Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
Angelina
After literally running into the one person, she never wanted to see again, a smorgasbord of emotions were dumped on her plate. Thankfully, after taking a shower in her parent’s room, all was quiet in their adjoining bathroom while she detangled her wet hair.
Whose smart-ass idea was it to put them together? It was probably random. The parents were all downstairs, while everyone else grabbed whatever room was available on the upper floors.
He may be gone now, but thoughts of Joseph lingered. Him and his heavenly body. Angelina took a seat in front of the vanity. For the last few years, whenever someone shared a photo of him from a family gathering, he was dressed in a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and jacket. The man was a GQ model in a suit, but when he wasn’t working Joseph’s style was more mayhem and monster, hunting for a victim to rip its head off. But it was his eyes which continued to captivate her. Dark, exotic, and mischievous. They held haunting secrets she wasn’t sure she wanted revealed.
Now the image of the hottest body she’d ever seen would be keeping her awake at night. Tall and tan, he had the lean muscle mass of a fighter. His broad chest was graced with dark curls narrowing to a treasure trail. A path to . . .
“Angelina.”
She jumped and her brush flew into the air. Placing a hand over her heart, Angelina turned to face her aunt.
“I’m so sorry I scared you.” Madison stepped into her room. She’d changed from earlier and wore a pair of fitted pants and a light sweater. “It’s natural to be on edge after such a big day. I wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“Yes, I just have a lot going on in my head.” She picked up the hairbrush from the floor and ran it through her tresses again.
“That’s understandable. We’re all coming to terms with what happened to Greta.”
“I heard. What a horrible thing. Do they know anything yet?” Angelina placed her hand over her heart,
“I haven’t heard all the details but Roman would like everyone to gather downstairs.” Her aunt hugged her from behind. The warmth of her embrace seeped in, melting away the stress. “By the way, you were great today.”
“Thanks. It all seems so meaningless now after what happened. Is everyone else safe?”
“As far as I know. Get dressed and come downstairs.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Sounds good. I have to gather the rest. See you there.” Madison gave her another squeeze before rushing out the door. The woman had to be exhausted but it didn’t show. She was probably functioning on adrenaline and too much coffee.
After making quick use of the hair dryer, Angelina wandered into her closet. She slipped into a pair of leggings, a soft sweatshirt, and a pair of cozy, suede ankle books. She paused to stretch. Angelina turned off the lights and hurried from the room and into a hard body. Again. She groaned and kept going but he held her firm. Joseph smelled wonderful, fresh and clean from the shower.
“If you wanted my attention all you had to do is ask.” Joseph caressed her cheek with his finger.
Thankfully, the sweatshirt covered the goosebumps rising on her arms. “Stop getting in my space.” She brushed him off and hurried along the hall, Jospeh close on her heels. They shuffled down the stairs to the living room where they finally went their separate ways. The crackle of a fireplace drew her to the nearby couch. Joseph gathered with the other guys by the bar.
Her parents soon followed. Layla joined her while Arlo and Roman put their heads together in deep conversation. Her eyes glued to her phone; Carabella wandered in.
“Everyone, please take a seat.” Roman nodded toward Arlo who sat in a recliner across from his wife and daughter. Once everyone was seated, Roman closed the door and stood behind Madison.
“Milan is Sammy Nicoli territory. We reached out to him before arriving as a curtesy and were given safe passage. That said, there are currently some problems between him and the Vittore family who’ve been hoping to get their hold in certain aspects of the area. With the high fashion business and all the young women hoping to break into modeling, it’s become a hub for kidnapping and sex trafficking.”
Angelina’s heart skipped a beat. “What? When I was in school there, I heard nothing about this.”
“That’s because you lived on campus, was protected, and not in the modeling scene. Well, until today.” Roman gave a brief history of how, unknown to Angelina, she had been given special permission to be there. The Nicoli family had kept a close eye on her.
“I had no idea.”
