Clean Slate (New Mafia Trilogy #2) Page 6

  “Do I pass inspection?” I asked and he laughed.

  “Oh hell yeah, that’s a big yes.” He held his hand out and I grabbed it. We filed out to Jason’s metallic blue BMW, which was parked next to my red one. He held the front passenger door open for me while Derek did the same for Chelsea with the rear.

  Thirty minutes and a traffic jam later, Jason pulled into a parking lot of a strip mall. When I got out of the car, I instantly smelled the tangy odor of garlic and onion that hung in the air. We walked up to an Italian restaurant and I almost wanted to turn around, but after an internal debate decided I needed to get over my fear. This wasn’t Franco’s, the restaurant owned by Dominic’s aunt and uncle. Philadelphia was thousands of miles away.

  Jason kept his hand on the small of my back as we followed the hostess to our table located near the pianist. I found the soft music, combined with the murmur of conversations around us, relaxing.

  Our server, a young guy with dark, slicked back hair, came around and took our drink orders. He scrutinized our driver’s licenses. When he returned with a bottle of wine, I ordered one of my favorite entrées. From the first forkful, I couldn’t help but compare the eggplant parmesan to Dominic’s aunt and uncle’s recipe. There was no comparison; the sauce here had a metallic aftertaste, like it came from a can. Uncle Franco and Aunt Gloria’s sauce was always homemade with chunks of tomato, onion and garlic swimming in the thick gravy. I was hungry so I ate, but didn’t dive in with my usual gusto.

  After dinner we went downstairs to the bar. It was set up like a jazz club with bistro tables scattered casually about. Candles flickered on the table tops. This along with gas lanterns on the brick walls were the only light source. The low ceilings added to the intimate, grotto-like atmosphere.

  We ordered cocktails and the waitress quickly returned with our drinks. She kept glancing over at Jason and bent lower so her chest was eye level, but only when placing his drink down. Even though Jason and I were just friends, the waitress pissed me off. It was brazen of her especially the way his arm was draped across the back of my chair. We could have been a couple for all she knew. I leaned closer to Jason and placed my hand on his knee. He looked down at me and smiled, not once establishing eye contact with the waitress. Chelsea, who rarely missed anything, gave me a knowing wink before turning her attention back to Derek.

  While we were sitting there, a band began setting up on a small stage by the dance floor. Once they warmed up, they began playing oldies from the fifties and sixties. Jason stood and offered me his hand, which I accepted and he pulled me onto the dance floor. Derek and Chelsea were right behind us and I give my best friend credit, this was not at all like the scene at Dirty. When the band started playing Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin, Jason gathered me in his arms and spun me around. When he set me down, I placed my head against his chest. He smelled like citrus and cedar.

  “Any more unexpected visitors?” He whispered in my ear.

  I started to tense up and he immediately began to massage my lower back. “No, I think he got the hint.”

  “Good, I’m here for you, you know that, right?” I nodded and inhaled his scent again, relaxing even further against his sturdy chest. We stayed close like that until the band took a break. Since Chelsea had to be at work early in the morning, we left. Jason held my hand as we walked to the car and didn’t let go until we were back at the apartment.

  Chelsea and Derek quickly abandoned us, disappearing into her bedroom, leaving Jason I standing in the entryway. We stared awkwardly at each other until Jason took a step forward, closing the distance between us. Slowly, giving me all the opportunity in the world to back away, he lowered his mouth to mine.

  We were both breathless when we separated. “I think it’s safe to say we’re gravitating towards FWB status,” Jason teased and kissed the tip of my nose.

  “I blame the dress,” I said and consumed his lips again before we moved into the living room.

  Chelsea and Derek were behind closed doors probably doing what Jason and I were about to do. I fell backwards on the futon, pulling Jason with me. This time my body responded. Every nerve ending was humming and my heart was pounding with anticipation.

  We had reached that point where we could either stop and preserve our friendship or cross over the line into something more. Jason stared into my eyes, silently asking permission. I moved up and started kissing his neck while unbuttoning his shirt, answering his question.

