by Cala Riley
Nico: Found her.
Me: Keep an eye on her. I’ll text you after dinner.
“Matteo Ricci. You know the rules.”
I look up and find Sofia looking disapprovingly at me.
“Sorry, mom. I’ll put it away.” I slide my phone back into my pocket as I sarcastically reply to her.
“So how are things in Queens?” Bash says, giving me an out.
“Good. Quiet. I’m still getting used to the area.”
He nods. “Good. Glad to hear it. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Of course.”
“How are the kids?” Bash asks Giovanni and Isabella, referring to his niece and nephew that live with them.
“I think we’ve all finally settled in and gotten used to our new normal,” Giovanni tells him.
“You should bring them by soon,” Sophia says. Where the kids don’t come to family dinner, where we talk about business.
Some things kids just shouldn’t hear until they are older.
“That’s a good idea,” Isabella says.
The table goes quiet as we all eat. That is always a good sign of how good the food is. When everyone would rather eat than talk. After a couple of minutes of comfortable silence, Izzy speaks up.
“So Gio and I have some news we wanted to tell you guys.”
We all give them our attention. Izzy holds out her hand as a smile lights up her entire face. Giovanni wraps his arm around her as he is looking at her like she is his only reason for breathing.
“Oh my god,” Sofia screams.
“No Way. Eeeek,” Mia yells at the same time.
The girls all gush over the ring now adorning her finger, while us guys hang back. I feel a pang in my chest at the sight. It’s not like I wanted Izzy, but seeing the three happy couples moving on with their life just reminds me I’m still alone.
It’s not like I haven’t tried. I date, but so far, I haven’t found the one. All the women I meet either want me for my money or my status. Sometimes both. It might sound silly, but I watched my mom and dad together. Now, watching these three couples just reinforces the fact that everyone has that one person they are meant to be with. I just wish I knew who that person was for me.
Izzy looks over to me. Out of the three girls, I feel closest to her. I spent the most time with her. She’s just like my sister, Alessia. I felt the best connection with her. I didn’t always approve of her and Giovanni, so I know why she is looking at me now. She wants my approval.
“It is a gorgeous ring, Iz. I am so happy for you.” I mean every word, but there is a melancholy to my tone.
She gives me an odd look, but lets the girls take over the conversation. We finish dinner with talks of wedding plans. Sofia gets up to get dessert and I stand with her.
“I need to get going. Dinner was amazing. Thank you for having me. Izzy, Giovanni. Congratulations.”
“Wait.” Sofia’s voice stops me as I turn to leave. “Let me get you dessert to go.”
“You don’t have to, Sof.”
“Nonsense.” She waves me off. “Besides, you can take some for Nico too.”
“I’ll walk you to the door, Matt.” I watch as Izzy gives Giovanni a look, then heads toward me.
“Bye guys. See you next week,” I call out.
Once we are out of the dining room, Izzy leads me to the front door.
“You aren’t happy about the engagement,” she states it as if it is a fact.
“I am, Iz.” At her disbelieving look, I continue, “I really am. I know I haven’t always approved in the past, but that was in the past. That man adores you, Iz. As long as he keeps making you happy, then I am happy.”
Her eyes narrow. “What was with that look back there?”
I sigh. “I am going to tell you something, but keep it to yourself.” I take a deep breath. “I want what you guys have. I know it makes me a complete sap, but I want to find my ‘one.’ I want to be in love like you guys are. It just sucks seeing you guys so happy and moving on when that is all I have ever wanted. I feel like an outsider.”
Her eyes soften and she reaches forward and lays her hand on my arm. “She’s out there, Matty.” Her use of the nickname only she and my sister uses warms my heart. “Be patient. You will get your love story. One thing I learned through this entire ordeal with Giovanni is that things have a funny way of working themselves out. Love will find you when you least expect it.”
I give her a halfhearted smile. “I know, Iz. I am happy you got yours though.”
“I actually wanted to ask you something. Would you walk me down the aisle?”
Tears prick my eyes. Ever since I found out that Izzy hasn’t had much in the way of family, I have tried to take her under my wing. I have treated all the girls as sisters, but Izzy always got a little extra. Her asking me this means the world.
“Of course, Iz. Always.”
She wraps her arms around my middle and I squeeze her back as I kiss the top of her head.
“Trying to steal my fiancée?” Giovanni asks from the door.
I don’t know how long he was standing there, but I give her an extra squeeze before letting her go.
“Not at all.”
“He said yes, Gio. He is going to walk me down the aisle.” She beams at him.
Sofia comes up from behind them and hands me to-go containers.
“That is wonderful, Iz. Matt is the perfect person for the job.”
“Alright. Well, let me know what you need me to do to help, but remember I am a guy, okay? Sometimes you girls forget that.”
They chuckle.
Sofia gives me a quick hug, then I leave.
I hope my one is out there.
I’ve had this weird feeling someone has been watching me for a couple of hours. I’ve looked around but haven’t seen anything odd. I brushed the feeling off. Maybe I am just feeling guilty for stealing that man’s wallet.
Matteo.
