High Voltage (13 page)

~ Minka ~

Redeeming My Dark Deeds

R
uby’s trailer sits at the back of the Lush Gardens
Trailer Park. We park in the guest lot and walk around looking for the right
place. After I text her to say we’ve arrived, I wonder if she’ll make a run for
it.

Dino is watching me rather than where we’re going.
His movements remain smooth as he flawlessly dodges kids running around in the
evening. The trailer park has a festive vibe, but I’m tense.

My bluff at the bar worked for now, but I’m unsure
how to grab Black without making a show of it. He has to be waiting for us at
this point. Will he come looking for us again or go into hiding?

“Jane,” Ruby says, appearing from between two
trailers.

Her nearly black hair is wrapped up into a messy
bun. Wearing jean shorts and a white tee, she matches the curly-haired girl at
her side.

“This is Chevelle,” Ruby says.

“Hi,” the kid whispers. Despite her smile, she’s
watching us like we’re aliens ready to rip off our human masks.

“We wanted to see if those bikers hassled you,” I
say, walking with her to a community picnic table.

“They’re obnoxious more than anything.”

Ruby is difficult to read. Dino isn’t as he remains
on guard nearby. We’re in enemy territory, and he’s ready to shoot our way out.

“My boss at the bar said I was fired until Black
said otherwise.”

Sitting at the picnic table, I shrug. “Black might
not be saying much of anything soon.”

“Really?”

“It’s what I heard, but people talk. Only time will
tell.”

“I can find work in Hickory Creek, but I made solid
tips in Common Bend. I’ll figure it out either way.”

“We’re looking to get your car back,” I say while
Dino tenses at the sound of approaching voices.

“Don’t waste your time. Black’s guys trashed it.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. The thing was on its last leg. They
barely shortened its life.”

Glancing at her kid, I feel like an asshole for
bringing this heat on Ruby. If I’d talked up another person at the bar that
night, then they’d be hiding out from Black. The sheriff rains shit on everyone
around him.

“Just keep your head down a bit longer and we’ll
see about fixing some of the problems Black created.”

If Ruby wants to point out that I technically
brought trouble down on her, she chooses to keep her mouth shut.

“I’m not trying to be rude by not inviting you in,
but this place is small, and everyone talks. They’re going to talk anyway, but
everyone is already running their mouths about you two.”

“Are they saying nice things?” I ask

Ruby and her kid smile in unison. “They’re saying
you’re going to burn down the Bend and then do the same to Hickory Creek.”

“Why would we mess with Hickory Creek?”

“They say you work for the Reapers. They also say a
war is coming between the two clubs.”

“I met with the two clubs less than an hour ago,
and they aren’t ready to rumble. Who knows with men, though?”

Ruby smiles again. “I don’t blame you for
anything,” she says, standing up. “I just want to make that clear. You’re doing
a job because of the trouble Black caused. People don’t like him, and they’ll
be happy when he’s gone, but they’re nervous about what comes afterward.”

“I’m thinking things will go back to the way they
were before Black. I don’t know really. People aren’t always square with me.”

Ruby nods and gestures for Chevelle to stand up.
“We should get back. Like I said, you two make people nervous. My mom and
sisters live at Lush Gardens too, and they’re ready to come charging to my
rescue. We better return before they embarrass themselves.”

“Stay safe and call if you need anything.”

Nodding, Ruby begins walking away and then pauses.
I see her struggling with whether to keep her mouth shut. Sighing, she turns
around.

“Black has a cabin up in the hills. I hear that’s
where he’s holed up waiting for you.”

“Thanks.

Ruby glances at Dino and back at me. “You two will
make some pretty babies.”

Dino gives me a cocky smile while I grin awkwardly.
“Nice to meet you, Chevelle.”

The girl smiles, but she’s as wary of us as her
mother. I look forward to Black being nothing more than a bad memory for Ruby
and the rest of the people he’s shit on the last few months.

Dino wraps an arm around my shoulders while we walk
back to the SUV.

“I want to name our first boy Luciano after my
dad.”

“Sure.”

“What was your father’s name?”

“Eddie.”

“Luciano and Eddie. I like that.”

“I’m not naming my kid Eddie.”

