Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny (17 page)

Both Kyle and Lucca walked into the living room.

Nathan took the chair that was positioned in front of the coffee table and couch. He crossed one long leg over the other while he continued to go through the many messages on his phone.

The guys all sat back and watched Nathan as he continued looking through his phone as if they weren’t even there, but they all knew better than to say anything. Nathan wasn’t exactly in vacation time mode, this was obviously business. So they all waited patiently for the young underboss to speak.

“Dial Manhattan and put it on speaker,” Nathan ordered still not looking up from his phone.

Kyle walked over to the phone and did as instructed. He then placed the phone in the middle of the table as it began to ring.

After three rings there was an answer.

“The Salerno Organization. How can I assist you today?” a woman’s voice said over the phone.

“Transfer me upstairs, Chelsea,” Nathan replied.

“Yes sir, Mr. Salerno. I hope you’ve had a nice vacation,” Chelsea said in a sweet voice.

Nathan smiled. Chelsea was always a sweetheart. “That’s very kind, sweetheart. I have.”

“I’m glad to hear that, sir. If you just hold on a second, I’ll transfer you to your father’s office. See you soon, Mr. Salerno,” she said right before she transferred the call.

“You do know she’s only that nice to you because she is in love with you, right?” Lucca teased looking over at Nathan.

Nathan chuckled still not looking up from his messages. The phone began to ring, and after two rings it was answered.

“Yeah,” a male voice said over the phone.

Nathan took his eyes off his cell phone a looked at the phone on the table and frowned. “Is that how you answer a fuckin’ phone?” Nathan asked recognizing the voice on the line. Nathan had told the idiot not to answer the phone like that a thousand times before. It was unprofessional.

The man gasped. “Holy Shit. Nathan? I didn’t know it was you. My bad. Hey, what the hell!”

“Is there a reason why you have been ignoring my calls young Mr. Salerno?” Mitchell asked after he took the phone from Gianni.

Nathan’s jaw clenched and he gritted his teeth. Even the sound of Mitchell’s voice pissed him off. “
Dove è il mio padre
?” Nathan asked through clenched teeth, trying to rein in his temper.

“He stepped out for a moment. What did you think? That he would just sit around and stare at the phone until you decided to remember that you have responsibilities here in Manhattan?” Mitchell replied his words dripping with disapproval.

Nathan didn’t give a fuck what Mitchell thought, the son of a bitch thought he had a right to talk to him anyway he wanted because he was once the second in command. But that was before Nathan came of age and took his rightful place as the underboss. Mitchell seemed to constantly forget that Nathan had become the one to answer to, and not the one to be questioned.

“Mitchell, send someone to find my father,” Nathan said maintaining his cool.

“Is there a reason why you cut off Andrew Reeves?” Mitchell asked in an authoritative tone.

Lucca shot up from his seat.

“Who the fuck do you think you are, Mitch? You may want to remember who the fuck you’re talking to. Nathan doesn’t have to tell you shit, you fat fuck,” Lucca he yelled at the phone.

Nathan chuckled because he knew his cousin would lose his temper before he did.

“Of course you’re there too, with your disrespectful ass, Lucca. Notice that I wasn’t speaking to you, I was speaking to Nathan,” Mitchell scoffed.

Lucca was about to say something back to Mitchell, but Nathan silenced him by holding up his hand.

“Mitchell, I remember telling you to send one of the men to tell my father that I’m returning his call. As for your calls, I did not care to answer them, and as for my reasons for what happened with Reeves, well that’s none of your fucking business,” Nathan said coolly.

Mitchell snorted. “If it’s family business it is all of our business, when I was second—”

“Enough,” Nathan finally snapped. “You do not question me. If you do it again there will consequences that not even my father can protect you from. Do you understand?” Nathan’s patience disappeared when Mitchell didn’t immediately answer. “Answer me,” he roared.

Mitchell cleared his throat before speaking. “Yes sir, I understand.” He muttered with reluctance in his voice.

Nathan sat back in his seat. “Very well” he said, returning to his calm state. “Now do as I said.”

He heard Mitchell place the phone on the table and yell at someone in the background to go and tell Angelo that Nathan was calling.

