by Prince, DD
After making love we laid in bed for the longest time. It was funny to think of it as “making love” instead of fucking, like it’d always been, but I guess my mindset had started to shift. Did it qualify as making love if it was a little rough? To me it did. I loved her and I wanted her and I was expressing that love and that hunger with my body.
She cuddled up to me and drew circles on my arm and then my back with her fingertips and then I did it back and she squirmed. She made me feel like a teenager. A horny teenager who couldn’t get enough of her and who, in that moment at least, didn’t care if it was vanilla, chocolate, or blackjack berry thunder as long as it was with her.
“You’re very ticklish,” I told her, “I like how you squirm against me when I tickle you.”
She blushed and batted her eyelashes at me.
“Why don’t we warm up those sandwiches and eat and then we’ll go fishing?” I suggested and tapped her on the bottom. She smiled and stretched.
I got out of the bed and popped the bag into the microwave. She got up and put a new pair of panties on, a sexy silky pair that I’d bought her, put a matching bra on, and then pulled the yellow cotton dress over her head and started hunting for something to put her flowers into. I found her a mason jar that was down in one of the stalls and she cleaned it, put the bouquet in, and then put the yellow strap back around the waist of her dress.
We ate and then I walked her downstairs and pulled out the new fishing rods I’d bought that morning. I bought her a pink one and she thought it was hilarious that it was pink. We made our way down to the pond and I put the worm on for her and taught her how to cast. She was a natural; she caught twice as many fish as I did but wouldn’t touch the worm or the fish. I finally grabbed her as she muttered “one more cast” for the fifth time and carried her back to the barn over my shoulder, “We’ve been fishing all day. We have reservations, no more casts.”
She giggled as I put her down near the bed and reached for my keys. She wanted five minutes to freshen up and grab her purse so I waited in the jeep for her, thinking about the fact that I had to go to Vegas for some business and that I didn’t want to leave her at the house.
I didn’t want to leave her because, a) I still wasn’t content the security issues that plagued me after Earl and then after the shooting yesterday were totally resolved. I knew that there’d very likely be blowback from what I did in Mexico because Castillo had a local nephew who was a small time drug dealer and thug and it was him and his guys that’d breached security and gotten in by scaling up and in from behind the swimming pool but I had taken care of it and now that threat was eliminated. A taller fence was being put in today to make sure no one could get in that way.
Still, I needed to see that nothing would go wrong before trusting anything. And besides, b) I hated the thought of her not being beside me at night. What a 180 from congratulating myself so frequently that I had my king-sized bed all to myself to now aching for her when she wasn’t in my sights. The night I’d taken her to dinner and the beach when I’d left her alone for the night had been a long cold and sleepless night in the guest room without her warmth wrapped around me. The nights in Mexico without her had been torment, not feeling her, not hearing her breathing.
The Japanese restaurant I took her to was almost empty. The hostess I’d talked to that morning wasn’t in sight. The rest of the staff welcomed us and pointed to a table. She didn’t know what to order so I told her I’d order for us.
She examined everything carefully and skeptically but tried every dish that the server put in front of her after having first asked the waiter about shellfish. The waiter had waved her concerns off because of what we’d ordered but he didn’t speak very clear English so we were careful about what we’d ordered. She was good-natured about it despite telling me she hadn’t been a very adventurous eater in life so far.
“No shit, Miss Vanilla Ice Cream is my Favorite,” I laughed and she blushed, “Until I found you, Mr. Blackjack Berry Thunder. Or should I say, until I was betrothed to you.” She didn’t look unhappy when she said that. I smiled at her.
“I’m expanding your palate, and your horizons,” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.
She wiggled hers back at me, “Mmm hmmm. So you’re off on a business trip?” she added.
I scrunched up my face, “Yeah,”
“Unpleasant business?” she asked, then she said, “Or should I not ask?”
I shook my head, “I’m just not looking forward to leaving you at home. I’m thinking I should take you with me.”
