Captured by the Mob (Bianchi Crime Family 2)

“Who was that on the phone?”

“It was the police,” he says with his broad, muscular back to me.

“I swear I didn’t,” I exclaim.

He turns around with a ladle in his hand. “Relax. I know you didn’t. See—I’m not the only one keeping tabs on you.” He goes back to working on the food as if that’s not pertinent information.

“What?” I screech, throwing my hands up and nearly sending my juice flying.

“Don’t worry about it. Like I told you, everything is going to be just fine.”

“Excuse me, but I’m just supposed to trust you?”

He has two plates set with a layer of sauce and topped with ravioli’s and some sort of seasoning on top. Setting them down in front of us, he says, “I wouldn’t let anyone touch a hair on your head, so yes. Come, dinner’s almost ready.”

“You are a confusing man.”

“Well, let’s just say you confuse me in ways I didn’t know were possible. Let’s sit at the table.” There’s a small kitchen table in the corner that I hadn’t noticed since I refused to take my eyes off Nero.

“Do you want me to carry anything?” I ask, trying to at least help. I’ve never been a lazy ass no matter how tired I was.

“If you’d like, you can take the salad to the table.”

We sit down with a beautiful salad, pasta, and wine. I forget all about the juice because I’ve always wondered what made wine good with food. “You went all out for dinner.”

“I like to eat. Now dig in.” I nod and just dive into my ravioli. It’s freaking incredible, which takes me by surprise. I don’t know why it does, since I watched him make them and he appeared to be a professional at it.

“What the hell?” he scowls, setting his fork on the table and then pulling his phone out of his pocket.

He disappears for ten minutes and when he comes back, he’s scowling. “Sorry about that. It seems we have another matter that I have to deal with. Eat, so I can get out of here.”

“I’m done.” I push away my plate, hating the suddenly icy demeanor.

“You’ve had two bites. You don’t like it?”

“It’s fine, and I’ve had four raviolis and at least a quarter of my salad since you left. I’m actually quite full. I have a small stomach as of late.”

“Why is that?”

“Did you not see me living in a hovel and then in a shelter? I’m not sitting on a pile of cash.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your problem. Can I just go up to my room?” A feeling of defeat washes over me, not that I’d let him see it. I keep my shoulders taut and my chin up with a little more attitude than necessary.

“Yes. I’ll walk you up.”

“Yes, you don’t want me escaping.”

It’s supposed to come out snide, but all he does is nod and say, “Damn right. You wouldn’t get far because we’re extremely isolated.”

I’m not sure why I’m being a bitch other than I’m a prisoner and he just reminded me of it, even though I felt something simmering between us. Maybe that’s just how he operates with women. Hot and cold, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m not here on my own volition. There’s nothing between us, and I need to remember that. I’m nothing more than a means to an end. A repair of a mistake.

“Whatever. Listen, dinner was nice, but from now on, please bring my slice of bread and water to my cell, please.”

“Since you asked so nicely,” he snarls, not saying a word again as he closes the door behind me.

Chapter Five

Nero

Fuck. I don’t know what happened right now, but I can’t deal with it. Apparently, Gordon isn’t taking no for an answer, and the slippery fuck has insiders in the police department so he’s got a little pull. I lock the door and look right at Tony D. “If anything happens to her, I’ll string you up by your balls. Do I make myself clear?” I trust him, but when it comes to my future wife, he better be ready to lay down his life for her.

“Of course, Nero. She’s to be protected at all costs,” he answers, understanding the depths of my intentions. Mariana is the be-all and end-all of my happiness.

“Good.” I steal a look back at the stairs, aching to run up there and apologize for whatever I did to hurt that fragile connection we have. Still, I have business to deal with and the sooner it’s dealt with, the better it will be for everyone. I jump in my truck and drive straight to Dom’s where he’s waiting for me as soon as I walk through the door.

“Hey. Let’s talk in the kitchen. You look like shit, by the way.”

I nod and follow behind him. “Thanks. I feel like it.”