A good half hour later Gram and Dante both walk into my office laughing. It brings a smile to my face. I haven't heard Gram laugh in a very long time. Gram gives me a look that has completely changed from reserve to pride.
Gram: Everything looks good. Softwares been updated.
I walk around the front of my desk to hand Gram an envelope of payment. He furrows his brow.
Gram: What's this?
Rylee: Thank you Mr.
I pause trying to read the name on his patch, and raise my own brow looking up at him.
Rylee: Mr. Jobs? Thank for your services today.
He smiles and grabs for the envelope but grabs my wrist and pulls closer to me.
Gram: Your parents would be proud.
He whispers in my ear before turning to shake hands with Dante and leaving. Once the door closes I turn to Dante who's all smiles.
Rylee: I take it things went well.
Dante: In deed.
He steps forward wedging a long muscular thigh between my legs pressing me into my desk. He places a hand around my lower back the other fists my hair in the back of my head pulling so that my neck is exposed.
Dante: Lunch!
He mumbles as his lips hover the flesh from my jaw to my collar bone.
Rylee: Is that a question?
I whimper as he sets my body on fire with need.
Dante: No. the question is do you want desert first or after.
Rylee: We already had the desert and I really need food right now before I pass out.
He pulls back quickly holding my arms. Searching my face.
Dante: Are you alright.
Rylee: Yeah I'm fine. It was metaphorical. Though I can get pretty grumpy if I go too long between meals. And since I forgot to eat breakfast I'm starving.
Dante: Where to babe.
Rylee: I've been dying to go to De Vinci's. I miss our monthly gatherings there. And Mrs. and Mr. Marcelo.
I start giggling at the old memories. We would have dinner at De Vinci's once a month on Friday evenings after my school recitals. Dantes mom always took him to the recitals. He said she loved hearing me play the piano so we always invited them with us to dinner after. Even after she passed away Dante would still come to the recitals and dinner. A way I think to keep that one happy memory of his mom alive. Mrs. Marcelo would always tease and hint at the connection Dante and I had. The last time we were there Mrs. Marcelo grabbed Dante's cheeks. He had just turned 15 so we were celebrating his birthday. My family had always made him welcome. My mom especially tried to help fill the motherly roll. Mrs. Marcelo made Dante promise that the day he asked for my hand he would do it there.
Dante: Rye!
I blink looking back at Dante.
Dante: Where did you go?
Rylee: I was just remembering the last time we had dinner there.
His smile flashed wide barring those sweet dimples like he was remembering it too. He kisses my nose and takes my hand. Ten minutes later we were walking into De Vinci's.
It was hard holding back from throwing my arms around Mrs. Marcelo as she greeted us.
At first she didn't even recognize Dante and he went along with it knowing how hard it was for me having to be someone else around familiar people like the Marcellos . Though she kept steeling glances at both of us as she walked us to our seats, she never said anything.
As we took our seats and she handed us our menus Dante said something in Italian.
Dante: grazie signora Marcelo
Her eyes widened as it dawns on her.
Mrs. Marcelo: Dante Santino?
He looks across at me realizing his slip before looking back up at her with a smile.
Dante: piacere di rivederti Mrs. Marcelo
(Nice to see you Mrs. Marcelo)
She pinches his cheeks like she use to.
Mrs. Marcelo: guardati ( look at you) how long has it been.
Dante: Ten years.
She lets go of his cheeks and looks my way still trying to place me. But with my hair and eye color she seems to be stumped.
Mrs. Marcelo: Who is your friend?
Dante: This is my girlfriend Emma. Emma Mrs. Marcelo
Mrs. Marcelo: Nice to meet you dear.
Rylee: Nice to meet you.
She offers a smile and returns her attention back to Dante.
Mrs. Marcelo: eravamo così dispiaciuti per Rylee e preoccupati per te. (we were so sorry about Rylee, and worried for you)
He nods at her while looking at me.
Mrs. Marcelo: quello che vuoi. È sulla casa.
