by Posey Parks
“Samantha, stop acting hard in front of your family and friends. I know you. You love that man with all of your heart.”
“Sydney, that may very well be true, but things happen behind closed doors no one knows about.”
“Like what? I asked.
She unleashed her damp hair and rested her face against the chair, peering into our faces. “The day Jacob and I became serious he made it clear he wanted us to have four children. I said two. He was serious. Jacob wanted the four children come hell or high water. He’s from a large family. I think he enjoys chaos. Jacob never tires of the children tugging his perfect hair or drooling all over him. It was just me and my brothers growing up. Oh, and my cousins, Sydney and Kevin were always at our house too. I love my family, but sometimes I wanted to be alone. Don’t get me wrong, my babies are my world. I just wanted my body to have a minor break.”
“Samantha, that’s perfectly normal.”
“Thanks, Sierra.” Her eyes glassed over.
“Jacob was content after I returned from the dead. Of course, he was. I was pregnant with twins. The last couple of years he’s badgered me. He often asked when I’d stop taking birth control. I tried to deflect by riding his cock faster. You know hoping it would throw him off track. That only lasted so long. Last night I told him I was ready to have a fourth child. He hung up the phone on me.” She threw her hands in the air.
“Why is Jacob mad you ask? You know since I’m finally giving him what he wants.” Her eyes fell over us.
“He said he’s asked me for years for another baby. And I waited until we were apart to relay the news. He thinks it’s a joke. So, I can’t deal with him right now. If something is seriously wrong Denise or Sebastian will call me.”
“We all go through our fair share of shit with our husbands. No one here has a perfect relationship. It’s like we know you and Jacob. But then we see him on TV and it’s almost like he’s someone else.”
“I get that, Sierra. When we first started dating, I was scared and infatuated with him all at once. He was breathtaking. He wanted all of me. Not the other women biding for his attention. He was my movie star crush for crying out loud. Jacob was a bit of an obsession. Then I became overcome with self-doubt. It was jabbing me in my guts. Like this Hollywood star wants me. Is something wrong with him? The more I let down my guard and saw him as just Jacob, I realized he was human like the rest of us and it became easier to love him. But once our memories were recovered. Slight issue.” She squeezed her fingers together.
“I learned I was in love with two men.”
I heard them gasp behind me.
“Hunter and Jacob.”
“Girl, I almost lost control of this bus,” Nadine laughed.
“Sorry.”
Samantha brushed her fingers across the leather seat. “Hunter is rough and rugged. A killer like me. Jacob is clean cut. The movie star. America’s heartthrob. Hunter is my first love. I’m convinced Jacob hates Skylar.”
“I think he’s still a little bitter Skylar tried to fuck another man to get back at him.”
Sydney crossed her arms.
“I know not her finest hour. She was hurt. She thought goody two shoes forgot about me. The point of the story is I love that man with all of my heart. He’s just in the dog house right now. Not talking to him for a few days will teach him.”
“Ok, Sam.” Sydney waved her hand toward Samantha.
“What?”
“He’ll show up in one of the cities swinging his dick in front of you. Then he’ll be back in your good graces.”
“He better not. He can keep his addictive cock.” Sam cut her eyes at Sydney.
The girls laughed.
“You tell Sebastian to tell Jacob everything is ok. We’re having a great time. Which is true.”
“Samantha, I’m sure Jacob will come around.” I offered a warm smile.
She shrugged. “He really hurt my feelings. Sometimes we have to give our husbands tough love.”
“Very true, Zoey,” stated. “Just because we’re married to powerful, sexy, alpha men they can’t always have their way.”
“Girl, you better say it,” Emoni nodded.
“I don’t care how much money my man has. He will not disrespect me.”
“Black women aren’t pushovers,” Sydney chimed.
“Hey, Kitten what are your thoughts?” I gripped my midsection laughing.
The other girls snickered.
“Take it Kitten. Take it all,” Sydney mocked.
“Did anyone else hear them last night?”
