‘And Dom’s okay with this? He always talked about how important family is to him.”
“You don’t get it, Nat. You’re part of his family as much as you’re part of mine. He’s taking it personally that Marco put a hit out on you. I’m fucking pissed about it too. It only shows how crazy Marco has become. I’m not happy that Dom just revealed our intention to a virtual stranger who could easily rat on us.”
“Jason wouldn’t do that.” I was quick to defend him, but he was the least of my concerns. Dominic was going to kill his own uncle, basically for me, and here I was preparing to break things off with him for good. On top of that, Dominic and Grant were going to declare war on Marco. Just a few months ago, the Grabano crime family was engaged in a violent exchange with the Nucci family, who was attempting a hostile takeover of the Philadelphia territory. Body counts rose as drive-by shootings, bombings and other violent acts shook the city. The media loved it, but I didn’t since Grant and Dominic were usually involved when it came time to settle the score.
Complicated just got more complicated. With a groan, I sunk down into the sand, which was warm against the back of my thighs from the late afternoon sun. Grant sat down next to me, propping his elbows on top of his knees.
“Miranda’s on board with this? Marco is her dad.” Not that he would have won any father of the year awards.
“She’s been losing respect for him over the years. It started when she found out he was cheating on her mom. When Miranda confronted him about it, Marco just laughed in her face. He’s never seen women as equals, even his own daughter and Miranda is one hell of a business manager.” Grant’s voice cracked and his eyes shone with admiration for his fiancée. “After what Marco allowed to happen with you and Brittany, well, she realized her dad needs to be stopped. She knows that he won’t go quietly or retire. Killing him is the only way.”
It was decided and a more moral person would try to change their minds, but the thought of a Marco-free world was too appealing. Besides, my morals were compromised the moment I put a bullet in that man’s head. I just hoped that killing Marco went smoothly and didn’t trigger an all-out war between the old and new mafia.
Chapter 21
Grant and I were walking back to the beach house when his cell phone rang. He fished it out of the front pocket of his jeans and glanced at the screen before answering. “Hey baby, we were just talking about you.” He stopped walking and gestured for me to continue on. Understanding the need for a private conversation with Miranda, I left him at the water’s edge.
Jason, Dominic and Chelsea were all sitting on the deck in the same spots as when I left.
“Did Grant fill you in?” Dom asked and I nodded, sitting down next to him and reaching for my beer, which was now lukewarm, but I took a sip anyway.
“Who’s he talking to?”
“Miranda,” Grant answered, reaching the top of the stairs that led to the beach. “She said Marco is wondering where we are. He isn’t buying her story.”
“So we need to head back.”
“Yeah, leaving tomorrow morning would be best. We can make an appearance at Crimson before last call and hopefully end any suspicions. Natalie will be safe here, which is all that matters.”
I had one night left before saying goodbye. There were chances that things could go horribly wrong in Philly and I’d never see either one of them again. This also meant I had one night left with Dominic before officially ending things between us.
Grant sat down at the table next to me and grabbed another beer. “We might as well enjoy sitting outside while we can, it’s already freakin’ cold in Philly.”
“Well, I have to go to work,” Jason said, standing up and placing his empty bottle back in the cardboard carrier. I looked over at him, but his face was unreadable. Callie was kind enough to give me the night off considering my panic attack and unexpected visitors. I got up and followed Jason into the house.
“Make yourself at home Nat,” Jason said, reaching for his car keys that were on the kitchen counter. “I’m going back to my apartment after work so you do what you need to do.” He regarded me from across the room and paused as if debating something. “Call me when they’re gone.”
Just as Jason closed the front door behind him, Chelsea came in from the deck. “We’re starving,” she announced, making her way to the refrigerator and pulling out steaks.
“Where did all of this come from?” I asked as Chelsea continued to place food on the counter.”
“Jason stopped at a store after he picked me up. He didn’t know how long we’d be staying so he bought a lot.” Chelsea bit into a tortilla chip before popping open a jar of salsa.
