Page 32 of Mafioso's Muse
‘You will come to our home for dinner on Friday,’ Paula announced. ‘I want to hear all about your solo.’
Both Vaughn and Salvatore looked thoroughly uncomfortable, but neither of them objected to the invitation. Based on their expressions, Willow knew the correct response was to politely decline. Instead, she found herself saying, ‘I’d love to.’
‘Excellent.’ Paula clapped her hands together. ‘Vaughn will organise transport.’
‘I can just take an Uber,’ Willow said.
Salvatore snorted and shook his head.
‘Finn will pick you up,’ Vaughn said.
‘I’m sure he has better things to do…’ Her words trailed off when she registered Vaughn’s disapproving frown.
It hit her at that moment what she had just agreed to. On Friday, she was going to eat eggplant with the mafia. So why wasn’t she afraid?
Salvatore and Paula excused themselves and wandered off to socialise, leaving Willow and Vaughn standing there alone.
‘You can pull out of the dinner,’ Vaughn said matter-of-factly, sliding his hands into his pockets. ‘I’ll take no offence—nor will my family.’
‘You don’t want me to come?’
‘I didn’t say that.’
She swallowed. ‘Then I’ll come.’ There was an awkward pause before she added, ‘Your mum is lovely, and I’m a big caponata fan.’
‘The composer or the dish?’
She pressed her lips together to stop from smiling. ‘Both.’
He nodded, then glanced over at Lili. ‘She’s been glaring at me the whole time I’ve been standing here, you know. I’m going to leave so she can return.’
When Willow looked over at her friend, she could see that Lili was visibly concerned.
‘Enjoy your evening, Miss Hayes,’ Vaughn said before turning away.
‘Wait.’ She instinctively reached for his arm. Then, feeling his muscles tense beneath the fabric of his suit, she immediately withdrew her hand. ‘Shouldn’t I get your phone number? Just in case?’ She went to retrieve her phone from her clutch.
‘Why don’t you give me yours instead?’ He slid his phone from his pocket.
Confused, she asked, ‘You don’t want to give me your number?’
‘Very few people have it, and those who do know how to protect it.’
‘Protect… your number?’
He nodded.
‘Okay.’ Willow gave him hers and watched him enter it into his phone. He held it up so she could check it. The contact name read MH. ‘MH?’ Then it dawned on her. ‘Miss Hayes.’
‘The protection goes both ways.’ His tone was so serious when he said it. ‘I’ll see you Friday.’
Willow watched him walk away, every movement precise and self-assured. Only when he was some distance away did Lili rejoin her.
‘You’re havingdinnerwith themafia?’ Lili whisper-shouted once Willow had caught her up.
‘It’s not as big a deal as it sounds.’
Lili angrily swirled the fruit at the bottom of her drink ‘Then cancel it. I’ll help you write the text.’