Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) (5 page)

Stopping
Vic before she could open up any further,
“
surely, that
’
s enough for now, barrister.
I
’
m
emotionally drained, sexually frustrated and come to think of it, in dire need
of a beer. Get dressed girlfriend, and meet me on the patio.
”

Rising
from the chair, I helped Vic to her feet, offering her a much-needed hug, as
the comforter she had so expertly wrapped herself in, fell to the floor.
Holding her nakedness against me, I loved just how vulnerable we are once what
we use to cover ourselves is stripped away. In my arms was a very scared and
frightened girl, longing to reveal her life altering past to me. Against my
better judgment, I kissed her passionately on the lips, lingering too long for
my own good.
“
I
’
m here for you, if you need me,
”
was all I could say to comfort her, before bolting out the
door and down the stairs, astutely aware of the possibilities of what would
have happened next had I stayed.

Chapter 7

J
osie
joined me on the patio with an iced filled bucket of Canadian Molson’s, giddily
sharing her vision of the private balconies and the accompanying hot tubs.
Building out the ground floor decks were simple enough, but the two, second
story suites presented more of a problem because of the extreme weight and
potential liability. We finally agreed upon two balconies for the second floor
units, with private staircases leading down and connecting to the two ground
floor hot tubs. The worse case scenario would be that her guests might have to
share the hot tubs occasionally.

Victoria
appeared.

“
Have you got this all figured out?
”
I asked, joining D and Josie outside.

“
We have,
”
replied
Josie,
“
we
compromised.
”

“
Josie, I
’
ll generate a materials list to go with these renderings to
assist the contractors in pricing. Now, however, I
’
d like to take Victoria for
a stroll through your beautiful gardens and golf course before dark.
”

“
Then what are you waiting for? Did I tell the both of you
how glad I am you stayed?
”

“
You did, sweetie, numerous times. I promise we
’
ll be back by dusk.
”

Grabbing
Vic
’
s
hand, I led her through the lush gardens, and onto the fairway of the adjoining
golf course.
“
Vic,
baring my soul earlier drained me emotionally. I shared with you things I
’
ve never shared with anyone,
including Candi. I hope I
’
ll never have to invoke client, attorney privileges.
”

“
You won
’
t, D. We
’
re friends first and always,
”
I said sweetly, followed up with a quick kiss on his cheek.

“
Do you have to be back in Sioux City anytime soon? I mean
... now that you
’
ve joined my ride, we can take the long way or the long,
long way back. There
’
s really no shortcut from here. I say all that to confess I
dread what lies ahead. There
’
s still a bounty on my head, compliments of Standford and
WITSEC is not the least bit happy I left the good ole U.S. of A. For all I know
Donny, no teeth, is looking for me and possibly even Candi
’
s Ex, Joseph.
”

“
To reply to your last statement, first, you can always hang
with me in Sioux City
—
at least until the dust settles. As to your second
question, I
’
m good either way on the ride back. That may change after a
couple of days when my saddle sore ass starts screaming for relief. We
’
ll just have to cross that
bridge when we come to it, won
’
t we?
”

“
We will. I can tell you that Candi managed to soak her
saddle soreness away every evening in a great big tub.
”

I
wiggled before him.
“
So just find me a room each night with a tub and we
’
re good.
”

“
It
’
s a deal. In the meantime, I best check in with the boys in
blue. I
’
m
sure they
’
d like an update on my current situation. Oh, and the dog.
The kennel thinks I
’
m due back tomorrow.
”

That
’
s a thought
.
“
Just what is our current
situation, D?
”

“
Well, I
’
ve swapped my number one girl for my number one girl,
number two. I have expert legal counsel close at hand and I
’
m still on the bike. Oh, and
the Family, like Elvis, has left the building with most of what they came
after. Other than all that, I have no clue.
”

“
Me either, I
’
m hungry. Let
’
s eat.
”

“
You sound just like
—”

“
Candi.
”
When is he going to hear me
instead of her?

“
Yep, just like her.
”

Chapter 8

Tampa Bay

A
fter
an endless exchange of late night pleasantries with the whole ‘fam damily,’ I
managed to make a graceful exit to my room and crawl quickly into my childhood
bed, albeit alone.
Where is D? What’s he doing right now? Who will hold me
while I sleep?
Question after question tossed about in my restless mind,
robbing me of sleep I desperately needed. That is until I found myself carried
back in time, to a bed and breakfast in northern Alabama, where I woke for the
very first time, in his arms.
He said something later that morning, that I
appreciated, ‘Waking up to you saying good morning baby, with a smile on your
face that says you’re happy to be here, is more precious than gold.
’
I’d
trade all the gold in the world, to have him here now to share those words with
me again.
Using my iPad, I turned on Pandora to Sinatra, our lovemaking
music. Sleep came quickly.

