Chapter 21
Ryan
"W hat’s up, boss?" Jamie asked as I slipped into the Escalade.
"You know I hate when you call me that," I smirked. We were about to head over to Frankie’s. I'd paid his debt with the Rivera Brothers, which meant Frankie was working directly for me now. He had a good eye that would be quite valuable with the events that had gone down lately.
Frankie had had a few unfamiliar faces in his bar last night asking about the Valenti family, and he had apparently gathered some interesting information. Something told me one of these unfamiliar faces was Paul Jenkins, so I was heading downtown to see what Frankie had found out.
"I know," Jamie sniggered, pulling into the traffic just as my phone began to ring. I looked down at the caller ID in shock. It wasn't like Carlo to call unless there was an emergency.
"Ryan, drop whatever it is you're doing and get back here now! I have an important job for you," Carlo spoke firmly as soon as I answered.
"Okay," I replied, knowing his tone meant no questions asked.
"What is it?" Jamie asked as I hung up.
"Change of plans. We need to go to the mansion... now !"
"What did Tony do this time?" Jamie sighed. Without waiting for an answer, he continued.
"You'll need to call Bennett. He's already heading to Frankie's with Jeremy."
"You can call him while I find out what's going down. Bennett might as well talk to Frankie without us. I may be occupied for a while, and if it was Paul at Frankie's bar last night, we need to know what he's planning next."
"If it is Paul, he's taking a lot of interest in our districts." Jamie was right, and I was still no closer to finding out why. Every lead I chased had turned out to be a dead end. I had no fucking clue why Paul Jenkins was so interested in the Valenti family. Was I missing something really obvious?
I left Jamie to call Bennett while I rushed into Carlo's office. I was expecting to see Tony already waiting for me, but I froze as Siena's worried eyes met mine. This emergency was about Siena? Why was my heart racing so fast?
"Ah, Ryan," Carlo smiled. "That was quick."
"You said it was important," I muttered, my eyes never leaving Siena's.
"Trixie and Libby had quite a scare today," Carlo continued. "It seems someone is following the lovely Trixie, and if it wasn't for her quick thinking in the diner, I'm worried about what would have happened if they'd gotten their hands on her." I was still stunned as I listened to him. Someone had gone after her. My Siena . I had to fight back the surge of anger that flared through me. I couldn't let Carlo see that. I couldn't let him see I had a weakness.
"Someone has been following you?" I snarled, looking directly at her. All she could do was nod. "Are you in trouble? Have you gotten yourself involved in something? Goddammit, Trixie! Why didn't you tell us?!" The thought of her being mixed up in anything that could hurt her affected me more than I could understand, but whoever these fuckers were that had followed her, they were dead the moment I found them!
"No, you ass! I'm not that stupid !" Siena snapped. Why was she so pissed at me? Oh shit! The last time she had seen me was when I told Tony we shouldn't be fighting over a hot pussy like her. Fuck, I really had offended her!
"What did these men look like?" I asked, trying to be softer as I moved to sit next to her. Her scent washed over my senses, and I had to fight a groan as memories of me holding her naked, sweaty body began to cloud my mind.
"Tanned, dark haired and very stocky. I think I counted four of them in total." It had to be Paul Jenkins and his men. What the hell did they want with Siena? "I noticed them at the club last night. Oh, and they chased us in a black SUV if that’s any help. I'm pretty sure it was a Navigator."
"They chased you?" I held back a snarl. Those motherfuckers had gone too far. I needed to get my hands on them. Now! "Tell me exactly what happened."
I sat and listened to Siena as she filled me in on everything. Carlo was silent, watching us the entire time.
"Why hasn't Tony done anything about this yet? We've known Jenkins has been in town for weeks !" I fumed at Carlo when Siena had finished.
"He's on his way, Ryan," Carlo replied. "We don't know if it was Jenkins following Trixie or not, and remember, Tony is in the dark about this as much as we are."
I snorted in disbelief; if Paul Jenkins was after Siena, then this had to be Tony's fault. The fucking idiot had done something, and he was going to tell me what.
