“You shouldn’t be working tonight.” He held out a long, black box. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Sean you know I can’t take that.”
“Well, I’m not going to let you give it back.” He opened it up, revealing a diamond studded choker, then sat it in front of me.
“I can’t.”
He chuckled and refilled my glass. “My little sister has been on my ass. She has pretty much demanded that I ask you out, so I have to try again just to shut her up.”
“And my answer is still no.” I stood abruptly.
“How about a dance then?”
“What – No – You’re my boss.”
“I’m off the clock.”
Tina said that Sean never asked one of his employees to perform their skills on him, so I was shocked to turn and find him holding a twenty between his fingers. He set it on the table.
I glanced at the money. I wasn’t sure what to think.
He slid his chair away from the table slightly and held his hands out to the side.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and stared at his lap. Slowly, I approached. I couldn’t get fired before I had successfully completed my objective.
I straddled him. My hands fell lightly on his shoulders.
He reached out, cupped my buttocks and jerked me close before I could fully settle.
“You’re not supposed to touch,” I nervously reprimanded.
Menacingly, he curled his lip and slipped his hands down my outer thighs. Trailed his fingertips up my inner thighs and inched them closer and closer to the forbidden. “I haven’t enjoyed the flesh of a woman in ten years,” he whispered.
And at that moment I felt my own starvation.
His fingertip traced circles, then inched higher and attempted to slip beneath my panties.
“You’re not supposed to –” I laughed and grabbed his hands, “Sean – Stop.” I giggled, fighting for control of his wandering digits.
He moved his hands from my hips and settled them on my waist instead.
I rolled my eyes and moved my hips slightly, sure he could tell it was the first time I had given a lap dance.
He trailed his fingertips down my sides after only a few moments of being decent, causing me to squeal. I squirmed, feeling his hardness brush against me.
He threaded a hand beneath my hair and pulled me into an attempted kiss.
I kept my lips tight and pushed off his chest with authority. “You know just because you own the place doesn’t mean you can ignore the rules.”
“I’ve never asked for a dance before Jessie.” He continued with a laugh. “I never liked the – limitations.” He stopped his torture, grabbed his glass and tipped it to his lips. “I like this. I’m going to call for you again.”
I growled as I left his lap.
He kissed the air in my direction.
“What the hell kind of shit is that?” I laid a hand on my hip. “Here I was thinking you were this sweet guy and that all the rumors about you were just – rumors. Then you go and do this?”
He rose and passed me with a sour, hurt expression.
I didn’t turn towards him – and that was a mistake.
He snatched me from behind and pulled me against him. I felt the weight of his gift gently land against my neck and he swept my hair away to clasp it. “I think the bad guy is going to win tonight.”
The door swung open.
“Man, I’m sorry to interrupt, but um – you need to get out here.” Matt Divani popped his head in.
Sean went to the door, peered out and the next thing I knew he was gone and Matt was leading me through a hidden door in the room, down a flight of stairs, through a basement, up another set of stairs and through another hidden door that Grato opened by moving a heavy rolling trunk out of the way. I stepped out into the almost empty dressing room.
“Well, that’s was a hell of an entrance.” Tina laughed. “How was the dance?”
“I don’t even want to talk about.”
It was hard to get through the rest of my night. I wanted to walk out the door and never come back. Forget all about the Bureau, Magnolia and just run as far away as I possibly could.
That guy was back, but Sean wouldn’t let me anywhere near the table even after the man had left, but his eyes followed me everywhere I went. I knew he wasn’t going to give up and he was making me feel things I didn’t need to feel for him. I was lonely and my relationship was shitty and it was hard to resist the romance he was offering. I couldn’t take it anymore. I rushed outside and let the fresh air hit me.
Tina placed her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. Like a true friend, she had pursued to help me through a difficult moment. “I know what will make you feel better – A night out on the town – with your favorite dancer. My little boy is at his Grandma’s so I have a free weekend and since Spencer grabbed my butt-cheek today I blackmailed him into given both you and me tomorrow night off.”
“You got us a Friday night off?”
“Uh-huh and don’t you dare think you’re going to stand me up.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
What would one day away hurt? I knew that Harkins wouldn’t be happy, but I was exhausted. I needed a day off and I hoped a night of fun would clear my mind. I had become too comfortable with my fake life, so much that I didn’t want to leave it. But I would have to give it up. That was the plan. It had always been the plan.
TWENTY-FIVE
(Sean)
TAP, TAP, AND TAP. THE pen would not lay silent in my hand. I gazed at the website on my laptop screen. A photo of a bar and grill, taking at dusk with the moon reflecting in the water behind it promised romance and the woman who invaded my thoughts was there.
I stayed in my office, going up the stairs the minute I arrived like I had done before Jessie began working for me. I had no reason to stay downstairs.
My mind ran wild. In my imagination, her arms were wrapped around some lucky guy’s neck, his hands on her hips and he swayed her to soft music while she was lost in his eyes. I imagined she was there with her fiancé and my absence was giving him the edge he needed to keep her and I couldn’t stand that.
