Page 102 of DeLucas After Dark

“Get a room!” Martina yelled from the kitchen.

We both giggled, and I kissed her forehead before putting on my sweater. I retrieved Mrs. Flowers’ coat and helped her into it. She’d already said her goodbyes and hugged Simone while I’d grabbed our things. I helped her to the car and closed the partition, but chose not to isolate the sound from Denny. When we were in motion, I interrupted the silence to see if I could get a feeling of what was bothering her.

“How did you enjoy dinner?” I asked.

“Dinner was fine until I found out what I was really doing there. I appreciate the song and dance, but we should get to the point. You can’t marry my daughter.”

The car grew smaller by the second, taking the air with it as it shrunk. “Excuse me?” Because I’d already asked and gotten my yes, if this was a sick fucking joke, it was cruel. I wasn’t letting go of Simone without a fight.

“The debts my husband had with you were paid off before you decided to murder him. Even after he did, you still killed him. I’m not letting you have my daughter because you DeLucas can’t get over your pride.”

“You didn’t know my name before today, did you?” I asked about putting the pieces together of this baffling puzzle. I didn’t know anything about her husband or how he’d died.

“No. Simone had only told me that your name was Beniamino, and that you were Italian. I wouldn’t assume that every Italian is a DeLuca.”

“Regardless, I don’t know your husband and wouldn’t have used his death as leverage to marry Simone.”

“Eddie Flowers doesn’t ring a bell to you?” She studied my features, and I knew she was looking for something to resonate with me, but the name wasn’t familiar.

“No. I don’t know why it would.”

“Because your family killed him three years ago. He had finally paid off his debt and you wouldn’t let him walk away. That junkie that you let take the fall for it probably had no idea what hit him when he was arrested. What’d you do, give the money to his family?” She scoffed.

“Mrs. Flowers–”

“Don’t! I know what you’re up to. The least you could do is own what you’re up to. My Simone has nothing to do with any of this! You marrying her is out of the question. Even if I believed you for a second, how could I let this happen when we both know that the past can’t be changed. You took my husband. I refuse to let you also have my only child! I don’t know what you need to do or say to her to make this wedding go away, but you’ll do it. So, help me god, if you don’t I’ll find a way to get rid of you myself.”

“Boss,” Denny chimed in, hearing the threat.

“Stand down.” I warned him.

I never doubted any opponent, not because of weight, size, or sex. Anger and revenge could make the smallest threat mighty. That wasn’t why I didn’t need him. It was because I respected her stance. If my family was responsible for the death of Simone’s father, I deserved whatever she was going to give me. She was driven by her heart and good intention. This wasn’t greed. That fearless attitude of hers is the thing that I loved most about her daughter. I couldn’t hate it inside the woman who birthed her just because it looked different.

“You got it.” The speaker still hummed in the distance, not obvious to anyone who wasn’t looking for it. He was still listening, ready to do whatever he needed.

“Mrs. Flowers, again, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I can investigate it to see what I can find out, but I don’t know your husband. Simone isn’t a pawn in a game.”

“Do you think I’m playing?” Her face was ice cold, showing exactly how serious this situation was for her.

I respected and admired her for it.

“Not at all. Understand that I’m not either. Whatever happened isn’t something I’m willing to let stand in the way of my relationship with her.”

“You won’t have to. When she finds out the truth, you won’t have to leave her. She’ll do it for you.” She paused. “I’d rather leave sleeping dogs where they lie, because she doesn’t need to know how deceitful your family is–how damning you truly are. Leave her alone and I won’t tell her the truth. Try to proceed with this marriage and I’ll make sure she knows everything that I know.”

The car came to a stop, and I realized that we were at her house. She didn’t waste time getting out of the car and slamming the door shut, ending the conversation. That pissed me off since I’d learned nothing about what she was accusing me of. What debt? Simone’s father was murdered three years ago. I was already running things. I never forgot the name of my enemies, because I never knew when I’d need it or when it’d come back to bite me in the ass. Like now. The partition came down, and I glanced up to see Denny peering at me. Concern laced his features, but I had no words.

“I didn’t kill Simone’s father.” I insisted to him.

Denny liked Simone. So, I hoped he understood that even though I’ve done some shit to protect my family, I was innocent of what I was being accused of.

“Want me to see what I can find out?” He asked.

“Yeah. I’ll call Massimo to see if he knows anything. Flowers…” I searched my memory for the name and the only thing that came to mind was Simone’s face.

“Do you want to go back to Martina’s?” Denny asked.

That’s where I was supposed to be, but I couldn’t bring myself to face Simone when the accusation stained my soul. What if what Mrs. Flowers said was true? Eddie Flowers. I couldn’t think of a single person with that name. I’d never heard it before she spoke it. Now, though, I’d never fucking forget it.

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