Chapter 12

"Answer me!" Roman almost growled against the curve of her neck just below her earlobe, moving in closer as his brows furrowed in anger.

Poppy's breath hitched as his body rested against her and his lips linger just lightly on her skin. Closing her eyes, she tried to regain a proper thought process. She should have been terrified in this moment, but her hormones were raging out of control. All she could imagine was Roman shoving her against the wall and having his way with her.

Thinking about Luke, she knew now that there was no way she could pull off being Luke's fiancée. She would spend to much time thinking about his rival, and end up dead for even thinking about him during the most inappropriate times. She could just image being in bed with Luke and slipping up and screaming out Roman's name.

"I asked you a damn question, woman. You don't really want to piss me off right now."

"Huh?" she said, opening her eyes while being jolted from her thoughts. Oh… He didn't." Or at least she didn't think he did. "Luke just mentioned showing his respects. What sort of person would do that if he was involved?"

"He's full of shit. If he wasn't involved, explain this. Whose pin is this?" he asked, flicking the serpent pin between his fingers next to her face to show her.

"I don't know. I've never seen that before."

Through the loudspeakers across the building, the opera announced that the show was about to start again, making Roman a bit annoyed. He wasn't going to get answers here and he knew it, but he needed to let Luke know he was watching him. A power play that he was all too skilled at showing.

"Shit," he grumbled. "I'm going to give it to you straight. I want you to give Luke a warning. If I find out he had anything to do with my brother's murder, you'll be having a lot of blood on that pretty white wedding gown. Understand?"

"Are you threatening us?"

"I don't play in threats; I deal in absolutes. If your man did this, your wedding day won't be a fairytale, it will be a nightmare and I'll be the bogeyman."

Backing away, he gave her one more last once over, making Poppy instinctively cover herself by crossing her arms over her chest. The man, no matter how attractive, was still intimidating and made her so nervous she was trembling once she realized the seriousness of the situation.

Walking out of the stall, Roman nodded to his men who were standing watch, to let them know he was finished with the conversation.

Poppy slowly exited the stall behind him, unsure what to do. She'd never even met a crime family until all this, and she in way over her head.

"Who was he?" Poppy said softly, twiddling her finger tips together. "Was he like you?"

Roman looking back over his shoulder, seemed confused. "My brother?"

"I saw on the news a preacher was murdered and someone dropped him off at the hospital. He looked like you. Was it him?"

"Yes. He was a good man who didn't deserve this. He was nothing like me."

Poppy's eyes dropped to the floor. "I'm sorry someone hurt him. I don't know what I'd do if someone hurt my family."

Roman couldn't believe any ounce of compassion was coming out of Claudia's mouth. He knew her to be selfish and uncaring to everyone and everything. Yet, it wasn't her, it was Poppy, and she meant it.

As her sad eyes veered up to him, he gave her a cautious nod of thanks as he straightened his shoulders and left the room.

Anton, who was standing against the wall, studied Poppy with a watchful eye as she walked out of the restroom. He couldn't believe it either and wondered if this was just another ploy to set up Roman. He knew Luke was ruthless, but would he allow Claudia to seduce Roman? He thought so. He'd have to keep close watch on the evil conniving woman, because he didn't trust her for a second.

As soon as the men left her alone, she ran to Luke's opera balcony, dropping in the chair and looking around with utter fear to see if she was followed.

"Babe, are you okay?"

When her eyes went back to the area Roman had been seated, she saw him glaring at her.

"Uh… I'm fine."

When Luke's eyes followed hers, his teeth gritted together. "Did he threaten you?"

"He… he thinks you're involved. He stopped me in the restroom."

His father leaned over asking, "Is there a problem, Son?"

"Nothing I can't take care of, Dad. It's fine. Just enjoy the show."

His father looked to where his son seemed to be focused. With a smile the older man waved to Roman. "Hey! Isn't that D'Amico? He used to be your old friend back in college, didn't he, Son? He's family is from the old country."

"Dad, stop waving."

Roman who seemed amused at the older man, gave a goofy laugh waving back, annoying the shit out of Luke.

"Fucking asshole."

"We should invite him and his people over to our place for dinner. We could use more allies in the city."

Quickly his mother noted, "Yes, we sure do. Wasn't his brother murdered a few days ago? Poor dear. I heard from the girls down at the salon that he's looking for who's behind it."

"Mom, please don't give us your salon gossip right now."

The older lady just sat back in her seat with a shrug. "Excuse me for talking."

Watching his sons' eyes, Mario Gambino shook his head in disgust. "You didn't."

"Dad, stop. I had nothing to do with it."

"If you get us in a damn family war I'll--"

Luke stood, clearly angry. "You'll what? Go play another round of golf while you leave the family business to me to deal with, as usual. You won't do shit. I'm going to the restroom. I don't want to talk about this. Watch the damn show and leave me alone."

Poppy quickly stood, taking his hand. "Luke, are you okay?"

Looking at her with a half-hearted smile he ran the back of his hand down the cheek. "I'm fine, babe. I just need to get some air. Enjoy the show. I'll be back."

Watching him walk away, Poppy turned her head to Roman, shaking her head no. Hoping he understood that Luke was not who he was looking for, but Roman's eyes just seemed to grow in anger, possibly seeing something she wasn't. Sitting back in his chair, his body language spoke volumes. This was far from over, and after Luke's outburst, maybe he was involved. The entire thing made her head spin, and she knew the sooner she got herself out of this mess the better.