Hidden Witness 2: A Mafia Romance

by Posey Parks

  “How do you feel about moving to New Jersey?”

  I smirked. “I’m not thrilled. I hate the blistering cold and inches of snow.” I laughed. “It will take some getting used to. Do you live here?”

  “No, I live in California. I attend Stanford University. The second, I obtain my Law degree, I will be moving back here.” His cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “Sierra, I need to take this call. I will see you again soon.”

  “Nice meeting you Dominic, bye!”

  Turning in my black bar chair, I flagged down the bartender. My eyes scanned the custom wooden shelved wall filled with expensive liquor. The four mini chandeliers brought the red wall outlined in gold trim to life. The hand carved shelves displaying my favorite liquors and wines only made me salivate, wishing I could have a taste of vodka or white zinfandel. During my previous pregnancies, I had a glass of wine a couple of times. I will settle for a glass of Sprite tonight.

  The bartender appeared. “What can I get for you?”

  I smiled at the bartender. “I would like a glass of water and a Sprite.”

  Tapping his hand on the distressed wooden bar, he smiled. “Coming right up.”

  I smiled back. The beat of the music vibrated through my body. My head nodded to the beat. I traced my fingers over the raised indentions on the bar. So many deep conversations probably happened right where I am sitting. This bar has to be at least fifty years old. The bartender sat my drinks on the wooden surface before me. My hand hugged the tall cold glass of ice water. Slowly, I sipped the refreshing drink. Resting my arms against the bar, I placed the glass of water down, retrieving the Sprite.

  “That’s all you’re drinking?”

  Before my lips touched the glass, I turned to the man sitting to my right. “Yes.”

  “I know the non-alcoholic beverages are free, I’m happy to buy you the drink of your choice.” He flashed his pretty white teeth.

  His black spider web tattoo peeked out from his white dress shirt sleeve with silver cufflinks.

  “No, thank you,” I smiled.

  He stretched his hand out toward me. “Marco…Marco Esposito.” His chiseled cheeks lit up. His face was perfectly symmetrical. Marco’s angular nose and beautifully shaped eyebrows probably captured the attention of many women. One was nicked closer to the end, like he may have been cut during a fight. Those green eyes peeking out under those black brows told me he was dangerous. He probably crushed the hearts of women on a daily basis. Just because I’m engaged, doesn’t mean I’m blind. This guy is gorgeous. Some bad boy model type.

  I placed my hand in his. “Sierra Crawford.”

  His tongue ran over his sexy lips as he held my hand longer, eyes combing over my body. “You’re fucking beautiful.”

  Slowly, I slipped my hand from his. “Thank you.” I blushed. My eyes slipped around the room to see who was watching. I felt like all eyes were on me. A few women whispered three tables away. Then Sergio came into view. I rolled my eyes at him of course. Picking up the glass again, I sipped the Sprite, focusing on the bar shelves.

  I peeked at Marco again, observing his thick black straight hair which was longer in the top, slicked back, blended low on the sides and back. He’s probably a little over six feet tall. Yeah, bad boy all the way.

  “How long have you been here tonight?” I asked over the brim of my glass.

  He raised that cut eyebrow. “About fifteen minutes.”

  I was relieved. I thought maybe he’d been here since the party started and was looking to get into it with Dillon.

  “I notice the southern accent. Where are you from?”

  “Atlanta, Georgia. I know you’re from here. Your Jersey accent is a dead giveaway.”

  His lips turned upward. “Yep, born and raised. Jersey City, to be exact.” He raised his right-hand, flagging over the bartender. The diamond faced wristwatch caught in the light, damn near blinding me.

  The bartender appeared. “You know what I want, Dan. Bring Sierra another Sprite.”

  “Right away, Mr. Esposito.”

  I glanced at him again, eyebrow raised. “Thank you. He knows who you are. You must be a regular.”

  He smirked. “You can say that. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.”

  He certainly knows Dillon if he’s been coming here that long. They look about the same age.

  His eyes combed over me again. “How about you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night…Sierra.”

