For Adriano (23 page)

CHAPTER 26

Adriano

I slide the terrace door closed for privacy. After stealing a glance at Cam’s bent head, I’m itching to be alone with her; to know what she’s thinking and feeling, but James’s face is already radiating thunder.

“How the hell is it possible that my daughter receives an ear at a private residence?” James stresses, almost disbelieving it himself. “And what happened at SS?” 

“There was a sniper in the tower across from our building,” I clarify what I saw.

“I was also followed when I was driving back into the Loop. I shook them off, then Luca called and told me you were being shot at.” James looks inside to the kitchen where Cam is standing.

Luca speaks in a low tone. “Fat Sal’s been busy.”

“Any witnesses?” James asks.

“A pedestrian was shot, and a kid spotted me with my gun,” I reveal.

“I’ll have Chicago P.D. notified. I hope this doesn’t become a media circus. I’ll have a detective on our payroll check to see if a child’s statement giving your description comes in. If it does,
you
will handle the situation,” James warns me.

I nod in acknowledgement.

“And someone has obviously been followed to your private residence, Luca,” James spits.

Luca and I have various residences in our names, but everything’s classified. The fact that Fat Sal knows this home address is the biggest breach of privacy we’ve ever encountered. 

“That’s David’s job. He’s supposed to make sure the girls aren’t followed home – ever. I’ll deal with him. New guards are already on the way here.” I rub a hand down my tired face.

“I need to get to Alessa and Rosalia. Extra soldiers are at my house, just in case my house is breached too. I can’t take Cam with me, and it’s better if we split up now, anyway. Can she go with you, Adriano? Additional guards will also be stationed at your building for you and your parents.”

His request alleviates the tension in my muscles; however, I’m surprised that he’s leaving Cam in my custody, but that’s tempered down. 

In a stern tone, James adds, “The rules still apply,
Capo
. She’s off limits. I’m entrusting her to you.” 

“I’ve never been followed home; I’m sure of that. She’ll be safe.” I speak through my displeasure.

This is the moment that I start to resent my
Capo
position. I’ve experienced this fleeting feeling once before, also concerning Cam. I hate that I’m restrained in my affection toward her while my lust seems to be mounting with every second she’s near me. 

James orders us, “I want to know where Fat Sal is: is he still in the Loop? We meet tomorrow at eight a.m. at Adriano’s.” He anticipates my next question. “I don’t have a plan of attack right now. Ensure that all the
Capi
and soldiers are notified to be on high alert. They have permission to shoot to kill any of Sal’s soldiers. Everyone in the Syndicate needs to be brought up to date.”

“Our top soldiers are already on that,” I confirm and add, “By the way, my BMW is still at SS.” 

“My driver will take you and Cam to the Astoria, and I’ll have a soldier drive your car to your building,” James offers. “Luca, Adriano, we are on the verge of a huge operation. We deliberate retaliation tomorrow.” He effectively concludes this discussion and slides the door open to check on Cam.

David meets my eyes when I step back inside, and I point my finger toward the elevator, ordering him to follow me.

“You are dismissed,” I say while James is talking to Cam and Luca disappears in his bedroom to be with Fallon.

“Sir, why?”

“You were followed to this private residence. Another guard is taking over your duty.”

“Sir—”

“This is non-negotiable. You get one chance with me. Leave,” I command, impatient to be alone with Cam.

This entire night has flashed by in haste, and I’m confronted with the realization of how easily she could be ripped away from me, or I from her. Earlier tonight, when we crossed a boundary outside on the lounger, everything changed. My resolve that was cracking has vanished into thin air. We’re in the middle of a war in which she can be stripped from my life at any second, and every cell in my body is repelling that idea. I’m going to defy my boss’s order.

I wait until James and Cam’s conversation ends.

“Shall we go?” I ask Cam.

She edges toward me but then stops, knowing James is watching us. “Let me pack some clothes and say goodbye to Fallon.” Her voice is steady with just a hint of a tremble that unmasks her unease, and she goes to her room.

Within minutes, she’s back with a bag hanging over her shoulder, stuffing a final item of clothing into it.

“I’m ready.” She comes toward us, and I take her bag off her shoulder.

