Seven Days: A young black woman makes a deal with a mob boss. (31 page)

"And he never got punished by my mom. She never could, because as soon as she would get mad at him, he'd flash this big smile or puppy dog look, and she was done. Had mom completely wrapped around his finger. Hmm, let me think what else I could tell you," Nic said more to himself, than Victoria. "I guess something else that was interesting about him was that he hated fighting and violence. Didn't even like violent movies, but he never turned his nose up at my father and I, like my other siblings did."
Victoria laced her fingers through Nic's larger ones, as she continued to listen. It was extremely rare when Nic shared something, and she always felt so special when he did. She almost didn't want to move, so she wouldn't break whatever connection they had at the moment.
Nic cleared his throat. "I think one of the reasons he was like that, was because of an incident that happened when we were kids. We had gotten my father's handgun and like idiots, were playing with it, even though we had been warned a hundred times. Jimmy was over at our house that day, and said he could tell it wasn't loaded. So Bobby started swinging it around and then pointed it at my mom's favorite vase and shot. That son of a bitch was so loud, I swear I heard it ringing in my ears for days. Bobby dropped the gun and never picked another one up. It scared the shit out of him. But oh, did my father wear our asses out for that," Nic laughed.
"Oh my God, he should have," Victoria laughed, thinking about the three of them looking devilish in the photo she had observed at Marianna's house. 
Both were quiet as several minutes passed. Victoria wasn't sure if Nic was done talking. She waited a few minutes longer before she said anything.
"You know, your brother...his personality kind of reminds me of Antonio, don't you think?"
Nic thought about it. Over the years, he had tried not to think about Bobby, but now remembering a few of his brother's traits...yes, he and Antonio were similar. "Yeah, I guess he does. Always knew I liked that little prick for some reason."
Victoria giggled again. "He's a good guy. You just make him nervous all the time."
"Good," Nic whispered, then laughed when Victoria swatted at his arm.
"He would give anything to be like you. He thinks you're the coolest guy in the world. But don't tell him I told you this," Victoria said.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Nic thought about how Antonio could help him with his newest project. He needed to set that plan into motion as soon as possible.
Nic seemed to be deep in thought when Victoria interrupted him. "Nic?"
"Yes?"
"Want to tell me about the last time you cried?" Victoria felt Nic's body tense up beneath her. Maybe she was prying too much. He would tell her more things in time. He didn't have to give her his whole life story tonight while lying in bed. "Never mind, I'm sorry. I'm being way too nosey."
She felt his muscles relax, and she hugged him tighter. At least he wasn't mad at her for asking. He would tell her when he was ready. She was about to tell him that she was ready for round four, when he spoke.
"About ten years ago, was the last time I cried. It was the day I had to identify my brother's...remains."
Victoria looked up at Nic, trying her best not to look so shocked. She shifted herself so that her face was hovering over his. She lowered her lips to his and kissed him. "Baby, you don't have to tell me if you're not ready." She saw him nod his head, but he didn't say anything, which was definitely out of character for Nic. He hated when people did that.
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Then finally after a few seconds, he said "I'm fine. I just haven't talked about this in a long...ever, actually. I've never said a word to anyone, not even Jimmy."
More silence. Victoria waited, looking into his eyes. He was avoiding eye contact with her, but she knew this was probably one of the most difficult things he'd done.
"That day I thought I could take it. I wanted so badly to believe it wasn't my baby brother, you know. I always thought I could protect him. But when the police called my father and I into the morgue to identify his hea...fuck."
Victoria felt his breath quicken and he turned his head away from her. She slowly turned his head back toward her. Although the room was dark, she could see the slight moisture in the corners of his eyes. "Ssh, you don't have to say any more. I love you," she whispered, kissing him again and again.