“What the fuck is wrong with that bitch?” Lucca said. “Just say the fucking word, Nathan, and I swear I’ll teach that fucker a lesson in respect that he’ll never forget,” Lucca said glaring at the phone.

Nathan smirked and shook his head, Lucca and that famous temper of his. Nathan had almost forgotten about it since Lucca had been in a more relaxed mood during this little break.

“Not yet cousin,” Nathan said smirking.

They heard someone pick up the phone. “Nathan, I’m going to transfer you into his office,” Gianni said.

Nathan rolled his eyes. Why did it always take so long to get to his damn father? Nathan could have saved all the bull shit if his father would have answered his damn cell phone.

“Well! This couldn’t possibly be my son. The last time I talked to him he hung up on me.” Angelo Salerno’s accented voice sounded through the phone.

Nathan chuckled. “Forgive me for that, father. The last time we spoke I wasn’t at my best.”

“It would be easier to forgive you if you would bring your blond ass home. I need you here a.s.a.p.”

“I know, papa. I’ve read your messages and I’ve already made arrangements for my arrival home tomorrow.”

“Yes I heard. I’m glad you’re finally taking your safety seriously,” Angelo said.

Nathan didn’t reply. It wasn’t his safety he was concerned with. He looked around at the guys giving him curious looks. He hadn’t told them about the extra security measures he’d taken, or why yet.

“When were you planning on telling me about your decision with Andrew?” Angelo asked bring Nathan’s attention back to him.

“I was going to call you but I’ve been a little…busy these last few weeks.”

“Busy?”

“Yes, busy. It also slipped my mind to call and make sure Reeves paid what I told him,” Nathan said realizing for the first time how far gone he’d been these few weeks. He’d never been so forgetful before especially since he gave Reeves a time limit, and a threat was on the table.

“He did. He sent the money in record time as well as a nice little 20% tip of what he already owed us, but that hasn’t stopped him from being pissed that you cut him off Nathan,” Angelo said with a smile in his voice. “I agree with your decision son, it’s exactly what I would’ve done. Andrew is more trouble than he’s worth.”

“So, now he’s shopping around for allies to try and retaliate? For what? I only slapped him around a bit,” Nathan said with a smirk.

Angelo laughed. “Slapped him around a bit huh? Nathan, you knocked out two of his teeth, killed two of his men, broke his nose, gave him a concussion, and damaged his restaurant. All in front of his family. Of course he has some ambitions of retaliation,” Angelo said through a laugh.

Nathan let out an exasperated sigh. “I’ll be in Manhattan tomorrow, papa. I’ll take care of this then.”

“You have many things to “Take Care Of” Nathan, but that’s your fault for letting it all pile up. You haven’t even called to look in on your businesses son. You should be happy you have such a good papa that looks out for you.”

“I am, and I apologize. I’ll do better. I promise,”

“You already do well enough, son. I’m proud of you, whatever time you have taken you deserved. Now get your ass home and let’s continue running this empire together shall we? We have many things to discuss,” Angelo said.

Nathan smiled because he always enjoyed making his father proud. His opinion was the only one that Nathan cared about. And his father was right, they do have many things to discuss. “Absolutely, I’ll be home in the morning. I have to handle a few things when I get back to Manhattan, but I’ll meet you in your office around noon.”

“Very well, son.” His father cleared his throat. “Have you heard from Mikilo and Kyle at all?”

Nathan nodded. “They’re here with me right now.”

Nathan heard his father chuckle. “I should have known, and I suppose Dante and Lucca are there too?”

“Yes,” they all said simultaneously.

Angelo laughed. “Some things never change. Same as when you all were kids, we’d look up and the five of you would be gone somewhere raising hell,” he said through a laugh. “Mikilo, you and your brother call your father. He wants to hear from you. That goes for you too, Dante. Lucca your father’s headed back to Italy in a couple of days so get your ass back here to see him before he leaves to take care of our business there. He’ll be gone for a few months. Understand?” Angelo asked waiting for their responses.

The men all voiced their understanding.

“Good, now get my son back here safely and quickly. He’s been slacking off these past few weeks, and you all are going to tell me why,” Angelo joked.

“I haven’t been slacking off,” Nathan said. “I’ve just been…occupied.”

“You’ve been occupied? You’ve been busy? Pick one son. Or you can just tell me what you’re hiding,” Angelo said. Nathan knew his father was smiling.

