Chapter 20
Catalina
Armando stood with me in the Kansas City International Airport as we waited for Camila to walk down the ramp toward baggage claim. I was practically bouncing with excitement to see my sister. It had been over two months since my wedding, and Camila would be starting classes the beginning of September. Her visit would only be for a few days, and I couldn’t wait.
As strangers passed by, I was self-conscious of the holster beneath my long skirt. I’d spent hours practicing removing the blade from the holster. Dario wanted me to wear the protection whenever I was away from the apartment. At first, I wore only the holster, trying to get used to the way it felt around my thigh. This was only the second week I’d actually inserted the five-inch blade into the sheath. Each step I took, the handle nudged my skin. Every time a stranger looked my way, I imagined they could see what I was concealing.
I spotted Miguel first.
He was a head taller than most of the other passengers with his graying hair and wide shoulders. Wearing his customary suit, he appeared as if he was traveling with his daughter. “There they are,” I said, running forward into the crowd like a fish swimming upstream.
My sister was wearing a chic short skirt and a button-down blouse that tied around her waist. The patent-leather ankle boots were the perfect touch. She looked fantastic. Even though she was five years younger than I was, we were similar in appearance. Same dark hair and same green eyes.
Camila and I both squealed in excitement as we came together, hugging one another and not caring that other passengers had to walk around us. I palmed her cheeks and looked into her green eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s so good to see you. I’m glad Papá finally agreed to let me visit.”
I turned to Miguel with a big smile. “I’ve missed you too.”
“Mrs. Luciano.”
“Don’t you dare. My name has always been Catalina.” I turned to Armando. “You remember Miguel?”
Armando nodded—a man of few words.
Camila looped our arms as the four of us headed toward luggage claim.
“How was your flight?” I asked.
“Just a flight. What fun do you have planned for us while I’m here?”
Armando went for the car after confirming Miguel was on the job. After retrieving their luggage from the conveyor belt, the three of us walked outside to wait for Armando. As I told Camila all the places we could visit, the summer breeze blew my skirt and teased my hair. “I’m so glad your flight arrived early in the day,” I said. “Kansas City has some remarkable places. Armando is going to take us to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. We can have lunch in the Rozzelle Court and take some time looking at exhibits.”
During lunch, Miguel and Armando sat at a table beside ours, giving Camila and me a chance to speak without being overheard. “You look amazing,” Camila said. “I was afraid you weren’t telling me the truth and you were miserable here.”
I stabbed some leaves in my salad and shook my head. “I probably wouldn’t tell you if I was miserable.” Looking up, I met her gaze. “But I’m not. An arranged marriage isn’t easy, but Dario isn’t a difficult man to live with.” I felt the holster. “He’s even been continuing Em’s lessons with my knife.”
“He doesn’t mind you have a knife?”
“He has three on him at almost every minute. How is Em?”
“Busy. So is Papá. Mama stays busy with Aunt Maria and other friends.” She leaned closer. “Remember Sofia’s friend Liliana?”
Pressing my lips together, I tried to recall. “Yeah, she’s the one who went skiing with us at Bear Mountain. Why?”
Camila lifted her hamburger toward her lips. “It’s probably the marriage you heard a rumor about. Liliana has been promised to Uncle Gerardo. They already had the engagement party.”
Aunt Ximena had only been gone less than a year. Men didn’t need to wait after being widowed like women did. “What? He’s old enough to be her father.”
Camila shrugged. “And we thought Dario was old.”
My lips curled into a smile. “He’s thirty-six. Uncle Gerardo is what…fifty?”
“Forty-three and Liliana is seventeen.”
Leaning back, I laid my hand over my stomach. “Oh my God. That’s not right. How does Sofia feel about it?”
“Mama’s worried about her. She seems thinner by the day and has even gotten quieter—like she doesn’t know what to do or who to trust. I don’t blame her. Losing her mother and then her father is going to marry her best friend. It’s like something out of the old country.” She sat taller. “I’m not going to do it.”
“Have an arranged marriage?”
“I’m going to study hard and at the same time, look for someone I can choose to marry. It’s love or nothing.” Her nose scrunched. “And I’m not marrying some old man.”
“Dario isn’t old. Honestly, I don’t think about his age.”
“Do you think that one night while I’m here we could go to the Emerald Club?”
My eyes opened wide at her question. “No. Why?” Stories Dario shared about problem customers, VIP assholes, and shootings in the parking lot made me shiver.
“I’ve never been in Wanderlust, and you said Dario wanted you to see the Emerald Club.”
Wanted me to see it?
I guess he did. The thought of him showing me his office with the shower made me smile.
“I saw it during the day. I haven’t been there during business hours.”
