5. Antonio
Antonio almost misses a step leading to the ground floor of his loft’s parking lot. Luckily, he catches the handrail, avoiding embarrassing himself in front of whoever is currently monitoring one of the many security cameras.
He curses the (nonexistent) black ice lingering from what was hopefully winter’s last storm a couple of weeks ago, but of course, the real reason he’s so distracted is one Alexandra Agneau.
For the second consecutive morning, the hacker who wormed her way into what was supposed to be impervious security for his business does the same with his head.
It’s even worse now, knowing her true identity. Knowing that someone like her is involved with someone like Ivan Komarov. Being a smart-ass shouldn’t warrant her a spot in such a dark place. Then again, he has no idea who the woman really is. That makes his proposal risky.
His work requires him to put out fires all the time, but he’s not usually in the habit of concerning himself with how that affects others. Just goes to show how unusual the last twenty-four hours have been, and the quicker he takes care of this, the sooner he can… Well, first things first.
Antonio’s ears burn as he walks to his car and then heads to prism, listening to radio static and resting his hand in the passenger seat.
Speaking of unusual, a few minutes into the drive, he gets a call from Frankie.
“Ay, brother. Surprised you answered.”
Not as surprised as I am that you called.
Antonio doesn’t say that out loud, though.
“So…what are ya up to?”
“Frankie.”
Frankie sighs. “Look, I just wanted to make sure we’re good. Ya know, after what happened at dinner?”
“Ah, you mean when I heard you called me a good person?” Antonio hears a laugh.
“Yeah. I’m sorry about that. Yuri must have been sitting on it, ‘cuz I said it months ago. Yuna and I were just talking, and you know how she is, snooping instead of sleeping.”
“I can only imagine what else she’s heard.”
“Probably that Yu hopes you finally find someone to talk to.”
So much for a rhetorical question. “I’m talking to you right now.”
“We both know what I mean. A friend. One that’s not related to you and doesn’t get paid to put up with your bullshit. And sticks around for more than one or two occasions. You can’t tell me you still don’t see the value in someone reliable like that.”
“What I can tell you is that I’ve already met the person I can rely on. Known him for over thirty-one years now.”
“Don’t be a knucklehead. I’m saying at some point, you have to get tired of washing your sheets from different women every night. ‘Cuz you wanna know something else about these thirty-one years? I’ve never actually heard you say you don’t want to settle down.”
Antonio doesn’t know who’s worse with their insistence, his mother or brother. It’s one thing to press the idea that the Morettis are part of this big happy family. It’s another entirely to suggest Antonio add to the ranks of delusion.
He laughs whenever he entertains the concept of filling a space like that in someone else’s life. Or vice versa. So no, Antonio hasn’t said those exact words, but he makes his intentions clear to any woman he sleeps with. It’s certainly not a different one every night. “Don’t act like my place has some revolving door, Frankie.”
“I just don’t want you to get burnt out trying not to be so bored, Tony.”
Antonio lowers his sun visor and frowns. “Is this really why you called?”
Frankie doesn’t respond right away. “In some ways, yes. My apology comes with an offer to come to the arcade with me and Luc. The kids have off and the girls are doing their own thing.”
“As utterly delightful as that sounds, it’s not really a good time.”
“Putting your mockery aside, does this bad timing have anything to do with that phone call you bolted for? I think the least you could do is tell me what it was about. Don’t forget I’ve got a stake in this business stuff, too.”
Business. Stuff.
Antonio should end the call then, but for some reason, he doesn’t. He ends up using his commute to relay a partial account of his meeting with Alexandra Agneau, omitting her biological name for now. He hears several sharp breaths, grunts, and some one or two-word outbursts from his brother, but Frankie keeps most of it in until the end.
“So, this girl busted in your shit, made you chase her all over the city, and then you find out she’s working for one of your biggest pain in the asses? All in a day’s work, huh? But it sounded like things got a little…you know…between you. Was she cute?”
Of course, after that question, Antonio has a vision of Alex. Not the smart-ass, but the one who was terrified.
He can still see the glimpse of the past in her oval-shaped lenses.
Eyes clouded with apathy. Lips curled viciously.
They belong to a monster Antonio tries to keep buried away.
Though…Alex called him James? What kind of a guy is he to pop up at a time like that? It almost seemed like the memory of this person scared her more than Antonio’s physical presence. Watching her spirit warp in an instant made him want to find the man himself, and—
“Yo. You still there, brother? Did the call drop or something?”
If he thinks that, then I can hang up.
A shrill siren from a few hundred feet away has other plans.
“You knucklehead,” Frankie says. “Your silence clearly means she was, though.”
“Was what?”
“Cute?”
Antonio forgot the question that made him space out. He flicks his right turn signal. “Actually, she was hideous. Now get off my phone, Francesco.”
“Call me when you—”
Antonio hastily hangs up on Frankie, and it’s just him and the static again for the last ten minutes to the club.
He parks in his designated spot close to the entrance, and checks his phone for missed calls, though the car’s display would have shown any notifications. He shakes off his expectations. She’ll call if she calls, and if she doesn’t, then she doesn’t.