  I smiled. “I can’t. I’m engaged.” I leaned in a little. “If you are seriously looking for a woman, I can help you.”

  He pulled his bottom lip in with his teeth. Leaning his arm on the bar, Marco’s finger brushed back and forth under his lip. “Only if she looks like you.”

  I dropped my head in laughter. “You’re not playing fair.”

  He tilted his head. “Whoever your man is, he’s one lucky son of a bitch.”

  I sipped my Sprite. “He is…back to you. What happened to your last girlfriend?”

  His finger brushed his nose. “She was crazy. I had to let her go.”

  “Is she out of the picture for good? Because the new woman won’t want to deal with a crazy ex.”

  He grabbed my left hand, staring at my engagement ring. “What’s up with the little stone?”

  I snatched my hand back. “I’m happy with my ring. The size of the ring means nothing if the man is an asshole who plays with a woman’s heart.” I held up my ring admiring it. “My man has my best interest at heart and would do anything to make me happy,” I gleamed.

  He smiled, raising his glass. “I’m happy for you. Sounds like your man caught quite a woman.” He tugged at the huge diamond in his ear. “I’m disappointed you can’t be the woman to steal my heart.” He sighed. “I guess I can let you help me find a good woman.”

  I dropped my head laughing. “See now we are getting some-where, Marco!” I raised my glass. “You will be my first friend in New Jersey.”

  His glass tapped mine. “Friends.” His finger slipped along his collar.”

  “Don’t let me down, Marco.”

  He smiled. “I won’t.”

  “How do I find this woman?”

  “Marco, not in the club.”

  He ran his hand over his hair. “No?”

  I laughed again, then my eyebrows wrinkled. “No.”

  He shook his head. “Ok. Oh, that reminds me. Where is your man?” He glanced toward the stage to his right. “Your man must be pretty cool if he will let you be friends with another man.”

  “I’m right here, motherfucker!” Dillon barked over my shoulder.

  Marco glanced at Dillon. His eyes closed briefly. “Shit!”

  Dillon stepped closer to Marco. “Do you have a death wish talking to my woman?”

  Marco raised his hands. “Dillon, I meant no disrespect. I didn’t know she was your woman!”

  “Where the fuck were you when I made the announcement earlier tonight that she is my fiancée?”

  I slid in front of Dillon. “Baby, he just arrived. He didn’t know I was engaged to you.”

  His cold eyes fell on me. “You didn’t tell him?”

  I pressed my hands against his chest. “Dillon, I told him I am engaged. I didn’t tell him to whom.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “Dillon, if I would have known she was your fiancée, I wouldn’t have carried on a conversation with her.”

  My eyes shot back at him, then to Dillon. “Wait a fucking minute! No one can talk to me? I’m off limits?!”

  “Yes.” His eyes were turning colder by the second. “Why would you want to talk to a single man? You are engaged?”

  “Why would you want a single man to talk to a woman who is engaged?”

  “Dillon, Marco and I have moved past that. He respects the fact that I am engaged to be married. We are just friends. I’m going to help him find a woman.”

  Dillon grimac
ed. “Fuck Marco, he can find his own woman!”

  Marco stood behind me. “Sierra, don’t worry about it. I don’t want the vein in Dillon’s forehead to pop!”

  Dillon grabbed Marco up by his lapels.

  I was being crushed by two brooding men.

  I placed my hands upon Dillon’s face. “Baby, look at me! Stop. You two are hurting me.” Dillon tuned me out.

  The fire was raging in Dillon’s eyes. Dominic grabbed Dillon’s arms, pushing him back. “Bro, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

  Marco turned me to face him.

  His eyes widened. “I’m sorry, Sierra. Are you ok?”

  I wrapped my arm around my stomach. Marco held my arms. “Sierra, what’s wrong?”

  My eyes glassed over. I broke free from his grip, running toward the exit. One of Dillon’s men causally blocked the exit. I stopped in my tracks.

  “Let her go.” Tony stalked over, pulling me close. I remembered him from the night they rescued me.

