Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Micah
The sunlight filtering through the hotel's gauzy curtains stirs me awake. My hand reaches across the silk sheets, seeking her warmth before my eyes even open.
Empty .
The space beside me is cold, like she was never there at all.
I sit up, the sheet pooling at my waist, and scan the quiet pristine room.
I can tell from the stillness in the place and that cold silence in the air that the beautiful angel I had in my bed is gone.
Fuck. I’m my own worst enemy for falling asleep.
I glance at my watch and see it’s past midday. She could have left hours ago.
But what did I expect?
It was a one-night stand. We both knew that.
While that wasn’t my first, I was her first, but I’m sure she knew the drill.
No awkward morning-after conversation, no exchange of numbers we'll never use, no more contact. Leaving made things simple, uncomplicated.
Leaving was also for the best. It was clear she’s not from my world. A world filled with darkness and danger.
I’m about to become the head of a powerful crime family in the Sicilian mafia.
I have no business dragging an angel like her into my world, so having a one-night stand with her has to be enough.
I just didn’t want her to leave. The universe must have a real twisted sense of humor.
Here I am, needing to find a wife, and I meet this woman I can’t have.
She was the only woman to interest me in years, and I don't even know her name.
I drag my hand down my face as the ghost of her touch lingers on my skin. The memory alone makes my blood run hot.
I shake my head free of her image and try to compose my thoughts, but it’s not happening.
Maybe it’s because she’s not the kind of girl you just forget.
I swivel around so my feet touch the ground and I gaze out at the city through the windows.
Where is she now?
Is she still here at the hotel?
If she is… I could find her.
God. I’m so fucked.
Now’s not the time to be chasing women. Aside from the whole wife thing, I have a hacker on my hands. That’s’ dangerous business.
I had my fun last night. Now I have to get my act together and put my mind back in business mode.
The first thing I should do is check in with my men to see if anything happened with the chip. I also need to speak to Jaxon, then contact Brahm.
I need to speak to Jaxon because we’re signing contracts on another million-dollar business deal tomorrow. Then I need to speak to Brahm about the hacking and the leadership.
I know he’s going to decline it, but I need to ask the question anyhow. He’d make a good underboss.
Lorenzo would, too, but Brahm and I have always clicked. That’s what you need when you’re running an empire—men who understand you. Essentially when you work as a unit, because should anything happen to you, they’d have to take the lead.
I stand feeling proud of myself for focusing until I see a little business card peeking out from under the bed.
I crouch to pick it up, and from the moment I look at it, I know it couldn’t have been in the room when I got here.
This room is always in pristine condition when I stay here; nothing is ever out of place.
The card has a Cinderella glass slipper in the center and it’s for the Ever After Agency based in Denver. It’s a cleaning company.
I smile to myself when I realize my bellezza must have dropped it in here.
Of course, I don’t know what capacity she knows the Ever after Agency. She could own it, work for it, or know someone who works there.
Chances are this card could have nothing to do with who she is. People give me their business cards all the time.
Regardless, I already know I’m going to check it out even though I know I should leave her alone.
Maybe I just want closure on last night. Or maybe I just want to fuck her again and have a repeat of last night.
She got her closure when she left me in that bed. She also knows I’m here, but I don’t know where she is.
It’s crazy, and I’m crazy for thinking that she still feels like mine. I know she’s not, but to me she is.
So, if I knew her name, there’s no way in hell I wouldn’t try to find her. Even if I just did that and nothing more.
A knock sounds at the door, pulling my attention away from my devious plans.
I open the closet and grab a pair of joggers, then I put them on and answer the door.
My spirits lift when I see Brahm standing in the hallway, his head cocked and arms folded over his chest exuding his usual badassary vibes.
Because he looks similar to me, people who don’t know us always mistake us for brothers. We’re close enough that we never correct them.
“Is this a social or business visit?” I grin back at him, stepping aside so he can come in.
“Both, and before you ask, nothing’s happened with the hacker yet. The men are still watching the vault.” He keeps his gaze trained on me as he walks in.
“I hope we can wrap this up this weekend.”
“Me too.”
“Thought you left last night.” I smirk, leading him over to the sofa area. We sit, and he takes off his jacket.
“I wanted to catch up with you, but you looked busy playing bartender.”
I take it from that comment and the easy grin on his face he saw me with my mystery woman. “She was beautiful. I couldn’t help myself.”
He shakes his head at me and smiles. “Is she still here?”
“Sadly, no.” I genuinely mean that.
