Her smile fades when she sees that I am shaking my head. “No way in hell, Shannon,” I tell her. The dress was skintight and didn’t leave anything to the imagination. Not to mention that I couldn’t wear underwear with it.
“Yes way,” she huffs, throwing it at me. “Tonight could be the night that your prince charming rides in on his Harley motorcycle, the woman’s ultimate vibrator, and whisks you away. You have to look fuckable.”
I sigh. “Shan, I gave up that fairy tale a long time ago,” I tell her.
She chuckles as she rolls her eyes. “Who are you trying to convince sweetie,” she asks, “me or you?”
“Me, I guess,” I whisper, looking down to the floor.
Shannon sighs and places an arm around my shoulders. “Alicia, we all have demons,” she starts, “We all have things in our past that we wish we could erase. Hell, some of us even have things in our present we would like to forget. That’s life, and right now you don’t have one. You need to learn to live and take a chance. At the rate you’re going, it’s not healthy.”
“I’m scared,” I admit, still not making eye contact.
“And you don’t think I am?” she counters, “Maybe one day I will tell you what I’m running from. Then you may feel more comfortable telling me your story.”
At this, I look up wide-eyed. “Oh, I don’t know,” I say. I have never told a soul about what happened that day years ago.
“Ok, how about this,” she starts as she takes a seat on my bed, patting the spot next to her. I walk over and sit next to her, waiting for her to continue. “I’ll tell you a secret, ok?”
I nod, “Ok.”
She takes a deep breath before she starts, “A couple months ago I told you I had met someone, do you remember?” I nod. “Well, what I didn’t tell you was that I had gone back to a hotel with him.” I give her a look. It’s not uncommon for Shannon to go on about her one night stands. She waves her hand. “Ok, let’s make it two secrets. First, I haven’t had sex in a few years.”
This admission has me gasping as I cover my mouth. “But, what about all the stories you tell me?” I ask.
She shrugs, “I made them all up,” she says with a sad faraway look in her eyes. “One day I will tell you why, ok?” I nod once more. “Anyway, this guy really knocked me for a loop. He was beautiful. All six foot two, blonde hair, ocean blue eyes, and a smile the devil would kill for,” she says this with a dreamy look on her face.
I chuckle. “Sounds like you found your prince charming,” I say.
The dreamy look fades as she shakes her head. “We had talked for what felt like hours over coffee. I felt a connection I had never felt before, and strangely, I felt as if I could trust him. We spent the night in each other’s arms. Then when I woke the next morning, he was gone; no note, nothing.”
“I still don’t get it,” I say. “Where’s the secret?”
She drops her hands to her lap and I see a tear slip from her eye. “I’m pregnant, Alicia,” she says in a whisper, “And I don’t even know his name.”
“Oh my god, Shannon,” I gasp. “I... I just don’t know what to say.”
She shakes her head and looks at me. “Do you understand now,” she asks. “You have to live Alicia. You have to love.”
I study her for a minute. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I have held on to this hurt for far too long. Maybe it’s time to put myself out there. In the end, I’m the one hurting me and I have no one to blame for that but me.
“You’re right,” I say. “I need to push the past where it belongs, in the past.”
Shannon wipes her tears away and smiles. “That’s my girl,” she cheers. “Now get dressed, because we’re going to Le Insidia.”
My smile dropped as I turned away to head into the bathroom. Le Insidia was owned by the most bloodthirsty and ruthless Italian mob in Chicago. Even the meaning behind the name didn’t sit well with me. Le Insidia means trap, danger, deception, peril, all things the mob was known for and more. Nevertheless, for Shannon, after what she just revealed to me, I’ll do it.
Dressed, hair brushed to flow down my back, and black heels on, I’m ready to go.
Stepping from the bathroom, Shannon whistles. “Shit Alicia,” she exclaims with a chuckle. “If I were into chicks, I would fuck you.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Are you ready?” I ask.
