“Details can’t be released this early in the investigation. We are looking into a possible connection between this pair of homicides and that of George Fratelli, but nothing has been confirmed. As soon as we know more a statement will be released to the media,” Flynn said.
Even though the Philly Mob has been believed to be all but extinct, these recent homicides and the pending investigations will determine whether this belief is still valid.
The article was brief, but contained all the information my imagination needed. Had Fratelli not been mentioned I would have thought the story interesting, but that’s it. I thought back to the morning when I heard the news report about “The Stump’s” murder. I had immediately thought of Grant, but laughed the notion off. Did the work that Grant and Dominic had to do for Marco last night have anything to do with these new murders or was it just coincidence?
“Ma’am, are you going to pay for that too?” The cashier asked. I hadn’t been paying attention and was holding up the line.
“No, just the soda.” I put the newspaper back and chastised myself for being ridiculous and knew that Grant and Dominic had something legitimate to do last night. They certainly weren’t out murdering people.
Chelsea was sitting on the futon sketching on her large pad. She looked up when I walked in and waved then went back to drawing. I dropped my bag on the floor and went to sit next to her. She was focused on her work and I leaned over for a peek. She had sketched out a willowy figure that was clothed in an elegant evening gown.
“That’s beautiful,” I commented.
“It’s for my final project; I have to design a whole line. I’m going for evening wear.”
“You’ll rock it!”
“Thanks! Are you working tonight?”
“Yeah, Dom’s picking me up at like quarter of eight.”
“He’ll probably take you somewhere fabulous after work. You better watch out you’re going to get spoiled!” She teased.
I laughed and stood up. Chelsea wasn’t the only one who needed to do some homework. I picked up my bag and headed to my room. The desk was a total mess so I opted for the bed instead. The 400-level Art History course I was taking needed some serious attention. I had a paper due on Monday and that only left three days. I flipped open my laptop and started typing based on the outline and notes I had already pulled together. After working for over an hour straight, I welcomed the distraction when my cell rang, even though it was my mom calling.
“Hi Mom.”
“Natalie. How are you?”
“Good…busy, but really well.”
“Is that why you haven’t returned my calls?” Guilt washed over me. I had been avoiding my mom. I didn’t know how to tell her I was seeing someone.
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Grant says you have a boyfriend – is this true?”
There it was, the very reason I didn’t want to tell her. On the surface it was all accusation with an undertone of betrayal. Thanks Grant, thanks a lot.
“Yes, that’s true. His name is Dominic, we work together.”
“Has he cheated on you yet?”
A knot began to form in my stomach and I sniffed back tears. Why did she have to say such cruel things to me?
“No and he won’t. He adores me.”
“I thought your father adored me, all the way up until he walked out on us.”
“Mom will you just stop it! Believe it or not normal, healthy relationships do exist!”
“I thought you learned from Toby.”
“Did Grant tell you he has a girlfriend?” Silence.
Disgusted, I hung up the phone without saying goodbye and dropped it like it was radioactive. I wasn’t in the mood for her head games, not that I ever was. Angry tears rolled down my cheeks and I brushed them aside. My focus was gone so I packed up my laptop and got ready for work.
Grant smirked when he saw me. “Did Mom call you?”
“Yes she did, asshole. She can’t wait to meet your girlfriend.” Walking away I could hear him cursing under his breath. This put a smile on my face.
“Hi beautiful!” Dominic called to me. I made my way over to his bar and he met me halfway. “I missed you.” He kissed my ear and then my lips. I practically disappeared in his embrace. He stepped back and reached into his pocket.
“I got you something to make up for last night.” He pulled out a small present, wrapped in silver paper and handed it to me.
“What did you get?”
“Open it and find out.” His green eyes sparkled.
I ripped the wrapping paper off before he even finished. I opened the white box and gasped. Inside a diamond solitaire stud sparkled.
“Dominic! You shouldn’t have!”
“It’s a navel ring.”
“Is it a real diamond?”
