Page 95 of DeLucas After Dark

“Okay,” she cleared her throat, “moving on.”

“Never could take a compliment.” Mrs. Flowers laughed full belly.

“Some things never change.” I kissed her cheek and Simone leaned into me.

“You two are cute. How did you meet?” She asked.

I froze. How do we explain that to her?

“Marcus. He gambled away part of my club. I’m happy that it was Beni who received it. He’s a businessman and helped to elevate it before I made enough money to push him out.” Simone laughed. That’s not the complete truth and we both know it, but the less Mrs. Flowers knew, the better.

I couldn’t handle wondering if Simone was being nice to me to get her club back. Used to people trying to take advantage, I needed to know if things were so great because I held the keys to her club. When I signed it over to her and nothing between us changed, the walls defending me from deeply feeling her affections fell hard. I tested her loyalty, and she passed with flying colors. Her submission became even sweeter, and I felt the love from her countries away. Italy, to be exact. While I was there, she made sure that I knew I was never far from the front of her mind.

“That’s one hell of a story.” Mrs. Flowers glanced at me. “What do you do at the club now?”

“Besides stalking Simone? Nothing. It’s all hers.” My cell rang, and I checked the caller id. “It’s Martina, excuse me.” I stood up and walked onto the porch to get some privacy for the call.

“Thank goodness you answered. I was going through that paperwork that you dropped off to me. Do you know who Tammaro DeLuca is?”

“No, I don’t.” I exhaled. “Where are you going with this?”

“There’s a lot of stuff that has his name on it. Most of it in Italy, but it seems as if father was trying to sue a woman. Tammaro’s name is listed on the document a few times, but the top of the paperwork is missing. I tried researching it online and the document could be a few things.”

“He’s probably one of our cousins. Keep looking. Let me know if you find something worthwhile. Until I find out exactly what Pop was into, I need everything you can find. I’d hate to be caught off guard again.” That’s what happened when I found out that he had two properties that he wasn’t paying the taxes on. They were safe houses and my men had gotten nervous when they showed up to post the delinquencies.

“You got it. Love you, Ami.” She said quickly before she hung up.

“Guess it doesn’t matter if I love her, too.” I chuckled to myself. When Martina got into something she was interested in, there was no stopping her. I’d cleaned out the office in Italy, bringing her documents. I’d give her until tomorrow before she had it figured out all the way down to his favorite color and brand names he wore.

“Is everything okay?” Simone said from behind me.

“Indeed.” I smiled at her before going over and getting the kiss I’ve been waiting for all day.

Simone relaxed against me, melting into my arms and accepting my kiss. “Take me home.” She whispered to me, breaking the fevered give and take of our lips.

“Say less.” I stole another chaste kiss before leading her back inside.

Mrs. Flowers smiled at us while sipping tea on her couch. “I suppose our time is over?” She asked us.

“Yes, Mommy.” Simone leaned down and hugged her tightly. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay. It was nice meeting you, Beni.” She nodded her head, dipping it toward me.

“It was. Can I speak to you for a moment?” I asked her.

“Sure.”

We both looked at Simone and she rolled her eyes.

“Regardless of what you two think, I’m not going to culinary school. Private conversations about it won’t change my mind.” She winked and backed away. “I’m going to the car.” Simone blew a kiss to her mother and left us alone.

“You want to marry her.” She said to me before I could give her my rehearsed speech.

“I do.” I swallowed, more nervous than I’ve ever been in my entire life.

Beniamino Tommaso DeLuca wasn’t afraid of anything worth mentioning. I didn’t get stage fright. I went into everything weighing the pros and the cons, knowing the likely outcome of every situation that I went into. Except ones that included Simone. She threw me off kilter all the time, and now I knew exactly where she got it from.

“Why?”

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