by Raven Crow
“Did you hear that, my grandmother’s stroke didn’t cause any permanent damage to her brain? I think that she will be alright, Saxon.” Pen jumped up into my arms and I held her willingly. “Thank you for being here with me Saxon I really didn’t want to go through this alone.”
“Of course I would do anything for you. I love you, Penelope. I always have and I always will love you.” I couldn’t hold back my confession any longer. She squeezed me tighter.
“It was you who paid the hospital bill, wasn’t it?” She asked with her head buried in my chest.
“Yes it was me, Pen I took care of it and I plan on taking care of you too if you’ll let me.”
Chapter 33
Jo
As we drove I found that I couldn’t take my eyes off of the cascading mountainside. My stomach was stuffed with the surprise dinner that Gio had made for me. If I had car sickness now would have been the worst time to have a full belly. This was the third surprise that he had for me and I couldn’t begin to guess where we were going. He had wanted to blindfold me but I pitched a fit so he let me go without it. I’d guess that we’d been driving for at least ten minutes already.
“I hope that we’re not going hiking. I’m not dress for hiking.” I shook my head at Gio. He laughed at me with his eyes on the road. “I’m serious I am not dressed for the outdoors, Gio so I hope you didn’t plan some camping thing.”
“Oh boy, camping? You? Never. Don’t worry you are dressed perfectly for what I have planned for you. You look beautiful! Now get ready because we are here.”
I looked ahead at a huge lodge like house or more like a manor it was so large.
He pulled up to a round-a-about and parked.
“Ah I don’t know about this. Whose house is this?”
“Mine—well it’s my dad’s house. And no more questions or it won’t be a surprise. Come on.” He jumped out of the car and popped over to my side to let me out. He had a huge cute grin as he nodded at me to get out of the car.
We were to the door in seconds. It was my last chance to run. He swung open the door while nudging me in.
A crowd of mostly strangers screamed Happy Birthday in my face.
I stood frozen filled with rage.
I hide my true feelings while smiling at the eager group.
My godfather approached the front of the crowd and I could tell that he was bursting at the steams to make a speech. I didn’t know how long I would be able to contain my rage; I hoped he wasn’t going to be long winded.
I actually blocked out his voice as he started to speak.
I scanned the crowd for my father. There was no way that he would have let this party happen. Had he been so caught up with his own life that he had forgotten about his own daughter, on her birthday?
Gio leaned over to whisper in my ear, “looks like its official you are a part of the tribe now, goddaughter.” He smiled. I hadn’t heard my godfather’s speech; I had no idea what Gio was talking about. “Happy Birthday Jo, I’m sorry that I brought you here without—”
I jetted out the door, down the long driveway and off into the woods not caring where I ended up.
I stopped. I turned completely around and back again. I had run so far away I’d lost my sense of direction. I was somewhere on a mountainside lost in the woods and I didn’t care in the least.
“Damn girl… you could be a fucking track star.” Gio flew through the trees appearing behind me out of breath. He stammered while he bent over with his hands on his knees. “Wow—I am so out of shape! I need to start working out that was really embarrassing.”
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you I was just upset and I didn’t know what to say or do.” I tried to apologize to him as if that would make the whole event disappear. Where was my father? I could feel the anxiety building up inside of me and I knew that I was going to change right in front of him.
“No—no I didn’t mean that you embarrassed me. Jo? Jo!” His voice got louder before a loud buzzing started in my head drowning his voice out completely.
I started to sweat. I felt like my body was on fire. My legs gave out from underneath me. I just wanted to lie down and close my eyes. My whole body felt so heavy.
Everything stopped.
—Something felt soft on my cheek. It felt heavy all over my body like a blanket. I opened my eyes finding myself in a bed under some covers, my head pounding, my body cold to the touch. Did I faint? I’m not dead. Am I dead?
I lifted my head that felt like a brick. The buzzing had stopped at least.
“Whoa now… don’t try to get up too fast. You fainted back there please stay in bed for a little longer.” Gio’s soft voice rumbled from my bedside. He looked worried. “Are you ok now Josephina?” He used my full first name instead of my nickname for the first time since we met.
“Where are we, how did I get here?”
“I brought you here. You fainted in the woods. I caught you before you could hit the ground.” His tone sounded worrisome. He joined me in the bed by my side. “I checked to make sure you don’t have any injuries.” His eyes wandered my body for a moment before returning back. “I carried you back to the lodge to my bedroom. No one from the party is anywhere near us. I have this entire wing to myself.”
“It is ok Gio I’m not going to faint again you can calm down. I have fainted before it’s really not that big of a deal.” I pulled myself up and out of the bed.
I noticed that his walls were made of stone and that the entire room looked like a cave with furniture in it.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea to stand up so quickly?”
“What is this place—the bat cave, are you really Batman, Giovanni?” I used his full first name to see how he liked being put in the stranger box. His eyes rolled around in his head a bit.
“Yup, it is the bat cave but I’m no Batman. I am a bad man, I think.” He joined me. “Do you want to go back to the party?”
“No—why would you think that?”