“Call me if you need me,” James says to both of us. 

Cam’s hand reaches for mine, but she stills her movement and lowers her arm when I lead the way to the elevator.

As soon as the doors close, I let the bag fall out of my grasp, and I pull Cam into an embrace.

“Are you okay?” I whisper as her arms hook around my neck.

“Just a little shaken.”

Tightening my hold, I run one hand through her hair while we find comfort in one another. After a distressing couple of hours, her hug evinces that emotion only she can wake in me – that emotion I’ve fought for years, but it never left.

“This is bad, Adriano. Sal cut off Santino’s ear!”

“Shhh. We’re going to take care of it.” I cradle her face in both hands. “I promise you.”

We arrive on the first floor, and James’s driver is already waiting outside the entrance. 

“To the Astoria Tower.” I sit in the back with Cam tucked against my side.

CHAPTER 27

Camilla

I’m on my way to Adriano’s apartment for the first time. 

The shock of seeing Santino’s ear has subsided, and now, anger burns beneath my skin. I’m letting Sal intimidate me, and I’ll not tolerate that. I wonder if James, Luca, and Adriano will let me in on their plan. Adriano promised to take care of it, and I’m hoping this will jump start them into action. But I have a back-up plan: Wade. I’m curious to find out if he’ll accept my assignment tomorrow.

Snuggling against Adriano in the car, I revel in his tight grasp. I was correct; we
have
made progress since earlier tonight when we almost had sex on the lounger on Fallon’s terrace. Even though a part of me was scared he might try to pull away again, I think that tendency has abandoned him.

“Are you sure it was Santino’s ear?” he asks.

“No. I’m not positive.”

“Then it could also be from someone else, and Sal’s just trying to rile you.”

“That’s possible.”

While our cuddle calms us visibly by the ebbing tension of our bodies, and Adriano’s presence is comforting, the guilt about Santino remains, as usual. 

“I have to visit my parents first, but I don’t want to leave you alone at my loft, so you’re coming with me.”

I look up with a smile. “I’m going to meet your parents?” 

One brow arches, and he gives me a mocking glance. “Yes. Behave.”

“I always behave. But I’m a mess.” I pluck the fabric of my tight top and rumpled skirt. 

“You look beautiful,” he comments, checking his phone messages.

Taken aback by his tender tone, I stare at him while he types with one hand, his other arm around me. I place my lips to his ear, and his palm glides down my back, resting on my ass.

“Thank you.”

Adriano’s head turns slightly until our faces are an inch apart. His eyes seek mine, and we admire each other with the rumble of the engine fading away.

“You’re always beautiful,” he whispers.

He grips my behind, and our lips almost touch, but we pull apart just as we hit a bump in the road and slide away from each other.

The vehicle comes to a stop at a high-rise where the valet is waiting at the front entrance.

As we walk through the pristine white and metal foyer toward the elevator, Adriano entwines our fingers, and I feast on our tangled hands and the glint in his eyes. 

“My brother and sister will also be there. No one knows about any Syndicate business, Cam, so no speaking of anything Syndicate related. I’ll take the lead if they ask you any questions you’re apprehensive to answer,” he says as we enter and head up to his parents’ floor.

“Okay.” 

His thumb swirls over the back of my hand, sending a shiver up my spine.

The elevator comes to a stop on a spacious floor with only two apartment doors on each side of the hall.

Adriano lets go of my hand and knocks on the left one.

It's opened by a remarkably handsome Italian with the same thick black hair as Adriano’s that curls where it’s longer. His brows hit his hairline when he spots me, and the corner of his mouth tilts up.

I smile back, and Adriano throws the door open. “Carmine, this is Cam.”

Carmine covers my hand with both of his. “Cam, it’s a pleasure.” Then he turns to Adriano and asks softly,
“Fratello, che cosa succede?”
Brother, what’s going on?

“Ti spiegherò più tardi.”
I’ll explain later.

Adriano goes to the end of the hall, and we enter a living room with thick curtains hanging down the windows and an indoor terrace. 

His father’s seated on the chesterfield in the living room, and his mom’s lying down with her legs draped over his father’s lap.

