Chapter 6: Chapter 6

"So, do you think our plan is working?" Claudia asked Kasey with sudden enthusiasm.

"Well, Luke thinks Roman has been up to something for a while now.

"So, what did you do about that?"

"Easy. Roman just bought Excalibur nightclub. Luke is going to think his men set up a fake drug deal to take the cash, and that the club is just a coverup for whatever he's really been planning. It's easy sailing from here, babe. The cards are just falling into place."

Wrapping her arms around the man that she had been having an affair with Claudia rested her head on his chest. "You mean the drugs? Everyone thinks Roman is a drug dealer, but we both know he hates that shit."

"That and other things. Once that shipment is busted, and those guns go missing, both families will be out for blood thinking it was about that gun shipment and cutting Luke out of the ports. Luke already believes everyone has it out for the Gambino family and Roman is at the top of the list."

"You're so smart to have them turn on one another, baby. Now I don't have to marry that bastard, Luke, for his money. He's too clingy and I can't stand the way he always treated me like property. We need to get out of the US as fast as we can. The money is ours, but I'm just worried he will catch me before I'm out of the city. He has eyes everywhere."

"I need to show you something." Reaching in his pocket, Kasey opened his phone and handed it to her. "Our plan-B."

Looking at the video that the women from the Pink Halo store posted on TikTok, Claudia was in awe. She looked at Kasey and back again. "Who is this?"

"You're doppelganger. The bitch looks just like you and everyone in town thinks she is you. Do you remember Luke said you could start a business of your own if you just stayed out of his hair for a while? You pretended to be working while we fucked in the pool house. Well, now everyone thinks you've been working on opening a fashion business, and this bitch has been getting favors from every family in Chi-town."

"She's pretending to be me?" she asked, a little offended. "She's a frumpy little art freak."

"Nah, she just not admitting she's not you. They don't ask, she doesn't tell them otherwise."

Claudia passed him the phone, suddenly excited as he grabbed her bags. "Well then, let's pay little miss copycat a visit. I have an idea."

"Lead the way," he said grabbing the rest of her things. "We have a little over an hour to get to the airport, so we need to make this fast."

"I think we just found our way out of Chicago and make Luke Gambino think I've been here all along."

***

The store front was looking amazing with a soft blush pink and whites, and flower swag adoring the outside shop windows where angel-like mannequins with cute halos stood, wearing her latest designs. Inside was much of the same with a large white fainting couch in the center of the room with pink and crystal rhinestone decor bringing life to the little corner shop.

As some soft music was playing in the background, Poppy was preparing for the day when the front door dinged, announcing the days first customer.

"Welcome to the Pink…" Turning to the guests, her mouth gaped open. "Oh, no. Miss Ricci."

"Hello, Poppy. I'm Claudia. It's nice to finally meet the woman who's pretending to be me and using my clout for financial gain. I got to respect the hustle."

Poppy gulped down the thick dryness that suddenly rested in her throat, feeling uneasy about the way the woman was looking at her. "I'm so sorry, Miss Ricci. I know it was wrong but…"

Holding up her hand to stop her, Claudia trotted around the shop, inspecting every inch. Reaching to feel a flower arrangement on a table near her, she seemed impressed. "This is nice, I'm not a pink fan, but it's a chic little boutique. What do you have in a size—"

"Four-petite?"

Claudia looked down her nose at the woman, sizing her up. She really did look like her in every way. "Yes. I'm going on a trip, and I need some new things."

Scampering around, Poppy quickly went to grabbing a few items from the shelves she thought would suit the woman. "I think I have a few things you'll like. It's on the house."

Raising a brow with a slight smile, Claudia looked over her shoulder at Kasey, who was watching the door. "I like this girl's style. All right then. Let's make this quick. I have a flight to catch, and I'll need a few new outfits for the road. I'll be gone for a while, and I need to look my best."

"Yes, ma'am. Right away. I have a nice slip dress that would look fabulous on you."

"I'm sure you'll know what looks good on me. Apparently you're not only stealing my name, but you also borrowing my cloned body."

Poppy giggled at the comment. "I thought the same about you. We really do look so much alike."

"Almost like twins. It's uncanny… and a tad creepy."

"Yes, I suppose it is. Anyway, here are a few of my favorites. I'll let you try these on. The dressing room is in the back."

Claudia went to the dressing room, throwing down the clothes on the bench with an eye roll. She really didn't want to be there, but this was the perfect ruse to get her out of the country before Luke knew she was missing. If she could get a few freebies along the way, all the better. That is if her snobbish attitude of only wearing top designer brands wouldn't get in the way.

"Uck, these are atrocious. I would never wear these cheep fabrics. Tacky," she grumbled to herself. "Maybe I'll pass them off to some homeless on the way out."

As she flopped down her purse on the bench, Claudia pulled out some loose cash and fake ID, stuffing it in her bra. Leaving her current ID and credit cards, along with her purse, she shoved it under the bench to make it appear to be an accident. Grabbing the clothing items, she walked out leaving the remaining items behind, just as planned.

"I'll take these. No need to ring them up, right love? You did say on the house."

"Oh, yes, Miss Ricci. They're yours."

"All right then. We must go." Shoving the items in her boyfriend's arms, Claudia pushed her sunglasses onto her face as she headed to the door with a cocky arrogance. Wagging a finger for him to follow, the pretentious woman gave no more mind to the shop owner.

"Would you like a bag?" Poppy called after her.

"No, need. I have everything I need from here on. Goodbye, Poppy. Have fun with Luke. You're going to need it," she said as the door swung shut behind her.