“Sierra, don’t hate Tony’s Pet name for me.” Nadine rolled her eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Shit, girl ain’t nobody hating. We wish we had a cool name like that,” Emoni pulled her feet under her.
Emoni’s head shot in my direction. “Wait a fucking minute. We heard Dillon pounding into you this morning.”
“Yeah, he was giving it to you good. That’s why I had to interrupt.” Samantha blinked her long lashes several times.
Sydney leaned over and slapped Sam’s hand. “Right, we left our men at home and the mob wives still getting dicked down.” She glared at each of us.
“Listen, we’ll be together in Punta Cana later this week getting fucked by our husbands.”
Zoey hugged her shins. “I can’t wait to see Brandon.”
“You just saw him on FaceTime,” Carmen snickered.
“Funny. Let me rephrase: I can’t wait to lay in his arms.”
Carmen rubbed her arm. “I was just playing.”
Zoey rubbed her hand. “I know. Hey how about we make drinks for everyone.”
Carmen’s face lit up. “Let’s do it.” She stood and peeked at Nadine. “We need food. Are you stopping soon?”
“No. Eat snacks. We have a party planned later. We can save our appetites for dinner.”
Carmen rolled her eyes. “Fine. Snacks anyone?”
I held my hand up. “Yes, toss a bag of cheese puffs for Emoni and I to share.”
“Ladies are we drinking light or dark liquor today?” Zoey pointed around the bus.
“Dark,” I blurted out. “I’ll take a whiskey sour.”
Sydney’s eyes lit up. “Whiskey sours are always delicious.”
“Anybody want cheesecake?” Carmen held the dish eye level.
“Me,” fell from all of our lips.
“Nadine, your cheesecake is so good. Tomorrow we’ll demolish Samantha’s peach cobbler.”
“Sure will.” Sydney gleamed, rubbing her nonexistent belly.
I pressed play on my playlist. Cardi B bellowed through the custom speakers. The girls danced.
This trip was everything and more. My cell rang twenty minutes later.
I glanced at the screen. “Emoni, it’s Dillon. Can you take over and play music?”
“Sure.”
I stared at the screen as I scurried into the bedroom in the back of the coach. “Hey, baby.” I closed the pocket door behind me.
“How are you ladies doing?”
“Well.” My head landed on the comfy heather gray pillow.
“We should arrive at the winery soon.”
“Good.”
I scanned the custom crafted cream ceiling with recessed lights. The bedroom was state of the art. There was a private bathroom to my right. The king-sized bed was so comfy I could doze off after our call. The sleek taupe dresser with gold fixtures stretched across the entire wall in front of the bed. I peeked out the cream blinds.
“Nadine’s driving this bus like it’s a race car.”
“What’s new. The only time she slows down is if she has the kids in the car.”
“True.” I laughed.
“I didn’t expect her to drive the luxury bus top speed down the highway though.”
“Tell her to slow down before she flips the bus.”
“I will, Dillon.” My hand glided across the red throw.
“How did you ladies enjoy rafting?”
&n
bsp; My heartbeat thudded my chest.
I hesitated but kept a poker face. “It was so much fun.”
“You sure?” His brow wrinkled.
“I miss you already. How are the kids?”
“Mom said they are keeping them busy. I’ll FaceTime them after we hang up.”
“Tell them I love them.”
“I will.”
“The only part of this evening I dread is pitching tents.”
He sank into the sofa. “I’d love to see you ladies struggle to keep the tent right side up.”
“Dillon, oh so you don’t think we can keep the tents standing?”
“Not the first time.”
I shook my head.
“Are you all sharing one tent?”
“No. We’re pitching two big tents. They each sleep five comfortably. We considered pitching a third, but we felt two is enough.”
“Later tonight, climb into your sleeping bag, then FaceTime me. I want to stare at your wet pussy while I jack off.”
“Dillon, I don’t know if I can.”
He gruffly rubbed his chin. “Baby, you can. Around nine. I love you. Talk to you later.”
I blew him a kiss. My heart plummeted. He still filled my belly with butterflies. “I love you too. Bye.”