“Of course it is - nothing but the best for my girl.”
“Thank you.” I fell against him, wrapping my arms around his waist. His lips grazed the top of my head.
I squeezed him once more before I reached for his hand and pulled him with me into a dark alcove.
“What are you doing?”
I lifted up my shirt to reveal the silver stud in my bellybutton. “Do you want to put it on?”
Dominic’s Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed hard. Licking his lips, he knelt down in front of me. His fingers brushed against my stomach, tickling me and causing me to giggle.
“Hold still.” Dominic said, grabbing my hips.
Biting my lower lip, I kept the laughter in check while he finished. Suddenly, I felt his hands move up underneath my skirt. Cupping my ass, he pulled me towards him covering my belly with soft kisses. Groaning, he released me and stood up.
“You have no idea what you do to me, woman. That was the sexiest thing ever.”
“Looks good,” I said while studying my new naval ring.
“Looks better than good. I’m going to cover you in diamonds.”
“Dom, no, I’m not worth it.” His eyes grew dark when I said this, resembling Marco’s glare. Shocked, I took a step back.
“Yes you are. Every diamond in the world doesn’t add up to your worth.” His eyes softened and he pulled me into his chest. Tears welled up as I wanted to believe him. Breathing in his spicy fragrance helped calm the swell of emotion, allowing me to savor the moment.
“Ew. Get a room!” I jerked my head up and glared at Brittany. Her normally pretty face was twisted into a sneer.
“Fuck off Brit,” Dominic spat. She shot him an evil look before stalking off towards the employee lounge.
“What is her problem?”
“She’s used to getting what she wants. God help the world if she doesn’t. You know what? Keep your stuff in Miranda’s office. You don’t have to use the lounge anymore.”
“Dom, I can handle Brittany. She’ll just have to learn how to deal. I’m not afraid of her.” I wasn’t the tallest of girls and still towered over Brittany. What was the tiny blonde going to do anyway?
“Just watch your back.”
“Yes, dear.” I gave him a quick kiss and left to get ready for work.
Brittany sneered at me when I entered the lounge. The heavy, dark liner around her startling blue eyes made her appear meaner. Ignoring her, I went to an open locker to hang up my jacket and bag.
“Slut.”
“What did you say?” I asked, whipping around to face her.
“You heard me. I called you a slut.”
“You’re just jealous.” I slammed the locker door shut.
“It’s so obvious what you’re doing. Throwing yourself at the owner’s nephew,” she spat.
“Brittany, you’re being fucking ridiculous. Dominic doesn’t want you. Get over it!”
“He’s just using you.”
I closed my eyes, willing her to go away. Rubbing my belly I felt the navel ring and smiled.
“Let me ask you something Brittany,” I said in the sweetest voice I could muster. “Did Dominic eve
r give you diamonds or did he just fuck you in the back seat like a cheap whore?”
I thought I saw her blanch before she charged at me, squealing like a banshee. “You bitch!”
“Careful, Brittney, you’re true colors are showing...and so are your roots.” Brittney wasn’t a natural blond and her part was dark in contrast.
Joey D. stepped into the lounge as Brittany was barreling towards me. His eyes widened and he ran after her. Just before Brittany could take a swipe at me, he yanked her back. She struggled against him, kicking and screaming. Poor Joey looked like he was wrestling an alligator.
Everyone heard the commotion and came pouring into the lounge. Dominic ran in and stood beside me. His arm wrapped protectively around my waist, setting Brittany off even more.
“What makes her so special Dominic?” Brittany yelled. Her face almost matched the shade of her red lipstick.
“Brittany, you need to stop.” Dominic turned us to leave, but the doorway was blocked. Grant and Miranda had arrived. They rushed over to me.
“Oh, I get it you’re all one big happy fucking family!” Brittany’s rage hadn’t ebbed and Joey was still struggling to contain her. “She’s not one of us. I don’t even know why that bitch works here!”
