Alpha Ascending Read online

  Shit. Just as he’d thought. They were standing right outside Muccino’s. “I’m fine.”

  “Are you going to come out of the cab at all?” she asked wryly.

  “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered. The red neon sign that was his impending doom seemed to mock him as he stepped out. Fuck.

  It wasn’t that he was ashamed of being with Sofia. It’s just that he hadn’t had time yet to prepare her to meet the Muccino–Anderson clan. Hell, he hadn’t prepared himself. And now she was walking into the wolf’s den. Oh, fuck. Gio. If his cousin was working the kitchen tonight, the gossip would spread like wildfire. And everyone would want to know about Sofia.

  “Say, Sofia,” he began. “Wouldn’t you rather have French food?” He jerked a thumb across the street. “I heard that restaurant is much better.” And his other cousin, Dom, would be much more discreet; hell, he probably wouldn’t even notice if Lucas brought an entire harem.

  “You mean, the restaurant where you took your blonde date to?” Her voice was cold enough to freeze the blood in his veins.

  “Right.” Ouch. Darius had warned him that Sofia had been at the dinner for Alesso the other night. He was going to pay for that one. “Muccino’s is fine.”

  “I hope it’s more than fine.” She led him toward the entrance, though he stepped ahead to open the door for her. “I couldn’t get a reservation for another two weeks, so I had to come during my lunch hour to see if they could fit us in. That snooty hostess wouldn’t even look at me, and when I finally got her attention, she said the only table she had wasn’t in the best location.”

  She went inside and headed straight for the hostess’ station. He followed a step behind, praying that no one would recognize him.

  “Reservations?” The female hostess asked.

  “I was just here during the lunch hour,” Sofia said. “You can’t have forgotten me already.”

  “Sorry, ma’am,” the girl smirked at her. “We do get an awful lot of people in here. What was the name again?”

  “Selinofoto.”

  “Just a moment.” The hostess looked down at her notebook. “Hmmm, I don’t see it.”

  “What?” Sofia exclaimed. “I was right here when you wrote it down.”

  “Was I?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  Lucas placed a hand on Sofia’s arm. “It’s okay, we can go somewhere else.”

  “No, it’s not okay, Lucas.” She looked like steam should be coming out of her ears.

  Suddenly, he felt the hostess’s eyes dart over to him. It took a second, but a flash of recognition crossed her face, and she went red. “Mr. Anderson! Sir, I … I didn’t know you were … I mean …” She swallowed. “I’ll find you a table right away, sir. Sorry!” She pivoted on her heel, and Lucas could hear her muttering under her breath.

  Sofia turned to him, a delicate dark brow raised. “Does every restaurant in New York train their staff to recognize you or something?”

  “Something like that.” At least the girl didn’t reveal to Sofia who he really was. Maybe this would work. And he could keep Sofia to himself, just for a little while longer.

  “I wonder what the hell is taking so long.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Ah, here she is.”

  The hostess was walking back toward them, but she wasn’t alone. Oh, no. Lucas wanted to bang his head on the wall.

  “What’s going on here?” Gio Muccino’s dark brows were furrowed together. “Gretchen, stop begging me not to fire you. Who the hell—Lucas?”

  It was probably too much to hope that Sofia didn’t realize what was going on, but her keen detective’s eyes couldn’t have missed it. She did a double take, first at Lucas, then at Gio and then back at Lucas again. There was no way she would have missed the similarities in their features, and even if she did, the color of their eyes gave everything away. “Lucas, what’s going on?”

  “Sofia, I’d like you to meet my cousin, Gio Muccino. Gio, this is Sofia Selinofoto.”

  Gio’s face turned from confused to surprise and then finally, his handsome face broke into a big grin. “Sofia! Nice to meet you! Are you Italian, bella?”

  “No, I’m afraid not. Greek, actually.”

  “Even better.” Gio winked at her. “Because you are as beautiful as a goddess.”

  To his surprise, Sofia actually laughed. “You’re too kind, Mr. Muccino.”

  “Ugh! Mr. Muccino is my father, please, call me Gio.”

