“Neither have you. That phone works both ways,” I said.
“I’m not the one who betrayed the family! I’m not the one with the responsibility to reach out!”
“Julian, I’m not having this conversation here. If you want to talk, we can do it over some breakfast. You know, food that isn’t hospital food.”
“I want you out.”
“Tough tits. Because Mom’s the one that sent me to pick you up,” I said.
“Then, call her and tell her this is where I stand my final ground. Because I’m not going anywhere with the likes of you.”
He spat that last sentence and I felt my heart drop. Was this really the opinion of me that my family had crafted within the mind of my brother? My sibling? The only other person I had in this world that understood the position I’d been put in as an eighteen-year old boy.
“Julian, look. I know you don’t--.”
“Get Mom on the phone, now,” he said curtly.
“Now, you listen up,” I said as I strode for his bed, “I made the decision that was best for me. Best for my life. And this life? Where you’re lying right now? I didn’t want to be there. And I didn’t want you to be there, either. I didn’t want to die as part of this family’s legacy. And you can’t blame me for something like that.”
“You think there’s some kind of shame to this, Eli. Like, somehow, being in some three-piece suit and sitting in some boring ass office all days somehow makes you better than us. Classier. Like you lead some perfect little life. You’re nothing without your family, Eli. You’ve got no friends. No lovers. No partners. No one. You turned your back on the only people you did have because you didn’t respect what Mom and Dad built for us. And now, look at you. You and your ‘honest’ job. Tell me, what’s your ‘honest’ job got you except loneliness, long work hours, and a barely-there bank account?”
“I’d take a look at where you are first before you start judging me,” I growled.
My eyes fell to his wounds before I backed away from his bed. I charged out of his hospital bedroom, pulling out my phone as I did so. I brushed past a couple of nurses. I stormed for the elevator as I jammed the heel of my hand into the button. I sent Mom a text, telling her Julian refused to come with me. And as the elevator doors opened, I lifted my head.
Before I found myself gazing into the eyes of a man I hadn’t seen since I was nineteen years old.
“Dad.”
I stood there, staring at him. Staring at the gray that had infiltrated his hair. Staring at the dark, brooding brown eyes Julian had inherited. Staring at the wrinkles in his forehead and the sprawling crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes.
He even had a little pooch behind his gut. And I’d never known my father to have an ounce of anything on him that wasn’t lean, toned muscle.
“Eli,” he said, nodding his head.
The elevator door went to close, but he jutted his hand out. I heard something ringing before he reached for his hip. He pulled out his cell phone, not looking at it as he pressed a button and held it to his ear.
And his soft, rumbling tones rolled over me. Like they used to when I was a little boy sitting in his lap while he read me a book.
“Hey, honey. What was that? And you didn’t think that would happen?”
It was Mom. Undoubtedly telling my father about the message I just sent her as I stared him right in his damn face.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m already at the hospital. I am, yes. I’ll get Julian home. Mhm. Yeah. Did I see Eli?”
And as I stood there, staring him right in his face, I saw him shake his head no.
“I haven’t, sweetheart. Must’ve missed him.”
My father walked off the elevator before it closed again, leaving my heart to break into pieces. His patent leather shoes clicked down the hallway as I stood there. Breathless, from our encounter. The little boy in me wanted to cry. But, the man in me wanted to blow through the roof of this hospital. I stalked into the elevator, pressing the button for the main floor so I could get the hell out of his nightmare I’d stepped into.
Guess this is what you get for checking up on your brother that almost died.
As I made my way for my car, I kept an eye out for Giana. Not that I actually expected to see her. But, the thought was nice. I kept my head on a swivel, looking for that perfect little body of hers as I strode for my car. Wanting nothing more than to get out of here and go get myself a drink.
Are bars open at seven thirty in the morning?
I got back to my car and fell into my seat. My car had been the first big purchase from my earnings after I paid off the debt from the furniture I got for the office space. I settled against the leather seats, closing my eyes after I cranked up the engine. I let the cool air blast me in the face. Waking me up and pulling me from the trance my emotions seemed to keep me in.
But, my encounter with my father still had me reeling.
No. He’d denied ever seeing me as I stood there, staring right into his face. I mean, I knew my father wasn’t happy with me. But, I didn’t know he outright hated me. The thought made me sick. It made me wonder how much my mother wanted to cast me out, if my father was so disgusted by me. I sighed as I gave myself one more minute to grieve. Then, I forced myself to head to work.
With my mind spinning the entire time.
“Morning, Mr. James! How was your evening?”
I heard Violet’s voice, but her question didn’t register. Not enough for a response to fly out of my mouth, anyway. I kept my mouth shut as I strode into my office, setting my sights on the tasks for the day. I always had a shit ton of work to do. And at this point, I was thankful for it. I closed my office door behind me and walked over to my chair, sitting my briefcase silently on top of my desk.
Time for me to fall into my standard routine of all work, no play.
I scribbled notes in the margins of police files sent over in boxes and I scoured over crime scene pictures. I read and reread client’s testimonies and compared them to witness testimonies. I placed multiple calls to the courthouse for official dates and timestamps on things. I even called the police departments around my area a time or two in order to track down evidence that was missing from the conglomerate of shit sprawled out on my desk.
