11

Chapter 11
Arin
It’s been a whole week since I’ve heard from Dominic, but I don’t know if I should be concerned or relieved.
Things between us got intense. Really intense. So much, in fact, it’s all I
can think about. The way he kissed me, held me, touched me. The taste of his skin on my tongue, the smell of his earthy cologne in my nose, the sound of his deep growl reverberating in my ear. Obsession doesn’t feel like the right word to describe what I’m feeling, but that’s exactly what it is. Dominic has somehow managed to find a way to occupy my every waking thought, and I’m not even mad.
But that doesn’t mean I’m not mentally kicking myself.
I had the perfect opportunity to tell him about Felicia, but I didn’t take it. It just didn’t feel like the right moment. What we have right now is new and undefined, raw and exciting. If I tell Dominic he has a four-year-old daughter, what then? To make matters even worse, his bodyguard/assistant/friend Elio came running in with news of some kind of shooting. What am I supposed to make of that information?
It’s nothing.
No, you brooding hunk of a tree, it’s most certainly not nothing.
My little shop has been quiet all week, which I wish I could say was unusual, but this is pretty par for the course. I’ve finished the three prom dress orders I received and have them packed and ready for pick up. Lana’s at the restaurant working a double shift, and I’m not due to pick Felicia up from daycare for another couple of hours.
Dominic’s check cleared without a hitch.
I’ve been staring at my laptop’s screen so long I’m starting to question reality. My bank account has never looked this good in my entire life.
I don’t want you to feel pressured.
His words echo inside my skull. I think it’s kind of sweet how concerned
he was. The truth is, I don’t feel pressured in the slightest. It’s like he said. He’s paid for my services, and I fully plan on delivering the final products. Everything else is a welcome bonus.
Glancing over my shoulder, I peek at the suits I’ve put together, pinned to four different adjustable mannequins. Once I’m done with Dominic’s order, I’m seriously considering closing shop for a while to put all my energy into getting ready for fashion week so I can get my label off the ground. The suits are far from finished, but they’re definitely taking shape. There isn’t much else I can do until Dominic comes to try them on so I can make adjustments. Until then, all I can do is wait.
Unless I go to him.
Maybe I do need to learn a thing or two about patience. Too bad today’s not the day.
* * *
Lorenzo Marroni’s loan shark office is buzzing with activity. It’s twice as busy today than it was when I first visited. There’s a line of people waiting outside, wrapping around the corner of the building. Some bounce impatiently in place. Others distract themselves on their phones. Most look like they’ve had a rough few days. I remember standing in that line not too long ago, and a part of me feels sympathetic. Asking someone for help — especially from a loan shark — isn’t always easy.
There’s another presence here, too. Men in suits. Lots of them, all with mean mugs and intimidating airs. I don’t know what to think of the tense energy lingering in the air. A few of them stand off to the side in a group, talking quietly amongst themselves as they smoke cigarettes and give me the side-eye when I dare approach with a garment bag draped over my arm.
“Where do you think you’re going, little miss?” one of them asks me with a chuckle.
I glare at him. Little miss? What a condescending prick. “I’m here to see Dominic.”
One of the other guys snorts. “The back of the line is over there.” “I’m not a customer.”
“Oh? A girlfriend, then?”
“I didn’t know Costello had a woman,” the first man comments. “Coming for a lil’ lunchtime quickie, are you?”
My face flushes with heat. “I’m his tailor,” I state firmly.
“No, you’re not,” the second guy says, dropping his cigarette to crush beneath his heel. “We all go to the same tailor, and I guarantee you our guy doesn’t have a fabulous pair of tits like yours.”
Rage boils inside me. Are these the sorts of people Dominic hangs out with? “You’re incredibly rude,” I snap at them, grinding my teeth. “Your mothers clearly didn’t teach you any manners.”
The men laugh, watching me with amused interest. There are four of them, circling me like birds of prey. They’re all taller and bigger, but I see them for what they are — boys playing dress up. They’re trying so hard to exude the command and confidence that Dominic so naturally does. While Dominic is certainly cocky, at least he always treats me with respect.
“Look out, kitty’s got claws.” “Come on. We were only joking.”
I put a hand on my hip. “Take me to see Dominic. Now.” “What’s the magic word, toots?”
I huff. “I’m not wasting my manners on people who refuse to show me the same decency.”
“You’re no fun,” the first guy gripes. “Get outta here, babe, you’re startin’ to annoy me.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Take the fuckin’ hint and get outta here, ya dumb bitch. You can’t just waltz into our boss’ office.”
“Like hell I can’t.” I attempt to sidestep them, but they’ve got me surrounded.
“Don’t make me manhandle you,” one of the men growls.
“Don’t make me kick you in the balls, asshole,” I snap right back. “Listen, I’m warnin’ you—”
“What’s going on?” a deep, booming voice slices through the air.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a familiar silhouette with broad shoulders and wide chest. I know it by heart by now, especially since I’ve been working with mannequins adjusted to his exact proportions. I’m so
attuned to the shape of him that I could probably pick him out of a chaotic crowd, or even at a distance.
“Dolcezza?” Dominic breathes. The men who were busy harassing me suddenly part like the Red Sea as Dominic approaches. “What are you doing here?”
