Time to sing the praises of my fabulous beta, xfang-girlx and thank her for helping me by proofreading this chapter. Happy reading!
Ichigo was nearly beside himself with anticipation and apprehension as they drove to the dreaded dinner. Despite his overwhelming mixed emotions and racing thoughts, it had not escaped his attention that his girlfriend had not spoken a single word to him since giving him the directions to Grimmjow's house. Giving her a quick glimpse out of the corner of his eye, he also noticed her death grip on the neck of the wine bottle in her lap. He watched as she held it with both hands, grasping so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. Reflexively he flinched and rubbed his neck when she twisted her fingers around the neck of the bottle as if she were choking someone. He would like to think the someone she had in mind was Grimmjow and not him.
Riko released her death grip on the bottle when her joints began to ache. Flexing her sore fingers, she attempted to get rid of the pins and needles sensation coursing through her hands. Flipping down the visor, she checked her make up before pulling self-consciously at the neckline of her blouse. Although the v-neck top did not show a hint of cleavage, she was sure she would still feel exposed when that virile creature laid his greedy eyes on her. She tugged at her skirt which folded neatly over her knees while sitting and lay about mid-calf when standing. If only it had been the dead of winter when this little dinner party took place. She could have worn a turtle neck sweater and thick wool pants along with her knee-high black leather boots. With a wry grin on her face, she decided her outfit of choice could have been her ugliest, rattiest, most dowdy pair of gray sweats. Surely the horny bastard could not find a way to be turned on by that little ensemble.
"Riko?" Ichigo called cautiously, afraid she might jump out of the car in fear. Not only did he not startle her, she seemed to be purposely ignoring him. "Riko..."
"Ichigo," she responded flatly, staring out of the window.
"Are you angry with me?" he inquired, despite being pretty sure of the answer.
"No," she answered curtly, hauling in a breath with much effort and noise. "I'm mentally preparing myself to be in full bitch mode to deal with our gracious host."
"Hmmm..." he muttered thoughtfully, looking down at the piece of paper in his hand to recheck the address she had given him.
Ichigo had assumed that Grimmjow would live in an affluent and exclusive neighborhood but this was ridiculous. Eight foot tall black iron gates complete with treacherous looking spikes topping each thick spire barred the entrance and exit. A guard shack complete with guards, who were armed with guns, sat between the two gates to monitor the traffic. At the moment there was none. How busy could this place possibly be to require two armed guards? Anyone daring to enter the neighborhood by other means would have to scale the ten foot tall red brick fence surrounding the property. Only the sprawling roofs of the mansions therein were visible from the entrance. It was like a prison for rich people but instead of being meant to keep people in, it was to keep the rabble out. The rabble most likely included police. However, this cop had an invitation from a resident.
"What in the hell is this?" Riko asked out loud though she was mostly asking herself. Poking Ichigo in the arm, she questioned him, "Do you think this is a neighborhood full of big time criminals?"
"It's possible," he returned, administering the brakes when one of the guards stepped out in front of the car. His eyes moved to the uniformed man's hand that rested on the grip of the gun on his hip. He wondered why the guard to felt it was necessary to rest his thumb against the snap to release the strap to pull his piece quickly if necessary. The likelihood of this being a housing development full of thugs, hustlers, and racketeers seemed to be growing more self-evident.
The one guard stayed rooted to the ground in front of the car ready to draw his weapon while the other guard approached the car with a clipboard in his hand. Ichigo rolled down the window after the man tapped on it with the bottom of his hand-held radio.
"Evening," the man greeted them with an all business tone. "Who are you coming to visit and what are your names?"
"Grimmjow Jaegerjacques. Riko and Ichigo Kurosaki," he answered dutifully.
Riko glared at him in disbelief. Was he even aware that he had run their names together as if they were a married couple? She blew out a breath in frustration assuming that he did not have a clue as to what he had done. Hopefully that was not his idea of a marriage proposal considering how her becoming his girlfriend had come about. She studied the intimidating guard as he searched what must be a list of approved guests.
