19. ADRIANA
ADRIANA
I was tidying the kitchen after breakfast with Antonio when movement outside caught my attention. I spotted a car pulling into the carport through the living room window. My stomach knotted as I peeked through the blinds.
It was Paul. Dressed sharply in a pinstriped suit, a toothpick dangling between his lips. He leaned casually against the hood of a brand-new Chevrolet. Before I could fully process what was happening, Antonio bolted to the front door and stepped outside, leaving me no choice but to follow.
“What’s this, Paul?”
Paul’s grin stretched wide. “This?” He tapped the car’s hood with a knuckle. “This beauty is yours, Adriana.”
My brow furrowed as confusion hit me like a freight train. “Mine?” I repeated.
Paul straightened, arms open like he was showcasing the car on a game show. “Joey’s orders. Said you needed something reliable, so here it is.”
I crossed my arms. “No. Absolutely not. I didn’t ask for a car.”
Paul shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Joey’s not really the ‘wait until you ask’ kind of guy. He does what he wants, if you haven’t noticed. He prefers to live by his own rules.”
I scoffed. “Well, you can tell Joey I’m not taking it.”
Paul smirked. “Sure, I’ll let him know. But you know Joey—he doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
“This is too much, Paul! I can’t accept it.”
“Look, Adriana, I’m just the delivery guy,” he said, dangling the keys in my direction. “You’ve got a problem with this, take it up with Joey. I’m just following orders.”
I shook my head, taking a step back. “I don’t want or need his handouts.”
Paul chuckled dryly, cocking an eyebrow. “You think this is some handout? Joey doesn’t do handouts. Joey takes care of his family, and like it or not, you’re family now.”
“Family?” The word stuck in my throat. Family? What did that even mean? The way he said it sent chills down my spine because I had a feeling Joey’s meaning of family wasn’t the usual one.
Before I could ask further, Antonio darted toward the car, his face full of excitement. “Ma, it’s so cool! Can I look inside?”
“Antonio—” I began, but Paul interrupted.
“See? The kid’s got taste. What’s the harm in checking it out?”
Antonio was already peering into the car windows, his hands cupped around his face to block the carport light.
“This isn’t how normal people do things. You know that, right?” I muttered, shaking my head.
Paul let out a hearty laugh. “Joey’s not exactly ‘normal people.’ You’re in one of the least ‘normal’ places in all of New York.”
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding onto. “Fine. I’ll talk to Joey. But don’t think for a second I’m keeping this without saying my piece. He was supposed to get my car fixed, not buy a new one. ”
Paul’s grin widened. “That’s on you, Adriana.” He sauntered to the driver’s side, opened the door, and tossed the keys onto the dashboard before tipping his head toward me. “Oh, and Joey already paid for the insurance. You’re covered.” He winked and strolled off, whistling, hands tucked in his pockets as he disappeared down the sidewalk toward Davidson’s.
I stood there, frozen, staring at the car. It was too much, too grand, too unexpected. This wasn’t the kind of treatment I was used to—certainly not from a man. And I just knew it came with strings attached.
“Can we keep it, Ma? Please?” Antonio begged, his eyes wide with hope.
Joey was going to hear about this, no question about it.
Antonio huffed, crossing his arms when I didn’t give a response. “It’s ours. Joey took care of it. You heard Paul—he gave it to us because we need a car. What’s the big deal?”
The big deal was that I had asked Joey to fix my car, not replace it. I had trusted him to handle it the way I wanted, but that was my first mistake. I should have known better. Men like Joey always had something else up their sleeve.
Antonio was already running his hand along the door handle, testing the grip, his excitement written all over his face. “Ma, come on, at least sit in it. Just once.”
I sighed, knowing I was already losing this battle. The moment I hesitated, Antonio’s face lit up, and he rushed around the back of the car, slipping into the passenger seat before I could say another word.
I slid into the driver’s seat, the rich scent of new leather filling my nostrils as I wrapped my fingers around the wheel. My old Chevy could never compare to this—not in a million years. The engine purred to life with the turn of a key, smooth and powerful, nothing like the rattling, struggling sounds I was used to.
“This is the nicest car we’ve ever had.” Antonio grinned .
I stole a glance at him as I pulled out onto the road, watching him beam out the window, soaking in the feeling of riding in something so pristine. My stomach twisted. This car was a statement—a message, a claim.
