Men of Mayhem (45 page)

“Really? It’s stunning. I must have you design something for me.”

“I’d love to. Stop in the shop and we’ll talk.”

He cleared his throat and they both turned his way. It was rare that he’d let someone else introduce him. This wasn’t his style.

“Oh, have you met my brother Rom—ah, Roman? He owns the place.” He pinched the back of her arm in time to prevent her from calling him Romeo.

Stepping forward, he reached for her hand. “My pleasure.”

Those uncomfortably high but sexy shoes brought her almost to his six-foot-two eye level. “It’s wonderful to meet you again,” she said. “I’m Madison, and I promise to not throw any drinks your way this evening.”

Valentina turned in his direction and lifted an eyebrow.

“We bumped into each other at the coffee shop.”

“That’s putting it nicely.” Madison spoke up. “He startled me and I spilled coffee all over the front of his nice suit.”

“Yes, my brother scares a lot of people.” His pesky sister baited but he ignored her.

“I hope you have been enjoying your evening so far.” A whiff of some floral perfume teased him to step closer.

“It’s been wonderful. A bride would be in heaven to have a reception here.” Her soft hand remained in his.

“Do you have any plans for an upcoming wedding of your own?” The cheap trick would tell him whether she’d been taken. After watching her all night and now seeing her up close, he already wanted to stake a claim. To hell with any boyfriends who needed to be out of the picture.

Her cheeks flushed and her eyes lowered. “No, but I do run a bridal store so I plan a lot of weddings for others.”

“Madison runs the business for her mother.” Valentina provided the information that finally sorted out the confusion.

He nodded and regrettably let go of her hand. The band ended the lively tone and began with a slower one. “Would you care to dance, Madison?”

“I’d love to.” She stepped closer, and with a hand to her lower back he guided her to the dance floor already crowded with couples.

“Madison’s a beautiful name.” Up close she was even more impressive. Her pink lips, smooth skin, and deep blue eyes had captured his full attention.

“Thank you. I must say you’re the first Roman I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

He laughed. “My parents took a trip to Italy about nine months before I was born. They won’t admit it but I think it’s a good bet I was conceived in Rome.” Roman twirled her around and pressed her closer when she returned. His smile widened when she looped both arms around his neck and grinned. Her cheeks flushed and little strands of deep brown hair framed her face.

“What a wonderful story, but I’m not sure I would share that with my children either.” Suddenly visions of a dark haired son and daughter giggling around them appeared in his mind. He’d never had this reaction to a woman before. What it meant, he wasn’t certain but Roman intended to enjoy it while he could. Good girls didn’t end up with bad boys.

One dance became two and in no time at all it was getting late. Valentina took care of saying goodbye to the guests when she noticed he and Madison sitting together and talking. In the few short hours they’d spent talking and sharing drinks, he enjoyed learning more about Madison, her home town, and her future aspirations. She was smart, ambitious, and easy to talk to.

He stopped short. This was something new. Women came and went when he needed them and that was that. Roman was in the mafia. Not just that but the eldest and only son of the boss of the family. In his short life he’d moved up fast, done a lot of bad things, and never looked back. Sweet girls from small towns were not on that list. The sole purpose in meeting her was to get information from her about Andrea, and he’d spent the whole time getting to know someone who came from a totally different lifestyle than his.

Her soft hand touched his and she smiled. Maybe that was exactly what he needed in his life.

Madison

Disappointment shone on his face as she touched his hand. He seemed deep in thought and her gaze dropped to her watch. “I’m sorry. I’ve been talking your ear off. I’d better go before it starts to snow.” Madison rose to her feet and clutched her purse to her side. They’d had such a nice time. At least,
she
had. Being in his arms had her tingling in areas that hadn’t been tingly in a long time. Had she said something wrong? The man came from the windy city and probably thought she was a country bumpkin. She’d probably bored him to death and he’d been trying to think of a way out.

“Wait. I’m sorry, I thought of some troubling news. Let me walk with you and finish our talk.” He also stood and again she felt his comforting hand on her lower back. “I could use some fresh air.”

Instead of walking to her car, they walked along the shore of the icy lake. It had snowed during the ball and about an inch already covered the ground. White fluffy flakes still floated down. Again, she couldn’t help but think about what a perfect place this would be for events.

“Are you cold?”

Her cheeks pinked. “Oh, a little. Just my hands, that is.” She rubbed them together and he took one in his.

“I’ll keep them warm.” In an instant her fingers heated and warmth spread through her limbs.

All thoughts seemed to disappear from her head but she needed to ask something. “What was the bad news you were thinking of? Is it something I can help with?”

“The daughter of a friend of mine has disappeared.”

Her breathing slowed. “I know someone who’s missing also. It’s heartbreaking.”

“Is her name Andrea?” He spoke quietly, his gaze never leaving hers. Long, strong fingers gently entwined with her own.

“Yes.”

“Do you have any idea what might have happened?” Roman squeezed her hand.

“No, but I worry her former fiancé might have something to do with it.”

“How so?” His eyebrows furrowed.

“She purchased her dresses from me. I didn’t care for the man.” A shiver rippled through her and it wasn’t from the cold.

