Madame Moll (Gun Moll Book 3)

by Bethany-Kris

  Mac would deal with Enric later. He was all too aware it wasn’t Enric Pivetti’s fault the officials wouldn’t leave him alone. The bastards had his father locked up, and he’d been the recipient of several bullets to the back months ago when he’d been acting as a guard for Mac’s wife. No one was looking at Enric like he was talking to police for his own gain because everybody knew he didn’t have a choice.

  Still, Enric was hiding himself away.

  For more reasons than the obvious, Mac knew.

  Right now, though, Mac had to deal with his crew. Morale was low because business was shit. Working was damn near impossible when every job was like sticking your hand in a roaring fire pit. With so much official attention on them, even the smallest job was dangerous and carried great risk.

  But no work meant no money.

  Money was the reason these men were here.

  “All right, listen up,” Mac said, his tone rising to get all of the men’s attention on him. He really hadn’t needed to bother, as they all looked to him when he started speaking, anyway. They were good that way—he figured it was a check on his good side, too. “I know everything has been slower than death lately. We don’t have a lot of cash flow coming in. I’m working to fix that.”

  “How so, Skip?”

  Mac smiled. “Different ways, but what I want to focus on first is making sure all of you are safe when you go out to do a job. That starts with the other crews, so I’m going to work on that and making some peace. As for money, I have another idea other than the usual deliveries, boosts, or heists that take a lot of attention and might be too dangerous for you all right now.”

  He could tell he had his guys’ attention.

  Money was on the table, after all.

  “I have money to be collected all over the city—some rackets, a few loans that are owed, and bookies’ payments that come in pretty regularly depending on the game the night before. Even some of the businesses that still pay for their place, so to speak, come in on a weekly basis. It’s not a lot—not what you usually make, but it’s something.”

  Mac shrugged, adding, “And something is better than nothing.”

  A few murmurs—some confirmative, some grumbling—passed between the guys. Mac let them have their moment, and when they all quieted, he spoke again.

  “You can take fifty percent of whatever you pick up for me and deliver without issues. No violence to get the payments, and definitely no bodies. These aren’t those sorts of payments, all right? So that we don’t have guys acting like petty bitches, I’ll be the one to divvy up who picks up what and when.” Mac chuckled, saying, “It’ll change from week to week to make it as fair as possible, but this is the best I can do for now to make sure you’re all looking at decent cash to get you through whatever fucking spell this is and however long it might last.”

  Because that, Mac didn’t have an answer for.

  He didn’t know how long any of this was going to last, and he didn’t want his guys to suffer because of it. With no boss running the family and taking payments from his Capos, Mac wouldn’t need to explain the drop in cash. He could afford to lose some income for the benefit of his crew.

  Other Capos wouldn’t do or say the same thing. Others would probably be too concerned about keeping up their lifestyle and banking more money as the dry spell went on.

  Mac knew better.

  When all of this was said and done, his crew would still be there waiting to get back to work. His guys would still be loyal and honorable to him. All because he took care of them when they needed him to.

  That was what a good Capo did.

  “But for today,” Mac continued, “just relax. Go chill. And stay the fuck out of trouble, huh?”

  “Got it, Skip,” came the confirmative, collective reply.

  Mac waited the guys out, leaning against the wall, as one by one they passed him to leave. He could tell they were a bit lighter on their shoulders with his promise of making sure they would be looked after, so that gave him a sense of relief. Once the warehouse was empty but for a few familiar faces, one being his longtime friend, Bobby, Mac headed for the office.

  The guys were handled.

  One thing checked off his list.

  Now, he could deal with Enric.

  Mac quickly slipped into the office, letting the door close behind him. He turned the blinds on the window, hiding the inside of the office from the few men who had remained behind. Enric sat behind the desk, his back turned to Mac, and tossed a small red ball against the wall. The rhythmic smack of the ball as it bounced off the wall and hit Enric’s skin came in perfectly timed intervals, and the guy never once turned to greet his Capo.

  Not even after Mac said his name.

  “Enric,” Mac said a second time, slightly louder.

  Nothing.

  The ball kept moving.

  Enric stayed just like he was.

  Mac didn’t let his frustration take over because he knew Enric Pivetti had a great deal more to be frustrated over than he did in the grand scheme of things.

  “Heard you got pulled in by the cops,” Mac said.

  Enric shrugged. “Nothing big—the usual “do you remember anything” spiel.”

  “Nothing new, then?”

  “Nope.” Enric laughed. “I did go see Dad a couple of days ago.”

  Now, that was interesting to Mac.

  Nobody had heard anything from the boss or his underboss since both men had been locked away. Some of the Capos in the family surmised that Luca and Enzo were being refused phone calls because of their statuses and the influence they could have on their men with a single order. Mac didn’t know if any of that was true, but even getting some word or kind of order from the boss was better than the silence they were getting now.

  “And?” Mac asked.

  “Neeya is moving out, I guess,” Enric said quietly. “I’ve never been close with his wife—my choice, not hers. He wanted me to head over there, see if she needed any help or if the girls needed something. He said not to bother her too much. She’s allowed to do whatever the fuck she wants to do.”

