His beautiful girl turned and walked back toward her office. He should’ve consulted with Dani weeks ago. She always made a lot of sense, and again, she was right. He’d give Gary a fair shot, and then make a decision. Because if she hadn’t given him a second chance, where would he be now?
* * *
That evening at seven o’clock, Jack’s doorbell rang. He steadied himself with a breath before pulling the door open and inviting Gary inside. Ever since he’d heard the sound of Gary’s voice on the phone when he’d called to invite him over, flashes of his childhood had been running through his mind. The arguments and the dependency that came with having parents who acted more like children than adults made him wonder if he really wanted to bring that kind of chaos back into his life. Did he want to bring it into Daniella’s?
At the second ring of the bell, Jack opened his apartment door. Gary, and the strong scent of the aftershave he wore, came into the room.
“Good to see you, Jack.” Gary greeted him with a one-armed hug that morphed into a pat on the back.
“You too, Gary.” Jack drew in a deep whiff of Gary’s scent. Generous amounts of aftershave sometimes hid the stench of alcohol. His chest expanded with a second deep breath. It took a drunk to catch a drunk. Jack knew all the tricks.
“What’s that I smell?” Gary asked. “Lasagna?”
“I think so,” Jack said. “Daniella’s been working on it since we left the gym.”
Gary nodded and continued to stand in close proximity to Jack. After a few deep breaths, Jack surmised that the telling scent that followed Gary was nothing more than too much Old Spice.
“Let’s have a seat.” Jack gestured toward the sofa, following Gary there as Dani emerged from the kitchen.
“Gary, it’s good to see you. How are you?”
Gary stood and they greeted each other warmly with a hug. “I’m getting by,” he answered. “Just taking things one day at a time.”
“That’s great.” Dani smiled. “Jack tells me you’ve found a job.”
Gary nodded. “I’m working in the janitorial department at an off-strip casino. It’s not glamorous, but it’s honest work. I took the job on the condition that I wouldn’t be made to clean any of the bars or nightclubs. I told them I had to limit my exposure to booze.”
Daniella coaxed him over to the table. “I hope you’re hungry. Dinner is ready.”
They sat down, and Dani served the lasagna, salad, and bread. During dinner, Gary talked about his recovery and how his life behind bars had profoundly changed him.
“I guess you don’t understand everything you have until it’s gone,” Gary said, lifting a forkful of lasagna to his mouth. He chewed, swallowed, and said, “I was cut off from the world. Isolated. And with that much time to think, I realized that I never appreciated my life. I’d wallowed in self-pity when things like the boxing gig didn’t turn out as I’d planned. I blamed Adele. I blamed you, Jack. I blamed everyone except myself, and my drinking.”
Daniella reached across the table and gave his free hand a tiny squeeze.
Jack sat back in his chair, quietly judging. “When you were locked up, did Mom ever reach out to you?”
Gary shook his head. “I’d have been surprised if she had.”
“So then how do you think she’ll react if you hire someone to find her? What if she doesn’t want to be found?”
Gary bit his lip, and moments passed before he answered. “That’s why I’m thinking using a PI is the best way to let her know I’ve changed. I’m not asking for her location. All I want is for him to give her a letter I wrote while I was in jail. It explains everything, and I apologize for everything. Our mess of a life was my fault.”
“So you don’t necessarily want to know where Adele is?” Daniella asked.
Gary shook his head. “No. She’s worked hard to keep wherever she is a secret. I don’t want to invade her new life. All I want to do is give her the opportunity to hear me out. Then, if she wants to come back, she can on her terms.”
Jack met Daniella’s gaze from across the table. She flashed a quick smile. The upward turn of her mouth told him she was buying into Gary’s new attitude. Still, he seemed unconvinced. There was something about family drama that should never mix with fight training. And he didn’t have the time or the inclination to address issues that didn’t involve Dani or Stamina.
