Speak Low (9 page)

“I can,” squeaked someone on my left.

Fucking Gina. Her voice was like chalk on a slate.

“He’s been putting me off all year,” she went on. “I would have liked a ring by now, though, or at least some kind of diamonds. Last week he hinted around that he had a gift for me, but I got nothin’ to show for it.”

The necklace.
I brought a hand to my throat, nearly gagging.

I was wearing Gina’s engagement present?

“You know he’ll get you something. That’s how these guys work. They’re all down and worried one day and riding high, flush with cash the next.”

“He better.” The toilet on the left flushed noisily. “I told him I want a rock for each month he made me wait around.”

Her friend laughed. “That’ll be one a hell of a gift, then.”

“No kiddin.’” Gina exited the stall and I heard the water come on at a sink. “I just wish he’d pay more attention to me when I’m here. He’s always so busy.”

The toilet flushed on the right, and her friend joined her at the sinks. “Well, I guess that’s the price you pay for marrying somebody like Enzo DiFiore. I still can’t believe he’s gonna go through with it.”

“For cryin’ out loud, Valerie, can you stop saying that?” Gina screeched. “What’s so goddamn hard about believing he’s gonna marry me like he promised?”

“Don’t have a kitten, Gina. All I meant was that he seemed so reluctant to actually say ‘I do’ before this week. Now all of a sudden it’s a rush job.”

“Rush job! I been waiting six months for this. I don’t know any other girl who had to wait so long. Daddy was getting as anxious as I was.”

“Well, I guess he came to his senses,” soothed Valerie.

“Yeah. Either that or someone showed him what would happen to his senses if he didn’t do the deed.” Gina giggled. “I think Daddy might have had a little man to man chat with him.”

Her friend gasped. “Really?”

“Yeah. Hey, gimme that lipstick.”

I waited in agony as they touched up their lips.

“Why does your father want you to get married so badly? Ouch!”

For a second I was confused and then I realized Gina must have slapped her or something.

“It’s not about what he wants, dimwit, it’s about what
I
want! It pays to be Daddy’s little girl, you know.”

“I know.”

“I’m just trading in for a younger, handsomer model.” Gina giggled. “One with all the right equipment. And boy does he know how to use it!”

My stomach heaved as Valerie squealed. “You’re telling me! He’s about the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. You’re so lucky.”

“Honey, it ain’t luck. I know how to use my equipment too.”

“You’re so naughty,” chided Valerie. I heard the clink of coins and figured they were tipping the attendant.

“At least I’m not boring,” said Gina. “You’ve gotta be naughty to keep a man like that. Otherwise, they’ll start running around.”

“Honey, they all run around eventually,” Valerie said confidently.

“Well, if Enzo does, my Daddy will cut off his balls before he even sees the knife coming. Or I’ll do it myself.” They laughed again as they exited into the lounge. “Val, you got a ciggie?”

The music got louder when they opened the ladies room door, and then it was muted again. They were gone.

My heart was beating so fast and loud it sounded like a locomotive in my head. Was there such a thing as a heart attack brought on by anger? If so, I was about to suffer one. I shoved the heel of my hand into the side of the stall, hard.

“Miss? Are you all right?” the attendant asked.

I sighed. “Yes, I’m fine. I just…bumped into the wall.” Rolling my eyes at the lame explanation, I decided to actually use the facilities since I was in there. When I came out, I washed my hands, and tipped her with some loose change from my purse.

What I didn’t do was look in the mirror. I dreaded the sight of my stupid, gullible face.

Ducking the slanted ceiling, I left the bathroom and started for the booth. I had to pass by Gina’s table, and at first I hoped no one would notice me, but then I happened to look up and notice Enzo lighting her cigarette again.

“Fuck it.” I swore softly and turned on my heel, heading straight for them.

Chapter Eight

“Good evening.” I greeted the table with a friendly smile. Gina looked at me as if I were a bug to be shooed away but Enzo’s face drained of color.
Good.

“Miss O’Mara,” he said. “How nice to see you again. You remember my
fiancée
, Gina Meloni?”

