Fratelli: The Awakening (The Vampire Cartel #1)

29. Welcome to Vegas

Chapter 29

Welcome to Vegas

L as Vegas, Nevada

April 14, 2018

(8 Days Before Death)

Lucio glanced at Dolly, his concern hardened his expression. Despite the discomfort of a sore shoulder and an itchy throat, she hadn’t uttered a single complaint.

The shattered glass from the shower door on the plane had rattled her, though, but she’d accepted his explanation of turbulence without questioning its plausibility. After a quick freshen up and expertly reapplying her makeup to its flawless state, Dolly slipped her hand into his as they strolled through the private hangar toward the waiting car. Her wide eyes sparkled with wonder as she took in the luxurious surroundings. She marveled over the exclusivity.

Instead of directing the driver to his hotel, Lucio took them to his private estate in Henderson. As they traveled, he checked his phone. There were several messages from Tristan. The news that Tristan had both men in tow and was enroute to Vegas brought a mix of relief and unease.

“Why so quiet?” Dolly asked, her voice gentle. “Something wrong?”

Lucio wiped his hand across his mouth. Discomfort settled in his bones. Lucio had been filled with angst in the last few weeks, largely because of a tense meeting planned with his brothers about their father’s condition. His feelings for Dolly were undeniably real, solidified by the surge of vitality he felt each time he drank from her essence. Her blood had reignited his heart and awakened a part of his humanity he thought long lost. Yet, this newfound connection brought with it a tangled web of complications.

Dolly reached over; her hand slid to his groin. She unzipped him. Her hand went further. She leaned in. Their lips met in a brief but intense kiss. She squeezed his cock. Her touch ignited a fire that smoldered beneath his skin. Lucio’s eyes closed as her breath warmed his neck, the moment teetered between tenderness and something darker.

But he couldn’t let it go further. Not now. Not with so much at stake.

“Stop,” he murmured as her hand slipped inside his open zipper. He caught her wrist gently, but firmly. “Why are you provoking me?”

“That’s a strange thing to say,” she replied. She pulled her hand away, a hint of hurt in her voice. “So, I can’t touch you now?”

Lucio zipped up his trousers. His mind warred with the conflicting desires within him. His Draca, the darkness that lay dormant, had stirred, making him vulnerable to both her and his enemies—especially his brothers. He cursed himself for drinking her blood again, so close to their meeting. Lust had clouded his judgment and weakened his resolve. If only he could make love to her without unleashing their darkness, he might stand a chance against what awaited him.

“You’re quiet again,” Dolly pouted, her disappointment clear.

“Sorry. We’re headed to my home, and I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Oh, my god!” she exclaimed. She covered her mouth with her hand. “Of course, you’re upset about your client’s death. I’m being insensitive. I’m sorry.”

“No,” he softened, his hand reached out to hers. “I’m okay, Dolly. I just… need to keep my head clear. Dammi una possibilità di concentrarmi .”

“There you go, speaking Italian or Sicilian again. I told you I like it better when you speak French. At least I can understand some of that,” she teased.

“It’s not intentional. My languages—they’re all in my head and come out at random,” he replied.

“I’m just playing with you, Lucio! You could speak anything you want,” she teased, her mood lightened.

He nodded, though the tension in him refused to ease. Darlene’s threats lingered in his mind and unsettled him in a way few things could.

“Okay, whatever,” she mumbled. She moved slightly away from him. He responded by wrapping his arm around her shoulders, pulling her back in.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said, his voice a whisper that threaded through her thoughts rather than her ears.

“I love your surprises,” she said and sighed. She then melted into his embrace; her earlier irritation forgotten.

“I have business tonight. It’ll be a long night, and I won’t be back until morning,” he said.

“That doesn’t sound like a surprise I’d like,” she said.

“While we’re in Vegas, I need you to be careful,” Lucio began, his tone serious.

“Careful? From what?” Dolly asked.

He took a deep breath and chose his words with care. “The city can be dangerous when you’re with me. First, you’re not to leave my home at night unless accompanied by my men. Your driver is Tristan, and Tristan only. No one else on my staff or anyone who visits can override this order. Do you understand?” he asked.

“I’m trying to,” she replied.

“It’s for your safety. It’s important that you understand,” he repeated, his voice firm.

“Okay, I get it,” she said.

