20. Prime
PRIME
Idon’t like the way my wife looks at me.
Before she learned about my real job, she thought I was a playboy idiot. Barely more than a collection of nice watches, expensive suits, and attractive one-night-stands.
That was how I liked it.
My lifestyle acts like a shield. Surely nobody would think a man like Prime Spadaro might be running one of the most complex and lucrative drug export businesses in the region.
I let her see through my mask. I gave her a glimpse of who I really am.
And she fucking hates it.
But at least she hasn’t left.
For the first few nights, she slept on the couch. I put an end to that and dragged her back into my bed. She reluctantly fell back into our routine, and now she’s back to acting like my personal assistant, but not much more.
I find it bothers the fuck out of me.
I came into this wanting a business partner. Deanna’s not much more than arm candy. She’s proof to Augustus Fontana that I’m a serious man looking to do serious business.
Beyond that, she’s nothing.
Except now I find myself itching to cross the invisible barrier between us at night, to roll toward her warm body, to kiss her neck and suck her tits, to slide my hand between her legs, to fuck her until she’s grinding and moaning and begging for more, for deeper and harder?—
Which wasn’t supposed to happen.
Now instead of her husband, I’m the fucking criminal who tricked her into this arrangement.
But if that’s what I have to be then I’ll learn to live with myself.
“Looks like we’ll need to resurface in the next year,” I say as I walk across one of our largest lots. It’s located out in west Philly not far from the University of Pennsylvania. We get a lot of college traffic and the spaces are almost always full.
“I’ll make a note of it.” Deanna scribbles on her clipboard. I used to hate that fucking thing. The sound it made as she swapped out papers.
Now it’s strangely adorable.
“Why don’t you go digital? Wouldn’t that be easier?”
“I write faster than I type. When I get back to my desk, I’ll input it all into my notes app for organizing.”
“Makes sense.”
“Why do you care? You’ve never been interested in my process before.”
I take her arm. She stiffens but doesn’t pull away. We wander together through the rows of cars. “Maybe I should have been.”
“You’re only saying that because you feel bad about, you know?—“
“Being a drug dealer?”
“Your words, not mine.”
“If it helps at all, I’m more like a drug exporter. I work with large quantities.”
She grimaces. “That’s not better.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Can I ask you something though?”
I lightly stroke her hand, not sure why I’m doing it, but I like to touch her. “Go ahead.”
“Don’t you ever worry?”
All the fucking time. “Be more specific.”
“About the cops. About the morality of it. About… I don’t know… people finding out.”
“I’m not ashamed of who I am. And the police aren’t an issue.”
“You sell drugs, I’m pretty sure they’re a big deal.”
“Not in this city.” She looks mildly alarmed and I try not to laugh. “My Famiglia deals with them. Police Chief Jeffers is a good friend of Stellan. Actually, friend isn’t the right word. More like beneficiary.”
“He takes bribes?!”
“We don’t call it that, but absolutely, yes he does. I see that I’ve scandalized you, darling.”
“I’m processing this new reality, that’s all.”
“Here’s the truth of who I am. I don’t care about many things.
I’m not close with many people. But I’d kill and I’d die for my Famiglia.
I’m fiercely loyal to my few friends. And I honor my word above all else.
I’ll protect you, Deanna, and your family will be looked after, no matter what happens. You don’t have to be afraid.”
“I never said I was,” she murmurs and even though it’s clearly not true, I don’t press her on it.
We come around a turn and head back toward the entrance.
A car approaches from the front, a black Mercedes with dark tinted windows.
Warning prickles down my neck and I’m already stepping in front of Deanna and reaching for the gun I have tucked into my suit jacket when the car stops and the back window rolls down.
“Well hello there, Prime, it’s good to see you.” Ricardo’s portly face beams out at me like this is some happy coincidence.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” I slowly lower my hand, but not my guard.
“I tracked you down. I hope you don’t mind.”
I mind very much. I don’t love the idea that Ricardo can find me even when I’m out on a site survey. But I do my best to hide it.
“Not at all.”
“And hello to you, Deanna. My wife can’t stop talking about how funny, charming, and beautiful you are.”
“Thank you, and please tell her I said hello. We had a great time at your party.”
Ricardo laughs loudly. “A little too much fun!” He winks at her and a spike of hate rushes into my veins. I want to kill this disgusting prick and be done with it, but I still need him. Ricardo’s a gnat, while I’m after the queen fucking bee.
