Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) (34 page)

I laugh,
 “
Thanks Tricia. Are you ready to have a good time
?
”

She nods her head similar to a bobble-head doll, eager to get a start on her night.

“
Good, because ther
e’
s a whole lot of ice cream late
r…,
” I share the secret with her.

She licks her lips and turns to her mother for assurance. Mrs. Stanson is dressed in a dark red cocktail dress. Her eyes look livelier and her cheeks have a healthy glow to them... much different from the last time I saw her.

“
Miss Lombardi
,
”
 
she shakes my hand,
 “
I
t’
s so good to see you again. Thank you for thinking of us and inviting us tonight
.
”

I greet the woman warmly.

“
You did
n’
t get a chance to meet my husband the last time I saw you
,
”
 
she gestures to the taller man standing next to her, dressed in a grey suit and leaning on a wooden crutch.

“
Mr. Stanson... it is so good to finally meet you. I see yo
u’
re making quite a recovery
!
” I extend my hand to shake his.

His pale skin begins to flush at becoming the center of attention,
 “
The docs say
I’
m moving along nicely. I want to thank you for all yo
u’
ve done for us, Miss. Lombardi. My wife tells me you were a great comfort to her
.
”

I smile at him and then his wife as she looks adoringly up at him
,
“
It was the least I could do. Please enjoy yourselves tonight... w
e’
ve got something special planned
.
”

The receiving line continues along, with no end in sight. John and Mary meet us to take over the greeting responsibilities so that we can go mingle. Thank God! I need to have a seat for a bit. The live music spills from room to room but grows louder as we exit the building into the enclosed tent. Dozens and dozens of tables are set out with guests moving about in conversation, helping themselves to the buffet and even dancing on the newly erected wooden dance floor. Dom sees a group of men from the accounting department and leaves me to share a drink with them.

I have but a moment to myself before Ellen finds me, gushing over my dress. I dutifully scroll through the most recent pictures of her granddaughter offered on her phone and have a laugh or two at my own expense when we re-tell the earring story to her husband.

I can see Momma, Aunt Rosie and Nonna eating their supper at one of the linen covered tables and raise my glass to them as they spot me. Momma blows me a kiss through the early autumn night air. I mingle my way over to Tony and Cecily, resting her feet up on a nearby chair to the one sh
e’
s sitting on.

“
Ho
w’
s my little Goddaughter doing tonight?
,
” I bend down and place my ear up to Cecil
y’
s gigantic belly. We had doubts that she would be able to make it tonight, being so close to her due date, but she insisted that wanted to come. By the looks of it, though,
I’
m sure they wo
n’
t be staying long.

Tap, tap, tap. We all turn our attention to the low-lying stage where the band has quieted their playing to allow for the new MC to address us. I
t’
s Dom. Somehow in all of my mingling, I lost sight of him and his ascent to the stage. I did
n’
t know he planned to make a speech. He clears his throat and waits for the chatting to die down.

“
Thank you ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming out tonight. Before I begin, I want to give a very special thanks to the wonderful woman who worked tirelessly to put tonigh
t’
s event together. Sh
e’
s a friend to us all, and has grown up in the ATH family before joining it a few months ago
.
”

I blush, feeling everyon
e’
s eyes turn to me.

“
Miss Vincenza Lombardi, everyone
,
” Dom holds his arm out in my direction as the crowd offers applause.
 “
Now le
t’
s talk a little about why w
e’
re here tonight. W
e’
re here because we are a family... Some by blood, others by respect. We have a commitment to each other and to ourselves to make our lives count for something. To make our company stand for something. Each one of us makes the rest stronger, better. It is in this tradition that we are starting a new program at ATH, one that Vincenza has been working night and day on. We want to offer each of you a wonderful place to work, where you feel valued and important, but we also want to offer you much more than that
.
”

A pair of young-looking waiters struggle to carry a large, flat, rectangular cardboard sign up the stairs. I
t’
s fairly obvious that the cardboard cut-out is a check. The oohs and ahhs spread throughout the audience, with gasp after gasp as the full numerical amount on the check becomes visible.

“
We here, at the helm of ATH are the second generation. John, Tony, Mike, Theresa, Myself and Vicenza have all been afforded wonderful educations and opportunities thanks to this company. We want to give those same things back. A scholarship fund has been created for employees and their dependents. We want to see you and your children receive the same things that we did. A newsletter has been emailed to each of you detailing the criteria for receiving a scholarship. We have enrolled two young ladies in the scholarship fund already. Tricia Stanson, wh
o’
s father is a delivery driver for us, and Christina Paredo, wh
o’
s grandmother Ellen is an administrative assistant
.
”

Thunderous applause breaks out amongst the crowd, spreading like wildfire from table to table. The Stansons are huddled in a family hug, with Tricia jumping up and down at the mention of her name and her mother crying tears of joy. Ellen and her Husband are crying and laughing, alternating between the two as they are congratulated by those surrounding them.

