“Things are...well. I don’t know you’re friend here.” He gestured behind her. She didn’t have to look back to feel Luciano stand behind her, his body radiating heat.
“I’m Luciano.” He didn’t extend his hand, merely stood there, staring at Morgan.
The younger man shifted, clearly uncomfortable with the scrutiny. He shifted his attention back to Alexina, her hand still firmly gripped by his. “We’ve been worried about you at the firm. We just found out that you left Virginia. Is everything okay?”
A solid knot of guilt and shame was forming in the pit of her stomach and she took a sip of her drink to drive it back. “I just...It was something that I needed to do, with Donald being gone and everything.” She pulled her hand from his.
Morgan nodded solemnly, taking a drink of the umber colored liquid in his glass. “We, Donald and I, used to talk about you all the time.”
The ice in her glass clinked against the sides, tremors racing down her arms. “Really? That’s good to hear.” Her smile felt frozen in place.
“Donald used to grumble about having to take work home, said something about it taking up his time with you.” He stared, his gaze calculating.
There was a lump in her throat and she had to cough to talk past it. “I wouldn’t know about that. He never talked work at home.”
“You know, I did envy him. A beautiful wife to go home to, a nice house; really the American dream.”
Morgan stepped forward, an odd gleam in his eyes. “If you need something, anything, just let the firm know. We still consider you family.” She was feeling hemmed in, as if he was pressing her for something, trying to ask for something without consciously asking for it. She took a small step in retreat, running into Luciano’s toes.
“What can you do for her?” Alexina glared at Luciano’s hostile tone, surprised that she could almost see his back bristling with aggression. She placed a hand on his arm, trying to calm him. Where had this anger come from?
Morgan ignored his comment, pressing on. “If you come across anything that you need help with, something you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to call.” He rubbed a clammy hand up her arm, his eyes eager. Why was he still pressing her about this? She wanted to push him off her, but manners kept her calm.
“So Morgan, what class were you in? I don’t remember seeing you around.” Luciano stepped between them, his eyes narrowed beneath his eyebrows.
“I...uh...I didn’t go here.” He shifted back, body tense.
“So, what about your date? She looks a little young too.” The girl in question flushed, looking away with embarrassment.
“I don’t see how any of this is your business.” Morgan snipped, his eyes shooting daggers. Alexina had to bite back a tepid smile at the difference between the two men: Luciano with his big body and rough persona towering over Morgan with his preppy suit and well-manicured fingers. She hoped this didn’t get out of control.
“Look, I’m checking on her. Her husband held an important position in our company. She still has some importance to us, which is more than I can say for you.” He turned away and took a step before turning back to Alexina, his eyes green eyes bright in the darkness, “You know, Donald would be very disappointed.” He turned back and stalked away.
Alexina nodded, not trusting her voice. She watched Morgan walk away, a bubble of hysteria building in her heart, pushing up. Her skin jumped when Luciano turned to her, a comforting, solid hand on her arm. “Asshole.” He muttered as her leaned over to her, concern etched on his face. “You okay?”
She nodded briskly, taking a sip of her drink to fight back the demons swirling up. “I need to freshen up a bit.” She thrust her glass in his hand and sped off towards the nearest ladies room.
Stumbling into the first stall she came to, she slumped against the wall, her heart beating erratically. When the hell was the shame going to stop? She’d done her best damn it, so why was she always feeling like this? It had been stupid to come here, to leave herself open to these emotions. She took a shuddering breath and another, until she was calm enough to face the world.
A quick glance in the mirror and a swipe of lipstick and she walked out. One look at the ballroom and she nixed the idea of going back in. She caught Luc’s eye, who was standing outside the ballroom doors. A tilt of the head to let him know where she was going and she headed out the front doors of the hotel, the embrace of fresh air suddenly essential. Alexina moved towards a bench, sinking down onto it. She stared out into the night, boxing up all the feelings of guilt and shame and remorse and shoving them into a far away corner of her mind.
