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GIRLSONTHERUN:AGABRINIVALENTINE
STANDALONEBOOKS:
DANIEL’SGIRL
(Brand new version updated and expanded)
ROMANCINGMORYAN
MAEBELLEMARIE
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
CHAPTERNINETEEN
CHAPTERTWENTY
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
CHAPTERTHIRTY
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
CHAPTERFORTY
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
CHAPTERFORTY-TWO
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS EARLIER
ShecouldseeitchangingevenbeforeAlishadid,andAlishawasgoodatseeingittoo. BecauseVonhadthatlookin hiseyes. Andwasnoddinghishead. Hewasn’tyellingthewayJamalwasyelling. Hewasn’tevenpointingatJamal’sface the wayJamal was pointingathis face Vonwas doingall he couldtokeephis crazy-ass temper under wraps ButSophia knewhecouldneverkeepitunderwrapsforlong.
“I’mreadytogo,Von.” Shegrabbedherphonefromtheboothtableandbeganslidingover.
ButassoonasVonlookedatherwiththatnastylookshe’dcometodespise,sheknewhewasgoingtolashoutather insteadofthemanhewasreallyangrywith. “Go? Whatyoutalkingaboutgoing? Wejustgothere,Soph!”
Shelookedathimlikesheknew heknew betterthanthat. They’dbeenatthatclubfortwohoursalready. “Let’sgo, Von Idon’twanttodealwiththatshittonight”
“Whatshit?”
“Let’sgo.”
“Wearen’tgoinganywhere. Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“YouandJamalfighting That’swhat Nowlet’sgetoutofhere”
“Justslideyourassbackover. Nobody’sfighting. We’rejusthavingaconversation.”
“Averyheatedconversation,”saidAlisha.
“Yes,butit’sstillaconversation,”saidVon Sophiaknewwherethatconversation washeadingbecauseeverytimeVonandJamalgottogether,itneverfailedtoget there. “Let’sgo,Von,”shepleaded. “Let’sjustgo!”
Vonturnedtoherasifhewasreadytofireback Butwhenhesawthatlookinherbrightgreeneyes,andremembered whoheroldmanwasandunclesandcousins,hegotreal.
AtleastthatwaswhatAlishathoughtcausedhimachangeofheart. ButwhatVonwasconcernedwithwasn’therfather or her uncles or anybodyelse. Itwas Sophia herself. Awomanthathad beena source ofgreatlove inhis life, butlately they’dbeenateachother’sthroatallthetime Overpettyshit Andtheybothweregettingtiredofthedrama
Andthatwaswhyhedecidedtoleave,notbecauseofwhoherfatherwas,butbecauseofwhoshewas. Thesoonerhe droppedheroffwasthesoonerhecouldhitthestreetsanddohisownthing. Anotherthinghewasdoingalotmoreoflately too ButasSophiawashuggingAlisha’sneckandsayinggoodbyetoher,hegotimpatient “Youwannagosobadthenbring yourasson,”hesaid.
ButJamal,asAlishaknew hewould,laughedaboutit. “Orderingagirl around. That’sabitch-assmoverightthere,
“Ahfuckyou,Jamal!”Vonangrilyturnedbacktowardthebooth.
ButSophiapushedhimaway. “Let’sgo,”shesaidfirmly,grabbinghimbytheshirt.
Totheladies’relief,asneither oneofthemwantedtoseetheir mengoatitagainthewaytheyusuallydidwhenever theygottogether,SophiamanagedtogetVonawayfromthebooth.
ButwhenVonheardJamallaughoutloudagainandsaythewords bitch-ass move again,hebrokefreefromSophiaand chargedattheguyheneverreallylikedbuttoleratedbecausehewasAlisha’sboyfriendandAlishawasSophia’sbestfriend Buthistolerancehaditslimits,too,andJamalhadalreadycrossedit.
Hejumpedovertheboothtable,grabbedJamalbythecatchofhisshirt,andasAlishascreamedandjumpeduptoo,he snatchedJamaloverthattableandthetwoyoungbloodsbeganfighting
Othermenintheclubhurriedandbrokeitupalmostasquicklyasithadgottenstarted,buteventhatwastoomuchfor Sophia. She left the club. She’d had it. Her childhood had beenoverfilled withher parents and uncles and cousins and aunties fightingandarguingandcreatingmoredramathanshecouldever letanybodyknow about,andshewasn’tputtingup withthatinheradultlifetoo ShewalkedrightoutevenasAlishawascallingforhertostay Vonwantedtoactafool,hewas doingitallbyhislonesome.
Butshewasn’ttwominutesoutthedoorbeforeshewasaccostedbyaguyinthebusyparkinglotoutsideoftheclub. “Hey,prettylady,wantaride?”
Sophiakeptwalking.
Buthehurriedupbesideher. “Youneedaride?”
ShelookedathimwiththatsamevenomouslookshedisplayedtoVon
Butthatguyonlysmiled. “Yousopretty. Wantaride?”
“Getlost,creep,”Sophiarespondedasshedidn’tbreakherstride.
“I’mjustaskingifyouneedaride.”
“No,Idon’tneedaride”
“That’sallyouhadtosay. Damn!”
SophiasuddenlyrealizedshehaddonetothatguywhatVonhaddonetoher:tookherfrustrationswithVonoutonhim. “Sorry,”shesaidwithregretinhereyes
Buthewasoverheralready. “Fuckyou,”hesaidangrily,andwalkedawayfromher.
