Chapter 14 #2
Her hand went to her still flat belly. She had taken the pill early the next morning, but she wasn’t as unsure about if she would one day be growing life in there.
She still wasn’t sold on the idea of having kids, but she wasn’t as put off by it as before.
Time would tell what her and Dante’s relationship would be and if they would decide to bring kids into their relationship.
The rest of the night was not so uneventful.
Madison went to the back room to change for her sets, like normal. But unlike normal, all the girls were back there. It was weird because they had never all been in the back room at the same time. Several girls would be on the floor and at least one person would be on the stage.
Madison went to the changing room, but the door was locked. She knocked on the door, and Sabrina answered. “Be out in a bit.”
“Brina, do you know how long you’ll be? I need to change for my sets.”
“Oh, I think I’ll be a while. Why don’t you change out there?”
The rest of the girls snickered and stared at Madison.
“Yeah, why don’t you change in front of us,” Brittney said. “You don’t have to follow club rules, so we should get to see what the boss sees in you.”
“For now,” Gina said.
Madison’s eyes widened as she looked at Gina.
“What?” Gina angled her head. “You can’t expect that you’re going to be together forever. Dante’s happy to have a virgin.”
“Yeah, he is just having fun with you. He can train you to do what he wants,” Brittney added.
“Until he gets bored.” Amber spoke up. “My first was like that until he moved on.”
“Oh, look at you. You thought you were special. Just because you gave it up doesn’t make you special or mean what you have is going to last. I doubt you’ll make it three months,” Gina inserted.
Sabrina’s trademark snort came from the other side of the door. Madison didn’t know what to do. She needed to change for her set, but she wasn’t going to change in front of them. She couldn’t go up to Dante’s office to change because that would start more problems between her and the other girls.
She needed to decide what she was going to do, she would be late for her set if Sabrina didn’t come out.
“What are you going to do? You’re out of time. Might as well change in front of us. Don’t want to make boss upset by being late,” Brittney said.
“Yeah, it wouldn’t look good for the headliner who is fucking the boss for the spot to be late for her stage time,” Gina insinuated.
Madison knew now Sabrina wasn’t going to come out in time. She undressed in front of the girls. It wasn’t as if she needed to change clothes per se. She had her outfit on under her jeans and t-shirt, but she would be more comfortable disrobing in private.
She took off her shoes fast and then slid her pants down her legs before she removed her shirt to show the racer back tank underneath. She sat down on the bench to put her heels on.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Gina said. “You wear your outfit under your clothes, and you still want to change behind closed doors. What a prude. I can’t see that Dante stays with you for long.” And Gina sauntered out. The other girls followed behind her and left the room.
The lock to the changing room door clicked and Sabrina opened the door. Madison didn’t know if she wanted Sabrina to say anything to her or not. By now, she knew she wasn’t going to apologize, but so far Sabrina hadn’t said anything rude to Madison’s face.
“They’re right, you know. You’re not Dante’s type, and once the novelty of having a virgin wears off, he’s going to dump you. You can’t think that you satisfy him. He’ll be done with you soon.” And Sabrina slinked out.
Madison wished Sabrina hadn’t given her opinion. Were they right? Madison knew the other women were jealous and full of it, but their words mirrored her own insecurities and fears. Did Dante only stay with her because she had given him her virginity? Would he get bored of her and dump her soon?
Madison had never been a girlfriend before, so she had no clue if what she and Dante were doing were things every other couple did. And why were the other girls so upset? Had they slept with Dante too?
She didn’t think they would be together forever. Dante wanted marriage, but would their time together be over faster than that?
She didn’t have time to dwell on it. She pushed it aside and squeezed it into the box where she kept her fears and doubts and went out to perform. She couldn’t let what had happened affect her performance, or they would be winning and Madison couldn’t let that happen.
The sets went as well as could be expected. Dante was there for them like he always was, but instead of looking for his eyes, she avoided them. This time when she went to the room, it was empty. She used the empty changing room to redress. When she left, Enzo stood inside the room.
“You think because you gave him your virginity that he’s going to keep you?”
