by Ginger Ring
“It’s okay. I know they’ll find him.” Madison laid her head on his neck as he held her close. His fingers stroked her hair.
She had her moments of doubt, but every time he was close those uncertainties slipped away. In her heart, she knew he would hunt down anyone who harmed her and that he would kill them. In her heart, she knew she loved him no matter what he did.
Chapter Nineteen
Roman
Rinaldi and his father would have to wait. He’d called both yesterday and cancelled his trip to Chicago to keep an eye on Madison. He also had to make tracks to Milwaukee again. Arlo was in the driver’s seat and they were in the center car of a convoy of three. In all the chaos, he’d forgotten to give her the ring.
The shipment of cars was in, as well as the merchandise contained in them. The buyers were there as well. Then it was off to meet the Fenetti family. Oscar had insisted again that it was the Rinaldis who were making waves but they thought they could handle it. If they needed help, they would let them know. Roman didn’t bring it up in his phone call to Bruno, but if the stories were true, he would make his suspicions known.
“After we stop at the car dealership in Milwaukee and check on the cars, we have a meeting with the Fenettis.” If things were missed, shit got messy. Diego’s death was on the tip of it. This should have ended as soon as the fucker’s skull had hit the ground. No one but Madison, his father, and the men who were there knew he’d killed the asshole. Word on the street was that the Rinaldi family suspected they had something to do with his ‘disappearance’ but he had a hard time believing they were involved with the warehouse fire and other small time shit.
Diego was a menace. The Rinaldis were probably ecstatic that the douchebag was gone, but it would show weakness if they didn’t claim restitution of some kind for the death of one of their members, even if the guy was a psychopath. Until they came out and made their demands known, Roman was laying low.
In the back of his mind, he knew that was part of the reason his father was pushing the marriage to Layla, but there was only one woman he would take as his wife. He picked up his phone and placed a call.
“Val, how’s it going?”
“Good, the place looks amazing.”
He snorted. “I could give a rat’s ass about decorations. I want to know if you’ve found anything out.”
His sister’s loud exhale echoed in the phone. “Give me a second to get to the office.” He waited as she hurried to the room for more privacy. “I checked all land and business purchases in the past few months and only one stands out as odd. It’s a corporation called Coalition Inc. They purchased a property along the lake, but no one has moved into it. They ordered a $350,000 wood hull boat from Sunseeker Boatworks. Tomorrow, I’m going to stop in and see if I can get the name of who signed for it.”
“Call me as soon as you have that name.”
“Do you want to talk to Madison now?”
“You bet your ass I do,” he said.
“Hold on.”
He could hear her leave the room and call to his woman. “Here she is.”
“Hey, beautiful.” He wished he could see her face.
“Hello.” Madison’s cheerful voice warmed his heart.
“I’m headed to town for some meetings.”
“Well, be careful.”
“I always am, sweetheart. Anything you need me to bring you back?”
“There is something I could use.”
“Name it.” He’d do anything for her.
“The Mr. Mouse Cheese Factory still isn’t cleared for that salmonella outbreak. I need lots of cheese trays and a model.”
He chuckled. “That’s two things.”
“Are you up for the challenge?”
“Done. I know a guy.”
Madison
Madison floated on air. The whole day was perfect. Never had a bridal event gone off as well as this one. Usually by now, she’d have pulled out several pieces of hair and gnawed off at least three fingernails.
This was the first time she’d been able to watch the show. Valentina had been a great help. She arranged for some of the female staff at Firenza to help with dressing the models and there wasn’t much else for her to do. Even Roman had held up his end of the bargain. He hired the Gessners, an old family friend and cheese maker, to do the hors d’oeuvres. Their daughter was her newest model.
Madison rested against the back wall and watched the show. Stephanie stood to the right of the temporary stage and read the gown descriptions for the models’ dresses. Kai, the girl Roman found, was up now. Her face beamed as she walked to the end of the runway and did a perfect turn. The beads and sequins of her gown sparkled in the lights. Madison had met her parents before the show as they set out their cheese selections along the buffet. Her taste buds still sang with all the different kinds she’d tested. Each one was more appetizing than the last.
If the buzz around the buffet table was any indication, Firenza would be a popular, if not, the number one place on many bridal reception lists. It wasn’t just the brides who were excited. Several of the photographers who had booths there today were asking about having photo shoots on the site. A local florist also wanted in on the act and was already courting Valentina about providing fresh flowers and landscaping for Firenza from one of their partners.
Despite the last minute changes, things couldn’t be better. Madison leaned against the back wall and studied the faces of the crowd. Mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, nieces and aunts—everyone seemed to be enjoying the event. Business would be booming this week with brides-to-be walking in with their favorite dresses circled in the program.
A melancholy shadow hovered like a cloud on her perfect day. Tomorrow she’d be traveling to Chicago to meet Roman’s parents. Why now and why so soon in their relationship? Roman said he knew what he wanted and what he wanted was her. If only she could be so sure.
