by Jake Biondi
“Oh?”
“I just wanted to see how you’re doing and how you’re feeling.”
Joyelle smiled. “That’s sweet. I’m fine.”
“Are you getting along okay? I mean, you’re pregnant and you just lost Tyler. I’m concerned about you.”
“Thank you, Mateo. I really appreciate that. But I’m doing okay. Of course, I miss Tyler but I’m working through that. I’m living with my mother for now; she’s excited to help with the baby when it comes.” Joyelle looked down toward her lap. “And from the looks of me, it’s coming sooner and sooner ever day.”
Mateo smiled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Mateo reached out and took Joyelle’s hand. “I just want you to know that if you need anything, I’m here for you. You’re not alone.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
“I mean it sincerely.” Mateo let go of Joyelle’s hand. “And once we get the plans for the wellness center, well, you and I are going to make sure it’s the best that Chicago has ever seen.”
Joyelle raised her water bottle. “Cheers to that.”
Mateo touched his cup to hers and smiled.
In the conference room, Dustin, Max, Michael, Derek, and Patrick sat around the table as Sam Provenzano spoke.
“The state’s attorney supported our deal and we brought it to the judge together. He approved the deal, so we are ready to go. It really couldn’t have worked out better.”
“Thank you,” Dustin said.
“You will be remanded to the in-patient program here at St. Joseph. Under the supervision of Dr. Provenzano, you will undergo a psychiatric evaluation and put together a counseling plan for a minimum of two months, after which you will be re-assessed to determine if further counseling is recommended. It’s a very good deal.”
“Yes, it is,” Michael agreed.
“I want to thank all of you for making this possible,” Dustin stated. “I am very grateful.”
“You should be,” Derek declared.
“I look forward to working with you,” Patrick told Dustin.
“Part of the deal was that I get to speak directly with Dustin,” Derek added. “I still want that opportunity.”
“You will have that chance right now,” Sam replied. “As Dustin’s attorney, I will remain in the room for that conversation. Unless there are more questions, I would ask the rest of you to leave us for a moment.”
“We’ll be right outside,” Max said as he stood up from the table.
Patrick and Michael followed Max out of the room, leaving Max, Sam, and Dustin alone.
“So I just want to know...why? Why would you shoot me?” Derek asked.
“I’m very sorry,” Dustin began. “I wasn’t in my right mind.”
“That’s a copout. I want to know why.”
“I was obsessed with you. There’s no other way to describe it,” Dustin explained. “When we met and hung out that weekend long ago, I fell for you. I wanted to be with you more, so I moved across the country to make that happen.”
“And when it didn’t happen, you decided to kill me?”
“When we had dinner that night at Boystown Bistro, you didn’t even recognize or remember me.”
“Why should I? You meant nothing to me.”
“I realize that now, but I didn’t at the time. If I couldn’t have you, I didn’t want anyone else to have you, either.”
“You were never going to have me. I love Cole.”
“Like I said, I wasn’t in my right mind.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re getting the help that you need. But I warn you -- whenever you get out of this place, you better stay the hell away from Cole and me. Do you understand?”
Dustin nodded. “Completely.”
“Good.”
“We should get moving,” Sam added. “We need to get Dustin admitted.”
“Derek,” Dustin said. “I really am sorry. And I hope that one day you’ll be able to forgive me.”
“Just stay away from Cole and me and all will be well.”
Derek got up from the table and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
While Patrick admitted Dustin to the in-patient program, Rachel was in her hotel room bathroom vomiting. Holding her hair out of her face with one hand, she leaned forward over the toilet bowl gagging.
After a moment, she caught her breath and was able to lean back and sit upright on the cold bathroom floor. She reached up to the sink counter and grabbed the pregnancy test she had just administered.
She looked at the small stick in her hand and examined the results. The small “plus” sign indicated that the test was positive. She dropped the test stick onto the floor and ran her fingers through her hair.
After a moment, she smiled and said softly, “Advantage...Rachel.”
Across town, Justin was sitting alone in the Mancini board room. He gazed out the window over the Chicago skyline until Derek abruptly entered the room.
“I’m glad you’re alone,” Derek said, taking a seat at the table next to his brother.
“The others will be here shortly, I’m sure.”
“We need to talk. What the hell are we going to do about the vineyards?”
“I was just thinking about that. Maybe Gino can persuade Camille to sell them back to us if we make a generous offer?”
“We can try, but Camille seems hell bent on destroying us. I don’t think selling them back is going to appeal to her.”
“Then we need to sign a contract with another vineyard to keep our wine and spirits division up and running.”
“I agree, but that’s not what I’m worried about. What if she starts digging up that winery?”
“Why would she do that? It makes no sense.”
“But what if she does? Do you realize what that could mean? She could literally unearth our secret.”
“I know, I know,” Justin agreed. “But I’m trying to stay calm about that. It’s remained buried all these years; there’s no reason to believe that will change.”
“But what if it does? My God, Justin. We’d lose everything.”