(anything you want. Its on the house)
She pats his shoulder and walks away. Dante smiles wickedly.
Rylee: What?
Dante: Mrs. Marcelo didn't recognize you. My father certainly won't.
He raises a brow and sets his hand over mine. A young blond waitress with her tits over flowing the top of her way to low red blouse bounces over. She gives me a quick once over before setting her eyes on Dante. He glances at her for a moment to acknowledge her when she introduces her self as our waitress. Then his eyes go right back to me as she talks about the specials.
Dante: Two ANGEL HAIR CAPELLINI with meat sauce. And two glasses of VILLA ANTINORI TOSCANA
Blond: Can I interest you in any appetizers.
Rylee: Fat chance!
I mumbled under my breath.
Dante chuckles hearing exactly what I said while blond tits McGee still seem oblivious that I'm here. I watch as she bounces away to place our order.
Dante: Is that jealousy I detect.
Rylee: Not at all. I'm quite secure about us. This!
I point at my self knowing I'm a little red in the face and tense.
Rylee: This is plain and simply pissed off at the lack of respect our server is giving me.
When our food arrives. The blond continues to ignore me while openly flirting with Dante even though he is refusing eye contact with her. When she puts her hand on his shoulder and bends over to say something, practically shoving her tits in his face I just about lose my cool wanting to slam her face in the table.
Blond: If I can get you anything else give me a holler.
I am beyond pissed now. I wait, and I watch. The second she makes her way to the restroom I make my move.
Rylee: I need to use the lady's room, I'll be right back.
I stand up and bend over giving him a possessive kiss. In the restroom the blond is reapplying some red lipstick. I lock the door behind me as she puts the lip stick in her pocket. She turns to me with a down word snooty glare reaching for the door.
Blond: Excuse me.
She try's to nudge me out of the way with her shoulder. I grab her by the pony tail in one swift move I slam her face against the door while twisting an arm behind her back.
Blond: Ow what the fuck. Bitch.
I pull out one my throwing knives tucked in my thigh holder making it visable for her to see.
Blond: Oh my god please don't hurt me.
Rylee: You so much as look at my man again, I will grab you by your cunt and knock out those pretty little teeth of yours. Do I make self clear.
She nods her head shaking with fear.
Rylee: From now on when you are serving a couple you will acknowledge the woman and show her respect.
She nods again. I shove her away and make my way back to Dante.
Dante: Feel better?
Rylee: Much.
We sip our wine and enjoy the best pasta I've had in years while we talk actual business. Banes financial was a cover but it means something more. It's the one thing of my fathers legacy that I want remembered.
Dante: Sam says you're planning a big gala.
Rylee: Yes, for our largest charity. It will be a good opportunity to promote some of the smaller ones while bringing in more proceeds.
Dante: Good for business.
Rylee: Of course.
Dante: When are you planning this event.
Rylee: August 2nd
Dante: Why does that date seem familiar.
Rylee: It's Chases birthday. He would be turning 21.
Dante gives my hand a squeeze.
Dante: That's a month away. Do you have the location.
Rylee: I was thinking the Santinos
Country club.
Dante: This isn't just for the charities is it.
Rylee: Your father and my uncle will both be attending.
Dante: You wanna do my dad and your uncle in a public place? Are you insane.
Rylee: On the contrary. A public place is the perfect cover for my reveal. Not a hit.
The puzzled look on Dante's face is adorable. Then a slight smirk forms.
Dante: All the chest pieces will have been taken off the board leaving a vulnerable king and his jester. What of the dinner plans with my father?
Rylee: Emma is looking forward to meeting him and asking him to volunteer the use of his country club and services for the gala.
Dante: You're a Tiger. Beautiful, stealthy, patient, meticulous. Deadly.
I purr at him and we both laugh as Mrs. Marcelo comes back to our table. To see how everything was and remind us lunch was on the house. Dante tosses a couple twenties on the table for the service and places a hand on my lower back as we exit.