The meal concluded and Daniella served fresh fruit for dessert. With the world championship on the horizon, he didn’t want to know about the workout plan needed to burn the calories from the lasagna. A regime Daniella, no doubt, designed before she left the gym.
Dessert concluded with Gary helping Daniella and Jack clear the table, a chore Jack had never seen his stepfather complete.
“Thank you,” Gary said once the dishes were removed. “It’s been great spending time with both of you. I hope we can do it again.” He planted a quick kiss on Dani’s cheek, and shook Jack’s hand.
“See you around.” Jack opened the door for him and watched Gary leave.
At the sound of the closing door, Daniella turned to Jack and walked into his arms. “It seems like Gary’s really turned himself around. I like his idea to keep Adele’s whereabouts private, and letting her return to Vegas on her terms. The time in prison has done him good, Jack.”
Jack lifted a hand and stroked his chin. “Maybe.”
“You’re unconvinced?”
Jack sighed. “I’m not saying he hasn’t changed, but all this drama is between Gary and Adele. Whatever issues they’d had with their relationship has nothing to do with me, with us. It’s not worth blowing Stamina’s money for Gary to clear his conscience.”
“But what about you?” Daniella’s eyes narrowed.
“What about me?”
“Don’t you want Adele back in your life?” she said with a huff.
“If she wants to come back, she knows where to find me.”
Dani stepped out of his arms and gave him a stern, hard look. “I can’t believe what you’re saying. You’re okay with never speaking to her again. Just cutting her out of your life like that?”
He didn’t understand what she was getting so worked up about. Wasn’t she the one who’d been so worried about Stamina’s finances? Didn’t she say that even if he won against Cortez, it’d be a struggle? Now she wanted him to part with five thousand dollars and give the money to Gary instead of Stamina.
Daniella crossed her arms in front of her body. “You don’t get it, do you?”
Jack shook his head. “My mother made her choice. I have to make mine.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that she loves you.”
“Then where is she?” His argument burst from his chest. “It’s no secret I won against Cortez. The fight was covered in the newspapers and ESPN. She knows I won. She knows you can’t beat someone like Cortez without serious training and dedication.”
Dani raised a brow. “Does she? Does she know you’re a changed man?”
Jack stuck his tongue in the side of his cheek, thinking. He hated Dani’s well-thought-out and balanced points. Even during an argument she made total sense. His mother probably didn’t know what it took to beat a guy like Cortez. She probably thought the fight was a setup and her son was being used. The ache he had in his heart for his mother deepened. He outstretched his arm and beckoned Dani to him. In that moment, he needed to hold her.
She came to him.
Wrapping his hand around her hips, he said, “It doesn’t change the fact that she left me. She chose a new life over me, her son. What was so important to her that made her run away from me? She never called or e-mailed. One day, if she wants a family, she knows where to find me.”
Air left Daniella’s lungs in an audible rush. Her disappointment filled the room, but he didn’t care. This was his family. His business. Adele left and it seemed this situation would take more than five grand and four weeks of guilt to change his mind about finding her.
Chapter Thirty-nine
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br /> “Go a few more rounds with the heavy bag,” Daniella said the next morning, “and work on your left hand. Your form is drooping.”
With that, she stepped away from Jack and walked quietly back to her office.
Their discussion last night had left them distant toward each other. Daniella had turned away from him and slept curled in a little ball, leaving him cold on his side of the bed. Their morning didn’t flow much better. Dani showered and took her coffee with her to the bathroom, choosing to drink it while she applied her makeup instead of sharing her first cup of the morning with him. They’d even driven to Stamina in silence. She was probably hoping their disagreement mixed with the silent treatment would give him time to think about what saying no to Gary meant. It did. And still, he was right.
In time he hoped Dani would see Gary and Adele through his eyes. These were two people who were more trouble than they were worth. Jack could dip them in gold and together they still wouldn’t be worth the five grand he’d been asked to fork over.
Keeping the money safe and using it for Stamina had been the right call.