She links her arm in mine, smiling, “Yes,” she answers. “Let’s go get you laid.”
Shaking my head, I pull the door to my apartment close and follow her to the street.
Chapter Four
The Job
Sitting here in the VIP section of a mob ran club, nursing my drink, and listening to the sounds of sweet jazz filter through the speakers, I take in the people around me and shake my head. How did I get here? At twenty-eight, I am the youngest in Chicago’s history to be promoted to Detective, well, Detective in training, but a Detective nonetheless.
I wouldn’t be here without that trafficking sting last year that put a lot of the associates of the Facciolo family behind bars and a very large reward in my bank account. What no one knew was that I had my own connection to the family, my half-brother.
Had he not gotten drunk and spilled the location, I would still be on the street as a rookie. They said I would be in training for at least two years before they put me out on my own, yet, here I sit, on my own.
The boss man said that he had a job for me, one that only I would be able to do. I had asked him who the mark was. “No mark,” he replied. “You will be watching and protecting someone.”
I inquired who that might be and he shook his head as a sad look crossed his face. He said I would know the second I saw them. I knew he was testing me, however, I didn’t know how much of this little shit show was a test.
“Hey Gage,” I turn at the mention of my name to see my best friend walking towards me.
“Hey Jareth,” I reply, motioning for him to have a seat and to the server to bring his drink.
“What’s up?”
I shrug. “Not much,” I say. “How’d you know I was here?”
“The Sergeant, he told me,” he answers. He picks up his beer and takes a drink. Setting it down, he adds, “What he didn’t tell me was why. I thought they weren’t going to let you lose for a couple years.”
“That’s what I thought as well,” I say. “It’s still not clear what my job is, or who rather. I was told I’m to watch and protect someone and that I would know them when I see them.”
As Jareth scans the dance floor below us, I signal the server that I would like another coffee. Being on duty is starting to become a bummer.
This place really is a nice club, even if the mob did own it. The VIP section is designed with class and style, from the cherry hardwood floors to the low lighting. Italian jazz as well as American jazz plays through the speakers. The only ones allowed up here are the moneybags, that or be in with the mob. Me? I have my connections.
“No fucking way,” Jareth says, bringing me back.
“What man?” I ask, not able to see much of the floor below as he is directly across from me.
He chuckles, still looking at the floor below us, “You still reading those chick books?”
“Don’t fucking start with that shit,” I tell him.
Yes, I’m a guy, and yes, I read chick books, or at least the ones written by a certain author. One I have carried a torch for since high school, Alicia Winters.
He turns to look at me now. “I think I know who it is you’re to be protecting,” he says.
“What in the hell are you talking about,” I question.
“She’s here, man,” he says pointing. “Just look.”
I was in shock. I haven’t seen her in several years. Well, face to face, that is. I always knew where she lived, worked, and played. Although, she rarely went out, and when she did, it was with a blonde girl. This is the first time that I know of that she has been here.
I stood and walked towards the so
undproof glass separating the VIP from the dance floor. There she was, standing just within my reach yet still too far away to touch. “I don’t understand,” I whisper as I pull out my cell. I have questions and the boss man best have answers. I hit the contacts and press the number for Jake.
“What,” Jake answers.
“What the fuck is going on, man,” I say.
There’s rustling in the background. “Gage, is that you?” he asks.
“Just answer the fucking question, Jake,” I spit out.
“Alicia’s in danger,” Jake says. “Your brother is going to target her thinking she has money. He owes the Facciolo family big. If he doesn’t cough up the money...” Jake trails off.
I know what they will do, and he knows it too. I run my hand through my hair and groan. “Fuck,” I say. “What do you want me to do? Watch from a distance or approach her?”
“Start a relationship with her,” he corrects me. “She needs round the clock protection. The only way to do that is for you to plant yourself into her life. That way your brother is thrown off.”
“What fucking makes him think she has that kind of money?” I ask.
