Bent not Broken (264 page)

JIMMIE DELUCA QUESTIONED ON MAFIA DRUG DEAL

21 December 2011

Written by Samantha Jones

Jimmie DeLuca was taken in for questioning Monday morning regarding a drug deal at a local warehouse in Midtown Center City. For many years, there have been allegations that the DeLuca brothers, Jimmie and Marcus DeLuca, were and still are involved with the illegal acts of the Sorrento Mafia Family. Sources close to the brothers have denied all allegations, and there has been no evidence to charge them with any crimes.

Shortly after Jimmie DeLuca was taken into Boston Police headquarters, his younger brother Marcus DeLuca came to the rescue as his attorney. The detectives had no evidence to arrest Jimmie, and released him, not even ten minutes after Marcus DeLuca arrived.

Anyone who knows the DeLuca brothers knows that Marcus took over his brother’s firm five years ago. When he became involved with the firm, he began to represent the Sorrento family and cleared their names from many accusations involving drug deals, money laundering, as well as gun trafficking.

Whether these accusations against the DeLuca brothers are true or not, it does raise one question: What is their true involvement with the Sorrento family?

End of Article. SJ

I continued to research and found similar articles but with Marcus brought in for questioning a few times. After researching for what seemed like forever, I blankly stared at the monitor for a while, trying to wrap my head around what I’d just read. Was this what Jeremy meant? There was nothing incriminating about it. They were taken in for questioning, but they were never charged with a crime.

I’ve heard that the Sorrentos were very dangerous and definitely not a force to be reckoned with. I’d heard stories about murders, corrupt cops, and drug deals involving the Sorrentos and that anyone who crossed their path was either family or an enemy. In the Italian mob, there were no friends: you were considered family even if you weren’t blood related. The thought that Marcus could be involved made my stomach turn.

Though growing up with a cop as a father and a detective as a brother, I knew that the media portrayed things as worse than they really were.

I was stuck. Should I believe the media, or would hearing him out be a better idea? Should I cancel this lunch date, or go and flat-out tell him what I read? Due to the fact that I was very pushy and needed information to make a decision on anything involving my life, I decided to meet him for lunch and ask all the questions that I needed. One thing I’m grateful for is that I can read people very well, courtesy of my brother. If it so happened that I felt he wasn’t trustworthy, I’d walk away.

I took a shower and threw on a navy blue maxi dress, beige flip-flops, and a matching messenger bag. My hair was in a low ponytail, and I accessorized with gold hoop earrings and a long gold necklace with a horseshoe charm. It was my favorite piece of jewelry. Michael bought it for my 24
^th
birthday last October before he passed away.

Every time I wore it, I felt like he was nearby, protecting me. I glanced in the mirror, looking at my reflection. My big green eyes filled, but I held back my tears, not wanting to ruin my makeup. I held the horseshoe up and pressed the charm against my lips. Giving it a kiss, I whispered a small prayer for him to protect me always.

Walking out of my bedroom, I didn’t see Jeremy anywhere. He had to be in his room unless he left while I was taking a shower. I felt terrible about our fight and refused to leave the apartment until we made up. We never fought, ever.

I knocked on the door, and since he didn’t answer, I pushed it open. He was lying in bed with his eyes closed, listening to music. I walked over to him. He must have sensed me because his eyes popped opened. Sliding in next to him, I placed my head on his chest; he wrapped his arm around me after he took off his earphones. “I’m sorry, Jeremy. I don’t want to fight like that ever again.” I tightened my arm around his chest.

Sighing, he squeezed me a little tighter. “I’m sorry too, Mia; I had no right to go off like that. It will never happen again. I promise. He’s a good guy … I’ve just heard stories about him; that’s all. Who am I to judge?” He laughed once and placed a kiss on the top of my head.

“Thank you, and just so you know, I didn’t have sex with him. I just led you to believe it to get you mad.” I nervously peeked up at him.

“I knew you didn’t; I was mad that you lied to my face. By the way, you’re a terrible liar.” I laughed and he joined in. We said our goodbyes, and I went out the door ready to question DeLuca.