Sophiashookherhead. “Theworstnightever!”sheyelledout. Butwhenshesawothersintheparkinglotlookingat herasifshewashavingabreakdown,shetookoffherheels,pickedupthepace,andmadeherwaytothecarinstead
Just as she got up to the car, she stopped in her tracks and shook her head. She suddenly realized what she had forgotten:thatshehadn’tdrivenherowncarthatnight,butthatVonhaddrivenhiscar-hisbelovedDodgeCharger,andshe
didn’thaveakey WhichmeantshehadtowaitonhimorcallJimmyorDommiorsomebodyelsetopickherup Whichonly wouldprolongher worst night ever assheleanedagainstVon’sride. Butwithinacoupleminutessheheardhimcallingher name.
Whensheturned,shesawthathewascomingtowardsherwithhisarmsoutstretchedasifhecouldn’tbelievesheleft himlikethat,andwithhisshirtrippedfromthetusslehehadwithJamal. “WhatyouthoughtIwasgonnado? Lethimcallme abitchandIjustwalkaway?”
“Yes!”Sophiasaidfirmlyasheapproachedher “That’sexactlywhatyoushouldhavedone Youcan’tfightsomebody everytimetheycallyououtyourname. ItoldyouIwasn’ttryingtobeaboutthatlife,Von. Itoldyouthat.”
“Man, youcanforgetthatshit,” said Vonas he opened his passenger car door. “Adude come for me, I’mgoingfor him Hecomewithhismouth,I’mcomingwithmyfist Hecomewithhisfist,I’mcomingwithmygun Soyoucanforgetthat walking away shit AndtowalkawayfromJamalofallpeople? Getreal!”
Sophia shookher head. Whyonearthdidshe allow herselftohookupwithanother badboy? How couldshe have allowedthistohappen,shewonderedbitterlyasshegotinhiscar. Andwhenheslammedthedoorbehindher,thatonlymade herevenmoreregretful Shecouldhardlyrecognizeherselfanymore Butthatdidn’tcausehertostanddown. Becauseassoonashegotinbehindthewheel,theywereatitagain. Thistime arguingabouthimslammingthedoor. AndthenaboutJamalagain. Andthefightagain. Andthenaboutallthoseothertimeshe losthistemperandgotintoitwithoneofherfriendsagain Theyarguedabouteverylittlething Neitheroneofthemwould letitgo.
EvenasVonspedawayfromthatnightclub,pressingdownall ofhiswindowssothatthesummerbreezecouldblow throughtheir hair,theybothkeptdoingall theycouldtoprovetheir respectivepointseventhoughneither oneofthemwould ever backdownand agree withthe other one. Itwas a fundamental truththathad plagued their entire relationship: Sophia hateddramaandVonfedonit. ButwhenSophiagotcaughtupinit,too,shecouldn’tletgoeither. Itwas,sheknew,avicious cycle.
ThensuddenlyshelookedupandrealizedVonwasgoingalmosttoofasttostop “That’saredlight!”sheyelledout whenitlookedasifVonwaspayingmoreattentiontotheirargumentthantotheroadaheadofthem.
Heslammedonbrakes,causingbothofthemtoslideforwardandstraintheirseatbelts. “What’swrongwithyou?”she askedhim
“Nothing’swrongwithme. What’swrongwithyourass? ‘Causeifyoukeepthisshitup,Soph,IdeclareI’mgoingto. ... ” Hedidn’tfinishhissentence,butjustshookhishead.
Sophiacouldnotbelievehewentthere “You’regoingtowhat? Leaveme?” “Youdon’tevenknow.”
“Idon’tevenknowwhat?”
“Igotthingsintheworks Thingsthatcantakebothofusthroughthestratosphere Butyounickelanddimingmeover Jamal? Jamal? Girlplease! Yourasswillbeinmymemorybookyoukeepon.”
Shefrowned.“Your memory book?” Sheturnedtohim. “Whatareyoutalkingabout,Von?”
“Justkeep on You’ll see,” he said as a car sped up beside themas iftheyhad forgottenthe lightwas red, too, and slammedonbrakes.
Sophia leaned her head back. She and Vonhad beenhavinga roughpatchlatelyand bothofthemhad threatened to leavetheotheratvarioustimes Butlately,ithadbeengettingtooregularforhercomfort EspeciallyonVon’spart Itwould breakherheartifhelefther. Itwouldcrushher. Butshewasn’tbegginganymantostay.
“Ifyouwanttoleave,leave,”shesaidboldlyasthelightturnedgreenandhespedaway.
Butjustashedroveunderthelight,hesuddenlyswervedhiscarwithaviolentswerveleftasifhewastryingtoavoid somethingthatwasn’tthere,butheside-swipedseveralcarsgoingintheoppositedirectionandcompletelylostcontrol
“Von!”Sophiacriedoutasheover-correctedandhadhisChargerleanedontwowheelstryingtogaintractionagain. Buttheywereatthecar’smercyasthosetwowheelshitthegroundsohardthatitforcedthecartobouncebackupagainand thenbeganarolloverthathadthecarflippingandflippingandSophiascreamingandscreaminguntilthenow-mangledCharger endedupsidedown,spinninglikeatop,inthemiddleoftheroad.
Whenthecarfinallycametoastop,SophiaandVonbothwerehangingupsidedown. ButVonwassmashedagainstthe steeringwheelwithhisbodyturnedsoawkwardlythatitlookedasifithadslammedforwardsohardthatitgotstuckthere Butitwas his eyes thatscared Sophia the most. Theywere wide openand witha lookofsuchdisbelief, butyetwithsuch lifelessnessthattheyfrightenedSophia. “Von? Von?” Shewasbeginningtopanic. “Von,talktome. Von? Von!”
