33. Luca

Chapter thirty-three

Luca

T he office is quiet. Everyone is long gone except for Gio and myself. We've been hitting the ground hard with the new hotel renovations and we're back in the office, killing time. I'm going over another set of revised plans while Gio updates the reports on our other properties. Normally, Rafael would be with us, but he's been working closely with Rome strategizing the take down.

I've always been a bit of a workaholic, but that drive is waning since Kylie entered my life. It's harder than I thought, knowing she's waiting for me at home. I didn't fully realize the struggle it would be to stay away from her.

Sitting back, I take my reading glasses off to rub my eyes. Instead of focusing back on the computer screen, my attention strays to the desk drawer. Giving in to the urge, I pull it open and take out the jewelry box and flip open the lid.

It was an impulse buy after our talk in my office weeks ago and it's been sitting in my desk drawer since. I didn't realize it until her visit with her father, but that night changed everything. While I wasn't able to give this necklace to her or the dinner cruise on Lake Michigan, I've since made plans to take her to Miami. We'll make it a long weekend for us to connect. Plus, I love the idea of Kylie in a bikini all weekend soaking in the sun .

I can't take credit for the idea. It was Rome who suggested it. He felt we should leave town while everything went down and I have to agree with him. I don't want Kylie anywhere near what's going on. I just didn't think it would take this long.

These past weeks have been rough. Keeping her relegated to late nights to make these assholes think she was just a fuck toy has been torture, but worth it. I couldn't risk her being a target.

The highlight of my days are when I go home to find her in my bed, sometimes already asleep, where I proceed to wake and pleasure her half the night. If I thought my need for Kylie would eventually wane, I now know how wrong I was. It's getting harder and harder to stay away. The only thing keeping me sane is knowing Joseph is protecting her when I'm not around.

I see the hurt in her eyes since I've taken this step back, but I'll make it up to her. We have a meeting with Rome in an hour and he damn well better tell me it's time to end this.

The guy Rome nabbed weeks ago hinted at more than one plant, and Rafael was finally able to tie Lisa to the bartender. She was good, never giving away her knowledge of the man. Once Robert messed with the cameras in the Sweet Connection's office so he could steal the files—not realizing we'd installed a second set of cameras—they started getting sloppy. My guess is since they found what they were looking for, they figured it didn't matter if we tied them together.

As far as I can tell, she was only placed in my club as a distraction so that Robert could snoop. Once the take down happens, she'll be fired. In the meantime, Gio's doing everything he can to keep her busy. The woman probably thinks she's succeeding in her task.

"Are you ready?" Gio steps into my office, stopping to place his hands on his hips as he eyes the jewelry box in my hands.

"Yeah. Have you talked to Rafael?" I put the necklace back in the drawer before standing and picking up my cell and keys.

"I did. You'll be happy. It sounds like the take down is scheduled." Gio turns to follow me out .

"Good." I stop and push the button for the elevator before turning to Gio. "Do you have plans with Lisa after this meeting?"

Gio smirks. "She gave me a key to her apartment. Can you believe that shit? She's trying to swindle us and she gives me the damn key to her apartment. I'll never understand women." He shakes his head.

Stepping into the elevator, I wait for Gio to follow before pressing the button to the garage. "I don't know how you can listen to the shit that comes out of her mouth all the time."

"Easy, she can't talk if I stuff my dick in her mouth," Gio says, chuckling.

I grimace. "Damnit, Gio. I don't want that image in my head." The elevator dings our arrival to the garage. After stepping out, I toss the keys. "You can drive. I need to check in with Joseph."

Gio catches the keys. "You're worse than a momma hen the way you badger that guy for info on Kylie."

"Shut up, Fucker. We have a threat against us. I won't be like this when this is all over." I send off a text asking if Kylie is still with her mom. Joseph informed me earlier they were meeting for dinner.

"Since I'm losing the bet to Rafael, how about a bet between you and me? A thousand bucks says you'll still be this way even after Rome takes care of the threat."

"No."

"Come on, man, give me a way to earn my money back." Gio starts the car and looks in the rear-view mirror before backing out.

"You haven't lost your money yet." The phone buzzes in my hand and I'm rewarded with a picture of Kylie and her mom, arms linked. Her mom is saying something and Kylie is caught mid-laugh as they walk out of the restaurant—completely unaware of their surroundings.

"Yet? See! Fuck. I should be angry, but I like Kylie and she fits. Not just you, but all of us. Even Rafael."

I know he's right. If I can just get past the guilt that I'm dirtying her.

It takes us a full hour to arrive at Rome's place. He's just outside the city and traffic was heavy. When Gio pulls in and parks on the circle drive, I study the massive home. You can't tell by looking at it, but it's protected like Fort Knox. We never would've made it to the drive if they didn't want us here.

Gio shuts the car off, but I don't rush to get out.

"What are you thinking?" Gio asks.

"Has Rafael said anything to you? About participating?"

Gio frowns. "No. Do you think he wants to?"