"Okay. You're good," he informed them, sliding a piece of paper onto the dash into the corner. "A visitors pass. Please leave this in your window at all times. You must return it on your way out."
"Yes, sir," Ichigo rejoined, saluting the man.
Riko punched her boyfriend in the arm when the man with the gun frowned threateningly at him. She leaned against the window to press her overly warm cheek to the cold glass. Her eyes remained open to look at the architectural marvels lining the exceedingly clean asphalt streets could more aptly be described as stately manors, rambling estates, or small castles rather than houses. Sitting upright with a very stiff back, her eyes scanned the address numbers on the small plaques that were imbedded in the brick structures surrounding the mailboxes. Judging by the way the numbers ran, his mansion must be the one at the end of the street virtually encompassing the cul-de-sac.
"Oh, my god," she gasped, her eyes examining the massive three-story showpiece that looked like a piece of Southern history. How ironic considering the owner was not even close to be being anything like a well-mannered, polite Southern gentleman. How would not even be considered polite in New York City.
"Holy shit!" her boyfriend exclaimed losing his calm and controlled demeanor.
"Way to stay composed there, Mr. Police Officer," she muttered without taking her eyes off the magnificent dwelling.
Columns that must be six feet in diameter ran from the ground to the roof on the expansive portico that spanned the front of the house. The building was plain, pristine white and looked as if it should be the home place of the leader of the nation. It did contain the ruler of an empire built on the misery and blood of the innocent; a man who amounted to nothing more than a common criminal. Obviously an extraordinarily well off criminal but a shameless law-breaker and purveyor of drugs and other nefarious things nonetheless.
Ichigo pulled into the empty half circle drive, parking in close proximity to the front door. He assumed Grimmjow and Mai's vehicles must be in the four car garage. What else could possibly be in there? Expensive antique cars, sports cars, motorcycles...inventory maybe which would be condemning evidence?
"Don't let your imagination run away with you," Riko warned him, putting her hand on his arm to get him to look at her. "I know you want to see what's in there but please...for tonight, just be my boyfriend, not a cop. I don't want to you to get hurt. This man..."
"I know what kind of monster this man is," he told her, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead. "Don't worry. I'll be too busy keeping an eye on you tonight to worry about that stuff. I won't let him hurt you."
Riko gave him a wavering smile, looking deeply into his warm brown eyes to reassure herself. She leaned forward to press her lips to his not caring if she messed up her lipstick. Instead of giving him a quick kiss, her lips lingered to press more insistently to his. Her breath caught in her throat when his fingers wrapped around her bare upper arms to pull her closer. The intense heat that suddenly enveloped her was from the fire he ignited within her more so than the summer heat filling the car that had been turned off.
"Sweetheart," he murmured against her lips, attempting to pull back. "Stop," he mumbled, pushing her away with his hands on her shoulders.
"Shall we continue this later?" she asked, panting slightly.
"Yes, of course. I hope it's a one course dinner," he muttered, opening his door to get out. Jogging slightly, he hurried to her side of the car to open her door.
Riko gave him a flirty smile, drawing her fingers over his hand that was resting on top of the car door he held open for her. With any luck she could convince him to leave after the wine and conversation before dinner. The sooner the better. Her fingers intertwined with his when he took her hand in his to lead her to the front door. She felt safe with him even though they were about to enter the devil's lair. Pressing her body to his side, her other hand squeezed the neck of the glass bottle she held while he pushed the small round button to ring the doorbell. Her heart raced, and she felt light-headed as they awaited the inevitable. When the door opened, her breathing ceased entirely.
"Mai," she wheezed, inhaling deeply with relief to see her sister standing there. Letting go of Ichigo and shoving the bottle of wine into his hands, she rushed forward to hug her sister. Mai's big round belly at thirty-eight weeks of pregnancy pressed into her. Feeling the baby kick, she immediately reached down with her hands to feel the child's movements again. Smiling at her sister, she giggled, "He's so active."
"He? How did you know?" her stunned sister inquired, blowing the surprise.
