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  “You really know how to rile her. Illegal gambling…” Madison sniffled a laugh.

  Roman grasped her chin in his hand and their eyes locked. Madison felt her heart flutter. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips. The pressure was light and protective but sent a slice of white lightning through her.

  He pulled away, leaving only an inch between them. “I wasn’t joking. I do and get what I want…But I think you already know that.” Madison’s breath hitched and he was right, she knew it. Roman Caponelli did and got whatever he wanted.

  Chapter Twelve

  Madison

  Madison could walk the distance from her home to the Genoa Java Shop, but today she drove. It was hard to not still be on edge after what had happened. Armed with her favorite espresso drink, she was ready to go back to work for the first time in days. Last evening was her first night in her home after the attack. It took hours of ignoring the usual moans and groans of her home at night before she could settle down and fall asleep. She actually laughed out loud thinking back at the spectacle of Roman bursting through her bathroom door. It seemed comical now. She missed his home. It was consoling being in such a beautiful house that had everything. Madison already missed the home gym, soft bed, and luxurious bath of her guest room and the breathtaking views of the water. Scratch all of it; it was him she missed.

  The fashion show as far as Firenza’s part was concerned was all set and it was hard to contain her excitement about the new venue and Valentina’s suggestions. Valentina was a pleasure to work with and they’d already become good friends. How nice it would have been to have her mother share in this part of the planning. Ever since she was old enough to handle things on her own, Connie had left her to do just that.

  When Madison left the destruction of the shop on Saturday, she never dreamed they would be open for business again by Wednesday. Whether it was the black card, or the Caponelli name on the card, her dress orders had been shipped overnight. Normally, they could take months to arrive. The thing that took the longest was unpacking, steaming, inventorying, and re-pricing everything.

  Stepping into the shop, Madison was speechless except for the holy shit she mumbled to herself. The place looked better than it did before. The display cabinets were all shiny and new. Apparently, Roman had a supplier in Milwaukee that special delivered them on the weekend. How they’d been able to get in when she had the key baffled her. It wasn’t until Roman explained that he’d replaced all the locks both at her home and business that things finally started to settle in.

  She should be furious but wasn’t. It was still a little unnerving to know he also held the keys and he had a security detail watching both places on camera, but that was outweighed by her fear of that horrible man coming back. Hopefully, the guy was just some nut job passing through and the destruction was random.

  The bell at the front door jingled as it opened and jarred her back to the present. In walked her coworker and friend.

  “Stephanie, I’m so glad to see you.” Madison hugged her and then took a step back to get a good look at her. “How are you feeling? You look great.”

  “Thanks, but I know it looks bad.” Steph flipped her hair to the side and Madison held back a gasp. Madison hadn’t absorbed at the time how bad it really was. The damage from flying glass had cut a deep line from her cheek bone on down. It was still raw, red, and held together by stitches.

  “Once the stitches are out and it’s healed, I’m sure it won’t be noticeable at all.” Madison tried to console her friend, but the cut had been much deeper than they’d thought. When she’d last seen her it was night time, and by the light of day it appeared much worse. The wound was angry, red, and jagged.

  “I hope so.” Stephanie tried to shrug it off, but Madison could tell it bothered her.

  “I know so.” She hugged her again. “Let’s get the place open and ready for business. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of nosy people coming in just to find out what happened.”

  “I still don’t know what happened,” Steph said, perplexed. “Why would someone do that?” She went behind the counter to start up the computer at the register.

  “Roman thinks it might be someone sending a message to him. The whole thing seems odd.” She scooped up some veils that were piled on a chair. “We still need a veil rack. I’ve nowhere to hang these.”

  The front doorbell chimed again and in walked a man who nearly had to duck to cross the threshold. He had an athletic build with broad shoulders. To go along with his height, his dark hair fell well past his shoulders, and he had an alluring and sexy quality. He was simply dressed in a white shirt, black leather jacket, and jeans. Madison swallowed the lump in her throat, never taking her eyes off him as she headed straight for Stephanie and the silent alarm switch newly installed under the counter.

  “May I help you?” Her voice trembled. She was grateful for the extra measures Roman had taken with their safety.

  The man approached. “I have your rack.” Madison blinked a few times, confused and leery.

  “Um…I beg your pardon?”

  The man had a slight accent but she couldn’t tell from where. Her free hand still lingered below the counter, ready to push the button.

  “Rack.” His dark brown eyes flashed.

  “Rack?” Madison tilted her head to the side.

  He pointed to the tulle crowns in her arms. “From Roman. For the veils.” With that, he left and both women glanced at each other.

  In no time at all the guy had returned, this time carrying a heavy iron display. Just inside the door, he stopped.

  Jumping out of her frightened trance, Madison pointed to where the former rack had stood. With ease, the guy carried her new display rack to the spot she indicated. The headpiece holder was like something she’d never seen before.

  “This is really stunning.”

