by Ginger Ring
“No.” Roman looked at his watch. “Not yet anyway. I prefer to work things out and get repeat business.”
“Then why am I here?” Dom was never one to mince works.
“I want you at the winery as much as possible.”
“Winery?” His friend returned to the chair by Jasper’s side.
“Yeah. As you’ve probably heard, Madison wants to take this family legit as much as possible. I’m all for that, but we still have to make money, a lot of money. And that doesn’t happen overnight. That place cost me a fucking fortune, and until it starts to make a profit, the legal alcohol will go out the front door and the bootleg stuff will be going out the back.”
“Wait a minute. Bootleg?” Jasper chuckled. “This isn’t prohibition.”
“No, but there are still a lot of regulations for the sales of alcohol. There are some that can only be sold in certain states, and we have buyers in others. It also won’t be just wine going through those doors.”
The guys were silent, and Roman explained further. “Madison is not to know. She’s not to get involved in any of this. I love my wife and want to protect her, but like I said, we’re in the business to make money, and if we want to stay here, we have to keep our profits up.”
It was well-known that Roman’s father wasn’t happy about his two children leaving Chicago and Roman setting up turf elsewhere.
“Dominic, I want you to be the handyman around the place. Keep an eye on things. Make some fucking iron wine holders, for all I care.” Roman laughed, but everyone knew Dominic, in addition to being the mob’s cleaner, was a talented artist when it came to metal work. “Your job is to keep watch over the workers. There’s a hidden room with a tunnel to the outside. Jasper,” his boss turned his attention toward him, “you, Arlo, and I will have the only keys. The tunnel goes a half mile, and the other entrance is on someone else’s property. That’s where the trucks will load and unload the hooch and any other items we’ll be transporting.”
Jasper smirked. “Hooch?” It was a term used to describe illegal alcohol during prohibition. “I’m going to invest in a fedora and a tommy gun. Ladies love a gangster.”
“Not unless you’re going to the speakeasy in town. We need to keep this quiet. I don’t plan on going to jail or divorce court.”
Everyone nodded. They had it good here and didn’t want to lose what they had.
“You said that the tunnel ended on someone else’s property.” This time it was Arlo who spoke up. “Who’s property?”
“District Attorney Velasco. He’s on your list and can’t pay. It shouldn’t be a problem to use the right of way on his land.” Roman smiled. “Dom, you’re with me today. Arlo and Jasp, get these collections made. I don’t care if you have to cut off Studd’s arm. I want to be paid.”
Chapter Three
Jasper
Rodney Studd’s place was typical for the homes around the lake. Lots of square footage and expensive. Actually, it was probably one of the largest estates there.
Arlo whistled as he got out of the car. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Jasper slammed the door and buttoned his suitcoat. They’d been let in down by the gate, so Studd obviously knew they were coming. The man had been told his debt was due, and now it was time to deliver that message in person. Sometimes doing that in the bright light of day was just as intimidating as shaking someone down in a dark parking lot. Image meant everything to celebs. No one wanted two made men from the mob showing up for all the paparazzi to see.
The front door opened before they even walked up the stairs. It was Rodney. Overly tanned, overly bleached blonde, and he was dressed in only a small speedo. The years had not been kind to the rocker. The lines in his face were numerous and deep, like a roadmap of one’s travels and hardships throughout life. The man had obviously indulged in various types of illegal drugs throughout the years. His hands shook, and he almost seemed to be panting.
Anxious much?
“Gentlemen, come in, come in.” Rod dramatically and hurriedly waved them in, which triggered Arlo and Jasp to take even slower steps.
“I’m Rod. What can I do for you?” He shut the door as soon as they were inside. The interior of his house opened to a huge room that basically held nothing. It was just a wide-open space with doors going to other parts of the house and two open stairways.
Arlo spoke first. “Cut the bullshit. You know who we are and that we’re here on behalf of Mr. Caponelli.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Please,” again with the waving of the arms, “follow me to my office.” Rod took off down a hallway, and they trailed behind.
The foyer behind them may have been empty, but every space on the walls in the hallway was filled with paintings. Jasper stopped at one. He was no art connoisseur, but a few he was pretty sure he’d seen on TV or in a book somewhere. As soon as they were in the office, Studd ushered them to sit. Arlo walked toward the desk, but Jasper continued to study the art pieces on the wall. These were all familiar, and the signature on one said Picasso.
“Your payment is due, Studd.” Arlo settled into a chair and rested his ankle over one knee. “We’re here to collect.”
“Well, now.” Rodney scratched his head. He must have known they were coming, yet now he seemed to be in shock at the news. “Is it that time already?”
“Did you think this was a social call? Do you always invite guys in off the street to your home?” Arlo cracked his knuckles. “Are you going to pay up, or do we need to break something?”
“Now, now. Gentlemen.” Rodney paled, and his eyes darted around the room. “You see, things have been a little tight the last few years. Sales are down. Too many ex-wives, child support.” He shook his head, walked over to the bar, and poured himself a drink. Didn’t everyone have a bar in their office? Rodney Studd did, and he drained the dark liquid in the glass in one gulp. “I can’t pay. Everything’s tied up in my latest divorce. They froze everything. I even had to let most of the staff go.” His face seemed to add another wrinkle with that statement. “I mow the lawn in the middle of the night so no one can see it’s me doing it.”