  “Nice to meet you, Gio.” She held her hand out, which Gio took and kissed.

  “Can we get a table, please?” Lucas muttered, not liking how his cousin was touching Sofia.

  “Of course! And you’ll get the best table—my table, in the kitchen. Come on,” he gestured for them to follow him. Soon, they were crossing through the kitchen and then Gio led them to the chef’s private dining table. Lucas had dined there many times before of course, but he always loved it. Watching the people working in the kitchen reminded him of those summers spent here.

  “So,” Sofia gave him the stink eye as he pulled a chair out for her. “Cousin, huh?”

  “Guilty,” he said sheepishly.

  She sat down and allowed Gio to put the napkin on her lap. “You could have told me your cousin owns the restaurant, it’s not that big of a deal.”

  “Actually,” Gio began, “I’m only co-head chef here. And Lucas’s family owns most of this restaurant.”

  “What?” she exclaimed. “Why didn’t you tell me you owned this place as soon as we got here?”

  “My mom and Gio’s father are siblings,” he explained. “Their grandparents immigrated here from Italy and then opened a restaurant in New Jersey, the original Muccino’s. And when my parents married, my dad personally invested in this branch of the restaurant and put in my Uncle Dante—that’s Gio’s dad—as head chef. They opened more restaurants, plus expanded into food manufacturing, kitchen tools and appliances, and other related businesses. It’s totally separate from Fenrir, and I don’t personally own any stake in here.”

  “But he did work in the kitchens for a while,” Gio added. “I remember him in the kitchens when Pops used to bring me to work. He would watch over me sometimes when he was taking a break.” His cousin was a few years younger than him, though he’d already spent half his life in the Muccino’s, since Uncle Dante brought him and Dominic around all the time.

  Her face lit up, then lifted a brow at him knowingly. “No wonder you know your way around the kitchen. Why keep it a secret?”

  Gio cleared his throat. “If you guys don’t mind, why don’t you let me take care of dinner—off the menu, stuff prepared just for you, okay?”

  “That’s too much,” Sofia said. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

  “You’re not a bother, bella.” When Lucas sent him a sharp look, he added, “I mean, Sofia.” He gave her a dramatic bow and excused himself.

  “It’s not a secret or anything,” Lucas began, hoping she wouldn’t think he deliberately kept this from him. “It’s just that … it’s not my thing, you know?”

  “You seemed perfectly comfortable in the kitchen. You really worked here?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. It was my parents’ idea. They wanted to teach me and my sister the value of hard work.” And they really did, and Lucas had been grateful for the lesson. He’d learned to be thankful for what he had.

  “I just …”

  “You can ask me anything,” he said in a quiet voice. “Just don’t be mad at me.”

  “I’m not mad at you, Lucas,” she said quickly. “I’m just … amazed.”

  “Amazed?”

  “Yeah. You and I, we have so much in common. My grandfather and his restaurant. I mean, it’s nothing like Muccino’s, of course.”

  “It could be,” he said. “The food there was amazing. They could expand and open up other branches if they want to.”

  “I know.” Her eyes sparkled. “But both my grandfather and dad are too set in their ways. Anyway, they’re happy with the wa
y things are. So,” she glanced around, “This isn’t going to cost a fortune, is it?”

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry—”

  “Oh, no, you’re not going to pay, mister! I invited you out, and I’m going to pay.” She fiddled with her napkin.

  He made a mental note to pass a message to Gio about a large family discount. “You did. And I expected to be wined and dined, if you want me to put out.”

  Though he meant it as a joke, the sudden flush of her cheeks made heat creep up his collar, and a surge of desire went straight to his cock. Good thing they were interrupted by Gio’s arrival along with their wine, but he couldn’t get the image of Sofia, naked in his bed, out of his mind.

  “You okay, Lucas?” Gio asked as he poured him a glass.

  “I’m great.” He took a sip and looked over at Sofia over the rim of his wine glass. Her face was still pink. “Just great.”

