Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
A lejandro
In a world where you’re forced to pretend, to lose yourself in becoming someone you no longer recognize in the mirror, you lose track of time. One day turns into a week, then a month. Then six. When years begin to pass, you don’t bother to think about how much time you’d lost for fear of breaking down.
Most undercover agents while facing danger and discovery as an enemy every day didn’t succumb to flushing out of an assignment. It was usually about time lost, floating in a never-ending vacuum that continually sucked up your energy, your drive, and your hope of returning to your old life.
I’d tested as high as the scoring system allowed on mental stability. I’d been pushed time and time again on fears of loneliness and my inability to cope with being removed from my family. Either I’d been a fucked-up individual or I’d lied my way through the interviews and subsequent weeks of training.
Either way, I knew I was fucked up now. I must be considering I was already thinking about Carmella and her son as being my family. Hearing the crap she’d spouted off about Matheas and his threats had almost driven me to hunting the man down and murdering him in cold blood. Father or no father. I couldn’t do that. I’d be carved into pieces myself.
That didn’t mean I couldn’t find ways of making him suffer.
That’s how strongly I already felt about our union. I wasn’t foolish enough to think I had any real feelings for Carmella. That wasn’t possible or even allowed in my position, but the aspect of full domination was right up the alley of men working in syndicates. I’d seen the narcissistic and possessive behavior in two dozen men who believed women should bend to their will.
I’d laughed at them, poking fun at any given chance. Now I was one of them.
“We’re almost there,” Gio said from behind us.
“Any issue with the decoy?” I scanned the area, constantly on edge. While I was certain we weren’t being followed, the plan enacted would only buy so much time.
“None so far. They haven’t seen anyone following them. Should I bring them in?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. I have a gut feeling that I need to follow through with my intention.” Could they be deadly to the soldiers I’d selected for the task? Sadly, yes, but I wasn’t allowed to care. “The invitations were handled successfully?”
Invitations to a select number of guests who would continue joining in the festivities. Another thing I couldn’t give a shit about.
“They were. I have confirmation the families arrived without incident.”
Carmella leaned back, her entire body tensing like before. “My son. I need to see my son. You promised.”
Gio was noticeably uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Banderas,” he told her. “He’s with your stepmother and sister.”
“You’re not lying to me?” she pushed.
Gio threw me a slightly exasperated look. He was well aware he was now required to follow her orders as well. To a point. I’d yet to explain the rules to her and hadn’t planned on doing so tonight. Karma night intervene, requiring me to spoil whatever festive time we had left.
“No, ma’am. I wouldn’t lie to you. The boss would cut out my tongue.”
I chuckled slightly. The truth is I would if I deemed it necessary.
“What invitations?” she asked me.
“A change in the reception venue. I assure you both your father and my employer are keenly aware of why the alternate location was necessary.”
“Does that mean we’ll be sitting ducks?”
“That means we’ll be in one of the most well-protected areas in or around the small town. I do know what I’m doing, Carmella.”
“I know. Trust you. So you keep telling me.”
Every time she was defiant, I wanted to drag her over my knees, spanking her like a bad little girl. It was a strange yearning that had kept me awake a couple of nights. It all seemed to boil down to the dominating, carnal needs that didn’t make any good sense to the romantic I’d once been.
She was none too thrilled about the change, but from what I’d heard, she hadn’t wanted to be a part of the wedding planning process. Instead, she’d insisted on returning to her home in White Plains. What she didn’t know or hadn’t mentioned was that someone had been keeping an eye on both her and her son the entire time.
I’d driven down on one occasion, hoping I’d learn more about the life she’d chosen. What I’d found had brought me to a nightmare of reflection. White Plains was similar to the area I’d grown up in. Large enough, but with a quaint feeling, which was totally removed from New York City and surrounding boroughs.
At least semi-stalking her under the guise of protection had forced me to realize having the three of us living at the penthouse condo wasn’t going to work. I’d already started looking for homes, but every step of the way had been hindered by memories.
