Ria
When he lifted her and carried her gently into the bathroom and stood her under the hot shower, she could barely stand. He held her, their naked bodies pressed to each other, mouths fused as he soaped her and later towelled her. Then he carried her back to the bed and they lay, snuggled under the blankets, his large, warm body giving her a sense of peace and security she could hardly believe.
Yet as she fell asleep a blissful smile on her full lips, Philippe lay, eyes open, tense. What would the Boss do when he heard about the?
For he would find out, there was no doubt about that.
The Capo knew it was inevitable but he was sure he could convince the man he respected with all his soul.
***
Lucien
He roared as he rose from his chair, sending the leather armchair flying. It was morning and he had come awake to an empty bed. He had a feeling that Proserpina had stolen from his bed to check on Paddy. At any rate, he had work to do and he had left for his study to begin early. He also wanted to know where his daughter was.
His man, Drake, had just confirmed that the Capo had taken Ria to the safe house of all the places. He was furious. It was certainly a good place to hide; no one would think for a minute that Lucien Delano’s daughter would be in the notorious house where the Mafia Don had housed countless mistresses.
But he had a strong conviction that it was not the only action that would take place there and he was furious.
Incensed.
This was His DAUGHTER, damn it! Not just any wh*re.
It had been a gamble, allowing Philippe to take charge of his precocious daughter Ria. But no one else would have been able to put their foot down; the girl could be a handful at times. But now, he knew he had miscalculated. The tension between the two was something he was aware of; he had just not counted on the snow storm and the fact that the young people might have to spend the night together.
And a phone call to the woman, Carmen, who managed the place had confirmed his worst fears.
He picked up the phone and barked his orders, his fury skyrocketing.
***
Ria
The sound of the pounding on the door made them come awake. Philippe was already changed and they were preparing to leave. The Capo stepped forward, his gun drawn as he opened the door. Ria, still in the bed, huddled under the blankets, squealed in shock.
The Capo opened the door and stared as Antony Beston stepped in, looking embarrassed.
“Boss wants me to get you home.”
He cast an apologetic look at Ria who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, staring at him in surprise.
“Now,’ he added, avoiding the Capo’s eyes. It was clear, the message he was giving them.
The Boss had found out.
The Boss was furious.
Philippe flexed his shoulders and smiled at Ria, encouragingly,
Moving to her, he put out his hand reassuringly as he said,
“Come Princess. Your Pappa wants to meet us.’
His heart was pounding but he kept a calm exterior as he looked into the wide-eyed face of the girl he loved, the girl who had unhesitatingly offered her body to him the previous night.
The red stain on the sheet had made him feel more than a little protective to her; she was his forever. He would protect her form anything out there.
Now she stood up, her eyes on him, imploring as they moved to Beston.
“Come Miss Ria,’ said the Head of Security who had seen Ria when she was a toddler. The grey haired man smiled and they left the room. Carmen watched them, a malicious smile playing on her face as they walked out into the cold, winter morning.
***
Proserpina
The joy of knowing that Paddy had responded, albeit just a fraction, to my voice , made me feel ecstatic. But when I returned to the bedroom, Lucien was already in his study. Showering and changing excitedly, I went down but he was on the phone and Schwartz’s man, Barry, apologetically stopped me,
“Ma’am, sorry. Boss does not want to be disturbed.’
I sighed. I knew that at times, Lucien did not like me to intrude in his work space. It would be best to respect his wishes. I was too happy to listen to a furious tirade form the Mafia Don first thing in the morning.
Humming happily, I hurried to the kitchen. The menu I had suggested had been Peach Cobbler French toast, which my young kids simply destroyed in a matter of minutes. Claude could eat tons of it, he had declared once and I had checked on him to remind him that I was planning to prepare it for the morning. Apart from that, I had decided upon the Colorado inspired Denver Omelette breakfast bagels which Piers and Lucien relished as did Schwartz who was also staying over. Ria was also expected back this morning and although my daughter was fussy about food, I was positive that these two simple and quick breakfast items would have her heaping her plate. With a sigh, I set about preparing breakfast with the help of my staff.
***
It was the worried expression on Camille’s face as she drew near that alerted me that something was off.
Breakfast was done and except for Piers, Lucien and Schwartz, we had all sat about around the kitchen table, chatting and eating. Lucien had sent an order: the food was to be sent over to his study and I had frowned; what had come up? Piers had not joined us either. Now that he was to become a part of his father’s group, he was with Lucien and Schwartz. The man who came in later to ask for a refill of the bagels avoided my eyes and I was more than a little perturbed. Jean Claude was always a smiling presence, one of Lucien’s close men but today he looked …unhappy?
I liked it when the entire family sat down to the meal; it was a shared moment in our busy lives. Schwartz was also so much a part of our family that there was a place at the table which was permanently his, as Piers remarked.
Camille came over to where I was sitting with Beatrice, chatting over a cup of chai.
“Ria…she said and wringing her hands, looked about nervously.
“What about her?’ I asked, trying to get up although my body was not as agile , what with the largeness of my growing belly.
“What about her?’ I cried again, and Beatrice grabbed Camille’s arm, clawing at it as she rasped,
“Spit it up!’
“She and the Capo…’ her eyes said it all. She did not need to say anymore. I sighed.
Camille’s husband was Tony Beston, our Head of Security. He must have been alerted by Lucien and Camille heard it from him.
I had known for a long while that the two , Philippe and my hot headed daughter, were amorously inclined to each other; but neither of them was prepared to admit it. Philippe was too decent and my daughter was too egoistical. Now I sighed, burying my head in my hands.
Lucien Delano would never understand. No, the great Don thought his daughter was …
And my head came up sharply.
“Camille, what has my husband…?’
She wrung her hands some more as she replied.
‘The Boss has had them brought here…he did not want you informed…”
***
When Ria and the Capo entered her father’s study, she felt like a criminal being brought before a particularly terrifying judge. The entire drive had been made in silence. While Philippe was escorted in a separate car, she was made to travel with Beston. The older man had not, true to his loyal nature, said a word but she knew from the sense of disquiet pervading the atmosphere, that he was tense.
Now, she faced her formidable father, Lucien Delano, Mafia Don and a brutal, ruthless man and she quailed.