For Adriano (30 page)

CHAPTER 37

Adriano

My mood improves because Cam’s in my sight, talking with James while they view the men.

It’s incredible that we can form a connection without even locking eyes.

“You want me to do the speech? I’m honored,” I say to Luca while taking the stage – the coffee table – as he shakes his head slowly, already regretting his decision.

“Men,” I state in an embellished low voice. “Fuck your wife. Your girlfriend.
La tua puttana
.” Your whore.

A collective applaud erupts.

I raise my glass into the air, waiting for them to settle. “Enjoy your night, then go home, rest, and return, ready to kill.” And I throw the drink back; one whiskey shot, then alcohol is cut off for the night.

Swiping my mouth, I jump down, and most of the men stream upstairs to the strip club.

One soldier’s standing a little too close to Cam, inspecting her with a little too much interest. But I watch her, and she senses it instantly.

As he speaks to her, I make certain that she notices me going into the empty kitchen and toward the back door.

I pull a cig from the pack with my teeth and light it as the setting sun colors the horizon red in the distance. I’m on the lawn, beside the porch, when the door opens behind me and Cam sidles up, taking the cig from my mouth.

She turns and leans back against me. My arms snake around her waist as she takes a draw. “So, who am I? Girlfriend or
puttana
?”

I inwardly smile and whisper against her cheek, “You are my property. My girl.” Then I cup her between the legs. “But you love it when I fuck you like my
puttana
.”

As the smoke condenses around us, I detect a fleeting grin on her beautiful mouth.

“Do you have any idea how impossible it is not to walk around with a perpetual hard-on while you’re constantly around me and I know I can’t touch? Look, but don’t touch. God, I want your musky taste on my lips and on my dick, Cam.”

I press my fingers over the fabric of her pants as she places the cig between my lips and I inhale, then she takes it back and moans when I circle her pussy.

“We can’t here,” she protests, but her body is melting into mine, slowly rubbing against me. “It’s too risky. Don’t.”

I unbutton her pants and slide the zipper down. “I’ll do whatever I want.” My fingers slip inside of her.

She throws away the butt and covers my hand with hers.

“Cam, I’ve been fantasizing about you the entire day.” I curl my fingers, finding her sweet spot, and she lets out a groan, which I silence with a kiss.

Feeling her luscious ass against my balls, I’m going to fuck her right here, right now
.

And it appears that Miss ‘we-can’t-here’ has a similar realization, because she swivels around and unfastens my pants while I hold my arms wide to let her do what she pleases.

Cam pulls down my boxer briefs as she goes down onto her knees while her tongue traces over her lip, and she takes the base of my cock in her hand. Without breaking eye contact, she moves forward and sucks me into her wet mouth.

“Fuck!” I crane my head to make sure no one’s coming.

Luckily, from where we’re standing on the lawn, below my waist isn’t in sight if someone comes out the back door.

Sifting my fingers through her hair, I pump into her mouth until I hit the back of her throat. She’s sucking so hard, and it feels so good to fuck her mouth now after having to see her regularly without being able to touch her.

I pull her head back, and my cock glistens with her saliva. “Up.” And I assault her lips before facing her away from me.

I push her pants down her hips until her waistband is right below her ass, sealing her legs shut. Then I widen my stance.

A creak has me checking behind me, but no one’s coming.

Taking my cock in hand, I rub the head between her ass cheeks, pressing against her, but we don’t have time for that, so I slide lower as she angles forward slightly to give me better access, and I push inside with a powerful plunge. Then I encase both arms around her, tucking her wrists against her breasts while I fuck her harshly from behind. She’s totally at my mercy, taking what I give her. My balls slap against her wet pussy, and she’s sublimely tight in this position with her thighs pressed together, massaging my cock while I drive into her. Breathing loudly against her neck, I’m getting ready to blow my load. Her stifled moans increase in volume, and she’s so wet, also ready to let go.

“Shhh, Cam.”