  I was reminded of one important thing that night: I was alive and that needed to be celebrated.

  Jason held me close while we slept. Our bodies were spent after giving in to each other. I felt secure in his arms and woke refreshed after a dreamless sleep. Jason must have felt me stirring as he was soon awake and tracing circles down my bare back.

  “That tickles,” I giggled and flipped over to face him.

  “You were amazing last night,” he said, touching his forefinger to my lips and I kissed it. He then ran his finger between my breasts and down to my belly button. Goosebumps appeared in its wake.

  “You weren’t bad yourself.”

  “How did you get that scar?” Jason’s finger had traced its way back up and now moved gently across my shoulder.

  I looked down at his chest and away from his gaze trying to come up with a story. He lifted my chin, reestablishing eye contact.

  “I, um…I had a bizarre accident. I was on my bike and hit the curb. There was a piece of rebar sticking up out of the concrete and I landed on it. It went straight through.” I rolled over closer to Jason and he strained his neck to look at the back of my shoulder.

  “Wow!”

  “Yeah, the doctor said I was pretty lucky, had it been any lower my lung could have been punctured.” At least this part was true. Jason kissed the scar and worked his way up my neck. My lips were waiting for him.

  Chelsea’s door clicked and we heard it swish across the carpet when it opened. Our kissing slowed down as we listened further. They wouldn’t see us right away since the frame of the futon obstructed the view. Jason moved the blanket up to cover our nakedness.

  Light footsteps came down the hall and Chelsea appeared in the living room. When she looked down and saw us on the futon her jaw dropped.

  “Well I guess the whole apartment was a love fest last night,” she said with a grin. I felt my whole body flush.

  “Are you hungry? I’m famished!” She walked into the kitchen and started pulling pots and pans out. Derek wandered in wearing only his boxers and yawning.

  “Man, am I glad I took today off from work,” he stretched. “How ‘bout you bro?” He didn’t seem surprised to find us together.

  “Yeah, except I’m working tonight.” Jason reached over and grabbed his boxers off the floor. I had only been wearing my dress and underwear, which were clear across the room. Jason helped me up and I stood behind him to wrap the blanket around me then made a quick exit to get some clothes on.

  Jason and Derek were completely at ease with each other hanging out in their underwear. I had a picture in my head of their college days at their frat house lounging around half naked. The atmosphere was relaxed as we ate blueberry pancakes.

  I was happy.

  Chapter 11

  PHILADELPHIA

  DOMINIC

  I answered the door to let my cousin Dante in, who was followed by my brother, Anthony. They crossed over the breakfast bar where Natalie’s brother, Grant and his fiancée, Miranda sat. Joey D., one of the bouncers at Crimson, leaned against the bar.

  “Thanks for coming over on such short notice. First, I want to make it clear that this meeting is more than just about Natalie. Yes, I love her and want her back. We know about the contract out for her, so I fear for her safety. This is just part of it. We have all disagreed at some time or another with Uncle Marco and how he’s running the organization. His ways are archaic and even barbaric. Remember what happened to Brittany.”

  They all nodded, remembering the horrific rape t
hat Brittany endured under Marco’s consent; an assault that led to Brittany taking her life. Recalling the bruises around Natalie’s neck, in the shape of my uncle’s handprint, my hands clenched into fists and I felt a vein throb in my neck when my pulse increased. While Grant and I had killed both Luigi Genovese, the man who almost raped Natalie, and the men who raped Brittany, it didn’t resolve the issues within the Grabano family.

  “Miranda, I know Marco is your father,” I continued, “but he has made it clear that there is no place for women in the organization except as toys.”

  “You’re right. It will always be the good old boys club.”

  “Not if we force change. We’re the next generation and with Rocco Nucci putting pressure on Uncle Marco plus with the fallout from the Five Families in New York, there’s a chance for us to take advantage of the chaos.”

  “What are you proposing?” Grant asked.

  “We have the numbers and we know the operation.”

  “Dom, as much as I agree with you, you’re talking about going against our family,” Miranda said. “You yourself said family is everything.”