Camila shrugged. “I think it would be fun, and Dario lets you do more than Papá would. It might be my only chance.”
“I’ll talk to Dario, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
After our lunch, we spent the next three hours walking through the many exhibits. As we did, Camila asked, “Have you asked Dario about working?”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head. “I’ve been to this museum multiple times. Kansas City has many museums, even a money museum.” I chuckled. “I can’t imagine working. Dario is too protective. Even if he allowed it, Armando would need to be at my side.”
“Surely, you’re safe in a museum.”
We both craned our necks backward to see the two men following us. When our eyes met one another’s, we laughed. We were in a museum and being closely followed by two bodyguards.
It was after four by the time we got to the apartment. Contessa showed Miguel to a bedroom, and I showed Camila to one. Hers was down the other wing of the second floor with a nice view of the city. During dinner, Dario was polite and more reserved than usual. It wasn’t until we were almost done eating that I remembered Dario telling me he turned down marrying Camila. The thought made me laugh.
While Dario was quiet during our meal, Dante had no problem picking up the slack. I’d gotten used to Dante’s visits and was even enjoying his presence. One thing I appreciated about my husband was that he was as transparent as possible when it came to his businesses. Dario told me about Dante’s talents. Apparently, he was as good as his brother with a knife and when it came to interrogation, he was merciless. Breaking bones and cutting off appendages were his specialties. It was another example of the dichotomy of these men. Looking at the man across the table, I didn’t see a killer.
It was obvious to me that Camila didn’t either.
Dante asked my sister multiple questions about her classes. “I don’t understand why you want to go to more school,” he said. “There are more places to learn than in a classroom.”
“I agree,” she said. Turning to me, she asked, “Don’t you think we could learn a lot at the Emerald Club?”
I nearly spit out my water.
Dario’s polished veneer cracked for a millisecond, and I knew his response would be no. I looked to my husband. “Camila has never been inside Wanderlust. I told her I’ve been in Emerald Club.”
“During the day,” he said definitively.
“We could do that,” I replied. “Armando and Miguel could take us there tomorrow morning. We can show Camila around.”
Dario narrowed his eyes at my sister. “Kansas’s drinking age is twenty-one. I don’t think your father would approve nor would the KCPD.”
“The famiglia worries about the police?” she asked with a smirk.
Dante’s laugh eased a bit of the building tension. “We don’t worry about them, but most of the force are regular customers. No sense making it awkward.” He winked. “Besides, you’ll be twenty-one soon enough. Come back.”
Camila’s cheeks pinkened. “Two and a half years is a long time.”
“No way,” Dante said. “I figured you for at least twenty.” He turned to Dario. “She could pass our bouncers with a fake ID.”
“No,” Dario and I said together.
Dante flashed his handsome grin. “I’m trying to help out here.”
We didn’t go to the Emerald Club the next day or even the day after. Instead, we spent the better part of our second day at Crown Center, a three-story mall filled with restaurants and stores. It was the first time I’d spent time shopping since becoming Dario’s wife. I won’t lie, using my new credit card made me feel like the stereotypical Mafia wife. It was a feeling I should have hated but didn’t.
“What did you buy today?” Dario asked later that night once we were alone in our bedroom.
“Have you already seen the bill?”
My husband laughed. “I haven’t, but now I’m concerned.”
Going into my closet, I brought out a long pair of yoga pants.
His handsome expression blanked. “Really?”
“I thought you’d like these versus my short ones for our sparring at the gym.”
Dario nodded, a small grin emerging. “Covers more skin. That’s good.”
“I also bought a few new nightgowns.”
“That’s a waste of money.”
“It is?”
My husband came close. His spicy cologne filled my senses. The warmth of his body radiated toward me as he wrapped his arm around my waist. His timbre slowed. His deep baritone voice ricocheted through me. “I like you sleeping naked.”
Lifting my chin, I met his stare as his words sent electricity to my core. “The nightgowns are for under the robe at breakfast.”
“I’d like a fashion show. I need to be sure the nightgowns are breakfast ready.” He reached for my chin and lifted my face even further before his lips sought mine.
My body melded against his as his tongue slipped past mine. Lifting my arms around his shoulders, I inhaled his scent, tasted the whiskey on his breath, and pressed against his firm, muscular body.
When we came up for air, I smiled. “Thank you for not minding that Camila is visiting. I’ve missed her more than I realized.”
“This is your home. You may have whomever you want here.”
“I was thinking about Em.” Dario’s body tensed beneath my touch. My cheeks lifted as I grinned. “Is that a no?”
“As a rule, a capo doesn’t welcome soldiers from the cartel to his home.”
“Capo?”
Dario nodded. “My father finally made the right decision.”
