Daddy's Boy (9 page)

What the hell?

“Excuse me?” Stan snapped.

“I went to see Jack today and his apartment was trashed.” Denny said calmly, his eyes locked on mine.

I’m glad Denny was calm, because I was one word away from freaking out.

“And how did you get into his apartment?” Stan asked looking Denny up and down, clearly not liking the tight black jeans hanging low despite the studded belt, the tattoos coloring his arms or the handful of piercings.

“I have a key.”

Giving Denny a looked that all but screamed ‘bullshit’ Stan reached for the phone on the counter. “Do I know you?”

“No.” Denny said with a big smirk on his face.

“Sure I don’t.” Stan mumbled under his breath turning his eyes back to me. “I’ll send a unit to his house but unless we find something there your dad’s just taking a break Rachel.”

“Thank you Stan.” I said giving him a smile as I grabbed a hold of Denny’s arm and pulled him away from the desk. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me about his apartment?” I snapped in a low whisper causing Lucca to drop his fingers away from Denny’s lip and give me big sad blue eyes. Ah crap, my baby thought I was yelling at him. Looking up at Denny while I softly touched Lucca’s cheeks I found Denny staring at me with wide, shocked eyes.

“You hurt Lucca’s feelings.”

“I did not.”

“You did too. Look at his little lip?” Denny said sticking his lower lip out just like Lucca. Lucca let out a high-pitched squeal his fingers flying back to Denny’s lip ring.

“He’s going to pull that out.” I warned in a stern voice, but inside I was holding back happy tears. Nothing in this World was more beautiful than Lucca in his dad’s arms. It also didn’t hurt that Denny had lost the dead and sad look the minute he’d picked Lucca up. Clearing my throat I re-asked my question. “Why didn’t you tell me about his apartment?”

“The door wasn’t exactly unlocked Rachel.” Denny whispered.

“Of course it wasn’t.” I murmured. Walking back to the desk I searched my purse for my father’s keys. Finding them, I handed them to Stan. “The cops you are sending are going to need these.”

Nodding Stan took the keys.

A little while later I turned from watching Stan at the front desk to watch Lucca drink from the bottle Denny held for him, Lucca cradled in his father arms, their identical blue eyes locked on each other. For six months my boys had been without each other. Seeing them together was only making me feel guilty. I let what was happening between Denny and I get in the way of what Lucca needed. Denny had missed Lucca’s birth, his first bath, his first smile for goodness sakes. Guilt weighing a ton hit me in the chest and wow was guilt an awful feeling.

“Denny no mattered what happens today or tomorrow I need you to be a part of Lucca’s life. I don’t care how you feel about me, just please promise me you will be a part of Lucca’s life. I’m sorry I’ve kept you from him for the first six months.” I whispered, tears clouding my throat and filling me eyes.

“Sweetheart,” Denny whispered looking at me, “you didn’t keep me away. I’ve stayed away.”

“Why would you do that? Is it because of how you feel about me?”

“Rachel the way I feel about you has−”

“That’s Rachel.” Stan shouted from the front desk causing me to jump out of my skin. “This is Grant, Rachel he just got back from Jack’s apartment.” Stan said nodding to the police officer walking towards me.

“Here,” Grant said handing me back my dad’s apartment keys along with a folded piece of paper. “Jack’s place was in perfect condition and I believe this is meant for you.”

Taking the keys and the piece of paper I unfolded the note reading the words written in my dad’s handwriting.

“What does it say?” Denny asked unable to lean over and read it himself as Lucca was still drinking from the bottle.

“It says he is going out of town as he needs a time out. He’ll call me when he can.”

“You believe that?” Denny asked standing carefully so he didn’t disturb Lucca.

Did I believe it? My gut said no but the writing was my dad’s handwriting, what was there not to believe.

“Thank you for your help.” I said shaking Grant’s offered hand.

After finishing feeding Lucca and burping him, Denny holding a sleeping Lucca and I walked out of the police station.

“So what now I just wait for my dad to call?”

“You could do that or you could come home with me and let me take care of it.”

What?

“Why would I come home with you? You think something bad has happened to him don’t you?”

“I didn’t say that. I would just feel better if you stayed with me until we are sure your dad is out of town.”

