Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
Frankie navigated slowly up the winding drive toward Alessia’s family’s mansion.
The trees created a darkened canopy over the road, with the occasional patch of moonlight peeking through to help guide him along the way.
Good childhood memories of fun activities with her parents and siblings floated through her mind, making Alessia smile faintly—picnics together under the big trees, making snowmen in the backyard, and jumping through the cold water of a sprinkler on hot days.
Whatever happened to that tire swing Enzo pushed her on?
The pleasant memories drifted away as the large mansion loomed into view.
Her father had sheltered them from the realities of life in the family.
That all changed when he passed and Enzo seized control of the family business.
Now the building, which had once held laughter, had taken on a menacing gloom.
When Frankie pulled up to the entryway and stopped the car, a man walked down the stairs to open the door. Alessia didn’t recognize him. Another one of the new guards, no doubt. He had the same look as the rest of them—tall, hard, athletic—and all carrying guns beneath their jackets.
After shifting the car into park, Frankie’s hand wrapped around her thigh, pinning her in place before she could get out. Without thinking, she jerked away from him. Instantly, his fingers tightened painfully on her leg, making her wince.
When her gaze met his, Frankie snarled, “You’ll learn to be nice to me, Alessia.
When your brother marries you off, you’ll lose the Costa name.
Mine will be the only one that affects you.
Better start practicing now. I won’t put up with disrespect.
You’ll welcome my touch whenever I wish to have you. ”
Alessia stared at him in disbelief. Shock quickly replaced her incredulity at his crude words and plans.
He was right. If Enzo forced her to marry Frankie, the brutish man could require her to do anything he wished.
Beating his wife wouldn’t cross any lines for a man like Frankie.
And no one in the Enzo family would stand up for her.
She’d have to run away and hopefully never be found or die.
Those would be the two ways to escape that abusive fate.
An image of Titus popped into her mind, and Alessia realized she had another option.
The one she would choose even if the other two weren’t horrendously bad.
She didn’t challenge Frankie, but when the security guy opened her door, she slid from the car quickly, letting out a long, calming breath as she stepped out of the car.
Her shoes crunched on the gritty drive. The residual foot discomfort even in the cushioned sneakers reminded her she wasn’t out of danger yet.
The new guy greeted her politely. “Good evening, Miss Costa. Your brother is finishing an interview and asks that you join him in the study. He will be with you shortly.”
“Thank you.” She guessed he hadn’t figured out the dynamics of the family and noted that she had no power or pull with Enzo. His consideration of her would evaporate when he learned how little she mattered to anyone. Alessia tilted her chin up, refusing to dwell on that sad thought.
Within the past few weeks, Enzo had replaced several dozen members of his security team. The previous guys had vanished, and suddenly an entirely new crew had shown up. The turnover made no sense to her, but then everything had gotten more tense since Nightfall opened its doors.
“Think on what I said, Alessia,” Frankie called from the car.
Alessia didn’t glance back but nodded at the guard in front of her. “I’ll follow my brother’s request.”
He waved a hand up the stairs, giving her the okay to proceed to the entrance. She sent him a small smile and a slight nod as she walked up the stairs. “Thank you.” Another guard opened the front door for her as she headed for the study to await her brother’s arrival.
She hesitated by the stairs leading to her room and quickly shucked off the Nightfall hoodie. Avoiding her brother’s ire was important. His temper was legendary. She folded the soft fabric neatly over the railing so she could pick it up on her way upstairs and dropped her stilettos.
Pushing through the large wooden doors, Alessia remembered a much happier time when her father occupied this space.
The old-fashioned study still gleamed with dark wood and well-polished brass, and her feet sank into the deep carpet.
The large, overstuffed leather furniture held a luxurious scent that invited whoever entered to sit back and relax in the lush environment.
This room, more than any other, held the echo of her father’s presence.
Her hands shook while pouring herself a small brandy from the liquor cabinet for courage.
Alessia braced herself for Enzo’s arrival.
