Fine in Lingerie

by Penelope Sky

  Crow stared at me with the same expression, not reacting to the affectionate way Vanessa greeted me when she came home. His eyes were still on me, like he didn’t care about his daughter at all.

  I was the only thing that mattered.

  “Just one drink.”

  We returned to the bar we’d visited the previous week. We ordered the exact same thing. Scotch—neat. The bar was busier than it was last time since it was closer to the evening, but we got a booth in the corner—away from unfriendly ears.

  Like every other time we interacted, it was tense in the beginning. Neither one of us was certain where to start since we started over so many times. It didn’t matter what words were exchanged, it didn’t change the context of our situation.

  Crow swirled his drink before he brought it to his lips. “What happened to your face?”

  My left cheek was still red and puffy from where Vanessa had slapped me a few hours ago. I considered telling him the truth, to teach him a lesson about asking questions. But I figured that would scar him, so I kept it to myself. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

  Crow didn’t press it. “Pearl wanted me to tell you she says hello.”

  I stared at him and enjoyed my drink. I was beginning to realize that being with Vanessa meant I would have to be with her parents too. These people would never disappear. Crow would constantly try to connect with me, whether he was doing it for himself or Vanessa. This would be an uphill battle, and the more I fought it, the more it would grow.

  “How are you?” Crow Barsetti wasn’t much of a talker, but he forced a conversation with me anyway.

  “Never better.” I woke up to Vanessa beside me every morning. I went to bed with her there too. There was nothing else I needed. “What about you?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve been better.”

  “What’s got you down?” I blurted the question out before I could stop myself. His family was safe, so there was nothing that could be keeping him down.

  “There’s something I need to talk to you about, but I hope you understand it’s separate from the relationship I’m trying to establish with you.”

  I cocked an eyebrow.

  “I don’t want to ask you for anything. You’ve done enough for my family. But you’re the best person to turn to, and since it involves the safety of my family, I can’t keep you out of it.”

  I set the glass on the table and leaned forward, the blood pounding in my ears. “I’m listening.”

  “I need your help with the Skull Kings.”

  The Skull Kings were a group of thugs that made their fortune in lots of ways. They kept their power because of their unpredictability. Even their most loyal followers could be cut down without notice. Equally emotional and logical, they balanced on the edge of a knife. They weren’t the best men to do business with because you had no idea how they would feel the following morning. “What about them?”

  “They’re the ones that ordered the hit on Conway.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “It’s been quiet on the front for the last month,” Crow said. “But I don’t think it’s going to stay that way forever. I need to shut down hostilities before they grow again. My son is finally back on his feet, and I don’t want another war to break out. All my family wants is peace.”

  “And what does this have to do with me?” I’d already saved Conway once. Now my only concern was the woman waiting in my apartment.

  “I know you have a relationship with the Skull Kings.”

  “Every criminal does.”

  “Is yours any different?” he asked, his head cocked to the side. “Is there any information you can give me that might help? Should I approach them head on? Should I do nothing? I have no idea what move to make.”

  I’d visited the Underground for entertainment. I’d never bought a woman, but I liked the drinks from the bar and the connections with the other men who participated in the bidding. I had a relationship with Tony, one of the main Skull Kings. They’d commissioned me for work in the past. “I know them well enough. They’ve hired me to take out a few of their enemies.”

  “Good to know.” He drank from his scotch. “If I have to hit them hard, I will. If I have to round up as many men as I can find and hit them when they aren’t expecting it, I will. But the last thing I want is a war. I don’t want bloodshed. All I want is peace. If there’s a way to establish that, I’d prefer that.”

  “You know the Skull Kings aren’t big on peace.”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “My guess is they figured out what Conway was doing with the slaves.” The Skull Kings cared about money above all things. The fact that Conway was making a bigger profit off their hard work must have infuriated them. “On top of that, it may have pissed off their buyers. These women were taken for revenge, but then the revenge never took place. If you meet with the Skull Kings and offer to make up the difference that Conway profited, that would be a strong way to start the meeting. But for that second part…I’m not sure how you can make amends for that.”

  “Neither can I.” Now that we were deep in conversation, Crow turned bitter and sour. The stress etched into his features as he thought of the situation in front of him, the problem looking him right in the face. None of this was his fault, especially since Conway was a grown man, but he loved his son too much not to be involved. He had to protect his family as the patriarch. “Fuck, I don’t know how to handle this.” He rubbed his hand along his jaw, his eyes dark with sorrow.

  It was one of those moments that made me like Crow again, the way he sacrificed anything for his family. His worry came from love, the overwhelming devotion he had to his family. His love for Vanessa was the reason he got rid of me. He got his hands dirty when he didn’t want to because his family was more important than his discomfort. It reminded me of myself. I was determined to take down my mother’s killer at any cost—even though she was already dead and gone. That didn’t stop me—and it wouldn’t stop Crow.

  “Do you think it’s possible for you to get a meeting with them?”

  “I can ask. But I don’t know if I’ll be successful. As far as I know, they have no idea how we’re connected. I’m very private about my personal life, so they may not know I’m seeing Vanessa at all.”

