“Thanks, dude.” I
choked up and looked at Vincent, who was laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“You guys have
both gone so soft.” He shook his head. “What has happened to the
Martelli
brothers?”
“Whatever.” I
rolled my eyes and turned away. “I’m going to go sort out my room.” I walked
out of the kitchen. However, my lightheartedness was filled with worry. What
Vincent had said was a joke but in fact, the opposite was true of what was
happening to us. We weren’t becoming softer; we were becoming harder. Pulling
off the Bugatti theft was going to be the biggest, most dangerous thing any of
us had ever attempted to do. Just today, Tolstoy had asked us what we would do
if someone with a gun were to appear. I froze as I remembered him asking if we
had bulletproof vests. This was serious business. And there were so many
potential things that could go wrong. But I knew we were in too deep; this was
our big chance to change our destinies. If we pulled this off, we could stay
out of the crime life forever.
***
“This is delicious
pizza.” Maddie grinned at me as she took a big bite and licked her lips.
“Isn’t it great?”
Vincent grabbed another slice. “This is absolutely the best pizza in River
Valley.” He smiled at Maddie, and I tried to ignore my jealousy as she beamed
at him. I knew she was just happy that Vincent seemed to like her, but it
annoyed me to see her looking so happy at someone else.
“Yeah.” She leaned
towards him. “So Logan tells me you want to be a lawyer?”
“That’s the goal.”
He laughed, slightly embarrassed. “But I’ve got a long way to go if I want to
see that happen.”
“You can do it,”
she grinned at him. “And kudos to you, I’m not sure I would be able to make it
as a lawyer.”
“That’s not a
surprise.” Jared mumbled under his breath and I gave him a death look.
“Sorry, what,
Jared?” Maddie looked up at him questioningly and we all paused. “I hope you
don’t think I’m out of line here, but I’m not sure what your problem with me
is? When we were both at Joey’s, you seemed quite excited that I wanted to get
to know Logan, but now you seem to have an attitude, and I’m not sure why.” She
spoke slowly, directly, and without hesitation, and once again I was reminded
why I loved her. I saw Jared’s face turning red and I could see that he was
surprised at such a direct question as well.
“I don’t know what
…” He glanced at me and faltered.
“I’m not trying to
make this uncomfortable for you. I know you guys don’t like my dad, for
whatever reason. Logan won’t tell me.” She gave me a quick face, before turning
back to Jared. “But I don’t want you to make any judgments as to my character
until you get to know me. Logan and I, well, we…” she stumbled a little bit and
blushed. “I just don’t want you guys to hate me, before you get to know me.”
“I like you
already, Maddison.” Vincent rubbed her shoulder. “You have put both of my
brothers in their place, what’s not to love?”
“Thanks, Vincent.
I really like you a lot as well.” She gave him such an appreciative look that I
was grateful that she hadn’t met him first. We all waited for Jared to respond,
and he gave me a look and then sighed.
“Okay, okay. Maybe
I’ve been a bit rash in my assessment of you.” He gave her a weak smile. “If my
brother likes you, you can’t be all that bad.”
I reached over and
held Maddie’s hand and squeezed it, letting her know that she had my support. I
knew it was important to Maddie that they liked her, but I wanted her to know
that it didn’t matter to me how they felt. I was still going to be here for her,
no matter what.
“Good, can I kick
your asses at poker now?” She winked and we all burst out laughing. We hadn’t
known what we were going to do with Maddie; none of us really had friends who
were girls and we had all felt a bit awkward when she had arrived. But she had
been effortless, cracking jokes and really trying to get to know them. She
really cared about my brothers and I could see her becoming a real part of the
family.
“Oh, there is no
way you’re going to beat me.” Jared pulled some notes out of his wallet. “Let’s
play with large blinds, I feel like making some money tonight.”
“You wish,
Martelli
.” She smiled at him, and I started shuffling the
cards with a content and happy feeling in my heart.
Chapter 10
Maddie
"I'm so
excited for you to come and meet my friends and family." I couldn't keep
the excitement out of my voice as I whispered into the phone.
