Chapter 3
Salvatore
Most people are surprised by the fact that I have an office. I don’t think they expect someone in organized crime to be so business-like. But in my experience, if you treat people with respect that’s how you’ll get treated in return. And it goes a long way to smooth over politicians and the police if you’ve got your shit together. Nobody wants to do business with a thug, and I learned from my father to always be professional.
I might be a killer, but I’ve got suits that cost more than most people’s cars, and for some that’s all that matters. For me, it doesn’t mean dick. I treat people how they treat me, but looks are important. Especially for the ones who don’t want to be seen breaking the law. It’s all about perception for some, and that’s okay. But my memory is long, and I don’t forget.
I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood with a mom and dad and a dog. From the outside, I had the perfect family, the perfect life. I think had my parents lived, they would have shielded me from the life they lived and wished for me to do something else. But after they were both killed, I found out the truth behind my father’s business dealings. I made it my mission to not only repay those who took them from me, but take over my father’s legacy and make it what it is today.
I was seventeen the first time I killed a man, and I never once regretted it. He was the one who was responsible for their death and was the leader of a rival organization. That day I became a man, and to those around me, I became the boss. I was young, but I was smart. I knew exactly what my father had wanted for his men and their families, because he wanted the same for us. He wanted us to have a choice. We could lead a life of crime, but we could also have safety for our children. True, there are groups out there that sell drugs, guns, women, and we try to step in when that crosses our path. We’re no saints, but we want our area of Los Angeles clean, and we want to lead our lives in peace. That’s what I’ve been fighting for the last thirteen years.
I’ve thought about nothing but giving that to my men and making money. My people want for nothing, and that’s how it should be. Every now and then I have to take the trash out, like Joey last night. But for the most part, I’ve got a long list of people who can handle problems for me.
When I get to my office, three of my guys are sitting outside waiting on me. It’s five in the morning and everyone is dressed in suits. That’s one of my rules. You don’t come see me unless you’ve got your shit together. That includes your clothes.
Giovanni stands up and follows me as I enter. He’s my right-hand man and has been my best friend since I was ten. Our fathers ran this organization together, and he could have easily been the boss with me. But he keeps telling me that he wants a family, and once he’s got that he’s out. He’s not in this for life like I am, and the wife he takes is going to be the one who helps him walk out the door. I’ve been waiting on that day, but he hasn’t met her yet, and until he does, I’ll keep him close.
He’s got two of my top guys with him, and I say good morning to everyone as my assistant brings in coffee and we all sit down at the long conference table. My desk is on the other end, facing windows that look out into a garden in the back. Gio said I should have gotten a high-rise with views of the city, but I see enough of that shit. I want peace and tranquility for as long as possible during the day.
“You going to tell us what that phone call was about last night?” Gio asks as he sips his espresso.
The other guys keep quiet, listening and taking notes. They are looking to step into Giovanni’s place when he leaves, although we don’t know when that will be. So they’ve been on his heels for the past eight years. We’re both used to ignoring them by now.
“I just needed to know who runs it and what kind of condition it’s in,” I say, shrugging.
“I rode by there after your call and checked it out.” He shakes his head. “You can tell the condition of it just by looking at it.”
He says the word condition like he doesn’t believe me. He knows me better than anyone, so he knows something is up.
“The place is a dump. What do you want with it? It’s not in our territory, per se, but we could put some guys on it. I saw you had two out there last night when I went by. You going to tell me why?”
I eye him for a second and then shake my head. I’m not ready to explain what happened. Hell, I don’t even know what happened myself. By the time I got home and rubbed one out in the shower thinking about those ice gray eyes on me, it felt like a dream.
“Everything go okay with Joey last night?” He raises his eyebrow like he can read my fucking mind.
“Yeah. Took care of business. Clean-up came by just before three. In and out,” I confirm.
