My Mobster

by J. L. Drake

  “I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” Roman said. She dismissed him and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Roman, Miss Miller.” Ryan nodded. “Valentina, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Officer Donavan left, following Arlo out of the room.

  Valentina fingered the business card, took a long stare at it and then turned to leave.

  “Where are you going?” Roman asked.

  “To get started on tracking these dirt bags down,” she retorted before leaving the room. “And,” she pointed to Madison. “Don’t think I have forgotten about your show. Everything will get done. Don’t worry.”

  Silence filled the room in her absence. The seriousness of the situation finally settled on her shoulders. Roman wasn’t just doing this

  Chapter Ten

  Roman

  Roman hated fucking bad feelings. He sensed Valentina was a little too enthusiastic about seeing Ryan, and Pop had just ruined his breakfast with the one person in the world he wanted to spend time with, Madison. This wasn’t the dark ages and if Pop thought he would succumb to his arrangement of marriage to Layla Rinaldi, he was mistaken. Roman had come far in his twenty-eight years, and wouldn’t be told who to marry.

  Roman glanced at Madison, who’d poured her third cup of coffee from the thermos and currently had both her hands wrapped around the warm mug. He couldn’t help but be elated that she was here. It was bullshit what happened to her place, but it made for a fortuitous situation for him. Selfishly, this was his chance to win her over and keep her within arm’s reach.

  Rising from the kitchen counter, Roman retrieved a laptop with one hand that had been lying on a side table.

  “Here.” He placed it in front of her. “You need to replace the gowns that were damaged. That event is going to be here soon. You need to be ready for it.”

  Madison stared down at the search engine in awe.

  Roman placed an American Express card in front of her. “Order whatever you want. I’ve got it. The shop is being worked on as we speak. You should be up and running in a week.” That should give me plenty of time, he thought to himself.

  “I can’t take your money. It’ll cost a ton to replace those dresses and accessories.”

  Roman shrugged. “It’s not a concern. Spend what you need to.”

  Gauging the look on Madison’s face, he wasn’t sure if she was horrified, stunned, or grateful. Damn, he didn’t understand women sometimes. Then an amazing thing happened. Her face softened and she seemed appreciative.

  “I’ll pay you back as soon as we collect the insurance money. The shop needs to get back on its feet. But…I will pay you back.” Her voice was soft and hinted of defeat. Roman didn’t like it. His spit-fire Madison wasn’t shooting daggers at him or refusing to comply. But this softer side had its appeal too. He couldn’t help himself. She was too tempting. Madison began typing away to her suppliers and Roman risked it. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulled her in slightly, and kissed the top of her head.

  “Anything for you,” he whispered before he snatched his cell phone off the counter and went to his office to work on other problems.

  Madison

  Madison held the credit card in her hand and spun it around as she sat at the counter. Royal Distributor’s website lit up on the laptop screen that Roman loaned her. The company was her largest supplier of gowns, so hopefully they could replenish her stock quickly. She wrestled with the situation. He’d given her his credit card to restock her shop. He was right. If she didn’t order what she needed now, it would never be delivered in time for the bridal show. Time was not in her favor. Madison remembered every gown she had ever sold or bought. The image of the destroyed dresses, veils, and jewelry snapped across her mind including the man’s face who’d violated her place of business and hurt her friend. A tickle of fear crept up her back. Nothing made sense.

  She hadn’t done anything to anyone to spark such a horrific retaliation. Her competition was practically non-existent in Genoa. There had to be something going on that would reach the surface of explanation at some point.

  Beep. Beep. Beep. Madison looked around the kitchen at the empty plates, the refrigerator, and her face twisted in confusion. She rose from her stool and walked around the counter. The sound was coming from the big bowl of rice.

  My phone.

  It worked. Madison dug her fingers into the tiny white oblong bits and rescued the cell. The screen lit up with voicemails, texts, and missed calls. Four of them had been from her mother. Ignoring those, she scrolled directly to Stephanie’s texts.

