“What do you mean? The pay period should’ve been on the first and the fifteenth, and it’s already the eighteenth.”
“Yes. The last check the staff received was on the twentieth of last month.”
“That’ll be taken care of today. Can you please give me the list and I will rectify the matter before all of you go home? Are there any other concerns?”
“There were rumors that the company was going to be closing if we didn’t work harder.”
“As far as I’m concerned, this firm won’t be closing. I had no idea any of this was occurring. However, I will be coming back to work here full-time while Caleb manages the Seattle office. I’m sorry about the worry and the lack of payment. Trust that you’ll all be taken care of.”
The meeting ended with very few questions. We were going to have to get the office up and running while we were here.
Sophia had already met with the accountant. When we came into the office, the look on her face told us all.
“How fucked up is it?”
“Jackson, it’s really fucked up. The Bangor accounts are bone dry.”
“I’m calling my accountants, right now.”
We spent the day and evening looking into the matter. The longer we looked, the angrier we got. According to the accountants, Jackson signed papers for an opening of a new branch; which was total bullshit.
For the next few days, we worked our asses off trying to do some damage control. The best part was my woman showed everyone that she wasn’t just another pretty face. She helped so much they all thought she had been with the firm for a long time. Even after they learned that she was engaged to me, all the rumors were about how lucky I was and how I must have fallen in love with her at first sight. I was glad to confirm those rumors.
“Jackson, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure, Caleb. Close the door.” I shut the door and took a seat.
“So what’s up?”
“I need a week off. I know it’s nuts because of all the shit going on, but I need to meet her parents and get this wedding business started.”
“I understand. I was lucky to get Elizabeth to marry me in a rush, but we didn’t know her real parents yet. Sophia has family in Italy right?”
“Yeah, she’s an only child. So, I can’t just run off and marry her. I can work on the plane and while I’m there, but I really need to do this.”
“It’s not that big of a deal. The Seattle office is doing well with Malcolm and Kristen, and I’ve got this in order now, thanks to you and Sophia. Enjoy and take as much time as you need.”
“Thanks, Jackson. I’m going to check in with the Seattle office and look into assigning a few new cases. They’ve managed to clear some of their schedules already.”
I went back to my old office and just stood against the door jamb staring at my beloved Sophia as she worked.
“Do you realize how sexy it is to watch you type?”
“Ha, Caleb. You’re nuts.” She just smiled at him and put her head back down, returning to her work.
“I’m not.” I was serious; Sophia was sex. All day, I wanted to fuck her.
“So what brings you to your own office? Did you want me to give up my seat so you can work?”
“No, babe. I just need to call the office and check in on the slackers there. They are running out of cases.”
“When are we heading back?” she asked as she looked up from her laptop.
“In the next week or two,” I said as I took a seat.
She picked up her coffee then asked, “Why so long? This place is almost back to the way it was before you two opened the other office.”
“Yes, it is, but I didn’t say we were staying here. We are going to see your parents.”
“My parents?” she gasped and nearly dropped her coffee cup. Shakily, she set it down and tried to go back to working.
“Yes, your parents. What’s the matter? You don’t sound like you like that idea.” I didn’t like that she was upset about it.
“It’s nothing,” she muttered as she looked at her screen.
“It’s something. Tell me what it is,” I growled while dropping my elbows onto the desk and looked at her sternly.
She slammed the laptop closed, huffed, and then quickly blurted out, “It’s just they don’t want me to marry an American.”
“Because they don’t want you to live far away, or is it because they preferred you marry an Italian?”
“I think it’s a bit of both,” she murmured.
“It really doesn’t matter because we’re going to get married,” I said as I stood straight up and walked out of the office. There was nothing that I could do at the moment. If her parents didn’t want her to be with me, that was tough shit because I was going to marry her regardless.
Going into the conference room, I called Malcolm and Kristen.
“Hey, what are you two up to?”
“We’re managing this place, wonderfully. There haven’t been any issues. The only thing was that Lee got another job offer and decided to take it.”
“Does he still have a huge caseload?”
“No, he has two cases. So, he’s going to work with Everett over the next two weeks and he’ll take over the cases if Lee doesn’t settle them before then.”
“That sounds good. I knew he didn’t want to be there since I snapped on him for insulting Sophia. So, good riddance. Now, as to caseload, I received twenty emails requesting our services. Do you think our staff could handle that load right now?”
“That’s a decent amount. Are there any that you would like to assign to anyone in particular?” Malcolm asked.
“No, bro. I was thinking of leaving that up to the two of you. I can do it, but I would need an updated list of their current caseload and a rough estimate of when they’re actually going to settle.”
“That’s fine. You both know I want to be partner one day.”
“That’s why I want you to handle the office. So how’s Ryder now that there’s no boss there?”
“The same as before. He works really hard.”
“Good. Sophia and I are wrapping up things here and tomorrow we leave for Italy. So, I won’t be back for a week.”