Antonio shoves his keys in his pocket, exits his vehicle, and walks into prism. It’s distinctly more animated than yesterday as the staff prepares for an industry night. The smell of lemon is twice as strong as he heads to his office.
Two online conference calls later, he sits in his chair, clicking through the same three emails, glancing at the same no-notification phone every five seconds.
Finally, an unsaved number pops up, rescuing him from his restlessness. Antonio answers immediately. “Alex?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s me. How’d you know?”
He grins briefly, sensing she’s doing the same on the other end. It’s a much better visual than the one he had earlier. “I didn’t recognize the number.”
“What a wasted opportunity to say something about superpowers. Anyway, I apologize in advance, ‘cuz I’m pretty hung over. Ben and I had a late night, so I’m trying to cleanse myself of my sins. A.k.a Riesling.”
Antonio chooses to think of his similar mishap yesterday and not Alex’s “late night” with Ben. “Sure. Are you calling because you made up your mind?”
She exhales loudly. “No, it’s still pretty undone. Still… I’d regret it more if I didn’t try.”
“Fair enough. Can you come to my boring-ass club?”
“Ah—sorry. I’ve been there before; it’s actually pretty classy. There’s only so many disco balls and fog lamps a gal can take, you know? But I was serious about it being expensive as fuck. Like…can you talk to someone about that?”
“You mean myself?”
“…Yes?”
Antonio sighs. “How soon can you get here?”
“Probably a little less than an hour? You know—since I live in Bumblefuck.”
“It only took me about thirty minutes.”
“You probably drive like Ben.”
If “drive like Ben” means masterfully, then sure. Still, the comparison irritates Antonio. “I drive like I’m supposed to,” he says, only half-hoping Alex doesn’t sense his crossness. “I’ll let my receptionist know to expect you.”
“Sounds good. See you in a bit.”
Their communication allows Antonio to settle slightly, and he moves on to a fourth email, this one containing the final minutes of Monday’s board meeting. Eventually, he hears the rattle of knuckles on wood.
“Did you get a chance to talk to Alex?”
“Yeah.”
Gio closes the door and sits in one of the chairs in front of Antonio’s desk before he continues speaking. “Now’s the time you tell me what the deal is, then. Nathan told me you had him look into her, so I guess your head’s on straight somewhat, but I gotta be missing something here. How do we know she and Komarov aren’t playing us? She could have gotten caught on purpose.”
If Gio is asking out loud, then Antonio must be acting more strange than he thought. Gio doesn’t bite his tongue, but when it comes to business, he doesn’t question Antonio unless he’s greatly concerned.
Once Antonio tells him what the real deal is, he’ll probably be even more concerned.
“Charlie Fox,” he says simply.
“What?”
“The deal is…this girl is Charlie Fox. She’s his daughter.”
“What? What?” Gio’s brown eyes fill with disbelief. “No wa—”
“Yes. I have considered that this could be some fucked-up scheme. But I don’t know which would be crazier. Charlie Fox had a daughter. And somehow, that daughter is…”
“Shit. Did you ask her about it?”
“No. Either she’s the world’s best liar, or she really knows nothing about me, or the Morettis in general.”
Antonio didn’t sense any deceit from Alex, though. At least not after their rocky start.
He cracks his knuckles.
“So, assuming the circumstances are all part of the best case scenario, I get it. I wouldn’t want her near Komarov either. But if they aren’t—”
“Then I’ll deal with it. She should be here soon. I asked Stefanie to send her up.”
“Send her up?” Gio asks, his ear tilting towards his shoulder.
Antonio crosses his arms. “What’s the—” His eyes flicker with the realization that when it comes to some of his employees, letting Alex sail through the halls of prism on her own would be like dangling a piece of meat in front of a pack of wolves. “I—yeah. I’ll go down there myself.”
They continue to talk for a bit longer, and finally, around twelve-thirty p.m., Antonio’s phone buzzes. He reads the text and shoots up from his seat to look out the massive two-way mirror, which boasts a view of the lobby.
Alex unbuttons a pea coat and leans over the front desk to pass it to Stefanie. It’s a pretty warm day for March, considering how windy it’s been, so her oversized, cropped hoodie (which reveals a medium-sized tattoo on her torso) and high-waist leggings don’t seem inappropriate. Alex’s honey-dipped hair perches high on her head, but the tail reaches the generously protruding curve that is her ass. That’s a sight Antonio certainly missed yesterday, but he quickly realizes he isn’t the only one staring.
“You better get a move on,” Gio says.
Antonio exits his office with heavy but swift steps until he hears Alex thank Stef. Before he can reach her, one of the owners of the previously unshakable eyes gets there first.
Aw, fuck. Not him.
“I hope you’re lost, cutie,” he hears Makeo ask.
“Why would you hope that?” Alex asks.
“Well, I’m part of the security management team here, so it’s kind of my job to assess any potential threats. The club is closed to the general public today, so I’m hoping you’re just in the wrong place, and not here to like, rob us or anything. But I can escort you out. And you can give me your number so I can let you know when we’re open?”