“I know but--” Justin stopped mid-sentence as he saw others coming into the room.
David, Gino, Max, Emmett, Cole, Jensen, and Adam all entered the conference room as if they were part of a parade.
“Welcome, gentlemen,” Derek said, gesturing for everyone to take a seat around the long table.
“We’re glad to see you all,” Justin added.
Patrick then entered the room. “Am I late?”
“Not at all,” Justin replied. “We are just getting settled. Do you know everyone?”
Patrick looked around the room and then walked over to Emmett, who was taking a seat. “I don’t believe we’ve met yet. I’m Patrick Provenzano.”
Emmett stood back up and shook Patrick’s hand. “Emmett Mancini.”
“He’s the youngest of us,” Derek said with a smile.
“And the best looking,” Emmett added, winking.
“I can see that,” Patrick agreed, sitting down in the chair next to Emmett.
“I inherited the best looks from both families,” David joked. “Or so I’m told.”
Once everyone was settled into his chair, Emmett spoke. “The purpose of this meeting is to finalize plans for our restaurant opening and since Adam and Jensen are the masterminds behind the ideas you’re about to hear, I think we should let them begin.”
“Sure,” Gino said.
Adam cleared his throat before beginning. “Thank you. As the new manager of The Boys and the Booze, I have been working closely with Jensen to create an opening night that Chicago will never forget. It’s going to be fabulous, so let us explain.”
Jensen passed a small folder to everyone seated around the table. “The theme of the evening will be Carnivale so as you can see from the drawings in your folders, all decorations will tie into that theme.”
“But we are talking about much more tha
n decorations,” Adam continued. “Gino, we would like to debut the fall Cio line at the opening. We will invite designers and buyers from all over the country to make it truly a red carpet event.”
“My friend Nick DiCristina and his entire team of dancers will serve as models for the fashion show, which we’d hold in the club area of the space prior to dinner. Along with Cole, of course. The models’ face makeup and head pieces will continue the Carnivale theme as they showcase your new line.”
Gino looked to Cole. “What do you think?”
“I think it sounds awesome, but you’re the boss.”
“Can we pull this together in time?” Gino asked.
“I believe we can,” Adam stated. “I’ve already created a guest list and invitations are ready to go. There are copies in front of you.”
Gino looked at Max and then Emmett. “And you’re both okay with this? I don’t want Cio to steal the spotlight from your opening.”
“We think it’s a great concept,” Emmett said. “You won’t be stealing our spotlight, you’ll be sharing it.”
“Once the show is over, we’ll have dinner on the restaurant side and our models will change into their Carnivale costumes for the club debut after dinner.”
Jensen added, “And the costumes are hot. Sexy and classy. Plus, we have booked Steve Grand as our headliner. He was at the first opening and was thrilled to be invited back.”
David smiled. “If Steve’s coming back, you can count me in. Damn, he’s hot.”
“You said you had an idea that would involve our company,” Justin stated.
“Yes,” Adam said. “Jensen will explain.”
Emmett added, “He already shared his idea with me and I think it’s fantastic.”
“As you know, I am forever indebted to Emmett for rescuing me from life on the street. I was homeless and doing anything possible to survive, no matter how stupid or dangerous. And then the accident happened and I realized lying in that hospital room that I was lucky to be alive. So I wanted to come up with a way to give back for all of my blessings. That’s when I came up with this idea. I’d like to open a youth center here in Boystown. Not just for gay youth, but for all youth. A place where they can socialize, learn, and receive all kinds of support.”
Patrick smiled. “Now I know why you included me in this meeting.”
“Exactly,” Adam said. “It will be a wonderful addition to the community and neighborhood. And there is a perfect spot just up the street from the restaurant.”
“So I was wondering if your companies, Mancini Global and Ciancio International, would be interested in funding my idea.”
“The Ciancio-Mancini Youth Center,” Emmett said. “It’s the perfect way to bring our families together and do some great work at the same time.”
“I agree,” Justin said. “Anything that allows our families to work together has my complete support.”
“And what about Camille? What happens when she doesn’t go along with the idea?”
“It’s great publicity for both companies,” David said. “Why wouldn’t she support it?”
“Don’t worry about Camille,” Gino declared. “I’ll handle her. And if she fights me, I’ll fund the project myself, personally.”
“Awesome,” Jensen said. “Thank you so much.”
Cole looked at Derek. “You’re being uncharacteristically quiet. What are you thinking?”
“I actually think it’s a great idea. Like you said, it’s great publicity and it’s also a chance to help young people right here in Boystown.”
“You have no idea what this will mean to so many kids,” Jensen added. “Believe me.”
“We can make the announcement at the opening,” Adam suggested. “The press will be there for the fashion show so it’s the perfect opportunity.”
“Adam also has some fun ideas for the restaurant,” Emmett stated.
“We are going to have a float in the Pride parade and sponsor a volleyball team as well. By default, you’re all on the team so dust off your short-shorts.”
David laughed. “We’ll see about that.”
