CHAPTER FOUR

—Jax—

 

“Fuck.”

I’d been tense since I left Bella. A bad feeling resonated in my gut about what'd happened to her. God, she was fucking phenomenally beautiful. I’d seen her before. Of course, she was dressed then and a little younger, so I didn’t put it together right away. She didn’t remember me at all.

The car turned onto the highway as it headed back the way we’d come. I was supposed to have a meeting with Casconi two hours ago.

I relaxed into the seat, but all I could focus on were those gray eyes, full lips, and pink cheeks. Holy fuck she was beautiful.

I read he’d for my ringing phone seeing It was an unknown number. “Jax,” I growled.

“This is Sagatori,” he growled back.

I straightened in my seat. “Yes?” Mr. Sagatori was a respected man. Probably more feared than respected, honestly. But I knew my place and so did he. If Anthony Sagatori called me directly, it had to be for a fuckin’ good reason.

“I called to give to you my sincerest appreciation for bringing my daughter home safely. But I’m curious as to what happened?” Didn’t Bella tell him?

I nodded. “Yes, of course. She was in the middle of the highway, my driver almost hit her. She looked pretty scared and frozen. I put her in my car and took her home.”

“I see," he paused. "Well, she’s safe now, all thanks to you. I’d like to set up a sit down.”

“I wasn’t planning on staying in Detroit but another day.” I paused, waiting for him to respond. I was a bit curious what Sagatori was so eager to speak with me about. “Can I call in the morning and set something up,” I asked.

“Yes, call first thing.” His voice was firm.

“Very good.”

 He disconnected the call.

“Mickie?”

Sagatori was the king of Detroit and the familia. Bella’s his princess. I'm the boss of the Chicago outfit if he had taken the time to call me I needed to show my respect.

“I heard, boss.” Mickie gave a glance through the partition. I nodded to him from the back of the limo.

We reached Casconi’s, buzzing the gate. When it opened, my driver steered the black limousine through the wide metal opening.

Mickie parked the limo and two men walked around the side of the house approaching us.

“Is Casconi available?” I asked as I stepped out of my car.

“Yes Sir, he’s expecting you.”

We walked along the stone path that led to the door, we approached and entered. The two men guided me into Casconi’s office, closing the French doors, leaving me in the office alone. Mickie was left to stand just outside the door, ready to end every motherfucker here if he needed to.

I risked a quick look around. Not much  interested me, until I saw Bella’s picture inside of a silver frame on his desk. I didn’t know they were together.

“Mr. Moretti, I assume your trip to Detroit was pleasant?”

“Casconi,” I replied, turning towards the door.

“Forgive me for the wait. I was expecting you earlier.” He seemed stressed out. His clothes were wrinkled, and his hair was all over the place. Hell, I guess he may have just gotten out of bed. I was really late.

“Something that couldn’t be helped, my apologies, you understand.” I didn’t need to apologize to this fucker, but I would because showing him respect was warranted since he was a Capo under Sagatori, and I was seein’ that Detroit may have a few promising things I’d like to get my hands on.

He opened the envelope filled with money, releasing all of the papers that I'd come here for. I could’ve sent Mickie or Anthony, but I wanted to see this fucker up-close and personal. He’d caused a lot of problems for my business and me personally. He flipped through the papers one by one and yawned as he handed them to me. So fuckin' disrespectful.

“You and Bella Sagatori?” I had the sudden urge to rip him over the desk and stab him in the throat.

“What?” His eyes continued to review, going over the documents I’d paid for.

“Bella Sagatori.”

His head raised holding a glare. “What the fuck is it to you?” And it all became clear. This asshole had a hairy trigger. He’d been in trouble for the last few months with a few of the men under my rule and now he was barking at me.

My eyebrows rose. I stood erect with my hand pressed to my gun. My eyes bore into his before he could stand from his faux leather chair. I laughed to myself. Did he think all of this convinced people he was a boss? Capo? He’s a small boy living in a man’s world. I didn’t care if he was crazy because I was crazier.

His eyes wondered to his left, seeing the picture I’d been referring to. “We’re promised to each other.” He remained seated in his chair.

I nodded. Well, this may change things up. “So, you’re planning on marrying her?” I growled.

He lay the papers down on his glass desk, running his hands through his hair. That’s when I saw the scratch marks on his neck.

I’m the boss of the Chicago outfit and must consider the familia and my men when I react, but all I saw was red. Fucking red. I rounded the desk with deadly silence. I gripped the asshole by the throat and lifted him off of his feet. “You ever disrespect me with that mouth again, I’ll tie it shut. You disrespect me with those hands and I’ll cut ‘em off. You understandin’ where I’m going with this?” I'd work my way to every part of his body until he was a bloody unidentifiable blob.

“Looks like someone else already had a piece of you.” I laughed. “Looks like it hurts.” I grinned, digging my fingers harder into his throat. The bastard deserved a lot worse.

He nodded, and I released him and straightened my suit. “My apologies, Mr. Moretti. I meant no disrespect.” He coughed.

His hand drew to his neck and his eyes became dark. “What can I say? She’s a wild one.”

“Bella?”

“Yeah, she was here just a few hours ago.” He cleared his throat.

“And she did that?” My thoughts traveled to her in the car. Her fingernails were covered in blood and she was on the other side of this property. He just confirmed that she’d been here. She was running from him.

I cleared my throat as I wondered if her father knew this. My facial expression contorted.

“As always, it’s been a pleasure.” He rounded the desk. “I’ll walk you out.”

I nodded as I adjusted my cuffs.

I followed Casconi and slipped my hand behind my jacket gripping the cold metal. I could do this quick, right in the temple. We were at the door in a few seconds, but I chose to save it for another day as I stepped out into the cold.

I wondered why Bella had been running and why she would’ve scratched him. I didn’t know her and I knew I shouldn't even consider gettin’ involved. I was intrigued, though. He pretty much said she’d been spoken for, so I guess it'd be a moot point. Salvatore Casconi deserved what he had coming. When he's finally taken out, it’ll be sweet revenge.

I slipped into the limo, I was ready to get this day over with. The car drove away from Casconi's house towards downtown Detroit and I lay my head back with thoughts I shouldn’t be having about Sagatori’s princess.