Chapter 9: Chapter 9

One of the last things I want to do is admit when my parents are right about anything. The simplicity of our situation when Valentino explained it let me believe all our problems would go away by speaking to Cecilia. There’s hope brimming that we can end this madness after months of giving Don Caputo our hard-earned money.

However, staring at Don Caputo as he sits behind the desk in our office trailer worries me about whatever he has planned. The ability to outright defy the orders of a don isn’t granted to many. I should be worried about my life, but there’s a part of me that senses Don Caputo won’t get rid of me until my usefulness has run out.

‘That was very stupid of you, Lia,’ Saul says with disdain. ‘If I tell you to do something, you’d better do it.’

I roll my eyes as my parents stand idly by, letting this asshole control us. My words are short, full of frustration and annoyance. ‘I don’t want to play this game between you and Don Barrone. I’m not going to date him and put my life in danger.’

‘You’ll do as I fucking say, Lia. Your family still has a debt to pay, and if you all want to stay out of jail, putting your life on the line is worth the risk. Now, I understand you may not want to be as open with your parents around, so you’re going to meet me for dinner,’ Saul says.

I turn away from him, wondering when this nightmare is going to end.

My parents are silent as Saul continues to speak. ‘The price for keeping your little secret has gone up. The fact that the money from the auction must now be used to secure the construction site means that you’re running low on funds to pay my weekly stipend.’

Pop pipes up. ‘Stipend? You make more money off of us than our employees.’

‘Well murderers who walk free have a price to pay for that freedom,’ Saul replies. ‘There’s also a price to pay for discussing our personal business arrangement with the authorities.’

My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach. How does he know anything? And so quickly? We only spoke with Cecilia a few hours ago.

Saul chuckles. ‘You’re foolish if you think only Don Barrone has people in positions of power. What did you think would come of speaking to the district attorney?’

‘No one spoke to the district attorney,’ Ma says, her gaze shifting to us.

It’s impossible to know exactly what Cecilia said while attempting to secure a deal for my parents’ freedom. The fact is that we don’t have enough incriminating information to have Saul arrested. Cecilia explained that to me and Pop. But we never expected it to get back to Saul this fast, if at all.

‘Don’t lie. It’s beneath us at this point.’ Saul warns. ‘We’ve been so honest about everything else. You killed that young man whose corpse is decomposing in the pilings that hold up the foundation of this very site. Imagine the shock, disgust, and justice that will be demanded if the public and the authorities, knew of how you disposed of someone as innocent as Adam.’

‘Who’s Adam?’ I ask.

Pop’s eyes widen with horror as he turns to Saul. ‘How? How did you know that was his name? His face was never on the security cameras. The footage only shows his body falling into the hole and cement pouring over him.’

Saul’s maniacal grin grows. ‘I may or may not have encouraged the young man to secure employment here. I told him to take whatever he wanted as payment.’

‘He tried to take me,’ Ma says in a low whimper. I don’t want clarity on what she means, but if it ended in that man’s death, I’m certain money wasn’t the kind of payment he wanted. It doesn’t take long for anger to replace the solemn tone of her pain. ‘You’re the reason he’s dead, Caputo. You sent that animal here. Why?’

‘What happened?’ The question comes out of me before I truly grasp what I want to know. I’ve been dreading it. I only know that my parents killed someone, and Saul found out. That’s all I ever needed to know.

My parents aren’t bad people. Whatever happened was necessary. Still, the details make a world of difference since it’s what Saul’s holding over them, over me.

Saul laces his fingers together, kicking his feet up on top of the desk. ‘The Bonetti Brothers Construction Company was selected as a part of a lottery system to bolster mom-and-pop businesses around the city.’

‘What does that have to do with this Adam guy?’ I ask them.

Saul continues to lean back, far too comfortable in this office that doesn’t belong to him. His tone is low. ‘I wanted the business. You were guaranteed specific contracts with the city and my businesses needed those contracts. So here is your out, Bonetti family, sign over ownership to your company and I’ll walk out of here right now. If not, Lia, you’re having dinner with me tomorrow to discuss the kind of information you’re to listen out for when dating Don Barrone.’

‘I already told you that I’m not doing that. I’m not going to put my life on the line⁠—’

Saul’s speed and anger is remarkable, considering his size. His rage has him out of the chair to flip the desk onto its side in the blink of an eye. The thunderous boom of the solid piece of furniture makes me jump out of my own seat. Papers, drawers, pens, and other objects fly like they’re being tossed around by a tornado. Each one of us takes a step away as Saul breathes hard. His nostrils would billow smoke if he could breathe fire.

‘The problem is you think because I want to taste that sweet pussy of yours, Lia, that you’re not in danger with me. You’ll do as I say, or I will take exactly what I want from all of you. What’s it going to be, Bonetti family? Business,’ he holds out one hand, and then extends the other to me. ‘Or pleasure?’

My parents look at me, desperate for me to choose what sounds like the easier option. The Bonetti Brothers Construction Company is born out of the blood, sweat, and tears of two young kids growing up in the concrete jungle. Lifelong sweethearts who got married too young, started an impossible business, and managed to build it into something successful. Only for this animal to take it away because he wants to.

My eyes sting from the tears I’m holding back. Yet again, my parents’ sacrifice to get our family to this point of success can be so easily undone. All I have to do is give up my time, yet again.

So be it.

‘What time do I have to be ready?’ I ask Saul.

‘Let’s meet at Kings tomorrow night at six. Dress like the divine piece of ass you are, and I’ll see you there. Don’t be late, Lia.’ Saul lets out a slow exhale, calming himself from his display of brute rage.

