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"You can relax, you know. No one's going to try to make an attempt." Tomaso said while my leg shook. I realized that I hadn't really gone anywhere since the shootout.
"I know. It just takes a little getting used to, I guess."
I could hear him let out a little sigh that he was trying to conceal. "I know this is all tough and a lot to handle. But I promise you, no matter what happens, I never let anything happen to you."
"Did you really mean what you said about imagining a future where you aren’t in this life?"
He looked up at the driver. His driver was probably someone who was connected to his business-wise. " This is a conversation that we'll talk about at home. If you don't mind."
"I understand."
We pulled up to this venue that doubled as a farm. I was analyzing the whole thing while taking in the beauty of it. A farm was the perfect setting for fake engagement photos. Not only was it beautiful, but it also provided just enough cover if there was a shootout. You had the mix of outdoors and the barn to run into. There was plenty of open space, so we didn't have to worry about that. Once I figured that whole system out, I could enjoy the day.
" Hey, guys." A man with styled black hair and a camera in his hand walked over to us. I could only assume that it was the photographer. He had a feminine tone, and I assumed he was gay. He was dressed better than both of us. "You ready to take engagement photos?" His enthusiasm also told me he had no idea this was a sham. And I guess that made sense. The only ones that really needed to know were Tomaso and me. But it begged the question, did anyone know?
"I'm definitely ready."
"Okay, so first, I will have you both go by the barn. You can hold Angelina by the hips. Stand behind her."
The second we got into the pose, I felt myself get wet again. Part of me couldn't wait until the day was over so that I could rip those clothes off of Tomaso. There was something extraordinarily attractive about him taking photos because I knew it was out of his element and he was making an effort. But I also knew that he was excited to do it with me. It was just the perfect mix all around.
" Okay, guys. I want you to hold Angelina. Almost like you're dipping her on the dance floor. Let's see if you will laugh or give your best smile."
We looked into each other's eyes as we did this one. I never wanted him to let me go.
The truth was, I wanted this all to be real. And I knew that it wasn't. That killed me.
Chapter 12
Tomaso
Iwasoutwithmy man on the job. It was nothing too crazy. All I had to do was watch over one of our guys from afar because we suspected him of snitching. His name was Samuel. Instead of having one of my men go out there and give me a secondhand tale of what they saw, I just wanted to see for myself. If we had a snitch in the midst, they needed to be taken care of. Someone had definitely ratted us out when it came to me getting the ring for Angelina. Now I obviously didn't want to think this way. I never wanted to think that one of my men was behind snitching. But if the shoe fits, what could I do?
It was boring work. And I was barely paying attention. The only thing that I was thinking about was Angelina. I really enjoyed taking photos with her. I enjoyed the entire week leading up to those photos. It was such a weird thing because that wasn't me. I hated photos. I could count on one hand how many photos I had taken in my life. Angelina changed all that for me. She changed a lot of stuff for me. Half the time, I thought I wouldn't want to change these things. I thought I would have a lot more resistance. But no. I enjoyed the person that I was becoming. I meant it when I said I wanted a future void of all mafia business.
" Boss, you missed it. You're not even paying attention." It was Richie, one of my top guys. I was pissed that he called me out on me not paying attention. Because two other guys were in the back, my image was important. You're not going to make me look like an aloof clown in front of my people.
I turned to Richie with a red face, not the embarrassed red, but angry red, and I barked, "Watch who you're talking to, all right? I see everything that's going on."
I smacked them in the back of the head just for an extra measure.
Now the problem was, what did I miss. Did I miss this guy snitching? Or did I just miss him scratching his ass? I couldn't ask Richie because then I would be proving him right.
"Step outside with me, Richie."
I knew what he wanted to say, but he was tight-lipped. He wanted to say that if we stepped out, we would blow our cover. And that was a very smart thing to think but not say out loud. Because he was right. We didn't want to be seen. But I had to talk to him.
"Okay, boss." He spurted out.
We both left the car. "Listen. Richie," I said right after closing the door. "I got a lot on my plate right now with Angelina. We're planning on wedding.
As you know, my mind isn't where it needs to be. So I need you to step up, okay. I need you to be my eyes when my eyes aren't looking. I need you to be my ears when my ears aren't listening. I don't mean to berate you, okay. I didn't mean to hit you, either. I'm only human. And when you're about to be gunned down with your fiancé, my mind drifts. So don't take it personal, all right. Now, what did you see with our boy over there?"
" He had a long conversation with the police officer to stop by. And I'm pretty sure it's the dirty cop who works for your dad."
I let out a long sigh. It didn't even feel long enough. "All right. Well, now I know. You can get back in the car."
I watched him do that as I thought about all the reasons why my father would require info from my men. The answers weren't far away from me. He must have been trying to get info on my sham marriage. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by that. If I was him, I'd be skeptical too. What better way to get the information out of anyone than going to the people who are closest to me. What hurt me most was that this man was a snitch to my father. And I couldn't do a single thing about it. If I hurt the man, then my father would know. It would raise red flags. It was just the game of chess that I needed to play, And I was not ignorant of those games.
