Indecent Pawn: What price is too high to pay for another person’s debt? (14 page)

“Oh Carmine’s son? It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’ve met my father?” Ernesto questioned with a brow raised.

“Yes, at the dinner you couldn’t make it to.” Antonio answered for her.

“Ah yes. You know how that can be. Duty calls.”

“Indeed.”

“Such a pity to depart from such beauty.” Ernesto raked his lust filled eyes over Allison’s form like he had x-ray vision. “We must be on our way. Until next time Cugino.”

“Ciao.”

“Ciao bella.” With a last farewell he walked away with his company following.

“Are you alright?” Antonio asked Allison as she visibly shook.

“Fine.” She plastered on a fake smile.

“…” Antonio gave her the look that spoke volumes.

“Uh, he just gives me the creeps. Something seems off.”

“Because of your great judge of character?” He hadn’t meant to take a dig at her but he was curious.

“…” She gasped before nodding her head in understanding. “Maybe not. Excuse me, Mr. Mucciono.” Allison left his presence in a hurry. He wanted to apologize but the he just couldn’t form the words. There were more pressing matters going on right now than worrying about a chick he wanted to bed.

~

Working hard at overseeing the books had been weighing heavy on his body. His shoulders were bunched up, his nerves were on edge but at least his hormones didn’t have a chance to lust over Allison. They’d been so consumed with work, the tenseness around them didn’t seem so obvious. The couple of times he had walked into her little office to see her bending over caused his nether region to stir but being a stone-cold bastard helped. Well, at least that was the lie he kept telling himself. At night he was so zonked out that he just slept without dreaming. That small victory was somewhat of an accomplishment.

Allison kept everything strictly business-like when it came to him. The friendly banter they had developed in his hotel was now safely packed away. With death threats and an inside thief, Antonio didn’t have time for a woman. Especially one as fragile as Allison Myers. If it even seemed he was using her for a quick nut, it would probably break her even more. Why he cared how she would feel? He didn’t get it but he just felt like nothing good would come out of an affair either way.

“This is Antonio.” He answered his ringing cell. It was two in the morning and he’d just laid down for the night.

“Cugino. E ' papà. L'hanno ucciso! Il figlio di una cagna ha ucciso mio padre!” Ernesto was shouting into the phone giving Antonio an instant headache. He was finding it hard to make out what he was saying. The fact that he was frantic put him on edge all the same.

“Slow down, Ernesto. What is happening?”

“It’s papà, they killed him!”

“No!”

“Ci, they kill mio padre. They left the mark and everything. I will kill all of those Chinese mother-fuckers.” Antonio felt a cold chill go down his spine hearing what his cousin was referring to. He needed to hear him say it plainly.

“Who? What sign?”

“Chon! That bastard killed mio padre. This is war!”

“Wait just a minute.”

“What are you going to do about this? They come into my home and disrespect us. I personally…”

“Not until I say. You need to take a step back cugino.”

“But…”

“But nothing I am the boss not you. I say what happens next. And what I say is that you calm down. This is not the way we operate.” Antonio took a deep breath to calm himself down. He hated when irate people tried to do his job by making knee jerk decisions and then he had to clean up the mess. “I’m on my way. Don’t touch anything. I will be there in an hour tops.”

“Yes sir,
Don Mucciono
.” Ernesto said like it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn’t give a damn about Ernesto’s ego. That was the least of his concerns.

His favorite uncle was taken from him all too soon and for what he had no clue. According to Ernesto all signs pointed to Chon and his merry men. His gut is telling him not to jump too soon but he knew once word got out, he would have unruly associates on his hand. If he didn’t get to the bottom of it as quick as possible he would appear weak and there was nothing weak about him. On the other hand if he jumped to sentencing too fast it could result in a meaningless war. The difficulties of being a don was hard but over the years he’d mastered it nevertheless.

Removing personal feelings of the matter was going to be the hardest he’s ever had to face. He and his zio Carmine were close before and after his father’s passing. He would definitely miss him wholeheartedly and won’t think about resting until justice has been served. This dish will be served by himself. A personal vendetta by the don’s own hands. The sweetest revenge of them all.

Antonio and most of the guards left abruptly to Carmine’s home. Allison was consoling Carlina because she was distraught. The commotion going on in the house is what roused her out of an already restless sleep. Thinking inappropriate things about Antonio made it especially hard. The last thing he really said to her was ‘you should know,’ saying she really wasn’t a good judge in character. That statement alone cut pretty deep and sadly she agreed with him. Who was she to judge his cousin or anyone else for that matter? Looking at who she was married to would tell it all.

Just one look at his disturbed face, any selfish thought of her feelings of being hurt didn’t matter anymore. If she were his woman she wouldn’t waste any time comforting him before he left. The sadness was evident with a simmering volcano of anger just below the surface. From the spurts of rushed conversation, it seems that Carmine may have been murdered. The women were on strict lockdown until he returned and maybe even a bit longer. Carlina was dead set against laying down for she was fearful for her own child.