I
slept until noon. Still in my PJ
’
s, I followed the sounds of spirited Italian into the
kitchen where I found Gio and Mile gathered around the breakfast table with
Mom.

“
Morning all or afternoon, whatever the case may be. What
’
s with all the noise?
”

“
I tell your Momma that D save me, he save my leg. He good
people,
”
replied Gio.
“
I tell her, how you say, he
care for you. He make you smile.
”

“
Thank you, cousin. Mom and I have much to talk about
including D, just not right now.
”

My
mother, however, had other ideas.
“
I am thankful you are all
safe. But, as I recall, there is someone else that cares for you, and he too
made you smile.
”

“
Enough about Joseph. I
’
m not still in love with
him, I
’
m
not sure I ever was. He is a good person, heck, I
’
m a good person, that we
both used selfishly as an end to a means. He didn
’
t deserve that.
”
I paused,
“
It is what it is.
”

“
What
’
s love got to do with it? Why can
’
t you just be friends?
”
countered Mom.

Just
as I was about to spew forth something I would later regret, Gio latched onto
my shoulder, using me as a crutch and walked me outside.
“
You no win with your Momma. Not now, hmm...maybe later. She
like Joseph; he part of family. D, he outsider. He no good for you. We know
better. We know, D, she not.
”

“
Thank you Gio, for trying. Sometimes Mom only sees what she
wants to see. There is no big picture in her world. She can be extremely narrow
minded as well as obstinate when she chooses to be.
”

“
Be nice Candice. She your only Momma.
”

“
Yep, I keep trying to remember that. Moving out of Florida
was the best thing I ever did. I can only take her in small doses. Mom tries to
run me like she runs the Family business. It
’
s her way or not at all.
When I was in Tennessee, it was my way. Would you believe, D, liked me for me?
Even when he found out otherwise, he still cared for me, Candi. Not Candice,
not part of some big conspiracy, not someone who had ulterior motives, but me.
He saw through all that stuff that was just a game to me and forced me to be
selfless, not selfish.
”

“
You love him, Candice?
”

“
I don
’
t know how to answer that, because I
’
m not sure what love is,
Gio. Does he make me happy to be with him, yes? Does he make me want to be a
better person? I have to say yes to that, too. I betrayed him Gio. How will he
ever forgive me?
”

“
D good Candice. You ask, you explain, he will.
”

“
I hope so, Gio, but first I have to find him. I know, I
know, start with the dog. I
’
ll call Marcy this afternoon and get her on that hunt. In
the meantime, what about you? When are you and Mile going back to Milan?
”

“
Your momma say tomorrow. We stay if you need us.
”

“
Thank you for the offer. I
’
m a big girl now, soon to be
a much wealthier big girl. I can handle Mom. It
’
s just going to take time
and space. Lots and lots of space.
”

Before
Gio could offer a verbal or non-verbal reply, the French door to the kitchen
swung open, revealing my mother, the messenger.
“
Joseph called. He said you
were getting together with him today. He will be here at seven to take you to
dinner at your favorite restaurant, Byrnes. I took the liberty to tell him you
would love to go. Besides, what else do you have to do tonight?
”

I
have lots to do, none of which includes Joseph.
Biting my lip just as Gio
put his hand on my shoulder, I nodded yes to acknowledge her affirmatively
while I thought,
‘
No!
Hell no!
’

I
made the call to Marcy, no answer.
I hope
she listens to my voice mail and its urgency and blocks off Saturday morning
for a little detective work. If anybody can find Major, it
’
s her. I
’
ll throw in a
girls
’
weekend in Calgary as a reward. I want to go back. I wasn
’
t done there.
I want to finish the ride to Jasper. I want, I want, I want. In truth, without
D being a part of it, my wishing is all for naught.