“How about as a middle name?” he suggests.

“No. I don’t like the name.”

“Fine. You can pick the girls’ names.”

We arrive at the SUV, and I pull away from him. “I
don’t know if I want kids. I told you that.”

“Only because you’ve never had a kid. Once you do,
I see a whole lot of little Bellomi kids.”

“Stop pressuring me,” I grumble, taking the keys so
I can drive.

Dino walks around to the passenger door. “If you
think that’s me pressuring you, then I don’t know how you’ll handle me going
full-on nagging.”

Frowning, I start the car but don’t drive. “I do
care about you.”

“I know.”

“I can maybe see us being together past this job.”

“Yeah, I know that too.”

“Will you shut up?”

Dino runs a hand through his thick hair. “No,
because you’re planning on saying something stupid and reckless. I can’t let
you do something you’ll regret.”

“You don’t need to protect me from myself.”

“Of course I do.”

“Why?”

“If you don’t know the answer to that, Apples, I
don’t think I can explain it to you.”

Sighing, I stare out of the front windshield. “What
hotel do you want to stay at tonight?”

“Let’s go to the mall first. I’m sick of hotels.”

“Fine. I wouldn’t mind some crappy mall Chinese
food.”

Dino smiles slightly at my comment, but he’s
plotting. I see the look in his eyes and wish I could trust it. He’s set on an
idea that might never happen. He wants to protect me from my stubborn nature,
and I feel the same way about protecting him from his impossible dreams.

~ Dino ~

Buying My Baby Bling

M
inka remains in the SUV long after parking at the
mall. I’m in no hurry either. She’s thinking too much, and I bet her thinking
will lead to something reckless. Despite her years in the business, Minka is
too emotional on this job.

“Whenever you’re ready to go shopping, let me
know,” I say, leaning back in the seat.

“What are we shopping for?”

“I’m going to buy you an engagement ring.”

Minka gives me a side-eye. “What makes you think I
want one?”

“You’re so fucking in love with me, Apples. You
might even need an intervention.”

“So, you’re doing me a favor.”

“Oh, I’m in love with you too. I’ve chosen to
embrace the love rather than act like a mule about it.”

Minka says nothing for a long time. Hell, five
minutes easily pass while she sits silently in the driver’s seat. She doesn’t
even look at me, instead staring at the Macy’s sign.

“I admit I’m probably in love with you.”

“That’s big of you.”

Minka frowns but refuses to look at me. “I’ve never
been in love before. How can I even know if I love you?”

“You know.”

“I admit I feel more than I ever did for Troy.”

“There you go.”

“I can’t be sure it’s love.”

“You’re so damn stubborn,” I say, poking her in the
ribs. “It’s not healthy.”

“You’re not healthy.”

“That’s true too.”

Minka turns to me. “I have this heat in my chest.
Is that love, though?”

“If it were only lust, the heat would be lower.”

Fighting a smile, Minka continues, “I want you with
me all the time even when you get on my nerves.”

“Which is a lot.”

“You
are
annoying.”

“And you’re a pain in the ass.”

Minka grips my hand. “I think I love you.”

Her words might seem silly if I didn’t hear the
fear in her voice.

“You love me because I’m yours to love. Just accept
it and move on. Being scared ain’t helping.”

“I am relieved you say you love me.”

“I say what I mean. You know I don’t mince words.”

“No, that’s why you’re so annoying.”

“Do I have any other qualities?” I ask, stroking
her hand.

“You’re very handsome, so there’s that.”

“Anything else?”

“You’re brave. Stupidly so.”

“True. Is that it?”

“You handle yourself well. You handle me well too.”

“All spot on observations.”

“You’re funny,” she says, and I see her breaking
through the fear. “You’re a great dancer.”

“I can’t deny any of that,” I whisper, kissing her
temple.

“You make me happy even when I’m not happy. I also
feel safe when we’re in danger. I guess you make me stupid.”

“The best kind of love will make you dumber than
shit. I guess that bodes well for us, huh?”

Minka smiles at me. “I can kinda picture loving you
for a long time. That’s something, right?”

“Oh, yeah.”

My lips find hers, and Minka hesitates. We’ve moved
way beyond easy sex to uncharted territory. Life and death are simple. Love and
romance are scary shit.

