Chapter Forty
Elizabeth paced frantically as Jason sat at the dining room table reading a newspaper. "Jason, why did we say we would let Isabella send her seamstress over here and fit me for a dress? I don't think we should go. Maybe we should uh, decline. Say we forgot we had other engagements?" she suggested, wringing her hands.
Jason looked up from his newspaper and smiled. "It'll be fine. It's just a dress." Then continued with his reading.
"Yeah, but it's from a woman who's husband might know something about Jaime's kidnapping. I mean, he probably does. I mean, she seemed really calm about everything. I mean, why would she invite complete strangers over for dinner?" Elizabeth rambled.
She hated feeling this way. There was just something off about Isabella. She couldn't put her finger on it. Elizabeth hoped Mr. Perelli hadn't figured out what they were really after. She hoped she could get through this fitting without babbling everything to the seamstress.
Elizabeth peeked out the window and continued her pacing. "How can you stay so calm?" she asked exasperated.
"Because it's just dinner. These guys aren't 'dangerous' as far as I know," he stated, setting down the newspaper. "Elizabeth, they just have some information we need to know."
"Then why don't we just ask them if they aren't in cahoots with this 'Rosco'?" she suggested.
"Because, they might be under his thumb. Rosco is a dangerous man, and they just might inform Rosco that we've been looking for Jaime."
"But then you could offer them protection and we wouldn't have a problem."
Jason shook his head. "Elizabeth we can't. I've studied their behavior and they're not the types to take us up on that. They've got other things planned with Rosco."
Elizabeth ran her fingers through her curly locks. "What do you mean?"
Jason leaned back on the chair. "They probably have a deal of some sort with Rosco. Not just protection. I mean they were friends with Manisso, so I would think they are the entrepreneurial type."
"Jason," Elizabeth pouted. "What do you think we'll get out of going to the dinner then?"
Jason got up and walked over to Elizabeth. "My contacts say that they've seen a couple of suspicious looking guys going in and out of the house during their 'parties'. So I think that it's a perfect opportunity to find out who these guys are and see if we can follow them back to Rosco's hideout."
Elizabeth walked over to the couch and sat down. "I don't know Jason. I mean, what if they're working for someone else..." Her voice trailed off as the doorbell rang.
"That would be the seamstress," Jason queried as he walked to the door. Elizabeth felt his hand reassure her as he walked by the couch. "You'll be fine."
***
Jason waited in the living room as the woman, Anna, fitted Elizabeth with a dress that Isabella had selected.
He'd phoned Sonny during the wait, trying to see if Benny had any more information on Mr. Perelli and his wife. "Yeah. Sonny."
"Jason, I want you to be careful around Rosco. Word is he's gone a little soft and he knows it. So just watch your back," Sonny warned."
Jason rubbed his neck. "Don't worry about me. How's everything over there? I heard you've got a little situation with AJ again."
"Nah," Sonny replied. "Nothing I can't handle from over here. Hey, how's Elizabeth doing? I heard about the explosion. Is she all right?"
"Mmm, she's trying to be tough, but I know she's still kind of shaken up by it." Jason closed his eyes and once more chided himself for allowing them to fall into that trap. Even though it wasn't meant for them, Jason hated the fear he saw in Elizabeth's eyes as she ran for cover.
"I'm sure you can comfort her Jas," Sonny laughed half-heartedly.
"Sonny, it's not like that."
"Ah, Jas, don't worry about it. Lucky's probably movin' on by now."
Jason rolled his eyes. "It's not about Lucky and if he's moved on. Elizabeth hasn't moved on. And I won't make the same mistake twice," he whispered.
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Finally he heard Sonny sigh. "Yeah, I get it Jason. But let me tell you, if you don't take a risk, you might end up hurting all over again."
Jason shook his head. "Like you? Have you given Carly a second chance?"
Again there was silence on the other end of the phone. "Jason, you know that's different. She betrayed me."
"Yeah, and I wasn't 'chosen'. What's the difference? At least you know Carly loves you."
"Jason, you know she does."
Jason swallowed. He didn't need a lecture from Sonny right now. "I gotta go Sonny. Elizabeth should be done soon."
"Okay. Hey Jas?" Sonny called.
"Yeah?"
"Just keep your mind open. You don't always pick up on everything a girl's thinking, if you know what I mean."
Jason sighed. "I gotta go Sonny. Bye." Jason hit the end button on his cell.
What am I a glutton for punishment?
Jason pressed the cell phone against his lips as he stared out the living room window.
"We're done Jason," Elizabeth chirped as she bounded down the hallway.
"I've got a feeling you've gotten over being worried about the seamstress and the dress?" Jason laughed as he watched Elizabeth's eyes twinkle.
"Yeah, don't remind me," she groaned. "It wasn't as bad as I thought. She was a really fast worker." Elizabeth pointed to the seamstress who ambled down the hallway with her basket and a long garment bag.
"Thank you again signora," Elizabeth smiled.
The 40-ish woman smiled a tired smile. "Just a my job," she said with an accent. "It will be waiting for you at the house. Signora Perelli said you will change there."
Elizabeth nodded and showed her out of the apartment.
"Did you like the dress?" Jason asked, watching the seamstress hop into a chauffeured car.
"Oh, Jason, you wouldn't believe it. It's so beautiful," she gushed, twirling around the apartment.
"I still don't see why you couldn't have done it in the living room. There's more room out here than in your room."
She shook her head. "Apparently Isabella insisted that you not see the dress until the dinner."
Jason rolled his eyes. "What difference is it going to make? I'm going to see it anyway."
Elizabeth seemed to laugh at his logic. "I think she wants me to make an entrance for you and her guests. Apparently this is a big dinner. Anna said that there were some other Americans coming. Apparently royalty."
Jason took a deep breath. "Great," he said, slipping his cell phone into his leather jacket.
"Did you phone someone? I didn't hear the phone ring," Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah, I phoned Sonny. Still no news on Jaime. It's making me nervous. Lee hasn't heard from Rosco either, which makes it all the more important we find her soon."
He glanced over at Elizabeth whose face seemed to darken at the mention of Jaime's name. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you worry."
She shook her head. "No," she argued. "You didn't make me worry. I do fine making myself worry."
"Sonny says hi," he offered.
Her face lit up at the mention of her unusual friend. "How is he?"
"He's doing good. AJ's up to his old tricks again, though."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and smirked. "What's new?"
"Do you want to get something to eat at the market? I don't think we really have anything in the fridge."
Elizabeth nodded. "Sure. Hey, Jason, do you have a tux?"
Jason looked at her oddly. "Why?"
She laughed casually. "Because you're gonna need one for the party."
He hadn't thought of that. He'd been more worried about how he would sneak away at the party.
Elizabeth grabbed his hand. "Come on. I got my dress. Now we're going to get you you're tux."
Jason felt himself being dragged to the door.