For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2) (3 page)

“I’m sure you already know.” She keeps her back straight.

I look past her and lean in to whisper in her ear. “Then you must also know that I’m here to take you back.” And I circle my arm around her waist, hugging her to me while scanning the area around us.

Her sweet perfume wafts around me. She smells so good.

I close my eyes and palm the back of her head when she drapes her arms around my neck and actually returns my embrace. I nuzzle her hair and breathe her in.

“I want to say goodbye to Danny, Luca,” she mutters.

“I get that, but it’s not safe. We have to leave.”

“No. Don’t take this away from me too.”

When her soft lips connect with my cheek, a shiver runs up my spine.

“Please,” she adds softly.

She’s trying to be sly!

I sigh and temper my outrage at how she’s willing to play me. “No. Don’t play games with me, Fallon. You
will
lose.” Pulling back, I place my hands on her shoulders. “Get in the car. You can’t go to the funeral. You can’t take a chance on being linked to anything right now.”

Her eyes narrow, but she covers her stunned reaction.

“What’s wrong?”

“You are,” she snaps. “Here you are, still trying to control everything in
my
life.”

“No, there’s something else. Is there something you need to tell me?” I crowd her again, backing her up against my vehicle.

“I thought you knew everything?!” Her tone is filled with acrimony.

So there
is
something else. I’ll find out, but it pisses me off that she’s still withholding from me. “Last time, get in the car, Fallon.”

She rounds the Maserati and slams the door closed, frustratingly loudly.

“Don’t vent on my car, please,” I say dryly and gesture to her to buckle up.

The entire drive back, she refuses to even look my way.

“How have you been doing?” I ask.

Silence.

Gripping the steering wheel, I decide to lay it out there and make myself vulnerable this once. “Talk to me,
dolcezza
.
Mi manchi così tanto.”
I miss you so much. “It feels like I haven’t spoken to you in months.”

She gasps and blinks a few times but continues to stare stoically at the scenery outside, completely ignoring me for the entire hour it takes for us to reach her apartment.

As we park in front of her building, she confesses in a soft voice. “I can’t do this, Luca.” She opens the door to step out and closes it quietly.

I’m forced to watch her walk away from me.

CHAPTER 4

Luca

I sit on my terrace in only my sweatpants and turn my attention away from Chicago’s skyline to the almost empty bottle on the table while rubbing my sweaty hand down my face. I feel miserable because I haven’t spoken to Fallon since Tuesday. The sky is darkening on this depressing Sunday, and when the wind whips across my face, I swear I hear her voice. I take another swig straight from the bottle and let the whisky numb my battered heart. My head falls back against the chair, too heavy for my neck to support. She doesn’t leave my thoughts for a second, not even in my drunken, nearly-passed-out state.

Fallon, what are you doing?

Placing the bottle back on the table, I check my phone to see if she’s messaged me back. I’ve texted and called her several times to make sure she’s okay because not knowing what or how she’s doing is fucking killing me, but she’s ignored every one of them. My vision doubles and the haziness of being excessively drunk is working its way through my body. However, I don’t pass out – which is the one thing I desperately want. The phone, which has fallen into my lap, vibrates, and I immediately grab it, hoping to see her name flash across the screen. It’s not Fallon. I release a ragged breath and answer.

“What the fuck happened to Camilla?” Adriano barks angrily.

“What?”

“Where’s Camilla, Luca? Did you do something to her?”

Completely confused, I rake my hair back with one hand. “What are you talking about?”

“I can’t reach Cam. Her phone has been disconnected, and I just went by her apartment – it’s been vacated,” he explains.

“Adriano, we didn’t do anything. You know
I
wouldn’t do that, and James has nothing to do with Camilla. If she’s gone, it’s because she wants to be gone.”

“Merda! Farò di tutto per trovarla.”
Shit! I’ll do anything to find her. “You need to come back to work because I can’t cover for you anymore. You have a meeting with James tomorrow at the warehouse that you can’t forget. We need you, Luca, and I can tell you’ve been drinking.” He sighs tiredly.

“I’m coming in tomorrow. Don’t bother me again tonight.” I press end and decide to make one last call before retiring to my bedroom.

“Follow Fallon Michaels. Day and night. You report directly to me, and only me, every day,” I quickly instruct David and get up, sliding the door open to head to my bedroom.

Sleep eludes me as I lie in bed. When Fallon was in my bed, my favorite position was spooning her. When I would feel her soft body tucked against mine, I was content because she was under the protection of my body. So much bare skin touching. Even when our spirits were separated while dreaming, we were still connected physically. But now she’s completely out of reach, and I don’t know how to protect her anymore. How do I protect someone who doesn’t even want it?

***

I pull the key out of the ignition and make my way to the warehouse where I’m meeting James. I’ve sobered up this morning, ensuring that my mind is clear and focused. Pushing through the door, I’m greeted by James and Salvatore, who are standing in the middle of the otherwise empty space.

“Luca,” they both welcome as the door bangs shut, and I close the distance.

Why is Salvatore here? Nervous prickles run down my arm, and I realize I’m unarmed because I left my gun in the glove compartment. After forcing a stiff nod, I stop in front of James.

“Where have you been all week, Luca?” James takes one step toward me.

“Home.”

“Were you with her?”

“No,” I assure him with a frown.

“Son, what’s happening to you? She’s either in or out, and if she’s out, you need to distance yourself from her
.
Ti sta distruggendo; non te ne rendi conto?
”
She’s destroying you; can’t you see that?