"It's a boy?" Riko blinked at her sister, shocked by the news.
"I thought you knew." Mai appeared as if she wanted to cry since she had prematurely given away the good news. She had waited so long to tell her sister only to let it slip just a little too soon.
"It was a guess, silly," she laughed, kissing her sister's cheek. "I need to go shopping. Start buying all sorts of cute things in varying shades of blue. He'll need a baseball glove, a basketball, a - "
"Slow it down there, sister," Grimmjow interrupted, receiving a glare from both women. Shrugging it off, he took the bottle of wine out of Ichigo's hand. His eyes leveled on Riko before he asked, "Want to help me open it?"
"I'd be happy to," Ichigo replied, stepping into Grimmjow's line of vision to block the man from leering at Riko. How could the man be such a relentless asshole to do that so openly in front his pregnant girlfriend?
"Come in, come in," Mai invited, taking her sister by the hand. She jabbered away about the baby while leading her much-loved guest by the hand through the expansive foyer that was open all the way to the third floor.
"Wow," Riko gasped, staring up at the night sky through the massive skylight in the ceiling.
"Many nights I've stood on the stairs and gazed at the stars. The view is incredible," her sister remarked in awestruck wonder.
"Are you happy? Here? With him?" Riko asked, watching her sister's expression become sad despite the smile plastered to her lips.
"Yes...I couldn't be happier," she lied, hugging her belly.
Riko gave Mai a smile that she hoped did not betray the pity she felt for her. She was not sure if her sister had meant to convey her discontent in such an obvious manner. Thankfully Mai took her by the hand to lead her to the right into a large living room. She sat down on the big overstuffed white sectional sinking into the soft cushions that were like huge marshmallows. What was taking the men so long?
Ichigo warily observed Grimmjow as he rifled around in the drawer for a corkscrew. He stepped back instinctively when the man pulled out a corkscrew that looked like something from the medieval ages. His eyebrow raised when the man rammed the pointed end of the spiral shaped piece of metal into the cork of the bottle. After a few turns, the spiral was buried in the cork before it was summarily jerked out of the glass container with ease by the blue haired brute.
"What about Mai?" Ichigo queried after three glasses were filled with the maroon colored liquid.
"I'll get her a glass of sparkling water," Grimmjow said, opening the refrigerator door to pull out a green bottle. After filling the fourth glass with the bubbling water, he picked up his glass of wine. "I can be capable of cruelty but not to Mai. She's carrying my child. And I love her."
"Do you?" he challenged, picking up the other two glasses for Riko and himself. "Then why do you stare at my girlfriend as if she were something to eat?"
Grimmjow's face broke into a toothy, animalistic grin. "Because...if I were the Big Bad Wolf and she were Little Red Riding Hood, I would eat her until she screamed my name and begged me to stop."
Ichigo set the glasses back down on the counter. Drawing back his fist, he growled, "You son of a - "
"Grimmy! Ichigo! Are you two coming to join us?" Mai bellowed from the living room. She had unknowingly just halted a brawl before it began.
"Be right there, my love!" Grimmjow yelled back, chuckling mirthlessly as he walked away from the irate and ready to fight carrot top.
Ichigo sat down beside Riko who was sitting right next to her sister. He flashed Grimmjow a smug smirk when the man had no choice but to sit next to Mai. Both men stayed quiet, sipping their wine while the women talked about pregnancy, childbirth, and the decorative motif of the nursery.
"Would you like to see the nursery?" Mai asked enthusiastically, grabbing her sister's hand.
"How about after dinner?" Grimmjow suggested. He had tired of the staring contest with the cop since neither one of them had yet burst into flames or died another horrible death from the lethal glares they were exchanging.
"Right, I'm starved. I'd kill for something to eat," Ichigo stated assisting Riko up from the couch.
"I suppose some things are worth dying for," his adversary commented in return, putting a protective arm around his girlfriend after pulling her out of the cushions.
Riko glanced curiously at both men wondering what that odd little dialogue between them really meant. She gazed at Ichigo, raising her eyebrows in a silent inquiry. When he shook his head, she decided she would ask him about it later when they were alone. Taking his hand, she followed their hosts back across the foyer to the magnificent formal dining room.