“Wow, he didn’t have to do that.” If I didn’t feel guilty before, I certainly felt it then. Despite my fawning all over Dom, Jason was taking hospitality to a whole new level and was backing off, giving me the space needed to end things.
Chelsea shrugged and fished out a platter from a cabinet next to the oven. “Dom said he’s cooking, which earns him some points in my book.”
“Oh he can cook, let me tell ya! So, while he’s doing that, I’m going to shower and get out of my pajamas.”
“Good idea, considering it’s almost dark out.”
I laughed at her snarkiness as I left the kitchen and made my way upstairs. My clothes were haphazardly stuffed in the duffle bag. After rooting through, I pulled out the least wrinkled pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a long sleeved white t-shirt.
The guest bathroom was enormous with a large glassed in shower taking up half of the room and it reminded me of an aquarium. Six showerheads pointing in different directions sprouted from the one tile wall.
After twisting my hair in a knot, I stepped in, immediately relaxing under the multiple streams of hot water. Steam quickly fogged up the glass. There was an assortment of body wash to choose from and I selected the lime coconut. I was in the middle of working up a rich lather when I heard the shower door behind me click shut. With a gasp, I spun around crossing my arms in front in an attempt to cover myself. Dominic stood at the other end of the shower. He was naked and water sprayed against his olive skin, making it glisten. I stared at him, taking in the sight of his body; the scars, his muscular arms, his tattoo, his six-pack abs, and the trail of dark hair that ended at his erection. With a shuddering breath, I lowered my arms, revealing my body to him. His green eyes were bright as his hungry gaze wandered slowly from my breasts to an area already slick with want.
“I thought you were cooking dinner?”
“I was, until I heard you were taking a shower and I imagined you just like this.”
In one stride, Dominic was right in front of me and I was pulled into his arms, crushed against him with enough force to loosen the knot, causing my hair to spill down around my shoulders.
Dominic ran a hand up the back of my neck, underneath the now damp locks as he moved his mouth over mine. I melted into him, wrapping my arms around his hips, lightly scraping my nails against his ass causing him to jerk forward.
“Nat baby, I missed you so much,” he breathed into my ear before tracing a trail of kisses down my neck. He paused when he reached my scar and gently kissed the raised skin.
“I tried to block the bullet, babe.” Dom looked up at me. His dark, thick lashes were wet from the shower, or tears, I wasn’t sure.
“I know,” I whispered. He held my gaze for a few seconds before lowering his head again and sucking a nipple into his mouth, the exquisite pressure making me moan. Reaching a hand down between us, I stroked his length until he was moaning with me.
He focused on my other nipple, gently biting as he sucked, setting every nerve ending on fire. I gasped and held onto him as my legs suddenly went weak. Then he was kissing me, devouring my mouth as if making up for our months apart. I met his passion equally, feeling him grow harder in my hand when I slid my tongue into his mouth.
He scooped me up, cupping my ass as I wrapped my legs around his hips, lowering myself
onto him. The moment he was inside me I felt weightless, breathless. Water streamed down his chest and rippled across his abs, disappearing where our bodies joined. Leaning forward, I kissed his scars as he rocked his hips, slowly making love to me. We held each other, pressing impossibly close as he drove deeper.
“Oh Dom, yes!” I cried into his shoulder and absorbed every shock, every thrust, never wanting it to end.
He sped up and I clung to him, taking all he was willing to give. The pressure began to build and I felt myself tighten around him, increasing the pleasure until it was almost unbearable. I shifted slightly, causing him to go even deeper, triggering an explosion. Dom came with me, filling me up. With another cry, I rode out waves that left me shaky and giddy. Dom didn’t let me go, he held me in his arms and I was stuck to him like a barnacle. We were both panting with our foreheads touching as we came down from our highs. When our breathing had returned to normal, Dom released his hold, lowering me onto unsteady legs and keeping his arms around my waist.
“I love you, Nat,” he whispered.