She notices her son and stands up. “Adriano!” 

He kisses his mother’s cheek and hugs his father. He’s as tall as his father but has his mother’s black hair. 

From the corner of the room, a beautiful brunette dressed in satin sleepwear comes to greet us.

“Cam, these are my parents, Sophia and Max. This is my sister, Mary.” He presses his lips to Mary’s forehead, and adoration paints her face when she sees her older brother.

Everyone’s silent, then his mom says joyfully, “Cam, nice to meet you.” His mom has a thick Italian accent, and while her welcome exudes warmth, I can’t help but notice how thin she is. “Would you like something to drink?” And she asks Adriano, “Have you eaten, son?”

“I have, Mama, thank you. I’m just stopping by to say hello, sorry I’m this late, but I couldn’t come earlier. We were just on our way up.”

“My son, you come here with a girl for the first time. Do you think I care about the time? ” She puts her arms around his middle.

I swear a look of guiltiness blazes behind his eyes, and it’s endearing to see how affectionate he and his mom are.

“I want to get to know her,” Sophia scoffs and smiles playfully at me.

He sighs and can’t deny his mother.

“Sit.” She waves her hands downward, so we’re forced onto the couch.

While Mary sits on the armrest and talks about her graduate program to Adriano, Carmine joins me.

“So, Cam, you’re a friend of Adriano’s?”

“Yes.” For now, I’m just a friend.

Adriano’s arm comes around the back of the couch, hand resting on my shoulder.

Carmine’s boyish grin is eerily similar to Adriano’s, and he scoots closer. “Just a friend? He’s very possessive of his friend.”

Adriano swats the back of his head. “Don’t bother her.” And he laughs at his brother, who’s soothing the sting. 

His father is constantly at his mom’s side and gives her pills to swallow at one point, making me wonder what kind of health issues she has. 

After ten minutes of teasing back and forth and answering many questions, his mother chokes on her medicine. Sadness and worry descend over the room when she coughs and becomes very light-headed. Adriano’s on his mother within seconds and carries her down the hall, to the bedroom, with his father and sister in tow.

“Is your mother sick?” I ask Carmine.

“You should direct your questions to Adriano,” he answers, combing his unruly hair back. 

We’re still on the couch in awkward silence as Carmine observes me unashamedly. 

Pretending to ignore him, I keep my focus on the window. 

 Adriano returns, and after witnessing our uncomfortable demeanor, he’s eager to leave. 

So am I. Seeing him interact with his family reinforces my feelings for him. I knew he was protective of them, and they’re clearly close. Understanding dawns on me as to why he’s fighting our being together. He already told me he couldn’t take that risk because he also supports his family, but I think he’s their primary provider. Carmine’s somewhat of a mystery. His brother should be able to support himself, and he evidently has some suspicions about Adriano’s work.

“Let’s go.” Adriano holds out his hand to me, and then he informs Carmine, “Mama will be fine. Thanks for staying. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Adriano—”

“Carmine,” he warns, stopping his line of questioning before it starts. “Tomorrow.”

We slip out of the apartment and ride the elevator up to the fortieth floor where Adriano escorts me into his dark brown loft with high ceilings and a huge designer TV that hangs at the opposite wall; definitely a bachelor pad. Floor-to-ceiling windows span one outer wall, and the city lights twinkle red and yellow beneath us.

“Is everything all right with your mother?” I pass a floating staircase on my left that leads to the open second floor. My fingers trace the brown brick wall that holds the plasma TV. 

Adriano sets my bag on the bar of his shiny black kitchen as I turn to face him. 

“She’ll be fine.” He hesitates before continuing, “She has lupus, but her medications keep it under control.”

A sudden quietness settles around us. Finally, we’re alone. And since he doesn’t elaborate, I try to lighten the mood because I really don’t know what else to say after the last intense hour.

“So”—I walk straight toward where he’s leaning against the bar—“you came on me?”

A grin tugs at his lips, and he crosses his ankles. “You didn’t give me much choice since you fell asleep.”

I stop halfway to him. “And you felt like your only choice was to spill your semen on me?”

“My semen on you?” He throws his head back and laughs. “Just call it sperm. Sperm, Cam.” 

