Chapter 16 Anna
ANNA
Ishould have known Barcelo wouldn’t have died without leaving a legacy of family vendetta behind.
It’s not their way, our way, or anyone’s in a crime family.
Massimo and Sophia were right to be so overprotective.
Maybe I should have taken their advice and gone underground, moved in and out of the Roselli family networks as they wanted, my identity wiped.
Who knows, maybe I’d be living a new life with no ties to a crime family at all right now.
But doing that would mean I wouldn’t be able to call, talk to, or see my sister or any of my future nieces and nephews. Not their births, their baptisms, birthdays, or anything at all.
My chest tightens with heartache, regret, and resolve.
As the eldest sister of the Cassones my father’s decisions, while he was alive and right before he died will haunt me and Sophia until the ends of our lives.
But I made my decision, and no matter the consequences, I’m not taking it back.
My sister, her family, her children, they are all that matter to me.
Always groomed as the daughter who would marry a member of another family and secure the Cassone place in the crime world, I accepted that obligation without any resentment often felt by others in modern times, but not me, because it was my duty as first-born daughter.
No matter it was made easier by Barcelo convincing me that he loved me, and like Mamma I thought I had found my happily ever after in a family corrupted by sin.
Besides wanting the territory and power that would come with marrying me, and of course having me be the incubator for his future son, Barcelo Gallini wanted nothing else.
The devilish bastard is probably still laughing from his grave that I ever thought he loved me.
But no matter the past, what I wanted, he wanted, Papa wanted, one thing that I know for sure is that after learning what Barcelo really wanted, all I wanted was to run, and now, from his brothers, his cousins, and all of his allies, no matter who they are.
Addie doesn’t push me to say things I don’t want to say. She’s quiet the entire rest of the trip, until we’re about thirty minutes away from the DeLuca Casino and Hotel. “You okay?”
My heart races with fear but remorse for putting her in danger. “I’m so sorry, Addie. I never meant to get you involved in something like this, a war that’s been going on for so long between the families and that you should never be dragged into at all.”
She hugs me tight as the driver pulls up in front of the DeLuca Casino and Hotel.
“Listen to me. None of this is your fault. Actually, now that I’ve had a little time to think, the safest place you could be is here.
Right here, where an enemy of the Gallinis has no idea that you’re here and the Gallinis wouldn’t think to look for you.
They will never look for you here. They’ll assume you’re still at Massimo and Sophia’s estate.
They’ll never get through there and you can bet your ass the minute they landed stateside Massimo Roselli found out about it. ”
I let out a huge exhale. “When Massimo finds out, he’ll have the soldiers bring me back from your house to his. And then every…”
Addie puts a hand on each of my shoulders. “Stop worrying, Anna. Let the protection of the families keep you safe. They are better at this than anyone I’ve ever known. Believe me, I’ve heard the stories. You have lived them, you know it’s true.”
Slowly my mind clears as the cloud of fear lifts. She’s right, maybe being out of town when they arrive is the best place that I could be. And who says they’re even stateside looking for me. Maybe they’re doing something else that has absolutely nothing to do with me at all.
Addie’s driver pulls up to the entrance and a valet opens my door before I’ve had a chance to text Mr. D that I’ve arrived. Addie grabs my hand and ushers me into the casino giving the doorman a nod as she walks hurriedly past him into the protection of the DeLuca property.
I’m half out of breath by the time she stops moving through the reception and casino area, intent on getting to one place.
Addie turns to me as we reach the high rolling table, well as high rolling as it gets down here on the main floor.
I think everyone knows the real stakes money is played up top.
No way down for anyone who loses and doesn’t plan on paying their debts, if they’re due.
She urges me to take a seat with her at the bar and begins texting. “I’m going to see if Valentina can hang out with you until your man meets you. I have to take a quick call, and I need to do it in private, for a client.” She needs say no more. Addie takes her job very seriously.
“I’ll be fine without anyone. I was just going to text Mr. D.”
Addie smiles. “I sent Valentina a text anyway. You don’t move from this area until one of us join you, okay?
” She looks around again and lowers her voice, leaning in so only I can hear.
