Affirmation (16 page)

“I didn’t agree to go anywhere with you.”

“
Shanda
, I am not a democratic man. I
often
dictate.”

“And I
have yet to live under a dictatorship, so I guess you
’re in the wrong country
.”

Her brazen words
were
not offen
sive.
Perhaps it’s because he saw a kindred spirit beneath the rough. He changed his approach as Alfonzo
suggested to see if diplomacy really worked. “Here
,
you are alone. Many things can happen. The feds
may
locate you
or
perhaps arrest you for a fabricated offense. Under my protection you will not have to worry and will receive the pampering an expectant mother deserves. Will you agree to this?”

Shanda thought about his statement. Hell yes, she could use some pampering
and she had worried about her father finding her. She might
change her mind if he gave her some assurances
. “If I go,
will you
promise not
to
pull
any
macho
crap
when I get to your country
?
”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

“I’m talking about hold
ing
me prisoner or
stealing
my
child and then
I‘ll have to involve the
embassy and
fight you for custody, shit like that!”

Giuseppe snickered. “You watch too much television or read
insane things. I am not crazy or stupid. I have no reason to kidnap women
.
It’s lunacy and a serious crime.
No woman
is
ever imprisoned in my
home;
in fact,
I must
force
them
to
leave. The child on the other-hand is a matter best discussed
when he is born, if indeed I am the father.
”

“
Wow you are one arrogant SOB
–and will you stop
calling my dog and
this
baby
he
.
”

“I am a
man;
I tend to use masculine forms of speech.”

She shook her head, “Whatever.
Okay, I’ll
agree
to a trial
stay at
your non-prison
where the women are
forced
to leave,
but the minute you renege on anything you promised, I’m out
the door and you better not try to stop me,
got it?”

“I
got it
.” He answered.

The heaving of her swollen
breasts
in the low-cut top distracted hi
m. S
he licked her lips and his eyes were drawn to the
succulent
mouth. He slept alone for two nights, which was a record for Giuseppe
. His
attract
ion to Shanda
surfaced in the form of an erection and thankfully the stool
concealed the prominent bulge.

The back of his hand
caressed her cheek and her eyes widened at the tenderness of his touch. She was very pretty. He liked
her
short hair, it brought
out the intensity of her eyes.
He wondered what making love to a very pregnant woman fel
t
like.
Many men have said sex with a pregnant lady exceeds pleasure.
It is
a dick’s version of
heaven.
Tonight he sought to partake in what many men experienced and he had yet to taste.

T
onight t
he
guards
could bunk in the living room and he would share her bed
.
Tomorrow, she and the pup would be guests in his home. He actually looked forward to their company. Shanda made him laugh
and managed to convert his
murderous scowl into a smile
. This feat had never been done before. The ill-tempered Giuseppe had met his match.

H
is eyes crinkled when the puppy sauntered out of nowhere and nuzzled
against
Shanda’s foot. “She is jealous, eh?”

“
Whatever happened to the
use of
masculine forms of
speech?
It’s a boy. I named
the dog
after you.
You should feel honored.
”

Giuseppe howled, “Ah you have humor
.
I assumed it was a
bitch
!
”

Shanda slid off the
wood
stool and bent down to pick up
the
pup
to make a
formal introduction, “Gee meet your namesake, Giuseppe.
Th
is is the reason I chose you boy and not the other cute little
bitch
.
”

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

Trinidad and Tobago was situated off the northeastern coast of Venezuela.
This is the location they’d chosen for their honeymoon
. It held meaning to Selange. This
was her
father’s birthplace and a
connection
to her roots be
yond
blood. Sh
e had yet to step
foot
upon its shores
.
Alfonzo hoped
after she did, she’d
have
peace, this was his silent prayer.

Alfonzo
reclined his head and rubbed the fatigue from his eyes. The liquor and weed had finally taken
a
toll. Work and the stress of family obligations were anchored to his shoulders and a quiet romantic get-a-way would lighten the load. He needed this break, if only for a moment, they both did
.

He tried not to think about his father, yet his mind traveled there of its own
accord
. The great Luzo Palazzo men spoke about was nothing more than a dying stranger he met years ago. Time went by so quickly, didn’t it? One minute
he’s a
kid, the next
,
an adult racing toward old age
and death.
No one can bribe
death
for a
pass
;
money
is valueless to the
Grim Reaper.
Luzo learned that lesson on his deathbed, but Alfonzo refused to repeat the legacy. Withered and lonely was a sorry ass way to die. Thanks to Uncle Alberti’s wisdom, he had the love of his life and planned to hold on to her, tight.

