For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2) (35 page)

“So not many people, in even your own Syndicate, know who you are, or who James is?”

“Exactly, or they know I’m powerful, but not my exact rank. And all these associates, soldiers, and other parties we work with – I can identify them all. Sometimes we can be forced to give away our identity for leverage. People who do know understand not to voice what they know.”

“But weren’t the people at your house your soldiers? They see you there constantly, so they can identify you, can’t they?”

“Some of them. I’m never there as often as I was when you were at the house. There are maybe a handful of soldiers who know the hierarchy. For example, Damian knows. Of course, there are a lot of rumors, and many soldiers do think they know my rank, but they would never disclose it outside the Syndicate for fear for their own lives. You need to understand how powerful we are. We are above the law. Look at how I can live, and yet I’m never under investigation. We can make anything and anyone disappear. I want you to stop being afraid. If you trust me one hundred percent, I can guarantee that you’ll always be protected. Stop thinking in black and white and open your mind more to the grey.”

“I’m trying to, Luca, but it’s complicated,” she replies. “I remember you said that none of you were blood related, but the doctor is James’ brother.”

“Yes, but I also told you that the doctor isn’t truly a member. He’s part of the Syndicate but only as our physician. We can’t just use any physician we choose; it needs to be someone we can trust. And James’ brother doesn’t mind because they’re very close. He has been part of the Syndicate since before I joined.”

We cross the street to climb the stairs of the parish. As we stand in the back, I circle my arm around Fallon and pull her back to my chest. I lean down when she rests her head against me and speak softly in her ear. “There’s a good reason why I always tell you to be more observant. Remember the priest from your parents’ funeral? He’s at the front; his name is Eli. He’s a Mafia priest. Do you see the woman in the front row in the blue blouse? That’s his wife.”

“Huh? A priest can’t marry,” she blurts.

“Rules of religion don’t apply to Mafia priests. And most people attending this service know and accept that he’s married. The guy in the grey suit on the left.” Her head turns to him. “He’s an associate and also the DA. So you see, no laws apply to these people. And always remember that nothing is what it seems. We all live above any law except the Syndicate laws. Ordinarily, no one knows the laws of the Syndicate except the members, but I’m telling you all this for your own safety. You’re my life, Fallon, and I will protect you with everything I have and know.”

CHAPTER 37

Fallon

I pull his arms tighter around my middle as he presses his lips to my cheek.

I’m not surprised Father Eli is part of the Mafia because I knew he had a shady association with Luca, but I’m stunned that he can just do what he wants, even marry, and his congregation accepts it.

Looking around at all the different people, I realize that I shouldn’t try to understand it. As long as Luca understands it, I’ll be safe; I’m positive of that.

He’s quelled my need for revenge exactly how I wanted it. I finally feel at ease again because I’m confident that Luca has made Ashton pay. Even though I don’t want to know how, the fact that he has taken care of him fills me with a serenity I never thought I’d enjoy again. Finally, I’ve gotten justice for my parents.

Luca is the good one in my life story. He might be an underboss, but he’s mine, and he loves me fiercely and without boundaries. He loves me with all of his heart and is the only man who could understand my few dark parts.

My morality changed the day my parents died, and that allowed me to love the dark parts of him as well because he’s opened my eyes to a world I refused to see. Life isn’t black and white, life isn’t even grey; it’s actually an entirely different, unidentifiable shade when you open your eyes and see past the standards that society sets.

Everything I’ve been taught about good and bad has been a lie. And Luca’s words finally make sense because, indeed, nothing is what it seems.

CHAPTER 38

Luca

I’m waiting for James in my office at our headquarters to finally discuss Camilla when Adriano steps inside. “Just in time. I’m expecting James soon.”

Taking a bite of his green apple, he chews hurriedly and displays a grin when he sees a picture frame on my desk and points to it. “How domestic of you,” he mocks and takes a seat across my desk.

“Fuck off.” I throw my pen at him, but he ducks quickly.

“How is she?”

“Great. We’ve established a comfortable routine, and I’m quite enjoying it. You should try settling down with one woman.”

He cocks his head. “Not going to happen.”

“Yeah, yeah. Wait until you find someone you want exclusively who you can’t function without. It’s an overwhelming sensation, and you just want to take care of her and protect her constantly. To have her waiting for me at home at the end of each night fills me with indescribable joy. She makes me receive happiness. She has allowed me to accept that our lives don’t always have to revolve around our work.” I pause and gaze at the picture on my desk of Fallon with her arms thrown around my neck. “Have you ever had that feeling?”

“No,” Adriano admits.

“E 'incredibile, amico mio.”
It’s amazing, my friend.

A knock announces James, and he passes Adriano to stand at the window, so I swivel in my chair to face him. “Finally ready to tell us?”

“What do you want to know?” He leans with one shoulder against the window and a hand in his pocket.

I disclose, “We saw you at Club 7. Well, leaving the club. What were you doing there?”

“Looking for Camilla.”

“Why are you, personally, looking for Camilla?” Adriano asks while chucking the fruit in the garbage can next to my desk.

James hesitates before answering. “It doesn’t leave this room,
Capito?
” Understood?

We both nod to confirm.

“She’s my daughter.”

My gaze cuts to Adriano, whose mouth is hanging open at the confession.

“Are you the person who so meticulously deleted her records?” Henry and I were baffled at the great lengths someone was going to for Camilla. Everything suddenly falls into place; only a man as powerful as James could’ve done that.

“Yes.”

“How long have you known?” I query.

