The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Caleb

I hammer on Elisa’s front door, impatient to speak with her. The door swings open a few seconds later. “Where’s the fucking fi—” Beatrice’s face pales as she cuts off mid-sentence when she sees me.

“Where is Elisa?” I ask, barging my way into the modern apartment the two girls share. Beatrice is from a good famiglia , and Alesso deemed her suitable to room with his daughter even if the girls aren’t overly friendly. They seem to cohabit easily, so it works. I know Serena didn’t want Elisa living alone in the city.

“She’s not here, Don Accardi,” she calls after me as I leave the open-plan living space for the hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

“I can fucking see that,” I holler after checking both rooms and the adjoining bathrooms and finding them empty. I storm back out to where she is still standing by the open doorway. “I need to find her. Immediately.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say.” She waves her hands around. “She wasn’t here when I got home from classes. She left a note saying she’d be back Sunday night.”

She must have gone home. Unless she is staying with friends, but it’s unlikely. Elisa is careful about her safety, not wanting to worry her parents. I should have called Serena or Lili’s bodyguard in the first place. “Never mind. I’ll find her myself.”

I am almost to the door when a guy with slicked-back jet-black hair steps into the apartment with a frown on his face.

“Who the fuck are you?” I ask, instantly reaching for my gun.

“I’m Sebastien,” he says as if it should mean something to me. “Elisa’s boyfriend,” he adds.

I blink profusely, staring at him as I consider the words. Lili has a boyfriend? “Since fucking when?” Removing my gun, I point it at his face willing him to give me a reason to use it.

His eyes pop wide as he holds up his hands. “Woah. There’s no need for that. I have no beef with you.”

“Answer the fucking question, asshole.” I stride right up and prod him in the chest with my gun. He is tall, but I’m taller by at least a couple of inches, and I’m definitely packing more muscle. A clean-shaven jaw, clear olive skin, and perfect hair point to immaculate grooming. He has Mediterranean looks, but he’s not Italian American, and he’s not mafioso . Raking my gaze over the rest of him, I note the preppy loafers, designer jeans, fitted sweater, and tan woolen coat with a modicum of disgust. An expensive watch is strapped to his wrist, and he’s carrying a black Berluti leather bag. He exudes money and arrogance and I instantly hate him.

“I go to NYU, and I met Elisa at the start of our senior year. I’ve been asking her out for months, but she finally said yes just before Christmas. We’ve been dating ever since.”

“Is that true?” I ask Beatrice while keeping my gun and my eyes trained on the preppy douche. Never trust a man who wears loafers and a tan coat.

“Yes, and I don’t think Elisa would appreciate you holding a gun on him.”

A muscle ticks in my jaw as I stare at the guy, and he stares back. He’s got balls, but he’s still not good enough for her.

Is this the kind of guy she wants? Because he is nothing like me.

Perhaps that’s the appeal.

Reluctantly, I lower my weapon and tuck it back in the waistband of my jeans.

The asshole has the nerve to glare at me. “Who are you?” he asks after a few beats of silent staring.

“None of your business.” I square up to him. “Hurt Elisa, and I’ll end you. That’s a promise, not a threat.”

His jaw tightens as he tersely nods.

I’m halfway to the door when he calls out after me. “You’re him, aren’t you? You’re the one who broke her heart.”

I flip him the bird as I stalk toward the door and exit the apartment thoroughly enraged.

Back in my car, I slam my hands down repeatedly on the wheel as frustration powers through me. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Images of that douche touching my Lili flit through my head to torture me, and I don’t like it. I’m close to racing back up there to pump his body full of bullets when an incoming call waylays me.

“What’s up?” I growl when I answer my stepdad’s call.

“I think I should be asking you that,” Leo says. “Who has your panties in a bunch?”

“Elisa’s boyfriend,” I grumble as I power up my car.

“I heard something about her dating.”

“Thanks for fucking telling me.”

“I didn’t think you two were talking.”

“We’re not, but that’s all on her. Is Mom there?” I ask, backing out of the parking space and speeding off. Tires screech on asphalt as I round the corner and drive up the ramp leading outside.

“She’s at the hospital, but she’ll be home later.”

“Ask her to find out the guy’s full name. I want to run a check on him.”

Leo chuckles. “Do you honestly think Alesso hasn’t already done one?”

“I want to get another check. I don’t trust him. Douche was wearing loafers, for fuck’s sake.”

Leo’s booming laugh trickles down the line. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you have a touch of the green-eyed monster.”

