Cold metal replaced his warm fingers on my chest, increasing my heart rate and causing anticipation to wash over me.
“Wearing my corniello will tell not only my Family, but everyone, that the wearer is mine. Not just to protect, but to love and cherish.” Pulling the cold metal away from my skin, he dangled the silver chain in the air. To and fro, the silver and diamond pendant rocked, sliding back and forth like a pendulum.
“By giving this to you, it’s the same as me giving you an oath to put you first, love you with all that I am, and to be here whenever you need me.” Grasping the clasp between his fingers, he continued, “You have to be sure about this, Anna. Absolutely certain this is what you want and are ready for. Once this clasp closes, there is no turning back. For either of us.” Aggravatingly slowly, he placed the necklace around me, his eyes searching mine while he then secured the clasp behind my neck. Those strong fingers of his slid from the back of my neck to the area under my chin. Desire and, dare I say pride, filled his eyes. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
He doesn’t wait for my response as he pushes himself on me, guiding me to lie back. His lips go straight to my collarbone where the pendant had found its home. My hands go reflexively to his shoulders. Shoulders I’d found to be strong and able to support me when I needed them. His hands made the removal of my shirt a superhero talent. Before I could wrap my mind around how, my shirt was open and Dominick’s tongue was lapping at the skin between my breasts.
My would-be lover had to have majored in seduction in college; he’s making me incoherent. The slightest bit of cool air teased across my breasts, soon followed by his warm mouth attaching itself to my left nipple. My gasp was in genuine surprise; I hadn’t even felt his teeth moving my bra out of the way, but, hell, I was too lost to stop him. Too far gone to care, I reached behind him to grasp the hem of his t-shirt, as his button down was already on the floor.
Where his thigh was wedged between my legs, his knee hit that spot which was now on fire for this man. I swore to all that was holy, if he were to apply a little more pressure, I would explode. With his shirt now off and my climax on the horizon, I tried to flip us over—I wanted some of the control in this encounter.
The shrill of his cell stilled his kisses and, damn it all to hell, the movement of his knee. Exasperated, he dropped his head between my breasts and mumbled a clear, and frustrated, “Motherfucker!” Anger rolled off his body while he sat up and answered his phone.
For the next several minutes he said nothing, listening while he seethed. I sat up as well, and tucked my nipple back into the cup of my bra. I avoided touching him, afraid his rage would turn toward me.
“Fuck!” he cursed and ended the call.
His body language said loud and clear this was about work, so he needed to handle it. “Go, do your thing,” I encouraged while buttoning up my shirt and sending him a smile to say I understood. He had a job to do.
Dominick pulled his shirt back on and adjusted the gun I knew rested in the middle of his back. He kissed me softly, twice, once he had everything in its place. I stood and started to clean up our uneaten food while he took out his phone and began typing a text message.
“Tesoro, I want to take you away very soon and continue what I started, only do it the right way next time. Candles, flowers, bubble baths… all of it. Check your schedule and give me a weekend you can get away.” I nodded in understanding. This might never happen with everything going on, but I knew he was trying to be better for me. “I will, I’ll check in the morning.”
“I’ll call you later if it isn’t too late,” he swore and kissed me one final time as we pulled up to the shop.
“Never too late,” I reminded him.
“I love you, Anna.” The promise in his eyes was genuine. He told me every time he left, and when he called me. Dominick doesn’t wait for me to say it back, though; he knew I couldn’t lie to him. I didn’t love him, yet, but the feeling wasn’t far away.
“In local news, a trial date has been set for known mafia leader Alex Gallo. Mr. Gallo has been charged with extortion of a federal judge and three counts of accessory to murder. His arrest comes at the same time as a cold case file on his son, Daunte Gallo, was reopened after Giani Sarducci was arrested for the now murder of Mr. Gallo. Reports indicate Giani Sarducci, who is known on the streets as ‘Miranda Martucci’, is being held without bond until an attorney can be assigned. Due to her connection with the Gallo family, the DAs office is having a difficult time getting council assigned to her case. In other news, local farmers are…”
I clicked off the television as the bell over my door jingled. Dominick had kept his word, calling me in the wee hours of the morning after he dropped me off the other night. He didn’t mention what was going on, and I chose not to ask him. Given the current state of things, the less I knew, the better.