Butsheknew shehadtocalmdown Panickingwouldonlycausemistakes Calm down, Sophia,shetoldher racing heart. Calm down.
ShetriedtoreassureVonthathewasn’tgoingoutlikethat,andthatshewasn’teither,asshekeptcallinghisnameand reachingforhim. Buthewastoofaroverandshewasstuckinherownawkwardpositioninsidethatwreckedcar. Shewas reaching,justtotouchhimandlethimknowshewasokay,butallshefeltwasair
Thenshesmelledgasoline.
Andthen,asshetoowasfadingtoblack,sheheardthesoundofcardoorsslammingshut,peopletalkinginshouts,and thenthesoundoffootstepsgettingcloserandcloserandcloser
Andthen,asifonadime,thosesamefootstepscouldbeheardrunningawaylikeaherdofanimalssuddenlyturningtail andgettingaway.
Andthenshedidn’thearathing
Thesilencewasscarierthanthenoise.
RenowasontopofTrina,pumpingaway,asbothofthemwereinthethroesofheightenedpassion,whentheentrance alarmbuzzed Buthisgroansandmoansandhow shemadehimfeel wouldn’tallow himtofocusonanythingbutTrina But Trinaknewthatbuzzmeantsomebodyhadenteredtheirhome. Therewasnowaytheycouldignoreit. Besides,Renowasso fargoneshefiguredheprobablydidn’tevenhearit.
Shereachedoverontothenightstandandfeltwithherhand,asReno’sbigbodywasblockingherview,until shefelt hiscellphone. Shegrabbeditand,withonehandonhissweatyback,shepulledupthesecuritymonitorsonhisphonewith herotherhand. Reno’sgroansweregettingheavierandhispenetrationdeeper,andshecouldbarelyholdonherself. Butshe heldon AndthatwaswhenshesawthatSalGabrinihadwalkedinthroughtheirfrontdoor
ShecouldalsoseethatCarmine,their youngest,acertifiedchildgenius,waswaitingfor himontheother sideofthe secondentrancedoor thatrequiredapasscode. Thatdoor ledintotheir foyer. Sal pressedinthecode,thedoor openedfor him,andhewalkedonin
And as Trina knew he would, Carmine pounced “What are you doing, Uncle Sal? You shouldn’t just walk into somebody’shousewithoutknockingfirst,UncleSal.”
Salwasabouttoclosethatseconddoorbehindhimwhenheheardthatlittlepipsqueak,andhestoppedallmovement andlookedatthepint-sizedgangster Salhadafrownonhisfacebecausehecouldn’tbelievewhathe’djustheard “Whatdid yousaytome?”
“Itis a disrespectful actto enter somebody’s house withoutknockingfirst. To make sure theywantyouthere. You shouldhaveknockedfirstbeforeyouentered”
“Ohyeah?”
“Yes. It’snotadifficultthought. Ifyoudon’tknockor dosomethingtoannounceyourself,youshouldn’tbeallowed entrance”
“Andwho’sgonnastopmefromenteringthishouse? You?”
Carmine looked atSal as ifSal Gabrini, the head ofthe Gabrini crime syndicate and the manconsidered the second mostpowerful mob boss inthe world behind MickSinatra, never gotitright. “Thatis so totallynotthe point, Uncle Sal,” Carmine boldlysaid, and Trina rolled her eyes atthatboyoftheirs and ended the feed LetSal deal withhim She threw Reno’sphonebackontothenightstand,wrappedherarmsaroundhimagain,andcontinuedtoenjoyhispounding.
ShewantedtotellhimtogoseewhatSalwantedbecausesheknewSalwasn’tthetypetodropbyfornoreason. Butit wasfeelingtoogoodtoher Shedidn’twantRenotostop
As his movements increased and the sensations did too, her groans and moans beganto getas loud and salacious as Reno’s. Hedidn’tstopdoingher,orevenletupforafractionofasecond,untilhehadnochoice. Untilhehadtakenbothof
themthere. Untilhewaspoundingjustbecausehedidn’twanttoleavehisfavoritespot. Untiltheyhadtakentheirorgasmsas farastheycouldpossiblygo.
Andassoonashegaveoutandcollapsedontopofhiswife,sodrainedhecouldbarelymove,shepushedhimoffof her,forcinghimtopulloutofher,andbegangettingup
WhichpissedRenooff. “Nice,Trina. Reallynice.Didanybodyevertellyouwhataclassactyouare?”
“Fuckyou,Reno,getready.”
“Readyforwhat?”
“TogoseewhatSalwants.”
“Yougoseewhathewants.”
“Getready,Reno,I’mnottellingyouagain” Shebeganheadingtothebathroom
“YourassbetterbegladIletyoutellmeanything,”heyelledafterher “Tryingtohandleme” Hegrabbedhisballs “Igotyourhandlerightoverhere,Tree. Rightoverhere!” Hewasgrabbinghisballsevenharderasshewasslammingthe bathroomdoorinhisface.
Thenhesmiled Thatwomandrovehimbat-shitcrazyninetimesoutoften,butshewasstillthebesttoReno Thebest thateverwas. Andstillthebestfuckhe’deverhadeverytimehedidher.
Hegotoutofbed.