  “The recent events have me questioning that. Your dad handed Brittany and Natalie over to be playthings without hesitation while my dad and Dante’s dad stood by allowing it to happen.”

  Miranda blanched and looked over at Grant, who was staring intently at me, his eyes following my movements as I paced the kitchen. I ran a hand through my hair and came to a stop in front of the stove. “What do you guys think? Will you stand with me?”

  “Yes,” Grant said instantly. Joey D., Dante, and Anthony quickly followed suit. I met Miranda’s gaze, her green eyes so similar to mine, one of the many Grabano traits we shared. She reached for Grant’s hand and nodded.

  My shoulders relaxed and I started to smile when there was a sharp knock on the door, which instantly put me on guard.

  Chapter 12

  Everyone froze and looked at the front door. “Were you expecting anyone else?” Grant asked in a whisper, drawing his gun out from the holster strapped to his side. I shook my head. There was another knock followed by a muffled male voice. “Yo Dom, it’s me, Johnny.”

  I turned toward Dante. “Did you invite your brother?”

  “No, I told him I was stopping by though.”

  I crossed the room and opened the door. My cousin Johnny, Dante’s younger brother, stood there with his arm poised to knock again.

  “Oh hey, Dom,” he said and stepped into the condo. When he saw everyone gathered in the kitchen he smiled. “Good, I’m glad you’re all here.” He dropped the backpack he had hooked over one shoulder and unzipped one of the pockets, pulling out his Macbook. Within seconds he had it fired up and was pulling up the internet.

  “Johnny, what’s this all about?” Dante asked, sliding his chair closer to his brother.

  “So, I was on YouTube earlier and clicked on this trending video of a bar fight in California. Here, look.”

  Everyone moved so they stood behind Johnny. He expanded the video to full screen and hit play. The quality was pretty poor and there was a lot of background noise, but I didn’t notice that. All I saw was Natalie being yanked on by a guy before she stomped on his foot with her high heel. After that I watched as two men, one with really blond hair, rushed in and started fighting the guy. When the bouncer broke up the fight, whoever was filming followed the two men as they stalked away from the fight. Natalie, who was standing with a girl who looked familiar, stepped closer to, and put her hand on the arm of the man with blond hair to keep him from jumping back in. “Pause it!” I snapped.

  “Jesus Christ!” Grant growled. “That’s fucking Chelsea. I should have known she’d go to her. I even called her to check and she told me she hadn’t seen or heard from Natalie.”

  “Who the fuck is that blond guy?” I asked, running my hands through my hair, feeling the familiar throb as the vein pulsed. “Play it again.”

  Johnny hit replay and we watched the initial struggle and how Natalie tried to walk away. I admired Natalie’s instinct to use her shoe as a weapon and she looked good. I couldn’t help but notice the way her dress hugged her curves. The thought of running my hands over those curves as she writhed beneath me was distracting, but the sight of her touching the blond guy tempered the surge of lust.

  “What bar is this?” Grant asked. Obviously he was able to keep a level head and I was appreciative.

  “Some bar called Dirty in Los Angeles. It was taken a couple of weeks ago,” Johnny answered.

  “I’m going after her,” Grant said and fished his cell phone out of his pocket.

  “Wait, Grant, slow down,” Miranda walked over to him and put her hand on his. “I guarantee you’re being tailed with hopes that you lead them right to Natalie. We need to be smart about this.”

  “Fuck, she’s right.” I said, sinking onto the leather sectional.

  Silence descended as everyone thought about a solution. My brother spoke first. Anthony’s green eyes, the same shade as mine, were bright with excitement. “How about this: Dom, you and Grant split up and go in different directions. Like, one of you goes to Vegas and the other to Seattle. Anthony and I can get you some fake IDs so you can rent cars and shit without being traced, then both drive to L.A.”

  “What do you mean fake IDs?” I asked.

  Anthony exchanged a look with Johnny before answering. “Johnny is really good with his computer and he can hack into the DMV database. He changes pictures, addresses, etc… After a few days, he goes back in and changes everything back to normal; meanwhile the altered license has already been sent. We have quite the business going at school. As far as credit cards go, we can use one of those Visa gift cards, but imprint it with your new name so it looks legit.”

