Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
The music was loud, angry, and giving her a headache.
“This isn’t what I expected.” Angelina yelled.
“What?” Bella shouted, and Stephan cupped his ear. They had a table in the VIP section making the noise even worse. She finally resorted to texting.
Angelina frowned.
This wasn’t what I expected. They call this music?
Stephan cringed.
Are we too old? My head hurts.
I kind of like it.
That message had them stare at Bella who was bopping in her seat.
Angelina groaned.
I don’t, and I don’t think it was worth the fury Joseph will level on me.
Stephan shared his two cents.
It’s because you still want the glamour. There is nothing glamorous about this place.
Speaking of glamour, I think there’s a couple of vampires at the next table.
In selfie mode, Angelina angled her phone behind her. Sure enough. The complexions said the girls had seen less sunlight than Bella.
I’ve gotten some ideas, but I’m ready to go somewhere else as soon as you are.
She stuffed her phone in her purse and stood up.
Agreed. Let’s go.
Stephan texted Bella who gave a thumbs up.
They’d slipped their guards by leaving work early and sneaking out the back. It was a given they’d be found soon. The chances were good they were already on their way or watching from a distance.
Her restlessness may or may not have been in the hopes that a certain grumpy guy might make his presence known. His scent and belongings were everywhere in the flat. Yet she hadn’t seen Joseph for a week.
Empty coffee cups in the sink. A knife with remnants of peanut butter on the counter. A deck of cards on the table. What’s he been up to?
Despite his attraction to Carabella, Dante appeared more and more distracted and on edge.
They wove their way through the crowd of black-clad dancers. Once outside, they breathed in the fresh evening air. A relief from the smoky and sweaty odor of the club they agreed never to step foot in again.
Surprisingly, there was another club next door more to their style. It was flashy, served high-end cocktails, and required a bigger cover charge. Best of all, they could hear each other.
As soon as they took a table in the high roller section, a tall waitress delivered a tray of champagne.
“Thanks, but we didn’t order this.” Always cautious of drinks she’d not witnessed being poured, Angelina held up her hand.
“It’s complimentary from the owner.” She placed them on the table and left.
Bella and Stephan wasted no time enjoying theirs.
“Okay, I guess.” Angelina searched the crowd for who might have sent them. “Who’s the owner?”
Stephan shrugged. “Some playboy. I can’t remember his name.”
“This is really good.” Bella picked up the bottle to read the label.
“You’re not old enough to drink.” Angelina folded her arms over her chest.
“I am at this place.” Bella mirrored her posture.
Half hour later the alcohol and music had them dancing. Angelina switched partners several times before ending up in the arms of an angry-looking Joseph.
“I thought we had a discussion about you wandering off?” Anger was written in big red letters across his face. Heat rolled off his body.
“What does it matter to you? I’ve not seen you all week. What kind of a fiancé are you?” She tightened the grip on his arm. Based on the size of his hard muscles, the man probably didn’t feel it at all. “Are you seeing someone on the side?” The thought of it twisted in her gut. It shouldn’t, but it did.
He arched an eyebrow. “Would that bother you?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me.” She’d thought he’d been true to her before, but it turned out to be a lie.
“Then you don’t know me very well, do you?”
“I know you as much as I want to.” Now she was the one not telling the truth.
He opened his mouth as if to say something. He scowled and closed it. The music changed to a slower tune. He pulled her close. The leather and amber scent she’d always associated with him surrounded her. Why did this bad man have to smell so good? Her excitement for the evening faded fast. The goth club was a bad idea and not what she’d had in mind after all. Then they’d been discovered at one she did like. The last thing she wanted was a fight. Probably sensing her surrender, Joseph pulled her closer. Giving in, she rested her head on his shoulder.
Her favorite song played. It wouldn’t have surprised her a bit if he’d paid the DJ to play it. For being such complete opposites, he sure knew her well. Angelina wished she could say the same. She had no clue where he spent his hours during the week. The first few days, she’d left her door open at night hoping to hear when he came in but being so tired, she could probably sleep through an earthquake.
Letting the song take her away, they swayed back and forth to the music. It mentioned an old love lost and a new one found. She’d loved him once. Loved the boy who always had her back. She raised her head to meet his gaze. Could she love him if she knew what he really did when they were apart? It was a given she would. It’s why she’d stayed away. Her childhood in a mob family didn’t mean she wanted to continue it into adulthood. Yet here she was working for one of their companies. There was no leaving even if she wanted to. As Dante had said, it’d made her who and what she was today.
“What are you feeling?” Joseph’s eyes were unreadable as they seemed to study hers.
It was a strange question to ask. She dropped her gaze to his lips. He’d not asked what she was thinking but what she was feeling.
Truth be told, she was being nostalgic. They were older. Hopefully wiser. Whenever Joseph showered her with attention, it was intoxicating, invigorating, and infuriating. She didn’t know where the acting began and real life ended. It’d always been like this. Was what happened years ago a misunderstanding? Nuzzling her head under his chin, she entwined her fingers with his.
They danced until closing. Stephan had left an hour ago, and Dante had shown up to drag a sleepy and tipsy Bella back to their place.
Leaving the back of the club, Joseph surveyed the area before allowing her to leave the building. He’d admitted there were a group of his men keeping watch from a distance. Being so well guarded was equal parts frightening and reassuring.
Giving her the all clear, Joseph reached his hand out to her. His was warm and strong.
“I don’t understand why all the security. Am I really in this much danger? I’m no one.” Her voice was raspy and hoarse.