“He’s desperate, Gage,” Jake says. “He knows that she writes books, and thinks that because of her books she has to be loaded. Whatever you do, don’t tell her anything. We have a plan in place and need this to work.”
Shit! Shit! I can’t deceive her like that, not Alicia, no not her. She’s not a job to me, she’s more. Always has been. The kind of “more” I can’t have in my life, ever. Being a cop brings danger, and I vowed that I would never put a family through that.
“Fucking Rick,” I say. “Ok, Jake. I’ll see what I can do.” I hang up and turn back to the glass. If I know my half-brother, and I do, he will get them both killed.
The beautiful woman below me is one of a kind. My heart still speeds up when I see her. My breath catches when she’s near. If I thought I was in love with her in school, time has only deepened my feelings for her. Problem is I swore that I would never risk a family while I am still a cop.
Tonight, however, she also has my cock stirring. The dress she’s wearing, or lack of one, leaves nothing to the imagination. I can see the top of her smooth, silky breasts. Her long, tone legs reach right to what can only be referred to as Heaven. God, I still want her.
“What are you going to do, Gage?” Jareth asks.
I shrug as Jareth pulls me back to the present. “The only thing I can do,” I say, “Make her fall in love with me.”
Chapter Five
Dance With Me Alicia
Shannon and I arrive at the club and are immediately escorted inside. I feel uncomfortable and out of place. Being my first time here, I am blown away by the interior.
There are three bars in a horseshoe shape around the dance floor. Booths, in deep red plush leather, line around the same as the bars.
The dance floor is a beautiful cherry hardwood. The wall at the back is a stage for when they play live music. Tonight however, music is being filtered in through speakers sporadically placed around the room.
Smiling, Shannon takes my hand as she leans in to speak, “Isn’t this place great?” Before I can respond, she adds, “Let’s get a drink,” then pulls me towards the bar.
“Shannon,” I snap, giving her a pointed look.
Stopping in front of the bar, she turns a smile on her face. “I know I can’t drink,” she says, rolling her eyes. “I’m getting a virgin Daiquiri.”
I sighed in relief. “Good, I’ll have the same,” I say.
She just shakes her head and turns towards the bartender. “A virgin Daiquiri and a Martini,” she tells him. He nods and turns away.
I was frowning at her when she turned to look at me. She held her hands up in front of her. “We agreed that tonight you were going to have fun,” she reminds me. “That includes getting drunk.”
I roll my eyes, this should be fun. “You know I don’t hold my liquor too well,” I say.
She laughs. “That’s the point, silly,” she replies, “You need to loosen up and get laid.”
“Oh my god,” I laughed. “You are incorrigible.” She shrugs and turns to people watch.
I truly admire Shannon. Until tonight, I thought she had her life in order, but I was wrong; so wrong. I know she’s terrified by her current situation. If I were in her place, I don’t know what I would do, maybe freak out.
“Ladies,” I heard the bartender call from behind us. Turning, we saw our drinks were sitting in front of us and him smiling. He motioned with his thumb for us to look up. “There are a couple gentlemen in the VIP section requesting your company.”
Shannon smiles and is jumping up and down, which has me shaking my head, “Oh my god,” she squeals, grabs my arm, her drink, and pulls me towards the stairs. I have just enough time to grab my drink.
The guard opens the door, smiling in such a way that sets my skin to crawl. Obviously he knows we were invited. Once the door is closed behind us, the loudness from the dance floor is replaced by the sounds of smooth jazz. The air has a hint of cigar smoke, enough to cause me to cough. I take a drink to ease the itch in my throat. Shannon shouldn’t be breathing this in.
At the top of the stairs I stop, taking in the room around us. This room is designed with class and style, starting with the cherry hardwood floors to the low lighting. Italian jazz as well as American jazz plays through the speakers, giving the room an air of romance and money.
God, I think to myself, I hope they aren’t crazy rich guys.
“Ladies, please follow me,” a server to our right says.