“Good,” Gio says, and grabs a bagel off the tray. “I’m sending the twins on the south route today to check in and pay respects to Dylan’s family.” He nods over to the two guys at the table. They look nothing like twins, but they’re always together, and Gio isn’t bothered to try to tell them apart. “Dylan’s mother died yesterday. She was ninety-nine. God love her, she died two days after her husband. I bet she wanted to be with him again.”
He gives me a sad smile. Gio is such a sucker for a love story. I want to roll my eyes, but an image of Thea runs through my mind, and I keep quiet.
“So, looks like I’m with you today. What are we up to?” Gio asks, and I’m annoyed.
I wanted to spend the day alone, because deep down, I wanted to pay Thea another visit. I already know where she works and lives; it shouldn’t be too hard to track her down. But I don’t want anyone with me when I see her again. Although maybe it would be less conspicuous if I just so happened to stop in for lunch where she works. If I had Gio with me, maybe she wouldn’t be so spooked this time. Or maybe she’d be more intimidated. Either way, I’ve got to see her again. That much is true.
“I guess you’ll actually have to do some work today,” I say.
“You mean I won’t get to sit in your office and learn how to brood? You’re going to get wrinkles from all that glaring. I think it’s time you found a woman,” Gio says, and winks at me.
He’s been telling me this since I was twenty. About the time he wanted to find a wife and settle down. But he hasn’t made any moves to settle down himself. He keeps saying he’s waiting for the one.
Another image of Thea pops in my head, and this time her hips are wide and her belly is round. She’s got my baby inside her and one in her arms. She’s bound to me in every way possible, and I bite my lip to keep from growling. Immediately I want that image to be real. I want her legs spread, taking my seed, so that she can’t ever run from me again. Not like last night. I won’t ever see the back of her. Unless I’ve got her bent over.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you sweating?” Gio asks, shaking me out of my thoughts.
“Nothing,” I say, and blink a few times.
My path is suddenly clear. I know exactly what I need to do. I’m going to hunt down Thea, and I’m going to breed my baby into her. She’ll be the one to create the next leaders of our organization. She’ll be the queen at my side helping me rule. She’ll be the goddess of my empire and will give me all that I’ve never dared to dream for. She’ll do all of this, and yet righ
t now, she has no idea.
I guess I should go inform her.
Chapter 4
Thea
I don’t know how long I lie in bed, staring up at the paint peeling on my cracked and worn ceiling, not getting the sleep that I need. I finally give up and pull myself from my bed with a deep sigh. The man with the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen in my life would appear every time I tried to close mine. He’s haunting me.
I walk into my bathroom, the light still on from the day before. I couldn’t bring myself to turn it off after what happened last night. I wanted to keep the dark away, or maybe I wanted to make sure if something came for me I’d see it. I was scared, but something else was lingering. A strange sort of excitement that I can’t understand. There’s something about him. He stirred a strange feeling inside me, but it isn’t fear. Because in that moment, I almost felt safe as he towered over me.
I look at myself in the mirror and groan. I look like hell. The dark circles under my eyes are worse today, but I shouldn’t be surprised after my lack of sleep. I hardly ever wear makeup and I debate digging for some concealer. I know I have some stuck back in this bathroom, but I’ve lost the energy to look. “Forget it,” I mumble to myself. Maybe a shower will wake me up. Hopefully it’ll help me look like I’m not dragging myself around.
I yank my sleep shirt off and pull my underwear down my legs, then turn on the shower. What would be the point of the makeup anyway? I’m not trying to impress anyone. If I’m lucky, maybe I won’t die by the end of the day. For all I know, this could be the last time I walk out of my door. A chill runs down my spine at the thought.
I jump into the water, trying to wash away the sudden chill.
Angel.
The word slips through my mind for the hundredth time, and oddly enough it helps chase away the dark clouds better than the heat of the water. Why did he keep calling me that, and why did he say everything else? Those were the thoughts that kept running through my head and kept sleep from coming.