Hewenttothesecondensuitebathroomintheirmasterbedroomsuite,anecessitygiventhewayTrinahoggedupthe firstone,andthenhepeedlongandloud,wipedcleanhismanhood,putbackonhisunderwearandhisalreadywrinkledsuit, andthenmadehiswaydownstairs. ItwasFridaynight,whichmeanthewasgoingtohavealongnightinhiscasinoanyway, andthistimewithTrinawasjusta saw her and had to have her situationwhenhecameupfordinner Heneededtogetback towork.
Whenhe made it to the downstairs of their huge penthouse, and thenthroughthe dininghall, he could see Carmine standinginthedininghallstaringintothekitchen.
“Whatareyoulookingat?”Renoaskedhisbiracialson,theyoungestofhisfourchildren,ashewalkeduptohim
“I’mwatchingUncle Sal gointoour refrigerator,pull outour peanutbutter andjelly,andnow he’s makinghimselfa sandwichwithoutaskingpermissiontodoso.”
Renofrowned “Permission? Whohesupposedtoaskpermissionfrom?”
“Fromme,”saidCarmine,whowassointellectuallyadvancedthathewasamemberofMensa. ButRenodidn’tcare whatgrouphebelongedto. Hewasstillakid. His kid. Andanannoyingoneatthat. “SinceIwastheonlyrepresentativeof thefamilyavailableatthetime,”Carmineadded,“heshouldhaveaskedme”
Renocouldn’tbelieveit. Healmostslappedhimupsidehisface. “Whatthatgrownmanlooklikeaskingyourassfor permissiontodoanything? Nowgetyourstupidassoutofhere,”hesaidasheslappedCarmineupsidehiscurlyheadanyway
andthengrabbedhimbytheshirtandmovedhimawayfromthetable
“After heeats us outofhouseandhomeyou’ll besorryyoudidn’tnipitinthebudbeforehand,”Carminesaidas he beganwalkingaway.
“I’llnipyourassinthebudyoudon’tgoonnow,”Renowarnedhissonashissonfinallyleft Renowatchedhimashe walkedaway. Helovedthatboysomuchithurt. Becauseheknewthatitwasthatsameboy,whenhebecameaman,whowas goingtoputa hurtingonhim. Carmine,toReno’s ever-growingterror,was beginningtoremindhimoftheir Uncle Mick: a brilliant,viciouspersonwhowouldjustassoontearyourlungsoutthanlistentoyoutalk Heshookhisheadashewentintothekitchen. ButwhenhesawSalstandingatthecenterislandofhisgourmetkitchen andgrinningandmunchingonasandwich,hefrowned. “What’ssodamnfunny?”
“IsaiditbeforeandI’llsayitagain:Carminerunsthisshit Idon’tcarewhatyousay,Idon’tcarewhatTreesays:he runs this Youshould have seenhim Followingme around like he’s myprisonguard Like I’mgonna steal something I almostkickedhisass.”
“Youdidstealsomething. Youstolehispeanutbutterandjelly. AndCarminedon’tforget. He’sgonnagetyouback.”
Sallaughed
“Andyoulayafingeronmyson,you’llanswertome.”
Sal shookhis head. “Luckyfights for him. Youfight for him. Jimmyfights for him. Whenhis ass gonna fight for himself?”
“Areyoujoking?Carminehasthecapacity,evenathisyoungage,todropkickmeandLuckybothifhewantsto. That boyisaborngangsterjustlikeyourass. Buthe’sageniuswithitlikeUncleMick. Whichmakeshimdangerous. Thatboy willruletheworldoneofthesedays”
“Youtalklikethat’sagoodthing.”
“Whatgood?It’shorrible. YouthinkIwantasonofminefollowinginmyfootsteps? Inmyoldman’sfootsteps? In your footsteps? InUncle Mick’s?” Thena distressed lookappeared onReno’s face. He ranhis hands throughhis already messyhair Lifeasahotelandcasinomogulwasnothinglikepeoplethoughtitwascrackeduptobe Especiallyifyouonce hadtorunyouroldman’sorganizedcrimesyndicateontopofit. Whichmeanthehadenemiesgoingandcoming.
Truthwas,Renowantedallofhiskidsasfarawayfromthatlifeashecouldgetthem. Sofar,hisoldestboyJimmy, whohehadwithadifferentwoman,wastheonlyonewhostayedaway ButallofthechildrenhehadwithTrina:Dominic, Sophia,andCarmine,seemeddestinedtostayconnectedtoReno. Andthatlife. “Itiswhatitis,”hesaidwithresignationin hisvoiceashesatatthecenterisland. HegrabbedtheglassofbeerSalhadpouredforhimselfanddrankdownhalfofit.
“Ididn’thearyouaskingpermission,”Salsaid,echoingCarmine
“Igotyourpermissionrighthere,”Renosaidashesattheglassbackonthemarbledcountertop. “Whatareyoudoing hereanyway?”
“Whatareyoudoinghere? Fridaynightandyouaren’tinthecasino? Thathastobeafirst”
“Whatyourasswant?”
Salateanotherchunkofhissandwich. “Barnaby’sbeenmakingnoises.”
RenostaredatSal “Sincewhen?”
“Sincehisasswentbeforetheparoleboard. Hefigurehe’sgettingout. Apparently hispeoplegotsomethingrigged up.”
“Thenour people better unrigit,” Reno said “His ass hasn’tevendone halfhis time yet How was he able to get beforeaparoleboard?”
“HowshouldIknow?”
“Idon’twannadealwithhiscrazinessagain Weneedtogetonthatshit,Sal”
“I’malreadyonthat”
“And?”
“Andnothing. Wegotnothing. Justaconmakingnoisesaboutanearlyrelease.”
