Chapter 22 #2
“Don’t. I don’t want to hear it. There isn’t anything you could say to make this better.”
“Please, stay. Let’s talk.”
“There is nothing to say. I’m leaving. You can have them send my things back to my place. I’m sure you’re going to still have Angelo watching me.”
“Yes.”
“Right. Even if I said not to?”
“Madison, I love you and I would die if you were hurt; and having someone like Angelo there could save you. So yes, even if you don’t want him. I will still assign him to you.”
“Ok. I don’t have it in me to argue. I just want to leave.”
She walked around Dante and found Angelo still standing in the living room.
“Do you have a car?”
“Yes.”
“Please take me to my apartment.”
He looked over her head.
“It’s ok. Do as she says.”
“Thank you,” she said without turning around and she walked out of the door.
****
Madison sat with Zoe in her apartment. Zoe had come over for a ninety-day watch party.
“That was so good. It’s nice to watch other people’s hot messes. It makes mine seem not so bad.” Madison picked up her drink.
“Yeah, but some of these people made their own messes.” Zoe shifted on the sofa. “I know you don’t want to discuss it, but it’s all over the club that you and Dante got married, but you’re living apart. What’s up with that?”
“Well at least this time it’s right. We only got married so I wouldn’t have to testify, so there is no need for me to live with him.”
“But you two were for all intents and purposes living together. I know you guys were having a fight when I picked you up, but I figured you guys made up after the funeral and that’s why you got married.”
“No, we’re still broken up. Just with a marriage license.”
“So what went wrong?”
“He’s in the mob.”
“But I told you that before.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think it was true.”
“But you had to have found out it was true sometime before this.”
“Well, yeah.”
“So why was it fine then and not fine now?”
“You are supposed to be my friend. Why are you going so hard on this?”
“I am your friend. That’s why I’m asking. You don’t seem happy. Not like when you and Dante were together.”
“Yeah, but it was all lies.”
“Were they lies he told, or ones you told yourself?”
Zoe had her there. “I believed I could handle it, but I can’t.”
“But word is he left.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“So then what’s the problem?”
“They’re still his family.”
“He didn’t pick them. None of us choose our families.”
“I guess that’s right.” Madison wouldn’t have picked her parents if she had a choice. “But he was having me followed. How can he say he loves me and have guys follow me around to see where I’m going? He doesn’t trust me.”
“Yep, that wasn’t cool. He should have told you sooner. But it did help with that Sabrina situation.”
“Yeah, but that wasn’t what they were there for. It was only by chance they turned out to be useful. It’s not like Dante knew Sabrina was plotting against me. They were following me everywhere, just to report back to Dante my every move.”
“He didn’t do it the right way, but you can see where he was coming from.”
“I can, but why didn’t he stop it once he knew?”
“I bet he forgot. I don’t think he got special reports on you. With the amount of time you two spent together, you would have seen them coming or some reports or something coming through.
“I guess that’s true.” There were the “where are you texts” he sent when she went back to her place the first night they spent the weekend together and again after the surgery.
“He even changed the uniform rules for the girls.”
“He did?”
“Yeah. You know you love him and he loves you. You guys aren’t happy apart. Maybe you should do something.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“I’m going to head out. I have an event.”
“Oh ok, no worries. See you later.
****
It had been two weeks since Madison found out Dante didn’t trust her. Angelo didn’t have much to do. She sat in her apartment after the first week, when she went out looking for jobs.
Kristy had been right. No one was willing to take her on, at least not in a designer position and she needed more income than a seamstress. She needed to see her parents but hadn’t had it in her until today.
Angelo drove her to her parents’ house. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. Do you want to leave?”
“I’ll wait, Mrs. B.”
“Ok, if it gets too cold, let me know…” It had taken her this long to get Angelo to stop calling her Mrs. Bianchi for everything, but he still refused to call her Madison. She guessed Mrs. B. wasn’t so bad. At least she could pretend the B was for Bryant and not Bianchi.
“Will do.”
He got out of the car with her and walked her to her parents’ house and took his position standing outside the front door.
Madison rang the bell. Her mom answered.
“Madison, there you are. We haven’t seen you since you lost that silly job. Who is your new young man?”
“He’s my bodyguard. He works for Dante.”
“Oh nice. Is he coming in?” Her mom made a move toward him.