Her mouth invites mine, so I swallow her moan as we both grind into each other and climax together, crushing her against me while I release into her perfect body.

A voice drifts from the kitchen, so I pull out and hurriedly yank her underwear and pants up, then I button myself.

“Adriano.”

I turn around to see Luca beaming at us.

“Get inside, you two. Soldiers are coming outside.”

Cam hides her flushed cheeks in my chest and bites my nipple before hurrying inside. And I fucking love it how she’s such a femme fatale when I fuck her, and now she’s so innocent in front of Luca. She stalks off without a word, knowing that will leave me hungering for her. I always want to hear her sexy voice.

She’s still very much searching for her identity. I love all the potential within her that’s just bursting to be unleashed. And I love that she’s strolling around here with my scent and mark
in
and
on
her.

“You just can’t keep your hands off her,” Luca remarks as he holds open the door.

“Nope,” I reply with a nonchalant shrug and walk back into the house.

CHAPTER 38

Camilla

Paying no attention to Luca and averting my heated cheeks, I go through the kitchen to the front entrance on the other side of the house. I take off my sandals and perch on the steps in the cool breeze in an attempt to allow the thrumming Adriano causes in my veins to rumble down.

Someone shuffles up behind me, and I look over as a pair of worn out stilettos stop next to me – Skye.

I’m not in the mood for any of these girls, so I stand up to prevent her from towering over me. Even though she’s wearing heels, I’m still taller than she is.

She stares ahead into the distance. “I told you before; Adriano’s a fuck ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. You have his devotion now, for a while. But soon, he’ll come back to me. Who do you think he came to when you were gone?”

I let out a loud snort and grab a handful of her thin locks, wrapping my fingers through them.

“What the fuck?” she howls, and her hands fly to her hair.

“Listen to me, you little skank. You’re not even worthy of our time. He does not want you. And he sure as hell never fucked you when I was gone. Now, do you know”—I jerk her head back and pinch her throat—“that I am James’s daughter?”

“What?! Let go, bitch!” Skye’s stumbling while I drag her backward.

“Yes, too bad for you—”

A throat clears behind me, and I see Luca and Adriano, both wearing highly amused expressions.

“Oh my god, help me!” Skye cries.

I constrict my grip while she lamely tries to slap me in the face. “Do you want to fuck her, Adriano?”

He holds up both palms, obviously entertained to see what I’m going to do. “Nope!”

“I hope it’s clear,” I hiss into her ear and throw her forward to the men.

They step aside and let her fall onto her knees right in front of the door.

Adriano comes to me with a giant grin on his face and places my hand against his balls. “It gets me so hard when you’re possessive of me.”

Meanwhile, Skye is whining and sending daggers at our display until Adriano turns to her and says, “Chill out, Skye. You don’t want to piss Cam off more. Even
I’m
a little scared.”

I roll my eyes.

And finally getting that she’s not wanted here, Skye runs inside disgracefully.

“She’s annoying,” I mutter just as James appears and expects me to follow him to his car.

Adriano rests his hand on my ass when James is walking down the steps with his back toward us while I stay at the door, and he whispers, “See you tomorrow. Give me a quick kiss.”

“No. I’m still annoyed.”

“You’re not annoyed at me,” he complains comically, dissipating the tension.

“You don’t ever touch any of these women, got it?!”

“Never. And, Cam, the same goes for you, but I’m not even stating it.” He speaks with a dare. “Now kiss me.”

I peck him on the lips, and he squeezes my ass before I go to James.

When I look back over my shoulder and see his boyish, charismatic smile, my heart skips a beat.

***

The day of attack.

Every base is covered.

Teams are already on the way to the Loop with James.

Henry is set up in this house, in James’s office. He
is
our command center.

In order for us to control the media, our associates who are journalists at the Chicago Times and Tribune are on standby to intercept any contact from sources reporting illegal activity in the Club 7 area. Other smaller media can be easily bought. People on our payroll at the Chicago P.D. and the DEA are informed to terminate and erase any irregularity concerning Club 7 tonight. If any security system triggers anything, Henry is on standby to dismantle it.