That’s his name. I’m ashamed to admit that I have been staring at his driver’s license periodically for the last couple of hours. Usually I would have dumped the wallet by now, already pulling the money out. For some reason, I kept his. There was something about him that made me want to keep his photo for a while longer.
I do feel odd though. The man had one thousand dollars in cash in his wallet. What for? Who knows. It makes me wonder what I got myself into.
At first, I thought he was a businessman, but with money like he could be a drug dealer or part of the mafia. I am more likely to believe the mafia over drug dealer, though.
Fuck.
I made a mistake taking his wallet. It was an impulsive decision that might come back to screw me. I just hope hiding out here in the Bronx will save me. Using my metro card that the homeless shelters offer, I made my way out here hoping that if I stayed far away from Queens, I would never see the man again. Hopefully being homeless will be a positive for once, helping me hide off the radar.
Once I got here, I attempted to check into a couple of shelters, but they were all full. I usually try to avoid them in the warmer months, but I felt like having others around might have helped keep me safe for once. Now I am sitting between two dumpsters in a dark alley behind a restaurant, trying to relax. If I am lucky, I will catch a little sleep before I have to move again. I might even get lucky enough to get some leftover food.
I know it’s disgusting, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
I think back to the money in my bag. I could splurge and get real food, but I shake my head at the thought. I could dream about things like that, but getting myself to spend money was a different story. So far, all I have bought with the money I found was a bottle of water and a sandwich. I only got the sandwich because the guy wouldn’t break the hundred for a ninety-nine-cent bottle of water. I ate half the sandwich and have the other half in my bag, but I want to save it in case of emergencies. I know I’ll need to eat it within the next day, but if I can find some food for dinner, it can be br
eakfast tomorrow.
If I’m smart about it, this money could last me a couple of months.
I close my eyes and lay my head back, attempting to get some sleep.
What seems like minutes later, a noise from the alley startles me awake. The sun has since gone down, so I know I got some sleep. I don’t dare move, instead trying to listen for the noise. After a couple of minutes of silence, I move to look out when a man pops in front of me. Next thing I know, he grabs me and pulls me out of my spot.
I scream, but I know it isn’t any use. No one will come down a dark alley for some screaming girl. Maybe if I yell fire, but even then, it’s unlikely. Especially in the area I am in. Everyone is caught in their own little worlds, refusing to look outside of it. The homeless girl on the corner? Just a usual sight in these parts. Going down a dark alley is sure to bring trouble.
Instead of hoping for rescue, I swing my arms out, trying to connect with the man. I feel my fist hit something, and the man grunts, dropping me. I don’t hesitate. I take off running. In two long strides, arms trap me from behind me.
“Stop fighting, damn it. I don’t want to hurt you.” The familiar deep voice sends chills down my body.
Matteo.
I’ve replayed his words from earlier in my head over and over, analyzing what about his voice causes tingles in my body.
He found me. I don’t know how, but he found me.
“Let me go and I’ll stop fighting,” I try to reason with him.
“Nice try, sweetheart. I know you will just run again. We have some business to discuss.”
He sets me down, but grabs my arm, pulling me toward the black Escalade parked in the alley. I pull back against his grip.
“I am not getting in that car with you. If you want to rape and murder me, you are just going to have to do it right here.”
He chuckles, and the sound warms me. My reactions to this man are not normal. I should not be feeling warm inside at the sound of his voice moments after accusing him of rape.
“I won’t harm you, cara. Just get in the car.”
“My name isn’t Cara. You have the wrong girl,” I attempt to persuade him.
He shakes his head, but I see the smile.
“Cara is a term of endearment. It is equivalent to sweetheart or darling. Will you get in the car already? I hate the Bronx.”
I growl at him.
“Just let me go. Here, you can have your wallet back.”
I dig in my bag and pull out his wallet, shoving it in his hands. I hope he doesn’t notice the missing money. Unfortunately, life has taught me that if I have any luck, it’s the bad kind.
“It seems to be lighter than I remember.” I don’t know if he can actually tell the money is missing, or he is making assumptions, but I choose to be honest.
“I have the money here. Just let me go.”
“I’m done arguing. Either you get in the car on your own or I make you get in the car. Your choice.”
I sigh. I take in my surroundings. We aren’t alone in the alley. Two other men dressed similarly are standing outside the Escalade. I know this man must be important to have so many bodyguards.
He must take my silence as compliance because he moves closer, grabbing my arm to lead me to the SUV.
I grunt but let him move me.
I know they say never get into the car with an abductor, but what other choice did I have? Even if I could get the drop on Matteo, his goons would likely grab me before I could move, and then I’d end up in the back with a bag over my head. Or worse, they would just shoot me and call it a day.
If I screamed, the same thing would happen except then I would look dumb. No one in this neighborhood would come running to help me. I’m all alone.
No, getting in the car seems to be the safer option. If he doesn’t cover my head, I can take in my surroundings and make a plan of escape. Maybe even try to jump out at a light. I just need to play the long game here. Bide my time.
Once inside, he shuts the door behind me before rounding the SUV and getting in on the other side. The other two goons get in the front before we start moving.