When Luc came and sat next to her a few minutes later, she glanced over at him, shocked at what she saw. “I didn’t know you smoked.” She watched as he took a drag, the smoke billowing out from his nose. She’d smelled smoke earlier, but the dots hadn’t connected.
He grinned, just a flash of white against the dark. “I’m down to a pack every three days. My only vice these days.” From the icy regret in his voice, she knew there was more to it than that. She wanted to push, find out what lay beneath, but she backed away. That could lead her down a road she no longer wanted to travel.
“Having fun?” she asked instead, crossing her legs and propping her arm on her knee.
She burst into laughter at the goaded look on his face. “I’m having the time of my life.” He replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Crazy Stacie wanted to know if she could have my baby.”
An indelicate snort and she reached out, pinching his cheek. “Poor baby.” She crooned. She wasn’t expecting him to snag her wrist and pull her against his hard body, his eyes glittering in the dark. It was with all her being that she suppressed the moan in her throat when he kissed the inside of her wrist, the tip of his tongue touching her pulse.
“I think it’s time to leave.” He stood, pulling her up with him.
Her body quaked and her voice was huskier than she’d planned. “Just so you know, you’re not coming in.”
The low laugh at her statement had her face angled up, her steps defiant as she walked in front of him to the valet.
~***~
Quiet and pensive was the mood as they walked to her front door. The car ride had been much the same, each lost in their own thoughts. Thoughts of Donald, though she’d tried to keep them at bay, had kept Alexina on her side of the car. She pulled her key out of her black satin clutch, turning to Luciano as she did so.
She forced a bright smile. “Thanks...for tonight. It was fun.”
“About what that guy said, are you okay?” he asked, his voice quiet. “You seemed...really upset.”
She looked away, “Yeah...I just at times feel...like I’m was some kind of bad wife...or am...for having fun when he’s not here.”
Luciano reached out, his hand curving along the nape of her neck, pulling her close. He held her gaze as he leaned in, his breath warm on her face. Her eyes fluttered closed as their lips met, a feathery caress. His mouth moved over hers, slow and lingering as he built her passion up, heat rising. Her hand came up, resting on his chest. The fast thump of his heart under her hand had her moving closer, fitting her body to his. He was solid and strong and the scent of him made her head spin. She moved to deepen the kiss, surprised when he pulled back, the fire still burning in his eyes.
His hand moved along her jaw, tongue licks of desire dancing down her spine. He leaned in again, his mouth sipping at hers, her body straining to be closer, before he pulled back fully.
“You weren’t a bad wife.” He tipped her chin up, hands gentle on her face.
She shook her head, forcing back the tears at the corner of her eyes. “You’re right. I’m just feeling out of sorts after that conversation with Morgan.” She smiled at him brightly, hoping that he would drop the subject.
He stared at her another moment, his eyes searching, before he dropped her chin and stepped back. “Good night” He pivoted on his heel and walked towards the elevator.
Chapter Se
ven
Alexina was driving down Rancier Ave, taking in the sights. She’d started near Fort Hood, working her way down. Things had changed dramatically over the years and she needed to take it all in, get her bearings back. She drove past the place where she used to get her hair done, the windows now boarded up and the exterior walls spray-painted. An image of Lucky, her hairdresser with the large personality flashed in her mind and she wondered how the other woman was doing. There were a few high end boutiques, stores she would never have thought to see in Killen; like a Coach store and some place that sold organic cotton. Killeen sure was moving up in the world.
She was nearing Liberty Street, passing by Cubby’s drive thru, when it hit her where she was. Just ahead was the cemetery where her mother and brother rested. Remorse and loneliness washed over her when she realized she’d been in town nearly two months and hadn’t been to see them. Well, she was going to fix that now.
