Something was off. My father never let anyone walk away unscathed. I never believed the words he spoke to Lorenzo the night I’d overheard their conversation. There was no way Lorenzo would owe my father one favor and be done for the rest of his life. One day, Gia’s dad would need help with a campaign or having a vote swung his way. He was an idiot if he believed for one second he could turn his back on our family for good. If I knew that, then so did my dad and Paulie.
“Gia could help us,” I countered. “If I called her, she would at least consider what we have to offer.”
Paulie shrugged and muttered, “Hmm… now, that’s a thought. Get her on the phone.”
Gia hadn’t accepted any of the opportunities thrown her way by top firms in town. She was afraid to leave Carlini Construction before she found a suitable replacement. Ever since I’d given Gia the burner phone, we’d kept in contact. She texted me dirty pictures to show me just how much she missed me. I sent some back.
Most of our sex after that day on campus was via text or over the phone. She’d call me at night, moan in my ear while she fingered her pussy. I got off on it whether I could participate or not. We were in the middle of a shit storm, with little time left for anything but war pr
eparations. Sometimes, I’d call her between jobs and imagine I was doing every single thing to her. Then, I’d hang up and put a bullet in the back of someone’s head. Business as usual.
I pulled out my phone to text Gia.
Me: I need to see you tonight.
Gia: Connor has me on lockdown.
Me: Have him take you to O’Sheas.
Gia: Done. Meet me there at 11PM. I’ll slip something in his drink.
I shook my head, laughing. My girl was crazy, and I loved her crazy.
Me: Be careful. Don’t get caught.
Paulie looked over at me with his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck are you so happy about? Quit that smiling, would ya, and find us an answer.”
I flipped through the city plans, stupid grin in place, and my cock hard from thinking about Gia.
Chapter Twenty
Angelo
Five minutes before eleven o’clock, I walked into O’Shea’s with Sonny to a raging crowd of locals. Friday nights at the Irish pub were always insane, which was why I’d insisted Gia meet me there. The bar was a hole in the wall that only college students and alcoholics could appreciate. My dress shoes stuck to the floor. Irish posters and green signs illuminated the unfinished brick walls.
Sean O’Shea, the head of the Irish Mob, was a friend of my fathers for years. They grew up with Lorenzo Carlini, the three of them inseparable until the Irish and Italians parted ways. Connor was the youngest of Sean’s sons and in the same position as me. Except Connor was used more like a cleanup man, where I had an actual role in my father’s organization.
Growing up in the hospitality industry, my family knew all the local business owners. Despite the constant struggle for power in the city, my father also had a long-standing business relationship with the Irish. Watching over Gia was considered a favor to repair the damage. My dad was slowly re-introducing the O’Shea’s into our business, one job at a time.
We sifted through the throng to get a better view of the commotion along the back wall. A brunette recognized me and pulled on my jacket to dance with her. I shook her off, not interested and clueless as to how she knew me. I was on a mission to find Gia. No one else mattered but my girl. I found her in the corner with a green shirt that read, Kiss Me. I’m Irish.
I laughed. She was an Italian beauty in every way. Gia had rolled the shirt up and tied it behind her back, so her flat stomach and narrow hips were the first things I noticed. She knew how to move her body, too. My eyes traveled to her bare legs which were long and toned. Her body was a work of art, only ever touched by my hands.
A girl I’d never met before danced next to Gia, tugging on her arm. With Sonny at my side, I moved toward Gia, careful not to get too close. Most of the people in the bar knew me by my first name, some saying hello as I passed. Connor wouldn’t throw me out, but if he saw me with Gia, he would blow his top.
Once I reached the back of the bar, Gia locked eyes with me, singling me out. My heart raced when she pulled down her bottom lip with her index finger. She was such a fucking tease. Just like that, our moment passed, and she turned to face the girl at her side, who also wore the same tee and jean shorts.
Gia whispered something to the girl, who glanced over her shoulder at me. She smiled and turned around to face Gia again. I felt like we were in high school playing games. I never had to work to get Gia because she was always mine. It was bullshit I had to stalk my own girlfriend.
Connor appeared from a back room, beer in hand and a girl at his side. He helped her climb onto the bar. She moved a few empty glasses with her heel, staring down at Connor. She jiggled her tits at him and shook her ass to the Celtic punk music blaring through the speakers.
Since Connor was busy with his whore, I was able to get Gia’s attention without him noticing. We used hand gestures only we understood to communicate we would meet out back.
I tapped Sonny on the arm. “Keep Connor busy if he comes looking for Gia.”
“No problem.” He glanced over at Connor and then up at the girl on the bar in front of him. “I thought Gia was drugging him. Looks more like she dosed the girl.”
“I doubt that chick needed much to get up there. Look at her.”