"Yeah,
yeah," Logan mumbled sleepily and I knew that he wasn't as excited as I
was. But I didn't mind; I had finally convinced him that this was a good thing.
I was still pretty giddy inside at how much he had done to make me comfortable
in his home, and I was still pretty shocked at how far he had gone to show me
that he liked me and that he was trying to open up to me as much as possible. I
truly loved both of his brothers and I felt like I had been welcomed with open
arms by both Vincent and Jared, even though I knew Jared didn't particularly
care for me.
"Aren't you
excited?" I pressed on with the conversation. "And didn't you just
love the invitations?"
“The
invitations?" Logan's voice sounded even drowsier, and I wished that I was
in bed with him at that moment, caressing his sleepy face and tousled hair,
while snuggled into his warm body.
"Yes, my mom
helped me choose them. We love to get fancy invitations for my end-of-summer
party." I yawned involuntarily and stretched out, closing my eyes as I lay
there. My heart felt light with happiness and I snuggled into my pillow
pretending it was Logan's chest. I hadn't seen him since the night I was at his
house and we played cards, but we had spoken on the phone every night before
bed.
"Sounds
good."
"Are you even
paying attention to me?"
"Sorry,
Maddie. I'm just so tired."
"What have
you been doing?" I had been trying to keep my hurt feelings to myself, as
Logan hadn't told me what had kept him so busy all week.
"Vincent and
I have been learning some new skills."
"What
skills?"
"Don't worry
about it."
"Did you ask
Vincent if he can make it to the party? I know Jared said no, but Vincent said
he would check. Did he let you know if he can come?"
"I think one
Martelli
at the party is fine, Maddie."
"So he's not
coming?" I was disappointed. I had hoped to spend more time with Vincent.
I had hoped that he could come to look at me as a sister. We had really seemed
to connect on poker night, but I had to keep reminding myself that nothing was
going to happen overnight.
"I'm sorry,
Maddie, but I don't think this is the right time. I mean, I think your family
is already in for enough, what with me being introduced as your boyfriend. I
can't imagine that's going to go down super well."
"Well."
I bit my lip, not sure of what to say. "Just read the invite properly,
okay? Maybe Vincent will want to come then.”
“Unlikely."
Logan laughed lightly. "I miss you, Maddie."
"When will I
get to see you?" I pouted into the phone. "Before the party I
hope."
"Once again,
unlikely."
“No fair." I
took a deep breath and pulled the covers up over my head. "I wanted to
talk about us."
"What about
us?" Logan's voice sounded weary.
"What we're
going to do when I go back to school." I waited for him to say something.
"What we're going to tell my parents."
"I don't know
what we should tell your parents. That's up to you." His voice trailed off
and silence filled the air as I waited for him to acknowledge and answer the
first part of my question.
"So you're
not going to say anything?"
"I just said
you can decide."
"I mean about
us."
"Maddie, can
we take it one day at a time please?" Logan sighed. "My head is
really full right now. Let's get past the next two weeks and then we can see
where we stand."
"Fine."
I bit my tongue. I didn't want to push the issue, but I was worried. What if he
wanted to break up at the end of the summer? It wasn't like we had been dating
for a long time, and Logan was so new to relationships. Yes, it was a feat that
he and I were even in this space, but I needed more. I wanted to know that this
was going somewhere. But I knew how crazy I would sound if I pushed the issue.
Logan didn't want to hear about my silly dreams and hopes for the future. I
knew he still didn't even think he was good enough for me. I knew that he would
never move forward with me unless he felt that he could provide for me. I'd
been shocked to see how meager his house had been. I'd expected it to be a lot
different. More opulent, and full of cool gadgets. But it had been pretty
barebones, and I hadn't seen anything of real value. The
Martellis
didn't have any money, of that I was sure. I wished I understood why they were
the crime family of the town when they didn't really seem to be criminals.
"I'll talk to
you tomorrow, yeah, Maddie?"
"Yes,
Logan."
"Sweet
dreams, beautiful."
"Sweet
dreams, handsome," I whispered into the phone.