“You haven’t been by the shop in a while,” I tell him softly, holding up the garment bag. “I need you to try these on so I can make adjustments.”
Dominic shoots the men a deathly glare. “Were they bothering you, Marina?”
“We didn’t do nothin’, boss,” the first guy insists. “We didn’t know who she was.” All his bravado has melted away. I’m pretty sure he’s two seconds away from pissing his pants.
“I wasn’t talking to you, Bruno.” Dominic places a hand on my shoulder, his intense gaze locking with mine. “Tell me the truth, dolcezza. If they were rude to you, I’ll see them punished.”
Oh, well isn’t this nice?
I’m sorely tempted to throw these dickheads under the bus, but the last thing I want right now is to cause Dominic any trouble. “It’s fine,” I say quickly. “I handled it. I’m sorry for dropping by unannounced.”
“You can drop by anytime you wish,” he says gently to me. To his men, he says, “You idiots got that?”
They nod in unison. “Yes, sir.”
Dominic’s hand falls to the small of my back. “Come inside. We have much to discuss.”
It’s significantly quieter here but no less tense. The halls are crawling with even more men in suits, the murmur of serious conversation humming just out of earshot. Dominic welcomes me into his office.
“Who are all these people?” I ask him as he closes the door. “Is there a big loan shark conference in town or something?”
Dominic chuckles, but the laughter doesn’t reach his eyes. In fact, he looks incredibly tired. “I just wrapped up a meeting with my… employees.”
“Those were your employees?” “Technically my boss’ employees.” “So you’re not the boss boss?”
Dominic sighs as he rounds the desk and takes a seat. Even in his exhausted state, he’s still as handsome as ever. “I’m the second-in- command,” he explains. “Lorenzo is out of town. Until he gets back, I’m in
charge.”
“Sounds tough.”
“Don’t even get me started.”
I drape the garment bag over the back of the guest chair, at a momentary loss for words. “Dominic, can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
“Being a loan shark, all these big Italian guys in suits, the way you boss people around… Are you in the Mob or something?”
I say this as a joke, of course, because there’s no way that’s possible. I’m only trying to ease this strange tension in my gut. I can’t even imagine it. The unsuspecting father of my child, a Mob boss? Hilarious.
Dominic’s expression darkens and is serious. “What would you do if I was?”
A nervous laugh bubbles past my lips. “I would get the fuck out of here,” I answer honestly.
He’s silent for a long time. Too long. It’s uncomfortable as all hell.
Swallowing hard, I mumble, “You’re not, though. Right? Because that’s…”
“That’s what?” “Terrifying.”
Dominic rises slowly from his chair, stepping toward me like he’s approaching a frightened animal. There’s nothing malicious in his body language, nothing threatening about his general air. He is, however, laced with something dark. The first time I met him, I could sense danger surrounding him, but I don’t get the sense that the danger is in any way directed at me.
He’s a Cane Corso. Strong and fierce and something to be wary of, but nothing to fear so long as we remain on the same side.
“Do you find me terrifying?” he asks in a low tone. He’s in my space, but I find myself drawn to him instead of repelled. I breathe in his deep cologne, already lost in his presence. “I don’t ever want you to be afraid of me.”
“No. I’m not terrified of you, but…” “But what?”
“Why won’t you answer my question?” I whisper, barely audible in my own ears. “Are you in the Mob? It’s either a yes or a no.”
He pauses for a second, but it feels like it lasts for an eternity. “No,” he finally answers. “I’m not in the Mob. How ridiculous.”
“What about the shooting Elio mentioned? I haven’t forgotten about that.”
Dominic tenses. “Loan sharks work with desperate people, Marina. And when desperate people can’t pay back what they owe, they sometimes do drastic things. Like trying to shoot us in broad daylight to absolve their debts.”
My heart leaps into my throat. I never knew something like that could happen, but the way Dominic explains it, it makes perfect sense. Guilt burns a hole in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble. “I didn’t mean to call you a, um…” “A criminal?”
I nod.
Dominic places his fingers beneath my chin and tilts my head up, nothing but gentle warmth in his eyes. “Think nothing of it. I suppose on the surface, my job does make me look questionable.”
“Has… Has anyone ever tried to hurt you to absolve their debts?” “Yes,” is his blunt answer.
My heart skips a beat. The thought of someone coming after Dominic disturbs me to no end. I’m sure he can handle himself. He’s capable and strong and surrounded by a fairly large team, but that doesn’t stop the what ifs from running loose inside my head.
“Let’s drop the subject,” he says. “Before you upset yourself.” “Ha. Too late.”
Dominic leans forward and kisses me tenderly on the lips. I can’t believe how easily I melt into his touch, leaning forward to welcome the pressure of his mouth against mine. He then brushes the pad of his thumb between my brows, tenderly smoothing my frown.
“You said you brought the suits?”
“Yes, I did. I want to verify their fit before making final adjustments.
Care to try them on for me?”
“Sure. How about we grab lunch after?” “Oh, um…”
“You’re not stuck on babysitting duty during the day, are you?” I take a deep breath. “No, no I’m not.”
“Excellent. Lunch it is.”