"I'M SURE THAT'S a lovely idea but I don't think that—"
"Yes, we should get Francesco De Gregorio to attend he is very famous in Italy you know."
"I don't want live music—"
"Nonsense Shiloh," Catherina said waving her hand dismissively. "What you need is a nice Italian singer eh? I expect nothing less and I'm sure my Lucian—bel bambino—will completely agree."
"Yeah but—"
"Now that's settled," Sofia cut in. "Let's talk about the menu. Why do we need a vegan separate menu and also a vegetarian menu?"
Shiloh sighed. "Because some of my friends are vegans and vegetarians."
"How about they eat before they come eh?" Catherina joked. "Honestly, separate menus cost more and stuffed shells with Alfredo parmesan sauce is—hmm, how you say— delizioso—they'll just have to get over it."
Rubbing his temples Shiloh wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. He was seated at the back of the restaurant he worked at with Sofia and Catherina completely frustrated. Both of the women kept disregarding his thoughts and opinions about his own wedding. It was stupid but with everything going on and Lucian becoming increasingly distant he felt alone. Even his dream cake was tossed out and as much as he didn't want to go crawling back to Lucian for help he needed his lover to keep his family in check.
"Shiloh?" Mr. Harris said he was the kindly old man who ran the restaurant. "I need you back in a few minutes."
Nodding slowly, he looked at his soon-to-be in-laws that were now squabbling over locations and dates. "I need to get back to work."
"Okay, sweetie," Sofia said kissing his cheek. "We'll be here when you get back. Are you alright you look a little pale sweetie?"
"I couldn't sleep last night," Shiloh said smiling sadly, his bed felt far too empty without Lucian in it.
"Ahh," Catherina said eyeing him knowingly. "Did Lucian keep you up all night? Well, I'm happy you satisfied the Botticelli men are well endowed," She winked.
"Nona!" Sofia cried scandalized.
"What?" Catherina asked innocently. "It's true, no?"
Cracking a smiling he shook his head before getting back to work. On some level, he knew that they meant well it was just this was supposed to be his day. He wanted everything to be perfect and wouldn't accept anything less. Of course, their opinions matter to it was just his mattered more. He had a long shift tonight so he wanted to get as much done as possible. Walking around the tables he took various orders, being polite and outgoing, asking the customers if they needed anything else. After about an hour and a half into his shift he noticed a well-dressed man in a black blazer and slacks enter the restaurant.
This guy came in at the same time every day.
Sitting in the same corner and ordered an Espresso.
Unbeknownst to Lucian, the stranger flirted shamelessly with him, always complimenting him on his clothes, hair, and of course physic. At times it made him uneasy but he was flattered nonetheless by the attention. Strutting over to his table Shiloh whipped out his note pad and smiled at the brunette dressed in all black. What Shiloh would never tell his lover was that the mysterious stranger was incredibly handsome. Smoldering green eyes, cocky expression, and a well-defined body that a sculpted by the hands of God.
"Hello," Shiloh said as he approached the man's table which was always situated near the back away from all the windows. "What can I get for you?"
The unidentified man leaned forward. "How about a kiss?"
Shiloh laughed. "No, that is certainly not on the menu."
"Come on," The stranger said, smiling brightly. "How can you walk around in those ungodly jeans all day—no doubt teasing the life out of me—not at least grant me a kiss?"
"I can and I will," He smirked. "Your usual is coming right up," Striding away he knew full well that the man was checking out his ass but he didn't care. Lucian had his fair share of admirers so he simply shrugged it off. When he came back with the Espresso, he placed it on the man's table.
"Come to dinner with me," The man said abruptly. "I'm sure I can teach you a few things your fiancé can't."
Shiloh rolled his eyes. "What part of not in this lifetime do you not understand?"
"I can wait." The man grinned.
"Look, I'm sure the right guy is out there somewhere," Shiloh said gently. "But he's just not me."
"Fine, how about lunch? You do eat, don't you?"
"My fiancé always picks me up at lunch."
"Then we'll make it a threesome." The guy winked.
"Do you ever give up?"
"No, not when I see something is worth it," he replied, eyes roaming up and down Shiloh's body. "And you are most defiantly worth it,"
Unable to stop himself he flushed deeply causing the stranger to laugh. "You are so adorable. Please let me take you out."
"I—I can't."
"You know every time you say no I'll just want you more."
Shiloh scoffed. "And if I punch you then what?"
"Oh, I like a little pain before pleasure."
"Ugh, you are vile."
"That may be," The man stood, downing his shot in one gulp before throwing some cash onto the table. "But I like a challenge Shiloh and if I have to work to make you spread those pretty legs of yours then I will."
Blushing bright red Shiloh nearly choked on his words.
"Good day," The man said disappearing out the door.
Standing in the middle of the restaurant with his mouth hanging open, Shiloh could hardly believe the nerve of that guy. Sighing through his nose, he shook his head out of the foggy haze before getting back to work. He got hit on all the time so there was absolutely nothing to worry about and no reason to go crying to Lucian about it.
Nope, none whatsoever.
As he walked around the tables, he began cleaning some of the garbage off when a cold shiver ran down his spine.
"Well, well, well if it isn't fairy Warner."
iIi
ROLLING A HUNDRED-DOLLAR bill in his hand Lucian leaned over the table where three lines of white powder were on his desk. Placing the rolled bill under his nose he sniffed each line rubbing his nose at the slight burn. Leaning back in his chair he waited for the cocaine to start taking effect, his limps began to unwind and the room started looking less ominous and more like a playground, with various assortments of colors dancing before his eyes. It was tradition to get high after he killed someone.
And today he had killed three people who were reporting back to the Malfitanos.
Those goddamn parasites were a disgrace to the Mafia.
They ran dirty money through prostitution, drugs, and stealing giving nothing back to the people who helped them out in the first place. While Lucian dabbled in drugs occasionally, he didn't make a career out of it because it was just easy money. He made his way through an honest living, investing in small-town bakeries and restaurants run by the poor Italians in Brooklyn. And sometimes he'd get them to sell drugs for him and occasionally he'd use their hard-earned money for gambling but that all came with the territory.
He provided the muscle, cheaper products—imports and exports—resources for their companies and all they had to do was be indebted to him. If they didn't pay their debts then Lucian had a problem but other than that they were like family.
The Malfitanos were fucking with his family.
And they would pay for it.
A soft knock on the door brought him out of his musing.
"What?" He called licking the powder off his fingers.
Kyle opened the door timidly before striding in with Chris on his heels. "There's a problem boss."
Lucian sighed.
"Isn't there always," he muttered. "What now?"
" Galindo Cimino is not happy with the products that were delivered last week. He said the meat was bad when it was dropped off and now he wants a refund," Kyle explained.
"You can tell that sobbing fat sack of shit that I don't do refunds," Lucian growled.
"Boss do you think that's wise—" Chris started but the shrill of the phone cut him off.
Mumbling under his breath Lucian snatched the phone off his desk. "Yeah?"
"Shiloh is on line one, sir," Adam his secretary said.
"Tell him I'm busy," Lucian said agitatedly.
"He's hysterical and desperate to talk to you."
Pinching the bridge of his nose Lucian closed his eyes tiredly. "Tell him I'll call back—"
"He says if you say that he'll burn all of your precious bow ties and red pants."
Despite himself, he smirked, proud of his boy for being persistent. "Fine, put him on."
"Lucian?" A small voice said on the other side.
In a flash, he could see his boyfriend curled up on the bed, his face splotchy and eyes red from crying. Curling his hand around the phone he gripped it dangerously tight wondering who had the fucking gall to make his lover cry.