Making Antonio promise to return to her safely with nothing but seriousness in her tone. He’d kissed her on the cheek and regarded Allison with a brief glare before tearing his gaze away. Leaving she wondered what the look meant and she wasn’t going to ask neither. The other guards Matteo, Salomone, and Rosario were the main ones left on the grounds to keep them safe. Allison had to admit she was a little on edge as well, wanting to make sure he was safe and sound. She was sorry for his loss but she didn’t want anything to happen to him in the process of trying to get answers.

~

“They’re back.” Carlina said frantically running to the door. Allison had been in the kitchen fixing them some tea in hopes of soothing their nerves.

The entire day had gone by without so much as a word from him or his boys. As much as Allison wanted to see about him, she remained rooted in that spot. Surly he didn’t want her crowding his space. It wasn’t like they were family. The guys filed into the kitchen with solemn and worn expressions on their faces. She knew they were tired both mentally and physically. It was drawing on eight at night. They’ve been moving since the wee hours of the morning.

“Can I fix you guys a plate? I made dinner.” Allison offered.

“That would be nice. Thanks.” Gio said.

“What is it? It smells good.” Roberto asked. There were a total of five men sitting at the table. Even the guards that were left behind were in the kitchen now. They were convinced they couldn’t eat nor relax until everyone else returned home.

“It’s a shrimp, crawfish, and crab Étouffée.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a creole dish. Basically a gravy full of spices over white rice. Garlic bread on the side.” Just from the description they were curious. Placing five soup plates on dinner plates Allison proceeded to add a bed of rice and finally the Étouffée. The space between the soup plate and dinner plate, she added a slice of garlic bread. Serving each one of them their dishes and she waited for their response.

“This is delicious.” Matteo groaned. Everyone else at the table only groaned and grunted their praises.

“Marry me, please.” Rosario joked. The guys laughed at his foolishness.

“Maybe in another life, Rosario.” She giggled.

“Alli, this is really good. You are a really good cook.” Roberto said. He’d just recently started to call her Alli and she didn’t mind. This would be the first nick name as a grown up. Derek had always barked her full name or called her demeaning names in place of it.

“Thank you guys. I’m glad you like it. I just wanted to do something to keep my mind off of…everything.” She answered truthfully. “Plus I figured you guys haven’t eaten.”

“Well, thank you for thinking about us.” Gio said truthfully. She really wanted to ask about Antonio but was afraid to and really didn’t know how to word her concern for him. Instead she kept looking at the door expecting him to walk through at any minute but he never did.

Carlina finally came in with tell-tale signs that she had just cleaned her face for the hundredth time. She was grateful Allison had tended to the boys in her absence. No one uttered a word about Antonio and she was beginning to worry just a bit more. Tuning out half of the conversations going on around her, she was startled when Gio started speaking next to her.

“You alright?” He asked lowly. She was leaning on the kitchen isle near the food. Planning to fix him a plate as soon as he walked in but so far he hadn’t come.

“I should be asking you that.”

“As well as to be expected.”

“What about Mr. Mucciono?”

“…” Gio only looked away thoughtful for a second before speaking. “He isn’t taking this too well.”

“…” Allison looked down feeling his pain somehow. She had never lost anyone close to her besides a little of herself everyday being berated by Derek. “He should really eat something.”

“He should but I’m sure he won’t.”

“Maybe you should take him something.”

“He has locked himself in his room I’m pretty sure. NO one can get to him when he is like this. Trust me.”

“Oh alright.” Allison felt completely defeated and deflated. “Well, I guess I’ll turn in.”

“Sure thing. Good night.”

“Good night.”

“Night caro.” Carlina hugged her tightly. “Everything will be alright.”

“Night everyone.”

“Night and thank you.”

~

Allison tried her best to relax. She’d taken a hot shower, moisturized her skin, and was still restless. Sitting up in the bed, her mind wouldn’t allow her to think about anything else besides Antonio and his well-being. Deciding to hell with it she was going to attempt to check on him. If he slammed the door in her face at least she had tried.

Against her better judgment she padded to the next floor where his room was located. On one of her tours of the house she knew his room was the only one on the third floor, west wing. Approaching his huge double doors, she stood still as if he could sense an intruder.

First she started with a small rap on the door that went unanswered. Applying a bit more pressure she waited on baited breath to see if he would answer. Pressing her ear against the door, she tried to listen for any movement going on. She was met with nothing but silence. Although she feared for her life, she tested the door knob anyway. The shock she felt when it turned was soon replaced with curiosity. Fully assuming how dangerous Antonio was, she feared he would shoot first and ask questions later. Still she needed to be certain he was alright before she could rest.

“Mr. Mucciono?” She’d called him two times before she heard ice clink in a glass. Tip-toeing further into the room, she called him again. He still didn’t answer.

“Antonio, please answer me. I just wanted to check on you. See if you needed anything.” Allison pleaded.

“Get out.” She followed his voice. It sounded gruff and strained. The room was so dark the only light in the room was coming from the moon with the two patio doors wide open. The chill in the air made her hug herself for warmth.

“Antonio…”

“…” She found him sitting in the darkest corner of the room. From her viewpoint he looked like a vampire ready to strike its kill at any minute.

