Save Me (The Lucky Family Book 1)

by Eden Rose

  "Johnny, what are you doing with all of these pretty ladies? How did you manage to peel yourself away from your business... associates?" His words were dripping with disdain.

  Anne and I tried to back away from the main part of the showroom because we felt the tension mounting. Bethany looked very natural in this situation. Seems like something like this happened before.

  The bell on the door chimed to signal another customer. "Ladies, gentlemen, what is going on here?" Ronnie cleared his throat as he entered the room. Anne gasped and clung to my arm. "I don't suppose that you are here to donate for our fundraising foundation? It seems to me that your donation is well received." He took a deep breath and reached for Anne's hand. She practically ran for his hand leaving me against the wall. What a bitch. "I see that you met Miss Anne Thomas, she will be accompanying me to a few events, including Big Sal's wedding. Isn't she lovely?" Ronnie said as he kissed her cheek.

  Mark Stilarno looked very defensive. He went to my side to kiss my cheek and grabbed my elbow to show that we were friends. This situation is incredibly awkward. I'm just his real estate agent, why is there a pissing match happening?

  The front door chimed and in walked Vincent with two little bags in his hand. "I came into see what is taking so long. Baby doll, are we ready to go?" He held his hand out to me and Mark grabbed a little harder. "Mark Stilarno, how have you been, its been a few months, hasn't it? Thank you for keeping Ms. Castile company."

  Mark dropped his hold on my arm and held his hand out to Vincent. "She is a lovely and darling woman. Currently these two ladies are my real estate agents." Mark waved at Anne and myself then at Johnny and Bethany. "I will see you ladies tomorrow. Have a good day all. Its beautiful." With that he left.

  "Hello, guys! You should see these two beautiful women in their dresses! You are instantly going to fall in love with them!" Bethany's statement made me choke.

  "Um, can we go now? I have had enough excitement in this shop. Thank you Bethany. I had a wonderful time. Johnny, pleasure to see you again. I trust I will see you this weekend," I said with as much confidence as I could muster and walked toward the door. Anne followed me. I needed air. The July sun felt amazing as I embraced it as we walked out.

  "Vans, are you all right?"

  "I worked so hard to get my own business! Now, look at me. The man I'm banging is having a pissing match with our biggest client! What the hell are we doing here, Annie kitten?"

  I feel as I'm a fire hydrant and have been marked by two different men. That defeated feeling came flooding over me and I don't want to welcome that feeling back. Ever. I felt this way with Joel and it is not a good feeling.

  She hugged me. "I know what it was like when Joel left you practically nothing. Don't take it out on Vincent. He might be something good for you."

  *Chapter 9*

  The next day at work is so busy. After we closed on both of Mark Stilarno's penthouses, I could officially breathe. The encounter yesterday is insane and is not necessary. Luckily for us, he didn't say anything about yesterday. Which surprised me since that meeting is filled with awkwardness.

  Most of the partners were sharing photos from the event this weekend. I'm thanking my lucky stars that no one said anything about Joel or Vincent.

  "Should we get some lunch? I'm thinking Panera."

  "Yes, that sounds amazing, I need to get out of this office," I replied to her and grabbed my purse. Before I slipped my arm into the handle, I took off my suit coat and placed it on my chair.

  We walked down the stairs opposed to taking the elevator since I'm constantly trying to get into better shape. Our offices were in the middle of a big and tall building which meant there were a ton of stairs to burn off the calories I'm about to consume. I loved working in Manhattan; Anne and I both dream about living here but it is too expensive.

  "What time did Ronnie leave this morning? He was gone when I went for my walk this morning," I said as we started to walk out of the building. We turned left and walked down the street in order to get to Panera.

  "He left around five this morning. Vincent called him and seemed upset. Well, Ronnie seemed upset after talking to Vincent." She is not fooling me, I know she is fishing for information.

  I wonder if right now is the time I should tell Anne that I have been avoiding both of my cell phones all day and all night. When we left the store yesterday, Vincent and Ronnie went their own ways and Anne and I went home. However, at seven in the evening Ronnie came to our apartment.

  I can tell that since I'm not forthcoming with the information that she wants, she is getting frustrated. "Is there a reason why you aren't answering your phones? I know why you are avoiding our home phone. What is going on with you?" Even though she asked these questions politely, she is hedging around trying to get me to spill my guts.

  I shrugged at her and we walked down the sidewalk to my favorite lunch spot. A few taxis passed us by and I wanted to jump into one of them and have it take me home. For some reason I had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. All of the weekend's events led me to be more confused than ever.

  "Savannah! What is wrong with you?" Anne grabbed my arm and yanked me back to reality from my thoughts. "I wish you would talk to me."

  "I just want time to figure out if I want this."

  * Vincent*

  I'm grateful for work. That is something I could control unlike Savannah. Not that I wanted to control her, I just wanted her to be with me. All of the time.

