Page 13

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

ADALYN

T he moment I stepped out of Jesse’s G-wagon at Diamond City Casino, I regretted leaping at Marco’s job offer. I had accepted it over the course of the weekend. I finally summoned up the courage to say yes to the management role he had offered, despite being horribly under-qualified for it. I had felt up to the challenge at the time…but staring up at the enormous sleek structure that Monday morning had me feeling nothing short of a nervous wreck, with a side of imposter-syndrome to boot.

I was about to duck and run when Jesse, sensing my unease, grabbed my arm and heaved me inside.

My anxiety was somewhat eased when we were greeted by the bright and cheerful smile of my new personal assistant, Keeley. She enthusiastically gave Jesse and I the grand tour, introducing us to staff along the way and babbling about the latest renditions to the hotel. She showed us through the various casino floors, restaurants and showed us some of the more luxurious hotel rooms too.

My office was on the same floor as the general manager’s, Jon, and although not as grand in design it was unnecessarily ginormous. Ceiling-high windows ran the entire length of one room, allowing me a view of the city beyond from the comfort of my desk. It was quiet, comfortable, and definitely me .

I was just getting myself settled and logged into the work system when the phone on my desk rang, scaring me half to death.

“Hello?” I asked hesitantly.

“Miss Rossi, I have Don La Torre on line one for you. May I patch him through?” Keeley’s now familiar voice bled from the speaker.

My brain took an extra moment to catch up before an anxious thrill ran up my spine.

Why the hell is Marco calling me?

“Yes please, Keeley.”

I waited for the quiet click before speaking again. “You’re through to Miss Rossi, how can I help?” I toyed.

“Hello Miss Rossi, Don Marco La Torre calling. But you can call me Sir for short.” His familiar voice echoed down the phone, a lilt of humor coloring his tone.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Is that so? How very informal of you. What can I help you with, Sir?”

I was met with a heavy silence and looked back at the screen to check we were still connected.

“I’m just checking in to see how the new job is,” Marco eventually said, though his voice sounded rougher than before.

“It’s awesome. My office is huge, my personal assistant is lovely, and I think I’m in the manager’s good books,” I enthused. “Although, the owner is a bit of an asshole I hear.” I bit back a laugh.

“Oh, is that so?” He questioned. “That’s a shame. If only there was some way to bribe yourself into his good graces…” He trailed off suggestively.

That was an interesting thought, I mused.

“Keep dreaming, sweetheart.” I quipped.

“Did you just call me sweetheart?” His voice was so incredulous, and I couldn’t stop my giggle.

Eww what am I, twelve?

“I’m glad you’re settled and enjoying the job.”

“I really am. Thank you… Don La Torre.” I said softly, all traces of my earlier humor gone replaced by genuine sincerity. I never would have got a job like this without him.

Again, his voice came later than expected.

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you at home, Ada.”

He disconnected the call, and I couldn’t help the moronic smile plastered on my face as I turned back to my work.

Things between us were changing again, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

This fun, jovial side of Marco was something I had never expected and the other night in my car had shown me that perhaps there was more to like about the Don than I could have possibly imagined. Something that went further than just sexual attraction and this game of cat and mouse we were playing.

That part of myself desperately fought to keep my heart locked tight, knowing all too well what it would mean to give it to someone within the Cosa Nostra. Hurt, disappointment, betrayal and potentially even death awaited on the other side of that mountain, and I had no intention of finding out which were in store for me.

Or at least, that was what I was telling myself.

The remainder of the afternoon I spent leafing through the training manual and handbook, getting to grips with my main responsibilities and tasks. Keeley would periodically visit with a coffee in toe to see how I was doing, and we ended our day with a meeting discussing the rest of the week’s schedule.

“Was your first day a success?” Jesse questioned, throwing himself down in one of the chairs opposite my desk as the clock turned five. He had disappeared for most of the day to update the casino’s security systems apparently.

“It’s been awesome.” I said in my sing-song voice.

