by Ginger Ring
Before Stephanie knew it, Maddy was gone and she was nudged from behind as the crowd edged closer to the bride. There was no way she would get in anyone’s way. She stepped to the side, turned toward the bar, and her heart to skip a beat.
There sat the only man who could turn her head. Why he did, she had no clue. Dominic Scarlatti was dangerous, did horrible things for a living, and was one of the most beautiful men she’d ever laid eyes on.
Usually, he dressed like an outdoorsman, in flannel shirts and jeans, but tonight he was in a pair of dress pants, a jacket, and a button-down shirt. His long hair was up in a bun. She’d tried to block him from her view most of the night, but when he was in sight, there was usually a girl or two beside him. The guy was a loner, but you couldn’t blame the ladies for trying. The area was now empty except for Dom and his boss, Roman. Madison joined the pair as they watched the festivities.
Whack. Out of nowhere, something bounced off her chest and she instinctively grabbed for it. The group of girls groaned while Madison and Valentina jumped for joy. The bride ran over to lift Steph’s arm in the air like she’d just won a prize fight.
“What the…?” She’d caught the dreaded bouquet.
“I knew it.” Valentina gleamed and pressed one hand over her heart.
“This was fixed,” Stephanie argued and held the flowers to her nose. They were really pretty and would brighten up her dingy apartment. The place hadn’t been updated since the fifties. The sleazy place she rented only allowed cash payments—no paper trail.
“Hey. My back was turned,” Valentina said. “I couldn’t see where I was throwing it, but you were meant to have it. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you.”
“Thank you.” She hugged the bride. Maddy and Val really did mean well, and she was lucky to have them both.
“Now to find you a groom.” Valentina wiggled her eyebrows before returning to her spot by the stage where Ryan now waited.
Madison returned and hooked her arm with Steph’s. They took a seat at a nearby table. It was now the guys’ turn. Everyone watched as the bride took a seat by the platform. The band played a frisky tune while her new husband slipped the garter from her leg. The bachelors started to gather.
Ryan stood with his back to the crowd. He twirled the bit of lace around on his finger before letting it fly. A few guys jumped to snatch it, but one large hand easily grasped it from the air. The room went quiet when everyone noticed the tall man with the garter in his hand. It was the cleaner for the mob, Dominic Scarlatti. A devilish grin crossed his lips. The man stuffed the garter in his pocket and walked back to the bar.
“Well, that was interesting.” Madison motioned for one of the waiters to bring them a drink. “He really is a good guy, Steph. Despite, well, you know.”
“On what planet is a guy who makes people disappear considered good?” Stephanie took the drink that was offered. It’d been a long day; she’d sleep well tonight. At least tomorrow was Sunday, so she didn’t have to work.
Madison shrugged. “Someone has to do it.”
“Wow, you’ve sure changed your tune.” Stephanie crossed her legs and flexed her toes. How could Valentina wear high heels every day? Her feet were killing her.
“Well, I’m the first to admit that marrying into the mob has changed my view on a lot of things.” Not many people knew Roman had come to the rescue when Madison had been kidnapped by the abusive fiancé of one of their brides.
Madison convinced the woman to call things off and the man did not take it well. With Roman’s help, the man was no longer a threat or abusing women. Still, it didn’t make what Roman and his men did any better. “All I can say is that love changes things.” Her husband came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, which she soon covered with her own. “I’ve never been happier.”
If Roman hadn’t been staring down at her with those all-knowing eyes, she’d have made a smart-aleck remark. Steph didn’t mess with the man. It was like he knew she had secrets. Every time he was around, it was as if he was watching her, studying her for a misstep or the glimpse of a clue to who she really was. He saw right through her. Roman didn’t get where he was without being smart and one step ahead of the rest. The guy was on to her.
“I’d like to dance with my wife.” His low, deep voice could still be heard above the loud music.
“My pleasure.” Madison rose and wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck.
