Bad Enemy: Bad Girls Club, #4

By Carmen Falcone

Lara Nunes is loving life— until her brother gets involved with the mafia. He's gotten in trouble more often than she can count, but this time it's dangerous. Desperate to save him, she storms into Troy Gallucci's office, hoping to make a deal to guarantee her brother's safety. Little does she know, the sexy and arrogant man glaring at her has a very specific request: marriage. But she can't stare at him without wanting to jump his bones for a day, let alone six months…

 

Troy Gallucci screwed up—and this time, it can cost him the career he's worked for his whole life, and the relationship with his family. After drinking too much and sleeping with his sister-in-law, he's been the least favorite person in the Gallucci clan. He's desperate to make things right, and when a hot woman storms into his office and demands his help, everything falls into place. He'll marry her to restore his bad reputation, show his father he's stable enough to run the family business, and work on building bridges with his brother.

 

She'll help him convince people he's a changed man, but what happens when he starts to believe it himself?

 

Bad Enemy is part of the Bad Girls Club contemporary romance series. All books are standalones, with HEA (Happily Ever After) and enough steam to melt your e-reader!

 

Enjoy them together or separately:

Bad Intentions      (Book 1)

Bad Friend           (Book 2)

Bad Teacher        (Book 3)

Bad Enemy          (Book 4)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carmen Falcone
• Release date: May 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393169956

Carmen Falcone

Carmen Falcone loves to spend her time writing about hot Alpha males and the quirky, smart and sassy heroines who turn their world upside down. Brazilian by birth and traveler by nature, she moved to Central Texas after college and met her broody Swiss husband--living proof that opposites attract. She found in writing the best excuse to avoid the healthy lifestyle everyone keeps talking about. When she’s not lost in the world of romance, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, being walked by her three crazy pugs, reading, catching up with friends, and chatting with random people in the checkout line. She now has more than a dozen of books published. She writes category contemporary, erotic romance and romantic suspense.

Book preview

1

H appy 26 th Birthday, Lara, Brit said, cheering Lara Nunes on after she just blew the candles of the chocolate cake in front of her.

Lara glanced around the table. Her best friends Brit, Nikki and Violet clapped for her, and other friends and employees from her successful landscape designing company raised a glass for her. She’d started cutting the cake, not her best moment, and before she could butcher it, Violet stepped in and helped her out.

Who gets the first piece? someone shouted from the crowd, amused.

Me, said David, one of Nikki’s twin boys. Everyone laughed, and Lara happily gave it to the children, first David then his brother Henry, then her other friends’ kids who had been anxiously waiting.

A hollow sensation stabbed at her. She should be happy. Her business was booming and booked solid for several months in advance, and she did belong to the best group of ride-or-dies a girl could ask for, Bad Girls Club. She and her besties met weekly, enjoyed life and shared the ups and downs it brought.

She lived in a really nice home, a bit big for one person, and decorated to suit her free spirit personality.

When a child grabbed the candle and licked around it, Lara blinked abruptly, remembering her wish. Someone to share life with. A steady boyfriend would be a good start.

She sighed. She’d put herself out there. Hell, she had offered Nikki free babysitting when her friend had been a single mom. She was the one who always offered to babysit the kids she thought of as her honorary nieces and nephews to make sure the parents had a good date night. So why was it so hard for her to meet a decent man?

Because of Rory, a little voice inside her reminded her. Her ex-fiancé, who had broken her self-esteem in a way she was still looking for the pieces to fit it back together. You may look good and talk a big game, but Lara, you’re not good in bed.

Oh, she’s right here, Brit said, and her voice brought Lara back to reality. Lara, your brother just arrived.

Lara glanced around her, to find a worried Miguel striding towards her. Her brother was a foot taller and two years older than her, but in many ways, she’d always been the more mature sibling out of the two.

Hey, can we talk? he said, and an edge of impatience laced his voice.

She frowned. How about Happy Birthday, Lara? Sure, she said. Now a strand of fear coursed through her as she walked toward her bedroom, the only place where they could have privacy. Was everything okay with their mom? She’d had lunch with her earlier, and her mother had seemed fine—she’d bought her a lovely dress and made her usual jokes about wanting to be a grandmother one day, but all in good fun. She’d declined to come to the party as she’d said this was more for the younger crowd. Even though her mom was only 60, Lara wondered if she hadn’t always been an old soul with her quirks and I-don’t-like-driving-at-night rationale.

She entered her room, and he followed, closing the door behind him.

She plopped on the edge of the bed, shoulders sagging as if she had been the one in trouble—somehow, she knew she’d have to pay a price and once again bail her brother out of his latest screw-up. What’s wrong now?

Restless, Miguel paced in a small circle, running his fingers down his face. A friend of mine was making good money working for the Galluccis, and he asked me if I wanted in.

Lara bit her lower lip. Gallucci? She’d heard that surname before, but couldn’t quite place it. A cold sensation spread in her belly. God, don’t let this be like that one time he got involved in a pyramid scheme selling protein bars. Or when Miguel had almost done one stint as a drug mule. What kind of job?

He drew in a breath, and when he looked at her, his brown eyes—like hers— darkened. A sense of doom lurked around her, and she braced herself for landing. Oh no, this is much worse than the multilevel marketing scheme.

