Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
Joseph
Sean McAlister had one tooth left, half his blood supply, and yet the man still hadn’t given up any worthwhile information. A coded message to Roman revealed he also knew nothing of the man. He wasn’t high ranking, or well-known, so why was Sean here or thinking he might have a chance for Angelina’s hand?
As soon as he entered the concrete basement, Joseph smelled defeat and desperation. It wouldn’t be long now. Their unknown enemy was fading fast. Gabriel had done a good job of getting the man ready for him.
“We meet again.” Joseph’s voice echoed in the dark room. A lone light bulb flickered above as Sean slowly turned his head to the side. He gasped for breath as blood foamed in his mouth.
Joseph pulled up a chair and sat by his side. “I think you know you’re going to die. There’s no going back now.”
The man nodded.
“We can do it fast and painless or we can keep going all night long.”
Sean shook his head. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“Who sent you to approach Angelina?”
“If I tell you, they will kill her.”
“Angelina?” Joseph still had no clue where she fit into the scheme of things.
“No, my sister.” He choked out.
Shit, this wasn’t good. The fastest way to bend someone to your will was to take what they loved. In this case, it was the man’s sister. Fuck.
“Who’s blackmailing you?”
“I can’t say. I’m already dead, but I can’t let her die. She’s my little sister.” Sean pleaded for mercy.
Joseph rested his chin against his chest. There was nothing worse than a man who hurt women or used them. If someone took his sister or one of his cousins, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to get them back.
“You help me and I’ll help you. What do they want with Angelina?”
“I don’t know. They just said to make contact. Find out where she worked. Try and get her to meet me alone.” His words slurred and gurgled; it took a lot to understand him. “I didn’t know you would be there. When you showed up, I panicked and came up with the story about marrying her.”
“Why do they want her?” None of it made sense.
Sean passed out.
“Get me the smelling salts and hook up some blood and an IV.” Gabriel handed him a bottle with his rubber gloved hand. The guy was kind of a neat freak, emphasis on freak, but Joseph was glad his friend was here.
Their victim opened his eyes. They flashed bright before dimming once he realized where he was.
“Tell me the name and we’ll find your sister.”
“Not enough. You could tell me anything. I’m dead either way.” Sean played hard ball.
Joseph admired the man’s fighting spirit. “Yes, you are, but at least your sister has a chance. Do the right thing.”
“I want your word. I give you the name, you save my sister, Riley.”
“I will find your sister but I can’t guarantee she is still alive. If we can get her, we will.”
“Do I have your word?” Sean demanded.
“Yes.” Joseph nodded and reached for the man’s bloodied hand.
“It’s a deal but if you don’t follow through, I will come back from hell to haunt you.” His energy zapped; he drifted off again.
Gabriel and he waited a few minutes for the transfusion to bring him back to life.
He slapped the man’s face and repeated the deal.
“Tell me everything and Gabriel will end your suffering.”
Sean slowly shook his head and started to talk.
It was amazing he made it home when all Joseph could see was red. Vivid red rage at what Sean had revealed. The name he mentioned was pure evil on earth. A man he’d heard of but never thought would be on their radar. This was bad. Very bad. If he told Roman, or Arlo, what he knew, they’d pull everyone home immediately. Yet, doing so would show weakness. Something a person in his position never did.
It would also make it appear Joseph wasn’t able to handle the job of keeping one young woman safe. No, Gabriel and he were the only ones who knew exactly what happened in that dark concrete room and it was the way it would stay. Just as he suspected the Hellion was a link.
The young models were recruited as couriers for a delivery company in the hopes of easy money. The application process was a front to gather their personal information. Photos were taken for their name tags and then put in a catalog. If a perspective buyer was interested, the women were taken. Greta must have fought back too hard and was killed. The envelopes in their apartments held simple job descriptions and applications, but none were ever called in to work.