“Uh-oh, going to meet the parents? That should be fun.”
“You have no idea,” I grumbled. After bullshitting with them and telling them what Sophia told me about her parents, I hung up. I had to get back to work so I could get us on a flight to Europe.
Chapter 9
We arrived in Salerno the following evening. I wasn’t in the best mood because the entire time Sophia looked like she was going to her death. I was tempted to say fuck it and turn back around. She called her parents and, apparently, they weren’t pleased with me being here. I could hear yelling on the other end of the line.
I needed to make a good impression on them, but I knew that may not work. They were prejudiced against Americans because of the difference in culture. We pulled up to their home and I was surprised how small it was. They came out of the house to welcome their daughter while they completely ignored my presence.
“Mamma, Papa, this is Caleb James, my boyfriend.” I told her we would wait to tell them we were getting married until after they got to know me, which made her tremendously happy. Now I knew why; they really didn’t want me to be with her.
“But I thought you said your boyfriend’s name was Matthew, like our Matteo,” her father said.
I tried not to get visibly angry because I sure as hell was. Not only did they know about Matt, but they were throwing him in my face.
“Signore Rinaldi, I’m Caleb. It’s nice to meet Sophia’s parents, but Sophia and I are tired, so we’ll be heading to our hotel right now.”
“What!”
“Yes, I booked us a room not too far from here. We can come visit you tomorrow when you have a better attitude to receive us. Come, Sophia.” I dragged her along, but she didn’t really mind.
“What was that about?”
; “Look, they obviously don’t want me here, and I’m sure as hell not staying where I’m not welcomed. If you prefer to stay that’s cool, but I won’t be staying.”
“Oh, Caleb! See, this is why I didn’t want to come.”
“How the hell did you expect to have a wedding if we didn’t?”
“We could have gotten married in Vegas like Jackson and Elizabeth,” she suggested.
“Yes, but I know very well that’s not what you would’ve wanted.”
“Can you please give them another chance?”
“Are you coming with me or are you staying here?”
“I’m going to spend the night here. If they aren’t receptive to you tomorrow, I want to get married back home.”
“Okay,” I said. Somehow that plan actually worked for me. I pulled her suitcase from the trunk and walked her back to the house where her parents were still standing there in shock.
“I’m leaving her here with you. I’ll be back tomorrow.” I grabbed her waist and pulled her to me, kissing her hard and hungrily before turning to give her father a wink.
Once I signed into the hotel, I missed the fuck out of her. I was just walking to the staircase to get to my room when this overgrown Italian man walked up to me and shoved my shoulder.
“What the fuck is your problem?” I snapped at the rugged, handsome, liquored out man. He was taller and bigger than me, and I was six three and two-twenty.
“She isn’t for you. She belongs to me,” he roared in a drunken stupor.
“Sophia’s mine,” I growled. I was about to knock the fuck out when the hotel manager and the receptionist interceded.
“Matteo, you’ve got to go,” the manager said to the asshole. So this was the one her father mentioned. I was going to have to keep an eye on him because he was real competition. I wondered if they dated before. That would be something I’d find out when I see her next. The manager escorted him out while he shouted at me in Italian like I had a clue what the hell he was saying.
“I’m so sorry, sir. You must be Sophia’s boyfriend from America. When he found out about you, he was so angry.”
“Why? Did they have a relationship?”
“I don’t really know. They grew up together and when she was here last, they spent a lot of time together. So we all expected them to marry, but I guess she felt otherwise. I’m glad for it.”
“Why, is there something wrong with him other than being drunk?”
“Most don’t know this, but he seems to be abusive. They cover up all his transgressions because of who his parents are.”
“Really. Well, I’m not letting him take her away from me,” I stated before going up to my room.
I called Sophia to say goodnight. “Hey, babe. How are you doing? Miss me?”
“So much. We haven’t been apart since we got together. It’s crazy, but I’m lonely.”
“Sophia, I need you to tell me about Matteo.”
“Um…what do you want to know?”
“Whatever it is that you don’t want to tell me.”
“We started dating when I came back six months ago. I wasn’t back for long, but he wanted me to quit and come back to Italy. I didn’t want to, so I left before he could try to stop me.”
“So do you still like him?”
“No, I don’t. My parents wanted us to get to know each other so I caved to their pressure,” she admitted.
“Are you going to cave to them again?”
“That’s not fair, Caleb! I’m not going to leave you for him. I’m going to bed. Come to the house at eight okay. I love you.”
“I love you more than you know, Sophia. Good night.”
I couldn’t sleep, and I wasn’t hungry so I decided to knock some work out. Answering all the emails and copying Malcolm on each one, I took all the cases for the Seattle firm. He would distribute them to the staff later.
It was well after two in the morning when I fell asleep. By the time I woke up it was already after ten and I had missed a call from Sophia. I clicked the voicemail.
“Caleb, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ve been calling you all morning. When are you coming here?”
