by Hadley Quinn
“Danielle.”
“Danielle,” he repeated softly. “Are you just visiting from France?”
Here goes… “My job takes me all over, but I live in New York for the time being.”
“Oh?” He sat down in the chair that Leslie had vacated. “Please, tell me more.”
She smiled again. “I’m a model.”
“I knew it,” he practically purred.
“I’m in the United States for a little while—I’ll be heading over to Los Angeles next for Oscar’s runway show. After that I return to Milan.”
His eyes went big. “You enjoy Italy?”
“I love Italy. The culture, the food, the people—”
“The men?” he smiled with another shrug of his eyebrows.
“I love Italian men,” she replied, giving him a toying smile. But this just felt all kinds of wrong and she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I have to be honest with you.”
He raised his eyebrows with surprise and tilted his head. “Pardon?”
Dani sighed. “Look, I know that you’re a social worker and I’m desperate to locate a friend of mine. Is there anything you can do to help me, or any kind of advice you can give me?”
He looked thoroughly confused, and then his face dropped slightly. Dani was sure she’d pissed him off and she was about to apologize again and high tail it out of there. But Salvatore said, “I’m not sure what you think I’m able to do, but we don’t just give out names and addresses to anyone that asks.”
“I understand that, but she’s already out of the system. Is there anyway you can find out where she was last and just…I don’t know, give me a clue as to where she might be now?”
Salvatore propped his elbows on the table and pressed his fingertips together. “Was Leslie behind this attempt at…what, deception? Were you to woo me into providing information for you?”
“It wasn’t her idea, no. My sister knew of you and she’s friends with Leslie… She just wanted to help me. I’m sorry, but I only wanted to talk to you. I needed someone to help but didn’t know where to start.”
He sighed and asked, “What is your friend’s name? The one you need to find.”
“Leah. Leah Marie Kemp. She was born and raised here in New Jersey.”
And just the look on his face confirmed that he knew the name. Donny Kemp had a lingering reputation.
“I really need to check on her,” Dani continued. “It would mean so much to me to find out how she is doing.”
Salvatore felt a bit of compassion towards her plea. “I’ll make a phone call,” he replied.
“Really?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’ll see what I can find out. I make no promises, though.”
“Oh, I understand. Thank you so much, Salvatore. You truly are a wonderful man.”
“Well…” he cracked a smile.
Dani wrote her cell number on a slip of paper from her purse. “Please call me as soon as you find something out. I desperately need to make sure she’s okay.”
“I understand,” he nodded. “But please. Danielle. Don’t get too excited. No promises, right?”
“Yes, I do understand. I’m just happy to know you’re willing to try. Thank you so much, Salvatore.” She stood from the table and added, Au revoir, mon bon ami.”
Salvatore returned the smile and replied, “Addio, bella signora.”
Chapter Eleven
Van had another good hand, setting down a full house. He won ninety bucks when he heard Ian say, “Holy shit, someone needs to put out a fire.” All eyes followed his to the door when he added, “That’s smokin’ hot too, but I’m talking about the fire in my pants, boys.”
“Hey, watch your mouth,” Van chuckled, getting up to meet Dani in the doorway.
“Jesus, she is for real,” Marty said.
“Is this a bad time?” Dani asked quietly when Van approached. She was used to stares, but she didn’t want to create a problem for Van at the firehouse.
“Never a bad time,” Van replied, giving her a kiss. “Unless I’m not here,” he added with a smile.
“Hey, you gonna introduce us?” Ian hollered. “Or you too embarrassed to be seen with that hideous thing.”
All the guys laughed, but every one of them secretly hoped that Van would oblige.
“Wanna meet some of my obnoxious co-workers?” Van asked her.
“Of course,” she shrugged, following his lead when he took her hand.
“Okay guys, this is Dani. Marty, Ian, and Dicky,” he pointed.
“The pleasure is ours,” Ian announced, standing up to offer a partial bow. “And your boy just won you some pocket change,” he added, sliding the pile of bills her way.
“Oh yeah?” she smiled, tilting her head to Van.
“Or you can add it to your funds for a facelift,” Ian smiled.
“I’m that hideous, huh?” Dani replied.
“Totally. I’m sorry, but you are definitely the ugliest broad I’ve ever seen.”
Van shook his head at his friends but he really didn’t mind their banter. Dani had finally come by to see him and he was hoping it would put a stop to all their teasing about his “pretend” girlfriend. But now he could tell that it was only going to begin a new series of jokes.
“Hey, you want us to tie the red scarf on the door, Vanny?” Ian joshed as Van led Dani out of the lounge.
“Does he ever quit?” Dani murmured.
“Hey, Van, show us your catwalk.”
“Only when he knows I’m pissed,” Van replied.
“Ooh, I wanna see what happens,” she smiled.
Van kind of chuckled and then turned around at the door to give Ian a look, just as he was about to say something more. It shut him up instantly, and he shrank a few inches in his chair.
Dani had to stifle her laugh until they were out of sight, and she playfully swatted her boyfriend in the chest as they walked. “You’re so mean.”
“What? That’s not even cool. You told me to.”
