Catching Bianca: A Dark Mafia Romance (Shadows of Obsession Book 4)
Catching Bianca: Chapter 18

Carter leaves Apollo and Arthur in charge of looking after the girls. Two more bodyguards secure the entrance to the VIP area, and at least eight others are stationed in the main part of the club.

That’s more than enough guns and muscle to keep three women safe… but it doesn’t stop me checking the monitors every few moments, ensuring Bianca’s okay. Broadway and Carter’s eyes swing there almost as often.

Carter leans back in the chair behind his desk, two wrinkles denting his forehead. It’s obvious that something’s bothering him but he hasn’t divulged any details. He’s taking his time, mulling over whatever’s poisoning his mind while he listens to our reports.

“Any news on Vaughn’s whereabouts?” he asks, swirling the last of his whiskey.

“No. No surveillance cameras picked him up. Bianca gave me a few fake number plate numbers they’ve been using, but I doubt he’ll put any on that she knows about now.”

“I’d say he’s too clever for that,” Koby pipes in. “Though recent events prove he’s losing his gray cells fast.”

“Keep running the plates,” Carter decides. “How’s she doing overall? Did she tell you why she ran from him?”

I smile into my glass. The first part of his question isn’t his. I’d bet my right hand that Hailey made him ask so she’d get the whole picture, not just Bianca’s side.

“She didn’t, but we had a chat about trust. I still don’t think she’s here on Vaughn’s orders. She shudders whenever he’s mentioned. Other than that, she’s fine,” I emphasize. “Getting kidnapped and held hostage for weeks? Fine. Living with two strangers? Fine. Knowing her life is on the line? Fine.”

“Someone’s bitter,” Broadway muses. “It’s good that she’s dealing with the shit she’s been through.”

“She’s not dealing with anything. She brushes everything under the carpet, lifts her chin up, and powers through.”

“Hailey and Violet will help her open up,” Carter decides. “You focus on keeping her out of harm’s way.” He straightens in his seat, a serious look crossing his face. “Given our recent run-ins with the cops, I doubt Vaughn sent her here. He wouldn’t be making my life difficult if he did.”

Koby’s kept me in the loop while I’ve been away, so I know about the random stop and searches on our men.

Along with his many business ventures, allies, and enemies, Carter also inherited his father’s police connections. He didn’t lift a finger when we first arrived in Columbus, the cops who worked with Rhett knocked on Carter’s door of their own volition, offering their services. We hadn’t been bothered by Columbus’s finest until this week.

Seven of Carter’s soldiers have been stopped on the road, their vehicles searched. One got arrested for possession.

“It’s a scare tactic,” Broadway says. “Remember how it was in Chicago a few years back when that holier-than-thou new detective arrived? He was making Dante’s life difficult, hoping he’d slip-up. Vaughn’s doing the same.”

Carter nods. “I know. I’m dealing with it here, but I can’t reach Cleveland. Rhett’s guy there retired last month and we don’t have a replacement yet. It’s a matter of time before Vaughn realizes Bianca’s there.” He pins me with a stare. “Make sure you don’t have anything incriminating on you or in your car. If you get detained, she’s only got Arthur for protection.”

Anxiety twists and tangles inside me at the mere thought of what Carter’s implying. If Bianca’s with me when I get detained and Arthur’s off duty, asleep, Vaughn has a good window to snatch her. She might not have time to call Arthur. Same goes if we reverse the situation. It’s more likely they’ll get pulled over on their way back from the flower market.

I tighten my fingers around the crystal glass, searching for her on the monitors, everything inside me craving reassurance that she’s here. Safe.

My pulse soars when I don’t replace her in the booth. Arthur’s there, mildly disinterested, which is why I remain in my seat, marshaling the onslaught of fear.

He wouldn’t sit there if anything was wrong.

I scan the other screens until her burgundy dress catches my eye. Too bad my pulse doesn’t slow. If anything, it gallops that much faster. Bianca’s on the dance floor with Hailey, her hips swaying to the music, hands in the air, a smile gracing her pretty face. It’s blinding, genuine, fucking beautiful. She looks… free. Not a care in the world.

Fuck, this girl turns my brain to mush. Controlling my instincts is damn near impossible. Same goes for keeping my distance and remembering that, despite the undeniable sexual attraction between us, I can’t fuck her through a wall without facing Hailey’s wrath.

Bianca’s here to stay. Sex would complicate things between us. It’d put a strain on my relationship with her sister, probably with Carter too. A few minutes of getting my dick wet is not worth those kinds of repercussions.

It’d be a different story if I had any hope Bianca would admit she needs people. If I had any hope she might not be made of stone. That she has a heart and feelings.

That’s as probable as Carter letting Hailey leave him.

Broadway takes over the meeting, droning on about his recent moves, the orders he’s fulfilled, the people who need a reminder who’s in charge. It takes half an hour before we wrap up, and Bianca’s been dancing this whole time with Hailey. Violet joined them, making Broadway’s teeth grind so hard the sound was audible in the office. She’s eighteen weeks pregnant and his overprotectiveness grows along with Violet’s bump.

Once a plan of action for the upcoming week is in place, Carter dismisses the meeting. The girls are back in their seats, downing lemonades, while the waitress sets another round of drinks on the table… including two glasses of wine.

“I thought you didn’t drink,” I say, leaning over the back of the couch where Bianca sits.

A mist of sweat glistens in the crook of her neck, her hair draped over one shoulder, coconut potent in the air.

“Liquid courage,” she explains, taking a sip. “I need some.”

“What are you gearing up for?”

“Fun.” She leans back, craning her neck to meet my gaze, her shoulder less than an inch from my hand. “Where is she?”

“She?” I squeeze the life out of the backrest, gouging my fingers into the leather. It’s all I can do to stop myself running my knuckles over her shoulder.

“Your girlfriend,” she clarifies, ghosting the rim of her wine glass over her lips. “I thought she’d be here.”

I bend my elbows, leaning so close the heat of my breath warms the shell of her ear. “I don’t have a girlfriend and you…” I push her half-empty wine glass away from her mouth. “You should slow down if you don’t drink.”

Hailey stops her conversation with Violet and turns in her seat, beaming at me. “She’s a big girl, Ryder. Take a night off, okay? I’ll make sure you don’t have to carry her home if she passes out. Plenty of bodyguards around.”

Like hell I’d let anyone else touch her.