As steam rose from the pot of pasta, and the bacon sizzled, I couldn’t help but notice the care Colt put into making the food. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a home cooked meal and a sharp ache went through my chest. Being sent away meant I had missed out on years of building memories like this. I’d missed out on Justin growing up, Lisa’s wise, hilarious, guidance, seeing Rudy and Nevio as awkward teens.
I’d missed out on having a family.
As angry as I was with Colt and his family that I didn’t get time with my father and brother as an adult, I couldn’t fault any Capestrana, especially Colt, for the fact that I didn’t grow up with one.
That had been Emilio’s choice.
A man I’d only seen a grand total of five times over the past ten years, if I included the last one in the box.
Desperate to distract myself from those old wounds, I listened eagerly to Colt’s stories. He was telling me about the time when Trent Jr. was a baby and he was helping Trent Sr., nicknamed Tre, change a diaper. Baby Trent had promptly peed all over them, the wall, and the cat.
“Damn cat books it, trailed it all through the house. Diane comes home to two scratched up meatheads, a naked baby, and a half-drowned cat. She wanted to be furious, but she was laughing too hard. And Tre just goes, ‘See, that’s why I had to marry you’.”
“Aw, I’d love to meet them,” I said, smiling.
“You actually already did meet Diane and Trent, Di was the one who let you in. You’re wearing her clothes.” Colt gave me a sheepish grin as he drained the pasta.
“That was them?” Her face and the little boy’s flashed into my mind. He was one thing in the abstract, but a handsome, mischievous little boy missing a front tooth, and wearing a crooked tie was another thing altogether, and my heart squeezed. “Where was Tre?”
“Uh, Tre passed a few years back. Cancer,” Colt said in a clipped voice, his jaw tight. My gut contracted as I watched his eyes dim. “We do our best, y’know, my brother, Dante, Pop. We all try to fill his shoes as a father. Damn near impossible.”
I jerked my head in a nod and looked down. Why did I keep asking questions like this? Colt was a master of finding new ways to tie me into knots.
That line was all but gone now.
Moreover, he wasn’t supposed to be like this. I kept expecting to find something empty and evil under all that charm. But instead I just kept bumping into new facets of strength and kindness.
It was hard, too, being in his apartment. While I admired the luxury, it was the life and love bursting from every which way that made my stomach burn with envy. Photos covered his fridge, books crowded the shelves, and his dog followed him everywhere like a shadow.
Bitter-sweetness rose up in me, and I was filled with longing.
As much as I wanted to resist it, Colt’s personality and warmth were wrapping around me. It’d be so easy to let go, let myself be enveloped. Let myself be happy in this world of the golden prince of the Capestranas’, and ignore all the skeletons, the dirty secrets.
Digging deep, I found that cold, hard, and nasty little spark of resentment, and held on to it. Anger reared up. Then, taking a deep breath, I pictured Justin’s devastated face.
Not gonna give in this time, Colt.
He was going to fall in love with me. In fact, things seemed to be progressing already. Instinctively, I knew he didn’t tell just anyone these stories.
No matter what my abandonment issues were, I had to keep it together. More importantly, I had to be careful not to transfer those feelings of loss or need for love onto Colt.
But damn. As I watched him spoon a huge helping of pasta carbonara into a bowl, and hand it to me, I was pretty sure I knew what Eve felt like being offered the apple.
How was a girl to resist a devil with a smile, a face and a heart like Colt Capestrana’s?
The food wound up being amazing. We ate, laughed, and watched more movies. After finishing, I was content to just nestle against him on the couch. The creamy pasta dish was so heavy, so deliciously bad for you, I couldn’t do anything but gaze sleepily at Follow the Fleet, another old Astaire-Rogers flick.
My head drooped onto Colt’s chest and my eyes began to drift closed. He tucked an arm around me, pulling me closer.
Listening to his breathing, the old-timey music, and the patter of rain, I dozed off, smiling.
