by J. L. Drake
“Let me know what you find out.”
“I will. Thanks, Steph. Bye.” Tossing her cell in her purse, Madison drove her car to the one place she said she’d never go again, Firenza.
It wasn’t that she hated the place; it was quite the opposite. Valentina, Roman’s sister, had done a spectacular job renovating it. The new reception hall and summer restaurant was a remodeled old mansion with a very colorful past. It now had an updated Italian flare. The outside featured ivory stucco and a red tiled roof. During the warm weather, the grounds would be breathtaking with gardens, iron trim, and fountains.
After turning down Roman’s advances on New Year’s Eve, Madison hadn’t talked to Valentina since. It had only been a few weeks, but she missed her new friend. They’d really hit it off fast.
Madison phoned the number of the restaurant at Firenza, but only the cleaning crew was there. A dead end. The venue issue needed to be solved or all the non-salmonella poisoned hors d’oeuvres would mean nothing without a place to put them. The Mr. Mouse Cheese Factory had a month to solve their issue which was doable. Finding a venue was next to impossible in such a short time. Chewing on her fingernails, Madison Googled more places that might be about to handle her event. Nothing. She even considered moving it completely out of the area, but her customers and clients would have to travel farther away and that could mean more loss of business.
She slammed her hand on the steering wheel again while emotions battled it out inside her head. Desperate, she had no choice but to go to the Caponelli homestead—or rather, fortress. The huge estate Roman purchased was set amongst the other mansions and villas along Lake Genoa. The small town of Genoa, Wisconsin, was a couple hours’ drive from Chicago. A good portion of those living on the lake were wealthy inhabitants of the windy city that maintained beautiful homes on the enormous lake in the historic town.
The drive up to Roman’s house, sans Tuscany castle, was halted by estate gates and a guard shack. Through the scrolled iron, Madison noted again, the three stories and sprawling compound. A six car garage sat around the back. She’d not seen the front, which faced the water up close, but she knew there was a boathouse to the side in the front with a large covered patio on top. Many times in the summer she’d taken boat rides with friends or walked the sidewalk that surrounded the entire lake.
“Welcome, Miss Miller.” The man inside the tiny square guard house greeted her. He must have noted the stunned look on her face. She’d never met this man before but he knew who she was. He gazed down for a second before hitting the button that set the whir of a mechanism in motion and pushed open the large gates.
“Thank you.” She waved cordially before pressing the gas pedal to propel the car forward up the winding brick driveway. Most of the homes were set way back from any main road. In the past, most people only lived at their lake homes in the summer and they were only accessible by water. Therefore their mail was delivered by boat. It was one of those old traditions that were still maintained and tourists even rode the mail boat as it cruised slowly around the lake. The quick footed delivery person would jump off the front of the boat, deposit the mail in the home owner’s dock mailbox, and then jump into the back of the long boat before it sailed off.
One of Roman’s bodyguards stood as a sentinel on the front steps as she pulled the car up to park. He opened her car door like he was a beefy valet with enough firepower under his coat to level a small building. Another man stepped forward and held a dog leash as it sniffed the wheels of her car.
“Hello, Arlo.” Madison knew him. The man was a constant companion to Roman. Anytime she had been in Roman’s company, Arlo was there. The guy was built like a freight train and practically reeked of testosterone. There didn’t appear to be an ounce of fat on him, and he wore a permanent five o’clock shadow better than any male model.
Madison briefly considered taking her handbag, but instead left it in the car. The place smelled of money and no one here would be interested in the sixty dollars in her wallet or her dime store purse.
“Follow me.” Arlo opened the door, and she was awed by the home.
Madison had only been there once before and that was after she’d been kidnapped. Andrea, an unlucky-in-love bride whom Madison once worked with, had been abused by her fiancé, Diego. After Madison convinced her to go to the police and call off the wedding, Diego went crazy, and kidnapped both Madison and his former bride-to-be. If it hadn’t been for Roman and his men rescuing them, there was no telling what would have happened. She’d be forever grateful for them coming to her aid, but the image of Roman shooting Diego in the head with no remorse whatsoever would haunt her for a long time. The local police still suspected Roman in the monster’s disappearance, but with no body and no one making a fuss about it, the case had been dismissed.
After they set her free, she fainted and found herself here, weak from lack of food and fear. Everyone had been kind to her, but there hadn’t been time to take in the décor of anything other than the room she’d woken up in. Now she stopped and took in her surroundings. The place was open and airy. A few poinsettias dotted the tables while strands of holly still hung from doorways.
Like most people in the north land, Christmas decorations came down in stages. The tree was put away on New Year’s Eve, but wreaths, plants, and greenery stayed around for as long as they lasted. One year Madison had forgotten to take down the wreath above her garage. After birds built a nest, it remained up until their babies flew away. Harming such fragile creatures appalled her even if it meant having a Christmas wreath up past Easter.
She wiped her snowy boots on a rug in the expansive foyer and trailed behind Arlo down a long hall. His broad shoulders made the hallway appear small even though it wasn’t. Warm dark woods and burgundy accents carried out throughout the home’s architecture. Expensive paintings dotted the wall between windows with breathtaking views of the lake. Madison barely missed bumping into Arlo’s back when he stopped to knock on a door.