“Howearly?”
“Weeksiswhathe’sclaiming. Atleastthat’swhatI’mhearinghe’ssaying. Andyouknowthefirstbastardhe’scoming forisyou.Youknowthatright?”
“He’s notcomingfor anybody” ThenReno picked up the beer mugagain “Butifwe lethis ass getout,” he said beforehetookanotherdrink,“hecouldcausesomeseriousproblems.”
“Toputitmildly. ThepictureofBarnabyCarnaisinthedictionaryastheexampleofapsycho.”
RenolookedatSal ThiswoulddeterminehowseriouslySalwastakingit “DidyoucontactUncleMick?”
“No.”
Renosighedrelief.
ButthenSaladded:“IgotTommytodoit.”
ThisconcernedRenoevenmore “Youfigureit’sthatseriousthen?”
“IfigurewithaguylikeBarnabyCarna,webetternottakeanychances. Whothefuckwantsawarrightnow?”
Renonoddedanddrankmorebeer. “WhatdidUncleMicksay?”
“AccordingtoTommyhesaidokay”
“That’sit?”
“That’sallhealwayssays. Whatdoyoumeanthat’sit?” ThenSalexhaled. “ButyouknowTommy. He’ssocloseto UncleMickheunderstandsthatMick-speakshitunlikeanyother”
“What’sTommysayinghe’ssaying?”
“Tommyfigurehe’lltakecareofit. Tommyfigureshe’llgetoneofhisguystomakesometroubleforBarnabyandhis
asswillgetanotherfiveyearstackedontohissentence,ifnotmorethanthat”
Reno nodded. “That’ll work. That’ll give us some time to dismantle his organization. Idon’tknow whyour asses haven’tdoneityet.”
“Where theyat, Reno? That’s whywe haven’tdone it We don’tknow who the fuckhis organizationis We don’t knowifheeverevenhadone. Weneverknewanyofthatshit. Yetyoustillgotinanalliancewithhimthatwasdestinedtogo south. Andboydiditgosouth.”
“Reno!”
ItwasTrinascreaminghisname.
“Reno!”
Theycouldhearherrunningdownthestaircase
Bothmenranoutofthekitchen,throughthedininghall,andthroughthelivingareauntiltheysawTrinarunningdown thestairsholdingherphone. Shewasdressedinbikerspandexshortsandatanktop:herblackbodysizzling. Lookingyoung andgorgeous,Salthought.
ButRenodidn’thavetimetothink Allhecouldseewasthatlookofterrorinherbig,hazeleyes “Whatisit?”
“It’sSophie. SheandVon’sbeeninabadcarwreck,Reno!”
“Awreck?” Reno’sheartdropped. “Issheokay?”
“Idon’tknow Alishajustcalled Shesaidshedroveupandsawthehorrificscene Shesaysthecarflippedandthe PolicearetryingtogetherandVonoutofthecarrightnow,dearJesus!”
Renobeganracingfortheexit. “No!” Nothisbaby. “Nonono!,”Hisheartwaspounding. TrinaandSal,theirhearts poundingtoo,wereracingrightbehindhim
Dommiwaswalkinguptothepenthousedoorjustashisparentsandunclewererunningout. “What’swrong?” “StaywithCamine,”Trinasaidastheyran.
“StaywithCarmine? Thatold-assman? Why?”
“BecauseIsaidso!”Trinasaidangrilyastheywererunningaway “Butwhathappened,Ma?” Dommiwasconfused. “Pop,whathappened? Uncle Sal?”
Buttheydidn’tlookback.
CHAPTERTHREE
OutsideofthePaLargioHotelandCasinoontheVegasStripwasbustlingwithFridaynightactivityasReno,Trina,and Salranout Trina’sMercedeswasstillparkedalongthecircleasshehadhopedtogooutfordrinkswithhergirlfriendslater, andtheyallpiledintohercar.
WithRenodriving,Trinaonthefrontpassengerseat,andSalintheback,theytookoff. Allthreeofthemanxious. All threeofthemnervousashell AllthreeofthemwishingtheycouldgofasterevenasRenowaszippinginandoutoflaneslike themadmandriverhewasknownaroundVegastobe. AllhecouldthinkaboutwaswhatTrinasaid:theirbabygirlandthat boyfriendofhershadbeeninvolvedina bad wreck,andthecarhadflipped.
“Itoldherasstostayawayfromthose gotdamngangsters,”Renosaidnervously,angrily “Didn’tItellherthat? But doesanyofmychildrenlistenstome? Doesanyofthem?”Hehitthesteeringwheelwiththepalmofhishand.
“Whatdoes himbeingagangster havetodowithacar accident,Reno?”Trinaasked. LikeReno,shebecameangry whenevershewasnervoustoo
“Theydrivelikefools,that’swhat,”Renoresponded Trinarolledhereyes. “Lord,letmybabybeokay,”shekeptsayingevenmoreforcefullyasthelastthingonhermind wasthewhy. Shejustwantedherchildalright.
AndRenopickedupevenmorespeedandkeptondrivinglikeafoolhimself Hedidn’tletupandnobodyinthatcar askedhimto. Theywereallonedge.
Bythetimetheyarrivedatthescene,itwasoverloadedwithpolicecarsandrescuepersonnel. Itwasasifwordhad gottenoutthatoneofthevictim’sinthatcarwasRenoGabrini’skidandeverycopwantedinonit Therehadtobetwenty policecarsoutthere. WhichonlyangeredRenomore. Saltoo.
