Page 38 of Mafia Handbook

Chapter Sixteen

“As I mentioned before, The Cliffs was built by a man who took inspiration from his childhood. Jack Hicks was the son of one of the largest bootleggers on the west coast. When the feds caught up to his father in the early twenties, fatally shooting him in a standoff not far from here, Jack took over operations at the ripe old age of fifteen. He managed to successfully run the business for nearly ten years before a gentleman from back east decided to move his family to the west coast. This man, Noah Martin, purchased the rights to a stretch of land which butted Jack’s property at the same time Jack was in the midst of building this hideout. Jack was forced to halt construction and accept an invitation from his new neighbors.”

Milena took in the grandeur of the hall as she walked slowly beside Bash, enjoying the feel of his hand. “Invitation for what?”

Stopping outside the last room of the main hall, Bash dropped Milena’s hand, pulling her into his embrace.

“It was the thirties, Sweetness, society was different back then. When you moved into a new neighborhood, you introduced yourself.”

Overcome with the masculine smell of him, Milena rose up to place her lips against the scruff on his chin, closing her eyes as she allowed her lips to linger there.

Bash closed his eyes in ecstasy, wanting more than the innocent touch she was giving him. Turning his head, sealing his lips to hers, he pushed his tongue into her mouth and wrapped it around hers.

Milena found herself in foreign territory, while she ‘d been kissed by more than one boy in her short life, she’d never been kissed with such skill and intensity.

Knowing he had things he needed to discuss with Milena, Bash ended the kiss, his breathing labored as he placed his forehead against hers. Licking his lips, he savored the sweet taste of her, questioning whether she tasted this incredible everywhere. “While I love the way you introduce yourself, there are things I need to show you.”

Nodding her head, Milena took a reluctant step back, she could have spent all day kissing Bash, allowing him to explore every inch of her with his talented tongue. “Please, Professor, continue.”

Reaching behind him, Bash laid his hand on the keypad, listening as the locks disengaged. “Careful, Ms. Rossi. There may be a test at the end.”

In a bold move, which came out of nowhere, Milena reached out running her fingers along the ink of Bash’s arm, staring up at him through her lashes. “Do you offer private tutoring sessions if I fall behind?”

Donning a crooked smile, “For you, anything.” And he meant it, there wasn't anything Bash wouldn't willingly do for the gorgeous creature before him.

“As I was saying,” pushing open the door, the smell of damp earth and oil hit his nose. “Jack was given an invitation to his new neighbor’s house where he met Noah’s only daughter, Naomi. According to the story I was told, Naomi was instantly smitten with Jack, sadly the affection was not returned. Still, Naomi went to her father, confessing her desire to have Jack court her. Noah paid a visit to Jack and offered him a large dowry. Jack was a smart man, and while he didn’t care for Naomi, he agreed to court her in exchange for the acreage he needed to keep his operation hidden. Less than a year later, Jack and Naomi married in a quiet ceremony at her home. Noah handed over the property and Jack whisked Naomi off on a faux honeymoon.”

Stepping over the threshold, Milena was momentarily distracted by the sound of running water. “Faux honeymoon?”

“Jack took Naomi to a tiny beach house in California, spent one night with her, long enough to consummate the marriage, and then boarded a train back here to resume construction.”

Milena caught Bash’s mistake, while she suspected they’d left California, he’d just confirmed it.

“Less than a month later, Noah showed up on Jack’s doorstep in the middle of the night, finding him in bed with a woman who was not his wife. Noah threatened legal ramifications, however, they never came to fruition as his body was found dangling from a tree in his front yard. After the dust settled, Jack did the unthinkable at the time, divorcing Naomi and purchasing the remaining land for pennies on the dollar at an auction. Several years later, Jack met a woman by the name of Martha Green working in a bar he was delivering to. This time, Cupid shot his arrow through the both of them, and they married in a small church three days later. Jack loved Martha so much, he placed the property in her name, along with the lion’s share of his fortune. Martha blessed him with two children, a son who died not long after birth, and a daughter, Matilda, who was the spitting image of her father. Jack taught Matilda everything he knew about making moonshine, and by the time he died at the age of fifty from lung cancer, she was running three-times more than he ever did.”

Pulling Milena into his embrace, her back to his chest, he pointed to the stream of water running under the generators. “Matilda was wise beyond her years, harnessing the power of the waterfall I showed you earlier to power this place.” Moving his extended hand to the last remaining still on the opposite wall. “And kept production running twenty-four seven. After the death of her mother not long after her father, Matilda sought comfort from one of the men in her employ, resulting in the birth of a son. Upon her death, her son inherited the Hicks fortune, while he had no desire to continue the business of bootlegging, he did seek another venture, where keeping his business hidden was vital to its success. And thus, Keystone Securities was created.”

Milena glanced over her shoulder, “What happened to Naomi?”

Dropping his gaze to hers, “I asked the same question after I heard the story. From what I gathered, she changed her name after the divorce, sold the beach house and disappeared. I’d like to think she found happiness, but we will never know.”

Shifting her focus back to the large machines Bash said made electricity, she wished she could have met this Matilda and bounced a few ideas about how to live in hiding off her.

“What I do know, Milena, is you’re safe here. The only people who know of the existence of this place are in my inner circle. We have unlimited electricity, plenty of food, fresh water and a security system Fort Knox would be envious of.”

“Wait,” Milena spun around in his arms, “How did you get food here so fast?”

“Keystone has many layers to our organization. One of those layers is a group of people who, for whatever reason, have been forced to go into hiding. We employ them, giving them new identities and in return they do things like deliver whatever we need, make repairs, and, in certain instances, help bail us out of tight jams.”

Milena wasn’t certain she wanted to know what kind of tight jams Bash spoke of.

“I know this is a lot to take in, but I’m hoping, despite all the chaos, you will want to become a more permanent fixture in my world.” Judging by the look of shock in Milena’s eyes, Bash knew the second the latter part of his declaration came out, he’d said was too much. Still, he would never regret admitting he hoped for a slice of forever with her.

“Come on, Sweetness. I want to show you my favorite room in this place.”

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