“I’m sorry?” I had no idea what the woman was talking about.
Abriana laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Dani. You didn’t know, did you?”
“Didn’t know what?”
Her eyes widened again. “You still don’t.” She glanced at Cole, then back to me. “Have some of that wine. You’re going to need it.”
I took a sip of my drink, anxious to hear what this woman had to say.
She looked around, as if to make sure nobody was close enough to overhear. “I really shouldn’t. It’s none of my business, really, but you don’t know, and Cole has suffered long enough.”
“Abri,” I said, trying not to get frustrated, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She put her hand on my shoulder. “You’re the one that got away… or the one he never had, actually.”
“What?”
She shook her head, smiling. “It’s sort of sweet, really. I’ve known Cole for a while, used to have the hots for him.” She shrugged. “We fooled around a little bit but he said we could never be serious because his heart belonged to another. Told me all about this sexy little girl with beautiful brown hair, eyes like dark chocolate, and… ‘skin like silk’ is the way I believe he described it.” She sipped her wine, pointing at me.
I took a drink. And then another. And then said what the hell and drained the whole glass. Abri waved and Jasper was instantly by our side. She drained her glass, took mine from my suddenly-numb hand, and put them on Jasper’s silver tray, pulling two full glasses to replace our empty ones. “Stay close,” she said, nodding towards me. “She’s probably going to need a refill or three.”
“That’s impossible,” I finally managed to say, trying not to think about Cole messing around with this tall Italian goddess. I knew there were some sparks flying between us lately… but he had the hots for me before? I couldn’t believe it.
“Impossible? Why?” Abri seemed surprised. “Because of the step thing?”
I looked around, horrified that someone might have heard.
Abri laughed. “Relax. I doubt anyone around here knows, and I’m sure they wouldn’t care.”
“But we’re related.”
She shrugged. “Who cares? You’re related because a piece of paper says your parents are married. That’s it. Just a bunch of legal garbage. Besides, according to him, you haven’t seen each other since the two of you were in your early teens.” She smiled wickedly. “Face it. You’re an adult and he’s a very sexy guy. Your parents were married. Congratulations for them, but don’t let something like a piece of paper keep you from finding happiness.”
I drained my glass and waved like Adri had done earlier. Again, Jasper appeared. I grabbed a new glass and forced myself to just sip it. It couldn’t be as simple as she made it out to be. Could it?
Before Adri could reply, a short redhead with huge breasts joined us. “Hello, Abriana, nice to see you again.” The look in her eyes and the fake smile hinted that it was really anything but nice. She looked at me, curiosity mingling with a cold, calculating scrutiny.
“This is Danielle,” Abri said before I had a chance to say anything. “She’s with Cole.”
The redhead raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She shook her head. “That man won’t stay single long enough for me to get a chance with him.”
Abri laughed. “Cara, you wouldn’t have a chance with Cole if the man was in a monastery.”
Narrowing her eyes, Cara glared at Abriana. She looked back at me. “Nice to meet you, Danielle. Welcome to the family.” With a last withering look at Abri, she walked off, headed towards the man Cole called Mr. C.
Abri rolled her eyes. “Great. She’s going to cry to hubby now.”
I almost choked on my wine. “She’s married to Mr. C.?”
Abri nodded. “Proof that wealth and power don’t provide good taste.” She scanned the room until she found Cole talking with a tall, tan man with a thin moustache and dark hair that was going grey at the temples. “Now my husband, on the other hand, has exquisite taste.”
I followed Abri’s eyes. The man looked vaguely familiar. “That’s your husband Cole is talking to?”
Abri nodded. “Two gorgeous men with power and vision.” She winked at me. “And the women who put up with their bullshit. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
Abri led me to the two men, who glanced at us as we approached. Abri’s husband shook Cole’s hand and leaned over, kissing him on both cheeks.
“Sonny,” Abri said. “I’d like you to meet Cole’s better half, Danielle.”
