Page 45 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

He nodded. “And I get it man, but you have to let us do our jobs and protect you too. You keep running off and needing space. You’re going to get yourself fucking killed and then what? And are we just supposed to believe Nick Barone?”

“I mean at least about the rat.” I called over my shoulder as I ambled to my closet once again. “What will it hurt to be too cautious?”

“Finally, something I agree with!” His laughter carried into the closet.

Scooping up four pairs of sneakers, and three pairs of formal shoes, I took a deep breath, remembering the anonymous call I received. “I got an anonymous call about tonight.” I announced as I entered the room and laid them neatly on the floor next to the bed.

He raised his eyebrows. “What about it?”

“I’m supposed to meet someone at a really fucking specific time. 12:06 a.m. and a dock?! I have no fucking clue.” I sighed. “But I need a drink first and I want to plan our attack on the Barone’s.”

“I don’t know anything about a meeting, but I think I know which dock. We should ask your dad if he knows anything about this though.” Standing, he began to pace back and forth. “And shouldn't we ask him about attacking anyone before we do it? I mean, you're talking about taking out someone really fucking powerful. You don’t have the experience we do, and I wouldn’t even take that guy out myself.”

Furrowing my brow, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don't fucking care because I'm the boss now!”

Bowing his head, he calmly replied. “Okay, whatever you need, I got your back.”

“Wow.” I smirked. “That’s all it took?”

He shrugged. “You’re absolutely right about being the boss now, and by our laws I can’t argue with you. But you’re still my best friend and regardless of your new position of power and big head about it, I got your back like I said.”

“Good.”

“So, what's up with this very specifically timed meeting tonight? Do you know anything else?”

I chuckled, “I guess we'll find out. They have money, so I assume they owe my father something?”

“Hmm.” Joey hummed as he took his phone out and began to tap on the screen. “I’ll ask Federico about that because that's his department.”

Later that evening, we headed to the club to unwind with two of our friends. Heavily guarded by six bodyguards, I played nice, allowing them to do their job. Keeping my eyes concealed with sunglasses, we made our way past the crowd and phone flashes to the VIP area. My bodyguards were adamant about keeping people away as two led the way.

Once seated, the waitress appeared and made sure we had the usual drinks and bottles at our table. Normally, I would have given her a hug and groped her per our ritual, but it was no longer my interest.

After chugging the ceremonial drink, Joey and our friends started talking. My gaze scanned the crowd. I hoped she would be here, but I did not see her. My thoughts began to drift to the night we left the parking lot together. I replayed that moment in my head. I was jolted back to reality when Chiara and some of her friends approached our table, not waiting for an invitation.

“What are you doing here?”

Chiara grinned, leaning over and giving Joey a hug.

Martina sat next to me and placed her hand on my thigh. “Long time no talk.” She winked.

I reached down and plucked her hand away.

She leaned over and placed her lips next to my ear. “You should drink faster!”

“I can't drink much tonight.” I shook my head. “I’m technically working right now.”

She shrugged, focusing her attention on Chiara, Juliet, and another friend I did not recognize. Chiara handed the girls a shot glass full of the Grey Goose Vodka from our table. Hurriedly, they excused themselves to the dance floor just as fast as they had appeared. I half kept an eye on them as I felt a brotherly responsibility to my sister and her friends when they were around. Martina kept glancing toward me and smiling flirtatiously.

As much as I tried to turn away from her, I could not. I finally had enough and needed air. Breaking the rules once again, I informed everyone not to follow me and I excused myself from the table with my drink. Making my way through the crowd, I found my way up to a private balcony overlooking the club. I leaned on the railing and watched the crowd briefly making eye contact with Joey so someone would know where I was.

Unexpectedly, I felt hands snake around me, causing me to pivot around, only to see Martina. I sighed in relief that it was just her and not a threat. When I let go of her hands, she instantly brought them up to my chest, playing with my buttons.

“I almost shot you, you know.” I laughed.

Smirking, she rolled her tongue over her bottom lip, unfazed by my statement. She stood on her toes and leaned close to my ear. “I wish things could have been different with us. She doesn’t deserve to have it.”

I furrowed my brow, leaning my head back. “What?”

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