Chapter Twenty-One

Theo Gulliver

C asino 777, Casino Center Dr., Hammond, Chicago...

Theo stepped out of the elevator with a grim look on his face. His irritation was palpable as he entered the opulent reception area of Carlisi's penthouse suite, where the Boss spent most of his ‘working hours.' The space was a testament to excess and power— plush Persian rugs adorned Italian marble floors, while crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over antique furnishings and priceless artwork. The air was heavy with the scent of expensive cigars and leather, a sensory reminder of the wealth and influence that permeated every inch of Carlisi's domain.

Theo's annoyance deepened as he approached the frosted glass door emblazoned with an intricate, custom-engraved design. He was frustrated at being summoned back to Chicago so abruptly.

"How the fuck am I supposed to do my job if I constantly have to fly between Florida and Chicago?" he muttered. The constant traveling was jeopardizing his careful work with Ciska, and he couldn't help but feel that Carlisi was deliberately sabotaging his efforts.

As he waited, his thoughts drifted to the precarious position of the two incarcerated Street Bosses caught over the past six months. Their silence was crucial, something they were very aware of as a thin line existed between the organization's survival and its potential downfall. Every member of the Sandolens Group knew that Carlisi's reach extended far beyond the casino walls. Yes, he could penetrate even the most secure prison cells through various inmate or warden contacts. The message was clear— loyalty would be rewarded, but betrayal meant a fate worse than incarceration.

For the umpteenth time, Theo marveled at Carlisi's ability to keep his illegal enterprises separate from his legitimate businesses. It was a delicate dance of shell companies, offshore accounts, and a network of loyal intermediaries. Carlisi's genius lay in his understanding of the system's weaknesses, exploiting loopholes, and leveraging political connections to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Staying out of jail and keeping his family safe from authorities and enemies alike necessitated living life on the edge. Carlisi did it with aplomb and stayed under the radar. Many unsuccessful attempts had been made to catch the leader of the Sandolens Mafia, especially since their growth exploded over the past number of years. So far, no one had managed to infiltrate his glass house.

"For fuck's sake," Theo mumbled. "How much longer is he going to make me wait?"

The minutes ticked by, each one amplifying his frustration. He knew this was intentional. It was Carlisi's way of asserting dominance and reminding Theo of his place in the hierarchy. The closed door spoke volumes. ‘You're expendable. Your time is mine to waste.'

"No matter that he's the one who told me to get my ass back here pronto," Theo sneered through thin lips as his annoyance grew with each passing minute.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked. Theo squared his shoulders and forced down his anger. He knew better than to let it show. In Carlisi's world, emotions were weaknesses to be exploited.

The door swung open, revealing a grand open area that exuded opulence and power. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the Chicago skyline, while custom-made Italian furniture and priceless art pieces adorned the space. At the center of it all, in front of the expansive windows, behind a massive ebony desk, sat Donato Carlisi with his piercing gaze fixed on Theo. Cobra, his bodyguard, stood silently beside the door like a sentinel tree keeping watch.

"Ah, Theo. Come in," Carlisi said in a voice as smooth as silk, but he didn't miss the underlying edge of steel. "I trust your journey was... uneventful?"

Theo stepped inside, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. It didn't slip his attention that Carlisi didn't invite him to sit, so he remained standing in front of the desk.

"It was fine, sir. Though I must say, the timing coming back here is—"

"Is she with you?" Carlisi cut him off, getting straight to the point.

Theo hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "It's a delicate situation, sir. If we want her full cooperation, we need to approach this with caution. She's not someone we can simply strongarm into—"

"Delicate?" The echo of Carlisi's fist slamming onto the desk rang through the room. "Caution? We don't have fucking time for your soft-soaping, Theo! I need her here in Chicago, willing or not, and put to work immediately."

"With all due respect, sir," Theo tried to reason, "forcing her hand could backfire. She has dark web connections and skills that would be invaluable if we gain her trust and—"

"Trust?" Carlisi scoffed. "We're not running a charity here, Theo. I don't need her trust. I'm after her skills, which we both know are wasted at that job in Florida. If you can't bring her in, I'll send someone who will."

Theo felt his throat tighten. "If we rush this, we risk losing her altogether. Give me a little more time—"

"Time is a luxury we don't have," Carlisi growled, rising from his chair. "Every day she's not working for us is a day our competitors gain ground, and we lose the advantage of a surprise attack. Do you understand the stakes here?"

"I do, but I was under the impression you already have a team working on the software design. Surely, they can continue until I get her to—"

"No buts! You know as well as I do the team is working on the basics. I need her special skills to pull this off." Carlisi's voice rose. "You have forty-eight hours to get her on a plane to Chicago. Use whatever means necessary. If she resists, remind her of the consequences of crossing the Sandolens."

Theo swallowed hard, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. "And if I can't convince her?"

"Then Cobra will do what you can't." Carlisi's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And trust me, Theo, you don't want that. For her sake... and yours."

