Stolen Secrets

by Cayce Poponea

  She almost seemed proud to show the room her naked form; or perhaps she’d had some chemical courage. Whatever the circumstances, this was upsetting the hostess and had to be stopped. I looked around and found an afghan tossed across the back of a chaise lounge. Grabbing it, I ran over to the still dancing Marissa. She tried to protest and I challenged the two men who were throwing money at her to stop me.

  “You’re pissing off Sophia,” I hissed in a heated whisper between clenched teeth.

  Her smile disappeared as fear settled in. She quit fighting me and allowed me to help her off the platform, and out of the room. The music stopped and the lights came back on. I wrapped my arms around her, headed to the nearest closed door, and then pushed her inside. I locked the door behind us, closed my eyes, and took in a deep breath. I could hear Sophia shouting at someone to, “Clean up this mess,” while demanding to know who was responsible. The room we’d ducked into turned out to be a bathroom, every bit as exquisite as the foyer and included a seating area with a chandelier above.

  “You think you’re so much better than me.”

  “What?” I questioned, my voice cracking with annoyance. I had pulled her away from a situation that I still wasn’t certain wouldn’t end in her death, and this was her response? Sophia was beyond pissed, not angry or upset, but at a fury driven rage.

  “Just because everyone loves you and wants you to be with him, doesn’t change what I am to him.” I chose to ignore her and looked around the room for another exit. There, on the far side of the room, was another door.

  “He will be back in my bed the second he figures out you’re a frigid bitch.”I couldn’t care less what she had to say or feel about me. At the end of the day, it changed nothing in my world. Still, her assumptions bothered me and poked at something inside.

  “What exactly are you talking about?” I asked her as she crossed the room and dropped the blanket. Following her into the next room grants me the view of her naked body bent over, and a clear view of her clit piercing. Diverting my eyes, I take in the room around me. A massive four-poster bed presides over the center of the room. A pile of clothing, I assume Marissa’s, rest at the end of the bed. French doors welcome a view of the glistening pool, tiny lights guiding my eyes around the tropical inspired oasis.

  When I turned back to the room she was sitting on the bed, buckling a high-heeled shoe on her left foot. She was a fast dresser and I was grateful not to have her bare vagina on display anymore. I sat in the chair next to the bathroom. Marissa was a beautiful girl and could have her pick of men to love her. Why she chose to behave the way she did was beyond me. Maybe she didn’t know any different, know there are other choices out there for her.

  “Marissa, can I ask you something?” She didn’t look up while she continued to dress so I went on. “You say everyone wants us to be together. Who, exactly, is everyone?”

  Disbelieving eyes turn up to me and her skin is flushed, either a result of my question or her desire to leave. “Sophia, Antonio… anyone else doesn’t really matter.” Marissa pulled her huge bag from the floor, a slip of emotion in her voice.

  “What about Dominick, or Nicky as you called him, what does he tell you he wants?” Her eyes flashed to mine, the sliver of emotion changing to anger. “Calling him Nicky was the wrong thing to do. The second Sophia heard it, I knew I’d fucked up.”

  “Why? He told me his name was Nicky the first time he introduced himself.” Her skin flushed pale and her bottom lip quivered. Just as quickly, her posture shifted and she returned to dressing herself.

  “‘Cause he isn’t a boy. He’s about to be the head of this Family, the same family who has chosen you.” She tossed her brush across the dresser, her emotions again slipping out. Marissa had real feelings for a man she couldn’t have. How tragic for everyone involved. She would be alone instead of with the man she wanted, while I was pursued by a man I didn’t want.

  “I tried to tell him over and over I could be what he needed, but I already knew it was pointless. He has to marry a respectable woman, one his family will approve of. No amount of soap and makeup can make me a lady.”