“
We hope to be able to do much, much more than this in the future, as Vincenza expands our employee programs. So
I’
d like to thank each of you for everything you contribute to the success here at ATH, our family and friends for their support, and most of all I would like to thank my fian
cé
, Vincenza, for showing me true richness and beauty in the world. Everyone have a great night, enjoy yourselves and let loose. Salute
.
”

The applause from the scholarship announcement was nothing compared to that of the engagement announcement. The twinkling string lights swarm around as the crowd frenzies themselves to congratulate Dom and I. I had a sneaky suspicion he was going to make the announcement tonight, but had held out hope that he would save me the ordeal.

I swallow hard and prepare myself for a whole lot of hugs as the sea of faces turns in my direction.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

“
Did you really need to do that, tonight
?
” I jokingly admonish my soon-to-be husband.

He laughs and nods, pulling me in close,
 “
You bet your sweet ass I did. Every single person is gonna to know about this by morning. I would
n’
t be surprised if it makes the papers
.
”

Panic begins to set in as the enormity of the situation settles. Do
m’
s a well known figure. Of course this is going to get more attention than I had originally anticipated.

Dom pats my behind,
 “
Do
n’
t worry about it, babe. I
t’
ll be fine
.
”

“
Well, well, well... if it is
n’
t the happy couple. I believe congratulations are in order
.
”

Dom and I tear our eyes from each othe
r’
s, as we are interrupted. E.J. and Tanya are arm in arm, casually sipping on their drinks. Well
I’
ll be damned. If it is
n’
t public enemy number one and two. My body stiffens noticeably at the sight of them. Dom must feel my discomfort as he slips his arm protectively around me and steps out to act as buffer between myself and our
guests
.

I had sent out a mass invitation on company letterhead to everyone on our mailing lists. E.J. did not RSVP, and I just assumed he would not be likely to show his face amongst this crowd. That was until he learned that Theresa was planning to spill the beans. That is, tha
t’
s what he
thought
  Theresa was planning to do, due to my phony text message. It was only proof that he was using spyware on Theres
a’
s phone.

Tanya, however, was most definitely
not
invited. The fact the she is hanging all over E.J. like a a cheap rug is evident enough of how she secured her entry tonight.

“
Do
n’
t look so surprised, Dom. I could
n’
t pass up the chance to give my regards in person, maybe catch a peek at the ring
,
” an evil glare clouds over her eyes.
 “
I
t’
s all so... exciting
.
”

Dom speaks up,
 “
V is going to be my wife. There is nothing you need to speak to her about, let alone share any special
moments.
  Besides, you two will probably be leaving soon
.
”

“
Is that so
?
”
 
E.J. questions Do
m’
s assertion, clearly not pleased that his departure time is being dictated to him.

“
It is.
I’
m pretty damn sure yo
u’
ll be wanting to leave to contact your attorney. You see, earlier this evening, three men were arrested at our New Jersey storage docks, waiting to pounce on an incoming ship... that never arrived. They were fully armed. At least one of them has a criminal record and is on parole. It seems h
e’
s not so eager to return to jail, and is looking to make a deal
.
”

The color drains from E.J
.’
s face before Do
m’
s words are finished.
 “
If yo
u’
ll excuse me
,
”
 
he nods to me,
 “
I have an early appointment in the morning.

Tanya is left behind as E.J. abandons his date, leaving her in his dust as he hi-tails it out of there. She stands, stunned, mouth ajar, as I look upon her in pity.

Her face begins to redden from anger,
 “
Do
n’
t you look at me like that! Do
n’
t you dare look at me like that
.
”

I can see the nearby crowd turn from the commotion, so I leave her and enter the main building to escape her drama and the public scene its bound to cause. Thankfully, the rooms of the main showroom are vacant, with everyone out enjoying the party. I can hear the rustling of her cheap taffeta from behind as she swishes back and forth trying to keep my pace.

“
Tanya, I swear, whatever you think I owe you, do not let it mislead you into thinking I wo
n’
t throw you on your ass if you so much as lay a finger on her
,
” Dom informs her.

“
No! She ca
n’
t have everything. She took you, she just chased him away. Little miss perfect needs a reality check
,
”
 
she spits.

I’
ve just about had my fill. I snap around,
 “
Are you kidding me? Maybe if you were
n’
t such a vile, disgusting person, yo
u’
d actually be able to have something good in your life. Do
n’
t blame me because you make stupid decisions that blow up in your face
!
”

Dom tries to intervene, acting as a buffer, but like a bitchy little chihuahua, she keeps yapping, showing her teeth.

“
Oh puhlease! Dadd
y’
s little pwincess got everything handed to her on a silvah plattah, even her man. Daddy had to set that up for you too, did
n’
t he
?
”

Dom stiffens, his back turned to me as he tries to shield me from her vile accusation. I would
n’
t normally place any weight in anything Tanya threw my way, but come to think about it... she did warn me about the secrets in my family. Could she be right about this, too?

