For Cam (Chicago Syndicate Book 4) Page 5

  “You should be Consigliere,” I tease softly.

  “No. I hate all that financial stuff Carmine has to do,” she retorts.

  “You’re right, Capo.” With a few comforting words, she manages to bring me back down to earth.

  In this moment, I recognize that she’s not only mine, but she’s swiftly becoming the one person who knows me best. That knows my inner fear that’s intricately tied to her life.

  “I know I’m right.” She grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. After closing the door, she points the bottle to the dent in the stainless steel. “I’ve been meaning to ask you: what happened here?”

  “A couple of days before we raided Club 7, when James came to take you, I threw my gun at it in anger.”

  “You lost control? You rarely lose your composure,” she says disbelievingly.

  “I do when it comes to you,” I disclose.

  Cam rounds the bar, sets the bottle on the counter, and meets me halfway.

  “I want you to know how much I need you,” I say. “I never thought that I would have what my parents have until I met you. It’s growing into something so much bigger. ”

  A slow, tender smile is directed at me. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said. I feel it deep in my soul too. I never thought I’d be here, and I’m so happy. It’s worth every dangerous bump in the road to be with you. And honestly, we’d never be content in a normal relationship.”

  “Urgh...” I mock, attempting to embrace her, but she escapes my grasp.

  Moving backward toward the sofa, she plays with the hem of her tank top. “Normal, mundane...It wouldn’t fit us. A normal couple would make an appointment with their shrink to talk about your control issues right about now.”

  “But,” I fill in, matching her steps, “we have a much better solution than talking to a shrink.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Take off your clothes, and I’ll tell you.”

  While observing me, Cam pulls her tank top over her head, exposing her red bra. Then she hooks her thumbs into her jeans, shimmying them down along with her panties, and she steps backward again, sitting on the edge of the tall back of the couch as she unhooks her bra, flinging it to me.

  I catch it in the air and press the fabric to my nose. My blood rushes south furiously.

  “So”—Cam rests her hands on the sofa, right beside her hips, and lets her long, lean legs fall open, spreading them wide like a stripper, giving me a perfect view of her pussy—“now that I’m naked, tell me.”

  I unbutton my slacks and take out my dick. Just seeing her naked gets me rock-hard. “I’ve waited an entire day to feel you with my cock.”

  Her mouth turns up into a crooked grin.

  “I want my cock in your mouth again.”

  She bites her plump lip seductively while I gawk at her body that’s meant to be ridden hard and deep.

  “Show me how wet you are, Cam,” I groan, fisting my erection.

  Her palm slides down her stomach to rub her glistening pussy, and she bows her back passionately and whimpers.

  I almost come in my pants. “God, I need you.” I jump forward to catch her ankle, but she’s too quick and bolts over the back of the couch to the floating staircase that leads to the open master suite.

  I race after her up the steps and loop my arm around her waist when she reaches the top, lifting her off her feet. But we don’t even make it to our king-size bed in the center of the bedroom. Instead, we crash against the glass door that leads to the terrace. Cam plants her palms against it and pushes her ass against my cock while I kick off my boots and strip my slacks. I press my chest against her back and take both her wrists in one hand, holding them locked above her head while I lick the soft skin behind her ear and slide my cock between her ass cheeks. As she moans, I skim my nails down her side, making her arch magnificently, driving me mad with hunger.

  Right before I reach the curve of her ass, I say, “This is for hanging up on me, Cam.” And I spank her. Twice. Hard, leaving a beautiful red mark on her smooth skin.

  “Ouch!” Her bothered gaze snaps to me, but I soften her by stealing a kiss and rotating the head of my cock against her wet pussy while still holding her wrists above her head.

  “Don’t do that again,” I order against her cheek, barely able to hold back from driving into her tight channel.

  “I won’t.” The words are tangled around a moan.