  Dante and I stared in awe at our younger brothers, both seniors in high school, as they revealed their criminal operation.

  “That’s a solid plan,” Grant said. “How long until we get the new IDs?”

  “Usually 7-10 business days,” Anthony said.

  “Okay, get it going and we’ll table the earlier conversation until after we get back with Natalie. Dom, are you cool with this?”

  I glanced at the frozen video on the screen of my girlfriend touching another guy, “Yeah, let’s bring Natalie home.”

  It seemed like a solid plan at the time.

  Chapter 13

  LOS ANGELES

  NATALIE

  The weekend after I slept with Jason, Chelsea and I went to the beach. Derek and Jason were determined to make surfers out of us. Jason’s eyes popped when he saw me take off the shorts and t-shirt I wore over my bikini. It was an unusually warm day for December and it felt like summer. I opted to not wear a wet suit, especially since I wasn’t going into deep water. Plus, now that the scar was out in the open, I didn’t need to conceal it anymore.

  “I hope those strings are secure, otherwise you’ll lose your suit in the ocean,” Jason advised as he slathered sunscreen on my back.

  “Wishful thinking?”

  “And have all these guys looking at you? I don’t think so.”

  I laughed at him and gave him a light kiss on his cheek. We were considering ourselves friends with benefits, but he let this adorable little jealous streak show every once in a while.

  “I’m serious, especially Collin over there. He likes to watch you at work. I trust him the least,” Jason said narrowing his eyes at our co-worker from Dirty.

  “Well, do you want to test these strings yourself and make sure they’re tight enough?” I looked up through my eyelashes at him and twirled my ponytail.

  “You’re a horrible tease, woman!” He spun me around and smacked my ass, sending me off in the direction of my borrowed surfboard. I chuckled as I made my way towards the water with the foam board under my arm. I didn’t have a rash guard and sand chafed against my bare side, a sensation I was getting used to, just as I was getting used to surfing. I’d graduated to actually standing up on the board in
waist deep water. I hadn’t caught my first wave yet, but Jason was impressed with my progress and anticipated I was close. Chelsea on the other hand, well, she looked as graceful as an elephant on a balance beam. Derek had the patience of a saint though and continually encouraged her to keep trying.

  The sun was dipping low in the sky and I was a little chilled when I left the water. I was pulling a sweatshirt over my head when Collin appeared beside me, shaking his wet air all over me. I shrieked and backed away laughing. “You’re a bastard,” I said and playfully kicked sand at him. He smiled, displaying even white teeth against tan skin.

  “So, are you and Jason still just friends?” he asked, getting serious.

  “Um.” I glanced out at the shoreline and saw Jason emerging, making his way towards us. Water dripped down his bare chest, distracting me. “We’re friends, but…” I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to come up with a better way to define our relationship without appearing available or sounding like a slut.

  “I got it, it’s cool. I’m interested, so you know.” He flashed another grin at me and took off. “See you at work!” He called over his shoulder.

  “What was that all about?” Jason asked.

  “Your impressions about Collin were spot on. He’s curious about our relationship and if I had a dance card, he’d be trying to write his name all over it.”

  “Oh.” Jason swallowed and looked at me. His eyes seemed extraordinarily bright blue. “I’m taking things slow, Natalie. I know you need that freedom, but you say the word and I’m yours.” He turned and grabbed his board before making his way to the parking lot, leaving me behind to digest his declaration.

  I’d been in California for two months. My gunshot wound had healed, but I didn’t know if I was emotionally ready to give Jason more. I thought of Dominic constantly. Certain smells and sounds reminded me of him. I missed him but knew, realistically, that I didn’t have a future with him. The time we did have together was fraught with danger and pain. Jason really was the healthier option. He deferred law school for a year, but was going back to study environmental law, not entertainment law like his father. Dom was part of a criminal organization. I really couldn’t have found more polar opposites.