Chapter 23
I haven’t spent a night alone in my new apartment yet. Last night just after eight, Ricky showed up with an overnight bag and no intention of leaving. I asked him if the four of them had formulated some sort of roster, and he just shrugged and smiled cheekily the way he does when he’s up to no good. Before I knew it, I was over his shoulder and he marched through my apartment to my bedroom where he tossed me down on my bed, tugged off my panties, and started eating me out. It was then I stopped fussing about having a babysitter and decided I didn’t mind this new arrangement too much at all. Three orgasms later, I fell asleep in his arms, satisfied and happy. I can’t say I’m sad about the activities or the company, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to start some interesting rumors with the young couple who live across the hall.
This morning, I left him alone there, waiting on Maddox to arrive. Apparently the two of them are going to make good on my suggestion to track me or do whatever they feel the need to keep me safe, and they’re installing security cameras and a state-of-the-art alarm system. I was worried about pissing off my landlord, but they said Alex already got clearance. Knowing how much control his family has over this town, I’m sure he did. I only hope he went about it the right way.
Sitting at a table large enough for four, I glance up and offer a half smile at Alessandro as he walks through the front door of the little café. This is the place I know his papa likes to meet Mayor Chambly in every Monday for lunch. Right before he visits Enzo’s exclusive club.
Alessandro stops in at the counter and places his order then joins me with a kiss on the cheek and a grin that makes me blush. I don’t know what it is about this dynamic that makes me swoon over him so much, but fake dating him has given me the opportunity to get to know him in a totally different way than I have before, and it’s nice to see this side of him.
“Any sign of them?” he asks, glancing around the cozy café space.
I check my phone for the time. “Not yet, but it was closer to midday when I saw them here last time, so I guess we just wait.”
“Good. I get you all to myself for a little longer.” He brings my hand up to his lips, kissing the back of my fingers. I smile up at him, feeling loved up for real. He pulls me toward him so I’m teetering on the edge of my seat, and his lips drop to my neck kissing me just below the ear in a way that sends tingles through me. He brushes my hair behind my shoulder and keeps placing kisses down my neck. “Fuck, you smell good.” His hand runs down my side, finishing on the hem of my short dress, and I suck in a breath, knowing there are people around.
“Alex,” I warn him. “We’re not here to play around today.”
He kisses me again, his finger just edging under the hemline of my dress in a way that delights and teases me. “All work and no play is very dull, Vivian.” He chuckles, the sound warm and reassuring, a clear attempt to distract me. He must be able to see how on edge I am. Today is super important, and I need it to go well.
“Alessandro, what are you doing here?” Enzo’s voice booms as he enters the café like he owns the joint. And for a second, I panic that he might. But then Alessandro would have told me if that was the case.
Get your shit together, Harley, you’ve got this . Remember why you’re doing it. For ma, papa, and Marco. For all the girls who have gone missing or been sold by this creep. And even for the boys.
I pop my head to the side and offer a friendly smile, fake as can be. His face changes immediately when he sees me, his concern turning to delight. Apparently, I’m one of his favorite people. Surprising, since everyone else seems to think he hates women, but I guess when he’s able to manipulate me as well as he is, it makes me useful for now.
“Oh, and with the beautiful Vivian.”
We both stand, and I let him kiss my cheek in greeting, cringing internally when the scent of his overpriced cologne hits my nostrils. “What a pleasant surprise. Alessandro was just taking me out for lunch. You should join us, if you’re not too busy?”
He holds my hands in his as he takes a step back from me, warmth in his eyes. One I don’t see very often. “How could I turn down an offer like that.”
I grin back at him. “It’s settled then, we already have four seats.” I motion to the table. “What will you have to drink? I have already ordered for myself and Alex.”
“No, no, dear, I will sort it out.” He moves to the counter and places an order.
Alex moves in closer. “He actually likes you,” he says quietly, like he can’t believe it.
“Yeah, I know. It’s unnerving,” I whisper back.
The mayor walks through the door, and Enzo motions for him to join us as he’s making his way back to our table.
Alessandro holds out a hand. “Mayor Chambly,” he says, his voice light and pleasant.
The mayor grins at us, and it’s cheesy and laced with a bitterness that tells me he’s not impressed his lunch meeting has been disrupted.
“This is Alessandro’s fiancé, Vivian. She’s a delight, isn’t she?” Enzo introduces the two of us.