“I’m crying inside.” Arlo stood up. “We aren’t leaving empty handed. Pay up or face the consequences.”
“Please, I got a tour coming up. When that’s done, I can give you the money from that. Even pay extra.” His eyes widened.
“Sorry, but the boss wants payment today.” Arlo pressed a fist into his palm.
“I’ve got nothing,” Studd pleaded, his hands folded in prayer, then he pointed toward his laptop. “Take a look. My bank account’s empty. I’m tapped out. That’s why I borrowed in the first place.”
“Well, I hope you still have health insurance, as I see a visit to the doctor in your future.” Arlo started around the desk. “Maybe you can collect on the insurance for your accident.”
“What accident?” Rodney’s brown face turned as white as his hair, and he backed up against the wall.
“The one you’re about to have.”
Arlo was scary on a good day. The guy was huge, and everyone often joked that he should be a blocker for the Packers. To see him coming their direction would make any man pee in his shorts, but making a man unable to work wouldn’t get his payments down.
“Wait,” Jasper called, and both men turned his way. “I think I have an idea.”
Jackie
It’d been three weeks since Mrs. Caponelli had walked into the Genoa Globe to drop off her help wanted ad. Two days after emailing her resume, Jackie had been asked to meet for an interview. Surprising it hadn’t been at the winery but at the coffee shop where she’d first laid eyes on the person that would hopefully be her new boss.
The conversation had gone well, but then one never knew about these things. There may have been more qualified candidates seen before or after her. It was hard to contain the happy dance at work when Madison called her the following Monday to let her know the job was hers. Af
ter hearing the good news, she’d marched into the news station and had given her notice. Bruce was not happy, to say the least, and even tried to talk her out of it.
Today, she would finally start a new beginning. Not sure what she’d be doing on her first day, Jackie dressed conservatively in a pair of dress khakis and a crisp periwinkle shirt. The day was bright and sunny, which matched perfectly how she felt. It was great to get out of town, even if the winery was only a couple miles outside of the city limits, and enjoy the countryside. Starting a new job was always nerve-wracking, but it was equally exciting. Her stomach had been in knots all morning. Wanting to look perfect, she’d barely had time to get a coffee and bagel down and throw a few energy bars in her bag for lunch.
Jackie had hoped to do a little more research on the place, but after first checking out the website at work, it had been off-line ever since. Probably because of the new ownership. The place had looked beautiful on screen, but would it be the same in person? She wondered this before turning the corner and traveling over to the hill.
It was and more. Breathtaking would be an understatement. La Bella Luna winery was stunning. It was easy to imagine one’s self in Italy as she traveled down the tree-lined driveway. The tasting room and main building were Mediterranean in style. They featured red tile roofs and stone exterior. Jackie parked in the lot, grabbed her purse, and headed in the front door. The inside was just as nice, with light walls and dark wood accents.
“Good morning.” Madison sat at a table with a handsome older gentleman, who stood as she neared. “Alain, this is Jackie. She’ll be my right hand soon and will be taking over some of the PR duties, as well as helping me oversee operations.”
Jackie wasn’t quite sure what her new job entailed yet, but her resume listed her as experienced in anything and everything. Hopefully, she hadn’t stretched things beyond her capabilities. She always considered herself a fast learner, so she’d be putting that to the test in the coming days.
Alain held out a chair, and Jackie took a seat. There was already a pad, paper, and new laptop in front of her.
“This is yours for work. I’ll show you to your office as soon as we’re done. First, we will go over your responsibilities. I’m new to this venture as well, but Alain worked here with the previous owners for years and knows everything about growing grapes and producing high quality wines. He’s stayed on and will be helping with the transition.”
For the next few hours, Jackie took notes as they toured the place. Alain had given them a brief description of the working parts of the winery and showed them all the different types of grapes they harvested. They grew three kinds there, one for red wine, one for white wine, and one for rosé. Being in the Midwest, the grapes had a faster growing season than those in warmer climates. Her new office was next to Madison’s, and it had a wonderful view of the surrounding hills. They then returned to the tasting room, where Alain excused himself to get back to work.
Since Jackie worked at the newspaper, Madison wanted her to come up with local, state, and regional contacts for a press release. Her boss used to work with the local tourism department, so they had a great list to start with already. The wine they served and sold was from previous harvests. There was room for a small restaurant that was once used to serve pizza. It was also big enough to host intimate gatherings, but Madison explained that they wouldn’t be doing that. For now, they had to get things changed over to the new name and brand.
Eventually, there would be wine tastings, and they’d also be selling cheeses and other local products for sale. The family owned a big restaurant called Firenza, so there was no use having another restaurant and place to hold events. They had enough on their plate. This would strictly be a wine-producing site for now.
The former restaurant would soon be sized down for a break and meeting room for employees.
“Because of the construction, we won’t be able to hold wine tastings here for a month or so.” Madison glanced at her phone.