  The rest of the evening went well, though he was annoyed by Gio’s multiple appearances. While he loved his cousin, he just wanted to be alone with Sofia, plus Gio kept telling embarrassing stories about him whenever he got the chance.

  “I do remember you had that crush on that waitress,” Gio said. He announced he was on a break and sat in one of the empty chairs, wiping his face with a towel. “What was her name? Nina?”

  “Nia,” Lucas corrected. “And I didn’t have a big crush on her.”

  “Yes, you did,” Gio teased. “I don’t blame you.” He lifted his hands to his chest, making big circles. “She had these huge—”

  “Gio!”

  “Heart.” Gio looked wounded. “I was going to say heart.”

  Sofia guffawed, which made Lucas groan. “You were nine years old, how could you know that?”

  “I know everything.” He stood up and winked at Sofia. “I’ll be bringing your dessert soon. Unless you already had other plans for dessert?”

  “Your diners are waiting, Gio,” he told his cousin. As soon as he left, he turned to Sofia. “Sorry about Gio,” he said.

  “He’s interesting.”

  A surge of jealousy ran through him. “Oh?”

  “Yeah, he kinda looks like you, but he isn’t,” she said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s so cheerful and open.” She took a sip of her wine. “I can read him like a book.”

  “Oh?” His attempt to sound casual wasn’t working. At all. Not when all he wanted was to punch Gio in the face. “Is that what you like then?”

  “Not at all.” Her eyes met his. “I prefer brooding, mysterious men.”

  The look she gave him was pure passion and desire, and he could barely stop himself from getting up from his chair and dragging her home now. But, as Gio said, there was dessert, and he didn’t want her to miss it.

  At some point during the meal, Sofia told Gio about her parents and how Uncle Dante prepared a special dessert for them—Nonna Gianna’s zeppoles. It wasn’t on the menu tonight, but he promised to make it for her. Sure enough, his cousin came back minutes letter, a plate of the said desserts on hand.

  Finally, the end of the meal arrived. “Thank you,” Sofia said to the waitress who had taken the small black folder from her. “These prices are so reasonable, it’s a wonder you stay in business.” She shot Lucas a meaningful look. The waitress didn’t say anything, but nodded a thanks to her before leaving. “Well,” she put her napkin down and stood up. “I’m going to head to the ladies. Be back in a few.”

  On her way out the door, she nearly bumped into Gio, who stepped aside gallantly and then pointed her to the direction of the facilities. Obviously glad to be alone with him, his cousin leapt to his side.

  “She’s not your usual type,” Gio said as he sat down. “But then again, she’s gorgeous. I don’t know what she sees in your ugly ass mug.”

  “I don’t know either,” he replied. “Gio, I need a favor. Don’t—”

  “Say no more!” He put a hand on his heart. “I won’t breathe her name to anybody. Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Thanks.” Relief poured through him. “You know what my mom and my sisters are like. I just … want to keep her to myself for a bit, you know?”

  “I do.” He stood up. “She’s special, you know.”

  And mine. The declaration came out of nowhere.

  “Hey calm down, Lucas. No need to rip up my table.”

  He looked down and saw that his knuckles were white from gripping the edge of the table. “Sorry.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of stealing her from you. Besides, she’s the only woman I’ve ever seen you with that makes you smile.”

  “I do smile, you know.”

  “I know,” Gio grinned. “But it never reaches your eyes. But that one,” he gestured to Sofia, who was walking back toward them, “that one makes you smile all over.” When Sofia reached the table, he turned to her. “I hope you enjoyed your meal.”

  “I did, thank you very much.”

  “Please come back anytime. I’ll put your name on a list to make sure you get a table anytime you want.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” she said. Gio waved goodbye to them and then headed back into the kitchen.

  Lucas stood up and helped Sofia with her coat, and they walked out of restaurant. “Thank you for dinner,” he said.

  “You’re welcome.” She fiddled with the buttons on her coat.

  Usually at the end of a date, he would offer to bring her home. He’d walk her up to her apartment, kiss her by the door, but never pressed her to invite him up. “Sofia,” he took her hands in his. “Why are you nervous?”