Sonny smiled and pulled me to him for an unexpected bear hug, kissing me on each cheek. “Welcome to the family, Danielle.” Keeping one arm around me, he wrapped his other arm around Cole and pulled him close. He looked at Abri. “Don’t we look like we’re going to set the world on fire, Baby?”
Abri kissed her husband. “Absolutely.” The smile she gave Sonny was filled with love, but I had noticed something else that had nothing to do with love. Sonny’s jacket was unbuttoned, and when he reached out for Cole, I could plainly see a gun tucked inside a shoulder holster.
Sonny released me, keeping his arm around Cole. “Honey, why don’t you and Danielle grab a couple more drinks while I finish talking with Cole.” He winked at me and grinned. “I promise I’ll return him as soon as possible.”
It was the wink and grin combo that did it. I realized where I had seen him before. Mobster Sonny LaVista, accused of various crimes in Florida, had flashed that wink and grin any time a camera was pointed in his direction, loudly professing his innocence. The case never went to trial. Every charge was dropped and LaVista was a free man. He laughed off any mention of mob affiliation, saying people had watched The Godfather too many times, but people knew. It couldn’t be proven but Sonny LaVista was a dangerous man, and Cole knew him, seemed to be friends with him.
“Dani?” Abri asked. “You okay?”
I glanced at her. Did she know who her husband was? Of course she did. She had to. I had only known her for a short time but she didn’t strike me as an idiot. And I had been told ‘welcome to the family,’ not thinking anything of it. I had an idea now about which family I was being welcomed into.
“Dani?” She sounded worried now. Worried because she thought I was sick? Or worried that I might have learned her secret?
I nodded. “I’m fine. I just… I don’t know.”
“You recognized him, didn’t you?”
“What?” I looked around frantically. The door seemed miles away. Would anyone shoot at me if I made a run for it?”
“Dani, relax. It’s okay.” Abri shrugged. “He almost got caught being a bad boy, but that was years ago. He’s more cautious these days. He won’t let anything happen to Cole.”
What? She thought I was worried Sonny would get Cole into trouble. I was a rotten person because that thought didn’t even cross my mind… until now. “What are they talking about?”
Abri shrugged. “Business. Something about the Texas operation but I don’t know the details.”
“The mafia is in Texas?”
Abri laughed. “They are now, thanks to Sonny and Cole. The family hasn’t really had any influence since the Dallas thing, but Sonny wanted to change that, and Cole was eager to be the guy on the ground.” She nudged me with her shoulder. “Can’t imagine why he was so anxious to come back here.”
I grabbed another drink off Jasper’s tray as he walked by. Abri did the same. I looked at her. “Abri, I think I might be into something that’s way over my head.”
“Oh mio Dio!” a loud voice exclaimed.
Abri and I turned as a tall, curvy blonde with startlingly blue eyes approached, arms thrown wide, wine sloshing from her glass. “Don’t say anything about the contacts,” Abri whispered. “Or the dye job.”
“Come stai, Abriana?” the woman said, throwing her arms around Abri. I sidestepped to avoid the wine flying from her glass.
“I’m fine, Marietta,” Abri said. “How
are you?”
The blonde released Abri from the hug and ran her fingers through her hair, pouting. “Devastato.”
“Marietta,” Abri interrupted, motioning towards me. “This is Danielle. She’s with Cole… and she doesn’t speak Italian.”
“Oh, okay” Marietta said, her voice heavy with a thick Italian accent. “I’m devastated. Giovanni did not get parole… again.” She lifted her glass and realized it was almost empty. She snapped her fingers and the ever-vigilant Jasper appeared with his tray. We all helped ourselves to another glass.
“That’s too bad,” Abri said. “Maybe next time.”
Marietta dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “Yes, maybe next time.”
A young man wearing a tight suit that clung to his muscles came up behind Marietta and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck. She reached back, running her fingers through his dark, curly hair. “Fortunately, my dear Nico is helping me through this trying time.”
Abri shot me a warning look, letting me know to keep any comments or opinions to myself. “Yes,” she said, her voice serious. “It’s always nice to have friends to rely on during a time of need.”
