She gets out of a car, must be a rental, and heads for the door. I rush over to it and open it. “Cameron? Hi. Wha . . . how did you know I was here?
“Hi, Jackson. May I come in?” She looks at me with her beautiful blue eyes.
I step aside. “Yeah, yeah, come on in.”
Cameron steps inside. “This place is really cute.”
I’m still standing there staring at her. “How did you find me? How did you know I was here?”
She turns toward me. “I spoke to Colton.”
“But you’ve never met Colton . . .”
“I remember you told me you knew a couple who bought a bar in Chicago, and I remember that the bar was named Liquid. So I called the bar and took a chance, told them I was looking for you. Luckily for me, they knew where you were. So . . . now I’m here.”
“You told me you didn’t want to see me again. Remember?”
She takes a seat. “I know I said that. I didn’t mean that.”
“I’m a criminal, remember?” I sit too.
“No, you’re not. I had a long talk with Colton. I told him about the money and the guns and everything, but . . . ”
“I’m sure you did. You told your dad, too. Who else did you tell?”
Cameron sighs. “Jackson, just listen to me for a minute, okay? Colton shared some things with me about his life and how you two met. He told me about this cabin and about why you’re here.”
“I’m going to get something to drink. You want anything?”
“No, I’m fine.”
It’s still morning, but I need a beer. I can’t let this beautiful woman know I’m glad she’s here.
When I’m back in the living room, Cameron goes on talking. “Colton is a friend. I can see that. So am I.”
I take a swig of my beer. “I have enough friends.”
“I know you’re angry with me.”
“I’m not angry with you, in fact, you’re leaving was the best thing that happened to me. It got me to look at my shitty life.”
“Jackson, I want to be with you, okay?”
Her words hit me hard, but I’ve got to keep it real. “Oh, yeah? What about your father?”
“Do you know that he’s being investigated?”
“Investigated for what?”
“Fraud.” She looks down at the floor. “It’s not the first time.”
I want to tell her about the talk I had with her dad, but I’ll keep quiet about it.
“Anyway, when I found that out, I told him I was seeing you. And you know what? He didn’t protest. He just nodded his head and let it go.”
“You’re not seeing me, Cameron. You broke up with me.”
“Jackson, please! Can we just start over? This is just you and me here.”
“You’re telling me you want to be with me?”
“Yes! I want to be with you.” She walks toward my chair, but I stand up and walk away from her. “I’m an unemployed man trying to find himself, Cameron. Go get yourself a rich guy.”
“Stop it, Jackson! What more can I tell you? Can we please just forget the past and start again? I’m willing to if you are.”
I drink more of my beer. “So your dad’s in trouble, huh?”
“Yes, he may even go to jail. My mom is freaking out.”
“I’m sorry.”
She walks up to me. “I don’t want to talk about them. I’m just sorry we broke up.” She grabs my hand; I don’t pull away.
“I got a lot of stuff to figure out.”
“I know. I’ll leave here and give you the space that you need. I just wanted you to know that I need you and that I want us to get to know each other more and more, and when you come back to Milwaukee, I’ll be there.”
I’m silent, but now it’s time for me to cut the shit. “No, I don’t want you to leave.” I kiss her on her soft lips and then hold her tight. “Stay with me. I need you too.”
Book 3
Gino and Sherri
Thirty-Nine
Gino
“She’s pregnant, man. I’m gonna be a dad.”
I’m on the phone with a buddy of mine, Jackson Smith, a guy I’ve known since we were teenagers at the same high school in Milwaukee. He met the daughter of a big shot real estate guy, Brandon Fisher. Well, Fisher used to be a big deal. Now the guy’s probably going to jail, at least that’s what I heard. Anyway, it’s only been about six months or so, and now this girl Jackson met is knocked up. But I can tell by Jackson’s voice that he’s really happy about it. In fact, he’s never sounded so happy.
“Really?” I say. “You’re shittin’ me? A dad?”
“Can you fuckin’ believe it, man? Me, a father.”
“Jackson, to be honest, I’m shocked. But I’m happy for you! Is it a boy or a girl?”
“We don’t know yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as we know.”
Apparently, Jackson left the game and took on a square job. I did it, but I never thought he would do it. He met Fisher’s daughter when he was working construction. He had sent me a pic of her a couple of months ago - blonde, big tits. She reminds me of Cheryl, a girl I used to date before I found out Cheryl was married. Cheryl wasn’t the mother type, and this girl doesn’t look like it either, to be honest. “You gonna marry her?”
“Yeah, just a small ceremony, a few close friends. We don’t want it to be a big fucking deal, you know? You’ll come, right?”
“Of course, I will. But are you sure she’s okay with a small wedding, man? Wealthy women like fancy shit. I’ve dated my fair share of them.”
“She’s not like that, Gino. Money doesn’t mean that much to her. She moved out of her condo and she’s been living with me. I don’t make big money anymore. She’s got a meal ticket that’s about to get locked up. But she doesn’t care that funds aren’t as good as they used to be. It hasn’t been that long since she moved in with me, but we’re getting along good.”
