Page 12 of Saved By the Mafia Loverboy

“What the fuck! That’s gonna cost me, Cam. You damn bastard.” She yanked the fire extinguisher out of my hand as I pushed the door shut with my foot.

“Dad will pay for it, or insurance. You have nothing to worry about. I am avoiding jail.”

She backed away, offended, and put the extinguisher away, locking the case and putting the boxes back as they were. I returned to the recording equipment, and picked up the black box and computer, stacking them carefully on the shelf. This stuff had to go with me to be burned and disposed of. If anyone saw what was on this recording, I was done. Even Dad wouldn’t be able to save me.

“You done something bad, Cam?”

“Yeah, murder is bad. So stay out of my way.” Without touching anything else, and with a single violet tug, I ripped both items off the shelf, tearing the wires out. Sparks flew, making Jenn screech and jump, and I pushed past her. “When the cops show up, tell them someone broke in last night. In fact, better yet, you should call them. Act like you just found this.”

“You killed someone?” She shook her head. “And Dad didn’t order it?”

“Just keep your mouth shut.”

Jenn clicked her tongue at me as I made my way out of the back of her shop, but when I saw the cops walking in the storefront, I immediately retreated. My only way out was the back door. Her eyebrows rose and she waved me out. For a moment I stood listening to her address the police.

“God, am I glad you’re here.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I was just about to call you.”

Knowing my sister would never rat me out, I hurried to the back and out the door. With all of the evidence destroyed, I was in the clear. Sure the cops knew this was Italian territory and the man murdered was Bratva, I wouldn’t go to prison unless Murphy opened her mouth. And given how we left things, I was certain I was not going to have that problem from her.

I walked a block away and called Shane and he was there in minutes. Now, I just had to play my cards right. It was obvious Murphy and I belonged together. I just had to convince her of that.

EPILOGUE - JENN

Months later…

“All I’m saying is that when I came in to work the back door was busted in and the shit was gone. You think I had something to do with it? You’re wrong. I was at home in bed. My bodyguard, my driver, and even my home security will prove that.” I’d had enough of these damn cops coming into my flower shop day after day for months. Three months to be exact.

The detective stared me down. His scraggly facial hair was repulsive, long winding mustache hairs that twisted upward at the tips. His partner, a woman in her thirties with a pointy nose, held her pen at the ready, notepad in hand.

“Ms. Riccio, we have reason to believe this murder is connected to your brother somehow, and we’re just looking for answers. If you cover for him, you’ll go down as an accessory to murder. Is that what you want?” The pointy nosed woman clicked her pen, tapping the tip on the notepad. She had that “good cop” vibe that I hated. I’d covered for Cam my whole life. Even when I knew he was guilty. Like in high school when he slashed that kid’s tires for parking in his parking spot. I watched him do it because I rode to school with him that day.

No way I was backing down now. Cam was blood, and blood was thicker than water. Daddy taught us that. A man who turns on his family is no better than an enemy, and I would never do that.

“Ms.—” I leaned in to read her name tag “—Kramer, I told you a dozen times already. I don’t know nothin’.”

The bell over the front door dinged and Joseph walked in. His dark eyes scanned the place, brooding and full of disapproval. The cops looked up at him as if he were intruding on a private matter, and he set his briefcase on the counter, standing between me and them as if he were a lawyer or something.

“Is there a problem?” Joseph probably thought they were here to investigate the laundering I’d been doing for my Dad’s illegal trades. He’d already warned me enough that it wasn’t Kosher and it had to stop. I hadn’t stopped anyway.

“Sir, this is a private discussion.” Detective Harper, the burly man, raised his eyebrows at Joseph.

I heard Beater behind me stirring. He was never out of earshot, though sometimes I wished he’d not be around. Like times when I knew it was the day I’d convince Joseph to fuck me over my desk. I smirked, thinking of what Beater would do if I just put the moves on the old guy right in front of him. Beater was by the book, and Dad had other plans for me. I knew that. Everyone had already told me.

“Look…” I walked around the end of the counter and pushed Joseph to the side. “I can’t help you. I don’t have the recording stuff or the computer. You can go look again but it’s all brand new, and has been replaced since that night.”

“This isn’t over,” Lady cop said, tapping her pen again. The cops retreated, and as I turned to address Joseph, I saw my bodyguard slink back into the storage room.

“Nice of you to join me. That was a bunch of shit.” I stood closer to him, probably too close. He seemed to stiffen as I approached him. He smelled like his usual musky cologne and cigars. I liked the scent of the cologne, not so much the cigars. They reminded me of my father.

“I’m assuming that was about your brother again?” He squared his shoulders, taking a step back, and I stepped forward farther.

“Yes, they believe he’s connected, though they have no proof of that.” I took his tie in hand and tugged on it, pulling his shoulders forward.

“Jenn, this is ridiculous. If your father finds out you’re trying to sleep with me, he’ll kill me. You’re promised to the commissioner.” Joseph pried my fingers off his tie and straightened it. I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye and glanced at the back to see Beater with his arms folded over his chest.

Scowling, I backed up a step and scowled at my bodyguard. “Go the fuck away.” Beater’s face twisted up into a glower. “Can I get some fucking privacy?”

The man stepped into the back again, and left me alone with Joseph. And I resumed my posture next to him, leaning into him. But this time I gripped his cock through his slacks. Not exactly rigid, but his semi-hard cock aroused me. And it was proof that he was aroused by me too.

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