  Mac took a few seconds to digest that information. “Wait, you mean she’s moving out of their mansion?”

  “Selling everything she can.”

  Holy fucking shit.

  The boss’s wife was leaving him?

  That didn’t sound right.

  Mac had seen Neeya and Luca Pivetti in more than enough situations to know they were a power couple to strive to be. Nothing and no one was going to separate them, and that was fucking admirable.

  Except … had something done that?

  Mac wasn’t sure.

  “Thought maybe you and Melina could take me over,” Enric said, spinning slowly to face Mac. “You know, the city bus only goes so far and whatnot.”

  Mac’s gaze darted down to the seat Enric was sitting in—his wheelchair that had been a constant since he was released. Slight spinal cord damage and two surgeries later, Enric had some feeling in his legs. He also had little muscle and nerve control, but his four-times-a-week physical therapy would get him walking again.

  Eventually.

  He needed to put in the work, though.

  Mac figured that was half of Enric’s problem.

  And he hadn’t found a reason to do the work, yet.

  He would, someday.

  “Yeah, we can get you over there to see your sisters,” Mac assured.

  Enric nodded. “Dad wanted one other thing, too.”

  “What’s that?”

  “He wants a meeting with you after you get this handled.”

  Now, Enric really had his attention.

  Melina opened her eyes and smiled. Every morning that she woke up to the tall vaulted ceilings and the wide bay windows in her bedroom was a good one. She groaned as her son shifted in her belly none too gently.

  “All right, munchkin, take it easy on Mommy.”

  As usual, the baby ignored her and continued doing whatever
he liked. That was a definite trait their unborn child had inherited from his father. Speaking of his father, Melina sighed and pulled the pillow closer from the empty spot beside her. Mac had left the house hours ago.

  She hated that it seemed his days were getting longer and longer with the current unrest in the Pivetti Organization. It was astounding to her that Luca was still in jail. She had no idea what the Feds thought they had on him, but it had to be bad. The man hadn’t even been allowed bail. Enzo either. The whole thing was surreal.

  A family without a boss.

  What would happen now?

  Throughout her pregnancy, Melina had tried not to think about Cosa Nostra. It had nearly ended her life and her son’s once not that long ago. But she couldn’t stick her head in the sand and pretend everything was perfect. It wasn’t. She worried for her husband. Mac was the most hardworking, honest man she knew and in the back of her mind she wondered if that would ultimately lead to more trouble in their future.

  Melina winced as a sharp pain pierced her belly. Involuntarily her hand moved to the place where the pain had come, but just as quickly it was gone. Perhaps she’d imagined it. No reason for concern. Moving back the covers she got out of bed and slowly made her way into the adjoining bathroom. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror before getting into the shower. Her belly was huge. At one time she’d wondered if there were two babies inside her instead of one, but her OB doctor had quickly put that idea to rest. She was just carrying a big baby.

  Turning on the shower, she stepped inside and allowed the triple heads to rain water down on her body. This shower was amazing. Large enough to accommodate four people, with crisp, black tile and fog proof glass doors it was easily one of her favorite things about her new home. Lazily she scrubbed her body with the loofah sponge as she stood under the warm water.

  Minutes later as Melina toweled off her wet body, her son changed positions and another sharp pain hit her belly. Ignoring it, Melina brushed her teeth and finished getting ready for her day. It was damn near eleven when she finally entered the kitchen and grabbed a snack before setting the alarm and leaving the house.

  It didn’t matter if her belly was as big as a beach ball or if the swelling in her feet was so bad somedays she didn’t even want to wear shoes, sitting at home was just not an option. For any business to be successful, you had to put hard work into it and pregnant or not there was business to be done at The Dollhouse. It seemed dissension and despair lead to the increase of certain appetites. Who knew?

  Melina ignored the pain in her lower back as she talked to some of the women currently awaiting patrons at The Dollhouse. No doubt it was just the kitten heels she’d insisted on wearing catching up with her. She was nearly nine months pregnant, after all.

  “No. She’s not the kind of girl I’m looking for,” Melina said.

  “But, Boss Lady…”

  Melina shook her head, cutting off the rest of Amina’s sentence.

  “I can appreciate you wanting to help your friend out, but The Dollhouse is not the place to do that. No. I’m sorry.”

  She turned away before the young woman could plead with her again. Since her business had become such a success, her girls were always approaching her seeking employment for friends and family. So far she’d turned everyone down. It took more than just a pretty face to be a Doll at The Dollhouse. A woman had to have a certain charisma. She had to know how to handle herself, but most of all she had to be all business. Too much could go wrong otherwise.

  Needing a minute to herself, Melina headed back to her office. Dropping down onto the small couch, she took off her shoes and rubbed her throbbing feet. The dull pain in her back was still there, but she felt better now that she was off her feet. Maybe if she laid down for a quick nap she’d feel even better. Stretching out on the couch, Melina closed her eyes and was soon asleep.

