by Cala Riley
“Seems your luck is running out, Sof. The only time he closes the restaurant is when the boys come in for dinner.” Mia says.
“I wonder why he wants you to stay though. Usually it’s just me and Mia. With you that makes three. I wonder if it’s a bigger party?”
I feel my blood pressure start to rise. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that something is going to happen tonight. I don’t know if it will be good or bad, but either way I am not looking forward to it.
“He probably wants to be sure Sofia can handle it. This will be her first party. The rules are a bit different. You remember them?”
She turns to me.
“Don’t make eye contact if you can help it. Be extra careful. Don’t question them. If they order it, give it to Eddie and he will figure out how to make it. If it’s a drink you don’t know, then ask one of you. Right?”
“Good. It will be a good night. They always tip extra big.”
I’m glad one of us thinks so. After we finish eating, we start preparing the meeting room, a side area designed for large parties to keep the noise down from the rest of the room. It doesn’t take us long to rearrange the tables in the horseshoe pattern that is preferred when these guests are coming.
Once everything is done, we sit and wait. And wait. And wait. Two hours later, the esteemed guests begin to arrive.
Yes, that was sarcasm.
I only know this because Uncle Tony double checks the front door is locked before he goes into the kitchen. Next thing I know, several men are filing in. Not one looks my way. Once they are all in, I go into the kitchen to the backroom to put my cell phone back in my purse. While Mia and Izzy were talking up a storm, I was doing what I always do. Reading a book from my Kindle app. I am walking back to the main room when I see a man and a woman just inside the back door. I glance at them then start to walk away.
“I’m sorry baby. I thought this was a family dinner. Here take this and go shopping and I will come get you when we are done.”
“Are you crazy, Vinnie? This is all the money in your pocket.”
“I’ve got two pockets, baby.”
The amount of cheese in that line forces a small laugh from me before I can stop myself. I try and choke it back and hope it wasn’t noticed.
“Something funny?” The female barks at me.
I glance over.
“Sorry. Something in my head.”
She sneers at me.
“You going to let her laugh at you, Vinnie?”
Fucking Bitch. Why couldn’t she just let it go.
“Of course not. Come here you little bitch. Do you know who are talking to?”
I know I should be afraid, but for some reason I’m not.
“I don’t believe we have met, so no.”
“You are going to regret that shortly.”
He takes a step towards me and I feel my heart beat a little faster. It stops completely, as does Vinnie, when a voice rings out.
“Is she Vinnie?”
I glance back at the female and see her eyes widen and her face fall. A man dressed in a dark black suit with black shoes and a black-tie steps in the back door that was left open. Behind him, two other men step in and close the door.
“She disrespected me.”
“Oh? You mean by laughing at that ridiculously cheesy line you threw out?” he says as he chuckles.
He walks towards me, but stops beside Vinnie.
Now that he is closer and in better light I can see the short dark hair and dark brown eyes. So dark, they almost look black. This man is gorgeous. He has a bit of a tan. Not enough to look fake, but just enough to give him that Sicilian look. I don’t know who this man is, but he exudes power. I know in this moment, this must be their boss. I can tell by the way Vinnie is questioning his actions and his little play thing is about to piss herself.
“Yeah. She shouldn’t laugh at me.”
The man turns to me.
“What’s your name, darling?”
“Sofia. Please don’t call me that. I don’t know you.”
I hear the female gasp as Vinnie gives me a look of victory. He thinks I just dug myself a hole.
Hell, maybe I did without knowing it.
“Since you asked so nicely, I suppose I could just call you by your name. Do you know who this is?”
He pats Vinnie on the shoulder.
“Well I would dare to say his name is Vinnie, but apart from that, I know nothing about him.”
“Oh, sure you do. You know he uses cheesy pickup lines on cheap women for a mediocre lay.”
Vinnie’s face falls as he realizes his boss isn’t taking his side.
“I don’t know anything, Sir. If you would excuse me, I really need to get in there to help serve.”
I turn to leave, but his hand reaches out to stop me. I turn and look into his eyes.
“Lorenzo, why don’t you escort Vinnie to the meeting room. Giovanni, please escort Vinnies guest out.”
No one speaks. In moments, we are left alone and I feel my heart start to race. Before he can speak, I shake his arm off. He lets it fall easily. What do you do when standing in front of mafia royalty? Kiss their hand? Bow? I take a step forward and curtsy.
“Sorry if I offended you or your man. If you would please let me get back to work, I promise it will never happen again.”
I stay in the curtsy with my head bowed waiting on a response. I get a response in the form of a chuckle.
“Did you just curtsy to me?”
I look up and find a huge smile on his face. He finds this amusing.
“Well what the hell are you supposed to do to mafia royalty?”
I gasp as I realize I just said my internal thought. His eyes darken as the narrows them at me.
“Who said I was mafia royalty?”
I take a couple deep breaths.
“You just look the part. I am making guesses here. Your men seem to obey your every command. It’s just a conclusion I have come to.”
“Are you new?” The anger diminishes as I see curiosity set in.