  I watched while she applied her lipstick in the mirror. She was precise with the swipe of the red stick. Marissa was an artist with that makeup, she could have a future if she tried. Makeup artists were hot commodities in the professional world. Movie studios didn’t care if you earned a few dollars on a pole or on your back, as long as their actor looked good on camera.

  “But don’t think for one second I won’t be waiting for him in the bed he pays for. Don’t think I won’t do everything to him that you refuse, or he refuses to do to you. You may have his ring and his name, but I will have his deepest desires, his fantasies come true… any time he wants. And there isn’t a fucking thing you can do about it.”

  I wanted to shake her. Ask her if she could really accept being something Dominick would use for his own pleasure, forgoing what she wanted for the pleasure of a man. What fucking century had I stepped back into? Things didn’t make sense, and when two and two equal five, something is deeply wrong.

  “Marissa, you say I’m the one the Family has chosen. That Dominick has to marry a lady. Why?” I was counting on Marissa still being stirred up and having a loose tongue. I may not want to be a part of this game, but it would behoove me to know who was playing.

  She looked at me as if I were crazy before taking out another brush and coating her already long lashes with mascara. “Like you don’t already know the answer.”

  “Enlighten me. If you’re going to accuse me of all of these things, I should know the entire story.”

  Being with Corey had taught me the fine art of asking the correct questions to get the information needed, leaving people thinking they hadn’t told you the secret they were keeping. Sometimes what you learned, you wished you could give back. The truth wasn’t a gift you could return, however.

  “He has to have a wife, or at least be heading in that direction. His uncle told me his parents suggested you.” I was startled by the term. “Uncle?” I questioned.She shook her head twisting a curl around her finger before spraying it with something. Her smile gave her away… she had secrets even deeper than anyone knew about.

  “I learned a long time ago that you don’t keep all your eggs in one basket. Dominick can toss me onto the streets anytime he sees fit, so I keep my options open. His Uncle Carmine is a good friend, with an open wallet for me.”

  Marissa wasn’t as stupid as I’d pegged her to be. She knew how to play the men in her world to her advantage. It was my suspicion Dominick had no idea she was making the rounds, so to speak. By her own admission she was correct; she would be perfect for Dominick.

  “Anyway, Sophia hates me. I know she’s the one who poisoned him against me. She wants this perfect family surrounding her Sunday dinner table. Carmine told me some bullshit about not having to look across the table at a guy who also knows what your wife’s snatch looks like. Pretty much impossible in this circle.”

  This conversation, like others in the past, was clear as mud. I knew several of the men coming into the shop had a number of women they sent flowers to, but this seemed to be taking that to a new level. Was this a family of wife sharing? If so, why was Sophia so upset about Marissa? It would seem to me, being the way she was would work perfectly into the lifestyle.

  “So, let me see if I have this straight?” I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at her reflection in the mirror. “You and Dominick are together. ”Her face dropped while she picked up her hairbrush and ran it through her dark curls. “No, we aren’t together.” My face twisted in confusion and I opened my mouth to rebut her, but she continued on.

  “We have an arrangement. He gives me what I need, and I give him what he needs.” She took a deep breath then clarified my inaccuracy; although she made it sound so much worse. “He pays for my penthouse, clothes, and everything. In return, I let him stick his dick wherever, whenever he wants.”

  “B
ut you told me he was your boyfriend. Actually, you screamed it at me. Now you have an arrangement?” Her eyes became wide, her mascara brush fell to the floor, and she spun around to cross the room and stand before me.

  “So, in other words, you’re his whore. He fucks you when he isn’t fucking other girls and you take his money for your needs. Sounds like a good gig, but according to you, Dominick isn’t the only guy on your ‘clock’.” I used air quotes to emphasize my frustration, perhaps open her eyes to this nonsense. “I wonder…” I tapped my chin with my index finger. “Do they compare notes about you? Bragging to each other about what kind of kinky shit you can do with your tongue.”