“No, thanks, ma’am. I’ll wait outside for Mrs. B.”
“Who’s Mrs. B.?”
“Mrs. Bianchi.” Angelo pointed at Madison.
“You got married without us? I’m sure your father would have liked to walk you down the aisle.” Madison’s mom turned and walked farther into the house. “Milfred, did you know that Madison married that young man without us?”
“Mom, we went to a judge. We didn’t do anything big that we didn’t invite you for.” Madison made a face at Angelo and then closed the door, before following her mother into the house.
“Are you pregnant?” Her dad’s voice was hopeful.
“No.” She didn’t want to be pregnant. So why did she feel nauseous at not having Dante’s baby? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
“Let me see your ring.” Madison’s mom grabbed for her hand. “Seems plain. How much did it cost? You know he should spend three months of his salary on a ring. How much does he make?”
“Mom. I don’t know how much he spent or how much he makes, and even if I did I wouldn’t share that information with you.”
“Well, you should know. It’s important to know what your financial situation is.”
“Do you know yours?”
“Yes, of course. I know how much Milford made and what his pension is.”
“Then why do you keep going over it?”
“Now, Madison, don’t talk to your mother like that.”
“Why not, Dad? I think something needs to be said. I can’t keep bailing you guys out all the time.
In fact, that’s what I came here to tell you.
” She placed the papers on the table. “I’ve paid your bills so you are current, and that is the end of my help.
From now on you’re on your own if you choose to overspend, then that is now on you. ”
“Really, dear. You get married, and you’re going to dump us for your new family.”
“Mom, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m still your daughter. I’ll still come and visit and do all the other things I’ve always done. I just won’t pay your bills anymore.”
“Milford, talk some sense into her.”
“Madison, with my stroke, we’ve depended on you to help us. You know with Henry now gone, you’re all we have left.”
“And I’ll still be here, Dad, just not as an ATM, but as your daughter.”
“That’s not acceptable. Do you know what we would have to do to live without your help?” Her mother stomped her foot.
“Yes, and it’s not anything that can’t be done. Downsize and stop buying so much.”
“I will not. Milford, I won’t stand for this.”
“And that’s fine. I think this conversation is over. If you want to speak to me you have my number. Just know I will not be able to help out in a financial way anymore. I’ll let myself out.”
Madison got up and walked out. She wouldn’t let them see her cry. That was all she had been to them was a walking wallet. Did they ever love her or was it just her money that they loved?
“Mrs. B., you ok?”
“I’m fine, why?”
“You’re crying. Did you get bad news. Is it your pops?”
“No, he’s fine. They’re both fine. Just take me home please.”
“Sure, no problem.”
Madison sat in the back of the car and leaned her head against the window and let the tears fall. She knew Angelo would tell Dante, but she couldn’t stop.
She walked into her place and was relieved not to see Dante. He still had a key, and she had believed he would show up. She didn’t want to have to put on a brave face or act like she expected more from her parents or see his pity.
She just wanted to take a hot shower, eat some chicken lo mein, and drink herself to sleep.
First step to her plan was to shower. She didn’t have any wine on hand so she would need to go out and get some.
Something else for Angelo to report back to Dante.
But she couldn’t help it. She needed a drink.
****
Dante looked at the text from Angelo that Madison had cried after she left her parents’ house. He had figured something like that would happen and he wanted to go to her, but knew she wouldn’t want that.
But something had been bothering him from the time he went to see Madison after he was released on bail. The fact that she had called Enzo, and he knew Dante had been arrested. No one but their lawyer should have known that, and he wouldn’t have called to tell Enzo.
Something didn’t add up. He didn’t want to believe it, but all signs pointed to Enzo as the mole. Now he just needed proof and that was why he met with his lawyer.
“What do you have for me?” Dante turned his chair to face Tony.
“I had a guy check and it looks like someone hacked the system and moved money around to make it look like you were not only laundering money, but were also embezzling money,” Tony said.
“Who would do that and why?” Dante looked off to the side.
“It seems like someone wanted you out of the way. The feds want to talk to your wife. I can brief her on the no comment and of course sit in the interview with her.”
“Ok, set it up for a few days. She’s been through a lot.” Dante leaned back in the chair, still thinking who could do this.
“Can do.”
“I know a guy.” Dante placed his palm on the table. “I’m going to reach out to him to see what he can find.”