he oozes money.
“You as well, Ion, Mariana, and even you Bianca.” Boss addresses everyone in the room.
“What is it you need from us?” Mariana questions curiously.
“It’s not me, but my friend Mammoth. He’s been having an issue with the Marielitos . . . one that I believe you can help with, if you’re willing.” I’ve never heard Boss speak with so much respect. It makes me realize how powerful this family is.
“What kind of problem?” Ion asks, looking directly at me.
“They’re after my woman. She was almost raped and killed the other day.” I tell him.
Ion runs a hand through his hair, “Epifano doesn’t go after people for no reason. What did you do to piss him off?”
“I didn’t do—”
“He didn’t do anything.” Riva speaks up, stepping in front of me. She’s wearing a deep red sweater with matching lipstick. Her hair’s in a half up, half down sort of style. She really fancied herself up for this meeting. “I’m sorry for interrupting, I’m Riva. Mammoth’s woman . . . you want to know what happened, why these people are hunting me down?”
Ion nods his head, smiling at how Riva took over. Something tells me he knows a bit about having a determined woman by his side.
“I don’t know if Mammoth knows who exactly is after me . . . but I’ll give you all the facts and the backstory. I offered to be a surrogate for my friend Taylor, and his husband, Marco. Taylor and I have been friends since we were small children, so it seemed like a natural thing to do. I . . . I became a surrogate for them, obviously. Long story short, when I was thirty—” She begins to choke up. Probably remembering the plethora of emotions that swarmed through her that day. Clearing her throat, she continues. “I’m sorry. When I was thirty-eight weeks pregnant the baby didn’t have a heartbeat.”
“I’m terribly sorry.” Ion states, addressing Riva.
“Thank you. Um, after I gave birth to him . . . they never spoke to me again. They blamed me for what happened . . . and then I started getting taunted. Someone was breaking into my apartment, moving things around. My sink would be running when I hadn’t been there in a few days due to work. Nothing was threatening at the time, or at least I didn’t believe it was. Fast forward a while and things progressed to banging on my door. I had enough of it, so I decided to move to Philadelphia. I thought I could outrun these people. The night before I was set to move, the people who banged on my door forced themselves inside. If it wasn’t for Mammoth and one of his guys at the club, I’d be dead.”
“I’m sorry for being intrusive, but something feels off to me. This wasn’t a surrogacy deal between an agency and yourself. This was personal?” Mariana questions Riva, who nods.
“Yes. It was a personal agreement.” Riva declares.
“What were the terms of this agreement?” Mariana inquires.
“I’d carry the child and they’d raise him. That I could visit, go to birthdays, holidays, etc.”
“Riva, I’m sorry for digging more, but we need to know everything. Was this child yours too, your egg?”
I stare at Riva because she grows quiet. She told me she was a surrogate, not a donor. “Yes.”
I blink, completely shocked at what she’s just said. “What?” I say to her.
She looks toward me, but Ion clears his throat. “If you two are going to get in a spat, you won’t do it here.”
Riva looks like she’s sick to her stomach, “I’m sorry . . . I was going to tell you. The right time just never came up.” She whispers lowly, seeming ashamed.
I’m not mad at her. I just wish she would’ve told me all the details so I don’t look like an idiot.
“Epifano is here, in New York. I have a meeting with him later today. Mammoth, you will come with me. This is a conversation the men need to have.”
“Alright. Boss, you’ll watch Riva?” I question my friend.
Riva glares in my direction. “I’m not a child.”
“He didn’t mean it that way and you know it. He just wants to ensure your safety.” Mariana speaks to my intent.
I give her a nod in thanks and she throws a half smile my way. “I’ll go to the meeting with you. When is it?”
“Two hours. The women are more than welcome to stay here and wait for you.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The longer the wait,