Page 31 of Ruled By Wizard

“I tried, but she wouldn’t listen. She told me she is in love with Jesus and refused to hear what I was trying to tell her.”

Natalia doubted Marco had done a great job of explaining what went on during The Last Riders’ parties. Partly because he hadn’t been there, but also because she suspected he’d been too embarrassed to discuss it.

Lucia’s father watched over her like a hawk. Natalia would have been shocked if she and Marco had ever had the opportunity to do more than kiss, much less have sex.

“Just try again,” she advised, opening the van’s sliding door. She handed him a container of cookies. “I’m sure Lucia will change her mind and come back to you.”

Marco started crying again as he clutched the container. “She won’t listen to me …” His distraught expression suddenly turned hopeful. “But she might listen to you.”

“You want me to talk to Lucia?”

“Please … She’ll listen to you.” Marco seemed to grow more convinced as he spoke. “She admires you greatly. Yes, she’ll listen to you. I don’t know what I’ll do without Lucia in my life.” His voice became pleading. “I love her. Please, will you talk to her?”

“All right. Give me her number, and I’ll invite her to lunch tomorrow. She knows you don’t work the lunch shift, so she’ll hopefully agree. I’ll also speak to Arden and get her opinion on whether Jesus is serious about Lucia or merely playing with her.”

Marco gave her a grateful smile. “I knew I could count on you, Mama. You’re going to make everything right again.”

Natalia wished she had as much confidence in herself, but she knew what she was up against. If her head weren’t screwed on so tightly, even she might have trouble resisting the allure of some of the men in the club.

Sweet, shy, sheltered Lucia would be overwhelmed by the attention Natalia was sure Jesus was directing her way.

How Lucia had met The Last Rider in the first place was what Natalia really wanted to know, but she hadn’t asked, unwilling to upset Marco further.

After carrying the cookies inside, she saw that Marco had already set down the container he was carrying and was clocking in.

“Marco, when you go out front, can you ask Arden to come speak with me when she gets an opportunity?”

“I’ll do it right now.” Without inhibition, Marco gave her a fervent hug before hurrying out of the kitchen.

When Natalia turned around, she saw her sous chef making a face.

“What was that about?”

“Marco just needs my help with a little matter,” she hedged, unwilling to discuss his personal business with his coworkers. “Have you started marinating the mussels?”

“Yes.” Gia nodded. “What do you want me to start next?”

Natalia briskly went over the night’s specials and divided the work that needed to be done. She entered the walk-in refrigerator, gathered ingredients, and was carrying them to the prep table when Arden walked into the kitchen.

“Marco said you wanted to talk to me?”

“Let’s go to my office.”

Arden gave her a curious look. “Okay.”

Natalia didn’t say anything else until they were inside.

“How well do you know Jesus?”

Arden’s eyes widened. “Only what I learned from the Bible. He was born in a stable—”

“Not that Jesus,” Natalia interrupted as she moved behind her desk. “The one in The Last Riders.”

“Oh …” Arden’s expression became guarded. “Not very well. I can tell you what his favorite beer is.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Why do you want to know?”