Chapter 8 Anna
ANNA
The minute we’re on the highway Addie hits a button that puts the privacy glass down between the driver’s and passenger seats. She pulls a pair of earbuds from her purse. “Put these in and don’t listen to a damn word I say.”
I do as she’s asked and she messes with her phone until some classical music fills my ears.
Seriously, Addie and her classical music.
I look over at my friend and roll my eyes, but she’s in full blown lawyer mode right now.
I busy myself with thoughts of earlier, and of Mr. D, lost in memories until Addie taps me on the shoulder nearly causing me to jump out of my skin.
I pull the earbuds out and give her a scowl.
“I was in the middle of a very nice memory.”
She sits back in her seat with a big smile on her face.
“So, did you have fun? Tell me where you went? I was seriously looking for you all over the place. The only reason I wasn’t worried right out of my fucking mind was that Valentina said you were safe with a personal friend of hers and that you seemed to be enjoying your night. ”
I turn to my friend, settling into the luxurious leather for the ride back home. “It was a great night. I really needed something like that. It was so exhilarating, exciting but dangerous, you know?”
Addie gives me wide eyes. “No, I do not know because you haven’t given me any of the important details. Like whom you were with, what you did? Valentina could not tell me anything about the guy except that she approves.” She makes the air quotes with her fingers. “House rules.”
“I refuse to say another word on the grounds that I may incriminate myself. But I did have an amazing time.”
“Hmm ... so it’s going to be like that.” She sits back dramatically in her seat. “Well then I’m not going to tell you that as I was leaving, I met this other sinful man who wanted me to stay and play with him.” I gasp. “Addie, seriously?”
Addie opens her mouth. “What, you want all my details, and you want to stay locked like a vault?” She twists her fingers in front of her lips. “Nope, you don’t tell, I don’t tell.”
Friendships like ours don’t change over the years, no matter how old we get. I relent. “Fine. I met a guy, and he was fantastic, more than fantastic. Not pushy, but what’s the word I’m looking for, authoritative maybe? In control, even while making sure I was comfortable if that makes sense.”
Addie nods her approval. “I swear, the clubs I’ve been to like this that’s the vibe.
The men are so respectful of space, of consent of rules.
You go to a dance club in the city, and the guys think you’re there to be mauled like a piece of meat.
I’ll take the structure of a club like X Club anytime.
In fact, I’m going back next Friday. I would have stayed with him tonight if I didn’t get that call.
Sorry, sweetie but you would have had the hotel room all to yourself. ”
My eyes widen. “You don’t usually go for the same guy twice.”
She smiles. “Yeah, you don’t need to tell me about my commitment issues.
Not the same guy. And before you give me those disapproving eyes, it’s just sex.
Besides, it’s just good sex. A great way to blow off steam.
Anyway, I’ve got a big litigation case this week.
I’m second chair and it’s an important one so I can’t go back until the weekend.
Sorry about tonight. Documents I need to go over tonight based on some new info. ”
Yeah, she doesn’t have to tell me how important the cases and clients of her family’s law firm are.
They defend the big names, the ones who pay the salaries of most of the city’s elite whether most people know it or not.
Money funneled through accounts to clean the green and pour it into anything they want.
“I’m sure you’ll need to blow off a little steam after this trial is over. ”
Addie nods and opens a side panel, pulling a cocktail bar forward.
She pours a glass of wine and hands it to me then pours herself one.
“Might as well relax and enjoy the ride.” She takes a long sip of wine.
“This week is going to be a hellacious shit show in the courtroom, and I am definitely going to need a little R and R next weekend. Let me know if you want to go back because I’m definitely heading back to that club. ”
Massimo knows she stays at her parents’ mansion during big cases, so she doesn’t have to drive from the suburbs to the city every day and he’s not against me keeping her company.
At least when she’s at their estate where he has soldiers guarding the family anyway.
“Let me think about it, it may be fun. It’s not like Massimo and Sophia would know the difference.
As long as we meet the car down the block again.
Obviously, it worked this time, or I’d have his soldiers hounding our ass. ”
She rolls her eyes. “My brother will love hiding us in the back seat again. Dad asked me last week again if you’ve considered coming to work with us.
Your background in numbers, the general ledgers, how they’re kept and moved around.
You would make work on our end so much easier, and it’s for the defense not prosecution of the families. ”
I know, she’s offered a gazillion times but there’s something that doesn’t sit quite right about giving over family secrets and strategies passed down by the family for generations no matter the reason, but especially for money.
No matter that Massimo thought it would be fine.
Clearly because I could run everything going on through him.
I’m not stupid. “I’m still deciding. Massimo has offered me a job too.
I just need a little more time looking at all the options. ”
She nods. “Probably even better that you can do something with his family, honestly. You can work from the house, and he and your sister can continue to keep you protected.”
My eyes narrow at my very tricky friend.
“I know what you’re doing. But I am so tired of being protected.
Tonight was the first night I’ve been able to breathe.
I need to get out of that house more often.
I can’t live my life like I’m a prisoner, no matter what Massimo and his brothers say.
The Gallinis think I’m dead. Barcelo is dead. What’s the worry?”
“As long as you’re careful. These men have long fucking memories. They don’t just go away but it does sound like the worst of the crew is in Italy and they think you’re dead. As long as nothing changes, hopefully with time you’ll be safe.”
“I know. There’s a balance somewhere between feeling safe and a prisoner in my own home. Anyone ever tell you that being a lawyer makes you suck at sugar coating things?”
Addie laughs. “Sorry, comes with the job. I hate to be the one to say it, but it’s your life.
You get to call the shots. I know what a force the Roselli brothers can be but if you feel like a prisoner that’s no life either.
Seriously, we’re sneaking around like teenagers not the grown-ass women that we are. ”
Addie’s not telling me anything I don’t already know.
“At some point I’ll deal with it, right now part of it is making sure Sophia knows I’m okay and that she’s not scared half to death again.
What happened was really hard on her too.
It’s a huge fucking betrayal when your father is the one at fault.
He could have prevented the entire thing. ”
Addie takes a long sip of her wine. “Ever the big sister. Well, I know from personal experience that your sister can handle herself just fine. You have to take care of you now.”
“You’re not wrong. Tonight helped. More than you know.”
She gives me wide eyes. “Well, I would know a hell of a lot more if you would spill all the details. Drink some more wine and tell me everything.