Made to be the Mafia lords own

ri'

lian beef. Th

s fuzzy. Like the jazz tune playing on the stereo. This is supposed to be a stop f

Poking o

someplace called The Green Mill on the North side

dressed in jeans t-shirts and hats; a couple are d

hion here

down at this table. "Don't be sarcastic. The fashion is much more relaxed and less

What did they we

thirteens, jazz fans would often dress in suits and ties, or with fur coats and jewelry. For men, hats were a must, and fedoras were

comment. "What the hell is p

Isabella laughs. I

sounds of the city outside. The hustle and bustle of the streets out there seems

een plaguing me all day like a dog at a bone. I can't seem to put my finger on it, but some

a share a laugh.

nd walk to the bar where I sit on a stool

gnora?" the b

a better company in Italian. He shrugs

by my words, someone comes and sits down next to

d fresh, but also somehow earthy. I cannot help but take a deep

ender co

tan coc

e rich, dark chocolate. I don't e

ods. "Same

to me. "Nice to

know what it is about this man, but s

he says, exte

e a peace offering. And experience a spark of elec

ough my voice come

" He releases my hand just as the bartender brings him the order. Anton

im, and scoff. "And pleasure?

es it m

ittle breathless. I say something about needing better

say, finally finding my voice.

e closer, and I can feel

spiratorial. "I'm in this part of town for a few days

feel off-balance like I'm a pirate ship tossed in a storm. But I don't want

e str

k. "What about you? What brings you t

is was a suggestion but the novelty of it was what drew me to this bar, like a

eve you. There's something el

ce flush and

hat I'm a bit of a people-watcher, and I can tell when someone is hidi

expected, but also refreshing. I take a deep br

s, eyes still

missing from my life. I'm not sure what it

st know something is missing, even if we can't quite p

onio seems to understand me better than Marco or I

stran

ntonio ventures. "Something that will shake u

ctantly, as if wait

f my life, doing the same things every day. But I know Antonio is

. "I have a few ideas. Why don't we start small, and th

hing l

ed in a ba

for a moment, and then I

in a bar,

r before and I have no intenti

about doing thi

sy. Why should I even be? He's handsome. Tall. Dark hair. Blue eyes. And a mouth that ca

first time t

you're willing to make me

me, Amari," he say

neck, and her left hand fingers his ear. Finally, some smoo

him. "I t

time to the music. I feel the warmth of his hand on my waist, and I am so acutely aware of his body close to mine. Tingles of excitement flow through me as we move across the floor. The dance seems to go on foreve

ld you like to come with m