When he leaves the trailer, I finally let out a breath of relief.

‘What the hell did you two do?’ Ma asks, her eyes darting between me and Pop.

‘We spoke to a lawyer,’ I tell her. ‘Valentino gave us the number to one of his best attorneys. He’s trying to help us. I won’t betray him.’

‘You have no idea who Don Barrone truly is!’ Ma shouts. ‘Why is your loyalty to him and not to us?’

That angers me, causing me to lash out. ‘Why is your loyalty to Don Caputo and not to me?! You serve me up on a platter every fucking time because it’s easier for you to swallow than simply taking responsibility for your actions. Your actions that I’m forced to pay for over and over again!’

I storm out of the office and head toward my car, which gives me pause. Tears stream down my cheeks as I think of all they’ve given up to make this business work. From the people they employ weekly to making sure I have everything I need; it all forces guilt to wash over me. Why do I feel ungrateful when they’re the ones pimping me out?

It’s not that simple.

‘Lia, honey, I’m sorry,’ Pop calls out as I get into my car. ‘I’m torn between protecting you and protecting your mother. I’d gladly do anything it takes to make sure this family and this business survive. If we have to start over from scratch, we’d never make it.’

I can see the turmoil riding my father’s face. I understand that signing over the business they’ve built over the past twenty-five years would crush them. In comparison, my virginity, time, and integrity are a cheap price to pay. Instead of continuing the debate, I start my car to head home.

The rest of the day blurs into the next. The time passes, and I’m left to choose what to wear to Kings tonight. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to look too good or else I’ll tempt Saul into taking what he wants. As if what I wear will stop that animal. I could be covered in garbage and if he wanted me, he’d take me. I force myself to focus on my wardrobe. I should at least enjoy what I’m going to wear. However, it’s Kings. The members-only club for influential businessmen calls for me to look my best.

My heart flutters as my reflection catches my eye. The sleeveless, backless, mini dress is simple, turquoise, and shimmers in the light. I pair it with silver stilettos that will make men weep for not having someone like me in their life. I have to laugh to stop myself from delving too deep into the thoughts that got me here. I might as well enjoy the moment since I don’t have control over my life.

The drive into Manhattan doesn’t do much to distract me from the night ahead. The steady rhythm of tires driving along expressways where so many people are living a life nothing like mine. Every step to get here confuses me, but I’m still going along with it. The question flies across my head.

What if I just keep driving?

I can’t … I won’t leave my parents to deal with that fallout when a dinner with Saul can ease the stress on my parents and our family business. The mental hoops I have to jump through to ready myself for tonight has me driving by muscle memory without focusing on traffic. I know where I’m going.

Kings is a members-only club that people are desperate to get inside of, but the list is invitation only. I try to take pleasure in that. Someone like Saul wants me to have access to this space. I know it’s for reasons similar to the auction. He wants people to see us together. Saul wants the news to get back to Valentino with the hope that Valentino reacts violently. But, how can he expect that from Don Barrone when he was so calculated at the auction? Neither man’s intentions are easy for me to pinpoint.

My stomach churns as I walk down the street. Every click of my heels along the sidewalk brings me closer to the darkened glass doors with a single gold signature of the club’s namesake above them. A man that’s practically the size of a building stands with his hands clasped in front of him. I want him to take one look at me and turn me away.

‘Name,’ is the only word he says to me once I’m standing in front of him. This isn’t a place where a line wraps around the block. Either you’re on the list or you’re not. There’s no sense in waiting.

‘Lia Bonetti.’ My voice is barely above a whisper, but even I can hear the hope of it not being on the entry list.

To my disappointment, he nods and opens the door for me. Inside, there’s an entryway next to an area for people to check their jackets and coats. A podium where the hostess stands separates me from the dining area of the club. The dark maroon walls remind me of a dry cabernet. I’m going to need something stronger than wine to get through this night.

Soft jazz music plays as people sit in booths and the few dozen tables scattering across a large dining area. There’s a long bar against one side of the room with a corridor at the back of the room beside a thick velvet curtain.

The hostess smiles at me. ‘Good evening. Welcome to Kings. Can I have your name, please?’

After telling her, she leads me through the room where eyes follow the sway of my hips toward a dark table in the back of the room. Saul stands as I sit down, making sure to stand a bit longer, ensuring that people know I’m here for him, with him.

‘You look phenomenal, Lia.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Caputo.’

‘Call me, Saul. I want us to be friends, more than that since we’re going to be working so close together. Would you like to order something?’

I shake my head, unable to stomach the idea of eating or drinking with him. ‘Can you just tell me what you want me to do?’

‘I need to know the company Don Barrone is using to scoop up some properties. He’s into security, not real estate, but I hear rumors, you know?’

‘No, I don’t know. I don’t think you understand how long it’s going to take for Don Barrone to trust me with information like that.’

‘I do, but I have time. It’s either you do this, or your parents do time.’

‘And once I get you that information, I’m done? Can I stop this charade?’ I ask him.

He shrugs. ‘That depends. We’ll see.’

I think I’m going to be sick. ‘Excuse me a moment. I need the restroom.’

Saul laughs, pointing to a doorway just over his shoulder. ‘Go ahead honey. Just so you know, there’s no windows or back doors to get out of here.’

After giving Saul my best smile, I walk away from the table, down a long corridor and into a bathroom. Thankfully, it’s an individual room without stalls so I can stare at myself wasting one of my best dresses on this animal. It takes every ounce of energy I can muster not to break down.

When I open the door, the last person I expect to see is standing there.

‘Valentino,’ I say his name barely above a whisper as fear washes over me. ‘You’re not supposed to be here.’

‘Neither are you, Lia.’