“Come in.” The deep voice behind it sped up her heart. He was a dangerous man but at night she still dreamed of Roman’s kisses. A flutter ripped through her lower belly thinking about what might have happened if she’d said yes to his pursuit. Arlo opened the door and motioned for her to enter.
Shaking off her nerves, Madison reminded herself why she was here. She marched into the room and planted her feet in front of his desk. He was just as gorgeous as the last time she saw him. Even more so if that was possible.
“My fashion show is scheduled for next month and now my venue has cancelled my booking. You wouldn’t happen to have had anything to do with that, now would you?”
Roman rose from his chair. He came around the front and leaned against his desk. The cover model of a gentlemen’s fashion magazine couldn’t hold a candle to his luscious appearance—lavender dress shirt, patterned tie, and black pants. Did he not own a pair of jeans? It was a Saturday. Her weekend attire was leggings and a fleece zip-up. In summer it was shorts, tee, and flip-flops.
“So accusatory.” He dragged out his response smugly. “It’s nice to see you too, Madison.” The way her name rolled off his tongue always made her swoon. “You look beautiful as always.” He gave her a once over as she folded her arms across her chest. A raspy laugh rumbled from his throat and her cheeks flushed.
She stomped her foot and a chunk of missed snow slid on the carpet. The man had her flustered like a teenager with her first crush.
“Uh…thanks,” she said, feeling less than beautiful and even more anxious. Madison shoved her hands in her pockets to keep from running and jumping in his arms. If she focused on their last knee-weakening kiss, she’d be a goner. Her mother’s business was at stake. “Did you do that? It’s been held there each year. My mother’s business depends on that show.”
He shrugged his shoulders with a confidence that couldn’t be taught.
“If your venue is unavailable, you are welcome to use Firenza free of charge.”
“
How charitable of you.” Folding her arms in front of her again, she paced the room.
“I am charitable.”
“A man in organized crime.” Madison used air quotes for emphasis. “Charitable. Hmm.”
“Firenza is my sister’s place. It’s a legitimate establishment.” His eyes narrowed and flashed with anger. “The family business does not affect hers.”
“How much?” She had no choice but to take it, but it would not be for free. There was no way she wanted to be indebted to the family.
His lips spread wide in a panty dropping grin.
“Consider it a gift from my sister. Valentina would be more than happy to help you out of a bind.”
She found it hard to believe anything from a crime family was free. There had to be a price to pay or a future favor to be asked.
“Really?” She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side.
Roman pushed off from the edge of his desk and wandered way too close, invading her space. Sultry aftershave of an enticing mixture of musk and pine wafted to her nose. She inhaled deeply, letting it wash over her. Was it bad that she wanted to jump his bones? He was so wrong for her. He stood for everything she didn’t, but there was something about the man that drew her in to the point he could make her sin and never regret a second.
What was it he’d said the first time they met in the coffee shop? She was debating over her favorite piece of cake and he whispered behind her, “Sometimes doing what you want is worth the guilt.” Oh how she wanted to do things with him that would leave her feeling guilty and loving every minute of it.
“Why don’t you have dinner with me and Valentina this evening? I’ll cook.” His smile made her knees weak. “We could discuss the logistics of your event.”
He made a good case, but she wasn’t fooled for a minute.
“As long as Valentina is here, I’ll be here.”
Chapter Two
Roman
“Cold out today,” Arlo mumbled.
“Huh?” Roman tuned out the man driving. “What’d you say?” He still reeled from seeing Madison. He loved the boldness she displayed by showing up at his house. Trapping her to keep her there flickered through his mind. The woman crawled under his skin and stayed there. Her showing up today was a bonus to the otherwise boring events.
“The weather. It’s cold out today.” Arlo, his enforcer, kicked the heat up a little higher in their vehicle.
“It’s January in Wisconsin. It’s going to be cold. We should’ve left earlier. I’m never going to get all this shit done.”
“What’s on the list?” He started to tap the brake long before the intersection. The roads were still a little slick after last night’s snow.
“We have to swing by Gessner’s.”
“The cheese maker?” Arlo eased onto the interstate and pressed the pedal to the floor, constantly checking the mirrors for followers. The vehicle was bulletproof but neither of them wanted to test it.
“Yeah. Too bad he fell on hard times and had to borrow. Alvin’s making his final payment today.” Roman started out like most guys in the business, breaking fingers and legs of those who couldn’t pay. It was nice to know this man was able to keep up.
His cell rang. The image on the phone was that of his sister. “Valentina. What’s up?”
“Roman.” Her voice was hoarse.
“What’s wrong?” It didn’t sound like her.
“I’m in bed. I caught a bad cold. I hope it’s not the flu.” Her voice muffled into the phone as she coughed.
Roman groaned and scratched his forehead. “Did you send Uncle Matteo flowers yet?” Their favorite uncle was in the hospital.
“I haven’t done anything.” She sniffed into the phone. “I’ve barely been out of bed.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at Mom and Dad’s.” Their parents’ home was in Chicago.