The mayor’s eyes, sharp and assessing, roam over my face. “Ah yes, I have heard so much about you. Apparently you stole the show at high tea yesterday. You two certainly have people talking, with your hasty engagement.”
“My wife has taken quite the liking to Vivian and so has my son. He proposed to her after just their second date, knowing he had found the one. We’re hoping for a spring wedding,” Enzo adds, sounding way too pleased about the nuptials.
I quickly glance at Alessandro, wondering if he knew they set a date. He nods along as if he did, and my heart races a little faster. A spring wedding, fuck, that’s like five months away.
“Mother is quite excited about having a new event to plan,” Alessandro says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and kissing me on the cheek.
“I bet, your mother likes to throw a good party.” His attention comes to me, and I wonder if he’s going to be as nasty as his wife. “That’s where I know you from, isn’t it?” He clicks his fingers. “We met at the garden party? I’m not great with names, but I never forget a face.”
“Yes, I was there, that’s where I met Alessandro.” I gaze lovingly toward him, playing my part. But that’s no longer difficult because I’m getting more and more swept away with him by the day. And a sick and twisted part of me, real deep down, is enjoying the fantasy of being engaged to him. The idea of really being his and him mine. I break into a hot sweat at the thought; what the hell is wrong with me? I take my seat again, filling my glass of water to the brim before drinking it down.
The others all take a seat as well, Alessandro looking me over with concern.
“It’s unseasonably warm today, isn’t it?” I say, trying not to look like a flake.
A look passes between the mayor and Enzo that I don’t like. Something fucking creepy about it that makes me feel really uncomfortable.
“How do the two of you know each other so well?” I ask innocently, trying to keep conversation flowing and off my sudden hot flush.
The mayor glances toward Enzo and he nods giving him the go ahead to talk. For fuck sake not even the mayor wants to open his mouth unless he’s been told he can. “I met Enzo when I was working a case about twenty years ago.”
“Julian started out as a detective working for the Ravens Hollow precinct before working his way up the ranks.” Enzo’s piercing eyes land on me. “He helped me out with a little problem back in the day, you know how it is, Vivian.”
I nod and smile, agreeing even though my stomach churns. That little problem was Ricky’s beautiful mother after Enzo found out she wanted to leave with his kid. And this asshole has been enjoying the benefits ever since. Moving up the ranks at the force before eventually becoming mayor. While those little boys had to live with the horror of what happened to their mother that night.
I run my hand up my thigh, finding my trusty knife sitting there in the sheath right where I left it. I want to lash out and attack him right here in the middle of this place for what he did. Or didn’t do. It was his job to protect her, and he chose a life as Enzo’s yes man instead. Bide your time, Harley. This man will meet his end soon enough.
When a server brings over our hot beverages, she also asks us for our lunch order. And while I eat my halloumi and roast pumpkin salad, I listen to Enzo drone on and on about the upcoming election and how the mayor is a shoo-in with Alessandro’s support. I can tell he’s on his best behavior because I’m here and normally this conversation would be all business.
At one point, the two of them excuse themselves and disappear behind a partition wall. I make out with Alessandro, making it look like we’re completely uninterested in anything but each other. But really, we’re keeping an eye on their every move. They heatedly discuss something before Enzo hands him more of those green slips he had last time.
Alessandro leans in even closer to me, his hand running up my thigh.
“Stop that, I’m trying to focus,” I tell him, swatting his hand away.
“What’s your plan, sweetheart?” His finger runs along my thigh just under my hem like it did before.
My eyes meet his in a playful warning. “You will see soon enough, boss.” My heart races at the thought of what I’m going to do. Can I go through with it? Fuck, I have to. This is just the start, and there is no backing out now. I suck in a deep breath, trying to clear my head.
His lips drop to my neck. “After you take care of this asshole, I’m going to take care of your needy pussy.” His hand moves a little higher. “Fuck you so damn good.”
I clench my legs closed so he has no choice but to move his hand away. “After I do what I need to, I might just let you.” I smirk back at him cheekily, and I know he can’t stand the fact Ricky got me all to himself last night.
I see out of the corner of my eye they are on their way back to the table, so I purposely kiss Alessandro again, getting wrapped up in him completely.
“Oh, look at the two of you. Young love,” Enzo says to the mayor. Like he actually believes this is what is going on when we both know he’s paid me to be here.
“Anyone want another coffee?” the young waitress asks as she approaches our table.