Butthentheysawthewreckageandhowmanymorecarshadbeenhittoo. Theygotoutandbeganrunningtowardthe stillupside-downCharger Theirheartssankassoonastheysawit
Andwhenoneofthecops,anewbienodoubt,placedhishandonReno’schestasiftostophisprogressionbeyondthe yellowtape,SalandTrinawereabouttokickthatyoungcop’sass. Didn’theknowwhoRenowas? Butthenanothercopon Sal’spayroll,acrookedslew-footnamedLieutenantDirk,hurriedover. “Lethimthrough,”hesaid. “He’sherfather!” Reno,Trina,andSalallhurriedunderthetapewheretheycouldgetacloserlook ButwhentheysawVon’sCharger hadnotonlyflippedoverbutwasburnedbeyondrecognition,theirheartsdropped. Then,whentheysawabodyinthestreet withasheetcoveringit,theirheartsnearlystopped.
“Jesusno!”Trinacriedoutsoloudthatmanycopslookedather HadRenonotheldherup,shewouldhavefallen “It’snother,Mrs.Gabrini!”
ItwasAlisha’svoice. Theyallturnedtothesound. AlishaandJamalwerejustoutsideofthecordonedoffareaonthe
oppositeside. “It’snotSophia.”
Whentheyheardthat,theywererelievedthatitwasn’ttheirchild,butconcernedtoo. Whowasitthen? Theydared notevenask. “Alisha,whereisshe?”Renoyelledathisdaughter’sbestfriend.
“They have her in that ambulance over there, Mr Gabrini” Alisha pointed to the ambulance in question, and the Gabrinisraninthatdirection.“Theywon’tletmeseeher,”sheadded.
Buttheydidn’thear her theywere runningso fast. Whentheymade it up to the ambulance and saw Sophia leaned againstit,theyracedtoher Renogottherefirst,butTrinaandSalwererightbehindhim WhenRenogotthere,hegrabbedher bybothofherarmsandgaveherahardlookover. Hecouldseethatshewasprettybangedupbutotherwiseokay. Butthenhe lookedintohereyes. Theywerefilledwithtears.
And whenshe said those words, his heartdropped: “He’s gone, Daddy Von’s gone!” And thenshe fell againsther fatherininconsolablegrief
Anguished,Renopulledher intohisarms. WhenTrinahurriedover,Sophialefther father andfell intoher mother’s arms,stillsobbinguncontrollably. Tellingherthathewasgonetoo. Butshehadhearditthefirsttime.
Renoheldontobothofthem,withTrinaandRenolookingateachotherwithpureagonyintheireyes Theysuspected Vonwasthebodyunderthatsheet,buttheydarednotspeakit. Theyheldtheirdaughterastightlyastheycould.
Sal,anguishedtoo,beganlookingaround,justincase,buthesawnothingsuspicious. Thenhesawthatsheetagain,and knewthatitwasSophia’sbelovedboyfriend,andhecouldjustfeelherpain
HelookedasRenoandTrinacontinuedtoholdontoSophiaevenastheparamedicswantedtorenderhersomefirstaid forherbumpsandbruises. Buttheycouldnotlethergo.
“Thisishighlyirregular,Jovie.”
IrvingSchwartz,seatedonthepassenger seatofJovieCapanna’sLamborghini,was holdingonfor dear lifeas Jovie spedtowardhisfiancée’shouseintheeliteChicagoneighborhoodofWinnetka. “IfIwereyou,Iwouldn’tgo.”
“Ihavetogo,”Jovierespondedasheup-shiftedgears. Bothmenhadontuxedos. Bothmenshouldhavebeenheading totheCathedraltoawaitthebridebynow Butinstead,Joviehadgottenacallfromhisfiancée’sbestfriend “Before you go to the church, you need to come here,”shesaid. Joviewasn’tabouttohearsuchanominouswarningandnotheedit.
“For all youknow shecouldbesomemessy,jealousfemalewhowantstotakeRenee’splace. Imeanthinkaboutit, Jovie Didn’tyouusetodatethatchickthatcalledyou? Didn’tReneetakeyouawayfromher?”
“Hell nall! Whatdo Ilooklike lettingsomebodytake me awayfromsomebodyelse? We dated years before Imet Renee. Berrawastheonethatintroducedus. AndBerra’snotlikethatanyway,”Jovieadded. “She’sastraightshooter. Ifshe saysshit’sgoingdownandIneedtoseeit,thenshit’sgoingdown AndI’mgoingtoseeit”
Irvinglookedathisfriendandboss Joviewasthirty-sevenyearsoldalready Wouldsoonbepushingforty Itwas hightimehegotmarriedandhadsomekidsofhisown. Irvinggotthat.HefullyunderstoodwhyJoviewantedtofinallywalk downthataisle. ButJoviealwaysexpectedtoomuchfromthesewomen. Hewantedloveandthepicketfenceandthetwoand-halfkidslikethefairytale,butallthosewomenwantedwerehisnameandmoneyandthepowerandprestigethatwould comewithbeingJovieCapanna’s wife. Theywerenever goingtobethepicketfencetypes becausehealways wentfor the savvyslicksters who weren’tall thatdissimilar to his slickster mother. The mother thatleftJovie whenhe was a babyand never looked back The mother thatburned rubber gettingawayfromhimand his old man And she lefther markbecause womenhadbeenburningJovieeversince.
ButwhentheyarrivedatRenee’shouseandJoviewasabouttogetoutofthecar,Irvinggrabbedhimbythearmand stoppedhim Jovielookedbackathimannoyingly “Whatnow,Irv?”
