“Sure.” Velia pressed against him, tossing her leg over his to bring him closer. She found his lips with a hungry kiss. “I missed you, too,” she said when she pulled herself away. “I’m sorry for my snobbish attitude.” She rested her head against his chest. “I apologize for being a bitch at the airport.”
His breathing told her he had fallen asleep. She nudged him. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” On the way upstairs she held him tight. “I wish I could be sleeping with you tonight.”
At the door he took her into his arms. “I’ll dream of sleeping with you. You do the same.”
“Good night.” She took a deep breath. “I love you,” she whispered against his ear then left but turned before he went into his room. His eyes raked over her, and he mouthed the same words.
Chapter Thirty-One
It seemed longer than a few days ago when Velia doubted a relationship with Caulder. Now, she lay in bed wishing to be held in his arms. Going to Tucson and Chicago for two weeks without him would tell her if she wanted to live without him in her life. She learned something from this. In only four days, she knew she wanted to be with him.
Why the doubt when now being with him seemed perfect? The way her body pined for his, how her lips craved his sweetness, and the way her body yearned to be touched by his expert fingers all told her. But even though the physical aspects of their relationship supplied satisfaction, the emotional aspect stood stronger. Like it or not, she needed him. Obviously, he needed her as much. In such a short time, he grew in her very essence. She smiled at the thought of them together. Being in her parent’s home till the end of vacation, it would be awhile before she sampled his hot kisses in yearning places.
* * *
After breakfast, Velia planned on taking Caulder sightseeing downtown. Her father’s car would take them to Navy Pier. “Hope you have a coat. It will be cold on the pier, and even colder on top of the Ferris wheel. Are you up for it, big guy?”
“Of course, I ride bulls for a living. I think I can take a little old Ferris wheel.” Caulder took her into his arms. “Maybe we can get a room while we’re downtown.” He kissed her on the cheek. “You know, for a quickie or something.”
“Or something?” She remembered her own thoughts earlier. “I don’t think we’ll have time after we do the museum and aquarium.”
“Well, it will take a lot of time to do it all,” he said.
“I know and the exact reason why we can’t get a room. Then there’s dinner later at Little Velia’s. Yes, we’ll be busy.”
He embraced her. “I want you more than you know.”
Velia hugged him and whispered, “Oh, I think I have an idea.”
When she heard her father walking down the hall, she pulled out of his arms. She smiled. “Good morning, Pops. How did you sleep?”
“Like a puppy dog. And you?” His eyes went to Caulder then back to her.
They both nodded. “Yes, I slept like I did as a child in my own bed. My teddy bears are still there!” She glanced at Caulder and shrugged.
“I slept well, sir.” He laughed, glancing at Velia. “I still have my football in my room and all the high school pennants. My mom refuses to remove them.”
They waited at the table till Lidia arrived in the dining room and breakfast followed. Ric spoke. “Velia, when we go downtown this morning, I’ll drop you where you want to go, but I will need my car later. If you finish at the museum before my car can pick you up, do you mind calling a cab to dinner?”
“Oh, no, it will be fine. Right, Caulder?”
“Of course, but I can always get a rental car.”
“No need. My driver will be available after dinner to bring you back home.” He picked up his fork. “Dig in. A hearty breakfast is important.” He smiled before he scooped up a forkful of frittata.
After breakfast, Velia showed Caulder around the house, to the sun rooms on the south side of the house to the indoor pool connected to the outdoor pool, the den, and the library. Outside the library, Velia took him into her arms. “Are you staying here the whole time?”
“I don’t know yet.” He kissed her. “I have no plans, but I don’t like being without you. I think four days away from you proved it.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. You know Roy will escort me anywhere I need to go.”
“I know, but—”
“You’re wasting your vacation, your break. You should go back to Pennsylvania, and we’ll meet up before the show starts.”
“I’ll give it some thought. Okay?”