  When Melina opened her eyes again, she didn’t know how long she’d been asleep. But she knew why her dress was wet, and it wasn’t because she’d peed on herself. Sitting up slowly, she cried out as a stabbing pain hit her. She took a breath hoping that it would soon pass. It did and then another pain hit her just as sharply.

  Fuck. She was in labor.

  Her son was ready to make his way into the world.

  Gingerly getting up from the couch, she walked over to her desk and searched through her purse for her phone. When she found it, she quickly dialed her husband. His phone continued to ring, and she doubled over as another contraction hit her.

  “Hey, doll.”

  “I’m in labor,” she panted.

  “You’re in what?” Mac yelled.

  “Damn it, I’m in labor. Are you deaf?”

  “Where are you?”

  “At the club. In my office.”

  “How long have you been in labor?”

  “Like I know. I just took a nap, and when I woke up my water had already broken.”

  Melina clutched the desk and gasped as another pain tore through her.

  “I’m on my way, doll.”

  “Hurry, Mac.”

  Melina ended the call and waddled back to the couch. Just as she sat down, Erika entered her office.

  The tall, pixie-haired Doll rushed over to her. “Oh, my God. Melina, are you all right?”

  She shook her head. “No. My water just broke.”

  “Shit. We have to get you to the hospital. I’m going to call an ambulance.”

  “No. Mac is on his way.”

  Erika put her hands on her hips and frowned. “We don’t have time to wait for Mac. You need to get to the hospital now.”

  “I’m fine. I can hang on until he gets here.”

  Erika sat down beside her on the couch and placed her hand on Melina’s stomach, while glancing at her watch. “How far apart are the contractions?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t been paying attention.”

  “Melina!” Erika shrieked.

  “I told you, I’m …”

  The rest of her sentence was cut off by another contraction. Melina grabbed her belly and sucked in a breath to keep from crying out.

  “You are not fine. You need to be at the hospital getting your ass an epidural before it’s too late for you to have one.”

  Melina glared at her former cellmate and now employee. “When the hell did you get so bossy?”

  “When my friend’s pregnancy brain is making her act foolish instead of cool-headed like she normally is. If your husband isn’t here in the next ten minutes, I don’t care what you say, the ambulance will be called.”

  Melina gritted her teeth. Erika was being pushy as hell, but she understood why. This was her first birth. Anything could happen.

  “Fine. Ten minutes.”

  Melina closed her eyes as another contraction hit, and sent up a silent prayer that Mac would be there soon.

  “Doll, are you sure about this natural birth?”

  Melina glared at her husband. “I think it’s a little late for you to be asking me that now, isn’t it?”

  By the time Melina had finally made it to the hospital, she was already dilated five centimeters. That was hours ago. Mac paced the length of the hospital room, and for every step he took Melina’s aggravation increased.

  “I can’t help I got held up in traffic. You should’ve let Erika call an ambulance for you.”

  Melina opened her mouth but quickly closed it as another contraction hit her. She bit her lip. They were coming together, closer and closer. It wouldn’t be long now.

  “I didn’t want to ride in the back of a bumpy ambulance. And besides, this is the most important day of our life together. I wanted to wait for my husband.”

  Mac finally stopped his pacing and took a seat in the chair next to her bedside. He took her hand in his. Melina tried not to grimace, but she couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her lips as another wave of pain hit her body. They were silent a moment, watching the various monitors she was connected to that monitored her vitals and their
son’s heartbeat.

  “We still haven’t decided on a name,” Mac said quietly.

  “I know, but I think once we see him we’ll know.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  Melina smiled at Mac. Though he hadn’t said anything, she could see worry etched in the lines of his face. Her pregnancy had been a normal one, but there was always risk associated with childbirth. She knew that was what had her husband concerned now.

  “Both of us are going to be all right. You don’t have to worry,” Melina assured him.

  “Who said I was worried?”

  “I know you better than anyone.”

  “Yes, you do and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this life, Melina.”

  Melina cocked a brow. “So does that mean I can count on you to give me a spectacular push present?”

  “What’s a push present?”

  “Husband of mine, you really are living in the dark ages. A push present is a really nice gift a husband gives to his wife for having his child.”

  “You definitely deserve one for what you’re enduring. Anything you want.”

  Melina laughed. “You know I’m just jerking your chain, right? The only things I need in this world are you and our son. That’s all that really matters.”

  Mac leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips and just as he pulled away, Melina screamed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I need to push.”

  Quickly, she pressed the call bell that would bring a nurse to her bedside.

  “What can I do?” Mac asked. He looked helpless.

  “Just keep holding my hand.”

  Less than a minute later, nurses and a doctor rushed into the room.

  “Mrs. Maccari, let’s see how far you’re dilated,” Dr. Adams said.

  “I’m ready. I need to push now,” Melina told him.

  The doctor ignored her and lifted the sheet off her legs, but Melina couldn’t hold back any longer. As another contraction hit her, she pushed as hard as she could. She tried to maintain the deep breathing exercises that she’d been instructed were so helpful, but the force of the first push left her gasping for air.