Brahm looks surprised. “Wow. She must have been something else if you’re sad.”
“She was. Possibly perfect for my last week of freedom.”
“Jesus. Does that mean your father bitched at you about marriage again?”
“Let’s have a drink.” I get up and grab a bottle of scotch. I’m not usually a fan of drinking so early in the day, but I need something to take the edge off.
I grab two glasses, pour us each a drink, and hand him his glass. Brahm takes a long swig like it’s refreshing water then sets the glass back down.
I take a swig, too, and enjoy the burn in the back of my throat.
“So, what’s going on?” he eyes me curiously.
“I have a week to find a woman I want to marry. If I don’t, my father will practically force me to marry Eloise.”
His eyes snap wide. “Are you serious?”
“As fuck.”
“That’s fucking ridiculous. You can’t let him do that to you.” He sits straighter and levels me a hard stare.
“ Let ?” I raise my brows and shake my head. “Brahm, really? You know I never let anybody do shit to me. He’s pulling the power card. He’s threatening to give control to your father, Antonio, and Gio if I fight him. So, I’d take the lead on the mafia, but that’s it.”
“That’s one hell of a bullshit threat.”
“Tell me about it. I guess I can understand where he’s coming from because I’ve had time to find a wife. I just haven’t utilized it.”
“Is that because of Eloise?”
I raise my shoulders in a lazy shrug and bite the inside of my lips. “I’m more careful now. I don’t think I can be blamed for not wanting to be with a woman who fucks around and embarrasses me. It would be bad enough if I did that.” Most of the men in our circle, with the exceptions of my father and our uncle Antonio, cheat as much as they breathe air.
I don’t cheat. I don’t need to. I’d rather not be tied down to a woman I’d disappoint or hurt than cheat on her. Maybe that’s what my problem is and why I’ve taken so long to find a wife. I expect the same standards I live by from whomever I’m with, and I haven’t found anyone I can trust like that.
“What are you going to do? Do you have names?”
“Not yet. I’ve decided to think about it Monday.”
“I’d be fucking pissed if I were you.”
I get the feeling no one would trap Brahm in such trickery because there’s nothing he wants for himself. I, on the other hand, want the empire.
I almost envy him. A man who wants nothing is nearly invincible. Add in the fact that he’s a psycho, and you get a man who practically has no fears.
“I am pissed, cousin. But I’ll find a way to work this to my advantage. Somehow, someway. No offence to your father and our uncles, but I’m not letting them take the lead.”
Brahm flicks his palms over. “No offence taken. You know me better than that.”
“Yeah, I do know you. Which brings me to the question I’m sure you know I’m gonna ask.” I stare back at him meaningfully, remembering our younger years when we used to talk about this very day.
Brahm is the eldest cousin. Older than me by two years. I was always going to take the lead because my father is the eldest Delarosa brother.
I always felt that Brahm was a leader, the same as me. But life changed him.
“No.” His voice holds regret—possibly the softest emotion I’ve seen in him since he came back from the dead. “My answer is no, so don’t ask me to be your underboss.”
I lean back against the soft leather, studying Brahm's face for some sign of wavering.
My cousin has always been harder to read than ancient Greek, but lately, he's been a fucking cipher. “Why? This would be perfect.”
He hunches forward, the Manhattan skyline glittering behind him in the sunlight. “It’s not perfect, Micah. I’m the wrong person for the job because I don’t want any part of it. Not like I used to. My focus is on other things. You need someone who can give you a hundred percent.”
The crystal tumbler feels cold against my palm, and I set it down. "I understand where your focus lies, but that doesn’t make you any less suitable.”
“I’m heading back to Boston as soon as I can.”
“Boston?” I clench my jaw.
“That’s where it started and where it has to end.”
Boston is where it all happened—the attack that killed his mother, sister, and grandmother on his mother’s side. It should have killed him, too.
They were in Boston for business while his father was in Italy. Masked men ambushed them while they slept. They tortured and slaughtered them, then set their manor on fire. No one was ever held accountable, and there was no trace to follow.
That happened a little over a year ago, but Brahm has only been back with us for the last six months. He was badly injured and kept himself hidden while he healed and tried to find out who killed his family.
The Delarosas have always been part of the Creed, but his side of the family have ties to the Enclave, a secret society no one wants to fuck with.
Brahm’s father, Mario, is the only Delarosa to join them, and it will stay that way.
That’s why my father is fine with threatening to give Mario the company, but he would never do that with the leadership of the family.
He doesn’t want the Enclave getting their hands on our ties to Sicily and European assets. More importantly, he doesn’t want us to be under their control.