  Her husband, Joel and now Stilarno... let's just say that they have both been on my radar for quite some time. Yes, it would be easy to make them a head shorter, but I prefer something bigger. There is always a bigger picture and when I win, I know it will be because I defeated everyone. Anyone can whack a couple of people, but I like to know that I whacked the whole syndicate..

  "Moretti, they are waiting for you!" John called out to me as I sat in a chair at our club.

  The last few days have been difficult. Savannah is being stubborn and isn't answering her phones. Either of them. I'm tempted to stop by her work and make sure she is okay. This is what the problem is with trying to keep a woman. It made going to work a pain because I had way too much aggression for these fucks.

  I looked forward to this meeting. The Dice have been in our way for a long time and it is time to shut them down. For some dumb ass reason, they felt the need to horn in on our businesses. They tried to break into our gambling brackets and are now trying to break into our alcohol ring.

  John is giving me a look that said that he is tired of waiting for me. Savannah would have to wait until later. This is what I lived for. Handling disputes.

  As I walked over to the door where John stood, I placed my hand around my pistol. There is no way that I would go anywhere with out it.

  The leader of the Dice, Harry, sat at the end of the table in the private room that we reserved for these types of things. He looked old. Being a boss has definitely aged him.

  "Harry," I greeted him while I took a seat next to John. "Seems like we have a misunderstanding. Would you care to inform me as to why you are trying to butt into our rackets?"

  John sat quietly which is good because I'm in no mood to play. Savannah. Joel. Stilarno. My money. Yes, no mood to fuck around.

  "We already staked claim on the location where you set up your gambling ring. It is you who misunderstood," Harry sat his gun on the table and then stuck a cigar in his mouth. "And, that alcohol didn't have your name on it. This is fair game for anyone to take," he lit his cigar.

  Harry wanted me to sweat to show weakness. I won't do it though. This is my game. "All right. Let me explain this to you since it is obvious that you still don't understand how things work." John poured me a drink and then poured himself one as well. "This is our show. You have your location, and we have ours. Stay the fuck out of my way and I won't expose your prostitution ring."

  The head bosses for that family hated prostitution but the guys still liked to do it because
it gave them more money. "See, I don't want to do that. That area is fair game and now I want a piece!" Harry took another puff before continuing. "Speaking of a piece... how is Savannah? Is she as beautiful as Castile claims?" My eyes narrowed and I stared him down. "Maybe I should go talk to her. You know, show her a real man."

  That's it. I'm in too bad of a mood for this. John stood out of his chair and placed his arm out. That didn't stop me while I walked through his arm and around the table. Harry looked pleased with himself that he found my weakness. Savannah. Fuck. I tried to keep all of that under wraps.

  When I got to Harry, I grabbed his collar of his coat and yanked him out of his chair. Harry swung at me and I blocked it by chucking him into the wall. Once he bounced off of it, I punched him in his jaw.

  John stepped forward and blocked me from my next hit. "Come on, let's go!" He gave me his I take no prisoners stare that normally worked to keep people in line.

  I'm not ready to be done. There is still more to discuss. Like why he thinks he can talk about her.

  With a quick punch, I felt his wrist crack when it collided with my fist. He slumped down and I kicked him in his stomach. "Are you going to quit? I'm in a mood and I won't even need to take out my gun!"

  Harry raised himself to his feet and held his hands out. "Okay. You can have those locations."

  "And?" I fought off John's hand as it clutched me to go away.

  A light flashed in his eyes. "Oh, you mean the girl?" That smug smile is back. "She is fair game, brother. She is not married."

  Things went black and when I felt the pain shoot up from my arm is when I realized that I cracked his cheek bone and broke his nose.

  "Let that be a message. Don't fuck with what is mine!" Blood splattered on my shirt and coated the walls with drops. Fuck this. I pulled out my pistol and cocked it. "Actually, send this message." I aimed the gun and shot him in his forehead. "Call the cleaning crew," I called out.

  John already held my stuff in his hand and grabbed my elbow with the other hand in order to walk me out of the restaurant. I'm not in the mood to be led out and I most definitely isn't done with Harry. I shouldn't have killed him. No, I should have taken a knife out and carved a message in his flesh.

  "You are one stupid mother fucker," he waited to speak his mind for when I'm in the car. "You put her in danger! What ever happened to you not taking on a comare?" John started the car and adjusted himself in his seat to look at me. "This is the kind of shit that happened with Mary! You let your emotions get involved and you place those bitches in danger!"

  "Hey!" He didn't let me finish since he is obviously not finished.

  To my annoyance, John pointed his finger in my face and wagged it like a mother scolding a petulant child. "Moretti, you have to end this. The family doesn't need a turf war over a woman. Break it off with her."

  I don't want to end it with her, but he is right. I need to get my shit together.

  While I'm leaving, Ronnie called me and told me that Joel had done something pretty fucking shitty to Savannah. He and Anne were worried about her because she has barricaded herself in her bedroom.

  Damn it. Why couldn't I have some girl that isn't so complicated? This woman is going to be the death of me and everyone knows it too.

