Tracy supermodel stomped out of her closet and posed at the end of her imaginary runway.
“Woooow, Tracy. That looks amazing on you,” Tammy gushed.
“I know, right!” Tracy squealed.
She turned so that Tammy could see the back.
“Dayuuuuum, girl. That’s it right there. This is the one,” Tammy affirmed.
Tracy rushed Tammy with a hug. “I love it. Thank you so much.”
“Anytime. You know I gotchu.”
Tracy stepped back and looked Tammy in the eye. Her face heated as tears pooled in her eyes.
“I know you do.”
TAMMY
“I got one. I got one,” Victoria shouted over the boisterous laughter.
Everyone in the Storm’s large parlor quieted so that Victoria could tell her joke.
“Okay, y’all. I heard this one at work. There was a woman. She put an ad in the paper. It read that she was looking a man who wouldn't beat her, wouldn't leave her, and that could make great passionate love to her. Soon after, the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, there was a man. He had no arms and no legs. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked him. He replied, ‘I’m here to answer your ad. I’m the man that you're looking for. I have no arms, so I can't beat you. I have no legs, so I can't run out on you.’ The woman asked, ‘Then what makes you a great lover?’ The man replied, ‘I rang the bell, didn't I?’”
Everyone in the room except for Emily fell over laughing. With her eyebrows bunched together, she nudged Tammy.
“I don't get it,” she mumbled.
“If the man had no arms or legs, there are only two ways that he could have rung the doorbell,” Tammy explained through laughter.
Emily contemplated Tammy’s explanation for seconds before exploding into laughter herself. Before she could tease Emily about her “blonde moment”, the doorbell rang, causing everyone to laugh even harder.
Jack excused himself to answer the door just as Luca handed Tammy a glass of red wine.
“Taste this,” he said.
Tammy took the glass and sniffed the contents.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“It’s a 2000 Chateau Margaux. Taste it and tell me what you think.”
Tammy took a sip, and her frown was immediate. The wine was extra dry, almost bitter. She took another sip, in hopes that it would be better the second time. But it wasn't.
“No?” Luca asked with a smirk.
“Umm…no. This shit is nasty.”
“Give her ass some Mad Dog 20/20. She’ll be all right,” Natasha shouted from across the room.
“Whatever,” Tammy responded, rolling her eyes.
“I don't like it either,” Luca said in Tammy’s defense. “The man has a thirteen hundred dollar bottle of wine that tastes like shit.”
Tammy could’ve choked on oxygen. She snatched the glass from Luca and took another taste. Surely, she was missing something. But when she tasted it again, it was remarkably worse. Tammy returned the glass to Luca, shook her head, and muttered, “crazy rich folks.”
“The last time I checked, you were rich too,” Victoria chimed.
“Yeah, but I’m not crazy rich like y’all. Thirteen hundred dollars for nasty wine, really?”
“I happen to like it,” Victoria argued.
“You a damn lie!” Tracy blurted. “You told me you hated that wine!”
“Shut up!”
More laughter erupted. Tammy loved the way Tracy and Victoria interacted. Their friendship was a pure and genuine example of true sisterhood. Tammy was happy to be part of the fold.
“Tammy, look who’s here,” she heard Jack say.
Tammy turned toward the doorway. Standing next to Jack was her mother. Tammy froze, surprised to see her. Had Luca invited her? It was when she held up her portfolio that Tammy remembered that she had told her to come by. When she did so, she’d forgotten all about their family dinner at Victoria’s. She hurried over to Beverly.
“Oh, darn. I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “I totally forgot that I told you to come by.”
“No, no, it’s okay. I can come back another time.”
Tammy felt bad. Beverly looked disappointed, and Tammy didn't want to embarrass her.
“No, it’s okay. Come with me.”
Tammy led her mother to the family room and gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. When she sat, Tammy sat next to her and reached for the portfolio. She began to flip through the pages and was pleasantly surprised. Her mom was uber talented. Her collection was filled with sleek lines, sharp colors, and attitude. Her aesthetic was romantic but powerful. Tammy was impressed.
