Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny (19 page)

She stood at the top of the stairs in a tight fitted white spaghetti strap shirt and a pair of short khaki shorts. The outfit was simple, but she made it stunning. Her long curls cascaded down her back and ended at her waist, right above her incredible ass. Gianni was in serious lust with Spook’s daughter.

“Don’t you think your father can hold off on meeting me for about four, five maybe six months? That doesn’t sound too bad,” she asked looking at Nathan.

Nathan chuckled. “No, he won’t.” He held his hand out for Carter to come and take it.

Carter walked down the steps at a leisurely pace then took his hand and he kissed it.

“I get to go to the apartment first, right? I don’t want to wear this to meet your father.”

“Yes, Kyle will be with you. Everything will be fine, Carter.”

“I know it’s just weird. I’ve never really met anyone who knew Spook as well as your father. It’s just a little…” Carter cleared her throat and rolled her eyes.

“Nerve racking?” Nathan teased.

Carter pursed her lips. “Yeah, that,” she said dryly. “I’m not afraid, and I didn’t drink that much.” Her eyes ran up and down Nathan’s body and she smirked. “You look damn sexy today, Nathan,” she said. Then she gave him a quick kiss and stepped down the last step and walked passed him.

Nathan smiled as his eyes followed her, watching the sway of her hips as she walked away.

“Actually, all five of you look hot as hell,” she said confidently. “God, bless Armani and who ever made those leather jackets.”

The guys all smiled and watched her walk over to Kyle and take his hand. They were positive that she was tipsy, because she did in fact have a lot to drink on the plane. She had been on edge ever since she found out Nathan’s father was on the phone yesterday. She started her champagne marathon after she found out he wanted to meet her the same day they arrived in New York.

“Alright, which car are we in Kyle?” she asked looking up at him and he chuckled and pointed at the last SUV in the line of the three still sitting there.

She looked up at Kyle and smiled and began pulling him to the car. Kyle followed behind her amused. He looked over to Nathan and gave him a nod silently promising him that he would protect her with his life if need be. Nathan nodded back.

They had all talked about the risk of people knowing of Carter’s survival the night before. Although she had ensured her safety from the remaining hit men, they still didn’t know who put the hit on Spook in the first place. They knew that the news of Spook’s daughter’s survival had already spread like crazy, five families over and they wanted to make sure she was protected. That’s why Nathan told Kyle to stay with her at all times while he went to the morning meeting with his father, because he knew that just like himself, Kyle would focus on ensuring Carter’s safety, and put her safety before his own.

***

Kyle sat in the back of the SUV texting his father and enjoying the feel of the beautiful Carterina leaning against his arm, her hand still in his. Kyle loved these moments. He knew it may be wrong and he did respect his best friend’s relationship, but the moments when Kyle had Carter to himself were the moments he cherished, moments he missed. He always loved spending time with Carter the year he knew her before her and Nathan became a couple.

Kyle would actually look forward to cuddling with Carter and watching movies in his beach house. He always loved how affectionate Carter was. He loved that she wasn’t afraid to cuddle up next to him. He loved how warm she was, the sweet scent of her perfume and the softness of her skin. Even now, as she did pretty awesome tricks with a butterfly knife, she lay against his arm with her other hand in his and her legs crossed. Kyle couldn’t help but run his thumb up and down the silky smooth skin of her hand.

He knew that she may not love these moments as much as he, but he didn’t care as long as they continued to have these moments. These moments, for Carter, were as natural as brushing her teeth in the morning. They had become so used to the way they were around each other that every cuddle session, kiss on the forehead, cheek or lips, argument, or touch had become second-nature. Kyle knew for a fact that Carter would be the only woman he would ever love enough to have such a relationship with. He was too much like his damn father to actually settle down in a relationship one day.

Much like his father, Kyle knew that he would have a life full of girlfriends and illegitimate children. That’s just who he is. Kyle didn’t want the married life, none of it really appealed to him. Why be with one woman forever when he could be with many. Marriage and monogamous relationships never made any since to him. That is what Kyle realized when he was trying to figure out why he never confessed his love for Carter. Because he knew he couldn’t be faithful to her and give her what she wanted— a family.