  *Chapter 10 * Savannah

  Tuesday came and gone. Wednesday is a bore, but we managed to nail a few clients. Thursday is a better day because I closed on a penthouse in the downtown area.

  However, Thursday is even more of an interesting day. While I'm skimming through a listing, there is a phone call that rang through on my desk.

  I looked at the caller id and it is the president of my firm. Damn. What did I do now? He asked me to come see him. Walking to his office felt like walking the Green Mile.

  When I knocked, he opened the door. Tim McGregor is your typical boss. He loved golf and wore too much cologne. His wife hated him and he hated his wife. There were many nights that he stayed in his office and the cot next his desk proved that.

  But, shush, we aren't supposed to know that.

  "Please take a seat." I followed directions and crossed my ankles. "So, I have been meaning to discuss with you about what happened at the party."

  I really hope he isn't talking about Joel. That is too embarrassing and I would die if he knew about it.

  "Its none of my business who you date. I just want to make sure that you understand that." Tim brought his fingers together and drummed them while he looked to be in deep thought. "However, Vincent Moretti is a partner in this firm and things can be taken out of context if you two are dating. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

  "Are you saying that people might think I'm banging a boss to get higher up on the totem pole or are you worried about something else?" I kept my voice calm and tried to not let him see how uncomfortable I am. I wanted to squirm in my seat but that is a sign of weakness.

  "What happens if things don't work out? He could withdraw his support and then we all crumble. I'm just hoping you understand the consequences of your actions."

  "Are you threatening me?" His voice is so stern that I'm becoming scared which annoyed me. That is not a feeling I enjoy having. I felt tears welling up and my nose is starting to tingle. No! No, no. I can't cry.

  Women have it rough in the business world. We are seen to be too motherly and emotional so we have to walk around acting as if we don't have any feelings. Heaven forbid, we cry over something and then we are considered to be irrational.

  "No, I'm not. I just don't want whatever relationship you are in with a partner to fly around the business. Does that make sense?"

  Yes, it makes perfect sense. I now know why his wife hates him. He is a degrading piece of shit. If I were to tell Vincent about this, he would freak out, well at least... I assume he would. Its best not to. I left the office and told Anne about what happened and she shrugged. Great.

  As much as I don't want to throw her under the bus, how come she didn't have to go the meeting? Ronnie is a partner, too.

  It is Thursday evening, and I decided to turn on Vincent's phone that he gave me. There were six text messages. All were ranging from asking how I'm to asking why I'm not answering him. I wanted him to still worry about me.

  I'm in the kitchen trying to figure out what to eat for dinner, when Anne came in. She looked absolutely beautiful. Anne must be going on a date.

  "Hey Vans, what is for dinner?" She asked while taking a seat on the other side of our kitchen island.

  A daily event around dinner time is for me to be half way in the fridge trying to decided on what to make while Anne watches me from the island. The one time I had her cook for me... yeah, I don't want to talk about it. I still have nightmares. " I'm thinking of pork chops. Are you going to be eating here tonight?" After I pulled out the pork chops, I placed it next to the stove before going back to dig out broccoli.

  Anne glanced at her nails and then smiled at me. "Yes, ma'am . Ronnie is coming over around nine to watch a movie with me. By the way, have you checked our home voice-mail?"

  I shook my head and started to season the pork. "Only one person would call that phone."

  While I'm putting the pork in the frying pan, the door bell rang. I looked at Anne to see if she had any recognition on her face. She didn't. I walked to door expecting to see someone. All that is at our door is a blue long and rectangular box.

  I brought the box in and placed it on the counter. The note on the box said: "To Mrs. Castile." Only person who would title me as a married woman is Joel. Anne came over to the box and watched me as I opened it. As soon as the lid is lifted, I screamed.

  Joel sent me a dozen black roses. I'm horrified. Never in my life had I expected to see black roses again. The shocking part of it all is there isn't a note in the box, not like I didn't know who they were from but it is common courtesy to leave a note. I dropped the lid and shoved it off the counter, screaming the whole time.

  "What the hell? Why would he send these to me? The nerve
of him is ridiculous."

  Anne came to stand by me and placed her arms around me while I covered my face in the middle of my kitchen. "Go sit on the couch. I will finish dinner." I didn't argue with her but I did direct from the couch.

  We ate dinner in silence. Normally we would sit at the kitchen table but I wanted to eat in front of the television. There is nothing on the television set because it is a Thursday night. Normally, we wouldn't watch TV while eating because we used dinner time to discuss our day.

  "What are you going to do tonight? Are you wanting to watch a movie with us?"

  "No. I think I an going to take a bath when Ronnie gets here. Let's just snuggle and watch the news."

  At a quarter to nine, the door bell rang. I'm wearing sweat pants and didn't want to see anyone. However, Anne is touching up her makeup which left me to answer the door. I swung open the door and am instantly calmed by seeing Ronnie's baby cute face.