It was so long ago, Nic thought it couldn't possibly affect him the same way, but he was wrong. All of those feelings that he had been avoiding for ten years came crashing down on him. And what made it even harder on him was that he still looked at Bobby as a seven year old who wore a Superman cape for almost a year straight. He had worn it to school, to the dinner table, to bed...for a solid year, he wouldn't part with it. It had come with a Halloween costume of Nic's, that he soon regretted giving to his little brother. Or Nic would remember him as the annoying twelve year old who followed him around everywhere he went. At the time it had been frustrating, but he later learned it was because Bobby thought of him as his idol or hero. It took his mother telling him that for Nic to understand. That happened one day when Bobby interrupted a make-out session Nic was having with some neighborhood girl, because he wanted to play baseball. When Nic complained to his mom about Bobby's ever present nature, he left out the make-out session, but got an explanation as to why Bobby was following his every move.
"He's your younger brother and he loves you. Even though you two are only a year apart, he would love nothing more than to be just like you. And you should be proud of that, Nic. Not annoyed. You're your brother's keeper, you know," his mom had told him years ago. Why the hell couldn't he have kept him safe? 
"Nic, it's not your fault what happened to him," Victoria whispered, bringing him out of the past. He looked up at her concerned, yet loving face.
"I should have been able to protect him better than that."
"Don't think about it," Victoria said, laying small kisses all over his face.
No, he wouldn't think about it anymore. He grabbed Victoria and rolled her onto her back. He was ready to feel her wrapped around him for the...well, he had lost count.

The next morning, Victoria pried her eyes open when she smelled the sinful aroma of French toast. She freshened up in the bathroom, grabbed her black dress and put it on, then walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, beautiful," Nic said, placing her breakfast on the counter, as she entered.
"Good morning. And do you ever get any sleep?" Victoria asked, as she stood on her tip toes to deliver him a kiss.
"Sometimes," Nic admitted.
Victoria looked at her food. "This whole domestic side of you is still such a surprise. I'm trying to get used to it." She placed a forkful in her mouth, and wanted to moan with how good it was, when she noticed he wasn't eating. "Are you not eating?"
"No, I don't like French toast."
"Then why did you make it?"
"Because I know you like it. I'm not really big on sugary foods first thing in the morning," he stated, as he opened the morning paper. Victoria watched him as she ate. He looked as though he had a lot on his mind.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes," Nic answered, but didn't offer any more. 
She nodded as she stuffed more food into her mouth. When she was done, she turned to look at him, and he was observing her. "That...was so good."
"Glad you liked," he said, although she could tell his mind was still elsewhere.
Victoria stood up and stretched. "Hey, I didn't even check, but are all the clothes you bought for me still here?"
"Of course."
"Okay. I have to get dressed and go into Calamity's and see if I even still have a job."
That brought Nic's mind back into focus. "What?"
Victoria started to walk to the back of the condo. "I need to go back to work soon. I have rent. My roommate probably thinks I've moved out...if she's even there. I swear that girl spends so much time away," Victoria yelled over her shoulder as she entered the bathroom.
She quickly showered and then walked to the bedroom and into the closet, with a small light blue towel wrapped around her body. She began shuffling through the clothes. She looked behind her and noticed Nic leaning against the door frame watching her. Oh, she could be playful. She slowly pulled the towel from her body and dropped it to the floor. She stood there completely naked, with her backside to his open stare.
"Hmm, what to wear," she said to herself, smiling, knowing he was looking. After a few seconds, she felt his arms snake around her and he buried his face into the side of her neck. She tilted her head back and moaned as he lightly bit his favorite area.
Nic slid his hands to her breasts and began to squeeze and roll her tight chocolate nipples between his fingers. And the further she stuck her tits out for his pleasure, the more her fleshy, perfect ass pushed into his crotch. Damn, he was already hard.
Victoria parted her mouth to moan when she felt his hand grasp her neck and tighten. "Nic," she whispered, as she felt his other hand slowly travel down her stomach and stop at the entrance to her essence. His fingers lightly grazed her sensitive folds as he rubbed her clit.
Victoria couldn't think, she didn't know where to put her arms, so she placed one up and behind her to grip his hair and the other she placed over top of his hand that was exploring her soaking pussy.
"You want it?" Nic teased close to her ear, squeezing her neck harder as he slowly inserted two fingers inside her. Such sweet torture.
"Nic...," was all she could manage.
"Tell me. Do you want it?" he growled.
"Yes, baby."
"What do you want?"
"I—I want you to make me come," she whispered, right before he inserted a third finger and began pumping in and out at a faster pace.
