-Now I need to lick that, can you even imagine for a minute what sex with that fuck would be like? Poor little kitty….Z
- Not if I get to her first, I wouldn’t declaw her, I would love to feel her nails sinking into my back…Dom
-Not gonna happen Dom, I called it first…Z
-Aw… I’m not one of you, but if you want to share, you take the back, I will take the front. She appears to need it….Dom
“That is all,” Jules De Luca looked at her husband.
“That will be all,” he nodded to the door dismissing her, “Any questions?”
“I have one, will she be traveling to the states? We could use her expertise for a few weeks. Of course we would love for you to come as well,” Zandor sat back.
“If you find it necessary, I will make her available. Feel free to ask my assistant for anything you need. See you at dinner.” Benito stood and left the room.
We all stood and looked at Zandor, “Let’s go.” I motioned to the door.
Zandor rolled his eyes and stood, there was a loud bang against the table and he doubled over.
“Did you, are you, oh my, my,” Dom chuckled.
“Nah I’m fucking with you,” Zandor stood and winked at me.
“Sounded more like a pencil anyhow," Dom patted his back.
“No you forget I am from America, not Italy,” Zandor laughed and patted his back.
“Oh that’s right, inferior to us. However half of you is Segreti, let us hope it’s the lower half, huh?” Dom was pretty damn funny, fit right in.
“No Dom the lower half is all Steel, you wanna check it out?” Zandor grabbed his belt buckle and Dom shot him a warning glance, and we all laughed…
~
We all went out to a club owned by none other than DeLuca, we ate dinner and watched the ladies dance on the stage, fucking topless. Benito and Jules hosted the dinner. Zandor and I had a little chat about scaling it down and I hope he got it.
Whenever I looked up, Jules DeLuca was looking at me. I wasn’t sure what it was all about, but it made me fucking uncomfortable. Benito whispered in her ear and she shook her head and stood up and walked over to me.
“Dance with me,” she grabbed my hand and pulled me up before I had a chance to object. The free flowing liquor didn’t help my ability to react all that quickly either.
“Your husband tell you to dance with me?”
“Yes. Benito wants us all to get along,” Jules smiled, she had a nice smile. Zandor was right she had a Shakira vibe about her, spicy hot, “You are single, yes?”
“Yeah, but not really.”
“In love, huh?”
“Aren’t we all?” I nodded towards Benito, hoping to draw her attention back to her husband since her tits were snug against me. I nodded to Zandor and on cue he walked over and cut in.
I sat next to Cyrus on one of the corner couches as some of the girls started coming over and dancing for us. Abe and Dom each left with a girl after the second song.
“You may wanna grab one before they get sweaty. Which shouldn’t take long, holy fuck Cyrus,” I elbowed him and we both laughed.
“You first.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“Either am I, check out Zandor,” Cyrus shook his head.
Zandor was leading Jules to the bar, holding her hand. I looked at Benito and he rolled his eyes and whispered to one of his goons before following one of the dancers into the back. I looked back and Cyrus was at the bar beside Zandor. I was certain I had ordered water and this was not water.
“Hey Zandor, you about ready to get going,” Cyrus patted his shoulder.
“Nah, not yet.”
“Look, Momma warned us about girls like her,” Cyrus smiled at Zandor, “Let’s go, there is plenty of ass around here.”
“I think I like this little kitten though,” Zandor grinned and ran his hand lower down her back.
Jules slapped him across the face and Zandor laughed.
“Cut your losses bro, she isn’t worth the fight,” Cyrus caught her hand as she attempted to slap him. “I’ll let go but if you try that again your worst nightmares will come true Julianna Sanchez.”
She glared at him, “What do you know of my dreams?”
“Julianna Sanchez was a registered nurse at a Cuban hospital, where she met Benny boy. She was married when she met him. Somehow she saved enough money to fly to Italy for a little procedure, an enhancement of sorts. Shortly after, she divorced her husband, moved to Italy with her daughter who is at a boarding school. How am I doing there, Jules?”