  It was made out of handcrafted iron. The bottom began like the roots of a tree and then rose up and split off into branches that would hold the delicate veils. The tips of the branches had crushed black velvet pads to hold the veils in place. Intricate vines and leaves accented different spots. The whole thing had been polished to a brass and black finish which matched perfectly the décor of the store.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it.” She eagerly hung a few headpieces in place. “Where did it come from?”

  “I made it.” A hint of a smile threatened his mouth.

  “Really?” She circled the masterpiece. “And you are?”

  “Dominic.” The guy was not talkative, but he sure was talented.

  “Do you make other things?” The craftsmanship was amazing. Her mind buzzed with ideas of other things they might need made.

  “I do iron work, blacksmith stuff, and welding.” At least he seemed to enjoy talking about his work. “Knives, railings, some special orders like this, but knives and swords are what I do best.”

  “Is there a big calling for knives and swords?” She almost hated to ask.

  “In my line of work there is.” His smile faded and his face was unreadable.

  “Um, well. You could probably sell them or take orders. There’s a community arts center in town. You could make good money from the tourists looking for a memento of Genoa.”

  The guy didn’t say yes or no. The only thing he seemed to take an interest in was Stephanie. Her friend may not have noticed him glancing her way, but Madison sure did.

  “Stephanie has some things of her own there.” She nodded to her friend behind the desk and Steph’s head popped up. “You should go check it out sometime.”

  An awkward silence followed until Madison finally spoke. “How much do I owe you for this?”

  Dominic stepped back. “Roman paid me.” He turned to leave.

  “Uh, are you sure?” Her debt to him was rising by the minute.

  “Yes.” He kept going.

  “Wait,” she yelled and he finally stopped. Madison stepped behind the counter and came back with a card in her hand. “T
his is for the Genoa Arts Center. It’s for local artists. I’d really love to see more of what you can make.” It was Madison’s favorite place to visit. It gave her a sense of peace and she was always in awe at something she could not do like draw, paint, or carve. Madison saw the beauty in all things. Dominic glanced at the card with a twisted lip then tucked the card in his pocket and left without another word.

  “Well, that was strange but I’m in love with his work.” Madison placed more headpieces on the rack.

  “Yeah, maybe you can go buy one of his swords.” Hostility was edged in Stephanie’s voice.

  “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” Madison wondered.

  “It’s great, but don’t you get it?” Stephanie came around the front of the cash register. “He’s not some local artisan. If he knows Roman, chances are he actually uses those knives and swords he makes on people.”

  Madison opened her mouth to reply at the same time a group of giggling young women strolled in the door.

  She whispered, “We’ll talk about this later.”

  It irked her that Steph had such a dislike for Roman. She could understand it, but things were different now. Madison was different. The man had been very generous and sweet. Madison was falling hard and she knew that when Stephanie realized it, their friendship was going to take a serious turn.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Roman

  “What’s wrong? Missing Madison already?” Valentina teased, pouting out her bottom lip. It was true. He’d just seen her yesterday, but it already hurt like hell. They were both in the back of one of their father’s town cars—long, black, and bulletproof. Chicago was the last place he wanted to be right now and having a meeting with Rinaldi was on the top of his ‘shitty stuff to deal with’ list for the day.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket, disturbing his thoughts. Reading it, he groaned. The message added more to the shit pile.

  “That was Dom.” Roman tossed his cell on the seat. “There’s been an incident at the Genoa Arts Center. Similar description to the one at Madison’s shop, only worse.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Guy did a lot of damage and made the same threat. This is not random and there were at least a dozen scared shitless witnesses.”

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Yeah, he tossed in a small pipe bomb before he walked out the door. A few left in ambulances.” Roman blew out a defeated sigh.

  “What? None of this makes any sense.” Valentina shook her head. “What do you think is going on?”

  “I was positive it had something to do with me. But hell, I have nothing to do with the damn arts center. What the hell is going on? “

  “Is it some kind of psycho who lives in town and gets off on threatening people?”

  “The police said there was no one who lived there that matched the description Madison and Stephanie gave. What did you find out? Any names on your lists pop out?”

  “Nothing yet, but I should be getting a printout shortly of all newly purchased properties in and around Genoa within the hour.” The car slowed down as they dropped Valentina off at her hair appointment. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything.”

  “Thanks, sis.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Have fun meeting your new fiancée.”

  “Don’t start,” he warned. Valentina exited the car and Roman slammed his fist on the seat. He dreaded the upcoming meeting. His father was already at Rinaldi’s. Both men were planning his nuptials to a woman he’d never even met, while his heart was back in Genoa with the woman he wanted. He was only doing it to appease his father until he could figure out a way to tell him again this marriage was not happening.

  The Rinaldi complex was similar to his father’s, with high gates, lots of cameras, and security. The person at the guard shack waved them right through. His driver parked in front, and Roman left the car with a feeling of impending doom. Not in a hurry to enter, he stretched and gazed up at the fortress in front of him.