“Really? Why? Where?” She looked excited and the idea of her being happy to come with me instead of having time without me felt good. Real good.
“Yeah, it’s too soon for me since the security breaches at home to feel comfortable so I don’t know that I’d be all that productive unless you were with Dare. But he’s too wrapped up with work shit to be your bodyguard 24/7. I’m vetting a few of my senior guys and will make a decision soon about rotations for security for the house. And I’m not sure I want to be without you.”
She blushed and smiled at me.
“So, tomorrow maybe after we see your foster parents we can go home and pack for Vegas.”
Her face lit up, “Vegas?”
I nodded. She clapped her hands and then was suddenly downtrodden.
“What?” I asked.
“I’m 19. Vegas isn’t fun unless you’re 21.” She pouted.
“Unless you’re a high roller.” I said, “No one will card you when you’re with me, baby girl.”
Her smile returned. She took a sip of her Japanese green tea and then started to scratch at her chest. I leaned forward because I could see big blotchy hives across her neck and cleavage. She was looking a little pale.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I hope nothing we ate had any shellfish.”
She didn’t look good at all.
“You’d better go make yourself puke, Tia. Now!” I waved the waiter over as she dashed to the bathroom. I tried to talk to the waiter but he kept telling me No to the shellfish question. Clearly she was having a reaction to the food.
I burst into the bathroom and she was sitting on the floor beside the toilet in a cold sweat and she looked like death warmed over. Fuck!
I pulled out my phone and called 9-1-1. They were too slow so I called back from the jeep and told them nevermind as I’d carried her to my jeep and sped down the highway to the hospital five minutes away and then carried her in myself, losing my shit until they rushed out and got her on a gurney. She’d still been conscious but she was covered in hives and she told me her heart was racing.
By the time she was stuck with a needle, stable, and admitted in the little country hospital, I’d found out the restaurant’s miso soup’s secret family ingredient was clams. The hostess had originally had no idea because it was a ‘secret’ recipe and the waiter was a fucking bonehead.
She was going to be fine. They’d given her epinephrine and wanted to watch her overnight. I slept in the chair in her room, sort of, sitting up. The following morning I called her foster parents and told them that we couldn’t make brunch and I explained what had happened. Two hours later they turned up in the waiting room, despite my telling them on the phone that she’d be fine and that they didn’t need to come. I never should’ve told them what hospital we were at.
I wasn’t best pleased about it because I wasn’t on the ball. I’d slept like shit and they approached me all judgmental-looking. I’d been on the phone with my brother, dealing with some business stuff and giving him an update. I told him to keep everyone there, that I’d bring Tia home tomorrow, a day later. After she was let out of the hospital I’d take her back to the farm for one more day. I wasn’t ready to step back into my regular life quite yet.
“Mr. Ferrano? Cal Crenshaw. My wife Rose,” the tall, fair, thin professor-looking guy said. I was walking through the lobby when he’d stepped away from the nurse’s station where the nu
rse had pointed at me. He stopped me and as soon as he did, he shook my hand quickly and his wife, a short roundish Italian woman held her hands together firmly in front of herself. She was shooting daggers at me with her eyes.
“Glad to meet you,” I said. And then I almost lost my shit totally because coming up the corridor directly behind the Crenshaws was Gregory Fucking O’Connor. I’d seen his picture before. He was looking at me, looking like he wanted to shit his pants.
“We called Tia’s father,” Rose Crenshaw said, shooting more eye daggers at me.
Great.
Tia
Hoh, boy…did I ever feel like shit. Tommy was like a scary psychotic madman trying to get me help when we got here. And he’d been here since last night doting on me, holding my hand while I slept. Yelling at nurses to make sure I had more pillows, more blankets, etc., etc. He was like the worst den mother I’d ever seen.