The Galluccis own a lot of real estate in town. Actually in the entire state of California, he started, running his fingers into his shoulder length hair. The family has been at it for decades, and some of their properties aren’t located in the best areas—or areas that used to be good, like fifty years ago, but now need a facelift.

None of this sounded good. She crossed her arms over her chest. Were you working as a handyman? Please say yes, she added inwardly.

He cleared his throat. No. More like security.

Security? She lifted an eyebrow. Sure, her brother had an impressive physique. If only Miguel prioritized finding the right path as much as he did working out.

Yes. Some tenants refused to pay or didn’t pay in time, so my job was to pay them a visit and collect the money.

Collect the money? You mean you beat them up? Realization dawned on her. Her brother wasn’t a bad person, but ever since their father died when he’d been a teenager, he’d lost his way. He never pursued a career or went to college, and preferred quick schemes to get money fast even if they were illicit. Hell, he hadn’t even lasted one month working in her landscaping company.

He looked away. If needed.

She bit her lip. What kind of trouble are you in? she asked, fear bubbling in her blood. Their mom didn’t need to deal with this shit—she’d paid her dues, and now dealt with hypertension she struggled to get under control. Once again, Lara would have to save the day, whether she wanted to or not.

Big trouble, he said, concern flickered in his brown eyes.

Well, tell me. Do you need money?

It’s not that simple, he said, raking his fingers in his hair. On my last assignment, I went to an office building to collect money from someone. Well, I misread the information I had on my phone, and ended up going to the wrong address and beating up the wrong guy.

Lara sighed. Have you no shame? I should call the police right now and get your ass in jail. Do you know what Papai would say? The words tingled at the tip of her tongue. Their father had always taught them to be stand-up citizens, to do the right thing. He’d immigrated from Brazil with their mother in the beginning of their marriage, and fought hard to make a life for them—many years working meaningless jobs, saving money, the whole nine yards. And for what? To raise a criminal?

It’s not that simple, he added.

You keep saying that, she cut him off. But for me it’s very simple. I don’t care what they tell you, you don’t go around beating people who are behind on their bills. This isn’t the Wild West.

Tears brimmed his eyelids. I can’t turn myself over to the police. If I do, I’m dead—and they may even get to Mom.

Panic iced her veins. Who is they?

I beat the wrong guy, right? But turns out, he’s Conor O’Donnell. He’s an enemy of the Gallucci family. So now they think the Gallucci family hired me to beat him up on purpose, and I may low key have started a mafia type war.

She rubbed her forehead, her temples throbbing with dread. This time, things didn’t sound simple. Both families probably hated her brother, and who knew how these people solved their problems? Her stomach sank to the floor. Well, can’t you explain what happened? she asked, for the sake of asking.

No. I’m on the run. I just stopped by to ask you to take care of Mom. I called Aunt Celia and she picked up Mom—Mom will be in Santa Barbara for a while with her.

What are you going to do?

I need to leave town for a bit. I’ll call you and check on you when it’s safe. But if I’m around, there’s no way this will end up with me not dying.

Panic lodged in her throat, and she swallowed razors. Her brother closed the gap between them, and she saw in his eyes the same kind of panic overwhelming her. She wanted to yell at him, to kick him, to scream. How dare he jeopardize their mom’s security like that? How dare he—

He pulled her into a hug, and some of her anger dissipated. Her brother embraced her tightly, a cocoon of warmth and apprehension around her. She let her head rest on his shoulder for a moment. The way he held her reminded her of how their father used to hug them—like all the problems in the world would vanish within the comfort of his arms. Her heart shrank in her chest.

She couldn’t let anything happen to her brother. If he died, most likely Mom would follow. She wouldn’t be able to make it, to lose a son. And just like that, all her family would be gone.

She disengaged from his arms and cleared her throat. We’ll figure it out, Miguel. And I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for Mom. She doesn’t deserve more heartache.

I know I fucked up, and I promise—

She lifted her hand, in a curt gesture, to keep him from making empty promises she tired of hearing. I don’t care about your promises. If you don’t straighten up this time, I’ll have Mom move in with me and make sure you don’t have access to either of us anymore. You will be completely on your own, she said and meant it.

She’d been a pushover, and would be one last time. But she’d also make sure he wouldn’t do this anymore. When it was safe for their mother to return from Aunt Celia’s, she’d move in with her, where she could keep an eye on her—and keep her away from all the drama.

But now, she had business to attend. Where can I find this Gallucci guy?

Troy rubbed his temples. He should have gone home, but he’d decided to work late—part of his plan to show his father he deserved to be the head of the family business in Los Angeles. He’d been groomed for the role his whole life as the oldest son, but his father had a change of heart and sent him to Tulip to oversee properties there as punishment.

A punishment for sleeping with his brother’s wife. A big lump of guilt lodged in his throat. He shouldn’t have done it, and couldn’t blame it on the alcohol. Yes, he and Michelle were pretty wasted at that party—but he should have walked away when she kissed him. He knew their marriage had been on the rocks for a while, but that didn’t mean he had the green light to sleep with her.

The intercom ping yanked him from his thoughts.

Mr. Gallucci, there’s a woman here dead set on talking to you. I already explained to her she needs an appointment with your assistant, the building security guard said.

I’m not going anywhere, said a female voice behind him.

Troy rocked back in his chair. He hadn’t slept with anyone else after Michelle, about two months ago. He didn’t have any bad breakups or anything like that—he was always upfront. So, what did