Page 68 of Always Mine
It clicks now. Arty is Rizzo’s connect to the very lucrative media and entertainment industry—a world where there’s no shortage of money or a good party to appreciate Rizzo’s party favors. Simply put, Arty wheels and deals for Rizzo in more ways than one.
“Message received,” I say, holding out my hand to shake on it. He takes it, and I tighten my grip. “But just so you’re aware. No one touches what’s mine and gets away with it. Tell ‘your lawyer’ Sophia is off fucking limits.”
We remain in a silent standoff for what feels like an eternity, but it’s probably no more than thirty seconds. He nods once and drops my hand before motioning towards someone behind me. I turn to see a hefty unit of a man a similar height to his boss, but almost double the width, walking towards us with a groggy Arabella in tow, holding tight to one of his thick biceps.
“Luca!” She gasps when she sees him, falling into his arms. He scoops her up, and she wraps her arms around his neck, nuzzling into his shoulder. “It’s okay baby. I got you,” he murmurs.
AJ has joined us now. “Rizzo, this better be the fucking end of this. We had a deal, and you’ve got a lot more to lose if you double-cross me.”
A silent conversation passes between the two men, and Rizzo nods. “As long as your boy here doesn’t create any problems for my lawyer, we’ve got no problem.”
I grunt to acknowledge the request. I’m fucking done with this shit. I need to get home to Sophia.
Once we’re back outside, Luca bundles Arabella into an Uber to get her home safely, telling me we’ll talk later.
AJ walks with me towards my car. “Do you need a lift home, bro?” Just as the words leave my mouth, his car drives into view, his second in charge at the wheel like the day we met for brunch. Before he gets in, he claps me on the shoulder and gives me awarning look. “Marco, tread lightly with that Bartholomew fucker. He’s a slippery cunt, and he’s got it in for you, brother. You need to fly under the radar for a bit, yeah?”
“You know how to make someone disappear—you take care of him for me,” I half joke.
“Are you seriously asking me to start a motherfucking Mafia war, bro? He must be one hell of a connect for Rizzo for him to pull out all stops like that.”
I have no doubt he’s right, but I’m not about to waste any more time talking about that dickface. I’ve already turned to take the last few steps to my car when AJ calls out.
“You going to that fucking art thing my cousin is here for?” Just like that, we’ve switched gears, like being summonsed in the middle of the night is run-of-the-mill shit for him.
“Yeah, I’m going with Sophia, her brothers, and our friends.”
“See ya there, but don’t tell Chiara. I want to surprise her.”
Then he turns to walk away, but the niggling question about what Rizzo said with regards to Chiara leaves my mouth before I can stop it. “Hey! What did Rizzo mean about the Godfathers having plans for Chiara?”
Spinning back around and closing the distance between us, he steps right up into my personal space. His green eyes darken, and a dark, almost regret-filled look fills his face. “Absolutely nothing you need to worry about. Don’t utter a single fucking word about it to my cousin, either,” he says through gritted teeth. “I may think of you as family, but I won’t hesitate to cut out your tongue if you run your mouth about this. I’m handling it.”
“Fuck. Relax, bro. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss something. Her safety is in my hands, after all.”
“That’s right. Just focus on keeping her happy and out of harm’s way and we won’t have a problem.”
With that, he strides away to his waiting car. If my gut is right, Chiara might be in for more than one surprise.
I check my phone. There are multiple notifications from Avery. But I ignore them for now and open the only message that matters.
Kitten:
Hey, Marco-Boy, here’s a new pic for your shrine.
Staring back at me is a picture of Sophia wearing only my t-shirt, leaning against the headboard of my bed, the tight buds of her perfect breasts kissing the thin cotton and a seductive smile dancing on her lips.
I miss her already.
After these past few hellish hours, all I want to do is get home and bury myself in my own personal heaven.
I quickly text Sophia back. I’m sure she’ll be asleep. Even so, a warmth spreads through me at just the thought of her asleep in my bed. Waiting for me.
Me:
I see you’re already breaking bedroom commandment #1: “Thou shall not wear clothes to bed.” Do you know what happens to bad girls? They get punished. Hope you’re ready for me. Mx
Chapter forty-three