  “Sierra! Sierra!” I heard Dillon from behind me as we walked outside.

  I never looked back. I was hurt. Dillon is going to let his jealousy destroy us.

  Tony raised his hand for a valet attendant. A man rushed over. “Get my car, now!”

  “Sierra, talk to me!” Dillon tried pulling me out of Tony’s arms.

  “Dillon, relax. You need to calm down. When you’ve calmed down, I’m sure she’ll talk to you. She’s trembling. Hey, what the fuck were you thinking in there?!”

  Dillon didn’t answer Tony. I couldn’t look at Dillon. His rage had gotten out of control. The gray Suburban came to a halt before us. Tony opened the rear passenger door for me. I fell across the warm black leather seats, holding my belly. “Baby, please talk to me!”

  I cried into the seat. “You almost hurt us. Let me go.”

  “Sierra, you know I can’t do that.”

  I heard Tony whispering something to Dillon.

  I felt Dillon’s hand rub my leg. I shivered. “I love you, baby.”

  I wanted nothing more than to fall into Dillon’s arms, but I needed time to think. The door closed, then Tony climbed behind the steering wheel. About five minutes later, I decided to speak. “What did you say to Dillon to get him to back down?”

  Tony reached into the middle compartment, retrieving Kleenex, passing me the box. I dabbed my wet face.

  “I told him it didn’t look good getting emotional over a woman in public. He’s the boss. He cannot do that. It makes him look weak. I bought you about an hour or two to think. He won’t rest until he’s with you.”

  Pushing myself off the seat, I buckled the seat belt around my waist, turning my face upward, allowing the cold air from the vent to chill my face. Dillon and Marco crushing me and my baby kept replaying in my head.

  Tony glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Don’t take offense. You are marrying the head of the mafia.”

  A chill ran down my spine due to his words.

  “Are you aware of what you are getting into?”

  I stared out the window. “No…but I love him. He’s the only man I want to be with.”

  “Than what the fuck were you thinking when you were flirting with Marco the boss of the Esposito family?” He grimaced.

  My head lowered, and I fiddled with my fingers. “I didn’t flirt with him, but I should have shut him down right off the bat. I liked having a conversation with someone about much of nothing. I don’t have family or friends here. I guess I was trying to gain a friend. I didn’t know he was a mob boss too.”

  “If he would have arrived earlier tonight and heard Dillon announce who you were, he would have never talked to you.”

  I continued staring out the window.

  He snapped his fingers. “But you knew that, didn’t you? When did you tell Marco you were engaged to Dillon?”

  I was silent a moment longer. “I didn’t. I did tell him I was engaged.”

  He chuckled. “You almost got that man killed. All because you wanted a friend.”

  I turned up my lips. “I wasn’t trying to get him killed.”

  His eyebrows raised. “Oh yeah? I’ll give you a friend.” He placed a call. “Hey baby, I have company coming over. Put some clothes on.” He laughed loudly. “Nadine, completely dressed.”

  He disconnected the call as he turned down a residential street, driving toward a wrought iron gate.

  “Tony, I feel terrible. You have company. Drop me off at a hotel.”

  “Nonsense. Besides, your fiancé would kill me if I didn’t keep an eye on you. There is no running off. Lucky for you, I was there. Dillon’s men would have never let you leave.”

  I crossed my arms. “I hate that shit. I don’t know how I will get used to being under lock and key all the time.”

  Tony punched a code into a square keypad. He waved at the security officer, then rode through the double wrought iron gate.

  ****

  “Nadine! Nadine!” Tony yelled flipping on the kitchen lights.

  I remember Sydney giving me the complete run down about Tony. She never mentioned he had a woman. To my understanding, he died with Dillon. Maybe she moved to New Jersey with him from California. I’m nosey. I’m definitely going to pry. I followed Tony into the bright white living room. The gray and black furniture brought character to the room. My eyes fell on the deer head hanging over the stone fireplace. The picturesque window stole my attention. I marveled in the waterfall flowing over the floodlights cascading into the large swimming pool.