The threat hung in the air with clear and chilling intent. Theo nodded, knowing he was dismissed. As he turned to leave, Carlisi's voice stopped him.

"Oh, and Theo? Don't disappoint me again. You won't enjoy the consequences. You know how much I hate loose ends."

The door closed behind Theo with a finality that was as clear as a prison sentence. Realization hit with grim certainty that his options had just run out. His jaw locked as he took the only decision a man like him could. His voice sounded deadly as he stepped into the elevator.

"You allowed your old feelings for Ciska to jeopardize your future with the Sandolens, Theo. Remember who and what you are. A fucking mafioso. No more, no less. Now fucking act like one. Do what Carlisi wants. Bring the bitch back."

Ciska

C iska's home, Ballast Point, Tampa...

"I don't like that you're so far from me."

Ciska felt her heart beating faster at Jax's words. For the first time in her life and since she'd met him, she felt wanted, cared for, and protected. Not only sexually but in all aspects of the word. Even with him being way up North, she was filled with a sense of calmness, like the darkness of Donato Carlisi didn't exist.

"I'm afraid that's how a long-distance relationship works, Jax, or did you happen to forget that part when you insisted that we're now exclusive in and outside of the club."

For a moment, there was silence, then he completely floored her.

"I just didn't realize how much I would miss not having you around all the time or being cocooned in your essence. I'm afraid you have managed to do the one thing no one else has been able to, Ms. Fowler."

"Which is?" she asked with bated breath.

"Made me fall in love with you."

"You..." Ciska's breath caught in her throat, and she couldn't get out another word. She knew she loved Jax— had admitted as much to herself. To hear him say the words out loud first and knowing deep in her heart it was the truth filled her with a joy she had never imagined she'd be granted. The apeshit life she'd been blessed with definitely opposed such an occurrence from ever happening, yet here she was. In love... and being loved in return.

"Did I just bowl you out, or are you on the floor in spasms of shock?" The words were funny, but she detected a genuine concern that perhaps he had pushed too hard, too fast.

"Neither," she finally managed in a croak. Clearing her throat, she sank deeper into the pillows as she stretched out lazily. "I'm just basking in the happiness you just filled me with." She waited for a single breath. "Especially since I've known for a while that I love you, too."

"Damn! I needed to look into your eyes when you said that," he blurted in a deep voice. "Now I wish I had waited until the weekend before I said anything."

"Too late. Besides, at least now I'd be able to sleep well and forget about all those nasty assholes hounding my every waking thought."

"Has that bastard contacted you again?" The concern trumped his voice.

"No," she said softly. "To be honest, I'm not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing."

"Silence before the storm. I know the feeling." His sigh drifted like a heavy sandstorm in her ear.

"Have you managed to set up a meeting with that Tutti guy you mentioned?" Even though Ciska had done work for the Sandolens group, she hardly paid attention to titles and positions. She knew there was a Boss and Street or Front Bosses. The rest, in her opinion, was only fluff.

Jax chuckled. "For someone who has had close interaction with one of the top mafia dogs, you're rather blasé about who's who in their ranks, aren't you?"

"Does it matter? All of them are corrupt bastards and, in Carlisi's case, murderers. I was so young and naive, I didn't even realize I was working for the mafia until I was in too deep to just walk away."

"That's how they lure innocents in to do their dirty work, love. Giovanni Lombardo is the capo di tutti of the Cosa Nostra . In other words, the Godfather who is ruling the Big Five Mafia Families in New York and now across the States."

"He's the one yanking your chain? For grieving fairies' sake, Jax, that means he's one of the most powerful and cruel men of them all. You can't play or try to make deals with someone like him. Please... let it go. I'll find another way to get the Sandolens off my back."

"The Genolere Group is not like the Sandolens, love. They're more into white-collar crimes. Besides, if we want a life of freedom and happiness, we need both groups at our backs. One thing I do know about Lombardo is that once he gives his word, nothing will make him break it. All I need to do is offer him something that will make him realize he has bigger problems than convincing me to become his associate."

"I buried information on the dark web... and the program I was developing for them," she admitted hesitantly, expecting a blowup from across the distance.

She didn't have long to wait.

"You have what? For fuck's sake..." She heard him heaving in a deep, calming breath. "Do you know how dangerous that is? You said you destroyed everything before the FBI did the raid, especially so no one could gain access to it."

"I did say that, and yes, I destroyed everything that was on the Sandolens servers... after I buried an encrypted file on the dark web." She closed her eyes, realizing just what Carlisi was after... worse, that he suspected she had never completely destroyed the work she had almost completed at the time.

"We can't give it to Lombardo either, Jax. In the hands of criminals, a program like that would give them ultimate power, not only over the criminal world but over Federal agencies, governments, politicians... even the President. Life as we know it would cease to exist."

"Then we won't give it to him, but we need to offer him something. A watered-down version that hints at the possibilities but has major flaws that even the best programmer won't be able to figure out and complete the design?"

"I can do that."

