Elio, p.4
Elio, page 4
Freddie and Jason were waiting in the car as I emerged from the prison. I climbed in and motioned for them to leave, pulling my phone from my pocket and calling Savio.
“We got word that the Vargas Cartel is planning to start a war,” Savio informed me immediately.
“Why?”
“My sources say Gallagher fed them some intel, but they intended to come after us for a while.”
“Damn it.”
“When are you back?”
“I’ll call the pilot to get the plane ready.”
“Good. We need to have a meeting and figure out their moves.”
“I saw Izan at the prison,” I tell him.
“Did he say anything to you?”
“No, and that tells me his family is already in Chicago.”
“I’ll ensure the family has double security,” Savio said.
“You know the girls will hate that,” I replied.
“No choice with this new information. Gallagher probably gave them everything down to the favorite places we like to shop.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. As the family lawyer, I had to keep my distance in certain situations, but Enrique Vargas sending his brother Izan to talk to Gallagher heightened my stress level.
“I’m heading back to Chicago,” I informed Savio.
“Meet me first thing in the morning.”
I clenched my jaw. “I have something else I need to handle.”
“It can wait, EJ.”
“It’s Cora.”
Savio went silent. I knew that ignoring his request would put us at odds.
“Handle it after this meeting. I’m not asking,” he instructed. This was the Don speaking, not my brother. But Cora meant the same to me as his wife, Mckayla, did to him.
I ended the call as Jason arrived at the airport. I skimmed over my text thread to see how Cora was when a notification with Gallagher's name appeared. The link opened a video clip as soon as I clicked on it.
“Breaking news. The death of FBI Agent Cade Gallagher has raised questions about the security measures in place in the prison. We’ll have more details tonight at seven.”
I slipped the phone into my pocket and sat back, wondering what the Vargas Cartel was going to do next.
My brothers Savio, Sante, and Renato were seated around the table with the other bosses as I entered the meeting. I took a seat and placed the briefcase on top of the conference table.
Savio leaned forward and made eye contact with everyone. “Enrique Vargas is in town.”
One of the cartel bosses sat up straight. “When did this happen?”
“I went to New York to handle Cade Gallagher and discovered that Izan Vargas is his lawyer,” I explained. I opened the briefcase and removed the photos, spreading them on the desk so everyone could see them.
“Why are we only learning this now, Savio?” Alvize asked, glaring at my brother.
Savio had taken care of Greco, Costa, and any other enemies who had tried to destroy our family. Having the mayor on our side worked in our favor, but Alvize still worried that the other shoe would drop. I didn’t blame him. We were in a situation we didn’t ask for.
“I don’t need to run anything through you until I consider it worth discussing. And that time is now,” Savio replied coolly.
Alvize and my brother glared at each other.
“Do we know why Enrique Vargas and his family are here?” another boss questioned.
Savio replied, “No word yet, but I’ll find out.”
“I don’t like this one bit,” Vincenzo responded.
“I’ll keep an eye on them for now and request a meeting,” Savio said.
Shocked voices murmured around him.
“If we do that, it’ll look weak,” Bera objected.
“My family is far from weak,” Renato spat.
Bera knew better than to question the Don.
“All I’m saying is that Vargas is dangerous and doesn’t follow the rules of a traditional Cartel,” Bera stated.
“Enrique Vargas isn’t stupid.” I didn’t take threats to my family lightly, and Enrique would die today if I agreed with my brothers. My father taught us to protect the family at all costs.
“EJ will set up a meeting to find out why he’s here,” Savio explained.
The phone on the table rang, and all eyes locked on it, wondering who could access the number at our private conference.
Sante leaned forward and hit the answer button.
“Mr. Calabresi?” his secretary asked.
“Yes.”
“I have Mr. Vargas on the line,” Andrea said, causing silence to descend on the room.
“Put him through.”
“Sorry it took me a while to make my presence known.” A thick accent spoke through the phone.
“How did you get this number?” Savio demanded.
The man chuckled. “Am I speaking with Don Savio Calabresi?”
“You are. How can I assist you, Mr. Vargas?” Savio asked patiently.
“Can I assume that Sante and Renato are with you?”
I frowned. His question raised red flags.
“My brothers’ whereabouts don't concern you.”
“Protective. I like that. I’m the same with my brother, Izan,” Enrique said.
“How can I help you, Mr. Vargas?” Savio repeated.
“I’ll be in touch soon.” The line went dead.
“He’s trying to plant himself in control,” I said, looking at my brothers.
Renato leaned back in the chair with a smug smirk. “No one controls me.”
“I want everyone to increase your security and tighten up your import and export orders,” Savio instructed the occupants of the room before dismissing them.
Everybody filed out except my brothers and me.
“Father needs to know that Vargas is in town,” Vincenzo said.
Savio rubbed his beard. “Not yet.”
“The sooner, the better,” I agreed with my little brother.
Savio sighed and rose from his chair. “Fine, we can go now.”