Carter had told him she wanted a family a little while after they met, on one of the nights she stayed over at his house. Once again Kyle had been trying to get her to revise the limits of their friendship and she told him flat out, “I don’t have casual sex, Kyle. I only do serious relationships because one day I want a family. Is that what you want as well?”

When she said that, Kyle just let it drop and turned his attention back to the movie they were watching. Of course Carter teased him about it, the “fear” she said she saw in his eyes at the mention of a relationship and family, but Kyle knew that there was no way he would ever be able to be in a serious relationship. So he settled with having a woman in his life that he could steal warmth and affection from whenever he needed it. Carter has the perfect amount of feminine warmth and sensitivity as well as the perfect amount of attitude and fire. Meaning, Carter Steele was the only woman that has ever and could ever call Kyle out on his shit, and he loved her for it.

“I miss you, Kyle,” Carter whispered pulling Kyle from his thoughts.

He looked down and noticed she had put her butterfly knife away and cuddled closer to him. Her eye lids were heavy he could tell that she was headed for a champagne induced sleep. He smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and gave her ear a tug like he always did. “How can you miss me, Carter, I’m sitting right next to you?” he replied sweetly.

“I mean, I miss cuddling with you like we used to,” she said softly.

“I do too.”

Carter looked up at him with her tired hazel eyes and placed her chin on his arm while she looked into his eyes, “Then stop ignoring me and come to me, Kyle. You need me, and I miss you. Nathan will just have to deal with it. Our friendship hasn’t changed just because I fell madly in love with your best friend,” she said with a playful smile. “I miss watching scary movies with you and eating junk food, planning the day that we decide to let ourselves go and get fat.”

They both smiled at that, remembering the hilarious conversation.

“I would love to watch scary movies with you and continue that very important discussion, but don’t you think your boyfriend, my best friend, will get annoyed with us?”

“He’ll deal with it.”

“And if he doesn’t?” Kyle asked.

Carter smirked. “He will, Kyle. As you know, Nathan’s not really the jealous type. He’s too conceited for that. Plus, he knows that if he doesn’t, I’ll kick his ass,” she said with a shrug.

Kyle laughed softly and kissed her forehead. “
La mia bella Carterina
. Still as sassy as ever.”

Carter rested her head back on his shoulder.

“I’m just saying nothing between us has changed, Kyle. I still want us to be as close as we have always been even when you fall madly in love with some beautiful woman.”

Kyle chuckled. “I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen, Carter,” he replied sardonically.

“It could happen, Kyle. You never know, you could fall madly in love, have a family.”

“I’m afraid not, beautiful. I like being a bachelor too much for that. Plus, I love my lifestyle and I’m pretty sure I can’t limit myself to one woman,” he said with a smirk.

Carter rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, Kyle, you and Nathan are a lot alike. I’m sure he used to be a whore just like you but now he’s in a committed relationship. You just have to find the right girl,” she said confidently.

Kyle laughed at the whore comment. “Your right, we do have similarities, love. But Nathan had one thing I didn’t growing up, Anya. He is a man capable of the love you two share because of her. I on the other hand am not a good man.”

Carter looked up at him with furrowed brows. “That’s not true, you’ve always been sweet since the day I met you.”

He touched her face lovingly. “Which would shock many, many people who have known me my whole life, Carter.” He lifted her face to look into her eyes. “It may come as a surprise but the Kyle that you know, is not the Kyle that everyone else knows, love.”

Carter frowned and nodded as if she understood what he was saying. As she laid her head back on his shoulder she whispered. “I love you too, Kyle.”

Kyle smiled, he didn’t care if her love was just pure friendship he was just happy she loved him too.

By the time they made it to the apartment Carter had fallen into that sleep Kyle had seen coming. He didn’t want to wake her so he carried her into the apartment, ignoring the stares from the men there for security. He knew they were just trying to get a glimpse of Carter since she was the subject of the majority of the talk around the family. Kyle didn’t know how far word of Carter’s survival had spread yet but he knew that it was all around New York by now.