“Well then, let’s go celebrate!” He announced, getting himself back up.

“What did you have in mind?” I questioned, unsure what he was planning but certain I needed to be in bed by nine.

“How about dinner at the restaurant downstairs? You get like a forty percent discount, you know.”

“Wow. Now I see why you’ve been hovering around me all day.” I clutched my chest in mock hurt.

“Obviously.”

We exited the room and headed over to the elevator bank, but before the doors had even chimed open, Jesse’s phone began to ring. He gestured with his hand for me to wait with him as he took the call.

Within a heartbeat his expression changed from his usual playful self to dark and stormy, culminating in fury.

Whatever he was being told wasn’t good.

He hung up the phone and immediately called for the elevator again. “We’re heading back now.”

“Jesse, what’s happened?” Instead of answering, he smacked the button again impatiently.

I had never seen him angry before, and it was starting to make me panic.

“Jesse, tell me what’s going on!” I shouted.

The doors opened and he swiftly took my arm, all but dragging me inside. He pressed the button for ‘underground’.

“Je—" I began again.

“I can’t tell you, alright? But we need to get back.” He sighed.

“Did someone get hurt, Jesse? Is it Marco? Is Marco okay?” I demanded, pulling at his arm.

His eyes snapped to me then, shooting me a strange look.

“It was no one you know.” he said slowly.

Despite his tone, his answer provided me with some degree of unease and comfort at the same time.

“Are they going to be alright?” I questioned, but one look at his face told me he was done answering my questions...and I could probably guess the answer.

When our elevator reached the underground parking garage, we briskly marched over to his SUV and climbed in without saying a word. The tense silence continued during the twenty-minute ride back to the house.

I kept steeling glances at him from the corner of my eye, but his expression never changed. I had never seen Jesse bothered by anything before and it was putting me on edge.

As soon as we pulled up to the house, I could see a whole squadron of armored vehicles out front, most of which I didn’t recognize. When we entered through the door, Jesse excused himself to Marco’s office and the dining room, where the rest of the men seemed to have started gathering, judging from the voices I heard echo down the hallway. I could easily spot at least twenty people present with more arriving every minute.

I didn’t see Jesse, Marco or anyone apart from Lucia for the rest of that evening, their meeting dragging on until the early hours of the following morning.

The days that followed were less than normal.

Jesse and Marco seemed to have disappeared off the face of the Earth, and the house was filled with more men than an all-you-can-eat strip club. Security was clearly to the max with faces I didn’t recognize stationed across the property. Even my Brabus was off-limits, and apart from going to work, I was once again under house arrest.

To top it all off—I still hadn’t a clue what was going on.

So, like a good little hostage, I went to work and pretended I wasn’t bothered by all the new meat-heads at home.

On the plus side, by the end of my first week, I was much more settled at work and had had meetings with most of the department heads. Keeley and I had developed a good understanding of one another too, and her endless kindness toward me only made my transition that much easier. Jon, my new manager, seemed to like me as well, often inviting me to his office to impart some worldly knowledge or sometimes just for a chat.

I was starting to really love my new job.

The weekend rolled around quickly, and I spent it by myself.

I was exhausted after a long working week and both Marco and Jesse were still nowhere to be found. My earlier unease at their absence had quickly turned into panic as the weekend passed, still without any sign of them reappearing.

I texted Jesse on Tuesday evening out of frustration, but he never responded.

I wasn’t sure whether they were still in Chicago anymore and everyone I asked wouldn’t confirm nor deny my theory.

Thankfully, the security nightmare began to die down, and by the middle of the week I was allowed to drive myself to work again. Though the more substantial entourage of Mafioso that followed me persevered, much to my dismay. Two would station themselves at the main entrance of Diamond City, two more in the underground parking garage, and Alonso and Tom would never stray far from the entrance of my office.

By Friday, I still hadn’t heard from Jesse or Marco and pure desperation had set in. I was clean out of ideas.

I checked my phone for the thousandth time that day and as usual, there were no new messages.

