Page 13 of Above ’N’ Beyond

She twisted her lips, calling attention to the fact that she wore a shade of pale pink lipstick that accentuated the full curve of her lower lip. “Can you start tonight?”

“Absolutely.”

“Fine.” She headed for the door again, turning before opening it. “Dinner starts in two hours. Be at the Bistro by four, and I’ll show you where everything is.” After exchanging cell phone numbers, she left. Moments later, the Mini Cooper’s engine fired up.

“What do you think, Jax?” Jax snorted. “Yeah, me, too.” He gave his dog a quick pat on the head.

The only thing better than getting the information the FBI wanted was getting it faster. Working with Tony to find out what Paola was planning was still at the top of the list. Helping out Bella at the Bistro would position him perfectly to get evidence the FBI needed to seize the place and charge anyone involved with money laundering. A two-pronged assault. One he couldn’t have planned any better.

Through a window, he watched the Mini Cooper back onto the road and pull away. He stood there until the car disappeared from view. For a long moment, he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what was bothering him.

Playing Bella Bianco and worming his way into her life and her home had been as easy as breathing because he was good at undercover work. Better than good, actually. Half the time he was just being himself. A bad person.

Somewhere along the line, being a fine upstanding citizen and cop had become exhausting, and he was getting tired of trying to be something he could never be. The harder he worked at it, the worse it made him feel. Some days it seemed easier to just go over to the dark side like his father had and become what his father was. Or at least used to be. A criminal.

So why was he questioning the morality of what he was doing? Lying to people. This time, it bothered him because on some inner level, he liked Bella. Liked her snark and her guts.

But that wouldn’t stop him from doing whatever it took to nail the Mancusos—all of them, if necessary, including Bella—and get his father released from prison.

Chapter Five

Bella stared out the front door of the Bistro, watching the tall anvil clouds forming in the sky, a sure sign late afternoon thunderstorms were on the way. Speaking of storms…

She looked up and down the sidewalk, tapping her fingers on her crossed arms. It was four fifteen. His first shift on the job, and Jimmy was a no-show. Typical mobster, already thinking he could come and go as he pleased with no obligation to anyone. Except for Tony. But for her, yeah right.

After showing him the apartment and half hoping he wouldn’t like it, she’d thought he would be right behind her. Already she was regretting her decision to let him work off his rent at the bar. The only thing she didn’t regret about the hulking man staying at her place was his dog.

How did a criminal wind up with such an awesome dog as Jax?

And he’d saved Tony’s life. She meant what she’d said. That did mean something, and it elevated Jimmy Santoro in her estimation, whether she liked it or not. If only he wasn’t easy on the eyes, too. No man should have that kind of devastating good looks and a body to match. But that was only a shell, a coating, like the pretty fondant on Lou’s petit fours that hid hundreds of evil calories. God knew what danger and violence lurked behind Jimmy’s handsome facade.

Bella watched as the last lunch customer paid their bill. The Bistro was quiet, the blessed post-lunch lull, during which they cleared away dishes and re-set tables for the dinner rush.

She smiled at the last customers. “Thank you for coming.” She held open the door, closing it as the couple left, holding hands.

When was the last time she’d held hands with a man? So long ago she couldn’t remember.

Sierra set a tray of clean napkins and silverware on one of the window tables. “Who were you looking for?”

“Jimmy Santoro.” Bella began folding the napkins into the Bistro’s traditional pyramid shape.

“Why?” Sierra asked as she set out the silver.

“He’s bartending here for a couple of weeks.”

“Seriously?” She looked up, a fork poised in midair. “You’re letting one of Tony’s boys work here?”

Bella shrugged and started on another napkin. “I can’t take his rent money. At least I can squeeze time out of him.” That was if he ever showed up.

Rebecca and Lori, the Bistro’s two regular waitresses, strolled arm in arm from the kitchen. “We’ve got this.” Rebecca grabbed a stack of napkins and took it to the other window table. Lori carried a tray of silverware to the same table, leaning over to kiss Rebecca on the lips.

Bella sighed. “Love is in the air.” Just not for me.

“They do make a great couple.” Sierra nodded to the other waitresses, then sniffed. “And do you smell that?” She pointed to the kitchen. “Lou’s testing out a new gnocchi Bolognese.”

Bella took a deep inhale through her nose. Meat. Lou’s famous rich red sauce. Garlic. Thyme. “What’s new about it?”

“He’s using beef and pork. Just make him happy and take one bite. See if you prefer it with the added pork.”