  Releasing her wrists, I rip off my dress shirt, desperate for every inch of our naked bodies to connect. Then I circle Cam to face me and shift my hand into her hair. Her nails dig into my chest, and our desire for one another explodes.

  Seductively, Cam drops to her knees, raking her nails over my skin and outlining the intricate black lines of my compass rose tattoo – which has the initials of my family members – on my left side, until she reaches my cock. While capturing my gaze, she pumps the base and licks the pre-cum from the head. Then she takes me into her mouth, and my palms rest against the glass as I lean forward, rolling my hips and watching my cock disappear into her warm mouth as she sucks roughly.

  “Fuck!” I grunt from the pleasure raking through my body.

  I pull from her mouth after a few deep thrusts, and she looks up expectantly.

  “My cock needs to be inside you. It’s going to be hard and fast,” I growl and rotate my finger as I get on my knees as well, and Cam turns, dropping forward on all fours and facing the terrace.

  I can see our reflection in the glass as I nudge my cock at her pussy and drive inside with one shove, clutching her hips and pushing in and out, feeling her flesh give.

  “You’re so wet for me, Cam.”

  “Hmmm.”

  She pushes back against me, so I dig my fingers into her hips and hammer inside her. My pelvis slaps against her ass while I watch her half-closed eyes in the window, but when I observe my cock sliding into her, her hot center stretched open to take all of me, I’m lost. I push Cam forward so that she rests one hand against the glass. My fingers drift up her spine and wrap into her hair, and I tug her head back, making her bow her back sexily while I take her. Putting all the exertion of my concerns into fucking Cam. Then I secure my arm around her waist and haul her up against my chest, inching forward slightly. On our knees on the cold hardwood floor, I piston inside until my balls tighten. It’s pure, animalistic fucking.

  “Ah, yes! Adriano...”

  I thrust in deep while she moans and begs, fucking me back with both of her palms pressed against the glass as I nip and bite her shoulder. I entwine one of my hands with hers and guide them down to touch the place where I enter her and rub her clit until she screams and shudders against me, my nose buried in her hair. Tracing my palm up her breast, throat, and chin, I dip my finger inside her mouth and she sucks voraciously.

  I can’t hold back, not for a second. I growl and come, emptying myself completely, as I feel her whole pussy clamping down on my cock like a vice. I keep grinding my cock against her, riding out a satisfying climax only she can trigger from my body.

  Dropping my forehead on her shoulder, I wrap my arms around her and she rests her hand on my arm. In a tight embrace, we float back down.

  “My knees hurt now,” she comments and I chuckle.

  I pull out of her as we stand and swing her up into my arms, causing her to shriek. And I lay her on our bed, looking exhausted and contented.

  Then I join her. “It’s been a long day. All I want is to sleep with you now.”

  She rests her head on my chest and tangles our legs. “Me too.”

  Staring at the ceiling while I run my fingers through her hair, I still have this nagging feeling pestering me. Scenarios of how to strengthen my new team and delegate some work form in my mind.

  And with Cam tucked in my arms, I sleep peacefully.

  CHAPTER 5

  Camilla

  My life has been one of chaos, murder, danger, family, and passion during the first three months since Adriano
became boss. Perhaps a frightening mix for some, but for me, it embodies happiness. When Adriano and I haven’t seen each other all day, I itch to be with him. We fuck and make love at night, in our home, locked safely away from the danger outside.

  But it’s not all sunshine and roses. When morning comes, the outside world assaults our love bubble, and we’re reminded that we are lovers and high ranking members of the most powerful drug syndicate in Chicago. And that both scares me and empowers me.

  I’ve killed men and women. I’ve learned to shut off my emotions when needed. My way of thinking has changed, just as Luca and Adriano predicted. Once in the Mafia, a person is trained to never hesitate to pull the trigger. Hesitation gets you killed. It always comes down to me or him, Luca says. And I will always choose myself. Remorse is a feeling a Made woman can’t afford to have.

