Top Dog_A Mafia Romance

by Rye Hart

  “You look happy, is all,” she said.

  “Uh huh. And that’s it? Just that I look happy?” I asked.

  “No. You’re actually happy. You’re not just smiling just to get by. You’re actually happy.”

  I grinned as I drew in a deep breath.

  “Yeah. I am,” I said.

  “Are you two still going through with the marriage thing now that he has custody?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure that we have to,” I said.

  “I think you should still do it,” Sarah said.

  “What?” I asked her, surprised by her comment. “Look, I know it sounds crazy. Trust me, I feel crazy for even mentioning it. But lunch? That shit flowed between the two of you effortlessly. And that niece of his is crazy about you. I can tell he is, too.”

  “Really? You think so?” I asked.

  “All I’m saying is, there’s no use in shutting a door that hasn’t been opened yet,” she said.

  We rode in silence as I pulled up beside her car in front of Brian’s cabin.

  “You think he actually has feelings for me?” I asked.

  “I think that the two of you should talk about it because you obviously do,” Sarah said.

  “Shit,” I said.

  “I feel you. Now, I’m going to get in my car and go back to my hotel. Talk to him tonight. Get drunk to do it if you have to. But if you have feelings for him, he deserves to know before the two of you ruin something really great by overthinking it.”

  “I know,” I said. “I know.”

  “And by the way? That rock is serious. He could’ve bought you any old small, dinky ring. But he picked that fucker. That should tell you enough.”

  I looked over at Sarah as a smile ricocheted across her cheeks.

  “Tell him,” she said. “Just trust me, for once.”

  “I always trust you, Sarah.”

  “Then trust me again. Talk to him. Then call me and tell me all about it.”

  “Of course,” I said, giggling. “It’s a shocker you don’t like reality television. That shit is right up your alley.”

  “I don’t enjoy fake pettiness and drama. I enjoy actual pettiness and drama.”

  “Talk to you soon?” I asked.

  “You better,” she said.

  CHAPTER 30

  BRIAN

  I woke up to Amanda talking excitedly on her phone in the corner. She was sitting on the windowsill with her legs curled up to her, a bright smile on her face. I rolled over with a groan and looked at her, my eyes running along the smooth contour of her legs.

  “That’s wonderful. Yes. Yes, please, go ahead. I’ll be down there this afternoon. Uh huh. One o’clock tomorrow sounds perfect. I’ll see you then. And thank you. Thank you so very much.”

  “Who was that?” I asked.

  “Brian, you’re never going to guess what just happened.”

  I sat up in bed as Amanda turned her smile toward me.

  “What happened? Who was that?” I asked.

  “That was the man from the art gallery. He chose me to sell the gallery to!”

  “Wow. Amanda, that’s incredible.” My heart felt lighter than it had in years. Amanda was bouncing around with excitement as she wiggled herself around. I slid from the bed and wrapped my arms around her, drawing her in for a congratulatory kiss. I felt my soul collapsing into her, and the last of my walls dropping.

  This woman had me enraptured — body, mind, and soul.

  “I’m so happy for you,” I said.

  “Well, good morning to you, too.” She drew me back in for another kiss as I picked her up into my arms. My hands cupped her ass as her legs wrapped around me. I could feel my cock throbbing painfully beneath my pajama pants, seeking out her warmth as her heat grew. I could smell her already. Her intoxicating scent filling the space around us as she threaded her body around mine.

  “Is this a good time to ask when we’re getting married?” I asked.

  Amanda pulled her body away from mine as I sat down on the windowsill and captured her eyes.

  “You still want to marry me?” she asked.

  “Yeah, Amanda, I do,” I said to her. “But I think we need to talk about some things first.”

  “Yes, we do,” she said.

  “What do you have going on at one tomorrow?” I asked, suddenly remembering her conversation.

