The Queen of Diamonds

by Raven Cavalleu

  "Thank you. What time do you need to leave here in the morning?"

  "We need to leave here a few minutes before five." She saw Nikki wince and said, "I know it's early, but I promise it'll be worth it." She stood up and disappeared down the hall towards her bedroom, returning minutes later with her camera. "The battery is fully charged, and the memory card is empty."

  "Thank you."

  They sat and talked about different must see locations nearby for a while before parting ways for the evening.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It was still dark out when Nikki and Alex climbed into the car and headed towards Pisa. The roads were quiet this early in the morning, and they were able to reach Lucca rather quickly. As she drove through town, she pointed out the old city walls that Lucca was famous for. "You'll see them much better on our way back. They're really quite beautiful. There's even a walking path along the top of it, and each of the four sides has a different species of tree planted." She turned onto A11/E76 and headed towards the coast.

  "Does it take as long by car to reach Pisa as it did by train?"

  "No. This should only take about half an hour. If the traffic stays this light, it may be less." Alex gave her a smile before turning back to watch the road. "It's a shame it's so early. This is a pretty drive. You'll see on the way back. There's nothing like that first view of the sea stretching out as far as the eye can see." She fell silent as she drove through the first of several tollbooths.

  As they neared the exit for the airport, Nikki looked around curiously. "Isn't this the airport?"

  "Yes."

  Nikki fell silent as she stared out the window. She felt an ache in her chest at the thought of Alex dumping her here and leaving. She was startled when Alex stopped the car, and parked at the curb. Her disappointment and anger began to build as she resigned herself to being tossed from Alex's life. She climbed from the car, and waited for her to walk around and join her. "I expected more from you."

  "Excuse me?"

  "You could have just told me you wanted me to leave instead of lying to me. At least that way I could have packed." She looked over at the car and saw the trunk was open. "Or did you have Zaira do that for me when I wasn't looking?"

  Alex was startled at the outburst, and stood momentarily speechless. She looked up and saw Dani and Rachel standing quietly behind Nikki as they tried not to get involved. "Stop acting like a child, Nikki, and tell me what you think we're doing here."

  "I really thought you were going to give me a chance, Alex." She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. "And I'm not acting like a child."

  "Yes, you are," Dani replied.

  Nikki turned and said, "Just stay out of this." She began to turn back towards Alex and stopped as she realized that Dani and Rachel were there. Her surprise was obvious as she looked from one to the other, speechless.

  Rachel stepped up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "She's doing everything she can to work through things with you." She watched as Nikki's anger dissipated, and she hung her head in shame. "I think you owe her an apology."

  Nikki watched as Alex greeted her sister with a hug and kiss to the cheek. She took Dani's bag, and carried it towards the trunk. She sidestepped Nikki as she reached towards her and said, "Don't touch me." She placed the bag in the trunk, and stepped aside for Rachel to do the same. "Why don't you sit up front with me?" She asked Rachel as she closed the trunk lid.

  "Alex, I'm—"

  "Not now, Nikki. I think we've made enough of a scene." She climbed in behind the wheel, and waited while everyone took their seats and fastened their seatbelts.

  "I love your new haircut, Alex. You look really good with short hair." Dani caught her eye in the mirror and winked. "This is a beautiful car," she said as she ran her hand over the soft red and black leather seats. "What is it?"

  "Thank you. This is a fine piece of Italian craftsmanship." She pulled away from the curb, and began to drive out of the airport. "It's a Maserati."

  "Wow. No wonder I've never seen one before. This is way out of my league."

  Alex chuckled. "They're not so expensive here. They're far more reasonable when you can avoid the shipping costs and import tax." Once they were on the road she turned to Rachel and asked, "How's Madison?"

  "She's doing well. She's staying with her grandparents while we are away. It's her first time away from us for so long, so we promised to call her every day." She looked out the window at the buildings they passed. "It's beautiful here. The history is hard to imagine. Centuries more than back home."