"Of course,
they'll be of you." And with that we hung up. I stared at the phone for a
few minutes, upset that I still didn't know what was going on with Logan and
how he was spending his days. I thought about pushing the issue like I had
meeting his family, but I didn't want to do that again so soon. It had been a
very long week ignoring him, and I'd been so scared that I was going to lose
him. When he had called and invited me to dinner with him and his brothers, I
had started crying in relief. I didn't want to put either of us through the
hell of that week again. And I knew he was trying, and I knew that he liked me
a lot. He had said as much the night that I stayed over. He had made love to me
so sweetly and tenderly that I had almost wondered if it was the same guy who
slammed me against the wall in Victoria’s Secret. Just thinking about that day
was enough to turn me on. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep. I didn’t
want to push anything. I was just happy that he was coming to my party and
would finally be able to meet my parents. My mom was so excited to meet him; I
had been so surprised at how supportive she had been when I had told her I was
dating him. Not that I would have stopped dating him if she hadn’t been, but it
made it that much easier. Logan
Martelli
was my
boyfriend and it was all I could do to stop from pinching myself. I couldn’t
believe it. But still, I wanted more. I needed to know more. I could still
sense his slight hesitation and worry, and I was scared that he was going to
talk himself out of dating me. He was so worried that he wasn’t good enough for
me and that he was going to bring trouble or drama into my life. I didn’t know
how to tell him that none of that mattered to me. I just wanted to be with him.
I was planning to have a conversation with him on the night of the party. I
figured we could get everything out in the open and I could see exactly where
this relationship was going.
***
I stared at my
reflection in the mirror, amazed at how different I looked in my midnight blue
silk dress and flowing locks. I had brushed my hair to a shining luster and my
eyes sparkled as I took in my appearance. I stared at the blatant red on my
lips and swallowed hard. I looked like a seductress or vixen, and I wasn’t sure
what my dad or Logan was going to say. I was hoping Logan would be blown away
by my appearance. That he would stare at me and think I was the most beautiful
woman in the world.
“Maddison, guests
are starting to arrive.” My mother stopped by my room and peered in. “You look
beautiful, my darling.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
I smiled at her gratefully.
She kissed my
cheek. “I love the woman you are becoming, Maddison Wright.” She ran her
fingers across my cheek. “You are beautiful and strong and caring. Don’t ever
let anyone make you change, you hear me?”
“Yes, Mom.” I tried
not to roll my eyes at her, and she laughed.
“I’m excited to
meet Logan.” Her eyes saddened. “I heard he has mother’s eyes.”
“He’s gorgeous, Mom,”
I paused. “I think I love him. I mean I know I love him. He’s the most
wonderful man.”
“Just remember
what we decided.” She smiled at me widely. “I think tomorrow will be a lot
better, it will just be the four of us, and it will mean a lot more.”
“I know, Mom.” I
nodded in agreement. “I put a note on Logan’s invite so he knows as well.”
“Good.” She pulled
my hand. “Now go downstairs and greet your guests.”
“Yes, Mom.” I ran
down the stairs to see who had arrived and laughed at my disappointment when I
realized Logan wasn’t one of the first to arrive. I walked over to Lucy and
some other girls I knew from the neighborhood and grinned to myself as I
remembered I wasn’t wearing any underwear. These girls had no idea that I was
dating Logan and that he was hands-down the best lover I had ever had in my
life. Add to that, he was the nicest, most sincere, and most generous man I had
ever met.
“Hey, Maddison.”
Lucy looked up at me with wide eyes. “Wow, you look hot. Who are you expecting
to show up—Bradley Cooper? Ha, ha, ha.”
“No, silly. I just
wanted to dress up.”
“Celebrate your
last weeks of freedom before school starts back?” She laughed.
I groaned. “Don’t
remind me, I’ve got to write my thesis this semester. It’s going to be killer.”
“I’ve got to take
the GREs,” she whined. “I really need to take a refresher course in math
because I have no clue how to do half of those problems.”