"You know as well as I do that that’s bullshit, Carlo. Tony must know something about this!" I snapped. I couldn't hide my frustration any longer.
"We'll see what he has to say when he gets here. Maybe he can shed some light on this situation," Carlo acquiesced, looking between Siena and me. "If this does concern Jenkins, you'll have to run things here while I take Tony to Miami. I'm not having this turn into a feud with the Leoni family if I can help it." Siena was still gazing at us, looking a little lost. This must have been too much information for her.
"Maybe Trixie should go to her room while we talk to Tony?" I suggested.
"No, if this really does concern me, I want to know." There she went again, making my dick twitch with her strength. She was incredible. How could a little, fragile beauty like her, have so much inner strength? She did, though; I had seen a small part of it when she'd been mine for the weekend.
"Trixie, my dear, there are some things you just can't know. Trust us...we will look after you," Carlo cooed warmly. "Why don't you retire to your room? I will get Tony to come and explain everything to you once we’ve finished." Siena knew Carlo's words were final, and without a glance in my direction, she left his office.
Yeah, she was definitely still pissed at me. I needed to explain my actions to her when we were alone.
"What is so fucking important? Did Ryan fail with the East District already ?" Tony sneered, stumbling into his father's office. Was he drunk ?
"An attempt was made on Trixie today," Carlo seethed. "She was chased by an SUV."
"What!?" Tony gasped, slumping down on the couch, trying to act like he fucking cared.]
"You need to fucking explain yourself, asshole! Why the fuck would someone go after your girl? What the fuck have you been playing at?!" I yelled, slamming my hands down on Carlo's desk.
"Why do you think I have anything to do with this? Is Trixie okay? Where is she?" Tony turned to his father for answers. Oh, now he was just trying to piss me off! Tony worried for Siena? Ha! What a fucking joke! I bet he was just fucking some blonde whore before he came here.
"She’s upstairs and safe," Carlo soothed. "Do you honestly not have information? I need you to think really hard."
"I would never do anything to put Trixie in danger, Father. I love her." I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up in my mouth or laugh my ass off. Love...what a fucking idiot.
"Go to her then," Carlo sighed. Did Carlo seriously believe this shit? "Ryan, I need you to do a sweep over the districts for me. We need to find Paul Jenkins. He can't be too difficult to find now that we know he’s after Trixie for some reason." Great, I got to go and do Tony's dirty work for him while he got to console the beautiful Siena. Fuck, what I'd give to be the one to console her. I would strip that sweet, glorious body of hers naked, and then fuck all the fear out of her sweet pussy. I groaned internally; thinking about her pussy was making my mouth water, and Carlo and Tony were watching me. Get it together, Lawson!
Jamie was waiting for me outside, leaning against the wall while smoking. He offered me a cigarette as I approached him.
"I have some news from Bennett."
I lit my cigarette, cupping my hands to stop the wind from getting to the flame of my lighter.
"It had better be fucking good news. I can't deal with any more shit today," I sighed, taking a deep drag of nicotine. Fuck, I needed that.
"Oh, it's fucking priceless," Jamie snorted. Suddenly, he had my full attention.
That fucking lying son of a bitch! I marched back into Carlo's office as soon as Jamie had finished talking.
"What's wrong, Ryan?" Carlo asked as I slammed the door open.
"Tony stole money from Jenkins. That’s why the motherfucker is here in Chicago!" I roared. "I can't keep doing this shit, Carlo! How can I keep everything under control when your son keeps fucking up?!"
"Where did you get this information?"
"Frankie. Jenkins was at his bar last night, and Frankie overheard the whole conversation. They are planning to get Tony back by snatching Trixie." Over my fucking dead body would he get his hands on her! "Bennett just called Jamie after speaking with Frankie."
"Can you go and get my son, Ryan? I need to speak with him alone." Carlo's voice was deadly. I wouldn't want to be Tony right now. Served him right, the fucker!
I wandered upstairs to Siena's and Tony's room. If his dick was anywhere near her, I might shoot the fucking thing off with the mood I was currently in.
How the fuck could he steal from Paul Jenkins and think he could get away with it?