“I’ll take a flat white to go,” Mayor Chambly says, not taking a seat again. I’d say he has an escort waiting for him at Enzo’s private club.
“I’ll have the same as before, thanks, but to go too,” I offer her with a subtle smile.
She scurries off to the counter and makes our coffees.
“This was a nice surprise, Vivian, make sure to organize with Valentina to come around for dinner one day this week. We would enjoy entertaining you both at the estate. In fact, you should invite Ricky and Maddox as well. Vivian should get to know them if she hasn’t already.”
Alessandro wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his solid body in a way I know is for show. “She’s been spending some time at our mansion. They are both very fond of her already.” The way he says it hints at so much more than us sitting around playing board games together.
I feel my face redden to a deep crimson. He wants his papa to assume I’m sleeping with them all.
“Dinner with the whole family then,” Enzo says, pleased by his comment but in a way that makes me feel cheap and nasty.
I force a smile through my embarrassment, just wanting to get the hell out of here. “Sounds wonderful.” It’s not like I didn’t already have this awkward conversation with Enzo about Alessandro wanting to share his partners, but with the mayor standing right here as well, it’s mortifying. Being okay with what me and the boys are doing behind closed doors is very different to openly discussing it in public. Fuck, please earth, swallow me up.
Lucky the server has good timing and brings our takeout coffees back to the table. I happily take mine, desperate to get out of here.
Enzo kisses my cheek then heads out in the direction of his car. They exchange a couple more words, then just like last time, Mayor Chambly walks up the street in the opposite direction to where Enzo was parked, coffee in hand.
“You want to take a walk with me?” I ask Alessandro, wanting to see firsthand if my plan has worked or not.
Alessandro takes my hand, and we stroll down the opposite side of the street all snuggled up together. To any onlooker we seem like a loved-up couple. “Your papa creeps me the fuck out. What father is so excited for his sons to share a girl?”
“One who grew up in the seedy underworld of Ravens Hollow. This shit is normal to him. Just like whatever fucked-up scenario is waiting for the mayor back at his private club.”
“From what his wife said, he has an insatiable appetite, one she could never keep up with. And that’s why he gets his fix down at Enzo’s private club.”
“He’s into dark shit, Viv. That’s why his wife lets him see escorts, she can’t handle him. Most of the women he sees won’t see him after the first time.”
“Why?” I ask, already knowing I don’t want the answer.
“He’s known for taking it too far. Enzo covers up for him. And Chambly covers up whatever Enzo needs him to. It’s been a win-win arrangement for years.”
“Except for the poor girl who get hurt in the process,” I say, disgusted.
“Everyone has their own kinks, that’s why places like Enzo’s club exist. I’m not saying I agree with it, but it’s why it’s still there after all these years. Some kinks are more harmful than others.”
“Enzo’s running this shit show, and it’s me he’s trying to shame for what I’m doing with you boys.”
“Don’t let him get to you. So what if you go weak for us boys all at once. I wouldn’t be ashamed of it, princess. Own the power you have over us, it should be empowering.”
“Pfft. Power I have over you? I don’t think so.”
“Four incredibly influential men are completely smitten with you. That’s true control.”
I return his smile, a warmth spreading through me. Not sure how what he just said made me feel so special, but it did. All this time I thought they were controlling me or at least trying to. But it’s been me who has something over them. They all need me. That’s crazy to think about. “I never thought of it like that.”
“It’s the truth.”
Every so often I glance across the street, waiting for the mayor to take a sip from his cup, but nothing yet. And then right before he descends the very same alleyway behind the florist, he lifts the cup to his mouth and slurps the delicious coffee down.
I stop dead and watch. Alessandro waits as well, even though he has no idea what is going on.
The mayor rounds the corner, then clutches his throat as he stumbles forward. The contents of the coffee spill out all over the street as he goes down hard, hitting the pavement.
Alessandro clutches my hand and pulls me across the street with him. “What the fuck did you do, princess?” His lips turn up in a cruel smirk.
I roll my lips as we make it to the pathetic man now turning blue in front of us. “It seems as though the mayor got my coffee and me his. It’s funny now that I think about it. I do recall Connie saying something about a nut allergy yesterday at high tea. Oops.”
Alessandro chuckles darkly, amused by my sarcasm.
Ricky appears beside me, a sly, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he kisses me.
“You were in on this?” Alex asks him.
