Chapter 15
They had been dating for over a month. Later that night as they were getting ready for Lucca and Ainsley’s engagement party, she shared the conversation she had with Sabrina with Dante.
“Are you serious? You’ve worked hard towards this, are you going to throw it away?”
“I’m not throwing it away. I’m still in the running.”
“This isn’t going to make people think less of you because you don’t do it.”
“Of course, it won’t, because I’m going to do it.” She clipped her last earring in and turned to look at Dante.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to throw your dream away or maybe throw it away to do this. They can reschedule the surgery. I’m not saying don’t do it, just not in place of your dream.”
“I don’t want to keep going over this anymore.” This was their first tiff, and she didn’t want to have it when she would meet his family for the first time. They didn’t need to be snippy with each other.
“Ignoring it won’t make it go away.”
“I’m not trying to ignore it. I just don’t want to have this fight right now.”
“Ok.” He pulled her into him and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight either. You look exquisite.” He moved her away with his hands at her hips to take in her dress.
This one was fire engine red with an asymmetrical neckline with a cut out in the front and a keyhole cut out in the back.
“Where is your pocket in this one?”
She flipped up the hem of her dress to show him the hidden pocket.
“Are you sure it isn’t higher?”
Madison looked down and lifted her dress up higher.
“Here, let me help you.”
She smacked his hand away. “We’re going to be late.” She was already on high alert because not only would she meet Dante’s parents for the first time, but she was going to be surrounded by people who lived a life of crime. What had she gotten herself into?
****
Dante was nervous as they pulled up outside the restaurant. He hoped everyone got along with Madison. He planned on making her a permanent fixture in his life. She hadn’t taken her birth control pills for two weeks now. Was she pregnant yet? If not, it wouldn’t be for lack of trying.
But they still had time. They had made it through their first fight, well, second, if you counted the one when she walked home instead of to the club and he had been worried she had been hurt.
Two fights and the mafia talk and they were still together. It wasn’t a lot, but they had communicated well with each other and that was the most important part. Dante led Madison into the restaurant’s back room for parties and special occasions.
In the room were his parents and Lucca’s mom and dad along with Lucca and Ainsley.
Gabe and his parents were there, and so were Enzo’s parents, but Enzo wasn’t there.
Dante let some of the tension run out of his body.
Maybe he wouldn’t show. He hadn’t gotten a chance to confront Enzo for telling Madison they were in the mob.
He didn’t want Enzo making a scene or doing anything to upset Madison.
Dante introduced her to everyone and then left her with Ainsley. The men were going to a backroom to discuss some things.
“Be right back.” He kissed her lips and disappeared.
In the back of the back room, they gathered around a table. They were using the get together to give a status update.
“So far I have just a quarter of the finances left to turn over. Real estate has new books. The clubs and restaurants have new books. I’m having trouble with Enzo’s side, and I haven’t been able to get in touch with him.
I’ve done as much of the new books as I can without his input. ” Dante looked around the room.
“That all sounds good. He should be here soon.” The Don looked around the room
“Do we know if he found the mole?” Lucca said.
“Not that I know of, but maybe that’s why he is late,” Enzo’s dad said.
“Let’s wait for a few to see if he shows. Someone send him a message,” said Don Calo
****
Madison stood next to Ainsley unsure of what to say. The older women looked at them, but none approached. They had been kind when she was introduced. Well, everyone except Enzo’s parents. Her nerves were out of control to know she was in the presence of the mob.
Did Ainsley know? Madison suspected she did since she was marrying Lucca who was the Don’s son according to Enzo.
“So, how long have you and Lucca been together?” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms even though it wasn’t cold in the room.
There were some rough-looking men standing around.
Madison could see their guns, which scared her on a different level.
Her hands were clammy, and her heart raced.
Her eyes darted around the room and took in everything and nothing at the same time.
Why did they need guns at an engagement party?
“Not long. Around two months.”
“Wow, that is fast. I guess when you know, you know.”
“Well, my dad lost me in a bet that he was sure he would win, and lucky for me they aren’t into trafficking and Don Calo wanted a wife for Lucca and figured I would make a good one and here we are.”
“Wow.” That was not what she had expected.
Were the guns to keep Ainsley from leaving? “Do you want to be with Lucca?”