“What can I do for you?” It’s hot and I don’t have the patience to stand around and listen to this man’s bullshit for long.
“I was wondering if we could discuss a business arrangement sometime.” Ricardo’s voice softens a touch. “Marco Carbone’s been talking about you and he thinks the two of you can be good partners.”
That gets my attention. Carbone’s a big name in the Fontana outfit. He’s a rung above Ricardo and a major step closer to Fontana himself. Landing a deal with him would be massive toward earning their trust, but I can’t seem too eager.
“Depending on what he has to offer, I’d be happy to discuss something.”
“Wonderful! I’ll have him call your office.” Ricardo looks to Deanna. “Will you be answering the phone still, dear?”
“Sure will. Doesn’t matter if we’re married. Prime’s going to work me to the bone.”
Ricardo booms a laugh. “Wonderful! Good to hear! Love that about you, Prime. Listen, we’re having another get-together, another little fund raiser for a politician friend of mine. I hope the pair of you can attend next weekend?”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” I say and Deanna smiles and nods like she can’t wait.
“Listen for Marco’s call. It was good seeing you both. I’ll let you get back to work!”
His window rolls up and the car pulls away. I watch until Ricardo’s gone from the lot and I’m alone with Deanna again.
“That was good, wasn’t it?”
She doesn’t look happy when I take her arm and start walking again. “It might be.”
“You want them to want you. That’s why you played it so cool. That’s why you took that file.”
“The closer I can get, the easier my life will be.”
“Why? What do you care about these people for?”
“Ricardo’s the way in. Marco’s the key on the next step.” I look at my wife, wondering if I’m fucking this up. “The next party… maybe you don’t need to attend.”
She stiffens and slows. “What are you talking about?”
“Maybe it would be better?—“
“This is what you need me for, isn’t it?” She clutches her clipboard against her chest. “I’m the reason they’re inviting you in the first place. Now that you’re a happily married man, they’re taking you more seriously. You can’t leave me at home. They’ll start to ask questions.”
She’s right, as much as I hate it. This is the whole reason we made our deal, and now I’m already trying to find a way to shield her.
“Our marriage is enough. You don’t need to be there.
” I move closer and touch her. Fuck, I have to stop doing this, but I’m like an addict.
I can’t help myself. When Deanna’s around I want to graze my fingers over her bare skin.
I want to taste her, listen to her whimpers and moans.
Even the rage and hate in her eyes gets me fucking hard.
She looks uncertain and chews the edge of her thumbnail.
But the girl’s made of harder stuff. That’s what attracted me to her in the first place.
I didn’t hire her because I thought she was beautiful—although that didn’t hurt—but because I could see the iron in her bones even during that first interview.
I knew she’d be impressive. I didn’t realize how right I’d be until recently.
“You need me.” She straightens, knuckles whitening around the clipboard’s edge. “I’m not staying home.”
“Deanna—“
“No, don’t try to change my mind. I’m a good distraction, right? And a good excuse if you get caught.”
“That trick we pulled last time won’t work again.”
“Maybe not, but I can still help.”
“No. My work is my own.”
“You need me,” she repeats more firmly this time. “I’m coming to that party, Prime.”
“Why are you insisting so hard?”
“You don’t see it, but I’ve been taking care of you since we first met. I’m not going to stop now because things got more dangerous. We made a deal and I’m going to honor it.”
I slip close and tug her tight against me, one hand locking against the small of her back. I dip down and kiss her neck. The clipboard clatters to the ground.
“You’re starting to like this, aren’t you?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“Fucking liar. I can almost smell how wet you are.”
“Prime!”
“You want danger? I can give you danger, love.”
“I want to get this over with, that’s all.”
“Right. I understand.” I nibble on her throat before biting her lower lip. “You keep acting so charming, it won’t be long.”
“Good. Sooner we’re done, the better.”
I hold her there for a long moment, my lips inches from hers, before forcing myself to release her. She steps back, smoothing her blouse, and bends down to sweep her clipboard back into her arms. When she straightens, it’s like she’s got her shield back in place.
God, this fucking girl. I’m ruined for her and I don’t know why. I desperately want to protect her, but she’s right. I need her at that party smiling and laughing and making everyone look at her.
While I find a way to continue my spiral into hell.