Stephanie took another sip of her drink and watched the dancers for the next half hour. The clock now read twelve thirty; soon, it would all be over with. She hid a yawn with her hand. The bouquet sat on the table in front of her. Someone else should have caught it. Someone who actually wanted it. Stephanie jerked in her seat. Oh crap. It was tradition that the man who caught the garter dance with the woman who caught the flowers. Did Dom know about that?
“Excuse me,” a husky voice said in her ear. Stephanie jumped and turned in her chair. “Would you care to dance?”
The air left her chest, whether from relief or disappointment, it was hard to tell. It was Jasper. They’d never officially met but she knew who he was. The young soldier in the Caponelli family had occasionally driven Madison around since Arlo had been working in Chicago for Roman’s father from time to time. As the saying went, if you couldn’t beat them, dance with them. “Uh, sure,” she mumbled, and let him lead her to the dance floor.
Jasper was a good dancer and not hard on the eyes. Was it a requirement that all bad boys be handsome, or did the fact that they did bad things just appeal to some sick, twisted part of her? The guy was a player, that was easy to see. Jasper was looking for someone to take home for the night, but that wouldn’t be her. They waltzed around the floor with a smile and nod to the other couples.
There was no use denying it though, her gaze was on the search for someone else. The mystery man who never failed to intrigue her. What had possessed Dominic to play along with the crowd and catch the bride’s garter? He was the last person in the world she’d expect to see here, let alone participate.
It was no use trying to get him out of her mind. The man had taken up residency a few months ago. Dominic had been there when no one else was. He had been there when she needed someone to protect her, someone to comfort her, and someone to kill and bury a body for her.
Chapter Two
Dominic
Earlier That Day
Many people thought they had a shitty job, but until they’ve had to clean up a couple dead bodies that have been sitting in a hot trailer for a few days, they should consider themselves lucky.
“God, it stinks in here.” Jasper gagged and Dominic tossed him a mask.
“It’s a meth lab with two corpses, what’d you think it’d smell like? I’ve seen and smelled worse.” This was why he liked to work alone. No complaining, no whining, and no small talk. Just him. “Why are you here anyway?”
Jasper was a new guy. He was one of those eager beavers who wanted to move up the ranks fast and was willing to do most anything to accomplish that goal. From what’d he heard when Jasper was in Chicago, he’d do a hit, party at the clubs all night, and still be fresh-faced in the morning. He also had a reputation with the ladies. Love them and leave them. There were probably broken hearts all over the Windy City when he left town. The prick should have stayed there.
“Roman wanted me to help so you could get done early and go to his sister’s wedding.” The guy kicked over a chair and Dom gritted his teeth.
“Don’t touch anything,” Dominic barked. Just what he needed, some idiot trying to rush his ass so he could get to a stupid wedding on time. A wedding was the last place he wanted to be, but he owed everything to the Caponellis. Roman and Valentina may not have been blood, but they were the only family he had. Dominic would kill and die for them. If Roman wanted him to be at the wedding, he’d do his best to be there with or without Jasper’s help. Unfortunately, this smell didn’t come off easily and it was only getting worse the longer they st
ayed.
He turned as Jasper tipped over a shelving unit. What was wrong with this jerk? They were far out in the country, but what if someone heard all the noise?
“Hey, dickhead. I told you not to touch anything.”
“What’s the difference? We’re going to torch it anyway.” The man acted like he was searching for a place to sit or lean but didn’t want to get his fancy suit dirty. The last thing Dom needed was a distraction. Distractions made one sloppy, and sloppiness led to missing things. Things that law enforcement or fire investigators might find later.
“Yes, and we want it to look like these tweakers did it themselves. Not that the place was trashed before it burned. Put everything back where you found it.” Meth labs were highly flammable, so it wasn’t uncommon for them to catch fire.
With a loud exhale, the guy did as he was told. “Are we going to leave these guys here?” He nodded to the two dead bodies on the floor. Flies buzzed and maggots crawled around the grizzly scene.
