by Cala Riley
She doesn’t answer right away. After a minute, she turns to me.
“I’m fine. Maybe a little hungry.”
She casts a look to Lorenzo.
“We will go get you two breakfast. Stay in this room.”
Bash orders. I nod and they leave, shutting the door behind them. I watch as Mia hangs another IV bag and shoots a shot of something into it.
“Is he going to be okay?” I inch closer to the bed to take Matt’s hand.
“He is going to be fine. He had no internal bleeding. It did hit a bit of muscle, but with a couple weeks of doing some rehab on it, he will be as good as new.”
I nod numbly. This man literally took a bullet for me. He barely knew me. He has a mother and sister to go home to and yet he took that bullet without questioning it. We might not have known each other well, but Matt just cemented his spot in my heart. I would always be indebted to him.
“I can’t believe you know how to do all of this, Mia.”
I attempt to change the subject.
“I don’t like to talk about this part of my life. Don’t take it personally, I didn’t tell anyone.”
I was the last person to judge someone on what they didn’t tell me.
“It’s okay. I’m not mad. I am glad as fuck that you know what you are doing You saved his life.”
She shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“There is more to you than Izzy and I know isn’t there.”
She nods then sighs.
“Let’s just say that I am not as innocent as you both assume I am. I just like to live in a happy bubble. You would too if you have seen some of the shit I have.”
A haunted look passes over her eyes. I sense another change of subject is needed.
“Did you call Izzy? Does she know where you are?”
Her eyes widen. “Shit!”
She picks up her phone and dials Izzy before putting it on speaker.
“Where in the fuck are you Mia Camilla Cortalione De Sicily?”
I wince at the fury in her voice.
“I am with Sofia. There was an incident at the restaurant. We are at Bash’s.”
“What in the fuck? Then where the fuck are you? Because some asshole drug me out of bed and brought me to what I was told is Bash’s place, yet I haven’t seen either one of you. You better tell me what the fuck is going on before I lose my shit on both of you.”
I sigh.
“I will go get her. What room are you in, Iz?”
“I don’t know. Some bedroom I was put in and told not to leave. I don’t like this Sof.”
I roll my eyes.
“Step into the hallway. I will find you.” I turn to Mia. “Be right back.”
I step out into the hall and look down each way. I don’t see Iz, but I figure most of the bedrooms are on this level. I turn right, away from Bash’s room. His is at the end of the hall so I know there are no more that way. I bypass the stairs and head towards a hall on the other side. As I turn the corner, I see Izzy standing in a door way still talking into the phone. She spots me and meets me half-way.
“I don’t appreciate being awoken in the middle of the night and brought to some fortress in the middle of the woods.”
“You do realize you are still in Brooklyn, right? We aren’t in the middle of any woods.”
She scoffs.
“I wouldn’t know where I am because that asshole Giovanni didn’t give me much of a choice. When I wouldn’t get into the car, he put me in the trunk. THE TRUNK! Can you believe that asshole?”
Now her rage makes sense. I don’t think I would be too happy being shoved inside a trunk either.
“I’m sorry, Iz. Come with me and I will take you to Mia. Then we can explain what’s happening.”
I grab her hand put she pulls it out of mine.
“This discussion is not over.” She walks past me and traces the steps I just took. As we round the corner, I see a very pissed off Bash standing outside Matt’s door.
As we near, Izzy slows down.
“Where is Mia?” She asks me.
I point to the room and she side steps Bash to go inside. I attempt to do the same, but he pulls the door closed and pushes me up against the wall.
“Did I not tell you to stay in this room and not move?”
“You did, but my friend needed me. Besides, I am safe here, remember? Your words not mine.”
His eyes darken. “Must you always be so stubborn?”
“Since you asked.” I trail off.
“We need to talk. Let’s go back to my room.”
“I am not naked wrestling with you, Bash. No matter how much you beg, I am not that easy.”
He growls as he grabs my arm and drags me down the hall. Once inside the room, he slams the door behind him.
He starts to pace in front of me and my bravado from before falls.
“Listen, I am sorry. Izzy was losing her shit and I knew she was probably just down the hall.”
He stops and shakes his head. Then he crowds me against the back of the door.
“I don’t know what to do. I want to protect you, but I can’t if you are always running off.” He presses his forehead to mine. “Do you want me to pull the protection from you?”
My heart stutters. He is going to leave me unprotected. The fear I usually don’t feel sneaks up.
“No.” I whisper.
“I am serious Sof. You came to me two days ago and asked me to pull them from you. If you truly believe it is what is best for you, I will do it. What do you want me to do?”
I think about his words. If he had asked me this two days ago, I would have accepted. I didn’t need protection. Last night shook me though.
“I know you like to think I don’t have self-preservation, but contrary to that belief, I want to live. Last night proved to me that I need to set my pride aside. If it is still okay with you, I would like your protection.”
He lets out a puff of breath.
“Thank God. I’m not sure I could have left you unprotected even if you had said yes. Especially since I think you might have been targeted because of me.”
