Chapter 1 Late Night Call

• Allegra Turano
• I am pulled from my wine induced sleep by the shrill sound of my phone, cracking an eye and peaking at my alarm to notice it’s 4am. What the fuck, this better be an emergency. Snatching my phone from the night stand “What?” I growl down the phone as my bedroom door bursts open, Leo my live in bodyguard and best friend stands shirtless.
• For a moment I don't actually hear what the person on the phone is saying as I am too busy absorbing the sight in front of me “Allegra, Boss you there?” Shit, Allegra not the time, “Yes, why are you calling me at this hour?” I manage to rasp even though my throat feels dry. “Boss, it’s the warehouse, someone has set it on fire. I am down here now” I sat up fast gripping my head; that wine was not a good idea.
• “What the fuck do you mean someone has set the warehouse on fire?” I growl down the phone at Frank, he’s the foreman. My eyes lock with Leo before he disappears out the door again. “Like I said Boss, everything is gone. The fire department are working to get the blaze under control” “Fuck! Am on my way”
• Hanging up the phone I rush into my closet and throw on some jeans and a hoodie, meeting Leo in the hall before we head out. My brain is still foggy from the wine I drank before bed, clearly knowing me better than I know myself. Leo hands me a travel mug of black coffee and drops a packet of painkillers in my lap. Looking at him he just smirks.
• “Do I look that bad?” I huff and he just raises one brow on his seriously handsome face. Leo and I met at college, he's been my best mate since. Not that my father approved, always insinuating Leo was after my money, If only my father knew Leo came from money he just chose his own way in life. “What’s the damage?” He asks, almost making me jump, I was so lost in my own thoughts.
• “Not sure, but from what Frank said the whole place was ablaze” Leo glances at me from behind the steering wheel as he navigates the road. “That's the second fire in two weeks, you think someone is trying to send a message?” Leo has a point around nine days ago one of my clubs was burnt to the ground, is someone trying to make a move?
• The orange glow is visible in the sky from about two miles away, lighting the sky up like a beacon. “Holy shit!” is all that comes out of Leo as we turn down the street and come to the barricade the emergency services have set up. I jump out the car as soon as Leo pulls it to a stop, spotting me, one of the cops on my payroll comes over.
• “Miss Turano, you shouldn't cross that tape” I give him a look that has him bowing his head and stepping back when Leo’s six foot three frame steps up behind me. Yeah that's right, between his size and permanent pissed off expression he is ever so slightly intimidating. “There’s Frank” Leo points to the plump male who looks ready to pass out as a medic holds an oxygen mask on his face.
• Spotting me Frank tries to get off the stretcher, lifting my hands I indicate for him to stay where he is. “Boss, Boss please believe me I tried to get back in to get the books but someone had disabled the sprinkler system” By books Frank means the cash from the latest arms deal that happened yesterday. “Don’t worry about the books, Frank but how do you know the sprinkler system has been tampered with?”
• The older man coughs a couple of times but pulls the mask away to speak “I pulled the lever, nothing happened, they were only checked last week” He says before barking out another coughing fit “Take him to the hospital” I tell the medic who nods and gets busy loading Frank into the ambulance.“Someone is definitely trying to send a message,” Leo says, mirroring my own thoughts.
• It’s not long before the Chief of police turns up, arrogant prick that he is “Ah Miss Turano,” I feel Leo step in closer, he hates this fucker as much as I do especially the way his eyes undress me as we speak. Perverted old fucker is old enough to be my father, and it’s my money thats putting his daughter through university and keeping his overweight wife in spray tans and clothes that are to small for her fat ass.
• “Martin, I do hope you have all your resources on this and remember to report to me first” I say with a blank expression on my face, am not much in the mood for pleasantries tonight or should I say morning as the sun is making itself known. “Of course, Allegra” I shot him a look for being too familiar using my name “Sorry, Miss Turano” He says before shuffling off.
• “I fucking hate that cunt,” Leo growls from behind me “Yeah, you and me both, Leo” We hang around for another hour by then the fire was almost out and the emergency services were starting to leave “Lets go to the office” he just grunts and opens the car door. It’s about a twenty minute drive to the office building and it’s still early so not too much traffic. I watch as Leo is deep in thought, he grips the steering wheel, turning his knuckles white.
• The ding of the elevator signals it’s the top floor, my personal office and conference rooms are all that's on this floor. This is an old building but completely renovated inside to a high standard, I did it after my father passed. Let's just say our tastes are different. No one except security is in the building at this time so Leo hits the power button on the coffee machine in my office.
• I sit behind my desk and turn on the computer, and hit the remote for the TV so the news bursts on screen and just as I suspected the warehouse fire is top story. Thanking Leo as he hands me a steaming mug of coffee he sits in the seat in front of my desk sipping on his own coffee, “Who, do you think it could be? I mean things have been peaceful for a long time” He asks, never taking his eye off the news that's reporting on the fire.
• Before I get a chance to answer my mobile rings, slipping it out my back pocket of my jeans I look at the number. Not recognising it i hit answer “Hello,” Silence for a moment and before I go to speak he does “Allegra,” The thick accent says sending a shiver down my spine; Fuck, I love how he says my name. “Mario, how can I help you?”