“The kid’s an idiot,” I replied. “Casper was better.”
Luca laughed, “You’re the one who found out he was sexualizing her around Chicago, but now he’s better than this kid?”
“I also told you Gabe Appollo was a bad trade. You still don’t trust my gut?”
“Gabe was different. I had to. And I know you're upset about not being in the know, but trust me, it’s better that way.”
I didn’t argue or hold a grudge anymore over it. That night at the club, when he agreed to the terms of the Appollo brothers without my two cents, he insulted me. Maybe that’s why I gave in to Bethany’s advances. The morning Bethany was told who Alfie was, I just happened to be sneaking out at the exact same time and overheard it. I understood why Luca felt theneed to keep it a secret but to know he didn’t trust me with it pinched a nerve.
In private, Luca didn’t mind being more casual when we spoke to each other. Part of him wants to think we can be friends. After all, men like him don’t have any. They can’t. Part of me believes we are friends even though being his Consigliere will always come first. I respected Luca for several reasons. He clawed his way to the top without caring about anything or anyone. But he wasn’t able to get there without me. We were a team, and we held respect for each other and a lasting loyalty. Because of that, it killed me that I wanted Bethany, knowing each time I thought of her naked was an insult to Luca as a friend and as my boss.
“You never told me who pulled the trigger on him.”
I smirk, “And you never will.”
Luca didn’t know it was Giovanni Pancelli, from the Cassariano Family, who did it for several reasons. In this lifestyle, if someone gets in trouble with law enforcement and is put on the stand during trial, the less you know, the better. You can’t lie if you don’t know the truth. Luca would be livid if he found out who did the deed, but I knew he’d never push to find out. Giovanni owed me for convincing Luca to keep Aria in Chicago. I used that favor to save Bethany from the disastrous choice of a wedding. There was no regret in helping Bethany but it wasn’t like me to use a favor like that to help someone else.
“Have you heard from the blonde?” Luca asked. “How is Aria taking the raid?”
I furrowed my brows, “As any female would, but she’s hanging in there.”
“She is coming back?”
“I don’t think she should. You know she will be watched like a hawk. We don’t need law enforcement on us.”
We were secure in our city and had a few federal connections, but not enough to make me feel good about housing a Cassariano under watch.
“I don’t care,” Luca replied, “Get her here and find a way to keep her here.”
I huffed, “Give it to me straight, Luca. You have feelings for her?”
He didn’t have to say a word; I read it in his eyes when he turned to look at me. I simply nodded in acknowledgment. Great. Now I have something else to worry about.
How the hell is a Cassariano and a DeCarlo going to make it work?
Chapter 33
“So, tell us what happened when you left with Hamilton?” Natasha wanted all the details during our lunch date.
“He came to watch fireworks, got tossed off the boat, then drove him home,” I shrugged my shoulder. “He hasn’t stopped calling me since.”
Tiffany laughed, “Should I ask why he was tossed off the boat? Did your brother have another fit?”
I blushed. Unable to tell them the real reason, I just went along with what they just assumed.
“You know how Luca gets,” I smile as I look at my freshly painted nails. Pink really never went out of style for me.
Even though Emilio pushed him off the boat, Hamilton loved every moment. To be in the presence of Luca DeCarlo or any of his associates was the biggest flex aside from being the D.A.’s son.
“Okay, so he wants to see you again after that?” Natasha chimed in, “That’s a good sign!”
“Tash is right, B. I'm even impressed if Hamilton survived the first time meeting your brother and still wants to come around.”
I take a deep breath, “You’re both right. Maybe he’s worth looking into.”
But I didn’t want to look into Hamilton or anyone else. That would mean ending things with Emilio, and the thought of that upset me.
“Just one date,” Natasha encouraged.
