Chapter 11
Progress on her house flew forward. She saw it take shape at almost every step. The shape was familiar. It was a slightly larger version of her parents own house in Bridgeport. The designer had gone to great pains to find the same or similar furnishings and features. It seemed that no expense was spared to make it exactly as she wanted, though with an extra bathroom, more storage and bigger rooms. She had been delighted when she had been taken to the storage container to see the things that had been collected for her. Pictures and memorabilia all pertaining to her father and even an old magazine cover showing her mother proudly holding up a garishly decorated cake. Everything had been carefully preserved and the pictures carefully framed and packed, waiting to adorn her new home.
Rocco had driven her to the container and had hovered over her as she examined everything that had been gathered for her. He had sat next to her and held her hand while she had a feeble cry over an antique loveseat that was exactly like the one in her mothers craft room.
Soon she would be leaving the Saints forever and she would never see her new friends again… except maybe in passing. But for her safety, as it was drummed into her again and again, she should never acknowledge that she knew the Third Street Saints as anything other than a famous criminal organisation and global media and commercial sensation. She was a little sad about that. Oleg, Pierce & Rocco had become very close friends and confidants. Nita was tough and amazing. Terry was as well, though he tended to haunt her whenever there was food on offer, even if it was only intended for her.
And then there was him. The bastard that had started it all. She was definitely going to miss that man. She knew that he would miss her too. He might go for days without seeing her, but she knew that he did that to keep her at arms length. She wasn't an idiot. She knew he was as attracted to her as she was to him. Every time he looked at her she could feel his eyes burning. Every touch lingered longer than it needed to, every time they spoke his voice deepened tellingly. He would never admit it or make a move on her again though. For Her Safety. That one time, in the firing range when he grazed her lips with that tiny hot brief kiss, which was the only time he had let his guard slip. And he erected that wall back up right quick. When she had made a drunken play for him in his car, He had set her aside. Though she didn't remember that incident, she fervently wished that she could as it would be the only time she had really had the opportunity and gumption to try such a thing. She wished she could remember the feel of his lips and taste of his mouth, the caress of his tongue…
She sighed when she thought of it. Now she would never know.
The time finally came when she had word from legal Lee that the house had been completed and everything was ready for her to move in. Chris was excited and sad. She and Rocco whipped around her suite and collected her clothes and the various odds and ends that she had collected during her extended stay in the Saints HQ. Rocco dragged his feet and frequently whined about her leaving and why couldn't she stay. Everything she owned was packed and piled by the door of her suite all ready to go the following morning.
Chris and Rocco wandered up to the penthouse. She had promised that she would cook a farewell meal for them all as thanks for their hospitality. Most of it had been done, she had spent days prepping for it so it would be easier to put it all together tonight. It turned out she had a lot of help. Pierce, who was becoming something of a gourmet, was already working in the kitchen. His purple apron tied tightly about his waist as he julienned some carrots with quick knife movements. He was a little too familiar with knives, she thought. She took up her post next to him and they chatted about the meal.
The rest of the Saints who were going to be around that evening engaged in activities that they were very unaccustomed to. They were tidying and setting the table. Very different than engaging in a drive by shootings.
By early evening, the meal was laid out on the massive boardroom size dining table and it almost groaned under the weight of all the food. Chris watched in satisfaction as the Saints gathered and seated themselves, talking loudly and intently picking at the plates taking choice pieces and nibbling on them in urgent anticipation of starting. She was forced to take a whole platter of potato gratin from Terry and set it back on the table as he had started to attack it voraciously with a large serving spoon.
She looked around and noted that He wasn't there. Kinzie, Oleg, Angel & Pierce were there. She was about to look around the penthouse when Pierce told her that he was out with Voila and Shaundi and not likely to get back until much later. Oleg piped up that he would have the Bosses share as he seated himself at the head of the table. She was deeply disappointed and more than a little hurt. There was avoiding her and then there was being just plain rude. The meal was to thank the Saints and he was the leader of the Saints. He should have represented. He should have been there to say goodbye after everything. She shook herself and took her seat next to Rocco. His loss.