  “I hope they don’t.”

  “If they ask, we should say we’ve done business together.”

  “Agreed,” he said quickly. “Now comes my next question…are you willing to do that?”

  The Skull Kings were known for being erratic. I had no idea how they would react once I broached the subject. I was getting tangled up in a potential mess, a mess that wasn’t my problem. But when I pictured Vanessa as my wife, wearing my ring on her hand every single day for the rest of her life, I knew her family would always be my problem. I would have to protect every member of her family for the rest of my life.

  But it was a price I was willing to pay—for her.

  “You know my answer, Crow.” I stared at him head on, my hand gripping my glass. “My love for your daughter has made me loyal to your family. I will spill my own blood for a Barsetti—every time.”

  He tilted his head down, severing eye contact. He swallowed the lump in his throat before he drank from his glass. “I was so fucking wrong about you.” He lifted his gaze again to look at me. He rubbed his hand along the back of his head, his eyes hardening in frustration. “So damn wrong.”

  Crow left without saying goodbye to Vanessa, and I walked into the house to smell burned dinner.

  There was smoke in the kitchen, and she had the windows open to air it out.

  I kicked off my shoes and pulled my shirt over my head. “Need help?”

  “No.” She placed the pans in the sink then soaked them. There was no food inside, so I assumed she’d already dumped it into the garbage can. “Unless you want to pick the place we’re going to order from.”

  I didn’t tease her for her inability to prepare a meal. It was the one thing she wasn’t go
od at. But if you put a gun in her hand, she could hit her target with perfect aim. I walked into the kitchen, came up behind her, and pressed a kiss to her neck. “How about I take you out?”

  She turned off the water and looked at me over her shoulder. “As nice as that sounds, I prefer to stay in.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we can have sex on the dining table in the middle of dinner.”

  I pressed another kiss to her ear. “Very true, baby. You’ve convinced me.”

  She turned around and arched her back against the sink while the swell of her tits rubbed against my bare chest. Her wet fingers moved up my shoulders, and she tilted her chin up to look at me loom over her. “How’d it go?” Despite how much pain this situation caused her, she continued to seem indifferent about it, doing her best not to put any pressure on me. But the desperation was deep in her eyes, the undying hope.

  “Fine.” My hands gripped her slender waistline, and my thumbs dug into her stomach. Whenever I looked at this beautiful woman, all I wanted was to make her happy. She was my woman, and that never felt more real than when she was in my arms, my hands right over her ribs.

  “Just fine?” she whispered.

  “I didn’t shoot him.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and she gave me a playful slap on the arm. “Don’t say things like that.”

  I rubbed my nose against hers, apologetic for the crass thing I’d just said. “We just talked. Even when we spend hours together, when I walk away, I feel like nothing was accomplished. The man and I are just too different.”

  “You’re exactly the same,” she whispered. “Identical.”

  I tilted my head as I looked at her, seeing the sadness in her eyes.

  “Why do you think I love you so much?” She moved her arms around my neck and pressed her face closer to mine. “My father is very stubborn, just like you. He wouldn’t be making this effort if I asked him to. Even if my mother asked him, he still wouldn’t do it. He’s doing this because it’s what he wants. So the next time he tries to talk with you, keep that in mind. The man is on your side. He’s loyal to you forever. You have someone who’s willing to be rejected and insulted over and over again just to have a drink with you.” She gave me a simple kiss, her eyes still wide and on mine. “I get that you’re angry…but just remember you have someone who cares about you.”

  “Cares—”

  “Yes.” She gave me a fiery look, refusing to let me override her. “He cares about you very much.”

  I didn’t tell Vanessa what Crow and I discussed. It seemed like something that would only upset her. She was calm in the most stressful situations, but I wanted to let her believe peace continued to reign in our lives.

  So when she was at work, I drove to Florence and approached the Barsetti manor, the three-story mansion that overlooked the acres of land that had been in their family for generations. Ivy grew up the walls, and olive trees surrounded the property, bearing fruit.

  I knocked on the front door, feeling strange standing on the doorstep without Vanessa. When I was here a few days ago, I marched out and drove home without eating the meal they prepared for me. This house pricked at my anger, made me feel resentment and rage. While Vanessa and Conway grew up in a mansion with a butler, my mother and I were just trying to survive.

  I knew I shouldn’t blame the Barsettis for that. My father wasn’t a good man, and he got what was coming to him. If he thought he could rape Crow’s wife and get away with it, he was mistaken. I admired Pearl for killing him herself. After what she’d been through, she deserved the honor.

  But my mother and I were innocent bystanders. We didn’t deserve to be homeless because of his sins. She and I were good people. Good people didn’t deserve what we’d been through.

  Sapphire answered, her stomach even bigger than it was the last time I saw her. “Hey, Griffin.” She turned her stomach to the side so she could move into my chest and hug me.

  It was strange to hug a woman besides Vanessa, so I patted her on the back and waited for her to move out of the way. She was the same height as Vanessa, petite despite the weight she carried from her pregnancy.