Chapter 9

D
ressing
conservatively, I kept my make up to a minimum. No Sephora tonight, just lip
gloss, eyeliner and a little blush. This was a business dinner, nothing more,
nothing less, I kept telling myself, over and over, while I waited impatiently
for the witching hour to arrive. Promptly at seven, the doorbell rang. One
trait I always admired in Joseph, he was punctual. Opening the door, I found
Joseph standing before me in a double-breasted, black Armani suit with a red
silk tie. “Welcome Joseph. Have you been on family business today or did you
dress in your finest just for me?”

“
Hello to you. Well, Candice you look, how can I say this
nicely, average?
”

“
I am average, Joseph. What you see is what you get. Tonight
is strictly business. I hear you
’
re taking me to Byrnes. Any special reason you chose it,
other than the fact that it
’
s where you proposed to me?
”

“
I
’
m supposed to woo you, remember? What better place to make
a fresh start.
”

“
Not to blow your bubble, but it didn
’
t work out so well for us
the first time.
”

Probably
not the best way to begin an evening
. Abruptly, no forcefully, Joseph locked my arm in his and
escorted me to his shiny new red Ferrari.
“
Beautiful ride you have
here. Does it make picking up sluts any easier?
”

“
Hush please, Candice. Get in the car!
”

The
drive to the restaurant was made in deafening silence.
Staring straight
ahead, I wondered how many women he
’
d managed to bed with this
fine automobile.
Pulling up to the valet, Joseph exited first, and flipped him a twenty, before
stomping into the restaurant, leaving me to escort myself inside. It wasn
’
t hard to find him. Another
virtue he exhibits is predictability. He
’
s always sitting in the
darkest corner booth, nearest the bar. He must have already ordered a Black
Crown neat, because an all too familiar waitress was dropping it by the table
as I sat down.

“
Lori, I
’
d like to introduce you to my ex-wife, Candice. Candice, I
’
d like you to meet Lori.
Bring her a bottle of white Merlot. Be sure to leave just one wine glass. Oh,
and Lori keep bringing these,
”
directed
Joseph, lifting his glass as if to offer a toast before turning it up and
draining it in one long gulp.

“
It
’
s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Candice. Mr. Joseph and I go
way back.
”

As
far as the seat will recline
,
I thought
.
“
It
’
s very good to meet you. If
he drinks too much, do you see that he gets home safely?
”

“
Oh, I do that all the time. I
’
ll do anything he asks to
drive his car,
”
bubbled
Lori, before catching herself with her foot in her mouth.

“
I
’
m sure you do, Lori. I
’
m sure you do.
”

Joseph
’
s demeanor was rapidly
changing and not for the better, his face flushing red.
“
Lori, you
’
ve graciously shared more
than enough. Leave us alone please, we
’
ve got business to discuss,
privately.
”

“
We
’
d better be quick. You keep downing those Crowns and you
’
ll not remember anything we
’
ve agreed on today.
”

“
I told you, Candice, I
’
ll keep my end of the
bargain as long as you keep yours. First, I need something from you. A good
faith gesture if you will.
”

“
What might that be?
”

“
You.
”

“
Me?
”
I
stammered,
“
just what exactly do you want, Joseph?
”

“
I want you to make love to me. I want to know you
’
re trying to make us work.
The offer to split the money was a kind gesture on your part. But, you couldn
’
t care less whether you have
any or all of it. Thanks to your Family, you
’
re set for life. What I want
is what we had and that begins with having you.
”

“
Are you out of your frigging mind? What happened to wooing
me, taking it slow, winning my heart back?
”

“
That will come, Candice. Right now I can
’
t get this guy D, out of my
head. You were falling for him. I saw the way you looked at him. The way you
dressed for him. I bet you
’
ve been riding his cock for months. If you want to keep him
safe, it
’
s your turn to ride mine. Prove to me you
’
re over him. Screw me the
way you screwed him and mean it.
”

“
You
’
re drunk, Joseph. This is the alcohol talking.
”

“
I
’
m not drunk enough. Watch this.
”
Pulling his cell phone from his coat pocket, Joseph pressed
a memorized number, then hit send.

After
two rings, I overheard a too familiar voice answer and immediately ask,
“
Boss, you ready for me to
take care of the problem?
”

“
Hang on, Donny. Candice, what will it be? I need to know
now, not tomorrow, not next week, NOW!
”

Blackmail,
rape, coercion, any and or all of those words crossed my lips and settled into
the pit of my stomach.
Suddenly I was nauseated and on the precipice of tossing the remnants of a
lunch, long since digested. Strength and bravery were not the attributes I
could readily claim. Self-sacrifice, however, is one I had recently learned,
compliments of D. In a barely audible whisper, I mumbled,
“
Yes.
”

“
What did you say, Candice? I didn
’
t hear you. Louder please.
”

“
Yes, damn you, yes!
”

“
Donny, hold off for now. Things are actually looking up. I
’
ll be in touch. Good bye.
”

“
Are you satisfied, Joseph?
”
I asked before realizing what a bad choice of words it was.