  Her face full of fear and her voice frantic, she begged, “No! No, no, you can never tell Dominick about his uncle!” She reached out to take my hand in hers, and I noticed she was trembling. “Please, Ari, I know you don’t like me, but please don’t tell.”

  “What? It’s okay for Dominick to stick his dick wherever he wants, but he’d get pissed if you chose to suck a different cock once in a while?”

  “You don’t get it.” She threw her hands in the air, spinning around looking at the floor for her discarded brush. “Dominick Santos is a man who takes what he wants. He has enough power behind his name and reputation, he answers to very few people. When he speaks, people listen. Or they stop hearing altogether.”

  Marissa was trapped in a life she had accepted. Women, for hundreds of years, have exchanged their bodies for a man to provide for them. I’d lived in her shoes, and since getting out of them, I knew for certain I’d never want to do it again if I had the choice. “Listen, I understand you’re fine with the way you live your life. I, for one, am not going to look down on your for your choices. I don’t know you enough to not like you.”

  There had to be more to this fear then she was willing to share. If I found out the tale behind it, my life would change forever.

  “Thank you,” she whispered and turned back to the mirror.

  I thought about how to word my last thoughts so she would have a clear picture on how I felt in all of this. “Marissa, there is only one thing you’re forgetting in all of this. Well, actually, everyone is forgetting.”

  Placing both her hands on the dresser she looked at me with puzzlement.

  “I have no desire to be a part of all of this, especially as Dominick’s wife.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” Marissa shouted, turning around in my direction, her hair whipping around her head. “Do you have any idea what that man can offer you? Can you not see what you would miss out on? I mean, look at this house and tell me you would pass on being the envy of every woman in that room?” She was screeching while pointing to the wall behind me. “Can you really not see the amount of security he could provide you? The vacations and the clothes? The car you would drive and the time you would have on your hands? Your children would have the best education, and you would have endless access to all of his money.”

  Marissa threw her hands in the air with hopeless exaggeration when I wouldn’t argue back with her. The woman was serious in her rant about all the things she couldn’t believe I was willing to give up.

  I waited while she attempted to catch her breath and calm down to a level where she would understand my words. “Is that what you want from him? From the arrangement, I mean? Vacations, money, and material things?”

  “What else is there? Isn’t that more than enough?”

  She hadn’t given this enough thought, or she’d concentrated on the wrong things. I was about to give her something to think about and hoped she would not only hear what I was about to say, but listen too.

  “Although those things are nice, money is something I can provide for myself. I can also buy my own clothes, and if I wanted a car, I’d go buy that, too. As for this house and the furnishings, they’re nice but in the end they’re just things. Oh, and if the ladies out in that room don’t care for me as I am, then I have no use for them either. I learned a long time ago the only person you can truly count on is yourself. I make my own decisions and provide my own way. There’s never a need to rely on someone’s favor to keep me around while using me for their pleasure. I make the rules and choices for myself.”

  She didn’t even blink while taking in what I was saying. Maybe, just maybe, she would see things in a new light. It was never too late to turn things around.

  “One other thing I noticed; in all of those things you just shared with me, you never once mentioned the one which would be the most important to me.” I stood up and made my way to the door to leave, planning to rejoin the party and ensure Sophia had cooled off. With my hand on the doorknob, I looked over my shoulder. “You never mentioned being in love. I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my time on Earth with a man who didn’t love me. Because to me, all those things are pointless if you’re crying yourself to sleep at night. Now, I’m going out there and making sure the coast is clear for you. I would sneak out the back as quickly as I could, if I were you.” Turning once more to leave, Marissa stopped me by calling my name.

  “Ari?”

  “Yes?”

  Her hairbrush was still in her hand while she gathered her large purse and started walking in my direction. “Just so you know, they paid me a thousand dollars to pop out of the cake.” I nodded my head in understanding. I wouldn’t have done it for all the money in the world, but that was only one of the differences between Marissa and me.