When we reached Angela’s house, I parked along the curb, barely putting the car in park before Antonio leaped out and bolted toward the front door. Angela opened it just as he cut past her, already on his way inside to find Enzo. Angela’s gaze shifted to the car, her arms folding tightly over her chest. Her sharp eyes took in every inch of it before settling on me. She stepped forward, her brows knitting together. “Is this,” she pointed at the car, “what I think it is?”
I pressed my lips together and gave a single nod. Before Angela could say another word, Lucy, who lived right next door, sauntered over.
“Well, that’s a mighty fine gift you were given, Adriana.” She smirked, eyes flicking between me and the car. I clenched my jaw. That was exactly the problem.
“Lucy’s right.” Angela nodded along, arms crossed, as she studied me. The two of them stood in front of me like a united front. “It’s only right that you take it for a little spin. You know, make Joey’s money worth it and all.”
“I did drive it over here,” I shot back. “And now I’m driving it straight to his shop to confront him, because he promised to fix my car—not buy me a brand-new one.”
Lucy smirked. “Mind if I tag along? I think you might be the first woman ever to tell Joey Romano no , and I’d love to see how that plays out.”
“Well, I’m not letting him make decisions for me,” I said firmly. “I’ve already had that happen and refuse to fall victim to it again.”
Angela sighed, nodding. “You know what? I agree, Adriana. We’re more than capable of making our own decisions.”
“Well, perhaps you two are,” Lucy said, tilting her head. “But personally? I’d love to sit back and let a man make all the decisions for me.”
Angela snorted. “Hector doesn’t do that for you?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “ Hector ? That man is practically useless. Don’t get me started.” She exhaled dramatically before flashing me a grin. “And listen, I’m all for women’s empowerment. But wouldn’t it be empowering if you just kept the free car?”
“How would that be empowering?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.
Lucy shrugged. “Well, it’s a free car with your name on it. You’d be a fool to give it back. If the man is so love-sick that he’s handing out Chevy Impalas, you might as well keep it.”
“He wants something from me,” I stated firmly. “And I’m not giving it to him.”
Angela smirked. “No, no— imagine this. He gifts you something, fully expecting something in return, and you just leave him in the dust. Literally . Now that’s the best move yet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the two of them. “You two are so much help,” I said, shaking my head as I walked toward the driver’s seat.
Lucy pranced over, stopping by the window as I slid inside and started the engine. Leaning down, she smirked at me, resting her arms on the doorframe. “Stay focused,” she warned. “Don’t get distracted by that little act he puts on. Reclaim yourself. Do it for me and my lack of self-control.” I chuckled as she stepped aside, shaking my head as I pulled out onto the road, heading straight for Joey’s shop.
My pulse quickened as I pulled into his wholesale lot and spotted him leaning against the hood of his car, a cigarette dangling lazily from his fingers. He looked too smug for my liking, his eyes gleaming with amusement as I slammed my car door shut and stormed toward him, my heels clicking furiously against the pavement .
“Tell me that isn’t for me,” I shouted, pointing at the car behind me.
He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke, and then smirked. “It’s not for you. It’s for whoever lives on Blythe—the one with a kid and no car. Turns out it was better to buy you a new one than have Gino try to salvage that one you were driving.”
I crossed my arms. “I can’t take this.”
Joey stood straighter, towering over me, and flicked his cigarette to the ground. “Well, it’s a little late for that. The car’s already in your name.”
I was certain my glare could’ve melted steel. “Who do you think you are? You were supposed to help me fix my car, not buy me a new one. I don’t need a man to make decisions for me and my son.”
He shrugged, unfazed. “You’ve got things to do, Adriana. You don’t need to break your back doing them.”
“I don’t want your handouts, Joey!” My voice rose as I tossed my hands in frustration.
He stepped closer, the scent of his cologne mingling with the faint trace of smoke. “ Handouts ? This isn’t a handout. It’s common sense. You need a car. I own a car wholesale shop. It was an easy fix. Don’t let your pride get in the way.”
I squared up to him, practically seething. “My pride is the only thing I’ve got left! I’ve been doing fine on my own?—”
He cut me off. “No. You’ve been surviving . And that kid of yours deserves more than just surviving, so I thought I’d help you out.”
That struck a nerve. I stared him down. “You don’t know anything about what we need. I’m his mother. I know what he needs, and I’ll get it for him.”
His smirk returned as he leaned in. “I didn’t know this was how you reacted when you were angry. It’s going to be real hard to stay on my best behavior after this.”
