Page 11

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

ADALYN

F irst thing Monday morning I called the Dodge dealership to arrange collecting my car and got Alonso to take me to the store to purchase a laptop. I spent the rest of the day muddling through a CV and applying to various jobs in the local area. Whether it was common or not amongst women in the Cosa Nostra, I decided that a job was likely the only way I’d stay sane in this new life I was given. Marco was just going to have to deal with it.

On Tuesday, a solicitor came to the house to help me complete paperwork for my change of name and by Wednesday I was officially Adalyn Rossi . I had gone to collect my beautiful Hellcat that Thursday and Jesse took me out for a track day afterwards so we could both take turns driving it around the Chicagoland Speedway. As it turned out, Jesse was a pretty talented driver, and we had an adrenaline-filled afternoon, which was the most fun I’d had in as long as I could remember.

On Friday, I had decided that if I was to make a real go of it in Chicago, then I needed to have a space that felt like home. The only way to do that: redecorate my room.

In order to gather inspiration for my project, I decided to take a tour of some of the other guest bedrooms in the house. There were six in total, excluding my room, Jesse’s room and Marco’s wing. As far as I could tell, the other members of security and house staff either lived over the expansive garage or in a separate building on the property. Even Jesse hadn’t lived in the main house until I arrived.

Much to my dismay, the other guest bedrooms had all been designed similarly to mine, though none were quite as superior. I was met with dark charcoals, mahogany furniture and muted shades of grey dispersed with colorful artwork on the walls of each one. After I had closed the door to the final guest room, I found myself overcome with curiosity.

Thankfully, Marco had been away for the entire week, and with no risk of bumping into the devil himself… I crept over to the double doors leading to his wing of the house.

I cracked open the door and slid inside once the coast was clear. I was immediately met with a hallway containing four additional doors and I tiptoed my way through the largest of them.

I didn’t know what I had expected his room to look like, but it definitely wasn’t what I saw.

The room was enormous. Two story high windows stretched along the furthest wall, entrapping the bed at the room’s center in light. A grand walnut balcony clung to the edges of the room, accessible by matching brass spiral staircases in the corners and housing bespoke shelving above. Contrary to the other rooms of the house, this room’s design was much more elegant and timeless. Deep caramels and nudes bathed the room, a calming contradiction to the rich polished wood.

I quietly wandered around, noting the relatively uninhabited nature of its decoration. No pictures were hung on the walls or placed on the bedside tables, nor were there any possessions in sight. It was strangely impersonal.

I didn’t linger in the room long, figuring I had pushed my luck enough for one day. I abandoned his wing of the house without exploring any further and went back to my room to start compiling ideas. I wanted something that not only reflected my personality, but complimented the rest of the home’s décor as well, which was proving to be no small feat.

By late afternoon, I had chosen my color scheme and some of the key furniture changes I wanted to include.

I picked up my phone to call Jesse.

“What’s up?” He answered after the second ring.

“Where’s a printer ’round here? I got stuff I gotta print off.” I asked, finishing up on my laptop.

“You can use the one in my office.”

“You have an office?”

He did tend to disappear all day, but it hadn’t occurred to me that it was because he had an office to go to.

“Yes, Bandit.” He sighed in mock exasperation. “It’s in the annex, first door on the left.”

I hung up the phone, slipped my sneakers on, and collected my laptop before making my way down the imperial stairs and out onto the drive. I walked around toward the right side of the house and followed the drive until an enormous garage and an entirely separate building emerged. I hadn’t been to this part of the property before, so when I saw one of the four garage doors open, I couldn’t help but peek inside as curiously as a cat.

My mouth slacked when I did.

Firstly, the garage was far larger than it appeared from the front, going back five car lengths in fact. Secondly, the number of valuable cars it housed was staggering. Lamborghinis, Bentleys and even a Pagani were parked along its length—and those were only the ones I could see. There appeared to be one or two more hidden under satin cloths that I didn’t dare approach.

Most men would have sold their soul to the devil just for a chance to own a collection like his… Or willingly become a gangster.

