“I won’t be telling Salerno shit. He still hates my guts,” Caleb says, winking as we pass a group of women gawking at us with their mouths hanging open. We’re recognizable in the city. A consequence of having our faces plastered on billboards for years. Caleb is as notorious for his partying and his womanizing, but I like to think I’ve avoided being tarnished with that particular brush. “Ladies.” Caleb grins and salutes them, and they legit swoon.
I barely resist an eyeroll. “He doesn’t hate your guts. He doesn’t want you around Anais. They are two totally different things.”
“She’s in Vegas. Has been for years, yet he still hasn’t thawed.”
I level him with a look as we move aside to let a woman with a stroller through. “Don’t insult my intelligence, brother. I know you still fuck her when she’s in the city.”
“I can’t help it. I’ll never want to not drive a stake through that fucker’s heart.”
“I hate him as much as you do, but I still wish you’d cut all ties with her. She’s poison, Caleb, and I don’t trust her not to try and stick her claws in you permanently.”
He barks out a laugh as we approach the entrance to the wine bar. “I know how to handle Mrs. DiPietro. No claws are being stuck anywhere in this body by any bitch. Trust me on that.”
“So poetic,” I tease as we push open the door and enter the rustic bar. Several eyeballs swing our way as we stand just inside the door, scanning the crowded room for Gia and Elisa. We stand out in our designer suits, and our tall, broad frames and similar looks always draw attention.
“There. In the back.” Caleb jerks his head toward the far corner where the girls are tucked into a circular booth.
A waitress moves toward us, holding two menus and sporting wide doe eyes. “We’re not staying,” I tell her, barely making eye contact as we walk across the space. I’m checking the room, looking for signs of anyone who doesn’t fit in but it’s mostly women in here, chatting over wine and sharing plates. The few men in attendance don’t warrant a second glance. I breathe a little easier knowing that but not much.
Gia’s head lifts when we’re a few feet away, and her lips pull into a grimace. Elisa has her back to us, so I don’t notice she’s crying until we stop at the table.
“Lili.” Panic underscores Caleb’s tone. “What’s wrong?” He slides into the booth beside her while I sit on the other side beside our troublesome informant.
“For fuck’s sake,” Gia hisses. “That asshole didn’t have to call you.” She spits fire from her eyes, and it makes her look evenmore beautiful. She’s only wearing jeans and an off-the-shoulder sweater with minimal make up, but she’s the sexiest woman in the room by a mile. Gia doesn’t even have to try. It just comes natural to her.
“Thatassholeis an experienced made man who deserves your respect.” I keep my voice low. “He’s ensuring your safety and under strict instructions to call me if you pull any bullshit.” I clear my throat and pin her with a dark look. “Hence why I’m here.”
“This doesn’t involve you, and I took precautions.” She flings her hair over her shoulders, and a blast of perfume tickles my nostrils. “I’m not being followed, and I requested this table so I have a full view of everyone coming in and out of the place.” She pulls her bag onto her lap. “I wore a wig leaving my building, and I’ll put it back on returning.”
“I can’t believe you’d risk your best friend like this,” I say, looking across the table where Caleb and Elisa appear to be exchanging heated words. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and her face is all blotchy. “It’s too dangerous, and she’s not equipped to fend off any attack. This was reckless and selfish.”
“Fuck you, Joshua. She needed me, and I won’t let her down. I would never risk my friend. Why the fuck do you think I met her in such a public place? In Manhattan? Liam is in Boston today, and he hasn’t got anyone tailing me, so chill the fuck out. You’re overreacting.”
“I’m your boss,” I remind her, trying not to focus on where our thighs meet under the table. “And I’m not overreacting. Grab your things. We’re leaving.”
“Like fuck we are.”
“Gigi, it’s okay.” Elisa slides her hand across the table. “I shouldn’t have called you.”
I shoot daggers into the side of Gia’s face.
“Fuck off, Joshua.” Gia stabs her finger into my upper arm. “She called me on my personal cell not the burner.” Gia eyeballs Caleb, her gaze lowering momentarily to his arm circled around Elisa’s shoulders. “You need to take him out and get him laid because I’m liable to stab him if he keeps busting my balls when it’s completely unnecessary.”
Caleb arches a brow, but he’s too concerned with Elisa to give me shit. I didn’t tell him I blew Elizabeth off Saturday night. I had zero interest in fucking her after I left Gia’s apartment. The only redhead on my mind all night was the spitfire currently sitting beside me.
“This is my fault,” Elisa says, fixing pleading eyes on me. “I promise I won’t call her again if you let this pass.”
“Don’t make promises like that!” Gia links her fingers in Elisa’s. “I want you to call me.” The women share a loaded look and Caleb is as tense as a brick. He’s always been overprotective of his Lili.
“I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“She won’t,” Caleb butts in, squeezing Elisa’s upper arm. “You can’t meet up, but it’s safe to call her if you need to.”
I count to ten in my head. It’s either that or shoot him. “Take Elisa to her apartment.”
“Call me later,” Gia says as Elisa retracts her hand. “We’re not done discussing this.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. Tears well in her eyes. “I love you.”