“He would never just leave a note. If he was going out of town he would have called.” I whispered.

Nodding Denny raised his hand slowly to my cheek. My whole body tingled from his touch. This was the first time he’d touch me since that awful night he left me. “Maybe he did go out of town.”

“You said his house was trashed?”

“I lied which is why they found it in perfect condition.”

What the hell? Anger took over the tingles faster than a finger click. Narrowing my eyes I pushed his hand off my face. “Why would you lie about something like that?”

“They wouldn’t have checked if I hadn’t.” Was he lying? Half of me thought he was but why would he lie?

“Just to be safe you and Lucca are going to come and stay at the town house.”

Nope, not going to happen.

“No I don’t want to stay with a liar.”

Shaking his head Denny turned away and put Lucca in his car seat. “Still have an attitude problem I see.” Denny whispered under his breath.

“Still have a lying problem I see.” I snapped. God Denny could be such a dick sometimes.

Turning around Denny let out a huge sigh. “Leave it alone Rachel and get in the fucking car. You’re coming home with me, end of discussion.”

Denny could fuck right off. He lost the right to boss me around when he walked out on me. “Screw you Denny. I’m going home, end of discussion.”

“Get. In. The. Car.” Denny snarled each word as he stepped into me, using his height against me.

“Screw. You.” I yelled pushing hard against his chest.

Something snapped inside both of us. Denny grabbed the back of my neck, I grabbed his face and we both smashed our mouths together. The kiss was a little messy and a lot desperate. I felt starved for Denny’s touch. My body had been slowly dying without it. 

Ending as fast as it started Denny pulled away with the sad and dead look back in place. “We shouldn’t have done that.” Stunned and a little hurt all I could do was nod. “Will you please just come home with me until I find out where your dad is? Do you really want another visit from Adam?”

“Don’t you think it’s weird, I’m your ex Denny.” I stupidly said because my brain was still not working from the kiss we’d just shared.

Looking at me like I’d just stabbed him in the heart Denny turned and walked away from me. “I know exactly what you are Rachel.”

Ouch! I meant it as a joke. But this was exactly why I couldn’t stay with Denny because I was still in love with him and he obviously hated me. But if I went back home and Adam’s crew showed up and did something to hurt Lucca I would never be able to forgive myself.

Wanting to hit something I flung myself down into the car and slammed the door shut. “If Lucca and I are staying with you then so is Rocco.” Maybe Rocco would eat something Denny really liked.

****

Humming the last bit of song I watched Lucca’s eyes fall shut. Continuing to rock him I put my finger to my lips as Denny came into the room shutting the door silently. Lowering Lucca into the travel crib I heard clothes ruffling behind me. Looking towards the noise I almost lost my hold on Lucca. Mere feet away Denny was half naked, his hands on his jeans about to take them down. Quickly turning back to Lucca I settled him on his back and snapped my mouth shut. Denny was still the most beautiful person I’d even seen.  

“Would it kill you to change in the bathroom?” I squeaked out my throat suddenly as dry as the Sahara.

“Nothing you haven’t seen before.” Denny mumbled.

God wasn’t that the truth. Moving a little faster before my body could give me away I turned off the lights and jumped into bed praying I could get the image of Denny’s naked body out of my mind. Hard lean muscles, tattoos covering olive skin, sinister piercings, and a trail of black hair leading to his… Nope, wasn’t getting that image out of my mind.

Listening to Denny move around the room I gave a sigh of relief when it sounded like he was heading towards the door. Denny whispered goodnight to Lucca then his feet sounded on the floor again, this time moving back towards the bed.

Moving back to the bed? No.

The covers were pulled back then a half naked Denny slid in so close I could feel the body heat coming off his skin.

“Denny what the hell are you doing?”

“Last time I checked this was my bed.”

“Yes but I’m using it.”

“I can see that.”

“Denny get the hell out.”

“And sleep where?” He asked amusement clear in his voice.

“Anywhere but here.” I snapped.

“What is your problem?” Denny asked turning to stare at me in the darkness, “it’s not like we haven’t been in bed together before. Most of the time with a lot less clothes.”

Oh God I could not go there right now. Not with his body heat warming my skin and the kiss we’d shared earlier still fresh in my mind. “The problem Denny is I have a boyfriend.” And you practically naked this close is one temptation I don’t think I can resist.

