Page 12 of Arranged

“What girl, Amber?”

Scowling, I resisted punching him in the arm. “Not Amber. I noticed the way you were looking at Carmella.”

“She’s a character. I’ve known her a long time. Did you know she’s a doctor, a pediatrician? The man’s pride and joy.”

“Interesting.” I knew enough about Don Lupini and his family to know he’d married a second time. However, Carmella had almost never been mentioned. “I don’t think she was happy to be there or to see you.”

“Nope. We have history and it’s not so nice. I’m trying to make it up to her, but she’s a tough one.”

Tough wasn’t the word I’d use. She was beautiful, formidable, and she’d managed to take my breath away and that never happened. “You consider her your girl?”

“Why? Are you thinking about dating her?” I sensed an edge in the man’s voice.

You didn’t do that kind of thing to a member of the crew. Never. It was a fire-able offense. “Hell, no. She’s not my type, but I think she’d say that about you.”

I laughed and he sneered on purpose.

“She’s been hurt. Some jerk took advantage of her. I almost killed the dude, but she wouldn’t have liked that very much.” He leaned against the SUV, glancing at the restaurant. “I don’t know though. I think we’d be good together. You know? It might take a little while, but I really do think we are a perfect match.”

One made in hell.

I wasn’t going to say that to him, but that’s exactly what I was thinking. I liked Dion. I had since the beginning of my employment, but I couldn’t see him with a woman like Carmella. She was refined and I doubted she would tolerate a life that included being considered a mafia queen.

My balls tightened just thinking of her. I needed to get off the subject or Dion would suspect I liked her. “Are you certain we have the area covered?”

“Completely. Two of the men are cruising the streets. Lupini’s crew are keeping their distance on the other side of the restaurant. I think we all know our place.”

I glanced at the three vehicles full of Lupini’s men. As I always did in any stressful situation, I calculated how many rounds of ammunition it would take to gun them down if necessary. Sighing, I was the one who noticed Gio beckoning us into the restaurant.

It was important the pecking order be presented in these situations. I’d learned slowly the extensive protocol. There were more rules than any political party. I’d laughed in the beginning, but had grown to respect the reasons why.

They kept people alive.

“Here we go,” Dion said. “This should be interesting.”

Interesting wasn’t the word. The meeting was not quite unprecedented, but unusual to say the least.

Once inside, we were guided to a private area where they were drinking wine and enjoying eating a pasta dish, talking as if they were old friends.

No one acknowledged our presence, but I could tell by Don Santorelli’s body language that he was more comfortable having his top two people with him.

We remained in the background like flies on a wall.

“I agree with you completely, Luis. We need to work together. Perhaps an alliance will strengthen our hold on the East Coast.”

“Agreed,” Luis stated. “But some will see it as a very thin tether and that’s not in our best interest. Obtaining Boston and the surrounding areas and ports will introduce us to new business opportunities.”

“Very true, which is why I have an idea that might work.” Matheas grinned.

“By all means. I’m eager to hear what you have in mind.”

“A marriage between our two families.”

Luis coughed, coming close to choking. His Underboss took a step forward and was waved off. “I don’t mean to sound crass, but my son is only sixteen. Your daughter just turned seventeen. While I don’t mind young marriages, that is unacceptable. I also don’t think my son will be ready to handle any leadership role for years to come.”

“We could announce their engagement, but in truth, I agree with you. However, there is another option.”

Dion took a deep and audible breath beside me.

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