Dottie 22.
“Nice digs.” Rose surveys Ezra’s suite in the family compound. We are used to opulence, having grown up in our father’s house. He never missed an opportunity or decoration to tout his wealth. Gaudy, all of it. But the Kosher Nostra know how to do it right. Subtle and warm, inviting. This large estate is a home through and through.
“What’s going on, Ezra?” I attempt to sit next to him on the plush couch, but he pulls me into his lap sideways. Arms around me, his face buried in my neck, the beat of his heart steady. Sophia watches us with hearts in her eyes and wedding bells in her ears. Rose sits next to her on the other couch in his living room, while Blanche opts to stand next to the mantle, leaning her shoulder next to the large screen television.
I feel his chest expand as he inhales deeply, a gust of breath against my neck as he exhales. My stomach turns, knowing something is wrong. Did Dr. Hudson call him?
“Your father.”
Blanche hisses, “Not our father, Hiram Goldman is a parasite.”
“We’ve been notified that Hiram Goldman has placed a bounty on Dottie’s head.”
“He wants to kill her!” Rose gasps, while a numbness descends over my body.
Ezra shakes his head, “No. He wants her alive.” He places a finger under my chin and directs my face so he can look me in the eye. His lips purse and his nostrils flare in response to the silent tears that stream down my cheeks. “Yak received a message this morning, that’s why we were in the war room. And then at our other meeting we were given a few more details.”
“Why…” I clear my throat and speak again, “Why does he want me?” He shakes his head, unwilling to give me more information. I’m not angry at him, I know he’s trying to protect my feelings. But I need to know. I need to know the lengths to which my sperm donor is willing to go for greed. My fingers tremble as I cup his stubbled jaw. “Ezra, tell me. Always honesty.”
“Baby, I don’t want—”
“I know you don’t. I know you’d do anything to spare me any pain, emotional or physical. But this isn’t a situation where I can be left in the dark. I’m happy to remain ignorant about a great bit of what you do, but not this. Not when my own safety and sanity are on the line.”
My sisters move closer. Sophia lays her head on my shoulder. Rose’s hand is on mine resting on my thigh. Blanche wraps her arms around all of us from behind, her cheek on my head.
“Your father—” Blanche growls and Ezra immediately corrects himself. “Hiram Goldman is expanding into Cuba alright. Not just real estate but trafficking. And in order to secure the proper alliances, he must offer up something, someone as collateral. We are working on finding out who, but in the meantime, he has issued a bounty for you to be brought to him alive and is reaching out to our known associates and offering a hefty fee for their services.” He lifts his head and looks at Blanche who sounds more like a rabid dog than a human being at the moment. “They played along for more information, but they are on our side. They understand the price of disloyalty.”
I let all that sink in for a moment, but I’m still unsure why. “Why me?” He didn’t answer that. There are four of us to choose from. I don’t suffer from low self-esteem, but I am realistic. My sisters are tall, statuesque, exotic, and beautiful.
Through gritted teeth, Ezra explains, “Your specific attributes appeal to the buyer.”
I bark a laugh at the absurdity of that statement. “I appeal to them? Because short fat chicks are in high demand.” Nobody joins my laughter, and it isn’t until I look at Ezra’s face that I understand why. I’m missing something. His face appears as if carved from marble and if he clenches his jaw any harder, we’re gonna have a trip to the dentist in our future. “Ez?”
“Your medical history is of interest.” I jump off his lap, hands fisted at my sides, my entire body quaking with anger.
“My medical history?” The sound I emit is caught between a screech and a laugh. “The implants?” Ezra’s expression doesn’t change and my stomach sinks. “My mastectomy?” His eyes soften while his jaw hardens. “I’m gonna be sick.” I run to the bathroom and empty the contents of my stomach into the pristine porcelain toilet. Sophia holds my hair back. Rose wets a washcloth. I hear Ezra and Blanche arguing but I can’t focus on the words. Blood rushes through my ears and my entire body tingles like my sugar is too low.
“Shh. He won’t get to you. None of us will allow it.” Rose whispers as she wipes my mouth.
“Baby. Come here.” Ezra lifts me bodily from the bathroom floor, cradling me in his arms. The softness of his mattress envelops me as he lays down. I push my face into his chest and cry. I feel the mattress dip as my sisters crawl in with us. Sniffles echo through the room and I know I’m not the only one sobbing. “Not how I ever imagined getting four women into bed with me at once.” I snort, snot bubbles coming out of my nose. I wipe them on his shirt. He’s just gonna have to deal with it.
Blanche grunts, “Your imagination is the only place that would ever happen.”
“Ezra?” Sophia whispers softly.
“Yeah, Soph?”
“You’re gonna kill him, right?” Rose, Blanche and I jerk at her question. She’s always tried to see the best in everyone, but especially our parents. Wanting and hoping that they would finally come around and be the mom and dad we deserved. For her to ask…
“I sure am, Sophia.”
“Good.” She pauses for a beat, “Make him suffer.”
“Gladly.”