“How can you say that?” He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow as they walked toward the front of the building. “You are the most high-profile member in Europe right now. Your face is all over the gossip and fashion magazines for winning the contest.”
“I am?” This was news to her.
“Yes. I can’t believe you haven’t seen them.”
“I’ve been working too hard to notice.” Was it really true? “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Aren’t you a bigger target? You’re the heir to the Caponelli Family.” There was no way he wasn’t the biggest draw.
Joseph stiffened and mumbled under his breath.
“What’d you say?” Angelina pulled him to a stop.
“It’s not set in stone.”
“What do you mean? You’re the oldest. You’ve done everything they asked of you.”
“I’m not blood. I’ve suspected for some time I might be passed over for my brother,” he whispered in her ear.
“What? That’s crazy. I don’t believe a word of it. Roman would never do such a thing to you.”
“He may not have a choice.”
She stopped. “What do you mean?”
“Do you think he would let me stay in Europe watching you if I was the heir apparent?”
He was right. His younger brother, the next in line, was rarely out of Roman’s sight while Joseph worked for her father instead. How had she missed this?
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“Neither do I. Let’s go home.” As if on cue, their vehicle pulled alongside them. They were whisked back to their apartment. Once inside Joseph shed his jacket and draped it across the back of a chair.
“Feel like going up on the roof?” He pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and took a drink.
“I don’t know. I should probably go to bed.” She hugged her arms to her sides.
“You should but will you be able to sleep?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Probably not. Work was pretty exciting today.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Ha, like you’re interested. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll tell you about my day if you spill about yours.” Would he take her up on her dare?
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Oh, come on.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve not seen you all week.”
“Miss me?”
“Of course not.” Yet, she had. Every night she worried and wished he were here. Not to mention the smile on his face made her knees weak.
Joseph pulled a deck of cards off the table. “High card. You come up on the deck with me and tell me about your day. If you win, I tell you about what I’ve been up to.”
How could she pass up his suggestion? With a pout, she inched forward and pulled a card from the stack. Squaring her shoulders, she flipped a queen of hearts on the table.
“A queen for the queen. Very impressive.” Joseph drew his and stared into her eyes. Without breaking their gaze, he tossed it on the table with a grin.
“Except, I’m the king.” It was the king of spades.
“They were marked. You cheated.” How did he do it?
“I’ll meet you outside in ten.”
“Fine.” Angelina huffed as she headed to her room to change out of her dress and high heeled shoes. Maybe he would change his mind and let her in on what was really going on.
Dressed in cozy leggings, a short sweatshirt, and slippers, Angelina hurried outside. He’d not bothered to change. Instead, used the time to make them both hot cocoas, hers with a hardy helping of whipped cream on top. He remembered. They’d enjoyed many cocoas in that past at both their parents’ homes.
“Thank you.” She wrapped her fingers around the warm mug. It was a nice night with a hint of chill in the air. Noticing her shiver, Joseph turned the gas fireplace on. The instant heat was warm and inviting. Even though they were outside, the area was surrounded by bullet proof glass. Just like her entire life had been. Only her time away at school had given her a glimpse of what it was like to live a normal life.
She sat in a chair while Joseph chose the loveseat. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I thought I won and you were going to start.” He patted the empty space beside him.
“Please tell me,” Angelina pleaded before she caved and joined him.
“Truthfully.” He took a deep breath. “I really don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?” Angelina blew on her hot chocolate.
“At first, I thought all this bullshit was true. The engagement to keep you off the market, even the Irish thug seemed legit, but now I’m not so sure.” Joseph rested his arm across the back of the small couch.
“What do you mean? What did he tell you?” Angelina took a sip. The rich dark chocolate was the best she’d had in ages.
“He wasn’t interested in you.” He ran the back of his knuckles along her jawline.
Her forehead wrinkled. “What? You don’t think anyone would want to marry me?”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“How would I know it ? You ghosted me years ago.” And it still pissed her off.
“I ghosted you? You ghosted me.” Joseph studied her as if she’d grown a third eye.
Angelina pressed into the back of the loveseat. “What are you talking about? When you left, I sent letters, emails, texts. I called you but you never responded. You disappeared. Or never wanted to hear from me again.” Even after all these years, the loss of him still ached in her heart.
“I never got any of them.”
“What? I asked your parents, my parents. Everyone said you were probably busy with your studies and I should be also.” It appeared that someone had reasons for keeping them apart. “Didn’t you think it was weird? Why did you never contact me?”
“I did. Many times, but like you, I never heard back.” Joseph set his cup on the coffee table in front of them.
“I don’t get it.” This was messed up.
“Ever since I first laid eyes on you a few days ago, it’s all I’ve thought about. We were inseparable. Best friends. I think our fathers might have had the tech guys block our phones.”
Angelina frowned. “Still, why didn’t you reach out to me when we were older?”
“I was hurt, but I also I had my reasons.”
“Like what?”
He stood and circled the small outdoor enclosure before stopping in front of her. Joseph ruffled his thick hair before grasping the back of a chair. “Roman instilled in me at an early age to never get close to anyone. My enemies would target the ones I loved.”
“He’s married. My parents are married. We both wouldn’t be here if they weren’t.”
“And they’ve been numerous incidents ever since. Fortunately, no one has ever died.”
“So, Roman never wanted you to fall in love, get married, and have a family.” That didn’t sound like her uncle at all.
“He knew that I already had.”