by Sammy Sutton
Antonio walked in, pulling the .738 out of the back of his jeans. He sat it on the bed table. Amanda watched him, with a gun he did not seem the same man. He was comfortable with it, not a novice.
She was not sure, if this was a turn-on, or a turn-off. Unable to surmise the difference right now, she watched him take his shirt off and remove his boots.
Amanda was stuck in a trance, unsure of what to make of anything. Now, stronger than ever to her, a certain command possessed him, it was not completely different, yet noticeable. She had failed to notice his strength. This presence surrounded him. She wanted to remain silent, but not from fear, she was in awe of him right now.
He came to her and gripped her shoulders, not from anger, and not hurting her. He took charge. His eyes fixed on hers.
“Amanda, you will never attempt to protect me again. You’ll never fail to tell me about any fear again. Do you understand?”
She nodded. He let go of her, turned away, and removed his jeans.
Amanda was still stuck. Entranced, she watched him. She thought this was his normal behavior, the part she first recognized in Vegas. Suppose he had let this defense down with her, he brought it back to protect her, and King Solomon’s ‘13’.
He came back to where she stood.
Deliberately, he used his hands to arch her head back and kissed her throat. He was neither rough, nor a mad animal. His mouth made love to the soft place at the bottom of her throat, and moved lower, repeating his attention in the valley between her breasts.
Amanda arched farther back and offered more of her body to him. His shirt hung from her shoulders, opened to her belly button. It made her weak at the knees. Supporting her back with his one arm, his kisses ceased.
His hands and fingers touched her, as his strong presence stood as a beacon. Soft touches electrified her senses. The two sides of him merged suddenly. He was sure, she was sure of him. He continued to stare at her, touching her, he wanted her to react to him.
Antonio stared at her with his dark eyes, and held her back. Fingers touched her body, exposed through the opening of the shirt. He was in complete control of his emotional self. Slipping, her thigh traveled between his legs. His hardness pressed against her upper thigh, his mouth made love to her chest again. The rake of his teeth against her skin felt erotic. Forced, he held more of her weight.
It was different, the determination, the confidence. This was the new standard, at least until the installment and control of King Solomon’s ‘13’ was complete. She knew it. How she knew it did not matter. Somewhere inside of him, a bell had gone off. He was in charge, not as her warden, but they would not be reckless in the future.
He watched her fold in front of him. Damn it, he needed that right now. They were officially in dangers path, whoever was onto to them had targeted her to get to him.
Her daredevil streak scared the hell out of him right now. He didn’t want to break that spirit about her, but he had to reel it in somehow. She would have to find other outlets.
Pressed against her, he brought her upright, grabbed her panties, and pulled them off her, unlike the slow, sweet seduction of all the other times.
He loved it when she wore his shirts. A hand slid underneath it and he gripped both sides of her waist. Her body held firm against his. His face was close to hers, she felt his breath.
“Amanda I’m in charge now. You will listen to me, no matter what. You have to trust me completely.” His tone was unquestionable.
“It’s all about trust now. You must hear me. I know you’ve never trusted a man, you have to trust me now.” She stared at him, not blinking or arguing, only staring.
His voice did not soften. In fact, it grew stronger.
“They intend to take you away from me. That much is clear. You have to let me take charge. You have to let me take care of you.” He wasn’t sure he was getting through to her.
“Amanda, you need to make me believe you’re going to let me take charge. You need to let me know you’re going to trust me. You have to do it now, and I have to believe you.” He was frustrated.
“Antonio, I swear to you. I trust you completely. I will not promise to behave. I will not promise that if you make me, I will choose myself over you.”
“Damn it, Amanda. That’s what they’re banking on. You have to let me take charge.”
She wiggled out of his grip and separated herself from him.
“I will not, because of the choices you could make. If I said yes, I would be lying to you.” She was angry now.
“I won’t take you to Miami then.” He wasn’t backing down. The stakes were too high now. He persisted, yet she came right back at him.
“Fine, if my being there will put you in more danger, I will happily stay. I will stay right here. Ruger, Maria, and Joe will all be here. At least I will be safe.”
“I won’t go either then,” he yelled.
“That was predictable.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“You have been trying to flake out on Miami all this time.” She goaded him on purpose.
“Amanda, that’s not true.”
“Yes, it is the truth.”
“Amanda, you made me want to go.”
“"Made you? I have never made you do anything. I just suggested it was time to lay the past to rest, and you agreed. Now it seems you have changed your mind."
“Amanda, that’s not fair.” He was on fire.
“Listen, Antonio. I spent years trapped with the threats of danger. The trade-off is not worth it. I want freedom more… for you and me.”
“I can keep you safe, Amanda.” He was still yelling, thankfully, she knew it was not at her.
“Antonio, we have to do the best we can to stay a step ahead. I will not let you promise me, or yourself nothing is going to happen. That is not honest. We cannot trust each other, if we are not honest. Without that, we have no truth.”
“Amanda I can’t live if something happens to you.”