  While Adriano continues to build his Syndicate, I’m busy with my new family when not training or working. And fortunately, Rosalia’s little escapade isn’t discovered by James.

  Also, I’m truly happy. Yes, there’s this possessive man who’s difficult to manage. But he also loves me without any limitations. Every moment we experience is a memory painting my life the way I always wanted it to be.

  However, sometimes there’s a difference in Adriano that alerts me. He’s becoming more overbearing, and handling him is getting more difficult as his power grows and the dance club flourishes. And he’s taking on so many responsibilities.

  “Cam! Ready?!” Adriano yells from downstairs as I pull the hem of my skintight, long-sleeved emerald dress down to just above my knees and grab my gold purse, crossing the strap over my shoulder so I don’t have to hold it in my hand like a clutch, because my gun’s in it and it’s heavy.

  Traipsing down the stairs, I see Adriano shoving the last bite of a sandwich into his mouth and then rolling up the sleeves of his navy dress shirt.

  “We’re going to eat at James’s, and you just ate a whole sandwich?”

  “What? I was hungry.” He scans the length of me. “Looking hot, ma’am. Let’s go. Where’s your gun?”

  “In my purse.” I slip into my gold-colored ballet flats at the door and throw on my grey coat because the temperature has dropped since winter is just around the corner.

  Adriano gets his keys, and we set off to Lincoln Park for our weekly Sunday family dinner with James.

  ***

  This is family dinner Mafia style at James’s mansion with all the high ranking men and their spouses. Starting with James and his wife, Alessa, at the head of the table, then Rosalia, Carmine, Fallon, Luca, Adriano, and me. It’s a tradition that was started after Adriano became Capo crimine almost three months ago. Adriano has kept his promise and tries his best to make time for me in his swamped schedule. And he’s giving me what I wanted most: a family. People I can rely on.

  In this elaborate dining room, we’re feasting on antipasti, seafood platters, spaghetti, cannelloni, and red wine. The mood is light, and my wine glass is constantly being topped off.

  While talk around us is loud, I rest back against my chair to find Adriano staring at me.

  “Are you happy?” he utters unexpectedly.

  “I am. Why do you ask?”

  His palm sneaks up into my hair. “Because I am.”

  Carefree, I smile and tease, “Aren’t you feeling a bit too normal right about now?”

  A playful grin is aimed at me. “Perhaps I could fuck your ass upstairs?”

  “You’re crazy! Not in my father’s house.”

  “You’re no fun,” he replies dryly.

  I lean in close to him and peck a kiss on his lips.

  “No kissing in front of your father, Cam,” James interrupts.

  “I apologize.” Then I whisper to Adriano, “See, he can’t even handle an innocent kiss. Let alone having us perform your dirty fantasies in his house.”

  Adriano laughs, a truly relaxed laugh that fills me with joy.

  Conversation carries on, and later, I speak to James alone in the kitchen. James and I have become close as father and daughter, but I also see him as my mentor. He’s Adriano’s Consigliere, along with Carmine, whom he’s showing the ropes, and he’s always available to counsel me on different matters. I’ve mentioned my worries regarding Adriano’s occasional bossy demeanor, and he’s told me to give it time. To be patient because Adriano has a lot going on at the moment.

  “This is the most important piece of advice I’ll ever give you, Cam,” James says as he chucks a few dishes into the sink. “Always trust your instinct. I mean your true instinct. Not actions that stem from insecurity or jealousy. But that gut feeling that alarms you when something is truly wrong or someone is not to be trusted. It may make the difference between life and death.”

  “I will,” I say, realizing how nice it is to have quiet time with just family.

  And I also recognize that I do like the ordinary things in life as long as I get to experience them with Adriano.

  So we had it all for a few months. Prosperity, health, family, and true love. Until my gut instinct reared its head, and one person put Adriano and me on opposite sides for the first time.

