Chapter 2 - The Suit
Friday came too quickly.
I spent the entire morning telling myself I wasn't waiting for Noah Moretti.
Then, at four fifteen, I changed my lipstick.
That was apparently my answer.
My father noticed.
He said nothing.
At exactly five, three black cars stopped outside.
Paulie entered first.
Then Noah.
He wasn't wearing the intimidating overcoat this time.
He wore a dark sweater beneath a tailored jacket, his sleeves pushed slightly upward.
He looked less like a mafia capo.
Which somehow made him more dangerous.
"Good afternoon," he said.
"You're early."
"You said five."
"It's four fifty-eight."
"I know."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Do you always arrive two minutes early?"
"When I have somewhere important to be."
I looked away before he could see my reaction.
The fitting went smoothly.
He tried on the jacket.
I adjusted the shoulder.
Then the sleeve.
"Perfect," I said.
He looked at me.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"You're not just saying that because you want me to leave?"
I smiled.
"Maybe."
"Then I'll order another."
"Another suit?"
"Another reason to stay."
My father coughed loudly from the back.
Noah smiled.
I tried not to.
When I reached for the collar, I noticed a scar near his neck.
"What happened?"
"Business."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
I nodded.
"Fair."
He watched me for a moment.
Then he said, "Your father doesn't like me."
"He doesn't know you."
"He knows enough."
"Probably."
"Do you?"
I looked up.
"Do I what?"
"Know enough."
I thought about it.
"I know you're dangerous."
"And?"
"I know people are afraid of you."
"And?"
"I know you tip extremely well."
He smiled.
"Good."
"Good?"
"You're paying attention."
I rolled my eyes.
"You really are arrogant."
"I've been called worse."
The bell above the door rang.
A man entered.
He was younger than Noah, wearing an expensive coat and an expression that made my stomach tighten.
Noah's entire demeanor changed.
The warmth vanished.
"Vincent."
Vincent smiled.
"Moretti."
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Vincent looked at me.
"Who's this?"
"My tailor."
Vincent's eyes traveled over me.
"Pretty."
Noah stepped between us.
"She's working."
Vincent laughed.
"Relax."
"I'm relaxed."
He wasn't.
I had never seen someone look so calm while radiating violence.
Vincent handed Noah an envelope.
"Your problem on Mercer Street."
Noah took it.
"Leave."
Vincent glanced at me.
Then back at Noah.
"You always this protective?"
Noah's jaw tightened.
"Leave."
Vincent smiled.
He did.
I waited until the door closed.
"Friend?"
"No."
"Enemy?"
"Closer."
I frowned.
Noah put the envelope away.
"You should be careful."
"With what?"
"Who you let into this shop."
"You mean men like you?"
He looked at me.
"Especially men like me."
I don't know why that answer affected me.
Maybe because it was the first honest thing he'd said.
He paid.
Then he placed an additional envelope on the counter.
"What is that?"
"Your rent."
I stared.
"What?"
"For the shop."
I pushed it back.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need charity."
"It's not charity."
"Then what is it?"
"A business investment."
"We're not partners."
"Not yet."
I stared at him.
He smiled.
"Don't say it."
"Say what?"
"Not yet."
I laughed despite myself.
He left.
My father came forward.
He picked up the envelope.
"How much?"
I opened it.
It contained enough money to cover six months of rent.
I immediately ran outside.
Noah's car was still at the curb.
I knocked on the window.
He lowered it.
"You can't do this."
"I already did."
"I'll pay you back."
"I know."
"I mean it."
"I know."
"Then why?"
He looked at me for several seconds.
"Because I want your father to keep his shop."
My anger softened.
"You don't even know him."
"I know he raised a daughter who works fourteen-hour days without complaining."
I didn't know what to say.
Noah looked away.
"Keep the money."
"Why?"
His voice became quiet.
"Because some things are worth protecting."
The car pulled away.
I stood on the sidewalk.
My father came beside me.
"You like him."
I nearly choked.
"I do not."
My father smiled sadly.
"That's worse."
"Why?"
"Because if you liked him, you'd know to stay away."
I looked after the disappearing car.
"What if I don't?"
May you like
My father sighed.
"Then I hope he's worth the danger."
