Chapter Seven

“No fights today, Amo. No matter how much Nevio provokes you.”

“I’m in control, don’t worry.”

It was true. I didn’t care about the meeting in the slightest. All I had been able to think about since Dad and I left the mansion yesterday was how I’d manage to see Greta again. Her last words to me had floated around my brain all night. I’d imagined kissing her, dreamed about it. That’s why I’d convinced Dad to ask for another meeting so soon.

Nevio wasn’t in the meeting room this time. In his stead, Alessio leaned against the wall beside his father Nino.

Remo perched on the edge of the desk with his arms crossed, regarding us with a challenging smile. His eyes settled on me, and his smile became harder.

If he knew how my brain kept revolving around Greta, the little spark of hate would become a roaring fire.

Dad and I settled on one of the sofas and we began our discussion about new transport routes. I tried my best to be involved and professional, even when my thoughts drifted to the doe-eyed girl.

“I have to take a piss,” I said after about fifteen minutes, and rose.

Remo bared his teeth. “That didn’t end well yesterday.”

“Would you prefer if I relieve myself in a corner of this room?”

Dad’s mouth twitched but then he sent me a warning look. He just wanted to get this shitshow over with.

Nino motioned at Alessio. “Accompany him to the bathroom.”

I stifled a very rude comment. Frustration welled up in me. I didn’t even need to piss. I just wanted to go looking for Greta. With Alessio hot on my heels, that obviously wasn’t going to happen.

Maybe it was better this way.

Alessio’s expression was on the verge of boredom as he walked by my side. He had the same cold demeanor as his father even if he didn’t look like him. Especially his more pronounced, slightly crooked nose didn’t bear any resemblance to the Falcone nose. Maybe someone had broken it in a fight.

His eyes slanted up to me, calculating. “Don’t try anything.”

I sent him a hard smile.

“Who have we here?” Nevio’s voice echoed through the hallway and I grabbed my knife.

Nevio and Massimo headed our way. I couldn’t assess the latter. Our interactions had been too sparse but the look in his eyes was like a snake waiting to strike. Nevio definitely looked like he had every intention of turning this bloody. I was ready. Fresh stitches covered his left forearm. I’d aim there first, an easy target.

Alessio shook his head and stepped in their way. “What the fuck? You know what our fathers said. Let this drop, Nevio.”

“Since when are you so eager for peace?” Massimo asked. All three of them were dressed in black as if they were part of some creepy, gothic boyband. Seeing them together I realized that Alessio was the shortest. Even Massimo who was a year younger had an inch on him. Nevio was almost my height so he towered over them.

Alessio turned to his brother. “You should know better.”

“I do,” Massimo said as if he couldn’t care less. “But I’m not going to stop Nevio.”

“Then I’ll do it,” a familiar voice said. I turned to find Greta coming down the stairs, a huge black dog at her side. She held him by the leash but I couldn’t imagine her being strong enough to hold him back if he attacked. I had to admit the thing looked more impressive than a Rottweiler. In her arm she cradled what looked like a white Flokati with a black nose.

She was dressed in an oversized white knit sweater with short sleeves and cut-off jeans that revealed her slim, tanned legs.

“This isn’t how we treat guests,” she said firmly as she came to a stop between me and the unholy trinity. She didn’t look at me.

“He’s not a guest,” Nevio said.

“Nevio,” she said in an imploring voice. She dropped the leash and the dog actually sat down as if that was his commando, then she approached her crazy twin. He slanted me a warning look before he looked down at Greta.

I forced myself not to look at her legs, but when she stepped on her tiptoes and her slim muscles flexed, I couldn’t help but stare. She whispered something in Nevio’s ear. He didn’t look happy in the slightest, but he nodded then jerked up his chin at Massimo.

“Keep an eye on him. No roaming around,” Nevio ordered Alessio before he and Massimo finally disappeared. I didn’t trust Nevio to have given up.

Greta sighed and picked up the leash. I might as well have been air for her. “Come, Bear.”

“Where are you going?” Alessio asked her.

“Taking Bear and Momo outside so they can relieve themselves. Bear will protect me, so don’t worry.” Before she headed out, her eyes slanted to me for a moment and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I definitely wasn’t air.

“Take a piss,” Alessio said motioning toward the bathroom.

“I don’t take orders from you.”

He shrugged. “Then piss your pants.”

Maybe I could just knock him out. Dad would probably hang me by the balls if I did that. I headed into the bathroom, trying to figure out a way to get Greta alone again with all the Falcones following me around.

I leaned against the door.

“Alessio, you have to help me. Momo ran off again. I think he headed for the basement. Can you go looking for him? Dad will be angry if I go down there again,” Greta said.

