Chapter 21:
Adam Ross never thought this day would come, the day he fell in love with Denver his college girlfriend all over again. Three weeks have passed and Adam made a promise that he was never going to let Denver go again. She completed him, no matter how cheesy that sounds.
"Adam, are you okay, you seem a little distracted," Denver pulled back from kissing her boyfriend's neck.
He nodded, "Yeah I'm good, thinking about how glad I am that we're dating again."
Denver smirked, "You know what, I'm happy that we're back together as well," she looked over at the clock. "Shit Adam, I'm gonna be late to work if I don't leave in the next five minutes."
Adam frowned, "I really wish you didn't have to go."
"Maybe I'll convince Mac at letting us both have the same day off," she leaned down giving him a kiss. "Thanks for letting me stay the night," she grabbed her overnight bag and went into the bathroom. Denver knew that if she got changed in front of Adam, he was never going to let her leave.
She really wanted to have sex with Adam, but she didn't think she was ready for that step in their new relationship yet. She was scared of what might happen. 'I think I have to talk to Iz about it,' Denver groaned. She finished getting ready and then exited the bathroom.
Adam licked his lips, "You look sexy today Den."
She smirked, "Don't get too excited," she leaned down and gave him a short, albeit hot kiss. "I really have to go now, but I love you Adam."
"I love you too," he smiled, feeling his whole body heat up.
"I'll see you when I get off work," she leaned down giving him one last kiss. She walked out of the bedroom and Adam groaned, leaning his head down on his pillow. He didn't know how much longer he could go without having sex with Denver.
Isabella looked up from her paperwork in her office with a mirthful smile. "Look at you, Miss Walk-of-Shame," she commented. When Denver gave her a look, the smile blossomed into a grin. "How'd last night go?"
"Last night was one of the best nights I've had in a while," Denver pulled up a chair and sat down. "But it didn't go as planned."
"Oh?" Isabella commented as she flipped the papers. She jotted down her name and glanced up again. "What happened?"
"Well we started making out on the couch, then we went to the bedroom, I got nervous."
"Ah, performance issues," Isabella teased. She giggled when Denver slapped her on the arm. "Kidding. Why did you get nervous?"
"The last time I've had sex with Adam was in college... I guess I didn't want to disappoint him, plus well the last person I had sex with was Hunter and you seen how that ended up."
"Doesn't mean you don't know great sex," Isabella snorted. "The guy's nuts about you and I have it on good faith that he has the same fears you got."
Denver shrugged, "Maybe. I'm in love with him and I shouldn't be scared about taking the relationship to the next level. God, I can't believe I'm going to ask you about sex advice. I'm spending the night over at his place again and well maybe you can give me the confidence to make it happen."
"Well, I used to have issues and insecurities about having sex. I had to let liquored up a bit before I started sleeping with Donnie because I was pretty damn scared and insecure. If you're scared about revisiting those old memories, wait a little longer and fool around a little bit more. If it's gonna happen, it'll happen," Isabella replied. She glanced at the clock. "C'mon, let's get some lunch. I'm fucking starving."
Denver nodded, "I really want to have sex with him, there were some pretty hot times we had back then. I swear the more you have sex with Don the hungrier you get," she laughed.
"Sex gives you quite the appetite, you know. And don't forget, I'm half-Italian. We're always hungry," Isabella quipped. "And for your information, we haven't had sex in a week."
"Wow, quite the record," Denver commented.
"I know, I'm dying," Isabella replied. Her pace slowed when she caught sight of a man standing near the elevators. He wasn't very tall and had graying red hair. He scratched at his scraggly beard. "Um, can I help you?"
The man turned to see them and he dropped his hands at his side. "Uh, yeah, I'm looking for Adam Ross," he answered.
Denver recognized him almost instantly, it was the man that made Adam's life a nightmare. Seeing him again made her upset, "What do you want with Adam? You never did anything good for him, why should we tell you where he is?" Denver crossed her arms.
"Denver, calm down," Isabella soothed, resting her hand on her friend's arm. She glanced at the man in front of her. "What's your name?"
"Phil Ross," the man responded. Her eyes narrowed. Now she could see why Denver was so upset. "And you are?"