“I moved here six months ago with my Uncle.”
“Six months? I haven’t seen you and you have been here six months? How is that possible?”
“Well you don’t eat here often. Maybe if you did, you would have seen me sooner.”
A small smirk plays on his face.
“I suppose you are right.”
“Bella!” Uncle Tony flies into the kitchen then stops dead in his tracks.
“Is everything okay in here?”
“Everything is just fine Tony. I was just getting to know your niece. She is a sweet girl. I think I would like her to personally serve me tonight. No one else.”
“Of course.”
Giovanni comes in the back door and waits for his bosses next move.
“Shall we?” He gestures me to go in front of him.
I hesitate. I hate putting my back to a man, especially one who feels as dangerous as this one. The last time I did, I almost died.
“Come on, Bella.” Uncle Tony gestures for me.
“Go on, Sofia. I won’t hurt you.” I glance back at the man and give a short nod as I go to my Uncle.
Once we are out in the dining area, my uncle leads me into the meeting room. He steps to the side and pulls me next to him. The man walks in next as every man at the table stands up. They wait until he is at his seat, then one by one the go up to him and shake his hand then kiss his cheek. Once they are all done, he sits and they follow.
“Who is he?” I whisper to my uncle.
Just as he is about to whisper back, the man turns and meets my eyes. He winks once as my uncle whispers to me.
“Bastiano Catalini. Head of the Italian Mafia.”
My mouth must drop open and I can see the amusement showing on his face.
∞∞∞
“What in the hell, Bella!”
We served dinner and drinks. Now they are having their “super-secret” meeting while we a
ll sit in the kitchen.
“What?” I ask him, playing ignorant.
“What happened in this kitchen? Why were you alone with him? I told you to be careful. He is dangerous, Bella.”
“I was headed into the dining room from the staff room. I didn’t know he would be there. Hell, I didn’t even know who he was.”
“Bella. You need to learn more about these things. Instead of sticking your head in the sand, you could have studied and known. What did you say to him?”
“He just asked my name and if I was new.” I omit most of the story. I am sure Uncle Tony would murder me if he knew.
“He could have killed you. You need to be very careful what you say around that man.”
I want to laugh, but I don’t. Death doesn’t scare me like it used to.
“Okay, Uncle. I got it.”
He lets out a couple of cuss words before he grabs Gina and drags her into the back office. I cringe at the thought of what they are going to do. Each one of us has had the unlucky pleasure of walking in on them before. It is almost a rite of passage to work here.
Mia and Izzy crowd me then as Eddie heads to the back restroom to smoke. Apparently, the doors to this place can’t open until they leave. Which means we are stuck.
“So, what happened? Really?”
I give them a play by play and by the end they both look shocked.
“Shit, Sof. Your Uncle is right. He could kill you for that.” Izzy blurts out.
“Iz! You are going to scare her. I am sure you are fine. I mean he did ask you to serve him and only him.”
I roll my eyes at them both.
“He didn’t seem like he wanted to kill me. I think I am fine.”
“He thinks you are fine too.” Mia wiggles her eye brows.
“Maybe he wants you to serve him later too. In bed. Or a car. Or hell on that table.”
I feel a shiver down my spine at her words. I can’t say the thought isn’t exciting, but I have already had my chance with a dangerous man and that ended horribly. I don’t need another bad decision.
“That’s not an option.” I say more to myself than to them.
“You can’t tell him no!” Izzy exclaims.
“Sure, I can, and I will. I am not on the market for anything. Even dirty sex with a fine ass man like that.”
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t come down to that.” Mia says in a small voice.
“Agreed. Now let’s play some cards to pass the time.” Izzy says as she pulls out a deck of cards from her apron.
Hours later they finally send someone to come get us. Walking back into the room, all I can see is smoke. It is obvious that they spent the last three hours smoking up a storm in this room as evidenced by not only the smoke, but the several cigar butts on a plate next to each man.
“You can go.” Bastiano says once we are in the room.
At first, I thought he was talking about me. He was staring right at me when he said it. Instead, a couple of the men got up and shook his hand and kissed his cheek again before they left the room. The others split into groups and began to talk.
“Sofia.” I hear his voice call and my eyes are back on him.
He beckons me towards him. I slowly make my way to him never taking my eyes off him.
“Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
His smirk tells me he knows how nervous I am standing in front of him. I don’t know why. I tell myself it is because of my past, but deep inside I know it’s something else entirely.
“I would like dessert.” He says matter of factly as his eyes peruse my body.
“Of course. We have cannoli’s or a beautiful Italian rum cake. I think we still have short bread cookies too.”
His eyes light a fire on my body. By the time his eyes read my face, I can tell it’s as red as a beet.
“I was thinking about something with a little bit of a bite. Like maybe something you have personally. “
I narrow my eyes at him, but bite my tongue.
“Of course. I am sure if you would like something tangy, we do have some limoncello. Or I since you said something from my personal stash, I have peppermint gum in my purse.” I tell him with my sweetest smile.
