by Iris Bolling
“AnnieMarie, when did you get home?”
She turned to see Daisy coming from the bathroom with cleaning gloves and a mop in her hand. “I’ve been here for a while. I was downstairs talking with Judy.”
“She’s good,” Daisy nodded her head, then pointed. “What do you think?”
“I love it Daisy,” AnnieMarie smiled at her then walked around and sat on the sofa. “This is perfect.”
“I thought you’d like it,” she replied. “I worked on this as a surprise for you. This could be your she-space once Cainan moves in.”
AnnieMarie inhaled. “I pray he comes back.”
“He will,” Daisy patted her shoulder. “Jerome will make certain of it.”
“I hope you are right, Daisy.”
“I’m always right,” she smirked. “Did you eat dinner already?”
“Did I,” AnnieMarie patted her full stomach. “Judy is amazing.”
Daisy nodded. “That she is. Her son just got married last April. She’s an empty nester now. She needed someone to take care of and you need to be taken care of. I think it’s a good match.”
“I think so too.” AnnieMarie replied.
“Well, I’ve done what I needed to do. If you are finished with Judy, I’m going to take her home now.”
“She has definitely earned her keep.” AnnieMarie said as she stood and followed Daisy to the elevator. She watched as Daisy pulled off the gloves then placed the mop in the corner. AnnieMarie noticed there was no water in the bucket, nor was the mop wet. She looked at the area that had been set up. No way would it have taken Daisy all day to do. She looked down to the far end of the attic. Daisy had been down there again. There was nothing that looked out of place to confirm her suspicions, but her gut was telling her she was right. What in the heck could be in those trunks that would make Daisy sneak around?
“Ready?”
“Yes,” AnnieMarie replied then stepped on the elevator. “Thanks for setting up the sitting area. I’m going to enjoy being up here even more.”
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After saying good bye to Daisy and Judy, AnnieMarie could not get past the feeling that Daisy had been searching for something in those trunks. She put the alarm on the house then took the elevator back up to the attic. This time she wasn’t going to have tea, AnnieMarie went straight to the trunks. She turned on the overhead light for the space and scanned the entire area. She walked the rows of trunks just looking to see if anything popped out to her. It didn’t until she reached the third row. The same area she had found Daisy in before. There were no papers hanging out or trunk tops open, but there was an area that had been wiped clean. There wasn’t a layer of dust as there was with the other areas. Two stacks of trunks were basically dust free. The trunks were labeled 1962 and 1963.
“What happened in 62 and 63?” AnnieMarie asked herself. She had been going through the trunks in year order and did not want to disturb her pattern, but the curiosity was killing her.
Her cell phone buzzed. AnnieMarie saw it was a call from her brother.
“Mike, hey. Where are you?”
“On my way to see you. In fact, I’m pulling into your driveway now.”
“I’ll be right down.” She glanced at the trunks. “Another time.” She said then took the back stairs down. She disarmed the security system with her phone as she entered the kitchen. Knowing that Mike was always hungry, she reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the leftovers from earlier.
“Hey, the place is beginning to come alive, again,” Mike said as he walked from the mudroom.
“Yes, Daisy and her group of merry workers have been doing the darn thing for sure. Are you hungry?”
“Always,” Mike replied as he looked around, then took a seat at the island. “I figured you would want an in-person run down on what happened in New Jersey today.”
“Yes, Mike I do,” AnnieMarie replied as she put a cover over the plate she had prepared and placed it in the microwave. “So tell me, what happened?” She sat across from him as she pushed a glass of tea his way.
He caught the glass. “It was not a pretty sight AnnieMarie. Shots were coming from every direction. Whoever was behind us shooting, saved our asses that’s for sure.”
“What do you mean, behind?” The microwave beeped.
“We had guardian angels taking out whoever was shooting at us. We were in a crossfire.”
“Could it have been Jerome’s men,” AnnieMarie asked as she put the plate, a fork and a napkin in front of him.
“This looks good,” he glanced up at her.
“No I did not cook. I hired a house manager and cook today. She prepared it.”
He took a bit of the chicken. “Mmm, when does she start?”
“Monday,” AnnieMarie replied. “So what do you think?”
“It’s good. These rolls are off the chain.”
“Not about the food,” AnnieMarie hit his shoulder. “Do you think Jerome pulled some more men in?”
“Actually, I don’t. I think it was Pavlovsky’s people.”
“Nikolai Pavlovsky? Why would his men be in New Jersey?”
“I don’t know, but I know I recognized one of his men at the courthouse.”
“Was he shooting at you all or protecting you all?”
“Protecting. And I promise you I’m sitting here talking to you now because they were there.” He shrugged. “It’s a shame they weren’t there sooner. I mean the gunfire was unexpected. No one knew we were going to the courthouse at that time. Whoever is leaking information caused El to be killed and Roark is still a question. When we find out who did that….” He stopped then looked at his sister. “Well Jerome will handle it.”
AnnieMarie closed her eyes and said a prayer for El and his family. She really did not know him, but he lost his life trying to save Cainan’s. And then there was Roark. “How is Roark?”
“Intensive care,” Mike shook his head. “The doctor’s are saying it could go either way.”