Enjoying a sip, she smiled slightly despite her nervousness.
When she turned twenty-one, her father had invited her to join his customary drink-before-bed ritual.
Having those special moments with her father became her favorite time of the day.
Alessia took her place in one chair across from the immense desk that was the centerpiece of the room.
Her indulgence was short-lived, however, as Enzo burst into the room raging for all to hear.
“As if having some mystery bar show up on my turf is not enough, now I have these jackals from the Eastside gang deciding to challenge me!” His face flushed with anger as he pulled off a pair of weighted tactical gloves, drenched in blood, and threw them on the desk.
Alessia sat frozen in place, staring at the sopping mess on the corner of the desk.
She couldn’t force her mouth to form words as her brother helped himself to the bar, pouring bourbon into a crystal glass.
Enzo gulped his drink and wheeled on Alessia, pointing a finger directly at her.
“I hope you have something more to tell me than what I extracted from that Eastside idiot.”
Alessia sipped the brandy to reset her thoughts, tasting the sweet spiciness on her tongue as the warmth of the alcohol spread throughout her. I can do this. She gave a slight nod to reassure herself and to let Enzo think she had some news to share with him.
“The description you gave me from the last person was essentially correct, but that information doesn’t flesh out the details you’re looking for.
Newcomers walk through a lobby inside the entrance.
From there, they proceed into an anteroom.
After some theatrics and a welcome by the owner, Alaric, they are allowed into the bar.
Repeat guests don’t go through that activity. ”
“So, you can lie and go directly in?” Enzo said, automatically plotting how to skip that step.
“No, that’s not possible. Everyone receives a wrist stamp.” Alessia held out her arm. “It’s blank now, but if I was close to Nightfall, a picture appears. It’s a glowing moon. I have no idea how long the symbol lasts.”
“I’ll send you to the area, and you can take a picture. I could tattoo a circle on my men to allow them to waltz inside,” Enzo said, staring off into space as he plotted.
“I’m not sure a tattoo would work. The moon actually shines.”
Enzo tossed back the rest of his drink and slammed his glass onto the table.
He glowered at Alessia with such hatred she would have cringed backward, but she’d gotten used to being the target of her brother’s anger.
She expected him to kill her one day. Now, with the possibility of Titus coming to save her, she refused to cower.
“You’re determined to make this difficult, aren’t you?” Enzo snarled.
“I’m simply providing the intel you sent me to gather.
” Pulling her phone out to check the notes she’d made, Alessia continued without pausing, “The nightclub is huge with the usual tables, chairs, dance floor, and a wraparound bar area. The place can, and does, hold a lot of people. The maximum number listed on the wall is 1245.”
Enzo grunted, took another drink from his glass, and settled back into the enormous chair behind the desk. “That much I’ve already learned. What else?”
Alessia gave him a slight shrug and went on, “Cameras scan everywhere. I couldn’t judge how many actual security staff they have, as Nightfall has an observation deck above the entire bar. Because of the lighting in the club, I couldn’t see how many people were above.”
“Are guests allowed up there?” he asked, staring at her with narrowed eyes.
Alessia understood where that was going.
Enzo wouldn’t hesitate to order her to seduce someone to gain access to that platform.
“No. Only employees have the key to the elevator.” Hoping to distract him, she added, “I did see the enormous guy you described. He acted as if he was running the show as far as security. Everyone in the security polos deferred to him.”
Enzo interrupted with a string of curses. “That bastard better enjoy the next few days. He’s not long for this world.”
Alessia’s rigid control kept her thoughts from showing on her face.
She’d had too much practice in disguising her genuine feelings from her family.
She took a sip of her brandy and continued, “Other than that, security was hard to track as they’re constantly on the move.
Several hidden doors and passageways must connect throughout the place.
I saw a couple of the employees in one section of the main space, and they turned up on the other side of the room like magic.
They have the same disappearing act with any troublemakers too.
One minute they’re starting a commotion, and the next they’re gone. Their crowd control is impressive.”