Chapter Three
Callie
It takes all of twenty minutes to reach the Cammareri compound. It’s the worst-kept secret, ever. Everyone pretends not to know where these criminals are, but we all do. They have most of the State law enforcement in their pockets, so no one does anything about it, but we all know the mansion on the hill belongs to one of the most dangerous and powerful crime families around.
Pulling up to the gate, I press the button on the intercom and wait. Viking metal plays softly in the background, a woman singing about the Phantom of the Opera, and I can’t resist singing along.
“What?” a male voice questions through the crackling intercom shocking me into silence.
“I’m here to drop off a man.”
Silence.
“What man?”
“How the hell should I know?” The day is catching up with me, everything hitting me at once and making me snippy. “I found him in the road. He’s hurt.”
“So, take him to a hospital.” The voice on the other end of this conversation is already grating on my last damn nerve.
“Yeah, he said no cops.” I roll my eyes. “Look, I’ll just leave him out here by the gate. Do whatever you want with him.”
“I’ll be there in a minute. Don’t move,” he says. “I have your plate number.”
And with that, our conversation comes to an end. Drumming my fingers on the steering wheel, I wait, none too patiently, might I add. I have other things to do than sit around and wait, like find somewhere to stay the night, a motel or something.
From the shadows, a large man appears. He looks like the bleeding one in my passenger seat but bulkier, and I’m suddenly glad I didn’t have to help him stay upright. But I do recognize this one. Severu Cammareri. Family enforcer and an all-around true-blue psycho.
“Show me,” he demands, standing beside my car.
After this fucking day, after everything that has happened, I am finally struck dumb. I can’t say a single fucking word, fear finally catching up and holding me in its icy grip. I point to the passenger seat. Severu rounds my vehicle, his hand on his hip the entire time. No doubt holding his gun.
“Switch on the courtesy light.” Another demand, one I jump to fulfill.
“What the fuck?” he roars the moment his gaze lands on my passenger. “Drive through. The garage is open.”
The wrought-iron gate swings open and I do as I’m told. Fear and fascination drive me to comply. He seems genuinely concerned about the man beside me. And if I end up dead, at least it will solve all my problems.
I have no idea whether Kevin will survive the beating I gave him, but I know if he does he will press charges. He is simply that kind of man. He wouldn’t be able to stomach the thought of someone kicking his ass, much less a woman.
Inside the cavernous garage, my hopefully one-day vintage car is surrounded by cars that cost more than most people make in a lifetime. People swarm us the moment the engine cuts out. Two men carry the bleeding man inside while two more watch from the sideline. Severu assesses me with a keen eye before opening the door.
“Come inside.”
It isn’t a suggestion.
He holds his hand out, gesturing for me to lead even though I have no idea where I am headed. My legs feel wobbly as my slipper-covered feet sound loudly on the expensive white-and-gold porcelain tiles. My breathing picks up as adrenaline dumps into my veins and my fight-or-flight instinct kicks in. It’s a little fucking late for that , I berate myself mentally while rolling my eyes.
“Stop being an asshole,” an elegantly dressed woman with dark hair says, glaring at the man behind me. “She brought Mancuso home. She could have left him bleeding in the damn street.”
She takes my hand and leads me to a deep maroon sofa. My hands shake as she offers me a seat.
“I’m covered in grease and blood,” I mumble, not wanting to ruin her pretty furniture.
I know who she is as well. Guilia Cammareri. The queen of this mafia household.
“Sit,” she demands with a smile. “Have a drink. You look terrified.”
I take the crystal goblet she offers me and gulp down the alcohol, enjoying the burn from the bourbon that probably costs more for a bottle than my car did.
“Thank you,” I say, placing the glass on a low, dark wooden coffee table.
“Can you tell us what happened?” a different woman asks. “Where did you find him?”
“Fifth Street,” I reply. “I don’t know what happened. I found him in the middle of the road. He said to bring him home before he passed out.”
Both women nod before giving each other a concerned look.
“Why should we believe a single word you say?” Severu asks, his tone harsh and his features marred by a frown. “You’re covered in blood. Who says you weren’t the person that hurt him?”
For the second time in less than six hours, I lose my ever-loving mind. Standing up I face him head-on, the fear I felt moments before lost in my anger.
“Listen to me, Mr. Badass Mafia Man.” I push my finger into his chest. “I have had the worst day of my fucking life. My job sucks, I caught my fiancé fucking my roommate, and I’m probably going to prison for assault. So, believe me or not, I don’t give a shit.”
“Do you have a death wish?” Severu growls as the two women behind us gasp.
“Fucking shoot me then. It will be an improvement on this goddamned day.”
We glare at one another for long moments, neither willing to give an inch.
“Enough.” The male voice carries through the room, silencing all of us. Severu steps away from me with a shake of his head before facing the man, as do I.
Alceu Cammareri. Fucking awesome. I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes again as this day keeps going from bad to worse. I never should have left the damn garage.
“What is your name?” he asks.
“Callie Murdoch.”
“Well, Callie, you seem to be having a shitty day, and we won’t be adding to that. You brought my younger brother home instead of just leaving him to bleed out. We are indebted to you.”
I raise a questioning brow, not believing a single word he says.
“Guilia will see that you have a room for the night and some clean clothes,” he continues without missing a beat, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. “In the morning, we will talk again. Perhaps I can help you with this assault problem.”
“That’s not necessary,” I start but his wife cuts me off.
“It’ll be easier if you don’t argue. He tends to be set on his decisions,” she says with a chuckle. “Follow me.”
“Fine.” I sound like a petulant child but to be honest I feel like having a toddler style meltdown.
Following behind the Cammareri queen, I take a moment to work through my options. It’s not like I have anywhere I need to be tonight. I do need somewhere to stay. What’s the worst that could happen? They’ll kill me. I’m sure every person under this roof has done worse.
Guilia leads me upstairs and down a long hallway. She swings open a door and I nearly swallow my tongue. Inside is dark wood furniture, decorated with white linen and pops of turquoise. The suite is bigger than the entire apartment I shared with Sasha.
“The bathroom is through there.” She indicates to the left. “I’ll bring you a set of sleepwear and some clothes for the morning. You seem the same size as my sister. If you leave your clothes out, I’ll burn them for you.”
“Burn?” The question slips from between my lips before I can rethink it and I know I sound like an idiot.
She smiles. “It’s the most effective way to get rid of evidence.”
I look down at my clothes before shaking my head. “I might have them framed beside the baseball bat I used to beat my cheating, asshole ex.”
Laughter tinkles out of her as I stare at one of the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on.
“If you and Severu don’t end up killing one another I would love for us to be friends,” she says nonchalantly. “You’ll fit in perfectly around here.” She turns to leave the room.
“Thank you,” I say just as she starts to close the door.
She turns to face me one last time. “No. Thank you . If everything you said is true, we are in your debt. I promise, you won’t regret saving his life.”