Once he finally got her away from the eyes of the other men and safely into her new home he laid her on the plush couch in the living room. He walked into the spotless, clean kitchen and started a pot of coffee for when Carter woke up. He checked his phone and saw a text from Nathan telling him what time he and Carter should be at the office.

Once he got the pot of coffee started he made his way back over to the living room. He sat on the coffee table in front of the couch and watched Carter sleep soundly. She looked so beautiful lying there snoring softly, and his eyes rested on her full soft lips. Memories of how he used to wake Carter up when she would fall asleep on his couch rushed through his mind and his fingers traced her soft lips. Without thinking better of it and knowing that she’d understand he leaned forward and placed a soft slow kiss on her lips.

A small smile appeared on Carter’s face and Kyle smiled in return. “You stole a kiss. Nathan’s going to kick your ass,” she said sleepily.

Kyle smirked. “Worth it.”

Her tired hazel eyes opened and she looked at him with a playful smile.

In an instant her expression went from playful to fearful. “I don’t know if I can do this, Kyle. Meet these people. I went from nobody knowing who I am to being surrounded by people who knew my father. Spook kept me away from all of this. What if there was a reason why he did? He even kept me from Nathan’s father, and they were close. What if this is a bad idea?” she said softly, her voice a whisper, her eyes filling with tears.

Kyle looked at her, not knowing what to say at first. In all the time he had known Carter he had never seen her cry nor had she ever expressed any fears to him. This vulnerable side of her was probably a side Nathan was far more familiar with than he.

Kyle looked into the eyes of the woman on the couch realizing that this was the first time he had ever heard her refer to her dad like he was actually her dad, and it hit him. He had spent a year becoming close friends with Spook Steele’s daughter. The thought was unbelievable because much like everyone else in the Salerno family, he did know Spook well because of how often Spook would come to New York. Kyle instantly understood Carter’s fear. Spook did keep her far away from this lifestyle, even though that didn’t stop Carter from developing the mentality of it, he kept her away. Kyle wanted to make her feel better and give her the comfort she needed so that she would be able to make it through this.

He took off his suit jacket and his shoulder holsters. He laid the items on the table, sat on the couch, and pulled Carter into his lap. She melted into his embrace and he stroked her hair lovingly. She seemed to need the closeness he was offering her because she held onto him tightly.

“Carter, honey, I understand this is all new to you but you don’t have to worry. I promise,” Kyle said tenderly. “People here knew and respected your father, especially Angelo. They just want to meet the girl Spook spoke of constantly when he was here. Besides, Nathan will be there and you know he won’t leave your side. Lucca, Dante, and Mickey will be there, and I will be there too. We won’t let anything happen to you, you know that, right?”

“Yes,” she said softly, laying her head against his chest playing with strands of his long black hair.

Kyle smile and kissed her forehead and continued to hold her hoping to give her as much strength and comfort as he could.

Nathan sat in his father’s office while Angelo sat with four men by his side staring at him.

Nathan crossed one leg over the other, rolled his eyes and sighed. “I wasn’t aware that you all were going to be here for this meeting,” he said looking at the five men sitting near his father’s desk. None of them responded to him, they just continued to look at him.

Nathan knew that his father wanted to meet Carter, what he didn’t know was that Mitchell, Bruno, Cesare, and his uncle Alessandro would be in the room to meet her as well.

When Nathan had first arrived they began the meeting with business Nathan needed to attend to, aka problems they wanted him to handle. There was an entire list ranging from issues with men within the family to associates from other families in New York and Italy, the biggest issue on the list being Reeves’ plan for retaliation. Nathan had no idea who Reeves was asking to help him in his quest for revenge, but if they were smart they would come to Nathan and tell him what Reeves was up to so that they can remain in his good graces. If they didn’t, they would suffer the same fate that Reeves will if he doesn’t back the fuck down.

