For Cam (Chicago Syndicate Book 4) (2 page)

“I can guarantee you two fucking things. One, you’re stupid to antagonize me by mentioning her. Two, no one threatens Cam, so you die. Because I don’t fight problems; I eliminate them.” Then I pull the trigger while holding his arrogant stare.

“No!” Luca protests. “There was something in his smug face and his words that made me want to question him further, Adriano.”

“Well, I don’t think he’ll answer anymore.” Tucking my weapon back in place, I walk out the door where two guards are waiting. “Dispose of the body.”

They nod as Luca and I proceed down the hall to the elevator.

“Ok. So, I might have overreacted a little,” I confess once inside the elevator.

Luca smiles tersely. “Yeah, maybe a bit. But I haven’t liked Fat Sal’s attitude since we captured him. With what he said, we should have extra guards around everyone in the upcoming weeks.”

“That’s fine. But look, Sal might have had a back-up plan in place in case he was found dead, but that’s nothing we can’t handle. We’ve covered every angle. I told you that the men watching us on the dock at the last drug exchange were Wade’s men, who were only observing us because Wade wanted more information about us. And we also know that the only glitch during the raid was due to a system malfunction; that’s the only reason the lights went out and I lost Cam; no one else besides Henry had access to that system.”

Luca unbuttons his suit jacket. “Still, with all the recent changes in the Syndicate, we need to double check all new prospects and
Capi
. We don’t trust or hire anyone new for a while.”

The elevator doors open into the hallway at the back entrance of the dance club. 

“I agree. We can discuss it tomorrow when we share all the plans for the new hierarchy with the rest of the Syndicate. But right now, I want to be with my girl.”

I stop in front of the massive double doors and turn down the lever, opening them to my new empire: the hottest dance club in Chicago, Club 7, which is open seven nights a week from nine p.m. until three a.m. But I’m not just a simple club owner. No, I’m a ruthless Mafia man who seized his opportunity. I’ve been the
Capo crimine/
boss of the Chicago Syndicate since a month ago, since I invaded this club. And I became boss for the sole purpose of being with my Cam.

“I love you, Cam. I love all that you are and all that you’ll be.”

“I love you too, and I promise to stay by your side.”

Before, I was a
Capo
/captain under James’s regime. But with all the changes and my busy schedule, I’ve barely seen Cam lately, so I’m anxiously scanning the enormous room for her familiar face.

“Do you see them?” Luca asks, equally excited to see his woman, Fallon, who’s meeting us here with Cam.

“Luca, Adriano.” The manager of our sex club, who’s also the newest member of our Syndicate, Tez, comes up to us. “I have some people that want to meet you.”

I disregard him and smile when I sense a prickle in my neck and turn around to see Cam sitting at the bar with Fallon.

“There’s only one person I want to see right now,” Luca says to Tez, “and that’s my wife. We’ll meet our guests later.”

I’m already making my way through the crowd, and Luca follows suit.

Perched on a bar stool, looking absolutely appetizing in a tight-fitting, cream-colored dress that flows down to her knees, is my Cam.

“Adriano!” Some redhead I don’t recognize stops in front of me, but I step around her without taking my eyes off my target.

“Hey.” I wrap my arm around Cam’s middle and press my lips to hers. Then I greet Fallon, who’s standing next to Cam. “You look lovely, Fallon.” And I kiss her cheek.

“Thank you,” Fallon says while Luca tucks her into his side and whispers into her ear, conveniently giving me a moment alone with Cam.

“And you look undeniably delectable.” I rake my hand down her spine, splaying my fingers right above the swell of her ass. 

“So do you in your tux.”

Her captivating brown eyes glaze over with lust as I pull her forward and capture her mouth again. Ravenously, our tongues touch, and my cock stirs to attention when she presses her breasts against my chest. I brush my fingers through her short auburn hair that’s tucked behind her ears, getting rock-hard from tasting and feeling her, so I break our kiss before I fuck her right here.

With a sultry smile, she licks her lips. “I missed you. I didn’t even hear you come home last night.”

I rub her delicately boned cheek with the pad of my thumb. “I didn’t want to wake you, because you looked so peaceful.” I watched her sleep all night while anxiety about our new positions was worrying my mind. 

“Next time, wake me. I don’t like not seeing you for an entire day.” Her fingertips graze over my beard.