Oleg stood up and raised a toast to her and with a clink of champagne glasses, most filled with some kind of hard liquor instead of the sparkling wine, the carnage of a street gang dinner party began. She put the absence of her host out of her mind and joined in and by the end of it all, there was a mass of empty dishes and a room full of overfilled gangsters all complaining about eating too much. She had an immensely good time.
The room slowly emptied as the Saints went back to their duties, or headed out into the city to wreck some kind of havoc. The rest waited and made a half hearted attempt to clear the table and store the leftover food for those who couldn't come to the meal.
Then, there were hugs and goodbyes from those who wouldn't be there tomorrow to see her off. There were even a few gifts, much to Chris' surprise
Oleg gave her a CD of Rat Pack Classic Songs and winked at her before clasping her in a massive hug that took her off her feet and he kissed her soundly on both cheeks before setting her down again. Pierce gave her a signed Saints Flow poster. She smiled and thanked him. Angel gave her a pair of Purple Boxing Gloves and then stepped back shyly. Kinzie came forward and gave her a pretty little silver pin with a little fleur-de-lis and a new cell phone to replace the one she had lost in the fire.
Rocco came forward last. He had tears in his eyes as he handed her a heavy wooden box, inside it was a black 9mm Pistol. So she could protect herself when he wasn't there anymore. He sniffed loudly and she hugged him warmly and kissed him softly on the cheek.
She took her gifts back to her room and packed them away with the rest of her things. She had come to the Saints HQ in a singlet & boxer shorts. Now she had several bags and boxes of stuff, most of it very expensive, and some of it, she suspected, not exactly obtained by legal means. She sat on her bed and thought some more about her time with the Saints. Her mind wondered invariably back to that man and a lost opportunity.
She sat there and stared at the wall opposite her. She remembered the little lip brush and the sparks that had flown as he had shown her how to hold the gun. His body wrapped around her, his fingers trailing up and down her arms, the feel of his breath in her ear and the light touch of his lips and the fire that it had ignited in her.
She strained to try and remember the car episode, but couldn't. She got the impression from Rocco that it was pretty hot. She didn't even have that memory of him to take away with her and she wouldn't get the chance again.
She sat there for a long time before an idea began to form in her mind. Why couldn't she have another chance? She wasn't leaving until the morning. She was no seductress and she wasn't normally the type of girl that went for a one night stand. It was totally out of character for her. But if she were honest with herself she would have to admit she wanted him. And if she didn't have him she would always wonder. She stood up suddenly and walked with purpose to the bathroom mirror. She looked like she had spent most of the day packing and sweating over a hot stove. Which she had. Pierce had said He would be back tonight. She looked back at the fancy clock at her beside. It was just after nine. She made up her mind and stripped off her clothes and jumped into the shower. She scrubbed herself clean and tried to wash away her doubt as well. She was going to do this. He might turn her away but she was going to take the chance or she would regret it. She would never see him again anyway, So if he said no... He was attracted to her, he had made that crystal clear. She got out of the shower and towelled off, before drying her hair.
She remembered that she had packed everything but the clothes she was going to wear tomorrow. She cursed her efficiency. Jeans and a tee-shirt didn't quite make the statement that she intended. She looked around the room and her eyes fell on the hotel robe that came with the room. She decided to be as brazen as she could and shrugged the robe over her clean naked body. She looked back in the bathroom mirror, she looked much fresher, though rather than looking like she was about to make a sexual conquest, it seemed like she were about to settle down to a good book. She sighed it was the best she could do. She exited her room and made her way up to the Penthouse… What if he didn't come back to the penthouse that night? He didn't always sleep here? What if he was here and he just didn't want her? What if he was here and was with someone else? Her mind raced all the way to the Penthouse.
It was quiet up there, the guards by the elevator greeted her warmly as she stepped off. She smiled and asked if He was back yet.
Nate said that he'd got back about ten minutes ago. She thanked him and headed to His room.
She stood outside of his door for a moment. Her courage slipping away suddenly. What was she doing? This wasn't her at all.
She looked at the wooden door in front of her and took a deep breath. For better or worse. She would never have to see him again. This was a one off thing, weather he turned her away or took her roughly on the floor. She nodded in resolve and opened the door without knocking.