Me: Jesse if you don’t start telling me wtf is goin on ima start screaming

I texted him for the tenth time in twenty-four hours.

Nothing.

After five minutes passed, I ground my teeth in irritation. Jesse always responded to my messages. Always.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I tapped on Marco’s name and pressed ‘call’ before I could chicken out of it. It rang twice before someone picked up. I sighed in relief.

“Marco?” I called down the phone.

“What’s wrong?” Marco’s bored voice filtered through the connection.

I was instantly enraged by his flippancy.

“What the hell do you mean, ‘what’s wrong’? Where is everyone? What the fuck is going on?” I yelled down the phone at him.

“Nothing is going on. Jesse and I have been away on business, but it’s sorted now.” His voice sounded guarded. Clearly there was more to it than he was willing to let on.

“That’s it? That’s all I get?” When I was met with nothing but steely silence on the other end, I continued. “Care to explain why my entourage has tripled?”

“Not really.”

“You’re pissing me off. Goodbye.” I seethed, moving to terminate the call.

“Wait!” I heard him shout down the receiver.

I hesitated and brought the phone back to my ear.

“What?” I asked coldly.

“Can you come to my club after work?”

That meant he was back in Chicago then and confirmed my earlier theories that he and Jesse had in fact left the city without saying anything. Potentially even the state.

“Why?” I sighed.

“Why not? Live a little.” I could hear the humor in his voice. He sounded almost… playful .

I contemplated his offer for a minute.

On the one hand I was furious I had been left in the dark and completely abandoned for over a week. On the other, I knew the nature of the family ‘business’ and knew it was often best to be left out of the particulars…

“Fine. Which club?” I answered reluctantly.

“Bellator.” He confirmed. “See you soon.”

I hung up the phone and although irritated by his impertinence, felt considerably better knowing that whatever danger there had been had passed.

Everything is okay… He and Jesse are okay…

Four hours later, I was in my Brabus heading across town to Bellator.

It seemed to be a smaller club than the others I had been to and had a much more exclusive feel to it.

I pulled into the underground garage, followed by my security detail in two further vehicles. I parked and was promptly escorted by Alonso and Tom over to the elevators, taking them up to the third floor.

When the doors opened, they revealed a large onyx room with a smoky mirrored ceiling. Golden furniture and artwork complimented the darkness, giving the space both an edgy and sophisticated atmosphere simultaneously. A recessed LED dance floor and DJ booth were placed at the room’s center, illuminated only by multiple thick black chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. It was stunning and definitely more to my taste than any of the other clubs I had visited.

I spotted Wyatt and Layton standing by one of the larger booths at the side of the room and I waved to them in greeting before passing by the intimidating men. They smiled in unison.

They were beginning to warm up to me and that knowledge gave me an inexplicable sense of happiness.

The first person I saw as I approached was Jesse. He was sitting off to the side with a beer in his hand. A broad smile erupted on his face the moment he spotted me, and I started walking toward him—only to stop dead in my tracks.

Marco was there—locked in a passionate kiss with none other than Lexi .

His tongue firmly lodged down her throat, while her hands were pressing against his crotch seductively.

My heart sank in complete deflation. My stomach hit the floor.

Déjà fucking vu… Something which felt a lot like hope extinguished in my chest.

“Hey, Bandit! How was work?” Jesse called out, clearly oblivious to the scene beside him and sounding intoxicated.

At Jesse’s words, Marco rapidly pushed Lexi away and our eyes met mercilessly for a second.

Then I left.

I tore away from the gut-wrenching scene in front of me, unable to contain my hurt.

I mentally kicked myself for being such a bloody stupid fool. I had allowed myself to think that something was changing between us. Obviously I had been wrong.

The feeling wasn’t mutual, and it hurt.

I didn’t bother waiting for the elevator to arrive, aiming straight for the stairs and taking the steps as quickly as I could. My Louboutin’s clicked angrily against the tile with each step I descended. Once I was down the first two flights, I could hear the distinctive thuds of someone following me, so I quickened my pace.