“I’m not Italian,” she blurts out after I try to
deepen the kiss.

“I know that. What are you ethnic-wise?”

“American.”

Narrowing my eyes, I study her. “Spanish maybe?”

“What does it matter?”

“Why don’t you want to tell me?”

Minka glances around in a grumpy way. “You’ll
judge.”

“I promise I’ll be a good boy.”

Closing her eyes, Minka struggles between the urge
to tell me and the need to hide her deep dark family secret.

“Promise?” she asks, opening her eyes. “I will
not
be happy if you make jokes.”

Frowning now, I cross my arms. “What the hell could
you be? A Neanderthal?”

While I snicker at the thought, Minka glares at me.
“Promise.”

“I swear on the world’s spaghetti supply.”

“My family is Romani.”

Staring into her gorgeous eyes, I really, really
don’t want to fucking laugh. I do laugh, though.

“Asshole,” she mutters.

“You’re gypsies? And your mom is a con artist?”

“Yes, and I’m a criminal too, but most Romani are
good people. My sister and brother are normal people. Most Romani are normal.
Every group has a few bad seeds.”

“Ah, don’t call yourself a bad seed.”

“Stop laughing.”

“I wish I could.”

Minka elbows me, but I only wrap her in my arms and
laugh against her neck.

“It’s not funny.”

“You and Mommy sure fit the Romani stereotype.”

“Yes, a stereotype. We’re not the norm.”

“I know, Apples,” I say, kissing her throat. “And
most Italians aren’t in the mob. That’s why it’s so funny. You and I are the
poster children for ethnic stereotypes.”

Minka grudgingly smiles. “I’m overly sensitive, I
guess, but growing up, kids would watch their money when we came over to play.”

“But you didn’t steal from them, did you?”

“No, but my mom did when they came over to play.”

The last thing Minka needs is for me to laugh
again. Unfortunately, that’s what she gets.

“I’m sorry, but your mom sounds like a real
schmuck.”

“She thought people with jobs were schmucks.”

“Sorry,” I say again, kissing her neck. “Romani or
not, you’re a quality broad. I’m gonna make that down payment on your heart
now.”

Minka slides her fingers into my hair and holds me
still. “Why does it have to be so fast?”

“I’ve been waiting since we met months ago. So have
you.”

“Not really.”

“Why do you lie so bad when you talk to me? I’ll
tell you why. I’m the man holding your heart. You look at me and must submit.”

“Eat shit.”

Her fingers are still wrapped tightly in my hair
when Minka kisses me. Our tongues struggle for dominance. When I win, she bites
gently at my flesh.

“You’re so damn stubborn,” I mutter, pulling my
lips away.

“If you have a problem with me, walk away.”

My hands cup her ass, and I give those cheeks a
hard squeeze. “You need to stop challenging me to do shit you don’t want done.”

“Probably. I’m scared, though.”

“I know. I like your fear. It’s sexy.”

“I’m going to kick your ass.”

“Oh, yeah, but not today.”

When Minka smiles at me, the tension in her
expression washes away. “No, not today.”

“So let’s look for something shiny.”

Leaving the SUV, Minka takes my arm and leans into
me. We walk into the mall at eight on a Tuesday evening. With the place nearly
empty, we don’t dodge grumpy toddlers or bitchy teenagers.

The man at the jewelry store looks up from his
phone and stares in shock at seeing customers.

“I’m looking for an engagement ring,” I tell him.

“Price point?”

“Let’s start at the top and work our way down until
we find what she wants.”

The clerk studies me, unsure if I’m fucking with
him. I guess I pass his test because he starts checking different rings to show
us.

“How much are engagement rings?” Minka asks.

“My cousin spent around fifteen grand, but he got a
family deal.”

Minka steps back. “That’s way too much money for a
piece of jewelry.”

“It’s not just jewelry. It’s a symbol of my love
and devotion. It also tells other men that you’re off limits. The bigger the
diamond, the more of a statement I’ll make.”

Unimpressed with my answer, Minka forces me to tug
her to the jewelry case to look at rings.

“This one is twenty-two thousand,” the clerk says.

