In the Ring: A Dario Caivano Novel

by Perri Forrest

  When I reached my destination, I pulled curbside and killed the engine. Seconds after opening my door, to my surprise, Chanel emerged through the front door of her home. She didn’t notice me immediately because she appeared to be looking down into her purse. I closed my door and made my way toward her while her head was still down.

  “Even in a neighborhood as nice as this—”

  At the sound of my voice she was startled and let out a shriek as she jumped back, cutting my statement off. I was going to tell her that even in a neighborhood as nice as hers, she should still be on alert.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, clutching her chest as she caught her breath. Her pretty eyes lit up as the sun hit against her light-brown irises, and her smooth brown skin looked to be glowing. “You scared the hell out of me,” she continued.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. But if nothing else, it should let you know that no matter where you are you should always assess your surroundings.” I watched her for a few seconds as I took her beauty in from the night before. If . . . and that’s a strong if . . . it was even possible, she was more attractive than when I first saw her. It was probably the fresh look of the afternoon that hadn’t yet been tainted by the worries and stresses of the day. “Especially, with crazy ex-boyfriends on the loose.”

  Releasing a light chuckle, she commented, “Duly noted. And for the record, I agree. But is it you that I should be watching out for? Because . . .” she stopped to look around. “I’m still curious as to why you’re here.”

  She held her keychain up and deactivated the alarm to the vehicle parked in her driveway. She watched me the whole time as she proceeded to open the passenger side door, and then place her items on the seat.

  “Well?” she asked. “What brought you by . . . uninvited? And how did you know where I even lived?”

  Her spunk was sexy as hell. She seemed fearless and independent and a whole lot of other cool shit.

  “Let me answer in order. Is that cool?” I teased, with some sarcasm attached.

  She nodded her head in the affirmative.

  “Okay, so what I’m doing here is making sure that you were still safe. I don’t do shit half-assed and getting him out of your face wasn’t enough. As far as how I knew where you lived, I had you followed—for safety measures.”

  “Oh . . .” she commented, a thin smile in place.

  “That situation last night looked a bit intense.”

  She relaxed her shoulders and nodded slightly. “I guess you could say that. All is well, though. Thank you.”

  “No thanks needed.”

  “Okay,” she stressed, her eyes searching mine for more.

  “But I also I figured that since you were nice enough to come and check on me, the least I could do was return the favor.”

  She squinted her eyes at me and tilted her head, presumably trying to figure out what I was talking about. “Oh!” she exclaimed, in recognition. “Well, now that was different,” she chuckled. “I checked on you because you were a patron in my establishment and it was just showing good customer service.”

  “You can be more truthful than that, Chanel.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest defensively.

  “What I mean, is that you checked on me because you wanted to see me up close, and maybe just a little bit personal,” I responded. “Just admit it. It’s okay.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Yeah, I’m used to it. It’s cool.”

  “Oh my God!” she guffawed before stopping to look at me intently. “You’re not serious, are you?”

  “As a raging forest fire.”

  She turned to leave, shaking her head in disbelief. “Wow. You need to find the nearest door to check your ego in front of. You athletes are all alike. You swear that women swoon just because of who you are. Here’s a newsflash for you. Not all of us are thots and groupies chasing behind some man-meat that’s more than likely, community property. Okay? Certainly not me.”

  Even after her cutting words, all I focused on was the fact that top to bottom, Chanel Norwood was a beautiful woman. I would definitely make it a point to get to know better.

  She casually climbed into the front seat of her silver Infiniti Q50, and backed out of her driveway, never bothering to look back. On my way back to my own car, I replayed her saying, “. . . man-meat that’s more than likely, community property,” and burst out laughing as I got into the driver’s seat. I liked her ‘take no shit’ personality.

  I was more intrigued than ever.

  CHAPTER 6

  Chanel

  As hard as I tried not to, I kept looking through my rear view as I drove off from my house. I couldn’t believe that Dario “DC” Caivano had just taken it upon himself to pop up on me, unannounced. Not like he could make the announcement, we hadn’t exchanged numbers or anything. He was for sure bold, I could say that. But judging how he wipes the ring clean with his opponents, I guess I should’ve known that much. I can’t say that I was bummed about being on his radar. He was fine as hell. Like, foine! I couldn’t even front. I tried my best to play it cool, but whether he knew it or not, I had already taken in that man’s full form and it was all of that.

  I couldn’t believe that he was back there trying to be super cocky talking about I checked on him because I wanted to see him up close and personal. Pssh! Boy, please! But even with that, why the hell was I smiling so damn hard?

  He was tall the way I like them. He was built like I like them; his teeth were nice and his smile was mesmerizing. Those eyes were what I didn’t want to stop looking into, but forced myself to do so. I couldn’t tell whether they were brown, blue or green because of the sun’s glint, but I was drawn to their glare. The only thing missing from this equation of what my norm would be was that he was white. White guys weren’t exactly my go-to. Not that I hadn’t gotten a few looks, or even been attracted to a few, it was just that nothing ever came from any of it. I damn sure wasn’t going to be the aggressor, and they hadn’t outright approached. I was once told that their lack of bravado might have been due to some level of intimidation. They didn’t know if they’d be cussed out, ignored, or just dismissed. But Dario . . . he didn’t seem the least bit intimidated. And even though I had given him a hard time, I secretly hoped I would see him again. There was something about him that piqued my interest.