“Don’t be stupid. I’m watching out for her is all.”

“Sure, son.”

I exhale heavily. “Come on. Drop that shit. You know my stance.”

“Was Elisa’s sad face today anything to do with you?” he asks in a more serious tone.

“You’ve seen her recently?”

“She traveled with us this evening. Came home early for the weekend.”

I pull a sharp left to reroute my direction, already deciding to head to Greenwich.

It’s after eight by the time I reach the Greenwich estate. Mom beat me home, and she drags me inside to share a late dinner with her. She’s exhausted because she’s been pulling long shifts every day since the battle, and I don’t protest when she hits the sack early because it gives me time to hunt down Lili. It’s almost ten as I set out on foot toward the Salerno home.

I am passing the side of their garden when voices tickle my eardrums. It’s coming from the gazebo area at the back, which is a familiar hangout of Romeo’s and Rowan’s. Especially if they want to smoke dope or drink a few beers. I set out in that direction, my ears perking up at the sound of girlish laughter.

Elisa is with them.

I’m not sure why I do it, but I crouch down and duck between shrubs and trees as I creep up on the cozy structure. Cushioned benches rim the perimeter of the circular wooden structure on all sides, and a large circular coffee table resides in the center space. Patio heaters glow warmly, flickering shadows across three familiar faces. Overhead, string lights are hung haphazardly, and decorative wall art is affixed to the side panels. A couple of candles fight for space alongside copious bottles of beer and wine on the table as I crawl up alongside the gazebo, concealing myself behind a large shrub.

“You should do it, sis,” Romeo says, stretching his long legs out on his side of the seated area. “It’s time.” He passes a blunt to his sister, and I’m shocked when she drags on it with expertise. This isn’t the first time she’s smoked, and that is news to me.

“I feel like I’ve waited this long I shouldn’t rush to make the decision now.”

“Don’t overthink it, Lise,” Rowan says, rolling onto his stomach. Elisa’s head is on her brother’s lap, and her feet are at Rowan’s head. He tickles the soles of her feet, and she giggles as she reaches for the wine bottle. “You get too up in your head sometimes, cuz. Just go with the flow when you’re next making out with Seb and see where it leads.”

I stuff a fist in my mouth as I contemplate intervening. But I’ve more to glean from eavesdropping, so I stay quiet.

“I want to, but every time it’s getting close, I can’t stop thinking about…he who shall not be named, and it ruins the mood.”

“I should have punched his lights out years ago,” Romeo says in an angry tone.

“Caleb is cool,” Rowan says, taking the blunt from Elisa.

“Hey!” Lili sits up and glares at him. “No saying his name out loud. You agreed!”

Wow, things have really sunk to new lows. I rub at the tightness spreading across my chest.

Elisa is slurring her words a little, and I wonder how much she’s had to drink.

“He’s not cool,” Romeo hisses. “He’s a fucking prick and an idiot. What sane man would pick whores and skanks over my beautiful sister?”

A man who knows he’s not worthy of said beautiful sister.

I’m aware Romeo is wary of me, but he’s usually not so vocal. He’s a sensitive soul and fiercely loyal to his sister. Something I admire—when he’s not throwing shade my way.

“I love you, Romeo.” Elisa turns around to hug her brother. “You’re the best brother ever.”

“He doesn’t choose them over Lise,” Rowan says, leaning on his side. He takes another pull on the blunt before passing it back to Romeo. Elisa swigs greedily from the bottle of wine, and I frown. This isn’t like her at all. “He uses them to distract himself from her.”

What the fuck? Is Rowan Mazzone psychoanalyzing me? And could he be fucking right?

No.

He’s wrong.

I’m not interested in relationships, but sex is important. I’m a horny fucker with a healthy libido, and I regularly quench my thirst.

Who I fuck and why I fuck them has nothing to do with Lili.

“Do you really think that?” Lili asks in between mouthfuls of wine. She’s going to have some hangover tomorrow.

“Yes, I do. The thing is Caleb doesn’t even realize it. He’s hellbent on avoiding relationships because his feelings scare him. It’s why he won’t confront his feelings for you.”

I’m getting schooled by an eighteen-year-old.

Awesome.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Elisa says. “I am officially done with him, and you’re right. It’s stupid to continue holding on to my virginity. Even if he begged me to have sex, I wouldn’t give it up to him. It was a stupid fantasy I’ve been clinging to for far too long. It’s time to let that dream go.”