Page 13 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

We’re having a sleepover with my best friend, Kimberly, and although Bel’s college is two hours’ drive away, she made it on time for the sleepover. My best friend, on the other hand, is addicted to showing up late.

I push hair from my face as I climb on the kitchen stool next to hers. “You don’t have to put it that way. I’m just investigating.”

She drops her fork and the clink on the ceramic makes me jump. “No way! I’m not letting you do that, Jane. It’s dangerous.”

The clutch in my chest makes it difficult to take a breath. “I know. I know. I just…I couldn’t ignore it.”

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t give me a speech on adrenaline rush and how fear makes you feel alive. We both know why you’re doing this. I remember what happened to Dad.”

“I’m not going to get killed, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

“I’m fairly certain Dad said the same thing. Where is he now? Six feet under and most likely nothing but bones.”

“Hey, Bel. Calm down, okay?”

I’m six years older than Bel. She is twenty-one now and was only nine when our father died. She’d had it the hardest, refuses to speak about him unless she’s mad and I don’t blame her.

Our mother died shortly after Bella was born and she had to grow up without both our parents. When I entered college, Bella had to live with our mother’s older sister and I still regret that decision to this day.

Aunt Hillary…well, she was the worst. I’d like not to remember any of the things she did to my sister.

My heart breaks for Bella when I remember everything she’s been through. That is the reason I don’t get mad when she speaks about our father like this. She blames him for not being careful and for dying the way he did.

She always says she hates him, but I know deep down, she’s just hurt.

“You’re the only family I have, Jane. I can’t lose you too.”

I place a hand on her shoulder and give a gentle squeeze. “You won’t lose me. It’s a promise, Bel. I’ll never leave you alone again.”

The doorbell rings and I’m pretty sure it’s Kim. “I’ll get it,” I say, jumping off the stool and ambling through the living room.

Kim has a wide smile on her face when I open the door. “Hey, bestie.”

I glance down, she’s holding two plastic bags and a large pizza box. I take the pizza from her. “You’re an hour late.”

She steps into the living room and kicks the door closed. “I’m sorry, bestie. I dropped by Sam’s place.” We enter the kitchen and set the things she brought on the kitchen island. “His mom came over and he needed me to make dinner.” She bites her lips and flushes. She knows I don’t like to hear about her making dinner for her boyfriend’s mother when he treats her like she’s nothing.

“Really, Kimberly? How many times has he cheated on you in the last month?” I stick out my fingers and begin to count. “One… Two… Three…”

Kim grabs my hand. “I know I shouldn’t have gone over there. I’m sorry.”

“This isn’t about you being sorry, you shouldn’t let him walk all over you like that.”

“As if you’re any better,” Bel chimes in. “You shouldn’t be giving advice when you flew into the spider’s web yourself.”

Kimberly frowns, looking back and forth between me and Bel and confused. “What is she talking about?” she asks me.

“Your best friend made a deal with the underboss of the Italian mafia,” Bel answers despite me shaking my head for her not to. “She’s trying to catch a criminal by getting help from another criminal. Does that make sense to you?”

“No, it doesn’t.” Kim glances at me. “Does it make sense to you?”

I prop my hip on the kitchen island and glare at my sister. “I swear I’ll kill you, Bel.”

“Pray you make it out of your deal with the devil alive.” She carries her plate to the sink. “You’ll need to be alive first to kill me. I’ll be in my room.”

When Bel leaves the kitchen, Kim pokes me in the ribs. “Girl, what spider web and devil is she speaking of?”

Frustration builds in my chest. I shouldn’t have told Bel about it in the first place. “You know I need a promotion, right, so the perfect opportunity to solve a murder at work came up and I took it. Simple…”

---