Little Bird (Advantage Play Series Book 3)

by Kelsie Rae

  Self-preservation takes over, and I do a quick scan to see a handgun strapped to his chest that peeks out from beneath his suit jacket. I came unarmed to meet Diece because I didn’t want him to feel threatened. But right now? I feel naked without my Glock, and I’m afraid the stranger watching me can feel it too.

  “Come on in,” Diece calls, making me jump while simultaneously ending the little staring contest I’d been having with the guy down the hall.

  Pulling my attention back to my brother, I follow him inside what I assume is Kingston Romano’s office. It’s cleaner than Burlone’s. More polished, maybe. The stench of cigar smoke isn’t present, though, and the musk that accompanies Burlone wherever he goes is missing from Kingston’s office too.

  “Take a seat,” Kingston offers coolly before dropping his gaze to the chair adjacent to his desk.

  “Thanks.”

  “What do you know about me?” he asks, jumping right into the interrogation. I shouldn’t be surprised. He needs answers from me, and he’s a master at getting them by any means necessary. Too bad for him, I won’t be needing any persuasion today.

  “Enough,” I respond blandly.

  “Enough to know that I’m pretty fucking good at being able to tell if someone is telling the truth or not?”

  I hold his stare. “Yeah. I may have heard that.”

  “Then let’s cut the shit, shall we? Did you fuck my sister?”

  With a slight flinch at his derogatory term, I answer, “Yes.”

  He doesn’t move a muscle, but I can tell I’ve surprised him with my honesty.

  “Do you care about her the same way she cares about you?” he asks.

  I could kick myself for not having read Regina’s letter, but I assume she revealed her feelings for me. If anything, they’re tame compared to what I feel for her.

  “Yes,” I answer.

  “Am I walking into a trap?”

  This is Regina’s brother, and it kills me that I have to tell him that if Burlone gets his way, his blood will be on my hands. “Yes.”

  A stone-cold Kingston rests his elbows on the table as he continues studying me. “Are you willing to betray the Allegretti family by giving us confidential information that, if linked back to you, will guarantee the skin being flayed from your body by Burlone? And that if we find out the information you give us is faulty, then we’ll do it ourselves?”

  Damn, Regina. Your brother has balls, I think to myself. The fact that he just laid out my likely future without batting an eye proves to me that he deserves all the respect his name demands.

  Without hesitation, I answer, “Yes.”

  “And what do you want in return?”

  An image of Regina flashes through my mind. Her hair is still a tangled mess, and the remnants of makeup cling beneath her eyes. But she’s smiling. At me. There’s so much potential there. All that we could be. All that we could’ve been. If I weren’t a filthy Allegretti and she weren’t the princess of one of the most powerful mafia families in the states. I shake my head to disburse all the potential ways Regina and I could’ve lived our lives if we weren’t stuck with the shit hand we’d both been dealt.

  Instead, I simply reply, “I want your sister to be safe.”

  His gaze narrows in suspicion, reading me like a book. “Tell me the whole truth, Dex. I told you to cut the shit, remember?”

  Bristling, I drop my head back in defeat and stare up at the ceiling. “You want the whole truth, Kingston? Fine. I want her to be safe. But I also want to keep her for myself because she already owns me. I didn’t ask for it because I’m not stupid enough to think it’s a possibility. I’m a fucking Allegretti who’ll be dead by the end of the week as soon as my men find out that I’m the traitor who screwed up Burlone’s plans by squealing to the enemy.” Dragging my hands from the top of my head and down my face, I bring my gaze back to his. “So, yeah. If I can ask for one thing, then I want her safe. That’s it.”

  “And you’re not going to ask for your own protection?” he pushes.

  “I’m not naïve enough to think I’d get it, Kingston. I’ve been in the game long enough to know you never really trust someone who’s always been your enemy even when they show up at your front door to help you.”