“She’s the result of a one-night stand while I was already with Alessa, but I didn’t find out until a couple of years ago. I had to learn that I had a daughter who was working in Sal’s depraved sex club.” James’ tone rises. “Do you realize how much that hurt me? My own flesh and blood was selling her body while I have more money than I could ever spend. Through an associate, I eventually got her out and to our headquarters, hoping that I could tell her one day after we’d bonded, but I didn’t get a chance because you two let her go.”

“If you’d have told us, we would’ve handled things differently,” I counter.

“Well, it’s done now, and I can’t change the past. And you almost had her! I need you to find her again for me because she’s creating a mess, and I will not allow my daughter to roam this world alone anymore,” he orders to me and then points to Adriano. “And you stay the fuck away from her. I couldn’t say anything before when you were screwing my daughter under my own roof, but I swear to god, I’ll cut off your balls if you touch her again.”

Adriano holds up both palms, still in utter shock at the revelation.

“Adriano has a better chance of finding her than I do,” I suggest.

James inhales a deep breath. “Fine, but you don’t touch her!”

I laugh and James shoots me a stern look, so I hold up my palms too.

“Just find her!” Then he marches out.

Adriano discovers his voice again. “What the fuck!”

“I’d find her quickly if I were you. I’m going home to my girl.” Rising, I slap his shoulder as I pass by him. “Good luck. Let me know if you need me.”

EPILOGUE

Luca

Do we have a perfect life? No. There are always moments when she needs to distance herself from me after I come back from business, moments when her conscience plagues her. But her love always prevails.

Fallon never asked about the Syndicate or any specifics of my job, but I did brief her on the necessities to keep her safe without scaring her away with too much information. Her quiet persona is back to having a calming effect on me. She is back to being my solace – I don’t drink anymore, even after a rough day. All I need is her waiting for me, preferably in bed.

I’ve reduced the out-of-state business trips significantly, after consulting with James of course, who accepted us easily when he saw how much I relied on her. How much her happiness affected me. And that’s resulted in me being back to my old self, which pleases James.

Business is good, and we don’t need to expand any more. Drug routes are completely set up all over Chicago, and everything around us finally settled down after the previous year of chaos and disorder, giving me more time to spend with Fallon.

The first few weeks after she moved in were blissful. We were both content to be back together, and I treasured how devoted she became to me. How every ounce of devotion I showed her in the past was returned to me. She learned to always have her phone with her and to always answer when I called or else I’d worry. We had dinner together every night. A simple act that satisfied my restless soul. She finally stopped complaining about taking my money, so I set up two accounts for her. One in America and one offshore account in case anything ever happens to me. I explained how she could access the offshore account, which is filled with more money than she would ever be able to spend, because I don’t want her to ever worry about monetary problems.

Her resilience and determination to move forward makes me respect and love her even more. We sold her apartment, since Teagan isn’t moving back to the States anytime soon. And she’s still applying for jobs, which is unnecessary because I have enough money for both of us, but I understand and support her need to work, so I suggested that she try volunteering for now. She started working at the community center two days a week, talking with other rape victims and even helping them financially, which isn’t what my money was intended for, but as long as it makes her happy, I’m fine with however she decides to spend it. And she spends it by paying for professional therapy for some of the victims. She sends them to Sylvia Lenter, her own therapist.

She’s still taking yoga classes and learning more Italian. Little by little, her love of reading has returned, but these days, her favorite pastime is watching that paranormal TV show while devouring a piece of cake. I’ve arranged for different fresh pastries to be delivered to our home every morning, and every day, she’s exultant to see what the pastry chef has made for her. I – in turn – am pleased that she stopped with the no-carb diet and is just enjoying her food since she has the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I’ve ever met.

We now work out together because I do expect her to stay strong. You never know what kind of situations we could end up in, so I’ve also enrolled her in self-defense classes, which makes her feel more empowered. I never want her to feel powerless again.

However, she’s still not bearing my name, and I need to make her mine officially. Since our penthouse is still filled with dozens of unopened moving boxes that are full of books, I’ve decided to surprise her and have had a crew working for hours while she’s at the community center. I’ve taken care of every detail, with the help of my assistant at Security Simplicity, because I know Fallon better than anyone. She isn’t the kind of woman who has to plan everything herself, and she adores to be surprised, so I’m positive this will end up the way I want it to. But for the first time ever, I’m nervous while I wait for her to return. The elevator doors open, and she’s startled that I’m home before she is.

“Hey!” She closes the distance quickly and greets me with a long kiss.

“Dolcezza.”
Sweetheart. Placing my hands on either side of her head, I inhale Fallon’s familiar sweet scent and immediately calm down. Her touch soothes all the tension from my body, and only her touch grants me the peace to just
be
. “Come with me.” Tugging her to the extra bedroom that isn’t used, I open the door for her.

Her hands fly to her mouth as she takes in the space. The walls are freshly painted a bright, clean white, and there are now white bookshelves running up to the ceiling on the left wall with a sliding library ladder. The right wall is decorated with huge, white bookcase letters spelling ‘dolcezza’. At the floor-to-ceiling windows, there’s a newly-built white wooden reading bench with soft, cream cushions and pillows. I chose white for her library because the bookcases in her old apartment were that color. White is serene, calm, and clean; just like her. 

Swiveling around, she excitedly jumps into my arms. “Luca, this is amazing! How did you do this?”

“Well, a lot of people worked very hard and very fast today.” Holding her up by her ass, I walk us around the room, and one of her hands hooks around my neck while the other traces the books on the shelves.