“I never stopped,” I admitted, my voice tight with emotion.
Dom kissed me. A slow, gentle kiss infused with his love for me. He took his time as if savoring my lips, committing their texture and taste to memory. I did the same knowing that this would be the last time we’d be together. It had to be.
***
When Dom and I went back downstairs to join Chelsea and Grant on the deck, they were engaged in a heated conversation.
“Grant, I don’t understand how she can’t be concerned about Nat’s whereabouts?”
“That’s how our mom is. She’s always been that way.”
“I know she can be cruel, but to try to get you to stop looking for her own daughter?”
Grant shrugged and took a sip of beer. He acted nonchalant and his expression was hidden from Chelsea by the dim candlelight, but I saw the tense set of his jaw and the angry glint in his eyes. I set my hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension buried deep beneath his muscles. Yes, Grant was very pissed at our mother.
“Why do you think I always wanted to hang out at your house, Chels? And those weeks at the shore with your family were truly a vacation. Mom will always be like that and Grant, you’ve run interference so many times, I refuse to let her get to me anymore.” I declared, giving my brother’s shoulder a squeeze before going inside and getting a cup of water.
I came back outside and sat down. A salad in a large glass bowl was on the center of the table as well as a half-eaten bag of tortilla chips and a platter of raw steaks. Dom busied himself with getting the grill ready while Chelsea and Grant had moved on to a different, but not less serious topic: the state of the Eagles deplorable 5-8 record for the season. Chelsea was born and raised an Eagles fan. Her first fashion “project” was a redesign of their uniforms. She was eight and I remember one of the highlights included green glittery pants. I rolled my eyes and tuned them out, choosing to watch Dom work the grill instead.
Just his very presence was comforting and I enjoyed watching him cook. He moved with ease as he flipped steaks, avoiding flames that surged higher, accelerated by grease. This felt right being surrounded by the most important people in my life. My love was cooking while Grant and Chelsea bickered in the background over the latest quarterback’s performance. God, how I wished this could last.
Chapter 22
After dinner and more drinks, Chelsea started to yawn and disappeared upstairs. I sat on Dom’s lap. One of his arms was loosely draped around my waist, occasionally dropping lower to caress my thigh. Grant was slouched low in his chair with his head back, staring at the stars.
“It’s so nice not to be freezing my ass off,” Grant said, breaking the silence. “If this is why you don’t want to come back to Philly, I don’t blame you.”
I laughed, remembering the barren chill of the city as if the concrete froze and held in all of the cold. Dominic’s arm tightened around my waist and I knew Grant’s comment was making him think about tomorrow. The morning would be here before we knew it.
Next it was my turn to yawn, the effects of an emotionally turbulent day catching up with me. We cleared the table and Grant extinguished the fire in the chiminea before we went inside. Initially I was going to sleep in my own room, but I was an addict and Dominic was my crack. I needed to get my fix before extricating him from my life, so I followed him into his guest room. The bed wasn’t made; the dark gray comforter was twisted, indicating a restless night. All of the walls were a grayish blue and the trim around the windows a stark white. Wide slatted vertical blinds were open, revealing a black expanse of ocean. A large piece of driftwood was placed above the bed like a sculpture. The rest of the room was plain, a whitewashed dresser and a plush white ottoman at the foot of the bed were the only other furnishings.
We got ready for bed and while Dominic was in the bathroom, I stripped out of my clothes, sliding underneath the covers completely naked. Dominic saw my clothes on the floor and immediately removed his before joining me. He curled up behind me, his body engulfing mine and I nestled in closer. Cupping my breast, he kissed my neck.
“It’s been difficult sleeping without you beside me,” Dom whispered in my ear. As if to prove his point, within minutes he was lightly snoring, his breathing ruffling my hair. I wish I fell asleep as easily in the comfort of Dom’s arms. Instead I was wide awake thinking about how I was going to end things with him and worried about the hornet’s nest he and Grant were going to stir up once they were back in Philly. It was a long night, to say the least, and by the time dawn lightened the sky outside the window, I was already dressed and in the kitchen making coffee.