I needed to be alone.

The moment my foot hit solid ground I sprinted out the stairwell and across the garage to my car. I wasn’t six feet from it before I was yanked back by the arm.

“Where the hell are you going?” Marco’s cold voice reverberated in the silent garage.

Shit.

I looked anywhere but at his face, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing the disappointment in my eyes.

“Away from you, you selfish prick!”

I tried shoving away his touch, but it was no use. His grip held firm like a vice.

We struggled for a moment before he walked me to the car and trapped me against it. The chill of metal was bitingly cold through the thin material of my blouse.

“Ada—” he began, but I didn’t want to hear it.

“Is that where you’ve been all week?” I demanded. “Fucking that whore?”

I glared up at him, anger pulling my face taut.

“Of course not!” He frowned, as if the thought disturbed him. “It was business.”

“Some business! I didn’t realize there was enough space for a board meeting between her legs!”

His dark, clouded eyes penetrated me with a look that I couldn’t possibly decipher.

“I was in New York until this morning,” he said measuredly. “I didn’t know she would be here. She means nothing to me.”

“I don’t give a shit what she means to you.” I lied. “I was worried sick about you both the whole week. You left me in the dark and I was scared. I didn’t know what was going on! Now I know you’ve been screwing that bimbo ? — .”

“I have not.” Marco said viciously. “And even if I had, why does that bother you so much, hey?”

My mind swirled, “I-I…” I stumbled over the words, knowing that once they were spoken, they could never be clawed back.

His eyes darkened, but he waited patiently for me to continue.

“I thought there was?—"

I didn’t get to finish my sentence as a rage-inducing voice cut me off.

Lexi .

“What’s going on, babe? Just ignore that brat, she’s always making a fucking scene.” Lexi’s sultry voice rang out.

Is it possible to hate someone without ever speaking more than a sentence to them?

Right now, my answer was yes.

Behind her neon pink slip of a dress and fake tits, the entire security team had also emerged.

Frustrated, Marco moved away to bark orders at the approaching men and address the desperate mess heading straight for us.

I didn’t hang around long enough to listen.

The moment he moved far enough away, I flung open the driver’s side door and launched myself into the car. Locking the doors behind me. Marco pounded on the window shouting something unintelligible on the other side.

I ignored him and punched the ignition, throwing the car into drive, and hitting the gas pedal simultaneously.

The car sprung forward and I sped out of the garage at full speed, leaving them all dumbstruck in my rearview mirror. I pulled sharply out onto the street and drove as fast as I dared across town, following the roads home. I threw the car into park the moment I pulled up outside the mansion and fled to my room, refusing to stop until my door slammed and locked behind me.

I fell against the duvet and allowed the tears welling in my eyes during the drive to escape.

I was a fool.

A complete and utter fool to think that anything had changed between us. That he was anything other than the typical Cosa Nostra Don that only cared about money, sex and power.

Cosa Nostra men were all the same—heartless and selfish. All they knew was violence, and all they cared about was sex and money. They didn’t care what they had to do, who they had to hurt or who they had to stand on so long as they got what they wanted. And I didn’t want any part in that. To be used like that—utilized for pleasure and then discarded like trash.

I had been so desperate to not feel alone that I had fooled myself into thinking that Marco and I had anything in common. That perhaps we weren’t so different. That something had shifted between us.

How easily I had been swept up in the realm of make-believe and fiction.

No . I couldn’t allow myself to shed tears for someone like him. He didn’t deserve them.

I still had an amazing job, my dream car and now lived in a beautiful mansion. That was enough, wasn’t it? Every day the chains of being a hostage were slipping away…which was exactly the problem. I had allowed myself to believe that I had chosen my life here. When that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

I rubbed the streaks of mascara from my face and climbed into the shower, hoping to soothe the seemingly permanent tension in my shoulders.