“If we aren’t serving it here, how will people get to try it?” It could be done, but it didn’t seem like that best of ideas.
“It will be sold at Firenza and other places in town, such as grocery and liquor stores, which are already carrying it.” Madison smiled. It didn’t take Jackie long to realize that her boss really did know what she was doing. Jackie’s boss had dressed similar to her, only she was dressed in black pants and a white shirt. The colors would be horrible on Jackie, but they complimented the woman’s dark hair and porcelain skin to perfection. She also wore simple pearl stud earrings, and the diamond ring on her finger had to weigh a ton.
“What about hosting a charity event to promote the winery?” Jackie marked a number one in ink on her paper.
“I knew we’d get along well. I’ve got a small one lined up in a few days to be our grand opening, so to speak.”
“What? Really?” She began tapping her pen on the table. This day kept getting better and better.
“Yes, it will be at Firenza. Kind of a ladies’ night. Wine, cheese, chocolate, and some kind of raffle or auction to raise money.” Madison listed a short menu they could use and the types of wines they had to pair with them.
“We would have a tasting first to get people loosened up. A flight of five of the wines that we will spotlight should do just fine. After that, they can buy more, if they want. In keeping with the fun theme for the evening, the charity would be for the local humane society or something. Everyone loves puppies and kittens.”
“Now, what kind of an auction are you thinking?” Jackie twirled her pen in her fingers. It was exciting to be in on the ground floor of starting something new and fresh.
“We could’ve asked for donations, but I had another idea in mind.” There was a mischievous look on Madison’s face.
“What?” This event sounded more fun by the minute. “From the expression on your face, it sounds intriguing.”
“Tell me, Jackie. Do you have a boyfriend?” Madison crossed her arms in front of her chest.
That was the last thing Jackie expected to hear.
“Huh? Boyfriend?” She shook her head. “No, I haven’t been in town long enough to meet anyone, and with work and all…” Actually, she’d been here since late summer but preferred to find her boyfriends between the pages of a book. “Ah, why?”
“I thought about having a bachelor auction.” Madison beamed.
“Bachelors? Like win a date with so and so?”
Bachelor auctions? Hadn’t that gone out in the eighties?
“Yes. You bid on the person you wish to take to dinner at Firenza. The meal is included. I think it will be fun. They’d have to be single, of course.”
“Of course.” Jackie wasn’t buying it. With the current state of political correctness, who would want to do such a thing? It was genius, though. Women loved wine, animals, and food. They would also get to pick a handsome man to enjoy it with.
“I know everyone meets on the internet today, but when you live in a small town, the person you’re looking for could be right next door and you don’t even know it.” Madison placed her elbows on the table and interlocked her fingers. “This is a tourist town. Half the year, it’s filled with people who aren’t from here, which makes it even harder to find someone that you’re meant to be with.”
“Yeah, that makes sense, but where are we going to get the bachelors?” Jackie was warming up to the idea.
“You let me worry about that.” The front door opened and closed. “Here’s one right now.”
She thought it was Alain coming back in, but it was a young man. Well, a man that appeared to be around her age or a few years older. Jackie started at his shiny shoes and gave him the once over. He was a sharp dresser, that’s for sure. The navy suit looked custom made and expensive; so were the sunglasses the man pushed up until they settled in the thick of his black hair. The man was tall and slender, but the suit showed off the muscular frame of his body to perfection. However, it was his deep brown e
yes that held her captive. They seemed to see right through her. The man had a face that would make women of all ages stop for a second look. A straight nose, full lips, and strong jaw. The whole package screamed mischief and mystery, while the scruffy five o’clock shadow raised the sexiness level to the top of the scale.
“Here’s one what?” Even the guy’s voice was tasty and rich, just like chocolate milk. Jackie unconsciously licked her lips. Was it hot in here?
“I need you to volunteer to be one of the bachelors in my auction for charity,” Madison told him.
“What?” The guy pulled out a chair and straddled it. “Maddy, no way.” His light aftershave invaded her space, but instead of causing her allergies to kick in, it caused her to lean closer. There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t place it.
“Please,” Madison begged. “It’s for a good cause.”
“What cause?” He scratched his chin, and the raspy sound of it tickled spots on her skin that had no business being entertained on the first day of a job.
“It’s for the Humane Society. You like cats and dogs.”
“You know I love pussy.” The man had the nerve to wink at Jackie. It should have been a warning that that man was a tease, but she actually had to place her hand in front of her mouth to hide the gasp that formed on her lips. He was a player, that was for sure.
“Jasper!” Madison tossed a pencil at him. “Just for that, you have to do this. Get me some names of other guys also. I’m thinking Arlo would be good. I’ll get Layla to bid on him.” She listed a few more names, but the man in front of them just exhaled and shook his head. “Wait, where are my manners? Jackie, this is Jasper. Jasper, this is Jacqueline Smith.”
He stood and reached over to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you. Jaclyn Smith was always my favorite angel. You know, on Charlie’s Angels.”
Jackie also rose and took his hand. It was warm and strong and made her cozy all over. “Right. Same name, different spelling.” Then it hit her: they had met before. “Pleasure to meet you.”