“Whenyougointhathouse,justrememberwhoyouare.”
Joviefrowned. “WhoIam? What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
“You’re legitnow. One hundred percent. You’re no longer your old man’s enforcer or his frontmanor none ofthat criminalshit Younowrunoneofthemostlucrativehedgefundsinthiscountrywithnothingbutupsidetrajectory You’vegot toholdyourselftoahigherstandardregardlessofwhatyoufindoutaboutthatchick. Nomatterwhatshe’supto. Youhave toomuchtolose.”
Jovieknewittoo AndheknewthatIrving,anaccountantwhousedtoworkforhisoldmanbutnowworkedforJovie, wasrighttocautionhim. “Igetwhatyou’resaying,Irv,youknowIdo. ButI’mabouttomarrythatchickyou’rereferringto, andmarryher inafew hours. Ifthere’s somethingtofindoutabouther,I’vegottoknow whatthatis andifIcanlivewith
that.”
Irvingexhaled. Howcouldhedisagreewiththat? HereleasedJovie’sbigarmandthetwomengotoutofthecar.
Theyhadtoparkonthestreetinfrontofthelarge,two-storyhousebecausethedrivewayandlawnwereoverrunwith thecarsofRenee’sbridesmaids Theyhurriedtothefrontdoor
Berra Andrews, Renee’s bestfriend and the onlyAfrican-Americaninthe bride’s weddingparty, answered the door beforeJoviecouldringthebell. Theygaveeachotherahugandshequicklyletthemin.
Renee’sothergirlfriendsseemedshockedtoseehim Heknew thatagroomwasn’tsupposedtoseethebrideonher weddingday,whatwashedoing? AndforBerratojustlethiminwhensheknewwhatwasgoingon? ButJoviealsonoticed hownoneofthosegirlsweretryingtogoandwarnRenee. “Whereisshe?”heaskedasheenteredherhome.
“Upstairs She’snotevendressedyet”
JovielookedatBerra Heknewwhatthatmeant
Irvingdidtoo. HehurriedafterJovieasJovieranupthestairs,takingthemtwoatatime,andthenhurriedacrossthe landingtothemasterbedroom. ThegirlsdownstairswerelookingdaggersatBerra,butshedidn’tcare. Whenshesawwhat Renee was up to, onher weddingdayofall days, she couldn’t deal And wasn’t goingto staysilent about somethingthat twistedandegregious. “He’sabouttomarryher. Hehasarighttoknowthetruth,”shesaidwithoutanyregret.
ButJovie knew he would have plentyto regretifwhathe thoughtwas goingto happenhappened. Buthe refused to speculate Hemadehiswaytowardthedoubledoorsofherbedroomlikeamanwhowouldnotbedenied Irving,knowing howviolentJovie’sragecouldget,wasrightbehindhim.
WhenJoviehurrieduptothemasterbedroomandheardthoseso-familiargroaningsoundscomingfromRenee’svoice, hesweptopenthedoubledoorsofthatbedroomliketheSheriffinthewildwestcomingintoarowdysaloon Onlytherewere no fists fights breakingout. There was onlyhis bride-to-be, Renee Abercrombie, naked and sittingontop ofanother man, ridinghimhard,withherlongbrownhaircoveringherfaceassherode.
ItwasherloverthatsawJoviefirst. Andwhenhesawhim,hethrewReneeoffofhimasifshewasadiseaseandtried tohustleoutofbedbeforeJovie’scrazytempercouldunleash ButJoviewasalreadyunleasedandwasgrabbingloverboy violentlyandthenthrowinghisnakedassallthewayacrosstheroom. Hethrewhimsohardthatwhenhehitthewall,heputa dentinit. Hescreamedoutinpain.
ButwhenJovieturnedhisfire,allofit,onRenee,Irvingcouldseeherloversnatchinguphisclothesandrunningoutof theroom,leavinghertofendforherselflikethecowardhewas.
ForalongfewsecondsJoviejuststoodthere. Hecouldnotbelievehowblindhe’dbeentothewomanhewasaboutto marry Butthetruthwasoutnow,anditwaskickinghisass
“Jovie,it’snotwhatyouthinkitis,”Reneedesperatelytriedtoexplainasshescootedhernakedassbackwardsonthe bed. Asifhisperfectlyfineeyeswerelyingtohimandshewastellingthetruth. “You’vegottobelieveme,darling. Ilove
you”
ButJoviecouldn’tbearthesoundofhersqueakyvoiceorstomachherliesanothersecondashehurriedtoher,grabbed her offofthatbed withthe same force he used onher lover, and rushed withher until he had slammed her backagainstthe wall
Irving’sheartdroppedassoonasJoviegrabbedherandslammedher. Hehurriedovertothecouple. “Jovie,lether go,”hewasimploringhim. “Jovie,please.”
ButJovie didn’thear a wordhe said He was rightinRenee’s face,his bigbodypressedagainsther small bodyto holdheragainstthatwall. Andasenragedashewas, and he was very enraged,hewasevenmoreshatteredandhurt.
