Tony: Alvarez Security Series

by Jordan, Maryann

  “I hate to be a bother, but I had a question and perhaps you two are the perfect ones to ask.” Taking a deep breath, hoping her employers would not think her ridiculous, she asked, “Do you ever get a feeling that something just doesn’t add up when you are talking to a client?”

  Both men looked surprised and confused, so she rushed to explain. “I’m still working on Betina’s case and while I have no evidence, I just feel like something isn’t adding up.”

  “Intuition, my dear,” Mr. Marks said. “You must look at facts, but never fail to listen to your intuition.”

  Simon added, “You’d make a good lawyer, Sherrie. You’re book smart, but you’re very people smart as well. I’d say keep digging.”

  “But carefully,” Mr. Marks called as she was walking out of the office.

  “I will,” she agreed. “No more dark street investigations for me. You never know who you’ll meet!”

  Back in her office, she pulled her notes out as she began to type them into a semblance of a report that would eventually go to the judge. Betina, I know there is something going on. I can just feel it. Maybe a surprise visit is what is needed. She knew the grocery wasn’t open on Sunday so she hoped that would provide the perfect time to see how Betina was with both her mom and Mr. Valesquez around.

  The vibrating of her cell phone pulled her out of her musings and with a smile on her face she answered, “Hey, sweetie.”

  “You got plans for dinner tonight?” Tony asked.

  “Not really. I think there is some leftover meatloaf from the other night.”

  “Then let’s go out. I’ve got some news and I thought we’d hit that new steak house downtown.”

  “Oohh, you know the way to my heart,” she laughed.

  “Darlin’, you’re already in mine,” he replied. “I’ll pick you up in about twenty minutes.”

  Hanging up, she headed to the restroom to freshen up. Looking into the mirror over the sink, she patted her hair in place then re-applied her lipstick. Staring at her reflection, she could not help but smile. Girl, you’ve come a long way since cocktail waitressing in a strip joint to keep an eye on Charisse. A good job. A good man…who is drop-dead gorgeous. For a second, a flash of doubt crossed her face. Can it stay this good? Sucking in a huge breath before letting it out slowly, she squared her shoulders and held her head up. Just because everything always went to shit before doesn’t mean it still will. Things have changed. My life has changed.

  Her pep talk over, she headed out to wait for Tony.

  Chapter 16

  The restaurant was dimly lit, the candlelight flickering on the table between them giving off a romantic air, as Tony and Sherrie finished their meal. Her pale blue, figure-hugging jersey dress with a scooped neck had captured his attention all night. Her dress offered him a hint of the luscious cleavage he planned on partaking of tonight, as soon as he could get her home. Her blonde hair floated around her shoulders, and the thought of running his hands through the silken tresses as he took her had him shifting in his chair.

  Sherrie was equally perusing from her side of the table. His muscular arms and chest stretched the material of his navy shirt and the plan of popping one button at a time until she could peel it off revealing the prize underneath, had her pussy clenching. He had just shared his news about collaborating with an old Special Forces buddy and she could see the excitement in his eyes.

  “I never ask about your time in the Army,” she confessed, trying to think of something besides the ache deep inside her core. “I suppose I just assume that if you want to talk about it, you will. But it seems that you are very close to those you served with.”

  He nodded as he looked at her eyes, seeing in their depths an interest in him. Not his war stories. Not tales of glory. But interest in him.

  “When you spend that much time together as a team, you have to know each other’s movement, thoughts, actions…anything less could mean at best a failed mission or at the worst, death.”

  Her eyes shined with tears as she whispered, “I hate that you had to face that, but so glad you had men at your back that have become your brothers.”

  He looked down at his plate, realizing that for so long the memories of his days in the Army were tainted by his grief, but those men stood by him when he fell apart. And put him back together again. Raising his eyes, he stared at the beautiful woman across from him. Life had not been easy on her either, but here they were—stronger together than they had been apart.