Those words stung as if Brittany had physically slapped me. She was right, I wasn’t a Crimson girl and I hadn’t really felt like I’d fit in since my first day.
“Shut up!” Grant bellowed. “Joey, get her out of here.”
“Go home Brittany. You’re not working tonight,” Miranda said. The crowd parted, letting Joey and his angry cargo through.
“What the hell happened?” Grant asked.
“Brittany’s a tad jealous,” Dominic answered.
“That’s an understatement. She came completely unhinged. Is that why you carry a gun Grant?” I asked with a shaky voice. Brittany’s outburst had rattled me more than I thought.
“Very funny.” Grant stared at me for a few moments, then turned and left.
“He’s still pissed, huh?” I asked Miranda.
“Yup. Are you okay?”
I nodded. Dominic rubbed the small of my back and kissed the top of my head. We left the lounge together and walked with Miranda to her office. Dominic turned towards me.
“I’m sorry about Brittany.”
“Don’t apologize for her. Besides, I instigated some of it.” I told Dominic what I said and he grinned.
“Man, I wish I could have seen the look on her face when you said that!”
“Yeah, it was pretty good.” I stared down at the floor, my false bravado quickly fading.
“What?”
“She’s right though, you know? I’m not one of you.”
“And I love that about you.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Ignore anything Brittany says. She’s just a mean, spiteful bitch.”
“Dom, don’t mean to break up the love fest, but you need to go set up your bar,” Miranda said.
“Yes, boss.” He saluted, a playful smirk twitching across his face, and left.
I decided to take advantage of the time alone with Miranda. “Why is Brittany so intense?” I had seen many cat fights in my day, but never involved in one. Brittany’s temper was fierce and quick to flare. Now I knew why Miranda warned me about her.
“Her life’s been kind of fucked up.”
“Well, mine hasn’t been a fairy tale either and you don’t see me acting like that.”
“Brittany’s father died when she was like ten years old and her younger brother is in jail.”
“Oh, that is bad.”
“Yeah, she has a lot of anger.” Understatement of the year, I thought to myself. “Her dad was a friend of my dad’s so he got her a job here to help out after her brother got sent to prison. She helps to support her mom.”
“I had no idea.”
“And she’s had a crush on Dom since puberty so that is why she has you in her sights,” Miranda explained.
I had been unwittingly encroaching on Brittany’s territory. From working in the VIP section to dating her childhood crush, I was taking things away from her. After losing so much in her life already, I could understand why she would try to hold onto everything else so tightly.
We reached Miranda’s office and I stopped while she unlocked the door.
“She needs some time to cool off and I’ll talk to her. She needs to know this behavior at work isn’t acceptable.”
“Well thanks for giving me some background on Brittany.”
Miranda turned before entering her office. “Everybody has a history and everybody has secrets,” she said and shut the door, leaving me to stand there and contemplate her cryptic statement.
The night passed by without any more drama. Marco and his boys didn’t make an appearance either and that made for a low key evening. It was a relief to walk into the employee lounge and not worry about confronting Brittany. I passed Joey D. on my way out and noticed he had fresh scratch marks all over his forearms.
“Are those from Brittany?”
“Yeah, she’s one crazy bitch. I’m glad I came in when I did, she can be nasty.”
“I’m glad you did too! Thanks for intervening.”
“No prob. Take it easy.”
I was still shaking my head in disbelief when I walked up to Dom’s bar. He smiled and went back to cleaning. He seemed distracted and not as cheerful.
“Rough night?”
“Huh? Not really.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll be done in a minute. I was thinking we should go out afterwards.”
“We can just go back to your place.”
“No. I wanna go out.” He placed a drink in front of me. His abruptness made me feel uneasy and my gut twisted into knots.