“Don’t.”
He thought she was deranged.
“Nothing is going to happen to me that will leave you alone.”
“Amanda, how can you say that?”
“I believe it completely, it is not in the cards.”
“What?”
“Antonio, do you think we are smart?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you believe we have a job to do with the Scrolls and King Solomon’s ‘13’?”
“Yes.”
“The other day you said the Scrolls were connected to me, and had brought you to me.”
“Yes.”
“Do you still believe that to be true?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe only some of it, but not all of it?”
“I believe in all of it. Right here.” He put his hand on his solar plexus.
“If we are smart, and we use what we have, and use it in harmony, we will be fine. I do not deny we are going to have to jump through some difficult hoops. We must continue to feel what is right, or wrong, in each moment.
If we try to make sense of it in our heads, we are dead.” She walked over to him, took his hand and placed it on her solar plexus, her other hand against his.
“Antonio, you are right about trust being most important. You know I trust you. You are questioning your own trust of the Divine, and God. Right here, where I’m touching you, is where you know.” She dropped his hand and moved away from him. Her voice rose.
“Figure it out, you thick-headed man. This is how we will go to Miami, safer and smarter. After that, you are more than welcome to manhandle me, because I liked it.” She went out of the room.
“Amanda, where are you going?” She turned around.
“You see, there is this man, he and I have a thing going. Each evening he brings me a bottle of wine without glasses, and we take a few drinks. Sometimes, we drink it all. Sometimes, we do not.
You see, it does not matter. We are free to do it, because we li
ke it. Anyway, he must have forgotten, so tonight I am going to bring it to him." She left.
Antonio rubbed his head again. Damn, she always did this to him. She was the reckless one. How did it always come out the other way around?
He thought. Wait, she knows she’s reckless, she also knows I’m not as reckless as she is. Outsmart them, because we are not staying home.
He rang Ruger.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Be right there, Antonio.”
Down in the kitchen, Amanda was busy screwing-up the cork of a wine bottle. He took the bottle from her by the neck, and opened it. Throwing back a drink, he handed the bottle back to her.
“Amanda, you’re not entirely dressed. Go upstairs and wait for me. Ruger is coming and I need to talk to him.” He was back to being direct.
She took the bottle and went to wait on him.
The box. She had almost forgotten. She went to the closet and grabbed the box she had hidden. Spotting the garment bag with his tuxedo for the party, she tucked the little box in one of the pockets. Aaron’s blessing, an appropriate token for the circumstances he faced in Miami.
Chapter 40
"Do not assume that she who seeks to comfort you now, lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. Her life may also have much sadness and difficulty that remains far beyond yours. Were it otherwise, she would never have been able to find these words."
-- Rainer Maria Rilke
“Amanda, what is a Monatomic State?”
“It is equal to the male combined with the female, in a third state.”
It was afternoon, and tomorrow they would catch a plane to Miami. Finishing this document proved a huge feat, but the paper’s end was in sight. Their purpose to establish King Solomon’s credibility was only a small piece of the journey that spread before them.
With the office full of work clutter, Antonio attempted to put away the previously used materials.
His phone rang.
“José.”
“Good, I understand… I remembered Rosie’s fiesta de quince is in a couple of days…”
“You should give that your attention… José, we’re fine, Ruger is going to stay in the guest house.”
“José, I’ll talk to you after you’re finished with Rosie’s party… Give her my love.”
“I know I should be there, but Pop...I don’t think…José he doesn’t want to see me.”
“He would call if he did.”
“José, have a great time.”
He hung up. Amanda wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Amanda, I didn’t see you.”
“That had to be a strange call, knowing we are leaving in the morning to see him. All the while, he’s harboring a secret irritation because he thinks you won’t be at Rosie’s party.”
“Yep, I almost felt guilty.”
“I am so excited for you, Antonio, I’m about to bust.”
“As long as you are with me, I’ll do it. I’m not sure what I would do if you weren’t going with me.”
“I am, so it doesn’t matter. What is Maria doing in the guest house?”
“Getting it ready for Ruger, and anyone else this project draws in for an overnighter.”
He glanced at her. She was in a short cotton skirt with grey horizontal zebra-stripes, and a long shirt in matching gray. Her legs down to her feet were all bare. It was a nice switch from her normal hobo-style of comfy clothes. They had work to do here, yet still, he messed with her for a minute. Picking her up, he sat her on his desk.
“Amanda, they are going to love you.”
“Antonio, it’s not about me, I’m the back ground this time.” Leaned over, she kissed him. He began to get nervous, she reassured him. “Antonio, listen to me. I am telling you the truth. No matter what happens we are together, I will be there for you.”
“Amanda...”
“I’m not finished talking. You are a strong successful man with no reason for shame from your family, including your father. No one has a reason to punish you. I am not sure it is necessary that you apologize for anything. You have done what you left to do, fifteen years ago.” His kisses covered her face.
“Your Pop will see a man stand where a boy once stood. For a moment, his aching heart will welcome pride. He will see that the man is everything, and more than a father would ever want in a son.
