HIDDEN WITNESS 4: DOMINIC'S STORY Read online

  Releasing her lips, I gazed into her eyes. “I’ll walk you to your door. I wouldn’t want your father to think I wasn’t a gentleman.”

  She placed her hand in mine as we strolled along the paved walk toward the oversized double doors.

  “Angelita, I will call you tomorrow when I am on my way.”

  She threw her arms around my neck. “I look forward to seeing you.” Her teeth clinched my earlobe sending an electric current to my cock. “Dominic Magarelli, together you and I can become mafia royalty.”

  My eyebrows wrinkled. Were both families in on our union, but me. I told my grandfather, I’d date Angelita. I never promised to make things permanent between us.

  She pulled back, batting her long lashes over her blue eyes. “See you tomorrow, Dominic.”

  I smirked. “Goodnight.”

  One thing was for sure no one fucking pushed me to do shit I didn’t want to do.

  ∞

  The smell of freshly clipped grass dangled under my nose. I loved New Jersey warm weather in the Spring and hated the summer heat. Hopefully, I’ll adjust quickly to the weather in California.

  I clapped my hands. “Trevor, good job!” I shouted from the sidelines of the Lacrosse field. I hadn’t played since last year. I either sat on the bench with my team or stood on the sidelines cheering them on. Coach begged me to play. I told him I needed to sit out. Enjoying the game from the sidelines wasn’t all bad. Tia, Cassey, and Adaline, sat in the bleachers. I turned and waved. They smiled and blew kisses.

  “Dominic.” I glanced to my left.

  “Angelita.” My eyebrows wrinkled.

  “I didn’t know you’d be here this evening.”

  “Yeah, well our schools are playing against each other.”

  I chuckled. “Good point.”

  She nodded toward the bleachers. “Who are the girls?” she asked intertwining our fingers.

  “Girls, who are my friends like you.”

  Her smile dropped. “But we are more than friends, Dominic.”

  “No, you want us to be more than friends. I told you I didn’t want a girlfriend. You claimed you understood. Don’t let the sex get to your head. Maybe we should stop.”

  “I don’t want to stop. So, they’re fine with just being friends?”

  “Yeah, they are.”

  “Hmm.” She gripped my face and shoved her tongue down my throat. I grazed my fingertips across her hips.

  We’ve fucked in her bedroom on a few occasions while her parents weren’t home. The lengths she went through to please me in the bedroom gave me the inclination she’d do anything to become my woman. No matter how many times I told her that wouldn’t happen, it didn’t deter her. She and I shared something different. The mafia life. She understood my life and probably wouldn’t bat an eye if I killed a man before her. I liked that about her. It appeared Angelita wanted to hold the mafia queen title.

  My mother didn’t hold that title. Not even sure she knew what our family really did for a living and the magnitude the name Magarelli held.

  I had trust issues. I was particular about whom I shared information with. Didn’t matter if our families were in the same business.

  Tia was the only girl who knew limited information about my life. She wasn’t stupid she knew my family was in the mafia.

  Angelita fell against my chest and wrapped her arms around my torso. Her eyes were glued to the field.

  “Let’s go!” she shouted.

  I glanced over my shoulder at the girls. They were huddled together, whispering and staring at us. We had an agreement and soon we’d start new lives apart. This was as good a time as any to break ties.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CARMEN

  My parents wanted to capture every moment of my journey to Stanford University. They snapped pictures from the time we left our house to the moment we arrived in San Jose, California. I wouldn’t down play the exciting monumental moment in my life. Not every day did students obtain a full ride to one of three universities they wanted to attend. Attending college in Florida wasn’t what I wanted. Moving far away from my family was what swayed my decision to apply for University of Southern California, Berkeley, and Stanford University.

  My two older brothers chose to stay closer to home. They attended University of Florida. Timothy was nineteen and Peter was twenty. They lived, breathed, and ate football. My brothers tormented any boy who came within ten feet of me. I hated being called baby girl. The entire family used that god-awful nickname. My brothers were popular. I was known as the football stars little sister.

  April was my best friend. She wasn’t attending college. I was going to miss her. April’s family couldn’t afford to send her to college. She worked at the local coffee shop in our neighborhood. The only dream she ever had was to become a business owner. I hoped to make that dream come true one day.

  “Mark, we need a picture right here,” my mother said to my father, grabbing my hand.

  She led us toward the enormous Stanford colorful flower bed. We posed. The deep red flowers were beautiful and smelled sweet. I wrapped my arm around her waist. My mother smiled wide. She rested her head on top of mine. I’d miss my mother’s smart, snarky comments.

  At the beginning of the eleventh-grade school semester, I made a bold statement and requested my stylist chop off my hair and style it in a pixie cut. All of a sudden, boys I didn’t know were interested in dating the shy quiet girl. They came out of the wood works.

  My hair grew out on top and swooped across my face. My stylist said it would be easy to manage. She said since I was attending college, I needed to make a bolder statement. Hence the edgy cut.