Chapter 13
The ride was quiet. Dom’s dark eyebrows creased together forming a pensive expression. There was something on his mind. That much I could tell. My repeated attempts to find out didn’t yield anything, sending my imagination into overdrive. Dominic navigated his Mustang down the dimly lit street. By the time he parked in front of the now familiar condemned building I was convinced he was going to break up with me. Once inside The Speak, he placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the same small table we always sat at. Dominic went up to the bar and ordered drinks. He came back with a bottle of Dom Perignon and two champagne flutes. His face was brighter and the smile he flashed reached his eyes.
“What the hell?”
“We’re celebrating.” He said as he popped the cork and poured the bubbly. He held up his flute to toast. “To us!” He clinked his glass against mine and we sipped. After a couple of glasses I was feeling the buzz. We were both laughing uncontrollably at anything. I rested my head on his shoulder to catch my breath. All of a sudden a commotion broke out in the back room. I heard a bunch of men yelling and the doorman, Sam, took off down the hall. Gunshots exploded and I hit the floor. Dominic hunched over me protectively. Our champagne bottle was on the floor having been knocked over when I bumped against the table. Several other patrons were crouched down in similar positions. Dominic made sure I was okay and then leapt up.
“Where are you going?” I hissed.
“To see what happened.”
“Are you crazy? You’re going to get shot!”
“Relax Nat. Everything’s fine.” He spun around and left the room.
I stood up slowly on shaky legs to follow him. Acrid gun smoke clouded the air, tickling my throat. I peeked around the doorway and down the hall. My eyes saw the blood first. A pool crept outwards from a man lying motionless on the floor. The man was lying on his back. The force of the bullet had knocked him backwards in his chair when it entered his head. What was left of his skull was the source of the pool of blood. I couldn’t turn away. The slow creep hypnotized me. I could identify bits of bone, stark white islands in a red sea. Chunks of brain matter settled in the pool like gelatinous mounds. The dead man’s right arm was flung up over his
head, damming the flow, which had already started to coagulate and collect in the grooves of the wooden floorboards. A gun lay a few inches from his open hand.
I wasn’t aware of the sets of eyes staring at me. The sound of my brother’s voice broke my trance, “What is she doing here?” There was an accusatory tone to his voice.
My head snapped up at the sound of Grant’s voice. I looked away from the body and focused on the back room. Grant was standing on the other side of the table flanked by Dominic and Sam. All three were looking at me. Sam’s expression was of wariness, Dominic’s of concern and Grant’s was all anger. I then took on the rest of the scene. Two other men were lying face down on the table in smaller pools of blood. My eyes moved to Grant again, he was the only one holding a gun.
The vodka tonics and the champagne burned up the back of my throat. I bent over and vomited onto the floor of the hallway. Dizzy, I reached one hand out against the wall for support. I wiped my mouth with the back of my other hand and stared at a spot on the floor that wasn’t covered in vomit or blood or brains. My heart pounding in my ears, I tried to slow my breathing. I needed to sit but was unable to move at first. Slowly, I slid down the wall and hugged my knees to my chest. I closed my eyes and willed myself to get a grip. The heavy metallic smell of blood that hung in the air wasn’t helping to clear my head, but I was eventually able to calm down and became vaguely aware of people talking in the bar area behind me. No one else had gotten up to investigate.
“Hey Uncle Al,” Dominic called down the hall, “Can you help Natalie for me?” Dominic was trapped on the other side of the body and the lake of blood. A tall, wiry man with salt and pepper hair and a goatee appeared at my side and helped me up. He wrapped his arm around my back in a fatherly gesture and helped me across to the bar. My legs were still shaking and I welcomed the bar stool. The bartender set a glass of ice water in front of me and I gingerly took a sip, grateful to wash down some of the bile residue. Uncle Al sat down next to me.
“How ya doin’?” he asked.
“I…I don’t know how to answer that.” I honestly didn’t. I was scared, sick, horrified at the gruesome scene I had just witnessed and in shock that my brother was responsible for the carnage. I was even more unnerved that everyone else was so calm. It was like nothing had ever happened. “I need something stronger than water.”
The Beautiful People (The New Mafia Trilogy) Page 9