“
Not at the moment, but I will be shortly, thanks to you,
”
he replied, as his right hand moved from the table and onto
my knee.
“
I
’
m not hungry anymore. What say we get outta here and go
back to my place before you change your mind?
”

“
I don
’
t really have a say in the matter, do I?
”

“
No, tonight you don
’
t. Tonight, you
’
re mine.
”

“
Then give me the valet ticket please, I
’
m driving. You take care of
the tab and Lori. I
’
ll be in the car.
”
Waiting impatiently for the Ferrari to be brought up, I
shuffled my feet along the ground, thinking back to the last time I drove with
a male in the passenger seat.
Bringing a smile to my lips, I fondly recalled
the male, aka D, was not in the passenger seat at first, but the back one,
directly behind me. That was the day he gave me an anniversary present of
sorts, a toy if you will, the infamous BOA. How I long to feel that toy inside
me, along with the man behind it, beside me.
Jolted from my daydreaming
,
reality knocked, repeatedly.

“
Unlock my door, Candice,
”
shouted Joseph, pounding on the passenger door.
“
Where is your head?
”

Rummaging
around in the dark, unfamiliar slut mobile, I finally found the unlock button
on the console and pressed it.

“
Thank you,
”
Joseph
huffed, before quickly calming down and smiling.
“
I
’
m glad you offered to drive
me home. It
’
s changed quite a bit since you
’
ve been there. Hopefully,
you
’
ll
see it for the better. Candice, I was just thinking, with you driving, I
’
ve got two free hands to get
you wet and ready. Speaking of that, I popped the little blue pill before I
left the bar, compliments of Lori. That girl is an amazing resource if I do say
so myself.
”

“
Joseph, you
’
re drunk. Let me just take you home and we can have sex
some other time.
”

“
I told you, Candice, I
’
m not drunk enough. I heard
just have sex, but that
’
s not what we
’
re doing tonight. You
’
re going to make love to me
as if your life depended on it. Hell,
”
Joseph boasted,
“
I can screw anyone I want.
This is not about getting off; it
’
s about getting inside you.
You
’
ll
prove your sincerity by the way you kiss me, touch me, suck me and fuck me. I
want you to convince me there can be an us again.
”

Screaming
out of the parking lot, I made it less than five miles with his hand in my
pants before the nausea returned. Grabbing the steering wheel, white knuckled,
I jerked the shiny new Ferrari off the road and into a gravel parking lot where
I announced,
“
excuse me, I think I'm going to be sick.
”
Just as I opened the door, most of the contents from my
stomach tossed violently onto the ground.

“
I honestly hope you didn
’
t get any of that crap on my
car,
”
barked Joseph.
“
You could have at least
stepped outside, you know? Hold on a second. Let me find something for you to
wipe up with.
”

Reaching
into the console, Joseph handed me a wadded up napkin, which I used to wipe off
my chin before expanding it to wipe off the doorjamb of his precious damn car.
Bad move on my part, because just as I unfolded it, a used condom fell out and
spilled its remnants onto my pants. Turning back toward Joseph as if to ask,
“
What the hell?
”
I saw him snickering while mouthing the word sorry, just as
I threw up again
—
this time in his lap and all over the rest of his precious
car.

“
Get out of the car. Now!
”
screamed Joseph.

I
readily complied, amused that he had managed such a hasty exit, the remnants of
my stomach sliding gracefully down his black Armani pants.

“
What is wrong with you, Candice? How could you do this to
me
…
to my car?
”

“
I
’
m sorry, Joseph. I may have a stomach bug, possibly a
souvenir from your plane ride home.
”

Sobering
up rather quickly, he slung the goo from his pants with his fingers and wiped
his hands off on the back of my jacket,
“
You
’
re not getting out of
tonight that easy. If you're done throwing up, get in the car. I
’
m driving.
”

Regardless of how the rest
of the night presented itself to be, I could at least claim one small,
unheralded victory
—
Candice, 1; Joseph, 0.