He craved me even though we had sex early this morning. I loved that about him. He could never get enough of me or I him.
A fist rattled against the door. “Sierra, get out here. No phone sex,” Zoey ordered.
I hopped up, slid the pocket door open, and rolled my eyes. “Really?”
Her arms crossed her chest. “Really. Come on we’ll take turns doing the cha cha slide.”
CHAPTER SIX
NADINE
MOB WIFE
“THE GRASS AT THE NISSLEY winery is lush and beautiful for mid-spring.” I marveled at the stunning grounds at the winery as we exited the bus.
“It is gorgeous,” Zoey agreed.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air.
Since I drove, I slipped into comfy clothes last. We each wore our hair slicked back in ponytails.
Strolling inside the red and gray stone building, our laughter bounced off the walls.
The attendant greeted us. We discussed where we’d set up for the night.
Sam and I returned to the bus so I could park close to our campsite where we’d sleep, wine taste, and act a nut. Shocked, Samantha of all people sat up front while I drove and assisted me with parking the bus. She attempted to get on my good side. We didn’t always see eye to eye because we sometimes fought over my husband. Tony didn’t want to let either of us down. If Samantha needed him in Cali for an event, he’d fly out after calming me. He said I could accompany him, but I didn’t because someone needed to stay home with our children.
Fran and Sergio were caring for the children. Their mansion was bursting at the seams. Ten kids were a monstrous responsibility, even if Anthony and Alexandria could help watch the younger ones. Dillon Jr. and Shana were self-sufficient too. The babies could be a handful.
We met the girls at an oversized circle oak table.
Marna the wine taster and instructor wheeled out a cart of wine, cheese, and crackers.
“We’ll start the tour now. Once we return, we’ll serve dinner.” She stroked her vibrant red hair over her shoulder. “Good thing you all were on time. Everything’s going according to schedule.” Her voice came across pompous and rigid. Probably hadn’t had wonderful sex in forever, if ever.
“Yes, Marna, I weaved that big bus through traffic down the highway like it was nothing.”
“Nadine, at one point I swear you tried to take us out.”
“Oh, Carmen, you mean when we were dancing?” Sydney quirked a brow.
“Yes.” Carmen smirked, shaking her head at me.
I rolled my eyes. “The point is, we’re here to have an amazing time tonight.” I clapped my hands.
“Grab your glasses and appetizers and we can begin the tour,” Marna directed.
Carrying our tiny plates and wine glasses, we sauntered toward the vineyard. It was nice to see the assassin wives mingling with us. We’ve come a long way since I entered this circle of love. We are the true definition of a sisterhood. Even if Samantha and I fought over my husband from time to time. Sydney walked beside me, sipping a glass of white wine.
“You grabbed the red. How does it taste?”
I sniffed the wine, then swished the contents in my mouth. “There are hints of cherry, oak, and vanilla.”
Marna peeked at my name tag. “Nadine, that is the Merlot Reserve.”
I nodded. “I’d like to purchase a case.” She scribbled on her little pad.
Samantha emailed the winery our flavors of choice two weeks ago. She wanted everything ready for us before we arrived. We wouldn’t have much time in each city. We had to make our time count.
I selected the winery since it was in my hometown. Emoni wasn’t pleased to return after the bullshit issues she resolved in Marco’s Philly strip club. The women gave her problems of epic proportions. They begged Marco to continue their arranged sexcapades after he made it clear Emoni was his woman. They were cutthroat in the stripping industry.
All of our husbands dealt with strippers behind the walls of their lucrative gentlemen clubs. The exotic dancers weren’t counting on powerful black women to beat that ass if they got out of line. Yeah, we put bitches out of business. Couldn’t strip with a gash on your leg or a scar stretched across your cheek.
One night we sat in VIP. A waitress greeted us. Her smile withered when her eyes fell on the Magarelli gold name plate sitting front and center on the table. I had it made just for that night. I wanted to pour salt into their bitter wounds. The strippers stood at the bar whispering and staring in our direction.