I push him back and he gives me my space.
“Why would you think that?”
“Were you often getting shot at before you met me?” He quirks his eye brow.
“No.”
“So, I seem to be the change that brought this on.”
I shake my head.
“That man wasn’t there for you. He watched me the entire night, Bash. I could feel his eyes on me the entire time he was there. I felt the slime wafting off from him.” I pause and look him in the eyes. “He was FBI. Or at least I think he was.”
“What makes you say that?”
“His suit. At first, from across the room, I thought he was one of yours. When I escorted him to the table though, it was obvious that his suit was cheap. The shoes? They were scuffed up. Your men would never look like that. Then I remembered something. When Ryan used to do undercover work, he would sometimes bring clothes home for me to wash before he returned them to the police wardrobe. I remember a similar looking suit and shoes that he brought home one night. I would bet my life that this man is working with him and if not him, then the FBI.”
He shakes his head. “Not the FBI. That has been confirmed.”
“Then he has to have been working for Ryan. He knows where I am at now. He always said he would kill me if I tried to leave or tell anyone. Ryan doesn’t make idle threats.”
Something flashes behind his eyes.
“No, he doesn’t.”
There is something else behind his words, but I don’t get a chance to ask.
A knock at the door behind me causes me to jump. I step aside as Bash opens the door.
“You’re needed.” Gio says.
Bash opens the door wider as he threads his hand in mine. He pulls me out of the room and stops at Matt’s door.
“Please stay in here with Isabella and Mia. I will leave guard at the door. If yo
u need anything, you tell him and he will get it. If you need me, tell him what it is and he will get it to me.”
I nod. He leans in and kisses my head.
“Be safe, Tesoro.”
He opens the door and pushes me in before shutting it behind me. I turn three sets of eyes staring at me.
Chapter Nine
Bastiano
“What do you have for me?” I bark out as my informant steps in the room.
“Word on the street is that the uptown club is trying to overtake the downtown by copying their marketing strategy. My sources are unclear as to who came up with the idea, but they believe their hopes are to confuse you into making a rash decision about business which will lower the value.”
I grunt.
“So pretty much you have nothing for me.”
“They only thing I know is for sure is that the East side isn’t involved to the best of my knowledge. I was, however, able to look into that wine sample you provided me. It traces it back to an orchard that is located out in Arizona. Real special wine with a long sheet of requests. No connection to New York that I can find, but I can see if we can get more ordered here soon.”
He steps forward and hands Lo a folder. He glances through it.
“Thanks, C. Keep your ears open for now. I will decide on the wine later. You are dismissed.”
Gio escorts him to the door on my command then closes it behind him.
“Do you think he is telling the truth?” Lo asks from beside me.
“Jury’s still out. Watch the marketing plan and keep me apprised of any changes. What about the wine he is talking about?”
Lo hands me the folder and I flip through it. Ronald Benedict Thompson, 33, of Tucson, Arizona. C wasn’t lying about his rap sheet. Aggravated assault, drug possession, and burglary. Hell, the man even has a charge for prostitution.
Just another low-level criminal. It could be an associate of one of the crew like C was insinuating, but I know the truth. There is another criminal in Arizona who has a sudden interest in New York and he is not interested in my business.
“Seems someone might be interested in that piece of property you recently acquired. How should we proceed?”
Gio’s words cause me to see red. It was bad enough that this man came into my neighborhood and started shooting it up. There hasn’t been a shooting in Brooklyn in the six months since I officially took over. I saw to it that things would stay that way. No, then he had to go and be connected to Sofia’s past.
“We need to procure this wine first, then we can worry about the interested party for the property. One step at a time. Don’t get too greedy either. We need this to go smoothly.”
“Understood.” The men say at the same time.
This is why Gio and Lo are my top two. They provide me counsel that is much needed while also knowing when to keep it to themselves.
“How are the girls?”
Lo chuckles. “Bruno says they are aching for the sun. They finally convinced him to bring them a deck of cards to stay busy.”
I smile. Of course, they did.
“Matteo?”
“Better. Seems a room full of women really brought out the healthy side of him. Bruno says he hears him giggling with the girls. He legit used the word giggling. It might have been safer to leave him alone than have a gaggle of women with him.”
I join his laughter. I can imagine him sitting there, unable to move while being subjected to the tales of those three women. Hell, half the time I wasn’t sure why I endured them.
A pair of dark brown eyes cross my mind.
Ok so maybe I do know why.
Either way, it is probably pure torture for the poor kid.
“Make an extra trip out to his family today. Make sure they are good.” Lo nods. “Gio, can you get a package together for him? I want him to know that he is appreciated.”
“Of course, boss.”
I look at the time. It has been hours since I left the estate. I came straight to Crimson. While it is not 100% secure, it is the best place to meet outside the house. As long as no one forgets the code, we are okay. If I leave now, I can make it back for dinner.
“Have Nonna Rosa prepare dinner. We will eat in the dining room tonight with the ladies. After we will discuss our next steps with them.”
“Got it.”
“Lo, I will go with you to visit the family then we will head home.”