I took a step back and studied Dario’s expression. “This is a good thing. Isn’t it?”
He nodded. “It’s good. Once the transition is complete, I plan to primarily work out of the office downstairs. We’ll increase the number of bodyguards. You won’t be in danger.”
I hadn’t thought about that. I was glad Dario had. “What about Emerald Club?”
“Rocco is there. Dante can increase his time. The club is only one part of what I’ll be overseeing.” He nodded. “I’ve waited for this.”
I leaned closer. “You can do this, Dario. I know you can. Whatever you set your mind to.”
“I’m not expecting it to be a smooth transition.”
“In what way?” I asked nervously. “Vincent is stepping down. It’s not a coup. His men will be your men.”
“Some but not all. Moretti doesn’t support the change. He knows I won’t keep him on as consigliere. In his mind, if it isn’t him, it should be Rocco.”
“Who do you want?”
Dario shook his head. “I’ve never trusted Tommaso. And when it comes to Rocco, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Dante will be my top advisor.”
“And take care of the club?”
“My eyes and ears. Allegiance isn’t guaranteed.” He inhaled. “I’m glad Camila is going home tomorrow. The closer to the transition, the higher the tensions.”
I wished she had been able to stay longer, but I didn’t want my little sister here if there were dangers lurking about. “Are you worried about the bratva?”
“I’m worried about the coup you mentioned. Sometimes our greatest enemies are within.”
I took Dario’s hand and led him toward our bed. As we neared our destination, I thought about my husband’s news. Him becoming capo was big. It was what he’d worked toward his entire life. There wasn’t a gift I could buy him. Dario was worth more money than I knew. If there was anything in life he wanted, he took it.
There was something I’d been thinking about, something I’d wanted to do.
Before I let my nerves kick in, I dropped Dario’s hand and fell to my knees at his feet.
His features morphed, his stare intensifying. “Catalina.” There was a raspy quality to his deep voice.
I peered up through my veiled lashes and reached for his belt. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I want to do this for you.”
His wide chest moved with each breath.
“Will you tell me? I don’t want to do it wrong.”
Warmth filled my cheeks as Dario’s baritone laugh filled the suite. “I don’t think it’s possible to suck a dick wrong.” His palm gently cupped my cheek. “You never have to bow down to me.”
Looking up at this angle made my core clench. Dario’s power dominated everything he touched. There was something incredibly erotic about having that power fully focused on me. “I want to.”
“Unbuckle my belt.”
My fingers made quick work of the task. Releasing the button and lowering his zipper, his growing erection bulged beneath his silk boxer briefs. As I lowered the waistband, his cock sprung free, the length and girth pulsating as his pre-cum glistened on the tip.
“Open your mouth.”
Sitting tall on my knees, I did as he said. A musky, salty aroma filled my senses.
“Take it slow,” he said. “Lick first.”
I did, starting at the tip and licking upward.
Dario’s growl reverberated through the suite, hardening my nipples and twisting my core. “Run your tongue over the slit.”
Using my hands, I gripped his penis, holding it still as I did as he said.
“Now try to suck it. No teeth,” he reminded me.
My jaw ached as I opened wider, taking him in, inch by inch. My head bounced with a rhythm encouraged by the rocking of his hips as I took more and more.
“That’s it. Your mouth feels so fucking good.”
The wetness forming between my legs as well as the twisting of my core made me question if anyone had ever come while giving a blow job. With my palms now on his muscular thighs, I continued taking him in and out, each time trying to take more. Finally, I gagged as his penis made contact with the back of my throat.
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “It takes practice.”
When I peered up at him, Dario grinned. “I fucking love that you’ve never sucked anyone else.” His eyes opened wider. “Have you?”
I shook my head. “As inexperienced as they come.”
His smile beamed. “Those sexy lips are mine and mine only.” He nodded. “Keep it up.”
A woman on a mission, I sucked and licked. It wasn’t until Dario’s fingers wove through my hair and the muscles beneath my touch tightened that I contemplated what came next. He was going to come.
My resolve won. If this was another of the less desirable things Arianna warned me about, I didn’t find it undesirable. If anything, it was powerful to have a man like Dario on the verge of ecstasy.
“I’m going to come.”
My hold of his thighs tightened as I continued bobbing my head. Warm liquid covered my tongue as Dario’s roar filled the suite. I didn’t release him until I was confident he was done.
Dario offered me his hand, tugging me to my feet. His dark stare settled on me. “Mine.”
I nodded. “Was that…okay?”
His cheeks rose. “The best fucking blow job of my life.” He traced his finger over my cheek. “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Are you done for the night, or did that make you horny?”
“Not done,” I said, warmth filling my cheeks.
Dario reached for the hem of my blouse and pulled it over my head. “Good.”