I grab hold of Do
m’
s arm and use it to swing him my way,
 “
Wha
t’
s she talking about, Dom
.
”
 
I see the answer clear as day on his pained face.
 “
Is it true?
,
”
 
I whisper.

His eyes close tight, fists closing and flexing. His head turns back to Tanya behind him
,
“
Get out of here now, while you still can, and I better not
ever
see your face again..
.
”

Tany
a’
s eyes widen at the threat, but she slinks away and cowers out of the room.

“
I
t’
s true, is
n’
t it?
,
” my chest tightens, heart convulsing within. Sharp pangs of pain tear into my stomach. A terrible cramp takes hold of my lungs, pressing them down.

“
Oh, God
,
” I gasp for air.

He reaches out to steady me as I waiver to the side. I push his hand away. I ca
n’
t bear to touch him, to have him touch me. I run from the room, grabbing at my dress to hold the hem up as I escape my personal hell.

The gravel of the parking area proves uneasy to manage, running in heels, and I fall, hitting the ground fast. My palms begin to sting from the shredded flesh. I rebound quickly and reach the nearest driver.

“
Get me out of here, please
.
”

I give the chauffeur the address to the summer house, knowing that
I’
ll get there first with very little time to spare before Dom follows.
I’
ll need to run in for my key and get in my car in record time. The chauffeur pulls into the crowded driveway, with me running from the car before the rolling tires have stopped. I run through the cars, weaving my way between them and up to the front door.

I head straight for my handbag and abruptly turn back my direction, leaving the front door open behind me. The driver and his car have left by the time I return to the collection of cars in the drive. I click the remote to unlock the doors. I reach for the handle, lifting it to release its seal.

Headlights turn into the darkened drive, illuminating the area. The car pulls in, blocking the exit route. Crap. I breathe fast, starting to hyperventilate. I have no where to go, trapped on all sides. I run around the side of the house, and back to the wooden stairway down to the beach.

My already tattered dress catches on post after post, ripping and tearing away from my body, and I do
n’
t care. I do
n’
t care about my broken shoes. I just need to go, and not stop. The rocky shoreline of the beach is harsh under my feet.

“
V
!
” Dom calls, not far behind.

The moonlight sparkles on the calm water of the Long Island Sound. Tiny ripples snake their way over the surface, the edge lapping at my feet. I wade into the water, the depths creeping up my legs as wha
t’
s left of my dress floats around my moving limbs. My fingertips submerge themselves as the water level rises.

I hear splashing behind me,
 “
Babe, stop
!
”

Strong arms grab me from behind, pulling me from entering further,
 “
V, stop... stop. I
t’
s OK. Babe, you just need to stop for a second. Listen
.
”

I shake my head, drowning out his voice,
 “
No... more lies. I ca
n’
t take anymore. Nothin
g’
s real. Nothing
!
” I slam my fists down into the water, splashing.

“
Shh.... baby. I
t’
s not what you think
,
”
 
he turns me around, holding my head to stop i
t’
s shaking as I deny his words.
 “
She had the smallest piece of information and she ran with it. She does
n’
t know everything. Please, listen to me
.
”

I swallow hard, by tear-stung eyes lifting to search into his, searching for anything to negate wha
t’
s happening,
 “
I
t’
s not real..
.
”

He kisses my forehead, splaying my body over his, as I weaken from exhaustion, unable to offer up resistance,
 “
I
t’
s real, V. Everything I feel for you, everything you feel for me... i
t’
s real. I
t’
s always been real
.
”

I break down and sob my disappointment into his chest. Seizing the opportunity he lifts me up, carrying my soaked body from the water and over to the wooden bench at the foot of the outdoor staircase.

He sits us down, cradling me, warming me with his hands as he rubs my dripping flesh and with his lips as he kisses my cheeks, my forehead, my chin. My shivering happens in spurts, his friction trying to calm each outburst.

“
Tell me..
.
” I need to hear it.

He exhales, speaking softly into my ear,
 “
When you were born, things started to get bad. Your dad could see how things were heading. He knew you, your brothers, our mothers and the company could be left vulnerable one day. Our dads believed the only way our family could stay strong, the company could stay strong is if we all stayed unified, connected. I do
n’
t know if they were completely serious about us marrying or not, but they threw the idea around
.
”

“
It would be the perfect solution, I wo
n’
t lie. But, regardless of what they wanted for us, for you... I know what I want.
I’
ve known for a long time, V. I want you. And I know that you want me. Before you heard anything about this, you wanted me. I
t’
s not every day that people fall like we did, V. I
t’
s not every day that a person finds another person to love them in return
.
”

My shaking calms in the warm indian summer night as his voice blankets me.