A gigantic mahogany table for twelve people filled the room. Four place settings were at one end of the table positioned two on one side of the table and two on the opposing side. It appeared as if a war zone had been arranged for face to face battle. After taking their seats, an older woman and gentleman entered the room with the food to set the plates on the gold chargers in front of them.
"Chicken Marsala!" Riko squealed with enthusiasm. It was her favorite dish in the world. Giving her sister a wide grin of gratitude, she stabbed her fork into the angel hair pasta with vigor twisting it around her fork.
"My, who would have thought food could cause such excitement," Grimmjow remarked, watching his eager guest attack her food with passion.
"A lot of things excite her," Ichigo announced for no apparent reason. A lopsided smirk tilted his lips as he stared down the salacious blue hair. "Mostly things in orange with shiny gold badges. She's not a big fan of the color blue or criminal intent."
"How would you know? She might like something different, possibly a little vicious from time to time. Besides, do you even know how she likes it?" his verbal opponent challenged, leaning forward as if tempting the other man to punch him right in the face. It was the second time tonight he had seen the cop turn red-faced all the way to the tips of his ears. He laughed as the man balled his hands into fists on the table on either side of his plate of untouched food. "I bet she has an exhausting appetite."
The women were totally ignoring the thinly veiled barbed words passing between the men. Riko was too busy stuffing her face while her sister was rubbing her belly as another mild contraction made it rock hard. Mai had been experiencing the weak contractions for days and did not think a thing about it. The doctor had warned her this would begin happening as her body prepared itself for labor. She poked at her food with disinterest. Slight nausea had totally killed her appetite. Looking at her sister, she smiled. At least someone was enjoying it. Why won't these idiots stop babbling?, she wondered, resisting the urge to slap Grimmjow. Sometimes she hated him as much as she loved him. Jerk. If he thought she had not noticed his devouring eyes that stayed on her sister he was sadly mistaken. Sighing deeply, she leaned back in her chair. One day she would leave him but not today. Not until she had siphoned more money from his accounts and hidden it safely in her overseas bank account. It was her intent to make a good life for herself and her baby far away from Grimmjow. She was not the only one getting used in their relationship.
Riko rolled her eyes when the two men began exchanging words about climates and temperature changes. It had become sadly obvious to her that the morons were talking about her and her sister and their respective relationships. She continued to inhale her food because not only was it particularly scrumptious, but she was ready to get the hell out of here. They could skip dessert entirely. Maybe they could stop by the store for something sweet on the way home. Or maybe they could just go home to have each other for dessert. Her face warmed as her imagination went wild thinking about slowly undressing the man beside her then commencing to lick him all over. Oh my...
"GOD!" Mai screamed, wrapping her arms around her belly as a shockingly strong contraction gripped her body. She felt as if a boa constrictor had enclosed her body and was attempting the strangle the life out of her.
Riko dropped her fork onto the almost empty plate. She stood up to run around the table to fall to her knees in front of her sister. With her palms pressed flat against her sister's belly, she counted the seconds of the contraction.
"What's going on?" Grimmjow asked to be shushed violently by both women.
The hardness of her sister's belly began to recede along with the contraction. Sixty seconds. If the contractions started coming at regular intervals this meant it was the real thing. They would need to take a little time to determine if this was actual labor or false labor. There would be no reason to get all panicked and rush to the hospital just to be sent back home.
"Give me your watch," Riko demanded, holding out her hand to the man leaning over sister's shoulder. She snatched the gold and diamond Rolex out of his hand while keeping her other hand plastered to her sister's belly. Once the contraction released, she counted the time waiting for the next one to come.
"What are you doing?" Ichigo questioned her, kneeling down beside her.
"Seeing if we're going to have a baby tonight," she answered, kissing him on the cheek. "Have you got your phone ready just in case?"
"I do," Grimmjow answered, his blue eyes shining like a child's on Christmas morning. He seemed genuinely happy about the concept of officially being a father in a few hours.
