Page 38 of The Tempted

Chapter Thirteen

When I was a kid, my dad would be home most of the day. He’d pick me up from school and we would throw the ball around. Most nights we sat down as a family to eat dinner together. After dinner, I’d sit on my parent’s bed and watch my dad get dressed to go to “work”. He’d stand in front of the mirror working the knot on his tie until it was perfect. He’d style his hair never leaving one strand out of place. Once he was satisfied with his appearance, he would bring me into my room and tuck me in for the night. I remember watching him shrug his suit jacket on as he reached my bedroom door. He’d flick the light switch looking over his shoulder at me one last time before he went on his way.

I stared at my image reflected in the mirror tucking my crisp white shirt into my meticulously black tailored pants zipping them up and buttoning the fly. I slid the soft leather belt through the loopholes and tightened the buckle. I glanced down at the tie that lay across my dresser and reached for the comb that was beside it. I lifted my head and worked the comb through my hair fixing it just so. I sprayed cologne next before I reached for my father’s diamond bracelet. I held the gold in my hand, studying it as if it was a foreign object. It was gaudy as all hell, but it was all I had left of my old man. The thick gold plate sat on my wrist. Val splayed across the gold with diamonds. I fastened the bracelet taking a deep breath I gave myself one final glance in the mirror. The reflection staring back at me held an uncanny resemblance to my father. I wondered why I hadn’t noticed before how much I looked like him.

I looked at the tie once more deciding I wasn’t really a tie type of guy I left it on the dresser and reached for my phone. I draped the suit jacket over my arm and went to slide the phone into my pocket when I noticed that I had an unread text message. I entered the passcode and opened the message. It was from Nikki. I debated for a moment on whether I should even open it.

I hadn’t spoken to her since the day she ran out on me in the coffee shop. I tried to call her once, but then I thought about it. Maybe she was right. Maybe we did need to stay the hell away from one another. I respected her wishes and didn’t reach out to her. Not speaking to her every day forced me to focus on work I suppose that was a good thing, right? Still, I missed her. I missed talking to her. I missed her smile. I missed her smart-ass remarks. Hell, I missed her ass period.

She was still with Rico this much I know because the prick didn’t stop talking about her whenever he was at Temptations. He had stopped in a bunch of times throughout the week claiming he wanted to check this or that for tonight’s opening. I still didn’t trust him, but I didn’t have anything on him either. Digging for information on him was pointless. Apparently, no one in Victor’s organization cared much about Rico and just labeled him some guy Nikki was passing time with. I was desperate to figure him out even reaching out to Jimmy Gold hoping he could provide some insight into the man in Nikki’s life, but he was just as clueless as he was about everything else. Everything I tried only lead me to another dead end. Everyone thought I was just jealous because I wanted Nikki for myself. The only person I hadn’t tried to pick apart for information was the one person who probably would be able to give it to me Victor.

I stared at the screen of my phone sliding open the text message with my thumb. Guilt consumed me as I realized that I should’ve been the one to text her. It was her twenty-first birthday and I should’ve at least sent a text to wish her a good one but I was too proud.

Nikki: Hey, I just wanted to wish you good luck tonight.

Well, if I didn’t already feel like the world’s biggest dick that text did it. My fingers hovered over the keypad trying to figure out what to say. After a few moments, I slid the phone back into my pocket, deciding that I wasn’t going to answer. No, I was going to wish Nikki happy birthday in person and while I was at it, I was going to man the fuck up and tell her I didn’t want to go on not talking to her.

I went to the nightstand to get my piece, but when I pulled open the drawer, it was empty aside from a bottle of Johnny Walker Black. I had left the gun locked up in my office. Great place for it. Here’s to hoping no one tried to clip me on the way to the club. I grabbed the bottle unscrewed the cap and took a sip, hoping that it would take the edge off. I was a nervous wreck about tonight. It didn’t matter how much time I had put in throughout the last week I still felt like a nervous fucking virgin fumbling to roll on a condom.

I took one final shot before placing the bottle back in the drawer. If I didn’t haul, ass I was going to be late, and I still had one stop to make. Anthony was waiting for me in the living room. He was dressed in black slacks and a fitted shirt. I think it was the first time I hadn’t seen him in a T-shirt and leather jacket.

“Well look at you Little Mikey all dressed up ready to play with the big dogs,” Anthony said solemnly.

