,” he explains.
We slip out of the apartment and ride the elevator up to the fortieth floor where Adriano escorts me into his dark brown loft with high ceilings and a huge designer TV that hangs at the opposite wall; definitely a bachelor pad. Floor-to-ceiling windows span one outer wall, and the city lights twinkle red and yellow beneath us.
I pass a floating staircase on my left that leads to the open second floor. And my fingers trace the brown brick wall that holds the plasma TV.
Adriano sets my bag on the bar of his shiny black kitchen as I turn to face him. A sudden quietness drifts around us. Finally, we’re alone. I try to lighten the mood because I reall
y don’t know what else to say after the last intense hour.
“So”—I walk straight toward where he’s leaning against the bar—“you came on me?”
A grin tugs at his lips, and he crosses his ankles. “You didn’t give me much choice since you fell asleep.”
I stop halfway to him. “And you felt like your only choice was to spill your semen on me?”
“My semen on you?” He throws his head back and laughs. “Just call it sperm. Sperm, Cam.”
I cock my hip. “Fine! Sperm. My point is...” I don’t even know what my point was. “Never mind.”
Palming his neck, he admits softly, “Damn, Cam, I’ve missed you.”
Relief from months of fear and anxiety breaks free after his confession. “I’ve missed you too. I’ve missed us, our friendship.”
He gives me time to speak my mind.
“Ever since you found me two weeks ago, the joy of seeing you again has been overshadowed by your reluctance to let me in. I think it’s clear what I want.”
“Tell me with words,” he requests in a tender tone.
So I let my emotions out. “I want you to give us a chance to be together, truly together. Rebuild our friendship without the mistakes of our pasts haunting us. I’ve always been drawn to you, and it’s more than...” My sentence trails off, and he doesn’t move, so I change my choice of words. “I understand that it’s a risk for you now that I’ve seen you with your family. You have an overwhelming sense of obligation toward your parents. That only makes me want you more. I’ve missed you so much, and still, you’re always so distanced from me, Adriano. I refuse to stay away from you. You know that by now. And I hope you’ll give me another chance. But if you can’t, then let me go. I can’t continue like this. Not again.” The stillness in his lack of response makes me insecure, but I wait patiently and soldier on. “What do you want? Talk to me.”
His palms brace the bar he’s resting against, and our eyes lock.
“I want you too, Cam. I’m done fighting you. You’ve worn me down.” He’s letting me in again.
“I knew I’d get to you eventually. Especially after tonight,” I say bluntly, provoking him.
“Why?”