“Fuck, Celeste. I’m so sorry you went through that. I had no idea. Have you figured out who did this to you?” She covers her mouth with tears starting to pool.
Bitch better hold those tears in because once they roll down her face, it’s going to make me a mess and I’m not ready to face those feelings yet.
“No, I didn’t have a chance to because after spending a couple days being monitored by the doctor, we were informed of my father’s death. I missed his fucking funeral, Blakely. I didn’t get to say goodbye.” Tears start to roll down my face as I think about the worst news of my life.
I haven’t been able to talk about it or even feel the full force of his death.
“I went to his funeral and wondered why you weren’t there and why it was so sudden. Now I understand your absence. Celeste, it wasn’t your fault. You had no idea. Plus, you were captured by the sons of a bitches. Blame them, not yourself.Your father loved you so much and has always been so proud of you.” She grabs my hand, squeezing it.
Nope, go back to being my crazy, psycho friend.
Don’t do it.
Ah, fuck her. My chest heaves with pain and sorrow. It’s almost unbearable.
“I know, but still. I didn’t get to be there because Bianca made sure of it. I don’t think he died the way she reported he did. Something in my gut says something else happened but I don’t have evidence of it yet. I will though and when I do, whoever was behind it will pay.” My hands begin to shake just thinking about it.
Her eyes travel down to my hands, realizing I’m two seconds from losing it. I want answers but more importantly, I want blood.
“What else has been going on? Why do you suddenly have a little girl living with you?” Blakely tries to change the subject to lighten the mood. I love her for that and I know I can trust her as much as I trust the boys.
So I tell her about the serial killer going around taking women and how the girls at the club have been so terrified and now Samantha disappeared and I didn’t want her little girl in the system. How I’m feeling guilty that I should have moved her sooner into a better apartment and protected her better. She drops her jaw when I tell her about taking over my father’s position and cutting everything from Bianca’s sticky fingers. Like me, Blakely has always hated step-mommy and pumped her fist in the air with the mention of me basically ruining her life.
“So, what are you going to do about this serial killer? Knowing you, you’re not going to leave it up to the police to find her.” Blakely eyes me suspiciously.
She knows me more than I know myself some days and it’skind of scary. I would be royally fucked if our friendship ever ended because she has so much information on my family and me, it’s scary. She built that trust, but she also knows that if she ever betrayed us, it would be the end for her.
“I have an idea or two, which brings me to needing you to help with Gabby. What better way to draw in the serial killer than getting captured by one.” I smirk as I examine my manicured nails.
“So purposely get yourself in a world of shit, not knowing what the outcome would be. Solid plan, crazy ass. Of course I’ll help with Gabby. Have you told Larson and Antonio about your plan? I can imagine them losing their shit.” She takes a sip of her wine as her eyebrows raise to the top of her forehead.
At least she’s not trying to talk me out of it. I’m actually shocked that she hasn’t asked to join, not that I would allow her.
“I’ll meet with them in the next couple days and unleash my master plan and of course, I know they’re going to add their two cents. I do need them, though, to pull this off. I did meet someone…” I could feel my cheeks burn when I start to bring up the hot-as-hell man that I can’t seem to keep my mind off, even though I need to break it off.
I tell her about Alaric and how we met, and how he makes me feel. That we had our first official date and how he asked me all the stupid little questions to get to know me. Of course, I don’t leave out the amazing sex we had afterwards. She rolls her eyes when I say that I have to cut things off now because his stupid-ass partner ran her mouth and he did nothing. Maybe now that he knows about my occupation, or one of them, he may feel the same and I can’t have my heart broken again.
“So you mean to tell me, you have a hot-as-fuck FBI agent who gave you the best sex of your life and you’re giving him updue to something his partner said? She sounds like a twat, fuck her.” She gawks at me.
My phone chimes, causing us to both look down at the screen with Alaric’s name glowing.
Alaric: Can you please just answer me and talk about what happened? You know I don’t give a shit what Monroe had to say. I need to see you.
Blakely’s eyebrows raise as she looks down at my phone and back at me. “See, he clearly doesn’t care. Stop ignoring the man and have hot-as-hell makeup sex with the best orgasm and flip off his partner. You were glowing when you talked about him and I haven’t seen you that way, even with the other losers you were with. Stop being a bitch! You never gave a shit about what others think. Don’t start that shit now.” She shoves my shoulder.
One thing she’s right about is he’s hot and we had a really good time together.
“He may not care about me owning a strip club, but he doesn’t know about how I'm the head of the Mafia. I’m a criminal, Blakely. I’ve killed people and it will happen again with no regrets. It would just end up causing us both pain. Why not just cut ties now and save us both time and energy?” I take a sip of my wine as I try to convince her along with myself.
It would be for the best. For him anyway, there’s too many risks to be intertwined in my world.
“Because in the short amount of time you grew close, feelings stirred up. That’s some soulmate shit and you don’t just let that go. Don’t tell him about your other occupation. As of now, it’s not his concern and you’re not on the most wanted list. Easy peasy.” She shrugs.
She has a point, but, how long can I keep up the facadebefore he figures it out? What would he do, arrest me? Cut ties or dig deeper into my family? The Italian Mafia is protected by the governor so I’m not fully worried about the law. Plus, they don’t mess with the Mafia as we control everything, but still.
I never thought I would have any type of an emotion for a man again. These feelings I have for him are strong and after the night we spent together, it’s like I'm addicted to his touch. My body longs for him and I can’t get this sensation to go away. I’m not sure that I truly want to. He’s a drug that I keep craving and going back for more, even if I know it could end up in shambles.
He’s interested in my favorite snack and things that I love. He never asked me what I do for work or if I have any hidden demons. He makes me feel important and longed for. This persona that he puts on, no doubt is true to his nature but I can tell he has demons buried deep, locked in a metal box that he wants to keep away from one's touch. A part of me wants to stroke that box, see if his soul is tainted like mine. If he found out the sins I have committed, would he stand by my side as we run my father’s empire above all others?
