Page 14 of Carnal

More butterflies take off. I swallow hard.

Tristano:I agreed to your terms. Address?

I can't do this.

I need this.

I take a deep breath and jump all the way into Pandora's box.

3

Tristano

"Where are you going?"Massimo inquires.

"None of your business," I reply, downing my sambuca shot and passing him. I avoid my other brother's questioning stare. I don't stop, yanking the door to the stairwell open and taking two steps at a time. At the bottom, I push the fire exit door open and breathe in the cold, fresh air.

My driver, Flex, pulls up. It's a nickname I gave him in high school. He was always lecturing me about stretching after a hard weight lifting session. His father works for Papà, and I've known him forever. We've been friends for as long as I can remember, and he acts as my driver and bodyguard at times. If I had to put my life into anyone's hands besides my brothers', it would be Flex.

I hop in the SUV. I give him the Manhattan address Pina texted me then order, "No one is to know this address. Understand?"

He glances at me through the rearview mirror, locking his cold killer's eyes to mine. "Done. Anything I need to prepare for?"

"No. It's a personal issue," I answer.

"You got it." He refocuses on the road, veers out of the alley, and then turns down several side streets. We get to the main road and he accelerates.

I sit back in my seat, tapping my fingers on my thighs. The New York buildings become a blur against the darkness of the night. The closer I get to Manhattan, the more nervous I become. I've never agreed to let anyone take charge before. And I can't deny my curiosity also has the best of me. Pina's always been the strongest woman I know. She's intelligent, doesn't let anyone, including my brothers or me, intimidate her, and has the confidence of aFortune500 company CEO.

I shouldn't be surprised she has other real estate besides the condo she lives in, but Manhattan isn't a cheap place. It's always been a hot market with high rents and sale prices. The fact she's kept it hidden from Dante and the rest of us surprises me. So my interest in Pina only grows. I want to know more about what she invests in almost as much as I want to know what she plans on doing with me.

Flex pulls up to the front of the building. I glance at the text message Pina sent shortly after the address.

Pina:I'll leave your name with the security guard. You'll need to show your license.

I shove my hand in my pocket to double-check my wallet is on me. I have my own place in Manhattan. It's where I crash when I need to stay in the city or just get away from my family for a few days. So I tell Flex, "Go stay at my place on 59th. I'll text you in the morning when I'm ready for you to come get me."

"Have fun," he replies, his wicked grin forming. He holds his fist out, and I chuckle and bump it.

"You, too," I say. One of the things I appreciate about Flex is he understands he's on my payroll, but we've never lost our friendship. He's dropped me off at too many women's places over the years and knows the drill. My personal nights when he's to stay at my place and get me in the morning means he's on call if I need a ride sooner, but that's rarely the case. My night off means he usually gets one, too, and Flex has a handful of women who'll drop anything to be at his beck and call.

"Done, bro," he claims as I shut the door.

I fill my lungs with the crisp air then head into the building. The doorman holds the door open, and I hand my identification to the guard at the desk.

The guard studies my card then scans it and states, "Thank you, Mr. Marino. Here's the elevator key. Please return it when you leave. It only has access once to Ms. dela Cruz's and one elevator ride to this level."

While I know this is a night to scratch my itch and not something long term, it irritates me Pina is making it clear that she's on the same page as me.

It shouldn't. I should be grateful she's not wanting to sink her hooks into me for a relationship. Anything close to it would create a lot of issues with Dante. The rest of my family wouldn't be happy, either. Yet, I can't shake the slight annoyance balling in my gut.

I grab the plastic card and nod. I take ten steps, push the elevator button, and then slide the key into the slot. When the light turns green, I hesitate before hitting button thirteen.

Lucky thirteen,runs through my mind, and I hold in my groan. Since I was a kid, I've always considered seven and thirteen to be unlucky. My mamma died at 7:13 p.m. Arianna was abducted on the thirteenth day of the month. Too many other things happened in relation to those numbers in my life. So call me superstitious, but I'd normally avoid floors seven and thirteen at all costs.

As the elevator rises, I watch the numbers light up. My pulse increases, and I'm unsure if it's about the thirteenth floor or the anticipation of my upcoming night with Pina.

The elevator stops then dings as the doors open. I step into the hallway, glance at the numbers on the wall, and turn right. I go to the end of the hall and stand in front of her door. Flutters fill my stomach, and I wipe my hands on my jeans. I ring the bell and wait, tapping my fingers on my thigh.

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