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1093 Words
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” I grumbled. “She swore she’d just go to a different club if I kept her from the Den. Then she threatened to get me kicked out of here if I told her father what she was up to.” More laughter, completely unaffected by my murderous glare. “I could wipe that smile off your face real quick.” My voice hardened with a menacing edge, choking off Dante’s mirth. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you agonize over a woman.” He eyed me with the perceptive intensity of a man who dissected people for a living— broke down their barriers and gained access to their deepest desires. He was intuitive, and right now, he was making me question why I’d ever befriended him. “You know it’s more than that.” “Yes and no. You could have looked the other way and feigned ignorance. Instead, you invested yourself in the outcome. Your choice,” he mused as if analyzing a character from a movie. But this wasn’t a damn movie. This was my life, and what he insinuated rang true, though I’d never admit it aloud. I glanced away, irritated with my friend, and observed the scenes playing out in the main room. I envisioned Camilla strung out and on display with a room full of hungry eyes drinking her in. I’d rather burn the place to the ground first. f**k, I’m in trouble. I downed my drink and returned my attention to Dante. “Would you do it? Would you kick me out if I broke the NDA and told her father?” If I was smart, that was exactly what I’d do. He never even flinched. “In a heartbeat.” Not a hint of humor in his baritone voice. I scowled. “Good to know our friendship means that much.” I was being petty, but I needed someplace to direct my irritation. Dante seemed like a perfect fit. “Sorry, man, but this club is everything to me. Not all of us are gifted the world upon birth.” He smiled as if to soothe the burn of his comment, but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes. It wasn’t often the differences in our backgrounds came between us, but every now and then, I detected the chip that sat heavily on his shoulders. He’d come from nothing, and while my own background was complicated, I never wanted for anything. I’d be an asshole to hold it against him if he tried to protect what he’d created with his own two hands. I stood and tossed some cash on the bar. “I hear you, and I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the Den.” I patted a firm hand on his back to ensure I smoothed over any sharp edges between us. “I’m out of here.” “You back tomorrow?” “Hell if I know,” I threw over my shoulder without looking back. The next day, I found myself at my next favorite haunt. If I wasn’t working or relaxing at the Den, I was most likely hitting the heavy bag over at Mighty Mick’s Gym. I’d spent most of my night lost in thoughts revolving around Camilla that morphed into obscenely detailed fantasies. By morning, it was obvious I had to clear my head. Every time I imagined her smooth skin under my fingertips, I forced myself through a punishing combination of punches. I might not have eradicated her from my mind completely, but I had hopefully ensured I’d sleep well that night out of utter exhaustion. Had she slept well after her epic o****m? Or had she lain awake as I had, playing over the night? f**k. I forced my body through a series of blocks and dodges. Those thoughts were exactly what I was trying to snuff out. Who cared what she did when she went home? As long as she wasn’t getting into trouble, that was all that mattered. My phone ringing was a welcome interruption until I saw the name on the screen. My brother, Matteo. I groaned. What would it be now? I’d been acting as his errand boy for so long, I wasn’t sure he saw me as anything more. I tried to be easygoing because getting angry wouldn’t change anything, but my agitation simmered below the surface. “Yeah,” I answered. No matter my issues with him, I always answered my brother’s calls. “I need your help. Maria has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and I can’t make it. I want you to drive her so she’s not alone. With this cartel action unsettled, I want eyes on her at all times.” Chauffeuring his pregnant wife. Perfect. “Yeah, no problem. Although, I’m pretty sure your wife can take care of herself.” I had to add that last part because it was true. While I didn’t blame him for wanting his wife to be protected, Maria was probably more deadly than either of us. I’d seen her in action, and it didn’t matter if she was going hand-to-hand or was armed, that woman was lethal. “She can, and she’s pissed I’m making you go with her, but I’m not giving in.” Even better. Chauffeuring an angry pregnant woman. I grunted. “I’ll text you the info,” he added. “Sounds good.” I hung up, not waiting for a reply. The tension I’d worked through began to seep back into my shoulders. Normally, my work situation didn’t bother me all that much, but with the added stress of Camilla, being asked to do an ordinary soldier’s job seriously chaffed. Of course, that was all I was at this point—a f*****g soldier—and that was the whole problem. I was ready for more responsibility within the family. I had yet to be named a capo. At first, being Matteo’s right hand felt like an honor, but my role often devolved into handling his affairs like some glorified personal assistant. I was going to have to ask him outright what his plan for me was. If our expectations didn’t mesh, I would have to challenge him in a way I rarely did. He was eight years my senior, my boss, and the patriarch of my family. His word was the law. But if I brought up the subject, and he tried to give me some meaningless promotion with no real advancement, that pentup frustration might boil over.
- Writer