  Where are you?

  Call me.

  What is happening?

  Madison texted immediately, seeing that those texts were hours old.

  At Roman’s. I’m fine. Working on getting the shop back to normal. How are you feeling?

  Stephanie: YOU ARE AT ROMAN’S?

  All caps, not a good sign.

  Before she could text back, her phone rang. Stephanie.

  “Hello,” Madison said into the receiver.

  “Why are you at Roman’s?”

  “It’s a long story. How are you feeling after yesterday? Are you okay?”

  “I feel much better. Now tell me why you’re at Roman’s.”

  “Well…” Madison recalled being forced to come, but didn’t want Stephanie to worry. “Roman felt it is safer for me here after what happened.”

  “I went to the shop when I didn’t hear from you. I got worried,” Stephanie admitted. “It’s practically all fixed.”

  “Fixed? I haven’t even called the insurance company. That was next on my list of things to do.”

  “There were workers there. Putting stuff back together, throwing trash into a dumpster outside, vacuuming up the glass. I even saw new display racks still wrapped in plastic. I couldn’t find you, so I left. I thought you knew.”

  “Stephanie, I have to call you back.”

  Madison pressed the end button and dropped her phone back in the rice with a splat. A few nuggets of rice spilled over the side. Her stocking feet took her on a trek through the Caponelli mansion. A door halfway down the hallway was ajar. The deep tone of Roman’s voice carried into the hall as she approached. The urge to eavesdrop was strong.

  “The sales have to be related to what happened at Madison’s. I want a meeting.” Menace coated his words. “Tomorrow.” He stopped talking, so she assumed he ended the call without a goodbye.

  Madison planted her palm against the paneled door and pushed slightly. The movement of the door revealed a very distinguished Roman seated behind an opulent desk scattered with stacks of papers and a mug filled with hot coffee. His chin leaned on his hand, but Madison’s intrusion yanked him from his thoughts.

  She was confused, and hit a crossroad. Madison never wanted to be beholden to any man, but she hated to admit that she needed Roman. That she enjoyed needing him. He took her independence away, he took her from her home, but the considerate and thoughtful things melted her. She stood in the doorway and their eyes met. The words she wanted to speak were suddenly missing. His eyes said more than any of her words ever could. She could see deep within them. His advances, gifts, and his help weren’t because he needed another conquest. He did them because he actually cared.

  “Boss,” Arlo called from the other side of the house. “Boss.”

  Roman rose, never removing his gaze from Madison. She stepped aside to let him by, but he stopped for a moment and kissed her forehead similarly to the way he’d done an hour ago. No strings, no seduction, just an unsaid promise.

  “Roman. We have company.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Madison

  Her skin still tingled on the spot his lips touched. The man could melt ice in the Arctic he was so hot. She trailed behind like a lovesick puppy. It was happening again. There was something about him that pulled to her, urged her to be closer like when they’d first met.

  Ahead, a woman’s voice could be heard in a heated exchange
. This was a busy place today. Madison couldn’t see who it was yet, but whoever it was, she certainly didn’t seem happy.

  The door burst open and in walked the intruder. It was her mother.

  “Mom?” Madison stopped, just barely missing colliding into Roman’s back. “What are you doing here?” Complete shock filled her.

  Her mother barged passed Arlo. A powerless expression was on his face. The man dealt with bad guys every day, but he’d never come face to face with an anxious mother looking for her child.

  “Maddy? Darling,” Connie cried out. Madison was swept into her mother’s arms. The hug almost cut off her breath. “What are you doing here? I’ve been looking everywhere. I finally called the police. Officer Donavan kindly informed me you were here.” Her fists were firmly planted on her hips. “What’s going on? I want to know everything.”

  “I’m all right, Mom,” Madison said.

  Her mother narrowed her eyes at Roman. “What are you doing in this place?” Connie whispered in her ear.