“Why did you call me Giovanni?” He glided his finger down my arm giving me chills before pulling away.
“Oh you noticed that, huh?” I hid a smile. “I was only checking that’s all.”
“Checking—checking what you don’t need to check me girl. I’m yours—don’t worry.” He almost growled the last part.
Before I could say anything more he pulled his shirt up over his head before letting it rest on the floor. His chest was firm, rippling and expanding like his heart was racing. He remained a few feet away as he unfastened his belt before unzipping them letting them fall to his ankles while he stepped out of them. I felt like I was getting a strip show, and I loved it.
“My turn.” I just blurt out like I have ever done a strip show or something.
He smiled wide while standing in nothing more than boxer briefs and socks. I lifted my arm to unzip my dress with one downward motion and it’s down. I looked at him and I tried to keep my eyes on his. I rolled my dress off of each shoulder letting it fall free before stepping out of it towards him nearly bare. His eyes remained on my eyes the whole time.
“Are you…mine, Jo?” He asked while I eagerly nodded back.
Chapter 34
Gio
Jo stood before me with her beauty nearly uncovered. I wasn’t going to hold back any longer. She had assured me that she was ok after earlier. She looked amazing as I finally allowed myself to scan every inch of her body finding it utter perfection.
She started removing her bra and underwear before resting her precious eyes back on mine. Her tanned, strawberry sized, areolas were arching for my touch but I held back. I wanted much more than just a kiss this time. This time I wanted all of her.
So many interruptions, too many failed attempts, I couldn’t lose this (what felt like) could be my last shot. So don’t screw it up!!
I dashed over to the door locking it before returning as if nothing happened. She giggled at me.
“What…I am NOT letting anything interrupt us this
time.” I let my true intentions out of my mouth.
Before I can move towards her she is on me. Her arms wrapped around my neck, her lips on my chest. I scoop her up in one motion, moving us back onto the bed where I carefully placed her under me. Feeling her soft skin against mine started to get things pumping and flowing. I slid my hand down between her thighs feeling her wetness before I slowly eased my cock up inside of her. Jo let out a small moan. I kissed her sweet lips as I pushed another one out her. I felt her arch herself upward into me through every stroke as our pace quickened. I started kissing down her neck trying to conceal my own moans as her tightness sucked at me making me want to burst. She kissed my neck back while spreading her legs allowing me in deeper. I wasn’t going to last much longer. I put one hand on her breast caressing and rubbing it before putting it in my mouth while I played with the other one, rolling my fingertip over her beautiful nipple.
She was so beautiful I think I had loved her the second I saw her. I loved everything about her; her smile, her laugh, her eagerness to know me and my life, HER.
Jo let out a rattling moan as her chest shook underneath my tongue. I took her other breast in hand before licking it. I wanted to push her while she was already going hot. I lifted her butt up into my hands as I let go of the last bit of restraint I had. I started pumping in and completely out of her before I thrust my cock back in. I didn’t want to come inside of her. She looked up at me with her mouth open with a look I couldn’t describe. Don’t say I love you, man! I forced back words that tried to get out of me.
“I’m on the pill…you can come inside.” She managed to moan out a sentence which made my cock twitch inside of her.
Without holding back I pumped a few more times before grabbing on while blowing all my ‘juniors’ into her. Everything went dark for a minute before I collapsed down onto her body as she held me kissing my forehead like I had saved her from a burning building.
“I hope that was all right for you, you got yours right?” I groaned out some dumbass question which I immediately regretted.
My once calmed manner started tensing back up with every second of silence from her. I couldn’t bare it any longer as I went to get off of her and she stopped me with her arms.
“No—stay I love the heat from your body.” She squeezed tighter. “And—yes I am very satisfied.”
Thank God, she spoke freeing my fears from my body allowing me to relax fully.
“Ok good to hear that. Are you hungry or thirsty I can get you something from my kitchen?” I move to get out of bed and I am to the kitchen in seconds with my head inside the icebox.
“Wait—what you have your own kitchen in your bedroom? I am a bit thirsty—but I will pass on food.” I heard her response which sounded closer so I popped my head up to see her at the barstool at the counter facing me.
“Ok I have juice, beer, wine, soda, and water which would you prefer?” I arched my brows up twice which made her smile.
“Juice please.” She almost giggled. She had herself wrapped up in my sheets. She looked like she belonged in ancient Greece.
“You might want to change your mind on the food, when you see this…” I brought out the cake that I had made special for her hoping that seeing it might make her want to taste it.
Her eyes got so big like green and white balloons inside her face. It was like she’d never had a cake before now. Jo basically started to back away for it once I had set it down on the counter in front of her. Who knew that a vanilla, cake covered in fruit with whipped cream instead of frosting would be scary to Jo?
“I am sorry—I thought that you would enjoy a cake for your birthday. I can put it away if you want me to, Jo?” I looked in her eyes a pain lingered deep inside there one that I hadn’t notice before.