“These men have guards with them, soldiers are surrounding the tables, you’ll be fine here.
” Her phone buzzes again and she grimaces.
“Go,” I tell her, immediately messaging Mr. D to let him know where I am as she leaves to find a confidential area to take a call.
I’ve barely been waiting five minutes when Mr. D appears.
I would know that dark hair and those dark eyes with or without a mask no matter what.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous now that the masks are off, but there’s something so much more dangerous about this now that we’re both completely without disguises.
He places a hand beneath my hair and kisses my forehead, inhaling my scent. “Princessa, you look and smell amazing. I’ve been thinking about nothing but you all week.” His phone buzzes, and he looks down at it in frustration. “Excuse me for just a moment. I’ll be right back.”
He walks away to deal with his message, but someone at the end of the bar not that far away stands and puts out a hand. “Vincenzo DeLuca,” he bellows. “So good to see you.”
My chest tightens and my heart begins to race with unprecedented fear.
Mr. D … how could I be so fucking stupid.
A fucking DeLuca. The one who owed the Rosellis and carried me out that night.
Of course he knows what I look like and who I am.
I swallow past my unease. He doesn’t look over to see if I’m watching but the shift in his jaw is undeniable. He knows I heard his name.
My heart beats faster, with instincts drilled into me since my youth taking over.
There is no such thing as coincidence with crime families.
I watch as he walks to a recessed part of the club and makes a call.
I scan the casino, looking past all the bright lights, loud machines and glitz, using all the observation skills we were taught, the guns not noticeable unless you know the exact little bulge under the suit jacket you’re looking for, or for some, the undeniable tattoos of one affiliate or another, and all of these men, they are screaming DeLuca.
As they should, and just moments ago, when I didn’t know Mr. D was the boss of the DeLuca family, the very same one who rescued me, I felt safe.
Only because I didn’t think they knew who I was.
But he has to know exactly who I am. Has probably known from the very first time he saw me.
Now I just need to learn more because him not knowing who I am doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
I see Valentina looking this way and that for me over the crowd.
I slide off the chair and should make my way towards her, to safety.
But I’m not sure who to fucking trust now.
I’m drawn to the dark-suited silhouette in the recessed corner with his back to me.
To answers about questions that won’t stop racing through my mind.
Valentina doesn’t see me and heads in the opposite direction, giving me an opportunity to inch my way closer to the man who may want to do anything but protect me.
My name on his lips as I get close causes me to stop. Self-preservation instincts kick in, causing me to press my back to the wall, seemingly just waiting for someone in the restroom while giving me the advantage of watching his soldiers and listening to his call.
Spying on him and eavesdropping on conversations is not the way to start out a relationship, if you can call this thing we have one of those, but neither is lying about who you are.
“Anna’s at the high rollers’ bar. She’s surrounded by my soldiers; they won’t have their eyes off her for a minute.”
My soldiers…
“How far out are you? Soon, we’re going to have every crime family in the state involved in this shit. Nobody wants to turn down a billion-dollar reward for turning her over to a Gallini. They’re all going to know I have her as soon as they follow you here.”
He pauses briefly, while my heart almost pounds right out of my chest.
“Good. In the meantime, she’s secure and ready for you to pick her up.” He pauses for another brief moment. “Yeah, we can talk about payback when you get here.”
My mouth goes dry, and I find it hard to breathe, but I have to get away.
Before I can really decide what to do my feet start moving.
Never stay in one place, never look the same, never go to the same place twice.
All of the Cassone soldiers’ instructions race through my mind as my feet find their stride and I quicken my step while I try to blend in and not look like I’m in a hurry at all.
I weave in and out of the crowd, sliding behind first one slot machine, then another, making my way to the mall area outside of the casino quickly hoping Vincenzo hasn’t yet put his soldiers on my tail.
I duck into a small tourist shop and grab a hat, a sundress, and a pair of flat white leather sandals and pay for them, shoving them into my purse before making my way back the same way I came.
This time, knowing that I’m walking toward trouble, intentionally.
Vincenzo DeLuca is like an adonis with his dark hair, dark eyes, black suit and gold jewelry.
