Right Now (The Seduced Series) (8 page)

I heard Dennis take in
sharp breath of air, I turned and looked at him and his eyes were full of anger and anguish and now somewhat fully understanding why I have been pushing him away. But what I didn’t tell him was that I didn’t love Taylor, I just thought I did. But with Dennis, I don’t think I can see myself not being able to live without him and with that thought, it scares me to death.

“I told him that we were over right there on the spot. It hurt but I didn’t have it in me to fight either one of them, it just wasn’t worth it. They both deceived me in a time where I needed him the most. I thought I loved Taylor but I didn’t, I guess that’s why letting him go wasn’t so bad. It only hurt because he did my dirty in my own home. How could someone be so cold?”

“Was he the reason why you left?” I shook my head no at him.

“Coming here was an already done deal,” I didn’t realize I was crying until Dennis wiped away a lone tear off my face. “You see Dennis, that’s why I’m a mess. You don’t want to deal with this kind of shit. Trust me,” I said while morosely shaking my head.

“I’m already dealing with it,” he teased while grinning at me.

I couldn’t help but smirk back at him, he was putting up with my shit and I couldn’t get why? Before I knew what I was doing I reached over and stroked the side of his face. For that split second he looked surprised but relaxed to my touch. I withdrew my hand and he caught it, shaking his head for me not to stop. I got closer to him, running my hands through his black unruly hair, then lightly touching his nose and running my fingers over his mouth. It felt so good to touch him this way. I don’t think there is an exceptionally handsome and masculine man as him. My hands shifted to his neck, then to his muscular shoulders, arms and chest. I heard a slight moan escape from his lips but he remained still as I kept exploring his perfect body. I slowly leaned in and planted a soft wet kiss on his neck.

“Thank you,” I whispered as he turned his face towards me and kissed me back. This kiss was different from the other times that we kissed, it was so full of affection. This was the kind of kisses that will kill me on the inside. “You are going to be late for work,” I whispered against his lips.

“Screw work,” he murmured while he continued to plant kisses on my face and neck.

“If you don’t ge
t up, I won’t let you touch me again,” I threatened. He froze then slowly looked up at me. “And yes, I’m dead serious.”

“Okay boss
,” he teased while rolling his eyes and laughing.

He kissed my forehead and
left me while heading towards his room. Damn, why is he so persistent? Is he deliberately trying to torture me? I’m glad he decided to go to work, I needed some time to myself after my confession to him. He always clouded my every thought, I could never think straight when he was around. Jeez, I’m so pathetic. I walk into my bathroom and started up the shower. A nice hot shower is what I need to relax my mind and body. A little while later on, I found Carmella watching TV in the living room, which is something she rarely did. She’s normally all over the place, cleaning or fixing up something. I’m glad to see her taking it easy for once.

“Hey, can I join you?” I asked as she smiled back at me.

“Not at all sweetie,” she said. “You look confused,” she added as she searched my face for some answers.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked and she nodded.

“What’s bothering you?”

“Dennis, I’m trying to figure him out. But every time I’m around him my mind becomes clouded.”

“He does have that effect on women,” she smiled.

“Can you help me out?”

“Oh no sweetie, you’re going to have to figure that out for yourself. It’s not my place to say anything, it’s his,” she replied.

“Okay, tell me about you then. How did you become so close with him?”

“Well I’ve known him his whole life,” she said in a motherly tone.

“I don’t follow you,” I said.

“I grew up in Brazil and I lived there until I was about twenty, when I came to America I was hoping for a better life but I was sadly mistaken. I was unemployed and homeless for a while until I met Dan and Judy,” she said.

“Dennis’s parents?” I asked.

“Yes, they were at a flea market by a park. They walked up to me and started talking to me and somehow they ended up hiring me right there on the spot. They told me that I would live with them while I helped around the house. Judy was about five months pregnant with Dennis at the time,” she said. “They were kindhearted people despite of all their riches. When Dennis came along they were as happy as can be.” I imagined a dark haired, blue-eyed baby boy and I couldn’t help but smile.

“How was he growing up?” I asked.

“He was a happy little boy, why wouldn’t he? He had parents who loved him so much. He was very close with his mother, they had a bond like no other. It was tragic when they died,” she said while trying to fight back the tears.

“What happened to him?” I whispered.

“I’m sorry sweetie, he has to tell you that part of the story,” she said.

From the way Carmella
described his parents, they seemed like amazing people. I just wish I could have met them. Carmella and I kept on talking and laughing, she was a true delight to be with. We talked until the sun was beginning to set in the horizon and I knew Dennis would be coming home soon. I had butterflies in my stomach as I thought about seeing him again. Jared walked in with a phone in his hand; he was one of the guards here in the estate and also friends with Dennis. The expression on his face was horror stricken and his voice was frantic.

“Sorry for interrupting ladies, but we’ve got a problem,” he said.

“What’s wrong Jared?” Carmella asked now worried.

“I just received a phone call that Dennis was in an accident,” he said sadly.

“No
!” I gasped. I dropped the remote control out of my hand and let it hit the floor. My heart was pounding in my chest and somehow everything around me turned into slow motion. I saw Carmella cover her mouth with both her hands in horror of what might have happened to Dennis. “Where is he? Is he okay?” I shouted at Jared looking for some sort of answers.