“You weren’t supposed to know. We were misinformed about how bad things have recently become.” Roman paused in front of the fireplace. “That’s brings us back to Greta. She was murdered, but we don’t know why. The girl kept her nose clean. Didn’t hit the clubs. Didn’t have a boyfriend.”
“Home invasion? Stalker?” Madison asked.
Joseph spoke up “The place was trashed as if they were looking for something. She may not have hit the clubs but there was a lot of alcohol in the place. Maybe she was stressed about something?”
“How horrible.” Madison shook her head. “I’d only met her the one time at her fitting. She seemed happy. Nothing out of the ordinary stood out.”
“What do the Nicoli family think?” Angelina frowned How could she have been so sheltered and not even be aware of what was going on?
“They aren’t ruling out a home invasion and she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They are keeping an eye on her apartment but have suggested we not return until they can get a handle on the Vittore situation.”
“That poor girl.” Layla exhaled and patted her daughter’s knee.
“Together with the Sammy Nicoli, we will be taking care of the funeral arrangements. It looks like she didn’t have any family. It’s a characteristic of those the trafficker’s prey on.” Roman continued.
“They can disappear and are long gone before anyone notices.” Arlo added. “It’s our thought and Sammy’s, the girl was targeted, fought back, and died. They had no use for her dead so left.”
“I will notify my father of the latest. The last thing we want is for those bastards to move into our lands as well.” Dante started a text.
Roman met each of the women’s eyes. “That said, as usual, none of our women will be going anywhere alone and not more than they have to.”
Angelina and Carabella locked eyes. This was serious and needed to heed the warning. They spent a few more minutes going over schedules and what would be happening the remaining time they’d be in Italy. Everyone had worked hard. The last thing Roman wanted to do was worry anyone needlessly.
“We have one more thing to discuss before dinner.” Roman nodded at his wife. Madison rose and stood by her husband.
“After the press conference, they announced the winner of the apprenticeship.” She smiled in Angelina’s direction. “It’s you Angelina. You won.”
“What?” Angelina covered her mouth with her hand. With everything happening in the last few hours, it had been the last thing on her mind. “I can’t believe it.”
“That’s awesome.” Carabella screamed as others joined in congratulating her. There were hugs and high fives as the entire family jumped in to celebrate.
“Unfortunately, I can’t allow you to stay.” Arlo turned toward Angelina and the room quieted.
“I can’t either.” Roman agreed.
“What?” It came out like a whisper.
“With the growing aggressiveness of the Vittore’s, it’s not a stretch to think they might attempt to kidnap a high-profile member of the family and hold you for ransom.”
“But I’ve worked so hard for this.” Now it was about to be ripped from her hands? She’d never know if this was what she’d meant to do.
Madison’s were sad. “You can help me back in Wisconsin. We’ll figure something out.”
“No. This isn’t how it works. It’s an apprentice in Florence not back home.” Angelina nearly cried. Like sand, her dream was slipping through her fingers.
“What if I had private security?” Angelina suggested. “We have many qualified men. Besides, I’ve been in Milan for years and nothing ever happened.”
“I don’t feel comfortable having just anyone watch her.” Arlo wasn’t going to give in, and from the strained expression on her mother’s face Layla wasn’t going to either. “I want someone who would guard her with his life and I trust.”
“I’ll do it.” Joseph stood. Those gorgeous eyes of his stared her way.
“We love you and trust you Joseph, but you can’t keep an eye on her twenty-four hours a day.” Layla added while Madison leaned against her husband. Shadows had formed under her eyes. It’d been a long day for all of them, especially her.
“I could help, also.” Dante offered.
“I think we’ve all had enough for the day. Let’s eat and discuss it in the morning.” Roman motioned for his wife to go ahead of him. The conversation was over.
Remaining in her seat, Angelina met Joseph’s gaze. What was his motive for wanting to stay in Europe? She narrowed her eyes, but he smirked and left the room.
“Mom, I earned this. I need to stay.”
Layla yawned. “I don’t know honey. I think we need to talk about this a little more.”