“Fuck, Greta. I need to watch Vitiello.”

“Please, Alessio.”

A hard knock sounded. “If you’re done with your piss, you head straight back to the office!”

Steps rang out and then a soft voice sounded right in front of the door. “I’m outside at the pool at the back.”

I closed my eyes briefly. What was I doing? I unlocked the door but Greta was already gone. Checking my surroundings, I headed outside as I kept my hand loosely on the holster with my gun.

I knew it was a horrible idea to seek Greta out. Her family, especially her crazy brother would throw a major fit, and I was about to marry Cressida. A thousand reasons spoke against talking to her, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to see her again, to hear her voice. I wasn’t sure what the hell was wrong with me. I’d never felt so incapable of controlling myself.

I walked around the house where a big pool landscape illuminated the night.

Greta sat cross-legged on a sunchair that someone had pulled into the shadows, away from the pool’s glow, and she was peering up at the night sky. For a few moments, I simply watched her, how the moonlight made her skin glow, how content she looked cloaked in the dark and all by herself. My heart sped up and heat flushed my body. Fuck. What. Was. I. doing?

This question kept repeating itself in my head.

I approached her slowly, making my steps heard so she didn’t startle. She peered over her shoulder and I waited for her to tense. She didn’t. Instead, she patted the place beside her. “You can sit down if you want.”

I folded myself down on the sun chair. It was too low for my long legs but I wanted to be close to Greta.

“Why are you out here alone in the dark?”

I had a feeling she would have been out here even if it weren’t for me.

“I wanted some quiet,” she said before she motioned at the stretched-out beast at her feet that was eyeing me with eerie amber eyes. “And I’m not alone.” She stretched out one leg and began to run her toes along the dog’s side. I was mesmerized by her elegant petite feet, by the way she held them as if she was about to dance some difficult ballet move, by her toe nails, which weren’t painted. I’d never met a girl who didn’t paint her nails and still Greta pulled it off. With a satisfied huff, the dog turned on its back, presenting his vulnerable belly and throat so she could pet those too. A smile pulled at Greta’s mouth as she ran her toes along the bare insides of the dog’s upper thighs. It was a male dog, no wonder he was eager to be petted by Greta.

“We don’t have long,” I murmured. Reminding her. Reminding myself because being around her it was easy to forget that we weren’t alone in this world.

“It’s better if nobody catches us.”

I couldn’t read her. She sounded almost forlorn.

“Why did you say you wanted to kiss me?” I asked the question that had been haunting me since yesterday.

Greta tilted her head to the side, watching me quietly for several seconds. “Because I like your face.”

I almost choked on laughter. “Only my face?”

Her dark eyes took in every inch of my body, slowly, meticulously, as if she really wanted to make up her mind. This girl was out of this world. “I like your body as well.”

I allowed my eyes to wander over her body like I’d never dared before. According to my reputation I was cocky and boisterous, but so far I hadn’t been suicidal enough to undress Greta Falcone with my eyes in Camorra territory. “I like your face and body as well.”

Greta’s mouth turned into a small smile but pursed in confusion when I checked our surroundings.

“Just checking if there’s a risk of getting a knife in my back.”

Greta shook her head. “Nevio wouldn’t stab you in the back. He prefers the direct approach, so does Alessio. Massimo might do it, though.”

Something shifted on the ground and the white fluffy dog let out a huff where it lay hidden at the Cane Corso’s side. “You lied to Alessio. Why?”

“I lied,” she admitted softly, guilt tinging her words. “I like how you make me feel.”

My eyes were drawn to her lips. Maybe this was our only chance. I could claim Greta’s first kiss.

She didn’t deserve this. But I wasn’t a good man.

Her eyes met mine. “Why did you lie?”

I paused, not sure what she meant.

“About your fiancée.”

It felt as I was being doused with ice water. She knew.

Strangely enough, I felt relieved. Lying to Greta had felt…wrong.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly because I didn’t. I’d lied without thinking because every second since I’d met Greta I’d wished I wasn’t engaged, so much stronger than I’d ever felt it before.

Greta searched my eyes then nodded as if she believed me. “Us sitting here together, is it wrong?”

Was she asking me for moral guidance? I was the wrong person to ask for many reasons. “We’re not doing anything.”

Greta tilted her head so she was peering down at her dog once more. “It doesn’t feel like that.”

“I know,” I admitted. My eyes rested on Greta’s face, on the thoughtful tilt of her lips.

Something cold touched my neck. I tensed, my hand flying to the gun in my holster.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, asshole, or I’ll ram a hole in your skull,” said Alessio.