  "Yes. I love to walk around the cities here. You can see so many different styles of architecture, and can travel from a more modern city to the narrow cobbled streets of the old town in just minutes." Alex pulled over to the side of the road and parked the car. "Grab your camera and follow me." After a short walk, they rounded a corner and suddenly the narrow streets gave way to Piazza del Duomo. "We're lucky. It is still early, and most of the tourists are still sleeping." She smiled at the expressions of awe on everyone's faces.

  Alex spent the next hour playing tour guide around the piazza while her visitors took pictures and listened intently. Everyone was quiet as they left the piazza and headed back towards the car, and remained that way as they drove out of the city. She named each of the small towns they drove past, and pointed out several points of interest as they made their way through Lucca. "We'll stop in town for a quick breakfast before heading home if that's all right with everyone."

  "I would love some coffee," Dani replied with a smile.

  "Maybe it would be best to postpone the stop in town for now. I think we should clear the air first," Rachel replied as she looked pointedly at Alex. "Avoiding it won't make it go away."

  "Maybe, but it will allow time for the anger and hurt to mellow," she replied with a sigh as she drove through town.

  "I'm sorry, Alex." Nikki leaned forward and placed her hand on her shoulder. "I misread the situation, and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I'm sorry."

  "I've never lied to you, Nikki. Right or wrong, I've had my reasons to withhold information, but I've never lied to any of you." She pulled up to the gates of the vineyard, and waited while they slowly opened.

  Nikki leaned back in her seat. "I know, and I'm sorry I accused you of it. I was out of line."

  Alex pulled through the gate, and watched it close behind them before proceeding to the villa. After showing Dani and Rachel to their room, she headed to the kitchen to prepare coffee. She filled the Moka pot with water and reached for the coffee grinder. Before she was able to grind the beans, there was a light tapping at the back door. She opened it to a smiling Sophia.

  "Buongiorno, Alex. I brought you some things for to make lunch." She placed a basket on the counter, and began to empty it. "I know you have guests and not have time for shopping."

  "Bless you, Sophia. You're a life saver." Alex helped her empty the basket, and smiled when she saw the bag of fresh rolls and jar of homemade jelly.

  Sophia chuckled when she heard Alex's stomach grumble. "You are as bad as my Zaira." She pulled a plate from the cupboard and arranged the rolls. "Would you like me to help with the Bolognese?"

  "No, Zia. You have enough to do today. I can handle it. Besides, you and Maria have taught me well." While they were still alone, she quickly explained her birthday gift for Zaira. "I wanted your blessing before I present it to her."

  Sophia wiped a tear from her eye. "You are too good to us, Alex."

  "No, Sophia. Zaira has worked hard for this, and she deserves it. She has been a good friend to me, and helped me through a very rough time. I will always be grateful for that." She smiled as she looked at Sophia. "She found my Nikki, and brought her to me."

  Sophia nodded, a small frown marring her features. "Yes, she said you punish her for it."

  Alex shook her head. "No, I punished her for disobeying my rules. She needs to learn how to follow rules if she wishes to run this vineyard, even if she doesn't agree with
them. Then I thanked her for disobeying that one rule, and bringing my heart back to me."

  Sophia placed a hand on her cheek and looked into her eyes. "You may have your heart back, Tesoro, but you are not yet happy." They both turned as Nikki entered the kitchen, closely followed by Rachel and Dani. Alex made the introductions, and Sophia scrutinized Nikki as she shook her hand. As she pulled her in for a hug she whispered, "Keep showing her how much you love her. It is the only way." Nikki nodded as Sophia pulled away with a wink. She kissed Alex on the cheek and headed home.

  It was midmorning before the Bolognese sauce was started and left to cook as everyone changed into their bathing suits and headed outside.

  "You do love to torture me, don't you?" Nikki asked as Alex dropped her towel, revealing the same small, green bikini she'd worn the previous day. She stepped close to her and said, "When I see you like this, all I can think about is how you feel beneath me. How soft your skin is under my hands, and how wonderful you taste." Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Alex's nipples harden.