Satisfied, Jack resumed his workout with the bag. He threw a left, and monitored the extension from his shoulder. Damn. His form did droop. He’d have to start hitting the heavy bag in front of the mirror. Part of him wondered why Dani hadn’t suggested it. One mirror-lined wall ran the length of Stamina. Normally he would’ve expected her to ask him to move his workout there.
She let something like a weak left hand go too easily. This wasn’t Dani. His Dani. He took a break from his workout and walked quietly to her office. He peeked inside her door. Daniella’s hand brushed across her face. No. She couldn’t be crying. Not over this. Not over two people as messed up as Gary and Adele.
He pushed though the opening. With her back to him, he said, “Daniella. Baby. Are you crying?”
She turned to him, her face damp with tears. “No.” She tried to even out her breathing, but failed.
“Honey, don’t lie. Why does this have you so upset?”
“Because you don’t understand.” Another tear threatened to fall.
“What don’t I understand?”
“That I’d give anything if I could have five more minutes with my dad. Just five minutes. I wouldn’t care how much money it would cost or what I’d have to do just so I could see him, hear his voice, and tell him I love him. I’ll never have that chance. You can. Gary has an opportunity for you to help find Adele and show her you’re not the same guy. You’ve changed. You’re a talented boxer who’s going to be the next world champion. You guys still have time to be a family. Something I’d give anything to have.” Now her tears did fall. And when she wiped them away, replacement tears cascaded down her face.
She was right. He didn’t understand. While R. L. was like a father to him, he had never actually experienced the full gravity of her loss, her heartbreak. He didn’t long for moments he could never have. He took a strange comfort in knowing Adele was still out there somewhere. She was alive.
Losing a parent like R. L., as Dani had, well, there were no words for what Dani must have felt. A great man was gone. Her father had spent his life preparing for her to live on her own. And he made sure she never felt alone.
Jack planned to share the rest of his life with Daniella, and maybe he owed her a relationship with his family, just as he owed it to Adele and Gary to love Daniella as much as he did.
Gary seemed to be sober now, responsible. Since his release, Jack had kept tabs on him. He had to give him credit. Vegas was a helluva tough place to keep your demons at bay. Somehow Gary was managing.
Like his mother, Jack was stubborn and selfish. Maybe his family’s situation took someone as kind and understanding as Daniella to open his eyes. To help him repair what together they had damaged. Digging his heels in had never worked in his favor. Maybe he was the one who needed to change yet again.
“Okay.” Jack bowed his head. “I’ll go see Gary.”
“Really?” Her voice jumped an octave. Pure excitement filled her face. It was if he was giving her a special gift. He’d do anything to keep that look on her face forever.
“Really. I got to know your family. Hell, I got to love your family. It’s about time you knew mine.”
“Jack,” Daniella said, before kissing him slowly and deeply. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “I don’t want you to feel guilty about taking the money from Stamina. You’re sure you’re okay doing this?”
“Yeah, it’s the right thing to do. But just one question: What do I do if Adele comes back?”
Daniella ran across the room and jumped into his arms. With a quick kiss to his lips, she said, “I think you can handle her, champ.”
* * *
If Jack had known consenting to repair his family would have gotten Daniella so naked so fast, he would’ve agreed weeks ago. After kissing him at the gym, they found Gary’s address and gave him the money to find Adele. Then they fled to Jack’s apartment, where both of them were eager to hold each other close. And get naked. So very, very naked.
He stepped from the bathroom freshly showered and found Daniella under the covers, the sheet wrapped around her bare breasts. From the corner of the room, a mechanical jolt sounded. The air-conditioning kicked on, hardening Daniella’s nipples. The frigid air did little to cool Jack’s desire; he wanted her even more now.
Her hand appeared out from underneath the white sheet. One long finger beckoned him to her. “I’ve been waiting for you all morning,” she said. “I simply can’t wait any longer.”