Before I could stop him, his hand brushed a strand of hair from my face. My breath caught, heat rushing to my cheeks despite my best efforts not to let it affect me. His touch disarmed me, and I hated how much I liked it at the moment.
“Stop it. I know what you’re doing, Joey,” I said.
His grin widened. “What am I doing? What’s it doing to you? The same thing it’s doing to me?”
I took a step back, my heart hammering away. He was onto me, and I couldn’t let that happen. It was too risky to let him in, even if some of me wanted to.
“I’ve got to go get Antonio,” I said softly, trying to steady myself. Every fiber of my being wanted to stay, to feel his gaze, his touch, his presence. But I couldn’t afford to lose myself to another man. I pushed my palms against his chest, forcing the space between us, and spun on my heel. Walking away felt like tearing myself in two.
Behind me, Joey chuckled low and deep, his voice carrying after me. “You’re welcome for the car, Adriana.”
I slid into the driver seat, but I heard him say. “See you on the road, sweetheart ! Oh, and you’re welcome !” I clenched the steering wheel, heat rising in my cheeks, and drove out of the lot, leaving his smug grin in my rearview mirror.
After picking up Antonio, I pulled up to the carport, only to see a parked car already there. I parked on the street, my eyes narrowing as I recognized the driver. Renee stepped out, slamming her door and heading straight for us.
“What’s she doing here, Ma?” Antonio asked, glancing at me.
“Go inside,” I told him as we exited the car. My chest tightened as I approached her. “Renee? What?—”
She cut me off. “Oh, don’t even start. We need to talk.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. This was about Joey and the damn car.
“What’s going on?” she repeated with a bitter laugh. “That’s what I came to ask you. Why did Joey buy you a brand-new car?” My heart thudded painfully in my chest, but I kept my expression calm. “And don’t lie to me,” she snapped, her tone sharp as she stepped closer. “I know he’s been here day after day. I know Paul, his little lapdog, delivered it. What I want to know is why .”
“Renee, whatever you’re thinking, it’s not like that. Joey—he just?—”
“Joey, just what?” she interrupted again. “Bought you a shiny new car out of the kindness of his heart? Joey doesn’t do things like that for no reason. He never did anything like that for me. You know who Joey really is, Adriana. He's not some saint, and you know it.”
I felt my pulse quicken. Renee’s words rang in my ears, but my mind was already spiraling out of control.
I thought back to that day at the grocery store, when I’d seen the newspaper headline at the checkout counter— Staten Island Riddled with Mafia Dealings . I had ignored it because, perhaps if I ignored it, then somehow it couldn’t be true. But then there was the day I had seen that bag of cash in Joey’s car. Stacks of bills. I’d told myself it wasn’t my business, that maybe there was some logical explanation. He was a successful businessman, after all.
But now, as Renee stared at me, waiting for an answer, everything snapped into place.
Joey’s money. Joey’s power. The way people looked at him when they passed by, with recognition—respect. How he never really talked about what he did all day, only that he was “handling things.” The expensive car. The expensive suits. My stomach twisted as I met Renee’s eyes. The real question was— who had I gotten myself involved with?
“Are you sleeping with him?” Renee asked.
The question hit me like a slap. My eyes widened in shock. “What? No! Renee, it’s nothing like that! This is about me and my son. I—I needed help. Joey was just?—”
“Helping you? Please ,” she scoffed, her disbelief cutting deep. “ Joey doesn’t help people. He rules this town with fear and manipulation. He doesn’t help anyone but himself.”
I stood straighter, refusing to let her push me into a corner. “Renee, I’m not interested in Joey. I would never get involved with a man who’s in a relationship. He’s just been kind. To me and Antonio. That’s it. ”
“ Kind ?” She laughed. “Oh, spare me the act! You think I don’t know Joey? You think I don’t see what’s happening? You show up out of nowhere, and Joey’s bending over backward for you?”
“Don’t put this on me, Renee,” I shot back. “I didn’t ask for any of this. Joey offered, and I didn’t know what else to do. But it’s not what you think. I swear.”
She stared at me, her eyes blazing with anger. “Do you really think I’m buying this?” She shook her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips. “Joey doesn’t change, Adriana. He’ll get bored with you like he gets bored with everything. And when he does, you’ll end up just like me.”
Renee didn’t wait for a response. She turned, her heels clicking against the pavement as she got into her car and slammed the door.
I stood there, hands clenched at my sides, my breath unsteady. Her words echoed in my head. I needed to distance myself from Joey—for my sake and Antonio’s. But I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to resist him.