The double-crossing asshole. I’ve heard the stories about why he rescued me.
He had no choice since Massimo found out his family was involved in one of Massimo Roselli’s product mishaps.
And now he’s going to sell me for a billion fucking dollars.
I inhale deeply, smile, and wave as he catches my eyes. Two can play this deceitful little game.
His posture immediately relaxes. Yeah, that’s what almost losing a billion dollars looks like fuck face. I point to the ladies’ room and hold up a one finger gesture.
He nods, and I don’t miss the soft shake of his head to his soldiers before he leans against the wall.
I just hope that none of his soldiers saw me buy those clothes.
But I was pretty quick and discreet. I honestly don’t think he realized I was gone right away.
Probably too fucking busy talking and imagining the money he’s going to make by handing me over.
The minute I’m in the bathroom stall, I shimmy out of my dress, replacing it with my sundress, unstrap my sexy heels and replace them with the flat sandals, and then wrap my hair tight, tying it in a bun before placing the hat on my head.
I lift the back of the toilet and toss my old clothes and shoes into the tank, hoping it gives me time before they learn I’ve changed looks.
Here goes nothing. I text Vincenzo DeLuca, aka Mr. fucking D.
Message: Any chance you could find Valentina? I have a little unexpected female problem. Send her into the restroom, please?
I hit the send button and crack the bathroom door, watching as he reads the note and then begins scanning the area for Valentina as I walk out of the restroom and head toward the front entrance of the casino, trying to be as casual and nonchalant as I can.
My hands are trembling by the time I make it outside. I call Addie while searching for a cab, one that isn’t full or doesn’t have a line at the curb.
The minute she picks up I begin to ramble. “Listen closely. Mr. D is Vincenzo DeLuca. I overheard him telling the Gallinis where I am. He’s going to sell me for a billion dollars. I’m out on the street. Can you call your service?”
She gasps. “Fuck, Anna. Vincenzo DeLuca is not a good man. He is notorious and when I say notorious, I don’t mean it in a good way. That man has more deaths on his hands than anyone around. Stay out of sight. I just sent a message to my driver.”
I slide behind one of the large pillars of the massive building with half an eye looking for a vacant car and half looking out for the enemy.
“He may have saved you but only because your family gave him a rival’s mercy and he owed your family a debt.
But now, there’s only the knowledge that you’re alive, and another family is willing to pay over a billion dollars for your head.
Dead or alive, Anna. Are you listening to me?
You need to get out of there, and fast.”
“How far out is your car?” I ask, trying to hold the cell steady as my hand visibly shakes.
“Soon, Anna, soon. Shit, they see me. I won’t meet you at the car. No messages. They’re heading my way. They’ll take my phone. When we hang up, I’m hitting the reset to factory settings button.”
“Addie, I’m so sorry.”
“Go dark and silent. My driver will take you to that beach. You know the one.”
She disconnects and my head spins. The familiarity, even though I never saw his face or even bothered to look him up. Still it’s a DeLuca club. How could I be so stupid. A tear runs down my face. Am I always going to be at the mercy of another rival?
A familiar looking black SUV pulls up. Still my heart’s beating so fast I can barely breathe. A man gets out and I walk toward him. “Who are you here to pick up?” I ask quietly.
“Anna?”
“Last name?” I ask.
He looks down at his phone. “Sorry, I wasn’t given a last name.”
Smart, Addie, smart. “Thank you,” I say, getting into the car and trying to get my pulse to calm as the driver walks to the front. Just as I see a group of DeLuca soldiers racing out the door.
Drive, drive, drive.
As if hearing my silent pleas, the driver pulls away from the curb, and the clicking of the locks on either side of me causes my insides to chill. Never, not once has Addie’s driver locked the doors. I slide a finger over my cell. No cell service.
I swallow through my fear, trying to find the words to ask a question, but the minute we pass the exit to the beach house, my worst fears are confirmed. “You’re not my driving service, are you?”
Keep reading Vincenzo and Anna’s story: Find out what happens next in Revenge of Sin, the explosive next book in this deliciously dark, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, arranged marriage, mafia romance.