At Liberty, she turned, following the winding road to the cemetery office. She stepped out, the slight breeze ruffling the delicate skirt of her sundress. Stopping off at the office, she got directions to the graves and headed out. Well manicured lawns stretched out before her and she took a moment, the sharp memories of each time she’d been here flashing in her mind. Walking up the hill, she strode past headstones and markers, taking a moment to read the ones that caught her eye.
She came to a black marble headstone; the figure of an elegant, ethereal angel holding a heart and stopped. Sinking to her knees, Alexina lovingly traced over her mother’s name. Her eyes misted over and she had to close them to keep the tears at bay. God she missed her mother. Her death had left her empty and lonely, what was left of her family broken. That beautiful, warm bright smile and kind amber eyes had always made her feel secure and safe. After her brother had died, the smile had dimmed a bit, but it had still been there. Next to her mother’s name was Dorian, her brother’s. He had been the best big brother a girl could have. With his thick wooly black hair and eyes that always seemed to twinkle with laughter, there had always been a smile for his baby sister, never loosing patience with her constant following. Her love for him had been close to hero worship, never believing he could do wrong. She wished every day that he was still alive. The day the cancer won was the last time her father had ever smiled.
“I miss you both so much,” the words came out chocked and strangled, lost in the breeze. She bowed her head at the pain, tears slipping from her eyes. The pain of missing her family was a sharp prick to her heart every time that she thought about it and over the years, she’d had to lock it all away for fear of breaking down.
The tears were falling freer now as she remembered watching her big brother waste away from the cancer, her father shutting them all away. Her mother had tried everything to pull him back and nothing had worked, not even that last Christmas before Dorian had died. The day of the funeral, he had become a stranger. She remembered thinking what a waste.
The tears slowed as it hit her that she was beginning to do the same thing as her father. She was hiding out here in Killen, trying to escape everything. Alexina wiped the tears away, resolve in the swift movement. There was no way she was going to be that person. There were dreams she wanted to accomplish and her moping around, acting sullen was not going to get them done. She’d told Luc she wanted to open a shop, but so far, she had done nothing about it. That was going to change.
“Mama, I’m going to make you proud.” She’s made the same promise the day they’d buried her mother after a drunk driver had taken her life, but so far she had broken it, barely making the effort.
She turned and headed back down the hill. She slid in the car seat, taking a moment to adjust to the heat, before she grabbed her cell phone.
“Hi Stacey, this is Alexina. I’m fine. I was wondering, do you deal in commercial property?”
~***~
A day later, they were in an empty building that was right on Veterans Memorial Boulevard, one of the busiest roads in Killeen. It was right behind the mall and the area got a good bit of food traffic. At least 5 people had stopped to peer into the window in the last 30 minutes. It was a prime spot to open her boutique.
“So what do you think?” Stacey’s energetic voice carried throughout the bare space.
Alexina took another stroll around the space, inspecting everything. In her mind, she could see racks of clothes and dressing rooms with flattering lighting. “It’s great. I want this.” She smiled at the sense of rightness in her soul at her words. This was going to be a new beginning for her.
Stacey giggled, clapping her hands. “I’ll go get the lease.” She literally began skipping to the door.
Alexina stopped her in her tracks with her next words. “No. I want to buy.”
“But-”
Alexina held up a hand, stopping her protests. “This is what I want. I want to put in an offer.”
Stacey stared at her a moment, before nodding. “Okay.” Out she bounded to get the papers.
~***~
Even though it was nearing 95 degrees in the shade, Kelsie decided that she was going to do some window shopping. Maybe find something that would catch Luciano’s eye. He was the most eligible bachelor in Killeen and there was no way in hell she was going to let him slip through her fingers, not when she was so close to the prize. Strolling down Veterans Blvd, she was just coming out of her favorite store, Juno’s, walking by the empty building next door, when she saw Alexina through the window.
