The Prince of Chicago

Chapter 4

Angelo

She immediately caught my attention from a distance when I saw her at the club the night before, but now, standing just feet away from me, she was even more striking. Still in her clothes from last night, I could see the way her body contoured so beautifully in the sunlight shining through the windows behind her. As my eyes made their way up to her face, still sleepy and littered with smudges of yesterday’s makeup, I couldn’t help but notice her high cheekbones and small angular nose were peppered with freckles. I hadn’t noticed that from afar, but the detail made me want to keep looking, keep searching for other little details about her. I had seen many beautiful women in my day, but she was striking. She had the kind of look that made you do a double take. And when our eyes met the night before, I knew I wanted her.

It’s funny how fate has a way of bringing people together. I saw her come down from the dance floor and to the bar, and I knew this would be an opportune moment to approach. I moved from my spot in the corner for an easier path toward her. But just as I was about to make my move, she was quickly walking away from the bar and her friends, and my eyes lost her short frame in the crowd. I figured she’d reappear again later, but for the rest of the night, I didn’t see her. I assumed she had left, and while I was disappointed that I missed my chance, I was sure I’d see her again. I recognized the two women she was with as regulars, and I knew they’d all be back sometime soon. And as the owner of the club, I was sure I’d be there when she did.

What I didn’t foresee, however, was the call I’d get about an hour later from one of my men saying there was a complication in the mission I had sent them on that night. A witness. And I was even more shocked to find out that the witness was her. She was slumped over in the back of the car they had brought around back for me, unconscious.

“What the hell happened?!” I yelled.

“She happened to come out of the alley door as we were- erm- taking care of business, boss,” one of them said. “We didn’t really have a choice. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time… She saw us- uhm- executing your orders. We couldn’t turn her loose.”

I sighed, pondering my options. It was very rare we ever had a witness to one of our business dealings, and when we did, they were colleagues of the men we were taking care of, and we had no problem silencing them as well. This however, was different. This girl was innocent, and while I was known for leading with an iron fist and little emotion, I didn’t want to make a habit of allowing innocent people, especially women, to become collateral damage.

“Alright,” I finally said. “I’ll take her back to the penthouse and put her up in one of the bedrooms. Marco, have one of our doctors summoned to take a look at her, I’d bet she has a pretty good concussion judging by that bump on her head. Felix, I’m guessing that was you?”

“Sorry boss. Like I said, I didn’t want to, but we couldn’t turn her loose.” Felix looked at the ground.

“I’ll deal with you later,” I replied curtly. “For now, I want you both with us. Let’s move.” I slid into the backseat, picking her limp body up and draping it over my lap, allowing her head to rest on one of my thighs. She was a dainty little thing, almost doll-like. Her long brown hair flowed across my lap and hung down from my leg, and she looked peaceful, as if she was asleep. I brushed a tendril off of her face, and she stirred a moment, furrowing her smooth forehead before falling still again. I didn’t get to introduce myself at the club, but maybe this could work, I thought to myself. Marco and Felix got in up front and drove us home.

On the ride, I began sifting through the small purse I had found next to her. Gum, keys, cell phone… wallet! Just what I was looking for. I shuffled through it and found her ID. Isabelle Bradford. I was surprised to see the card was from Iowa, and not Illinois. Was she just visiting? I made a mental note to check into where she lived as I put her belongings back into her bag.

When we got back to my penthouse apartment, I carried her up to the spare bedroom next to mine and laid her in bed. The doctor came soon after that and checked her out, confirming my suspicion of the concussion and telling us that she needed to rest for the next few days. After his exam was complete, we left the room, and I instructed Marco and Felix to set up a watch rotation outside the door. I wanted to know immediately when she was up, I had a few questions for our new houseguest. After that, I retreated to my office. I needed to learn everything I could about our darling Miss Bradford.