by Mari Sillva
-Where's Jesse, Blade? - It was the first thing Julius asked with a frown, suspicious. He and Li were sitting on the couch, biting their nails waiting for them, eager to know what they found.
-It does not matter, - said Blade angrily, turning on the tape recorder and placing two small size sofas on the small glass table.
-Matteo's henchman was an idiot! -he responded to everything the investigator asked, trying to catch her at all times. This irritated Maldonado, even more, he did not know how to deal with jealousy. At that moment, his will was to kill everyone in front of him, especially those who dared to look at Jesse, his girl. Finally, he did not want to hear anything else, just continued in the room even if he left it would be obvious why.
-You're so beautiful I want to make you mine all night. Come here, my ebony goddess, -said the henchman in the recording, in a mellow tone that made Blade's stomach turn. The voice was drawn surely the tranquilizers Jesse had given him should be starting to take effect.
-Not yet, my dear! I want you to answer some questions, let's play all night. -Jesse's voice came out sensual and provocative.
He had experienced her tone the night before, and he knew how dangerous it could be, even if he had no remedy, he would have given her the night he'd made her a woman. Jesse was smart and brave in her performance at the Casino that was beyond denial, no matter how angry she was.
-And what does my bunny want to know? If you lift your dress and let me see those legs I'll say whatever you want, all the crimes I've ever committed and look like they're not few. -He gave a luscious, totally doped-up laugh.
-As you wish, my love. - If Jesse called him "my love" it would not be good for her later, not really.
-You have beautiful legs, bunny and if I answer raises the dress a little more? - He asked hopefully and cheekily.
-How do I find the owner of the Casino? If you say I'll let you touch them and wherever you want. -It was straightforward. If Blade had seen the cheeky face she'd done at that moment she would have given up a bit of anger.
-The boy Matteo? The Castelli family mansion is in Puerto Rico, his mother is Argentina. -She voted for her country after the death of her husband, raising her children in her culture, "he replied, totally at ease.
-Children? - Jesse asked, not in shock.
-Yes, two boys. Matteo is the son of the first marriage with Carlo Castelli, the youngest is Enrico, coming from a lightning relationship. -The three bandits looked at each other with their eyes half closed this was something they did not expect.
-And which street is this house on? He goes there a lot tell me more about his younger brother. -It was as if she had read Blade's thought that's what even he was wondering. He did not know why, but this story of Matteo's brother left him with a flea behind his ear.
-Why so much interest in my boss's family? - At this point Blade tensed, thinking that if she had not been smart the worst might have happened.
-How about we put on a song? I'm going to do a striptease for you every piece of clothing I take your answers a question, my love. -Jesse managed to change the subject, quickly. Blade had never reached the level of rage so great, his eyes darkened as night. When I put my hands on her she will be lost, for sure. By the time the sexy music lasted and how many questions he answered and the henchman's whistles, she should have been naked and that would have to be well explained later.
-By the lamb's blood, as Stephen would say. –That Jesse? The quiet ones are the worst, hide the fire under the skirt, -said Li, abused.
The result, a bleeding nose, a purple left eye, and almost the loss of two front teeth Blade just did not finish the service because he was stopped by Julius who immobilized him in a bear hug, otherwise the Chinese would have walked through the valley of the shadows this Sunday.
-Come on people, talking about Estevão where he is now? - Julius's face was worried, with a bad feeling.
-My brother is fine, people I tried to call him last night. -he did not answer but sent me a message that he had to hurry home because it seems my grandmother is not well.
Bobbi appeared in the office holding a thick book about laws, hitting the round armor-grade glasses eating a bag of cereal, chocolate flavored rum. he wore her usual green linen sweater, Blade's gift. The only grandparents and uncles the young man had personally met were Stephen's parents he spent a month with them when he finished high school.
-Thank goodness, I hope his mother gets well soon. - Julius motioned for the young man to sit next to him on the couch, next to Li with his black eye.
-What happened to you, brother? - Bobbi asked worriedly, seeing the Chinese's face all bruised. He pulled a white handkerchief from the pocket of his sweater and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, carefully.
-Slick, - Blade said, folding his arms like a saint.
-That's all, son, your brother is fine, do not worry. -Li stroked Bobbi's hair, looking into the corner of his eyes at Blade who still looked innocent.
And so the week passed slowly. Estevão without giving news and this began to worry everyone really. As snobbish as the Englishman was, he would call every now and then to say he was okay, this time not even that. They even thought about calling his family, but they preferred to wait a little longer before bothering the Salvatores to worry them. Jesse was also very worried, not with the disappearance of Stephen, but, yes, with that of Blade, who showed no sign of life, not even on the day of the trip. She was feeling lonely and abandoned.