“I’m not hiding anything,” Nathan lied clearing his throat. He didn’t make eye contact with the guys while he lied through his teeth. He could never lie to his father, he tried, but somehow his father always knew he wasn’t being honest.

“Nathan, I don’t even know why you try to lie to me anymore,” Angelo said. “You’re my son, I know when you’re hiding something from me,” Angelo said through a chuckle.

Nathan rolled his eyes. “Pop, I’m not—”

Nathan’s sentence was cut off when he heard the front door open. He turned around at the sound of Carter’s stilettos clicking against the hardwood floor as she walked into the living room. She seemed to brighten the entire room, she was glowing. Her long beautiful hair was in a new style, bouncy curls pinned back. She was wearing her new necklace and earrings Nathan had given to her this morning.

The memory of how she thanked him had Nathan shifting in his seat and biting his lip. His little Carterina had quite the little hidden talent.

She wore a pale pink baby doll style dress that ended mid-thigh, showcasing her incredibly sexy legs. She was carrying shopping bags in both hands, and had a big smile on her gorgeous face. She was stunning.

A smile appeared on Nathan’s face as he stood up to go and greet her, completely forgetting that his father was on the phone.

As soon as Nathan stood up Carter’s smile widened, “Bubby!” She dropped her bags, ran to Nathan, and jumped into his arms. She captured his lips in a searing kiss that stole both his breath and his ability to think straight.

When she moaned into his mouth he held her tighter against his body. He knew they had to stop. If they didn’t he’d take her right where they stood. Remembering they weren’t alone he broke the kiss, but that didn’t stop Carter. She cupped his face and began raining kisses all over his face and neck. Nathan laughed.

“Jesus Christ, woman. What has gotten into you?” Nathan said laughing at Carter’s behavior.

Carter continued attacking Nathan with sweet kisses. “I missed you,” she said not letting up on her attack.

She was killing him. Her playful behavior always turned him on… well, nearly everything she did turned him on, but that’s not the point. “Oh my God,” he said through a laugh. “Carter, baby, I need you to behave yourself. You’re killing me.” He gripped her waist and her hands remained on his face refusing to let up.

She licked his ear and he groaned and bit his bottom lip. “But, I love you,” she said against his ear.

Nathan groaned. “I love you too, and you’re doing this on purpose,” He said with a smirk.

Carter giggled. “Why would you say that? Would it be because you nearly tickled me to death yesterday, or because you stripped off my bikini in public?” she said with a playful smile against his ear right before she did something she knew would drive him near insanity.

Carter dipped her velvety tongue in his ear, sucked on his earlobe. Instant erection. Nathan nearly lost it. In a quick move he turned Carter around until her back was pressed against his chest. Carter screamed and giggled in his arms when Nathan buried his face in her neck. “Nathan please, you know I can’t take it,” she screamed laughing as Nathan began tickling her.

Nathan growled against her neck. “Mmm… You know how much I love it when you say please.” He continued to tickle her.

“Nathan!”

“Promise to be good?” Nathan said against her ear.

“Yes! Just stop torturing me,” she whined and laughed at the same time.

Nathan placed her feet to the floor and popped her behind. “Good girl. Now, get your ass upstairs and pack woman, change of plans, we’re leaving in the morning. I bought you some new luggage and the car will be here at 8 am.”

Carter turned to him abruptly. “8 am! Nathan, what the hell? That is very, very short notice.”

“I know,
мое красивое Роуз
, but I told you last night that I have responsibilities that can’t wait anymore. We have to leave,” Nathan said.

“But Nathan I’m…” Carter stopped speaking.

Nathan took the liberty to try and finish her sentence. “Nervous? Excited?
Afraid?
” he said with a smirk.

That last one got Nathan’s arm punched and he burst into laughter while trying to protect himself. He knew how much Carter loathed being told she feared anything.

A deadly glare appeared on her beautiful face. “Don’t get your ass kicked, Salerno.”

Nathan growled and pulled her roughly against his body. “Don’t get your ass spanked, Stone” he said with sly smile.

Pure unadulterated lust flashed through Carter’s eyes right before a wicked smile spread across her face. She was challenging him, and Nathan couldn’t even describe how much that turned him on.