I wasn’t sure if the emphasis was because he thought I didn’t recognize her, or if it was supposed to serve as a warning to behave myself. Either way, I didn’t much care. “Of course. And what a lovely dress you’re wearing. I just adore it.”

Gina smiled, smoke seeping from her lips. “It’s from New York. It was a gift from Enzo. He’s always buying me something.”

“Mr. Generosity.” I met Enzo’s eyes. “Got a cigarette to spare?”

“Certainly.” He removed a gold case from his coat and opened it. While I chose one, he glanced at Gina, who was staring at the diamonds at my throat. “Allow me to light it for you and escort you back to your table, Miss O’Mara.”

I lifted my shoulders. “If you insist.”

“Say, that’s some serious ice around your neck.” Gina pointed at the choker. “Enzo, you see that?”

“I do.” He brandished a lighter and flicked the switch, pinning me with a look that said
stay quiet
.

“That’s the kind of gift I want next.” Gina pouted as I leaned closer to Enzo and allowed the small flame to light the cigarette between my lips.

I took in a lungful of smoke and exhaled. “You should get her one, Enzo. When is the wedding anyway?”

“Next Saturday,” answered Gina. “We just can’t wait any longer, can we, darling?”

I feigned a swoon, putting a hand over my heart. “How romantic!”

“What about you? You got a fella?”

“Me? No.”

If we were on the playground, the look she gave me might have been accompanied by a bratty little
nyah-nyah
. “So who bought you those goods?”

I looked at Enzo again, who was gripping the back of Gina’s chair so hard, I thought he might break it in half. Oh, how I loved to see him squirm. “Just an admirer,” I said airily.

Gina was intrigued. “Is he handsome?”

“Indeed he is.”

“And rich?”

“Well…” I pretended to think this over. “He does have a nice new motorcar.”

“So does Enzo,” she said, smug-faced. “A Packard. Daddy bought it for us as an early wedding gift. Isn’t that right, honey?” She glanced back at her fiancé.

I nearly vomited.

“Sure.” He cleared his throat. “Tiny, are you ready to go?”

“Absolutely.” I stubbed out my cigarette in the ashtray in front of Gina. “Enjoy your evening, Miss Meloni. And congratulations. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

Enzo grabbed my arm and yanked me sideways before she even had a chance to reply. “What the hell was that?” he hissed in my ear. “Are you out of your mind? Her father will kill me!”

“Good,” I snapped. “Saves me the trouble!” I shrugged out of his grasp and tried to run through the crowd, but it was too thick. He got me by one elbow and dragged me over to the booth, which was empty. “Stop acting like a child,” he demanded, shoving me onto the bench. “Give me a chance to explain.”

I looked up at him angrily. “Why should I?”

“Because… I have something for you.”

I lifted my chin higher. “Not. Interested.”

A knowing smile snuck onto his lips. “You will be when you see it. Meet me out front in ten minutes.”

“You don’t really expect me to go somewhere alone with you, do you?”

“I’ll make it worth your while.”

“You want to take me somewhere, you have to tell me what you said to Joey tonight.”

Anger darkened his complexion. “I don’t
have
to do anything.”

“Then I’m leaving. Alone.” I stood and tried to get past him, but he blocked my way, gripping me by the upper arms.

“No. You’re going to stay here and wait for me.”

Something in his tone made me clam up instead of making a sharp-tongued retort or kneeing him in the balls, which was another compulsion I occasionally had around him. I froze, my gaze sliding to one of his hands squeezing my skin.

He must have realized he’d gone too far, because he let go and glanced around to make sure no one was watching us. “I’m sorry,” he said, softer now. “I know this sounds crazy, but I’ll make it up to you.”

“You hurt me.” I rubbed my upper arms.

“I
said
, I’m sorry.”

“Fine. You’re sorry. I’d still be crazy to go anywhere alone with you.”

“Tiny, please.” He brought his fingertips to his forehead. “I’m sorry I grabbed you that way, but you just
do
something to me, something I can hardly control, and it drives me crazy when I see you and can’t touch you. That’s all.”

“That doesn’t excuse your behavior tonight. And there is no way I’m going to sit in this club any longer and watch you fawn all over the future fucking missus.”