  “The owner’s expediting the paperwork. I have to go into town today to fill out the loan paperwork and then I’m going down to sign for the place tomorrow.”

  “That’s amazing, Amanda. We can talk after all of that is taken care of. I’m so proud of you.”

  I gazed into her eyes before a small knock came at the door. Lanie came walking in as Amanda scooted off my lap. Her movements weren’t as quick as they were the last time Lanie almost caught us. She didn’t try to jump away from me or make it look like we weren’t up to anything.

  It gave me hope that our conversation would be a good one.

  “Breakfast, please?” Lanie asked.

  “Of course you can have breakfast,” Amanda said. “What would you like?”

  “Cereal and milk,” Lanie said.

  “Hmmm, that depends. Can I get a kiss?”

  Lanie grabbed Amanda’s cheeks and pressed a kiss right to her lips. The two of them giggled as Amanda carried Lanie out of the room, her hips swaying as she held my little girl close. I quickly threw on a shirt and followed them out there. Lanie was talking at the table as Amanda poured her a bowl of cereal, and I started a pot of coffee as a knock came at the door.

  “You expecting anyone?” Amanda asked.

  “No. Did Sarah say she was coming by?” I asked.

  “Nope. I told her I’d call her, but she never said anything about coming by.”

  “Open up, doofus. I know you’re in there.” I recognized Jack’s voice instantly. Lanie’s eyes grew as she gasped with delight, scurrying down from the table as Amanda set her bowl of cereal down. I opened the door, and Lanie went rushing for Jack, wrapping her arms around his leg.

  “Uncle Jack! You’re here!” Lanie said.

  “Yes, I am. And this is for you,” Jack said.

  “Whoa! It’s bigger than me, Daddy!”

  Jack’s eyebrows hiked up with surprise as I beamed down at my niece.

  “Yes, it is. Do you want help carrying it to your room?” I asked.

  “No. I got it,” Lanie said.

  I ushered Jack into the house as Lanie struggled to get the bear down the hallway. Amanda stayed behind the kitchen counter, her cheeks a vibrant red as I looked over at her. I shifted myself between Jack’s view and her body as she ran down the hallway, looking for a pair of pants to put on as I embraced my friend.

  “Congratulations,” Jack said.

  “I didn’t think you got my voice message. I never heard back from you,” I said.

  “I was too busy booking a plane ticket. I wanted to come out here and congratulate you in person. This is a huge fucking deal. I wasn’t missing this.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here,” I said.

  “You must be Jack,” Amanda said.

  She walked up beside me and held her hand out for my best friend. He took her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss and I felt a small twinge of jealousy taint my stomach. Amanda grinned and shook her head, then she wrapped her arm around me and held me close.

  “I came by to congratulate Brian on his custody battle win,” Jack said.

  “Well, we’re glad you’re here. Are you hungry? The coffee’s almost done brewing. I could cook everyone something?”

  “Do you have a specialty?” Jack asked.

  “Omelets and bacon,” Amanda said.

  “That sounds phenomenal.”

  “You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. I can get it,” I said.

  “Sit down and have some time with your friend. You let me have mine. Now take yours,” Amanda said.

  “I like her. Listen to the beautiful woman. Come sit
down and talk with me,” Jack said.

  A few minutes later, Lanie came running back out. She dove into Jack’s lap and curled up next to him, telling him about all the things she’s done lately. She told him about our hike and about how she peed like a big girl yesterday. She told him about how Amanda always had tea parties with her and promised they could dress up next time. She told him about all the times she watched Snow White and how she had been sick for a little bit but was feeling better.

  “Lanie. Let’s give Uncle Jack some time to breathe,” I said.

  “Time to breathe? Lanie, does it sound like I need time to breathe?” Jack asked.

  “No, Uncle Jack!”

  I heard Amanda’s giggle flutter from the kitchen as the smells of breakfast permeated the cabin. She was making omelets and frying up bacon like it was something she did every morning. Jack was rolling around on the floor with Lanie and I was staring at Amanda, running my eyes up and down her beautiful body as bacon grease popped in the pan.