“So you’re saying you found her in this Hope Beach place?” Bruno asked with a crooked smile and a thick eyebrow raised.

Dante really looked just like his dad
, Nathan thought.

He nodded. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying,” Nathan replied wondering why Bruno wasn’t back in Las Vegas. “Is there any more business you all would like to discuss?”

“No son, that can wait for now. We would like to hear more of how it is that you found Spook Steele’s daughter in housewife land,” Angelo joked. “Now, tell us again what you were doing there.”

Nathan shrugged. “Slacking off like I do all the time around this time of year.”

Angelo nodded. “And you all stayed in Kyle’s beach house?”

“Yes.”

“You, Kyle, Mikilo, Dante, and Lucca all went together?”

Nathan let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, papa. What is your point?”

“I’m just getting the story straight. So when exactly did you find out whom she was?”

Nathan rolled his eyes, they were all looking at him waiting for him to answer all of these questions, and Nathan fucking hated being questioned.

“I first figured out who she was when her and I,” Nathan sighed, “went to the beach.”

“Why were you at the beach?” Alessandro asked

Nathan heard Mickey snort from the corner. “Because he wanted to finish what they had started,” he muttered smugly.

Nathan turned to him abruptly. “Shut the hell up, Mick,” he said, glaring at the asshole.

Mickey crossed his arms over his chest and placed his fist over his mouth, frowning and nodding his understanding, but Nathan knew he was just trying not to laugh.

Cesare sat back in his seat and looked at his son with a crooked smile. It was like they could read each other’s fucking minds and Nathan wanted to punch both of the blue eyed assholes. All three of the Valente men were the same.

“How did you find out who she was at the beach?” Angelo asked. “Did she mention his name, did she recognize your last name? What?”

Nathan had to think about how to answer this one. Pretty much everything that happened on the beach that night was personal, between him and Carter only.

“Before the beach, before everything, I saw Carter at the Hope Garden—”

“He held up traffic for twenty fucking minutes staring at her,” Mickey interjected through a chuckle.

Nathan calmly pointed at the stapler on his father desk. “Pop, could you kindly pass me that stapler off your desk so that I can staple Mickey’s mouth shut!” he yelled turning a deadly glare on Mickey.

Mickey turned his back to Nathan to hide his smile.

“Alright now. Get back to telling us how this happened, Nathan,” Angelo said calmly. He was used to the boys’ behavior.

“Like I was saying, I saw her at the Hope Garden and she kissed a yellow rose like mama used to do. On the beach I asked her about it and she told me the story of the day we spent together when we were kids.”

“Aww, how sweet,” Mitchell said in a mocking tone.

Nathan looked over at the son of a bitch with cold gray eyes and gripped the arms of the chair tight to keep from breaking off the leg of the chair and shoving it down the fucker’s throat. Nathan reigned in his temper, but he couldn’t say the same for Lucca who was also in the room.

“Say one more fucking thing and I’ll come over there and shove my fist down your throat, bitch,” Lucca growled narrowing cold gray eyes on Mitchell.

“Easy,” Angelo said in a low tone knowing that with Lucca’s temper he would actually do it.

Mitchell shot up from his seat. “I am so sick of your disrespect, Lucca! You can’t keep speaking to me like that. I deserve more respect.”

“You don’t deserve shit but my foot up your fat ass. I suggest you squeeze your ass back in that chair before I toss you out the fucking window,” Lucca yelled.

Nathan knew his cousin was close to seeing red, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to save Mitchell this time. His dad could do it because there was nothing Nathan would love to see more than Mitchell’s dumbass flying out the window.

“How dare you—”

“Shut the fuck up, you fat son or a—”

“Lucca Salerno!” Angelo yelled standing up from his chair. He turned to Mitchell. “Sit down, Mitchell,” he ordered and Mitchell took his seat. Angelo looked at Nathan knowing why he didn’t get up and calm his cousin. Angelo pursed his lips and looked at Lucca who was staring daggers at Mitchell, “
Gesù Cristo nipote
. How many times do we all have to remind you to control that temper of yours?”