When several quick turns were made, the driver slowing down, she leaned forward as much as possible to try to determine where we were.
“Port Jefferson,” she repeated the name on the beautifully decorated white and gold sign leading into the marina area.
“Quaint. Personal service. Right on the water. A newly reopened restaurant that’s received rave reviews. I thought you might prefer the location to the fancy resort in the city your father had insisted on.”
Finally, something I’d done seemed to surprise her. Well, almost as much as fucking her in the church.
She shifted her body, tipping her head in my direction. “Danford’s.”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“From a memory.”
“Please don’t tell me you were married here.”
“I wasn’t married, Alejandro. I spent three long, abusive years with a man who didn’t love me. Not a good memory. And you’re right. I prefer this to the pomp and circumstance of the glorious hotel my father had selected, but what about the guests?”
“Well, I won’t lie to you that not everyone in the church was invited to the reception. Security wouldn’t be possible. But the select few who were are also staying here. We have the entire hotel for a few days.”
I was rewarded with a smile.
There were several buildings in the complex that allowed for an entirely different level of security. Between the two syndicates, soldiers would not only remain surrounding the building twenty-four hours a day, they would also walk the common areas near the harbor as well as interact with the harbor master and the Coast Guard to ensure no unwanted guests arrived via seaward vessel.
The suite I’d chosen was perfect for us, the time spent allowing us to get to know each other in relative peace and quiet. At least after the guests left after brunch in the morning.
She managed to relax to a point as Gio and the others jumped out, double-checking the area before escorting us to the private elevator.
“We’ll be down in one hour. Check with Bronco and Drago on the reception. Have them make certain guests are well entertained.”
He grinned for the first time in hours. “Yes, boss. Enjoy.”
The suite had two oversized rooms and a large bathroom. With the private balcony being situated on the corner, no other guests had a view of anyone relaxing on the space. The view itself was spectacular, the water seemingly under our feet, boats of various sizes seemingly only yards away.
The private elevator was a nice touch and had sold me on the location. I’d paid a pretty penny to toss guests from their reserved rooms, locking down the entire facility for several days, but in my mind, it was worth it.
What I’d forced myself to face in addition to dealing with my past was that I was also attempting to impress both Dons. It was something I would have laughed at only months before, but here I was, vying for position of Don if something should happen to one of them. Not being blood no longer meant anything in the world of mobsters. There had been too many deaths, betrayals, and barren years for the Cosa Nostra to continue with the old practices.
That didn’t mean garnering respect wouldn’t be a difficult battle. My position as the new Underboss had placed a different target on my back. I’d need to toe the line carefully between being a savage and a diplomat.
I’d learned it wasn’t as easy as everyone believed.
Carmella stepped off the elevator first, uncertain what to expect. I’d been given a brief tour, knowing the accommodations weren’t considered five star to either Don, but that’s not what I was going for. With coastal views, I’d wanted the rooms to reflect the atmosphere.
The sun was finally dipping to the point of twilight, a few splashes of remaining sun coming into the bank of bay windows. A dining room table with thick, high-back wicker chairs fronted the incredible scene.
There was a small kitchenette, a comfortable living room with a gas-burning fireplace, and two exits out onto the balcony. Everything was in coastal colors of light blue, yellow, and cream.
My new bride was laughing as she walked into the center of the room. “Beautiful.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
I immediately locked the elevator, heading into the bedroom and bathroom to double-check that we didn’t have any visitors. Our suitcases had been brought from the other hotel, safely secured in the room. Purchases I’d made for her had been placed on the bed. After looking in the closet, I started to return to the living room area, finding her perched against the door with her arms crossed and her head resting on the door jamb.
“Are you expecting company?” she asked, almost purring the question.
“I was double checking the security.”
“Mmm… You’re always on guard.”
“A requirement.”
“Did you really think the church was being cased out?” She laughed slightly, truly not understanding the potential for danger.