“Shut up or take the couch.” Denny mumbled, turning away from me.

“Asshole.” I hissed grabbing my pillow and taking a deep breath to keep from smothering him.

“That I am.” Denny said as I stomped out of the room.

Chapter 8

Knees touching her chest, neck lying at an awkward angle, blonde hair tangled like a rats nest, Rachel was the definition of uncomfortable. But damn if she didn’t make uncomfortable look sexy. Half of me thought it was funny to see her like this the other half was pissed that she would rather spend an uncomfortable night on the couch than sleep with me.

Lucca screeched as his little finger curled around my lower lip searching for the lip ring I had taken out.

Rachel’s eyes snapped open her body flinging like a bird caught in a net as she flung herself off the couch, hitting the floor with a thud.

I shouldn’t laugh, I really shouldn’t laugh. “Morning sweetheart. How did you sleep?”

“Shut up Denny.”

Nope this had to be laughed at. Laughing so hard tears filled my eyes I tickled Lucca’s tummy so he was laughing too. “Mommy is grumpy in the mornings.”

“Oh God, morning, I’m late for work and dropping Lucca off at Emma’s.” Rachel yelled jumping off the floor.

“Whoa Rachel you’re not going to work or taking Lucca to the babysitters.” I said grabbing her arm and pulling her back.

“And why’s that Denny?” Rachel asked a deadly glint in her eyes.

Shit, she was close to flipping.

“If someone has taken your father they might be watching you and Lucca.” I said calmly, hoping to defuse the bomb before it went off.

“You told me my father was probably fine, that this is just a precaution.”

“He probably is but just in case you should stay in today.”

“I can’t. I’m the manager and plus I need the money.”

“Then you should have kept the money I gave you.” I said, angry now.

“You didn’t give it to me, you gave it to my father. I’m going to work Denny whether you like it or not.” Rachel barked crossing her arms over her chest.

“Fine if you’re going to work then I’m going too.”

“We’ll come too!” Olivia shouted from the hall, her ear no doubt pushed up against the door.

“Me too. I love that freaking coffee.” Mason yelled.

Fuck me, my life was a comedy show.

“Jonah will you be joining us too?” I asked in a fake voice knowing he was with the morons in the hall.

“No. Ow. Jesus Olivia that hurt.” Jonah hissed.

“Jonah will be joining us for coffee.” Olivia answered cheerfully over Mason’s loud laughter.

Like I said a comedy show.

****

“Are you using my boy to pick up girls?” I asked Mason as he walked back to the table, Lucca held in his arms playing with a paper cup.

“No, well I wasn’t trying too.” Mason answered sitting down slowly so Lucca wouldn’t drop his cup.

Grabbing a handful of paper from Mason’s pocket Jonah shook his head. “Shit Mason, how many numbers did you get?”

“Nine…I think.” Mason said shrugging his shoulders not caring in the least as he stared at my boy’s wild black hair falling across his tiny forehead.

Smiling to myself I realized that Lucca wasn’t just going to be good for me he was going to be great for Mason too. For me, just being around Lucca silenced Vinnie’s voice in my head. For Mason, it was love with no conditions.

“Damn holding a baby is better than being a hot club manager.” Jonah said going through the numbers on the table.

“Do you get a lot of numbers at the club Jonah?” Olivia asked, glaring at him.

“Not anymore baby.” Jonah soothed pulling Olivia into his side.

“Liar.” I said chuckling at the middle finger Jonah shot me.

“Shut it Denny at least I just get numbers. Noting compared to your office quickies.”

“An offer Denny can’t refuse.” Mason said covering Lucca’s ears.

“Ha ha. I haven’t taken anyone to my office in over a month.” The table went an uncomfortable silence with all three of them giving me a look of pity. Shit I should have just kept my mouth shut.

“Wow I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lucca so quiet.”

Jumping up so fast his chair almost fell over, Jonah towered over the guy I knew was Rachel’s boyfriend, blocking him from Olivia. “Who the hell are you?” Jonah growled. A fallout from Olivia being tortured by Vinnie, Jonah was now out of control protective when anyone got too close to her, especially people he didn’t know.