Marie had discovered just exactly how she felt about Salvatore_Lucania the moment it had been announced that he was rising to be a Crew Leader.  Suddenly it was like he was no longer available to her… and she had not like the idea of that.  So when Don Sal had also given her a nod to become a Crew Leader they were back on equal footing once more.  She knew exactly what she wanted and she was going to have it.

Things were running fairly smoothly at HQ and before things really started to get hopping she was going to address this one area of her life.  She sent one of her men over to Luca’s Headquarters with a message for him.

Salvatore_Lucania,

I would find it a great honor if you would join me for dinner tonight at my apartment.  We both have so much to celebrate and I can not think of anyone I would rather celebrate with.  Would 7 o’clock work for you?

Sincerely,

MarieCosta

Once the message was sent, she set about preparing a meal to astonish and amaze.  Her Aunt Gemma had always told her that a way to a man’s heart was through his stomach.

Luca was sitting in his office when he one of Marie's men came by and handed him a note. Luca nodded to the man and opened the note, he could not figure what Marie wanted until he read the note. 

"Tell her 7' clock will be fine," he said trying not show his excitement. 

Luca watched the man leave and a big smile came across his face. He like Marie from the first time he laid eyes on her. She was funny, brilliant, strong and of course beautiful. Luca never had a chance to approach the subject they both where RHM to powerful bosses in Chicago and had lead very busy lives. Then he was made a Crew Leader himself which made it impossible, but then fate had given them a chance when she too was made a Crew Leader. 

Things were busy but his family was up and running and things were looking good and a celebration dinner seemed like just the place to test the waters and see if the feeling was mutual. 

He got up and put on his best Italian black suit with a black silk tie and solid gold cufflinks. He contacted Charlie and told him to get the car ready to leave.  

He got in the back seat of his car and Charlie drove to Marie's place. The whole drive Luca found himself actually nervous, this was a new feeling for him, and he tried to calm himself as they pulled up to her place. He got out and walked up to the door. He told Charlie to guard the outside and knocked on the door.... 

Marie had dressed and put on some make up while the food was simmering on the stove.  She had just finished lighting the two candles on the table when there was a knock on the door.  She smiled.

Her one bedroom apartment was small; but it had a kitchen, a dining room, and a small living area with large bay windows.  As she walked towards the door her heels click on the dark wood paneled floor.  She smoothed her simple elegant black dress a bit before she opened the door to greet her guest.

"It is good to see you again Salvatore.  Please come in."  She stepped back to allow him in as her eyes openly took in his appearance with obvious approval.  As he stepped inside the aroma of chicken, roasted vegetables, and garlic filled his senses.  Closing the door behind him she added, "I am very happy you were able to come tonight.  A part of me was afraid that you might be too busy." 

Salvatore was astonished as the door opened, Marie was gorgeous, and he just sat there like an idiot and stared for what seemed like way too long he quickly snapped out of it, hopefully before he made a complete fool of himself.

"I am never to busy for you Marie," he said as he walked into the room and tried not to stare. 

Luca walked in and removed his hat and tried to gather himself before he did something completely stupid.

"Everything smell delicious Marie makes me glad I have not eaten since this morning," he said

"How is the being the boss treating you?"  

His reaction was exactly what she had wanted and she grinned.  

"May I take your coat?" she offered.  He nodded and took it off giving it to her.  She hung it by the door and managed to not fall into old habits of slipping a hand into its pocket.

"I hope you like chicken.  Can I get you something to drink?  Perhaps a white wine?"

She lead him to the kitchen where she grabbed two wine glasses, a cork popper and a bottle of 1925 Arneis.  She showed the unopened bottle to him and awaited his answer.  On the stove simmered the garlic chicken in a white wine sauce.

Salvatore walks over and grabs the bottle and the opener and opens the bottle filling both glasses and setting the bottle down on the counter. 

"I would love some. That looks as good as it smells," he says to her

"To us and our new families," he said as he raised his glass. 

Marie grinned playful.  He was starting to settle into things and find his footing.  She would just have to kick his feet back out from under him again.  Taking the glass of wine he offered her, she joined him in the toast. "May our endeavors be fruitful and our guns never jam."  She lifted her glass and took a drink her eyes never leaving his.  Sitting her glass down she moved to the stove and took the pan off.  On the two plates she divided the contents equally before sitting the pan in the sink and turning the stove off.