After placing a bright red bow to finish off the three dozen red roses being sent to Ms. Pappas down the street—it was their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary tomorrow—I turned my attention to the customer who’d just walked in.
“I’ll be right with you,” I said while trying to fix the bow, which wouldn’t cooperate. Finally I got it right and placed the arrangement in the cooler. Wiping my hands I made my way to the front of the store, stopping in my tracks when I took in who’d entered the store.
“Hello, Anna.”
Standing in a business suit-jacket, blouse, and slacks was Marissa. Well, a girl who looked a lot like Marissa, minus the trashy clothes and excessive makeup I was familiar with. Her hair was straight and she looked so young, almost carefree. “Marissa?” I questioned, complete surprise in my voice. I’m sure my face showed just as much.
She smiled a big toothy grin, nodding her head eagerly, and I was helpless not to mimic her. She’d put on a little weight, but it looked good on her. The more subtle tones of makeup made her look more beautiful than the last time I’d seen her.
“I saw what happened to Miranda in the newspaper.” She looked down at her fingers crossed below her waist. She looked nervous, and I couldn’t for the life of me understand why. She had never offended me. Her relationship with Dominick had ended before he’d begun pursuing me.
“I know what you must think of me. I knew Miranda would have lashed out and told you horrible things about what she and I did together.” Her eyes never left the floor as she confessed her sins to me.
I had no issue with Marissa. She’d done what she’d felt was needed, or perhaps she’d felt she had to in order to stay in Dominick’s good graces. Sadly, he had been a douche to her, which she had accepted, tolerated. Knowing Dominick was trying so hard to change for me made me happy.
“I think you look really healthy and much better without all that makeup.”
Her eyes immediately flashed to mine, a shocked expression crossing her beautiful face. I smiled and stepped closer to her while raising my arms, silently asking for permission to hug her. Her face broke into a happy cry as she returned my gesture and hugged me with gusto. “I’m glad you came by, it’s good to see you,” I whispered in her ear, swaying back and forth as I gently patted her back. Slowly releasing her, I looked into eyes which held the slightest amount of unshed tears. “So, tell me what you’ve been up to. What’s been going on with you?”
Marissa had no reason to feel uncomfortable. This was my store, and I wanted her to feel good about being here. I motioned for her to follow me to the back so we could talk without blocking the door. Welcoming her into my office, I encouraged her to have a seat in one of the chairs.
“Can I get you a cup of tea?” I asked while I began to pour one for myself.
“Hell, Anna, I wouldn’t even know how to make a cup of tea.” She sat crossing her legs at her ankles. “It is okay to call you Anna, right? I heard on the street what happened to Gallo.” Her nerves had returned with no just cause.
“I’m sure the story you’ve heard is much more colorful than the truth. But, yes, I’d prefer it
if you called me Anna.” The cup I fixed her was prepared the way Sophia had made a cup for me the first time I went into her office. I wanted to have a gentle soul, like Sophia, and I would start with being kind to Marissa.
She thanked me when I handed her the cup and saucer. For several moments she looked at the amber liquid before taking the handle and bringing the cup to her lips. “Oh, my God! This is really good,” Marissa praised, and I smiled around the top of my own cup.
“Tell me what’s new with you?” I encouraged, genuinely interested in her answer. Marissa set her cup down, her posture a little straighter as she turned to face me. “Well, when Dominick had the guys move me to a hotel, I knew I had to do something quick. I had some money of my own but knew it wouldn’t last long. I ended up selling some of the jewelry Dominick had gifted me. Sitting in the hotel one night, I was thinking about everything that had happened and what you’d said to me about depending on myself. I knew if I followed your advice, I wouldn’t be living the way I was. So, I decided right then and there that I was going to be more self-sufficient. I went and visited a career counselor. She recommended I try and take classes to become a makeup artist. I checked into schools and found one that has a really good reputation and placement system.”
