11. Jovie #2
“As an act of revenge, I sent Luca’s father flowers until he texted me, and he doesn’t know it’s me, but we’ve been sexting, and oh my God, Marlowe, he is…
perfect. I feel terrible. I did it initially to get back at Luca and now, I’m falling for him.
” I twist my hands together. “I need to stop. Cut things off. Move on. I shouldn’t have done it.
I have to come clean to him soon. I’m not built to deceive. ”
Marlowe stares at me, mouth parted, clearly stunned.
She doesn’t say anything as a minute turns to two, then three.
I take a big swig of my champagne, waiting for her to say something, anything.
I’m ready for her to call me an idiot, a dumbass, to throw water on me or her champagne.
Something, anything to tell me that I’m a fool.
She closes her mouth with so much force, her teeth clink together. She snags the champagne flute, and chugs half of her glass.
“One, I’m shocked you did such a thing. High-five.”
“High-five?” I question, stunned, but still, we slap our palms together over the table.
“Two, you can’t just cut things off with the mafia. It doesn’t work like that. He won’t let you just stop talking to him.”
I rear back. I’m confused. The mafia? What the fuck would I be talking to the mafia for? “Jovie, I’m not talking to the mafia. Are you getting people confused? I’d never do that. The mafia…” I lower my voice even more. “Don’t they kill people?”
Marlowe blinks at me, confused herself. “Wait. Wait. Wait. You mean to tell me; you had no idea Luca was Luca Salvati? The next in line to take over for Santino Salvati? Luca is the mafia boss’s son.
Santino basically controls the entire city, well, the North side.
Bianchi controls the South. How… how have you managed to not know these things?
Everyone whispers about Santino. And yes—” she darts her eyes around to see if anyone is listening.
“They kill people. He has killed people and I’m worried what he will do to you when he finds out that the person talking to him is you.
He doesn’t like it when people make a fool of him. ”
My mouth fills with saliva as bile threatens to spew from my mouth. I’m going to be sick. What have I done? Oh my God, am I going to die? Is Santino going to kill me? I cover my mouth with my hand, doing my best to take calm deep breaths.
“I didn’t know.” I hold back tears. “I-I don’t pay attention to what people are saying. I hardly leave the shop, you know that! I just thought Luca was from a wealthy family, I didn’t know…”
“I mean…” Marlowe frowns a bit, pondering. “He is from a wealthy family. You weren’t wrong.”
“How do I fix this? I don’t know how to fix this, Marlowe. Do I beg for my life? Do I leave town? Do I change my name? Where would I go?” My breathing changes its pace, coming in quick beats.
“Okay, woah. Calm down. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Everything will be okay. Maybe ask to meet with him and explain everything. Maybe it won’t be bad. I’ve heard he’s pretty reasonable compared to most bosses.”
I down the rest of my champagne, my cheeks flushing with heat. I study the room, wondering if I’m the only idiot in the room who didn’t know the Salvatis were mafia.
“This is why I tell you to redownload your news app.”
I groan. “It’s always so negative. I hate it.”
“Yes, but you’d know that they find bodies all the time and pull them out of the bay. They always think it’s Salvati, but they have no proof. He has everyone on his payroll. He owns this city, Jovie. He’s the most powerful person in the state. Hell, probably the country.”
I sit there with a churning in my gut. My appetite vanishes and I no longer want to be here. I want to go home. I want to change my phone number and if I could, I’d move the shop five states away and change my name.
I’ve seen to many movies where that didn’t even work though.
My eyes catch a glimpse of a man walking through the restaurant with two other men flanking him.
“Oh, no.” I stop breathing when I see Santino walking towards me, wearing a tailored dark blue suit with black lapels. His hair is slicked back, showing off his defined features and green eyes. “He’s here.”
Marlowe turns around and winces. “It’s okay. Let’s just focus on our champagne and this amazing food. He doesn’t know, right? And he doesn’t need to know right now.”
I nod slowly, grabbing the glass of water, and downing it. “You’re right.”
Until his eyes lock onto mine. His expression changes, one filled with intensity.
Maybe he is here to kill me.
“He’s coming over, Marlowe. He’s walking over here! What do I do? He knows me cause of Luca. Oh my God, what do I do?” I panic.