  At her words, memories of them making love rose in Alex's mind. They were so sharp and vivid she could almost feel Nikki's hands on her body. She tried to force the memories away, but knew from experience that, due to her current emotional state, it was too strong to cut off and would have to play out. Her knees nearly buckled as the Nikki in her mind ran her hands over her breasts. She stepped back and turned towards the house. "Please excuse me for a moment." She heard Nikki take a step towards her and said, "Please don't follow me." She stumbled through the door and leaned against the counter as she tried to catch her breath and force the memory away.

  Rachel placed a hand on her arm as she reached for the door. "I don't think that's a good idea. Let me talk to her first." Nikki dropped her hand from the doorknob and stepped back. Rachel entered the kitchen and saw Alex leaning over the counter with both hands pressed against its surface, her head hung low. Her breathing was labored as if she had just run a great distance. She stepped up beside her and placed a hand in the small of her back. "Are you okay?" She felt the shudder run through her body and moved closer.

  "Please don't touch me," Alex implored as she felt Rachel's hand slide across her skin. The memory intensified and overwhelmed her, causing her knees to buckle. Rachel caught her as she began to collapse to the floor. As Alex turned in her arms, Rachel saw the look on her face and was startled to realize she was about to come apart. "I can't…oh God…I can't stop it."

  Rachel pulled her close and helped her to the floor, afraid they'd both fall if she tried to remain standing. "It's okay. I've got you," she whispered as Alex clutched at her shoulders. She felt her begin to shake as the orgasm ripped through her body. Her cry was suddenly muffled when she reached out and set her teeth into Rachel's shoulder. She hissed in surprise at the bite, and felt her body begin to react to Alex's. She eased her onto her back and scooted away. She sat several feet away with her back to the cabinets and waited for Alex to re-enter the present.

  Alex wondered why the bed was so hard, and when she opened her eyes, was surprised to realize she was on the kitchen floor. With a sudden clarity, she realized that she'd been caught in a memory, not actually in bed with Nikki. "Shit." She slowly sat up and saw Rachel quietly watching her. Her eyes slipped from her face to her shoulder where a small bruise was beginning to form. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment as she looked into her eyes. "I'm so sorry." She looked towards the back yard where Dani and Nikki waited. "Dani is going to kill me."

  "Probably."

  She closed her eyes and hung her head. "Maybe I should have sent Nikki away that first night."

  "Why didn't you?"

  "Because I love her."

  "So why are you keeping her at arm's length?"

  Alex slowly stood and headed for the back door. As she turned the door handle, she paused and looked back at Rachel. "Because there is more she needs to know. I will not make the same mistake twice." She pulled the door open and called out to Dani. She stepped back and allowed her to walk in. "Dani, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."

  Dani saw Rachel sitting on the floor and rushed over to see what was wrong. As she knelt in front of her she saw the bruise beginning to form on her shoulder. She ran her finger over it and saw the teeth marks. She clenched her jaw, quietly stood, and walked up to Alex.

  "I'm sorry. I was trapped in my head, and lost control."

  Dani's eyes narrowed as a muscle jumped in her jaw. She reached out and poked a finger in Alex's chest. "That is my wife, Alex. Mine, and I don't share. Am I clear?"

  "Crystal."

  Rachel stood and walked over to them. She put her arm around her wife and pulled her close. "Sweetheart, you don't have anything to worry about. I am yours lock, stock, and barrel. Don't be upset." She placed a kiss on her cheek. "We need to all sit down and discuss this like adults."

  "Of course we do, because I'm not embarrassed near enough yet," Alex grumbled.

  "Embarrassed? Seriously?" Dani asked incredulously.

  Frustrated, Alex snapped, "Yeah. You try getting so lost in a memory that the present disappears, and you lose control of your body. So stuck inside your own head you achieve climax without being touched while your best friend keeps you from falling down." She walked around Dani and Rachel, into the kitchen, and pulled a bottle of wine from the rack.