  “No. You’re showing up at my front door to help my sister. You don’t give a shit about me because of what your dad did to you as a kid. Or didn’t do, in his case. However, you haven’t always been an enemy to the Romano family. You’re a victim of an old man’s wrong decision, and I think we can both come to an agreement—if you’re willing to prove your loyalty.”

  It takes me a second to register his words. My lungs stop expanding, and I hold my breath as I replay his statement in my head. You haven’t always been an enemy. We can both come to an agreement…if I prove my loyalty.

  That’s the real question, isn’t it? Kingston wants to know if he can trust me. What he doesn’t understand is that I’m not doing this for him. I’m doing it for her.

  Or maybe he does understand, and he’s still willing to play along because, despite how badly he doesn’t want to admit it, if he wants to get out of this alive, then he needs me. And I need him if I want to keep her safe.

  “And how do I prove my loyalty?”

  Scratching the five o’clock shadow on his jaw, he tells me, “We’ll be in touch.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Regina

  “Hey, Little Bird,” Dex greets me, sneaking in through the door.

  “Hi.” I’m tense, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Where were you?” I accuse, my panic finally taking over.

  Rushing toward me, Dex opens his arms to hold me, but I shrug away from him. “Answer my question, Dex. Where the hell did you go?”

  “I told you—”

  “Yeah. You told me you were going to meet with my brother and that you’d be back in a few hours. That was yesterday.” I emphasize the word as my blood practically boils in my veins. “So, let me ask you again. Where the hell have you been?”

  Scanning the empty room, he keeps his tone low and quiet so that I have to strain to hear him. “I met with your brother. Then Diece dropped me back off at our original meeting place. I got a call from Burlone to collect some shit with Sei since I was already out and about. By the time I finally made it back here, Diece called with an update on…”—he drops his voice even lower—“the plan for tonight, and I had to make sure everything was ready and in place. I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you sooner, okay? I figured you knew I was doing everything in my power to keep you safe—”

  “And possibly getting caught for it!” I whisper-shout. “You scared me half to death! Things have been happening here….”

  His face turns pale. “What kind of things?”

  Shaking my head, I raise my hands and try to put him at ease. “Not those kinds of things. It’s just…I can hear the girls being escorted from their rooms. But they’re not coming back. Where are they taking them?”

  The realization dawns on Dex as soon as I finish voicing my question, and he pulls me into his chest.

  “Shit, Regina. I’m sorry. They’ve been transporting the girls to the tournament location one at a time in hopes of not raising any suspicion. You’re one of the last on the docket, and I told them I’d take care of you and the other passion fruit by myself. Because this isn’t exactly out of the norm, none of Burlone’s men questioned my orders and left you both alone until I got here.”

  “I thought you said I wasn’t going to the tournament?” I question.

  “Plans changed.”

  “And what about Kingston?” My heart picks up its pace. “Is he going too?”

  Giving me a single nod, Dex leans forward and brushes his lips against the shell of my ear. “Yes. But I promise that everything is going to be okay. We are all going to walk out of there. The plan is foolproof, but it won’t work unless we’re all there. We can’t raise anyone�
��s suspicion, understand?”

  Peeking up at him, I release a shaky breath through my open mouth then give him a nod of my own, though I can’t find my voice.

  “Good. We’re going to get you out of here. I promise. Are you ready for tonight?” he probes with a worried look.

  With a dry laugh, I say, “Not particularly.”

  It’s the moment I’ve been dreading since I woke up in Burlone’s office with a pounding headache and missing clothes. The moment my brother always warned me could possibly happen if I wasn’t careful. And instead of heeding his advice, I practically presented myself to the wolves with a little bow and a flashing neon sign that read, “Hi! I’m Regina Romano. Come and get me.”

  I shake my head in an attempt to scatter my self-deprecation. It won’t do me any good, anyway.

  Dex squeezes me a little tighter. “Come here, Regina.”

  Burrowing into his embrace, I squeeze him just as tightly and try to hold back my tears. I’ve never been more terrified in my entire life, and I hate it.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Gently, he rubs my back up and down, comforting me the best way he can.

