14. Emilia
CHAPTER 14
I was right.
She blow-dried, curled, and styled my hair until she declared it perfect. Long, dark waves cascaded over my shoulders and down my back. The short, corseted dress she bought for me was a vibrant fuchsia I never would have picked for myself but ended up looking great against my skin.
If I was myself, I’d never have stepped outside. It was too bright. Too dramatic. Too eye-catching. I spent my whole life doing everything I could to blend in and look just good enough to belong, but not good enough to draw too much attention.
This dress plus the five-inch matching stilettos wouldn’t allow that.
I had all eyes on me from the moment we stepped inside the club, which were considerably fewer than I expected, much to my relief. Derek stood against the wall near the entrance.
“Only people I personally invited,” Alessio whispered in my ear as I took in the dim room with the nearly empty dance floor taking up most of the space.
“Thank you.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek.
He was listening and taking notes. No crowds of strangers or restricted VIP section for me to be left behind in.
It looked strange only having fifty or so people in the enormous area, but it was perfect. The people who needed to be here were, and judging by the looks on his men’s faces, they weren’t happy about it.
Good.
Their wives and girlfriends seemed just as happy as Ama and me. Or were doing a great job pretending.
“Come on.” Ama looped her arm around mine and led me away from Alessio and the men approaching him, to the bar with only a few people waiting.
She rested her elbows on the gleaming counter and beamed at the bartender who came straight over.
“Good evening, what can I get you?” he asked politely.
“The birthday girl would love a Milliemosa!”
“A what?” I asked at the same time he nodded and moved to grab a glass.
“Make it two, please,” Ama called before looking at me. “We made up a drink for you! Alessio said mango juice is your favorite. So it’s OJ plus mango and champagne!”
“Isn’t it a little late for mimosas?”
She waved a hand. “There are no time limits for yummy drinks.”
It sounded delicious. The kind of drink I could have several of without noticing and end up having to get carried out later tonight. If I left things up to Ama, she’d get me nice and drunk and ready to dance the night away, but I couldn’t let my guard down around this group.
As far as I knew, my guys and the other teams had no plans while Alessio was here distracted. This was just about seeing how far I could press Alessio and what he was willing to do for me.
Making a deal with a rival gang to have a birthday party for his new girlfriend seemed slightly unhinged, but so far, I hadn’t heard any grumbling. Still, the night was young.
“Happy birthday.” The bartender set two flutes in front of us.
“Thank you.” I smiled and picked mine up.
“So this is the birthday girl?” A man in his midthirties with deep olive skin and several face tattoos came to stand in front of us. His fitted suit and confident strides were a startling contradiction to my first impression of him being a thug.
I offered a smile. “That’s me.”
He paused a foot from me, leaning against the counter and taking me in from heel to hair. “I’m honored you wanted to celebrate here.”
“You’re the owner?” I had no idea of the hierarchy within the local gang, but I decided flattery would be the best option rather than offending him and guessing he was a waiter or manager.
“Yeah, I’m Michael. This is my place.” He shifted a bit closer to me.
I doubted anyone but me noticed, but I switched my drink between my hands, using that distraction to move a bit farther back. I refused to give any of Alessio’s men fuel to add to a fire to take me down. I had to always appear innocent of advances. Loyal and uninterested in any drama attempting to come for me.
He didn’t seem to notice as he continued about the club’s outstanding features. His confidence was somehow not annoying. It seemed earned and not just arrogant. He was passionate but didn’t have the overwhelming charisma that seemed to ooze from Alessio. He was much more understated.
“I love the vibes.” Ama glanced around at the deep purple curtains, walls, and tables. It was an interesting choice but worked well for the club.
“Thanks.” He eyed her before turning back to me. “I heard you’re new to our city.”
“Yeah, I’ve only been here for a couple of months.”
He looked down at his hands, then back up, leaning toward me again. “And how do you like it?”
I rested my elbow on the counter behind me, making it clear to anyone watching I was not reciprocating. “The humidity has been hard to get used to, but other than that, I like it.”
He glanced behind me and straightened. “Good. I’ve got to make my rounds.”
He put his hand on my upper arm, a completely innocent gesture, as he began to step past me, but it was like he tripped a sensor.
A dozen men were suddenly holding guns aimed directly at us.
I froze while Ama turned her head, taking in the scene. “What the––”
Two doors leading to a kitchen or backroom swung open, and twenty or so men flooded in, guns raised.
Oh, shit.
I knew there would be a reaction to him touching me. I’d kept my distance for just that reason, but anyone watching clearly would have seen it was an innocent gesture.
A standoff between two rival groups? Yeah, not what I had on my bingo card for the evening.
The music stopped, and the small crowd turned, taking in the scene. A few more men pulled out their guns, while the women backed away.
I glanced back to Derek. He was still, his gun in hand but hidden behind his leg. How close were the others?
