Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Things were fairly quiet leaving the opera house. Poppy could see Luke was upset and he kept rolling his bottom lip between his fingers as he tapped his other hand on his Lamborghini's steering wheel in repetition.
"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it? Maybe I can help."
"Why? It's not like you ever asked me how I feel before. Cut the crap, Claudia. You've been far too nice tonight, and suddenly you're turning over a new leaf playing little-miss-goodie-two-shoes. I don't buy it."
"I'm just trying to help."
Luke shook his head in annoyance as he turned toward their home. "I'm not staying at the penthouse tonight. I'm just going to drop you off. I need some space."
"Drop me off? Where are you taking me? This is the wrong way."
"Home," he snapped, looking over at her with a look of disgust. "What are you on? You've been acting weird all night."
"Nothing. I told you I don't do drugs."
"Whatever. Since when? I've been trying to get you clean since we met."
Annoyed herself, Poppy crossed her arms over her chest, mumbling curses. She realized that he still thought she was his fiancé and most likely was taking her to his home, not Poppy's loft apartment. She'd have to call a cab back to her place to keep him from suspecting anything, which made her even more annoyed. She hated riding in taxis.
"What?"
"Nothing, just take me home."
Once they reached the skyrise apartment penthouse atop The Four Seasons Hotel, he just sat there, not even opening the door for her. As the doorman stepped up to help her from the car, she rolled her eyes, stepping from the car.
"Jerk."
Pretending to head to the building, while calling a cab, she pretended to be taking her time to go inside.
"Wait!" he yelled, jumping from the car. "Claudia, wait… I'm sorry."
Turning back to him, Poppy didn't even know why she was putting up with his behavior. It wasn't like Luke was really her boyfriend. She could tell him the truth and wash her hands of the entire thing. That was if he didn't shoot her on the spot for lying to him. As he stepped up, adjusting his pristine tuxedo jacket, she realized this gorgeous devil very well could do just that.
"What do you want, Luke?"
"I don't know. I'm stressed and all this pressure on me is a lot. With Dad leaving the family business to me, it has me on edge. Can't we just get along for once? For fuck's sake, Claudia, I'm supposed to be your fiancé and all we do is argue lately. Ever since I cut you off from my credit cards, you've not been the same. Now, it seems like you want to try to be the way things were when we were happy, but it's hard to trust it's real."
Poppy stopped for a second just listening. That was it. Claudia left him because of money. Two things could have happened. The first option, she lost interest and the new guy is rich. Or two, the new guy came into some money, and they are on the run now, which means that there was more to the story than what's on the surface. The way things were adding up, the latter must be true.
The fashion designer almost felt sorry for this guy. Here he was, trying to make a life for himself and his new soon-to-be wife, and the woman skipped out on him. But why was he acting weird when his father mentioned him being involved in the murders? Remembering he was a ruthless mob boss, she wasn't completely convinced he was innocent. Especially considering the loathing she saw in his eyes directed at Roman.
"Are you happy?" she asked.
"Are you?" he retorted.
"Well… I have a great new business and tonight was an amazing date, aside from the creepy mafia stuff."
Luke chuckled. "You told me you grew up around the mob and suddenly you want to go straight? You're a Ricci. Your family is notorious."
"I just think it was nice to be there tonight with you. Did you have fun?"
Luke thought for a moment, putting his hands on his hips when a slow smile creased his pursed lips. "Ya, know. I did. For the first time in a long time, other than Roman being there, it was nice. It was the first time you ever showed me real concern and affection. I guess maybe it's my lifestyle that keeps you from showing it, huh?"
"Well, maybe it's a bit of your temper, too. Don't you think?" Poppy asked, hoping he'd understand that whatever problems he and Claudia had could very well be his own doing.
As his eyes met hers, Luke stepped closer, cupping her chin with his hand, and running his thumb over her lips. "You are going to be the love of my life. I hope you know all I want is to make you happy. If we are to be married, we need to make a real go of it."
Shying away, Poppy didn't know how to respond. He wasn't her man, and she honestly didn't feel any real emotional connection to him. "I should get some sleep. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow."
"You really are giving this job thing a go, aren't you?"
"Yes. I love fashion and it's my dream to be a fashion designer."
"I never knew that." Luke bit at his jaw as if he was thinking to himself. "I think we really need to just sit down and talk more. I guess we could stand to get to know each other better before the wedding. We jumped into things over our family connections and we should just try to be a real couple."
Reaching to take his hand, Poppy gave him a kind smile. "I think that's a good idea. You're a good man, Luke. I don't know why, but I think deep down you really are, kingpin or not."
"Kingpin, huh? I've heard you call me a made-man before but never that. Honestly, since I took over for Dad I don't even see myself as a Don. It's weird having to make all these decisions right now. Hell, I'm still young, ya know. I wasn't expecting this until I was a lot older."
"You're a smart man and will figure it out. I can tell you just want to do the right thing."
Kissing her cheek, he said, "If anyone knows that it's you, sweetheart. I'm going to go take a drive for a while and maybe stay over at my parent's tonight. I need to talk with my dad about some things, and maybe we just need some space to clear our heads."
"Yeah, you seem stressed over the wedding. Maybe you just need some time to yourself. Take your time."
"I am stressed, and I know you're not really into the wedding planning stuff like most girls. Anyway, I'll stop by your shop in the morning and maybe bring some coffee and doughnuts. Sleep well."
"You too, Luke."
As she watched him get back into his town car, Poppy smiled. Luke Gambino didn't seem to be the evil guy she expected him to be. Or maybe it was he thought she was his future wife and that was why he was being so kind. Either way, she hoped if he wasn't involved in that murder that he would find a better life than this. He really didn't seem happy in the one he was living.
"Are you going in the building, Miss Ricci?"
Poppy turned to the doorman with a smile. "No. Can you hail me a cab?"
"A cab, miss? Would you like me to call Mr. Gambino's night driver? It would be much safer this time of night."
Poppy's eyes widened. "Driver?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said staring at her as if she had lost her mind.
"Driver it is then. Have them take me to Lincoln Park to my shop. The Pink Halo."
"Right away."
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