I could hear voices inside, but to me it seemed as if they were arguing. I knocked loudly, and had a huge smug smile on my face when Tony answered.
"What the fuck is wrong now!?" he snapped, running his hand roughly through his hair. I could see Siena sitting on the bed, wrapped in a towel. Relax, Ryan, Siena is not naked...she is not naked! But fuck, she was naked underneath that towel.
”Your father wants another word with you," I glowered, trying to look over his shoulder at Siena. Tony closed the door further, blocking my view. Motherfucker!
"What about?"
"Just go and fucking talk to him. I have more important shit to do than coddle you like a baby." I sighed as I turned to walk away. I didn't go too far, though, and as soon as Tony headed downstairs to Carlo, I was back at his bedroom door, knocking again. I needed to know that Siena was okay. It must have been so frightening for her to be chased like that.
"What do you want?" she seethed, going to shut her door as soon as she opened it, but I stopped it with my foot.
"I wanted to make sure that you're okay," I soothed.
"I'm fine!" Fuck, she was so hot when she was angry.
"Yeah, you seem like it," I chuckled, pushing myself into her room.
"Get the fuck out of my bedroom, Ryan. Tony might be back at any second!"
"He'll be gone for a while, don't worry."
"Oh, I see...you've come to try your luck with the hot pussy again! Well, fuck you, Ryan. If you think you're ever going to get..." I tried to control it, I honestly did, but Siena was in a fucking towel that didn't leave a lot to the imagination. Her breasts were heaving up and down as she yelled at me, and I watched the few remaining droplets of water trickle down her neck. Fuck, I wanted to lick those droplets away with my tongue. In a flash, without my brain even catching up with my actions, I pinned Siena against the wall, crashing my lips hard against hers. My hands held her arms above her head, securing this goddess so she couldn't get away from me. I wanted that fucking towel to drop more than I wanted air to breathe. Damnit, I wanted to drop to my knees and part her legs so I could taste that sweet pussy of hers, but I suddenly realized she wasn't kissing me back. Her entire body had shut down, and as I pulled back to look at her, I felt a sharp, hard slap against my face.
Holy shit, she had just slapped me!
"You are some piece of work, Ryan Lawson," Siena growled, pulling away from me while I was still stunned. I did notice that she wrapped her towel a little tighter around her body. Damn it, why did I do that? I just couldn't stop myself. "Who the fuck do you think you are, huh? How dare you force yourself on me like that! You're no different from those assholes who try to grab me at Cherries." That was a little below the belt. For a start, I didn't fucking grope her, but yeah, okay, I wanted to. Still, it hurt my feelings that she'd compare me to those dickheads in the club. "Just get the fuck out of my bedroom!" Holy shit! She really had no idea how hard she was making me. My dick kept twitching with every glare she gave me.
"I actually came to apologize," I admitted, still rubbing my cheek. "That was one hell of a slap."
"You were out of line," she snapped back. Fuck me, now !
"You're right, I was. I'm sorry. I...I just can't help myself around you, and haven't been able to since our time together. You’ve bewitched me." I tried to move a little closer to her, but she stepped back, holding her towel even tighter. Didn't she trust me?
"Ryan, I heard what you said to Tony. I'm just a hot pussy that isn't worth fighting over. It's good to know you’re just like every fucking other man, only thinking with your goddamn cock!"
"I didn't mean it. I was just trying to make peace with Tony. You know how he's been since I took over his district." Some understanding crossed her face. "I also came to make sure you're okay," I soothed, taking a step closer toward her. "Nothing will happen to you, I promise. I won't let it. When I catch these bastards, they’re dead!"
"I don't need you to fight for me, Ryan. Tony will deal with it." Yeah, she wouldn't be saying that if she knew he was the reason she was in danger in the first place. I hoped Carlo was giving him hell downstairs.
"Tony is going to be out of town for a few days with Carlo. I'm afraid you have no choice but to accept my protection."
"Fucking great !" she sighed while looking around, clearly frustrated. I knew this goddess wanted me, no matter how much she tried to act otherwise. How much longer were we going to deny our mutual desire? I was fighting a losing battle against myself. Surely Siena felt the same way. "Um...hello? I need to get changed, Ryan. Can you please leave now!?"