“Her father is going to jail for sure, huh?”
“Probably. But he doesn’t give me a hard time about being with his daughter, anymore. And when he found out Cameron is pregnant, he was happy for us.”
“So, Jackson Smith has got himself a new life, huh? Got himself a girl, he’s getting married and he’s gonna be a father. Wow.”
“I gotta admit, I’m happy to be out of the game. Cameron is helping me get my shit together. We’re thinking I might be good as an EMT. We’re looking into schools and stuff.”
“I’m happy for you man. I mean that.”
“Thanks, Gino. You remember Colton?”
“Yeah, sure I do.”
“He’s out of the game too, running a bar with his lady.”
“I guess we’re all on new paths, aren’t we?”
Jackson laughs. “Seems that way.”
Forty
Gino
Ever since I’ve known Jackson he’s been into all sorts of shit and he’s been to jail a couple of times. But now he sounds nothing like what he used to be. I am happy he’s getting his life together.
I wish I could say the same about my life. Jackson thinks I’m good with my new life and everything is fine. But everything isn’t always fine with me.
My name is Gino Mancini and I’m 27-years-old. What do I look like? I’m a handsome Italian, to be honest - strong features, brown hair and brown eyes.
Like I said before, Jackson and me went to high school together, and then after we graduated and realized that college was for suckers, we found ways to make some real money. We did a shit-load of jobs here in the Wisconsin area. The only difference between Jackson and me is that he’s seen the inside of a jail cell and I haven’t. I just got lucky, I guess.
Jackson mentioned Colton. I didn’t know the guy that well, but I remember whenever the three of us were together, working gigs, we drove the ladies wild because all three of us are good looking. One time we were all in a bar and some guy came up to us and asked if we wanted to pose for a calendar, one of those with naked guys in it. I still l
augh about that when I think about it. Dude was standing there with his wallet hanging out. I took $100 out and slipped in a fake while he was busy trying to get us to agree to his naked male modeling contract. Needless to say, the rest of the drinks were on me that night. I got real good at the short con in my day.
So I guess I should tell you what I used to do. Mostly stealing, but I’ve also beat up more people than I can count. I was never a hitman. Killing wasn’t my job; my job was to be the best goon money could buy. I stayed busy too. If you think only gang bangers and mobsters hire people to rough up other people, you’re wrong. There are a lot of perfectly respectable people out there who want to see someone get jumped. I’ve had all kinds of people hire me, everyone from doctors to housewives. Hell, I even had a preacher hire me. Yeah, a preacher.
But I got tired of doing dirty shit, so I decided to quit and get a straight job for the first time in my life. So now I’ve got a bouncer job at a bar. The pay isn’t anywhere near what I used to get in my old life, but I’m okay with that. So what’s the problem? The problem is I can’t get what I used to do out of my head. You see when some jerk-off acts up in the bar, all I’m supposed to do is just throw him out. But I can’t stop myself from getting a few licks in here and there. Drives the owner crazy. One of these days I’m going to lose my job over it.
I work at The Crow, a bar in Milwaukee. It’s around 2 in the morning. See, we’re a 5 a.m. bar and anytime after midnight is usually when shit goes down if it’s gonna go down at all, and I think something’s about to go down soon.
I keep looking at this girl with this guy. We get a lot of hot chicks in here because we cater to millennials, but there’s something about this girl I really like. You know that actress Anna Kendrick? I swear to God this girl could be her sister. See, I’m not into overly sexy women like, say, Sofía Vergara, but a girl who looks clean and wholesome, but also, sexy, that gets me every time.
The guy has been saying stuff to the girl for the past half hour or so that seems to be making the girl very uncomfortable. And if I’m not mistaken, she’s tried to get up twice and both times he seems to have pulled her down. I may have to step in here. I’m working my way over there now.
“Is there a problem here, Miss?”
The girl looks at the guy nervously. It’s like she’s afraid to say anything.
“No,” says the guy. “There’s no problem. Why don’t you mind your own fucking business?”
I look the guy dead in the face. “What did you just say to me?”
The guy stands and steps out of the booth. He walks right up to me. He doesn’t know who he’s messin’ with. “I said, mind your own fucking business.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought you said.” I lead with my right and knock the guy against the cheek. He’s down for the count. I mean, the dude is out cold.
“Oh my God! What have you done?” The woman says. She falls to her knees next to the dude. She’s wearing tight jeans that hug her shapely ass and her small but big enough tits push against the edge of her tank top.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say. “He got in my face.”
“Gino, what the hell is going on here?”
Shit. It’s the owner, David Crow. I thought he had left for the night. Why is he still here?
I look at David as he hurries toward me. “This guy was causing trouble.”
The guy comes to and stands up. He holds the side of his face where a huge bruise is forming. “I’m pressing charges. I’m suing you people for everything you got.”
“Now sir, I’m sorry about everything,” says David. “Why don’t you come over here and sit down. Let us take care of you.”
“No fucking way! Come on, Sherri. We’re getting out of here.”
I can’t let her leave with him.
“Sir, please stay and let us help you,” says David. “Gino, get the hell out of here! You’re fired.”