“Oh?”

Madison pinched her lips together before speaking. “I got a bad vibe from him. He was domineering.” Thinking back on her dealings with him, the man had been terrifying. “I got the feeling that if things didn’t go his way there would be trouble.” What had Andrea seen in him in the first place?

“Did he ever threaten her or you?”

She shook her head and tried to concentrate on the Christmas lights decorating the homes around the lake. “No, but I know he abused her. When she came for fittings, I noticed bruises on her skin.” Madison faced him again. “I finally got her to admit they were from him.” Tears threatened her eyes. “I begged her to go to the police and call the wedding off.” She trembled as Andrea’s purple and blue blemishes flashed in her head.

This time he let go of her hand and placed his arm over her shoulder. “You did the right thing. Hopefully we will find her soon.”

“You are looking for her too?”

“Yes, I have some men around asking questions and a friend on the police force.”

She sighed and briefly laid her head on his shoulder. It felt good to have someone to comfort her, if only for a short time. Andrea’s disappearance had weighed more on her than she thought. What if it wasn’t Diego and there was a murderer in their midst? Neither was a good thing. A knot settled in her stomach and the rest of their walk was spent in silence.

Regretfully, their time together would end soon. He gave her Valentina’s card to set up a meeting with her next week. Firenza’s would be ideal for a bridal fashion show next month, for all the new brides getting rings during the holidays.

“Thanks for accompanying me. I had a wonderful time.” She chatted, hoping to spend a few more minutes with Roman. “Do you live near here?” Maybe they would be able to meet up again and talk about something more than work.

“My driver, Arlo, is waiting to take me to my place on the lake.” Roman nodded toward the black SUV that sat near the edge of the parking lot. The linebacker-sized guy from the coffee shop stepped out of the car and closed the door. The hem of his long black coat waved in the evening air. Another man sat in the driver’s seat. The vehicle and men both stood out from the usual sights she saw in town. The reason why escaped her. Sure, there were lots of SUVs and men, but something wasn’t quite the same.

“My car is right over there.” Her gray four-door sat alone in the distant parking lot, isolated except for a van and two college-aged men she recognized as waiters from the ball. They were engaging in a snowball fight. One narrowly missed the head of the other with a large white missile. The young men’s laughter broke the silence of the night.

Roman accompanied her in the direction of the parking lot. Their footsteps crunched on the fresh snow. The moon poked in and out of the cloudy night sky. He held tight to her hand as if worried she might slip on the snowy ground. She already mourned the loss of it when he would finally let go. Madison felt like Cinderella right before midnight. The tick-tock of a clock in her head counted off the seconds before she’d return to her humdrum life. It was time to say goodnight. He stopped by a large oak tree on the edge of the parking lot. Did he want some privacy?

“I have to go. Thanks again for the wonderful evening.” Madison took a step but he held tight. Her heart skipped a beat as he slowly pulled her toward him.

“I want to see you again.” She could see his breath when he spoke.

“To talk business?”

“No, for a date.”

Her heart leaped. “I’d like that.” A big smile spread across her face.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered along with some unknown words in Italian. He lifted his free hand to smooth a lock of hair that had blown in her face. It had to be below freezing but she didn’t feel the chill.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she managed to whisper, and Roman laughed.

What a stupid thing to say. When had she become as giddy as a teenager? She was thirty years old but sure wasn’t acting like it. His buddies in the car were probably having a good laugh.

He leaned closer.

She may be giddy but she wasn’t stupid. To hell with tomorrow, she would enjoy tonight.

His lips touched hers. Suddenly her heart beat faster than it had on the dance floor. Despite the cold, she was melting inside. He pulled her tighter and deepened the kiss. Roman tasted like brandy and peppermint. A strange combination that was better than anything that had ever touched her lips before.

The kiss deepened and a moan rumbled in her throat. Suddenly his mouth was gone. Roman smiled and stared into her eyes. When had her arms become wrapped about his neck?

“I love a woman with passion.” He nipped her neck and she finally got a chance to thread her fingers through his hair. It was smooth and she softened into the heat of his body, with no thought…only feeling. She wasn’t one to be making out in the middle of the night with some man she just met, but it felt right.

He pulled her closer and the evidence of his desire was hard against her stomach. The delicious assault on her lips continued and there was no way she would put an end it to. Her ears burned and her pulse raced.

Cold attacked her mouth when the warmth of his lips left hers. His brown eyes were dark as coal and he rested his forehead against hers. “I’ll call you.” Roman kissed her again and walked her to her car.

“Thanks again.” Madison beamed as she settled into the seat and turned the key. She drove several miles before the heat kicked in but she hadn’t noticed, her thoughts busy with the events of the night.

Not expecting there to be much more snow, she parked her car outside her home and hummed a tune as she strolled up the front steps.

Out of nowhere, a white cloth was pressed to her face. Madison fought but the man was too strong. She couldn’t breathe, her eyes watered, and her limbs went weak.

When she awoke, Madison realized she was in a van and her hands and feet were tied. How long they drove, she didn’t know. It could have been hours or mere minutes before they stopped. Moving her head was agony but she finally saw the driver. A lump lodged in her throat. It was Diego.