Chapter 15
They had been dating for over a month. Later that night as they were getting ready for Lucca and Ainsley’s engagement party, she shared the conversation she had with Sabrina with Dante.
“Are you serious? You’ve worked hard towards this, are you going to throw it away?”
“I’m not throwing it away. I’m still in the running.”
“This isn’t going to make people think less of you because you don’t do it.”
“Of course, it won’t, because I’m going to do it.” She clipped her last earring in and turned to look at Dante.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to throw your dream away or maybe throw it away to do this. They can reschedule the surgery. I’m not saying don’t do it, just not in place of your dream.”
“I don’t want to keep going over this anymore.” This was their first tiff, and she didn’t want to have it when she would meet his family for the first time. They didn’t need to be snippy with each other.
“Ignoring it won’t make it go away.”
“I’m not trying to ignore it. I just don’t want to have this fight right now.”
“Ok.” He pulled her into him and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight either. You look exquisite.” He moved her away with his hands at her hips to take in her dress.
This one was fire engine red with an asymmetrical neckline with a cut out in the front and a keyhole cut out in the back.
“Where is your pocket in this one?”
She flipped up the hem of her dress to show him the hidden pocket.
“Are you sure it isn’t higher?”
Madison looked down and lifted her dress up higher.
“Here, let me help you.”
She smacked his hand away. “We’re going to be late.” She was already on high alert because not only would she meet Dante’s parents for the first time, but she was going to be surrounded by people who lived a life of crime. What had she gotten herself into?
****
Dante was nervous as they pulled up outside the restaurant. He hoped everyone got along with Madison. He planned on making her a permanent fixture in his life. She hadn’t taken her birth control pills for two weeks now. Was she pregnant yet? If not, it wouldn’t be for lack of trying.
But they still had time. They had made it through their first fight, well, second, if you counted the one when she walked home instead of to the club and he had been worried she had been hurt.
Two fights and the mafia talk and they were still together. It wasn’t a lot, but they had communicated well with each other and that was the most important part. Dante led Madison into the restaurant’s back room for parties and special occasions.
In the room were his parents and Lucca’s mom and dad along with Lucca and Ainsley. Gabe and his parents were there, and so were Enzo’s parents, but Enzo wasn’t there. Dante let some of the tension run out of his body. Maybe he wouldn’t show. He hadn’t gotten a chance to confront Enzo for telling Madison they were in the mob.
He didn’t want Enzo making a scene or doing anything to upset Madison.
Dante introduced her to everyone and then left her with Ainsley. The men were going to a backroom to discuss some things.
“Be right back.” He kissed her lips and disappeared.
In the back of the back room, they gathered around a table. They were using the get together to give a status update.
“So far I have just a quarter of the finances left to turn over. Real estate has new books. The clubs and restaurants have new books. I’m having trouble with Enzo’s side, and I haven’t been able to get in touch with him. I’ve done as much of the new books as I can without his input.” Dante looked around the room.
“That all sounds good. He should be here soon.” The Don looked around the room
“Do we know if he found the mole?” Lucca said.
