He made sure to say “our” in a powerful way so that I’d accept his business as mine. It was hard when, half of the time, this all still felt like a dream.
I shook my head. “No. I used to pass by sometimes when I was going to Home Run. You can see people eating from outside. It smelled really good. I was hungry.” I shrugged. “ No one ever came out with leftovers, so I figured the steak must be worth a kidney.”
He chin-flicked, copying what I’d done outside of his restaurant when Bruno had given me a hard time. “It makes sense now. Why you said what you did.”
“After I was done being ashamed, I got angry. Your guy pissed me off.”
“You kept coming back.”
“I’m not sure why. You made me…curious.” I bit my lip but stopped when he narrowed his eyes. “Did you remember me then?”
“You looked familiar, but no, not fully. You’ve grown up.”
“Some days.” I smiled, but it was weak. “It was hell getting to the days when I am.”
“Mariposa.” He touched my chin and then kissed my lips softly. Then he took my hand again and led me to the humongous closet.
It took only a few minutes for him to find what he was looking for on his side. Even though everything was organized for me, dress clothes from casual, winter, spring, summer, and fall, it took time for me to find things.
I was still rummaging around, trying to find the right outfit, when he told me to meet him in his office when I was done. He wore a black suit with a white shirt underneath and a black tie. He reminded me of a gangster from the ’20s. All of his suits were dark, either black or navy blue. For some reason, the view of him reminded me of the tattoo on his arm—all darkness except for those electric blue eyes.
Some men had it so easy. Ten minutes and…done.
I sighed, pushing around the many hangers until I came to an embellished black chiffon dress. The fringe on it reminded me of cascading water at night, the edges tipped with silver, like moonlight was touching them. It had an ombre effect. Holding the dress up to my body, I saw that it landed right above my knees. It was classy and sexy at the same time.
It took me a while to do my makeup and hair. Sawyer’s team had taught me how to do both. I kept my eyes simple but used blood red on my lips. I curled my hair, but I didn’t do full curls. Wavy. After, I slathered myself in the cream Capo loved so much and sprayed the perfume. Then I got dressed.
Three white-gold bangle bracelets, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires, and a pair of matching earrings came close to completing the outfit.
“Fucka me,” I breathed. I hoped the jewels in the bracelet weren’t real. I had enough to worry about with the ring on my left finger. Maybe they’d just chop my wrist off and be done with it. They might even go after my ears if they noticed the earrings.
Shaking off the shock, this wasmylife, I found a pair of heels that were high and black and made pretty patterns against my feet.
All done.
“Mariposa—” Capo stopped when we met in the “hallway” of the closet. It was the first time I’d truly dressed up since we were married. I liked how he looked at me, like he had when I opened my robe and showed him my goods the night of our City Hall wedding.
“What do you think?” I turned a little for him. “Good enough?”
I wanted to make him proud while I was on his arm. I wanted to look good,no, stunning for him. I’d never thought I’d useIandstunningin the same sentence, but things had changed. This man was so good looking that it made it hard to catch my breath sometimes. And he chose me. The girl with the strange-shaped schnozzola.
“Sbalorditiva.” He raked his teeth over his bottom lip. “You make me proud, Mariposa.”
Sbalorditiva. I knew what the word meant without Capo having to translate.Stunning. There were times when I had no clue what he was saying, but others, I did. It was strange understanding words I’d never heard before in a different language, but somehow knowing their meaning.
Then the last part of his compliment made it to my mind.You make me proud.
Before I could say something stupid, he lifted my hand to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on my fingers. “I don’t deserve your time or company, but regardless, it’s mine. For the rest of my life.” And with that, he took my hand and we left.
* * *
Capo’s carpulled smoothly into his reserved spot in front of Macchiavello’s. He had driven his Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo. It was all silver and sleek and looked just like the bat car. Which was what I felt he was aiming for, since we lived in what seemed like a bat cave.
At our arrival, a few people stopped to stare. Anytime he pulled up in one of his cars, it seemed to cause a stir. Or maybe it was Capo. He caused the stir. But his impressive collection of vehicles seemed to be the only thing he did that was loud enough to draw attention. It didn’t exactly fit with his reclusive lifestyle, but I was finding I couldn’t assume anything with him.
Capo coolly stepped out, ignoring the men pointing at his car, striding to my side to open the door. He fixed the button on his suit before he did.
I hesitated, waiting for Bruno to come barreling out. I didn’t expect him to be mean to me like he had the last time—after all, I was hiscapo’swife—but I hoped he didn’t spit on my steak while it was coming out of the kitchen.