“Sì,” Marietta said as Nico’s hands slid up to fondle her large breasts. “And I feel a need right now. Come, Nico.” She nodded to me. “Nice to meet you, Danielle.” Her voice still sounded sad but lust was burning in her eyes.
“That one you don’t mess with,” Abri said, as we watched the two make their way down the hall, their hands frantically pawing at each other. I hoped they wouldn’t pick my room to do… whatever.
“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.
Abri chuckled. “She’s pazzo… crazy. She can be a good and loyal friend, but get on her bad side and she’ll kill you in your sleep… and there’s no telling what might get you on her bad side.” She shrugged. “She’s been running Giovanni’s operation since he ended up behind bars. She doesn’t really want him out… and there are rumors she helped put him away.”
“Wow.” I shook my head. “I really don’t think I can do this.”
Sonny and Cole were walking towards us, neither one walking perfectly straight. Their little chat had apparently required a few more glasses of wine. Abri patted my shoulder. “It’s okay. Just relax and go with the flow. We’ve all been where you are.”
Sonny grabbed Abri and kissed her. “Come on, doll. The party’s winding down and I want to go home and fuck.”
Abri laughed. “Why wait until home? There’s plenty of room in the limo.”
Sonny looked at us and laughed, a huge drunken smile on his face. “And she wonders why I love her so much.” The couple headed for the door, Sonny’s hand planted firmly on Abri’s ass.
I looked around. Sonny had been right. The party was winding down, most of the guests from earlier already gone. I hadn’t even been aware so much time had passed. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my ass. I jumped, startled, and looked at Cole. Before I could say anything, his mouth met mine, his tongue teasing my lips. I moaned, leaning into him, caught off-guard. I parted my lips and his tongue slipped into my mouth. He tasted like wine, and I was thirsty for more.
His fingers tightened on my ass as I turned towards him, pressing myself against him. I could feel his hardness against me as his hand slid under my short dress, tugging my wet panties to the side. His fingers caressed my slit. “Oh God, yes!” I gasped, not caring anymore about whether it was wrong or right. I wanted him. He wanted me. That was all that mattered. I fumbled with his jacket, unbuttoning it as he gently bit my lip. I moaned, beginning to work on his shirt, desperate to feel him. I grabbed his shirt and started to slide it off his muscular frame but it was caught on something. I reached for whatever it was, my hand brushing against something cold and hard. I recoiled in shock, stepping back as if I’d been bitten. “What the hell, Cole?”
Cole glanced down at the gun in the shoulder holster, looked back at me. “Protection. The job I do is –”
“I know what your job is, Cole,” I snapped. I was angry, frustrated, horny… and the man I wanted was carrying a gun.
“Dani –”
“No!” I looked at the man who I suddenly realized I knew absolutely nothing about. I shook my head. “I just… no.” I turned and ran to my room, slamming the door and locking it behind me. I looked around the room, at all the nice things that surrounded me. What had Cole done to get these things? I collapsed on the bed, crying. I had decided to take Abri’s advice. Screw that stupid piece of paper. I was finally willing to sleep with Cole, but was I willing to climb into bed with the mob?
PART TWO
Chapter 7
I opened my eyes… and then quickly closed them again. I didn’t know what time it was but the day had arrived too damn early. Slowly, resigned to the fact that today couldn’t simply be avoided, I opened my eyes again and sat up. I was still wearing the dress from last night, which looked a lot worse after being slept in. I looked around the room. It was like waking up in a luxurious hotel suite. I could probably live in here for the rest of my life and be comfortable; just have Jasper bring me food, like room service. It seemed like a good idea.
Someone knocked lightly on the door. “Madam?” Jasper said, “I hate to disturb you but your door appears to be locked and Mr. Anderson was wondering if you would like to join him for breakfast.”
My first instinct was to say no, I wouldn’t be joining Mr. Anderson for breakfast… or anything else. Ever. But I was hungry, and I couldn’t hide in the room forever, no matter how nice the idea seemed. I sighed. “Sure. I need to freshen up a bit.”