Chapter Fourteen
Colt
Standing outside in the sweet, freezing winter air, Dante, Big Ton, me, and several other Capestranas huddled around a bottle of Galliano, sloshing it into shot glasses. Then we drank it, hurled the empty bottle against the wall, and shouted out, “Viva Magari! Salute!”
“And tocca palle!” Big Ton bellowed, tapping just below his belly, to roars of laughter.
“I can’t believe it’s opening night,” Dante said, as we went through the back door and out into the melee of the main room. “Che figata!”
“Yeah, yeah.” I grabbed him around the shoulders and punched him lightly on the arm. “Do me a favor, double-check with Jules that all the sets are ready, okay?”
“I already—” Dante began to say, but then I shot him a glare. “I’m gone.”
Hurrying over to the bar, I grabbed my iPad, and scrolled through my checklist twice.
We were ready to go.
Lainey walked by and rapped the bar. “Are you humming Swing Time?”
“No. And shouldn’t you be checking over bar stuff? Liquor, glasses, ice?” I asked.
“Colt, I already did, four times. And you so were.” She laughed and flounced away.
Looking around, a smile spread across my face. Between this night, and last night, my body was buzzing with energy. Reaching into my pocket, I touched Bella’s note again for good luck. She’d left it for me this morning – the least she could do after sneaking out while I was in the shower.
Can’t wait for tonight! Sorry I had to dash, Lucky. Thanks for everything. XO, Penny.
“Everything” being some pasta, old movies, and snuggling, I guessed.
Easy gal to entertain.
We’d both been so tired, we’d wound up sleeping on the couch. I’d woken up to Toro licking my ear, and half-groaned, thinking my back would be in knots. But I was completely refreshed instead. Bella had woken up a few moments later, smiling up at me. It was the best night sleep I’d gotten in months. Years, maybe.
I’d bent down and kissed her. A slow, tender one to start the day right. Then I’d sat on the floor, and laid my head on her stomach for a while, letting her stroke my hair.
But of course, my phone had to go off, and the day had to start.
“iPad?” Dante asked, appearing at my elbow, and I handed it to him. “Hey, you seem to be feeling better, huh?”
“How many times I gotta tell you I was never sick?” I responded.
“Well, not anymore. Nothing like a nice night in to make a man feel good. Especially if a pretty redhead comes running to him for help in the pouring rain.” Dante put a hand over his heart. “Bellissimo. It’s like a scene from a movie.”
Fucking Diane. I knew it. I only had to hope the code of silence between the younger generation held strong and nobody told Pop, because if they did, I was going to have to have some serious explaining to do.
“La da da da daaa,” he sang in my ear.
“Christ, Dante, would you listen to yourself?” I smacked the back of his head.
“Aw. I just realized, for your thickheaded baby brother it was the lightning, for you, Cosimo, the music, huh?” He started swaying on the stool next to me.
Rubbing my temples, I grinned at Lainey as she brought us drinks. “Do me a favor, Laines, drown the dumbass in his.”
“Uh, and how would I get home?” Lainey shook her head. “Why, what’s your problem?”
“That’s amore,” Dante sang out, then laughed as I tried to shove him off his stool.
“Oh, the redhead. Bella, right?” Lainey shot me a superior look. “Yeah, I heard about tha
t.”
“Marone, no fucking privacy in this family,” I grunted, to which my cousins just nodded.
“Hey, boss.” A young staffer appeared at my elbow. “People’re showing up.”
“That’s my cue. Thanks, man. Lainey, stash the iPad. Dante, you romantic dumbass, come with me,” I said, downing my drink, and then hurrying to the main room entrance.
Tonight we were going for a slicker, more modern look. Tailored three-piece suits for the fellas, slinky backless dresses for the ladies, and a bustier ensemble for the dancers.
“Hey, before I forget, I take back what I said.” Dante patted my shoulder. “You like her, cuz.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, plastering on my host smile as the first people walked into the room, accepting champagne flutes from the servers. “Buona sera, paesani! Welcome to Club Margari!” I called out.