“I know you haven’t eaten. Let me fix you a plate at least.”

“…”

“Please. Is there anything I can do?”

“…” Nothing. The silence was eerie.

“I know you are angry, Antonio. I just want to help.” Antonio slowly stood to his feet.

“Leave.” He ground out going over to what she presumed was the bar. She crept up next to him as he just stood there staring at nothing.

Taking his glass from his hand successfully made him snap his head towards her. Allison did her best to ignore the heated gaze he was giving. If looks could kill she would surely be dead as a door knob. The last time he was angry in her presence, he wanted her to drink with him so she tried that method fixing a drink for herself as well as freshening his. Taking hers to the head she tried to take the edge off. The burn was so bad, the edge or his murderous look was the last thing on her mind. ‘
How on earth did he drink this mess on a regular
,’ she questioned herself.

“You should really leave.” Antonio finally said after about ten minutes of silence. Allison had sauntered over to the opened patio door, looking out over the sea.

“No.” It was true what they say about alcohol being liquid courage because she had just grown a pair of balls speaking to ‘
The Don Mucciono
’ that way. “Are you ready to eat now? Let me take care of you.”

“…” He only chuckled darkly void of any humor. “How? You can barely take care of yourself.”

“You can slang out insults after insults but I’m only trying to help not hurt you further. I know…”

“You don’t know shit!” He shouted.

“…” Allison shut up quickly. “You’re right I don’t know. I have never lost anyone close to me because I am the one lost. Lost to myself. They say my mother was a crack head who overdosed on the delivery table. No other family. Never in one place long enough to love anyone or for anyone to love me. Who would want to love a useless waste of space? I was an easy prey for an evil man like Derek.”

“All the hurtful insults you can think of to throw my way, go right ahead. They are all true. Through it all I am still a good person and I’m trying to be there for you.” Allison pleaded. “Just lay it out. No one has to know.” Allison laid all of her cards out and waited for what was to come next. When Antonio slowly strolled in her direction, her first thought was to abort ‘mission help Antonio’ and run for the hills.

“You want to help me?” Antonio asked.

“Yes.”

“How far are you willing to go?”

“How far do you need me to go?”

“That’s a trick question.”

“No. A real one.”

“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”

“No, I don’t but I’m not backing down neither.”

“You should.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“You sure about that?”

“…” Allison only stared him square in the eye not budging. He smirked cryptically in response.

Since she only slept in a pair pajama bottoms, a skimpy tank top, and no undergarments she wore a robe to cover herself. Antonio untied the robe, never removing his eyes from hers as if they were playing the staring game to see who would flinch or look away first. The robe pooled at her feet and the breeze from the water grazed her exposed skin. A tremble caused her breath to come out in a shudder.

“Changed your mind?”

“No.”

“You shivered.”

“It’s cold.”

“Last chance.”

“…” Allison bit her lower lip but said nothing nor did she make a move to leave.

Antonio’s thumb pulled her lip from between her teeth. Antonio’s shirt was opened revealing nothing but his undershirt. In a swift movement, he rid himself of both leaving him in nothing but his pants. His chest was remarkable. When they visited the gym during his last anger management exercise, he’d worn a sleeveless shirt. Her hands were itching to touch his hairless pecks and defined abs. The intense workouts he partakes in definitely work.

Antonio took it upon himself to take full advantage of what the cold breeze was doing to her nipples. Allison had never been turned on by just the site of a man before. Actually she has never been excited about any type of sexual experience before being alone with Antonio in the penthouse and especially now. Her body was craving his touch and causing several different feelings to circulate. A sighed moan escaped her mouth leaving it agape. While he touched her she touched him. It was like she mimicked his every move.

Without further warning he crashed his mouth down on hers taking her to a whole other level. There was nothing gentle in the way he was kissing her yet she was not complaining. His hands were busy stripping the rest of her clothes away. Allison found herself flat on her back against his hug soft mattress with him firmly on top. Between her bare thighs, Antonio moved away from her lips to attack her nipples. Allison had never felt something so wonderful in her entire existence. Arching her back into his mouth, she felt his hand start to tease her sensually below.

“Oh.” Allison’s distorted mind tried to revert back to the last time anyone’s hand was near her box but the moisture that was pooling in the area ran those thoughts away. Instead of feeling fear, she was filled with desire. Besides the pain she felt when Derek allowed the other man to violate her center, she felt a slick friction that made her tremble with need. One finger turned to two and finally ending with three. She had to admit the stretching was a bit uncomfortable at first but it was quickly being replaced with need.

Prior to this she has always required lube of some sort in order to get any type of smooth glides. Antonio somehow manipulated her body to his will and he was taking full advantage of it. Allison was in awe of how good it felt to be fondled, she was truly curious as to what else was to come. Fumbling with his belt, Antonio finally stopped her failed attempts by pulling away a bit. With a snap of the wrist, he was out of his pants and boxers without lifting completely off. Even though she was eager about this new feeling she couldn’t help the anticipation in the pit of her stomach.