Chapter 9

After work Poppy rushed upstairs to her apartment to change into her dress. A long black off shoulder evening gown with a high slit up one leg. She slipped into her strappy heels before taking one last look in the mirror. She'd never been to the opera before and didn't even know what to expect. One thing she knew for sure, she was in too deep to turn back now.

Shaking her head in disgust at herself, she knew she was getting in way over her head. "I've got to tell him tonight. I can't keep doing this and let this man believe I'm Claudia. It's clear that this guy cares for her. I sort of feel bad for him. She's been cheating on Luke and ran out of town like a coward. Then the tramp used me as a scapegoat. The thing is, I have no idea why. I hope when I tell him he can forgiving me for lying. If not, I'm as good as dead."

When Poppy heard the bell ring from the storefront, she rushed downstairs almost tripping on her long evening gown. When she walked into the store, she found Luke leaning up against the desk, counting her money. When his eyes veer up to her, a slow smile curled on the edge of his sexy lips.

Waving a wad of cash at her from the register, he made a ticking sound. "Tisk-tisk, Claudia. You left the front door wide open. Any low life thug could have come in and robed you. You didn't even put the money in the safe when you closed. My sexy girl just doesn't get how to run a real business, do you?"

Walking over, Poppy snatched the money from his hand and cleared the register, putting the money in her purse. "I need to stop by the bank to deposit the money in the night deposit."

Looking her up and down, Luke's hand snaked around her waist and gripped her ass. Quickly, she swatted him away.

"Stop that."

"Now this outfit is saying something to me, baby. I wasn't really feeling the whole, retro vibe."

"What is it saying to you, Luke?" she said with a bit a snark to her tone. "Grope her ass and act like a neanderthal?"

Backing up, he just gave her a questioning smile as if he thought she had lost her mind by addressing him that way. "Do you know who you are talking to, woman?"

"Yeah, I do. Now, let's get going," she said stomping away. "And keep your hands to yourself. I'm not in the mood."

Before she could take two steps away, Luke reached to grab her elbow, noting how irritated she seemed. "Hang on. Is there something up with you? I don't get why you're so damn hostile today. Was I right, are you cheating on me?"

"Can we just go?" Poppy said, thinking she needed to calm down and get him in a better mood before she spilled the beans. The look in his eyes said he wasn't happy about her attitude. "I'm sorry, I'm just under a lot of pressure with the shop opening."

"I get that. We have a wedding in two weeks, and you've been doing a lot. I know I keep asking you about this guy who was texting you, and you said it was a wrong number, but you've been acting like a whole different person today."

Poppy shrugged, scrunching up her nose. "You have no idea how right that statement is. Let's just go."

***

All through dinner at a fancy five-star Michelin restaurant, Poppy didn't have the courage to tell him the truth. He really did seem to care about this woman, and she hated the fact she was a total stranger who had to break the news to him that his real fiancé was a runaway bride. It never seemed to be the right time, and people were always coming to the table giving the mafia leader praise and special attention.

Later that evening, as they entered the lobby of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Poppy was in awe of its beautiful architecture. She admired everything down to the tall art deco columns, ornate lighting, even down to the smallest detail of the elegant tile floors and the gold and red accents. This was the life she had always dreamed of, and here she was, living it through a false persona. Her heart raced in her chest with excitement as she watched the well-dressed guest mingle and chatter about.

It took no time at all to notice all eyes were on her, and she knew they were only looking because they believed her to be someone else. It almost made her heart hurt to think of telling Luke the truth, especially after how kind he was being to her. For a moment Poppy even questioned why Claudia wouldn't want to be with him. He was charming, handsome, and ridiculously rich.

Giving Poppy's hand a squeeze, Luke leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Sweetheart, why are you shaking?"

"I'm just nervous."

"Why? We've been here before."

Looking up at him with worried eyes, she said, "Luke, we need to talk."

Before she could finish her thought, Luke's eyes narrowed in anger. "Fuck, there he is. He needs to keep his eyes to himself. He's always checking you out and it really pisses me off. You'd think he'd learn his lesson after that night at the gala to keep his damn eyes off you."

"He who?"

"You know damn well who."

Motioning his head in the man's direction, Poppy's eyes followed his across the room. Amongst a gathering of tuxedos and fancy dresses was a man that naturally stood out in the crowd. The most stunningly handsome man she'd ever seen in her life. As his steel blue eyes met hers, the man ran his tongue over his lips and rubbed his five o'clock shadowed chin as if checking her out, enjoying what he was seeing. The man next to him instantly noticing and tried to distract the man.

"Roman… Stupid asshole. Stay close tonight, babe. He looks like a rabid wolf ready to attack his prey. If he really has it out for me, he may try to put out a hit."

"What?" Poppy asked in shock. "He'd try to kill you? Here?"

"Babe, what's up with you? You're acting crazy."

"I want to go home," she blurted out, suddenly realizing the seriousness of this situation.

"Home? We have to meet my father at the house bar before the show. Just relax, will ya? It's fine. He's not going to screw up. We have our men all over this place."

While Luke was pulling her toward the hall, Poppy's eyes never left Roman. As usual, he noticed while giving a sly grin.

"You're embracing me. Stop looking at him," Luke snapped.

"Maybe that's why she left. You're a jealous asshole."

"What?" he asked. "She who? Claudia are you all right? Shit, you're high. Damn it! Not tonight, you promised."

"No… Who? Oh… no. I'm not high. Let's just go meet your father."

Across the room, watching her walk away, Roman couldn't keep his eyes off her and he knew something felt different, but he couldn't put his finger on as to why.

As their eyes followed one another, Poppy tried to focus. She was on the arm of one of the most gorgeous men in Chicago and staring down another. What was she thinking? They were both ruthless criminals, and she was being pulled into the glam and luxury of it all, knowing darn well the risk she was taking.

She longed for this high-end lifestyle since she was a little girl, watching celebrities and wealthy business moguls on TV and the red carpet. She dreamed of fashion, style, and opulence. Everything these mafia kingpins could offer. The more this went on, the more she knew she was in deep. If she didn't tell Luke the truth soon, she'd be in real trouble, and with the look in Roman's eyes, she knew it.