Page 21 of It Will Always Be You
“This means a lot to you, huh? Well, go on then. Show me where you grew up. I bet it’s ten shades of fancy and massive.” She’s not wrong there. Growing up, money was never an issue or a second thought. Da did all he could to keep me humble, reminding me everything could slip away in a heartbeat if we took our feet off the gas pedal for even a second, but it doesn’t change the fact that the wealth I grew up with is far from normal.
“Wow,” she breathes as we pull up to my childhood home. I try to see it from her eyes. Settled behind the gates of our gated community and set up on a hill overlooking the other houses, I have to admit it, is pretty impressive—a three story, old school, stately home that, at times, seemed excessive for just the two of us.
“Yeah, I guess it is kind of…a lot,” I say, getting out of the car before making my way to her side. Never in my presence will a woman open her own door. With my hand on her lower back, I lead her up to the door, letting myself in. Making our way up the stairs, I turn back to look at her. She’s still taking everything in with a sense of wonderment, and it’s with a grim sense of dread I place my hand on her cheek. Drawing her eyes to mine, I wait for her to focus on me before speaking.
“There’s something you should know before we head in. My dad isn’t exactly…himself at the moment. No one knows.”
Confusion darts across her face before understanding lights behind her eyes. “Of course. You can trust me. I would never dream of sharing your secrets.”
A sense of connection flows between us, and it’s with a tightness in my gut that I lead her the rest of the way. Knocking on the door, I push it forward and try to take it in from Helen’s point of view. Da is propped up on a mountain of pillows, dressed in black silk pyjamas, with a greying beard and hair that’s seen better days, an oxygen tank and medical shit all around him. He looks nothing like the strong mafia leader I always idolised or the ruthless businessman millions feared.
Her shocked inhale and tightening grip on my hand are the only outward signs she shows before replacing them with a calm, cool, and collected mask. She lets go of my hand to stride forward like she’s been here a million times, a blinding smile in place as she introduces herself. Watching Da’s face light up as she talks away to him like it’s second nature hammers home just how special she is. Maybe this is the right move after all. Maybe Da had a point this whole time, that the risk can be worth the reward.
“I see why you tried to keep her to yourself, son. Scared I’d steal her away from you, huh?” Seeing him so carefree, even for a brief moment, is reassuring, more than I could ever have dreamed of. Maybe I should bring Helen around more often if it brightens his day so much. He could do with the uplifting of his spirit.
“You caught me. But can you blame me for wanting to keep her to myself?” I tease, walking over to stand beside her and place my hand on her waist. She leans into me, and Da’s eyes track the movement with a soft smile on his face.
“Well, if my son here messes up, just know I’m waiting in the wings,” he teases her, and she lets out a laugh. Something about the light, carefree sound has my gut clenching.
“Oh, stop teasing me.” She laughs again, shaking her head at his antics.
“I think that’s my cue to whisk her out of here before you show me up on my own date, Da,” I joke with a laugh. With promises to bring her for another visit, we take our leave.
As we settle back into our seats in the car, she asks the question I dread hearing the most these days. “How long has he got left?”
“We don’t know for sure…but not long.” It’s all I manage to get out, and she reaches over to squeeze my knee before making an effort to switch the subject to something lighter. Before she can take her hand back, I twine her fingers with mine as I put the car in gear.
“So, where exactly are you taking me?”
“Now, why would I spoil the surprise? You’ll just have to wait and see.” I smirk at her annoyed huff. Luckily, O’Neill’s is only about ten minutes’ drive from my childhood home, so it’s not long before I’m parking the car while she lets out a low whistle.
“This place is supposed to be impossible to get a reservation for,” she comments, looking at me with a raised brow and questions dancing in her eyes.
“Hmm, I’ve heard that,” I hum as I get out and open the door for her, placing my arm around her waist and guiding her to the door. Pushing the door to the dimly lit restaurant open, we’re greeted by the soft notes of classical music and the hostess.
Eyes solely focused on me, she looks me over from head to toe as she gives a sultry smile. “Jonathan, so good to see you again. Please follow me, and if you need anything,anythingat all, just give me a shout.”
Helen grows tense at the woman’s openly flirtatious behaviour and thinly veiled innuendo—looks like someone is more affected by me than she wants to let on. I’m a sick bastard for it, but damn, if her jealousy doesn’t turn me on. As we’re led through the restaurant, Helen lets out a gasp as she sees the candles and flower petals leading to our table in the middle of the room.
“What the hell is this…” I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t smug about the fact I rendered her speechless.
“This, sweetheart, is the benefit of letting me wine and dine you.” I guide her over to the table, pulling her chair out for her. As she sinks into her seat, I round the table and take my own.
“But how did you manage this on such short notice...” After a moment, she answers her own question. “Of course. This is your place, isn’t it, Mr O’Neill?”
I wonder if I can get her to call me that with her thighs around my face and my tongue buried in her cunt.
With a groan, I discreetly adjust myself as I answer her with a filthy smirk. “As I said, sweetheart, there are benefits to being on my arm. This is just the tip of the iceberg.” Before she can come up with a response, we’re interrupted by the waitress. Once again, she’s young, blonde, and needs to keep her eyes to herself. She doesn’t even look at Helen, instead treating me like the only customer as she hands over the leather-bound menus. Placing both in front of me, she bats her eyelashes, as if that’s going to do anything for me when I have Helen sitting right there, looking like my every fantasy come to life.
“I’m Amy, and I’ll be your waitress tonight. What can I do for you tonight, sir?” Her husky tone implies she knows me, implies she’s done something for me before, and it makes me want to strangle the fuck out of her. It causes Helen to grow frosty across the table and cut in with a snarl that makes me proud.
“Excuse you. I’ll take a glass of Chardonnay. That’s the white one.” Goddamn, her jealousy is sexy as hell.
“Make that a bottle for the table. And get me a MacMillan twenty-five on the rocks.” I dismiss her without taking my eyes off Helen, and after a moment, she struts away with a huff.
“Something wrong?” I tease Helen, taking satisfaction in her darkening gaze and quirked eyebrow.
“Why, of course not. I justloveit when my date has the whole female staff dropping their knickers at his feet. It’s a real turn on.”