Velia nodded. “Sì.”
“Hey, what do I wear for dinner that I can wear to a museum?”
“I’m going to wear something casual that I can dress up later. It’s like a blouse but long enough for a dress later. You can do the same.”
Caulder held his hands up in front of him. Oh, no, I’m not wearing no dress...whatever you said, and I don’t want to walk around a museum in a suit.”
Velia laughed hard, blotting the tears running down her face with her sleeve. “No, I mean wear something convertible that you can change. But as far as the suit, you’d be the best looking one there.”
He tapped her on the nose. “No, darlin’, you will be.”
“Well, I guess we should get ready. Mio padre will be ready to go soon.”
“What does your father do for a living? This house is magnificent. He has a personal driver, body guards...”
“They’re not bodyguards!”
“Well, sure look like bodyguards.”
“Okay, they’re bodyguards. I never referred to them as bodyguards, but in fact, they are.”
“So, what does he do?”
“He’s a business man with a large corporation downtown. Come on. Let’s get ready. Meet you in the foyer in forty-five minutes.”
Caulder waited at the bottom of the stairs, and when Velia floated down, his eyes widened as he looked over her sleek body.
She wore a see-through, green, flimsy top with a black, lacy camisole underneath, and cinched at the waist with a thick, black leather belt. Her leggings were black and she wore black low-heeled boots. He kissed her when she reached the last step, pulling her against him. She stood at his height while on the step. The kiss went on until she pulled away. “Whoa, big one.”
“It’s hard.”
Her eyes grew large. “Excuse me?”
“It’s hard to...” He snickered. “It’s hard to pull away from kissing you.”
Velia giggled. “Oh, okay.” She whispered close to his ear. “I know what you mean, but my parents could walk around the corner.” She pushed him an arm’s length away and stepped down. “I’d be embarrassed for them to see us kissing with reckless abandon in their foyer.”
“Well, let me warn you this is building.” He casually rubbed his hand over his crotch. “I’m not sure you’ll be safe when I get you alone.”
“Mm, are you promising?”
“Sure thing, I won’t have a choice. You own my...” Caulder stopped before continuing. “Never mind.”
She sighed aloud and opened her bag. “Need to add anything in here?” Her bag—large enough to hold her black heels, black half-slip, a few items of make-up, and some clips to hold up her hair—still had room.
“A tie? Don’t think you can get a sport coat in there.”
“Let’s buy one on Navy Pier.”
“Sure, why not?”
Ric came around from the parlor and slipped on his coat. “Ready?”
Velia grabbed her red, mid-length wool coat from the closet and a cashmere scarf. On the way out she took Caulder’s arm. “You’re probably sweating in your heavy coat right now.” She winked.
“You told me to dress warm.” He stood close. “I’m hot all right but it’s not from the coat.”
* * *
Once downtown, the driver let them out in front of the aquarium. They’d probably be at least three hours. “Call a half hour before you’re ready to leave, and I’ll send
the car to take you to the museum.”
“We can take a cab, Mr. Armano.”
“No, the car will be here.” His driver closed the door and they drove off.
“I hoped he’d agree on the rental car, and instead of going to the museum, we could go get a room.”
“This is Chicago. You don’t just go get a room.”
“I bet if I went to the most expensive hotel here and plopped down a credit card, they’d give us a room.”
“If I go where you’re alluding to, I want it to be for more than a few hours. It’s so expensive.”
“Does expense really matter to you?” He held the door to the aquarium.
“Of course it does. I handle money very well, always have.”
“If I’m here for the rest of the week, you better believe we’re getting a room somewhere. Maybe I can bribe the driver and he’ll leave us alone in the limo for an hour.”
“Slim chance.” Velia rolled her eyes. “Now, stop thinking about sex and enjoy the fish.” He did the eye roll in response.