Opposite the eye-watering collection were three armored security vehicles, including Jesse’s own Mercedes. Only two seemed to be absent from the fleet, their spaces ominously vacant.

After doing my fair share of rubbernecking, I decided it was time to locate Jesse’s office. His office was at the front of the annex building and wasn’t all that difficult to find. Though, office wasn’t exactly the term I would have used for it, given that it more closely resembled a control room than an actual workspace. TV screens ran the length of the wall behind his desk and six computer monitors sat below them. They seemed to be broadcasting various CCTV camera feeds from around the house as well as some other rooms I didn’t recognize.

“I always knew you were a pervert.” I greeted, throwing myself down into the chair opposite his desk.

He let out a chuckle and leaned away from his computer, relaxing further into his chair.

“What are all those?” I asked, mesmerized by all the pictures I was seeing.

“CCTV cameras.” He swizzled around to look behind him. “It’s pretty cool. I can switch to show some of the feeds from our businesses in Chicago as well.” He picked up a remote and suddenly a casino lobby came into view on one.

“That’s awesome,” I said, coming around the desk to take a closer look.

“Not bad, hey?” He said with obvious pride.

“That’s how you knew I had left the first night,” I realized, and he laughed.

“Oh yes, the night of the great robbery,” he mocked.

“Shut up.”

He flicked the remote again and suddenly the TV was back to displaying various feeds from the house. Movement in the top right of one caught my attention and I watched as two cars pulled into the portico out front.

I saw Layton quickly get out of the first car and hold open the rear door, allowing a tall blonde woman to step out. She was dressed in high waist blue jeans and a white bandeau top that did little to hide her fake tits. Marco emerged behind her and as soon as his feet met the pavement, the woman wrapped her arms around his neck and all but threw herself at him.

I scowled at the scene, my teeth snapping together with a click.

“That’s Lexi.” Jesse said noting my gaze.

I had taken an instant dislike to the woman when I had first heard her name, but my dislike was now growing rapidly into contempt.

“Marco’s girlfriend.” I guessed, trying to hide the irritation from my voice.

“Oh god no. Don’t let him hear you say that.” He laughed. “I think it is more similar to your Jason situation.”

I turned to him in shock. My cheeks heated in embarrassment.

Marco must have shown him the messages on my phone.

“Smokinnn.” He mocked, and it was all the confirmation I needed.

“Shut up. You’re both perverts.” I scowled and he grinned mischievously.

“So, that’s where he’s been all week?” I tried my best to hide my interest.

“No. I think she just turned up at the airport to greet him.” He eyed the screen where they had moved to sucking face in the foyer.

“Sounds like a girlfriend thing to do to me.”

I turned away from the screen, resuming my seat, not wanting to see the display. Being bothered about it meant I cared, and I was not going to allow myself to do that.

I popped my laptop on the desk opposite Jesse and with his help, managed to get printed all the things I needed for my mood board. After digging around in a supply cupboard nearby, he also managed to find me an old corkboard that I could use to piece together my ideas. I didn’t go back to the house to work, preferring the floor of Jesse’s office instead. I immersed myself completely in my task, trying my best to keep my mind from wandering back to the house and what Marco was doing.

I refused to allow my disappointment to settle as it sunk beneath my skin.

The next evening, I sat at a bar on my second drink and completely bored out of my mind. Déjà vu was kicking in, and I didn’t fucking care for it.

Isn’t there more to being a gangster than going to clubs? I sat, speculating bitterly.

As one hour morphed into two, I decided the only way I wasn’t going to kill myself out of disinterest was to get fabulously drunk. I ordered a couple of shots of tequila and sunk them back until I felt the warm buzz of alcohol.

“Alonsooo!”

I moved closer to the mountain of a man who was situated at one end of the bar monitoring the room, stoic as usual.

“Yes, Ma’am?” He asked, a small smile contorting his rugged features.

“You are doing some shots with me!” I commanded.

“I’m sorry Ma’am, I can’t join in with you tonight.” He said apologetically.

