LorettaKAuthor

Cheeky owner of a struggling fashion boutique, Poppy Fields dreams of having her designs rocking the couture runways in Paris and Milan. While fantasizing about the glamorous life, her world is about to collide with the devil himself in the form of a dangerous mafia leader, Roman D’Amico, out for revenge for his dead brother.

Often mistaken as the future wife of one of Chicago’s most notorious crime bosses, and Roman’s rival gang member, everyone who enters Poppy’s little shop believes they are doing a favor to the Gambino family. When her doppelgänger waltzes into her boutique, the women are shocked to find they look like twins. Leaving her identification behind as a ruse to flee the country, Claudia switches lives with the unsuspecting fashion designer. When Luke Gambino falls for the ploy, he believes Poppy is his runaway bride, forcing her to take on the persona of the real Claudia Ricci.

Following the murder of his brother, Roman D’Amico is looking for revenge. When he suspects the Gambinos are behind it, he plots to kidnap the rival gang member’s wife. Unknowing that the women have switched places, Roman kidnaps the wrong couture diva. With Claudia missing, Poppy must keep up the ruse, and convince Roman to keep her alive or fall into the hands of the murderous Gambino family.

Couture Criminals

It was late evening when Roman was relaxing in the backyard with his father. Everyone had gone to bed, and he finally had time to relax next to a rolling fire in the fire pit and a nice glass of white wine.

"This is a good yield, Father. I'm not much for dry wines, but I like this."

"You've mother introduced some different berries this year into the south side of the vineyard. She's been talking with your brother Kline about opening that little winery she's always talked about."

"That's good. She's always wanted to do something like that. It would be good for the farm."

As the cool Italy night blew a breeze in from the west, Roman took a slow breath, and his eyes closed. This was his joy. Just experiencing life's pleasures and not worrying over the life of crime he led. Rocking in the rocking chair, the night air reminded him of the years as a kid playing hide and seek in the vineyards with his brothers and sisters. Things seemed so simple then.

Chapter 79