Chapter 8
After settling in, I check on my brother.
All the walls in the office were glass, so no one could ever hide from doing anything.
I used to think it was part of the office’s aesthetic, but I’m sure it’s a security thing.
As I approached his office, which was the only secluded one located away from everyone else, I saw Emilio standing there with one hand in his pocket as he spoke to Luca.
This would be the first time I saw him since throwing myself at him.
A reminder of the embarrassment was making me sick to my stomach.
My brother sees me approaching and nods to Emilio to open my door.
As Emilio turned around, I felt my cheeks get red, and I began to get goosebumps while he looked as calm as ever.
I didn’t mind not seeing him since the shame of my actions stained me.
Now face to face, I felt like I was wearing the scarlet letter.
“Bethany,” he smiled and winked at me as he opened the glass door.
He has always greeted me by saying my name but never winked.
Emilio barely ever paid me attention. Walking past him, I avoid looking in his direction.
I approach my brother, seated on a chair beside a sofa.
Like all the offices here, the middle of his office had a conversation area with sofas and a coffee table in the center.
“Sit B,” Luca said.
As I did so, I could feel Emilio’s eyes on me even though he was behind me. It was completely distracting.
“How was New York?” I asked.
“Fire the developer I have for the project out in the Land Ends.”
Confused, “What? Why?”
Luca was creating an area within Chicago that was like its own city.
It was expected to generate 90% of the city’s revenue.
It was strategically placed in the first part of Chicago my brother owned when it was a dump.
No one wanted to be in that area back then, but now it’s one of the city’s wealthiest areas.
“I’m signing on someone new,” Luca replied.
“Who? You already had the best developer on it.”
“Aria Cassariano.”
The name Cassariano caused my brain to malfunction for a moment. “You hired a Cassariano?”
“Soak it in, get upset, and then get over it.” Luca didn’t even seem phased.
“Get over it?!” I couldn’t help but raise my voice as I got to my feet. “They are responsible for Marco’s death, and you want me to get over it?!”
The name Cassariano was not welcomed in Chicago for several reasons.
One is that they were responsible for Marco’s death.
I never understood why Luca didn’t obliterate that entire family.
Lorenzo Cassariano was the king of New York but didn’t stand a chance going against my brother.
The Cassarianos have ties to the Baricelli Family, which was a sticky situation.
Domenico Baricelli was head of the Family, succeeding his father, Vincenzo.
Domenico gave the city of Chicago to Luca as a thank-you gift—as to what he was being thanked for, only select people knew, and two of them were in this room with me.
Luca was loyal to Domenico, so when he was asked to put the whole ordeal behind him, he did.
“It’s an opportunity to get some insight on what’s going on in New York and what they have up their sleeve.”
“Are you fucking kidding me, Luca?!” I reply, speaking through my teeth. “Just a few weeks ago, you freaked out on me for going out with my boyfriend on the anniversary of Marco’s death, but you… you want a Cassariano in this city working under your roof, and I’m just supposed to be okay with it??”
“Once I know what they are up to, Aria will be out of here. But for now, we play nice.”
“Wait til Mother, Rita, and Isabella hear about this,” I pout.
“They will only hear about it if you tell them.”
“You don’t think they will find out on their own?” I was annoyed.
“Let them. By the time they do, I’m sure she’ll be gone.”
I was pretty sure Luca was lying, but who am I to argue with his plan? “Fine.”
“You’ll make sure she settles into the office. Try and get to know her. Be friends.”
“Right,” I shake my head in disbelief. “Is there a crash course on how to friend a rival into being your bestie?”
“This is a curveball for everyone,” Luca replied. “Just do your best. Tell Emilio immediately if anything sounds odd or there’s odd behavior.”
In the heat of the discussion, I forgot Emilio was in the room. Now, I stiffen at the sound of his name. I can barely make eye contact when he walks into sight and I feel like I’m on fire.
“Are you okay, B?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I reply to Luca.
“You’re beet red.”
“Am I?”
“Why don’t you go lay down for a second? Emilio, make sure to make that call we talked about.” Luca was dismissing us.
“Will do,” Emilio replied.
As we headed toward the door, I stopped short to avoid colliding with Emilio, who reached for the door to open it. I just wanted to get out of here, but Emilio walked beside me as I made my way to my office.
“You didn’t tell Luca?” I asked, avoiding contact as I looked straight ahead.
“Of course not. You’d be locked in the basement til someone found your corpse.”
I tried to laugh, but the truth wasn’t funny. “Did you need something from me?”
“Wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay.”
“On me?” I question. “Usually, that’s Alfie’s job.”
“Last time we saw each other, I was close to fucking your brains out on my car. Just want to make sure there were no mixed or conflicting thoughts.”
I was stunned that he said it as loudly as he did in an open area. “What conflicting thoughts could I possibly have?” My body temperate rose to the point of making me actually sweat.
Sensing I was uncomfortable, Emilio chuckled, “Relax.”
I blurt out, “I am relaxed.”
“I can tell.”
A tight smile crosses my face, “What happened was inappropriate. I was out of line.”
“I agree. I would have liked to be taken out to dinner first. I’m not that kind of man, you know.”
Not wanting to appear as though I couldn’t handle a joke, I had to play something back. “You strike me as someone who puts out on a first date. Figured I’d skip the dinner part.”
“No hard feelings?”
“No,” I reply.
“Good.” A smirk crossed his face. He winked and went on his way.
I inhale the last bit of his scent before he walks off.
Hard feelings? It’s more like sexual desires.
I wish I had the guts to cross that line with Emilio without remorse, but I knew that wasn’t possible.
Not having him, I was hoping wouldn’t become an obsession.
To think I’d be able to get Emilio Pugliese was laughable.
What could Emilio, the infamous Consigliere of Chicago’s mob boss, possible have to offer anyway?
The imaginative thoughts I had of him became so vivid in my mind. It shook me to the core.