“Okay, but you’ve got this look in your eyes, and you’re not drunk,” Dante stated simply, as though that explained everything. Then he gave me a goofy smile. “So, you know, then it’s okay.”
I didn’t know whether to smack him, laugh, or ignore it. Then the band kicked it up a notch and more people flooded in. Dante and I moved towards the doors, shaking people’s hands, introducing ourselves and answering questions.
Some members were wearing elaborate masks, which seemed to heighten the mystique, as well as anticipation in the air but we had more than one underage punk trying to sneak in that way, too. After I walked outside with another pair of broke-ass twenty year olds, I waved Big Ton over.
“This is Big Ton. You little shits come back here before you’re twenty-one, and you’re gonna deal with him next time.” The two went pale as Ton grinned at them. “Now, get the fuck outta here.”
“Christ, Colt, maybe we gotta change the mask policy,” Big Ton muttered.
“How do these college brats even know about this place?” I scowled.
“Internet, I don’t know. And listen to you, you went to college, smartass,” Ton laughed.
“Oh, shut up.” I shook my head. “Sorry, security’s been a nightmare so far. We’ll get more people out here. Che palle.”
“Ey, while I got you, I heard something interesting. That pretty redhead dancer stay at your place last night, huh?” Big Ton wiggled his eyebrows. “Heard she was in some trouble, you played Mr. Hero. Nicely done, Cosimo.”
“Big Ton, I don’t have time to regale you with fairy tales,” I said, trying to keep a straight face as he offered me a shit-eating grin.
“Okay. Just wanna say, ya better figure that out before your Pops hears about it. You might be almost thirty, but that don’t matter to Sicilians. Trust me. Mama Ange’ll smack you upside the head with a wooden spoon next time she sees you if you’re fucking around with the help and aren’t serious about it.” Big Ton stared around at the crowd. “Me, though? Hey, I approve. You guys look good together and she’s always been nice to me and all the boys.”
“I’m going back inside,” I said, trying not to wince. “Keep me posted if you need anything.”
“Piece of advice,” Big Ton said, giving me a look. “Fire her ass and keep the boss stuff for the bedroom. Business and pleasure don’t mix.”
“Va fancule, eh?” I laughed, striding back inside, even as my temples throbbed. If Big Ton knew, that meant Pop and Ange would be hearing about Bella soon enough. Seeing as Pop hadn’t shown up ready to beat my ass, I imagined I still had some time, but I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.
Two ladies in masks smiled at me and I grinned back. I swept them a bow, then offered my arms. “May I interest you two in some free drink tickets?”
They both giggled and nodded. Rounding up a few more female patrons, I handed out a round of drinks.
Subtly checking my watch, I tried not to think about how Bella was scheduled to dance in about fifteen minutes. Then I excused myself, focusing on meeting new members of the club. I shook hands, offered tickets to various events throughout the evening, and encouraged people to cut loose. It wasn’t too hard. The place was packed, the band was jumping, and the dancers on stage were attracting a fair amount of attention.
But, then, with a minute to go before Bella’s dance, I could barely focus on walking, never mind schmoozing.
Instead, I casually walked over, and found a place to unobtrusively keep an eye on the room, and the stage.
Then I shook my head, what the fuck was I doing? I had to keep working. Pulling out my phone, I checked in with security, then quickly flipped through my emails.
About to walk away, the band wound down, taking their break, and I frowned.
What is she gonna dance to?
Suddenly a Rihanna song came through the speakers and heads flicked towards the stage.
A spotlight hit her and I froze.
She was wearing a red bustier, long purple gloves, and lace bunny ears.
“Our very own, Jessica Rabbit!” announced a voice over the intercom.
Bella slowly strode out, her steps hitting the same beats as the song, and again I had that sensation of watching a dancer control the music. The notes were raw, pulsating through me, and a fiery spike of need raced up my spine.
Then, as the lyrics started, Bella arched her back against a pole, reaching over her head.
And you got me…
Between Rihanna’s delectable voice and Bella’s dancing, the crowd was silent. Everyone was utterly captivated. She swung herself around the pole, sinuous as smoke. Now upside down, she rolled her body suggestively, and the crowd came alive. Cheers roared through the room.