“Very good, madam.”
I crawled out of bed, pulled the dress off, and made my way to the bathroom to wash up. Today was going to be a busy day. I needed to get back to my apartment and figure out how I was going to repay Cole for the stuff I bought, and I needed to figure out what to do about my trashed car… and I probably needed to get a restraining order against Billy. Yeah, the day was going to suck.
I dressed in jeans and a t-shirt – more stuff bought with Cole’s probably-illegal money – and stood staring at the bedroom door. Eat, be polite, call a cab, leave. Simple. I took a couple of deep breaths to try and calm myself, and then opened the door, prepared to face my suddenly-uncertain future.
Cole sat at the dining room table, flipping through a newspaper. He was dressed in another suit. I sat across from him. “You should join the 21st century. The news is online these days.” So much for being polite.
He grinned. “I prefer an actual newspaper. Reminds of when I used to watch Dad read the paper when we were kids.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Cole’s father had been a great stepdad to me, very friendly and easy-going, but he had one rule that was practically carved in stone – no problems, no drama, no fussing until he had his first cup of coffee and looked through the paper. I nodded. “Yeah, it wouldn’t be the same if he had been holding an iPad.”
Cole laughed. “My dad with an iPad. There’s a thought.” He shook his head, smiling. “Dad never even bothered with a digital watch. He wouldn’t know what to make of things today. Texting in 140 characters and taking pictures of food would make him think people had lost their minds.”
Holy crap! With all the drama in my life, I hadn’t even asked how his dad was, and now I knew. “Oh. I’m so sorry, Cole. I didn’t know.”
Closing the paper and folding it as Jasper arrived and sat a plate in front of him, Cole shrugged. “It’s okay. He passed away a few years ago. Went to sleep one night and never woke up. It was peaceful.”
I nodded at Jasper and smiled as he sat my plate down, staring at a landscape of eggs, toast, sausage, bacon, and pancakes. “This is enough for breakfast and lunch.”
Cole nodded. “Greta doesn’t know how to do light, but you probably want to make sure to save some room for later because Abriana will probably take you to lunch during your shopping trip.”
I froze, a forkful of egg halfway to my mouth. “What shopping trip
?”
The look on Cole’s face was carefully neutral. “The shopping trip she called and invited you to this morning.”
I sat the fork down. “Cole –”
He held up his hand. “Dani, I know last night was a shock. I get that… and I’m sorry, but how exactly does someone start that conversation?”
“By not needing to have it in the first place,” I said, harshly. “How on Earth did you get involved with the freakin’ mob? If your dad were alive today –”
“He’d say welcome to the family business, son.”
“What?”
Cole nodded. “You didn’t really know the man you thought you knew.” He shrugged. “I didn’t either. Not back then. That’s why we suddenly moved to Florida. It was business.”
“He was with the mob back then? When he was married to Mom?” I couldn’t believe it.
“He was, and he wasn’t asked to relocate. He was told.” Cole clinched his jaw. “He wasn’t happy about it but you didn’t tell those people no. He did the best he could with a shitty situation.”
A sudden memory of Mom getting a package in the mail – the first of many – flashed through my mind. Mom had opened the package, a look of shock on her face. She read the letter that was included and cried. She never mentioned what had been in that package, or any of the others, but I distinctly remembered there were no more money problems, and Mom always had money to buy something new after receiving these packages, whether it was a new car for her or new clothes or a computer for me.
“So you thought it would be cool to be a mobster, too,” I said.
Cole shook his head. “I didn’t want any part of it. I joined the military to get as far away from that life as I could.” He looked at me, his green eyes intent. “The army taught me how to kill. I was very good at it.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t translate well to a real-world job, though. Dad’s… former employer offered me a job. It was just supposed to be temporary, but one thing led to another and I suddenly found myself moving up in the ranks.” He glanced at his watch and stood up. “I need to go. Important meeting in an hour.” He came around to my side of the table and looked down at me. “We have other things to discuss, too.”
Mafia Stepbrother Boxed Set Page 3