“Well then she’s about to be very disappointed if she thinks Valerio is going to settle down with her,” I snort.
“That’s her problem.” Ambrose glances around. “I want to know for sure if Elaine is cheating on me or if it’s something else.”
“And if she is, are you going to divorce her?” I ask.
Ambrose grows quiet. “I don’t know. I still love her but if it turns out Valerio is her lover, I’ll admit I’m a little scared. I’m worried Valerio might try to off me and it will allow Elaine to take everything. We have a prenuptial agreement that’s ironclad. But if one of us cheats, it becomes void. I don't want to give her a penny, but I also don’t want to die.”
“I think you’ve been watching too many murder mysteries,” Dominic mutters. Then he composes himself. “But why come to me, Ambrose? You’ve worked with so many investigators in the past, surely one of them can do the job.”
“True. But you’re the best in the business, and I need the best.” Ambrose lowers his voice. “And you’re the only investigator who has experience with those people.”
“Excuse me?” Dominic’s eyebrows shoot up.
“I heard through the grapevine that many years ago you were once involved with a mafia princess.”
The look on Dominic’s face is priceless. I wish I could pull out my phone and take a picture of it so I can laugh on my sad days.
“You have experience with these types of people. You’re familiar with their world. You know how they operate. You know how they think,” Ambrose continues.
I’m biting my lip so hard I’m close to drawing blood as I desperately try to hold back the laugh that’s threatening to escape. I’m enjoying watching Dominic squirm. Everything that he despises, everything that he is against, everything that he tried to get away from is now coming back to haunt him. He’s working with me and now has to investigate another mob boss.
I’m loving this.
Dominic seems to have forgotten how to speak. He sits there dumbfounded at Ambrose’s remarks.
“None of the other investigators know how to tail these people and not get caught or wind up dead,” Ambrose finishes.
“I…I don’t know about this…” Dominic stammers.
“I’ll pay double,” Ambrose declares.
“He’ll do it,” I interrupt before Dominic can reply. I reach out and shake Ambrose’s hand. “Dominic will put his best men on this right away. It won’t be easy but he’ll get you the answers you seek.”
Relief fills Ambrose’s eyes. “Thank you. I’m hoping this whole thing is a big misunderstanding and my intrusive thoughts are getting the best of me.” He glances at his expensive watch. “I better get back to my wife. I don’t want her to get suspicious. It was so nice meeting you both. I’ll call you tomorrow, Dominic, so we can work out the details.” He stands up, then hurries back inside.
Dominic gives me a glare that could freeze water. “Cipriani Capuano, why would you do that?”
He only says my full name when he’s really upset with me. I fold my hands in my lap and fix my face into an innocent look. “Do what?”
“Agree to me taking a case that involves a mafia boss,” Dominic hisses. “This goes against everything I stand for. I’ve built my reputation on upholding the law and being an honest citizen.”
“And yet you’re working a case with a mafia boss right now,” I raise my eyebrows.
“You’re different. You’re not like them, and you didn’t give me much of a choice.”
“In certain areas we are all alike. That’s the world we live in.” I shrug. “Besides, you already have one case with a mob boss, what's one more?”
Dominic scowls. “I should just start advertising my services to all the mafia families at this point.”
“Just think of all the new customers you’ll bring in,” I tease.
He glares at me. “I think Ambrose likes you better than me, maybe you should take his case instead.”
“I’m at capacity. I already have too much on my plate. At the moment I’m very busy with a certain situation involving a potential murder.” I adjust the hairpiece in my hair. “But I’m very intrigued to know who this mafia princess you were involved with is.”
Dominic glares at me. “I need a drink, maybe two.” Holding out his hand, he helps me to my feet. I wince slightly, but the medication is helping to take the edge off.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we walk back inside.