And I didn’t come up for air until a knock came at my door.
“Mr. James?”
Violet’s voice forced my head to turn toward the door as she opened it up.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Ah, there’s that voice,” she said, smiling.
She came through the door like a ray of sunshine and I felt my world settle back into place a bit.
“What can I do for you?” I asked.
“Just peeking my head in to ask if you’re going to eat today.”
“Is it lunch time already?”
And when she giggled, I shook my head.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Two in the afternoon.”
“Well. I suppose lunch is in order. Have you taken your break already?”
“I have.”
“What’s good for today?” I asked.
“The sushi place down the road is on point.”
“Sushi. Sounds nice. Go ahead and place my regular order there. And add on one of their teas.”
“The one with the spices in it?” she asked.
I pointed at her, grinning. “That’s the one.”
“Anything else? Dessert, or anything like that?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Nothing like that.”
“All right. I’ll get it placed.”
She paused for a second, waiting to see if I’d offer up anything to her. And I knew what she was doing. Sometimes, she dove right into it with questions. But, other times? She stood there and waited to see if I’d open up about it. But, I wasn’t in the mood for talking. Which meant all we did was stare at one another for a few muted seconds.
“Well, I’ll get to it, then,” Violet said.
&nb
sp; She closed my office door and I leaned back. Part of me wanted to continue working. But, another part of me was screaming to stop. Screaming for a break. Screaming to get out of his chair and walk over to a window or something. I stood up and stretched my arms over my head, giving my back a good pop. And as I walked over to the window beside me, I felt something vibrate in my pocket.
And when I pulled my phone out, a smile crossed my face.
“That has to be Giana,” I murmured.
I had two missed calls from a number I didn’t recognize with the same area code as my own. I swiped across my screen, calling the number back immediately as the phone gravitated to my ear. I grinned as I gazed out the window, watching New York City traffic back up to the outer city limits, where we were located.
And when that cheerful voice picked up the phone, I felt my worries melting away.
“And here I thought you were ignoring me,” Giana said.
“Never. More like buried in a mound of work that never seems to end,” I said.
“Now you know what it feels like to be a nurse. Only, it makes me a bitch if I say that saving lives is inconvenient for my schedule.”
“I mean, I guess--in a way--I’m saving lives, too. You know, from more prison time.”
“You one of those lawyers that defends the guilty?”
“Not quite. I’ve got a client right now that is incredibly guilty regarding a drug charge he’s got going on right now. But, the sentence the prosecution is pursuing is way out of line. Twenty years in prison with a chance of parole halfway through for a non-violent drug charge with no intent on selling.”
“Yikes.”
“Yep. If I feel the guilty party is deserving of the sentence, I don’t take their case. But, if I feel they’re innocent--or don’t deserve the sentence they’re staring at--I take them on.”
“Sounds like you are saving lives, then. Just in a different fashion.”
I grinned. “I enjoy what I do.”
“Same here. Though, it doesn’t come without its stressors.”
“So, do you work night shifts?”
“Mhm. I prefer it, too. Always been a night owl.”
“I’m a morning kind of person,” I said.
“Ah, already onto strike one. Such a bummer.”
I chuckled. “Well, maybe I can make it up by taking you out to a nice steak dinner tomorrow night.”
“I’m listening.”
I smiled. “I figured I could pick you up tomorrow. Around seven. Take you out for a nice rooftop steak at this place that has a wonderful view. Maybe take a walk after we indulge in dessert a bit.”
“Already planning sex, huh?”
I paused. “More like their awesome creme brulee. But, if sex is what you want--.”
“No, no, no, no!”
I heard her laughing over the phone, and it caused me to laugh. The two of us shared a moment as I stared out the window, relaxing against the edge of my desk. It felt easy, talking with her. Calling her. I’d never been a phone person. But, she made it easy. Effortless.
She didn’t drain me of energy. Which was nice.
“I’m so sorry. I’m just used to men that...well, yeah. Anyway.”
“Listen. I’m just looking to take you to dinner. Get to know you a bit. I’m not the kind of man that expects anything like that on the first date. I might take your hand. Want to pick you up. Maybe steal a kiss on the cheek at the end of the night. But, that’s it,” I said.
“What if I grab you by your tie and pull you into my place, then?” she asked.
I licked my lips. “I mean, I’ve never been known to turn down a woman who makes the first move. But, it’s not a move I’ll make on the first date.”
“Duly noted. And thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Though, there isn’t any thanks necessary.”
“So, steak dinner. Rooftop. Tomorrow night. Seven o’clock, with creme brulee and a nice walk involved. That the plan I’m hearing?”
“And wine. If you like wine.”
“I love wine.”
“Then, there’s wine, too.”
“This is definitely a plan I can get behind,” she said, giggling.
Oh, that sound. It washed over me like warm ocean water rushing along the sandy earth.
“So, I take it that’s a ‘yes’ for tomorrow night?” I asked.