Renato looked at me. “I’ll ride with you.”
He followed me to the car while Savio, Sante, and Vincenzo rode together.
Renato studied me thoughtfully as we headed toward our parents’ house. “Your expression tells me you're pissed about more than Enrique Vargas.”
“Cora hasn’t answered my calls.”
“She’s a woman. They get pissed and ignore us.”
“Sonya didn’t ignore you,” I pointed out.
“She had no choice because I kidnapped her.” Renato smirked at me.
“I tried that with Cora, and it didn’t end well.”
“Little brother, you know Cora won’t make it easy for you.”
I rubbed my temples. “I hurt her badly.”
“You were a kid,” Renato reasoned.
“Yeah, but she refuses to hear me out.”
“Make her listen.” Renato’s phone rang, and he grabbed it from his pocket,
I tried to think of anything besides my problems as Renato spoke with his wife, Sonya.
Freddie navigated the construction work at my parents’ estate and parked in front of the garage. I jogged up the stairs and opened the door as Savio’s limo pulled up.
Marilyn greeted me, and I kissed her on the cheek.
“Are you mad at me too?” I asked, seeing her glare.
“I regard you as a son, EJ, but if you hurt Cora again, you and I will have a problem.”
“Marilyn, you know Cora is stubborn and refuses to let me explain.”
“She’s worked hard to be independent of this family after what happened,” Marilyn exclaimed.
“We were young and—”
“That’s no excuse when you had—” Marilyn caught herself and pressed her lips together.
I opened my mouth to question her when my mother came around the corner with my nephew, SJ, behind her.
Mother clapped her hands excitedly. “All my boys are home! Are you staying for dinner?”
I kissed her cheek and ruffled my nephew's hair as he ran to his father. Savio grinned as he lifted him in the air.
“Where’s Pop?” Renato joined the conversation.
“In the pool with the kids.” Mother pointed to the backyard.
“Has Cora come by?” I asked.
My mother and Marilyn glanced at each other.
Mother answered, “No.”
“She’s usually here for lunch during a break from work,” I said.
“Are you hungry?” Mother asked, changing the subject.
“No.”
“Elio, we can worry about that later,” Sante stated.
I left the conversation alone and went to the backyard. My father sat near the pool, laughing at the kids as they splashed in the water. Rena and Mckayla weren’t around, which meant my parents were on babysitting duty.
My father stood to hug me.
“We need to talk,” I said.
He didn’t respond, walking over to pick up his cigar before sitting under the cabana.
“The Vargas Cartel is in town.” I looked directly at him and waited for a response.
“Enrique Vargas called us today,” Savio added.
The man I was named after blew out cigar smoke as he listened. He probably wanted more information before giving his opinion. Unless he was needed, he let Savio handle everything now that he was retired. We appreciated him allowing us to make decisions and mistakes without trying to take over.
“The Vargas and Calabresi Cartels have a past I do not wish to repeat,” Father said, scanning our faces. “Enrique’s father, Amadias, ran his family without an ounce of respect for anyone. He killed women and children, and he stole money from our family. He wanted to expand, and we refused. Eventually, a truce was made, but Amadias decided not to honor it and is no longer living.” Father laid out all the things I knew would spark a war.
“So Enrique came to Chicago to take over.” Renato folded his arms over his chest.
Father placed the cigar on the tray. “I would advise you to see what he wants, but be cautious.”
Savio nodded in understanding.
“Calabresis don't negotiate,” Renato spat.
“It’s not about negotiating, son. I’ll do anything to protect our family, but I won’t put your mother through another war. Enrique must want something. Find out what.”
“Whatever he wants is irrelevant,” I hissed, on the same page as Renato. Enrique Vargas needed to know we couldn’t be intimidated.
“I can set up a meeting,” Sante suggested.
“Good. Savio, as the Don, you need to be ready to put a deal in motion if it comes to that to keep the peace.”
“We don’t sell out!” Renato barked, startling the kids.
“Lower your voice,” Father said, pinning Renato with a stern gaze.
“Enrique made the first move. I’ll do some more investigating,” I said.
“Is that agent handled in New York?” Father questioned.
I nodded. “No longer a concern.”
My brothers decided to hang with the kids, and I left with a grumbling stomach to find something to eat in the kitchen. I paused outside my father’s office when I heard low murmurs within.
“She’s still hurt,” Mother said.
“I know. I wish she’d told him years ago,” Marilyn replied.
“I’m upset she didn't say anything, but I understand.”
My brows knitted in confusion. Who were they talking about? I entered the room to see my mother and Marilyn huddled together.
“EJ!” Mother removed her arm from around Marilyn.
My gaze darted between them. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” Marilyn wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Is it Cora?”
“Honey, no. You need to stop worrying about Cora and focus on meeting someone new,” Mother advised.
“I'm hungry. Did you cook, Marilyn?” I asked, ignoring my mother’s “advice.”
“I-I did,” Marilyn stuttered.