  “She’s a beautiful woman,” Jack said.

  “That she is,” I said.

  “You know if the three of you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask.”

  “I appreciate it,” I said.

  “That’s a pretty big rock on her finger…”

  “It’s a pretty big rock for a pretty complicated situation,” I said.

  “Do you love her?”

  I whipped my head around at Jack’s question.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Do you love her?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.

  “Everything, my friend. I saw the way you just looked at her. You’re more than a little infatuated.”

  “Breakfast is almost ready, you two,” Amanda said.

  “It smells wonderful,” I said.

  “Divine, even,” Jack said.

  “Keep talking like that and I might trade the two of you out,” Amanda said, grinning.

  I felt another pang of jealousy punch me right in the gut, robbing me of the air in my lungs.

  “Oh, yeah. You’re in love,” Jack said, chuckling.

  “Could you keep your voice down?” I asked.

  “All I’m asking is if you love her. It’s less complicated than you think,” he said.

  “And how’s that?” I asked.

  “Because I can tell by the way she’s looking at you right now that she loves you.”

  My eyes whipped back over to Amanda and she dropped her gaze to the plates. She was scooping up everyone food before she carried it to the table. Her cheeks were tinted with a healthy red glow as a smirk plastered itself on her beautiful face.

  “You think so?” I asked.

  “I know so,” Jack said. “Talk to her. Tell her. Don’t wait another second. You’ve lost enough in this life. It’s time you started gaining a bit.”

  “Breakfast is served,” Amanda said. “Coffee all around?”

  “The perfect drink to top off the perfect breakfast,” Jack said.

  “Oh, he really is a charmer, isn’t he?” Amanda asked.

  “Only to women who are truly beautiful,” I said.

  Amanda’s eyes locked with mine and she blushed again, but it was the look in her eye that caught my attention. I could’ve sworn there was nothing in her eyes but adoration, but the moment was so fleeting that I couldn’t be sure.

  But Jack was. Jack was beyond sure.

  “Told you,” he said.

  “Shut up and let’s eat,” I said.

  CHAPTER 31

  AMANDA

  “Are you sure? This is all you want for the gallery?” I asked.

  “I’m sure,” the owner said.

  “But this is, sir, I’m sorry, but you could easily get four times this. Why in the world are you selling it for so cheap?”

  “Because I’m not in this to turn a profit. So many artists want to become famous. They want to drown themselves in the intoxication of fame and fortune. You’re going to need the money you have to turn this place into what you want it to be. And to fill these walls with your paintings. I looked you up online. Your artwork is breathtaking. It’s one of the reasons why I chose you to take over.”

  I sat there, staring at the paperwork as my hands trembled. Even if I bought the gallery, I would still have enough money to put some finishing touches on the place, change the name, fill the store with basics, and buy enough supplies to keep me painting for months. I wouldn’t have to take out the whopper of a loan I’d applied for, and I would be able to afford the payments by selling my art, just as I’d always dreamed.

  I sat there in shock as my eyes began to water with tears.

  “You saw my artwork online?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “You’re very talented. You paint for yourself. You paint with your emotions. You don’t ride trends or try to benefit off viral activity, whatever that means. You’re just you, and it shines through your work. I wouldn’t have wanted to give this place to someone who wanted nothing more than to turn a profit. Making money is important, yes. But it can’t be the bring you the happiness I see in your work.”

  “I completely agree,” I said breathlessly.

  “Now, if you want to finish signing the paperwork, we can get this done, and this place can be yours,” he said.

  I quickly signed and initialed before writing him a check for the very meager price he was asking. My hands were shaking as tears of happiness slid down my cheeks. It was happening. I was getting my own art gallery. I could already see my paintings on the walls alongside other artists. I could see the children running around as they took my weekly art class. I could already see myself selling pieces and building a reputation and having weekend workshops and doing partnerships with other small businesses in my hometown.