  “We really don’t know that, Dex. If what you’re saying is true, then my brother’s coming tonight in an attempt to save me, but in reality, there’s no guarantee either of us will walk out of there alive. And don’t even get me started on you and the sacrifices you’ve already made for me.” I squeeze my eyes shut as the familiar guilt swarms me from all sides. “I’m so sorry I’ve screwed up your whole world too. If anything happens to you, I’ll—” I sound more like I’m choking than talking, my voice getting caught in my throat as it closes up. I feel like I’ve swallowed a handful of cotton balls, and they’re making my mouth fumble through the words instead of speaking articulately. But the truth is, I can’t imagine a world without Dex. The possibility is paralyzing.

  The deep baritone rumbles through his chest and makes me cling to him closer. “Listen to me, Regina.”

  I stay silent.

  “Listen, okay? I’ve already told you that your brother has a plan. Something that is fucking genius if we can pull it off, and honestly? If I didn’t think it was a good one, I wouldn’t consider sticking around to see how it would play out.” He bends forward and brushes his mouth against my forehead before whispering against my skin, “It’s going to be all right, Little Bird. I really, truly, think it will be. You just gotta be patient. And you need to trust us. It’s going to work.”

  “And what if it doesn’t?”

  “Then I kill anyone who tries to touch you, and we escape through the back door where I have a Plan B set up. Just in case.”

  “Just in case?”

  I look up to find him smiling softly. “Yeah. Just in case. I’ve got you, Little Bird. I promise.”

  With a sigh, I tighten my hold on his waist, squeezing him extra hard. “Alright, Dex. I trust you. What do you need from me?”

  Releasing his hold, he tickles the oily strands of my hair that hang past my shoulders. “I need you to shower. No offense, babe, but when was the last time you bathed?” His nose wrinkles dramatically, and I laugh, smacking him in the chest.

  “Sorry about the hygiene issue, jackass. I’ve been a little tied up, if you know what I mean.”

  Throwing his head back, he joins in, shaking his head and laughing deeply. “Well, I think it’s time we fix that. Don’t you?”

  My eyes light up at the prospect, making me almost forget the screwed up situation I’m blindly diving into. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “And what do you think I’m saying?” he jests, tucking a strand of greasy hair behind my ear.

  “You mean I get to shower? Please say yes.” Lifting my hands up, I put my palms together and pretend to beg. “Seriously, I’d kill for a shower. I’ll do anything. Please, please, please!”

  “Anything?” he teases, quirking his brow.

  I lift onto my tiptoes and give him a slow, sensual kiss with a hint of promise. Smirking mischievously, I add, “Anything.”

  Not even bothering to hide his groan, he grips my ass and tugs me closer. A soft gasp escapes me when I feel how hard he is. How ready. “If only, Little Bird. When this is all over, I’m making you pay up. But for now, let’s get you that shower.”

  While I’m disappointed that I have to practice some patience, I can’t stop the squeal that erupts at the opportunity to wash my hair.

  “Yes! Do I get a razor too? Pleeease? I’m dying, Dex. For real…this is miserable.”

  “Yeah, Little Bird. You get a razor too. I even brought….” He eyes me wickedly, “Conditioner.”

  “Ooo…talk dirty to me.”

  “And a loofah.”

  “Bow-chica-bow-wow,” I sing before throwing my arms around his shoulders and bringing him closer for another kiss, giggling when he nibbles my neck playfully in return. The glimpse I’m given of how we could be if we weren’t in this messed-up situation is bittersweet, and I say a silent prayer that I’ll get the chance to experience this side of him for more than a few stolen moments. I’d give anything for it.

  When he backs away, I can see the sincerity in his irises, and I know that whatever he’s about to say is coming from the heart, and it won’t involve the innocent teasing from two minutes ago. I guess it’s time to get back to reality, though I wish we could stay in the world of teasing, and giggling, and smiles, and carefree joy. I had forgotten what that was like before meeting Dex.