His eyes crinkle as he smiles. I take a moment to admire his beauty. Part of me wonders how old he is while the other part scolds me for being weak.
“That is what you would recommend? There is nothing else you think I could enjoy more?” He says this as he blatantly stares at my breasts.
“If you are asking for my recommendation, then I recommend you try the cannoli. Best in town.” Then in a lower voice I say. “I am not on the table and I would appreciate if you looked me in the eyes instead of the breasts.”
I plaster a smile on my face as his eyes whip to mine.
“You’re feisty. I like that. Bring me a cannoli.”
“Please.”
“What?” he looks confused.
I bet this man has never had to use manners in his entire life. So used to having everything handed too him. I don’t care if it makes me stupid. He should be polite.
“Bring you a cannoli please.”
He cracks a smile. “Sofia, would you please bring me a cannoli?”
“Of course, Bastiano. Coming right up.”
I flash him my million-dollar smile as I turn and walk away. I hear his laugh all the way to the door. I glance back in time to see him staring at my ass. I turn and keep walking with a small smile on my face.
I didn’t want to find him amusing, but something about him just spoke to me. I can’t help but be slightly intrigued by him, no matter how dangerous he is.
Bastiano
I watch as her hips swing as she walks away. I don’t know what it is about this woman, but she has captured my attention.
I usually wouldn’t get involved in issues with my capo’s, but when I heard her laugh at his stupid line, I couldn’t help, but smile. He was being ridiculous and for once a woman didn’t cower or fall for it. When he stepped forward to harm her, I stepped in without thinking. I didn’t care that she really shouldn’t laugh at a capo or speak to me the way she did. I found her refreshing and wanted to hear what she would say next. It was entertaining. Like a game.
As she walks back into the room, I scan her body. Dark hair that almost looks black falls down her back in curly waves. The uniform she is wearing hugs her hips and breasts in such a delicious way that makes me want to peel them off her. The smug smile she wears as she brings me the cannoli just draws attention to her luscious lips. This woman is a walking wet dream. I look into her dark brown eyes and see the amusement lighting there.
“Here if your cannoli, sir. I hope you enjoy it since we didn’t have what you wanted on the menu.”
The snark in her voice tells me she is strong. Part of me wanted to be disappointed that she didn’t take me up on my offer. We could have had a night of immense fun and then I could have sent her on her way. Instead, she surprised me by turning me down, and intrigued me even more.
I can’t remember a time when a girl turned me down.
“Thank you, Sofia. I am sure it is wonderful. You are dismissed.”
I watch as anger fills her eyes, but she just forces a smile and heads back over to the side where the other two girls are. A couple of the men have stopped to talk to them and I feel my fists tighten.
“You want me to tell them to clear out?”
Gio says from behind me.
Giovanni is my consigliere and closest trusted friend. We grew up together and went through many of the same struggles. Niccolo is his father and so we often were thrust together. We even became made men together. He is as close as a brother to me. Especially since he is technically my cousin.
“No. Let them have a few minutes.”
I glance around and see that only about four capos and their men are still sitting around. Some enjoying dessert, while others are just catching up. Only once a month are most of these men in the same room. It is never planned either.
We have to take all precautions to stay off the radar.
While most think the mafia has died, there are a few in the FBI who still believe that we exist. Those are who we need to be wary of.
“She is a pretty thing, huh? Lo.”
Lorenzo snorts from beside me. He took over as underboss when Niccolo retired six months ago. The same night of my crowning.
“She has a nice ass and some decent tits.”
I feel an unexpected jealousy rise within me. I don’t care about girls. They are just good for a quick fuck and go.
“Now the blonde though. She is a fine young thing.” He continues.
I glance over at the woman he is talking about. She looks young and shy. Almost innocent. She stands and blushes as the men tip them and give her compliments.
“So why haven’t you made a move then, Lo?” Gio teases him.
“Shit, do you see her blushing at those men? She couldn’t handle me. She’s too innocent.”
“Fuck, you have a conscience. I don’t though so maybe I should try my luck.”
Gio takes a step towards her, but doesn’t get far. Lo jumps up and stomps over to her.
I chuckle at his reaction.
“I don’t know why you keep messing with him.” I say as Gio falls into the seat Lo just vacated.
“Because he likes the girl and he won’t do anything about it. It’s dangerous. If he likes her he needs to bring her closer to protect her. You know that his interest has been known. That means she’s a target. Hell, look at him chasing them away.”
I watch as Lo indeed rushes the men along and clears the room. Then I watch as he takes out a wad of cash and peels off a couple of bills for each girl, including Sofia. She looks like she is objecting, but the other dark-haired girl elbows her in the ribs and she shuts her mouth.
“Well looks like it is time to go. Did you tip our servers?” I quirk an eyebrow to Gio.
That is the one thing I made sure of when I came into power. When we go out, often times my father would just give money to the owners. Who knew if they shared with the waitstaff. While Tony seems honorable, not all owners are. I decided that at each dinner, each man would tip their server themselves and hand it directly to them. Most tipped all the servers even though a specific one was assigned to them. We take care of our own and I was out to prove it.