“Which ones?” I
asked, slightly distracted. I couldn’t keep my mind off of Logan, and I was
having a hard time reining my excitement in.
“Fractions,
algebra, stats.” Lucy laughed. “If it’s slightly related to math, then I need
help.”
“Oh, Lucy.” I
laughed at my friend. I had no idea how she had gotten admitted to Dartmouth
with her intellect, but I supposed it didn’t hurt that her father had
connections and a lot of money to donate. The doorbell rang again, and I froze
as the hairs on my arms stood up. Intuitively, I knew that Logan had arrived
and my heart started beating fast. “Excuse me, girls, let me go get that.” I
walked away from the group quickly, without waiting for an answer. I groaned as
I saw my dad walking to the front door from the other side of the room. This
wasn’t good. I didn’t want my dad to be the first person Logan saw as he walked
into my house.
“Maddison,
darling, you look beautiful.” My father walked over and gave me a big hug. “You
look like a woman and not my daughter.” He sighed and shook his head. “Where
did the time go?”
“Well, I’m a woman
now, Dad.” I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath as he opened the door. It
was like I was watching a movie, and I noticed my dad’s nostrils flaring as he
saw who was on the other side of the door.
“May I help you?”
His voice was polite, but I could hear the hint of a threat in his tone.
“I’m here for
Maddie’s party.” Logan’s tone was smooth as silk, and my heart skipped a beat
as I heard his voice.
“And you are?” My
dad’s voice was slow, but we all knew his question was a farce. I could tell
from the arch of his back that he was very much aware that this was Logan
Martelli
at his front door.
“Dad, don’t be
silly.” I pushed past him. “Let my guest in.” I gave Logan a huge smile. “I’m
glad you were able to make it.” His eyes looked slightly confused as he looked
at me, but I turned to my father quickly, wanting to get Logan away from him as
quickly as possible.
“Dad, this is my
friend Logan. Logan, this is my dad.” I introduced them to each other, and they
stared at each other for a moment before shaking hands.
“Come in, Logan.”
I ushered him inside and frowned as I noticed the hurt and slightly angry look
in his eyes.
“Logan, is it?”
Dad looked him up and down and paused. “Are you new to town?”
“No.” He shook his
head. “My brothers and I were born and raised in River Valley.”
“Oh?” My dad
raised his eyebrow. “Do I know your parents?”
“I think so.”
Logan smiled bitterly. “I think you were pretty good friends with my dad.”
“What’s the name?”
My dad pretended to be interested, but I saw his eyes narrow as he controlled
his breathing. I was glad that I had told him that Logan was my friend and not
my boyfriend. I wasn’t sure what would have happened.
“
Martelli
.” Logan’s tone was deadly as he stared at my
father.
I touched his arm
lightly. “Logan, let me introduce you to some of my other friends.”
“Yes, you should
do that, Maddie.” My dad smiled at me. “Maybe one of the girls here will take a
liking to your new friend.”
“Yeah.” I nodded and
gave him a weak smile. Logan reached over to grab my hand, and I walked away
from him quickly. I didn’t want my dad to see any physical contact between us.
“Logan, have you met Lucy, Marie, and Joanna?” I turned to him with a smile,
and his eyes looked at me vacantly. He was standing stiffly, and I frowned at
him.
“No, but it’s a
pleasure to meet you all.” He gave them all a sexy smile and kissed each of
their hands. “I haven’t seen women as beautiful as you in a long time.” I
noticed Lucy’s face reddening, and I tried to smile at her, even though I was
upset that Logan was being so friendly to them.
“Logan, let me
introduce you to everyone else.” I tried to grab his arm, and he flinched at my
touch.
“It’s okay. I’d
love to spend some time with these gorgeous young women.” He avoided eye
contact with me and I felt crushed, wondering what I had done for him to treat
me this way.
“So, Lucy.” He
walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “You’re Joey’s sister,
right? You’re even more beautiful than my brother Jared told me.”
“Jared said I’m
beautiful?” Lucy’s eyes lit up and I wasn’t sure if it was because Logan was
touching her or because of what he said.