Page 35 of The Mafia's Seamstress

“Moisture resistance?” he questioned. I shrugged my shoulders.

“You know, water…blood,” I said casually. His fingers twitched on his knee. I smiled.

“Your line of work is construction no? You must go on job sites. It’s easy to get hurt,” I said. Cole gave out a dry laugh. My heart was pounding in my chest. I had stayed up late researching whatever I could find on the Anders.

They owned a large construction company. The company mainly worked in their own city. But something told me they were looking to expand.

“Correct. Construction. May I ask a question?” he said.

“Of course,” I said, closing my notebook.

“How long has your shop been here?” he asked. I tilted my head back and forth, taking my time to answer.

“I’m 28 so possibly 42 years,” I said. I grew up in this shop. I knew the ins and outs even though I was unaware of the type of clientele we serviced. He nodded.

“You own the building?” he asked. I smirked.

“My grandfather does and one day it will be mine,” I said, smiling.

“Ever think about selling?” he asked. I held onto my notebook.

“This shop is a part of my family, my blood. My family has poured their life into it. And one day it will be mine,” I said. His eyes narrowed slightly. He laid back slightly in his chair, becoming comfortable.

“Everyone has a price,” he said.

“Do the Anders plan on trying to buy my shop?” I asked, boldly. There it was. I needed to know if they were interested. If they were…well then I had a good idea about those men. Cole hesitated again. His eyes flashed with the same look from the charity ball. Regret. He cleared his throat.

“We are looking to expand. This area seems nice,” he said, calmly. I was correct. I crossed my arms. This conversation was heading towards a cliff, but I’d be damned if I was going to get pushed over.

“This area is nice. People here are kind, respectful, and loyal. They love this shop as much as I do,” I began. I looked around the shop, making eye contact with the cameras I could see. “They won’t simply accept a newcomer who thinks they can run this town. There are other locations you can try to look into but this is mine,” I said firmly.

A tick worked in Cole’s jaw. He leaned his hands on his knees, staring at me. He wanted me to break. I could tell. My heart slowed. I had control over this conversation. He was in my shop. My area. Mine.

“I think you mean your grandfather,” he commented. I uncrossed my legs.

“It belongs to the Silva family and I’m a Silva,” I said. He glanced around again.

“Is your grandfather around? I missed him at the charity ball,” he said, casually. My body tightened. I didn’t like his tone. He wanted to see my grandfather but he got me instead. And now we were sitting here in a battle of words unspoken.

“He is not. But soon. Would you like a meeting?” I asked. He leaned back in his chair. The last thing I wanted was for my avô to be in the same room as Cole. He looked at me up and down.

“There are some things I would like to discuss with him,” he said. I scoffed.

“And you think you can't discuss them with me?” I said. Another tick in his jaw. Cole opened his mouth to say something but I held up a hand. I stood up, enjoying looking down at him. “Mr. Anders, I will gladly make you a suit. As for my grandfather I can tell you for certain that he will not give up his shop to anyone. Especially The Anders family,” I said. Cole stood up, near my height. He narrowed his eyes. But I wasn’t going to let him scare me.

“But to the Costa’s?” he asked. I clamped down on my tongue to keep my features schooled. The Costa’s? My avô wouldn’t think of handing our shop to them would he? He couldn’t. This was ours. I rolled my shoulders back.

“To no one. Now are you still interested in a suit?” I asked.

After finalizing the suit that he legitimately wanted Cole walked out and I scurried to the office. My heart finally began racing as adrenaline coursed through my body. What the fuck was that?

So the Anders really wanted my territory. They think my avô would hand it over to the Costa’s. I sat in my avô’s chair and stared at my reflection on the computer screen. I hadn’t known about the mafia for long but one thing I knew was that the Silva family and this shop was important to the Loba Vista community and I’d be damned if I let any man take it from me.

CHAPTER 13

Family Dinner

WHISKEY IS A GREAT WAY TO LOOSEN UP THE LIPS OF LYING MEN

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