“Can we just get the fuck out of here, please?” I said shrugging on my suit jacket. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Jimmy was right the man definitely made the suit. I made this suit look damn good. I refrained from blowing a kiss to myself in the mirror.

Anthony rolled his eyes before slapping me on the back. Apparently, I got that a lot.

“Let’s go Romeo,” he said as he ushered me out the front door.

There was a black town car waiting for us outside to take us to the club. I guess working for Victor had its perks. We made ourselves comfortable in the back seat of the sedan and I instructed the driver to make a stop at Green-wood Cemetery before heading to Temptations. Anthony looked at me but didn’t question me. The gates would be closing soon not really giving me much time for a visit, but then again that wasn’t the point. I don’t know, maybe it sounded ridiculous it felt a bit ridiculous, but I just wanted to visit my parents before the opening, hoping that being close to them wouldn’t make me feel so alone.

Once the car made its way through the gates I directed the driver to the section that my parents were laid to rest. Green-wood cemetery was the largest cemetery in New York spanning about 475 acres notorious for its greenery and steep hills. My parents’ plot was on the top of one of them forcing me to get out of the car and trek it up the hill. It was easy to spot their grave the earth piled on top of the plot still fresh from my mother’s burial.

I should’ve brought flowers. My mother loved flowers lilies were her favorite my father would bring her a fresh bouquet once a week. I was such an inconsiderate asshole.

“Hey, Mom… Dad,” I said hoarsely. I thought this would be easy visiting them, but it wasn’t staring at the fresh dirt was just a harsh reality smacking me in the face reminding me of what I lost. A lump formed in my throat, choking me, I fought to swallow it, hoping to bury the emotions that were invading me.

“I’m not sure why I’m here other than I felt the need to be close to you both. I thought it would help me,” I let out a heavy sigh. “You know, to clear my conscience and all that. I came back home after you died Mom. There was nothing left for me in Pennsylvania and it seemed only logical to move here after all you guys are here too. I work for Victor now, but not in the same regard as you did Dad. I’m going to be running one of his nightclubs. Tonight is the Grand Opening and I’m nervous. Really nervous. Everyone expects me to be just like you and I’m afraid I can’t live up to those expectations. I’m not sure if I am capable that I even would want to out of respect for Mom. Losing you broke her spirit your death made the woman who was always so strong and loving a woman who traded those qualities into be a woman who lived her life in constant fear. Death changes people I get it. Losing the both of you changed me. I’m not afraid like mom because well, I’ve got nothing to lose.”

For some reason, Nikki’s face flashed in my mind. It was ridiculous because I couldn’t risk losing her when I didn’t have her, to begin with. I shook my head and shoved my hands into my pockets. That damn girl consumed my every thought. It’s sick. Shaking her off trying to rid her from my mind, I bent down and took a handful of dirt in my hands spreading my fingers apart I let it fall back onto the pile.

“I guess I came here to ask you Dad—to look out for me and Mom for you to forgive me for the choice I made. I know it’s not the path you would’ve wanted for me to take but I hope you understand that I felt like it was my only option.”

I rose to my full height and patted my slacks down, making sure I didn’t get any dirt on the suit that set Victor back five large ones. Standing in front of my parent’s grave talking to a pile of a dirt I felt alone so fucking alone. I took a deep breath and pulled myself together, digging deep inside for the best pieces of my mother and father that were instilled in me her strength and his bravery.

“Wish me luck,” I whispered, pressing my fingers to my lips and saluting their grave. Before I lost my shit and trust me I was on the brink I turned on my heel and made my way down the hill wondering if the pain of losing them would ever get easier. I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out my sunglasses, putting them on to shield my bloodshot eyes from Anthony. I got back into the car instantly feeling his eyes on me.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Fine,” I cleared my throat and leaned my head against the seat. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Anthony kept his gaze on me for another moment before nodding. He looked ahead at the driver his eyes meeting his in the mirror.

“Take us to Temptations,” he said.

And just like that, I was on my way to secure my spot in Victor’s organization. God help me.

The bass vibrated off the walls of Temptations the house disc jockey was going off doing a damn good job at getting the main dance floor packed with people. The club was dark aside from the impressive light show that shot vibrant colors across the club. The large disco ball suspended in the middle of the main dance floor spun around in circles catching all the hues of blue red and purple. Those wearing white clothing stuck out in the crowd of people as their clothes glowed in the darkness.

---