My Mafia Princess (Gangster Series Book 4)

Father's Leverage

CYNTHIA

   My feet were killing me. Walking around all day in these darn heels had them hating me right now. Upon entering my apartment, I could smell the delicious aroma of dinner being prepared. My parents were still here, and they were not going anywhere, so might as well make the best out of their visit. 

   “Hello, Mamá,” I kissed her on the cheek as she prepared my favorite, Bandeja Paisa. Just to think about the rice and beans, pork, egg and sweet plantain on a plate just made my stomach growl. 

   “Hello, my princess. How was your day at work?” she asked with a sweet smile on her face. Growing up, she always worked hard to make sure we were fine while Dad was out doing his dirty business.

   Many times as a kid I have begged him to quit, but all he would say was that he wanted his family to live well. Well, it was not worth it when I would not see him at all, or see his business partners at home all the time.

   Scary men…

   “Work was fine. My boss was suffering from massive headaches, and on top of that she had to deal with an annoying designer in a meeting.”

   I grabbed a spoon and tried the beans. It was heaven, she was such an amazing cook and I was sure she got it from abuela. The sweetest lady in our small town. 

   “I hope she feels better. What is her name?” 

   “Her name is Beatrice,” I replied, not mentioning the last name. Couldn’t risk them already knowing her or her family. 

   “I’m going to change before having dinner, and then you can tell me why you came here to visit me. I doubt it was just a standard tourist trip.” 

   I walked towards my bedroom, closing the door behind me as soon as I stepped in. Taking a deep breath, I couldn’t help but think there was something up my parents’ sleeves and I had the feeling I was going to be needed for whatever reason they had. 

   Needing a long warm shower, I grabbed some comfortable clothes and made my way into the bathroom. This was my only sanctuary, where I could forget about the days’ occurrence or even my life. 

   Being able to touch Beatrice today was such a joy for me. Her soft skin under my hands and her amazing apple scent on her hair, possibly from her shampoo were something I always looked forward to. 

   And how desperate she looked in front of me as she asked me to accompany her to meet her family, it was just hard not to say yes. Maybe I can get the courage and tell her how I feel, risking her not feeling the same way. 

   I stepped out of the shower, got dressed and untangled my hair, hanging the towel on the rack before I walked out of my room to join them for dinner. 

   Dad was already at the dinner table. Very well, help yourself to my own things at my own apartment, I thought. I sat down while Mom served us the food, the delicious smell of home hit my nose and I couldn’t help but take a deep breath, thinking of the happy days I spent at our ranch. 

   “So, any girls you have your eye on?” Mom asked. Dad cleared his throat, never approving of my lifestyle. When I told them I wasn’t interested in men, he almost disowned me. Not that I would care, I didn’t want to be part of what he does anyway. 

   “Not really. I haven’t had the time to date anyone. Been working long and hard, so no time for myself.”

   “Oh no, mija. Why not?”

   “Mom, can we just skip to where you guys tell me what you’re doing here?” I asked, getting irritated. She was beating around the bush too much and I wanted them to go straight to the point. 

   Dad’s scowl had me leaning back against my chair, looking down at my food as he sighed loudly, showing his Alpha dominance on the family. 

   “We came here because a few diamonds were stolen from us seven years ago, and we just had a lead on someone who lives here that might know something about it.”

   I scoffed. 

   “Seven years, Papá? Those diamonds must be long gone and I doubt you will find whoever did it.”

   “I will eventually find them. As I said, we just had a lead on someone already,” he replied, giving me a menacing stare, challenging me to say anything else that contradicts him. 

   “And do you have any suspects?” I asked, folding my arms on my chest as I looked at him take a bite of his food. 

   “In fact, I do. The Santiago family in Italy. Lorenzo and Aubrey are probably responsible for the theft of the diamonds, and I plan to use someone they love very much as leverage. That is, if I find her.”