James explained that this is all a precaution in case Wade fails to deliver since it’s the first time the Syndicate and Wade are collaborating.

I’m in Luca’s private room on the third floor of our headquarters wearing a tight black cat suit – one I’m not positive isn’t a catwoman Halloween costume. It’s made of a thick, firm material and zips up the front.

Who the hell takes care of uniforms around here?

I easily load my second handgun, the one with a silencer attached to the barrel, and stash it in the belt around my waist. I feel strong, yet nervous.

This organization is good at occupying their soldiers and controlling their nerves until the moment the attack starts. There isn’t a second where you get to stop and overthink anything.

Once I’m ready, I roll my neck and head down to search for my team on the first floor.

Adriano, Luca, and a handful of soldiers gape at me, but then everyone looks away as I stand in the doorway, except for Adriano, who’s dressed in charcoal slacks and a long-sleeve shirt that draws attention to his toned physique. He scans the length of me with a gleam in his eyes, and his hands rest on my hips as he shifts closer.

“What’s up with this outfit?” I groan.

He sends me a guilty look. “That’s my doing. I thought it’d look hot on you, and woman, it does!”

He growls in my ear and bites the shell, making me feel anxious. “Is it uncomfortable?”

Should we do this in front of these soldiers?

It’s actually not uncomfortable. “No.”

Adriano takes my wrist and attaches a hard plastic black bracelet; one like the other soldiers received yesterday. “Your tracking device.” And he adds in a severe tone, “This is your first time with us in an official capacity. I shouldn’t worry, but when it concerns you, that’s like asking me not to breathe. You stay with me, Cam. If we get separated”—he shows me a round white earpiece—“I have one for you. Don’t use it unless we lose one another. No one knows I have one extra for you. If you need it, click it on, and put it in your ear.” He stores it in my pocket.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“Let’s go.”

***

It’s ten p.m. What I didn’t know is that another team has already gone in and lured out dozens of patrons that are positively not part of Fat Sal’s crew. It’s not busy now, but anyone left in the club will be collateral damage.

There’s a road block at the back entrance of Club 7 preventing anyone from going inside. Cars are parked blocks away, and many come on foot. One soldier moves the road block and drives through with a truck following behind; the clean-up truck, so I’ve been told.

The easiness of the last couple of days has been replaced with apprehension in the hour ride over here. Everyone’s subdued, preparing mentally for what’s to come. Adriano’s holding my hip in a clutch that reveals his hidden angst. I’m almost in his lap, crammed in the back seat of a station wagon with four people.

“Everyone on alert?” Adriano asks.

“Yes,” I and the other soldiers reply.

I open the door, and we jump out, shadowed by dozens of others coming from different directions.

One soldier touches his earpiece, and the entrance unlocks. As it’s sliding open, everyone latches on to their gun, and we run inside, Adriano and three other men leading the way, past the Andy Warhol pop art displayed on the wall.

As we approach the archway, a hostess comes into view.

“What the hell?” She ducks and aims a gun at me and the rest as she inches back.

One soldier charges at her and hurls the gun from her grip while the other hooks his arm around her neck. A clear plastic bag is wrapped around her neck, and she’s shot in the head. A mass of red explodes inside the plastic, containing the mess, and her body goes slack.

Adriano looks at me and states, “It’s either her or you, Cam. And I will always choose you over everyone else.”

The elevator mechanism starts to make noise, notifying us that someone’s coming up.

“Don’t think. Move.” Adriano touches his earpiece. “Henry, shut system Alpha off.”

Then everything goes black, and he twines my fingers with his and yanks me forward until I crash into him. I hear feet shuffling and men breathing in the dark hall, and I’m trying my best to stay alert and follow their rapid movements, but it’s chaotic.

The elevator comes to a halt, and a vertical ray of light appears, wider and wider as the doors open.