"Riko, here comes another one," her sister panted feeling a jabbing pain in her lower back before the sensation spread around her hips to encompass her tummy.
"Breathe, baby," the concerned boyfriend coached, putting his arms around her to lean her back against his chest.
Everyone waited in nervous expectation, literally holding their breath. The only sound in the room was that of Mai's measured, hissing breaths as she soldiered through the pain of the contraction. After what seemed like a small eternity while Riko monitored three more contractions, she spoke at last.
"Call the hospital and tell them to have a room ready. You're going to be a daddy tonight," she informed the man massaging her sister's belly.
"Really?" he gasped, punching in the number on his phone.
"Yeah, really," she responded matter of factly, assisting her sibling to a standing position since the contraction had subsided. "Ichigo, help me get her out to their vehicle. You go get her suitcase while you're on the phone and meet us there," she ordered the ecstatic father-to-be.
"Yes, ma'am," he rejoined, nearly running from the room to do as he was told.
"Mai, I need you to direct us to the garage," she told her sister, keeping a hand on her belly to warn Ichigo of upcoming contractions.
The trek to the garage was interrupted a half a dozen times as they had to halt their progress to wait for Mai to work through a contraction. Opening the door that her sister pointed out, Riko covered her eyes when she was blinded by the bright fluorescent lights that automatically switched on inside the garage. The garage was cleaner and more well-organized than some people's homes. A white SUV, an azure blue sports car, a sapphire blue and white motorcycle, and a white family type sedan sat in the garage. The cement floor gleamed as if it had been polished. The tools and gardening implements were neatly arranged on peg boards on the walls and shone as if they had never been used. Riko seriously doubted the man of the house used these things guessing that only the hired help would ever lay hands on things that would require actual physical exertion to use.
"Ahhh, Riko," Mai complained, clutching at her sister.
"It will be okay," she assured her, stroking the hair curling down her sister's back in a gesture of comfort.
"How are we supposed to open the door?" Ichigo asked after pulling on the door handle of the locked vehicle.
"Like this," Grimmjow said, hitting the button on the keys in his hand disengage the lock. He pressed the button to start the engine next before he was even close to the vehicle.
"Nice," Riko muttered, enlisting Ichigo's help to shove her sister into the back seat of the SUV.
"Get in," Grimmjow commanded Riko, laying a big hand on her upper arm.
"She can ride with me. We'll meet you there," Ichigo interrupted, grabbing the man's hand to pull it away.
"No! She needs to be with her sister. She's coming with me," the other man argued, jerking his hand away from his nemesis.
"She's my girlfriend. She stays with me," the furious orange top snarled, his upper lip curling back from his teeth.
"Now's not the time you idiots!" Riko screamed, stunning them both into silence. Turning to Ichigo, she kissed him on the lips. "I'll ride with Mai to keep her calm and help her through the contractions."
"Okay," her boyfriend acquiesced, giving her another brief kiss.
"You," she snapped, slapping the blue haired narcissist across the back of the head to wipe the triumphant smile off of his face. "Drive carefully, and don't freak out! We have plenty of time to get there."
Grimmjow was pleasantly surprised by the fiery and commanding woman into whom Riko had transformed. This was not the same cowering, whimpering woman he had trapped against a wall in her own office a few days ago. It was an unexpected but not entirely unpleasant change in her. Opening his door, he tossed in the suitcase then pulled his body behind the wheel.
Ichigo turned away quickly to move to the exit of the garage. He did not want his girlfriend to see his smile or hear his chuckle. Beast tamer, he thought to himself, breaking into laughter as he opened the door that led outside. She never ceased to amaze him how at times she could be so weak and needy, then other times she appeared as if she could conquer the world single-handed. Tossing his keys up into the air to catch them, he was comfortable with the fact that he would have nothing to worry about where his spunky girlfriend was concerned. He was also quite convinced of the fact that she had been more than worthy of taking a chance on, of risking his heart again to love someone. She could quite possibly be the woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life.