Now they both shared misty eyes. “Your father will see a strong, masculine man - beautiful outside, and more beautiful inside. He will think, this man is a stranger to me, until he touches you and realizes, he will say, ‘You fool, this man is your son, the son I loved to the point it hurt…it hurt a lot of people. Today, I am given a second chance with my son’.”
She took a breath.
“He will want that second chance, Antonio, I promise.” He buried his face in her chest. “You know what hurts me?”
“What, Sohu?”
“I will never make you a father.”
“I made all of my own choices earlier in life. I’m happy with you, and it’s better than having a kid I never see because I didn’t love his mother enough to be his dad.”
Chapter 41
“You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time.”
— Pat Schroeder
Antonio stood and watched Amanda; she was awed by the beauty of the Art Deco architecture that lined Ocean Drive in front of the Savoy Hotel. From the shining chrome trim around the Savoy's overhang, to the waves and straight lines that added a touch of classic elegance to its front view, the lovely old hotel carried on the tradition of elegance from the past.
“Amanda, you’re in the Art Deco capital of the world, South Beach.”
“I love Art Deco...” She was amazed.
“Right here is the world’s largest collection of streamlined modern architecture.”
“Really, in Miami?”
“South Beach.”
“Wow, I did not know that.”
Antonio had canceled all of their previous reservations. They changed everything at the last minute. There was a man on them constantly, and it wasn’t always the same one. Caution was important, especially after the intruder incident at the estate.
They had scheduled a later flight. Instead, they rushed to an earlier one. Antonio switched hotels. He claimed that they would, at least, stay at a hotel Amanda would love. It wasn’t his first choice, but it qualified as unpredictable.
With stalkers on their tail, Antonio declared they would make a habit of being erratic.
Now, they were on Ocean Drive in South Beach, trendy with a capital T.
“Antonio, I cannot fathom growing up in this place.”
“It’s changed a lot since I left. Actually, I haven’t lived here since about 1981. This was a retirement area, with some poor crime-ridden sections.”
“I see. I have stayed on the Biscayne side.”
“You’re in for a real treat.”
“I love Miami, except for the humidity. It leaves me unable to breathe for 24 hours after I get here.”
“The humidity even bothers me, after living so long in New Mexico.”
“Amanda, not far from here, is a restaurant with one of the best chefs in the world, the Ola. I’m taking you there tonight. They use top quality food. I’m sure it’s chemical and hormone free. Okay? Trust me.”
“I trust you.”
“If you eat there, afterwards, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
“Is that a bribe?”
“You bet.”
The Savoy was a time tunnel that walked you back into the 1920’s, when things were good. Antonio was right. It was a splendid example of Art Deco design with a strong European influence. The lobby furniture possessed true style from the era, with the use of black, white, and beige. The designs had clean straight lines. The atmosphere emanated a happy and uncomplicated time. It was Zen style, with flair.
Antonio had secured a suite with an ocean vie
w. As they stood side by side gazing down over the rear of the hotel, the pristine blue of the water was accented perfectly by a strip of pure white sand.
Amanda spotted the pool, "Antonio, even the pool is a work of art.”
“It’s spectacular. Not exactly a lap pool, but a nice freeform design.”
The bed was all fluffy, with layers upon layers of white cotton linens. Nice terracotta tile floors, another glimpse into the past...
Amanda stood on the balcony and surveyed the surroundings, as Antonio left to answer the phone. She heard him say; "I'll be right down."
“What is it, Antonio?”
“You’ll see. I’ll be right back.”
Antonio walked down to meet the guy Ruger had assigned to deliver the pistol. Ruger had them put the pistol in the bottom of a sack full of damn organic yogurt. The guy passed Antonio the bag.
“Hey man, thanks.”
“You bet.”
Amanda was busy, arranging her things when Antonio returned with the yogurt.
“Here, catch this.” He threw her a container of yogurt, before putting the rest in the fridge. The pistol was at the bottom of the brown bag. With the bag crunched up around the pistol and Amanda busy eating yogurt, he went into the bathroom to hide the pistol. She started to talk to him from the other room.
“Antonio, you are so sweet to be concerned about my yogurt. I cannot imagine how you thought to have it delivered right when we got here.”
“Antonio, please come here.”
Her face flushed from her obvious embarrassment over a question she wanted to ask.
“I despise sounding precocious, but it seems I will anyway. Do you have any clout around this town?”
“Amanda, I’m shocked. This is way out of character. Why in the world would you be interested in such a superficial social element? A concept that is responsible for defiling human relationships everywhere.” It was hard not to laugh. Anxious, he waited for her reason.
“I wanted you to take me to a popular spot in South Beach. It is next to impossible to gain entry unless you are...”
“Are you going to finish?” She shook her head no.
He continued the game. “Let me see, Amanda. Oh, wait. I can’t answer. You haven’t given me the name of this Social Hot Spot.” His tone intentionally radiated with a dramatic sarcasm.