“Why? I don’t know what everyone is so excited about. I was in school in Milan for years. Nothing happened. None of the girls who disappeared were in our area. I hate to sound insensitive, but we have no idea why Greta was killed. It could have nothing to do with us.”
Arlo ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “All of that is true, Angel, but you can’t blame us for worrying. Let’s enjoy dinner as a family tonight then in the morning Roman, Joseph, and I will discuss it.”
“Don’t I have a say in anything? What if I don’t want anyone following me around?” Especially her demon non-blood cousin. “I’m not a child.” Yet, it seemed like she was acting like one.
“Are Madison and your mother children?” Arlo countered.
“Of course not.” She lowered her eyes to the floor.
“Yet, they have bodyguards. The only reason you didn’t while you were there was because the risk at the time was low. Plus, you had other protection in place.”
“I know.” She wiped away a tear and shook her head. “I feel like I’ve finally accomplished something and now I’m back to asking for permission to live my life.”
“Arlo, do you mind giving us a few moments alone?” Layla asked her husband.
“Sure. Take all the time you want.” The others had left.
“I have nothing to say that he couldn’t hear.” Angelina’s head throbbed.
“Yeah, but I do.” Her mother took her hands in hers. “When I was your age, I’d already been promised in marriage to Roman.”
“I know the story about how he fell in love with Madison and because you found out Madison was your sister; she was able to take your place.” Angelina had heard it a hundred times.
“That’s not why I’m telling you this.”
Angelina pouted. It was childish but she was tired and cranky.
“I’m telling you this because in case you haven’t noticed, our lives are not like others. Roman has been extremely flexible with the women in the family, but we still have to live in the shadows when what we really want to do is take center stage. There will always be others who want to do us harm. I’m so proud of you for this new opportunity at Madison’s designs. Don’t let it pass you by because you’re being stubborn. If they decide Joseph, or someone else, needs to be with you. Do it.”
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t even know if I want it. A person can have a talent for something and yet not love it at all. It’s not only the job, its other stuff also.” Her lower lips quivered.
“Like what?” Layla asked.
“It hard being under a microscope all the time. I’ve hardly been on a date in years. Having a goon behind me has chased away any guys who may look at me twice.”
“I know there are those in our circle who have looked at you many times.”
“Ugh, you’re not helping.” The last thing she wanted was for her mother to play matchmaker.
“Is there someone you’re interested in?”
Angelina shook her head. “No, not at all.”
“Joseph and you used to be close. This might be an opportunity for you two to reconnect.” Layla suggested.
“Seriously? After all these years?”
“I love Joe like a son. I know without a doubt he’d take great care of you. If you end up becoming more than friends, who I am to judge. Life is short. Have fun while you can.” Layla wiggled her eyebrows.
“I can’t believe you said that.”
“I’m not saying this to scare you. There have been rumors of some of the European families wanting to join with us. Seek alliances.”
“Alliances? What do you mean?”
“Marriages.” Layla explained.
“You’re kidding. Right? Did we go back in time or something?” The thought of being paired up with a foreign mobster scared the crap out of her. “Father would never allow that.” She hoped.
“It’s just talk right now, but you know how quickly things can change.”
Angelina felt the color leave her face.
“Don’t worry about it right now. Let’s go celebrate the successes of the day and not think about tomorrow.” Layla stood and pulled Angelina to her feet.
“Sure.” If it was only so easy. Angelina trailed behind her mother into the dining room.
The guys’ voices rose in fun as they enjoyed their beer. It was like any other family celebration. They settled into their seats and soon bowls of pasta and bottles of wine were passed around.
Roman raised his glass and praised Madison on a successful showing. After two glasses of wine and way too much fettuccine, Angelina sunk into her chair. It’d been a long day and exhaustion hit. Skimming the familiar faces around the table made her heart swell. Her family may be a bit notorious but she loved each and every one of them. Well, except for the one studying her from the far side of the table. There was mischief in his eyes. One could almost hear the wheels turning in his brain. The man was planning something and Angelina was positive, she wasn’t going to like it one bit.