  “Here she is,” Tony stated.

  My head snapped back to the sound of footsteps. A beautiful petite woman strolled down the white and mahogany staircase toward us. Her chocolate skin was radiant. Her almond shaped eyes turned upward when she smiled.

  “Tony, you failed to mention your guest is the beautiful Sierra Crawford, ex-wife of two-time Super bowl champion.” Her warm smile was welcoming. Nadine’s arms widened as she moved toward me. I leaned down, embracing her.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Nadine.”

  Tony cleared his throat as I stepped back. “Nadine, this is Dillon’s fiancée.”

  “Oh!” Her smile dropped as her hand flew over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I went on and on about your ex, and your engaged to Tony’s cousin.” She ran her hand over her belly.

  “It’s ok. I’m used to it. Dillon hates it though. Sometimes I think he wants to marry me so he can change my last name.” We laughed.

  “How far along are you?” I glanced at her stomach.

  “Five months.”

  “Congratulations! I’m two months pregnant myself.”

  “Thank you, and congratulations to you too.”

  “Ladies, have a seat on the sofa. I will get you both a glass of water.” Tony grabbed Nadine’s hand, placing his other hand on the small of her back, assisting her to the sofa.

  It was cute.

  “Tone, can you start the tea kettle?”

  “Sure.”

  “Is tea ok?” she asked me, settling into the tan leather sofa.

  “That would be nice.” I sat at the other end of the comfortable soft leather sofa.

  “How was Dillon’s party?”

  “It was nice until his jealousy ruined the night. That’s why I’m here. My sparkling clutch keeps buzzing. I know it’s Dillon calling.”

  “Girl, Magarelli men are very jealous. You better get used to it.” She leaned in close. “They won’t allow another man to sniff around their woman.”

  “This man showed up at my medical conference in L.A. six months ago. Mind you, I haven’t seen him in fourteen years.”

  My eyes widened, not enough to alarm her.

  “He basically came back into my life and shut down my dating life.” She bowed her head, waving her hand. Her short jet-black pony tail shook from side to side.

  “If he was able to do that, sounds like you still loved him.”

 
“Yeah, you’re right. I never stopped loving him. I struggled to move on with my life. Talking to him that day was like old times.” Her eyes sparkled when she reminisced about her and Tony.

  “I wish you would have attended the party. Maybe my new best friend Marco wouldn’t have gotten into it with Dillon.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “You think he is going to let you have a male friend?”

  My lips turned upward. “I don’t know. I hope he calms down and gets over it. I only love him. I’m not interested in another man. Hell, I gave up my life to be with Dillon.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t put two and two together when you arrived. Tony told me Dillon was engaged to a woman when he lived in Portland. He never told me your name.”

  “Surprise!” I chuckled.

  She laughed. “I’ll show you around New Jersey. There are so many amazing festivals we can hit this summer. We’re going to have a blast! You can even bring your new bestie Mob Boss of Jersey City along.” She threw her head back, laughing.

  I leaned into her ear. “How do you know that?”

  “It’s ok, Sierra. You don’t have to whisper. Tony informed me about all the families years ago. This is going to be fun. Finally, I have someone to talk to about the mafia life. Tony and I were once like Bonnie and Clyde.”

  Tony placed two cups of tea before us. “Baby, don’t scare Sierra. She is new to this life.” He winked.

  “I hope you like Berry Hibiscus tea,” Tony stated.

  “One of my favorites. Thank you,” I said. Lifting the mug to my nose, I inhaled the delicious fruit aroma.

  “Thanks, Tone.” Nadine’s phone began buzzing. “Excuse me, I need to take this, I’m on call.” I nodded.

  She whisked off toward the patio door, stepping outside.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  SIERRA

  I peeked up at Tony. He untied his black bow tie. “May I have a blanket so I can turn the sofa into a bed for the night?”

  His eyebrows rose. “I have guests bedrooms. There’s no way I would let my cousin’s fiancée sleep on the fucking couch!” he yelled.

  “The future Mrs. Magarelli.” He shook his head.