  He makes me feel alive.

  “Let’s get through this, Regina. As soon as we do, I promise to treat you like the princess you are.”

  I want to cry at his declaration, but I hold back my tears, knowing they’ll only put more pressure on him to fulfill his promise when I know we can’t control what our future holds.

  “As long as I have you, Dex, then I don’t think I need anything else.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Dex

  The drive to one of Burlone’s estates a few miles away is short and quick. I can’t take my eyes off the other passion fruit’s busted up face, though. Sure, they tried to cover it up with some makeup and shit, but I can still see the marks.

  “You okay?” I ask in a gruff voice with a glance in my rearview mirror. The windows are tinted to hide any onlookers from seeing them in the backseat of my black Audi, but I’m not sure it would matter much, anyway. We’ve already beaten them into submission. After all, that’s one of Burlone’s greatest selling points compared to his competitors. When they purchase fruit from him, they’re purchasing docile fruit. He makes sure of it.

  She doesn’t answer me, confirming my suspicion that she’s nothing but a walking corpse.

  I watch Regina lean forward in her seat, attempting to make eye contact with her fellow prisoner, but she isn’t successful. Still, her quiet voice murmurs, “Hi. Are you okay?”

  Nothing.

  From the back seat, Regina meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. Her concerned expression is highlighted by the passing headlights from the opposite side of the road. Helplessly, she gives me a soft shrug in her tight red dress as I turn onto a side road that leads to our destination.

  I pull up to the back entrance of the estate then exit the car. After slipping the key into my front pocket, I open the back door to let the girls slide out. The wind blows a bit of Regina’s hair away from her face as her heel-clad feet touch the ground. She looks stunning. A stylist had curled her long hair after she had a chance to shower, but she left it cascading down Regina’s back. It’s gorgeous. She also added some makeup to her clear complexion. It’s the first time I’ve seen her all dolled up, and I hate that she’ll be paraded around tonight like a prized pony, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s hot as hell.

  Licking her plump lips, she inspects the giant house that is hosting the tournament as we both wait for the other girl to get out of the back seat.

  When she doesn’t, I release a sigh and bend forward, popping my hea
d through the doorway.

  “Come on, darlin’. We need to get inside.”

  She doesn’t move a muscle.

  “Please?” I try again; the pleading feels foreign on my tongue. I’m not used to asking for favors, but it seems I’ve been doing it a lot since Regina fell into my lap.

  The sound of heavy boots crunching the gravel along the side of the house grabs my attention.

  “What are you doing out here?” My voice is hard and cold as I address the culprit.

  “You’re late. All the other girls are in their places at the table. Their buyers are wondering where they are.” He motions to Regina and the other passion fruit who still hasn’t budged.

  “We’re coming.”

  With a smirk, Sei offers, “Want me to take it from here?”

  “I’ve got it. Thanks.”

  “Apparently, you don’t because one of them is having a little trouble getting out of the car, isn’t she?”

  “I said, I’ve got it,” I grit out.

  “I’m sure you do. If we had all day, I’d let you prove it. Unfortunately, Burlone is getting impatient, and you know what that means. Now, would you like me to escort the one who’s being a good piece of fruit, or would you like me to handle the difficult one?”

  “I’ll go,” Regina interjects, her eyes the size of saucers as she puts herself in such a precarious position.

  My jaw tightens. “You’ll stay with me.”

  Laughing, Sei steps closer. “I knew you’d chosen favorites.”

  “It’s fine,” Regina states, ignoring Sei. “Sei will just…escort me upstairs. Right, Sei?”

  His amusement is clear as Sei registers Regina’s suggestion that borders an order. “Exactly. I’ll just…escort her upstairs,” he offers, repeating her exact words.

  My gut tightens, but Regina doesn’t wait to hear my response. She turns on her heel and starts marching toward the entrance. With a grin, Sei watches her ass sway back and forth for a few seconds before mentioning, “She’s a ripe piece of fruit, isn’t she? Tell me, how does she taste?”