  Her eyes seemed even larger as they looked up at him. “Nervous?” she laughed.

  “Yeah.” He could feel it. “There’s no pressure at all.” And really, he didn’t want to. He’d wait for her for as long as needed.

  “This is the fourth date,” she finished. “And … and I do want to be with you, Lucas.”

  The confession made him release the breath he’d been holding since they finished dinner. “There are no rules here, sweetheart. Just you and me, okay?”

  She nodded.

  He wanted to put her at ease. “Look, it’s not even nine o’clock. How about we go somewhere for a drink? Do you know any good places here? Not one of those trendy bars, but somewhere we can have a beer and just talk?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do know a place,” she said. “It’s kind of a cop bar, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” he replied. “I’ve never been to a real cop bar.”

  “Well, it doesn’t get more real than this.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Even though it was technically her invitation to go out, Sofia let Lucas call his car to bring them to McKilleney’s on Third Avenue. It was a quintessential cop and fireman bar downtown, with no hip decor or fancy drinks. Just cold beer, greasy food, and great company. She had always felt at home here, probably because the staff and owner were all former policemen and firemen. In fact, Mac, the owner, was behind the bar when she and Lucas walked in.

  “Well, now,” Mac said as he wiped the bar with a rag. Broad-chested, white-haired, and hard-eyed, John “Mac” McKilleney looked every bit the typical retired cop. “Haven’t seen you around here in a while, Detective. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about us.”

  She winced inwardly. “I haven’t, Mac. It’s just been really busy.”

  Mac laughed, then walked around the bar to give her a hug. “You’re here now. Glad to see you doing well. And who’s your friend?” He raised a bushy white brow at Lucas.

  “This is my date, Lucas,” she introduced. “Lucas, this is Mac McKilleney.”

  “Nice to meet you, sir,” he said as he took the hand the other man offered.

  His eyes narrowed at Lucas. “You’re not P.D. or F.D., are you son?”

  “He’s not.” Sofia rolled her eyes.

  “I promised your Ma I’d take good care of you and that I’ll help you find a nice boy,” Mac declared, then
made a sign of the cross. “God rest her soul.”

  “Oh, and cops and firemen are the only ‘nice’ boys?” she retorted.

  “The only ones I trust,” he declared. “So? You do work, don’t you, Lucas?”

  “I worked in Giorgios’s kitchen, if that counts,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “Ha!” Mac slapped him on the back. “A working guy. I like you already. From your fancy suit, I thought you were some big shot billionaire or something.”

  Sofia couldn’t stop the smile from tugging up at her mouth. “Or something.”

  “So,” Mac went back to the other side of the bar. “What can I get you?”

  “A beer,” Lucas said.

  “Make that two,” Sofia added.

  “Coming right up.” He turned around and then produced two mugs of ice-cold beer.

  She took out her wallet, but Lucas had already beat her. “Hey! I invited you.”

  “And you paid for dinner.”

  “But this is my night—”

  “Well I—”

  “Stop!” Mac pushed Lucas’s money back at him. “First one’s on the house. You can fight about the check later.” He shook his head and tsked at Sofia. “You’re such a ballbuster like your ma. You really can’t let a guy buy you a beer?”

  She harrumphed but didn’t say anything, instead took a sip of the beer.

  “So,” Lucas began. “Sofia tells me this is a cop bar.”

  “Cop and firemen.” He nodded to one wall where over a dozen portraits hung of various men and women in formal police and firefighter attire. “Almost everyone in my family’s P.D. or F.D. My dad was a cop, and mom was a dispatcher.”

  “And you knew Sofia’s mom?”

  “Of course, she was a regular and this was her beat.” Mac smiled fondly. “She was one of the best, you know?”

  She felt that familiar pang in her heart. “I know.”

  “She was too young when …” Mac paused. “Well, she used to come around here when she was single, then less so after she married Sofia’s dad. But, when she did come, all she talked about was her daughter. She was so proud of you.” His eyes shone with pride. “She came here to tell me about that day you said you wanted to be a cop like her.”