Page 8 of Baratta's Darkness

“I am not leaving you alone until someone else gets here.” He tells me.

“I don’t care if you glue yourself to my ass; I have a business to run. DO NOT get in my way!”

He releases my hand and steps back. “Lead the way.”

I’m half way down the steps when he asks me if I have a key for the apartment, I don’t answer just dangle the keys over my shoulder. He must understand my meaning because he finally catches up to say he locked the door.

I’m unlocking the shop door when I hear a vehicle pull into the back lot; I know it has to be the caterer. For my grand opening tonight I have finger foods and alcohol available. I was going to just do drinks but Mina insisted on there being food, and nobody says no to Mina.

After showing them where to set up, I go get my work space ready. I’m in the zone almost forgetting that Baratta is even here. Dancing to the music while setting up my work station, I jump out of my skin when there is a tap on my shoulder. Shit, I drop the bottle of ink in my hand and spin around.

“Just thought you would want to know your girls are pounding on the front door. You really should be more aware of your surroundings Fi.”

“You really should wear a freaking bell.” I mutter sarcastically under my breath as I walk to the door and let the girls in.

Morgania is the only one that hasn’t been here before, so I leave her to wander exploring the shop while I grab for the book in Mina’s hand. Mina pulls away, “Uh uh, you don’t get to see it yet.”

“But Mina, it's my appointment book. I need to know what I’m in for tonight.” I whine playfully. She’s been taking my calls and setting my appointments while I prepared the shop.

I was going to do it myself but she begged saying she was bored since she has time off for a little while. Her most recent book was released a few weeks ago and she hasn’t started a new one yet.










Baratta

The caterers are loading tables with food trays, and Mina is playing keep away with Fiona’s appointment book when I hear the back door open. I do a quick look and see that everyone that is supposed to be here is already here, so I go on alert.

There is a doorway in the back that leads to a short hallway before reaching the backdoor. I quickly make my way there to block whoever is trying to sneak in the back. The two people are so busy talking to each other they don’t even notice me until one of the women bounces off my chest.

“Ummm Fi!” she calls out. “Did you hire a bouncer?”

I just stand there staring down at her. The other woman she is with clears her throat. “Uh Um Fi” she shouts. Then I feel Fiona’s small hands on my hips trying to move me out of the way.

I can’t help but laugh, she thinks she can make me move. It’s short lived though because her hands on my body are making me think of other things we could be doing.

“Damnit Baratta, get out of the way and let my employees in.” Fi says

Reluctantly, I move to the side. If Fi keeps touching me I might throw her over my shoulder and carry her back upstairs, her grand opening be damned.