“I remember that night like it happened yesterday. I still don’t know what was worse, the physical pain or the emotional turmoil. I learned weeks later, once the bandages came off, that my face was no longer mine and my name, along with my entire life, changed as the dominoes began to fall,” he says, shaking his head, as if still in disbelief.
I take a quick drag before handing him back what remains of our shared Parliament. He takes the last of it, inhaling deeply, before he walks the butt over to the ashtray on his desk.
“It’s ironic how the job Christian was forced to do on me is now crucial to the success of Marked Inc. Aside from the drugs, we are pros at lying, concealing the truth, concealing identities. It’s all part of the dark magic that is the company.”
I walk over to him and trail my index finger down the length of his forearm. My fingers slowly crawl down to the bulge still present between his legs.
“Was this one of the alterations you had done?” I can’t help but grin, thinking of the newfound experience that is his length inside of me.
He lets out a laugh. “Ha, oh, that?” He looks down suggestively at my hand lingering over his length. “No, I had that done somewhere else. I figured you would enjoy that improvement.”
I lick my lips. “Oh, yea, I’ve never been with anyone who is pierced down there.” I suddenly blush.
He leans in for a kiss, letting his thumb linger over my bottom lips.
“Pearled,mi reina, not pierced.” He chuckles. “Anyway,” he begins as he releases me and paces his study.
“Vanessa told me about people, suspected criminals mostly, literally disappearing into thin air,” I say bringing the conversation back. Now it all makes sense. Why the Moretti family has been getting away with so much over the years. They are literally untraceable by design.
“Trust me when I tell you, most have not disappeared. I mean, yes, some, are dead now, but that is beside the point,” he says nonchalantly. “But most are still here roaming these crowded New York streets with their masks on. Think of it like an episode ofThe Twilight Zone,mobsters getting a new face on every time the feds are on their ass. Camouflage of the flesh,” he jokes.
“So, what made you finally track me down and bring me here to the city?” I ask.
“Your Titi Lana,” he begins, grabbing hold of my hand. “After my father had your parents killed at the gala, Lana formed an alliance, if you will, with my Titi Rose. My Titi started taking over the family business after her husband, Victor, was killed by my sleazebag father.”
“Titi Lana?” I ask in disbelief.
“Yes, Lana has been working closely with Titi Rose, well, you may now know her as Miranda …” he trails off.
“Wait. Creepy Miranda?”
He laughs. “Yes, creepy Miranda.” He refocuses the conversation. “Lana and Rose—or creepy Miranda, as you put it—have been a huge driving force in the underground drug running I have been doing. The goal has been to save as much of it for our escape as possible.”
“Escape? Carmine, what the fuck are you talking about?”
“Sienna, I am a criminal. A criminal that cops like your friend, Vanessa, can make their career off bringing down. It’s only a matter of time before Vanessa becomes more suspicious and Alex won’t be able to protect me anymore,” he says, squeezing my hand.
Before I can respond, a loud thud comes from outside the study. It sounds like it came from the hallway.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I ask him.
He puts his finger over his lips, motioning me to be silent as he grabs his gun and quietly inches toward the door.
“Hide,” he whispers.
I hear his warning, but I choose to ignore it.
“Hide, Sienna, now,” he repeats, this time in a more commanding voice.
“No.” I stand my ground.
“No? Really, this isn’t a time for stubbornness, Sienna.” He tosses his cigarette on the floor and gives it a tap with his foot to put out the glowing embers.
“I’m not being stubborn. I can protect myself. I don’t need you sacrificing anything else for me,” I whisper.
Unamused, Carmine rolls his eyes. “There is no convincing you, huh?” A sweet smile escapes his face before redirecting his attention to the sound from the hallway.
“Nope, so don’t try.”