“Enzo, this isn’t something that we need to discuss. If you’ll move. I’m needed at the bar.”
“I can’t believe you gave it up the first time you met him.
I guess you’re just a slut in disguise. He’s going to use you and be done with you.
You don’t think Ms. perfect Madison can fit in Dante’s life forever.
I bet he didn’t even trust you enough to tell you he’s part of the Bianchi crime family.
” Madison opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Enzo chuckled. “I can see that he didn’t.
I bet you didn’t know you were getting fucked by a mobster.
Our uncle, Lucca’s dad, is the head of the family. ”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“That’s not true. Dante paid protection money.”
“Ha, is that what he told you?”
“Well, no. He didn’t say that.”
“So that was something you told yourself to make you feel better when you were getting fucked by a bad boy.” He moved into her space.
Madison stepped back, unsure what he was going to do.
She looked around behind him, but no one else came into the changing room.
She wanted to push him away, but didn’t for fear of what he would do.
“Let’s see how long you two last.” And he turned and stomped out.
Madison was left standing alone in the room.
Things had been so promising this morning, but now she didn’t know what to do.
If she knew for sure that Dante was in the mob, could she continue to see him knowing what he was?
In her heart, she still wanted to. From what the other girls had said, her time with Dante was limited anyway.
He hadn’t promised her forever and either way he still wanted to be married and Madison didn’t.
And there was the small matter of kids. She had woken up in the night and taken her birth control pill. Better late than never.
****
Dante noticed that something was off with Madison, but he didn’t know what the cause was.
Before her set, there had been no girls on the floor which was unusual.
During her sets, she did a good job of looking around the room, but when their gazes connected they held for a few seconds, but this time hers danced away, as if she was afraid to look at him.
He hoped it didn’t have something to do with Enzo. Enzo had been in but disappeared after Madison was done, and Dante hadn’t seen him since.
When Dante got back to his office. He found Madison inside on the couch. Her legs were curled underneath her and she stared off into space, with one hand touching her hair. He closed and locked the door behind him and walked over to her. She didn’t react, like she didn’t hear him.
“Hey.” He reached for her shoulder.
She jumped and looked at him. Fear and wariness crossed her face. He knelt down in front of her and she pulled back.
“What’s the matter?”
“Are you part of the mafia?”
Dante was caught off guard with the question, but he wouldn’t lie to Madison. “Yes. Why?”
“You said you owned il Signore.”
“I do. It’s part of the family businesses.”
“When you said family, I believed you meant like a real family.”
“We are a real family.”
“You’re a mob family?”
“Well, yes.” Dante had no idea what brought this on, but from the look on Madison’s face it didn’t look good for their relationship.
“So I’m sleeping with a mobster?”
“If that’s how you want to put it, then I guess yes.”
“What do you mean if that’s how I want to put it? You’re telling me it’s the truth.”
“The truth is you’re dating me.” He put his hands on his chest. “Dante.”
“Who is in the mob.”
“Yes. I happen to be in the mob.”
“I didn’t know you were a criminal.”
This wasn’t going well. “Madison, baby.”
“Don’t ‘Madison, baby’ me Dante. I told you I didn’t want to be on the wrong side of the law.”
“Technically you’re not.”
“I don’t think that would hold up in a court of law.”
“Just because you’re dating me doesn’t mean you are on the wrong side of the law. Where is this all coming from?”
“Enzo told me what your family business is after I finished my sets.”
“Of course he did.” Dante wanted to find his cousin and beat him. “So what does this mean for us?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Enzo said in high school you, uh, didn’t do anything illegal or against the rules, so I didn’t know how you would take it.”
“Not well.”
“I can see that.”
“I was sure it was just rumors that the club was run by the mob.”
“Well, it’s true. I would never put you in a situation where you could get in trouble, and I’m in the process of cleaning things up.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that. Was that the reason for your business meeting?”
Dante could feel himself relax. She hadn’t run away. Maybe she would stick it out with him. “Yes. I’m cleaning up our businesses so that everything is law abiding.” Well, at least looked like that to the feds.
“But you’re not doing it for me are you?”
