Page 56 of Powerful Deception

Then all the emotions came back rolling in. My mind was replaying what I had done and had come to the conclusion that I needed a reminder as to why I was there, more than ever.

I needed a reminder as to why I wanted to work with Rosetti in the first place and why I wanted to insert myself in his life.

I was supposed to go visit my dad’s grave a few days ago for his birthday, to clear my head. To remind myself why I was doing this in the first place, but I didn’t.

Not because I had to work, or because I had something pressing to do, but because I couldn’t.

I was all set and ready to go, but I couldn’t leave the house. It felt too painful to even head to the cemetery. So, I stayed and mourned my father in my room, wishing someone was there to give me a tight hug.

Now, because I didn’t take that outlet to clear my head, I’m as confused as ever.

Because I heard Alessandra speak. Because I felt how good it was to be in Dante’s arms and have his lips pressed against mine.

I need to be reminded as to why I’m here.

And what better way to do that than do some laundry.

When Dante told me I had the day off, I thought of maybe going to visit Cora and Jimmy at the bar and maybe even Tommy. Instead of doing that, I’m in a taxi heading to Little Italy.

Could I have used the burner phone to talk to Gallo and get my head back in the game? Yes, yes, I could have, but there were still guards on the property.

I can’t have someone over hearing how I want to take down the boss.

And I had some laundry to do anyway, so I took the opportunity.

The taxi ride takes close to an hour, since the Rosetti manor is on the outskirts of the city, so by the time I get there it’s mid-morning.

When I arrive, I notice the laundromat is a lot more packed than the last time that I was here. Fortunately, though, I’m able to find an open machine and get situated before using the burner phone to send the number I have saved under Gallo, a text.

ARIANNA: I’m at the laundromat and need to talk.

The message goes through, and I look at the screen, waiting for something to pop up.

A response comes in two minutes later.

GALLO: Come to the door and knock six times.

What’s with the overly specific knocks?

Pocketing the phone, I discreetly make my way over to the door that is hidden in plain sight. As I knock, I look around casually to see if anyone is noticing me. Thankfully everyone is just going about their business.

Six knocks later, and a minute of waiting, the door opens slightly, and I’m being pulled in by Gallo’s man. The same one that was a little too handsy the last time I was here.

“Against the wall, back turned. I need to search you.” A smirk comes across the man’s face, knowing that he is going to feel me up again.

I do as he says and the whole time, he’s touching me, I want to let out a scream and push him away. There is uneasiness running through me and I hate it.

In the time that I’ve worked with Dante, I’ve never felt this way, not around him or around his men. I wonder why I would feel this way around this man and Gallo. I shouldn’t, since they are the ones that are helping with this.

The search takes longer than needed and when the bastard finally lets up, he asks for my phone and guides me to Gallo’s office.

Much like last time, Gallo is sitting behind his desk, looking disheveled and his suit is wrinkled beyond help.

I wonder if he sleeps in it. It’s a possibility, but either way, he still doesn’t look like the mafia boss that he wants to be. Dude needs to take a serious lesson from Dante Rosetti, because that man is a mob boss and more.

Focus, Arianna.

“Ms. Vitale, to what do I owe this visit? I haven't heard from you.”