“Oh come on, Alonsooooo,” I whined, refusing to allow him out of it. “I’m so bored, pretty please? I need a drinking buddy.”

“I’m sorry, Ma’am.” He said resolutely, but I could hear the humor in his voice. Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t going to quit that easily.

“Right then!” I announced, turning to the barman who was only too eager to help me. “Hey handsome, I would like six more shots of tequila for me and my boring friend.”

“Of course, beautiful.” The bartender grinned and poured out six shots, lining them up for us.

“Now, here is the deal, Alonso. Every shot you don’t drink means I must drink it. And I don’t think I can drink six more shots without passing out…so you had better help a girl out, okay?” I said to him expectantly.

He eyed me suspiciously but didn’t say anything in response.

“One, two, three!” I tipped back the first one and looked at him expectantly. When he didn’t move, I grabbed his shot and downed it as well.

“One, two, three!” I called again, tipping back another before turning to him.

“Alright, alright. Hold on a second.” He put a hand to his ear and started speaking into his wrist, apparently asking someone for permission.

I bet it’s Jesse.

“Jesse! Please let Alonso drink with me! I’m fucking bored!” I yelled at his wrist.

After a few more seconds of quiet mutterings and nod of the head, Alonso grabbed his shot and downed it.

“Yes, my man!” I screamed, doing a little drum roll on his chest. “Another!” We both did the last one together and I applauded him playfully. Earning me a grin.

“Now seriously, Ma’am, I can’t drink anymore with you.” I started to pout but his face turned stern and serious.

I was about to call over Tom, hoping to convince him to play along too, but as I turned a swarm of black suits came into the room. It took me a minute to realize that what I was actually seeing was about fifteen of Marco’s men. They moved as one as they crossed the room, descending on a group of tables to the side.

I shrank behind Alonso as best I could, not wanting to draw any attention from the man I really didn’t want to see tonight. I had even begged Jesse to leave me at home for the evening…

I should be so goddamn lucky.

Marco stopped directly in front of us and Alonso stood to attention, inclining his head respectfully.

“You’re drunk.” Marco observed, addressing me with his familiar dark eyes.

“And all you ever seem to do is tell me off.” I fired back, crossing my arms challengingly.

“If you just behaved, I wouldn’t have to.”

“If you let me stay at home then you wouldn’t have to. Or, even better, let me go —then you wouldn’t have to.” I smiled sweetly.

“Watch it.” He stepped closer, invading my space as his eyes narrowed. “Do you need me to remind you of what happened the last time?” Immediately images of him threatening the man with a gun flashed across my mind.

His breath brushed along my skin, and he went to move away, but I stuck a hand out and grabbed his collar before I could even register what I was doing.

I feigned correcting his tie as I spoke. His eyes darkening as they bore into me. “If I want to fool around with someone, Marco, then I will. Threat or no threat.” I promised, releasing him and turning.

He was quicker though, catching me by the elbow and spinning me back around. His face mere millimeters away. “I will shoot any man that touches you.” I could see the possessiveness in his fierce expression and didn’t doubt he meant it.

“Why?” I found myself asking.

My stomach did a flip in anticipation.

Anticipation? Ugh what is wrong with me.

A second ticked by, then another. I could see his expression closing down, reverting back into his familiar indifference and I knew he wasn’t going to answer me.

I yanked my arm free from his grip and trotted off toward the dance floor, joining the gyrating bodies instead. I moved to the upbeat rhythm suggestively, getting lost in the music for a while as the alcohol buzzed and made my mind numb to much else other than the pounding in my ears.

It didn’t take long for my moves to attract some attention, and after a few songs, I felt someone grinding up behind me. I changed my tempo to match whoever had joined, but the moment I spun around to see who it was they disappeared. I brushed it off as a passer-by and continued dancing until I felt another man’s hands on my waist. I once again moved to see the person, when the hands suddenly disappeared. This time, there was a small space in the crowd where the person should have been.

Growing suspicious, I kept my wits about me as I started dancing with another person. When it happened again, I spun around just in time to catch Tom dragging the man through the crowd and away.

What the fuck?