“Yeah, we just have to make sure we have all the bullets and casings that might be lying around.” They’d already found three casings by the door. One guy had been shot in the head so that one was easy to locate. He rolled the other guy over on his side. There was an entry wound but the bullet hadn’t gone all the way through. If he’d been shot where he fell, that meant the other bullet might be behind him. “Check for any holes over there.” Dom pointed a gloved finger toward the wall behind Jasper.
“What happened here anyway?” Jasper traced a finger along the cheap paneling.
“Roman doesn’t allow drugs to be sold in Genoa. He made a deal with a biker gang that does. As long as they don’t sell within the town limits, he’ll help keep the competition out.”
“I saw their bikes out front. Who killed these guys and why are we cleaning them up?”
“These guys don’t belong to that club. They moved into the territory, so we had to take them out. Not sure who the hell they are but our tech guys already have their photos and everything off their phones. We’ll know soon enough.”
“Hey, I found it.” Jasper took out a knife and dug a bullet from its hole in the wall. “That makes two, where’s the other one?”
“It’s still in him.” Dom rolled the man back to the floor.
“How’re we going to get it out?”
“How do you think?” Dominic grabbed a pair of long nose pliers. Now he had to dig around until he found the metal. All in a day’s work.
Jasper strolled over to a window, peeled back the newspaper that covered it, and looked outside.
The smell was even worse when he opened the guy up, but Dom barely noticed. It took a bit but he finally located the piece of metal they were searching for.
“Are we done yet?” Jasper griped.
Damn. Would the guy ever shut up? “What is your problem? You got a hot date or something?”
“I’ve got to get cleaned up and then I’m going to the reception.”
Yeah, the pretty boy would be on the prowl. “We have one more thing to do before we set the place on fire.” Dominic got to his feet. With some bleach, he cleaned and then put away all the tools he’d brought along.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Jasper put the paper back in place and turned around.
“If the guy’s skull stays intact, an investigator will be able to see the bullet hole. We need something to fall on his head and smash it.”
“That’s easy.” Jasper strolled over and kicked the wooden leg of a nearby table. A microwave slipped off and landed on the drug dealer’s head, making a sickening crunch. It was one of those huge old ones that weighed a ton. The thing got the job done. Maybe Jasper wasn’t such an idiot after all. “Now the fun part.” He clapped his hands together and wiggled his eyebrows. “Where’s the gasoline?”
“No, that can be seen in the way it burns. Take all the paper off the windows and stuff it in the areas I tell you. Then we light a match. A lot of matches. The chemicals will do the rest.”
It didn’t take long before the place was ablaze. They waited in the van down the road to make sure it took hold and wasn’t going to stop. Dominic untied his long hair and put the vehicle in drive. Damn, the smell was in his hair. He’d need a long shower, but it took forever for his thick hair to dry.
He yawned and slipped a pair of sunglasses on. It was sunny and a perfect day for a wedding. Dominic would pass on the ceremony but he’d make an appearance later. There was no hurry and he needed a bit of time to himself. Crowds emotionally and physically drained him. Peace and solitude were more to his liking.
“Shit, I’m going to have to burn these.” Jasper took a whiff of his sleeve. “I love this suit.”
Dom grunted. Who wore good clothes to a crime scene? Dominic was the cleaner for the Caponelli family. That meant he cleaned up whatever messes were left behind. Whatever that may be. Since moving to Genoa, that part of his job was few and far between. Now he was often a bodyguard or a driver for family members. The knot in his gut signaled that after today, that part of his job was going to pick up again.
“So, are you going?” His passenger kept yakking.
“Going to what?” Dominic stopped at the intersection. He had to be careful to always obey traffic laws in this business. He didn’t want to be stopped for a violation with a body in the back. He was also obsessive about checking his brake and headlights before going on a job. Keeping license registration up to date was a must as well.
Jasper let out a big sigh. “The wedding. Jeez.”
“No, but I’ll show up for the dance.” Dominic would be there about ten minutes before it ended. That would be enough. With any luck, most of the partygoers would be gone by then. “What are you so excited about?”
“Chicks, man. I’m hoping to get lucky. All I’ve done is work since I got here. It’s time to hook up with the ladies.” Jasper crossed his ankle over his knee. “Got my eye on one too. Pretty blonde.”
