Page 14 of The Mafia's Seamstress

A NAME CAN BE A POWERFUL THING ESPECIALLY WHEN SAID IN A BREATHLESS MANNER

After pinning his jacket I left Mr. Costa to change back to his normal clothes. I would leave the jacket for tomorrow's to do list but was happy to have his pants at least done. The jacket just needed to be tightened in a few places. I stifled a yawn as I began putting everything away. Mr. Costa strolled out of the dressing area, typing away from his phone.

"I'll walk you to your car," he said. I nodded, too tired to form a sassy remark and in all honestly grateful. Ever since learning about the mafia I’ve felt on edge. I didn’t want to walk outside in the dark alone constantly looking into the shadows.

It didn't take long to lock the shop up. We walked towards my car in silence. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said. I opened my car door.

"Excuse me?" I said. His eyebrows shot up.

"Excuse me?" he responded back. I pointed to my shop's door.

"Hours of operation are located on my door, in plain english and clearly states that we are closed on Sunday's," I said. He glanced over, his jaw tight.

“Well, what are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.

"I'm going to lounge around in sweats and bake bread," I said, throwing my bag into my passenger side. His tongue poked his cheek.

"I. Like. Bread," he struggled to get out. I raised an eyebrow.

"So?" I said. He rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. He nodded absentmindedly and I turned away to get into my car. I hated being ignored and I wouldn’t put up with his attitude. Mr. Costa’s hands came on either side of me, gripping the top of my car. His chest pressed against my back and I bit back a moan.

"I'll see you tomorrow at 9 with coffee. We can bake bread," he said in a low voice. I turned my head to the side, catching his gaze. A black car with tinted windows rolled up from my peripheral.

"You don't know where I live," I said through clenched teeth. The nerve of this man. His chuckle vibrated against my chest.

"Cinderella, did you forget who I am?" he said.

"What if I don't want to be alone with you?" I asked. His fingers grazed my neck, pushing my hair back and exposing my neck.

"I highly doubt that," he said as his fingers stroked my neck. I squeeze my thighs to ease the throbbing this man created. Our chests brushed against each other and he had a dark gleam in his eyes.

“Really because your cousin said I should be careful around you," I said. He shook his head.

“Luca?” he said with a frown until his eyes ignited with a playful glint. “You should be careful around us. We can be trouble,” he said.

“Double the trouble,” I said. Mr. Costa hummed and he leaned to place a chaste kiss on my cheek. My fingers twitched to bring him closer.

And without another word he walked over to the black car. Turning around he waved at me to get into her car. I rolled my eyes, slamming my car door closed. I glanced one more time at Mr. Costa.

Tomorrow, he mouthed.

He showed up at nine sharp with two coffees. He was dressed in black sweats that had no right fitting his body the way they did. Was all of his clothes custom made?

I sighed deeply. I had stayed up fixing a few things on his jacket and hemming a dress. I glanced back at my apartment as he stood silently in front of me. I was hoping he was joking about showing up. But I was a fool to not believe the words of a mafia man.

"You look better this way," I said without thinking. He smiled. An actual smile that softened his face. Even though it was small it transformed him. A small tilt of his lips had the ability to bring me to my knees. I had never had someone look at me as if I hung the moon.

I looked away. If I continued memorizing the way his eyes melted and his full lips stretched it was going to make me give in. I was not going to fall for this mafia man even if my libido was screaming at me. Seriously, I needed to buy some damn batteries.

"You're nice in the morning," he said. I rolled my eyes and stepped away from the door allowing him in. Handing me one of the coffees he strolled in. His eyes wandered around, trying to grab every detail. It was like either he was assessing my place or searching for something. The short hallway opened into a small living room. The kitchen was just off to the side, a counter separating the space.

"Nice place," he said. I grunted, sipping my coffee. My nose twitched at the taste. I had never nor ever will be a morning person. Mr. Costa spoke two sentences and it was two sentences too long. I walked past the hallway mirror and cringed at my attire. I wore an old college sweatshirt with sweatpants covered in dried paint. My cheeks were flushed and my eyes were a little swollen.

My apartment felt much smaller with him in it. He seemed to suck the air out of every space he was in. I eyed him up and down. I wonder if that was a requirement of every mafia man.

Luca didn’t really seem to give off that vibe. But he could be one of those people whose darkness hides behind his smile. I felt myself blush at the thought. These men were clouding my thoughts lately.

"How can I help?" His voice broke my train of thought. I shook my head.

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