"Good. Now, go to sleep. I'll phone again before you leave for work." Ciska burst out laughing as he made kissing sounds in her ear. "There. Your goodnight smooches. Don't forget, love... you have my heart."

"And you mine, Jax."

"It's a wondrous feeling, Ms. Fowler. I should've let the cat out of the bag sooner."

"No, the timing is perfect. I needed to hear it tonight."

"Then I'm glad. Sweet dreams, my love."

Ciska ended the call. Jax was right. It was a wondrous feeling as her heart brimmed with joy. Placing her phone on the charger, she snuggled under the duvet with a smile playing on her lips. The warmth of Jax's words enveloped her like a comforting embrace in the darkness of her room. For the first time in what felt like forever, hope blossomed in her chest like a vibrant, living thing that disintegrated the shadows of her past.

As she drifted off to sleep, her mind painted vivid pictures of a future with Jax. Lazy Sunday mornings, shared laughter, the safety of his arms— all the simple pleasures she'd denied herself for so long now seemed within reach. Her last conscious thought was of his voice, low and tender, saying, "Don't forget, love... you have my heart."

A sharp noise jolted Ciska awake. Disoriented, she blinked in the darkness as her mind struggled to catch up with her racing heart. The remnants of her blissful dreams with Jax evaporated like mist in the harsh reality of the moment. A crash echoed through the house, followed by the telltale crunch of glass underfoot.

"Someone is inside the house," she whispered with terror exploding inside her.

With trembling hands, she fumbled in the dark, pulling on the jeans, a sweater, and sneakers she had worn earlier. Her breath came in short, panicked gasps as she crept across the hallway and flattened herself as best she could against the wall in the room opposite her own bedroom.

"Fuck-fuck-fuck! I should've known he'd come in the middle of the night. Theo Gulliver, you fucking coward!" she whispered under her breath as the heavy tread of footsteps ascending made her blood run cold. Peeking through the slight opening of the door, she watched as a massive silhouette appeared at the top of the stairs— a dark giant against the faint moonlight streaming through the window. It's not Theo. He's big, but not that big. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest as the intruder moved purposefully toward her bedroom, obviously familiar with the outlay of the house.

Now! Go now! Her mind urged her to take action. The moment the figure disappeared into her room, Ciska bolted. She flew down the stairs, her feet barely touching the steps as every nerve in her body screamed with danger. The side door gaped open with the shards of broken glass glittering like deadly stars on the floor. Carefully avoiding being cut, she slipped outside.

Ciska plunged into the night. "Oh, freezing donuts, it's cold," she gasped as the cool air hit her face like a slap. Her steps didn't waver, though, as she tore down the winding coastal road that stretched before her like a ribbon of asphalt dissipating into darkness.

"Oh God! I should never have come back home. I knew! I knew he'd sent someone for me," she huffed as she ran. Her lungs burned, but fear and a burst of adrenaline propelled her forward with a strength she didn't know she possessed.

"Shit! Fucking shit!" she cursed as the sound of pursuit reached her ears, and heavy footfalls thundered closer. "How can someone that large run so fast?" she wailed as panic clawed at her insides when she realized she'd left her phone behind. "Freaking hell. Now I have no way to call for help and no way to reach Jax!" With determination, she pumped her legs faster.

"Which way!?" she whimpered as she reached a sharp curve in the road, hugging the coastline. To her left, the angry crash of waves against the rocks seemed to echo her terror. To her right, dense foliage offered the illusion of shelter. "Lesser of the evils," she muttered as she veered off the road, hoping to lose her pursuer in the undergrowth.

Branches whipped at her face as she stumbled through the darkness. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and the sound of her own heartbeat thundering in her ears reiterated her fear. She could hear him behind her, inexorably closing the distance.

"Please, please, please! Don't let him catch me," she silently begged, to whom she wasn't sure. "Nooo," she cried as her foot caught on a root, sending her sprawling. The taste of blood filled her mouth as she scrambled to her feet... but it was too late.

"Gotcha," the giant grunted as he gripped her arm in a vise-like grip and yanked her backward with terrifying strength. Ciska opened her mouth to scream, but a massive hand clamped over it, stifling her cries. She thrashed wildly as primal terror gave her strength, but it was like fighting against a brick wall.

As she was spun around, the faint moonlight illuminated a face that made her blood run cold. Cobra, Carlisi's towering enforcer, looked down at her with cold, impassive eyes.

"The Boss wants a word, little bird," he growled in a gravelly voice that sent shivers down her spine.

Ciska ceased her struggles as the fight drained out of her. There was no escaping the hold Cobra had on her. He was a veritable Goliath and a force of nature— implacable and unstoppable.

As his free hand raised, she had one last, desperate thought. Jax... I'm so sorry. I won't be here when you call in the morning.

The last thing she saw was Cobra's massive fist coming toward her face. A split-second later, pain exploded in her brain, then, mercifully, she succumbed to the gnarling claws of darkness claiming her.

Ciska was out cold and unaware of the big man tossing her effortlessly over his shoulder before stomping back to her house.