Adriano and four other soldiers raise their handguns, and they shoot the three guards standing in the elevator in the head before they’ve even seen us.

“Take the bodies,” Adriano orders, and they’re being heaved away as too many of us crowd into the elevator and descend.

On the first stop, five men step out, and we continue on down to the underground fight club, our aim on the doors as they open into the empty, lighted hallway from where I escaped so long ago.

Everyone is about to disperse – four men shielding Adriano – when from the end of the hall, a swarm of guards appear. A massive shoot-out begins, and I stoop low while Adriano is cocking his gun and firing his round.

One soldier at the front gets shot, but we move out of the elevator anyway.

Adriano covers me while I push the button to send it back up, and he shouts, “Stay down!” as gunpowder and smoke settle in the air around us.

The shooting ends, so I lift my weapon when I can see again through the haze, and thankfully, only our men are standing.

Red drips down the walls to the floor, and dead bodies are scattered. Stepping over four of them, we all go in different directions.

Some rooms to both our left and our right lead to new passageways, and I guide Adriano to the room I was held captive in – where we hope to find Santino and John.

In the familiar beige room, two abused girls are drugged out on the beds, one bed that used to be mine.

Adriano checks the bathroom while I safeguard the hall.

“Clear,” he says. “No one’s here.”

Footsteps come into earshot, and I hide behind the doorframe.

A guard appears from around the corner, and I pull the trigger, hitting his shoulder. I discharge again, right in his chest, and he falls down.

“Update on John?!” Adriano yells into his earpiece and then shakes his head to me; no one has found
Capo
John yet.

“Upstairs,” I say. “Maybe they’re both in the room near Fat Sal’s office where I last saw Santino. We’re one floor too low.”

“We can’t go upstairs now. We stick to our plan.”

We peek into the hall as two of our own soldiers come into view, guns targeted at us, then they lower them.

“Is everyone down?” Adriano demands to know.

“Yes, all teams are in place. Upstairs has been easily seized. Fat Sal hasn’t been located, but we have the staff and guards under control.”

“How many guards are still walking around down here?”

“Approximately twenty, definitely fewer than our number of soldiers.”

“Henry, did the silent alarm trigger? Where is everyone?”

All of a sudden, everything goes black again, and a frenzy explodes.

“Motherfucker!” Adriano’s voice echoes through my eardrums. “Henry, did you turn off the lights? What’s going on? Turn them on! CAM?!”

“Yes, I’m here.” I’m moving forward, touching left and right. My gun scrapes the wall so I can walk in a straight line.

“Camilla!” His voice is farther away now, so I turn in the other direction. “Cam! Where the fuck are you? Turn on these lights now, Henry!”

Feet are shuffling, and someone leaps into me.

“CAM!”

“I’m here!” I scream.

A gun fires and illuminates the hall for a second, revealing a now jam-packed space.

And I spot Adriano’s furious eyes. “Turn on the fucking lights!”

Darkness again, and I’m being hurled into the wall, but I grip my gun and swing back, causing someone to grunt.

“Come,” a male voice.

I’m lurched forward by the hand but protest and wrench free. I hear a door closing or opening, and suddenly, I’m lifted off my feet onto someone’s shoulder and being carried through the dark.

My equilibrium is disoriented from the blackness and loss of direction. We stumble against walls, I drop my handgun, and my skull bangs against a hard surface.

Then the lights flick on, and I sink my nails into a thick neck and kick air until he loses his footing and I can slide off his shoulder.

And I come eye to eye with the person I was searching for. “Santino.”

“I knew you’d come back. Are you okay?” he asks and embraces me, taking me by surprise.

We’re in a room with exits at opposite walls.

My head is throbbing.

Santino’s face and arms are covered in bruises and scratches, and he has a bandage around his head because he’s missing an ear.

“This place is under attack. Fat Sal is already on the run. I overpowered my guard the second I heard the commotion. We need to leave.” He hauls me forward, but I stop, and since he’s so weak, I’m able to twist free.