I don’t know why, but I believe they had something to do with the attack on Brahm’s family. He’s never told me that, but I’m sure he believes it, too.
“I’m checking things out,” Brahm explains further, resting his hand on his knee. “Once I have a clear lead, I’m gone, and this time, I don’t think I’ll be coming back.”
A fucking suicide mission. “So, you came back from the dead to get yourself killed.”
“Obviously, that won’t be my intention, but I accept it could come to that. I will find out who killed my family, and they won’t get away with what they did.”
“Let me help you.”
“We’ll talk about that when the time comes. Right now, I’m telling you my plans so you can make other arrangements. Lorenzo would make a good underboss. So would Antonio.” It doesn’t escape that he doesn’t recommend his father or Gio.
“They’re not you. Please think about it. Can you at least do that?”
He sighs, and his eyes drops briefly to the carpet beneath our feet. When he looks back at me, I think I see the opening I was looking for. “I’ll think about it. But that’s all I can do right now.”
“I accept that.” I give him a curt nod. “It’s better than being told no.”
“I guess. In other news, what’s your take on the hacking situation? Did you speak to your father about it?”
“I did. Obviously, he’s not happy. Especially if one of our own is screwing us over.”
“It has to be one of our own. The hacker’s trail is too smooth, like they were told exactly what to look for. At this point, I’m not ruling anybody out.”
“Not even your father?” I raise my brows.
He presses his lips in displeasure. “Not even him.”
I don’t know what the hell is going on between Brahm and his father, but it’s not good. Their relationship broke down well before the attack in Boston.
“Everyone who was at the meeting last night except you, your father, and me has the single motive that the blueprints can bring them a fortune if they get their hands on it.”
I chuckle. “And how do I know it’s not you? Don’t you want a fortune?”
“I have enough. Money doesn’t make me happy.”
“Brahm Delarosa, you are one mysterious motherfucker.”
“So are you, Micah. You’re just better at hiding it.” he smirks and nods. I don’t argue because he’s right. “I’ll keep working on the hacker situation. It gives me something to do other than the boring as fuck work my father thinks will keep me occupied.”
They take care of the company security and finances, so I get it. That will be boring for someone like Brahm who likes being outdoors and getting his hands dirty.
“Thanks.”
My phone buzzes with a security alert in the corner of the room. I remember it being in my pants pocket. Brahm gets an alert at the same time.
We both look at each other before he grabs his phone.
“The chip’s been stolen,” he says, brows knitted as he looks at the home screen.
I rush toward the bed and get my phone as well. The alert is from Vincent, head of security, and he sent a video link.
“Let’s watch the footage.” I switch on the flat screen on the wall and air drop the link so Brahm and I can both watch it.
One click, and the footage fills my monitor with the security timestamp ticking in the corner. 12:15 PM. That was fifteen minutes ago.
The footage is from the internal system built into the suite. We anticipated that the hacker would have the main systems switched off.
My jaw locks as I watch a dainty figure dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt slip into the suite. Within two seconds, I know that’s not a man. It’s a woman, and while I can’t see her face, I can tell she’s nervous from the tremor in her hands.
She moves cautiously. A clear amateur.
When she turns and looks behind her, right into the camera, my stomach plummets, falling through the earth.
I stare back at her face in dumbfounded disbelief.
Those curvy lips. Those sultry green eyes. Those delicate fingers that touch her cheek.
Bellezza?
No way. It can’t be.
But it is.
What the fuck?
“Micah, isn’t that the girl you?—”
Brahm stops talking when I cut him a hard stare. I return my gaze back to the footage and watch her work her way toward my vault.
I lean closer, refusing to blink as she keys in the password on the panel on the wall and the vault opens.
Those delicate fingers that mapped my scars grab the chip, which then disappears into her pocket before she looks around in that nervous manner and ghosts back the way she came.
The next second sees her walking through the door—leaving.
I pause on the screen as if I can still see her in the grainy footage, and I think about what the fuck this all could mean.
Brahm joins me and I look at him.
“There’s no way that’s a coincidence.” He shakes his head.
“It is. She didn't know who I was.” She didn’t have a clue, and it was me who approached her. “Someone must have sent her in blind."
“That doesn’t make her any less guilty.”
“It doesn’t.”
“What are you going to do about her?”
I look back at the blank screen, realizing I now have a reason to go looking for the angel. That excites me more than it should given the fact that she just made an enemy out of me. “Leave her to me. I’ll deal with her personally.”