  She stepped away, still smiling. “Please come in.”

  I stepped inside, feeling anxious the second I walked into the home of the Barsettis.

  She turned to me, her hand resting on her stomach. “They’re in the dining room.”

  “You doing okay?” I asked, looking at her stomach.

  “I’m a little uncomfortable,” she said with a laugh. “My fingers are so swollen I can’t wear my wedding ring anymore. But any day now, our little one will be here.”

  “You don’t know if it’s a boy or girl?”

  “Conway and I decided to be surprised.”

  That was the extent of the conversation I could offer. The only other Barsetti I was genuinely comfortable around was Carmen, but it was unlikely she would be there. She reminded me of Vanessa in a lot of ways. She was fiery, sassy, and candid. There was no bullshit when it came to her.

  After an awkward pause, Sapphire guided me to the dining room.

  Not that I didn’t know exactly where it was. “Thanks.”

  I stepped inside, seeing Crow sitting beside his wife next to the windows. Cane was across from him, along with Conway. The last time I was here, I stormed off and made a scene. The time before that, I had a loaded shotgun pointed at my chest from five feet away. This place was like a prison cell to me.

  Crow’s eyes darted to mine the second I entered the room. “Griffin, thanks for coming.” He rose to his feet instantly and came around the table to shake my hand. He moved quickly, not wanting me to wait a second longer than necessary. His grip was firm, and he gave me the respect of eye contact. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Just a glass of scotch.”

  “Already waiting for you.” He nodded and stepped aside so Pearl could move in next.

  She hugged me, her cheek pressing against my chest as she wrapped her arms around my torso.

  I felt uncomfortable touching her, especially after what my father did to her. It seemed innately wrong that we were this close together, but I didn’t detect a hint of unease from her. Her touch was maternal and loving, the same kind of affection she gave to her children. “Thank you for coming, Griffin. We’re all very grateful you’re here.” When she pulled away, she gave me an affectionate look with her eyes. I was the subject of her endearing expression, and she gave me that same look she gave to Conway sometimes, like she was proud of me.

  Pearl reminded me of Vanessa, but she also reminded me of my mother in some ways. The soft sound of her voice was similar to my mother’s. Sometimes the memory of my mother’s features faded, but I never forgot the sound of her voice. They were also both strong women, both victims of my father’s cruelty. But neither woman had ever succumbed to his brutality. They never stopped fighting. They never gave up. I respected her in a way I didn’t respect Crow and Cane. There was definitely a soft spot for her in my heart. “Thank you, Mrs. Barsetti.” I never addressed Crow by anything other than his first name—because he didn’t deserve my respect. Pearl was different.

  Like she understood the significance of my words, she smiled. “How’s my daughter?”

  “Good,” I answered. “She’s at the gallery today.”

  She patted my arm before she stepped away.

  Conway came next, looking nearly as good as new. The bruising was gone from his face, revealing handsome features that were clearly visible. With a hard jaw like his father’s and masculine cheekbones, he possessed the distinct appearance of a Barsetti. He regarded me with kindness and shook my hand. “Hey, man. How are you?”

  “Good. You?”

  “Never better. Ribs are pretty much back to normal, and my wife is about to start our family. With the exception of the context of our conversation, life has treated me well.” He stood close to me, speaking to me like I was a friend rather than some unfortunate acquaintance. “I’ve been to your apart
ment in Florence. It’s nice. The second I saw it, I thought it was perfect for my sister.”

  “That’s why I bought it.” The Barsettis were going out of their way to make me feel comfortable. It was an interesting experience after they’d been so cold to me. But I appreciated the gesture because everything seemed genuine. “We’ll be moving to the countryside soon. It’s too cramped for someone like me.”

  “Yeah,” he said with a chuckle. “I can imagine.” When he moved out of the way, Cane came next.

  Cane and I had never had a positive experience. He didn’t visit me in the hospital room. He’d been even more vicious to me than his brother. I saw the stark differences between the two brothers. While Crow was pragmatic most of the time, Cane was passionate and emotional. He could be impulsive, making rash decisions in the blink of an eye. He sighed before he extended his hand to shake mine. “I know this is long overdue…but I’m a bit of an asshole.”

  I didn’t take his hand. “I’ve noticed.”

  His nostrils flared in annoyance when I didn’t reciprocate. “I know I was a jackass to you before. It’s just hard for me to trust people.”

  “Same here.” These people expected me to forgive them for what they did, to trust them when they never trusted me. I didn’t want them to forget that.

  It was a testament to Cane’s sincerity when he didn’t blow up. “I can’t think straight when it comes to my daughter. My son is a powerful man who can hold his own, but my daughter…she’s my little girl. I know I shouldn’t have made a big scene when you spoke to her, but I couldn’t help it. If I could lock her up in a nunnery, I would. When you’re a father, you’ll understand.”

  I’d spent some time with Carmen, and she certainly wasn’t a damsel in distress. “Carmen is a strong woman like Vanessa. She’s not naïve. She’s highly intuitive and instinctive. You don’t need to worry about her all the time. She can handle herself.”