"Ooh, God, ooohh," Victoria muttered, as her body jerked. But Nic's arms kept her from moving too far, as he continued to lovingly assault her pussy. He wasn't reducing his speed, and he was quickly driving her crazy with his unrelenting attack. She just couldn't take it. And no more sounds could escape her throat as his hand tightened again.
Her back was pressed tightly to his front, and she loved the feel of being totally naked when he was fully dressed. It made her feel...freaky, and she loved it. She felt herself gasping for air right as her lower region exploded and she saw stars. Her legs felt wobbly and the butterflies in her pussy that traveled to her stomach and up her spine made her entire body feel as though it were on fire. Victoria could feel the sticky, wet feeling between her legs, as Nic released her neck and removed all but one finger. One finger that continued to tease her delicate and overly sensitive clit.
"Oh, damn," Victoria whispered to herself. When he finally removed the last finger, Victoria turned around and kissed him. She felt his tongue rolling around in her mouth, and still she wanted more.
When they pulled apart, Nic watched in awe as she grabbed the hand he had made her come with, and began sucking off her own juices. One by one she sucked and licked each of the three fingers which were covered in come.
"Mmm," she moaned, and then raised up on her tip toes to kiss him again. Nic was so hard, it hurt. He wanted to fuck her crazy. Screw gentleness.
Victoria watched in anticipation as he quickly removed his shirt and pulled down his pants and underwear. She squealed when he picked her up and roughly held her against one of the closet walls. He braced his arms underneath her legs and held them far apart. Victoria could tell by the look in his eyes, that this was purely lust and about his release only. She braced herself as he swiftly entered her to the hilt. She gasped from the sharp pain of his entire thick member penetrating her so forcefully. 
The wall had no give, so she was forced to take this pounding, and that really turned him on. The look of pain and pleasure written on her face.
He could feel his cheeks clenching as he pounded into her over and over again, never yielding. He was so close.
"Do you want me? My come?" Nic asked, breaking her out of her daze.
"Yes," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder while his body pumped ferociously in and out of her.
Her simple answer was all he needed to push him over the edge. He felt that wonderful, well-known feeling as his dick jerked and began squirting his pearly seed deep into Victoria. He groaned as it seemed to last forever and he felt his knees giving. When he was sure he didn't have a drop left, he slowly pulled out of her and let her rest her feet on the ground.
"Nic, that was--," she started, but he cut her off by kissing her. Her swollen lips tasted so good. Every part of her tasted so good.
When they finally parted, Victoria grabbed her towel and tried to take a second quick shower, but Nic joined her and 'quick' turned into almost an hour long escapade. They were definitely making up for any lost time together.
They both finally made it back into the closet to look for clothes. When Victoria was dressed, she turned to look as Nic was watching her again. He had yet to put on a shirt, and only had on a pair of jeans with no shoes. And damn, if he didn't look like an ad for...something sexy. 'Down girl,' Victoria thought, as she was about to walk past him.
He held out his arm, blocking her exit. "Yeah, about Calamity's...we need to talk about that," he said.
"Why, what's wrong?" Victoria asked.
"I don't want you working there anymore. One, it's not safe."
"I thought that's why you got rid of those guys...so now it should be safe, right?"
Nic stuck his hands in his pockets. "You're right. It should be. So, the real gripe I have is I don't like you working at a place like that in an outfit like that."
Victoria shook her head. "Nic, you've seen me in skimpier things. Hell, half of them are in this closet."
"Yes, but that's different."
"How so?"
"Because I'm with you when you wear them. Men know that you belong to me...they don't know that at your workplace."
Victoria scoffed, "Belong to you?"
"Yes," he answered matter-of-factly.
"Hmm, didn't realize I was like a dog. Or cattle," Victoria said, rolling her eyes.
Nic walked over to her, and stood so close that his body was lightly grazing hers. He stared down into her face, while she tried to resist his charms, by placing her hands on her hips.
"I thought this was my pussy," he said, as he traced his fingers up her thigh and under her skirt. Victoria didn't answer for fear that her voice would betray her due to the instant connection she felt with his fingers. Instead, she continued to stare at him.
