Chapter 4
A steady beat woke Delilah, and she laid still, listening to the music that soaked through the floor. “This must be what jazz fusion sounds like. Or is it fusion jazz?”
She sat up and stretched her neck, then noticed the time on the giant clock that hung on the wall opposite. It said it was after nine.
“That can’t be right.” She yawned, then pulled her phone from her backpack and confirmed the time.
She fell back onto her pillow and rubbed her forehead. It was going to take a few days before she would get her body clock back on track, but if she tried to sleep more now, she’d end up wide awake at two in the morning.
After blinking away her fatigue, she rolled off the bed and lifted her suitcase, laying it open in front of her while she took stock of its contents. It contained what was left of her life after she’d sold everything to try and pay off her outstanding debts. In the end, it still hadn’t been enough.
She tipped her head to the ceiling to keep the tears from coming. She couldn’t keep wallowing in the past. This was her life now. She was turning over a new leaf, which meant getting over the hurt.
Luca had offered her dinner, and, even though she’d had little appetite over the last few weeks, she knew whatever he served her would be great. He had impeccable taste.
After washing her face, she stared at her tired reflection and pushed her cheeks back, then tugged at the skin near her eyes, trying to erase the fatigue. It refused to budge, so she took the time to apply some makeup before changing into a soft blue sweater.
But as she stood in front of the mirror, running her hands down her skinny jeans, she frowned. Carpi wasn’t a casual restaurant. She hadn’t considered that when she’d downsized. In her despair, she’d gotten rid of everything she’d thought she’d never wear again and now had little in the way of appropriate clothes.
She went back to her bag and pulled out a pair of leather pumps, then returned to the mirror. It was enough for her to blend in and would hide the grief she carried around with her.
As she navigated the narrow steps, she kept her mind on the present. It helped that she had to dodge around staff before she could enter the dining room where the music came into a fullness of sound. She paused to take it in. Luca had said it was magical, and as she looked around the room, she had to admit he wasn’t far off.
The atmosphere transported her out of her sorrow. It was exactly what she needed.
She made her way to the bar and was lucky to find a seat. The place was packed, just as she’d expected, but it didn’t feel crowded, just full.
An arm slid around her waist from behind, and she grabbed it, pulling away as she spun. “Luca.” She gave him a playful shove.“I could have hit you. I almost did.”
He planted a kiss on her head. “Glad to see you up and about.” He took her hand and pulled her arm out to the side as he stepped back. “Look at you. What a stunner.”
“I was worried I didn’t have anything appropriate.”
“No. You look amazing.”
“Fake it till you make it, right?”
“There’s no faking it here. If you get any hassles from anyone in here, you let me know. I’ll boot them out.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. This isn’t some rough bar in a bad part of town.”
“You know as well as I do that the rich boys can be just as bad, if not worse, than the poor boys.”
“I’ve got a pretty mean right hook if anyone gets too handsy.”
“Handsy?” Luca laughed. “I like that. Now tell me what I can get for you.”
“I don’t know. I’m not actually very hungry, but I need to stay awake a few more hours before I collapse again.”
“Let me guess, you haven’t been eating properly.”
“Not really.”
“I noticed you were on the skinny side, but I didn’t want to say anything. That’s okay because you’ve come to the right place. My chef makes the best rice and spicy pork fritters. It’s only an appetizer so won’t fill you up. Hey, Bruno.” He waved over the bartender. “Give the lady whatever she asks for. On the house.”
Bruno nodded.
“Enjoy the music,” Luca said. “I’ll bring out your snack when it’s ready.”
“Thank you.”
“What can I get you?” Bruno asked after Luca had disappeared into the crowd.
“Mineral water with a slice of lime would be great.”
“Coming right up.”
She spun in her seat to look back at the stage where the band was playing when she noticed a few people at the tables nearby had turned their attention to the door.
Even with the music, it seemed she could still hear the murmurs as more looked that way.
Delilah turned to see what had drawn their attention and saw a man had entered.
“You have got to be kidding me,” she mumbled, guessing he was a celebrity of some kind, although she didn’t recognize him. And with a face like that, she was sure she would have noticed if he’d starred in a movie. But she couldn’t deny he had something, charisma maybe. The way he smiled as he greeted different people who stood in his path would endear most people.
She spotted Luca threading through the crowd, and the newcomer did too. He met Luca on the way and shook his hand with a big smile that looked sincere. But whether it was authentic or for show, it was impossible to tell.
The man continued to say hello as he moved into the room, followed by what looked like an entourage of admirers, most of whom were woman.
As she watched, his eyes began roving the room. He was searching for someone. But when his gaze met Delilah’s, it was as though he’d found what he was looking for. He smiled. She didn’t.
The look she gave him wasn’t meant to be a scowl, but that’s probably how it appeared. He had enough admirers. She wasn’t about to add herself to the list for a man like that no matter who he was. She held his gaze for a moment longer, then twisted in her seat and found her drink waiting for her. Nodding her thanks to Bruno, she sipped and kept her attention on the stage, sure the mysterious man had lost interest and moved on. At least she hoped so.
