Chapter 21 #2
If anyone would, it’s him . He’s seen me at my most vulnerable – drowning with twenty pounds of scuba gear on me, then again half-naked in a bathing suit. Ah.
Oh my God. Oh my God.
Without realizing it, I have a hand on Britta’s back to get the hell moving through the nook so I can run away.
“I’m not your cane, Misty. Please relearn how to walk,” she scowls at me.
“Sorry,” I say, and rush to the office since going to the bathroom or dressing room would mean passing Gil.
I strut quickly, making sure I’m turned away. Here’s to hoping Gil didn’t memorize my body proportions in a bathing suit.
The private room door swings open. “Misty!” Reggie walks out smelling like Diamond – not the precious stone – with a splash of glitter on his cheek. I guess my smooth approach worked to keep him coming back. The man has balls for showing his face here again, I’ll give him that.
But that’s not important right now.
His arm drapes around my shoulders. “Wait, the boss isn’t around, is he?” He pretends to cower while whisking me toward the bar.
“He’s right behind you actually,” I say, and smile when he flinches. “Just kidding.”
“That was uncalled for.” He puckers his lips. “Can I buy you a drink? I was thinking about yesterday when I sobered up, and I realize how wrong I was.”
“Not right now, Reggie. A little later. Okay?” I’m gently pushing out of his grasp. This time he lets me, which is good. I feel Bruno’s protective eyes on mine, but I nod to tell him it’s fine.
“Oh, hunnie, don’t do me like that.” He holds his hand to his heart like he got shot, raising his drunk-ass volume.
Goddammit.
People start to turn when his laugh carries through the whole width of the bar.
“Okay, Misty, but I’m holding you to it.”
Gil glances my way. Our eyes connect, and my body freezes like a fawn in the woods. Maybe Britta was right about me. His brow furrows for a quick second as he looks me up and down. There’s something registering, but I spin before the dots connect.
Crap, that might’ve been worse. My ass is my best asset. I wish I had a bath towel or something to cover it.
Eeeee.
I shuffle back toward the office.
“Hey,” Gil calls.
“Don’t bother, bud. She’s way off limits,” Reggie’s voice carries.
My jaw is so tense I wonder if my teeth will crack. Handing in my mental leave suspension to my job, dropping my old number, disappearing on a whim… It must’ve left my old crew with all sorts of questions. Then seeing me here – it’s like I’ve been trafficked or something.
Did he recognize me?
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I grab for the office handle, and an arm grabs mine. I squint my eyes tightly shut, thinking about whether I should flail or scream or what. Anything but turning around to show my face.
“Misty,” Bruno’s voice is directly behind me. “You okay? C’mon, let’s go in the office for a second.”
I sigh with relief when we go in. “God that was close.”
“What? That guy, Reggie? I thought Trino set him straight.” Bruno takes off his reading glasses.
“No, the other guy. Gil. He’s from my old law firm,” saying the words out loud makes my breath hitch. “I think he recognized me.”
“No shot, hun. Trino showed me pictures of you in your work attire. Night and day. Plus, the lights are dim like a movie theater in here. You’re safe. We thought about all that.”
Bruno does a good job of calming me down. But still, something doesn’t add up. Gil did not seem like the type of guy who would show up at Star Dust. Then again, this guy Will at the firm had a tendency to bring him out partying once in a while.
“I can’t go back out there.” I hold my cold arms.
“Hey. Hey.” Bruno gently guides me toward one of the visitor seats near the desk. “You stay in here, and don’t worry about a thing, alright? I’ll snap a picture of the guy I think is Gil, you confirm it’s him, and I’ll let you know when he leaves. Okay?”
Taking another deep breath helps me register Bruno’s words. He’s sweet, for a mafioso. I nod and stare at my clear heels.
“Sit tight, sweetie.” Bruno leaves and locks the door.
I don’t know why, but up until this point, it was easy to pretend.
Putting on this much makeup is like wearing a mask at a masquerade party.
But seeing Gil? It brought everything rushing back like a hurricane – my old life, studying endlessly , doing everything in my power to find purpose in being an activist lawyer.
People like Gil and Jacky made it easy. There was innocence and goodness then.
But who am I kidding? My father was helping the most wicked types, and now I’m paying the price for it.
Love you, Daddy. But look what you got us into.
I slap my knees and let out a sob.
You know who else is oddly innocent in this?
My husband. Fake marriage or not… Trino is a freakin’ rock star in his own way.
Overprotective? Maybe. But I’ve never felt so safe in my life.
Ironic, I know, considering I’m literally in a whorish dungeon right now, hiding from the white-collars I used to be a part of.
No… That’s the old me talking. I don’t view these women as lesser at all anymore. Everyone’s just trying to survive. And kudos to them. They have more brass than I do.
A recollection of Trino cackling in bed with his gigantic heated arm smothering me makes me smile through my tears.
Why does everything have to be such an extreme give and take?
I couldn’t be an activist lawyer and a happy wife?
Every time I look at the front door, I’m scared Nicky Frits is going to barge in with a shotgun to my head.
Can’t me and him just… live normally? See what’s what between us?
I’ve been thinking about him a lot recently. The way he hides his laughter is probably the cutest aspect about him. He’s funny in his own way, sexy in every way, and I know he’d do anything to protect me. Just thinking about it gives me tingles all over my chest.
Maybe I shouldn’t be crying about how things turned out. I’m alive thanks to my dark prince, after all. Maybe I’m just a reverse-Cinderella, and these are my glass slippers.