Charlotte
Luca left for Miami three days ago, and since he was gone, I had time to do just that. Over the weeks before the explosion, I was lulled into a false sense of security. I thought I was safe. I thought the Mafia was the least of my worries, and that they pretty much had forgotten all about me, and then a literal bomb went off in my world and everything changed.
The mafia didn't forget, and they most certainly didn't leave any loose ends. I was going to have to deal with this forever, and if I left Luca, chances are it would be even worse. Loving him was a dangerous game of chess, though, and I could slowly feel parts of myself slipping away the longer it went on. I was in a battle between the two pieces of my soul—one that was completely in love with Luca and the other that craved my normal and boring life back. There was no meshing of the two, and I had to face that. This was the way things would be if I stayed with Luca. Was I strong enough for that? Was our love enough?
In a fairy-tale world, it was. None of the noise and bullshit mattered as long as we loved each other enough. And in the latest hours of the night, just before the sun came up, I could convince myself of that. But just when I thought I was sure, reality set in like a wrecking ball. Sometimes it's not enough, and sometimes walking away is the answer.
I almost decided not to come at all, but then something my mom used to say to me rang in my ears. She used to tell me that you knew how you truly felt about a person in the middle of the night. When you were by yourself and in the dark and there was no one else around. Did you miss them? Crave the sound of their voice? Need their touch? Did it almost hurt how bad you wanted to be with them? If that was the case, that was all you needed to know. A life without Luca was harder to accept than what his life brought. At least when I was with him, the danger was tangible. If I let it go, the emotions and the pain were all in my head—and sometimes that was the scariest place to be.
So this time, love prevailed. I decided it was enough and that my future was with Luca, however that may look. I got on the plane with a new attitude, ready to play the part of dutiful girlfriend to him this weekend. Part of me was exhilarated. There were only a handful of times that I got to see Luca in his element and doing what he loved, and most of those times we were in danger. This weekend would be different and I was looking forward to seeing him in action. This was a celebration, and he was the star of the show. And I was the one who got to go home with him.
"Miss?" A flight attendant patted my arm. "I just wanted to let you know we're about to make our landing. Is there anything else I can get you?"
"No, thank you." I smiled politely. Luca sent a private jet for the two of us, and while Reggie snored next to me, I enjoyed a glass of champagne. This world was so very different than mine, and sometimes I had to pinch myself to realize it was even real.
Reggie stirred, waking up for the first time practically the entire flight. Some body guard he was. He was attached to my hip the last few days while Luca was out of town. After the last incident, I was sure he'd been threatened within an inch of his life to stay with me. He wasn't Luca's first choice, but Marco and Carlo and Angelo were all needed for preparations.
The landing was a little bumpy, pulling my flannel over my shoulders. It looked dark and gloomy outside as I glanced out the window. Wasn't Florida supposed to be warm?
"Char, ready?" Reggie asked nudging my shoulder.
We got out onto a private runway and Reggie collected our bags and then ushered me into the building. I was surprised to see Marco and Angelo waiting for us, instead of Luca as he promised. I understood, but it was another stinging reminder of the fact that the Mafia would always come first. Another thing I needed to learn to live with.
"Welcome to Miami!" Angelo grinned. "How was the flight?"
"It was great." I smiled, giving both of them a quick hug. "Where's Luca? I thought he would be here."
"He had a few last minute things to take care of. He'll probably be at the hotel by the time we get there." Angelo responded anxiously, expecting me to be frustrated.
Instead of biting back with my irritation, I pressed my lips together and held it in. I really was committed to making an effort and this was my first test. As badly as I wanted him to be here waiting, I had to let it go.
Marco and Reggie loaded the bags into the car and we left the airport. I'd never flown private before, but I was starting to see why people shelled out the kind of money they did to own jets. It was nice not to have to fight through the sea of people in the airport to get our bags, or deal with the crowds. Usually, Luca avoided anything to do with big crowds.
The drive to the hotel went rather quickly. Angelo and Marco told us about how the preparations were going and what they were up to since coming down. I liked seeing them excited about their work, too. The four of them didn't just belong in this world, they thrived in it.