“That’s the biggest you have?” I ask, thinking
about my cousin’s ring.

“On site, yes.”

Minka looks at the ring and then me. “I think
spending this much on jewelry is stupid.”

The clerk glares at Minka, who rolls her eyes.
Pissed, I snap at the guy.

“Don’t give my woman shitty looks. There are two
other jewelry stores in this place. You ain’t special, man.”

Minka smiles brightly, appreciating my efforts. She
gestures for me to walk towards the door with her.

“We’ll go somewhere else,” I say.

“Do you really want to blow that kind of cash on a
ring?”

“That’s just the engagement ring. Wait until I get
you a wedding ring. It'll bling your eyes out.”

Minka grins. “Or what if you got me something less
blindingly bling and instead spent the money on something I want more.”

Uneasy about where she is going with this request,
I only mutter, “Go on.”

“You know, I never took a job where I felt bad
about the outcome,” she says, careful with her wording. “Still, I wonder
sometimes if my choices hurt innocent people. Like with Ruby. We walked into
her life, and she ended up losing her job and car.”

“Is this because of the Romani thing? You don’t
have to prove yourself to me or anyone else.”

“No, it’s just… Well, okay, maybe I do feel like I
have to redeem the family name. Or maybe I’m just going soft. I don’t know, but
I felt guilty seeing Ruby and her kid tonight.”

“She might have brought the kid along just to make
you feel guilty.”

“Didn’t you feel bad at all?”

“I always feel bad. I’m a very sensitive guy.”

A laughing Minka smacks my chest lightly. “I’ll pay
for her new car. You can lavish your money on me.”

“Great, now I really do feel guilty.”

“Good.”

“I want you to have something nice. You think I’m a
goomba ape. This is my way to show you I’m suave and classy.”

“The dancing and shiny shoes already gave you
away.”

“I want you to be happy.”

“I don’t need a ring for that,” she says, and I
believe her. “You really surprised me, Dino. You’re rather irresistible,
especially for a goomba ape.”

“Said the sexy gypsy.”

Minka fights a smile. “I’m only half gypsy. My
father was a dumpy German guy sporting a comb over.”

“Stop,” I groan, leaning into her. “You’re making
me so hard.”

Laughing now, she hits me again, but her fingers
only brush against my skin.

“I don’t want to buy a ring from that asshole,” she
says. “Let’s just get a hot dog and smoothie from Dairy Queen. The bling can
wait.”

“Are you sure? I really like the idea of marking
you in some way.”

“If my sex limp isn’t enough of a mark, give me a
hickey. Once we’re done with this job and back in Houston, we’ll go somewhere
very bling and blind each other.”

“I want so much bling that my cousin will see it
from Jersey.”

Minka takes my hand, and we leave the store without
looking back at the jerk.

“You’re really competitive with your cousin. What’s
that about?”

“He hooked up with my dream girl. I had my eye on
her for years, but he swooped in and stole her away.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Yeah, she and I never would have worked out. A few
months before I moved to Houston, I saw her at the store. I nearly ripped out
my hair from boredom while listening to her stupid story. Even if I was wrong
about her, I’m still holding a grudge towards my cousin.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“That girl ain’t got nothing on you. I never knew
broads like you existed. If I did, I’d have kept my dick in my pants until
White Horse.”

“Eww, virgin goomba ape,” she teases, pulling me
towards the Dairy Queen. “In reality, being your first would have put too much
pressure on me. I’d also wonder if you only wanted me because you hadn’t bedded
anyone else. Now I know you’ve looked around, seen what’s available, and picked
the best of the bunch.”

“Don’t make it sound so clinical. I’m a man, not a
calculator. I didn’t make a decision to want you. I saw you and thought you
were hot. You hit me, and I thought you were super hot. I watched you the last
few months and thought you were more than hot. I fell in love with you. I
didn’t settle for the best model in stock.”

“I’ve never been the romantic sort. Even now I feel
weird about love and all that comes with it. I mean I wanted that stuff when I
retired, but I guess I didn’t really think I would find it.” Minka frowns,
causing a cute furrow to her thick brows. “In fact, I think I always expected
to settle for some loser. I told Troy otherwise, but I was lying to us both.”