“I think Jonathan and Grace are going to see him on Monday.”
Mike’s chewing slowed as he glanced at her. “I suppose it’s a waste of time to try to convince you not to go to New Jersey.”
AnnieMarie smiled. “I’m going, Mike. So put your army gear on. Because you are the only one I trust with my life.”
“Yeah…I was afraid of that.” He looked over her shoulder. “Hey, is that peach cobbler I see?”
She had to laugh. “Yes, I put it there for you.” She picked up the dish but held it away. “Did you give my note to Cainan?”
“Yes, I did,” he reached for the dish but she pulled it away.
“Did you see him read it?”
“Yes, he read it,” Mike replied a little agitated. “In fact, he had dropped the letter on the ground and was bending over to pick it up when the shots rang out. That’s why the bullets missed him. Satisfied?”
“I guess,” she placed the dish in front of him, then sighed. “When will this all be over with, Mike?”
“Soon, AnnieMarie, soon.”
He looked tired. “Hey, some of the bedrooms upstairs are ready. Why don’t you stay the night?”
“Really? Are you staying here tonight?”
AnnieMarie hadn’t thought about it. “Why not? My room is all set up and some of my things are here.”
“Then I’ll stay with you.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thanks sis.”
Later that night after Mike had gone upstairs, AnnieMarie laid in bed with thoughts of Cainan keeping her awake. Mike’s words haunted her more than she let on. He was bending over to pick up her message when the shots rang out. She tossed in the bed. Cainan could have died today, she thought. She threw the cover aside then sat on the side of the bed for a moment. There were things she wanted to say. She walked in the kitchen thinking a cup of tea would help her to sleep. On the counter top she saw a note pad and pen. She decided to write Cainan another message.
Filling the tea kettle with water, she put
it on the eye of the stove, then took down a cup. She picked up the note pad and pen, placed them on the island, then prepared her tea.
She sat and began to write.
Mike shared the events of your day with me. I can’’t explain the fear I felt knowing that you could have been killed before I had a chance to share my thoughts of you and me. We’ve had more time than a lot of people to get to know each other. The man you are and the woman I am. We never had a chance to discuss the possibility of us. And now my mind is filled with images of you and me. I can imagine our lips exploring each other’s. Me taking a moment to suck on the sweetness of your bottom lip. Do your remember the power of my lips sucking on you…? I do. Imagine with me, our tongues touching, dancing together causing sparks to surge through us. Imagine you sitting on a chair. Me straddling your lap. I can feel your erection growing beneath your zipper. Imagine me lifting up, zipping your pants down, you jumping free. Your fingers running up my dress, touching the wetness you caused, moving my thong to the side. I can imagine the feel of the tip of your head, teasing the center of me. My hands kneading your strong shoulders at the anticipation of what’s to come. Imagine you slowly easing my body down to welcome you into my fold. Can you feel me pulsating, my juices dripping, or the heat radiating? I do.
Sweet dreams,
AnnieMarie put the pen down. Then folded the piece of paper up and wrote Cainan’s name on the outside. She would give that to him after his first day of testimony. He needs to know that I will be waiting for him, she finished her thoughts. With that, she sat back, sipped her tea, then went back to bed. The moment her eyes closed, visions of Cainan and her together filled her mind. She smiled knowing her dreams were going to take her to him and keep her warm through the night.
CHAPTER 32
Pauline Giuliani, known to others as Pauley, had dreaded this day for over two years now. The man who’d stolen her heart with the sweetest love imaginable and then hardened it to the world, was about to take the stand to testify against her and her family. At this point, she blamed herself. There had been several opportunities when she could have taken his life, but she could not bring herself to pull the trigger. By the time she did not care if he lived or died, he had security surrounding him. Now, her father, for whatever reason, was blocking her efforts to eliminate their enemy. Now she had to handle things behind his back. She wasn’t concerned about his retaliation. The end result is what counts, she rationalized as she sat next to her father and their attorneys.
The courthouse was packed as DA Crenshaw delivered a convincing opening into the R.I.C.O. case against the Giuliani crime family. Witnesses up to this point had consisted of family members of victims of various crimes. They were returning from a recess when Crenshaw stood.
“The prosecution calls Cainan Wagner to the stand.”
Cainan was brought through the door with several security officers surrounding him. When he reached the gate the security stayed back, as he continued to the witness stand. He turned to face the crowd and was about to raise his right hand, and froze. His eyes could not believe who he was seeing. There she was AnnieMarie Dunning in all her fineness, looking back at him with the most adorable smile. Not thinking straight in the moment, he broke into a smile. He almost raised his hand to wave at her, but was stopped when he noticed Pauley, who was sitting at the defense table, turn to see what had caught his attention.
“Please raise your right hand.”
Cainan heard the bailiff speak. He flashed an eye to Mike who was sitting next to AnnieMarie. He gave a slight shake of his head, then glanced back at AnnieMarie.