AndRenee,seeingthathurt,decidedtoplayonthathurtinhermisguideddeterminationtosomehowgetawaywithher blatantbetrayal ShewastooclosetobecomingthefirstandonlyMrs JovieCapanna,thewifeofamulti-millionaire She wastooclose! “Jovie,it’sallalright,darling We’regoingtobejustfine” Shewasrubbingthesidesofhisgorgeousface, her breathsour fromthe head she’d givenher now-decamped cowardlylover. But she didn’t care how she smelled. She wasn’tabouttolosethatgoldmineofamannomatterhowbaditlooked. “Youknowme,sweetheart. Youknowme! It’snot whatitlookslike,baby”
Butwhenshesaidthatlastsentence,Jovie’srageovertookhishurt. “It’snotwhatit looks like?”heyelledather.“Are youfuckingkiddingme? Whatdoesitlooklike,Renee? Tellmewhatdoesthisshitlooklike?!”
“Iloveyou” Reneewascryingandkeptonrubbingherhandsalongthecontoursofhisbeautifulface “Iloveyouso much. I’llneverhurtyou,Jovie.”
“You’llneverhurtme? Whatdoyouthinkyoujustdid?” Heslammedheragainstthewallagain,causingIrvingtograb hisarm “Youthinkthisshithelpingme???”
“Jovie,please,justlistentome. Jovielisten.” Snotwasrunningfromhernoseshewascryingsohard. Shewasdoing everythinginherpowertomakehimbuywhatshewastryingtosell. “Pleaselistentome!”
ButJoviewasdone. Hestoodtherestaringintothosesamebigblueeyesthatusedtoseemsosweetandinnocentto him,butnow disgustedhim,andheknew inthatinstantthatthelovewas gone Thathehadfalleninlovewithanillusion Thathedidn’tknowheratall!
Butshewasn’teventhepersonhewasangriestwithinthatroom. Hewasmoreangrywithhimself. Becausehe’dseen thisshowbefore Everytimehefellinlove,hewascaughtinavariationofthesametheme: Fallforagirlhardandthenthe redflagsstartcreepingup. First,theyfail totell himsomethingvital aboutthemselves. Thentheylieaboutlittlethingsthat didn’thavetobeliedabout. Andthenhefindsoutaboutthecheating. Aboutthefactthattheyneverlovedhimandweren’t tryingtolovehimeither Howtheywerecheatingonhimallalongbutthoughttheyweretooclevertogetcaught Theyalways underestimatedJoviebecauseofhisprevioustiestothemobandhisgreatlooks. Ahopelessromantic,hewasaloverandnot athinkerandwouldfallfortheirliesnomatterwhat,washowtheyfiguredit. Andtheywereright:Joviewasalover,andhe
didfallhardwheneverhefellforagirl Buthewasathinkertoo Andsomehowtheirliesalwayswereexposed
ButRenee’sbetrayaloutdidthemall. Becauseshenearlygotawaywithit. Andwassocertainofherselfthatontheir weddingdayshedecidedtopullthatshit. Ontheirweddingday! Andnowallthoseredflagshechosetoignorewashedover himlikeapowerfulflood Andhewasgoingunder Hecouldbarelybreathe Hehadtogetoutofthere!
Insteadofarguingwithheranylonger,orlisteningtotheliesshestillinsistedontellinghim,hewalkedaway. “Jovie!” Renee criedoutwitha voice sodesperate thatitshockedIrving. Itwas as ifshe knew her gravytrainhad dockedatthestationandtherewerenofurtherrides “Jovie!”
Irvingstared at her. The womenoftodaywere pure fools, he thought. Their arrogance simplyamazed him. “You couldn’tevenwaituntil after theceremony?” ShewasafewhoursawayfrombeingMrs.JovieCapanna. Allofherslick-ass efforts were just three hours awayfrombeingrealized He evenglanced at her gorgeous weddinggownhangingup inthe corner oftheroom Andhow all ofher bridesmaidswerewaitingdownstairsfor her tocompleteher littlepre-weddingget togetherwithsomestudsothattheycoulddressherandprepareherforthatsolemnceremony. Hecouldhardlystomachher either.
ButheknewhowvulnerableJoviecouldbe Heknewhewasdevastated Hehurriedoutafterhim
Joviewasalreadydownstairsandheadingforthefrontdoor. Renee’sboytoyhadalreadyrunoutthedoorhalf-naked andafraid,shockingthebridesmaids,butJoviewasn’tthinkingabouthim. Thatguydidn’towehimsquat. Thatguywouldnot havebeenbanginghisfiancéeunlesshisfiancéeinvitedhimintodoso Itwasn’ttheguy’sfault
NorwasitRenee’sfault,ifheweretobehonest.Thesignswerethereallalong. Allhehadtodowasbelievethem.
But he never did until after he allowed himself to get burned again. Until after he allowed himself to fall so hard that he couldn’thelpbuthaveanotherheartbreak Heallowedit Itwasallonhim
Buthewasgettingoutoftheallowancegame. Forgood.
EverywomanafterRenee,hemadeuphismindinthatsad,depressing,heart-wrenchingsolitarymoment,wouldnotbe allowedtogetawaywithshit Thefirstredflaghesaw,hewasoutofthere Hestoppedatthefrontdoor as Berraopeneditfor him.“Thankyou,”hesaidtoher becauseshehadjustsavedhim fromhimself. Had she notnotified him, he would have married thatwhore. He walked outofthathouse and never looked back
Bythe time Irvinghad rundownstairs and out ofthe front door too, Jovie had hopped into his Lambo, his heart so brokenandsoanguishedthathethoughthewas havingaheartattack,as heslungthecar ingear andspedaway. His friend Irving,thechiefaccountantathishedgefundfirmandthemanhehadslatedtobehisbestmanonthatfatefulday,hadtofind hisownwaytothecathedraltonotifytheguestsalreadythereandwaitingforthebride-to-beandhergroom.