The lover's longing only increased, it was as if he were leaving a piece of her behind. But she did not care about him, either, tired of being snubbed and running behind. To make matters worse, he had to put up with the odd looks of fellow workers in the FBI criminal department. Everyone was suspicious of the stranger's strange resignation. Other than that, it was amazing to work without her father's oppression twenty-four hours on top of her. He did not know where he had gone he just hoped it was far away from all of them. To see her mother's sadness was to cut the heart, they were mother and daughter suffering because they were abandoned by two selfish men who did not deserve them. On top of that, he had the tense conversation with Michelangelo it was just after Blade left her at home with a broken heart. When the bell rang, Jesse rushed out, knocking over everything he found on the way, thinking it was the lover who had regretted and came to make up, but he was sad as soon as he opened the door and saw the bartender smiling at her holding a bouquet of flowers bigger than him.
-Good morning, Princess, - he said with a sweet smile on his face.
Miche was naturally kind and pleasant. It would have been so much easier if he had fallen in love with him, perhaps his heart was broken now, the day after he had his first time with a heartless man who abandoned her the next day. This thought made her feel emotional, resulting in a fit of crying.
-What's the matter, beautiful please do not cry, I'm here now? -Michelangelo took her in his arms and let him put the whole pain out.
-Thank you, Miche, come in. - She thanked him for ceasing her crying, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.
- Is it better? What have they done to you, Jesse? - He asked taking her hand and leading her to the sofa, hugging her again after they sat down.
-They broke my heart. - Her voice was heart-wrenching, very hurt.
- Got it. -The bartender was sad, only then did Jesse realize what he had said.
- Oh! Miche, forgive me! If I could choose, I would have fallen in love with you, I'm sure I would never be able to hurt myself. But we do not pick these things, unfortunately. -She caressed the face of the boy who was looking at her with clear eyes shining like rubies.
-You're right about that, - he said with a sad smile.
- On what? That it would never hurt me? - Jesse asked confused.
-No. - He looked into her eyes deeply. -That we do not choose who you fall in love with. - After a moment or two, he smiled, showing his beautiful teeth.
They changed the subject from there and spent the
rest of the afternoon talking, just as friends. Despite the tension, having this conversation with Michelangelo was a relief to Jesse. Even destroyed and with every reason to give up such a trip, she did not give up. It might even be good to be distracted a little, to breathe other airs. Arrived in Canada on Thursday evening as always, Mainara caught everyone's attention, was handsome, well-dressed and intelligent. Aunt Ana was the younger sister of Maria Joaquim. She married a Canadian boy and lived in a small town in a giant, cold mansion. Translating, they were rotten rich. Bound and snobbish, they looked better than the others. He did not know how Aunt Ana, who was such a sweet and kind woman, could live among them since they did not mix together. Their daughter, Jeniffer, the birthday girl, was the typical little patty, who spent twenty-four hours shopping or yelling at the servants. The researcher's fortune was that her middle brother came to the party too it was the fun part of the family living in New York. In particular, his eldest son, Tony a love of a person, have always done very well. He was tall, strong, and handsome. They were the same age and had been in touch with social networks ever since.
-She does not even seem to be in the same family as us, does she? - Tony commented as he approached Jesse, who was sitting pensive and alone in a far corner of the room, all shrunken with cold, even inside a brown wool coat and the heater on.
She stared at the assembled cousins talking in expensive clothes and bad of the lives of others. They were boring and mocking.
- Not even. - Jesse sighed deeply.
-How about we go out to rink? - It's better than standing here in the middle of these busy people when they start packing for the event of the year, it tends to get worse, let's run away and just come back at the party time? Tony made the request, but Jesse did not even look at his face.
-I'm not excited, thanks for the invitation, cousin. -Jesse's gaze was toward the window overlooking the garden, all capped with snowflakes.
-If I change my mind, I'll be cleaning up I'll be out of here in thirty minutes. - He gave her a charming wink. Jesse smiled yellow and looked out again. Tired of being sad, she decided to take the first step and called Blade.
-I just called to say that I'm missing you and wanted you to be here with me. - Jesse's voice was tearful she was having a bad day.
- Ah! Is it? Your problem, I'm fine! - Blade was rude to her, more than usual. He was not in his best days, either.
-What is high music is that? - Jesse asked suspiciously because the electronic rhythm would have to be some nightclub or something. There were voices of women in the background, a real mess.
-You did not go to your party? -So I got one to go too, -he said wryly, vengeful.
She did not answer anything and was her turn to hang up his face. Blade returned the call immediately, once, twice, endlessly. Jesse pretended not to see the calls, decided to take the rest of the day off for her. Ski with Cousin Tony, then come back and get dressed beautiful and wonderful for the birthday party which was well worth it, since the tour was better than expected. They had been away all day they had so much fun that Jesse did not even remember a certain coldhearted, hardhearted thug.
-Mother, you will not believe me. Tony taught me to ski, I only fell twelve times. - Jesse came into the room jumping all excitedly hand in hand with her cousin. It was less than an hour before the guests started to arrive, everyone was well-dressed for the party.
-Where were you, kids? - You've been gone all day, my love, we can´t get in touch with either of you we've tried a lot. You are late.
Maria Joaquim tried to straighten her daughter's hair by placing a curl behind her ear, which was a real mess as usual. She adjusted her clothes by pulling the collar of her coat and dabbing the little snowflakes over her like she did when she was a child. Jesse did not understand why everyone was staring at her strangely, including the cousins tucked into their glamorous dresses and overly stocked faces. Sister Mainara was after her mother trying to make some kind of signal to her as if she wanted to alert her to something important.