“I will, beautiful. And I promise we’ll have more time together soon when the new operation is set up.”

“Okay. What did you do with Sal?”

Just then, Luca raises both brows and looks at me, urging me to answer her. 

“I killed him,” I reply.

Cam senses Luca’s disapproval and glances from me to him. “Why did you suddenly kill him?”

“Because he threatened you.” I lean in close and utter, “We’ll discuss it later, not here and now.” I send a pointed glance to Luca telling him not to mention Sal’s bounty on my head yet, and he understands me perfectly.

Cam drops it. “So do I get you to myself tonight?”

“That was the initial plan before”—I tighten my hand in her hair—“I heard about your little excursion to the warehouse, which I’m not too happy to hear about.”

She appears regretful and not even surprised that I already knew. “Listen, I was going to tell you, but you were busy the entire morning.”

“What did you discuss with Santino?”

She shakes her head, so I loosen my grip and tuck her hair back behind her ear, inhaling a calming breath. Even though I don’t like Cam venturing out on her own, she
is
a
Capo
. And I would accept this behavior from any other
Capo
. So, the first problems in our new positions arise. I get agitated beyond reason if I’m not up-to-date on Cam’s whereabouts twenty-four seven. Sometimes I wish I could lock her up in my loft. However, I also secretly get turned the fuck on by Cam’s wild side. She’s a resilient woman, a strong
Capo
– fit to rule by my side, and I’m extremely proud of her. But every day that I love her more, my fear of losing her grows.

“Discuss?” she spits spitefully. “I didn’t
discuss
anything. I only asked what he’d do if I released him.”

I plow both my hands through my hair. “Cam, I’m not letting him go.” She’s about to say something, but I add, “Not yet, anyway. Something’s off. His records are perfect and easily traceable. He’s too clean. You always know that something’s up when someone’s background can easily be traced or when something seems too perfect – like with Luca and me. He’s not who he claims to be; it’s impossible.”

A defeated expression is aimed at me. “Fine. He’s tightlipped anyway. He said you were moving him back here.”

“Well, I wanted to talk to him as well but didn’t have time to drive up north. We’ll discuss him tomorrow. We might need to eliminate him, Cam.”

She doesn’t protest, making me feel relieved. And I decide not to come down too hard on her about taking off by herself to visit Santino. I learned long ago to give Cam space to be her own person. If I give her too many restrictions, she’ll be uncontrollable. But I can be quite convincing in other ways.

“So regarding your little mission; maybe you need punishment.” I change the subject back.

“Why? Do you feel that I disobeyed the boss?” she retorts teasingly.

And just like that, she obliterates any discontent and centers me like only she can.

I grab her ass cheeks and jerk her off the stool and against me. “Yes, and I’ll punish you however I see fit.”

She looks at me beneath her lashes and smirks. “When?”

“Incoming,” Luca warns.

Regrettably, before I can answer Cam, we’re interrupted, and I release her. 

Tez comes up to us wearing an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, but the investors are leaving within an hour, so if you want to speak to them...”

I catch Luca’s eyes and nod. “Give me a minute.” Then I say to Fallon and Cam, “We have to talk to them.”

They both look disappointed, but Cam replies, “I understand.”

“Where’s your gun?” I ask.

“In my purse,” she answers haughtily.

Smiling, I swat her ass. “Have fun with Fallon. Stay and dance where we can see you.” She knows I don’t like her being here if I can’t keep an eye on her.

Cam bobs her head. “We will. When you have time, find us in the crowd.” She takes Fallon’s hand in hers, and without kissing us goodbye, they saunter away to the dance floor. 

I gawk at Cam as she leaves me wanting. 

“They have too much influence on each other,” Luca remarks around a grin before we head to the staircase to go talk money. And he adds, “Adriano—”

“I got it.” I anticipate his request. As we pass a bodyguard, I instruct him, “I want two guards watching over Fallon and Cam every second. Ensure no one bothers or lays a hand on them.”

He confirms as Luca and I carry on to my office to meet with our potential new investors.

Unfortunately, business keeps me at Club 7 until three in the morning. I could spend the night there, but I sleep at home every night. Even if it’s just for a few hours, because I can’t sleep without Cam anymore. I’d rather get into my car and drive for hours to sleep one hour at home in our bed with her than stay wherever I am and try to get a good night’s rest. 