Samson’s eyes remained on the woman at the bar, even though it was now the back of her head he was looking at. He kept his smile, not to save face, but because he was genuinely amused.
“Your table’s ready,” Luca said, appearing in front of him again.
“Thanks for getting that for me so quickly.” He noticed Luca’s eyes lingering on his date, who he’d nearly forgotten was there.
“Not a problem at all. I take it you’ve had a busy day.”
“Actually, yes. I took down a drug ring.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. They were working out of an abattoir of all places.”
“All in a day’s work for you, I guess. Does that mean you’re hungry? Or will it just be drinks tonight?”
“I’m starving. We will definitely be having dinner.”
“Excellent. Will you be needing menus, or would you like to give me your order now, and I can get it in?”
“We’ll have a look at some menus.”
“Then all that’s left is for you to come this way.”
As Samson followed Luca toward the back of the room, he turned to take one more look at the woman who’d given him the cold shoulder. She’d been interested enough to notice him. Maybe she didn’t like the date on his arm. He couldn’t fault her for that, but usually women fought for his attention. And now that he was off the clock, he didn’t mind a challenge of another kind.
“Hey Luca, who’s the young woman at the bar over there?”
Luca craned his neck. “You mean with the blue sweater?”
“Yeah.”
Samson’s date, Kerry—or at least that’s what he thought her name was—threaded her arm through his and leaned into him, making it known she was paying attention to the exchange.
“She’s a little underdressed for Carpi, isn’t she?” Kerry said. “Did she just wander in off the street?”
Luca frowned. “No. That’s my cousin Delilah. She’s a smart, sophisticated, accomplished woman.”
Samson nodded. “I think she suits the place.”
“I’m glad you think so because she’s going to be joining my waitstaff. Not because she has to, but as a favor to me.”
“She’s the help?” Kerry grimaced. “That explains it.”
Samson considered the benefit of vetting his future dates. He wasn’t the nicest guy himself, but he wasn’t pretentious. Kerry’s comments diminished her appeal. Not that he’d been interested in her personality when he’d invited her out tonight.
“I look forward to seeing her into the future then,” Samson said and pulled Kerry toward the table. Maybe it came from her insecurity, but he was regretting his choice of company tonight.
When they sat, Kerry leaned close and whispered in his ear. He raised his eyebrows. She was making an admirable attempt to keep his attention on her. But his thoughts still drifted back to the bar.
Luca returned with the menus. “Your waitress will be over shortly to get your order.”
“Thanks.” Samson looked over the menu. He already knew what he wanted, and his mind was wandering. He looked across the crowd, but he couldn’t see much of the bar. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m getting us some drinks.”
“Why don’t you order them?”
“Because I’m thirsty now.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll have a white wine.” Kerry dropped her head back to the menu.
“If the waitress comes back before I do, order whatever you want, and tell her I’ll have the usual.”
He was stopped several times as he crossed the room. A lot of familiar faces greeted him. Everyone wanted to be him or be with him. Except Delilah.
When he reached the bar, he made his way to the blue sweater and leaned in to get the bartender’s attention. He was close enough to smell her perfume. Or was it her shampoo?
Bruno spotted him and came over. “What can I get you?”
“A white wine and a whiskey, neat.”
“Coming right up.”
Delilah looked up at him but quickly turned her attention back to the plate of food in front of her.
“Are those the pork fritters?” he said.
She paused before responding. “Yeah.” She took a bite but didn’t look at him again. That was fine. If he had no effect on her, she would look him in the eye. It was a good start.
“Have you been here long?”
She put her fork down, and this time, she did look up at him, giving him her cool, undivided attention. Interesting.
“I got in today after a very long bus trip and an even longer flight.”
“Where’d you arrive from?”
Bruno handed him his drinks.
“California,” she said. “Anything else you’d like to know before you return to your date?”
“Hmm. I don’t know. Is there anything you’d like me to ask?”
“Do you really think that coming over to hit on me while you leave your date on her own is going to impress me?”
“I’m not hitting on you. I’m getting a couple of drinks. Luca told me you’re his cousin. I wanted to make you feel welcome.”
“Oh.”
“Have a good evening.”
He turned from the bar, frowning. He’d ended the conversation on top. But even after turning the tables on her accusation, he felt confused.
Of course she’d been right. He’d gone over there to hit on her, but he’d never felt bad for doing something like that before. What was it about her that made a ball of guilt appear in his stomach?
He tipped back his whiskey to let it burn all the way down, dissolving any trace of regret.
“Here’s your wine,” he said, setting the glass in front of Kerry.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.” He smoothed the scowl off his face. “Everything is great.” He pulled her in, kissing her quickly but passionately. “I’ve got everything I want right here.”
One thing he would not allow himself to be was weak.