Did they have eyes on what was going on?
Would they step in?
I had to assume we were on our own. I would try to defuse the situation, but if I couldn’t, I needed to get myself and Ama out of here as quickly and safely as possible.
“What the fuck is going on?” Michael roared, looking behind me.
“I warned you not to touch what’s mine,” Alessio said in a voice I hadn’t heard before. It was deep, low, and threatening. This was his boss tone. If we weren’t in a potentially life-or-death situation, it might have been sexy rather than terrifying.
Shit! Why was he pushing the man who was in control? We were on his turf, with his men surrounding us, outnumbering Alessio’s two to one, and those were just the ones I could see.
Michael glanced around eerily calm but not giving an order for his men to lower their guns, unfortunately. “I did you a favor. I gave you a deal. Hundred grand and a sliver of territory for this night.”
A few of Alessio’s men huffed and groaned.
“I invited you into my world,” Michael said, “and this is how you think you can treat me?”
I glanced back to Alessio. “He was just wishing me a happy birthday.”
He didn’t look at me. It was like I hadn’t spoken at all. “With one condition. You and your men stay away.”
Michael lifted a brow and slowly grinned, revealing a row of gold teeth. “You insecure little pussy.”
“Oh, fuck no!” One of Alessio’s men cocked his gun to my right.
“He can’t talk to you like that, boss,” another added.
I shifted my weight to my right foot, gradually blocking Ama. Her hand found mine and squeezed. She was aware of my movements.
“No, he can’t.” Alessio stepped forward, not yet in Michael’s face but close.
With the men focused on the two idiots facing off, I slowly stepped backward and felt Ama moving with me. I wasn’t armed, and I doubted she was. If things turned, and I had a strong feeling they were about to, we had no option but to run.
We hadn’t made it that far into the club yet. A shame as much as it was a blessing. The exit was behind us to the left, next to Derek. We’d have to turn in about four yards. He would cover us.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Michael scoffed. “Take your trash and get out.”
I cringed. Throwing insults wasn’t the smartest thing to do in a heated moment. Hopefully, Alessio would listen and leave, but I wasn’t betting on that.
“Fuck you,” Alessio spat.
We got a few steps away when our retreat was noticed. One of Alessio’s men shifted, looking at us. Maybe he thought he was protecting us, but his movement was the worst thing he could have done.
Alessio glanced over his shoulder, likely expecting me to be right behind him, then frowned and turned to search for me. “Amor?”
It was the wrong move. Giving Michael his back was either an insult or an invitation.
“Al––” That was the only warning I could give as Michael nodded, giving his permission.
Shots rang. I wanted to cover my ears, but getting away was my top priority.
I ducked, gripping Ama’s hand in mine, and pulled her toward the door.
Voices shouted.
Pained cries mixed with curses.
Dozens of bangs as the dozens of guns in the room fired.
Ama jerked. Her hand slipped from mine. I glanced over my shoulder. She was clutching her right upper arm. Wide eyes, a silent scream.
Fuck.
Derek appeared, wrapping his arm around her waist and half carrying her the rest of the way out of the club while I followed.
We burst into the thick night air and stumbled onto the sidewalk. We were some of the first to make it out, but people were soon pushing to get around us.
“Come on.” I led us a few doors away and leaned her against the brick storefront. “Let me see.”
She dropped her hand, revealing a bloody open gash. She’d been shot—grazed technically.
A bullet had touched her. That was too far.
Fuckity fuck!
She needed a hospital.
“I’m going to call for an ambulance.” Derek pressed a handkerchief to the wound.
Her shock wore off enough for her to shake her head. “No, no hospitals. We need to go home. We have a doctor.”
Of course they did. Wandering into emergency rooms with gunshot wounds generally raised questions.
“It’s just the skin, right? It didn’t go through?” she asked.
Did it matter to her? She’d been shot!
But she was too calm.
Almost like she’d been through this before.
Was she more involved and aware of the family business than I’d thought?
This wasn’t the time to think about that.
“No, but it’s bleeding a lot,” I warned.
“Then I just need stitches to close it.” She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes.
“Where’s our car?” I asked Derek, trying to get my phone out of my small bag.
“Millie? Ama?” Alessio burst through the door with two men at his back. Luckily, they were his own. He saw us and ran over. “Are you okay?”
He was looking me over, but I pointed to his sister. “She was shot.”
His face fell as he took in the wound. “Ama.”
She pulled away as he lifted his hand to touch her. “Don’t. Just get me home.”
“Boss? We’ve got to move,” one of the two shouted from near the club doors.
Finally, his car pulled around the corner, and his driver jumped out to open the back door. He ushered Ama inside before waiting for me and Alessio.
“Take her back, and call the doctor on the way. Have them meet you there,” I told him before turning to Alessio.
The slam of the door was the confirmation I needed that the driver had listened.