* * *
Caulder tried his hardest to get a hotel room for a couple or three quickies, but she wasn’t going for it. “We’re going through with our plans,” she said on the way to the museum. “After this, we’ll go to Navy Pier.”
“Yes, ma’am. When did you get so bossy? I’m taking you back to the barn.”
“Bull pen, Caulder, how soon you forget.”
“No, I meant the barn.” He almost pulled her on his lap, nudging close. “I’m sure you remember the barn.” He laughed when she tried to pull away.
As much as she wanted to quell his sexy remarks with a kiss, she leaned against him. “Shh, yes, I remember,” she said, nonchalantly dropping her hand across his lap as she watched her beautiful city through the window. She glanced at the driver, hoping he was oblivious to what might be going on in the backseat.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The day seemed long after walking around the two major attractions in Chicago. They took a quick bathroom break after calling the cab for dinner. A pretty woman with fiery red hair waited outside the men’s room door and took Caulder’s arm as he came out. “Excuse me. You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?”
He shook his arm free and eyed her up and down. “No, I don’t think so, unless you’re a bull riding fan.” He stuck his hand out and smiled. He introduced himself. “I ride bulls. Maybe you’ve seen me on TV now and again.”
“I suppose. Well, nice to meet you.” She shook his hand then moved on.
When Velia returned, she and Caulder waited for the cab inside the door. The temperature outside turned a lot colder. “Still riding the Ferris wheel with me?” Velia wrapped her arms around his waist. “I think it will be so romantic.”
“Why you asking, you think I’m scared?” He pulled her against him, noticing the same woman out of the corner of his eye, standing outside the museum door.
“No, I know you’re not scerd, big guy.” She checked her watch. “I wonder what’s taking the cab so long. They’re usually lined up here.” It pulled up a few minutes later. Today the museum wasn’t busy and they didn’t have to fight for a cab. Before he reached for the door someone called Velia’s name. She turned and saw Jessica walking toward her. “What is she doing here?”
“What, who is it?” Caulder took hold of her arm. He turned to see the same woman who approached him earlier.
“Jessica, my old best friend. Now, Justin’s girlfriend.”
“Get in the car.” He opened the door, but Jessica caught up to them.
“Dearest Velia, so nice to see you.” She started to hug Velia, but Caulder blocked her. “I thought maybe your guy here would give me an autograph.” Jessica took hold of Caulder’s arm.
“I don’t have time right now.” He turned to Velia and said between gritted teeth. “Get in the goddamn car right now!”
“What is wrong with you?”
“Get in the damn car!”
Velia stepped in and before Caulder had a chance to get in, the car took off, the door slamming as the car spun around. As it sped past, Justin smiled from the driver’s seat and held up his middle finger. Caulder pushed Jessica’s hand off him. “How can you allow this? She used to be your best friend. What the hell is he going to do with her?” He clenched her arms and shook her? “Where’s he taking her?”
“I don’t know anything.” She pulled away.
He held her arm. “You’re not going anywhere, bitch.” He took Mr. Armano’s business card from his pocket, and dialed his phone number.
In no time, Nero pulled up and Roy rushed out of the car and grabbed hold of Jessica, shoving her into the car as he glanced around the area. Caulder got in beside her and they took off. He had no idea where they were going, but it looked like they were in a warehouse district. Roy tied a blindfold over Jessica’s eyes. He tied it tight, catching her hair in the process and she screeched.
Roy yelled, “Where did he take her?”
“Where is she, Jessica?” Caulder took hold of her arm. “Where is Justin going?”
They drove to a dock near a freighter. Nero dragged Jessica out of the car and up a few steps into the kitchen area of an old ship. He sat her in a chair in the middle of the room near an archaic stove. “I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman. I want to know where he is.” Nero tied her hands behind her back. “Don’t make me do this.” His dark hair hung over his eyes and his face glistened with sweat. He pulled a knife out of a sheath and held the blade to her face. “I won’t ask again. Where is he?”