“Oh yeah?” Dom made a mental note to tell Roman from now on he only worked alone. He had no interest in hearing about Jasper’s conquests.
“Yeah. You must know her too. Stephanie Barclay, that blonde who works at the bridal shop. Boy, I’d love to have her…”
Dominic hit the brake harder than intended at the turnoff and Jasper slid into the dash. His skull bumped the window. “What the hell?” He rubbed his head.
“Sorry, but you should be wearing a seatbelt. I don’t want to be stopped by some cop.” Sorry—that’s what Jasper would be if he ever dared touched a single hair on Stephanie’s head.
The guy snapped the belt in place. “She’s a beauty, and with her being best friends with Roman’s wife, it might score me some points with the boss. From what I’ve heard, they’ve been trying to fix her up for some time.” Jasper cracked his knuckles. “And I’m just the guy to bring home the goods.”
Dominic pulled off the road and grabbed his passenger by the collar. “If you ever lay one finger on her, I will take your arm. Got it?” He stared him right in the eye.
“What the hell? Easy.” Jasper held his hands up. “Sorry, didn’t know she was yours.”
Dom shoved him back in the seat. “She’s not mine. I just don’t want to see her hurt.”
“I have no intentions of hurting any woman. Just wanted some company.” Jasper sulked and crossed his arms over his chest. “Cockblocker.”
“I don’t give a shit who you spend time with, but she’s off limits.” If only that were true, but he had no real say. From the first time he laid eyes on her, there was something about Stephanie that grabbed at his heart. She was vulnerable, yet he knew everyone underestimated her strength. The woman was stunning yet underplayed her looks. It was as if she wanted to go through life being unnoticed and unseen. He knew she had secrets, but what they were was anyone’s guess.
They did share one skeleton in the closet, but he didn’t want to think about that right now. He was more concerned with someone putting the moves on her. Dammit, now he was g
oing to have to show up earlier to keep his eyes on her. “They don’t want her mixed up with any of the help.”
“Really?” Jasper smirked. “Why’s she off limits if just the other day Madison was telling me I should ask her out?”
Dominic counted the miles and minutes until he could get rid of Jasper and his questions. It twisted his gut that Maddy would encourage someone else to take her out. Had she done that with him? He couldn’t remember. Valentina mentioned the two of them getting together a few times, but he’d always brushed it off. Maybe they’d just given up on him. It was his fault if they did. Dom was a loner and a freak on the border of polite society, to put it mildly. She was too good for him, that was for sure. Any woman would consider themselves too good for the likes of him and what he did and what he’d done in the past.
Sure, Dom knew he was good looking. There were always chicks looking for a walk on the dangerous side, and he’d taken good advantage of that in Chicago. In the small town of Genoa, that was a different matter. You didn’t shit where you ate. There were business and social connections, and he preferred to stay on the fringes of both. Most importantly, having a woman made a person weak. Enemies would strike what you loved first and come at you second. He knew that firsthand and would be haunted by that until his dying day.
“Well?” Jasper piped up again. “I’m waiting.”
There it was again, the annoying noise of his passenger asking stupid questions he didn’t know the answer to.
“Look, I don’t know. Just leave her alone. She’s a nice girl.” With an unknown past, Dom left out.
“I like nice girls,” Jasper said.
“Fuck.” Dom waved him the middle finger. “If you say one more word, you can walk the rest of the way.”
“Whatever.” Jasper sunk low in his seat like a spoiled teenager but at least he shut up.
The rest of the trip was thankfully done in silence, and he dropped Jasper off at the guy’s apartment downtown. It irritated him that it was only a few blocks from where Stephanie lived. Not that he was stalking her or anything, but he drove by her place anyway. It was a two-story building with eight apartments, four on the bottom floor and four on the top. She’d be at the wedding at this hour but he needed to see it just the same. A woman like her shouldn’t be living alone in a place like that. Though Dominic knew it was a good bet that the other residents who lived there were just as secretive as she was.