  My phone ringing through the Bluetooth system jerked me from my thoughts. When my speaker system alerted me of Tyler’s number, my leftover attitude was goading me to ignore it. This man was doing way too much. He was showing diligence that he didn’t even show during the course of our entire relationship and the shit was not just confusing, but totally turning me off.

  I had no desire to hear his voice, but because of the shit he had pulled last night, I thought it best that I go ahead and take the call so we could get things clear once and for all. I skipped a nice greeting when I approved the call.

  “What’s up, Tyler?”

  “Damn, girl. Like that?”

  “How else do you want me to sound?”

  “Shit, like you’re happy to hear from me, maybe.”

  “Tyler, what’s up? And what’s up with you just showing up at my club like you did?”

  “I was trying to talk to you in person since you seem to not ever be available by phone.”

  I shrugged as though he could see me through the phone. “And what is it that you think I’m supposed to be available for, Tyler? That’s the part that confuses me. We’re not together and haven’t been for a while.”

  “And I’m trying to change that.”

  I started to laugh before I knew it and although it was an uncontrolled action, I didn’t regret it one bit. The shit was funny.

  “Listen, I didn’t mean to laugh, but you have to stop, Tyler. You really do. I don’t get you. I don’t get this.”

  “Do you get that I love you, though?”

  “Absolutely not. I get that you w
ant to control a situation that’s long been out of your hands. But for what? I feel that the way things ended, we should never have had another word to speak to each other, but we made our way past that and back to what I thought was a friendship. But then you start pushing up again after so much time. It’s uncomfortable for me.”

  “So, because of a little discomfort with me expressing my feelings, you stop taking my calls altogether? And you think that’s fair?”

  “Please let’s not talk about fair. Your actions were never fair.”

  “You mean as far as Rai, right?”

  “Among other things. But yes, my baby is at the top of that list.”

  “I’ve apologized for that and begged for the opportunity to make that up to you . . . to him. Just let me, at least, try.”

  “Tyler!” I found myself yelling out. “I’m not gonna do this with you. I’m just not. I’m on my way to run some errands and I just wanted to take the call so that we could reach an understanding. But I guess—”

  “So what, you fucking with the little boxer dude that almost got knocked the fuck out trying to come to your defense?”

  I released a frustrated sigh. Tyler didn’t know it, but he was nanoseconds from being cussed out. I was trying hard to maintain my composure because I knew Tyler well. His mindset was warped enough to think that any amount of negative energy I gave him meant that I was feeling him. That was something I couldn’t afford to have happen.

  “I’m fucking with me, Tyler. Me.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that a long time ago I chose me and it’s still me, and will continue to be me until I decide that I want to share my space with a man again.”

  “Well, I’m not gonna stop trying to be that man,” he remarked.

  Please do, I said to myself before hanging up without saying another word.

  CHAPTER 7

  Dario

  “What was that about last night, DC?” Wayne asked, his look perplexed, as he prepared for interrogation.

  He shook his head and released a huge puff of air. I almost started to laugh because for as long as I could remember, Wayne thought he was something like my boss. Yeah, there were certain things I listened to him on like which endorsements to consider, what members were actually good for the team, and things of that nature. However, the part of my business that he was about to leap into, I already knew that he would only receive what I felt like supplying him with. Nothing more than that.

  “Don’t give me that blank stare either, dude,” he said, with a slight guffaw. “Because I already know that you know what I’m talking about.”

  “Are you on the fucking slow bus or what? Is that why I need to spell it out? What it was about, was a woman in distress and in need of help. That’s what it was about,” I responded.

  “A woman that you didn’t know, though. So why did you feel the need to—”

  “So . . .” I jumped in, cutting him off. “I need to know a woman before I help protect her from harm?”

  “Yeah, absolutely. I think so,” he clapped back in earnest. “You didn’t even know that situation, DC. It could’ve been one of those domestic things. Those things that should only stay between the couple.”

  “It could’ve been, but it didn’t look that way.”

  “Looks can be deceiving,” Wayne rebounded.

  “I’ll say. I thought from the looks of things last night that you’d still be too busy engaging in threesomes to care about this shit here. What happened? Did you bite off more than you could chew? Ohhh!” I laughed. “That is it, huh?”

  “It’s not a laughing matter, Dario.”

  “Okay, Wayne, look. Do you really think that she would’ve taken the opportunity to jump in her car and speed off if she didn’t want to get him away from her?”

  Wayne scooted closer to the edge of his living room seat and looked me square in the eyes. “It was reckless. That could have gone so many pathways to wrong it’s not even funny. Say you’d gotten into a fisticuff with that guy . . . I mean a real down and dirty fisticuff . . . because it wouldn’t have gone any other way.” He tilted his head as though expecting me to jump in with the answer. “I’ll tell you what the end result would’ve been,” he finally said. “You could be in jail right now, or on the other side of a massive lawsuit.”