Relieved to find street parking, I pulled into a spot and dug for change to place in the meter. After I scrounged three dollars in quarters and dimes, there was plenty of time for lunch and light shopping. Admiring the midtown of Boston has never bored me with so many successful individuals wandering around in their business attire. They seem to move at a fast pace, rushing to a busy work schedule. Tourists wandered at a slower pace taking pictures by the Charles River and other historical sites.

I reminded myself that one day that would be me: an up-and-coming attorney running around and busting my ass until I made partner at a top firm. I let out a deep breath, knowing it would all be worth it in the end. I would have to sacrifice having fun and being spontaneous until I was at the top of my career. Hey, I’d done that so far in my life to be at the top of my class, what were a few more years?

Reaching the building, I pulled the door handle; it wouldn’t budge. I shook it a few more times, nothing. I was stunned when I finally saw an OUT OF BUSINESS sign on the door. Great, what was I supposed to do now? Quickly searching for my phone, I dialed Marcus’ number. He picked up instantly. “Hello, beautiful.”

“Uh, hi, uh I’m standing in front of a closed Marcie’s.” I giggled.

“Yeah, I found that out earlier. I had my assistant make reservations at another restaurant if you don’t mind?”

“Okay, where shall I meet you?”

“Well, if you turn around you will see a tall, well–dressed, and handsome young man walking in your direction.” He laughed. I turned and spotted him instantly. He was right: he was sexier than I could’ve ever imagined. He wore an all-black, high-end suit, fitted perfectly against his clearly fit body. The light, salmon-colored shirt and matching silk tie looked perfect against his tan complexion. Even though most men would not dare to wear pink, there was something about a man who could pull it off. Marcus DeLuca could definitely pull it off. Everything about him screamed masculine, powerful, and bold from the roots of his hair down to the stride of his walk.

When he reached me, his eyes were on mine with a wide smile. He pulled me into an embrace and held me. I hugged him back, surprised by his warm, public display of affection. He pulled away and planted a small but soft kiss on my lips. “You look very beautiful, Mia.” Still stunned, I whispered, “You too.” His brows rose with humor. “Shall we eat?” he asked. I responded with a simple nod, unable to say anything else.

I nervously asked him how his morning was as we headed towards the restaurant. He went on about a boring conference call with a judge, but my mind was wrapped around how we walked side by side with his arms around my shoulder. Shamelessly I liked the feeling. It was odd, but it felt intimate: something I wasn’t used to. I’d only known him for a couple days; I had no idea who this man was. Yet I had this connection with him that I couldn’t describe. Then I thought of Jeremy and the articles, and I pulled away. I could tell by his expression that he knew I felt uncomfortable, so he kept his arms at his side for the remainder of the walk and continued with his discussion.

After the longest fifteen minutes I’d ever endured, we entered the restaurant. Of course it was a five-star place. We were immediately seated in a private booth. I settled in my seat across from him. Everything about him was irresistible. My eyes met his, and I lowered my glance to his lips: those lips that he teased me with last night, making me want him, allowing me to fall in a trance I couldn’t control. I had to get to the bottom of things before I got lost in him again.

“We need to talk. I have a few questions for you.” I made it a point to sound stern.

He waved his hand before him. “By all means, Mia, ask away. I mean it, whatever you want. Don’t hold back.”

I scowled at him suspiciously, but before I could begin my interrogation, we were greeted by a waitress I recognized. She saw me, and her eyes widened with a smile. “Hi Mia, how are you? What are you doing here?” She was overly ecstatic.

“Ah, hi Melanie, I’m here with a friend. Marcus, this is Melanie; we had a few classes together in undergrad.” Marcus politely shook her hand; she flushed when she noticed him. She stuttered and mumbled something, but it wasn’t clear enough for me to understand. She took our drink order and hurried away uneasily.

I looked back at Marcus once she was gone. “So you were saying?” He leaned into the table, folding his hands before him patiently waiting.

“Okay, I’m going to just get to the point. What is your connection with the Sorrento family?”

“It’s strictly an attorney-client relationship,” he stated nonchalantly and a little too quickly—maybe even a little too rehearsed.