“Get my EpiPen,” the mayor wheezes clutching his chest, desperately trying to reach the pen in his pocket. It falls free. “Help me.” He looks up at the three of us as if we might save him.
Alex kicks the pen out of arm’s reach then turns back to me, his hands roaming down my body, landing on my ass, where he squeezes. “You’re an evil genius, princess. I think I just fell for you even more.”
I smirk back at him, and I realize maybe I do have the love heart-eyes emoji every time I look at him. I kiss him quickly, then I turn back to Ricky. With a nod, my face hardens. This is his time for revenge, not mine.
I look back at the piece of shit dying in front of me. “This fucker should have saved Ricky’s mom when he had the chance. Instead, he left her to die at the hands of Enzo. I hope all the perks were worth it, Mr. Mayor,” I spit out in disgust.
I see it in his eyes when he realizes we’re not going to save him, and he knows exactly why. He fucked up ever getting in with Enzo Moretti. It might have taken a long time to see his retribution, but the universe works in mysterious ways, and today, I hope Ricky’s mom can finally rest in peace.
Ricky squats so he’s eye to eye with the pathetic man. “This city respected you. After today, they will know the truth. That you spend this city’s money on cheap whores to feed the guilt that eats you alive for all the sins you have committed at the hands of Enzo Moretti.” Ricky stands and makes his way back over to me, pulling me into him in a way that makes me feel every bit how much he fucking loves me.
“You won’t get away with this. No one double crosses Enzo and does,” he struggles out, his eyes on me.
“Lucky the only thing I care about is living long enough to make all you fuckers who helped him for so long pay.” I turn away from him, smiling back at Alessandro, Ricky’s arms wrapped around me protectively.
Alessandro looks up the alleyway. “This place gives me the fucking creeps.”
I glance back up to the black door with the gold number ten on it, a sadness washing over me for him. Was this where he lost his virginity to one of Enzo’s escorts? From the haunted look on his face, I know it is. Ricky looks just as messed up, and I can only imagine if Enzo thought it was good enough for Alex, he sure would have endured the same shit when he was considered old enough.
With a sigh, Alessandro’s head drops, his gaze falling to the asphalt below. “You want to know why Geovani and I have been warring for years? His wife Bianca was one of the girls we saved from Enzo, from this very club one night. The four of us were here working for Enzo, and there she was, dancing on the stage. Geovani become obsessed with her and decided that we needed to get her out of there. It was like something snapped in his brain because not one of us had ever questioned what my papa had been doing before. But this night he did. There was something about her, something broken that spoke to us all. And when we took her home and found out the truth about what Enzo and scum like this piece of shit were doing to the women who worked here, we knew something had to change.”
With a frustrated sigh, Ricky shakes his head. “Geovani thought he could save her, but she killed herself because of the pain she was still in?”
“Geo didn’t take it well?” I ask already knowing the answer.
“He promised to protect her. She became such an important part of all our lives, the reason we were all fighting my papa, and then she was just gone.”
“Geovani was devastated, and the rest of us lost a little more hope in this world,” Ricky adds and I can see how torn up he still is about it.
Sadness fills me for them all. For the poor girl they tried to save. “It’s devastating. How can we get this place shut down?”
“You can’t,” Ricky says sadly. “Not while Enzo and his entourage are still running this town. After Bianca died, we opened the Flamingo Hotel. It was our way of protecting girls who wanted to work in the sex industry. There was no way we would let what happened to Bianca happen to anyone else, or at least we thought we could control it, anyway.” I know there is so much more to all this.
Alessandro sighed. “If a girl came to us in trouble, we would get her out and provide her with protection. But there was so many who slipped through our fingers and more who didn’t want to be saved. They were so manipulated by Enzo they believed what he had them doing was normal. It was then I worked out how much control he had over this town and everyone in it.” He really has been trying to stop Enzo in his own way.
I glance back to the man now dead in front of us. He deserved what he got today, and I’m sure so much more for the poor women who were hurt at his hands. “We will take back control,” I assure them. They have been fighting all this for so much longer than I thought. I feel so bad for all the times I told them they weren’t doing anything. They were. They just had their hands tied.
“Let’s get out of here.” I toss my full coffee in the bin at the end of the alleyway, and the three of us head through the park across the street, Ricky’s hand in mine and Alessandro’s arm slung over my shoulders protectively. Like we didn’t just orchestrate the murder of our town mayor. A strange surge of adrenaline races through me, knowing I can tick one name off my list.