Intrigued, she stopped, watching as she signed a thin stack of papers. Her curiosity piqued, she waited for the other woman to finish. Her mother had always told her to keep an eye on your enemies and this Alexina chick was definitely an enemy. She’d seen the way Luciano watched her, the way his eyes went dark and his skin flushed at the mere sight of her. She was going to nip all this in the bud.
Kelsie watched her walk out; envious of the beautiful silk red halter dress she was wearing, the fabric and color setting off the red undertones of the other woman’s skin. She could tell just by looking that the quality of it was better than anything she could ever hope to afford.
“Hi Alexina, remember me?” she gave a little wave, hoping the smile on her face wasn’t fake. She didn’t want the other woman tipped off.
Alexina gave her a nod, then turned and said goodbye to the agent. “Hi Kelsie, how are you?” she came to stand in front of her.
“I was just walking by and saw you.” She waved a hand in the direction of the store “Looked...interesting.”
Alexina chuckled, “Yeah...I’m going to open a boutique.” She shifted, her eyes veiled.
“Oh?” That definitely had her attention. “What kind?”
She shrugged, a gleam in her eye. “A place for more...buxom women to shop.”
“Eeeww...why?” Kelsie shuddered at the thought of being overweight. She worked out religiously, hitting the gym everyday for at least two hours. She made sure her meals were organic: no starch, no carbohydrates, and no meat.
Alexina sighed, the sound an indication that she was used to the attitude Kelsie had towards big people. “It’s something that I want to do.”
“So, I guess that means you’ll be around a while?” Damn, that meant that she was going to have to be extra diligent to keep Luciano’s attention focused on her.
Alexina glanced away, but not before Kelsie saw something that had her grinding her back teeth in fear and paranoia. “Yeah.”
Tired of playing beat around the bush, she decided that it was time to cut to the chase. “So what’s going on with you and Luciano?”
She actually had the audacity to laugh at her, her eyes glowing with mirth. “Nothing. Not that it’s really any of your business.”
That bitch! She gritted her teeth, her hands fisted at her side. “Look, you and I both know that he’s mine, so you can just...stay away.” She smiled, though she knew it was just a baring of teeth.
Alexina raised her eyebrows at her statement, “Really? I wouldn’t
have known.” The look of pity in her eyes had Kelsie ready to scream.
What she really wanted to do was claw her eyes out, but she stopped herself. “We’re just having some issues. We’re going to work them out.” Kelsie flipped her hair over her shoulder, a sneer of her face. She was not going to let his cow take her man. “Look, we both know you’re not what he’s into, so why make it hard? I mean, what kind of woman are you to be chasing another man when your husband has been dead less than a year?” a smug laugh bubbled up at the shocked look on her face.
“If you say so.” Alexina turned to leave, but Kelsie wasn’t done. She had a point to make and she was going to make it.
She grabbed a hold of Alexina by her arm, holding her in place. The other woman turned to stare at her, fire shooting from her eyes. Ignoring the fear that shot through her body at the look in Alexina’s eyes, she shook out her hair. She stepped back, dropping Alexina’s arm. “Just stay away or you might not like what happens.” Satisfied she’d made her point; she dropped her arm and stalked past her.
~***~
Jake was sitting at his desk, going through a stack of proposals for a client when someone knocked at his door.
“Come in!” He bellowed, agitated at the interruption. The damn FBI were hounding him, asking him about the stupid paperwork that Donald had hidden and Mr. C was breathing down his neck about it.
A short, round man walked in, pushing a pair of thick black glasses back up his nose. He took a timid step forward, shifting from foot to foot as he waited for Jake to acknowledge him.
Never looking up from his papers, he motioned the man forward, indicating a chair directly in front of him. “Have a seat Marcus. I’m a little busy at the moment, so talk fast.”
Marcus sat down, perched on the edge of the seat. “Sir, I wanted...to talk to you about something-”
“I figured that much Marcus. Get to it.” He snapped, interrupting Marcus. He had no patience for people who were timid, always beating around the bush. They were a waste of his time and energy.
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