“Wow, you have an eye,” Tammy admitted. “These are good.”
“Well, I know that we couldn't get any of these pieces ready for Fashion Week, but I was hoping maybe next year.”
“No, no. I might be able to throw one or two in the collection.”
“Oh, God, really, Tamara?” Beverly gasped, bringing her hand to her chest.
“Yeah. There might be room for you on Giovanni’s design team, but I hope you realize that this is business, not personal. If it were personal, based on our family dynamics, you wouldn't have a foot in the door.”
Beverly placed her hand on Tammy’s knee, causing her to tense involuntarily. She didn't want Beverly touching her.
“Sweetheart, I just want to get in any way that I can.”
“Okay,” Tammy said as she stood.
“Maybe we can get together next week and make plans,” Beverly suggested as she stood.
“I can't,” Tammy said, shaking her head. “My wedding is next week.”
“Your wedding?” Beverly asked in a soft voice.
Tammy didn't know why, but she felt bad for her. Beverly certainly didn't deserve any pity. After all, she was the one who had run out on her family, but Tammy couldn't help herself.
“Yeah. I’ll be away for a bit, but I’ll contact you when I get back.”
“Don't you live in Paris?” Beverly asked.
“Just outside of Paris, but close, yeah.”
“A wedding in Paris. How romantic.”
“Oh, we’re not getting married in Paris. Jack has a private island off the coast of Morocco. We’re getting married there.”
“Oh, well, I’ll bet that’ll be just as romantic,” Beverly said softly.
“Yeah, I hope so,” Tammy said, moving toward the door. “So, I’ll reach out to you in a few weeks.”
“Umm… okay,” Beverly said as she followed Tammy out.
As she led Beverly to the front door, Tammy could tell that she was uncomfortable. And truthfully, so was she. But the woman had severed their ties years ago. Having her at her wedding, simply because she birthed her, would be an inauthentic show of familial harmony. And Tammy didn't want to have to fake it at her own wedding.
Tammy opened the door and Beverly stepped out. She turned to Tammy and forced a smile. “Congratulations,” she said as she turned to walk away.
Tammy closed the door. She held the doorknob for a few seconds and debated whether or not she was wrong for not inviting her mother to her wedding. Was she actually feeling guilty?
Hell no!
Tammy pushed the thought out of her mind and went to join her family in the parlor.
CHAPTER 31
TRACY
With Jasmine on her hip, Tracy boarded Jack’s private plane. She kissed her amazingly beautiful goddaughter’s cheek.
“You ready to go, Jazzybelle?”
Jasmine smiled, placed her tiny hand on Tracy’s cheek, and sang, “Yaaaaas!”
“Oh, God. You are your mother’s child,” Tracy grumbled.
She entered the plane, waving at the pilot as she walked past the cockpit. Most of the women had already boarded. Katherine, Amy, Emily, Mia, Tammy, and Natasha were seated comfortably. She didn't see Victoria. However, she did see Rulenska, the pretty Russian, and a few other ladies from Tammy’s old job. Tammy also noticed that Mary, Tammy�
��s stepmom, was missing. But since she was already in Europe with Tammy’s dad, she assumed that Mary would meet them in Paris.
In order to prepare for Luca’s bachelor party, the men had left the night before. Since Jack had the larger plane, and the women and children outnumbered the guys, the men took Gianni and Luca’s plane.
Victoria stepped out of the main cabin just as Tracy was about to take her seat.
“After takeoff, the kids will stay in here with Mrs. Diaz,” she announced.
Mrs. Diaz was Jasmine and Jack Jr’s nanny.
“Oh, and Ma, if you get tired, you can sleep in here,” Victoria said, pointing toward the guest cabin.
Tracy looked over at Tammy. She was busy tucking David’s shirt. She hadn't greeted anyone, and she seemed to be keeping herself occupied with “busy” work.
“You okay?” Tracy asked her.
Tammy looked up with wide eyes, apparently surprised that she was being addressed.
“Me? You talkin to me?” she asked.
