Her breath hitches, the silence stretching into a void that makes my chest tighten and mouth dry. Finally, she says something. “Addie is actually planning to go to the club again Friday night and invited me to ride along with her. If you’re going to be there, I’ll say yes.”
I should be elated, on cloud fucking nine, but all I can think about is that she’s going to be back on that highway again, exposed, out in the open with no protection because after our crew reported back, there’s no doubt in my mind that the eldest daughter of the Cassone family, and sister-in-law of the don of the Roselli crime family is sneaking out without either one ofthe families being aware. That doesn’t change my answer though although it damn well should have. “I’ll be at the club.”
Her voice is soft. “Okay.”
I hang up on the soft sound of her voice, still imagining her in the throes of passion with her pink- nailed finger stroking her clit. I head to the shower, letting the warmth of the water pelt my skin as I stroke my length, envisioning her in the throes of passion until desire takes over. I lean my forehead against the coolness of the shower wall, watching the evidence of my attraction to one of the most forbidden women in the world swirl in the drain and slowly disappear.
But the more I think about her on that highway, heading from Jersey City to Atlantic City with no fucking protection the more I know this woman has gotten to me in a way that no one else has ever done. I dry off and pull on a pair of lounge pants and a hoodie from the closet, stalking into the kitchen to scoop up my phone and call Nicolo.
He answers on the first ring. I don’t even give him a chance to speak. “The soldiers who followed that car last night. I need them to go follow the ladies from Jersey City and bring them back here Friday. One car in back, one in front. They see anything suspicious, and they run them off the fucking road, capiche?”
“Vincenzo, this woman is making you fucking crazy, are you out of your mind?”
My jaw clenches tight. “Do what I ask, Nicolo.”
“I’m on it, Vincenzo, but think about the shitstorm you’re getting the family into, capiche? This isn’t just any woman. This friend of the Dunlap girl? Who the fuck is she?”
Nicolo fucking works for me not the other way around. “Find out everything you can about Anna Cassone. And keep it fucking quiet, understand? The normal channels, don’t usethem. Connect with those loyal to the family and report only back to me.”
My chest tightens with the decision I’ve just made. Allowing Anna to leave the safe haven of Jersey City under the watchful protection of the Rosellis who sit right outside the Dunlap estate feels like a fucking sledgehammer. I’ve run through all the alternatives. I don’t trust her safety with anyone one else, but the reality is, I shouldn’t have agreed to even meet her again knowing it means she will leave her security to get here. No matter how much I want to see her, I need to fix this.
12
ANNA
Addie’s phone rings and rings and at the exact moment I’m about ready to hang up, she finally answers. “Hey Anna, sorry, I was with a client. You, okay?”
“I am, but that invitation for Friday. It’s all that’s on my mind.” My heart contracts, and I find it difficult to swallow past the emotion bubbling inside. “Addie. I want to go. No, I need to go. I already told Mr. D that I am going to going to be there. For a million reasons that I can’t explain to you right now. It’s like my soul is just trying to break free from this stifling cage I’ve been inside.”
“Hey, you don’t need to justify yourself to me, not after what you’ve been through. I’ll be here working all week and plan to leave for Atlantic City early Friday. I’m hoping to be out of court by two p.m., drive home to get ready and leave by five. Just come when you can. You have the key. If you get any push back from your family, let me know. I know people, who know people.”
I laugh. “Oh, my god, you did not just use our line!”
She laughs. “Sure as shit did. Now go get your nails done, take a swim in that big pool the Rosellis have, or do something that’s at least a little bit relaxing so I can get back to work.”
“I can barely breathe much less relax. For the first time ever, Addie, my mind’s so excited that it just won’t shut down.”
“I bet your mind’s not all that’s excited.”
“OMG! Go back to work.”
Addie doesn’t say anything for a moment. “One thing though, Anna. This guy, you have to run it by Valentina. I’ll send you her phone number. I want you to promise to text her. If she has even the slightest qualms about him seeing you again then I’m not taking you, understand?”
“Yes mother,” I say, but while all of my family and friends’ concern is completely overwhelming at times, I also know it’s because they want me protected.
“Just trying to keep you safe.”
I sigh. “I know but it’s time for me to take my own reins now. I’m stronger, Addie. I’m just lucky that Massimo didn’t force me into the mafia’s own form of witness protection after the whole Barcelo incident.” It’s not like he and his brother Leandro didn’t try. Sophia though, she wanted it left up to me. Said it was my life. I was raised and trained as a Cassone. As the eldest daughter who had been through so much, it was my life to choose. I love her for that.
And right now, I choose this. Freeing myself from the past, finding pleasure in ways I’ve never even thought of exploring with a man. This is inner peace and I’m not going to regret it.
Addie doesn’t argue. We’ve been friends for a lot of years, and she knows when to back off. “You enjoy the week pampering yourself. Some of us have to hit the transcripts tonight. There’s still something that I’m missing. I swear on everything holy I’m going to find it and nail those dirty prosecutors to the wall in court, but I need to get back to those documents.”
“You will, there’s no doubt in my mind. Talk later.” I disconnect, settling back onto the double- sized bed and leaning against the decorative solid whitewashed oak headboard. It’shard to think the estate in Jersey City my sister and I live in with Massimo now, just a year ago we thought of as the enemy’s camp, the Roselli estate. Owned by the now boss of the Roselli crime family who was at war with the Cassones for centuries until Massimo and Sophia said no fucking more.
Rival crime family children seldom get that chance, or that happily ever after, but for my sister’s sake, I’m glad it worked out for her and Massimo. I may not have supported it at first but I’m glad I was able to see Sophia Cassone become Sophia Maria Cassone Roselli. I’m sure it’s not something any of our ancestors would ever have wished for, or contemplated, but the way things worked out for them couldn’t have been more perfect, given the circumstances.
As much as I’m happy for them though, the need to find my own way scratches at my soul. The eldest daughter of a Cassone, maybe a bartering chip for some, but in my heart, I know that I am more. I’m stronger now and I dare anyone to try and take the legacy I’ve not yet had the chance to build away from me.