“Go get some air, son,” Alessandro said nodding his head toward the door.

Lucca nodded, a scowl still on his face. “Nate, I’ll be downstairs waiting for Carter and Kyle to get here.” Then he looked back at Mitchell. “You think that was bad, you bitch? Mock Carter to her face,” he said with a smirk then he walked out the door.

Nathan and Mickey chuckled.

“It’s funny because it’s true,” Mickey said through a chuckle.

Angelo put his hands over his face and sighed. “Jesus Christ,” he sighed then sat back up. “Nathan, did she tell you how she made it out?”

“Made it out?” Nathan asked.

“Yeah, how did she escape?” Bruno said.

Nathan swallowed.

“Yeah, the papers said there were six bodies found in the house. Five men and one women, African American and unidentifiable. They said her face was cut off and they couldn’t trace her DNA. We just figured Jane Doe was Spook’s daughter,” Cesare said.

Nathan cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “That woman wasn’t Carter. It was Chrissy, her nanny.”

“She was seventeen with a nanny?” Mitchell asked.

Nathan’s jaw clenched and he gritted his teeth. He didn’t even look at Mitchell, he just spoke to his dad. “Chrissy stayed with her because of how often Spook was away on business.”

“But how did she get away? I know she told you, Nathan,” Angelo asked.

“I’m sure it was easier for her to run once Spook took out four of the men,” Bruno said looking at Angelo.

“But how did Spook have time to do what the papers said happened upstairs in his bedroom. That was some crazy shit. It didn’t seem like Spook’s style at all,” Cesare said.

All the men seemed to stop and think. Nathan frowned and sat back in his chair hoping they wouldn’t ask any more questions. He and Carter hadn’t shared that part of the story with anyone and he wouldn’t say anything about it. If Carter wanted them to know she would tell them and unless that happened, Nathan would feign ignorance.

“How long have you known who she was, son?” Angelo asked

“A few weeks,” Nathan replied.

“And you didn’t see fit to tell me until yesterday? Well, you didn’t tell me then either, you just forgot I was on the phone,” Angelo said narrowing his eyes on Nathan.

Nathan shifted in his seat. “I told you I was sorry about that, Papa. I’ve been occupied the last few weeks.”

“And you, Mikilo? You didn’t see fit to say anything either?” Angelo asked

“Mickey didn’t say anything because I asked him not to. I asked them all not to say anything.”

“Why?”

“For her safety. I wanted to make sure she was protected before word got around that she had survived. Her safety was my main concern, it still is. We don’t even know who put out a hit on Spook or why, but I plan to find out,” Nathan said firmly.

Angelo tensed. “I thought I told you that the situation was too unpredictable to get involved, Nathan. Spook was my dear friend but he’s gone now and there’s no reason to dig up the past.”

“I know that Spook’s gone, but Carter is still here and word has already spread about her survival. I don’t know if the asshole that sent six men to kill Spook won’t come for his daughter because she survived it. I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen. Carter doesn’t deserve to live her entire life hiding,” Nathan argued.

Mitchell shook his head. “Let your father deal with this, Nathan. You can’t risk your life for some girl,” Mitchell said, once again giving his unwelcome opinion on the matter.

Nathan let out a long frustrated sigh and straightened out the front of his suit. “Some girl” he repeated. Unable to ignore Mitchell’s presence any longer Nathan turned a cold gaze on the man. “Mr. Romano.” He said idiots name with menacing smile. “Be. Silent.” he commanded.

Those two words combined with the tone of Nathan’s voice and the deadly look in his eyes was enough to silence Mitchell.

Satisfied with Mitchell’s silence, Nathan turned his gaze beck to his father. “I understand your concern Pop, I do. But you of all people should know not to underestimate me. If I say I will take care of Carter, then I will. She’s not just here, she’s here
with
me. She and I will be cohabitating.”

“Cohabitating?” His father asked.

Nathan nodded. “Yes. She’s moving in with me.”

“With you?”