  I loved it. Free was what I felt. Not Chem girl or Science project the other names my brothers called me.

  “We need a picture all together.” He glanced to his right.

  “Excuse me.”

  The girl riding by halted. “Yes.”

  “Can you take our picture?”

  “Sure.”

  She smiled bright. “Say cheese.”

  My mother and father squeezed my waist. “Cheese,” we yelled.

  If I didn’t know anything else, my parents loved my brothers and I.

  “Thank you,” we said to the student.

  “No problem. Are you new here?” she smiled.

  “Yes.”

  “Welcome to Stanford. My name is Deanna Trenton. I am a sophomore.”

  I extended my hand. “Carmen. These are my parents Mr. and Mrs. Drake.”

  “Nice to meet you all. Carmen, if you need anything you can find me in Toyon Hall. And let me guess…” she pointed.

  “You’re in Serra hall.”

  I laughed. “Yes.”

  “Again, happy I could help.”

  “Bye,” we stated.

  My dad clutched my shoulder. “Making new friends all ready.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” I smiled.

  We arrived in San Jose at six this morning. After unpacking and setting up my dorm room furniture my parents wanted to walk the campus.”

  My mother fanned herself. “It’s hot already like back home.”

  “Yes, Mom, just what I wanted but less rain.” I chuckled.

  “Baby girl, you always enjoyed the water and warm weather. I still don’t understand why you needed to move to the west coast,” my father sighed as we walked past the beautiful beige buildings.

  “Mark, we discussed this. Carmen is an adult now. We can’t call her baby girl…”

  I smiled between them.

  “And we have to trust she’ll make proper life decisions.”

  “Yeah, I know.” My father kissed my cheek.

  “We’ll, walk you to your dorm, then Dad and I are starting our vacation in Napa Valley,” my mother sang, snapping her fingers in the air.

  “I hope you both enjoy yourselves. Don’t worry about Timothy, Peter, and me.”

  “Easier said than done, Carmen,” my father said.

  ~

  E
ach dinner station appeared more tantalizing than the last. I couldn’t make up my mind what I wanted to eat. The smell of fresh pepperoni lured me to the pizza station. A guy swiped up the last slice of pepperoni pizza. Shit!

  “Come over here,” a girl pleaded in ear shot.

  Stepping back, I peeked at the next station over and crushed someone’s shoe.

  I clutched my eyes shut briefly and turned. “I am so sorry.”

  My sneaker print was on the top of the guys white sneaker.

  “You should be. Watch where the fuck you’re going!” the rude blue-eyed blonde spat.

  “Angelita, it was an accident. Chill.”

  The air caught in my throat and I couldn’t move. I stared up into his dark green eyes. Electric pulsations zapped every nerve in my body. His dark hair was swept back. His creamy olive skin was blemish free. He was a poster boy for a men’s cologne commercial. His cologne was distinctive. The vanilla and spice scent made my heart beat faster and my core, dripping wet. What felt like an eternity, staring in his eyes was more like three seconds.

  The evil bitch intertwined their fingers. “Suddenly, pizza doesn’t appeal to me anymore.” She rolled her eyes and walked away.

  He glanced over his shoulder, gazing into my brown eyes. I held the attention of the most handsome man I’d ever seen. She said something to him, regaining his attention.

  A fresh pepperoni pizza was cut and placed on the buffet station. The mozzarella cheese oozed over the spatula as I slid each slice inside the Styrofoam container.

  I retreated to a table in the back corner of the cafeteria. He was so fucking gorgeous. Why was he with such a bitch? This was my time to live. No more living in my brothers’ shadows. They couldn’t stop the hook up between myself and a hot guy. I shook my head. Well maybe not that hot guy, I was sure there were others.

  Hopefully, I’d meet a guy who shared the same major. We’d spend all our spare time together. My high golden-brown cheek bones lit up. I lived in a dream world. That was always where I dwelled. My heart shaped lips had been kissed. However, there wasn’t a guy brave enough to move our kissing to groping.

  I didn’t feel unattractive. Sometimes I admired my reflection in the mirror. My face mimicked the shape of a diamond. My complexion was caramel with gold undertones. I dyed my hair so much I forgot what my original dark brown hair looks like. My mother said my grandmother and I shared the same big brown eyes. The base of my nose was narrow and widened perfectly on each side. As long as I felt I was attractive that’s what mattered.

  My brothers said I was very attractive and that’s why they protected me and my heart. They didn’t want some loser, taking advantage of their baby sister. Now the virgin made it to college. Finally, I’d hang out at Frat parties and move to second base with a guy. I decided to free my mind of pretty boy. I’d probably never see him again and if I did what would it matter? He had a girlfriend.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  DOMINIC

  I attended college unattached so I could find the woman I desired to one day be my wife. Sounds a little crazy, I know. When a man is ready to become serious with a woman, he’ll know the one for him. Out of all places to find my mate how did I know she would attend Stanford? I didn’t. More like hoping she’d be in attendance.