“Agent Wagner?” Judge Edwards called out.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
While he addressed the judge, he never took his eyes off AnnieMarie. He watched as Mike touched her arm, they stood, then discreetly walked out the door. His eyes then met his sister Kennedy’s. The family had made a decision, for security purposes only one would attend court. Kennedy was there to support him. But what he needed more was for her to support AnnieMarie. He did not want to draw more attention than he had so he continued to stare at his sister until she got his unspoken message.
“You have been asked to raise your right hand.”
When he saw Kennedy stand, Cainan glanced at the judge and nodded. “Yes, Your Honor,” he replied then raised his right hand.
“Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?”
“I do.”
He unbuttoned his suit jacket, sat, crossed his legs then looked directly at Pauline Giuliani.
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Kennedy wasn’t sure what was happening, but she knew the movie star looking woman had something to do with it. She walked out the courtroom doors then looked around until she saw the man who was at the house last week, talking to the woman. Kennedy walked towards them and could tell the woman was giving the man hell.
“I don’t care, Mike. I should be in there with him.”
“Excuse me,” Kennedy interrupted.
“Hello Ms. Wagner,” Mike spoke, clearly agitated. “AnnieMarie this is Cainan’s sister, Kennedy Wagner.”
“Hello Kennedy.”
The woman reached out and hugged her as if Kennedy had known her all of their lives.
She pulled away holding Kennedy’s shoulders as she spoke. “I want you to know, I am going to kill Cainan for this.”
Kennedy looked at the woman wearing navy blue, and heels, with a matching purse and gloves in her hand. Her hair was up in a French roll, and she had on pearl earrings and a pearl necklace around her neck. Who in the hell wore dress gloves and pearls? As odd as it looked to her, the woman was simply gorgeous with big, angry brown eyes staring at her. “Okay,” Kennedy replied. “Are you killing him with kindness or love? Because it seems to me you have a lot of love going on inside for my brother.”
The woman stood there staring at her for the longest, then a smile appeared, her eyes softened and the tension that was there only seconds ago faded. “I think I like you.”
“Thank you, I think,” Kennedy smiled. “He wanted me to check on you. Are you okay?”
“I don’t understand why he wanted me to leave,” AnnieMarie replied. “I wanted to be here to support him.”
Kennedy glanced at Mike. “May we have a moment?”
Mike nodded his head then stepped away.
“AnnieMarie is a beautiful name,” Kennedy began as they sat on the bench. “He wants you out of danger. If I know my brother, he does not want you in the same room with the Giulianis. They are dangerous and will do whatever they can to persuade him to change his testimony. It is my belief that he would do anything to keep you out of eyeshot of them.”
“I am just as concerned for him. That is why I felt it was important for Cainan to know I support him.”
“Well,” Kennedy crossed her legs, then sat back with a smirk, “from that silly grin he had on his face, I’m pretty sure he knows that.” She laughed. “I can’t wait to tease him. For a minute I thought he was going to run, jump over the gate and grab you up in a big juicy kiss.”
AnnieMarie sat back, then crossed her legs. “I would have given him a big sloppy kiss right back.”
“I don’t want to hold you out here. You should go back in there.”
Kennedy shook her head. “I’d rather stay here with you. If I go back in there, I might catch a case.”
“”I can understand that. I’m about ready to take out that entire Giuliani family.”
“No,” Kennedy shrugged, “they are going to get what’s coming to them. It’s the DA I want to strangle.”
“Why would you want to do that? He’s the person who is using your brother’s testimony to put those people away. He’s supposed to be a good guy.”
“He is a good guy, but he is also a man, therefore stupid.”
“Oh,” AnnieMarie nodded. “Most of them are.”
Kennedy stared at her. “Aren’t you going to ask me what he did?”
Anni
eMare laughed. “I take it he is someone you are involved with romantically and he stepped outside the boundaries.”
“You damn right he did,” Kennedy replied. “He was sleeping with another women. As it turns out he was sleeping with the enemy and didn’t even know it.”
“How stupid is that?” AnnieMarie took a breath. “Who was the woman? A friend of yours?”
“Worse,” Kennedy exclaimed. “He was sleeping with Pauley Giuliani.”
AnnieMarie jumped up flabbergasted. “He was sleeping with a man?”
Kennedy stared at her with a frown. “Pauley Giuliani isn’t a man. She’s a woman.” The look on AnnieMarie’s face clearly let Kennedy know she had no idea. “You did not know that Pauley Giuliani is Pauline?”
AnnieMarie slowly sat back down. “No. I had no idea?”
“Well, as it turns out Benny and Cainan both have been in the bed with the enemy. The only difference is Cainan slept with her for work reasons, Benny, well because he is a weak man.”
“You should find a hammer and bash his balls in,” AnnieMarie said. “I know that’s what I plan on doing to your brother.”
Kennedy smiled. “That is exactly what I’m going to do,”
“Bash in Cainan’s balls?”
“No, Benny’s. Cainan didn’t even know you when he was sleeping with Pauley.”
“Hmm. I will take that under consideration.”
“You should. Cainan is in there putting his life on the line to have a future with you. He could have walked away, but he did not. Like the hero he has always been. Cainan took extraordinary steps to protect his family and now he is doing the same to protect you.” Kennedy stood. “I call that a man demonstrating his love for a woman.” She started walking away.