“You better lower that fucking knife,” I growled, half tempted to pull my gun and see if his reflexes were quicker than my own.

Greta rose to her feet and her dog growled in a low and threatening way. “Stop it, Alessio. Amo caught Momo for me.”

“What a lucky coincidence that he’s around every time Momo runs off. What a hero,” Alessio muttered but he lowered the knife. I stood and turned around to him, wanting to have him in view.

Greta reached for Alessio’s arm. “Don’t tell Nevio.”

He frowned at her hand then narrowed his eyes at her. “Tell him what exactly, Greta? Because I really don’t know what it is I’m seeing here.”

She bit her lip and her eyes were drawn up to mine.

Alessio leaned toward her. “We’ll have to talk later.” He straightened and turned to me. His expression was cold and calculating. From all the Falcone men he had been the best option to catch us. Most of the rest would have punctuated my skull with their blade. “Let’s go back before someone comes looking for us.”

I hesitated, wondering when and if I’d see Greta again. Tomorrow Dad and I were flying back to New York. We wouldn’t be returning to Las Vegas any time soon and the next time the Falcone clan was supposed to visit was for my wedding. I sure as fuck didn’t want Greta to be at my wedding with Cressida.

“Vitiello, I swear I’ll call Nevio and deal with the shitshow later.”

I nodded at Greta and turned. I needed to stop this, whatever it was. I could never see Greta again.

Alessio and I walked in silence back to the house but shortly before we reached the office, he turned to me. “Listen, maybe you think being Amo fucking Vitiello gives you a carte blanche for being an asshole, but Greta is the kindest girl you’ll ever meet. If you’re looking for another fling before you get married, then look somewhere else.”

A silent or else swung in his voice. I smiled harshly but didn’t say anything.

“Greta isn’t like other girls, or most other people.”

“She has a very direct manner.”

Alessio narrowed his eyes in contemplation. “Greta’s always been this way. She’s like my father in that regard.”

“Minus the murderous sociopath bit.”

“Minus that, yes. Greta hates violence in any shape and form. She’s not your type, Vitiello, so forget you ever saw her.”

I didn’t react to his words and stepped into the office. I didn’t owe Alessio an explanation, but his words had the intended effect.

Dad, Remo and Nino looked up when we entered.

“What took you so long?” Remo snarled.

“I needed a smoke and Amo joined me in the backyard.”

Nino shook his head with obvious disapproval.

I sank down beside Dad who sent me a questioning look. I gave him a nod to indicate everything was good, though that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

I was bound to marry Cressida, and quite possibly falling for Greta Falcone.

It was past midnight when a knock sounded at my door. I hadn’t turned off the lights yet as I’d expected Alessio to show up. He slipped in, dressed completely in black and with an equally black balaclava in his hand. He was obviously on his way out with Nevio and Massimo. The steel covered tip of his combat boot gleamed freshly polished.

Bear lifted his head and growled but I shushed him. Alessio came over to my bed and perched on the edge. He regarded me, his honey-blond brows dipping in a V. “Explain to me what I saw today. Don’t give me any of this Amo saved Momo bullshit again. I know the fucker and he probably kills puppies in his dreams.”

I pursed my lips at Alessio’s assessment. He always tried to be unemotional and logical but sometimes his temper burst through.

I put my book away. “Amo and I were sitting on the sunchair.”

“I really don’t know how it could have happened but you seem quite adept at lying and sneaking away so I have to ask. Did you have sex with him?”

Shock washed over me. “I have never even kissed a boy,” I said.

I didn’t miss the flicker of relief on Alessio’s face, though I couldn’t see why the state of my hymen or kissing state was cause for an emotional reaction. “You were getting cozy with Amo today.”

“I didn’t get cozy with him. We talked, that’s it.”

“Amo doesn’t just talk to girls, and you, Greta, aren’t anyone. Amo’s probably getting cold feet because of his wedding and looking for an easy lay.”

My cheeks grew hot. “And you think I’d be one, an easy lay?” Maybe it was true, because I could imagine sleeping with Amo.

Alessio sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fuck, if I knew. Yesterday I would have said no. You usually can’t even stand when strangers are too close. I don’t know what’s going on, that’s why I’m here.”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

Alessio didn’t look convinced. “I know you never get the chance to meet someone because of Nevio and the rest of us. You’re Greta Falcone. You can’t just pick a guy. But Amo really is the last guy you should give a second glance.”

I didn’t say anything but Alessio kept staring at me. I’d given Amo more than just a second glance but he didn’t need to know that.

“Alessio, I won’t see him again.”

As the realization settled in the pit of my stomach that this could very well be the truth, a sense of loss overcame me, which was strange, because how could I miss something that I had never had?