I marched unsteadily over to Alonso who stood nearby with a smirk on his face.

“What the hell is going on?” I demanded.

“Apologies, Ma’am. Boss’s orders.”

I growled in frustration and ploughed through the crowd to the table where Don Dickhead sat.

Alcohol still simmered in my veins, completely drowning out the voice in my head that told me this was not just a horrible idea, but a suicidal one.

My anger only increased when I saw a blonde woman who looked suspiciously like the bimbo from the CCTV, perched on Marco’s lap. The other men around the table were in similar positions with an array of different women. Scantily clad legs and sky-high heels littered the scene.

Unfortunately, their presence did little to stem my boiling rage.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I yelled, coming to a stop at the foot of the table and glowering at Marco.

Everyone froze and mouths fell agape as they all turned to stare at me. Marco’s face flared with unmistakable fury, and I swallowed, regret and fear making my mouth dry as sand as I realized the extent of my actions.

To question the Don, much less shout at him in front of other family members was the equivalent to using an electrical cord as bungee rope when jumping off a bridge. I never would have dared the same behavior with my own family back in Las Vegas—but then again, I had a family that wanted me simpering and weak back then.

Well… I hope I have a nice funeral.

I kept my face immovable as I stared at him, unwilling to show my apprehension and instant regret.

The muscle in Marco’s jaw worked overtime as he shoved Lexi away carelessly, ignoring her sounds of indignation. He rose from the seat and stormed over to me. His vice-like hand circling my upper arm as he pulled me away from the group, not stopping until we were through a small side door marked for staff use only.

I didn’t resist as the wall pressed into my back. Just as I didn’t flinch as his large hands gripped my arms.

Well done, you’ve finally made him snap. Are you happy now?

Fuck. No, I wasn’t. Fear prickled at my skin.

“Who the fuck do you think you are talking to?” He questioned, voice steady as ice and as sharp as a razor.

I stayed silent.

“If you speak to me like that aga-“

“You’ll what?” I interrupted, sounding surprisingly unaffected.

For the love of God, shut up Adalyn!

He didn’t answer, his black eyes clashing against mine.

“Do not confuse my not killing you for weakness, Ada. If I wanted you dead, you would be dead.” One hand moved to my throat and squeezed as if to emphasize his point. “I am the Don of this family; the sooner you learn that the better.”

“You are forgetting something.” I breathed, struggling to suck in a proper breath. He loosened his hand a little in response. “You may be the Don to this family, but this is not my family. To me, you are just another asshole with a Rolex.” I smiled as his expression darkened. “You don’t scare me.” I lied.

Why don’t I just douse myself in gasoline and light myself on fire?

His palm slammed against the wall two inches from my head, making me jump and sobering me up. His grip once again tightened at my throat and I fought off the rattling of another, less pleasant memory, as it threatened to resurface. I could see his teeth clench as violence shone in his eyes.

In that moment, I truly did fear him. I had no doubt that most people never lived to see him so enraged.

I gulped, trying to clear the lump forming in my throat.

Inexplicably, my obvious fear seemed to clear some of the brutality in his eyes and after a minute passed, his hand loosened from around my neck.

He took a step away, looking anywhere but at me.

I could see the anger burning inside him slowly recede as he worked to bring himself back under control. His carefully crafted coldness slowly returned to his handsome face after a handful of seconds ticked by. He muttered something quietly that I didn’t understand as the last of his turmoil drifted away.

“Why are you getting Alonso to forcibly remove every person that dances with me?” I questioned cautiously, not forgetting the reason I marched over to him in the first place.

He gripped his hips and shot me a condescending look. “I already told you. If I don’t want another man touching you, then he isn’t fucking touching you.”

“I don’t get you. You think you can dictate my life and who I can hook up with just because you’re keeping me at your house? That’s fucked up.”

He just looked at me with a strange expression, refusing to offer an explanation. My frustration swelled again.

Nothing to say? Great! I have tons.