My stare grew narrow as I studied him. “So all the allegations about you and your brother being involved in illegal acts with the Sorrentos are false?”

His face turned serious. “If I tell you that, then I’ll have to kill you.” My mouth dropped open in horror. “
Jesus
, Mia, lighten up; it was a joke. Yes, all of it is false.” He laughed. I didn’t find it funny.

Mmmh
, the questioning began. “Why do you want to date me? I mean you can obviously snap your fingers and have any woman you want. I just don’t get it.”

Melanie came over with our drinks and placed them before us with shaky hands. Marcus had ordered water and I’d ordered wine. He had known me for three days, and each day I’d been drinking. Surely he must have thought I was an alcoholic by then. We quickly chose something from the menu, and she hurried off.

“I like you,” he simply answered while taking a sip of his water.

“You don’t
know
me, what could you possibly
like
?”

He leaned in closer and his smile faded. His eyebrows creased together, and his eyes grew serious. “That night in the club when I saw you sitting there alone, I knew you were out of your element. You looked so innocent and pure. Then when I walked over and saw you up close and you looked up at me with those long lashes and beautiful eyes, it was like a breath of fresh air. You’re something I’ve needed for a very long time. You seemed honest and humble.”

He reached over, placing the palm of his hand on top of mine. “You see, Mia, for a long time I haven’t had anything like that: honesty, innocence, and pureness. After seeing it through your eyes, I never wanted or needed it more in my life. Then when I took you home that night, after placing the covers over you, you looked up at me and said something like you were used to being alone. Then your eyes watered, but you held back the tears. Your eyes were filled with sorrow, sadness, and emptiness. I thought to myself,
how could she be this sad
? I wanted to lie down next to you, hold you, and take away all your pain.”

My mind was scrambling to find the right thing to say, but I couldn’t think of anything. I was breathless, unable to think or speak. What do you say to that? He held my hand a moment longer, and then I retrieved it and put it in my lap, but he didn’t move. “Marcus, I am an honest person, yes, but I am not innocent or pure. I’m
emotionally
messed up. Do you understand that?”

“Please just give me a chance. I don’t know what it’s like to date, but I want to try.”

Looking away for a moment, I tried to focus on anything but those eyes. “My heart is telling me to give you a chance, but my head is telling me that you’re dangerous and I’ll end up hurt.” I finally met his eyes again.

He momentarily looked down as if there were some truth to what I said. “I wouldn’t hurt you, Mia.” Then his sincere eyes stared back into mine. It took me a few minutes to process those words. I thought of how I’d felt with him the night before. This could work. I just couldn’t get emotionally involved, so if it didn’t work out, I could just simply walk away.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded my head. “Okay, I’ll give whatever this is a shot.” A relieved grin spread across his face.

Melanie brought out our hot meals, and we dug right in. The more I thought of Marcus and me as a potential item, the better I felt. I didn’t know where it would go, but for the last few years, I’d held back and sacrificed so much. Maybe I should do this for me. I deserved to have a little fun even if it was just a summer fling. I would just have to stay emotionally shut down. I couldn’t fall for him, or I’d never be able to live it down.

Marcus interrupted my thoughts, “What are you doing this weekend?”

“Ah, I really don’t have any plans. Why?”

“Come away with me for the weekend. I have a shore house in the Bahamas. It’s on a private beach. We can have the entire weekend to spend time with each other—get to know each other better. We can leave tomorrow morning.”

Surprised by his boldness, I took a minute to let what he said sink in. “Marcus, I don’t know; isn’t it too soon to go away somewhere with each other?”

“No, I have a six-bedroom shore house. You can sleep in a room on a different floor from me with the doors locked if that will make you feel better.” He joked.

“I can’t. I have my interview tomorrow.” I shrugged apologetically.

His smile returned. “It’s done, I told Lisa that I met you at Club21 and that I gave you the interview already. She was shocked, of course, but you start Monday morning.” He reached for my hand. “Come on, Mia, the moment you feel uncomfortable I will drive you to the airport myself.” He gave me a reassuring smile, flashing that adorable dimple.

I couldn’t believe I was considering this. “Okay, what time should I be ready?”