His Jersey Girl

Chapter 13

Alyssa

We were seated in a cozy booth at The Sandwich Bar. Normally I loved its vibrant and upbeat atmosphere that was a mix of casual fun and beachy relaxation located in the middle of the chaotic casino. Unfortunately, my mood didn’t fit the ambience as my mind raced in circles trying to make life-changing decisions. So many good things had happened in the last two weeks that it was hard to believe any of it was real.

The booths we were in had turquoise leather seats that reminded me of the ocean on a faraway island. The tables were made of polished driftwood, which added a rustic, seaside feel. Hundreds of seashells and tiny potted succulents decorated the area in a fun, whimsical way without being over the top. Not even the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread could distract me from my thoughts.

Was I really considering moving away from my friends?

I glanced over at the surfboard propped in the back corner. It was covered in signatures and messages from past diners. Somewhere on the waxed surface were notes from all of the LJGs. We’d shared so many wonderful memories in Atlantic City, could I really move?

A French fry came flying across the table and landed on my plate, knocking me out of my thoughts. I glared at Zoe expecting her to be the troublemaker. To my surprise she was staring slack-jawed at Chantou.

My calm and usually very zen friend was holding another fry as if she was ready to launch it at me. “Are you paying attention now?”

“I was paying attention.” I gave her an indignant look to try and cover up the fact that I had not been paying attention. It wasn’t my fault that I had a thousand things on my mind. I wouldn’t have even come today if Zoe hadn’t threatened to gather everyone up and ‘rescue me’ from my captor.

“Oh really, so you’re okay with Zoe’s plan?” Chantou gave me a look that dared me to agree.

“I never said that. But arguing with her plans doesn’t ever make a difference so I was staying quiet.”

Julia shook her head, the sequins in her hairband flashing in the light. “I can’t tell if she’s bluffing or not.”

Lucia snorted. “She’s bluffing or she would have been yelling at Zoe for threatening to put itching powder into her Daddy’s shorts.”

“Zoe!”

Zoe laughed. “That isn’t even close to what I said, but I’m impressed by Lucia’s sneakiness. It does prove that you aren’t even listening. We’re worried about you.”

“I send pictures every day of what we’re doing.” It was the only way I could share with my friends without really sharing.

“Pictures of places don’t tell us how you’re doing.” Chantou looked at me with concern.

Lucia nudged me with her shoulder. “Ever since he stole you away from work, you’ve been radio silent. You”re the first of us to possibly find your forever Daddy. We want all the smexy details so we can live vicariously through you. Come on, writer girl, paint the picture for us.”

I shook my head. “That makes no sense. Oh, I finished Margaret’s story and am almost finished outlining a new series I’m thinking about writing.”

“Nice try, but we’re not falling for your diversions.” Zoe glared at me. “Why are you avoiding the topic? Does he have a small penis? Is he bad in bed?”

The sympathetic sounds that came out of my friends made me want to sink into the floor and disappear. I lowered my head to the table and banged it a few times.

“No and no. You guys really can’t pick up on the cues when someone wants to avoid a topic.”

Julia rolled her eyes. “We pick up on them, but when one of your best friends is acting dodgy, you don’t let them hide.”

“Fine.” Giving up on any hope of privacy, I told them about what had happened and the arrangement we’d come up with.

“And he’s been okay with the ‘no funny stuff’ rule?” Zoe asked.

“Too good.” I groaned. “I haven’t gotten more than a kiss on the top of my head in weeks, and that only if he thinks I’m asleep. I know I’m the one who set the rule, but if he doesn’t touch me soon, I think I’m going to spontaneously combust. He’s been so sweet and attentive. If I’m Little or Big doesn’t seem to matter to him. He respects my writing and got me a laptop so I don’t have to go to the library. He even helped me come up with a good ending for Margaret’s book.”

“Respecting your boundaries is a good thing.”

I narrowed my glare at Lucia. She was enjoying my frustration too much.

“I for one, am on team Gabriel. I’m sure it was him that got Seth fired.”

“No, that was Rocco,” Zoe interrupted.

“Seth was fired? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lucia shrugged. “I assumed you knew since it happened the same day you got transferred out. Even if Rocco did it, you know it was for Gabriel. Anyway, the new guy is so much better, though some people don’t agree.”

I knew who she meant by some people. Without Seth there to act as their pimp, there would be a few of the girls who would leave, not wanting to do actual massage work. Why hadn”t Gabriel told me? With Seth gone, there was no reason for me to avoid work anymore.

Not that I wanted to go back. I’d gotten more writing done in the last two weeks than I usually finished in a full month. I liked not having to work a set schedule or deal with creepy customers. Taking naps during the day and not having to make my own meals was kinda like paradise. Not that I’d ever admit to liking the nap thing out loud. Plus, there was that email I’d gotten from an agent.

“You know that new series I mentioned?” All of the LJGs looked confused, but curious. “It’s for an agent. She reached out last week saying she thought she could get me a deal with one of the big publishers.”

“Oh my god, that’s amazing!” Julia squealed.

I was soon surrounded in a group hug that squished me into the booth seat.

“You are going to hit the big time, sis.” Zoe laughed.

“Between that and how good my self-published books are doing, I think I’m ready to be a full- time author.” Saying the words out loud felt like a huge weight had lifted off my shoulders.