And throw me against the wall…
At that exact moment, Bella’s eyes met mine.
I knew she had to be thinking about the dressing room the other night. My body flush against hers on the wall, while I told her how much I wanted her.
…just to get close to you…
I couldn’t move. Each word, each movement by Bella had me drowning in memories of her. Wanton heat raced through my veins and my breathing got heavy.
…just to get a taste…
Bella’s hips dipped down and she dragged her hands up her body. Catcalls split the air. And I couldn’t help but think of last night. That blaze of happiness when she’d appeared on my doorstep.
My muscles went tense and I shook my head to clear it. Suddenly seemed like it was just me and Bella. Alone in this big room. As it should be.
Dizziness and possessiveness overwhelmed me as Bella began walking down the catwalk, coming closer, and her eyes kept flicking back to me.
…I can’t get enough...
I could feel her fingers rake down my back and taste her sweet mouth.
Cheers and applause shattered the air as Bella came to the end of the catwalk, swaying, and singing along to the song.
…Must be love…
At that moment, I realized Big Ton was right. The solution to the problem wasn’t staying away from Bella. It was doing what I’d wanted to do all along.
Getting her the fuck off that stage and finding her somewhere else to work so she could be my woman for real.
Gazing into the crowd, I watched men point and salivate over her. A few were even throwing bills onto the stage, even though it wasn’t a fucking strip show. Fury ripped through me.
It took every last scrap of willpower to keep me from charging into that crowd and pistol-whipping every last one of those bastards. At the same time, I realized I could never do this again. I never wanted to watch other men look at Bella like this.
More money rained down on the stage and Bella was bowing. I’d missed the finale.
Now the song had changed, other dancers were coming onto the stage, and they were starting a new number.
Taking a deep breath, I walked away, full-well knowing I was going to wind up in jail for murder unless I found a new headliner and fast.
And, as I glanced back, unable to help myself, my eyes landed on Bella, center stage.
She w
as glowing. Our eyes met again and my heart leapt. Letting out a long breath, I half-smiled. It was time to man up and reconcile myself to what was happening here.
I was falling for Bella Lesaude, whoever she was.
And I was falling hard.
Bella
Walking off-stage, I accepted a towel from a staffer, and patted my arms dry. The other girls were high-fiving each other, hugging, and squealing about the routine. Each one was dying for next week’s show, but I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to dance at Club Magari again.
My heart had been in my throat during that whole routine. As a dancer, no one knew better than me how art imitated life. The whole time, I knew I had been dancing for Colt, and only Colt.
My eyes had been drawn to him immediately. How I found him in that crowd, I didn’t know, but I’d meant to ignore him, to really work the men clientele into a frenzy. Remind Colt Capestrana just how indispensable his Rabbit was.
Instead, I’d found his gaze again and again. I could see the hard set of his jaw, the barely contained rage, and swell of his shoulders as men threw money at me.
Clearly those pricks didn’t realize this wasn’t a strip club. More than one of them had made a lewd, angry comment that I didn’t bare at least a breast.
Oddly, part of me was glad that Colt hadn’t heard that. He’d looked capable of murder as he watched me. Another part was satisfied at a job well done.
But deep down I knew some part of me had reveled in his obvious jealousy. That palpable fury. Because it meant he was as gone as I was.
There was even a moment where I had spun, and I swear the entire room had been empty except for him, with a single beam of light illuminating his chiseled body.
Biting my lip, I walked into my dressing room, and closed the door. As I kicked off my heels, I wondered if he’d also thought about the night we’d spent in here while I was dancing.
Changing into a tight purple bandage dress, I kept on the gloves, and bunny ears. It felt like playing with fire after I’d tormented Colt on stage like that, but I couldn’t resist. I fixed my makeup and spritzed on a light, citrus perfume. Then I made my way out into the main room, where the band was playing a sultry, jazzy number, and I felt my pulse start to race.
Better to Eat You Page 49