Salvatore decides to give his opinion. “Adriano is good at handling our business, but we need the underboss, Luca. Pull yourself together and stop drinking. You know where that will lead you.”

James braces a hand around my neck forcefully and looks me straight in the eye. “I need the underboss in control of his emotions. I’ve given you free reign with her, but that time is over. Don’t force me to do something I don’t want to do. I gave you a second chance – now get your shit together.”

This is a clear threat. This is how the Syndicate works. The moment you become a liability, they’ll eliminate you. And James is the only one who can make me disappear without a trace.

In a harsh tone that’s unlike him, James continues,
“Ti è chiaro?”
Am I getting through to you? “Check your phone, Luca. We’ve left you dozens of messages. Your Fallon is unemployed and under investigation. Did she tell you that? Did she give you a heads-up? Does she think of
your
safety?”

That’s what she was hiding last Tuesday. I’m not even shocked to find out it’s something this important, but I am furious that she continues to distrust me. I shake James off and hold up my palm, indicating that I’m calm. “What kind of investigation?”

“Alex left a note in his safe, mentioning to contact Fallon Michaels if anything happened to him,” Salvatore replies.

Now
shock is registering. She’s under investigation for Alex’s death? “How did we miss that? Why wasn’t that note destroyed before it became part of the official police investigation?” How did I miss that? I was following her for days – no police officers paid her a visit and she never set foot inside a precinct.

“For one – because you’ve been drunk for an entire week, and second, because your dear friend Collopy is on the case,” James mentions and sends me a dissatisfied look.

The tension in this huge space has diminished, and I come to terms with the fact that she’s not mine to help anymore. She doesn’t want it. Catching James’ eyes, I see the glint of hope he has in them for me. I’m like a son to him, and while it might hurt him to end me, he would do it for the good of the Syndicate. Fortunately, he has a weak spot for me, and I take full advantage of that.
“Padrino, avevo proprio bisogno di questo tempo. Chiedo scusa. Lei è una debolezza che non posso permettermi, ti ho sentito.”
I needed this time. I apologize. She’s a weakness I can't afford; I heard you.

“We need you on top of things,” James reminds me sternly.

“Give me an update on everything.” From now on, I’m done following her. She can come to me if she needs my help. This was the wake-up call I needed.

CHAPTER 5

Luca

The entire week, I throw myself back into business. Fallon has no clue how stupid she is by not confiding in me. She’s putting the only person who could possibly help her in danger; what if the cops caught me following her? I can’t be associated with this case, or with any case for that matter. She’s off limits now; at least the investigation forces me to stay away. My life depends on it. My anger toward her finally prevails, and I’m starting to push her to the back of my mind. But that’s easier said than done.

On Tuesday, I meet with my accountant to transfer money. Alex’s brother apparently shut down Charity Events, and I know Fallon must be looking for a new job.

On Wednesday, Adriano and I meet up in The Blackhall’s gym for a light workout since we’re both still experiencing minor pains from the explosion, and I share my concerns about the incident at the house.

“Adriano, you’re not going to like what I have to say, but hear me out, okay?”

He nods, full of curiosity.

“I remember Fallon saying that she and Camilla escaped the house that night via the back entrance, which means they rounded the house and walked past the hedges.”

Adriano’s face falls because he realizes where my train of thought is leading.

“The explosion ignited precisely by those hedges, and now Camilla is suddenly missing, without a trace.”

“What exactly are you getting at, Luca? That Cam planted it?”

“Well, it wasn’t Fallon; I’m positive of that. Biagio was quite adamant that it wasn’t Leggia’s doing either. We have to look into this. It’s pretty suspicious that her phone is disconnected and she’s untraceable right after she’s left our employment and a bomb exploded!”

“No, she’s terrified because we fired her after her botched escape attempt with Fallon, and that’s why she’s disappeared.” He plows his hand through his hair. “I’m still looking for Cam, but I’m getting dead ends everywhere.”

“While I initially also thought she left because of her fear, it
is
possible that we missed something. I, for one, haven’t been in control of all our dealings lately, if you haven’t noticed. These kinds of coincidences don’t just happen.”

“Where the hell would she get a bomb? Not at Walmart,” Adriano disputes.

“You have to stop seeing her as Camilla and start accepting that it could be a possibility. It’s time I talk to Fallon because we’re in the dark here. We don’t know what they discussed together in the house, and since I’m not following her, I don’t know if she’s been in contact with Camilla.” Then I remember. “I had David trailing her, and I never ended his assignment. I’ll give him a picture of Camilla so that he can keep an eye out for her, and I’ll check Fallon’s phone records and stop by to see her.” Although I’m not looking forward to speaking with her because I’m still filled with a dangerous mix of anger, hurt, unanswered passion and love for her.

“Are you sure? I could go,” he offers.

It would be wiser to have Adriano talk to Fallon, but I know her better. If she tries to deceive me, I’ll know, and I won’t let her play me for a fool again. “No,
I
will talk to her this weekend.” A huge part of me comes alive again with the prospect of seeing Fallon. The part I’m trying to suppress with all my power.

***

Two days later, it’s time I pay Collopy a visit. It’s time I take back the upper hand. I watch her leave the precinct and get take-out at a Chinese restaurant on the way to her house. As Kelli Ann leaves the restaurant with her order, I wait for her outside.

She stills immediately when she recognizes me. “Isn’t this a nice surprise, DeMiliano,” she utters as she brushes past me.

I stay right behind her until she rounds the corner onto a less crowded street.