“At first no, but now I do. You and Dante?”
“Close to eight weeks.” Although most of that was when they had their arrangement with each other. They had only been official for around four weeks. But no one needed to know that.
The door opened, and Madison turned around to see Enzo enter. She had been curious as to where he was. He headed straight for them instead of the back room where the other men were.
“Ainsley, I need to speak to Madison in private.”
Madison didn’t want Ainsley to go, but she didn’t think grabbing the woman’s arm and begging her to stay would be a good look. Even in front of witnesses, she didn’t want to be around Enzo.
“Sure, I was just getting ready to head to the ladies’ room. Nice meeting you, Madison. Look forward to seeing you around.” With that she gave a wave and left the room.
Madison backed up. “Enzo, I don’t think we have anything to say to each other.”
“Maybe, but I bet you didn’t know Dante has been giving you extra money for your services.” Enzo, moved into her space.
“What do you mean services? And what extra money? I earned all of that.”
“You know, you’re lying on your back for him. Or maybe you’re on top, or does he take you on all fours?”
Madison went to slap him, but he caught her hand this time.
“He’s been adding a grand to your money.”
“No.”
“He did it that day you guys decided you were dating and not just fucking. That extra ball of money was from his private stash.”
Madison tried to pull her hand away, but she knew what he was saying.
She had remembered the time Dante had added another bundle to her money but never asked.
And she had noticed she was getting a grand extra than what she expected and it was consistent, but brushed it off as it being due to the headliner position. She yanked her hand out of Enzo’s grip.
“Even so. I’m still not going to date you.”
“What’s your price? Two grand and I can get you on your back? Is there a family discount?”
At that moment, the guys came out of the back room.
****
Dante noticed Enzo next to Madison, and then she took her hand from Enzo, and he made a beeline for them.
“What’s going on here? Why did you touch Madison?”
“I was telling her how you’ve been giving her an extra grand for her bedroom services. But I guess you guys don’t just keep it in the bedroom. I was asking if there was a family discount or if she is running any specials.”
Enzo hadn’t finished when Dante slammed a fist in his face.
Madison screamed. “Dante, don’t.” She tried to pull on his arm. “Dante. Stop. That’s what he wants.”
Gabe pulled her away from Dante, just as Enzo sent a punch that Dante dodged before he headbutted Enzo and knocked him into the table. Plates and silverware clattered to the floor as the two rolled around on the broken dishes.
Madison tried to get to Dante, but Gabe held her firm. “I need you to stay here.”
“Can’t you do something?” She looked up at him.
Lucca had waded in and tried to get a hold of the two of them, along with the other men.
“Stay put.” Gabe left her to grab Dante.
Ainsley came to stand next to her. “Whoa. What did I miss?”
“Enzo being a dick.”
“This is only the third time I’ve met him, but that tracks.”
The men were able to separate Dante and Enzo after some time. Enzo looked worse for wear. Dante still tried to get back to Enzo when Madison ran over to him. “Dante, stop. It doesn’t matter what he says. I want you. I choose you.”
Dante stopped fighting to get away and looked at her. “Please, let’s go home.” She held out a hand to him, and he took it. Lucca and Dante’s dad released him and they walked out of the restaurant and to Dante’s car.
Madison was feeling stupid in the car ride back to Dante’s. She hadn’t let Enzo get in her head like last time when he told her they were in the mafia, but she knew he wasn’t lying that Dante had added money to her cut.
How could she have been so blind? She had wanted to believe that because she was the headliner and doing three sets. Combined with the bartending and tips had accounted for the extra money.
But no. Dante added extra money. She wasn’t as dumb as Enzo believed she was though. She knew he wasn’t paying her for sex. Her and Dante both enjoyed having sex with each other, and there was no need for payment.
She knew he was trying to help her, and she should be thankful, grateful for it even. She had needed a nest egg and to help Henry with his medical bills plus if her dad needed something and her mom had spent the money she would buy it or pay the bill for him.
But it was her choice to take it or not, and he had taken it away from her. He said he wouldn’t do that and he did. She was like an ungrateful baby. She should have stayed and ignored Enzo. She knew what he was trying to do, and she let him win. She followed Dante into the house.
“Madison—”