“Where are you taking me? I gave you back your wallet. Here is your money.” I pull out what is left. “I owe you like five dollars, but if you give me time, I can get it for you.”
He chuckles and pushes my hands back.
“Keep the money. You obviously need it more than I do.”
Anger builds within me. It’s the only explanation I have for what I say next.
“I am not some charity case, Matteo. Keep your fucking money.” I throw it at him, and it rains down around us.
He turns to look at me and I see the rage burning behind his eyes, but there is also heat there. Holy damn, this man is sexy.
Snap out of it, Vanessa. This man just kidnapped you.
“It’s not pity. You stole it fair and square. If I can’t keep better hold of my wallet, I don’t deserve the money in it.”
He turns back and faces forward.
“Are you serious right now? I stole from you and you are, what? Giving me a reward?”
I could hear the disbelief in my voice. This man could not be for real.
“I wouldn’t say a reward. You can’t steal from the mafia without repercussions. Hence the car ride.”
I swallow hard. So he is the mafia.
Shit.
“So you aren’t going to let me go. What are you going to take? My hand? My leg? A finger?” I spit out at him.
He slowly turns to look at me. He has a questioning look in his eye.
“Where do you get these ideas from? Movies? Shit, the mafia isn’t what you think, cara.”
“Really? Then what will my punishment be? I am not having sex with you no matter how good looking you are.”
I curse myself. I didn’t mean to say that last bit. His eyes darken.
“You think I need to force myself on you?” He leans in closer to me, causing my heart to skip a beat. “That if I wanted you, I couldn’t lean over, running my hand up your leg and have your panties wet?” His hand brushes my knee, causing me to jump.
“It doesn’t matter what is going on in my panties. No is no. If I said no, would you continue to assault me?”
He straightens back in his seat. “I didn’t hear you say no, now did I?”
“I’m not fucking you, so if that’s what you want, then the answer is a resounding no.”
“So testy. I never said that’s what I wanted. You did. Seems like the only one of us who is fixated on fucking is you.”
“You’re disgusting. If you don’t plan to fuck me, then what is your plan then, huh?”
He taps his chin before smirking at me. “I haven’t quite decided yet. You stole from me, so a punishment is in store. What kind of punishment, though? I think I’ll take my time figuring it out.”
“You can’t do this. You can’t just kidnap someone.”
He chuckles. “Seems I just did. Tell me, is there anyone that is going to miss you?” I frown as he continues, “Didn’t think so. What is your name anyway?”
“None of your business.” I cross my arms as I look out the window.
He growls and I feel a shock go through my body. A dull throbbing begins between my legs. This is a feeling I have never felt before. Living on the streets, I avoided people.
Why is my body reacting now?
“I will find out what it is. It would be easier if you just told me.”
I bite my lip to stop myself from digging my grave any deeper. My eyes look out the window and I realize where we are.
Queens.
My eyes fly back to him. I still remember Ricky’s warning from earlier.
“I can’t be in Queens.”
“Is that why you were running earlier?”
“Yes. I can’t be in Queens. It won’t turn out well for me. Take me back to the Bronx or hell, take me to Brooklyn.”
I throw out the last place, knowing that it’s filled with suits like him that
would make it harder to escape. I don’t go to Brooklyn often, but when I do, I don’t steal. Everyone knows that there is a blanket of protection over that borough.
He chuckles. “You are safe with me. Trust me.”
“I trust no one. No offense. Trust isn’t something I’m capable of. Besides, why would I feel safe with the man who kidnapped me? Who’s to say you’re not bringing me here to give me to him.”
His eyes narrow. “Who is he?”
I bite my lip, cursing myself at the slip. “No one.”
“You haven’t been harmed. Tell me why you were running. Who were you running from? Get me a name and they will no longer be a problem. I guarantee it.”
The conviction in his voice turns me on and scares me at the same time. His eyes have taken on a dangerous glint. He means every word, but he doesn’t know Ricky. If Ricky is really working in drugs, who knows who his boss is. It might even be this guy.
“No thanks. I can handle my own business. I really need to stay out of Queens though.”
He leans in toward me and I freeze. His hand reaches out to push a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
“You don’t get it, cara. I am the mafia. Capo of Queens. Nothing happens in my city I don’t know about or handle. Until further notice, you are mine to do with as I please. If anyone was to lay hands on you in my territory without my permission, they would be asking for certain death.”
I gulp. This man is downright dangerous. He also just confirmed that he most likely knows Ricky. I can’t tell him now. Even if I did trust him, which I don’t.
The thought of this gorgeous man turning me over to Ricky for ratting him out, or even worse, for entertainment, causes a shiver to run down my spine.
I’m not stupid enough to think this man would choose me, a homeless thief, over one of his own men.
“I think I will still handle my own business.”
He shrugs, his eyes losing the protective gleam. “If you insist. We are still going to Queens though.”
I bite my lip, trying to figure out how I am not only going to escape, but now avoid Ricky too. Today has not been my day.
“Can you tell me your name now?”
I let out a breath in a whoosh.
“Vanessa,” I relent, knowing that he won’t stop until he knows it.