"And my heart," he whispered, as his fingers trailed from under her skirt, up to her breast and over her heart. "At least I thought they were."
Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't think of shit to say. Damn, he was right.
When she eventually found her voice, she said, "Fair enough. But Nic, that's my job and those outfits aren't THAT bad, you know."
"Maybe not on less shapely girls, but on you...men see tits and ass."
"Okay, you're exaggerating. No they don't," Victoria laughed.
"Yes, they do," Nic said, not finding the humor at all.
Victoria backed away from him and walked out of the closet. She went down the hall, and grabbed her purse from the table. Before she could make it to the door, Nic grabbed her arm.
"Wait, I'm not done talking about this," he said, pulling her towards him.
"Nic, there's nothing more to discuss. I understand your concerns, but it's my job until I can find one that's better."
"You do realize that you don't have to work. You know I'll take care of you," Nic whispered to her.
Victoria pulled away. "You see Nic, that's—that's exactly what people think. I—I," Victoria tried, but couldn't finish. This whole thing could be so frustrating.
Both of them stood there staring at each other.
"I forgot to tell you last night, but Detective Marsh came to see me while I was at the hotel," Victoria mentioned, breaking the silence.
Son of a bitch. Nic exhaled to keep his temper in check. "What did he want?"
"He just asked me questions about our relationship and if I knew of anything illegal that you've done. Of course I played dumb, but he, well, he insulted me. He thinks that I'm just your girlfriend who you pay to sleep with. And I let him think it so he wouldn't ask more questions, but I—I don't like that people think that about me. And I realize that it started out that way, but I don't want people to continue to think that way," she said, quickly wiping a small tear in the corner of her eye.
Marsh was an absolute dick, and Nic wanted nothing more than to punch him in his smug face. He could see the embarrassment on her face of dealing with people thinking this way. Marsh, her father, Sonny, Amber...he'll probably more people than he realized because they never said it to his face. They just looked down on her. And she had never said a word about it until now. And this was all because of the way he had treated her. He had no one to blame but himself.
"Well, job or not, people are going to think what they want, but at least I feel better about myself if I don't sit around your condo all day waiting for you to come and...well, you know."
Nic knew he would have to lose this battle to win the war. It was his fault and he'd have to deal with it. Plus, he had some other matters to attend to. He slowly nodded and turned to walk toward the bedroom.
Victoria wasn't sure if she should follow him, or just walk out of the door. She chose to leave, because she at least needed to see if she still had a job. Once she paid the cab driver, she turned and flinched when she walked by the sidewalk where she had ducked down from the glass. She stared up at the new shiny window. You wouldn't have even known there was a shooting over a week ago. When she walked in, she noticed Tracy flirting with a new bartender that she didn't recognize. She headed over to them.
"Hey Tracy," Victoria said, before Tracy pounced on her. 
"Oh my God," she said in her thick southern accent, as she hugged Victoria. "How are you? Where have you been? Do you still work here?" Tracy shot out question after question.
"I'm fine. And I don't know if I still work here or not. Is Greg around?"
"Yes, sweetie, he's in the office."
"Thanks," Victoria said, as she made her way towards the back of the restaurant. She knocked on the door.
"What?" she heard him answer.
She pushed open the door and saw him sitting behind the desk counting money. He froze when he saw her and then smiled.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. How are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"Can't complain."
"So, I know I've been gone a little while, but I was kind of wondering if I was still employed here?"
"Do you want to be?"
"Yes."
"Then you are," Greg said, looking back down at the money. "I can put you back on the schedule starting tomorrow...cool?"
"Oh, gosh, thank you Greg," Victoria said. Then she stared at him skeptically. "You don't even want to know where I've been?"
"No, it's all your business. Well, that and the fact that some guy called me the day after the shooting to say you would be gone for a certain amount of time, but he wouldn't tell me how long or where. He was just a little scary on the phone. Boyfriend?"
Victoria placed her hand over her face and nodded, "Sorry about that."
"I figured. All the good ones are taken," Greg smiled at her. Victoria smiled back, and as the uncomfortable moment passed them by, Greg cleared his throat.
"So, anyhow, you're on at five tomorrow. See you then," he said as he continued to count.