Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
It’s five p.m. and I’ve been staring at the clock for the last two hours, completely lost in thought. I pored over Raina’s file and her situation, reading the words over and over, retaining none of the information. The only thing I can process is that Raina is married.
Raina, the woman who has been a thorn in my side since the day I met her.
Raina, the woman who is bright, carefree, and fun, and everything I refuse to let myself have because of who she is.
When her file became nothing more to my brain than jumbled words, I rattled the mouse of my computer to wake it from sleep mode so I could scour the internet for whatever I could find on her husband, Javier Moreno.
To my dismay, the most recent article related to him was of his father’s passing.
With a little more digging, I’ve learned Javier’s father, Joaquín, recently passed away and, if my research is correct, Raina’s surprise husband is next in line to become a baron.
Although the aristocratic title is merely honorary, it is still considered low-ranking nobility and therefore is highly respected, if only for the wealth and power they possess.
And I’ve been stewing over it all afternoon while watching the clock.
As if the universe knows I need a mental break, my phone momentarily distracts me as it pings rapidly with incoming messages from the group chat between my brother-in-law and his friends—my friends—with plans I’m not interested in being a part of.
Enzo
What time are we supposed to meet tonight?
Sully
Really, Zo-Zo? We’ve been over this at least seventeen-thousand times.
Nixon
Seven.
Enzo
You set this up yesterday, Sully.
Sully
Then why can’t you remember?
I read through the messages as they come in, debating whether I want to meet up with them. It’s a Friday, and although I’m still exhausted from the company I kept last night, my alternative is sitting in my apartment, replaying everything I’ve learned today.
Nixon
Is everyone coming with? I don’t think Sly or Luciano texted back.
Sly
Sì, I am coming, but I am only staying one night.
Sully
I didn’t realize you’d take the phrase ‘ball and chain’ so seriously.
Sly
What does that phrase even mean?
Nixon
It’s a metaphor. “The old ball and chain”. It’s supposed to be a dig at marriage.
Sully
How have you never heard that phrase before?
Enzo
Because he didn’t grow up in a gutter like you.
As much as Enzo and I don’t get along, his dry humor makes me crack a smirk as I follow along with the chat but don’t engage.
Sully
You know damn well I grew up on the Upper East Side just like you did, Mister High and Mighty.
Enzo
Oh, feisty today.
Nixon
Has anyone heard from Luciano?
I sigh, knowing I’ll have to hop into the text strand soon. After powering down my computer, I open my briefcase and throw a few files into it. Raina’s sits on top, and I look down at it before scoffing and slamming the leather case closed.
From my desk, my phone vibrates incessantly.
Sully
Haven’t talked to that guy in ages.
Nixon
He responded to you two days ago.
Sly
He came over for dinner last night. He is alive and well.
Sully
But not responding. So that’s rude.
Enzo
Hopefully he left the chat.
Sully
Clearly, you have no idea how phones work.
Sully
You can’t just leave a chat. Not when there are different brands of phones in the message. Looking at you, Nixon.
Sully
A whole new chat would need to be created, so he’s still in this one.
Nixon
Not all of us can afford fancy upgrades every time one releases.
Enzo
So, just ignoring you then, like I wish I could. I hate to say I’m jealous of a Paladino, but here we are.
Sly
So we are meeting tonight at seven. Where? Sully’s? The tarmac?
Sully
I’ll just have my driver pick everyone up, and we can go together.
Nixon
We never did discuss logistics. Do I need to book a flight or something? Hotel room?
Sully
Aww, he’s adorable.
Enzo
Sly, I still don’t understand why your stray had to follow you back home. Surely he was just fine in that hole he lived in back in California, no?
Sly
Nixon, Sully owns a jet. We will fly privately. As for lodgings, though, Sullivan, what is the plan?
Sully
I already booked us a suite downtown, don’t worry. It’s on me, Nixy.
Nixon
Nixy?
Sly
I believe I’m the only one without a nickname now.
Sully
Don’t worry, you have a nickname, I just haven’t revealed it yet.