"Isabella Pacino," she stated. A sick smile spread on his face.
"Like the porn star?" he returned. Isabella's lip curled and she took a step forward.
"No, not like that, you sick pervert," she snarled. "I'm a cop, don't make me arrest you for harassment."
"Look, lady, I'm just here to see my son," Phil explained, holding up his hands. Denver lunged against Isabella's grip.
"He doesn't want to see you!" she snapped. "And we all know Izzy's not a lady!"
"Hey," Isabella protested.
"Adam is my only kid, I have a right to see my son."
"You gave up that right when you beat the shit out of him. You made his life a living hell. I am not going to let you get in the way of his new life, he's better without you son of a bitch. You never loved your son, you have no respect. You will never be the man Adam has grown to be."
"I loved my son, I just didn't know how to show it!" Phil bellowed. Isabella's eyes flashed in anger and she stepped between the looming man and her raging best friend. "I always knew you were trouble, Sandusky. Looks like old habits die hard."
"Excuse me, Mr. Ross, I think you need to leave," Isabella said, pointing to the elevator. "I'll tell Adam you were here, but I can't promise that he'll call you."
"I won't be pushed around by a woman," he growled, taking another step closer.
"Tough shit," Denver snarled, pushing against Isabella. "What, you're not afraid to strike a kid, but you're showing restraint on me 'cause I'm a woman?"
"Denver, stop provoking him," Isabella warned.
"No Iz, I'm trying to get my point across."
"I would listen to your short friend Sandusky. I will find out where my son is even if you won't tell me. You should know what I'm capable of."
"Just get out of my face, if I see you again I will not have a problem with seeing your ass get thrown in jail."
"And have him file a complaint against you with Mac?" Isabella pointed out in a hushed voice. "Go cool down, I'll take care of this."
Denver frowned, she hated when Phil got away with stuff, "This isn't over Phil," she spat, and walked off.
"What a bitch," Phil muttered, causing Izzy to glare at him.
"Takes one to know one. I believe I told you to leave. It'd be wise if you did it," she told him, pointing to the elevators again. "And the only thing shorter than my height is my temper. And my tolerance for scumbags like you is even shorter than my temper. Ask anyone about it."
"Pacino...that's Mafia, isn't it?" he sneered. She felt her blood freeze and she prayed to God it didn't show. "You think you're tough shit 'cause you're a woman cop? Let me tell you something." When he took a step forward, her blazer opened to reveal her service weapon.
"I'm tougher than you. At least I didn't buckle under the pressure and take out my rage on an innocent child and my wife," she spat.
A sickening crack filled the air from the sound of his hand colliding with her cheek. She touched her finger to her lip and clenched her fist. Oh, how she wanted to punch the bastard back. Isabella knew damn well that she could knock him to the ground. Instead, she pulled out her handcuffs, gripped the guy by the shirt and roughly shoved him against the wall. "You're under arrest for harassment and assault on an officer."
"I didn't come all the way from Phoenix to get arrested by some little shit," he growled. "I want my lawyer contacted immediately."
"I'll find you a real good public defender," Isabella returned. "It took everything in me to not knock you to the ground." She looked around to see the security guard. "Where the fuck were you? Get this jackass down to the precinct and tell Flack Pacino sent him. He'll know what to do." She touched the blood trickling from her lower lip and hoped that no one would comment. She'd give them a fat lip, for sure.
Denver came back after Phil was gone, "Iz, are you going to be alright? I knew what this bastard was capable of, how hard is it to rely on security these days?"
"I'll be fine," Isabella assured her, touching her lip again. "My pride's hurt more than anything. It bought Adam some more time so he doesn't have to see him. How fucked up do you have to be to hit a kid? Makes me wanna call up my daddy and thank him for his seemingly endless supply of patience. God knows I wasn't the easiest kid in the world to deal with."
"I bet, you aren't the easiest person to be around now either," Denver laughed. "I hate that Adam had to deal with that man's abuse, he should have been in jail a long time ago. Now I'm really hungry, and I don't think we should tell Adam about what happened."
"I think I've grown. He slapped me and I didn't kill him," Isabella mused, tilting her head. She looked up at Denver with wounded blue eyes. "He called me short."