“You don’t know a thing of me!”
“I know your husband just offered you up to Jase, who happens to be the majority shareholder in DeLuca. I know he just left the room with one of the dancers here and it didn’t seem to bother you one fucking bit. So again Zandor, Momma raised us better than to play with little kitties who climb their way from the bottom hoping like hell they make it to the top of the proverbial pole.”
Cyrus caught her next attempt and Zandor laughed.
“There is nothing wrong with an open marriage,” she snapped.
“Hey-- to each their own, but yours isn’t open to what you want, it’s whatever he says. Back home we call women like that—whores.” Jules spit in his face and he laughed and licked the saliva off the side of his lips exposing his piercing.
“You will fail here, mark my word. Then you’ll be poking holes and painting people again on the Jersey shore!”
Zandor laughed as she walked away, “Alright bro, let’s go see how Jase is doing, and get dessert to go.”
I woke up to someone between my legs, if I closed my eyes tight enough, I could imagine Carly. It had been nine fucking months and I swear I needed a release, preferably caused by someone other than myself. I was fucked up and she had cut off all ties, so why did I give a fuck? She was probably banging Brad. I heard a gasp and looked down. The dark haired woman was fascinated and I smiled, “Boccino.”
“Sure,” I laughed, I really needed to learn some Italian other than just fottiti, ti voglio bene, and the one I could not wait to use, ti amo, with-- Carly, “Stop !” I sat back quickly, “What the fuck was I thinking?”
“You finished?” Cyrus pulled me up everyone was standing there looking at me. Abe looked quickly away, he was pissed. So was I. Cyrus helped me stager to the door and I don’t remember much after that.
~
I woke up to slamming drawers and then little giggles, “Little Bell, stop slamming things please!” I moaned and rolled over and covered my head with my pillow.
“Is Daddy sick?”
“A little but he will be fine. Let’s get you back to Grandma and I will kick your…wake your father up,” Bella laughed at Abe.
When Abe came back I was getting dressed, he couldn’t even look at me.
“Abe I was fucked up, I didn’t even…”
“Yeah, well you should just forget about Carly, this shit isn’t going to work.”
“Listen, that’s not going to fucking happen…”
“Katherine died, so yes you are going to…”
“Wait, what the fuck did you just say?” I swear to God I had heard him say…
“Carly’s mother three nights ago. She had a heart attack and died,” I watched as Abe threw his stuff in his bag.
“Abe I want her number,” he had refused and I respected his wishes up until right fucking now.
“Not going to happen.”
I grabbed him and he pushed me back, “Don’t start something you aren’t prepared to fucking finish, Steel.”
I closed my eyes, “When are the services?”
“Yesterday, immediate family and…”
“The book club. Fuck, she is going to be such a fucking mess. I need to see her,” I felt my hands begin to tremble.
“You sit down and shut the fuck up! They fucking responded to the email, you fucking win Jase, now let’s see what the fuck you can do that’s not underhanded!”
&n
bsp; “Abe that’s not fucking fair, not fair at all man,” I stood up and started packing my things and Bella’s.
~
Abe and I didn’t talk the entire ride to the airport or the flight home. As soon as we landed he pulled his phone out and made a call, I know it was to her and I stayed the fuck away. One phone call and I could find out how to get a hold of her, just one fucking call.
When Abe got off the phone he glanced at me and walked out the door. I carried sleeping beauty to the car where she slept on my chest.
Abe looked at me, “Sorry, I don’t want to fight with you. I know what you are doing and what you have done. Watching Benny boy last night, fucked me up. I don’t want that for her.”
“Did it fuck you up before or after you took off with …”
Abe laughed and slugged me in the arm, “I’m not claiming to be in love.”
“I know, but I really didn’t, fuck Abe how much did I drink?”
“I am assuming doubles of whatever you ordered, you’re the shit now man, Jase Steel fucking business tycoon.
“No different than before, brother.”