  Once I gave Marissa the all clear, she hugged me and thanked me. “You’ve given me something to really think about.” Hugging her back, I wished her good luck. I hoped she was on a path to a new life, but only time would tell.

  When I rejoined the party, Gabby was talking with three beautiful women so I decided to catch up with her later. Wanting to explore the rest of the house, I rounded a corner but a tall, dark haired woman blocked my path.

  “Hello, I’m Karla, Dominick’s sister.” She stretched her hand out requesting to shake mine in return.

  Oh, Lord, is this Marissa 2.0?

  “Care to take a walk with me?” By pulling my hand instead of shaking it, she left no room for discussion whether this was an option.

  Each room we walked through was filled with happy partygoers. I lost track of how many times we were stopped by a fake smile and flimsy handshake. As the rooms grew larger, so did the amount of people. Men and women alike moved to the side so we could pass. Karla always said hello to each person. She, like her mother, was graceful and kind. I was feeling guilty for thinking Sophia could be involved with wife sharing. Marissa had led my mind to a place it had no business venturing. Once we reached a room, overlooking what I assumed to be a garden, Karla stopped in the center with her hands clasped in front of her. A man standing off to the side instructed everyone to leave the room. Karla possessed the same grace and beauty her mother did. Brilliant eyes, warm and full of compassion.

  “I’m sorry for listening to your conversation with Marissa, but I was getting ready in the next room and couldn’t help but hear.” My face had to show the panic I felt; she knew the truth, which Marissa had confided in me.

  “Don’t worry, Ari, I’ve known for some time Uncle Carmine has been seeing her on the side. My brother is a big boy. If he wants to stick his dick in a hundred contaminated pussies, then so be it. The problem I have with Marissa, and honestly the majority of the women we passed on the way in here, is they are out for themselves. She is willing to do anything she can to get on top. I agree with my mom and dad, you are perfect for Dominick.”

  I lowered my head and closed my eyes when she spoke the latter. I was sick of this song and dance. Dominick wasn’t the type of man I went for. I needed honesty in my life more than money and material things. I had spent far too much of my life under the thumb of a man who wanted to own me, not love me. Rising to my feet, this conversation was old and dull.

  “Ari, please hear me out before you get upset and leave.” Against my better judgment, I gave her the floor and resumed my
seat, scooting back and crossing my ankles.

  “When I graduated college, my father offered to set me up in whatever business I wanted. Mom, of course, wanted me to settle down, get married, and have children. I wanted to make something of myself on my own. I could have taken Daddy’s money, sat back, and lived comfortably, but I wanted to feel good about myself at the end of the day. Just like you, I wanted to rely on myself. Until recently I’ve denied myself even a casual relationship with the man I’ve been in love with since I was old enough to appreciate the male species.”

  She was a taller version of me minus the desire to be in a real and loving relationship. And honestly? We were the same there as well. I mean, if you have to be truthful with anyone, it damn sure better be yourself. I would love to have a man who thought the world of me, to add to what I brought to the table, yet be able to standalone. I just don’t believe the guy I have in mind exists.

  “Now, it’s no secret my brother has appreciated women to the fullest. But if I had to have one person in my corner, it would be him. Ari, he is as loyal as they come and even though he has never been in a position to prove he can be committed to a single woman, I believe in my heart he can.”

  Glancing out the massive window to where a sea of flowers shimmered from the landscape lighting a thought occurred to me. How odd of me to appreciate what was outside while unaffected by what was inside. “You know, Karla, this entire night has been one revelation after another,” I confessed with uncertainty. “I came to this party as a goodwill gesture to your wonderful mother. Within minutes of being here, I was introduced to some private parts of a woman I barely know, only to learn men exploiting their desire to show their friend a good time were using her. Then I get an ear full from said girl and learn things about people around me I can never unlearn. Furthermore, during all of this, and all of the encouragement toward getting closer to your brother and becoming a part of your family, not one person has asked me an important question.”