“Actually—” she starts.
Antonio finally makes it to the bottom of the steps and jets over. “She doesn’t need a tour guide. She’s here for me. And if you don’t have something else you could be doing, then find something.”
Makeo’s brown waves flop around, and he straightens up at the sight of Antonio. “Oh, shit. H-Hey, boss. I didn’t know she was yours.”
“I’m sorry…his?”
Although Antonio doesn’t respond verbally, he does give Makeo a death glare.
“Uh… I’ll—go do the thing I could be doing, then.” He backs away, leaving Alex and Antonio to stand in silence.
“In other news, your light bill must be high as shit. I feel like I’m on stage. Make sure I get my cut when the show’s over.” Her laugh is light and…kind of cute, as far as laughs go.
Antonio doesn’t join her, but he is glad she’s not put off. “We can take the elevator,” he says, gesturing behind the stairs. He rarely takes the shortcut himself, but that’s the gentlemanly thing to do, right?
“Something wrong with the stairs?” Alex asks.
“Oh, no. I mean–I just figured…”
She takes off as if she knows where she’s going, leaving Antonio’s gaze to glue to her backside, which is even more generous up close. Never has Antonio felt guilty for appreciating a woman’s assets, yet for Alex, he feels the need to look away, as if she’s forbidden fruit.
Probably because she is.
Meanwhile, her walk is calm. Ordinary. Unsuspecting, if that’s even possible. Or maybe that’s the way Antonio wants things to be.
They reach his office and sit opposite each other. This should be a serious meeting, but the first thing Alex does is swivel from left to right like a child.
“Is that what I think it is?” Antonio asks, noticing the swirly tattoo on her inner right wrist.
A small gasp escapes as Alex rubs it. “It is. You do recognize that anime is one of the nerdiest things out there, right?”
“None of the big three count.”
“Oh, they sure do. And the fact you even know the term ‘big three’? Come on. Were you one of those kids running around the school yard with your arms behind your back?”
“You know perfectly well I wasn’t.” Antonio sits back and cocks his head. “Nothing tops getting a tattoo, though. You might as well have one that says, ‘I’m a nerd’.”
“Oh, I do. You just can’t see it.”
That declaration makes Alex’s teasing take a provocative turn. She could be talking about her ankle, or her calf, maybe even her shoulder. But Antonio thinks about…other places.
Great.
“So. What’s the plan?”
“As you already know, Ivan Komarov is a man who craves power.”
“Like most men,” Alex interjects, still spinning.
Antonio kicks his leg out and hooks it behind a wheel of Alex’s chair. “I am trying to be serious here.”
“My bad. Continue.”
“For him, information is just as valuable a currency as money. So we need an offering. Something to open up negotiations.”
“Which is?”
Antonio presses his fingertips together. “A catalog of every corrupt public official in the state. Affairs, bribes, cover-ups—you name it.”
Alex frowns. “That’s a little…basic, isn’t it?”
“Is it? We’re talking about the ultimate database. No more calling Charlie at the witching hour.”
“Antonio…I’m telling you this is not gonna be enough.”
The defeat on her face disturbs him, especially now he’s seen how bright it can be. Since she’s understandably unconvinced, Antonio knows words won’t do much else.
He decides to show her to the comms room, but regrets it the moment he opens the door. It reeks of hoagies and laziness.
Nathan stuffs half a sandwich in his mouth, and Pete wipes crumbs off the edge of his space. Makeo lays his head on the table, facing away from the door.
It thuds closed, officially announcing Alex and Antonio’s presence, and all eyes are on her.
“Gentlemen. This is Alex,” Antonio says.
Nathan swallows a bite of his hoagie and responds first. “Uh…nice to meet you, Alex. Sorry for the smell.”
“Sorry for what?” Pete asks. “It’s lunch time, and it’s not like we were expecting someone to barge in.”
Antonio intends to check Pete, but Alex addresses him first.
“You’re right. And it’s fine. Looks worth every bit of the stench. Like seafood.”
Makeo lifts his head and smiles. “She gets it. We’ve got a couple extra if you want one.”
“We’re here for a reason,” Antonio discloses.
He brings Nathan up to speed, but it seems all Alex needs is permission. The second her fingers touch a keyboard, she looks very much in her element. It almost feels like she forgets anyone else is in there. Although, not even ten minutes later, she’s scowling.
“That was insulting,” she says quietly.
“What? You’re done already?” Nathan asks, shooting Alex a surprised look.
“I will surely be the first to say I am amazing. But your Congress buddy here practically invited me inside. So careless.”
“Still…” he mutters.
For Antonio, this only affirms his thoughts as to her capabilities. “Alright. Let’s pay Komarov a visit, shall we?”
“Like r-right now?”
“Looking to put your two weeks in or something?”
“Funny.” Alex frowns, tugging on her ear.
“If it makes you feel better, I planned on doing the talking.”
“I would hope so.” Alex leaks a feeble chuckle and waves to the other three men. “Hopefully it’s not the last time you guys see me.”