Chicago had her stomach in knots. Being in a big city would be claustrophobic and anxiety set in. Heck, going to Chicago to order dresses at the fall and spring buyers’ shows left her counting the minutes until she could go home.
At only thirty-one years old, she was in a rut. Madison was young enough to still be restless and eager for adventure, yet old enough to already have too many responsibilities to do anything about it. Every time Roman was with her, the doubts disappeared. When they were together, anything seemed possible.
Madison studied the crowd. It wasn’t the potential customers she was searching for. Her eyes were magnets for him. He wasn’t hard to find. Even if he wasn’t in a room of mostly women, his tall frame would be easy to spot anywhere. Roman was deep in conversation with his right hand man, Arlo. She couldn’t help but let her thoughts stray to mafia type business. She exhaled deeply. The man was involved in organized crime.
Like a fire on a dark night, she couldn’t tear her gaze away. Where Roman was concerned there was no one else, no one more intriguing, and no one she’d rather be with. She had always been the good girl, the sweet girl. The one who never got into trouble. But where did that get her? Roman was now deep in conversation across the room with Mr. Gessner and he laughed at something he said. His body language was relaxed and to anyone who didn’t know who he was, the man would appear to be any normal guy from the community.
Roman may appear calm and collected, but it was a pretty good bet he had a least one gun under that fancy suit of his. The cheesemaker standing next to him probably shopped at the local department store. Roman’s navy suit had been custom made in Chicago and probably cost more than what she made in a month. The burgundy shirt he wore highlighted his dark complexion. He was sporting a day’s worth of stubble, making her want to purr like a cat.
The crowd’s applause covered her groan—or was it a moan?—as she remembered their erotic night. As if on cue, Roman turned her way. His eyes lingered on hers for a moment before he made a sweeping glance from her head to her toes. Even from a distance, heat follo
wed the movement of his eyes, warming her from the inside out. Returning his attention to the man in front of him, Roman shook his hand in a very businesslike manner and headed her way. She used the program to cool her heated face.
“Congratulations.” His bright smile never failed to leave her short of breath. “I’d say this was a huge success.”
Before she could get a word out, Madison was bombarded with questions from brides and Stephanie grasped her arm. All she could do was nod before being whisked away and surrounded by prospective customers and clients. The wives-to-be were the easiest. She handed out cards and invited them to stop in and try on their favorite picks from the fashion show. Several other venders from the show said they would stop in the following week with business cards and displays. The Gessners talked about giving discounts on cheese and meat trays for those who purchased dresses from Madison.
As things finally started to wind down, she was able to process everything that had happened. All in all, it was her best event ever. Would things have been as successful if they’d stayed at the same place? Probably not. Firenza brought new excitement and new clients to the show.
It seemed like forever before the entire crowd was gone. The dresses then needed to be bagged up, packed into a van, and returned to the store. Out of nowhere, a group of young men were there to carry everything to the vehicle. That never happened at the other venue. She’d been furious at Roman for the stunt he pulled, but it had definitely been to her benefit in the long run.
“Is there anything else you need help with?”
“Augh.” The stack of business cards in her hand went flying, breaking her deep thought while her hands flew to her chest. “You scared me half to death! What are you, part ninja?”
“Sorry.” He bent to gather the cards. “Like I was saying before you were pulled away, congratulations on the event. I can’t say that I’ve ever been to something like this before, but it was very well organized and it looks like all involved will be getting an enormous amount of business out of it.” Roman still held all the cards, in more ways than one. “Valentina has already booked several wedding receptions.”
“Yes, we were lucky to get this many people here after having to change locations at the last minute.”
“It’s a small town. Word gets out.”
“Word would have gotten out much better if we hadn’t had to change locations.” She jabbed him in the ribs. He was not going to get off easy for being deceptive. If they were going to be in a relationship, everything would have to be out in the open. The good and the bad.
“Then I guess we should have announced that it will be held here each year from now on.”
Her fists settled to her waist even though she melted at the sight of him. Of course it would be great to have it here every year, but that was for her to decide.
“You may be able to push everyone else around, Mr. Caponelli, but you won’t push me.” She poked him playfully in the chest.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are when you have fire in your eyes?”
Madison snatched the cards from his hand. Just the brief contact with his warm skin caused her cheeks to flush. It was getting harder and harder to say no to him about anything when all she wanted was to say yes.
Even words escaped her when he was around. Her normal assertive self became mush.
Roman raised an eyebrow, waiting for her response.
“Be careful you don’t get too close to the fire, you might get burned.” She tilted her head, raised her shoulder, and narrowed her eyes.
His robust laugh both thrilled and irked at the same time. “I will gladly risk that.” His gaze scanned her from head to toe.