  It was all so surreal as I handed the check over to him.

  “So, what do you plan to do first?”

  “What?” I asked.

  “With the gallery,” he said, chuckling. “What do you plan on doing first?”

  “I’m going to repaint all the walls. I’ve found that a cream color benefits all paintings, and if I’m going to be hanging all sorts of different paintings with different emotional depths, I need a background color that compliments them all.”

  “Spoken like a true artist. What else?” he asked.

  “I’m going to turn that back room into a little store and get it stocked with a few things. I want to encourage the community to paint, even if it’s just for fun. Even if it’s just for their kids, or to relieve stress or to try something new. I want to have things on hand people can purchase if they come in and have a creative wave hits them.”

  “I’m jealous. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that,” he said, grinning.

  “And I want that back wall to be reserved for local artists who want to hang their art somewhere. You know, who want to get it out there or simply have it hanging for people to appreciate. Maybe I could do something with the local schools where we could showcase the kid’s artwork on Saturday nights or something. We could bring in finger foods and drinks, and it could be a donation night, and the proceeds could go to the school to bolster their own funding.”

  “See, that passion right there is why I chose you.”

  “I’ve wanted this ever since I drew my first picture when I was a preteen,” I said, smiling. “I’m ready for it. I actually feel ready for something like this.”

  “You look ready,” he said. “And with that, the place is all yours.”

  He dropped the keys into my hand and I started shaking. This was real. This was actually happening. I stood up and shook the man’s hand before he pulled me into a hug. Tears slipped out of my eyes and were soaked up by his shirt. He patted my back before he released me, then he made his way to the front door.

  “I’m going to go get this filed, and I’ll make copies for myself. I’ll slide the originals underneath the door by the end of the day.”

  “Sounds g
ood,” I said.

  “Good luck,” he said.

  I watched him leave before I jumped and clapped my hands. My mind was swirling with all sorts of possibilities as I walked around the room. My heart was filled with happiness, and my soul felt like it was at peace. I closed my eyes and drew in the familiar scent of the mountain town around me, feeling more at home than I had since my grandmother first won custody of me all those years ago.

  “I wish you were here,” I said, whispering. “I wish you were here to see this.”

  She would’ve loved it. My grandmother would’ve thrown a party over this. She would’ve opened up a bottle of wine, poured herself a glass, and then teased me by getting me grape juice. We would’ve taken the first sip of the wine right in the middle of this floor as I talked her through my plans for the place.

  I missed that woman more than I could stand.

  But now, it was time to figure out what to do with that cabin. All the money I had saved up would go toward fixing up this place and changing its name. And the inheritance money wouldn’t be near enough to fix up the cabin. I opened my eyes and drew in one last breath, feeling my grandmother’s presence surrounding me.

  I could hear her voice echoing off the corners of my mind.

  One step at a time, booger. One step at a time.

  She always told me I had a way of tripping over myself, of getting in my own way and overwhelming myself with things I had no control over. I could feel myself slipping into that overwhelming space she’d always talked about right now. She told me that identifying it and admitting it was the cure for overcoming.

  And I could feel myself growing stronger by remembering her voice.

  I made my way to my car after locking the gallery doors behind me. Now was a time for celebration. Brian and I had an important conversation to have tonight, but for now, I wanted to rejoice in my new life with them. I went back to the cabin and threw myself into Brian’s arms, his smile bright as I flashed him the keys.

  “I have an art gallery,” I said in disbelief. “I can’t believe I have an art gallery.”

  “What all has to happen with it?” he asked as we piled into his truck

  “Not much. Painting the walls, getting the floor cleaned and waxed. Stocking the small store I’m going to have with supplies. Hanging artwork on the walls. The only big thing will be setting me up for monetary transactions and changing the name of the place.”