“Marilyn’s famous lobster and beef Wellington.” Mother hooked her arm through mine and walked me out of my father’s office.
I made a note to talk to Marilyn about whatever they were discussing later after I found Cora.
Chapter 5
Cora
“He’ll be fine. Give him the medicine with his food.” I rubbed the chocolate pug’s head and smiled.
His owner had brought him in when she noticed he wasn’t eating like usual. I filled out the forms and motioned for my assistant to finish them, leaving the examination room and walking down the hall to my office. No sooner had I taken a seat when there was a knock at the door. I looked up to see Anissa carrying two bags in her hands.
I waved her to come in. “I thought you were at work?”
Anissa placed the bags on my desk and removed the burgers and fries, passing one to me. “I figured since you skipped breakfast this morning, we could catch up for lunch.”
“In other words, Mitchel worked through lunch.”
A flip of her middle finger made me laugh.
Anissa sat in the chair on the other side of my desk. “So, tell me what happened. You turn up on my doorstep in the middle of the night after going AWOL.”
“EJ kidnapped me.”
“Kidnapped you!” Anissa leaped out of her seat.
I shushed her and quickly closed my office door. “Calm down before the whole office knows.”
Anissa stared at me. “Cora, you're not making sense.”
I unwrapped my cheeseburger. “He was upset that I went on a date during the holidays.”
Anissa shook her head. “Are we talking about the same EJ who flew you and your friends to Vegas for your twenty-first birthday and paid for your home?”
“Don’t remind me. I’ve tried to pay him back, but he refuses to take my money.”
Anissa supported my dating but knew that EJ and I had a history. I’d tried to move on, but no one held my heart like he did.
“Because he wants you indebted to him.” Anissa tossed a French fry in her mouth.
“I skipped out on him in New York.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
I choked on my drink and patted my chest.
Anissa sipped on her smoothie. “That’s a yes. I hope you used protection.”
Anissa knew about my miscarriage when I was younger.
“We were too caught up in the moment, but I’m on birth control.”
“I’m glad you had a little fun. I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Not if you're only working and hanging out with Devi and me.” Anissa’s lips bunched together in a pout.
I was offended by her statement and threw a balled-up napkin at her. “My best friend doesn’t like me anymore.”
She laughed and tossed the napkin back at me. “I want you to be happy, and that doesn’t mean putting your life on hold.”
“I go on dates.”
“When?”
“All the time.”
“You’ve had two dates in the last year, Cora.”
“I’m busy.” I dropped the bags of food in the waste basket and grabbed my paperwork for my next appointment.
Anissa stood and picked up her purse to leave. “Never too busy for love. Call me when you make it home, and we can set up a girl’s weekend.”
We hugged, and I led her out of my office. I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped into a large body.
“Oh, so sorry.” I stepped back, and Anissa plowed into me. I looked from the bulldog on the leash into dark brown eyes.
“No, my apologies,” the man said in a thick accent.
“Who do we have here?” I bent to rub the bulldog’s head, and she licked my hand.
“My little princess,” he replied and lifted her.
Anissa cleared her throat and nudged my shoulder.
I elbowed her in the stomach and smiled at the man. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Princess hasn’t eaten for two days.”
I nodded and motioned for him to follow me up to the front. “What’s your name?”
“Enrique.”
I lifted our schedule booklet for the day and noticed his name wasn’t written down. “We don’t have you booked in, but since it’s slow, I could check her out.”
“Thank you, Cora.”
“How do you know my name?”
He motioned at my name badge on my white coat.
I smacked my forehead. “Brain fart.”
“Cora, I have to go. I’ll leave you to it.” Anissa smirked.
“We should have dinner soon and catch up.”
Anissa hugged me again and whispered in my ear. “Sexy and tall with an amazing accent. Grab condoms.” With that, she waved goodbye and disappeared.
“Excuse my friend.”
Enrique grinned. “She’s funny.”
“Please tell me you didn’t hear that.”
He made a zipping motion across his lips, and I groaned in embarrassment.
“Let’s get Princess to the exam room,” I said, striving to remain professional.
The door opened again as we were heading to the examination room, and I paused as I saw a delivery guy holding a bunch of flowers.
“Delivery for Cora Sica,” he said, holding the bouquet.
I waved for him to place them on the counter. “That’s me.”
“Sign here,” the delivery guy said.
“Secret admirer?” Enrique asked.
I picked up the card and read the inscription. You're all I think about. “No, an ex who doesn't know how to leave me alone.” EJ must be back in Chicago. “Julia, can you put these in water and place them in my office?”
Julia replied, “You got it, Cora.”
I checked my watch and saw it was time for my next appointment, but I still had to take care of Princess.
“Julia will have you fill out some paperwork while I look over Princess,” I told Enrique.
He hitched a thumb toward his dog. “I’d like to stay with her. She’s like a child.”
“Sure. Come with me.” I walked down the hall to the examination room and opened the door for him to enter.
He lifted Princess onto the table. “How long have you done this work?”