  I want this woman in my life forever. He had not bought a ring, although the idea of asking her to marry him had been on his mind lately. Fuck it, who needs a ring right now anyway. At least I can tell her what I want.

  “Sherrie?” he said softly, reaching across the table grasping her hand. “You know I love you. Will you—”

  “Tony? I thought that was you!” came an excited voice from the right.

  Jerking his head around, he saw Marla’s parents walking toward their table. Fuck timing. He had always had a good relationship with her parents but they’d lost contact over the past couple of years. Their grief was as profound as his, but in their case shared grief did not seem to give him comfort.

  He stood quickly, reaching out his hand in greeting. “Ted, Vivian. Nice to see you again.”

  Vivian bypassed his outstretched hand and came in for a hug instead. He returned the embrace, but felt ill at ease when she would not let go. Glancing behind her at Ted, his eyes must have given a pleading look because Ted moved in to gently pull his wife from Tony’s arms.

  Shaking Tony’s hand, Ted said, “Now, now, Viv. Let the man breathe.”

  Sherrie looked on in curiosity at the tall, handsome man in front of their table. His gray hair was neatly trimmed and his suit appeared expensive. The woman at his side was also tall, reed-thin, and elegantly dressed as well. She saw their eyes dart toward her and she shot a glance at Tony.

  Tony introduced the couple to Sherrie. Vivian as she smiled down at Sherrie and said, “I see you’re just ready for dessert. We won’t keep you.” She stood awkwardly, as though she wanted to stay, but knew she should not.

  Ted quickly placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder and said, “My dear, let’s move on. I’m sure they’d rather be alone—”

  Vivian’s eyes frosted over, but as Sherrie realized…not with anger, but with grief. This woman buried her daughter and her granddaughter. I’m sure seeing Tony brings painful memories to the forefront.

  Sherrie reached her hand out and placed it on Vivian’s arm. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” she said sincerely. Vivian’s watery eyes lifted and found hers. “I recently lost my sister and while my grief is not like yours, I still sympathize.”

  “Oh, I am sorry about your sister,” Vivian admitted.

  It appeared that she wanted to say more, but the words never came. Ted wrapped his arm around his wife as they quickly said their goodbyes, leaving a frustrated Tony looking over the dwindling candlelight at a very reserved Sherrie. Jesus, fuck, he thought ruefully. He scraped his chair back, rising as he held out his hand. She placed hers in his gently and moved toward him.

  Tucking her into his side, he escorted her to his truck. Neither speaking out of fear of what the other was thinking. By the time they entered her house, he could stand the silence no more.

  “Baby, we gotta talk,” he growled, frustration pouring out in his words.

  Her gaze shot up toward his, fearful of his tone. “Oh…okay.”

  “I am so fuckin’ sorry about that. I haven’t seen them in a long time and well…that was awkward.

  Her lips trembling, she approached him, placing her hands on his strong chest, feeling his heartbeat pounding against her fingertips. “Tony, it’s okay, really. You’ve shown me that I’m not a replacement for Marla, and you’ve been able to open yourself up to love again. Viv…has nothing to be open for.” Giving a little shrug, she admitted, “Grief, in some form or another, lasts forever.”

  Looking down at th
e woman who taught him to love again, he cupped her face in his large hands, running his thumbs over her petal-soft cheeks. “I love you, baby.”

  Smiling up at his warm eyes, she said, “I love you, too.”

  “You’re being really understanding about tonight, but you gotta know that I was frustrated as hell. I wanted tonight to be just about us.”

  Pulling him down, she touched her lips to his. Just as he was taking the kiss deeper, she moved away, a teasing grin on her face. Growling, he swatted her ass before scooping her up in his arms. Climbing the stairs, she pulled him back in for a kiss, this time letting him take it as deep as he wanted. And he wanted it deep.