“Fine!” I say. “I’m fired.” I look at the girl. “Miss, do you need a ride? You don’t want to go with him. I can’t let you go with him.”
“I’m fine, but thank you,” the woman says to me. She’s barely looking me in the face when she says it. That jerk-off has got some major control over her.
“Come on, Sherri. Let’s get the hell out of here.” The guy grabs her arm so rough that she stumbles in her heels, and then she falls.
“That’s it!” I scream. I look at the guy. “Get out of here!” I help the woman to her feet. She’s still afraid to look at me all the way, but she gives me a slight smile.
“I don’t want her anyway,” the guy says, waving his arms. “You can fucking have her.” He rushes out of the bar.
“Are you okay, Miss?” David says.
“Yes . . . yes. I’m fine.”
Then David looks at me. His face says it all. “Gino. I asked you to leave. You’re fired.”
“Fine. I’m fired.” I look back at the woman. “Need a lift?”
The woman stares at me for a moment but then she speaks. “Yes . . . I could use a lift.”
I didn’t expect her to say what she said, but I’m glad she did. “Wait here. I’ll just go get my stuff and we can be on our way.”
I leave the bar area to go to my locker. I’m fired, that’s the bad news. The good news is I met a beautiful woman, and I feel good that she’s not leaving the bar to go home with that jerk-off.
When I return to the bar area, the woman is sitting in the booth staring into the large mirror we have placed in front of it. She’s beautiful, but she looks tired. I wonder what kind of life she’s had with that asshole.
As I approach the booth, she looks at me full on for the first time. Her smile is bigger this time.
“Thank you for giving me a lift,” she says. “I really appreciate it. My name is Sherri. She holds out her hand.”
I shake it. “It’s no problem. I’m Gino. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with him.” She stands. “I’ve been wanting to get away from him for a long time.”
We head out into the street where my car is parked. I see her nervously looking around to see if the guy is anywhere near.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “If he’s out here, I’ll take care of it.”
She sighs. “I guess I’m really nervous.”
I look at her. “Are you okay going home? Is everything going to be okay?”
When she looks at me I can see that her eyes are watery. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about him. I guess . . . I guess I’m scared. I need to take care of this.”
I open my passenger door and let her in. Then I walk over to my side and get in. I close my door. “Ah . . . look, Sherri. . . do you drink coffee?”
“Actually, yes, I do. Do you want to go to the 24 down the street?”
She knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Yeah, I figured we could chill for a bit until you’ve calmed down. I know it’s late, but maybe we could talk.”
“I would like that. I don’t want to go to my apartment now.”
“Maybe you should avoid your apartment?”
“I don’t know. Let’s just get to the diner. You’re right. I really need to relax before my mind plays tricks on me.”
We’re sitting in a booth at Peter’s Stop, it’s a 24-hour diner that is popular with the bar crowd. Even though it’s 3:00 in the morning, the place is packed. It’s gotten a reputation for being a place you go after you drink and before you go home.
Sherri has a coffee and so do I. Under the diner’s lights I get a good look at her face. She has a pretty face, but sweet too. Her brown hair falls down her shoulders in need of a comb. There’s a lot going on behind those brown eyes.
“This coffee is exactly what I need right now,” she says. “Why do I get myself into these messes?”
“Is he gonna come back for you? I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“He might.” She sits up tall, like she really has gotten herself to a place where h
er head is now clear. She looks me straight in the eyes. “So tell me about your situation. That’s what I want to know. Are you really fired?”
“Yeah, boss man has been meaning to get rid of me for a long time. I knew this day would come.”
She sits back in her chair. “And Bruno said he’d sue the bar. That means he’s coming after you.”
“I’m not worried about him.”
“Well, you should be. Bruno means what he says. If he says he’ll make trouble for you, he will.”
I take a sip of my coffee. “Then bring it on. I’m not scared of him.”
“I can help you. I’m an attorney. I can’t be part of any case against you, but I can find someone good for you.”
I barely heard the rest of what she had to say. I’m still on the attorney part. “You’re a lawyer?”
She smiles. “Did I blow your mind?”
“Well, I guess I just didn’t expect you to tell me you’re a lawyer.”
She smiles even bigger. “I used to be a cocktail waitress while I was attending law school. Does that make you feel better?” Then she winks.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I . . . I’m just a guy, you know.”
“Don’t call me ma’am.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “I hate that.”
“Sorry.”
“You seem a bit flustered. I guess you’re wondering why a lawyer would be with a guy like Bruno?”
“Well to be honest, yeah.”
She sighs. “I don’t know. I just . . . I guess the last person I want to date is another lawyer. I met Bruno at the gym. He’s nothing like me and yet, he’s everything I wanted, that is until he turned out to be everything I feared. Bad boys . . . ” She looks me in the eyes again. “I seem to have an addiction to them.”
“I guess so.”
She smiles and pulls a card out of her purse. “Let me give you my card. Trouble is coming your way. I’m sure of it. Bruno will try and sue you for all sorts of damages.”
Stand By Your Man: (Three Bad Boy Romance Novellas) Page 10