Chapter 10 #2
But then again this is a man I was intimate with for a long time, he knows all my weak spots. Dammit. And I know all his...
I clear my throat. “What’s the plan for tonight?”
“We are going to enjoy ourselves but reel in some clients as well. The person who may hire me for a case will be here.” He pauses. “Try to enjoy yourself tonight, Cipi, and not stress about anything. You’ve been through a lot these past weeks and you deserve a night out.”
“I can’t relax.” My gaze is locked on the window. “Who knows, my assassin might be lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.”
Dominic taps his jacket. “They will have to get through me first. I’ll keep you safe.” He reaches over and touches my inner thigh. His fingers feel the gun that’s strapped there.
“What are you doing?” I gasp sitting up.
“Just checking.” He moves his hand away. “I knew you wouldn’t go to a party without anything on you. Thankfully they don’t have any metal detectors, but security will be there.”
“You could have just asked.” I fold my arms.
“Would you have told me the truth?”
“No,” I mutter.
He raises an eyebrow. “Did that bother you?”
“Dominic,” I groan. Thankfully I’m saved from elaborating further by Tom announcing we have arrived at the gala.
The limo pulls into the curved driveway of Villa Firenze. It’s a gated banquet hall that looks like a mansion. This facility is where all the people of elite status hold their celebrations. If you’re invited here, you’re in the top tier.
“Have you been here before?” Dominic asks, as the limo pulls under the porte-cochère and stops.
“Yes. I know the owners.”
“Of course you would,” Dominic mutters.
Valets in black suits open the doors. Dominic steps out first then turns and offers me his hand like he’s done this a thousand times.
I take it a little too eagerly. My heels click against the cobblestone as I rise from the car.
The valet closes the door and then says something to Tom who drives off.
The steps are framed by trees and bushes that are wrapped in twinkling fairy lights. Pumpkins and mums frame either side of the entrance. The building is modeled after a villa in Florence with arched windows, cream stucco walls, and a slate-tiled roof.
Dominic holds the door for me. Gentle music from a live quartet swells as we step into the foyer.
“Good evening Ma’am.” A waitress comes toward us. “May I take you and your husband’s coat.”
I can feel the blood draining from my face. “He’s…”
“Yes, we would love that, thank you,” Dominic interrupts.
Within seconds he strips off my coat along with his and hands them to the attendant. She gives him a ticket and walks away with our coats on her arm.
“Come on, let’s head inside.” Dominic gently takes my arm and guides me through the doors into the ballroom.
Marble floors greet us as we enter the large space.
Circular tables are covered in black tablecloths with a gold runner.
Large bouquets are in the center. The onyx chair covers feature a yellow ribbon with a bow tied in the back.
Giant chandeliers hang from the ceiling and paintings of the Tuscan countryside cover the walls. There are mirrors everywhere.
Dominic glances at a sign that shows the seating chart. “We’re at table number seven.”
I nod. As we walk through the crowd I watch the guests in expensive tuxedos and designer gowns. Waitstaff glide around holding silver platters with hors d’oeuvres or champagne.
We reach table number seven and Dominic pulls the chair out for me. “Sit,” he commands as his eyes scan the ballroom. “You must be tired.”
“Thank you.” I sink into the chair wondering why he’s being so nice. He’s acting as if we’re still a couple. Maybe it’s part of the charm to make him look more relatable to clients.
“I don’t see him,” he murmurs as he takes two glasses of champagne from a waiter. He hands me one.
“Who?” I take the flute from him.
“My potential client Ambrose Lane. He’s supposed to be here tonight.”
“What does he want to hire you for?”
Dominic sits in the chair next to me and leans in close.
“He suspects his wife is being unfaithful to him.” He takes a sip of the champagne.
“It's sad to say that’s over half of my cases these days. Millionaires and billionaires believing their wives or husbands are cheating on them and they want confirmation.”
“That’s a shame.” Turning around I begin to recognize a few of the guests attending. Many of them have been in my nightclub.
Dominic checks his phone. “Ambrose just sent me a text saying how he and his wife will be arriving in a few minutes.” He places the phone back in his jacket pocket. “Would you like to go get some food while we wait?”
“You know I never turn down food,” I joke. He takes my arm and leads me over to the appetizer station.
The table is decorated with the colors gold and black. Rows of hot chafing dishes are filled with delicious morsels. I take one of the plates but Dominic immediately takes it from me. I give him a look and he just shrugs.
“I don’t want you spilling anything on that gorgeous dress you’re wearing,” Dominic replies as he walks along the table. “Tell me what you want to eat.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I hiss.
“What?”
“I said why are you being so nice to me? I had to practically blackmail you to help me and now you’re acting like Prince Charming.”
“You used to love it when I acted like this.” Dominic smiles and scoops some mini eggplant parmigiana bites into my plate.
“Yes, I did and still do. But have you forgotten that at the end of the day I’m still part of a family who goes against everything you stand for?” I murmur. “I’ll take some lobster bruschetta, please.”
“Just because we were on opposite sides of the law doesn’t mean we can’t get along for tonight.” Dominic places a few onto my dish.
“Put some of those stuffed mushrooms on there too, please. And a biscuit.” I point to the chafing dishes. “We couldn’t get along back then, why would it be different now?”
