* * *
I don’t stay at the shop for very long. I’m only here to grab a few of my designs and some material, as well as to post a note on the window that I’ll be temporarily closed until I can get myself situated at my new location. There’s a lot going on right now, but I can’t put my dreams of my grand debut at New York Fashion Week on hold. With the studio Dominic’s gifted me, I’ll be in an even better position to prepare for my launch.
Elio remains at the front of the shop while I clean off my work desk, throwing as much as I can in a large tote bag. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the business card that Miriam Singh gave me the other day at the restaurant. Things have been too hectic to reach out, but now that I have a moment to myself, today’s as good a time as any.
She picks up on the second dial tone.
“Miriam Singh, Gold Star Agency, how can I help you?”
“Miriam? It’s Arin Wilson. Dominic’s, uh, friend. We met the other day at Nobu?”
“Oh, of course! I’m still thinking about those designs you showed me.”
“You are?”
“They were truly breathtaking. I’m really glad you called, actually. I’m about to head into a meeting, but do you think we could meet later for drinks? I’d love to see more of your designs.”
My heart skips a beat. This meeting could literally change my life. “I’d love to meet.”
“Excellent. I’ll text you the address. There’s this wonderful bar I’ve been meaning to check out. Say around two-o’-clock?”
“I’ll be there.” When the call ends, I’m practically leaping across the shop floor. “Elio! Elio, guess what!”
He quickly tucks his phone away in his pocket. He smiles easily. “Did you just win the lottery?”
“Pretty much,” I say, practically vibrating out of my skin. “I have a meeting with a very important fashion agent. I need to land a spot on her client roster. If I can manage that, I’ll finally be able to start putting together my first show.”
“Hey, that’s great! Where’s the meeting? I’ll have to escort you there, but I can stay out of the way.”
My phone pings. Miriam texted the address in question. I give him my phone to inspect. “Can you drive me here? We won’t need to be there for a while, so I’ll use the time to take pictures of all my pieces.”
Elio’s brow quirks. “The Lilac Fountain?”
“Yeah. It’s a bar in SoHo. That won’t be a problem, right?”
His easy smile returns in the blink of an eye. “No, no problem at all.”
Chapter 19
Dominic
“That fucker has all of SoHo,” Lorenzo hisses around the fat cigar stuck between his lips. “Renato’s getting greedy. He already has prime real estate. The man’s ego is something else.”
My capo paces around his office, grumbling bitterly to himself. He’s been in a foul mood ever since he landed earlier this morning, effectively cutting his ill-timed vacation short. Lorenzo whips around, furious eyes almost bulging out of their sockets as he points an accusatory finger at Milo.
“Why weren’t you keeping better tabs on his mens’ movements?” my capo snaps.
Milo shifts his weight from foot to foot, though he doesn’t look particularly worried. As Lorenzo’s third in command, he’s experienced his fair share of tongue lashings. Having Lorenzo spit all over you while in a rage is basically a rite of passage.
“Our patrols reported nothing suspicious,” Milo explains easily. “They’ve been hitting us when we least expect it. It’s like they know exactly when and where we’ll be. I’m worried we might have a leak.”
A flicker of annoyance makes my lip curl. “You can’t be serious. You think there’s a mole amongst our ranks?”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? These shootings aren’t by chance. They’ve all been targeted. You and your brother, a group of your men, you and that little plaything of yours—”
I snatch him by the collar. “Careful,” I hiss.
Milo smirks. “Iknewit. There were rumors floating around, but I didn’t believe them. I can’t believe you, of all people, have a woman. Where have you kept her tucked away all this time?”