I was getting out of here today, the doctor feeling like I had everything under control, and he told me I needed to carry an epi pen with me all the time. I’d always found it easy to keep my allergy under control because I never ate in fancy places where they didn’t understand you when you asked them about their ingredients. Now things were obviously different.
Tommy told me, this morning, we’d go back and relax for the day at the loft, if I wanted, and then we’d go home tomorrow and pack for the trip to Vegas. The quiet of the loft sounded good to me and maybe then seeing the bright lights and sin city would be fun. The only place I’d ever been was Florida that once and the idea of travel really appealed to me.
My hospital room door opened and it was Rose and Cal. I felt my heart constrict. Did Tommy know they were here? Where was he? Rose quickly hugged me and Cal stood behind her.
“How are you, Tia?” Cal asked. Rose dabbed her eyes with a tissue in her hand at the sight of me.
“I’m fine, don’t worry. Good as new.”
“I know you’re fine from the allergic reaction but what about everything else?” she asked, her eyes landed on my hand and widened at the sight of the engagement ring.
“Actually, I’m really good.” I tried to reassure her. I had to oversell it so that they’d just back off. Plus I was pretty good, all things considered, “Things are working out after all.”
She opened her mouth to speak but I stopped her, “Seriously. I’m good. I think we’re getting married in a few weeks and I’d like you to both be there.” I smiled at her.
Her mouth dropped open and she looked at me like I was a puzzle to her.
I looked to Cal and as I said, “I hope you’ll consider doing the favor of giving me away? If it’s not too much to ask,” The door opened and Tommy walked in with his hands in his pockets. He didn’t look surprised to see them. I let out the breath I’d been half holding.
Cal looked back at Tommy and then to his wife. He looked a little perplexed but like he was trying not to show it. Rose was giving Tommy an evil eye.
“Maybe before then we could get a rain check on that lunch or brunch idea. So you can get to know Tommy?” I said quickly.
“I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle, Tia. Thank you but wouldn’t you rather your own Dad. He’s---”
“You’ve been like a Dad to me. He’s only biologically my father, Cal. You’ve been there for me, helping me with my homework, being stable and reliable…”
(Not selling me to the mafia…)
Lines crinkled around his eyes and he nodded, “Thank you. I’d be happy to.” Then his gaze swept over to Tommy and I bet he was thinking that he’d rather me not be marrying at this age and not be marrying this guy.
I looked at Tommy and smiled and patted the side of the bed that was opposite where everyone stood. Tommy rounded the bed and sat on the edge and put his hand on mine.
Rose and Cal both looked a little confused. Rose’s face was red.
“You have another visitor, baby.” Tommy said as he leaned over and kissed my temple.
“Who?”
“Your father,” he said and my expression dropped.
“If you don’t want to see him…” he started.
“I don’t,” I said.
“Kay.” Tommy rose and left the room.
Rose winced as she watched him leave, “He’s intense.”
“Did you guys call my father?” I asked.
Rose turned her attention to me and nodded, “He came up with us. We wanted to talk to him about your… situation on the way here.”
“And what did he say?”
“Very little,” Cal said and lowered his voice, “First he tried to brush things off when we described the visits from the police, what Susan had told us. Then he admitted that he’d gotten involved with some unsavory mafia types some years ago. They had demanded that you be handed over to marry the mobster’s son to settle an old vendetta. He was cryptic but said he hadn’t given up on finding a way to get you out but was still working on it. We asked him to work together with us to help get you out of this safely and he told us he’d rather continue on his own, try to see if you were okay, but not involve us with the unsavory people he was talking to. Said that he’d already tried to barter, negotiate, but said this family was sort of above the law. We thought we’d come here and make sure you were okay and then see what he was like and go from there. We’re very worried about you.”
“You can’t believe a word out of Greg’s mouth,” I said stiffly, “He lies. I don’t know yet what happened with him and Tommy’s father but you don’t have to worry about me. Tommy and I…we are fine.”
“You have a lovesick look about you,” Rose said, “And it’s very different from the way you were at the store last week.”