He
peered
at
Selange
and smirked. She
slept peacefully in his arms
like a damn baby
.
There wasn’t a
single
flutter from the long eyelashes, only the gentle breathing of a tired woman who brought joy to his heart.
He
hadn’t updated her about Shanda, yet. When Shanda
disappeared from the face of the earth Selange behaved as if everything was okay, but there were moments when he saw
wistfulness
and guessed the origin. Eventuall
y, he’d tell her, except now wasn’t the time.

T
he jet touched down in Port of Spain
and the light rain they encountered upon descent
transitioned into a thunderous downpour.

Alfonzo woke h
is wife and
she stretched her arms over her head yawning, “We’re here already?”

“
Sí, babe
.
” He said shaking his arm. She’d used it as her pillow
during the hour-long flight
and the damn thing fell asleep
. Once it woke again, he stood and went to speak with the pilot
. “Listen, you don’t have to stay on the island. Just make sure you return when we’re ready to leave, alright?”

“I think I’ll bunk at the Regency Hyatt. I could use a bit of R and R.”

Alfonzo pat
Troy’s
shoulder, “
Have fun buddy.”

“Hey y tú tambien,” Troy nodded. “Enjoy your honeymoon.”

“I plan to.”

They were en route a short time later, driving through the darkened streets of the island in the pouring rain. Selange had her hand on his thigh and they were silent, enjoying the quiet
which was a rare commodity when you have kids. Finally, they entered a roadway with grass and trees which served as natural safety railings and followed the path. They were leaving the tourist center behind and going to where solitude existed for those with wealth. The
main area around the hotels didn’t have many attractions and at night, it wasn’t the safest of
places. There isn’t a
location
he traveled without getting the 4-1-1 beforehand. Petty crimes, like robbery, always occurred around tourist areas. Having lived in New York, he wasn’t naïve. The illegal activity happening in Trinidad’s underworld wasn’t shit compared to Manhattan. Crime existed everywhere in the
world;
it’s only the blind
that
didn’t see.

The car rumbled over rocks and dirt
for
close to an hour
until
they
finally arrived
at a
villa with tropical trees surrounding the vicinity high above the shore. The rain had ceased, leaving behind evidence of its visit on the foliage. Alfonzo climbed out and stretched his legs. From the elevation, he could see the lights of town and the tallest buildings.

If he had to pick a honeymoon spot, this was as good as any. As long as he had good company, the locale didn’t matter. Selange was more than good company, she
made the party.
 

                        
    ****

Nico informed Ari about the change of plans and she wasn’t happy. “Look, I’m going to join you real soon
.
” He said and rubbed her belly, “Both of you. Trust me sweetheart.”

She sighed, eversince their
staged
‘
deaths’
they were together as a family, really together for the first time in
years.
But, she missed her parents and believe it,
working
.
She felt useless and fat and as a homemaker she truly sucked. How did stay at home women manage to do so many things in a few hours
and have a meal ready for the kids when they arrived home?

It’s insane!

Supine and staring up at the fresco ceiling of the beautiful master bedroom belonging to Al and Selange was ironic. Everything lately, seemed like an altered reality and at times she swore she’d been snatched by aliens and taken to a parallel earth. It took months to wrap her brain around this new life and the adjustment was ongoing. Nico rubbed lovingly on her stomach and she heard him exhale in frustration. They promised to communicate more and he was still having a hard time with it. The phrase, old habits die hard is true in Nico’s case and not simply a
cliché;
the man h
ad problems opening up.

“Nicolo…the boys are enrolled in school. I thought we were trying to assimilate and act like a normal family. Now, you’re doing this three sixty and I have a right to know why.”

Nico rolled on his back.

Man, this bed is soft!

He
wanted
shut-eye but Ari wanted to talk at three o’clock in the morning when everyone else had gone to bed an hour ago. The guests occupie
d every room in the house. These
were
the attendees who flew in for the wedding and planned to leave in the morning. The party continued
long
after the newlyweds departed
and many
of the revelers were two sheets to the wind. Maria urged the guests to stay the night,
including
Sophie.
This, in light of their personal issues was a grand gesture.
Nico supposed Bruno softened Maria’s perspective on the issue. Holding on to grudges hardens the heart.

Alberti once warned, “Be careful Nicolo you do not build a wall of hate too thick or tall that when it falls it crushes you to death.”