I glance back at the house. "I don't know. He's alive when he's strategizing. Rome would have a position for him if he really wants it. But fuck, man, I don't want him in danger." When I turn back to Gio, he's staring off in the distance, his brow furrowed.

"Come on. Let's find out what they have planned." I exit the car and set my worry for Rafael aside.

As Gio and I approach, the front door opens. "Cousin! How are you?" Leo greets us. The fucker. I'm dying to leave him with a shiner.

"Touch me and I'll punch that smile off your face." I threaten. My anger reignites at the image of him looming over Kylie at the restaurant weeks ago.

Leo sighs and steps back. "Rome advised me to stay hidden a bit longer, but I thought for sure you'd be over this by now."

I don't acknowledge his statement as I continue past him, but not before a quick jab to his stomach. It's not enough to truly hurt him, but he does bend with a whoosh as the air escapes him. Smiling, I head to Rome's office. My smile grows at Gio's words as I walk away.

"Luca isn't the only one you should worry about."

Leo whistles. "Rafael said you were just as protective. I just didn't believe it. Hell, I almost fell through the floor when he threatened me over this girl. She sure must be special."

That's the last I hear as I step into the office to find Rome and Rafael with their heads bent together. I feel a slight pang when I see it. This reiterates my concern that Rafael might want to join Rome and the family after all. I won't begrudge him what makes him happy, but I hate to lose him to the family. If anything ever happened to Rome, Rafael won't be able to step back again.

"Good. You're here." Rome stands to greet me. "Tony, pour Luca his drink." Rome picks up papers off a chair opposite the couch and offers it to me.

I unbutton my jacket and sit down. "What's the word?"

Rome pats my shoulder and moves to sit back on the couch. "It's a go for Friday. Rafael's been a big help with the final preparations and we're as ready as we can be. Time to plan your weekend and take Kylie away from here."

I accept the glass from Tony as I look at Rafael, waiting for his attention. When he finally looks up from the plans, I raise my eyebrow. "Are you coming with us to Miami or staying here to help Rome?" I keep my expression blank in order not to sway his decision.

"Relax, Luca, he's already turned me down." Rome turns to Rafael and claps him on the back. "You're good at this and the offer is always open, but I understand your loyalty to Luca. I won't ever push you."

"Damn right you won't." I glare at Rome before moving my gaze to Rafael, who's smirking. I breathe out a sigh of relief.

"Okay boys, go to the kitchen for some of mamma's dessert and leave Luca and I to talk." Rome claps his hands and everyone in the room is in instant motion.

I nod at Gio and Rafael, letting them know it's ok to leave.

Rome stands and moves to the bar to make a drink for himself. I sip mine and wait, unsure of what he wants to talk privately about.

He waits until he brings his drink back to the couch before he finally speaks. "I want to propose a business partnership."

I tilt my head, curious what kind of partnership he's wanting that he thinks I'll agree to.

Rome nods toward the door. "Rafael is a genius at strategizing. I understand why you don't want him in the family business, but what I propose is hiring him on as a consultant. As you know, this isn't something that could work with any other outsider, but you trust him and I trust you to not screw the family. What do you say?" He leans back, putting his foot on the opposite knee, and lays his arm on the back of the couch.

I take a drink and mull over what I want to say before leaning forward to set my drink on the coffee table. "Having witnessed the effects on Rafael myself, I've already made arrangements for both him and Gio moving forward. I'm bringing them in as partners. For Rafael, he will head up the security division since it's a passion for him. He will have full say and can take on any outside clients he chooses with the stipulation that my firm comes first. Normally, I wouldn't be telling you this, but what I'm trying to say is if he wants to do business with you, that will be his decision, not mine."

"Excellent. After this nasty business is taken care of on Friday, I will schedule a meeting with him. Will that give you plenty of time to inform the guys of their future with your company?"

"Yes. I'll warn you, I'll advise him that if he accepts your offer, there needs to be a stipulation that his contract ends when you are no longer head of the family. I will not allow him to be used if anything ever happens to you. I trust you to be good to him, but I won't put his fate in the hands of any other future head of the family."

Rome grins. "Smart. I can agree to that. I'll put my own stipulations in the contract to ensure any future head of the family won't know the extent of his involvement, so they can't say he knows too much."

"Much appreciated."

"You know, cousin, I would love to extend an offer to you as well. I'd like to partner with you on future investments."

"No." I look Rome dead in the eye to show him how serious I am. "Rafael consulting on security is one thing, but intertwining our investments will pull me into the family and you know it."

Rome smiles. "Like I said. Smart. Alright, cousin. You have a deal. And if Rafael turns down my offer, no hard feelings." He sets his glass next to mine on the table before standing. "Come. Let's check if any of mamma's dessert is left."

"Is it her tiramisu?" My stomach growls at the thought .

"Who knows? She's been in a baking frenzy lately. She probably has a bit of everything. Good thing too—between Gio and Leo, we wouldn't find any left if it's just her tiramisu."