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

In a town an hour outside of the city, Luke and Roman meet up at a park to play some ball. It was the one little town they were sure no one would recognize them considering there wasn't even a post office nearby. It had been months since it all started, and fall was starting to set in.

After a few rounds of basketball, Roman climbed up to sit on a picnic table to catch his breath. The two friends hadn't said much since they arrived, and it was mostly because they just needed a little downtime.

"Good game, bro." Luke said as he scooted up next to him.

"Yeah. The leaves are starting to change. Can you believe it's been almost six months since Beau's been gone?"

Roman nodded as he looked out over the wooded park. "The last thing he asked me was to play a game of ball with him."

"That's why you asked me to meet up with you?"

"Yeah. I need to learn to spend less time worrying over this business shit and more time on family. You're family Luke."

Chapter 135