Madison folded her arms across her chest and tapped the sole of her shoe on the tile floor. She was backed into a corner where he was concerned. His nearness had her yearn for more, yet his chosen profession had her wanting to flee to a witness protection program. They had a lot to work through, but it seemed not to matter as much anymore.
Her back was against the hard wood of the hallway entrance where she had been gathering the brochures and literature left from the show. His expensive cologne intoxicated her senses with outdoorsy smells of cedar and balsam as he rested his palm on the paneling near her head. Madison exhaled and his dark eyes lowered to her breasts before returning to her gaze.
“So what time should I pick you up?”
She frowned. “Pick me up for what?”
He placed his other hand over his heart. “Have you forgotten so soon?”
What is he talking about?
“Our date.” Roman had promised to take her out to dinner after the show.
She hadn’t forgotten but being in his presence tended to cause her to lose all train of thought.
“I’m kind of tired.” She tried to brush him off. “I’m too exhausted to even cook.”
“I’ll cook.” Roman took his palms off the wall and shoved both hands in his pockets. He looked both pleased and excited, like a little boy eager to show off his skills.
“I know you can cook spaghetti but what else can you cook? Somehow I can’t picture mob boss Romeo Caponelli in an apron.” Madison rested her spine along the wall and set her fists on her hips. This she had to see.
“I’m an underboss,” he corrected. “And I’m Italian so of course I can cook. We love to eat.” His smile was contagious. “Haven’t you ever noticed that when a mob boss gets killed he’s in or around a restaurant?”
He was joking but the image of Roman lying on some cold sidewalk surrounded in blood chilled her to the bone. Her fingers automatically covered her mouth.
“I’m sorry.” He took her hand in his. “A poor joke. I didn’t mean to upset you, but I hope that by your response it would bother you if something were to happen to me.”
“Of course it would. I don’t want anything bad to happen to anyone. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t want to get involved with you.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me,” he declared.
“You can’t guarantee that,” she countered and stared at the ground.
“No one can guarantee that.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “I don’t mean to bring up sad memories, but didn’t your father pass away before you were born? People die in car accidents, get cancer, and fall in the bathtub.” Images of their scuffle in her bathroom came to mind. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t love them.”
He was right but she still had her reservations about dating a mob boss—make that underboss. Heck, she didn’t even know what the difference was, but it was true. We don’t know how many days we have on earth. Just the heat from his finger was warming her from the inside out. Taking a deep breath, she pushed away from the wall and smiled.
“You win, Mr. Underboss. I’ll have dinner with you tonight.” Madison strutted down the hallway before turning. “We’ll see how good a cook you are.” She may be tired, but the man had a way of getting under her skin and making her feel alive.
“Great. And by the way, since the show is over with, I want to take you to meet my parents tomorrow,” Roman added before heading off in the other direction.
His parents? A lump lodged in her throat.
Chapter Twenty
Madison snuggled into the warm seats and closer to the handsome man next to her in the backseat of the SUV. They may be traveling south, but the closer she got to Chicago, the colder she felt. They’d shared a nice dinner at his home the night before and she’d spent the night again. The guy was an addiction. Never in her life had she met some man’s parents before. The thought that he was the son of a powerful mob boss made the stress even greater.
What if they didn’t like her? Would she be sporting cement stilettoes and tossed into Lake Michigan?
“What’s wrong?” Roman woke her from her day dreaming.
“Just a little nervous I guess.” It was the truth, but it was more than a little.
“Don’t worry. I love you, Valentina loves you, and everyone a
t dinner will love you.” He kissed her hard. The passion took the edge off her fright and replaced it with desire. The guy could throw her off balance with a glance.
“Wait a second.” She sat up straighter and played with the belt of her coat. “Did you just say you loved me?”
“Of course I did.” He hit the button to close off their section of the vehicle from Arlo and the driver in the front seat. “From the moment I saw you at the Snowflake Ball, I fell for you. The way you moved across the dance floor. The way your hair came loose when you spun around. I was transfixed, under your spell. I’ve had many women, Madison, but you’re the only one I’ve ever loved. When you were kidnapped, I couldn’t breathe until I knew you were safe.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a box.
Her heart beat so loud, it would surely jump from her chest.
“It’s not an engagement ring. I know it’s too soon for that, but I know what I want and what I want is you.” He opened the box and took out a vintage style sapphire ring. “It’s a promise ring.” He picked up her left hand and slipped it on her shaking finger. “I promise to be true to you. Honor you and always protect you.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her voice came out as a whisper. It was hard to catch her breath. Was this really happening?
“You don’t have to say anything. Just wearing it tells me everything I need to know.” He kissed her hand and held it in his lap.
“It’s beautiful.” The ring was perfect and something that she would have picked out for herself. He definitely knew her style already. “I love it.” She kissed his cheek.
The vehicle stopped and her breathing accelerated. They were here.
***
The Caponelli home was even bigger than Roman’s Genoa one. She’d get lost for sure if she was left to wander on her own.