At that, we all get up to head our separate ways.
∞∞∞
Dinner was ready by the time we made it home. We ate a nice dinner and had good conversation that skirted around the elephant in the room. Once we were all fed, I lead everyone to the meeting room. Gio immediately took my left, but Lo left the right open for Sofia. I appreciated the gesture, but she sat with the girls a little down the table anyways. I wanted to demand her to sit next to me, but knew she wouldn’t accept it.
“Is everyone caught up on last night?” I ask, but look to Isabella.
She was the only one absent. She gives me a terse nod.
“Good. I know some of you,” my eyes flitter to Sofia then back to Isabella, “are not exactly happy about your protection detail, but now you see why I assigned them to you. While Brooklyn has been safer than ever recently, there are still dangers out there.”
“I agree, Bash.” Sofia turns to Isabella. “I know you don’t like them, but last night Matt put his own life at risk for mine. Until we figure out why, I think its best if we just accept their help.”
I feel a sense of calm at her words. I know she said earlier that she would accept it, but I thought she would push back more at the thought of protection.
“I don’t understand why we need protection. What did you get Sofia mixed up in?” She directs the question at me.
“Izzy! It’s not his fault.” Sofia scolds.
“Really? Then why is it that we were all perfectly safe until he came into our lives? Why is it that we couldn’t go to work today?”
“Izzy. We don’t know who that man was. He could have been a rapist or murderer looking to take advantage of me and Mia.”
I clench my fist and bring it down on the table.
“ENOUGH!” They all turn and look at me. Isabella has a slight fear in her eye that tells me she knows to keep her mouth shut. “The man’s name is Ronald Benedict Thompson. Do you recognize it, Tesoro?”
I try and tape down my anger while she thinks.
“I don’t think so. I had never seen the man before either so I am not surprised.”
She shrugs. I sigh. I don’t want to, but I need to tell her the truth.
“He is from Tucson.”
Her eyes harden.
“Ryan.” She whispers before she clears her throat. “Ryan must have sent him.”
She turns and gives Mia and Isabella a sad smile.
“Looks like I got you mixed up into my drama. I am so sorry. I should have just kept my distance.”
“Are you silly? You are my best friend. I wouldn’t have let you.” Mia gets up and pulls her into a hug.
Isabella stands up and joins them.
“Ditto. We are best friends forever. Your trouble is ours.”
I let them have their moment before interrupting.
“So back to where we go from here. My men are going to find this man and bring him to me, but we cannot seem to get a lead on Ryan. Is there anywhere he travels? The last time he was seen was at the house you two shared. It seems he has a new lady friend who would only tell my man that he left on a business trip and would be back in a month. She said he was going overseas and wasn’t able to contact her. Obviously, that was a lie, but we have no trace on him.”
Sofia thinks.
“He never told me anything. When he left, he would just leave. If I questioned him, he would smack me. I’m sorry, I wish I could help.”
“It’s okay, Tesoro. We will find him. In the meantime, I will give you girls the same option I gave Sofia. If you want protection, it is yours. If
not, then just say so.”
I glance at Isabella. I can see out of the corner of my eye Giovanni is tense.
Mia speaks up first. “I am fine with it. Especially after last night. Do you think mine could give me rides to work? I don’t feel comfortable walking anymore.”
“Of course.”
Isabella speaks up next.
“I still don’t like it. Why do you feel I need it?”
I scoff. She is asking me to explain myself. I glance to Sofia and sigh. For her, I will.
“You are close to Sofia. This means that you are a target. If they want to get to her, they will attempt to use you to do so. Like I said, if you do not want it then I will pull them back.”
She looks to Sofia then back to me.
“I am fine with it as long as it is anyone, but Giovanni.”
I hear him growl next to me, but I don’t acknowledge him. I don’t know what happened between them, but I can’t concern myself with it now. My number one priority is protecting Sofia, which means protecting Isabella also.
“Done. I am going to ask that you stay one more night while we get everything situated. I will have someone assigned to you before you leave tomorrow. I will introduce you before he takes you home. Each one of you will have a personal body guard that will be with you at all times.”
“Who is going to replace Matt?”
Sofia asks softly. I sigh.
“I was thinking Luca for now. Once Matteo is doing better, he will take back over.”
She nods her head solemnly. This is what I was afraid of. She blames herself for him. This is why I didn’t want to tell her.
“It’s not your fault, Sofia.”
She gives me a wobbly smile. Then leans into Mia and looks down.
“That’s it for tonight. Gio will set you all up with a phone to reach us if you have any issues or see anything out of the ordinary. Trust your gut. Even if it seems small, report it. We don’t know what we are dealing with yet.”
With that, the unofficial meeting was adjourned.
Sofia
Everything is my fault. The sinking feeling my gut hasn’t stopped since Bash told me that the man was from Arizona. Obviously, Ryan sent him. Was he an FBI agent too? I keep desperately trying to leave my past behind me, but it seems it is going to catch up. Can I keep risking the lives of my friends and the only family I have left?