  Later, their breaths came in gasps as their erratic heartbeats pounded in an ancient rhythm from their lovemaking. Slowly as their bodies cooled, their breathing evened out and their hearts began to beat as one.

  Tony lay with her in his arms, marveling at the strength of this woman. Strong and independent, but willing to give it all to him in the bedroom. She could have been pissy about Vivian but instead was kind and understanding. I wanted to ask her to marry me. But she deserves wine and roses. She deserves to have the ring right there.

  Looking down, he saw her face relaxed in slumber. He snagged the covers and pulled them over their cooling bodies, keeping her tucked closely to his side. Smiling, he drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

  *

  Hernando peered out of his second-floor office window overlooking the laundry that was in full swing despite the late hour. With the extra teen labor he had been able to increase his business and now added two more hotels as his clients. Quentin indicated that he was very pleased with Hernando’s work.

  His sharp eyes scanned the operation, checking to see that everyone was working. The two new girls were still learning and it showed—their actions were clumsy. The woman in charge of their training was not paying enough attention.

  Opening the small window, he whistled and saw her stiffen before turning his way. Yes, she knows what will happen. Without another word, he shut the window and waited for her to appear at his door. She hurried in and started to shut the door.

  “Leave it open,” he ordered. “It may serve as a deterrent for the others.” With a jerk of his head, he ordered, “Go out by the railing. You know what to do.”

  Eyes wide with fright, she hesitantly made her way back to the railing that overlooked the facility. The two young teens looked up in fear, their gazes joined by the others. Placing her hands on the rail, she bent over as tears welled in the anxiety of the coming punishment.

  Hernando looked at her ass, his crotch growing tighter as his dick swelled in anticipation. He loved the cruel dominance. The control. The power. The rush of adrenaline fed his cock as he pulled his belt out of his pants.

  The woman’s trembling legs barely held her up but she knew not to move. With a swift downward swing, his belt slapped against her bottom. Four more in quick succession finished her punishment.

  Ordering her inside of his office, he followed her, a cruel smile on his face as he unzipped his pants. Pulling out his erection, he placed his cock at her pussy entrance and slammed into her from behind, palming her blistered cheeks. As horny as he was, it did not take long to finish and tuck himself back into his trousers.

  “Now get back to work and get those girls up to speed,” he growled at the crying woman. She pulled her pants back on hurrying to get out, trying to avert her eyes to those below. The ones she did glance at looked at her in sympathy, except for a few of the men who palmed their crotches. She knew what that meant. They would wait until after work and then demand her services.

  She wanted out but knew there was no way. Hernando gave them a place to stay rent free, but the four dollars an hour she made only went so far. To get away meant she would have to live on the streets. Her chest heaving with frustration, she moved back over to the two teenage girls, showing them once again how to quickly bleach the towels before putting them in the large laundry equipment. Their fear had them speeding up the process.

  Hernando watched with satisfaction as all of the workers processed the laundry quicker. Nothing like fear to keep the workers in line. Chuckling to himself, he moved back to his desk, turned out the light and headed to Quentin’s place.

  *

  Tony walked into work the next morning, greeted by Doug.

  “Sir, I’ve been watching the tunnel cameras. Not much happens other than there are some people that enter through one of the back buildings and go to Salazar’s office. We don’t have bugs in his office, so all I got is visual. You wanted to know if anyone seemed to make multiple trips and I’ve seen about six or seven. I gave those photos to Lily to process.”

  Tony nodded, saying, “Thanks. Good job. Go home and get some sleep and I’ll have you on just one more night shift before you switch with Terrance.” Calling out to Lily, he asked for an update as soon as she could get one to him.

  An hour later, she walked into his office with her reports. I ran the images that Doug gave me. Nothing interesting actually. A couple of them have police records but nothing recent. One appears to be coming and going several times, but he has his face hidden so I don’t have a good image to process. I’ll have Doug keep me posted on any newer ones.”

