Page 165 of Heartless Mafia Prince

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

MELANIE

“MELANIE, MELANIE,”my sister called.

Circling the wet cloth over the table, I peeked at her.

“What?” I whispered across the restaurant.

“He’s here.”

I hightailed it toward the large window and stood beside her.

My eyes widened as I stared at the most handsome guy I’d ever seen. Luciano was the son of Agatino Conti, the mobster. One of the most feared men in Philly. Luciano’s mother, Eloisa exited the truck and squeezed her son’s shoulder. Her long, wavy golden-brown hair cascaded over her shoulders. She laughed at something Luciano said. Her smile was so bright. The way Luciano looked at his mother, you could tell he adored her.

Minka and I had the perfect view of La Bella’s. The Italian restaurant that had been across the street from us forever. Luciano and his family ate there either on Saturday or Sunday. Never the same day, week after week. I supposed they had to change up their routine from time to time. After all, they were a crime family.

I’d crushed on him since I was ten years old. Only Minka knew how I loved to stare at him. Even if it was just for a few minutes.

He was six years older than me. He’d never notice a twelve-year-old girl. Pretty sure he was dating grown women. I’d only seen him one time up close. A few months back, mom and I had left the butcher up the street. We strolled past La Bella’s. I glanced in the window and our eyes locked. His eyes were a beautiful jade. His strong features were perfect for his face. Those smooth brown brows and his thin pink lips were alluring. Luciano’s square jawline added to his mean boy look.

He was just a crush, nothing more. My secret adoration for Luciano was harmless.

To me, crushing on Luciano was like a fan going crazy over their favorite singer. They knew they didn’t have a chance with their idol.

“Thanks, Minka.” I pulled my little sister into my side.

“No problem.” She bounced off to play with her toys. It was just me and her. We were so close. We’d do anything for each other.

Over the years, my crush for Luciano lessened. I still stared at him whenever he stood outside La Bellas. But that was it. I dated lots of guys in high school. They were all average. Dad was always pleased with every guy I brought around. They never stuck, though. There was just something missing. Where was that spark? I longed to have butterflies flutter in my stomach the way they did whenever I saw Luciano.

When I turned eighteen, I forced myself to stop looking for Luciano. I hung out with friends and still helped dad out at the restaurant. I was even dating again. Nothing big. Just living life. I had a great summer. My girl, Rochelle, was attending college in New York. Me and a few of our friends helped her move into her dorm. We partied at fraternity parties all weekend. I almost gave up on my culinary dreams because of our fun filled weekend. I thought about enrolling in college. Rochelle said I could come hang whenever I wanted to. I’d have the best of both worlds. She knew cooking was my dream.

***P***

“Mom, I’m off to work,” I yelled, out the back door.

She waved. “Have a good evening, Melanie.”

The large tan straw hat covered her short black hair. Dad said he believed mom loved the garden more than us. She had a knack for it. I entered her into a few contests over the last two years. Her garden won each time. Lesley Soloman was one heck of a gardener. And my dad, John Soloman was a hell of a cook. I was his understudy. Hopefully, my cooking experience would push me to the top of my class.

I climbed into the driver's seat of my LeBaron and turned the key. The engine didn’t turn over at all. I glanced at the headlight knob. It was in the on position. I was going to kill Minka. She was sixteen and enjoyed driving my car to the store up the street. For whatever reason, she sucked at remembering to turn the headlights off. The girl probably drained my battery. I needed a jump. I’d have to wait until dad and I returned home from the restaurant. I guess I was taking the bus to work. I hiked it to the bus stop up the street. Thirty minutes later, I stepped off the bus and briskly walked past La Bellas. The light at the intersection felt like it would never turn green. The second it did, I scurried across the street toward Solomans. Dad needed me to be on time. Thursdays were busy. Annette and I would be the only ones serving guests tonight. Minka was the hostess.

We usually rocked it when the three of us worked together.

I walked through the door. The smell of gravy hung in the air. Dad was cooking smothered pork chops. So darn good.

“Hey, Minka.”

“Melanie, you’re late.”

“I know. We’ll talk about it later.” I rushed into the kitchen to talk to dad.

“Why are you late, Melanie?” He scolded from the stove, tossing scallops in a pan.

“Your daughter, Minka left my headlights on again. I think she fried my battery.”

He laughed. “Sorry about that, Melanie. I’ll take care of it tonight.”

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