“Oh yeah?” he teased. “What have you been waiting for?”
“To take you in my mouth.”
With a few quick paces, he stood beside the bed. She placed her hands on his hips. Tracing her fingers around the waistband of his gym shorts, she teased him. She slid the waistband down half an inch, then stopped. Looking up at him, she licked her lips. Desire fired in her eyes. With one quick tug, Jack’s shorts fell to the floor.
His erection met her face and she cupped his dick with one hand. Gently stroking, she milked him in soft, rhythmic strokes. Curving her hand around his body, she grabbed his ass and pulled him closer.
He stepped in and ran his fingers through her hair. As she took him into her mouth, his head lolled back and his hips began to rock forward. The velvety feel of her tongue on his cock felt so good. So warm. He knew that if he moved his body too quickly, he’d come in seconds. He had to slow it down, way down. He fucked her mouth slow and easy.
“Oh God,” he said with a strained voice. And as soon as the syllables left his throat, he pulled himself out of her mouth. “Today is as much about you as it is me.” He would never be selfish. Not with Daniella.
He tore away the sheet that covered her and palmed her breast. Squeezing it, his fingers found her nipple, and rolled the tiny bud between them. With a pinch and tug, he gently tortured her breast and she let out a desperate moan.
Wanting to give her as much pleasure as she gave him, he ripped the sheet from the bed and ran his hand over her exquisite body. She spread her legs for him, urging him to fill the space between her thighs.
And he did.
He threw her legs over his broad shoulders and ran a palm over her belly. She arched in response. Lowering her ass back to the bed, he placed his mouth on her. His tongue licked her sweet center with tender strokes. Oh, how he loved the taste of her.
She writhed in his grasp. His hand clasped her hips tighter, holding her. He wanted to hear her cry out for him. He had no choice but to add his fingers, so his thumb worked her clit while his tongue continued its assault.
Her body tensed. Her breathing intensified. “Oh yes,” she said. “Oh hell, yes.” A noise came from above him. He looked up to see the drawer beside the bed hanging open and her hand searching for the box of condoms.
Jack broke away from her and helped himself to the box.
He quickly tore open the package and rolled the condom on.
Urgency
lined her voice. “I’m ready. I want you inside me.”
He assumed a position on top of her. Pushing his hips forward, he stroked her hard and deep. She felt wonderful. He stretched her, filled her. He slid in another inch, as far as he could go.
Her breath caught. She was getting close. He didn’t stop. He sped up, increasing the rhythm, pushing them harder and faster toward the beautiful edge.
“Come for me,” Jack said. It was both a request and a plea. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out. He wanted to see her face when she came. He wanted to hear her shatter into a million pieces. “Come for me.”
And with one quick thrust, she let go and he followed.
He collapsed onto her. Daniella’s body, both soft and strong, bore his weight. Slowly his breathing returned to normal. He rolled from her and cupped her face with his hand.
“I know that you’ve felt alone after your father died, Dani. I can’t imagine how hard these past few months have been for you. But know that you’re never alone, and you never will be. You’re my family, Daniella.”
A tiny tear leaked out from her eye. She lifted her hand to wipe it away, and rested her palm on her forehead. “You’re my family, too.”
Chapter Forty
Fight night had finally arrived. Jack sat in his dressing room as the clock counted down to the battle for the heavyweight world championship. Two weeks had passed since Jack gave Gary the money. A few days after the hand-off, they both received word that the PI located Adele. He provided proof of delivery for the letter, complete with a photo of Adele holding the envelope.
Since that day, they’d hadn’t heard a word.
Jack’s heart sagged. Part of him wanted to have his mother in the crowd for his championship fight. By not having her here, he caught a tiny glimpse of how Daniella must constantly feel. Tonight was one fight, one tiny moment his mother would miss. By staying at Stamina, Dani endured the loss of her father every day. And he couldn’t imagine her pain wishing that R. L. were here to see how far they’d come.
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