“We have a party to throw on the shore,” Abe laughed.
“Abraham O’Donnell CFO of Steel USA.”
“No kidding,” Abe laughed, “Jase, you’re amazing with her.”
“This little thing? It’s nothing man, and everything, she is the coolest little chick in the world. My girl, finally in my arms.”
“So that’s enough right?”
“What are you getting at Abe?”
“You won’t fall apart, you’ll still be her Daddy, like you have been for over a year now, not just a piece of him if Carly tells you to fuck off?”
“She won’t,” I smiled and looked down at Bella’s little face. “But if it happens, I would be no different, hurt, but no different than I’ve been for over a year now. In love with your crazy, beautiful cousin, who I didn’t have the balls to…”
Abe covered his ears, “No, I don’t want to hear it.”
I laughed, “I’m going to nail her ass.”
“Jase you’re pissing me off,” Abe warned.
“She is not going to be able to walk for …”
“Hey Bella, time for you to wake up,” Abe tried to poke her.
“Don’t do it, she won’t sleep for hours if she wakes up,” I was serious, if she fell asleep for ten minutes it was a fucking party for at least three hours when she woke up.
“Shut up and I won’t,” Abe laughed.
We pulled up in front of Abe’s place, “Busy day tomorrow.”
“Oh she will be here in two days. The Professor has to take care of a few things and he will follow.”
“You sure nothing is going on with her and him?”
“I’m sure,” Abe rolled his eyes, “My cousin seems to like bad asses.”
“Smart girl.”
~
Abe called me in the morning, really early, “She’s leaving now, a day early. Cameron isn’t going to be back in town for two days. I’m picking her up at six. Going to bring her by the house and then I don’t know, what the fuck!”
“I got the party, you take care of her. Call the office, see …”
“She scheduled that for Saturday morning, she wants to get started right away,” Abe was freaking, which was not like him.
“I will call Dom and get him back here, it’ll be fine. Sleep for a couple hours. We got people now Abe, we got this.”
13
I hated airplanes. They sucked, life sucks. I really wish Thomas was with me, but I know a lot needed to be done. I couldn’t believe how quickly we packed up a house that I lived at for so long and I couldn’t believe how much we gave away. I know I kept more than I should have, not my things, but Mom’s.
Three different blankets, why blankets? It took me forever to figure that out. The one that hung on the back of the couch, the deep red afghan that Mom and I snuggled under while we watched the vampire series every day for a month straight. We had read the books first (of course), but to watch the movie bring it to life was amazing. I hated that girl who sat by the window and cried. I thought she should get over it but Mom had told me that the heart wants what the heart wants, and I never understood that until over a year ago.
The purple velour blanket that sat folded on the end of her bed, we had laid and read side by side for hours covered in that thing. Thomas pointed out the holes and said I should throw it out but I wouldn’t. And last but not least the smaller army green wool one that Mom often stood wrapped in, on the back porch over-looking our garden on chilly spring mornings. She always got up before me and I joined her after watching her stand and admire our garden in peace. She would lift it and drape it over my shoulder and wrap her arm around me, kiss my head, and tell me good morning. For me those three blankets were as close as I would ever get to receiving a hug from Mom. They were her embrace now, and I would treasure them always.
I woke when the plane touched down and folded up that army green blanket and shoved it in my carry on. I didn’t check a bag. Thomas had all of it in the moving truck he insisted on driving in, across country. DeLuca had set up the condo they were providing for me with everything I needed, it was amazing that they had taken interest in our project, and that everything Thomas and I had requested was approved. Even things like housing were provided, not just for Thomas, but for me as well. My mother would be so happy for the both of us. She gave us two days to grieve and forever to celebrate, and we were trying to honor her request.
I saw Abe holding up a sign with my name on it and I smiled. I truly felt bad that I had avoided him since that summer that seemed like it was a lifetime ago now. But I wouldn’t anymore.
He extended his arms and I dove into them, he laughed, hugged me, and leaned back, “I’m so sorry Carly.”