Stepping into the elevator, I press L for the lobby and ride it down, my mind made up that I won’t be going with them. A night out I can do, but an overnighter? No, thank you. There’s too much on my mind.
Enzo
You didn’t specify where we were going, Sully, just that we were taking a last minute “guys' trip”. So where are we even headed?
Sully
You’re going to ruin the surprise?
Sly
Your surprises often come at a price.
Sully
Oh, Sly Guy, don’t act like you aren’t fully amused by the trouble we get into.
Sly
And cause.
Sully
And cause.
Enzo
So where, then?
Sully
Sunny San Diego, Zo-Zo.
Enzo
I can get behind that.
Sully
Hopefully behind someone, too. You desperately need to get laid so you dislodge the stick up your ass.
Barking a laugh, I raise my hand to hail a cab, not wanting to wait for my driver to pick me up. As I shift my weight from leg to leg, I decide it’s time to text back and engage in this ridiculous conversation. San Diego does sound tempting.
I see I’ve missed a lot.
Sully
LUCE! Where’ve you been, loca?
Nixon
Did he… ???
Sly
He did, just ignore it.
I’ve been working. Seems like I’m the only one in this group chat who does.
Nixon
How are you holding up?
Sully
There’s nothing wrong with my movie references, you uncultured swine.
Nixon
You quoted a teenager's obsession with sparkly vampires.
Sully
I quoted a werewolf.
Nixon
It still came from a book.
Sully
It came from a movie.
Nixon
Now who’s the uncultured one?
Nixon
Luciano, please share how you are doing before I reach through the phone and smack Sully with a hardcover.
Enzo
I think the better question at this point is, why do you have a YA book to slap him with?
The familiar scream of a car’s horn blares and the screech of tires against asphalt alerts me to a cab as it comes to a stop beside the curb where I stand. Wrenching open the door, I slip inside, typing another message as I do.
I’m alright. The last few weeks were heavy. Today threw me into a tailspin.
“62nd and 3rd,” I tell the driver, leaning back against the cracked leather seats that reek of stale cigarettes as I try to figure out what these insane men are talking about.
Sly
What book are we talking about?
Sully
IT’S A MOVIE.
Count me out for the trip, I have too much happening at work right now to leave.
Sully
Lame. What happened today?
Let’s just say someone walked into my office who I never expected to see.
Sully
You’re really going to vaguebook us like that?
Sly
You do realize there are laws prohibiting him from speaking about clients, right?
Brother-in-law for the win.
Sully
Do you know who it was? You sound like you know who it was.
Over my dead body will I tell Sully who came into my office today. Not only because I am legally bound to keep my mouth shut, but because I know she needs discretion.
And I wouldn’t do that to her.
Attorney-client privilege.
Sly
No idea, but I do know he cannot reveal information about clients, just as I cannot reveal information about patients.
Sully
Okay, but male or female? At least give me that so I can draw my own conclusions.
Nixon
That feels like a trap. I’d proceed with caution.
I’m not sure why it matters, but I’ll humor you. Female.
I only work with females, you idiot.
Sly
You shouldn’t have said that. Now he’ll never leave you alone with all of his theories as to why your client rattled you.
I never said they rattled me. I said they surprised me.
Sully
You said they sent you into a tailspin. So I’m guessing it's someone you want to fuck.
Sly
I told you. You made a mistake.
Nixon
He’s going to be like a dog with a bone, isn’t he?
Enzo
Jesus fucking Christ. Here we go.
I have to go…
Sully
Liar. You just don’t want to confirm or deny.
No, I absolutely do not want to fuck my client.
Sully
Hmm. I smell a liar.
I am a liar.
Trust me, I don’t even want to be around this woman. Taking her on as a client was the last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn’t say no.
Nixon
When can you get rid of her?
When the ink is dry.
I really do need to go, though. I have a meeting.
Not really, but my apartment building is now within view, and this group chat is doing nothing to ease my headache. I watch the last few messages come through until the cab driver pulls up to the curb again, and I pocket my phone, shaking my head as I get out.
Sully
Fine. See you guys tonight.
Enzo
Later.
Sly
I will see you all at seven. Luciano, have a good weekend, amico.