I could hear the excitement in her voice while she shared her story; it was nice to hear the hope it held for her. “So, I went down and visited the school and, as it turns out, I have enough money to pay my tuition and supplies.” A deaf person could’ve heard the sadness, which had taken over her voice as her shoulders bowed and her face dropped.
“Marissa, this sounds like a good thing. What’s the problem?” I questioned Her eyes looked so sad when they met mine.
“Once I pay the tuition, I won’t have much left over. Not enough to pay my rent and get back and forth to school anyway.” I gave her some time to finish her thoughts as I somewhat suspected what she was about to ask.
“I know this is completely crazy, and you’re going to kick me out of your store the second I ask, but I have nowhere else to turn.” Her voice started to tremble while she spoke. “I heard you’ve been doing really well, and I was wondering if you needed any help? You know, answering the phones, sweeping the floor… anything.”
I leaned back in my chair pondering her question. Marissa was serious about trying to better herself, wanting to become more dependent on her own abilities rather than on a man who was taking advantage of her. Everyone deserved to be successful, and to be given a second chance. If I were willing to let Dominick prove himself to me, then I had to give Marissa the same opportunity.
“I tell you what. I do need someone who can answer the phone, take out the trash, put away new stock, and keep the back room organized. I can work around your school schedule, and even show you a few things about flowers when time allows.”
Marissa didn’t wait another second before leaping from her chair and throwing herself on my lap. “Oh, my God! Thank you, Anna! I swear you won’t regret—” She suddenly pulled back and looked at me cautiously. “Wait. What will Dominick say? Don’t you have to ask him first?” She removed herself from my lap while laughter got the better of me.
“Marissa, until I have a wedding ring on my left hand, I don’t have to ask Dominick to do anything.” Her brows furrowed as her finger reached for her neck. “But… you have the cornicello?”
I couldn’t fault her for the way she thought. Growing up around men in the business Dominick was in, would mold a person in a particular way. “Yes, he did give it to me, but again, a necklace and a wedding ring are different. When, if, I get a ring on my left hand, then he may have his say in what I do.”
I showed Marissa how to work the computer system and she caught on quickly. It was decided since she went to school every day from nine until two; she would work from three until the cleanup was done after the store closed. She was a huge help answering the phone while I concentrated on filling orders. When Gabby returned from lunch, she shot me a questionable look upon seeing Marissa working behind the counter. I adopted a ‘woman in charge’ look, and tossed her apron at her.
The rest of the afternoon was extremely busy and I said a silent prayer of thanks I hadn’t had to attend the phone or clean up the mess on the floor. At half an hour until closing, I still hadn’t managed to unpack the shipment, which had arrived that morning. Once I showed her the storage room, Marissa started opening up boxes and putting the contents away. I made my way out to the front of the store to help Gabby, who had just finished with a customer picking up a large order, when she turned her attention to me and began her interrogation.
“Really, Anna?” Gabby demanded.
I walked over to where she stood with her hands on her hips and a confused look on her face and proceeded to tell her the entire story about Marissa’s situation. With every word, her face softened more. By the time I’d finished, she was hugging me with tears in her eyes.
“Anna Covington, you are good people,” she said as the bell rang over the door.
With Gabby now on Team Marissa, I turned my attention to whom I hoped was the last customer of the day. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight before me. There, in the entrance of my store, was a face I hadn’t seen in months. His cover hung in his hands, and his dark hair was a little longer than the last time I’d seen him. “Caleb?” My voice was disbelieving.
He nodded his head while closing the distance between us. Then his arms were holding me so tight I found it hard to breathe. Caleb was a handsome man on a regular day, but even more so in his uniform.