“Umm…yeah, you. What’s up with you?”
“Nothing. I’m good,” she said dismissively.
“No she ain't,” Natasha chimed. “She’s feeling some type of way about not inviting her mom to the wedding.”
“I feel just fine about that, thank you,” Tammy argued.
“Well, I don't blame you,” Victoria said, siding with Tammy. “Let’s get everyone locked in so we can take off. We got nine hours to talk about this shit.”
It took forty-five minutes, but they were finally prepared for takeoff. Tracy closed her eyes and completed the same prayer that she recited every time she was about to be airborne.
After a smooth takeoff, and once they’d reached the proper altitude, Victoria and Natasha got the kids settled in the main cabin, the flight attendants emerged, and cocktails were served. Five drinks in, and ten lies told, they were having a ball. It was a slumber party in the sky. Other than teleportation, flying private was the best way to travel.
****
Twelve hours later, the family was readying to board the elevator to the Eiffel Tower. It was late afternoon in Paris, and since their flying experience had been so pleasant, they were all well rested. Their luggage was being taken directly to Gianni and Natasha’s, so the family opted to go sightseeing.
Their large party, kids and all, boarded the giant elevators that would take them to the first level of the tower. After a bit of shopping, Tammy, who was severely afraid of heights, was being dragged to the elevator that would take them to the very top of the tower. Even though Tammy cried the entire time, Tracy managed to enjoy herself.
It wasn't her first trip to Paris, but it was her first family trip to Paris. It was then that Tracy realized that everyone who was present was family in some way. Everyone except for her and, well, Tammy. Since Tammy was marrying Luca, she would be a part of the Storm and Savelli family. Tracy couldn't see herself marrying anytime soon, so she would just have to be a Savelli by injection. Then it occurred to her that her unborn child would be a part of their family, even if she technically wasn't. It didn't matter. This was her family. Even more so now that she’d been disowned by her parents. Victoria was the only sister she’d ever known, and the fact that they shared no DNA wouldn’t change that.
After enjoying their trip to the Eiffel Tower, they piled into the vehicles waiting at the curb and headed to Natasha’s. Tracy had never been to Natasha and Gianni’s home, but she was told that it could rival any palace in Versailles—well, maybe except for the Palace of Versailles. She was assured that, like the Storm Estate, Chateau de Tempête could house the entire family, and then some.
It didn't take long to arrive, but when they did, the sight of their elaborate home took Tracy’s breath away. She could see the chateau from the mile long driveway.
“You, Gio, and Gianni live in this brick city?” Tracy asked Natasha.
“Well, because we work at the club, we mostly stay in the city. The staff gets to enjoy this house more than we do,” Natasha admitted. “But Gio loves it here. He can run around until he passes out.”
The car circled the driveway and pulled up to a line of the house staff. The door was opened. One by one they exited the vehicle. Gio, Jasmine, and David tore out of the car that they were riding in and made a beeline toward an older woman that was standing in front. Without taking turns, they attacked the woman with hugs.
“Wow!” Tracy gushed as she looked up at provincial architecture.
The sound of the children squealing caught Tracy’s attention. She was wondering who the woman was, and why the children were so happy to see her. But before Tracy could ask, Natasha whispered, “That’s Selene, Gianni’s personal assistant.”
Apparently, Natasha had the power to read minds.
“We call her the pied piper,” Victoria added. “She got them kids under her spell.”
“Naw, she just spoils the shit out of ‘em when we ain't looking,” Tammy chuckled.
“Y’all gonna lose ya kids in this museum,” Tracy muttered.
“I’m okay with that,” Vic said as she handed Jack Jr. over to Mrs. Diaz. “You okay with that?” she asked Natasha and Tammy.
“Yep,” they agree in unison.
“Besides,” Tammy said. “I got a plan, and to pull it off, I’m gonna need your help.”
Tammy’s conspiratorial manner was making Tracy a bit nervous. She didn't even want to know what foolishness her friend had planned.