“Let me make something clear to you, Marco. You’ve told me to start a life here because you won’t kill me or cart me away, but you don’t get to dictate what kind of life I choose. If I want to sleep with someone, I will. If I want to dance with someone, I will. Hell, if I want to get my nips out and dance on the fucking bar out there, then I will! I am a living person, and I can do what I want!” I heaved, mimicking his stance and planting my hands on my hips.

“Is that what this is about?” He asked, shocking me by flashing a boyish smile that held no trace of insincerity. “You want to get laid ?”

I stumbled. “I, uh—" Oh, come on pull it together! “I ha…I have needs you know!” I blurted, avoiding his gaze.

“Oh, really? That’s not very Catholic of you now, is it?” He mocked, his face growing stern.

“You of all people don’t get to judge me. You’re a total man slut and you know it.” He scowled at that, but I could see a spark of humor lurking in his eyes.

Marco seemed to contemplate something for a few moments before speaking again.

He leaned toward me, placing his hands on the wall behind me and caging me in.

“My earlier statement still stands…I will kill any man that touches you. If you want attention you come to me.”

What. The. Fuck. Did he just say…

I looked up at him in complete shock, convinced he was joking.

I swallowed back the flutter in my chest when I found no trace of humor in his calm expression. Just steely indifference. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t even string two words together. I was certain he couldn’t even stand to be around me but…this?

What the hell is happening right now?

“So…do you want attention?” He asked seductively, his eyes clearly roaming over my chest and southwards.

I tried not to visibly tremble under the intensity of his gaze and roughness of his voice. This version of Marco… fuck, it was lethal.

I want attention! My body screamed and for a split second I felt myself lean toward him, surrendering to him.

A hand drifted down from the wall behind me, coming to rest on my waist as his head tipped toward me in response to my unspoken words.

But the second my body almost gave in to it, to him, a flash of red lipstick on his neck caught my gaze.

Just like that, any and all traces of desire vanished.

“No. Not from you. Go back to fucking your whore.”

I couldn’t keep the disgust from my voice as I ducked under his arm and scurried out the door, entering back into the throng of the crowd.

When I got back to the mansion that evening, the stone palace was desolate and silent with most of the normal mafioso still at the club with Marco. Jesse included.

I sat on my bed in contemptuous silence, contemplating the events of the evening and the fact that I had very nearly given in to Marco, despite everything he had done.

I was angry, frustrated, and confused. But more than all of that, I was fuming. As soon as I escaped out of that small room, I had seen the Don go straight back over to the table and pull that blonde woman—Lexi— back onto his lap. Like what had almost happened between us had meant nothing . As if I meant nothing to him.

Perhaps that was true for him, but it wasn’t the same for me and I hated it.

I sat contemplating my next move and an idea sparked to life, spurring me into action before my window of opportunity disintegrated.

I dashed out of my room and across the landing to Marco’s wing. Tentatively, I opened the door and crept inside, retracing my steps from earlier in the week. I ended up in his colossal bedroom now bathed in stunning moonlight and strolled to the bed. I flicked on the lampshade and then began rifling through one of the bedside drawers.

Bingo!

I pulled out the large blue box of condoms and grinned. Just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything, I hunted through the remainder of the drawer and pulled out any loose ones I could find.

Once I was certain there were none left in any of the other drawers either, I promptly turned off the lampshade and ran back to my room. I emptied the box into my bathroom bin and covered them with toilet paper and makeup wipes just in case anyone came looking.

I burst into maniacal laughter as I slunk out of my dress and put on my pajamas, clicking off the light as I climbed into bed. I placed my night mask over my eyes in an attempt to feign sleep and waited.

I wasn’t sure how long I tossed and turned in anticipation, but after an hour or so I heard the distant sound of cars pulling up to the house and voices in the foyer. After a few minutes more the voices went quiet, and I heard the distinct sound of Jesse’s door shutting in the hallway outside. Ten minutes went past and… nothing.

Maybe Lexi didn’t come back with them after all.

After another few minutes ticked by, I started to get irritated that my plan had failed miserably.

The sudden bang of my bedroom door being flung open had me jerking upright before I had even realized why.

“What have you done with them?” Marco’s rough voice rang out.

