Page 68 of Depraved

He leans down and kisses my forehead. “I thought you’d like to meet the performers.” My eyes grow wide as he pulls away. “Tonight’s show is for you. And only you.”

My hand jumps to my mouth.How?

I’ve been shocked into silence as we walk down to meet all the lovely people who will give me something I’ve always wished for. Scratch that—this blows my wish out of the water.

Dante leads me to a set of stairs that carry us up onto the stage as people begin to greet me by name, and my head spins. I politely thank them for making time for this extravagant gesture by a crazy man, pulling a laugh from Dante and the crew.

An eccentric man dressed in what looks like a jester costume motions to the seats behind me, speaking in a very thick accent. “Where are you sitting, goddess?”

I open my mouth to answer but look at Dante and shrug with a laugh. “I don’t know.”

Dante smiles and turns me to face out from the stage. The lights are dimmed, and the house lights are turned up, illuminating the room, and I gasp. Rows and rows of seats lead up to boxes that jut out from decadent walls of fabric. It’s breathtaking.

Leaning down to my ear, he whispers, “Choose.”

“HOW WAS THE SHOW LASTnight?” Antonio asks, seated at the booth in Mama’s Ristorante.

Visions of Sarah mesmerized, leaning onto the ledge of the box seat she chose, jump into my mind, only to be quickly taken over by the sound she made when I pretended to tie my loafers and slipped under her dress, spread her legs, and ate her pussy while the music drowned out her own high notes.

“Good.” I grin. “Tell me about last night.”

“Like I said—” Antonio shrugs. “—there’s nothing to tell. Other than they’re long gone. Looks like they skipped out a few days ago, probably right after the brother called Sarah at her place. Our guy has eyes on them in Boston. Said it doesn’t look they’re trying to make a move. Everything’s quiet.”

“Maybe they got spooked, recognized some of us?” Vin throws out.

I don’t like it. They’ve been after her for too long to just walk away. If they were afraid of us, we would have heard rumblings, talk spreading. But nothing? I don’t like it.

“Keep an ear to the ground. I wanna know if they start talking with the O’Bannion crew.”

“Got it,” Antonio answers. “You gonna tell her the coast is clear?”

“I’m not sure it is,” I say with a shake of my head.

His eyes narrow as if he isn’t buying my bullshit, but I’m not having this conversation with him.

I rap my knuckles on the table and nod. “I gotta run and pick something up for Sarah. I’ll handle taking her to Church tonight. I’m hoping to see that asshole who keeps hitting on her.”

The guys laugh and look at each other.

I chuckle and Vin looks up. “Are we gonna need to hide a body or bail you out tonight?”

Smiling, I button my jacket and give a thoughtful look. “The future is unknown, boys.”

“Shit.” Antonio laughs, smacking the tableclothed surface, and Vin gives me a two-finger salute as I walk away.

I stop at the front to speak with the owners, Mario and Sophia, and listen to reasons why I need a wife, promising to start my wife search soon. Turning to make my way outside to the car, the chill hits me like a brick the moment the restaurant door opens. The driver stands waiting, as I rush inside, closing myself in.

Shit. Chicago winter is no joke.

“Where to, Mr. Sovrano?” I hear from the front as I shrug off my jacket, already warm in the car.

“The jewelers off of Sixth. I need to pick up a package.”

The car pulls out slowly as my driver speaks over his shoulder, keeping his eyes on the road.

“I’m happy to run in and get it for you, sir. It’s nasty today.”

“No, no. This one’s special. I’ll get it myself.” I stare out of the window, trying to envision how tonight will go.