He beat his fist on the steering wheel. Joseph never made deals, but this time he’d made an exception. Personal feelings were involved, which was never a good thing. Fucking feelings! When he’d spied his dark-haired angel sitting with Sean, it took everything he had not to drag the guy into an alley and beat him to death. And that was for simply sitting and talking with her.
Staying in the same apartment with her was torture. Pretending to be her lover, yet not being able to make it real even worse. Everything was messed up. He needed to know what happened to cause the riff between them. Until then, he would pursue her in private. Make her fall in love with him for real. Maybe then he’d be over this stupid obsession the divine little dress designer seemed to hold over him. Everything seemed so real before. But was it?
Unfortunately, now he also had to concentrate on finding the Irishman’s sister. It was a good bet she was long gone. Dante might also be gone soon. The man had work to do and businesses to run. His friend gave off the appearance of a playboy with no worries in the world, but he had a mob family to run, and an endless line of ladies to keep happy. His interest in Bella was a passing amusement at best. At least she seemed to realize it for what it was.
He yawned as the skyline of Florence appeared in the distance with the sunrise. In a few hours, Angelina would be off to work again. Right now, she was probably curled up in bed sleeping. A pure vision surrounded by silky sheets while he had blood on his shirt. It was one of the reasons he’d almost always wore black. Even though you couldn’t see the red stains, it didn’t mean they weren’t there.
Everything around her was light and full of beauty and grace while everything surrounding him was dark and messy. Could he change to fit in her space? Never. Even if he wanted to, his fate was already set. She deserved better, yet he would never let her go.
By the time Joseph drove into the underground garage, the sun was up. As he rode the elevator, he undid the buttons on his shirt and removed his coat. Good thing there was a family-owned dry-cleaning business in town. In the apartment, he stepped quietly across the old floor. The door to Angelina’s room was open.
Had she been waiting for him to come home? Crossing the room, he leaned against the door frame. Her back rose and fell. Strands of her long dark hair lay like streams of ink across the cream pillowcase. A rare beauty without a touch of makeup. The youthful appearance brought back memories of late evenings sharing stories, watching movies, and staying up the night before her sweet sixteen party practicing their dance moves.
Where had they gone wrong? Joseph closed her door and went to his bedroom. He washed the sins of the last few hours off and slid into bed. Dante would be taking the women to work today while he got a few hours of sleep and tried to find out why the monster of Europe was interested in Angelina.
Angelina
They’d made great progress on the line and before she knew it, Friday rolled around.
“These are spectacular, Angelina.” Stephan flipped through the designs they’d worked on together. “I know Madison will love these. I’ve sent her copies of some and, fingers crossed, at the conference call today, we’ll find out if we can continue with the line.”
Her stomach knotted waiting until four o’clock to hear from her aunt, so she took an early lunch. Bella was already in the break room. Angelina grabbed her lunch from the fridge and sat at her table.
“Dante was quiet this morning.” Bella pushed her empty salad bowl away and rested her elbows on the break room table.
“Oh, I didn’t notice.” Angelina picked at her lunch, too nervous to eat. “Maybe you’re more in tune with him than I am.”
“Ha. The man is too bossy and too old.” Her face turned a pretty pink.
“I think he likes you.” Angelina could tell by the way Dante looked at her that he cared.
“Dante likes anyone with boobs. What’s up with Joseph? I’ve not seen him all week.”
“He comes in late at night, and his door is closed in the morning. I’m glad. One less bossy male to deal with.” It was good to know he was safe, but the non-communication was maddening.
Shrugging, Bella reached for a packet of crackers. “I’m taking another job.”
Angelina dropped her fork. The metal clank echoed in the room. “What?”
“I’m bored here. I’ve already messaged Madison. I’ll work here when they need me, but otherwise I’m signing with an agency in the city. I need exposure. I need to work the runways.” Bella seemed driven to make this her career.
“What about security?” Would it even be allowed?
“They don’t think I’m at risk here. Just you.”
This was strange. “Wait, what. I don’t understand. Why me?”
“Maybe because of your dad’s work? Who knows?”
