Behind the bartender and above the bottles of liquor there were three framed pictures. One was of the Pope, one of Marlon Brando and the last one was – Frank Sinatra. Only Rocky Balboa was missing. I felt like I had just walked into a scene from Goodfellas or The Godfather. I never thought places like this existed. This was definitely a first for me and I was determined to memorize every detail because my friends were not going to believe this shit. Dominic ordered us glasses of red wine and we relocated to a private table tucked away in the back corner of the room.
He took my coat and hung it up on a hook behind our table. I sipped on my wine quickly, waiting for the magical blanket to soothe and relax me. Dominic peered over the rim of his glass at me and winked.
“What?” I asked.
“You seem very relaxed, that’s all. Don’t you find this place a little weird?”
I sipped some more wine before answering. “Well, it’s better than a condemned building – I was having some serious concerns there for a moment!”
He laughed. “I never thought about how it must have appeared. You probably thought I was some serial killer or something.”
“Something like that,” I admitted and smiled at him. “Where are we exactly?”
“This is a little after hours place my family has owned for generations. It dates back to Prohibition – used to be a speakeasy. We call it ‘The Speak’.”
“Your family owns this too? What else do they own?”
“Blue and the other club Trance. Um, they own the restaurants, Butter, and Tiramisu, plus some various real estate developments around the city.”
“Wow, like which ones?”
“Independence Place is one.”
My eyes widened in shock. Independence Place was one of the tallest skyscrapers in the Philadelphia skyline. The Grabanos had to be loaded and powerful. I thought back to Grant’s warnings earlier and wondered if he wasn’t exaggerating. Dominic’s disarming smile distracted me from this negative thought. When he placed his hand on my thigh, all thoughts of Grant were banished.
This was our first time really alone together. There were the brief flirtations at the bar when I needed my drink orders filled, the occasional close encounters and of course that phenomenal kiss at Blue. But here it was just us and I liked it – and I was really beginning to like Dominic. He was more than just a hot guy and my resolve about not getting involved with him was quickly eroding.
We talked for what seemed like only a few minutes, when the doorman started to usher people out. I was surprised when we stepped outside and the sun was beginning to rise. We had been there for close to three hours. Dominic held the car door open for me and I dropped into the seat; which was freezing and the cold went right through my skirt. Hearing my teeth chattering, Dominic took off his jacket and draped it over my legs.
“Thank you.”
He surprised me by kissing me, silencing the chatter. He pulled away from me slowly and all I could do was stare at him stunned. The engine of the Mustang still had to warm up, so I slid over closer to Dominic. He pulled me up on his lap to where I was straddling him. We didn’t do anything more than kiss, but when we finally separated the windows were fogged up. I was dizzy and had to rest my head against Dominic’s shoulder.
“Wow!” Dominic whispered into my hair.
“Yeah, wow!” I sighed.
“I better get you home before, well, you know.” He winked and flashed his dimple, which made crawling off of his lap a true test of my willpower, but I managed to make my way back to the passenger seat. I was wobbly and it wasn’t the most graceful of moves.
He held my hand as he drove to my apartment building. When he turned onto my block I spotted a familiar silver car.
“What the hell?”
“What is it?”
“Grant,” I answered and pointed at a silver Lexus.
There weren’t any parking spaces so Dominic had to let me out in the street. We kissed again before saying goodbye. I couldn’t wait to get to work later that night and had given up any hope of resisting Dominic at this point. I shut the door to the Mustang and watched it drive down the street. I turned and glared at Grant as he got out of his car.
“Spying on me again?”
“I wanted to make sure you got home safe since you choose to keep dangerous company.”
“Whatever!” I rolled my eyes and turned to go up the three marble steps which led to the front door of my building. Grant reached out and grabbed onto the sleeve of my jacket. I shook his hand off and turned around to confront him. Even in my heels I had to look up at him.
“Knock it off Grant! Stop acting like my father! I can spend time with whomever I want!”
Grant stood his ground and didn’t even flinch at my tone. He was always better at arguing. Whenever I got angry I wanted to cry and right now I was choking back the tears. This was not the time to appear weak.
“Natalie, I normally don’t care who you spend your time with. But I know Dominic and I don’t want to see you getting involved with him or anyone else at Crimson,” he said rationally. “I think he’s playing you, plus he’s the owner’s nephew.”
I hadn’t thought about it from that perspective. But then I remembered Miranda. “Oh really? What about Miranda?” I threw back at him.
“That’s different,” he replied, but I knew I had a reaction when his stance loosened.
“Grant,” I said softly. “I know you’re head of security and all, but you don’t have to be my personal bodyguard. If I am making a mistake, let me find out the hard way. Otherwise, I won’t learn. But, I think you’re wrong about Dominic.” And boy did I hope he was wrong.
Grant’s shoulders dropped and I knew he was ready to concede, “I wish there was a way I could make you understand. I’ve done things I’m not proud of to get to where I am. I just don’t want you to pay for my mistakes. “
“Please, what are you talking about? You are such a Boy Scout!” I teased.
“Do Boy Scouts drive Lexus’ and carry a gun?” Grant said as if trying to allude to something more sinister.