“That’s a definite ‘yes’,” Giana said.
“Perfect. Then, shoot me your address and I’ll see you at your place at seven.”
“Do you know where Desmonda Downs is?”
“That’s one of those condo complexes on the water, right?”
“Mhm. I live there. Condo 1401. I’ll shoot you the address as well, but that’s where I am.”
“Sounds like a wonderful view.”
“It is now that I’ve been upgraded,” she said with pride.
“Maybe I’ll get to see it, then. If that’s something you initiate,” I said.
“I’m sure you’ll see it eventually.”
The sound of her voice felt like home to my ears. I smiled into my phone, not wanting to relinquish her to the rest of the day. But, our phone call wound down and I pressed the red button, signaling that the call was over.
“Who was that?” Violet asked.
I jumped up from my desk, startled as her voice came up from behind me. She laughed as I whipped around, dropping my sushi and tea onto my desk. She leaned against it with her hip, crossing her arms over her chest. And as I slid my cell phone back into my pocket, she crooked an eyebrow at me.
“That was my date for tomorrow night,” I said.
“Date?”
“Mhm.”
“What’s her name?”
“Giana.”
“Where’d you meet her?”
“The hospital,” I said.
“The hospital? When were you at the hospital?”
I paused. “My brother was in the hospital.”
And as she nodded slowly, the feeling in the room shifted. Violet came over and put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it softly.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said.
“It’s fine. But, I do need to eat quickly and get back to work. I have to have my schedule cleared out so I can get out of here at six tomorrow evening. Traffic with eat me alive trying to get to her place to pick her up.”
“Is he okay?”
“Is who okay?”
“Your brother.”
I shrugged. “He’s fine enough to tell me what a sorry piece of shit I am.”
And when Violet sighed, I backtracked.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“No need to be. This is obviously eating at you. Is that why you’ve been coming into the office so tired this past week?”
“I really need to get back to work.”
“Eli--.”
“Violet.”
I leveled her with a look and she promptly took her hand off my shoulder. I was grateful for her friendship. But, I hated bringing my personal shit into my office. She nodded curtly before she backtracked, linking her hands together. They hung in front of her, taking up her professional position as guilt filled my gut.
I knew she was trying to be a friend. But, I just didn’t want to relive it any longer.
“Is there anything else, Mr. James?” Violet asked.
I shook my head. “That’ll be all.”
She turned on her heels, walking out of my office. Leaving behind a trail of both curiosity and frustration. I went back to my chair, trying to push everything from my mind as I gazed down at my sushi.. I sat down, resolving myself to another late night at work as I reached for my tea. I sipped it, tasting those sweetened spices. Allowing the warmth to course through my veins. I leaned back into my chair, giving myself a few more seconds to breathe before turning my attention back to work.
And every second I gave myself was eaten up with the thought of Giana.
7
Giana
I smoothe
d my hands over my dress, wondering if it was too much. Then again, we were headed for a steak dinner. At a rooftop fucking restaurant! I tried to contain my excitement as I cocked my head in the mirror. Was red too much? I mean, the dress flowed. It didn’t cling to me like a lot of bodysuits I had. Eli seemed like a classier man. One that wanted a woman in looser clothing instead of tight fabrics that showed off everything to everyone.
Since when do you give a shit what the man wants you to wear?
I shook the thought from my mind. All I knew was this: what I’d been doing with men wasn’t working. Being my reckless self wasn’t working, and being my complete genuine self wasn’t working, either. So, maybe a small mixture of the two might work. I had a great bra on, that gave a nice roundness to my breasts underneath the dress. I had a teardrop necklace falling precisely in the crook of my bosom, the way I wanted it. My dress fell below my knees before my legs poured into black stilettos. Matching the accented black jewelry, I had on along with my muted makeup. I fluffed my hair out, bouncing my wild curls as I tamed the last of its frizzy nature.
Then, a knock came at my door.
He’s here! He’s here!
“Coming!” I called out.
I clicked across my bedroom floor, grabbing my shoulder wrap and my clutch purse. I drew in a deep breath, settling my nerves before I slowed my feet. I glided toward my front door, opening it up to take in his sight.
And when he came into view, I couldn’t stop staring at how wonderful he looked.
“Wow,” I said breathlessly.
He stood there in an all-black suit, trimmed at the waistline and clinging to those broad shoulders of his. Those shoes of his shined, brightening his eyes even more as my gaze slid up his body. His long legs. His effortless torso. His massive wingspan I already wanted wrapped around me. My felt my hand tingling. As my eyes slid up the black skinny tie he donned for the evening, I felt myself wanting to wrap my hand up in it. Tug him into this apartment and have dessert before the appetizer.
A new you, Giana. A better you. Stay classy.
“You look stunning, Giana.”
His soothing voice forced my eyes up to his, and I watched them twinkle with delight. His smile made me smile, and soon a giggle fell from my lips. My cheeks reddened. My knees went weak. His eyes darted around my condo for a split second before he offered me his arm. Oh, what a gentleman, he was. I’d never been offered a man’s arm before.
Eli (Sinful Shadows Mafia Book 2) Page 5