-I'll get ready for it Mom, I've even cheered up for the party. - Tony invited me to be your partner at our cousin's debutante ball, and he's going to dance the main waltz with me, is not his charming? - She smiled, euphoric at the news.
-You already have a pair! - A thick, powerful voice came from the back of the room. And a deadly silence made itself present. Jesse breathed faster and faster as if she was running out of the air.
Blade was beautifully leaning against the wall inside a Black Duos tuxedo, the most expensive of the last collection. The beard made the hair with gel, very well combed back. The shoes were also black, social with the usual elegant posture, superior to the others. A perfume Jesse felt by far, very good by the way. He kept his hands hidden in his pocket, his eyes dark and dangerous. First, his gaze dropped to Tony's hand holding Jesse's, then stood up looking at the investigator's face in a way that said, -You're screwed!
Chapter 25
-Why did not you say you'd bring a guest, daughter? - Maria Joaquim was still trying to straighten her daughter's hair, even though she knew it would be useless without the help of a comb to take out the motes that she probably stored because of the twelve tumbles during her skiing lessons with Cousin Tony.
-We'll talk about it later, Mom I'll pack up before the guests arrive. - Jesse smiled uneasily, did not know what to do. He did not have the guts to look at the Blade, but he knew that his eyes were shooting at him from where he was.
-Are not you go to greet your friend, daughter? How ugly, that's not how I taught you. -The researcher froze, terrified. This was not a good time for her mother to show that she was the best in the world she was only making things worse for her.
-Jesse is right, Mother, she's already far behind.
Mainara could tell by the semblance of her sister that something was wrong, she knew her better than anyone else. He took her hand with the intention of getting her out and asking what was going on, she was worried.
-What about Mainara? - That was not the kind of education I gave you two, the poor boy came from afar to see you sister who spent the day with yours cousin. Jesse shook her head, there was no way she was going to get worse. -Delayed or not, she will greet you and thank you for coming, - Maria Joaquim said earnestly.
-Did I mention how lovely you look today, Mother? - Certainly the most elegant woman in the party and the world. She tried to change the focus of the subject, but she was sincere about the compliment.
Her mother was indeed exuberant in an intense blue dress, one sleeve only, just below the knee. His body was full of curves like that of his youngest daughter, Mainara has a beautiful smile. She did not look the age she had, nor have two adult daughters.
-Now, Jesse, the boy's waiting, - her mother ordered.
Jesse took a deep breath, letting go of her sister's hand, looking at her with a comforting look. They all stepped aside to make way for him.
- Hello Blade, how good you came! - Jesse did the willing mother, saying the words between his teeth in front of Blade, but at a pretty safe distance.
-Try to run away and you'll regret it later, - he said quietly, kissing her cheek.
-Now enough drama, Jesse was ready. Come on, I'll help you with the dress. -Mainara finally managed to get her sister out of trouble with the big ones and then dragged her up the stairs. All about the threatening eyes of Blade who accompanied the investigator until she disappeared from sight.
-Who's that bad-looking guy, Jesse Carter? - Asked Mainara as soon as they reached the guest room of the mansion, placing her hands on her nervous waist.
-Just a friend, - Jesse snapped off, hurrying toward the bathroom. Hearing her sister's heels clicking behind her, it would not be easy to get rid of her questions so soon.
-So why did he look at Tony's hand holding hers in a way that seemed to draw a gun from his waist at any moment and shoot his face in the fly?
-Do not start Mai, stop paranoia, - Jesse yelled from inside the stall, her head fil
led with foam.
- OK! So you will not mind knowing that our beloved cousins are getting on top of it all. Especially the Valeria viper who looks the most beautiful in the world, -she teased her sister, which worked very well, as Jesse opened the door to the stall, almost to the floor.
- What? Is it possible that these offered can´t see a handsome man who is already coming upon him? But if Valeria does not stay away from him I'll tear off every strand of that misplaced the mega hair from her. - Mainara gaped it was hard to see her sister so nervous.
- I knew! You're catching that grumpy ogre, people he's huge. You're washing your face as a girl, I want to know everything. Have you ever kissed? Are they dating? I can´t believe I have a cat brother in law. -Mainara kept chattering, not for a minute.
- Where did that come from? - Jesse dropped the black towel that was wiping her body, pointing to a long dark wine dress from Prada, single front, long-sleeved mermaid model with a pretty sensual opening on the side, showing her thighs. There a pair of black high-heeled sandals with the Prada's comfortable tag. A set of three-piece red diamond jewelry, earrings, drawstring and a gold plated bracelet. To complete, a bouquet of flowers larger than the one he earned from Michelangelo, with a small handwritten note.
For your first dance, I hope you like it.
B.M
-The handsome man brought you into a huge box with a larger bow tie on top, a bouquet of red roses for me and another for Mom with a beautiful note saying that she was honored to meet us in person. We think his attitude is very sweet, you do not see gentlemen like that today. - Jesse was amazed, not knowing what to think, but he loved the fact that he had chosen everything for her and for her.