"I'll be downstairs when you’re ready. We need to discuss your plans for the next few days."
"I'll be at Cherries." Like fuck she would be!
"You're not dancing at the club until we know what we’re dealing with," I snarled. How would I be able to protect her at the club? Dancing was out of the fucking question.
"You're not my damn keeper, Ryan!"
"Carlo and Tony will agree with me. You won't be dancing at the club until I say so." By the look on her face, I thought she was about to explode with rage. If she had, I would have fucked her against the wall if the fucking stiffness of my cock was any indication. Luckily for Siena, she stormed off into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. I guess that was her way of getting away from me before she slapped me again.
"Is Tony still with Carlo?" I asked Jamie when I found him and Bennett in the kitchen.
"Yeah."
"Did Frankie have anything else to say?" I questioned while Bennett was digging into some leftover pasta. Where did he put it all?
"Nope, but Paul really wants a piece of Trixie. He's been to Cherries and watched her. Frankie said he was talking about her pert ass cheeks and fuckable breasts." I clenched my fists. Why did every fucker want the same girl I did? They would all fucking die.
"Paul Jenkins is not getting anywhere near her," I seethed as Carlo's door slammed shut. I watched Tony rush outside to his car and speed off. Would he ever man up and accept his responsibilities?
"Someone doesn't look happy," Bennett snorted.
"I need to talk to Carlo," I muttered. "I'll be based here until he and Tony return from Miami."
"You're in charge?" Bennett grinned like a fool.
"Don't get any ideas, fuck face." I chuckled, making my way out of the kitchen.
"Maybe you would get the girl instead of Tony if you were second in command!"
Bennett yelled so the entire mansion would hear
"Shut the fuck up, asshole," I replied before I walked out. I could hear Jamie telling Bennett not to push his luck as I made my way to Carlo's office. I was so glad Bennett didn't know the truth about Siena and me.
Carlo was looking thoughtfully out of his window as I entered.
"Dare I ask how it went?" I questioned, distracting him from his thoughts.
"Ah, Ryan. I sent Tony out to cool off for a while. I told him if things didn't improve, I wouldn't be handing my empire over to him. He's been lying to me for months." The man in front of me looked absolutely exhausted; I knew Tony wasn't easy to control, I just didn’t realize the effect it was having until this moment. Carlo tried to be as fair as he could, but with his own son blatantly lying to him at every turn, Carlo had no choice but to give him a warning. Threatening his birthright was the only option he could use.
"I can understand why he didn't take that well."
"Our drug shipments being stolen in Brazil was Jenkins’ way of trying to get his money back." I'd been sent to that motherfucking heat because of Tony? I was fucking furious!
"At least we know, now," I pointed out. "We don't have a mafia family picking a fight. It's just a small feud between Paul and Tony."
"Tony and I leave for Miami in the morning. I’m hoping the Leoni family will listen to his apology and accept my gift, plus the money he stole from Jenkins. Once they get word back to him, I am hoping he'll leave Chicago permanently."
"Did he tell you how he managed to steal the money?"
"He slept with Jenkins’ girlfriend to gain access to the money he'd lost in a poker game." The son of a bitch! Tony never did play fair. It explained why Paul was after Siena, though...an eye for an eye and all that shit. He would have to walk over my dead body to ever get his filthy hands on her. "Look after Trixie while we’re gone, Ryan. Do not let her out of your sight. Paul Jenkins is very much like you. He's deadly."
"Trixie will be safe with me, Carlo," I promised.
He could see the determination on my face. Carlo must have known what she meant to me, and a small part of me hoped that he had entrusted her into my care because he knew I could protect Siena better than his son.
I'd even give my own life to save hers if I had to. Fuck, what was she doing to me? I'd risk my life for her? Yes, I fucking would, even when she wasn't talking to me.
I really needed to sort that out and make her understand. Luckily, I had her all to myself in the Valenti mansion for a few days. That might not be as hard as it seemed.