“I think there’s nothing wrong with being overly careful.”
“If you say so. It’s also awfully boring. But I will admit your taste in hotels is quite impressive.” She noticed the items on the bed and frowned. “What did you buy?”
“A few things to make our stay more comfortable.”
“Gabriel isn’t staying with us. Is he?” Her tone was almost accusatory. As if I’d lied to her.
I thought about her question as I had when planning the alternative scenario. “We’re going to be under watchful eye for weeks, months. You already know that. We’re the role models for this alliance and will be scrutinized by everyone involved and those who think they have a right to be. We’ll be photographed and barraged with questions when we go out anywhere. Even while inside whatever home we choose, there’s always a risk if we walk outside whatever action we take will be photographed and end up in the morning news. I thought having a few days of talking, eating, sleeping. Fucking. Completely alone. Would be a good idea.”
Her lips pursed at first and she looked away as soon as a heated flush swept up from under the crimson sweater. “You seem to understand the life and requirements more than I do. I don’t want to be separated from Gabriel for very long. He’s not used to being away from me.”
“Understood. We aren’t that far away should anything happen.”
“You promised me it wouldn’t.”
So I had. However, reassuring her wouldn’t make anything easier.
“I’ll make us a drink. Why don’t you take a few minutes with the packages?”
She half laughed, even rolling her eyes. “I don’t know who you are or who you think you are, but we both know what this arrangement is all about. You don’t need to ply me with romantic gestures. We aren’t likely to be friends and we’ll only be lovers for the family, friends, and in front of the cameras you were mentioning.”
I walked closer, taking my time in doing so. When I stood inches away, she pulled away from the door jamb, no longer comfortable in the position or by being around me.
The moment I lifted my arm, she flinched and jerked her head away. The reaction had been instinctive, an action of cause and effect because of Derek. I’d never been immune to thoughts and acts of rage before, but around her, feeling anger was instinctive and reactive.
So were the evil, vile thoughts I had about putting Derek through as much torment as he’d done to her. I continued the action, curling my fingers. She was watching every move I made, finally exhaling and shifting her head back to center.
I gently brushed my knuckles across her jaw. For all her defiance, all her attempts at living normally, she was trapped in a world made by her father. There was little difference in the two of us, only I’d been trapped in a world of my own making, from a need to crush the hatred and fury I’d felt for God, every doctor, and mankind in general. Maybe now because of ambition.
Her slight moan was the only indication my reaction was well received. But I refused to push her, determined to provide her with some space.
Maybe one day I’d manage to say I’d kept a decent part of the man I’d once been. One could always hope. However, she needed to understand what we were up against and what would be required was entirely different than what she was talking about.
“I’m not plying you with anything, Carmella. You will learn very quickly that I don’t play games. I’m also running a multimillion-dollar operation while Don Santorelli continues to recuperate. Yes, we will be studied and pried apart if possible, which means we need to be close, more so than the typical couple. We need to be seen as a powerhouse that will never be toppled, not a glass house waiting for the first stone to be thrown. That will mean strict rules and for our ‘pretend’ romance to become very real.”
“What are you trying to say to me?”
“What I’m telling you, Carmella, is that everything about our marriage is going to be accurate. We will be man and wife in every aspect of the term. Including intimacy. Somehow, I don’t think we’ll have any issue with exploring our passion. Do you?”
As expected, she tilted her pretty head, providing all the heat and intensity I’d come to covet. “Just remember, that passion could have edges.”
“I wouldn’t anticipate anything less, but I assure you, I’m the kind of man who can handle it. In fact, I prefer a woman with verve and determination. Much more exciting.”
“Exciting,” she repeated. “Try abhorrent.”
“Tell yourself another lie. But I know the truth. Then again, so do you.”
I walked around her and into the other room without giving in to my desire to turn and stare into her pretty eyes.
My cock was already at full attention, pushing against my jeans. The reception might need to wait if only for a little while.
The thought finally brought a smile to my face.