“I’m sure some do when they grow up.”
“Alright. Well what about your first night working at Crimson - the gunshots, the discreet transaction with the cop? What do you think that was about?”
“A corrupt cop in Philadelphia? Now there’s an anomaly!” I laughed. “Dominic told me how many businesses the Grabanos own. It doesn’t surprise me if there are a few city officials on the payroll.”
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“No. Should it?” I couldn’t believe it. My brother was seriously annoyed that this didn’t bother me. It’s not like I was born yesterday, I knew how the world operated. Did he really think he had sheltered me?
“Never mind!” he snapped. I was suddenly very tired. The high from spending the night with Dominic was gone. Arguing with my brother as the day was just beginning was not what I had in mind.
“Grant can we talk about this later? I really need to get some sleep and you do too. We both have to work tonight,” I whined.
“Fine,” he sighed. “Just please be careful, okay?”
“Yeah, sure…see you tonight.” I turned around and went inside.
Chapter 7
Chelsea wasn’t waiting up to ambush me, much to my relief, and I was able to collapse. I was so exhausted that I didn’t bother taking off my uniform. I just fell across my double bed, with my feet hanging off the edge. Gravity took the high heels off for me. Hours later my cell phone woke me up out of a deep, dreamless sleep. It was my mom wanting to know how the new job was going. Recalling the angry exchange with Grant, I felt like I lied to her when I said everything was great.
I was too awake to go back asleep after her call. So, I rolled over onto my back and thought about Dominic – the way his thick, dark hair framed his face and accentuated his green eyes, the taste of his lips, the spicy smell of his skin and how perfectly our bodies fit together when I was on his lap. I knew I had
it bad when I started counting down the hours until I saw him again. Three hours. That didn’t give me much time to get ready and I still had assignments to work on, which were due in the morning.
The apartment was quiet as I made my way into the kitchen, grabbed a diet coke and poured myself a bowl of Captain Crunch. The caffeine and sugar had their desired effect and I cruised through my paper on the Impressionists. I had just enough time to shower and get dressed, which included getting in a fight with pantyhose, before catching a cab down to the club.
Miranda was at the desk by the front door chatting with the doorman when I arrived. She reminded me of a World War II pin-up with her glossy, wavy black hair, natural curves and her penchant for red lipstick. She wasn’t all hairspray and silicone like most of the Crimson girls. She carried herself with professionalism and maturity. These traits plus the fact that she had brains, was probably why Grant liked her.
She was all business when I walked in. “Natalie. I’ve been waiting for you.”
I gulped, wondering what I might have done. She smiled when she saw my deer in the headlights expression.
“Marco requested you to work in the VIP section tonight.”
“Oh,” I said, relieved. “What do I have to do?”
“Just keep the drinks coming, don’t spill on anyone and try not to come off as too intelligent.”
“So, act dumb, look pretty and keep them drunk?”
She laughed at this. “You got it! Oh, and watch out for Brittany tonight.”
“Why’s that?”
“She usually has VIP and she is pretty pissed you bumped her – and that you were requested.”
Then it really registered about who had requested me. The image of Marco Grabano’s beady eyes popped into my head. It was all I could do to control a shudder.
“Brittany may seem tiny, but she has a temper. You don’t have a car do you?”
“No. Why?”
“Good. Brittany’s been known to take her anger out on cars – flat tires, broken headlights, windshields, etc…”
I tried to picture the petite girl terrorizing someone’s car and laughed.
“Seriously, Natalie, watch your back.”
This was the second co-worker I’ve been warned about and I was seriously beginning to wonder just how many drugs my brother and Miranda were doing together, because these warnings were absurd.
“Okay,” I said to appease her.
I went into the employee lounge to hang up my jacket and bag. Brittany was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine. She glared at me when I walked in. I smiled at her and went about my business. One of the shooter girls sitting next to Brittany was hunched over the coffee table doing lines of cocaine – her pre-shift routine. Joey D., one of Grant’s bouncers, walked out of the shower area wearing only black jeans, his muscles rippled with his every move. He sat down on the sofa and did a line with the shooter girl. Not interested in that extracurricular activity, I quickly applied some lipstick and left.
My heels clacked on the dance floor when I crossed on my way to the VIP section. The club was cavernous without all of the people and with the lights on, glaringly bright. I was disappointed to see that Dominic wasn’t working the bar in the VIP area. It was Sal, another dark haired bartender, not nearly as beautiful as Dominic. After helping Sal set-up, I roamed around hoping to find Dominic. I found him in a separate room enclosed in dark tinted glass that was reserved for private parties. He was arguing with my brother- big surprise. They didn’t see me as I quietly entered the room and stood in the shadows.
“I can’t believe you took her there,” Grant hissed at Dominic.
“It was no big deal, nothing happened,” Dominic defended himself.
“You’re lucky. If anything had happened to her, I swear to fucking Christ-”
“Don’t threaten me Grant!” Dominic was pointing his finger at Grant’s chest. Both men were about the same height, well over six feet tall, but Grant was more muscular. Dominic didn’t seem the least bit intimidated, “Nothing is going to happen to Natalie. I’ll keep her safe.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise.” Grant stormed off and out the rear exit of the room.