When we pulled up to the hotel, I was taken back by its beauty. It stood at least thirty floors high with beautiful peaks and windows. The white exterior was trimmed with soft blues and greens and a soft breeze flew right off the ocean and across the beach to where we were standing. People mosied in and out of the entrance dressed for the beach or whatever adventure they were heading to.
"What do you think?" Marco asked, appearing at my side with a goofy smile on his face.
"It's beautiful. Do you guys come here a lot?"
"We have lately with the club opening. Your paintings look incredible in there by the way; you're going to love them." We started walking inside with Reggie and Angelo close behind.
"I can't wait to see them." I almost forgot that my paintings were being featured in the club. I worked so hard on them over the last few months and it would be nice to finally see them in their place. This was a huge deal for me. When we were in LA, I had a few pieces on display in a gallery, but besides that, they were only in my own. To see them featured somewhere else would be so surreal, and I caught myself wishing my family and Jenni could be here to experience it with me.
"If Luca is busy tomorrow, maybe we can sneak in for your own private screening before the opening." He suggested, holding the door open for me.
"That'd be nice." I smiled and entered the building. Marco was turning out to be a good friend to me.
"Okay." Angelo said, handing one of the bellman a fifty dollar bill. "Here is the key to Luca's room. He said to call when you got here. I'm sure he has instructions for you. Marco and I have to get going but we'll see you later for dinner."
"See ya, Char!" Marco said.
"Bye!" I waved, watching as the two of them disappeared back out the front door. I pulled out my phone and dialed Luca's number.
When he answered, he was out of breath. "Hey baby. Are you here?"
"We just got to the hotel. Where are you?"
"I won't be too much longer." He dodged the question. "Did Angelo give you a key?"
"Yes, he did."
"Good." He said. "While you're waiting, head over to the hotel boutique. We are having dinner with some of my associates tonight, and I want you to have something new to wear. Put it on the room."
"I brought a bunch of things, Luca. You don't need to..."
"I know, but I want to. The less material the better." I could almost hear him grinning on the other end of the line. "This is a big weekend for both of us."
"I'll keep that in mind." I laughed, rolling my eyes.
"I won't be much longer. And I'm looking forward to seeing what you pick out. I love you."
"I love you, too."
I hung up with Luca and grabbed my purse.
"I'm going to go to the boutique. Coming in?"
Reggie chuckled. "Something tells me this is a no-win situation for me. Luca will be pissed either way, but he'll probably gauge my eyes out if I follow you in there and watch you try on clothes."
"You're probably not wrong." I let out a sharp laugh.
"I'll just hang out by the door." He winked.
There wasn't a huge amount of clothes in the boutique, but every single dress was absolutely gorgeous. It was like they took the very best of the latest styles and stuck them all on display here. It was all satin and lace and thigh-high leg slits galore. I already felt out of my element. The nicest dress I ever owned was the one I wore to the gallery opening and these dresses made it look like rags. I couldn't even stomach looking at the price tag.
Luca mentioned dinner with his associates. Butterflies crowded my stomach in anticipation. How was I supposed to dress for something like that? Subtle? Sultry? How would Luca want me to look? This was his world, and I felt anxious trying to figure out how to impress his friends all on my own. I was in way over my head here.
"Welcome!" A beautiful blonde woman approached me. A wave of her gardenia perfume hit me right in the face. Everything about her was elegant and expensive. "How can I help you today?"
"I'm looking for a few dresses for an event his weekend." I said, scanning the rack like a deer in headlights.
"Ah, say no more." She grinned, taking charge. "Look around, see if anything catches your eye and I'll pull a few things that will look killer on you. I'll have a dressing room started whenever you're ready."
I browsed the rows of high end dresses, picking out a few. As promised, the woman had a whole array of dresses laid out for me in the room and a glass of champagne waiting on the end table.
"Let me know if you need help with zippers or anything like that." She smiled, spinning around and heading back out int the showroom to help someone else.