  “Both of those—either jail or a lawsuit, I could’ve handled if it had come to that.”

  “Fuck, DC! You’re not getting it, man! You do shit that could be career-ending! Your hands are lethal weapons and registered as such! But you don’t need me to tell you that!”

  “Guess what, Wayne? First of all, I’m gonna need you to check your temperature because you’re gonna bust a damn blood vessel. And second, if my career ended over helping a woman that needed my help, then the entire commission could suck my dick. I mean that with everything in me too. What fucking kind of world is it that we live in where a man . . . a real man . . . would turn the other fucking way when a woman is being attacked?!”

  “You’re reaching, DC,” Wayne stated, exasperated.

  “How the fuck is that?”

  “She wasn’t being attacked! All I saw was a damn guy standing close to a woman that he probably knew. Personally, I didn’t see a smidgen of fear on that lady’s face. So, again, what if everything had taken a turn for the worse? Situations like that, the chick is almost always gonna choose the side of the abuser!”

  When I gave Wayne an annoyed look, he attempted to backtrack.

  “Well, shit, it’s true. We don’t know if he was—”

  “Just stop, Wayne. Just stop now because you’ve already stuck your size eleven in your mouth.”

  “It’s twelve and a half, for your information,” he said as he dove into a proud chuckle.

  “I don’t give a fuck if it’s twenty-two, you stuck that shit full-on in your big-ass mouth when you had to try to fix what you said.”

  “Whatever, dude. I’m not changing any of what I said.”

  “And the fact that you’re okay with that . . . is not okay with me.” I stood up to prepare my exit. “For you to say ‘abuser’ and think that it might be a possibility that was what it was and still not be willing to help, that’s a problem. It’s a problem because you’re going off assumptions at a possible victim’s expense. That’s some pussy shit right there, Wayne.” I walked to the door and grabbed the handle. “At the very least, you call the police if you don’t want to get involved. But to just walk away is bullshit.”

  “Wait, DC, don’t go yet. Listen, I’m not that guy. You know me better than that. If I truly felt that a woman was in danger, I would for sure help out any way that I could. Last night, I just didn’t get that vibe, honestly. That’s all I’m saying. And to be honest, I don’t really think you did either. If you ask me, I think it all came about because she showed you a little bit of attention.”

  “Ha!” I roared. “Now you sound bat-shit crazy. In what damn imaginary world do you live in where I have to get excited by the attention of a woman? Now, who’s reaching just to attempt a moot point?” I pointed at him with my index finger. “That would be you.” I stood from my seat, still laughing at an amused Wayne. “Next time you summon me over to this place make sure there’s food cooked, my favorite smoothie or something. This was like a call to the goddamn Principal’s office, and you got more time than even he did.”

  “I’m just sayin’!” Wayne sang loudly, from behind me as I continued to put distance between us.

  CHAPTER 8

  Chanel

  By the time Monday rolled around, I was ready for a fresh start to the week. Hell, I needed it. Nightclub life was exciting and one of my hugest accomplishments to date. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. But, it’s a lot of hard work, sweat and even after all this time, still comes with the periodic tear shed. From the moment my friend, Gabriella, opened her couples’ nightclub, I wanted one. Although it took a while, I made it happen. Sometimes I wonder if my desire to be in
such an environment was a result of me becoming a parent at such a young age and missing that whole era of my youth, where parties and wild nights were a constant occurrence.

  This morning, I had actually beaten my alarm clock to the punch and was up and at ‘em very early. I dressed, threw my hair into a messy ball at the top of my head, tucked the loose ends with a few pins and darted out the front door for my morning run. When I got back, I immediately stripped from my sweaty attire and jumped in a steamy, hot shower, and even washed my hair. After my drying ritual and applying leave-in conditioner, I plaited my hair into two French braids and opted for some leggings, a Golden State Warriors hoodie, a pair of Nike’s and my favorite Nike snapback. I threw on hoop earrings and applied a thin layer of eyeliner. Even though I was going to run minimal errands after dropping Rai off at school, I still needed to look presentable.

  I blended my fruit and veggie juice in the NutriBullet, and even managed to sneak in a boiled egg and a wheat English muffin. It was cheating, but I didn’t care. I was nowhere near a fanatic when it came to my diet, but I did like to watch my intake with a little bit of scrutiny . . . sometimes.

  “Oooh, Mama!” I heard from the side of me when my kid entered the kitchen.

  “Leave me alone, nosy,” I blurted out, smiling at my pride and joy. He came into full view on the other side of the island to grab his orange juice from the refrigerator, with his backpack strapped to him. “You look nice this morning,” I complimented.

  “You’re not funny,” he smirked.

  “What?” I said, feigning innocence. “You do look nice.”

  “It’s a uniform, Ma.”

  “Okay, and you look good! I know the girls think so. What girl doesn’t want that cute curly brohawk and those nice seafoam eyes? Huh? What girl wouldn’t?”

  He shook his head and closed his eyes to avoid looking at me. He was such a beautiful kid—inside and out. He made me proud to be his mother, every day. He had the biggest heart of any child I’d ever known and he was smart as hell, always making the best grades.