Word traveled fast. “All the Magarelli and Esposito men are married to black women.”
Carmen, Sierra, and I spoke with our husbands and informed them it was best we monitored our strip clubs and the escorts in Atlantic City. They weren’t thrilled we were taking over at the hotels, but we could sympathize with the women. Also, we recognized when they were full of shit and didn’t want to work.
The girls’ busy chatter brought me back from my thoughts. We trudged across the green grass in our custom sneakers. Everything about us spoke wealth. We were intelligent, well dressed, well-spoken black women. Marna’s creased brow told me she was curious about who we truly were. We didn’t tie ourselves to the Magarelli’s or Esposito’s. Samantha told the winery we were her clients. And we’d spare no expense. We rented out the entire winery for the evening. Samantha reserved the winery event under her party planning company. That was the perfect idea. Allowed us to leave Marna wondering. I laughed on the inside. Our true identities were only our business. We’d enjoy this vacation come hell or high water.
To be free. To be ourselves. And never stop being strong black women.
The second the tour was over we’d eat dinner, pitch our tents, and relax by the campfire. We needed at least three cases of wine for tonight. Wine reminded me of drinking juice that provided a buzz. I loved it. Tony kept our wine cellar stocked at home. My man knew how to please me.
“What flavors did you catch in your wine?”
“Apple, hints of oak, and grapes. I love sweet wine. It’s delicious.”
Samantha crept up beside me, carrying two bottles of wine. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her so joyful.
“Sam, where are your appetizers?”
“I didn’t bring any. My job is to ensure you ladies are enjoying the tour,” she winked.
“But you aren’t working.” Sydney shook her head.
“I am. My company’s name is attached to this outing.”
“Jesus Sam, you take everything so literal.” Sydney reached across me, stuffing a Colby cheese cube on a thin cracker into Samantha’s mouth.
My brow raised. “I guess we are all feeding you.”
Her brown eyes
lit up as she chomped on the cheese and cracker. Samantha raised the red wine bottle eye level and nodded toward my glass.
“Yes, I’d love a little more.”
She stepped ahead of us and poured wine into Carmen’s glass.
Samantha’s beauty was striking. Her caramel skin, high cheekbones, light brown eyes, thick long hair. Her eyes were the shapes of almonds. Sometimes I wondered if my husband had a crush on his best friend. No, no. Get that out of your mind, Nadine.
“Your cousin is a perfectionist.”
“She doesn’t play with her company's name sake. And I respect her for her business sense. This place will be spotless before we leave tomorrow morning.” Sydney sipped her wine.
“Once we return to the camp area, we’ll pick up some of the slack for her.” I eyed Sam from behind.
“Nadine, she’ll be elated.”
Sydney and I returned our attention to the tour.
Zoey snapped tons of pictures for the group as Marna explained the growing process of the grapes. Pouring into the distillery, we each took a picture by the oak barrels.
Buttery corn, chicken breasts, and wheat rolls wafted through the air as we approached the large table outside.
“Did you hear that, Syd?”
“Hear what?”
“My stomach growling?”
She chuckled. “My stomach is probably drowning out the sounds coming from your belly.”
I threw my head back in laughter.
After we washed our hands in the facilities, we stood around the table and held hands praying over the food before us.
“We’re blessed to stand together. Bonding on this beautiful land. Afforded to a life where we can eat rich meals and congregate as a sisterhood. Thank you. Amen.” Zoey smiled widely.
“Amen,” fell from our mouths around the table.
“Let’s eat.” I raised my hands.
Samantha leaned into Zoey’s ear. Their smoldering eyes stared between each other. The whispering continued around the table.
Sydney gripped my shoulder and whispered. “In an hour we’ll search for listening devices after Marna and the staff leave.”
I nodded. This was our life. It didn’t matter if no one knew our actual names. We couldn’t trust anyone. Someone could have followed us. There were hundreds of scenarios. We knew when we married our men this was what we had to endure. To protect our families, we searched for listening devices and limited our conversations. We’d also sweep the bus tonight.
