Page 4 of Married to the Mafia

"Yeah, right. Did Oscar do what he promised?" As soonas the words are out, I know I've made a mistake. She winces as if I've punched her in the stomach.

"Get inside," she says, giving me a shove toward the door.

"I'm sorry," I try to say, but I'm stuttering. It's always been this way. Things fall out of my mouth before I get a chance to stop them.

Sure, I was angry but did I have to lash out like that, have a go at her for her husband running out on her, taking the kids with him? Way to get her onside, Rose. Excellent work. That'll do it.

Inside the office, I'm dumped on a wooden bench and told not to move. I look around the office. You can tell this is a small town station. I could get up and run out and no one would notice.

I could log onto the computer, it's got the username and password taped to the top of the monitor. There's a gun in a holster slung on the back of Jenny's chair. No one is looking my way. I could grab the gun and go back up there and...

And what? Shoot the demolition crew? That would really help my cause.

Jenny is on the phone at the far side of the room, occasionally glancing at me. She doesn't look happy. I watch as she hangs up and walks back over. "Your lucky day," she says, undoing my cuffs. "Get out of here."

"What? What's going on?"

"Get out, Rose. Go home before I think of something else to charge you with."

I go out the door. Outside an enormous man in a jet black suit is leaning back against a jet black Bentley. I recognize his outline.

It's the security guy who was trying to get me out of theway back at the shelter. "Come see the contract," he calls over to me. "We will go right now."

"Are you serious?" I ask with a laugh. "You expect me to just get in that car with you? Haven't you ever seen the news?"

"What news?"

"Strange men, black cars, body found assaulted and then strangled, bites taken out of them. Ring any bells? It's been all over the news."

"You saying you don't trust me?"

"You got it, bub."

"I got them to drop the charges against you. Doesn't that earn me any trust points?"

"Tell me one thing. Has the shelter been knocked down while I've been here?"

He shakes his head, walking toward me. "They will not touch it until you see the contracts."

As he gets closer, I get a better look at him. He's handsome, sure, but arrogant with it. I can tell by the turn at the corner of his lips. Smug, like he knows how handsome he is. Used to having people do whatever he says.

Square jaw, deep blue eyes, nose that's been broken at least once. Scar on his cheek, not too noticeable. Short black hair neatly tended to.

He's staring at me like he either wants to spank me or eat me. I'm not sure which it is but either way I start feeling nervous.

There is no way I'm getting in his car, no matter how persuasive he might be. There have been two women's bodies found in the last six months. Both washed up on the shore. Both unidentified.

"You're lying to me," I say.

"I keep my word," he replies. "The shelter will not betouched until you examine the contracts for yourself. Amelia and Leo looked them over. Gave their approval. Signed all the forms. They approved, Rose. Why can't you?"

"Why do you even care what I think?"

"Because you're making waves and I don't like that."

I scrutinize him. "Oh, God. You're another one like Leo, aren't you? You're one of them."

"One of what?"

---