  *

  Sherrie was taking a rare sick day to have a follow-up appointment with her doctor about her shoulder. When the doctor asked her if it was impeding her normal activities she choked out her answer, thinking about the activities of the previous evening. Her flaming face gave away her thoughts and her doctor laughed, saying that she was glad there was no hindrance.

  Back at the house, she was cleaning to get ready for the party that weekend. Turning the music up loudly on the TV, she began to dance as she cleaned. Dressed in old, faded yoga pants and a sweatshirt that had seen better days, she vacuumed, dusted, scrubbed the kitchen and the bathrooms. All while listening to the oldies station. Hearing a familiar song, she stopped while mopping. It was a song her mother used to dance to before her father left. She would twirl Charisse and me around in circles until we were dizzy. Sighing at the memory, she walked over and changed the channel on her TV.

  Before she had time to pick the mop up again, she heard Tony’s truck pull into the driveway. Glancing at her watch, she wondered why he was home in the middle of the morning. His footsteps pounded up the porch and through the door, quickly taking in the scene in front of him.

  “What’s up, Tony?” she asked.

  He stalked forward, a sexy grin on his face. “Babe, you cleaning this house, dancing around singing in these tight pants while shaking your gorgeous ass…I’ve been wanting to get back here for hours.” Reaching her, he pulled her close, capturing her lips in a possessive, wet kiss.

  Dazed when she came up for air, she smiled dreamily at him. Then awareness of his words slowly dawned on her. As he started in for another kiss, she threw up her hand, halting his lips.

  “Oh, no,” she warned, poking him in the chest. “I want to know how you knew what I was doing.”

  He nodded toward her security camera in the hallway, near the door. “I have this place watched.”

  “You…you have…what the hell are you talking about? Who’s watching?” she sputtered.

  “A live feed goes into my place. We have a bank of videos of various residents who pay us to keep an eye on their property. I employ several people who monitor the video feeds. It’s only on the doors and windows, but I got a call from Vinny, who’s at the monitors, that every once in a while he could see you dancing by with a mop.”

  “Tony, you didn’t ask my permission! What if I was prancing around naked?” she asked, suddenly horrified at what someone could have seen.

  “Honey, with the business I’m in, I need to make sure our residence is monitored. Gabe and Jennifer as well as Matt and Lily have one too. Vinny and Jobe still live in their secure condo, so they don’t have direct feeds, but their places are secure as well.”

  “That still do
esn’t answer my naked question,” she declared, her foot tapping against the wooden floor.

  The thought of her doing housework in the buff had his blood rushing to his dick and out of his head. Turning her way, he began to stalk toward her as she backed up. Her back hit the wall and he trapped her with both hands on either side of her head.

  “Tony…” she warned.

  “Babe, they are only aimed on the doors and windows. If you were dancing around naked, the only way you’d be seen by the cameras was if you were standing naked in front of the door or a window. And somehow I don’t believe you’d ever do that. Believe me, I’m the only one that will ever see you dancing naked in this house.” With that he leaned down, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss.

  All thoughts of being angry flew out of her head as his kiss took on a life-force of its own. Tongues tangling, hands exploring, she allowed him to ravage her mouth in expectation of him ravaging other parts of her body.

  His mind was going in the same direction, so he broke the kiss to scoop her up and toss her over his shoulder. She smacked his back but his hand came down hard on her ass, quieting her. He took the stairs two at a time, rubbing where he had spanked.

  Giggling as she dangled over his shoulder, she could not help but give a little wave toward the camera as they disappeared up the stairs.

  Chapter 17

  After a late morning round of amazing sex, Sherrie found herself driving to Betina’s house for another visit after Tony left to go back to work.

  After an enthusiastic hug from Betina, they settled at the kitchen table. Her mother bustled around as though afraid to leave them alone, finally moving to the other room after serving them tea.

  “How’s school?” she asked the young teen, hoping to put her at ease. Betina was always more relaxed when they saw each other without anyone else around. Does her mother make her nervous?