Chelsea was the first to join me. She took one look at the bags under my eyes and pulled me into a hug before sitting on the stool next to me.
“So you’re going through with it?”
“Yes, I have to.”
“But you don’t want to?”
Staring at the dregs of coffee in the bottom of my mug, I shook my head no. Chelsea placed her hand on top of mine and squeezed it. “I’m here for ya, girl.”
“Thanks, I know.” I gave her a weak smile. There was movement upstairs then the sound of water running. I was on my second cup of coffee, but unable to drink a drop since my stomach was in knots, when Grant and Dom came downstairs carrying their bags. Both were clean shaven and looked more refreshed than when they arrived.
“Do you guys want coffee?” Chelsea asked, getting up off her stool and walking into the kitchen.
“Sure, black for me,” Dom said.
“That’d be great, Chelsea, thanks,” Grant said. “I’ll take cream and sugar, none of that artificial sweetener shit Nat likes.” I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed.
“I take it you’re heading out soon?” I asked.
Dom came over to sit next to me. His hair was still wet and caught the overhead light. His scent washed over me and I breathed it in, committing it to memory. “Yeah, we’re just waiting on one of Gio’s guys to come collect the guns he let us borrow then I’m heading down to San Diego and Grant’s driving to San Francisco. Even though we have fake id’s we don’t want to take any chances by being seen flying out of LAX or even flying together.”
“That makes sense.” I was still staring at the coffee in my mug, unable to meet Dom’s eyes.
“You alright?” Placing a finger beneath my chin, he lifted my head, so I couldn’t avoid looking at him. I swallowed past the thickness in my throat, willing the tears away.
I sensed Grant and Chelsea were watching us and didn’t want an audience for what I was about to do.
“Can we go outside and talk?” I slid off my stool and crossed the room, opening the door leading to the deck. I heard Dominic behind me. It was cooler this morning with a brisk wind whipping off the water that scattered my hair in every direction.
“What’s going on, Nat?”
Taking a deep breath, I turned to face him. “Dom, I love you, but I can’
t do this anymore and I sure as hell can’t have you kill your uncle because of me.”
“What are you saying?” He crossed his arms across his broad chest and stared at me with a guarded expression.
“I’m saying,” my voice cracked and tears began to spill despite my efforts at keeping them in check. “This is goodbye, for real and for good. Go home, Dom. Go back to your family and your life.”
“You don’t get it. You, you are my life!” he yelled.
“I can’t be anymore,” I said in a whisper, barely finding strength to voice the words.
‘Can’t or won’t?” He had stopped yelling, but now spoke in a cold, monotonous tone making me prefer his shouting. At least that was infused with passion.
“Does it matter? Goodbye, Dom.” I turned and fled back into the house, rushing past Grant and Chelsea on my way to the stairs. I hid myself away in one of the second floor bathrooms with the door locked. I heard the front door slam followed by the sound of a car peeling out. Moments later there was a knock on the bathroom door.
“Nat, it’s me, Chelsea. Are you okay?”
“Nat, open up, what the hell did you say to Dom?” Grant asked. Their voices were muffled through the wood.
My body was wracked with sobs so I couldn’t answer. Getting up from the floor where I was sitting with my back against the vanity cabinets, I crossed the room on unsteady legs and unlocked the door. Chelsea opened it and I greeted her with a tear streaked face. She instantly pulled me into a hug.
“What the hell happened?” Grant asked, stepping into the bathroom.
“She ended things with him,” Chelsea answered for me.
“You did what? Fuck!” Grant began pacing the small room. “Why?”
“Grant, it’s bad enough worrying about you. I don’t have the emotional capacity to be a Mob girlfriend.”
At that moment the doorbell rang, its chimes echoing throughout the first floor and up the stairs to the second floor.
Clean Slate (New Mafia Trilogy #2) Page 12