“With what?” I exclaimed in mock innocence, tearing off my eye mask.

When my eyes focused, Marco was standing inside the doorframe with his hands balled at his sides. My stomach knotted when I realized he was wearing nothing but black boxers… which were barely concealing his aroused manhood. Oh. Fuck. I tried to redirect my gaze, but it was no good. I was transfixed by it. My body was reacting without my permission like it had done the last time.

This isn’t part of the plan, Adalyn!

“Where are they?” His voice was quieter this time, but I could hear the fury behind it.

“I don’t know what you mean.” I looked up at him innocently, uncontrollably flicking my eyes southward and back up again.

“Don’t fucking play dumb.” He marched to the bed, leaning down so our faces were only inches apart.“Tell me where they are. Now!”

My eyes dropped to his lips, and I felt a tingle in the pit of my stomach. I heard his breath deepen and his expression darkened in response to my gaze, but not with anger this time.

“You don’t want me sleeping with other women, is that it?” He said softly, slowly putting the pieces together.

My retort never made it off my tongue as an ugly high pitch squeal filled the room.

Marco flinched very slightly at the sound and my eyes immediately found a disheveled looking Lexi stood in my doorframe. Her long hair had begun to mat on one side, and she had clearly thrown her dress back on in a hurry.

Her eyes kept moving between Marco and me, clearly not happy with the lack of distance between us.

“What is going on?” She whined like a child. “Did you find them?”

“Get the fuck out of my room.” I spat. Hatred for the woman coursing through my veins.

“Excuse me, bitch! Are you going to let her talk to me like that?” She huffed pointedly at Marco, crossing her arms.

“Don’t talk to him!” I answered instead, catching her off guard. “ I’m fucking talking to you—now get out of my room and take your idiot man toy with you.”

Her face contorted into an ugly scowl, but before she had a chance to act on her rage, Marco retreated and slammed the door directly in her face.

A smile pulled at my lips as Marco stalked back to my place on the bed. He leaned down, pinning me against the sheets as he climbed over me. His strong body now flush with mine. His skin branding and hot against my own.

I didn’t resist. No part of me was sane enough in that moment to push him away. His familiar spicy smell filled my senses, making my insides clench in anticipation.

“You play a very dangerous game.” Marco’s hard voice had turned ragged.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” I smiled mischievously, my hips tilting toward him of their own accord. The contact made his nostrils flare, and his eyes smoldered above me.

“I will have you, Ada.” His lips pressed against my neck, and I desperately stifled the moan in my throat. “And when I do…I’ll fuck that vicious mouth of yours too.” His tongue flicked against my skin.

“Doubt it,” I breathed, trying to maintain some air of dignity, even if my self-control was now fully out the window and floating along the surface of Lake Michigan.

He rolled his hips into me, pushing his hard length against my sensitive spot, eliciting a loud moan from my throat.

“It’s just a matter of time…and I’m in no rush. But let’s get something clear: you are mine . Only mine. That has been your fate from the moment I took you.”

To anyone else, his words may have been stimulating, but desire froze in my veins and ripped me out of my hazy state.

He took you, remember?

He was the reason I had no family. No home.

To add fuel to that fire, images of his mouth sucking on Lexi’s neck not five minutes ago flashed across my eyes and suddenly his touch was shallow. Meaningless.

Having me wouldn’t mean anything to him.

But, it would mean something to me. My past and the memories I tried so desperately to suppress meant it would always mean something more to me.

“Get the fuck off.” I freed my hands and tried pushing him away.

His black eyes dipped out of my view as he placed another, duplicitous kiss against my neck. I could feel how much he wanted me, and it took all my will power to resist his touch.

I brought my fists to his chest and pounded against him, my body tensing and anxiety making my hands shake. He stilled, his eyes slicing to mine and searching my face. Whatever he saw there made him retreat instantly.

He kneeled on the bed, gazing down at me a moment longer. Conflict etched across his features. “This isn’t over.”

He then shoved himself the rest of the way off the bed and out the door, slamming it shut behind him.