“Okay, it’s funny, but I don’t know why. People are afraid of you.”
He shrugged. “It’s called respect. I can take a joke or mess around with the best of ‘em, but it’s not a secret when I mean business. Man, you ask me to strut my stuff for you and then rip me apart for it.”
“Aw, I’m sorry, baby,” she chuckled, pretending to console him. “How can I make it up to you?”
“Well, you can help me find that red scarf…”
He pretended to look around for it and she laughed.
He led her into another lounge, one that was currently empty, and shut the door behind them. Without a word Dani pulled him against her and started kissing him.
“You wore a skirt on purpose, didn’t you?” he accused her with a smile.
She continued to kiss him even though she chuckled. “What?” she asked, feigning innocence.
He slid his hands down her waist to the edge of her skirt and inched it up. “I can’t, though.”
“Aww, really?”
“I’m sorry, babe. Not at work.”
“I want you,” she whispered in his ear.
Just those words sent passion into his groin. “I want you too, but…”
She understood so she didn’t protest. However, they continued to kiss and things naturally progressed. Van had the intention of just messing around a little, but the temptation was too much. He continued to kiss her, and while his hand was busy in her panties, she unbuttoned her top.
“Mmm,” she responded as his other hand felt over her breasts and then down to her hips. He turned her around so her ass was against his cock and his fingers sank into her wetness even deeper. The way he held her this way while he kissed her at the same time always gave her a rush.
Her audible sounds turned him on even more, which is why he spun her back around and wrapped her legs around his hips so he could nail her against the wall.
Van knew he needed to make it quick, so he was pretty sure Dani didn’t get any sort of s
atisfaction from him. She didn’t seem to care though as she continued to kiss him while they gradually finished up the session.
“Sorry,” he said quietly.
Dani shook her head with a smile. “Don’t be sorry, that was the point.”
“You came here just to seduce me into a quickie?” he chuckled, as they both put their clothing right.
“Yes,” she replied, lovingly kissing him one more time.
“Hm, I’m not sure if I should be mad at you or not for having that kind of power over me.”
“Okay, I won’t ever do it again.”
He smiled and kissed her forehead. “No, I’m not mad at you. I can’t even think of a better thing to do on a Monday night.”
She laughed. “Okay, but I should count my win and go.”
“Can you come back for your lunch break tomorrow?” he begged.
“You really want me to come back after you accuse me of taking your virginity just now?”
He laughed. “I’ll have my guard up a little better.”
She realized that he was serious about having her come back, so she nodded her head. “Okay, I’ll come by. Can I bring you something to eat then?”
“Definitely. I mean if, you know, we’re here.”
“Sure. I’ll call ahead, just in case.”
“I love you, Dani,” he said, pulling her close to him for a hug.
“I love you, too,” she replied, holding him tight.
It was hard for her to leave him, but she did a minute later. And Van certainly had a difficult time letting her go when he walked her to her car. He’d only been away from the guys for about twenty minutes, but he had no idea what they were going to throw at him when he returned to the main lounge. Fortunately for him the room contained a few more people—guys that they didn’t share just anything with, and Cindy, one of the female firefighters on their shift. Van sat down on the couch where Ian and Dicky were watching a baseball game, and the three of them just glanced at each other until it caused a few chuckles.
“You are so whipped,” Ian murmured.
“She broke you down,” Dicky added.
“Just keep it to yourselves and no one gets hurt,” Van replied quietly, putting his feet up on the coffee table.
Both guys snickered again and Ian asked, “Upstairs bathroom or girls’ lounge?”
There was a pause amongst the three of them until Dicky decided, “Lounge,” and that was that.
Van trusted both guys so it wasn’t an issue. They knew he wasn’t the kind of guy that broke the rules, nor was he the type to brag about it. He would never share anything about Dani that would embarrass her, and he would never allow anyone to demean her.
They all knew better.
***
“Where’ve you been?” Marnie asked when Dani returned to the apartment around seven.
“Why do you ask, mom,” was the reply as Dani unlocked Van’s apartment.
Marnie chuckled and followed her inside. “Just curious, that’s all. Van likes us to keep tabs on you.”
Dani smiled and tossed her purse onto the kitchen table. “Well I was just with Van, so I suppose you don’t have to account for the past hour.”
“Oh God, you finally saw him at work. It’s about time.”
Dani laughed and shook her head. “Is it really that big of a deal?”
“That big of a—? Yes it’s that big of a deal. The guy begs you to visit him at work and you always turn him down. It’s done a number on his confidence.”
“Well I think I just boosted his confidence and he probably won’t risk having me back for a while,” Dani smiled mysteriously.
Marnie gave her a curious look. “What? I’m confused… Wait, where are you going?”
“To shower off his confidence,” Dani replied, casting a smirk over her shoulder.
Marnie laughed out loud as she heard the bathroom door shut. She returned to her own apartment a minute later, just as Paul was getting home from the gym.
“Well?” she asked. “How did it feel?”
“It felt okay, actually. Just a little sore right now, but not bad.” He set his bag on the floor and was going to drop onto the couch, but the look from his wife was a little too familiar. “Fine,” he sighed. “I’ll shower first.”