  Staring her straight in the eye, Madison held her mother at arm’s length. “I think the question should be, what are you doing here?”

  Her mother shot Roman another dark look. “When I heard what happened at the shop, I caught the first plane to Genoa.”

  “Ms. Miller,” Roman said. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.” He held out his hand and took one of hers in both of his. “I’ve been looking forward to it. It’s too bad that it had to happen because of such tragic circumstances.” Her mother said nothing and Roman released her hand and stepped back.

  Madison paused and inhaled a breath. “I’m so grateful for Roman and his family coming to my rescue. Stephanie said the shop is almost back to normal,” she assured her.

  “I know all I need to know about Roman and his family. My concern right now is for my daughter, not the shop.”

  Madison’s mouth dropped open.

  Eerie silence swept through the hallway. Madison was stunned by her mother’s appearance at Roman’s doorstep and her attitude. What she needed now was her mother’s support, not her condemnation.

  Connie exhaled loudly. “My apologies, Mr. Caponelli. I’ve been wracked with worry ever since I heard about the attack on the shop. You can imagine my distress when I couldn’t get hold of Maddy.”

  Thankfully, her mother had said she was sorry, but for some reason, Madison got the feeling that it was anything but sincere. Something was not right and as soon as they were alone she was damn well going to find out what that was.

  “Why didn’t you answer my calls?” The wrath at finding her at Roman’s morphed into chastising her daughter.

  Madison felt ten years old again, her mother chastising her for spending time with friends instead of getting her homework done. “I’m sorry. My phone has been sitting in rice drying out since it got wet.”

  Connie folded her arms across her chest and gave her the matriarchal stare, the one that said, “That’s no excuse.” Yes, she could have borrowed someone else’s phone, but Madison had other things on her mind. The confident man who stood beside her being the main one. Well, that and trying to get things replenished for the shop. Her mother should be thanking her, not scolding her like she was a child. “Be that as it may, it’s time to go. Thanks for your hospitality, Mr. Caponelli, but I can look after my daughter from here on out.”

  “Please call me Roman, Ms. Miller.” From the tone of his voice, she could tell he was tiring of the ungrateful exchange with her mother.

  “Roman,” she said between gritted teeth. Connie trapped Madison’s hand in hers and hauled her toward the door.

  “Mother. Stop.” Madison tugged her palm free.

  “It’s time to go, Maddy. You shouldn’t impose.” Now her mother was telling her she was the one intruding? This was nuts.

  Roman sidestepped and blocked their path. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

  Her mother gaped at him, but Madison had mixed emotions. She wasn’t ready to leave, but she wouldn’t stand for him, her mother, or anyone else telling her what to do.

  “What do you mean by that?” Madison was almost afraid to hear the answer. They’d been getting along so well. She saw a side of Roman that hadn’t elicited controlling barbarian, but was more considerate and sincere.

  “We haven’t finished with all the security updates that I had installed at Madison’s home and the shop. There still needs to be some tests done. Not to mention Valentina is here and you two would have a chance to finish the details for your event.”

  “What?” Her mother stepped in front of her, her arms folded across her chest.

  “The fashion show.” Madison lowered her gaze, remembering the fiasco that started everything. “There were some issues with the venue we always use. Valentina offered her place, Firenza.”

  “Isn’t that the old Costenaro place?” Connie placed her hands on her hips. “Figures.” Disgust was evident in her voice.

  “Mother, you are being rude.” She’d never seen her mom be so nasty to anyone before, let alone someone she was beginning to care about and one who’d offered to keep her safe.

  “Yes, the old Costenaro place.” Roman wasn’t giving an inch and clearly didn’t like her mother’s insinuations regarding the past reputation of the building that once belonged to the Costenaro family, and now the Caponellis, and even if she wanted to leave with her mother, there were doubts that he would let her go. Right now, the way her mother was acting, she wouldn’t go with her anyway. Something was definitely off.