I called her right back in a rush, but I got no answer. Damn it. I hurried my ass up and got to her parent’s place. When I knocked on the door, there was no answer at first. After the second time, her mother answered.
“I’m here to see Sophia,” I said.
“She no here,” she responded.
“Where is she?” I was starting to freak out.
“She left with Matteo, on a date,” she answered.
“What!” I shouted so loud she jumped.
“Where did they go?” I was getting my woman before he could get her to change her mind.
~~~~~~
“Papa, I told you I wanted to wait for Caleb.”
“Yes, I know, and your mother will tell him where we are when he finally shows up,” my dad said as he drove us to our favorite picnic area along the coast. It was always so perfect here and I wanted Caleb to see it with me.
“He was probably working. Caleb is a busy man.”
“Yes, too busy for you. He is young and just getting started. He cannot provide for you yet.”
“Getting started? Caleb owns the firm I work for. He’s my boss and we love each other.”
“If he loved you, he wouldn’t have left you here with us without him.”
“No, he refused to be disrespected, but he still respected my wishes to see you. Why can’t you see how wonderful he is?”
“He’s not Italian. He’s a boss who takes advantage of his young, naïve workers.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Come, do not be so angry. Let us enjoy our time, just you and I.”
“Bene, but you need to get to know him.”
We arrived at our spot and it was perfect, except for the fact that Caleb wasn’t here with me. This place was so special, but now it seemed so empty. I tried calling Caleb, but I got no reception out this far.
My father went to go get the supplies. I asked if he wanted me to help, but he just said for me to relax. I heard his return so I turned around, but it wasn’t my father. It was Matteo.
“Matteo, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here for our picnic, beautiful Sophia,” he said as he placed the picnic things on the sand.
“Where’s my father?” That was when I heard the wheels of the car spin and the dirt kick up from the road. He left me here with him on purpose.
“I believe he just left.”
“I need to get back. My fiancé will be waiting for me.”
“Fiancé? Does he know about me, and how you promised me that you would marry me when we were older?”
“We were like six at the time. My priorities changed and so have you. I want to go now.”
“Don’t go. Let us enjoy this food, then I will take you back.”
“Fine, but Caleb is supposed to meet me here, and he definitely won’t appreciate you being here with me.”
“I don’t care what Caleb appreciates. I don’t appreciate that he has bedded you.”
“That’s none of your business. I’m leaving.” I stood up to go, but he grabbed my arm and pushed me back down.
I tried to get away from him, but he pinned me under him. He held my wrists so hard it was painful.
“Don’t fight this. You were supposed to be mine.”
“Let me go. Do you think this is going to endear you to me?”
“No, but once I’m done, your American will leave you and you’ll be mine.” He tore my blouse as he put my wrists in one of his hands and started groping my chest.
He was nuts. I began to squirm, but it obviously only excited him even more. He was hard and was pressing it against me. I was near tears when his mouth smashed down on mine. I couldn’t cry out, and I doubt I could be heard because the waves were crashing hard. So I bit him, which only infuriated him even more. I was completely overpowered; he was too stron
g for me. My heart was breaking because I knew what was going to happen, and I was helpless to stop it.
“What the fuck!” I heard Caleb shout as he came running down to where we were and pulled Matteo off me, punching him in the face.
I scrambled from underneath and stood up trying to fix my ripped blouse as I watched Matteo get laid out by Caleb. Matteo got one good one in before Caleb hit him again and Matteo was asleep on the ground. When Caleb told me he could box and did so for fun, I didn’t realize he was that good. Matteo was at least three inches taller and about thirty pounds heavier.
Caleb backed up and turned to me. Anger was burning in his eyes until he saw me. The rage was there, but so was the pain.
“I promise I didn’t want him to touch me.”
“I know. I know,” he whispered as he pulled me to him. My tears were pouring down my face. What I didn’t realize was that my father had gotten there just as Caleb knocked Matteo out. He just stood there, pain etched on his face after understanding what was just about to happen.
“We’re leaving. Do you need a doctor, Sophia?” Caleb asked as he moved to look down at me.
“No, I don’t think anything is broken, but you need your hand looked at.”
“It’s nothing, my love. Let’s go home.”
“Okay.”
He started walking me back to the rental but stopped when he saw my father. “You thought he was better for her because he was from here. I would’ve never treated her so cruelly as that sick fuck. Right now, I’m not sure if I want you near her.”
“I didn’t know he was capable of this. I thought he would show her what she would miss by leaving us.”
“Oh, he wanted to show her what she’d miss, all right.”
“We are heading back to Seattle today. I know that you love her, but you almost cost her—her life. I don’t know how she feels about you right now, but I do know this... we aren’t consulting you on the wedding which will be next week. If I were you, I would do something with that piece of Italian shit lying there before I change my mind and join the other side of the law.”
He didn’t let me or my parents say a word as he pulled me to the car and buckled me in before driving off.
“I’m sorry, babe, but I couldn’t stay there for one more moment.”
Caught Crossing the Line Page 8