“Well, no. I had this in motion this before we got together. I told you this, remember.”
“Yeah.”
“And from our weekend at my place?”
“Yeah. You said several times you were working on making changes, and that you were going to do something else.” She touched his face. “Ok. I trust you. I trust you’ll keep me safe.”
He kissed her palm. “Of course I will. I would never put you in harm’s way.”
“I know that. I believe it here.” She touched her heart with his hand. “I’m sorry I freaked out a little. Well, a lot. But I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“It’s ok. It’s understandable. You can trust me. I have a job offer with a brokerage firm that I’m going to take. I’m going to leave the family.” If they let him leave.
“I want to be with you.”
His heart unlocked, and he leaned forward. “I want to be with you too.” He gave her soft kisses that teased.
“Dante.”
“I know, baby. Let’s go home.” He stood up and took her hand and they went to the car.
****
Madison sat next to Dante in the car. He was holding her hand with one hand as he drove with the other.
They were headed back to his place. The day hadn’t ended like she would have pictured it in the morning, but at least it was better than what it could have been after her run in with Enzo and the other girls at the club.
Dante was right. She wasn’t dating the mafia; she was dating Dante the man. The mob tie was like a job and a family he was born into. He didn’t choose that life, and he told her he was taking active steps to get out of it on his own. Before he had met her.
Dante hadn’t tried to lie to her or tell her she was overreacting, which she appreciated.
“What do you want to do tonight?”
“You want to watch a movie?”
“Yeah. That might be nice.”
“I’ll play one of my favorites.”
“Does it have a lot of explosions in it?”
“I’ll let you see for yourself.”
Madison smiled. They would be ok, for as long as they lasted. And she would enjoy every moment of it.
****
Madison went back to her place. She needed to put some finishing touches on her project.
They were doing interviews that week, and hers was scheduled for Friday at noon.
Her phone rang. It was Henry. They hadn’t talked since the Sabrina encounter. “Hello.”
“Hey, I wanted to let you know they scheduled surgery.”
“Oh, that’s great, Henry. Let me get my calendar and add it to the schedule. When is it?’
“This Friday at ten in the morning.”
“Oh no. I have my interview with the fashion house that day. Let me see if I can switch with someone. Either way, I’ll be there.”
“Let me know if you can’t switch, and I can see if they can reschedule.”
“No, don’t do that. We don’t want to push it back. I’m sure they’ll understand.
Madison got off the phone with Kristy. They didn’t understand. It didn’t matter that she was donating a kidney. They told her it was a prime, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and that if she didn’t make it, it would count against her in the running.
They did say she could switch with someone else if they were willing, but they wouldn’t open up any new dates or times for her.
She knew Sabrina would be her best option, especially since she and Henry were dating she would want him to get the kidney and would be willing to switch with her.
“Hey, Brina, Did Henry tell you his transplant was scheduled?”
“Yeah, for Friday. What are you going to do? isn’t that your interview date?”
“I’m going to do it. I can’t not give him the kidney.” That would be selfish if she were to do the interview instead of being there for Henry. What would people think of her?
“Wow. I can’t believe you’re going to give up the opportunity to work at AS house of fashion.”
“Well, I was hoping to switch with you. I talked to them, and they said I’m not out of the running, but it will knock me down if I can’t interview. It all counts for points.”
“I can’t switch. Sorry.”
“Why not? It’s just one day earlier. If it has to do with work at the club, I can talk to Dante.”
“I’m sure you could talk to Dante, but it isn’t that.
This is a competition, and I’m in last place.
I need anything I can do to get ahead. Sorry.
” Sabrina hung up. It had irked Madison more the way she had stressed talk as if she would just sleep with Dante to get him to do what she wanted, which wasn’t the case.
Even though it sucked. She got where Sabrina was coming from.
It was a competition and it was everyone for themselves, but she figured because her and Sabrina were friends or at least had been friends outside the competition and she was dating Henry that she would do it for her and for Henry.
She should have known. Sabrina had already showed Madison her true colors the night she wouldn’t leave the changing room.
Now it was time for Madison to believe what she was seeing. The friendship was dead.