“If my family… if my brothers, or anyone, pays a visit to my home, you’ll be escorted to another part of the house. Stay there until I come to you. Capisci ?” he asked.

“Wait… are you saying I’m a prisoner? Some little secret?” she huffed.

“Yes, I am,” he replied with a wry smile. “No one will know about us until we decide. It would be a big deal for my family if they found out I’m dating again. Let’s take the time to get to know each other before the world tries to tell you what kind of man I am,” he said.

“I know who you are, Lucio, and I don’t care. You don’t have to hide me away,” she insisted, her voice softened.

“You do not know how much I want to tell the world about you, about what you’ve done to me, and for me,” Lucio said, his voice filled with a sincerity that made her smile. They rode in silence for a long while. Then he tested the waters again. “So, we agree? We’ll keep it like this for now?”

“You really know how to surprise a girl. Why bring me here? You insisted I come to Vegas. You made it seem like you wanted to show me the world. What happened to ‘point anywhere on the map, and I’ll take you there and give you a crown,’ huh?” She crossed her arms.

“Is it because I’m black?” Dolly asked, her eyes narrowed on him after the question.

Lucio chuckled. He shook his head. “No. Never. I plan to make you the center of the universe. You, Dolly, will be in control of your life—not your fears, not your doubts. I’ll ensure every decision you make is yours,” he declared

She frowned, uncertainty clouded her features. “But?—”

“ Tesoro , you need to take control. Stop pushing away the thoughts you don’t want to deal with. Ask questions, Dolly—not of me, but of yourself. About the things you remember and the things you don’t. Consider the reasons. I’ll give you whatever you need, provide whatever you want, but I need you to be in control of you,” he said.

Lucio took her hand and kissed it tenderly. Dolly stared at him, her confusion undisguised in the warmth of her brown, doe-like eyes. Beneath the surface, he saw the flicker of understanding, the faint recognition that there was something more to her.

“How’s your sight?” he asked.

“Not so fast,” she said.

“What?” he asked.

“You said you had a surprise for me. What is my surprise?” she asked.

Lucio laughed. “Oh, right, well, if I tell you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, now, would it?”

“Very cute,” she rolled her eyes.

He chuckled. “I want to know. How are your eyes?”

“I can see clearly, but I miss my glasses,” she admitted.

“You were very cute in glasses,” he grinned.

She softened to him, and he relaxed as well.

“Will I get to see any of Vegas, or just your bedroom while I’m here?” she pretend pouted.

“Come on now, you know that’s not my intention,” Lucio said. “I just?—”

“You keep talking in riddles, Lucio. What should I think?” Dolly huffed.

“Okay,” he relented.

“Okay, what?” Dolly pressed.

“Name it,” he said, his voice a challenge.

“Name what?” she asked.

“Name a person, place, or thing you want to see in Vegas, and it’s yours. Name it,” he repeated.

“You serious?” she asked.

“Deadly,” he replied.

She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her social media feed before turning the screen to him. “This!”

Lucio squinted at the image on her phone. His eyes stretched in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“Yes! And then I want a private spa with all the trimmings at a very fancy hotel. And I want to go to a club—a high-roller club with a cigar bar, where we can gamble and be treated like royalty. Or maybe a club with strippers. No, never mind on the strippers,” she mumbled, her enthusiasm uncontainable.

Lucio burst into laughter, unable to stop. “ Sei la mia gioia . Let’s discuss the first request. You want me to take you to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to race on the tracks?”

“I saw it on television. It looks like fun! Why not?” she asked, her eyes gleamed with excitement.

“I’ve never taken a woman to do that?—”

“Well, I’m not just any woman, am I?” she teased, slipping her arm around his torso. He lifted his arm again, allowing her to nestle closer. “You chicken? Afraid I’ll kick your butt?”

Lucio shook his head. “Yes, sweetheart. I already know you’re the winner here.”

“Then it’s set. We go?” she asked.

“One condition,” he said.

“Anything. Name it,” she replied.

“You will consider what I said—no more pushing away thoughts you don’t want to explore. Consider questioning things a little more,” he said.

“I told you I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Dolly tried to pull away. He held her close, refusing to let her retreat.

“Okay, amore mio , whatever you say,” he whispered. He kissed the top of her head as they continued their drive into the heart of Vegas, the city of secrets.