“I am too, but my two days are up, no more crying. Now I have to celebrate her life, strict orders from the grave,” I smiled.
“You don’t have to be strong around me.”
“Yes I do, come on I want to see my new pad. You have time?”
“Only thing I have planned is to take you out for drinks, I missed your twenty first birthday.”
“Oh wow, yeah that was…” It never even registered but three days after Mom died was my birthday.
“I know. Let’s get going.”
We walked outside and there was a black Limo, “Mr. O’Donnell.”
The man tipped his hat and opened the door, I got in and sat and Abe followed. “Mr. O’Donnell? What the hell is that all about?”
“Well I have just been given a great opportunity with the same company that hired you,” he smiled, “Unbelievable opportunity.”
“Spill it Abe,” I smiled back.
“CFO of DeLuca US,” Abe laughed out loud.
“No way! The same company as I’m here for?”
“Pretty cool, isn’t it?”
“So you’re like my boss?”
“No, your bosses, bosses, boss,” Abe laughed.
“Who the hell did you have to blow?”
Abe laughed out loud and hard, “I’ll never tell.”
“Well at least I didn’t have to do that to get in. I’m riding the coat tails of my professor, sweet huh?”
“I’m sure you’re a hard worker, if not—I’ll fire your ass. Speaking of, there’s a big party tomorrow to introduce me as CFO, would you be my date?”
“I’m sure you can find someone, Abe.”
“Not that I’ll have fun with and who won’t be pissed that I am busy talking to everyone. Please Carly, please?” Abe begged.
“Fine, yes. I’ll have to go shopping, which I hate-- so you better appreciate it, pal.”
We pulled up in front of the condo and I looked out the window, “This is it?”
“Yeah-- sweet digs, huh?”
“I would say so,” it only took me half a second to jump out and run to the door. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out the key. I opened the door and I w
as shocked. Wood and black iron, very beautiful, and very well furnished. “Did you get a place in your employment package as well?”
“Nope, did you and the Professor?”
“Yeah, I hope he’s right next door, I would go insane if I didn’t see him every day.”
“Why is that?”
“He lived with us,” I could not stop walking around the kitchen, it was amazing. I walked into the living room and saw a few sculpted pieces that were beautiful. I touched them and closed my eyes. It felt good here, not cold, and I was going to like it. Mom would have loved it. I pulled the blanket out of my bag and hung it on the back of the oversized leather recliner, it was perfect.
“Alright I’m starving, let’s go out,” Abe was in a hurry, but I get it, he was hungry. I wasn’t but I would love a legal drink at a bar.
“Sounds good,” I looked back at my new home and smiled, it would be perfect.
Abe and I sat at the back of the pub slash restaurant and ate. I had vegetable soup and he had steak, poor cow. He and I both drank three drinks and I was already feeling a case of the tipsy. Perfect. I would sleep well tonight. I looked up, and gasped.
“What the hell is he doing here?” I snapped at Abe.
He looked at me like I had lost my mind, “Carly, he’s my friend. What…”
Jase looked at me quickly and looked away.
“You didn’t tell me you were bringing a friend.”
Jase took his jacket off and set it over the back of the bar stool, he pushed his sleeves up and sat down, leaving on a wool cap.
Jase didn’t even look at me… the prick didn’t even look at me. Not like he should have remembered me for God sake… what was I thinking it had been almost a year since we had seen each other and I am very sure he had been very busy. I need to get the hell out of here and fast.
Jase smiled at the waitress and I swear to God she moaned, she freaking moaned. “Could we get a round please, I will have a beer.”
“Your usual?” she asked sticking her tits out as she drooled over him.
“Please,” he smiled and sat back, he finally looked at me, “Carly…”
The way he said my name made me want to slap him in the face. He was being sweet… sexy even and I wanted to slap him in the smug face when he gave me that stupid smile, that smile that said, I could have fucked you and didn’t.
Jase Page 13
