16. Angelo
16
ANGELO
I ’ve always been a deep sleeper. My mom used to say I slept the sleep of the dead. But for whatever reason, something feels off, and I reach out for Blake. When I only feel the empty bed beside me, my eyes pop open. She must’ve gone to the bathroom or went to get a drink. Or…
I sit up and rub my eyes. It’s barely five in the morning and I glance over to see the bathroom door widen open. Sliding out of bed, I pad over and look inside. Empty. Did she get up early and maybe go downstairs and make some coffee? I know she has trouble sleeping.
Deciding to go downstairs and check, I stop up short when I don’t see her in the living room or kitchen. “Blake?” I call. I’m about to go outside and see if she’s sitting on the back porch when I notice a piece of paper and pen laying on the kitchen island. With a frown, I walk over and swipe it up. And my heart immediately sinks like a brick in my chest.
Dear Angelo, I’m so sorry for leaving like this, but we both know it’s for the best.
“Like hell it is,” I grumble.
I promise you’ll be safe but, just in case, stay up here a few more days. Until I get things arranged and settled.
“What the fuck does that mean?” I wonder. Forcing myself to stay calm, I keep reading.
I never meant to drag you into this mess and this is where I should also apologize. But, the truth is, I’m not sorry. Thank you for the best week of my life. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Right?
She signed the bottom of the note with two X’s and the letter “B.”
And that’s it. That’s fucking it.
Throwing the note aside, I spin around and race out the front door. “Blake!” I yell. My eyes narrow when they land on the barn and I jog over and pull the door open. My car is gone.
“Fucking A,” I hiss. She stole my car and all I can do is shake my head. I can’t help but smile even though I’m seething. Christ, the woman has balls and I can’t help but admire her. At the same time, where the hell is she going and how is she planning to arrange and settle things?
My heart thumps harder and I clench my fists. She wouldn’t be stupid enough to confront Carmine Gallo by herself, would she? My little butterfly is fearless, but if she flies too closely to that man, she might get her wings burned.
I’m going to need to find her and make sure nothing bad happens.
“Dammit, Blake.” Hurrying back into the cabin, I get ready as quickly as possible. I have no idea what time she snuck out. Knowing her, she’s been on the road for hours, so she might beat me back to NYC. Although, maybe not. Just depends. Also, I’m flying and she’s driving, so I have that working for me.
It’s still damn early, but I call my brother, anyway.
“This better be good,” Miceli rumbles in a sleep-rough, very grumpy voice when he picks up.
“Blake is gone,” I say without preamble.
“Who?”
“Butterfly, Blake, the woman who I was up here at the cabin with. The one who kidnapped me.”
“She told you her real name?”
“Uh, yeah, but that’s not the point. She took off and I need to find her before one of those bounty hunters or, worse, assassins does.”
“Hold on.”
I hear him get up, murmur something to Alessia, and probably leave the bedroom to talk where it won’t disturb his wife.
“Okay,” Miceli says, yawning, returning back to the conversation. “I can’t imagine she’s gotten very far. Didn’t you fly up there?”
“Yeah, but she ran off at some point during the night and took my car. Knowing her, she’s probably almost back to the city by now.”
“It’s five o’clock in the morning, bro. How would you even know she’s gone unless you were either watching her sleep like a stalker or she was sharing a bed with you?”
I don’t say anything and a heavy silence looms over the line.
“Damn, Ang. You fucked your kidnapper, didn’t you?” He lets out a rough laugh. “Only you, bro.”
“It’s not like that,” I retort, instantly getting defensive.
“Oh? Then, please, enlighten me.”
“I like her…a lot. Maybe that’s crazy, but I don’t care.” My voice drops and I look down at the note she left. “She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met. I know I haven’t known her long, but this is the first woman I’ve felt a connection with and I’m not ready to let her go without a fight.”
More silence fills the line and it’s so long, I begin to wonder if the call got disconnected.
“Miceli?”
“I’m here. I’m just trying to absorb what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying I’ve developed feelings for Blake and I need to find her before the bad guys do. I’m scared she’s going to do something stupid—like risk herself for me.”
“Wow. What in the hell has happened over a few days? You’ve fallen in love?”
“I didn’t say that,” I snap, getting annoyed. “And look who’s talking. At least I didn’t force her to marry me after one night.”
“Touché,” Miceli responds, knowing I’m right. “Sorry, I couldn’t help teasing you because, well, it’s you. We never thought you’d settle down.”
“I never wanted to until I met Blake. I don’t know. There’s just something about her that’s…” My voice trails off, searching for the right word.
“Different. Yeah, I get it.”
“We grew close up here and I know I’m falling for her. She hasn’t had it easy in her life and doesn’t trust anyone. We need to find her, Miceli.” Hell, I can hear how frantic I’m starting to sound.
“We’ll get your girl back,” he assures me calmly. “You think she’s headed back here to the city?”
“Yeah, that’s my guess.”
