‘What Iwantis an explanation. But not here.’ He jerked his head towards the door. ‘Come on.’
‘Sorry?’
Her voice rose and she flinched, sensing heads turning their way.
‘We can’t talk here.’ His lips barely moved, and she realised he spoke through gritted teeth. ‘It’s time to leave.’
‘Maddy?’ It was Mike, the shift manager. ‘Need help?’
Cesare didn’t even look his way. ‘She doesn’t. This is private family business.’
‘Family business? Who are you, her brother?’
Cesare glanced past her then, his look pure macho threat. ‘No. Her husband.’
Ida gaped, her mind reeling. The last thing she’d expected was for Cesare to seek her out, much less claim her as his wife. He was ashamed of her. He hated her!
‘Maddy? Is this true?’
She turned to see Mike frowning. He’d taken her under his wing when she’d come to replace Jo. He’d been kind in his own way, and she was grateful.
‘Technically, but—’
‘It’s true,’ Cesare said across her, his soft tone threaded with steel. ‘And she needs to leave now.’
‘Now wait on!’ she gasped. He couldn’t come here and make demands.
‘Alternatively, I have the resources to make business very, very difficult here.’ Cesare used the dulcet tone of a man used to getting what he wanted instantly. A man who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Those dark eyes moved back to her, fixing her to the spot. ‘Is that what you want? For me to bring down a lifetime’s trouble on the head of your friend here?’
Ida had never been afraid of Cesare the way she’d been of her grandfather. Both were powerful, single-minded and used to getting their own way, but she’d always felt there was a line Cesare wouldn’t cross. She’d never felt physically threatened by him.
Yet looking into those blazing eyes beneath deceptively heavy lids, she saw a man ready to make good on his threat to make trouble. She had no loyalty to the club. She hated the place. But Mike had been good to her and Jo. He didn’t deserve trouble. Plus Jo would return to work here soon and desperately needed the job.
Ida wanted to tell Cesare to go to hell. But if he’d found her here, he’d find her again. Better to discover what he wanted and get it over with. So she shoved down her indignation and shock and turned to Mike.
‘It’s almost the end of my shift. Could I leave early?’
Ida glanced back at Cesare, noting for the first time the man in the impeccable suit behind him. He was more discreet than her grandfather’s bodyguards, but she recognised the type and shivered.
The air was so thick you could cut it with a blade as the men surveyed each other.
Mike broke the silence. ‘You’re sure, Maddy?’
No, she wasn’t. She didn’t want to go with Cesare. But the alternative was just as bad. She nodded jerkily.
Why had Cesare come? What did he want?
‘Okay. Give me five and I’ll get your pay.’
‘She doesn’t need it,’ Cesare said, his voice dripping disdain. ‘She—’
‘I certainly do need it.’ She spoke across him. She hadn’t worked here for weeks to walk out with nothing. ‘Thanks, Mike.’ She smiled at him, her facial muscles stiff. ‘I appreciate it.’
With one last, curious look, he headed for the back room.
Ida reached for the whisky to finish pouring drinks. It gave her an excuse not to look at Cesare.
‘Leave it! We’ll go now.’