“No—don’t put it away I will eat it. Thank you, Gio that was very thoughtful of you.” She picked up a fork before cutting her first piece off. “I think I should explain my behavior to you. Maybe then you will understand why my father and I never celebrated my birthday.” She added as I nodded. She bit into the cake. “Mm. That’s very delicious!”
I didn’t want to stop her as she started talking about something that seemed to be causing her a great deal of pain.
“Please go on I really would like to hear about your life growing up, Jo.” I smiled at her while eating the cake with her.
“I don’t know if I mentioned that my mother was not exactly like the other mother’s when it came to planning a party for her daughter’s third birthday. Instead of cake she made me a pile of dirty on top of a plate with earthworms inside and all. This was followed by my very own parade in my honor, where me and my stuffed animals were put out onto the freeway and (‘told to walk slowly and wave, they will move don’t worry.’) She saved the best for last though by filling up the garden tub with juice which I was told I could drink because it was my favorite this is when my father came in and saw what she had done. She grew so angry at him so once he reach into the tub to pull me out she threw a hairdryer into the tub causing the entire house circuits to short out. She almost killed me. My father had my mother placed in a facility for mentally ill people on my birthday and I haven’t been able to get over it.” She ended just as her piece of cake was gone.
I felt enraged at the lack of regard Jo’s mother had for her. I fought back my words of anger. I would be out of line to say a thing about an area that I didn’t understand for myself.
“I am so sorry that happened to you, Jo.” I walked around the counter to hold her.
Chapter 35
Pen
I moved along the rim of party goers trying to stay hidden while looking for King Moreau. I didn’t think that I’d be granted an audience but I wanted him see me at least. I could signal him to meet me somewhere else so we could talk.
I caught a reflection of myself in the mirrors in the grant room as my silver jumper beamed some light into my eyes, blinding me temporarily. I looked like a silver disco ball.
The sudden appearance of the King’s son Blaine the second nearly set me spinning. I moved towards his location about ten feet away in the crowd. He seemed to be looking right at me as I neared him like he was expecting me. He started to wave me over almost. I grew scared at the thought of him knowing that I was going to refuse his offer no matter what. I couldn’t and wouldn’t betray Saxon any longer; he was all I cared about. No—I was going to march right up to him and tell him that I would no longer spy for him even if he takes my grandmother’s property.
“Penelope—hello it is so nice to see you.” Blaine Moreau leered into my ear as he bent down to kiss both of my cheeks. “Please join me for a private conversation if you don’t mind?” He added while leading me by my arm away. I nodded feeling I really had no other choice.
He led me off over into a darken hallway where it was quiet. He released my arm before smiling at me.
“I—I can’t spy for your brother any longer. Besides, I don’t even know how to be a good spy. You could find someone so much better at this than I am. Saxon isn’t even close to the king you know?” I panicked and started running at the mouth.
He raised his hands up like he had heard enough and I stopped. He looked me up and down.
“I only called you over to give you some good news, Penelope.” His words pulled my attention off of my fears. “I have decided to lift your families’ curse. From this day forward you will be known as Penelope Dempsey.” He finished with a look like all was normal. He always seemed calm where others might feel the need to cringe. He pulled out some papers and handed them to me. “Here is your families’ property and holdings. I’m sure you will be surprised to see just how much you are worth, Penelope.”
I looked down at the papers in my hands noticing only the deed to my grandmother’s home which was enough to make my heart race. Our curse had been lifted and we were rich…I couldn’t believe it.
“Thank you…I don’t know what to say are you sure about this?” I asked while the shock of
it all slowly sunk in.
“Yes—I am sure you are happy, Pen now go find that boyfriend of yourself and celebrate. Don’t worry; I have no use of you as a spy any longer. Have a good night, Pen. I have some business to attend to I will see you later.” He patted my back as he left me there in the hallway.
Detective Danes and King Gardier buzzed past me without looking at me. They seemed to be heading away from the party. They had barely missed King Moreau leaving. The sudden appearance of them in the hallway made my heart nearly stop. And there was the look they had on their faces; like they had seen a ghost.
I turned to jet back to the party and was met with Sax. He had on a nice gray suit which matched my silver jumper perfectly.
“Hey there, I was looking for you. I am so glad that you could make it to the party. I didn’t know if you were going to come or not.” He seemed genuinely shocked to see me.
“I wouldn’t have missed it.” I leaned up and kissed him before he could say another word. “I love you, Saxon Danes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that sooner.”
“What—I didn’t expect you to feel that way about me. I’m sorry that I pressured you to say it back.” He started to pull away but I stopped him.
“Wait—no you didn’t pressure me into anything. I feel the way I do because it is how my heart feels. So say you will come over to celebrate my good news?” I asked him and watched his face change.
“Of course, I will. What’s the good news we are celebrating, my love?” He took me in hand. His touch made my hairs stand up at once.
“We are celebrating me being rich.” I whispered to him.
“Rich—really how?”
“King Moreau lifted my families’ curse and he gave me back all our property.” I showed him the papers in my hand. “See—look how many acres my grandmother owns. I think that she might even own a part of The Shore.” I couldn’t help but smile as he looked down seeing what I already knew.