Marnie left it at that, glad they at least weren’t going to argue about it.
“Where were you?” he asked. “With Dani?”
“Yeah. She just got home from having sex with Van.”
That stopped him quick and he gave her a funny look. “Excuse me?”
She shrugged. “She didn’t offer details.”
Paul chuckled. “Van’s at work… Nuh-uh,” he scoffed. “Van would never…”
Marnie was slowly nodding her head with confirmation.
“At the firehouse?” he wanted to clarify.
“Yup.”
He thought about that for a second. “Wow, she’s good.”
It was Marnie’s turn to scoff.
“I just mean that Van’s so—”
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” she interrupted. “But those two have sex more than anyone I know.”
“You don’t have to be jealous,” Paul grinned. “I’m sure we can outdo ‘em.”
Marnie smiled. “You mean now or four years ago?”
“Pssh, no one would even come close to our numbers four years ago.”
She laughed, but it kind of hurt to think about those days. She wished she could have them back.
Paul didn’t say anything further and headed for the shower. It bothered him just as much, but they had let too many things come between them. Now he just accepted the fact that they were married, but acted more often like roommates instead.
Neither of them knew what to do to change that.
***
Dani got off the phone and sighed. Her brother was getting that way again—depressed and talking unreasonably. She didn’t know what to do for him anymore, and especially financially she’d been sucked dry. She barely had a thousand dollars in the bank right now, even with her new job. Her last two paychecks just went towards paying her brother’s mortgage and other bills… She didn’t know how long she could keep supporting him until he could get his shit together.
“I told you not to do this,” Jaime said over the phone after hearing the latest. “Something has to change.”
“He can’t work—”
“No, he won’t work.”
“How can he when there’s always something wrong with him? This whole kidney thing just really did a number on him.”
“Lots of people have only one kidney. And he’s got a healthy kidney.”
“Why can’t mom and dad just find him a couple of jobs?” Dani complained.
“Does Simon want to get back in the industry?”
“Yes, I really think he does. He needs something to give him a boost.”
Jaime was quiet for a few seconds. Finally she said, “Let me talk to Fontaine. She’s always absorbed in her own world, but maybe she can help out.”
“She’s in California for a few months.”
“Maybe we can ship him over there.”
Dani chuckled. “Maybe.”
“And how are you supposed to get along, Dani? You’ve really got to establish your own security, ma chère. Please stop giving Simon money. I think he’s starting to depend on it. In fact, I’m going to just tell him that you are flat broke and living with your pimp right now.”
With a laugh Dani replied, “He might be jealous.”
“True.”
“Don’t make him feel bad, though.”
“Feel bad? He should feel bad. You’ve probably given him two hundred grand in the past six months.”
“We’ve all contributed.”
“Yeah but you’ve given the most. Dani, you are never going to get that back if he doesn’t get himself together.”
“It’s not his fault all of this has happened.”
“But he should have applied for t
hat loan like we told him to. At least that would have taken care of his bills for a while.”
“Well, it’s too late for that. The medical bills have been paid. Now it’s just a matter of Simon getting back to work to make a living.”
“Right, and if he doesn’t sell that house, you’re never going to see your money again. He needs to sell the house.”
“And live where?”
“I don’t know. That’s the question of the year. He just needs to do it and find an apartment. But he’s not going to if you keep paying his bills.”
“He loses the house, there’s no way I’m seeing my money again. The mortgage needs to be paid.”
“True.”
“I don’t know what to do anymore, Jaime.”
“You’ve done enough already. Let me talk to Fontaine, okay? If she can’t find him something then I’m going to figure out a way to get it out of mom and dad.”
Dani chuckled. “Should we have another online auction?”
“Something like that. Anyways, I need to get Naomi from piano. I’ll call you when I know something, okay? But damn it Dani, if you give him any more money I’m going to auction your stuff off, starting with your Dussault jeans.”
“Don’t even touch my jeans.”
“I can’t believe people pay that much money for a trashed pair of pants.”
Dani chuckled. “I know; it’s ridiculous. If they hadn’t been a gift, there’s no way I’d ever have a pair.”
“What about your other stuff? The stuff you think Brian took from you.”
“I’m sure he probably sold it all. Nothing I can do about it now. He already robbed me of my dignity,” she laughed bitterly.
Jaime smiled but shook her head. “Well you’ve moved on, so don’t dwell on the past.”
“Noted. But I’ll let you go. Give your kids a hug for me.”
“Sure thing.”
Dani took a deep breath when she got off the phone with her sister. She didn’t like the emptiness of the apartment, so she turned on the TV to have some company. She thought about her conversation with Jaime and decided that she really did have a different life than she did a few years ago. She had a different career, a simpler lifestyle, and pretty much an entirely different outlook on life. The only thing that had remained the same was her interest in fashion. She did have a lot of clothes. Not as many as before since she really had sold dozens of high dollar pieces from modeling jobs to help out her brother, and then later just to pay rent before she lost her apartment. But the interest had always been there. She wanted nothing to do with modeling again, but she did like the clothes.