“Hey, boss – Hey boss, we got a problem!” Devo rushed into the office. Rarely did the quiet giant grace the upstairs. A sudden stun that wiped away my desire to go to Stardust on the Lake.
I rushed to the two-way mirror to survey the view below. Drunken men scrambled to their feet to avoid chairs and broken tables that soared with great speed until coming to a sudden stop against red walls. Some cowered low in corners, some scurried by and took refuge in the streets. I chuckled as I watched a large man in a leather jacket toss Matt Divani like he was a rubber ball.
“What’ll I do? That biker dude is going to tear this place apart. I called for the bouncers, but I don’t know.” Devo shifted from one foot to the other anxiously. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry.” I straightened my jacket, laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder and walked down the stairs, slowly, confident with my own ability to handle the situation.
Behind the bar, Spencer stared wide-eyed, frozen in fear.
“Can I get a whiskey, Spence?” As if nothing out of the ordinary was going on, I leaned against the bar, but I got no reply from the bartender who dropped to the floor and covered his head the moment a mug hit the shelf behind him, raining broken bottles and liquor over his head. “Hey, you okay?”
Spencer held an entire bottle of whiskey above his head in response. His hand trembled and he was close to losing his grip.
I took the bottle, laughed and tipped it up, watching the biker continue his rage.
“What do you think, Devo?” It was an exciting change of pace from a dull night that had caused me to miss my crush.
“I think someone sure made him mad and he’s making me mad.” Which would hurt Devo more than the immense pain he brought to his victim. A state I refused to let him go through.
“Okay, enough
of this shit.” It was time to step out of the shadows and come face to face with the trouble my bouncers had failed to obstruct.
Matt held himself, using a chair for as crutch. The leather clad, long haired thug held him by his shirt, his fist curled, pulled back and ready to strike once more. Grato stirred and clutched his head nearby, still covered with remnants of the chair that had knocked him unconscious.
“Can I help you with something? I’m sure you’ll have better luck with me than that fellow.”
The biker cracked his neck as if to dare me to come his way. “I need a job,” he growled.
“A job? And what makes you think I would hire you?” Pulling a cigarette from my pocket, I lit it, took a puff and challenged him, illustrating my dominance without much effort. “I figure you cost me – hmmm – about four grand or so tonight.”
“I beat all your boys. You know it. They know it – you need me.” Inches from my nose, the brawler demanded attention.
“I need you?” I chuckled. The biker had guts. I couldn’t deny that. “Well, you wasted your time pal. I was just on my way out.”
“Hey!” The biker laid my big palm on my shoulder, halting me. I gawped at the restraining limb that obstructed my frivolous notion.
“Mister, you’re about to make your first – and – last mistake.” Eye to eye, we raged war with only stares.
“If you want a job bad enough, you’ll do it my way. Upstairs, my office. Tomorrow.”
Swatting away the hold, I headed to the door, not once feeling the need to glance behind, secure that no one would dare attack me with my back turned.
Easily, I could have taken the time to hear the man out, but even in the midst of jeopardy, I had to see her. The twenty-four-hour mark had yet to chime since I had last laid eyes on Jessie and I yearned for the pleasure like an addict, withdrawing from my drug of choice. The recollection of her touch tingled my body. I knew where I could steal a peek, just one fleeting look and my thirst would be quenched.
Dust rose, laying a thin layer across my windshield, clouding my vision as I chose a spot in the parking lot in front of a wood sided tavern. It appeared to be in far worse condition than its photograph. Only the backdrop sparkled clean blue water, rippling softly over a full moon’s mirror image was the same.
Intoxicated partygoers laughed and clung to each other, entering and exiting in jeans, boots and western hats, each group taking one glance at me in my suit and bursting.
No fluorescent fixtures impeded the atmosphere inside the Stardust. Tiny strings of lights lined the ceiling and walls giving the illusion of stars in the night sky. A cascading waterfall rushed in he center, intent on being heard over the boisterous crowd and deafening jukebox.
A familiar giggle carried over it all, exposing Tina’s location on an oak square. Her dance partner was the one I sought and I enjoyed a sense of relief. My reward for indulging in the drug of lust.
Shadowy corners were in high demand and I chose one only a few tables away from where Tina and Jessie flopped their sweaty, worn out bodies.
I lit a cigarette, pulled my flask and tipped it up. I only intended to watch from a distance and I was already mesmerized by the turquoise halter and exposed back of my interest. The tiny strings tied around her neck and mid-back begged my fingers to slip them from their knots.
“You can’t drink your own booze here, Sweetie. You got to order something if you want to stay.” A waitress, with a voice that was obviously from the southern parts of Jenithiyah, placed a single page menu in front of me. I obliged and ordered a beer, not removing Jessie from my line of vision, clinging to every word that drifted my way.
“You gals want another?” The barmaid made her rounds, stopping at the girl’s table before carrying out my order.
“Just bring us some beers and a couple shots for now,” Tina insisted, “We are going to dance for a while.”
“Hey, I’m hungry,” Jessie whined. “I haven’t eaten a thing all day!”
But Tina was not hearing it and yanked her reluctant friend out of her chair and they danced beside their table. Jessie’s movements were less relaxed than Tina’s. She appeared uncomfortable and averted her gazes to the floor.