“Okay, let me put a call in to Archer. Shit, I’m going to owe him big-time.”
“I’ll pay him back. I don’t care. I just need to find Blake and stop her from doing something stupid.”
“You think she’s going to try and track down Gallo?”
“Yeah, probably. Maybe. Hell, who knows? But if he’s the one who put our names on that Kill List, that’s probably where she’s going to start. Do we have any idea where Gallo lives?”
“Not sure, but I can find out.”
“Good. You do that and I’m jumping in my helo and heading back. If you hear anything, call me ASAP.”
“I will.”
“Thanks, Miceli. If anything happens to Blake—” I pull in a sharp breath, trying not to let my thoughts go to the worst case scenario.
“It won’t. We’ll make sure she’s safe. I’m going to bring Vin and Enzo in the loop, too, okay? I have a feeling we’re going to need all the help we can get regarding this Gallo character. Archer said he’s dangerous and it takes one to know one.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“Fly safe.”
We disconnect the call and I grab the note off the counter, stuff it into my duffel bag and head out. Stalking across the back lawn, it occurs to me that I’m glad Blake doesn’t know how to fly or I have no doubt that she would’ve helped herself to my helicopter.
Damn, she’s a force to be reckoned with and, the more I think about her, the clearer it’s becoming—I’m falling really hard. Harder than I ever thought possible. And, just like when I’m in the air flying, it’s an exhilarating feeling. But, while I feel confident piloting an aircraft, I do not feel that same confidence with Blake. With her, it’s scary and a little overwhelming. I’m unsure and I have no idea where she stands. After all, she did run out on me without a word.
“Damn,” I grumble, pulling myself up into the bird. What the hell am I going to do with that woman? Maybe I’m going to have to end up kidnapping her and handcuffing those slim wrists to my bed. Because I am not about to let her run away from me again. No fucking way.
First and most importantly, I need to track her pretty ass down. I can think about spanking those delicious curves later.
When I think over what we know, I realize it isn’t a lot and that worries me. Carmine Gallo is a new player in town and, according to Archer, he’s interested in becoming a member of the Five Families. But if he’s stirring up trouble, no one is going to approve or accept him into the alliance. In fact, I assume the exact opposite will happen and he’ll either be run out of town or the Five Families will make sure that his businesses are completely annihilated.
What can I say? We’re not a very welcoming organization. Especially when someone is trying to muscle in and stick their hands in the pot without having been invited. It’s not a good look and won’t receive a very warm welcome.
But if I have to go and place nice with Gallo then I will. Nothing is going to stop me from keeping Blake safe. If I have to lie, I will. Whatever Gallo wants to hear, I have no problem telling him. And, with my brothers backing me up, I know we can convince Gallo to renege his kill order.
Somehow this connects back to John Grady, the man Blake had originally intended to capture instead of me. God, what if things would’ve gone off as planned? Then I never would’ve met her. I would have simply finished my racquetball game with Carlotta, taken my shower and gone back home to my apartment just like I did every other week.
The idea of that happening—of how it almost did—leaves me feeling distraught. Not having Blake Serrano in my life is not an option. Not after I’ve kissed her, tasted her, fucked her over and over until she was screaming my name. I’m not giving her up.
I just need to figure out how to convince that stubborn, beautiful, magnificent woman to give me a chance. To give us a chance. Hell, knowing her, it isn’t going to be easy. She’s stubborn as hell and she’s going to have a thousand reasons why we shouldn’t be together. But, I’m ready to blow up every one of her reasons. To make her see that anything other than her in my arms, in my life, would be nothing but a tragedy.
The sooner Blake realizes we’re meant to be together, the better.
And the more I think about it, the more I realize it was fate that brought us together. What else could it be?
The rotors pick up speed above me and I double check my harness, pull my headset on and then reach for the controls. Falling in love isn’t something I planned on doing this week, but here we are and, despite my initial misgivings about love, it feels really damn good.
The helicopter lifts up into the bright blue sky and I check my instruments and turn toward New Jersey. Once I land and store my bird back in its hanger, I plan to talk to Miceli and find out where exactly Carmine Gallo lives and, hopefully, I beat Blake over to his place. I have no doubt that he’s going to be surrounded by enforcers and I don’t need my butterfly getting caught in the lion’s den.
Here we go, I think, flying the helo as fast as I can. It’s time to commence Operation: Save My Butterfly. Once I have her back in my arms, I’m going to kiss her senseless. Then I’m going to spank that naughty ass of hers for running away during the middle of the night and trying to take on this entire mess herself.
I should’ve cuffed her ass to the bed. I know she’s used to doing things on her own, but not anymore. She may not know it yet, but we’re a team now.
I pick up a little more speed, eyes on the horizon, knowing I’m getting closer to my girl. Because, yeah, she’s my girl and I’m not letting her go anytime soon. Hell, never, if I have anything to say about it.
Sorry, la mia farfalla, I think. You’re mine whether you like it or not.