  "Does that happen often?" Rachel asked as she guided a startled Dani to a chair.

  "No. I've worked very hard all my life to live in the present, and not in my head. Over the years I have learned how to control most of my memories, and when I can't, I'm usually able to ignore them. I typically only lose control when I'm highly stressed, physically weakened, or emotionally compromised. Right now we're three for three, and this one just completely took over." She uncorked the wine, and reached for a glass. "In the grand scheme of things, it could have been worse."

  "What do you mean?" Dani asked.

  Alex looked over at the kitchen table and saw Nikki had joined the group. "As embarrassing as this is, at least it was pleasant. Far better than being stuck in the memory provided by my father." She could tell Dani was trying to figure out what she wasn't saying, so she filled in the blanks. "You really don't want to deal with an hysterical four-year-old. Especially since that particular memory set lasts for days."

  "Jesus."

  She nodded as she sipped her wine. "How about we move back outside, and enjoy the pool?" She grabbed the bottle of wine and headed for the door.

  Rachel quickly stood, stepped in front of Nikki and held the door for Alex. "We'll be out in just a minute."

  Alex walked over to the table under the sun sail and carefully placed the wine in the shade. She pulled one of the reclining chairs under the sail, and dropped a towel on it before diving into the water. She surfaced and swam the length of the pool and back again before pulling herself onto the deck and grabbing her glass of wine. After taking a sip, she refilled the glass, and sat down. She felt her body begin to relax as she looked out over the olive groves nestled in the small valleys at the base of the mountain range. She wondered if she would be here for the harvest this year. Alex closed her eyes, and relaxed into the chair as she heard the door to the villa open. She listened as everyone found a chair and settled in. She knew that two had chosen her left, near the table, and the third had selected a spot behind her on the right.

  "What are you thinking?" Rachel asked.

  Alex opened her eyes, and looked to her left. She saw Dani beside the table, and Rachel between her and Dani. "I'm just trying to get my thoughts together, and figure out where to start."

  "You know that Nikki refused to read the book, right?" Dani asked.

  "Yes. We've already discussed it, and I believe she is mostly up to speed." She looked over at the surprisingly subdued Nikki, and saw her sitting quietly, watching them.

  "Good. Then how about you start by telling us what wasn't in the book. What you brought us here to learn," Rachel said as she watched
her closely.

  "You make it sound so easy, Ray."

  "It should be that easy, Alex. You're the one making it difficult."

  She sighed and set her glass down on the ground beside the chair. "I know, and I'm trying to figure out how to stop."

  "Stop thinking and start talking. Tell me why these things are so difficult for you to talk about."

  "I'm afraid of what you will think of me once you know."

  "Have you ever told anyone?"

  "No. I've always been afraid to." She sat up in the chair, placing one foot on the ground as she stared out into the water. "I've seen how people judge others. It's human nature. I'm afraid that you will think differently of me." Her knee began to bounce nervously, and she picked at the towel on the end of the chair. "I'm afraid I will lose you all."

  Rachel leaned forward in her chair and turned towards her. "You pushed us out of your life, and ran halfway around the world to get away. Yet here we are just one day after you called. We're here because we love you, and you needed us."

  "What makes you think we will judge you?" Dani asked.

  Alex reached down for her glass, needing to do something with her hands. "Growing up the way I did, without any real guidance or friendship, I missed out on some essential lessons I think. I never learned how to read people, and know when they were being honest with me or when they were just out to take what they could get." She took a sip of the deep red liquid as she stared off into the olive groves. "When I first joined the US National Team, I made a couple of friends. True friends. Then I became famous and everyone wanted to be my friend. I didn't understand the difference for a long time, and was taken advantage of."

  Rachel waited patiently for her to continue. When she remained silent, she asked, "Is that why you don't trust us?"

  Alex looked over at Rachel with a tear in her eye. "I wanted to be sure. You all mean so much to me that I couldn't bear it if you weren't for real. So I was less than honest with you by hiding things."