  Roman leaned his back against the entryway. It was warm for January, but they were letting a lot of cool air in, having this discussion with the door open.

  “I love a place with some history. During prohibition, people gathered there to drink and gamble. Rumor has it that the feds raided it and while the cops were headed in the front, the booze and gambling tables were taken out the back and thrown in the lake.” Roman’s eyes sparkled devilishly as he told the story. Had he heard the stories from some of his relatives?

  “I’m hoping to start an annual event based on that legend. Guests can relive the twenties. Zoot suits and flappers’ dresses, pearls, and fedoras. We’ll have jazz music and gambling.” Valentina must have heard the conversation as she appeared out of nowhere.

  “You can’t have gambling,” her mother argued. “It’s illegal here unless on tribal land.”

  “It’s no problem. I know a guy.” He brushed it off in a teasing way. The way Roman maintained control and emanated power usually put Madison off, but right now she admired the way he stood up to her overbearing mother.

  “I’m sure you do,” her mother retorted.

  “We might even put up a still in the back and start making our own bootlegged whiskey.”

  Her mother’s mouth dropped open.

  “Oh, Roman, you’re such a jokester.” Luckily, Valentina’s presence seemed to calm everyone, including Madison’s mother. “Hello, I’m Valentina, Roman’s sister,” she said to Connie. “I’m so excited to be working with Madison to make this year’s fashion show the best one yet. We were just about to start on some of the details. Would you like to join us?”

  Connie relaxed. “No, I’m still tired from traveling all this way. I trust Madison to do what’s best for herself and the business.”

  “I welcome your input, Mother,” Madison said. Actually, she needed her mother’s support. She’d shouldered the weight of having to make all the business decisions for so long. For years it had left little time for socializing and dating. She’d resented all the responsibility at times. And with all that had taken place over the past few days, it’s no wonder Madison was wound so tight.

  “You’ve been doing just fine in my absence.”

  Her heart sank and Madison entwined her fingers behind her back.

  “Won’t you please join us for some coffee?” Valentina offered.

  “No, I must be going.” Connie pulled her gloves out of her pockets.

  �
�Well, I hope we will meet up again. If you will excuse me, I’m going to start making some notes. It was very nice meeting you.” With that, Valentina left, and the tension returned.

  “Are you coming with me, dear? We really need to talk.”

  Bitterness for all the times Madison wanted to have a heart-to-heart but was ignored bubbled to the surface. “No. I’ll call you later.”

  There was no mistaking the displeasure on her mother’s face.

  “All right then.” Connie slipped her hands into her gloves with gusto.

  “Are you certain you don’t want to stay and have some coffee?” Roman played the perfect host.

  “No, I’ve seen that Maddy is in one piece. I’m going home to rest up.” Connie kissed her daughter on the cheek and ignored Roman. “I will be waiting for your call.”

  “Yes, Mother,” she replied meekly.

  “It was a pleasure, Ms. Miller. I’m sure I will be seeing you again soon,” Roman said.

  Madison’s respect for Roman lifted a notch. Her mother was being a complete beast, but he never took the bait to engage.

  “Mr. Caponelli.” She nodded, choosing to ignore his request to use his first name.

  “Arlo, please see Ms. Miller to her car.” His comforting hand pressed against Madison’s lower back to guide her back into the house. The touch sent an exhilarating chill through her along with a deep comfort.

  “Sure thing, boss.” Arlo closed the door behind him.

  “I don’t think she likes me.” Roman chuckled.

  “If it makes you feel any better, I wonder the same thing too.” Madison fought back the tears.

  Roman stopped her in her tracks on the marble entryway floor. He took her arm and without force turned her to look at him.

  Madison knew her eyes were red-rimmed and glossy. The strained relationship with her mother always left a dull ache in her throat. She trapped a tear beneath her finger and tried to make light of the situation.