"Well I'm glad you didn't kill him, because I'm not sure if I'd visit you in jail," Denver teased. "Yeah I know you hate people making fun of your size. You mind if I call Adam and invite him out for lunch with us?"
"I'd be shocked if you didn't," Isabella responded. She touched the tender part of her lip again. "If anyone sees my lip, they'll probably just assume I punched myself in the face trying to get dressed."
"Probably, we just can't go near Flack, he'll already know what went down and that won't go so well. We can't delay this lunch for much longer," Denver smiled, and pulled out her phone. "Oh and I promise me and Adam won't make you feel like a third wheel."
"I'd appreciate that. I also think Donnie might be working through lunch. If he finds out that Phil slapped me, he might kill him," Isabella said.
"Yeah we can't have that. Now hush Adam's on the phone," Denver smirked, "Hey baby... you miss me."
"Sure. What's going on, babe?" Adam asked.
"You wanna come out with me and Iz to lunch... and I promised her she won't feel like a third wheel, but I'm not sure how long that would go you are very hands on," Denver smirked, and winked at Izzy.
Isabella rolled her eyes in response.
"Izzy just rolled her eyes didn't she?" Adam asked, with a small laugh.
"Yes, she did. She's so predictable," Denver laughed. Isabella stuck her tongue out.
"You know what? Have your lunch date with your boy toy. I'm gonna go sulk and take solace in my man," she declared.
"Come on Iz, we're just joking," Denver looked at her friend and gave her a pout.
"Fine. I'm not really in the mood for pulling Donnie off Phil because I got bitch-slapped," Isabella said, then slapped her hand over her mouth.
Denver scowled at her best friend.
"Did Iz just say something about my dad?" Adam asked, almost too quietly for Denver to hear.
"Psh, no. Izzy's talking about Phil Collins. She says when she listens to good music, it feels like a bitch slap," Denver said, wincing at her lie. "Don takes it literally."
"Oh, nice save," Isabella muttered.
"Um... okay," Adam sighed. "I thought she was talking about my dad... you know he called me earlier today asking for money."
"You told him no, right?" Denver asked, waving off her obnoxious friend.
"Of course I told him no, so he threatened that he was going to come to New York and find me. If you see him, let me know okay? You remember he's not a big fan of you."
"Or I can just sic Iz. You know her stance on abusive men."
"Alright, I'm just worried about you I don't want you to get hurt, and hey if he does run into you try and keep your temper under wraps. I know how angry you can get when dealing with him."
"Will do," Denver replied.
"Alright well, we eating at the deli by the lab?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, see you soon, and I love you."
"I love you too Den."
Denver liked hearing him say that, it warmed her heart. She hung up the phone and turned to Isabella. "Iz I feel like shit I just lied my ass off to Adam."
"Well, you wanna tell him the truth? His dad came here, talked down on you, and bitch-slapped me?" Isabella said. Then she heard someone clear their throat behind her. "Ah, shit, who's that behind me?"
"It's just Messer," Denver looked over at her ex-boyfriend with a frown. "I'm late for lunch, Iz I'm going to go without you. Wish me luck with my talk with Adam."
"Yeah, good luck. I'm gonna go track down my man and sulk," Isabella responded.
"Punch yourself getting dressed again, short-stack?" Danny remarked.
"Bite me, Messer," she snarked.
"Oh, you know you wouldn't mind that," Danny winked, and then turned back to Denver. "Mind if we share the elevator?"
Denver laughed, "Yeah over my dead body Messer."
Isabella shook her head and heard her phone chiming on her belt. Shit, it was Sinclair. She flipped it open.
"Pacino."
"My office, Pacino. Now!"
Isabella groaned when Sinclair hung up. Denver looked at her best friend worried.
"That expression doesn't look good on you Iz."
"It was Sinclair."
"Want me to come, it's kind of my fault too."
"No Den, you go enjoy lunch with your boyfriend."
Denver shrugged, "Alright, good luck Iz, Sinclair's not a big fan of you."
"Don't worry about me Den, I'll be fine, you should just be focused on how you're going to tell Adam that his dad's in the city."
Denver felt sick to her stomach, this was not going to be easy.