  How much longer would I have to date Angelita? My grandfather assured me I could stop seeing her in a few months.

  She asked to accompany me to school for the first weekend before classes began. Not for one second did I think I’d bump into her so soon.

  The caramel skinned woman with short spiky hair was fucking beautiful. Angelita was rude to her. I was sure she felt threatened. The woman wouldn’t hold bearing on our relationship. Because we don’t have one.

  It wasn’t all bad hanging out with Angelita. The deli shop, many gangsters frequented was a staple in our neighborhood. It was a safe zone. Different crews could eat amongst one another and not worry about any blow back. We sat outside the Café on a short brick wall eating dinner reminiscing on our childhood growing up in the mafia life.

  “Any time my father and I ate at Larry’s you could feel the power of the men sitting amongst us. They busted each other’s balls all day I was sure of it.” She grinned admiring the sunset.

  I sipped my coke and smiled. “I felt that too when my dad and I ate there. It didn’t matter what my father’s position was in that location they were all equal and family. I love that place.”

  See, not all bad. What was bad was her wanting a relationship. Something I couldn’t ever give to her.

  Have you ever had that feeling you knew there was someone special waiting just for you? I know, sounds corny. But the way my heart stopped when I stared into the woman’s beautiful brown eyes. If I could have introduced myself or held her hand for a split second. I bet I would have felt a spark ignite between us. Next time, I see her gorgeous face, I’ll introduce myself, ask her major and favorite food. You catch my drift.

  ∞

  Six months whipped by and I never saw the spiky haired woman again. Shit, what the fuck? How could this be? I understood we resided on a large campus, but I didn’t see her at parties, in the café, or walking to class. Of course, on the first day of school, I scoured my classes for her, but I came up empty. What if it was all in my head and she wasn’t the one? I sighed staring out the window of the private jet en route to New Jersey.

  The power position came sooner than expected. Grandfather requested I return home to handle a problem. My father was aware of what my new job entailed. He shunned the idea. Wanted no parts of his son killing people. Killing dirty motherfuckers is what my family did. He had no problem ordering Gio to kill, but when it came to me now his only son, he couldn’t bear the thought.

  The flight attendant opened the door and a gush of air slapped my tall stature.

  “See you soon, sir.”

  I nodded, shrugging on my winter coat as I whisked down the stairs toward the Suburban, waiting on the Tarmac.

  “Dom, how are you?” Teck asked, smiling from ear to ear.

  “I am well. It’s good to see you. Where is Fabio?”

  He nodded his head toward the car. “I’ll fill you in.”

  I slid across the back seat. After Teck closed the door, he climbed into the driver seat. He cruised away from the airport. Snow blanketed the ground. He was always a cautious driver. I never worried when he drove.

  “Fabio, was reassigned to guard your mother and sister.”

  “I admit it was weird not having you or Fabio around.

  I don’t like the two stiffs my grandfather assigned to follow me around campus?”

  “Maybe you could request to choose your own bodyguards.”

  “I think I will.”

  “After your business meeting today, your security detail will be of high importance.”

  My eyebrows wrinkled and the tiny hair stood on my arms. I ain’t known for backing down. But I was curious, who was I ordered to handle?

  ~

  “Dominic!” my little sister shouted as I entered the front door and dropped to my knees.

  She barreled across the wooden floor into my arms.

  “Alexandria, did you miss your big brother?”

  She squeezed my neck. “Yes.” I rose to my feet and I carried her into the kitchen.

  “What’s for dinner?” The aroma of fresh tomatoes filled my nostrils.

  “I don’t know. Ask mommy.”

  “Oh, yeah?” I smiled tickling her belly.

  She grabbed my hand and laughed.

  “Dominic, what are you doing home?” My mother asked, placing a casserole dish in the oven.

  “Hello, Mom.”

  She ran around the counter. Her lips pressed against my cheek. The hint of lavender in my mother’s hair calmed my nerves.

  “I missed you guys.” There wasn’t a chance I’d tell my mom why I was really home. However, I did miss my family.

  My father entered his second term as the Mayor of Newark,
NJ, last year. Over the years, several neighbors moved. Neighbors would exit their cars and bark at the security officers guarding the communities front gate. The Mayor living in the neighborhood wasn’t loved by all. The new neighbors didn’t mind. They said the heightened security provided an extra layer of comfort.

  “Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes,” my mother stated walking toward the refrigerator.

  “Alexandria, can you guess what Mom is preparing for dinner?”

  She shook her head.

  “It’s your favorite.” I gestured waving my hand in the air.

  Her eyes widened. “Pastina!”

  “Yes, baked chicken and Pastina!”

  “Domie, can I have a glass of milk?”

  I snickered. “You sure can.” I sat her in the chair at the counter, then peeled off my coat, tossing it on the sofa in the family room. I returned, nabbing a glass out of the cabinet. My mother smiled never looking away.