Page 33 of Mafia’s Fake Bride

“I’ll find something, Marie, I promise. I’m not sure what we can have you do, but if you really want it this much, then, I’ll find something.” He shifted in his chair and pushed away from the plate that had been filled with steak fajitas not long ago but was now empty. The motion revealed the gun snug up against his left side with a holster, and Marie’s eyes shot up to his.

“And maybe take me for more shooting lessons?” she said the last part quietly, afraid to say it too loudly in the restaurant that was only now starting to fill up. They’d got there at the right time then.

“Yeah, I’ll take you out in the morning, alright?” He tipped his finger at the waiter who quickly rushed over and asked what he could do for Matteo.

“Another glass of white wine for my wife please, Andy, and a small port for me please.” Matteo was always kind to the staff, wherever they were, which was another reason Marie loved him.

People that were rude to the people that served them at stores or other places of business irritated Marie. They were snobby and that was more than Marie could tolerate. In her younger days, when she could still get around, Marie’s mother would go out into town and would talk condescendingly to everyone she came into contact with. She would be rude on purpose, just to get a rise out of them, because she knew if they reacted, they’d get fired. Even if it was Ruby Hebert they were rude to.

“Do you want to go downstairs?” he asked after they finished their drinks. His eyes were bright with delight. “I’d love to show you off.”

“I’ve seen how you growl at any man that comes near me with the least hint of interest,” Marie quickly retorted, amused.

“Showing you off is one thing, having men make an attempt to hit on you is something totally different,” he said with a dry smirk and a raised eyebrow.

“Ah, so you want them jealous, that’s it?” She got up from her chair, her bag in hand, and waited for him to escort her to wherever the door was for the place.

“Always.” It was an admission that shocked her. Not because he wanted men to be jealous of him, but that he’d actually admitted it.

A smile tilted the corners of her mouth as he led her back to the kitchen, and then to a room where wine was stored. His fingers traced along the wall until he found a button and pressed it. A thick steel door slid to the left side slowly and she saw a set of dark stairs.

“Wow.” She breathed as they descended the stairs, and she saw a large number of people gathered around tables and machines. Alcohol flowed from a bar off to the left while the gambling stations were to the right and towards the stairs.

“This place was built during the 1920s, during Prohibition. A speakeasy. I bought the restaurant above so that I could have this below. We keep it quiet, for obvious reasons, and anyone that comes in has to become a member. That keeps them quiet because they know we keep a member list. There’s no advertising and people can’t talk about the club. It’s private and members only.”

“What about those women?” Marie pointed to a group of women around a table full of men playing cards.

“They can bring their women in, but there’s no prostitution here, and we don’t provide that kind of entertainment.” He patted her hand and looked down at her as they paused at the bottom of the steps. “I’d never do that to a woman or allow it. I’ve fired a couple of managers at some of my houses lately, for that very reason.”

“I’m glad.” She tried to think quickly, to come up with something to keep him talking but her brain went blank. “I’m not sure they are those men’s wives.”

“I doubt it, but I can’t ask them, either.”

“Doesn’t that break the privacy rules?” she asked as the thought occurred to her.

“It does, in a way, but each guest has to sign a privacy form. Besides, these people know that they are exposing others to gossip, so they don’t bring in anyone that would break our policy. It keeps them happy too.”

“And those women?” Marie asked as she spotted a table full of women playing cards at another table.

“They’re some of the biggest names in the business, but you won’t ever hear about them. They don’t play the regular circuits, only the underground places.” Matteo led her to the bar and ordered two coffees for them after she told him what she wanted.

Marie watched the women at the table, fascinated by the fact that women were playing. She knew women could, but she’d considered this to be a man’s world and had thought women wouldn’t be involved. It was nice to see the group over there. One was a tall woman who looked to be about 45, with short blond hair and bright blue eyes; another had black hair and brown eyes; while the last one had long gray hair, wearing sunglasses, and sweats. The other two women were dressed all in black, clothes that looked expensive, but weren’t meant to.

Marie looked down at the spring-inspired dress she had on. It was light pink with a wide white belt across the middle. The short cap sleeves were enough to keep her shoulders covered. It was a modest dress but… girlish. Those women looked like they meant business. She pulled her lip between her teeth and watched them. Even the woman in the gray sweats looked tough, capable. Not like a mousey housewife that would be more at home at a church luncheon than down here in an illegal casino.

“What do you think?” he asked and took a seat at a table they’d walked to.

“I think it’s fascinating.” She wanted to go to another store, right now, and buy more new clothes. Clothes that said she meant business, like those women over there. Maybe then Matteo would take her seriously.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s my own pet project, not one of the family’s businesses.” She looked around with a new understanding. He’d built this up himself, with his own money and efforts. He wanted to show it off to her.

That made sense now.

“You want to have a play at the machines?” he asked and took out a bundle of cash from his pocket. “Try some of the machines, if you want. You can learn some of the table games from those.”

“Oh, okay.” She hadn’t expected to play any of the games, but she soon discovered she liked them. It was all chance, and she was sure the machines were rigged in the house’s favor, but it was fun. When you had money, she reminded herself.

“Having fun?” he asked a little while later. She’d won $200 by then and didn’t want to stop.