  There in the window above sat a woman staring at him. Madison? He took a step. What in the world was she doing here? Instead of procrastinating, he ran up the steps two at a time. Madison was in the house. He was dumbfounded and couldn’t think straight. His system flooded with fear and wonderment. It had to have been a trick of his mind. Showing up here made him realize how lovesick he was for Madison.

  A maid answered the door when he rang the bell.

  “Mr. Caponelli, right this way.” She gestured with her hand. He followed the short woman dressed all in black.

  Cigar smoke filled the air as they approached the wide expanse of the living room. Roman could hear the deep timbre of his father’s voice in negotiation mode. Madison was the only thing he could concentrate on. His cell buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket. The text was from Madison.

  Madison: Thank you for the beautiful display rack. Dominic is a master craftsman.

  What the hell?

  Roman: Where are you?

  Madison: At the shop.

  “Roman,” his father chastised. “Don’t be so rude. Put your phone away.”

  Roman gazed up to see Rinaldi and his father staring him down from their plush side chairs in front of an enormous fireplace. Swirls of smoke wafted up from the fat cigars they each held.

  “Sorry…” he stammered. “Business.” Roman shook off his bewilderment and walked to join the men in the discussion.

  Roman had been up half the night coming up with alternate suggestions for bringing the families together. It was now time to tread carefully and make them.

  Rinaldi stood and kissed him on both cheeks. “Welcome to my home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Come and sit with us.”

  “Father.” Roman nodded in acknowledgement to his dad.

  Roman took a seat on the sofa across from the men.

  “So,” Rinaldi started. “We have been talking. Your father feels that you are apprehensive about this arranged marriage. That makes me uncomfortable.” His eyebrows lowered.

  Roman adjusted in his seat. His father offered no interference or support.

  “Sir, I mean no disrespect. But I feel that we can make some other new arrangement. I hold your family and honor in the highest regard.” It was true. Roman had no reason to dislike or grudge Rinaldi’s family. If his father thought it was a good alliance, then he couldn’t argue. He would go with his gut.

  “Going against the family’s wishes is not keeping the family number one.” Rinaldi had a point.

  “Blood oaths have been an accepted practice among united families all the way back to Italy,” Roman countered.

  Rinaldi’s face puffed and reddened. “Is my daughter not good enough for you?”

  “Sir, I mean no disrespect. I am simply offering another solution.” Roman had never even met his daughter.

  His father’s eyes narrowed at him. This was a blatant act of defiance against the family. His father could strip him of his title and disown him. He could wage bloody war against Roman if he wanted to. But his father was getting up in age and his taste for the life had grown tiresome. Roman marrying Rinaldi’s daughter was his retirement plan. A smart one set in motion years ago but not one Roman was willing to forfeit his happiness for. Not to mention the fact that he’d killed Diego, one of Rinaldi’s men. No one but Madison and the men who were there really knew the truth of what happened. Nevertheless, he had to stall this.

  “Sir, I thank you for your hospitality but I regret to inform you that I cannot possibly marry your daughter.”

  Rinaldi sat forward in his seat, steam coming out of his ears.

  Roman’s father yelled, “What?”

  “I cannot marry her, Father. I am already engaged.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Madison

  “Are you even listening to me?” Her mother’s voice jarred her from her thoughts.

  Roman had left on Wednesday and it was hard to concentrate on anything else. He was all she could think about and usually tha
t would anger her, but lately she’d become more contented with the idea of having him around. It was becoming second nature.

  When they first met last year at the ball, she knew he was Mr. Right. Finding out he dabbled on the wrong side of the law dashed her hopes but it was the heart, not the head that began to rule her. Try as she might to fight it, she cared for him a lot. How much she cared was yet to be seen. Her mother and Stephanie were not fans, but in time he would win them both over or they would have to learn to live with it.

  Despite their opposite upbringing, they had a lot of things in common. Roman’s reasons for coming to Genoa being a very important one. He admitted at their dinner that he’d come to the small town to get away from it all and settle down. They both wanted to have a family and raise their children where they knew all their neighbors and could be very involved in the community. His plans for Firenza were just a small part of what he had planned for diversifying his families dealings into more legitimate businesses.

  Roman had asked her thoughts on many of his ideas. One that she was particularly excited about was a winery. After her suggestion, he looked into it and found one that he was interested in purchasing. With over one hundred wineries in Wisconsin, the state was becoming a major player in the wine world. Roman had family in Italy that ran a vineyard and they’d be an important asset to that venture.

  She had fallen under his spell. Just the sound of his voice triggered her heart to beat faster. Thinking of his eyes staring into hers caused her to swoon. Dreaming about waking up with him in the morning affected her like no man ever had. Thoughts that he’d killed men sent a chill down her spine and created a pit of nausea in her stomach. He may be a dangerous man, but she knew in her soul that he would die to protect her. Her heart may say yes, but her head still wasn’t sure that getting involved with the Caponellis was the right thing to do.