I collapse on top of her, fighting for breath. She puts one slick hand on my shoulder blade, the touch warm and intimate. The air cools us, sending a delightful shiver down my spine. I kiss her cheek, not even noticing that my verbal expression of love has gone unanswered.
I fall into her embrace, leaving myself attached until nature calls. I slide out of her slick heat, gripping my manhood gently as I head for the bathroom. After taking care of business, I return to bed to find Sofia nearly asleep.
Quietly, I ease the covers back and guide her into the safety of the blankets before lying down beside her. Scooping her into my arms, I hold her until I fall asleep.
CHAPTER 24
SOFIA
Everything happened so fast. I need to take a moment to allow the reality of my situation to sink in. Frankie’s words come back to me as if from a dream. He said he loved me. And I can’t return the sentiment.
I feel almost nauseous that I slept with him, although not because I didn’t enjoy it. I allowed myself to get carried away, to focus on the moment and forget all my plans. I’ve done a disservice to Danny, making love to the son of the man who killed him. I’ve also put my career in jeopardy. If anyone finds out that I slept with my key informant, I’ll be laughed out of the newsroom altogether.
I’m going to have to keep this night a secret from Mr. Harlan. I don’t even have a small article to put on his desk, and I’m no closer to finding proof of Francisco Corello’s culpability. I inhale deeply, willing my mind to calm down.
What’s done is done. I had sex, and I enjoyed it. Honestly, I might even do it again if the situation calls for it. But of course, that would all be pointless if Frankie finds out what I’m up to.
I wonder how hurt he’ll be, on a scale of one to ten. Most guys wouldn’t care. He got to home base, so there’s really no need to pretend anymore. But I know Frankie’s not like that. Not only does he care, but he loves me. Both his words and his actions made that clear.
I wish there were some alternate reality where Danny didn’t die, and I could fall in love with Frankie. He’s so sweet and attentive. There’s really nothing about him that I don’t like. If only he wasn’t the son of a mafia don. If only we were two journalism colleagues who were free to explore our feelings for each other. Then my heart might not feel so heavy.
After twenty minutes, I hear Frankie’s breathing level off. I realize that I’m in a perfect position to do some reconnaissance. The seduction was real. I didn’t plan to make love to Frankie or to spend the night. But since I’ve crossed that threshold, an amazing opportunity has presented itself. If I can manage to get up and get my clothes without waking Frankie, I can take advantage of my current position to learn more about the Corello family.
I’m here in the lion’s den, with one of the sleeping cubs. It’s late at night and the matriarch of the pack is already asleep. Frankie’s asleep, and I suspect Corello might have turned in as well. There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to go out and look for myself. Who knows what kind of information I could uncover with the whole house to myself.
I wait another ten minutes until I’m sure that Frankie is passed out. His arm rests above my chest in a tender embrace. I ease my way out slowly, lowering his elbow to the pillow beside me. Another moment and I’m free, standing naked beside the bed. I hunt for my dress and find it balled up on the floor. It takes me no time at all to tug the clothing down over my head and arrangeit comfortably. I locate my underwear but decide to ignore my shoes. Walking barefoot will be quieter, and I’m not planning on leaving the house. If something goes wrong and I have to abandon the footwear, that won’t be the biggest of my problems.
I escape into the hall where the lights are dim. There’s a little bit of moonlight coming in through a window at the very end. It paints nine white squares across the carpet. I hurry to the top of the stairs, straining my ears to pick up any sounds of life.
There is a humming coming from somewhere close by. I assume it’s part of the heating or cooling system within the house. I pause at the top of the stairs, waiting to discover anything else. I think I can hear voices, but they sound far away and very soft. Maybe it’s someone outside, maybe a guard or something patrolling the grounds.
That idea is a bit alarming. I’m sure there are guards because there were a number of cars outside. There’s also the gate we passed on the way through that proves this is some kind of fortress. I’ll be lucky if I can make it out to the street on foot, though hopefully it won’t come to that. I promise myself that if I don’t find anything actionable within a half hour, I’ll sneak back into Frankie’s room and go to sleep.
In the meantime, I have work to do.
I hug the wall as I descend the staircase, aware that there might be creaking sounds in the middle of the treads. I hit one particular board and wince as the sound ricochets throughout the staircase. At this rate, I’m not going to get very far before I’m found out. If those voices are coming from anywhere inside the building, that means someone else is awake.
I hold my breath, continuing my descent until I’m standing on the first floor. To my left, the living room is open. There’s only a small section of a wall separating me from the couches and the television. By now, I can see the blue light from the TV splashing across the room. I lower myself to my knees to avoid being spotted. I can’t tell how many people are up, but there are no other lights, so I’m guessing it’s a small party.
“So, what did you think of Frankie’s girlfriend?” a voice says. I search my memory banks for a match and finally realize that it belongs to Frankie’s uncle Gio. The man looks exactly like all the hitmen from the movies. I don’t trust him any further than I could throw him, and that’s saying a lot. I would break my back just trying to pick him up, much less launch him across the room.
“I like her,” another voice declares. That one is easy to identify—it’s Frankie’s father, Francisco Corello, the head of the family.
I’m glad to hear that he likes me, because that will make my job easier. I’m also glad to hear them talking as if there are no eavesdroppers. That means I didn’t give myself away even with the creaky step.
I’m not sure how to get past the living room without announcing my presence, so I stay where I am for another long moment. The two men continue talking, completely unaware of my presence.
“I hope it works out,” Gio says. “That kid deserves some happiness.”
“I noticed you made up an excuse to join us,” Francisco jokes.
“I had to,” Gio replies. “Did you think I was going to miss the opportunity to meet her?”
“Of course not,” Francisco agrees. “But let’s not overwhelm her right at the beginning.”
“She’s upstairs with our boy,” Gio observes.
“I know,” Francisco responds. “Don’t give him a hard time in the morning.”