“That’s amazing. I knew you could do it.” Lucia said.

Zoe gave me a considering look. “If you quit your job, then you wouldn’t be working for Gigantor Daddy anymore. Is that why you are doing it?”

I looked around the table. These girls had been my best friends for years. They’d supported me and been my biggest fans whenever things got tough. If I moved to be with Gabriel, it wasn’t across the country, but it would mean I wouldn’t see them as much.

I thought back on the hundreds of moments I’d shared with Gabriel over the last few weeks. Not the big things like the fun trips, but the little smiles and looks. The sense of safety I felt when he was around. Knowing he was always watching out for me. Even the frustrating fact that he’d kept his hands to himself though every time we were close it felt like there was a fire burning between us just waiting to be released.

“He’s given me the courage to try, but if all I wanted was not to work with him our contract runs out next week. I’m going to resign, effective immediately, after lunch.”

Until I said the words out loud, I hadn’t realized that was my plan. I wanted to go back to Gabriel and tell him that I wanted him to be my Daddy in all ways. Hopefully he would be as excited as I was.

“Wow.” Chantou gave me a sad smile. “I’m so happy for you, but that means you’re going to leave us, doesn’t it?”

“I’m not leaving forever. He doesn’t live that far; you know I’ll come and visit lots. But I need to try. I think… I think I love him.”

“You think? If you are moving hours away to be with a guy you had better know that you love him,” Zoe huffed.

“Okay. I know I love him, and I think he loves me. Please try and be happy for me?”

“We are. But your man better get us good seats to his fight and the after-party. I’m not letting one of my LJGs go without a big send-off.”

I gave Zoe a big hug knowing I was one of the luckiest Littles on the planet to have such great friends.

As I stepped out of the casino’s HR office, my heart was racing with a mix of nervousness and pure exhilaration. I clutched the envelope containing my resignation paperwork tightly, feeling the weight of my decision sink in. No more harassment. No more boring job. I was finally going to live my dream of being a full-time writer. Hopefully Gabriel would be as excited as I was. The thought of being his full-time Little made my stomach flutter with excitement.

I could picture his smile, the heat that would fill his gaze as I told him he didn’t have to hold back anymore. There was no way I could wait a single minute more to tell him. I hurried through the busy casino floor, weaving through the crowd of tourists and gamblers, heading for the elevators that would take me up to our room. I barely noticed anything around me, my mind full of fantasies of what the night ahead would contain.

As I reached the quieter corridor leading to the elevators, a strong hand grabbed my arm and yanked me through an employee door into a dimly lit back hallway. I screamed, stumbled and gasped as I tried to regain my balance and figure out what was going on.

”What the heck?” I tossed my hair out of my face, confused to see the man dragging me down the hall was Seth. What was he doing here? How had he even found me?

The man who had my arm in a death grip lacked all the polish of his former self. His hair was disheveled, and his body seemed to vibrate with tension. There was something off about his eyes, but I didn’t have time to figure out what it was.

”Seth, let go of me!” It felt like he was pulling my arm out of my socket as I tried to dig my heels in and stop our forward momentum. His grip only tightened, and the anger in his eyes made my blood run cold.

”Shut up,” he hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. ”You think you can just waltz in here and get me fired? This is all your fault!”

”My fault? You”re the one who was harassing me!” I hated the way my voice trembled with fear. ”Let me go, Seth! This is insane, there are cameras everywhere, there is no way you won’t get caught.”

”Once your boyfriend gives me a million dollars, I’ll go somewhere the cops will never find me. Only fitting since he was the asshole who got me fired,” he spat, and dragged me further down the hallway. ”That pretty boy fighter thinks he can mess with me? Well, I’ll make sure you both pay.” His hungry glare was like a razor against my skin.

Panic surged through me. ”Seth, don”t do this,” I pleaded, my voice breaking. ”Gabriel will kill you.” I knew my Daddy would never hurt me, but I’d seen what he was capable of and that was just in practice. We’d talked about his time in the military, and it hadn’t been behind a desk. He’d been in special forces and done things that still put ice in his eyes. Even if he did get the money, if Seth thought Gabriel wouldn’t hunt him down to the ends of the earth, he didn’t understand my man.

”I know the truth about those entertainment fighters. They seem tough, but underneath they’re all a bunch of Mama”s boys. Let”s see how much he cares about you when he”s got to pay to get you back.” The twisted smile on Seth’s face made me shudder.

The man was completely off his rocker. He dragged me toward a back entrance. The cold metal door loomed ahead like a portal to some nightmare. Why was there no one around? My mind raced, thoughts of Gabriel flickering through my head. Why hadn”t I told him my plans? Would I ever get to see him again? Why hadn’t I told him that I loved him?

”Help, please help!” I cried out, desperation clawing at my throat. ”Seth, don’t do this. You won”t get away with it.”

”Watch me,” he snarled and shoved the door open.

Tears blurred my vision as I kicked at him, trying to keep him from taking me out of the building. I reached out grabbing the door frame and pulling with all my strength. It wasn’t enough. Pain burst behind my eyelids as he backhanded me across the face.

I sent a silent prayer out to the universe as he pulled me out into the sunlight.

I need you, Daddy!