“Stop freaking out,” she hisses, kicking my shin from under the table.
The pain is enough to stop me from passing out.
Like a magnet, my gaze slides to him again, his impressive long strides eat up the distance between us. The closer he gets, the more he softens, and a smile takes over his handsome face. Everything about this man is perfect. I can’t believe he’s in his forties. He doesn’t look a day over thirty.
“Jovie. What a pleasant surprise.” He grabs my hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing the top of my knuckles. “You look beautiful.” His deep voice slides down my spine, the baritone awakening my core. “If you don’t mind me saying,” he adds.
My gaze wonders to the men standing behind him and he must see the apprehension on my face. “Don’t mind them. They work for me. That’s Lorenzo and my other son, Omar.”
I’ve heard about Omar. Luca seemed very jealous of his younger brother whenever he spoke about him. I hold out my hand in introduction. “Omar, it’s so nice to meet you.”
Omar eyes Santino before Santino dips his chin, only then does Omar steps forward and give my hand a firm shake. “It’s nice to meet you too, Jovie. I’m sorry about my brother. You didn’t deserve that.”
“Water under the bridge.” I wave the concern away.
Marlowe chokes on her champagne, knowing the concern has in fact, not gone away considering my circumstances.
“I am so sorry. This is my best friend Marlowe. Marlowe, this is?—”
“—I know who they are. I’d be dumb not to. Hi, I’m Marlowe.” She holds out her hand, and they all do the polite thing, shaking it, saying nice to meet you, even Santino. He doesn’t kiss her hand like he did mine though.
And for some reason, I really, really like that.
Santino doesn’t take his eyes off me. He doesn’t seem to be in a rush or going anywhere while his attention slides up and down my figure. My cheeks burn at the attention. Omar and Lorenzo seem to be on high alert, protecting the man in charge.
The mafia boss.
Knowing this information now has me feel like a complete idiot. My overthinking self is imagining scenarios where Santino finds out the truth and cuts me into itty bitty fish food for the sharks.
He tucks his hands in his pockets, tilting his head while he analyzes me. I want to know exactly what he’s thinking.
“You look lovely in that dress, Jovie,” he practically growls, then reaches for my hand again. He places another kiss on top of my knuckles, and I know the flush taken over my cheeks can’t be hidden.
Marlowe tries to hide her shocked expression by drinking her champagne.
“I’m sorry, but I have to leave. There’s an issue in the kitchen that requires my attention.”
My brows furrow. “In the kitchen? Do you know the chef or something?”
His mouth tilts in a confident smirk. Santino leans in, caging me with one hand gripping the edge of the table and the other placed on the back of my chair where his thumb swipes across my back.
“I own Antoinette’s. I hope you enjoy the food.
If you have any issues, please let me know. Your meal is on me, tonight, okay?”
Marlowe chokes as she swallows the bubbly champagne. A coughing fit takes over her next and Omar is there by her side, handing her a napkin.
“No, no. That’s too much. It’s okay. We have saved up for this night. We can pay.”
“No, you can’t. I’ve already let the servers know that you are not to pay. It’s the least I can do for my traitorous son did to you.” His thumb continues to rub between my shoulder blades and my breath hitches from the unexpected touch.
Goosebumps arise on my arms from his touch, a shiver climbing up my spine that has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. My instincts are warning me, screaming me at that this man is dangerous.
He leans forward, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I hope you enjoy, Jovie. I hope I can see you again before you leave for the night.” His fingers drift up and down my back and I swallow, confused if he is being nice or flirting with me.
Santino straightens, the needed space allowing me to suck in a much-needed air before I become lightheaded.
Turning to Marlowe, he places his hand in the middle of his torso and gives a curt nod to her. “It was nice meeting you, Marlowe. Keep an eye on our girl, okay?”
“You can count on it, Mr. Salvati.”
He stands there, staring for minute or two longer like he doesn’t want to leave. Santino takes one step, hesitates, and then he’s gone, strolling to the kitchen with purpose. Omar and Lorenzo don’t say goodbye. They follow behind Santino, protecting him from the dangers of the outside world.
Except, I don’t think that’s how it works.
Santino is the danger.
And the world will never be ready for him.