"This is my Aunt Gemma's recipe.  I think you are going to love it."  She picked up each plate and carried it over to the table which was decorated with a simple but romantically-elegant style. "Would you grab my wine glass?"

Luca takes a sip of his drink and watches as Marie gathers the dinner and head to the table. He grabs her drink and heads to the table setting them down and pulling her chair out for her so she could sit. 

"Here you go," he says as she sits and he helps push her in. 

"If it tastes nearly as good as it looks and smells I might never leave," he says with a coy smile. 

He turns and takes his seat 

"I love a good home cooked meal, It has been too long since ate like this," he tells her. 

Marie thanked him as he helped her with the chair.  She picked up her glass and took another drink as he settled in next to her.  The chicken smelled amazing.  She had really out done herself this time.  Picking up her fork and knife she began to cut the chicken in to little bite size pieces.  

"How goes the recruiting?  Finding anyone that looks promising?"  As she waited to hear his response she took a bite and began to chew it.

Luca slides his plate a little closer to himself and takes his napkin and puts in on his lap before he begins cutting his food. He took his first bite just before Marie began to speak and almost missed what she said because the food was so good. 

"This is amazing," he tells her as he goes for another bite. He realizes Marie had asked him a question just before he put the second bite into his mouth, he stops and sets the fork down. He grabs his glass and takes a sip before collecting himself to speak. 

"Recruiting is going well, we have picked up a few members already," he says to her. 

"You are amazing," he tells her 

"I mean your an amazing cook...." He stumbles "Sorry," he says taking a breath to collect his thoughts

"You are amazing and you man can you cook," he says with a smile. 

"I am sorry it has been a long time since I have been in a situation like this," he says trying to explain. 

Marie put her fork down and reached out to cover his hand with hers gently.  Playfully she asked, "What kind of situation might this be?"  She rubbed his hand with her thumb.  "I would think a big strapping man like yourself could handle any situation he found himself in."  She bit her lower lip softly and looked at him.  

"Not to fast," she told herself.  "You don't want to scare the mouse away."

She used her free hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.  "Are you a man who can handle himself in any situation?"

Luca felt things spiraling out of control, he didn't like things out of control. Luca took another breath and calmed himself and took a long look at Marie... She had a mischievous look to her. He liked that... maybe too much. 

"Yes I can handle anything that comes my way, gunfights, cops, feds anything... except it seems when I am with a woman who is not only beautiful but cunning, smart and could give me a run for my money," he said smiling 

Luca knew she was playing with him but he liked it and he wanted to see where it would go. 

"I have risen higher than I ever thought and now I the one thing that is missing is someone to share it with." he says before taking a drink

"As you know that is not easy for us, the life we live makes it impossible to really be with someone." 

Marie laughed and let go of his hand when he describe the kind of woman she was.  The compliment coming from him made her feel special.  In this little cat and mouse game he had managed in that moment to shift the balance a bit back in his direction, but she didn't care.  This was more than just a game.  She really did have feelings for him, and those feels left her vulnerable to him.  The tables in this game could very easily be turned on her.

The balance shifted even further back to him when he began to talk about their shared existence.  A mobster's life was often a lonely life. especially the closer to the top you came.  Suddenly her playfulness was gone.  

"If there is one thing this existence has taught me is that if I see something I want I need to take it."  She looked in his eyes intently and added, "I want you."

Luca listened intently he was glad he was able to get his feet back under him a bit.   

"You are right we have to take what we want. It is how we got to where we are today?" he said as he got up and walked over to her. 

Luca leaned in and said "I want you too"  just before leaning in and kissing her. He knew he was taking a chance but that was just who he was. 

And just like that the table had been turned.  The first kiss was tender, but then Marie responded and kissed him harder, "Mmmm." She tried to pull away from his mouth, but instead she found herself stealing another kiss.  Afraid of where another kiss might lead too, she managed to pull back enough that her trembling lips just rested against his as she gasped for air from his mouth.  Words were completely gone from her mind. She could not think of anythings save the taste of his lips and her whole body trembled.  She was putty in his hands and there was nothing she could do about it.

The kiss was perfect and when he felt her return it, he knew they had a future. He paused for a second wanting another kiss but knew he needed to slow it down a little. He slowly pulled back and smiled

"Wow," he said as he stood back up. 

"I think we should enjoy this amazing dinner that you made," he said returning to his seat.