He sighed and closed his eyes. “What do you want from me?”

“I told you. I want to know why you asked Joey here.”

He opened his eyes and stared hard at me. “Fine. Meet me outside in ten minutes.”

#

When Enzo went to make his excuses to Gina, I tugged Evelyn off the dance floor just long enough to whisper my plans to her and tell her not to worry. “Now if only you can ditch Walter somewhere, you could have the back seat of Ted’s car all to yourself.” I tried to keep my tone bright.

She shoved me playfully but gave me a conspiratorial wink. “The front seat’s just as comfortable, you know.”

Yes, indeed I do.
I made my way to the exit. But I wasn’t going to let him touch me that way tonight.
Not a chance. I just have to be strong, that’s all. I have to let him know that he can’t expect me to sit idly by while he chauffeurs Gina around in his shiny Packard during the day, and then expects to fool around with me in it after dark. The nerve of him!

Last Saturday night it had seemed glamorous and exciting, but now the experience had lost its allure, and I wasn’t even
thinking
about the way the evening had ended in the boathouse. How dare he come for me in the car her father bought for them? As a
wedding gift
!

By the time he pulled up, I was fuming again.

I got into the Packard, and the familiar interior gave my surging temper a boost. After slamming the door, I slapped his face. Hard.

“How could you? This car was a wedding present from her father? You fucked me in the front seat!”

Enzo held a hand to his cheek and grimaced. “You didn’t have any complaints at the time.”

“Because I didn’t know, Enzo! And this necklace—ugh, take it back!” I unclasped it and threw it at him, then I crossed my arms and thumped back against the seat. “I don’t even know what I’m doing in here right now. I must be crazy.”

He set the necklace aside and reached for my hand. I snatched it back, but he took it again. “Listen to me. You’re not crazy. You’re here for the same reason I am—I can’t stay away from you, no matter how much I want to.”

Something occurred to me. “You
knew
. You knew that night that you were going to marry her next weekend, and you lied to me.”

“I said I was trying to get out of it, and I am. But I had to agree to marry her, Tiny. The club was low on booze and I have a business to run. But listen—it’s all gonna be OK, I know it. I won’t have to marry her.”

I looked at him incredulously. “And why not?”

“Because I’ll be able to pay off Meloni with the cash I’m getting from all the opium. That plus what the club brings in this week, now that I’ve got good booze to sell.”

I shifted in my seat to face him. “And what makes you think you’re getting all the opium again? I’m still confused about that part.”

“I’ll tell you. But first…your surprise.” He dropped my hand and pulled away from the curb. I sat ramrod straight, wanting as little of my body as possible to touch any part of this car.

“Where are we going?” I asked as Enzo drove north on Woodward toward Grand Circus Park.

“You’ll see.”

In a few minutes Enzo pulled up at the ritzy Statler Hotel, and my temper flared again. If he thought we were going to enjoy a quick romp here, he was mistaken. “A hotel? That’s what you wanted to show me?” I set my jaw. “Well, you can forget it. I’m not going to a hotel room with you.”

“It’s not a hotel room. Just trust me, OK?”

“No.”

Enzo sighed as attendants rushed to open the passenger door. I was tempted to refuse to get out of the car, but figured that would embarrass me more than Enzo, so I allowed the uniformed man to help me out. He led me underneath an awning, where I waited with tapping toes and a scowl for Enzo to give instructions for parking the Packard. In a moment he took me by the elbow, and we entered the lobby.

My bottom lip dropped open. I couldn’t help but be awed by the sheer size and splendor of the hotel. One of my secret dreams was to travel to big cities and stay in romantic, luxurious places like this. My childhood scrapbook was filled with advertisements and post cards from lavish hotels whose lobbies looked just like the one before me. Now that I was actually inside one, I felt like a child again, small and wide-eyed and dazzled by the opulence.