“What about Jasper?” There was no way Bella’s dad would be okay with this.
“I’m an adult.”
Angelina shook her head. “You know that doesn’t mean squat in this family. How is this possible?”
“Dante had to agree to keep an eye on me.” Bella rolled her eyes.
If it were possible for Angelina’s jaw to hit the floor it would. “What? I don’t understand. Who agreed to what?
“I don’t know the specifics, only that he agreed and I said yes. It’s the only way I’ll get to the top.”
“Wow. Bella, I’m in shock. I’ll miss seeing you every day.” As soon as Angelina saw Dante, she’d get him to spill the details. Something seemed fishy.
“Like I said, I’ll be here whenever they need me. Right now, you guys are still in the design stage, and I’m just sitting around. You have dress forms for that.”
“True. But still.” It wouldn’t be the same.
“I can still ride with you when the schedule works out.” Bella’s eyes lit up. “I already have a fashion show next weekend.”
“That’s wonderful. How did I not know this?” It hurt to think she’d been ignoring her friend.
“You’ve been busy. I didn’t want to bother you. Anyway, once your line gets approved, we can go out and celebrate.” Bella pushed her salad aside.
“I wish I had your confidence. Caponelli Designs is about glamour and elegance, not goth.”
“I’ve seen your work. It’s glamorous, elegant, and very sexy. I’d wear every piece.”
“Thank you. You’d look crazy good it them, too.” Angelina placed her hand on Bella’s cold one. Bella was always thin, but her cheeks were paler than usual.
Bella gave Angelina a weak smile. “So, are we on for tonight?”
“Yes, or no, we’re going out.” She pumped her fists in the air and gave a little squeal. “Wish me luck.”
“You got this, Angel.”
Never had the clock moved so slowly. Stephan and Angelina had been seated in the conference room for what seemed like hours. Finally, Madison’s face popped up on the screen.
“Hello guys.” Madison waved. From the background, sounds of birds and water meant her aunt was at her home on Lake Genoa. Most likely the screened-in porch she loved.
Homesickness reared itself in Angelina’s head. It’d been a long time since she’d been home.
“Hi, Maddy.” They answered in unison.
“You two have been busy.” Madison dipped her head and flicked through the papers in front of her. “And I must say this is something we’ve never done before. I’m not sure it is our target audience.”
Stephan’s gaze met Angelina’s. His jaw was tight. She held her breath.
“Yet, I like it. It’s classic yet new, sexy, and smart. I can see the separates as business attire and the gowns as both club and formal wear.”
Angelina let out a sigh and briefly closed her eyes.
“I also liked the few accessory items you suggested as well. Great job guys. Let’s focus on a few select pieces. If it goes well, we could debut it as a collection in the spring.”
Fashion planning was always so far ahead. Production of spring was in the fall and fall in the spring. The company already had a line in the works. This would be an add-on.
“How many do you want?” Stephan inquired.
“I’ll need at least forty sketches to choose from. I’ll pick a few from those for the runaway.”
“You got it. Thanks so much, we are super excited about this new venture.” A fresh jolt of electricity buzzed through her body. This was the chance of a lifetime.
“I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I have to go. Keep up the good work. Bye guys.” The screen went dark.
Angelina squealed and high-fived Stephan. “I can’t believe this.”
“I can’t either. How are we going to come up with so many more?” He held his head between his knees and took several deep breaths.
“I have tons of ideas. This is going to be fun.” Inspiration spiked. Going to a club tonight would add to it. “Stephan?”
“Yes.” He rose, his cheeks flushed from the rush of blood to his face.
“We should celebrate tonight. What’s the most goth-like club in town?” She gave him a saucy smile.
“Club Vex.”
“Up for some research tonight?” She flashed her best wicked grin.
“I like the way you think.”
“Great. Bella and I will meet you there.” She sent a quick text of their plans to Bella. Now she had to figure out how to give their bodyguards the slip. It’d be hard to blend in with a bunch of huge goons shadowing their every step.