“Relax,” Tina retrieved a mug of beer and gave it to Jessie who downed the remaining liquid in one gulp.
“Ugh, that burned!” She hollered above the noise. “I really need to eat something.”
“Oh, you’re just thinking about that jerk and the stupid things he put in your head,” Tina advised. “You are not acting like a teenager just because you’re having fun. He’s history. Live girl!”
“It’s not that easy.”
I eavesdropped, wishing I knew what they were referring to. Jessie had obviously confided deep secrets about her lover to Tina and I slid closer so I too, could peek through the window of Jessie’s soul and perhaps understand why she spat in the face of love.
“It is that easy. Forget it and move on. Look around you. So many gorgeous men to choose from.”
The minutes drove on and I watched Jessie loosen and sway freely, more so with each mug she consumed. What she wanted to forget, I still didn’t know.
She and Tina danced together, provocatively, slowly, drawing the eyes of many men sitting at tables nearby. Tina’s earlier statement surfaced in my thoughts and didn’t sit well, immediately frustrating me. I was jealous of the men who leered and complimented Jessie. Desperately, I wanted to be the only one who could hold her fascination.
“Baby, if you danced like that at De’Bris, it would make us all happy,” someone called out and I recognized a few regulars from my club dancing close to the women.
“You never know. She just might start,” Tina kidded.
“She better not dance like that for anyone, but me,” Tired of watching from the corner; I let my heart lead me and gently encircled my arms around her waist.
Unexpectedly, she leaned against my chest and matched the rhythm of my hips.
“What are you doing here?” Tina asked.
“Funny thing, it seems the club is dead when you two are off.” Breathing in the scent of apple from Jessie’s hair, I felt a wave of weakness wash over me, engulfing the anxiety that had kept me at bay.
“Did Spencer send you to revoke our night off? Damn and here I was thinking you missed me.” Tina stuck out her bottom lip.
“I did,” I admitted and twirled Jessie to face me. “I missed you both.”
For the first time, sassy words didn’t fall from her lips and she didn’t thrust me away. I dared to let my fingers travel down her spine, rested my palm on the small of her back and pulled her body against mine. Her lids closed, she swallowed and I was sure she trembled.
“Look at you? Stealing away my date,” Tina joked, grabbed her friend’s hand and took her away from me.
“We’re still dancing.” Left with empty arms, I followed them and took the empty seat at their table.
“Who said you could join us?” Tina sounded serious, but her smile gave her away.
“How about I buy?” I offered.
“You sure? You might be sorry after we order.”
The trance I’d had Jessie in diminished, but I caught her stealing glances over her menu.
“I’m going to the little girl’s room,” Tina announced and Jessie flashed a semi-angry expression. I had known Tina long enough to know she was purposely leaving us alone.
Jessie twirled a long strand of her hair around her fingers as she read the menu, mesmerizing me with every movement.
“Order anything you want,” I told her trying to keep my eyes on my own menu, wanting to convince myself I could be happy keeping her as a friend. She obviously wasn’t ready to let me in, but my heart refused to see my reasons to limit what I could easily have.
“I want a double cheeseburger plate with everything,” Jessie told the waitress. I beamed a big smile and ordered the same thing.
“Wow. That’s a big order. I can barely eat a whole double.”
> “Are you saying I can’t keep up with you, Sean Gianetti?”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I smiled. My name didn’t sound like a profanity coming from her lips. Her words slurred, her eyes droopy and she acted slightly silly, bringing me joy I hadn’t known in a long time. For one night, I wanted to forget all the rules and convinced myself that taking advantage would bring no harm.
Tina returned and we talked until the food arrived and I watched in amazement as Jessie picked up the huge portion and took a big bite.
“Oh, so good,” she moaned making Tina and I burst. “What?” Ketchup dripped down her chin and she made no move to wipe it away. “My dad never let me eat stuff like this and I still don’t eat like this.”
“Are you kidding? Why not?” Tina asked with a mouth full of her chicken sub.
“My father was a health nut,” she replied, then took a sip of her beer. “I swear he thought everything outside of our home was the devil’s work. We never ate out, ever.”
It was a plight I found familiar. One, my late wife would have sympathized with.
“Jessie, I don’t know how to break it to you, but you’re a big girl now. You can eat whatever you want.” Tina winked.
“I know, right?” Jessie agreed, barely able to control her intoxicated laughter, acting as if she were breaking free from invisible bonds that neither I nor Tina could see.
I understood, for I had felt like I was forever cursed by the unseen python that had squeezed the breath from my body.
“I don’t think parents realize how much they damaged us,” I stated then took a bite of my own burger, carefully with each bite, dabbing the corners of my mouth with my napkin. I hadn’t been so nervous eating in front of someone since I’d met Sara.
“Don’t worry so much.” As if she could read my thoughts, Jessie beamed and touched my hand.
“I’m not,” I defended.
“Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Really, and what am I worrying about?” I countered.
“Oh, I can answer that for you,” Tina interrupted. “He is wondering if you really like him or not. Trust me, the woman is crazy about you, Seany.”
Son of a Mobster (Criminal Desires) Page 18