The next morning, our new foursome—Miguel, Armando, Camila, and I—went to Emerald Club. Dario assured me that everything would be all right, despite his talk of taking over and worries from within. To say I was nervous was an understatement. It didn’t help that Dario called me as we were on our way.
“Hello,” I answered, looking at my sister on the seat beside me.
“Something has come up, Catalina. I think it would be best if you and Camila didn’t come here today.”
Today was our last chance. She was leaving in five hours. “Is everything all right?” I asked. “We’re pulling into the parking lot. Camila is leaving this afternoon. May I just show her around? We don’t have to stay long. Or isn’t it safe?”
“It’s safe. I’ll meet you on the first floor.” The call ended.
“That was weird,” I said to Camila. “Dario said something came up.”
Armando’s gaze met mine in the rearview mirror. “Do we have a change of plans?” he asked.
“Dario said, since we’re close, to come on in. He’d meet us on the first floor.”
When we walked inside the big man at the door greeted me. “Mrs. Luciano.”
“Good morning.” I needed to learn his name.
Camila’s eyes were wide as saucers.
Dario and Giovanni approached, coming from the direction of the elevators. Dressed in a dark blue suit, my husband was the epitome of a dangerous businessman. He exuded power and determination. Those qualities should frighten me, but they did the opposite. As he came closer, I noticed there was something in his usually unreadable expression that added to my concern.
“Welcome,” he greeted stiffly before brushing my cheek with a kiss. “I need to speak to Armando.” He motioned to Giovanni. “He’ll show you three around. The place is mostly empty. Just cleaning crew. The chefs will be in the kitchen soon. Secondary entrances are locked, and no one is getting past Enzo.”
Enzo.
My neck stiffened with Dario’s too-thorough details.
Camila squeezed my hand. Her eyes were still opened wide. “This place is amazing.” She turned a complete circle. “Oh my gosh. Can you imagine what it’s like with lights, music, and people?”
“Let’s start with the dance floor,” Giovanni said.
My attention was with my husband and Armando. Whatever they were discussing was not sitting well with my bodyguard.
“Mrs. Luciano,” Giovanni said, requesting my attention.
For Camila, I feigned a smile and tried to enjoy our tour. It was everything I’d seen the time before, but in more detail. Armando and I hadn’t spent a lot of time on the first floor. Giovanni took us into a control room. There were monitors that rotated around the club.
“I thought Dario said that the customers don’t want to be recorded.”
Giovanni hit a few switches and the views changed. “The feed is live. No recording unless someone hits this” —he pointed at a switch.
I recalled the picture of Herrera that Dario had shown me. Of course they had ways of recording along with their live feed. There were three chairs in the small room. “Are there three people monitoring the surveillance all the time?”
“During business hours. No one is watching now, but starting about two this afternoon, the first guard will show up. Once the doors open, there are always three people in here. Too many different views for one person.”
“Are the back rooms monitored?” I asked.
“Only the hallways. You probably saw from Mr. Luciano’s office how you can see down into the hallways in the VIP section. The first-floor hallways are monitored through here.”
“This is so exciting,” Camila said. “May we see one of the back rooms?”
“No,” I said before Giovanni could speak. I shook my head. “I don’t want to see that.”
“It’s basically a small hotel room,” Giovanni said. “Nothing too exciting.”
Next, he took us into a large industrial kitchen, explaining that the one kitchen supplied food for all the different restaurants within the building. I had no idea they had such a large operation. After walking around the first floor, he led us up the staircase to the VIP section. He also explained the different club areas. He didn’t offer to take us up to the third floor where Dario’s office was located. When we arrived back at the first floor, Dario met us.
“Armando had to do an errand for me.” He looked at Giovanni. “He’ll stay with you the rest of the day.”
Something was happening. Dario wasn’t telling me what it was.
“Do you have plans?” he asked.
“We thought we’d go to the Intersection Arts District for lunch before heading to the airport.”
Dario kissed my cheek and spoke into my ear. “Do you have your knife?”
I nodded.
He took a step back and spoke louder, “Have a nice time.”
“That was so slay,” Camila said as we walked out to the SUV. “Why didn’t you want to see one of the back rooms?”
“Why would you?”
She stood taller. “Curious, I guess. What’s the matter? Your expression is odd.”
“Something is up with Dario.” I lowered my voice. “Giovanni is fine, but he’s never reassigned Armando before.” I turned and met Giovanni’s stare. “Are you going to tell me what’s happening?”
“Miguel and I are accompanying you and Miss Ruiz to the Intersection Arts District before taking Miss Ruiz to the airport.”
I pursed my lips. “Is Dario safe?”
“Yes, ma’am.”