“Honestly, I don t know where he took her. Maybe somewhere downtown. He only wants to talk to her.”
“He left you here to deal with this.” Nero poked her in the chest with his index finger. “Because he’s a coward! He left you behind knowing what we can do to you.”
Caulder knelt in front of her. “He used you, Jessica. He wanted to get to Velia and used you. Is this worth it?”
Roy motioned for Caulder and Nero to a meeting in the other room. He turned to Caulder. “You can get out of this right now and we’ll get you a ride back. No questions asked and you were never here, and never saw a thing.” He moved in close to Caulder’s face. “If you stay, you never saw a thing.” He hesitated a moment. “Got it?”
Caulder nodded. “No way. I’m not going anywhere without knowing where Velia has been taken.”
Roy patted him on the shoulder. “That’s what I wanted to hear. Take a seat. There are a few things you need to know. Number one, you keep your mouth shut. Number two, you’ve never been here. Number three, you haven’t seen us.”
Nero rested his hand on Caulder’s shoulder. “And what you see here stays here. No matter what. Do you understand? No matter what you see.”
“I get it.”
“You might not like what you see.” Nero left the room, the knife still in his hand. Roy and Caulder followed. When they returned to Jessica, she began to cry.
“Tears don’t make no difference.” Nero went behind her and pulled her head back, leaning the blade against her throat. “Tell us where Justin took her.”
She whimpered like a baby doll. “He only wants to talk to her, I swear.”
Caulder grabbed her shoulders. “You know better. You have to know all the beatings she took from him.”
“Beatings?” Jessica couldn’t keep up with her own breathing, her chest rising and falling with each breath. “I didn’t know Justin beat her.”
Caulder turned away. “Dammit, she never told anyone, not even her best friend. What about all the bruises she had…how could you not wonder?”
“Enough!” Ric appeared at the door. “This isn’t getting my daughter back. Where is she, Jessica?” He came closer and kicked the chair over then leaned down and grabbed a handful of hair. “Before I turn these men loose on you, you tell me. Where is she?”
“My, m—my house.” She sobbed hysterically, her breaths rapid, tears and mascara running down her face. “I didn’
t know he beat her. He only wanted to talk to her.”
Ric stood the chair back up and untied her hands. “You will wait here until we find her.” He motioned for Roy and Nero to follow. Another man Caulder had never seen before stood at the door with his hands behind his back, a shoulder holster peeking through his open jacket.
“Wait, I’m coming with you.”
Ric turned. “Not a good idea.”
“I’m coming. I’m in love with your daughter and she’s important to me.”
Ric glanced at Roy.
Roy nodded. “Si, is okay.”
Ric motioned for Caulder to follow. “Remember what you were told.” He turned and exited. Nero swept his hand forward for Caulder to go ahead of him.
He didn’t know what to expect, but none of it mattered now. Velia ended up with a maniac, a wife beater, a man who held a big grudge against her, and these men were the only ones who could help her at the moment. Caulder swept his hair out of his face and turned to Nero. “I hope we’re not too late.” Going out the door, he knew he would probably see some things he didn’t want to see, things he didn’t want to know about, illegal things, things that could ruin his career. But Velia was in danger, and fear for her ruled his thoughts.
“Just don’t forget the rules,” said Nero as he closed the car door.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Velia had no idea what Justin planned on doing with her, but she wasn’t afraid. Her wrists hurt from the ties he applied at their first stop after leaving the museum. The tie around her ankles prevented her from jumping out like she’d like to. The gag continued to cut into the corners of her mouth, burning raw now.
How did this happen? What would Justin do? She heard a sound in the trunk behind her, or at least it sounded like the trunk. Her thoughts were still fuzzy after he punched her in the back of the head. It sounded like tapping then it stopped. She tried to talk and only mumbling came out, but she did a lot of it anyway until he yelled for her to shut up.
Howdy, Ma'am Page 28
