Chapter 40 Marco
Alex
His second knock was different, urgent and louder. I freeze for a moment.
“Alex, my apologies,” Lucas voice wafts through the door again. He pauses before adding, “But this time the intrusion is important.” I close my eyes trying to calm my body down. “Luca, you strazza, you owe me one!” I pause, pulling my hands reluctantly off her soft bottom. My dick is still hard and straining through my jeans. “Down boy,” I whisper, ordering my body to cool off for now.
“Alex, there is someone here to see you.” I sigh. Well it could be a client or one of the cartel members. “Someone” is vague and it could be danger. With that thought I stiffen immediately switching into protective mode. Reluctantly I cover Alessia’s beautiful breasts with her top and get off the bed.
I pick up my gun from the table returning it to the holster when Alessia stands up and clutches on my shirt with her slender arms, her eyes wide with fear. I almost fell back in bed with her if not because of anything but at least to be able to wipe the fear off her face, but I had to go. Someone is here and I had to see it through. I had to keep her safe no matter the cost. I pry her fingers off my shirt softly, giving her fingers a kiss. Then I tell her,
“I won’t be long, Cara mia. In the mean time I will order a masseuse and room service for you.” Meanwhile in my mind I am trying to make a list of all the people that know own the hotel. If it’s not one of them then I had a leak in my inner core, another problem. “She will come in through the service door, her name is Sierra. Lock this door and only open it for me.”
She nods meekly at me and I walk out. Straightening my shoulders I step out of the room waiting by the door until I hear the soft click that indicated it’s been locked from inside before I address Luca. Luca is still there waiting, his jaw is tight, his eyes filled with worry.
“Where are the ladies?” I had to ask because if this encounter is going to get bloody I need them out of the suite now.
“They left when he arrived,” Luca whispers. I nod my head. That’s one less thing to worry about.
I lean on the doorway folding my hands on my chest before asking, “When who arrived, Luca?” Although I already had a faint idea of what he is going to say. My pulse rate picks up as I wait.
Luca gulps hard.
“Marco Vitelli.”
Rage fills me until everything goes white, quiet and deathly still.
The split second before an explosion.
Marco Vitelli.
In my city uninvited.
On my floor uninvited.
The nerve.
The guts.
The insolence.
I walk into the hallway, my vision sharpening, my hand once again brushing my gun. It’s there fully loaded and ready, always loyal.
I take slow calculated steps towards the living room. The closer I got the angrier I became. I stop in the living room doing a full circle and finding it empty. I pause to calm my breath. Before I can ask the obvious question Luca answers,
“I asked him to wait in the lobby because I can’t leave him here unattended while I fetch you.”
I give him a curt nod. “You did good, Luca.” That will teach him to know his place.
I pause for a moment in the living room remembering I had told Alessia I will send her some dinner and a masseuse. She deserves the spa treatment after the day she had. I pick up the intercom and dial the reception. It’s picked on the first ring.
“Good evening, Signor Ferrini. How may we be of service?”
I take a deep calming breath not wanting to bark in the phone and scare the lady.
“Send Sierra up with a trolley and the best Italian dishes.”
“Right away, sir,” and I hung up. That done, I turn to Luca. My thoughts returning to Marco:
I cannot believe he even walked into my den.
To see me.
To my secret hotel.
It seems he has forgotten why I am feared by all. It’s about time I reminded him. I reach the corner and take a right turn, opening the door quickly, and I find him standing in the lobby admiring a painting.
Marco Vitelli.
Standing tall like he owns the damn suite.
Like he has nothing to be afraid of.
Like he has done nothing wrong.
His stance is so relaxed, hands in the pocket of his white Italian suit. A smile tugging his mouth as if he was paying me a friendly visit.
As if he is not the same man that sent goons to take my woman.
As if he hasn’t heard about his goons cold bodies yet.
My jaw is clenched so tight I heard a crack.
Luca remains behind me standing quietly.
Marco’s eyes finally meet mine. He straightens immediately, his smile dimming when he notices the ferocious look I give him.
“Alejandro Ferrini,” he greets, his voice smooth as silk. “It’s been a while.”
I don’t acknowledge his greeting or respond. I only reach behind to curl my fingers around the butt of my gun.
He knows damn well what he has done, but he has the nerve to smile.
Smiling here. In my private hotel. Smiling after attempting to kidnap a woman I have laid claim on.
Blood will be spilled tonight and it will definitely not be mine.
“Marco Vitelli,” I say, my voice low and stern.
“Why are you here?” Marco tilts his head and then his smile gets wider. He must have balls of steel but we will test that theory when I try to crush it with my Ferragamo loafers later.
I lean on the doorway, undecided if I want to have this conversation inside the suite or in the lobby. “Who let you into Sicily? I didn’t receive your letter requesting safe passage.”
He furrows his eyebrows at me. “Thomas Sirrano invited me, I have proof.” I am caught off guard by his response but I do my best to keep my poker face on for now.
He faces me once more, unfazed or unaware of the danger he is still in. “Alex, may I come in? I am here to talk about… La Rosa.”