“Shit. I need you.” He groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. “Dammit, I invited Madison over to discuss her bridal show. I told her you’d be there and she could use Firenza.”
“Ha, you are never going to convince her to date you, Romeo.” He hated that nickname. It meant he was a player. Maybe he fucking was, but he would reconsider it if he could have another chance with Madison. She was the one who got away and the one he intended to catch. “You are playing with fire, getting her bridal show banned from every place in town.” This time she coughed into the phone. “Shame on you.”
“I have no shame and you agreed to help me.” He exhaled and scowled out the window. The gray sky matched his mood perfectly.
“I’ll help you with anything. You are my brother, but I never said this was a good idea.” Another coughing fit started. “I’ve got to go.” The phone went dead.
He beat his fist against the dash. “Son of a—” Then he rested his elbow on the arm rest. Roman was a man used to control, even if it was the location of a fucking bridal show. Madison needed to learn. Ever since he spotted her heart-shaped ass as she bent over, staring at the cake counter in the coffee shop, she’d been on his mind. From the first time he stared into her deep blue eyes, he was intrigued. Why, he wasn’t sure. Maybe it was the fact that she was so far removed from the underworld he lived in. Maybe because she was a small town girl with a special innocence about her. Or maybe it was the fact that she was a challenge. She’d turned him down, but he wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“Now what?” Arlo kept both hands on the wheel as they drove.
“Valentina’s sick.” Roman tapped a finger against his chin. “Firenza was supposed to be her thing, not mine.”
His driver chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. You got it bad for Madison and you won’t stop until you get her.”
It was all true, but what would happen after he had her? Would he want to move on to the next like he usually did? For some reason, he suspected the answer would be no.
Madison was someone who had her own life, her own business, and her own dreams and ambitions. She had choices Roman didn’t. His life was already planned out. Hell, his father was putting pressure on him to get married and soon. His father wanted him to marry and unite his strong family to another one—the Rinaldis. The family needed an heir. Being the son of Don Caponelli had never been easy. The arranged marriage his father pushed for was something he couldn’t comprehend. If he was getting married, it would be on his terms and to the one he wanted to spend his life with and no one else.
When Madison popped back in his mind, he smiled. She was beautiful—tall, curvy, with thick shoulder-length brown hair. Her skin reminded him of fine china. He’d never asked about her parents, but there was something about her that made him think she might have some Italian heritage somewhere in her background.
“What? You’re not going to deny it?” Arlo joked and took the off-ramp to Milwaukee.
“No.” Roman wasn’t denying anything.
“Good. I like her.” Roman lifted an eyebrow as he listened to his friend. “Girl’s got spunk,” Arlo added.
“Well, that’s good you like her. I have to get her to like me.” That had never been a problem before. He was used to getting any woman he wanted, anytime he wanted. At age thirty, he yearned like a bastard for a more meaningful relationship—a partner in life. The old school, traditional prearranged family bit the big one. His parents’ marriage was arranged many years ago. Roman knew after only spending a short time with Madison that she may be the one. He couldn’t explain it, he just knew it. She complemented him. The only problem was that sweet girls with ambition and goals didn’t fall for bad boys whose lives were already planned. They wanted their own control. Frustration slammed into his chest. He couldn’t change what he was, but he was determined to show her what kind of man he could be for her.
The hearty smell of cheese hit his nose as the bell jingled on top of the door of Gessner’s.
“Roman,” the man behind the counter yelled. “Welcome. It’s
good to see you.” Alvin Gessner had been a friend of Roman’s father for years. They’d gone to school together and both had followed each in their own family’s business. The cheesemaker had been successful for years until the economy went bust and they lost some valuable restaurant and specialty food store accounts. The banks weren’t loaning money and the family stepped in to provide the cash. Thankfully, Gessner had been able to keep up with the payments. It would have been hell if he couldn’t. Roman didn’t want to leave Alvin’s wife a widow. He liked the family. Always had, but business was business.
Alvin’s wife, Judy, was wrapping cheese. She looked in his direction and smiled. “Roman. Hello.”
“Al, Judy, you’re both looking well.”
Alvin came around and shook hands with both men. “Wait here.” The guy patted him on the shoulder and headed for the office.
“How have you been, Judy?” Roman tasted a piece of cheese off the sample tray. The Asiago here was the best. They even carried chocolate cheese made with cream cheese. Madison would love that. How easily she popped in his head, and seeing her today had his thoughts on overdrive.
Judy wiped her hands on her apron. “Busy. You know…with the holidays. So many cheese trays.” She used both hands for emphasis.
“That’s good.” He tried the parmesan this time. The hard cheeses made him think of Madison again and the front of his pants tightened imagining her. If it weren’t for his long coat covering himself, it would’ve been an awkward moment for sure.
“Here you go.” Alvin came back in the room. He carried a thick envelope in one hand and a box in the other. He handed both to Arlo but addressed Roman.
“What’s this?” Roman wondered about the box.
“I boxed up some of our specialties for you.” The man was all smiles.
“Thanks, Al. Good doing business with you.” He shook his hand again and nodded to his wife. It was a relief that the money was paid and their account now closed.