“Because for the moment we are working on the same team.” Dominic hands me my plate as we walk back to the table. “I’ll admit I was a little bit harsh in the beginning but you can’t deny we always made a good team.” He gives me a fork.
I take it and don’t reply. I can’t get caught up in his charm. It disgusts me how after a few days we have fallen back into old habits. Like fifteen years haven’t gone by at all. Dominic leaves me at our table then goes back to fix a plate for himself.
The other guests at our table haven’t arrived.
They are probably still mingling. I pick up a fork and push it into a stuffed mushroom.
I can’t lie, it feels nice to be treated like royalty by a man.
It’s been a long time since that happened.
Most of the time I’m usually the one putting out hits on them.
My stomach growls as I raise the morsel to my lips and take a bite.
“Well well well if it isn’t Cipriani Capuano,” a cold voice sneers behind me.
I spit my mushroom onto the plate. No way in hell. It can’t be.
Turning around, I grip the back of my chair as I see Valerio Neri standing behind me flanked by two of his goons.
“Valerio Neri,” I rise to my feet and face him.
He’s head of the Neri family, one of our rivals. He breathes violence and won’t hesitate to shed blood.
“A law enforcement charity event doesn’t seem like your go-to event.” Valerio looks me up and down.
“I could say the same for you.” I return his stare.
He chuckles and takes a sip of the drink in his hand.
The gold bracelets on his wrists jingle.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.
I happen to be one of the largest benefactors at this event.
I do believe it’s important to stay on top of all the things happening at the FBI, CIA, and Department of Justice offices. ”
“I’m sure you do,” I roll my eyes.
The smirk plastered across his face accentuates the deep creases around his eyes. His pearly white teeth hide the fact he’s gotten away with too much for too long.
“I heard through the grapevine that something happened at your birthday party last week. You had an accident.” He takes another sip.
“Allergic reaction,” I lie. “But everything turned out fine.” I stare at his expensively tailored gray suit and gold chain.
The Neri family has a lot of money but with the way Valerio fawns over my territory you would never know it.
My suspicions arise at his comment. He’s been desiring my section of the city for years. Maybe he’s involved in this.
“Valerio Neri.” Dominic is by my side. He places his plate on the table then glares at Valerio.
“Ay Dominic Cartieri. Well isn’t this a surprise to see you here.” Valerio gives his flute to a waiter walking by.
“It’s a law enforcement charity banquet, why wouldn’t I be here?”
“I meant it’s a surprise to see you here with Miss Capuano. After all, you both are on opposite sides in this war. But it’s cute seeing you two dive back into the past.” Valerio smirks.
I try to remain calm but that man knows how to push my buttons with his smug attitude. How I would love nothing more than to slap him.
“I think it’s your past you should be worried about and not ours,” Dominic locks eyes with him.
Anger flashes across Valerio’s face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m an upstanding citizen.”
“An upstanding citizen in hell,” I mutter.
Valerio glares at me. “I always did like things a little hot anyway. At least I know how to run my organization. But you, my dear Cipriani, are a sad sight. No matter how many crowns you steal, you’re still just a girl playing queen.”
“And no matter how many territories you take over, you’ll never be respected as a king,” I spit back.
“Respect never gets you anywhere in life. Fear does that,” Valerio hisses.
“You would think you’d have learned that by now Cipriani.
But just as kings fall so do queens. At least I never found myself in a checkmate.
And I don't know if I would ever respect a boss whose entire family refers to her as a butterfly.”
“Butterflies are beautiful, silent, and poisonous. Monarchs don’t need to be violent to survive. One touch of their wings and enemies drop dead,” I retort.
Valerio lets out a low chuckle. “Poison only works when the wings are intact, but what happens when the wings are dead, torn, and scattered like ash? You should watch yourself Cipriani, some creatures weren’t meant to fly forever, just like you weren’t meant to rule forever.”
“I think it’s time for you to leave Neri,” Dominic interrupts. “This is a gala, not a battleground and I’m sure you don’t want to get blood on that tux.”
Valerio holds up his hands but he smiles as if he finds our comments amusing.
“No need to get so tense, former FBI agent. I merely wanted to have a chat with an acquaintance. I’m here to support a good cause.
” He gives me one last glance. “Enjoy your evening, Cipriani. I hope I haven’t bruised your ego too badly.
” Laughing he strolls away with his goons.
Dominic turns to me. “Are you okay, Cipi?”
I wave my hand. “I’m fine. Valerio Neri always knows how to make my blood boil. He thinks women shouldn’t be leaders of our organizations. He thinks women aren’t strong enough and the power should be reserved for men only. He can’t wait for me to fall so he can claim my empire for himself.”
“Fuck him,” Dominic mutters. “He’s an asshole.
We questioned him multiple times and arrested some of his men, but we never had enough evidence to charge him with anything.
He’s a slippery snake.” He looks out into the ballroom.
“Finally. Ambrose Lane is here. He’s by the bar.
Come on, let’s go see him.” He takes my arm.
“And don’t let that dumb fuck get to you. ”
I let Dominic lead me to the bar.
As we walk, my brain replays everything Valerio said.
Dead butterfly wings, kings falling, and checkmate.
Why would he make references like that? I know the Neri Family are very into chess and have competed in competitions, but still it feels like a very random thing to say.
My heart flutters as my brain tries to make sense of it all.
Could it be that someone I love and trust in my circle is working for the Neri Family too?