I pulled back with fresh tears in my eyes. “Oh, my God! How did you know where to find me?” My voice rasped with the heaviness of my emotions.
“Well, when my buddy Hayes came back from leave, he couldn’t quit talking about this girl named Ari. I asked him to describe her, and thought it had to be a coincidence. Then one day he showed me a photo of his girl Gabby and Ari. Imagine my surprise when his Ari and my Anna were the same.”
In my happiness to see him I forgot to be nervous at his admission. A month ago, that would have sent me running; however, now the truth was out, I didn’t even have to think about it.
“I got some leave and decided to make a quick stop and check in on you. You may have been my brother’s girl, but you were like a sister to me. You look good by the way.”
Before I could answer and let him know I couldn’t be happier, a frantic voice behind me called out my name. I turned to find Marissa holding two rolls of ribbon, one in each hand.
“Anna, I’m sorry to bug you, but I can’t figure out what the difference—” Marissa looked up from the ribbon and noticed I wasn’t alone in the room.
In those cheesy Hollywood movies, the music stops, the main characters look with deep longing into each other’s eyes, and love at first sight is credited for the awkward silence. I’d never believed in that Hollywood bullshit… until now.
Caleb had this look on his face as if he’d just found the answer to world peace. Marissa’s expression turned from one of confusion to the joy she deserved. It felt awkward standing between them, like I was a voyeur or an eavesdropper.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m Caleb Winters.” Caleb came back to reality and walked past me, his hand extended toward Marissa.
Poor Marissa seemed awestruck as she continued to look at him. Caleb, the ever-present gentleman, causing Marissa to come back to reality. Her eyes blinked rapidly while the ribbon slipped from her fingers. Apologies fell from her lips while she bent down to retrieve the unraveling rolls. Caleb had already dropped his pack to the floor and was on one knee to assist her, their eyes never wavering from each other.
Gabby’s hand wrapped around my arm. When I looked toward her, she motioned for me to follow her to my office, where she commented, “Like I said Covington, good people.” We managed to drink a cup of tea before Caleb came into the room with Marissa, her hand in his.
“Anna, would it be alright if Marissa lef
t early? I’ve asked her to join me for dinner, but she said she had work to do.” Who could argue with Marissa’s pleading eyes? She was happy, and I was happy for her. “See you after class tomorrow, Marissa.” I waved her away. Marissa smiled in relief and Caleb came over and kissed my cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered in my ear as he backed away.
“Oh, and Marissa?” I called while they headed out of the room. Marissa turned with Caleb’s arm wrapped around her waist. “Wear jeans tomorrow, please. I need you to do some straightening in the back.” Her smile grew bigger before looking up at Caleb.
Yes, everyone deserved a second chance.
Caleb had been in town for a little more than two weeks, and during that time he and Marissa had been joined at the hip. Marissa confided in me she was worried Caleb didn’t like her as much as she liked him since he hadn’t tried to sleep with her. I assured her he was being respectful, especially since he was here for a short period of time.
“But, Anna, he’s still a guy.”
Marissa had taken to learning the art of making bows; she loved how one could take straight ribbon and turn it into something so pretty. The woman was a natural at it, too. In addition, she’d also redone the entire backroom with an organized, efficient system. Everything had a place, and was now alphabetized and color-coded.
“I mean, even Dominick—” She stopped before going into further detail.
This was an area she struggled with. Her facial expression showed fear; afraid I’d be angry at her for her past involvement with him. I’d explained over and over I held no ill will, but it was difficult for her to remember.
“I’m so sorry, Anna.” Her voice exasperated, her hands dropped the yellow ribbon she’d been working with. “I am trying so hard to put him behind me, and not compare Caleb to him.”
She really was trying, too. Marissa chastised herself far more than I ever could. She was right, though; it wasn’t fair to compare the two against each other. I knew both men and could bear witness to their differences, in looks and personality. They were alike in ways, too. Dominick and Caleb were loyal and protective.
Stolen Secrets Page 27