***

J
ust a couple of hours before sunrise, I arrive at my spacious studio loft with its exposed brick classic elements on the fortieth floor of the Astoria Tower in the South Loop neighborhood. After tossing my keys onto the bar of my open kitchen, which looks out into the living room and is angled toward the eighty-five inch TV hanging on the opposite brick wall, I hurry up the floating staircase that extends across one side of the loft to the mezzanine level that’s utilized as our master bedroom and opens up into a terrace.

Cam’s asleep in our bed, so I strip my clothes in the adjacent brown marble bathroom before I lift the sheets and smile to see her in my white dress shirt and lying on her side. Deftly, I remove the shirt, and she’s naked underneath. Because I can’t help it, I bite the swell of her ass, but she merely groans, so I slip in behind her and lock my arm around her waist, pulling her against me.

Her luscious ass pushes against my groin and my cock twitches. The sweet fragrance of her vanilla perfume invades my nostrils, tempting me, and I stroke my tongue along the delicate skin behind her ear.

“Cam...” I whisper against the shell.

Fuck
. I’m rock-hard, but she mumbles and remains in a deep sleep. I rub her stomach and bury my nose into her hair. She’s exhausted, so I let her sleep, even though I’d love to fuck her ass. Lazily, I slide my palm up to cup her breast. Yet fatigue pulls at me, and I drift off as well now that I’m home with Cam in my arms.

***

D
awn breaks too quickly. When Cam and I wake, we have to hurry and drive up north to headquarters to announce the new hierarchy of the Chicago Syndicate.

With our hands entwined, we step inside the foyer of the three-story house that is our center of operation. On the second floor is my office and a strip club where the men can unwind. On the third floor are two private rooms. 

Ascending the stairs, we’re quiet, realizing we’re inside this headquarters for the first time in our new roles. 

“Are you ready?” Cam asks while I touch the door handle. 

“I am, as long as you’re by my side.”

Her lips curve up into a heartfelt smile that eradicates all my apprehension. This was the goal. To be with her, even if it meant taking over the role of
Capo crimine
from James. While I never wanted to be boss, for Cam, I’ll do it. Only for Cam.

She edges closer and brushes back strands of my hair that have fallen over my forehead. “I’m never going anywhere.” 

“I’m nothing without you,” I whisper against her lips.

“Don’t you forget it,” she retorts in that husky tone I’ve come to adore.

And our mouths meet for a brief kiss before I turn around. “Then let’s inform the team.”

As we enter the mahogany furnished room, the other members, including Luca, James, Carmine, and a dozen
Capi
/captains, are already waiting for us. 

Reluctantly, I let go of Cam as she takes a seat next to Luca in front of my desk, which used to be James’s.

“Gentlemen and lady, good morning.” Claiming my chair, I get down to business. “After the raid at Club 7, I informed you about some changes within this Syndicate. Along with our former boss, James, we’ve decided on the new hierarchy. As mentioned, I’m your new
Capo crimine
and first in rank. Luca is still the underboss, second in rank, and reports directly to me. My brother, Carmine, is my new
Consigliere
and third in rank. Carmine is a lawyer, and with James’s guidance, he’ll be the perfect counselor. And all
Capi
are now fourth in rank. The current
Capi
will remain at their positions and directly instruct all the soldiers. Cam is now officially a
Capo
.” I study all the faces and see some surprised reactions regarding Cam, but most hide it. “Let me be clear that I expect everyone to treat Cam as an equal
Capo
.” 

She won’t actually be treated as an equal, because to me, she’s most important. Still, I feel the need to order them to protect Cam in our first phase of transitioning to boss and
Capo
while also being lovers in the Syndicate. It’s a precarious situation where I’ll be walking a fine line to keep all the
Capi
pleased without favoring Cam. 

“The day-to-day operations will continue as usual with each
Capo
assigned to his own territory to sell the drugs. But there’s one major change: I will be closing down the strip club in this house. As you know, Luca and I own Club 7. All leisure activities will now take place on the underground floor of Club 7. Logistically, it’s easier, and I don’t want any strangers, strippers, or anyone else in here anymore. The sex club will have a private area for my soldiers, and we’ll meet new buyers there, not here. Headquarters will be available to all members for accommodations, and this will still be our main safe place; however, important meets and drug deals will take place in the sex club, so we won’t have to drive up here so often anymore. Remember, this is a new world for us, so we can’t trust anyone outside our Syndicate. Any questions?”