I smiled, “I’m fine. I’m happy. A lot has happened since then, Rose. My father is hiding something, I don’t know what yet, but please don’t work with him, don’t trust him. You don’t have to get me out of this. I am fine.”
“You hardly know him. What sorts of illegal activities is he into?”
“I think it’s probably not all that Hollywood hype, Rose.” I rolled my eyes. Inside, I saw flashes of that cargo plane, that pink canopy bed in that dank basement in Mexico and then the bullet holes on the bedroom door back at Tommy’s house with the dead men in the hallway, and my blood ran icy cold.
A man in scrubs entered the room and brought me a tray of food. I guessed it was lunch time. I thanked him and cautiously lifted the lid and then stuck my tongue out, “Eww.”
“We should go,” Cal looked at his wristwatch, “We will go have a word with your fiancé about getting together. In the meantime, we’re just a phone call away if you need us, day or night, okay?” He leaned over and kissed my forehead, “No surf and turf for you!” He smiled.
I smiled, “Thank you so much for driving all the way up here.”
He left the room. Rose leaned over and kissed my cheek, “I suspect you’re not telling me everything but what can I do? You tell me to back off and I trust you. You’re really okay?”
My heart constricted for a second, “I am.” I said, “Tommy can’t control who his father is any more than I can control who my father is. It doesn’t mean that Tommy’s a bad guy.”
“But your father said…”
“Don’t trust my father. He is a lying liar who lies out of his lying liar hole.”
“And those people who visited us and tried to get us to stop talking to the police --- and them stopping you from talking to me at the supermarket…”
“Rose, I’m fine. A lot is going on. It’s too much to explain right now. Please trust me.”
“Why not move home? If he wants to see you, date you, go from there? My parents were so looking forward to having you.”
Tommy walked in as she said this and he obviously heard her.
I shook my head, “I’m fine. Please tell Nonno and Nona I’m so sorry. I will try to visit soon.”
“I am happy to reimburse them the rent Tia would have paid until they find a suitable tenant,” Tommy
offered softly.
“That won’t be necessary,” Rose bit off without looking in his direction. She looked at me skeptically, “I’ve been keeping Ruby and the girls in the dark a little. Ruby is getting impatient. I’ll have a talk with her.”
I nodded, “I’ll call her as soon as I can.”
“She won’t understand and ---”
I saw the alarm on Rose’s face but then as she glanced in Tommy’s direction her stare hardened, “I’m not going to tell her anything that will upset her.”
She smiled, “You’re a good girl. Don’t be a martyr, though. Okay? No one is above the law. If you need help, we will find a way to help you. And carry an epi-pen, okay?”
I nodded.
“Call in a few days?”
I nodded again, “Tommy has a business trip and I’m going with him. When we get back I’ll call.”
She squeezed my hand and left, giving Tommy a dirty look as she passed him.
I hadn’t sold them very well, I knew they were doubtful and worried but I guessed it was enough. For now.
As she left, Tommy looked like he was trying to soften his hard expression, “What is that?” He looked down at my bowl.
“Cream of something soup. But of what, I don’t know, and I highly doubt this is even cream.” I lifted the spoon in the bowl and let some soup fall off the spoon and it was runny, gloopy, and filmy at the same time.
“Don’t eat that slop. I’ll get food for us on the way back. The doctor’s releasing you. You can get dressed.”
“My father?”
“Escorted him out. I need to make a call while you’re getting dressed. I’ll be back in 10.”
I nodded and watched him leave. He looked super pissed. Dread worked its way through me.
After directions and a prescription for the epi pen, which had been filled already, I was on my way out the door with Tommy.
He clicked the button to unlock the door to his Jeep and we got in and he let out a big breath, “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” I told him, “Can you stop at the store?”
“Yeah, I was already planning to get something for us to eat later. What do you want me to stop for?” he pulled out of the hospital parking lot and onto the main road.