I stood in the shadows, not sure if I should make my presence known. I really wanted to run over to Dominic and throw my arms around him. He must like me if he had defended me to my own brother.
“Dominic?” I called out. He looked around, but couldn’t see me. My black clothes were like camouflage so I stepped uncertainly out into the dim light. His face lit up with a big grin full of straight white teeth. He strode over, pulled me to him and placed his lips on mine.
“How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough,” I answered. “I told you my brother was overprotective.”
“Yeah, but I guess he has good reason to be. You’re worth protecting.” I stared up at him, amazed. He bent down and kissed me again before I could say anything else.
“Well, I have to go get my bar ready. Make sure you stop by frequently tonight.”
“I can’t tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Your uncle requested me to work the VIP section.”
Anger flashed across his face. “He did.” It wasn’t a question. He exhaled deeply and reached for my hand. “Do want to go out again after work?”
“Yes!” I must have said this with little too much enthusiasm because Dominic jumped a bit, and then he grinned.
We walked out holding hands just as Brittany was exiting the employee lounge. She stopped when she saw us then glanced down at our joined hands. I could feel hate and jealousy radiating off of her, giving me reason to take Miranda’s warning seriously and making me grateful I didn’t own a car.
The VIP section filled up quickly and I had to hustle to keep up with the demand. It was hard to maintain my composure when I waited on one celebrity after another. The whole section was like a Who’s Who of famous Philadelphians, mainly athletes. Fortunately I was too busy to allow Marco to get to me. He managed to lean just a little too close when I was taking his drink orders and his hand came in contact with my ass one too many times, but at least he had stopped staring.
I tried to coordinate my stops when Grant visited at the table. Uncle Marco seemed to behave himself a little better in the presence of my brother. It was hard to act unintelligent and I found it easier to just keep my mouth shut. I may have been playing dim, but I was still observant. The fact that Uncle Marco and all of his friends were carrying guns did not escape me. I guess the owner and his friends didn’t have to go through the metal detector and use the guncheck like the other patrons.
Miranda stepped in to give me a much needed bathroom break and on my way back I stopped at Dominic’s bar. He was mobbed as usual, but he managed to sneak a few seconds in to visit.
“How is it going up there?” he asked.
“Pretty good!”
“Is my uncle treating you okay?”
“Yeah,” I lied. He didn’t seem convinced, but didn’t say anything. His bar was packed and I knew he needed to get back to work so I quickly left.
Soon after last call, the VIP area started to clear out. Only Marco and his crew lingered. They were smoking cigars and talking loudly. Marco waved me over to join them. Not really in a position to say no, I set my tray down and eased into the booth, careful to keep a substantial space between Marco and my legs. They were busy talking about the Sixers and other teams. Not a fan of sports I tuned them out to stare at Dominic.
“Natalie? Hello, Natalie?” Marco was trying to get my attention.
I quickly pulled my focus back to the table. “I’m sorry, did you ask me something?”
“Yeah. I was wondering if you would like to continue this party elsewhere.” He looked at me expectantly. I couldn’t believe this fifty-something man was asking me if I wanted to go out with him, and I think he wanted to include his friends.
“I, uh…well, I can’t. I already have plans. Sorry.” It was true,
I’m glad I did have plans, because I would have had to lie to my boss – not a good habit to get into – and I feared I might get stuck accompanying him.
Marco seemed very disappointed, almost angry that he was being denied. His eyes turned an even darker black. A sneer started to form on his doughy face. “Well, maybe next time?”
“Um, sure?”
Thank God Grant showed up then. I went to leave, but Marco grabbed me by the wrist and anchored me to my seat. Grant saw and pursed his lips, but didn’t say anything.
“Marco, Stump and his boys didn’t pay their tab again,” Grant said.
“That arrogant, cheap son of a bitch! I warned him if he pulled this shit again it was going to be the last time!” Marco slammed his other hand down on the table and his face turned bright red. He released my wrist, but I was too afraid to move. He studied Grant, his eyeballs seemed to twitch in their sockets and he was suddenly eerily calm when he said, “You know what to do.” Grant tipped his head in acknowledgement.
When Grant turned to leave the table I jumped up to follow him. “Excuse me gentleman, I need to close out.”
Marco smiled and reminded me not to have plans the next time.
“What was that all about?” Grant asked as we walked across the dance floor towards Dominic’s bar.
“Mr. Grabano asked me to ‘continue the party’ later. I think it was his creepy way of asking me out.” I whispered.
Grant stopped mid-stride. “What did you tell him?” I squirmed under his interrogative gaze.
“I told him I already had plans - because I do.”
“What plans?” he asked suspiciously as if he knew I going to tell him something he didn’t want to hear and he was bracing himself for it.
“Dominic and I are hanging out again after work.” Grant rubbed his hands over his face and shook his head, but he didn’t snap at me.
“You’re not going to the after hours place again are you?”
“You mean The Speak? How did you know about that?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Word gets around fast. I have a lot of eyes.”
The Beautiful People (The New Mafia Trilogy) Page 4