The room ran the entire width of the hotel and was two stories tall. The night air had been hot and humid but inside the lobby was cool and airy. Gooseflesh broke out on my arms, and I was instantly sorry I had not worn gloves, both for modesty and for warmth. As we crossed the marble floor, our heels clicking elegantly, I craned my neck and looked around. The wall facing the park had five huge arched windows and opposite these were balconies with wrought iron railings. The cavernous space was mostly empty of people at this late hour, but still I chewed my lip and dropped my eyes to my clothing. The dress I’d so loved for its daring earlier tonight seemed inappropriate here in the well-lit luxury of the Statler Hotel lobby. Enzo sensed my discomfort and put an arm around me.

“You’re a vision,” he whispered in my ear.

“I—I’m…just a little bit chilled,” I stuttered. Warily I eyed the five huge chandeliers looming over my head.

He squeezed my arm, and I thought he might offer me his coat, but he didn’t.

Maybe there’s a rule about men’s dress
, I thought. In which case there may be one about women’s dress as well, and I doubted my bare shoulders would pass muster. Along the east wall was a massive oak counter, from behind which two pairs of eyes watched us intently. I glanced at Enzo, but he didn’t appear concerned, not even bothering to look their way. We walked by potted palms and elegant spindly-legged furniture toward the back of the room, where a short corridor led to a bank of four elevators book-ended by two marble-lined staircases.

As we waited for a car, I kept my legs pressed tightly together and tried to keep my knees from knocking. Precisely what had me so nervous was hard to say. Was I afraid that I wouldn’t be able to fend him off if he tried something? Was I scared that my willpower wouldn’t be enough to resist his physical overtures? Or was there, beneath it all, an actual fear for my safety? After all, no one knew where I was, and I was allowing a man I knew to be obsessed with power and control to lead me to an undisclosed part of a huge hotel.

“Enzo,” I began nervously. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. Maybe if—”

“Hush now, darling.” The elevator car arrived and the doors opened before us. He nudged me in front of him, took me by the arms where he’d grabbed me before and whispered in my ear. “You and I have never been a good idea.” He steered me into the car and told the operator to take us to the ninth floor.

As the elevator began to ascend, Enzo kept his hands on me. We stood behind the operator, who kept his eyes on the doors in front of him, and a few seconds into the ride, Enzo’s right hand slid from my arm across my chest, slowly, possessively. His palm, fingers spread wide, came to rest on my left breast, and he snaked his left arm across my stomach, pulling me back against him.

“I want you.” His lips formed the words right at my ear, barely a whisper. He was hard already, his solid erection pressing into the small of my back.

Oh, God.

This might be more difficult than I thought.

Gina. Wedding. Packard. Secrecy. Lies.
I reminded myself of the myriad reasons I had to be angry with Enzo, and it worked. When the doors opened, he released me and I stepped out of the car. He followed me into the hall, and when the elevator doors closed, he reached for me again.

“No.” I held up one palm toward him. “First, tell me what we’re doing here.”

“All right. Follow me.”

I trailed him down a long carpeted corridor, passing doors on both sides. He finally stopped at a set of double doors straight ahead of us and pulled a key from his pocket. After unlocking the door on the left, he pushed it open and gestured for me to enter first. “After you.”

I walked into a dark room, but a moment later Enzo flipped a switch and an overhead light came on. As he shut the door, I moved deeper into an elegantly furnished parlor with a large window opposite the door. I went to it and pushed the filmy white curtains aside, peering down onto Grand Circus Park. Spinning around, I took in the sofa and chair upholstered in gold and brown stripes, the end tables and their lamps dripping with rust-colored fringe, and the low coffee table, upon which sat an amber glass ashtray. The carpet felt thick under my feet.

“Well, what do you think?” Enzo asked.

“Is this your apartment?” A glance to my left revealed another doorway, through which I glimpsed the shadowy outline of a double bed.

“It was.” He walked toward me and I backed into the windowsill. When he reached me, pressing his body flush against mine, he leaned back slightly at the waist and dangled the key between us. “Now it’s
your
apartment.”

“My apartment!”

“Mmhm.” He braced his hands behind me and I leaned back. His face hovered above mine, and I looked at his lips. They weren’t as full or sensuous as Joey’s, but their fine edges and sharp peaks were beautiful, and he was an expert at using them on my body. My insides heated up quickly, and when he lowered his mouth to mine, I let him kiss me. But I didn’t put my arms around him, and I kept my lips closed.