Shannon nudges me to follow first. Maybe the thought that they could be crazy finally entered her head. “This is so exciting,” she says behind me, “They must be rich in order to get in here.”
Or part of the mob, I say to myself.
“Alicia,” I hear a man’s deep voice call to me. I know that voice, I think as I scan around for the owner and freeze. Shannon runs right into my back.
“What the fuck, Alicia?” Shannon asks grabbing my shoulders for support.
I ignore her as I take in the man standing not too far from me with a killer smile on his face. Gage Hinder; six foot three, dark brown hair, chocolate ‘melt me’ eyes, and a solid muscular build. Shit, the years have been good to him, I think, really fucking good.
He’s wearing a black t-shirt that fits his muscular frame, killer tight jeans, and black Harley Davidson riding boots. Fuck, I think, I wish I were wearing underwear.
I hear Shannon gasp behind me and I assume it’s because she just notices what caused me to falter.
“Gage,” I say questioningly, needing to make sure it’s really him.
His smile widens as he walks towards me, his hands stretched out in front of him. “It’s been a long time,” he says taking my hands into his. “You look beautiful, Alicia,” he adds as he places a kiss on the back of my hand.
My breath catches and I jerk my hand back, feeling as if I had been scorched, but he refuses to let go. “Thank you,” I stammer.
He nods, then turns towards Shannon. Without releasing my hand, he reaches his other hand out to her. She smiles nervously, but shakes his hand. “What are two beautiful ladies such as yourselves doing in a place like this?”
A few seconds pass and I still can’t find my voice, so Shannon saves me. “I told Alicia she needed a night out,” she says chuckling, “and maybe find her motorcycle riding knight in shining armor.”
“Shannon,” I scold, elbowing her in the side.
She winks at me as she rubs where I hit her. “So, Gage, what do you drive?” she’s ribbing me, I know she is. However, I don’t need this now, and not with Gage.
If Gage is here, then Rick may not be too far behind. I cringe inwardly, just thinking of the asshole that put me off men years ago.
Gage shakes his head laughing and ignoring her question. “Ladies, this,” he starts, turning towards the man with him, “is my friend Jareth Stei
n.”
Jareth smiles first at me and shakes my hand. “It’s a pleasure, Alicia,” he says and I smile. He then turns towards Shannon. “So the beautiful lady who gave me a night of magic has a name,” reaching for her hand, she snatches it back.
I look between the two, unsure as to what to say or do. Shannon is glaring at him, looking as if she’s ready to pounce. I take in Jareth’s appearance and it hits me. Beautiful smile, blonde hair, and ocean blue eyes. Jareth is the man she told me about; the man who impregnated her and then left her without a word.
I look back towards Gage, trying to see if he has picked up on what’s going on. He just smiles and shakes his head. I have to do something, because if I know Shannon as well as I think I do, she will jump him any minute.
“Jareth,” I say and he turns towards me, “That’s an interesting name. Were you named after someone?”
Jareth’s face falls and Gage starts to laugh. “Sadly, yes,” he admits with a shrug, “David Bowie, from the movie ‘Labyrinth’.”
I cover my mouth, trying to hide the fact that I want to laugh. However, Gage isn’t trying to hide a thing and Jareth’s face goes red. “Sorry,” I say, “I happen to love that movie.”
He begins to smile then Shannon opens her mouth. “Wasn’t David Bowie gay,” she asks, giving him attitude with her hands on her hips.
He glares at her. “No, Shannon,” he says with as much attitude as she gave him, “He was not gay.”
“Mr. Stein,” she begins, “I never gave you permission to use my first name. Please refrain from using it until I say you may.”
“Fine,” he huffs, “By all means, what is your last name?”
She smiles slyly, “Ah, but I also never gave you permission to use that either,” she tells him.
He groans. “What am I supposed to call you then?” he asks.
Shattered Dreams (The Believe Series Book 1) Page 2