  CHAPTER 6

  Adriano

  After three months of being Capo crimine of the Chicago Syndicate, I’ve finally found a way to balance my personal life and work life with Cam. I keep her in the loop as much as I can, which is unprecedented because a Capo crimine shouldn’t share this much with anyone. However, I’m not one to follow rules. The high ranking members always pull all the strings of the puppets from behind the scenes, and I’m boss. No one outranks me. Though, being boss is also a tricky position to be in because the extent of my power exceeds my expectations, which can creep into a person’s mind and alter them. Everyone fears or esteems the boss. Everyone kisses my ass, but Cam keeps me grounded.

  Luckily, business is going very well. All my hard work has been worth it. In the media, I’m still portrayed as a successful entrepreneur. We have to be out in the open, so we hide in plain sight. Regular civilians don’t even realize how much criminal activity happens around them while they’re out having dinner or dancing in clubs. And most soldiers who do the street work don’t even know who I am because all communication lines go through the Capi. But one can never be too safe, and keeping Cam in the loop all the time hasn’t been smart. Nowadays, she has the tendency to meddle too much when I’ve ordered her to back off.

  The dance club has been handed over to my Financial Director, Jeffrey, who’s also the director at Security Simplicity. From now on, Jeffrey and Tez – with Carmine’s supervision – will handle all financials after I’ve set everything up with Luca. Since my and Luca’s software company isn’t our most important venture anymore, I’ve been transferring employees who have already been carefully screened and are trustworthy from SS to management of the dance club. Drug deals have also been set up and are taking place in a secluded area on the underground floor. We make a lot of money, but a fortune is being spent paying people off, buying loyalty and discretion with money.

  While I’ve relished being boss, I do sporadically miss the simplicity of the street work because in my new role, I’m repeatedly playing mind games with every business partner and I have to oversee a huge venture.

  Today, we’re testing the new security system at the club in command central, which is a room next to my office on the second floor.

  Wade and the Syndicate’s hacker, Henry, who’s a technological genius, expanded upon the existing security system to ensure that no one can get in with weapons, and every inch of the club is covered with cameras.

  Cam, Luca, Carmine, Tez, Jeffrey, and twenty main guards are in the process of being trained by Wade and Henry. One wall of the command center is covered with flat screens that display the feeds of the hundreds of cameras that are hidden in the dance club on the first floor and the sex club on the first underground floor.

  Cam senses my gaze on her and turns her head, so I wink at her. At times,
it’s difficult for me to keep my hands to myself, but when we’re in rank, we try to keep it professional and it works. But it makes me throb for her as well. Every day, she becomes more ravishing. Her graceful body is toned in all the right places from training, and she has an ass I want to sink my teeth into. Especially with those tight dresses she keeps wearing. I shake my head and focus on the present before my dick twitches.

  Wade’s informing us, “I’ve installed alarm buttons all over the bar, in Adriano’s office, and in several other specific places. When one guard pushes the button, the earpieces will go online so that all the main guards can communicate directly with each other.” Then he turns to me. “No weapon can get past the security gate at the back entrance, and all your seventy guards, only five of which are new, have been cautiously screened. There are enough men walking around to diffuse any situation within twenty seconds. And I also got you more tracking bands, like the ones you used to take over Club 7, to track your guards.”

  “That’s perfect,” I say, because I trust no one.

  Wade carries on, “The door in the dance club that opens directly into the hall leading to the back entrance can now only be opened with a fingerprint. And just a few people are in the system. Adriano, Cam, Luca, Tez, Jeffrey, and the main guards. If more people need access to and from the back entrance, you can inform me and I’ll ensure they’re added to the system. Some doors, like the one to this security office and your office, have the same access system. Adriano, only you can access your office.”

  “No, I need Luca to have access to my office too. And Cam as well. Luca and Cam are authorized to roam the entire building, and I want Cam to be able to escape if there’s ever trouble.”