Nathan took in a sharp exasperated breath, beginning to become irritated with the questioning. “Yes” he answered his father in a clipped tone. “Why is that hard to believe?” When all the men in the room began to answer the question Nathan silenced them, much to their amusement. “I get it. But it’s…different with Carter. I…” Nathan cleared his throat uncomfortably, “enjoy being with her very much” he said looking at his father.

After a moment a wide smile spread across Angelo’s face and he laughed joyously. “My, son. You all should have seen when the two first met when they were just little tiny things. They were attached at the hip the entire day, my boy wouldn’t let anyone near little Carter. Spook didn’t think they’d ever be able to go home.” Angelo smiled at the memory. “So I take it she is what’s been keeping you busy these past few weeks?”

Nathan nodded. “Yes, she is” Nathan replied with a smile as he recalled the past three weeks. He smiled slyly. Carter sure did keep him busy.

Angelo chuckled. “I see. She must be an amazing woman. You’re glowing” he joked.

Smartass
.

“Yes, I agree. Angelo, your son is very relaxed, not as tense as he usually is. I’m sure he had a very nice vacation,” Cesare added with a sly smile.

Angelo laughed at his best friend and nodded in agreement. Nathan definitely wasn’t as snappy as he usually was, and he actually sat through them questioning him without telling any of them to fuck-off or breaking Mitchell’s neck.

Mickey chuckled at his dad. “Wait until you meet her. She’s cool as hell and hot as fuck.”

Angelo smiled and nodded. “She was a beautiful little girl, I’m sure that she is a stunning woman. She must be if she caught my son’s eye, and kept Kyle in a friendship with her for a year,” Angelo said in a teasing tone. He still couldn’t believe that Kyle had a friendship with a woman, the kid was just like his father. A string of girlfriends and cold to all of them, yet they still come back for more.

Cesare laughed. “She must be something.”

Mickey let out a long loud exaggerated breath shaking his head.

“That nice huh, son?” Cesare asked through a laugh.

Mickey smirked and nodded. All the men, except for Mitchell, chuckled.

“Alright, enough of that, you damn Valentes,” Nathan said looking at his phone. “Kyle just texted me. They’re in the lobby with Dante and Lucca on their way up.

***

Carter was more nervous than she had ever been in her entire life, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the beautiful day in Manhattan. She had only gotten to see a little so far, but she already loved it. Manhattan was beautiful, and full of life and energy. Carter knew she was going to love it here.

Even now, walking down a sidewalk full of people to The Salerno Organization high rise building, Carter couldn’t help but bask in the energy of beautiful Manhattan. It was so bright and fast, and people didn’t know how to say excuse me, but Carter didn’t care she just held on tight to Kyle’s hand as he led her through the crowded sidewalk. He pulled her in closer as the crowd became thicker at the crossing point, and she held on tighter to his arm as they crossed the street, three of Kyle’s men following closely behind him.

She took a deep breath and Kyle’s scent filled her nostrils. He smelled so damn good, and he looked good too in that incredibly sexy navy blue Armani suit. Visions of Nathan and Kyle stripping those suits off for her had her fantasizing about some very naughty things in the shower. She couldn’t prevent the orgasm inducing fantasy, she lain in Kyle’s arms for an hour while he held and comforted her while she was vulnerable. She’s only a woman for goodness sakes, and Kyle and Nathan are fine as hell. She couldn’t deny that she had strong feelings for Kyle either. Damn Jenna for saying Kyle had feelings for her. It forced her to think about the feelings she had for him. But Carter knew her feelings for Kyle could never rival her love for Nathan, he had her whole heart, Carter was his and she knew that with everything in her.

The thought of seeing Nathan made her want to tell Kyle to hurry up and walk faster. She missed him like crazy and she gave herself a good pep talk so that she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of his father. She was going to keep her emotions in check, not get upset when they ask her questions about herself, and be as honest as she could be. Yep. That was her plan, and it was going to work. Carter usually didn’t make plans but she would do her best for Nathan. She knows how important his father’s opinion is to him, and she would do everything she could today to make Nathan proud that she was his.