I cock my hip. “Fine! Sperm. My point is...” I don’t even know what my point was. “Never mind.”

Palming his neck, he admits softly, “Damn, Cam, I’ve missed you.”

Relief from months of fear and anxiety breaks free after his confession. “I’ve missed you too. I’ve missed us, our friendship.” He gives me time to speak my mind. “Ever since you found me two weeks ago, the joy of seeing you again has been overshadowed by your reluctance to let me in. I think it’s clear what I want.” 

“Tell me with words,” he requests with a tender tone.

I let my emotions out. “I want you to give us a chance to be together, truly together. Rebuild our friendship without the mistakes of our pasts haunting us. I’ve always been drawn to you, and it’s more than...” My sentence trails off, and he doesn’t move, so I change my choice of words. “I understand that it’s a risk for you now that I’ve seen you with your family. You have an overwhelming sense of obligation toward your parents. That only makes me want you more. I’ve missed you so much, and still, you’re always so distanced from me, Adriano. I refuse to stay away from you. You know that by now. And I hope you’ll give me another chance. But if you can’t, then let me go. I can’t continue like this. Not again.” The stillness in his lack of response makes me insecure, but I wait patiently and soldier on. “What do
you
want? Speak to me.”

His palms brace the bar he’s resting against, and our eyes lock. “I want you too, Cam. I’m done fighting you. You’ve worn me down.”

He’s letting me in again. “I knew I’d get to you eventually. Especially after tonight,” I say bluntly, provoking him.

“Why?”

“Beneath that hard exterior is just a boy who adores his mommy,” I tease, tipping my chin and fluttering my lashes. 

He strides toward me in a few measured steps and lifts me off the ground with his hands supporting my ass. 

I shriek as I twine my arms and legs around him.

“Boy? I’ll show you how much of a
boy
,” he sneers the word, “I am.”

“Please do.” I bury my face against his throat while he carries me up the floating stairs, their height and lack of banister equally exhilarating as it is frightening.

At the top step is an entire upper floor of at least three hundred square feet. It’s a rectangular space with small windows and glass walls that separate the bathroom. A low king-size bed is in the center and faces another designer television.

Adriano puts me down, and at the back of the space, I see the brown marble tiles of the shower.

My heels click off the mahogany hardwood floors as I shift closer to touch the white bed sheets that feel like velvet. His bedroom is gigantic and absolutely not what I expected.

“Your loft is beautiful.” 

“Don’t look so surprised.” He strolls closer with playful intent written all over his face.

“It’s definitely a shag pad.”

“Then I should get shagged.” He suddenly bends, placing his hands behind my knees, and pulls forward, causing me to shriek and bounce on the mattress when I fall back. 

His chests covers mine, and I laugh when his beard tickles my skin as his mouth trails down my cheek and throat, and then he stands against the side of the mattress and yanks off my skirt and panties in one fluid motion.

His hands roam up my legs, spreading me wide. “Cam, your skin feels like satin. You’re so incredibly beautiful. Built just for me,” he growls, and one finger flicks my core, making my thighs quiver. Then he crooks his finger, ordering me to sit up, and wrenches off my top and easily unfastens my bra with a snap of his fingers. 

Kneeling up on the bed, I start unbuttoning his dress shirt and slide it off his thick biceps. I press my lips against his toned chest while looking up through my eyelashes, seeing pure, unadulterated lust behind his.

Then I scrape my fingernails over the hard lines and muscles and down his abdomen, which flexes under my caress, and I unzip his pants.

Adriano kicks off his shoes, pants, and boxers, and I bite my lip, taking in his beguiling body that emits passion and authority. 

I let my hands wander down his sides and trace over the complex pattern of the compass rose tattoo on his side and ribs with my nail. Then I kiss the small ‘V’ of hair down to his hardening arousal. 

He jerks my head back as I lick the tip, and suddenly, I’m flipped over on the bed, my back on the mattress and my head hanging off the side, looking at him upside-down. 

His palms massage both my breasts roughly. “I’m going to do everything to you that I’ve deprived myself of for too long.” His voice drops to a whisper as his eyes are fixated on my body.