Chapter 21

Sweet? Roman tried to not laugh at the guard who just referred to Claudia as sweet. Of all words he had that described that woman, sweet was not on that list. Evil, conniving, ruthless, selfish, greedy, gold-digging, bitch. Yeah. Those were more along the line of who Claudia Ricci was, not sweet.

"Yeah, I said sweet. Trust me, Roman. That woman is not who you think she is. I believe her. Either she's telling the truth, or something happened to that woman to make her change her ways. It doesn't sit right with me. You don't think Luke brainwashed her do you? We all know the Gambino's have been struggling to keep afloat. All the families have turned their back on them since the old man lost his marbles."

"I don't think Luke is that smart to be perfectly honest. But I do think maybe he is marrying her to get in good with Godfather."

"Either way, don't hurt the poor girl."

Looking into the tall burly man's eyes, he could see a hint of compassion from the rough and tough bodyguard, for the woman in that homemade cell. Tate always had a soft spot for captors, as to why Roman never let him go out in the field. He kept him at the mansion to watch over things because if Tate was anything, he was honest and loyal to the core. He didn't have that killer instinct that the rest of his men carried, but he had the most protective nature of anyone he knew. Deep down, Roman almost thought he was right about the woman… Almost.

"Tate, you're too good of a guy for this business, man. She's got in your head."

"Maybe she has, but I know Claudia. She was a ruthless witch who was only out for herself. This girl's different and doesn't have that killer look in her eye. If it is Claudia, she's changed. Go easy on her, boss. She's scared."

Raising the tray to show the food, with a little hint of equal compassion, Roman gave him a wink. "I'm working on it. I'm not going to hurt her. You have my word. I hear she's not eating, and I don't want her to get sick."

"Are you going to interrogate her? I know we have ways to make people talk and I don't want to see the poor girl hurt. If you do, I can't be part of that."

"We'll see how it goes. Open the door. I need to have a long talk with our guest. If things go well, we'll put her in a proper room with a bed. At least until she talks."

"Thanks boss," said the man as he unlocked the cell.

As the door was unlocked and swung open, Roman saw the small frame of the frail woman shivering on the cold cement floor, chained to the wall in the corner. Whimpering, she pulled into herself, begging for her mother, who from the sound of it, must have been long gone from this world.

His heart hurt for the sad woman as he looked at her, and somehow Roman knew nothing would ever be the same once he walked into that room.

"Claudia, can you sit up and talk to me? It's Roman."

"Go away you brute! I just want to go home. I want to see my daddy and my brothers."

"You know I can't let you do that. If the Ricci's find out I have you in this place, they'll come down on us. I can't risk my men over Luke's mistakes."

"I'm not talking about the Ricci's. I'm talking about the Fields. My real family."

"Stop this. Just tell us what we need to know and I'll let you go." Walking over, he slid the tray next to her. "Eat. I don't want a woman starving to death on my watch."

Picking the tray up, Poppy launched it at him, spilling soup all over Roman's pristine new suit. Gritting his teeth, he reached for a piece of bread that had bounced off him. Kneeling, he handed it to her.

"Eat it, now."

"Fuck you!" she yelled, slapping it from his hand.

Grabbing her wrist, he took the bread and shoved it toward her face. "Eat or I'll make you eat, damn it!"

"No! Go to hell, Roman D'Amico!" she yelled once more, spitting in his face.

Standing erect, he wiped his face with the handkerchief that was tucked neatly in his suit jacket. "Fine. Then starve. I won't baby a childish woman. You want to be treated like a vermin, I'll give you what you want. From now on, bread and water is all you will be brought. If you don't eat it, we will slowly starve you until you talk."

"Good. I'd rather die than be here."

"It's settled then." Taking a cellphone from his pocket, he threw it at her. With a scowl. "Call him!"

"What? Who?"

"Luke. Tell him you are on a shopping trip in New York for the wedding. Tell him there are some last minute things you wanted to make your honeymoon special."

Poppy's eyes grew angry. "I won't do that. Luke is hurting. He loves that woman and his heart is breaking. She's cheating on him."

"No, you're cheating on him. That's your own guilt talking. As a matter of fact, I think you've finally done enough cocaine that your brain is warped. You've finally snapped and created this Poppy woman out of guilt and delusion. You've gone mad."

Whimpering she pleaded, "Please believe me. My name is Poppy Fields. My parents were Joe and Marlana Fields. My father took my mother's family name. I'm named after my grandmother who was a anti-war activist who changed her name from Bertha to Poppy to sound more hippy on her way to Woodstock."

"Stop! That's enough of your lies, woman."

"I don't lie... well, not until I came to this godless town, anyway I just want to go home."

He had had enough at that moment. Grabbing the bread and making her to stand, Roman pushed her to the wall, pinning her with his body, making Poppy cower before him. There was no lust there for him in that moment. She was tired, hungry and in a lot of pain. Most of all she just wanted it all to be over.

Shoving the bread in her mouth Poppy tried to resist him as he pressed the food again her lips.

"Eat it!" Unable to resist him, he forcefully shoved the bread into her mouth. "Now, chew."

With tears streaming, she did as he demanded. As soon as the warm bread with the buttery garlic flavored olive oil hit her tongue, she grabbed it, devouring each delectable bite. She could feel his body relax as he watched her eat. Her eyes veered to him, and she swallowed it down, looking like a starved dog.

Stepping away, he took a water bottle from the floor, handing it to her. "You need to drink this. You can't go without fluids."

Nodding, she took several sips before she threw the rest in his face. Surprisingly Roman just chuckled.

"Woman, you're as annoying as Anton says. I want to spank the brat from you right now, but I won't strike a woman in anger. This isn't your doing. It's Luke's."

"He didn't do it. I don't know why, but I don't think he's lying."