Chapter 14 Anna
ANNA
Addie raps quickly on the guest room door before entering and whistles. Her bright green eyes dance with mischief. “You’re going to be turning heads tonight in that little number.”
My face breaks into a smile. “Thank you so much for having all the dresses sent over last night. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Well, you’ll never have to find out. I’m glad you picked this one.
” She glances down the red dress with the thigh high slit and fitted waist and then at the top.
“Last week you walked in looking like an angel in the golden gown, this week, you’re walking in looking like the mafia princess you are.
” She nods in approval. “And those heels. He’s going to want those strappy things wrapped around his neck all night long. ”
My blood races with anticipation. “I can barely wait to get there, Addie. I swear this entire week has seemed like a year.”
She gives me a wink. “It’s good to see you so happy. It won’t take me long to shower and get ready. I laid out my dress last night. And my own set of strappy heels.”
I smile. “You have more strappy heels and shoes than a shoe store.”
She shrugs. “So, I like shoes. And it’s not like I can wear a pair of strappy Jimmy Choos in the stuffy courtroom. So you see, I am forced into owning a multitude of shoes. Plain Janes and fancy, fancy.”
My hand goes in the air. “Save me the argument. We all know you always win! Besides you never look plain, just very professional and completely intimidating by day.”
Addie opens the door and looks back. “I’m looking forward to tonight too. After a week facing the toughest prosecutor in the land, I could use a few drinks and some stress relief of my own.”
“Yeah, but you showed him who’s boss, right?”
She laughs. “That I did, but I have to admit, this one wasn’t simple. Grab a drink downstairs when you’re ready. My parents are at a fundraiser and won’t be home until late. I’ll be down shortly.”
I walk downstairs and Andrew looks up. He lets out a playful whistle. “Anna Cassone, you are going to turn some heads tonight.”
My cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
He pours a glass of seltzer for himself. “Drink?” he asks.
“Sure, a glass of red wine please.”
He reaches into the wine refrigerator and pulls out a bottle, opens it, and pours a glass. “Probably need to let that breathe a little,” he says, but my nerves have gotten the best of me so I down the small glass in no time at all.
“Or not,” he says, nursing his water.
I gesture to his water. “Not drinking tonight?”
He laughs. “Well, first I need to smuggle two party going women into my car, get past a group of heavily armed soldiers, avoid the parents who may be coming home at any time tonight, and then and only then can I get ready to go out for myself on this particular Friday night.”
My cheeks heat. “Sorry I got you into this.”
He shrugs. “Apparently I owe the sister for some unrecalled transgression.”
I inhale a deep breath, trying unsuccessfully to get a handle on my nerves. “I could use another glass of wine.”
He laughs and fills the small glass barely at all this time. “Pace yourself or you’re going to be two sheets to the wind. No self-respecting dom will play if you’ve had past your limit.”
My eyes narrow. “Just how much do you know?”
He takes a sip of his seltzer water. “You’re going with my sister, it’s not hard to deduce. Besides, someone has to keep an eye out for my adventurous baby sister. I keep tabs, know things.”
I take a small sip of wine. Andrew looks up and whistles, causing me to turn toward the stairs and take in my friend’s beauty.
Her shoulder length copper red hair is pinned to the side and hangs in soft curls.
“Addie, you look stunning. You switched the dress you said you were going to wear last night. It’s gorgeous.
” I admire the mid-thigh length of silky black material wrapped around my friend like it was molded just for her.
“Those silver sandals and bag finish it off perfectly. Wow!”
She grins and spins. “That’s what I was hoping.” She turns to her brother. “I’ll text you when we get there and when we leave. Same as last time, you drop us a couple blocks away?”
He nods. “I’m ready whenever you two are ready to get smuggled out of here.”
The minute we’re in the back of the reserved limo and on our way to Atlantic City, my excitement blooms. We’re actually doing it. I’m going to see Mr. D again and the butterflies in my stomach will just not quit fluttering.
The driver doesn’t blink as we get out of one car and into his.
I’m sure with whatever Addie Dunlap is paying him, discretion comes with the bill.
The glass between us and the driver closes, leaving us in private as he makes his way toward the highway.
“You like this service? Same one we used last week?”
She raises an eyebrow. “We keep them on the payroll. Discreet, fast, and dependable. We need to get someone from one place to another without their own family transporting, this company, it’s who I call. Now no more questions.” Addie pulls the slide-out bar open. “A drink?”
“Water. I had drinks with Andrew while we were waiting for you to go from courtroom drab to high fashion in less than half an hour.”
Addie laughs, hands me a water, and pours herself a glass of wine. “Good decision. If he’s a good Dominant, he won’t play if you’ve overindulged.”
“Exactly what your brother told me.”
Did this man you’re meeting tell you where to meet him? It’s members only so I’m assuming he’s a member with privileges to bring a guest as a friend of Valentina’s.”
I shrug. “He didn’t say, I didn’t ask. Actually, it was kind of refreshing not to have to ask. Just to know, or at least assume, he’s got it all taken care of. Maybe it’s not very liberated of me, but right now, it’s the way I want to roll. At least to try it on for size.”
Addie nods but reaches for her purse and cell as it rings. “This is Addie.” She nods, listening, before her eyebrows knit. “I’ll text you shortly.” She disconnects and turns her attention back to me. “Do you know who Barcelo’s brother is?”
My blood begins to race. “Why?”
She’s in full on attorney mode now. “Answer the question, Anna.”
“Yes, but when Barcelo died, Bastian went back to Italy, with his cousins. They’re too far away to worry about.” At least that’s what I want to believe. “Who was that, and why the questions?”
She doesn’t mince words. “The client I’m working for, let’s just say he’s connected.
” I don’t answer because we play this hypothetical game all the time.
It’s not like I don’t see the local news or that I don’t see her face when the newscasters shove the microphone in her face for everyone to see exactly which crime family member she’s working for.
“Dad has certain precautions in place. He wants to know whenever any of this guy’s enemies change patterns, move or do anything that would give us new information. ”
My breathing comes faster. “And?”
“Bastian Gallini, a couple of his cousins, and a few others just landed at LaGuardia.”