Pulling the curtain back, I ducked into the dressing room and slipped the first dress on. I chose one that the saleswoman picked out. It was red satin with a plunging neckline. The fabric was tight against my body, smooth as butter and the most comfortable thing I had ever worn. It was a little long, but with the right pair of shoes, the dress fit me like a glove. I was amazed the woman didn't even ask for my size, yet stuck absolute gold with her choice.
I walked out into the room to get a little better lighting. There was a set of floor length mirrors at the end of the rows of dressing stalls, and I walked over. I spun and turned a bit, trying to see the dress from every angle. It was unlike anything I would usually pick--especially such a loud color--but the deep red was stunning. It made everything about me look just a little more intense. My hair looked darker, my lips fuller, my skin one shade tanner. It hugged every inch of my body, accentuated my curves and the neck line seemed to boast my boobs. Was it too much for this kind of thing?
Back in my dressing stall, I took the red dress off and pulled a simple black lace dress off the hanger. It was much more my style--simple and elegant-- and wouldn't a make me stand out at all. I could blend in with a dress like this, which seemed like the best thing to do. It was much more me than the red dress.
"I like the other one." I didn't notice there was another woman sitting in the dressing room suite. She was lounging back on the couch, a glass of Champagne in her hand as she looked me upland down, appraising me.
"Uh..." I was a little stunned. I had never seen the woman before.
"Sorry to butt in." She grinned, standing up. "I could just see it in your eyes. You want to go with this one. And don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful dress, but that red one? It'll knock him dead."
"Who?" I arched my eyebrow at her.
"Whoever it is you're trying to impress." She gave my shoulders a quick squeeze. The woman was older than me, but not old enough to be my parents age. She was stunningly beautiful with pale, olive skin and jet-black hair that was stick straight at her shoulders. "Put it on again; let's see it."
The woman was incredibly forward, but I found it oddly comforting. I needed another opinion, and she was seemed nice enough. Without responding, I changed into the dress and came back out.
"You don't think it's too much?" I ran my fingers over the red satin again.
"For an old bag like me? Absolutely. But honey," Her dark red lips pulled into a smirk. "For someone like you, with a body like that, it's perfect."
Maybe she was right. It was different, but wasn't that what I was going for here? I was trying to be the woman Luca needed and the dress made me feel even more confident and collected than I already was. I felt powerful in it. Influential. Sexy.
"I'm Esme, by the way."
"Charlotte." I smiled.
"Oh wow!" The saleswoman joined us. "I knew that would look stunning on you. What do you think honey?"
"I think I'll take it." I said, glancing one more time at myself in the mirror.
"Wonderful. What is the last name on the room?"
"Uh, Catalano." I said.
The saleswoman and Esme shared a funny look.
"Mrs. Catalano?" She asked.
"Oh no!" I shook my head. "Not Mrs. I'm just the girlfriend."
"Just the girlfriend?" Esme sauntered toward me, a big grin on her face. "I've known Luca for several years. There is no such thing as just the girlfriend... especially if he's buying you clothes like that."
"You know him?" I asked, feeling a flush blanket my cheeks.
She nodded. "My husband, Pablo, works with him. We come to these kind of events a lot and I've seen him bring dates, but nothing like you. You must really be special to him."
"I'm going to have to agree with that." The saleswoman laughed. "I've worked for Luca since before he opened this place and he's never once sent a woman in here to buy clothes for herself."
"Hmm." I pressed my lips together. Luca told me as much when I asked him about other women, but it was nice to hear it confirmed by someone else.
"This is fantastic." Esme gushed, slipping her arm in mine. "You know, Luca and Pablo are together right now, and they'll probably be awhile. Why don't you get your other clothes on and you and I can go sit on the deck and have a drink? It's not often I get to meet other women in my husband's line of work."
"That sounds great." I smiled.
Esme was sweet, and I was looking forward to having a friend in all of this. Not to mention she said they came to things like this a lot. Maybe she could show me the ropes so I didn't feel as out of place as I was.
Surely, Luca wouldn't mind.
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