   I almost choked on my eggs as the surname came out of his mouth and into my ears. It can’t be a simple coincidence. There must be more than one Santiago mafia family in Italy, right?

   “And what are you planning to do if you find her?” I asked, curiously.

   “Wouldn’t you like to know? You don’t want to be part of the family business, then there’s no way I will tell you how we’ll handle things. So, enjoy your dinner, mija. It will get cold.”

   The rest of dinner went by in silence. I felt uneasy as I finished my food and gulped on a glass of wine to calm my nerves. Mom stood up, picking up the dishes to wash them after it was all done while Dad headed towards the living room, sitting on the leather couch to watch tv. 

   I brought the last of the dishes to Mom, kissing her on the cheek before I headed to my bedroom. If he was indeed looking for Beatrice, I needed to warn her. 

   I picked up my phone, my hands shaking like crazy as I speed dialed her and waited for the call to be answered. 

   “Hello?” she said, her voice sounding groggy. 

   “I’m sorry if I woke you up, but I thought you should know something. Is it okay if I stop by your house now?” I asked, hoping she said yes. It was still early after all and this was a matter of life and death.

   Literally.

   “What’s the problem, Cynthia?

   “I have my reasons for not telling you over the phone.”

   I could hear her sighs and silence ensued. The wait for an answer was making me regret telling her I was going to her apartment. But it was important that I did. 

   “Okay, you know where I live. I’ll be ready for you.”

   Hearing those words made me think she wanted to see me for other reasons, but it was too much to hope. 

   We hung up the call as I walked to my closet and changed to a pair of black leggings and running shoes. I put my hair up in a messy bun and walked out the door, grabbing a jacket and my keys before I left. 

   Luckily, my parents were distracted and I was able to sneak out. I had left my bed prepared with pillows under the sheet to make them think I was sleeping in case my mother decided to check on me, like she always did when I was a kid. 

   My car stayed in the garage as I walked out to the cool night breeze, hailing a cab from the sidewalk. Here in New York, it was easier to take the Subway, than to be able to catch one of those yellow vehicles, but the station was further away.

   One finally stopped, urging me to get in before he drove off. 

   “10th and 17th, please,” I told the cab driver as he swerved through the traffic to get me there. I was bouncing my legs up and down nervously. Why was I nervous? I was just going to warn her about my father’s plan. 

   If she is really the intended target.

   Or maybe it was because we would be at her apartment by ourselves. 

   Not long after, we arrived. I gave him the fare plus a generous tip for getting me there faster before I left the cab and walked into the building. 

   The lobby was luxurious, its marbled champagne tiles and leather couches adorned the front entrance. A big desk sat in the middle with a middle aged man sitting there and a big chandelier in the ceiling made the whole place look elegant and inviting.

   I just couldn’t believe in all the years I’ve been working for Beatrice, not once I’ve stepped foot inside her building. 

   “May I help you, Miss?” the man greeted with a kind smile on his face as he stood up to look at me. I was lost in the beauty of the place that I didn’t realize he was waiting for me to say something.

   “Hello, I am here to see Beatrice Santiago. I believe her apartment is on floor ten?” 

   “Is she expecting you?” he asked, curiously.

   “Yes, she is.”

   He nodded, asking my name as he picked up the phone and pressed the digits of what looked like to be her apartment number. 

   “Hello, Miss Santiago. I have Cynthia Martinez here for you. She says you’re expecting her,” he said, pausing to wait for her response, “ah, very well. I will let her know. Have a good evening.”

   Hanging up the phone, he addressed me with the same smile.

   “Floor ten, apartment 1045,” he said. Waving at me, he continued, “have fun, you two!”

   Have fun? What exactly did he mean by that? 

   Deciding to ignore his comment, I pressed the button to open the elevator, walking in and pressing her floor number. Nerves were taking over me while I tried to rehearse what I would tell her as soon as I walked into her apartment.