I threw my hands up. “What the hell, Alessio?”
“What? Why did you do that?” He stared behind me. “We need to leave too.”
“No, we need to talk!’
Another car drove up the street; the two men ran toward it. “Come on, boss.”
Alessio grabbed my elbow, but I yanked away from him. “Tell your men to leave.”
He stared at me but finally obeyed. “Go.”
“Where are the others?” I asked as they drove off.
He glanced toward the club and shook his head, walking further down the street before turning around the corner. I followed, with Derek only steps behind me. It was probably best we got out of sight if the gang came looking.
Alessio bent over, running his hands through his thick black hair, when I stopped in front of him.
This was the first time things had truly gone to shit without us planning it. Feeling out of control wasn’t normal for me, and I absolutely hated it. We expected conflict tonight, but not this. We got lucky to get out with only a minor injury.
Anger overtook the panic and adrenaline that got me and Ama out of there.
“What the fuck!” I shouted. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Me?” He straightened, with brows knitted together.
“Yes, you started a fucking gunfight over what? A kind gesture?”
“He touched you,” he growled.
“He wished me a happy birthday and then patted my arm as he walked by. It wasn’t anything more than any stranger would do as they moved past someone,” I argued. “Your pride or ego or whatever the hell controls your poor choices just got your sister shot!”
His shoulders dropped.
“And how many of your men and friends? There were what, fifty people there? I saw about a dozen of your men armed. How many others were injured?”
He ran a palm over his face. “I’m not sure.”
“Only two men came out with you. Where are the others?”I demanded.
“Some went out the back, I think.”
“You think?” I gasped. “They’re your people, Alessio. Your friends. Why aren’t you helping them? Why aren’t you checking to make sure they’re okay?”
“I needed to get to you first.”
I stepped back. “This isn’t okay. None of this is okay.”
“Millie.” He reached for me, but I twisted, avoiding him. “Amor, please.”
“No,” I snapped. “No.”
I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath, knowing what I had to say. “I love you, Alessio, but I can’t do this.”
He looked stricken as his mouth dropped open. “Don’t say that.”
“I don’t believe you anymore. You can’t keep me safe.”
That seemed to be a knife straight to his heart. A strike to his manhood.
“I’ve turned a blind eye to whatever it is you do, because I care about you, but you’re not just some normal businessman. You don’t just make dirty deals or use your power to manipulate others to get what you want. I’d be able to ignore that, but I could have died tonight! Ama nearly did! If the bullet had been even a few inches over, she would have been hit in the neck or chest.”
I let that sink in and watched his eyes dim. He couldn’t argue his way out of this.
“I can’t do this. I won’t. I’m not willing to risk my life to be with you.”
“Amor, no.” He moved so quickly, I didn’t have time to retreat before his arms were wrapped around me. “Tonight was bad. I know. I shouldn’t have escalated things. Please, please, don’t leave me.”
Derek shook his head, his eyes locked on mine and full of anger. “You have to stay,” he whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
Fuck him for being right.
But I wouldn’t make it easy for him either.
I closed my eyes and slammed my fists against Alessio’s chest. “I can’t.”
I had to put up a fight.
I had to make him beg and grovel.
Because in the end, I couldn’t walk away. Not yet.Rod hadn’t given the signal yet. Our teams needed more time. I was here to keep Alessio’s attention away from his business, keep him occupied while we destroyed him from the foundation up.
There was no sane woman who would stay with a man after this. Not after only being together for a few weeks. It didn’t make sense for me to put up with all of his shit, from Cuba to now, so I only had one thread to keep pulling on.
Love made people do crazy, stupid things.
It was the one weapon I needed him to use against me. The only thing that could convince me to stay.
“I’m so sorry. Millie, I swear to you, I’ll do better. I’ll do anything.”
Not good enough.
“Alessio, no.” I tried to step out of his arms, but he held me tighter.
“I love you, Millie. So much it makes me crazy. I’ll do anything to keep you safe. I saw him touch you, and everything went red. I never want you to get hurt. That’s what matters to me.”
Would any woman actually believe this shit?
I sincerely hoped not.
“I love you too, but––”
“I need you.” He leaned back, and I blinked up to meet his eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Anything.”
Well, I couldn’t be in any better of a position for this mission now. I could bend him to my will.
I swallowed and dropped my gaze to his chest. “I shouldn’t.”
That crack was just the sliver of hope he needed. “Millie, I swear I will make it up to you. I will be the man you deserve.”
I slammed my fist against him again. “Why do I have to love you so damned much?”
He kissed my forehead, staying there for several heartbeats before pulling away and tipping my chin up until our eyes locked. “Because we belong together. I know it, and I think deep down you do too.”
I sighed. “Don’t make me regret this, Alessio.”
“I swear.” He kissed me, and I knew I might not, but he would one day wish we’d never met. I just hoped it was coming soon.