Knowing I wasn’t likely to get a minute of sleep with my thoughts swirling at full force, I decided I needed something warm and comforting. I listened at the door for a few minutes and heard nothing but silence.

I wasn’t sure whether the others had come back from the club yet, but the absence of movement in the halls told me there was a good chance they hadn’t.

I padded down the stairs and through the entry way to the kitchen.

I flicked on the kettle, pulled out the cocoa powder and a mug, and opened the fridge to retrieve the milk. As I shut the door, movement on the other side of it caught my eye and I jolted in surprise.

“Marco! For fucks sake, you scared the shit out of me.” I screeched, narrowly missing dropping some milk. I clasped a hand to my chest, trying to regain my breath.

He smirked.

Idiot.

Hurt lapped at my chest once I met his familiar raven eyes. I deliberately turned my back to him, unable to keep the grimace off my face.

“I need to say something.” His deep voice filled the heavy silence. All traces of his earlier humor gone.

“I don’t want to hea?—"

“Tough,” he interrupted forcefully.

I sighed and faced him again, leaning against the counter in an outward display of annoyance.

“There is something I need to say, so just listen.” His voice was serious as he walked toward me, stopping only a few feet away.

He let out a heavy breath before he spoke.

“Lexi means nothing to me. I hadn’t seen her since that night when you threw away the condoms and I kicked her out. She invited herself to the club tonight and kissed me before you walked in. I should have pushed her away immediately, and I didn’t… I know I should have, but I was feeling the alcohol and I fucked up, alright? I don’t want her—I want you .”

Before my brain was able to even consider his meaning, Marco closed the distance between us and pressed his lips to mine in a kiss that felt like fire.

The soft and eager touch of his lips consumed my thoughts and knocked me into delirium.

It took two seconds for my body to respond, but when it did, my lips met his with equal parts desperation and need . My arms wound their way around his neck and our bodies collided. His hands finding my ass as mine threaded in his hair, pulling each other closer. Marco’s tongue found mine and I moaned at his taste, my stomach pooling with desire as his familiar, spicy taste hit my tongue.

I could feel him, and he was everywhere .

Without breaking our kiss, Marco lifted me onto the edge of the counter. My bare legs hung either side of his thighs, and his hands moved slowly along my skin. The material of my nightdress bunched as his hands coasted upward, exposing me to the evening air. He kissed my lips savagely when his fingers met the elastic of my panties, like an addict being handed his vice. I pulled away to suck in a breath, and his lips fell to my neck in response.

His nipped against the sensitive skin, eliciting goosebumps down my spine.

I pulled at his hair, bringing his face back up to meet mine as our lips crashed together once more. Feeling emboldened and desperate to feel more of him, I sucked on his lip, and he grunted, his hands dipping below the elastic at my hips.

Just when I thought he was going to pull the material down my thighs, a buzzing erupted.

“Marco…” I sighed, struggling to formulate words. “Your phone.”

“Ignore it,” he muttered immediately against my throat, lips pressing against my collarbone as the phone fell silent.

The quiet didn’t last long as his phone began vibrating once again. This time more relentless than before.

“Fuck,” he said angrily, moving back from me enough to retrieve the phone from his pocket.

He didn’t look at the screen as he answered. “This better be fucking good,” he spat. His features immediately morphed into a scowl as he listened to whatever was being said on the other end.

It was enough to sober me up from my intoxicating arousal and it slowly sunk in what we had just done.

My brain finally catching back up.

Shit.

It didn’t matter that he said he wanted me. This was just a game to him. He wanted me now , but what about next week? What about tomorrow? I was just a pawn in an elaborate game that Cosa Nostra men liked to play. A game of cat and mouse, of sex and vanity. A challenge for a man bored by the easy girls that flocked to his side.

My earlier thoughts echoed through my mind, and I felt nothing but disdain.

How could I let this happen?

It was enough to spur me into action.

I pushed Marco back another step and jumped down from the counter without sparing even a second glance at him. I sped out of the kitchen and up to my room locking myself in for the second time that evening.

What have I just done?