Chapter 24

Making good on his promise; an hour later, Poppy was in her own room, taking a much-needed shower, then resting peacefully for the rest of the day in a large luxury poster bed with a view of the beautiful Lake Michigan. She was still his captor, but at least she wasn't sleeping in a musty basement.

She had heard Roman mention to one of his men about a shipment of stolen goods that Luke had been missing, and it seemed the crime families were just battling back and forth on things to get this mafia war started. But Roman was smart. He'd lie low and keep his ears to the ground. He had other plans brewing to put Luke in his place.

As Piper went to change into a nightgown the staff had brought for her, she stood facing the window, taking in the beautiful view of the backyard as the moon shone over the lake like millions of diamonds. From her view, Lake Michigan looked as big as the ocean itself. She wanted to just float away to wherever the Chicago winds would take her. Anywhere but being prisoner to the man she was sure would equally want to ravish and kill her in one fail swoop.

After pulling off her clothes, she grabbed the silk gown, letting the luxurious fabrics fall over her curvy form that nestled between her full breasts. The staff had brought her the bag her captors had taken from the shop, but a few other luxury items were tossed in as well. Somehow, she knew Roman was behind it. Most likely a treasure because of the clear lust-filled attraction he was struggling to hide. Not well, because Poppy had noticed his hints of seduction from the day they met.

As her head leaned back to enjoy the feel of the luxury garment, all she could think about was the way Roman had pushed her against that wall in his makeshift dungeon. She could almost remember how perfectly sinful it felt when his thick hand came slapping down on her backside.

Thinking about the man was like letting the devil consume her. He was her captor and here she was thinking of million-and-one ways she'd love for him to have his way with her. As her hands traced over the swell of her breast, she could feel the peaks nip at her fingertips as she roamed over the soft pink silk.

"Mmm…" she moaned.

"Keep doing that. You know I like to watch."

"Ahh!" she shrieked as she turned to find Roman had slipped into the room and was sitting in the corner chair, shadowed by the darkness. "What the hell do you think you're doing in here?"

"Apparently I'm watching a woman touch herself in my home without me being invited to join in," he responded, as a flicker from his lighter lit across the room as he puffed on a cigar.

"Don't light that thing in here. It stinks."

"I thought this was one of your role plays, Claudia. Dark stranger sneaks in your room in the middle of the night to seduce you."

Rushing across the room to flip on the key light, she found Roman smiling up at her from the chair. His dress shirt was slightly unbuttoned, showing off his glorious chest and fit abs. The man had that going for him. He was pure walking and talking sex.

"Get out!" She pointed to the door.

"It's my house."

"Well, for now, this is my bedroom, and I will expect you to respect my privacy. I was just going to bed."

"Good idea," he agreed, standing from his chair and pulling her into the crook of his arm. "Where shall we start? Maybe back from that spanking that was so rudely interrupted."

Shoving him away, Poppy went for the robe on the bed. "Get out. I don't feel well and I'm not in the mood."

"You weren't saying that a month ago when you were banging on my door in the middle of the night, wanting me to give you what Luke couldn't."

"What is with you stupid mafia guys? Do you actually think I would let you sleep with me after you just had me chained to a wall in your basement and treated like vermin? I don't know where you come from, but where I come from, that's enough to drag your worthless carcass down to the wetlands and feed your sorry ass to the snakes and bobcats."

"What's with the redneck accent? You really are trying hard to convince me this Poppy act is real, aren't you?"

"I am Poppy, and you need to get out." Storming to the door, she pointed to it in disgust. "Out. Now!"

"Fine. I just wanted to let you know the phone call worked. Luke thinks you're on a shopping spree. Apparently, someone is spending his money because I got word one of his credit cards was maxed out at JFK airport."

"That's her! That's Claudia. She was heading out of the country. They probably had a layover in New York before skipping the country! Can't you go find her or something? She's getting away!"

Roman walked past, shaking his head. "You really have lost your marbles, toots. I think maybe we need to have my staff doctor look at that head of yours. Maybe all that blow you snorted up your nose finally worked its way into your brain."

"I'm not crazy and I'm sure as hell on a drug user, you half whit! If I were I'd be going into withdrawal by now and convulsing on the floor. I'm… Argh! What's the use? You're never going to believe me, anyway."

Walking back to the bed, she flopped down with a pout, rubbing the silk between her fingers to soothe her. The finest fabrics always seemed to do that to the budding fashionista. "I miss my dad and brothers. I just want to go home."

"You would have been home had you not lied and tried to cheat me out of millions. Does Luke know you're flat broke and Daddy cut off your trust fund?"

"Daddy who?"

"You know. Don Ricci. The freaking Godfather of the Italian families. Damn Claudia, you really are losing it."

"Roman, I don't know who that is. All I know about mob guys is what I see on TV and that A Don is what you people call each other if you head a family. I'm from Indiana. Find my dad; he'll tell you everything. Frank Parker from Bean Blossom, Indiana. There's a big biker rally there every year at a park down the road from our farm."

"I know the place and Claudia Ricci wouldn't be caught dead in a place like that."

Poppy gave a giggle. "How would you know? Have you been to a biker rally?"

"I have hobbies, you know. I don't just shoot people and sell illegal shit. I have a life beyond running my family's affairs."

Blushing, she looked away. "I can see you on a bike. I bet you look cool… I mean… the bike is probably cool."

"Yeah. The bike. You want to take a ride, princess?"

"I like to ride."

"Me or the bike?" he teased with a wink.

"That's not funny. Please, just look up my father. He's well known in town, and anyone could vouch for me."

Roman rubbed his chin, looking over her sad expression. "I'll talk to Anton. If he thinks it's worth looking into, I'll consider it. I don't want to waste my time on lies and silly games."

"Anton hates me."

"Well, then I guess you need to stop pissing him off."

After Poppy watched the stubborn kingpin turn on his heels and leave, she threw herself into the bed, crying herself asleep into her pillow. She knew this was far from over, and until they would go to seek out her father, she had no chance of leaving this place.

****

Author Note: If you haven't already, please add my book to your library collections and take the time to vote by giving me a powerstone. All your support means a lot and I've greatful for all the great reviews and comments so far.