“Well, it seems we all have our work cut out for us to pull all this off in time,” Gino said.
“It’ll happen,” Cole stated.
“And with you being the grand marshal of the Pride parade and being featured at the opening, we can’t lose,” Emmett said.
Derek looked at Max. “You haven’t said one word yet. Something wrong?”
“Nothing at all,” Max replied. “I think it all sounds perfect. I should be heading back to the club to move things along.”
“Great,” Adam said. “Then let’s get to work and plan the best damn opening the Windy City has ever seen.”
When Max arrived back at The Boys and the Booze, he found Keith waiting there for him. Some workers were in the corner hanging a light fixture as Max entered and approached Keith, who was calmly sitting in a chair at one of the tables.
“This place turned out beautifully. Emmett has good taste,” Keith said.
“Yes, he does.”
“In furniture and in design. And now that he’s back with me, in men, too.”
“Back with you? What the hell are you talking about?”
Keith stood up and stepped closer to Max. “We both knew it was only a matter of time before you did something to screw up. It may have taken a bit longer than anticipated, but it happened nonetheless.”
“Get out of here.”
“I will,” Keith said. “But I’m here to put you on notice. Emmett and I are friends, maybe more. And I’m warning you...stay away from him. If you ever hurt him again, I swear...I’ll kill you!”
In the dark room stood a hospital bed surrounded by monitors. Because there were no windows, the only light in the room was provided by a dim light hanging from the ceiling. Lying unconscious in the bed and attached to all the monitors was Marco Ciancio.
The door to the room opened and Camille walked in, followed by Mateo. She stepped over to the bed and put her hands on the side rail while Mateo checked the monitors.
“How is he?”
“He’s doing fine,” Mateo replied. “How long do you intend to keep him here like this?”
“Your job isn’t to ask questions. Your job is to keep him in a coma until I say otherwise.”
“I still don’t understand why you just haven’t killed him.”
Camille smiled. “My own nephew? I could never do that to family. Besides, I have great things in mind for him. But, for now, it’s important that he stays right here, where he cannot be found.”
Camille winked at Mateo, who adjusted one of the nearby monitors in the dark room. Danger often hides in shadows.
Episode #47
Danger doesn’t always hide in shadows. Sometimes it hijacks celebrations, sometimes it dances in the spotlight, sometimes it disguises itself as opportunity, and sometimes it even lurks between bed sheets.
As Hugo Martinez pumped deeper into Rachel Carson, she massaged his lower back and urged him on with her moans. Running her fingers over his smooth, muscular ass, she grabbed it tightly and pulled him even deeper inside of her.
Letting out a groan, Hugo released deep into Rachel as he had so many times before, sending sperm in every direction inside of her. Then he leaned forward as she welcomed his weight onto her.
“Damn,” he said as he kissed her neck and rolled over onto the bed beside her.
“Baby,” she whispered and then kissed his chest. “I’ll miss this when you’re away at school.”
“Then let’s not stop...ever.”
Rachel smiled. “That’s sweet, but you have to go to school soon. Notre Dame’s fans are eager for you to bring the team its next national championship.”
“Marry me,” Hugo demanded.
Rachel looked directly at him. “What?”
“Marry me,” Hugo repeated. “We are a great team.”
Rachel sat up in the bed. “Hugo, you can’t be serious. You know I want
to marry your father.”
Hugo sat up and put his hands on her shoulders. “You know he’ll never marry you. Besides, you have told me over and over again that we are a better match than you and he are.”
“Hugo, please. I love our time together; you’re a sweet man. But I can’t marry you. You have your whole life ahead of you.”
“Share it with me. I know how happy we could be.”
Rachel put her hand on his cheek. “You don’t love me, Hugo. You have feelings for someone else and they are confusing you. We both know who you really love. Tell him.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“No, I’m trying to help you be true to yourself. Hugo, I care about you and want you to be happy.”
“And I want you to be happy...and safe. That’s why I said I’d protect you from Keith.”
“I’ll be okay. And your father will keep me safe. By marrying your father, I’ll guarantee that you and I are always in each other’s lives. For good.”
“But you’ll be married to the wrong man.”
Rachel stood up from the bed. “Hugo, you are very special to me, but I cannot marry you, baby. I just can’t.”
“My father doesn’t even love you,” Hugo pleaded. “He’s going with Joyelle to the opening gala tonight, not you.”
Rachel forced a smile. “That’s because he feels sorry for her, that’s all. She’s alone and pregnant and he wants to help her out as a friend.”
“He’s been spending a lot of time with her.”
“They’re working on the new wellness center together. It’s named after her ex-boyfriend. There’s nothing else going on between them.”
“I thought you were smarter than that,” Hugo said. “I thought you lived in reality.”
“I do,” Rachel declared sternly. “And the reality is that your father and I will be married.”
Angry, Hugo stood up from the bed. “And what about me? What am I, just your play thing?”
“Hugo, calm down.”
“Don’t tell me how to behave. I just asked you to marry me and you turned me down.”