LUCA
For what was probably the hundredth time that night, Luca looked around the room. La Tempête Rouge was hardly recognizable. Gianni had transformed their nightclub into a gentlemen’s club. Amazingly, Gianni had installed poles throughout the club and replaced the stage front tables and chairs with plush, leather armchairs. Dinner was prepared and delivered from La Tempête and served by beautiful, topless French women, one of which was sitting on his lap.
Luca puffed the Cuban cigar gifted to him by Frances and listened to soft American jazz. Since Gianni had closed the club to the public, Luca was uncharacteristically at ease. With just his family and a few of his soldiers present, he was able to let down his guard and enjoy his night.
“Are you and Tracy next?” Jack asked Francis.
“Next to do what?” Francis scoffed. “The woman won't even commit to being my girlfriend.”
Luca chuckled. It was obvious that Tracy and Francis were already in a committed relationship. He found it amusing that neither one of them knew it, but he was sure that they would get it together soon. To Luca, Francis was a father, brother, cousin, and best friend, and he wished him nothing less than the happiness he was awarded the day Tammy had agreed to be his wife.
“But you're having a baby,” Gianni commented.
“And that means what? Gianni, Tracy is one of those independent American women. They don't need a man to have a baby.” Francis’ use of air quotes, and the deep frown on his face showed them exactly how he felt about independent American women.
Luca shifted the thin woman on his lap. He had become accustomed to a woman with a bit more meat. The skinny woman was crushing his cock.
“All you have to do is hit her over the head with your club, grab her by the hair, and drag her into your cave,” Jack joked.
“Make fun all you want,” Francis retorted. “But look at your independent American woman. Every man here agrees that Victoria should have been flogged a long time ago.”
Laughter erupted from everyone but Jack. Even Paolo and Lorenzo nodded in agreement.
“Don't talk about my wife,” Jack warned.
“I’m just saying, Jack, the woman doesn't have a submissive bone in her body,” Gianni pointed out.
“And Natasha does? There’s really no difference between your wife and mine. Yes, Victoria will argue, and Natasha won't. But in the end, they both do whatever the hell they want.”
“This is true,” Luca chuckled.
Gianni frowned when Francis laughed and nodded in agre
ement.
“At least my wife knows how to fake it,” he muttered.
Luca could see that Gianni was having a hard time holding back his own laughter. Truthfully, none of their women could be described as submissive, especially his. When Tammy got angry, her foul language could make a sailor cry. The very thought of the feisty woman that was to be his wife made Luca smile.
The lights dimmed, and the volume of the music increased, interrupting Luca’s thoughts of Tammy. A spotlight aimed at the main stage caught Luca’s attention. He waited, wondering what type of show Gianni had planned, but when he looked over at his cousin, confusion was etched on his face.
Luca sipped his cognac and puffed his cigar. The change in music seemed to motivate the woman on his lap. She began circling her hips and gyrating her bony ass on Luca’s uninspired cock. Gianni had placed her on his lap and instructed the woman to stay put. Before Tammy, Luca would have enjoyed having a naked woman grinding against his cock. But now, she might as well had been a book sitting in his lap. That was how aroused he was at that moment. But who was he to mess with tradition? So he went along.
“What the fuck!?” The sound of Gianni’s angry voice, booming over the music, caused Luca to look up.
“Is that my mom?!” Jack yelled.
CHAPTER 32
TAMMY
When Tammy heard the hail of expletives coming from their audience, she was starting to regret her chosen form of revenge. Then she remembered how Luca had interfered with her bachelorette party by banning the men that were hired to entertain, so she continued with her quest.
Tammy danced around the pole. She and the rest of the ladies were covered from head to toe, albeit in cat suits and such, but covered nonetheless. After all, they weren't suicidal. To Tammy’s surprise, Luca hadn't even looked up. He was too preoccupied with the naked lady riding his dick. It was when Gianni started cursing, and Jack yelled something about his mom, did Luca finally look up.
When Luca’s eyes landed on Tammy, he flew out of his seat. Apparently, he had forgotten about the naked woman on his lap because when he jumped up, she flew at least five feet in the air until she hit the floor—hard.
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