“At the moment we don’t have any details, but I was asked to show up at the scene of the accident,” he said quickly.

“Let’s go, NOW!” Carmella shouted. “Get a car and I’ll be there in a moment,” she ordered to Jared who ran out of the living room to the door behind us that entered the garage.

“Angelina, stay here.”

“No! I’m coming with you,” I choked out but Carmella just shook her head no.

“I’m sure Dennis is fine. Think about it, he would rather you stay here where you are safe, right?” She didn’t wait for me to answer as she darted out of the room just like Jared did.

“Wait,” I whispered but I was unable to find my voice.

I heard the
car speed out of the garage and down the driveway. I dropped to my knees, as I couldn’t fight back the tears. I prayed for Dennis to be okay and to come back to me in one piece. I made all sorts of bargains with Dennis over the weeks of being here. I could live with the fact of him leaving me, I could live with the fact of him breaking my heart but I can’t live in a world where he doesn’t exist. All this waiting was going to kill me but I have to stay strong, for myself and for him. Carmella was right, he would have wanted me to stay here so he knows that I’m safe. That’s why he kidnapped me in the first place, right? To keep me safe, I can do that for him. I sat down on the couch and pulled my legs up to my chest then wrapped my arms around my legs and waited for the fate of my love.

Chapter Eight

I kicked a piece of
scrap metal that was once my Lamborghini. Why didn’t I notice that there was something wrong sooner? I was on my way back home when I lost control of the car. When I noticed that my brake and steering wheel were not working I knew that the car had been tampered with.  Before I hit the tunnel to the bridge that’s at the end of the highway that leads back to the estate, I opened the door and jumped out. I was glad that I decided to wear my leather jacket today, since it was so nice out this morning. I spotted a black SUV fly around the corner and stop a few feet from me. It was Colin and he jumped out to help me.

“Dennis!” He called to me. “I just got a call that you were in an accident. I’m glad to see that you’re still in one peace.”

“Yeah, you beat the police down here,” I said sarcastically. 

“What the hell happened here?” He said looking at the pile of twisted metal that was once called my car.

“I lost control. I think someone tampered with it. I bet Benny sent one of his goon’s down here,” I stated.

“I’ll have someone take a look into Ever’s and Ever’s parking lot’s surveillance video. Don’t worry Dennis, we’ll bring down the son of a bitch who is responsible for all this,” he said.

“How about you lock up Benny! Don’t you see? He knows I have her, he was just trying to send me a message,” I shouted as I pointed at my car. “He’s going to do whatever it takes to get what he wants and I can’t have that. What if she was in the fucking car? You better find a way to bring this son of a bitch down, or else I’m going to get involved in this shit whether you like it or not,” I told Colin how it was, I never spoke to him like that before but the look he gave me he understood where I was coming from, especially when it comes to protecting the woman that I love.

“I understand Dennis but trust me when I say we have it all under control. I’ve been doing this for a long time boy,” he warned. “I have to get back to the HQ, do you need a ride?” Around the corner came my Aston Martin and stopped with a screech. Jared and Carmella jumped out of the car to make sure I was okay.

“No, my ride my ride is here.”

“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said while walking back towards his SUV.

“Thank
heavens, Dennis. Are you okay?” Carmella asked as she engulfed me in a hug.

“I’m okay, a few scratches here and there. But I’ll live,” I said as we walked back to the Martin.

“What happened?” She asked.

“Someone tampered with my car,” I said.

“But who?” She asked baffled.

“Benny, he must have sent one of his men,” I said.

“The guy that
broke out of prison and is trying to get Angelina and her ring that she wears?” Jared asked.

“Yes. He must have found out that I’m protecting her. It’s a warning.”

“Oh my!” Carmella exclaimed. “What will happen to her if he gets to her?”

“He will kill her,” I said as I buried my face in my hands. “I can’t let that happen, I just can’t,” I whispered.

“I know,” she whispered back trying to soothe me.

“At the moment, Colin won’t let me do anything. I basically have to sit back and let this asshole continue to make plots against her,” I said frustrated about how this is all turning out. “Where is she?” I asked as I lifted my head up to look at Carmella.

“She’s home. I think you should come up with a convincing story as to why you’re still in one piece. She’s pretty shaken up about this,” she stated.

“You told her?”

“No, Jared said that you had an accident,” she explained.

“You what!”
I yelled turning my gaze to Jared who just shrugged at my tone.

“I’m sorry boss, I just didn’t know what else to say or do?” He said.

“It’s
fine, I’ll take care of it,” I said. I took a few deep breaths as I worried about Angelina. She may not love me as I do for her, but I’m sure she’s been scared for my safety.

We parked in the garage
and made our way into the living room. I saw Angelina on the couch with Amber and she was laying her head on Amber’s lap who was stroking her hair, trying to soothe and comfort her. When she looked up, her eyes grew wide as she met my gaze. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was tearstained, she looked like a mess.

“Dennis!” She screamed as she ran over and crashed onto me. I caught her in my arms as she buried her face in my neck and let out a pained sob.

“Hey,” I said trying to soothe her.

“Thank God you’re okay,” she whispered against my neck. I laughed a little uneasily as she squeezed her arms around my neck tighter.

“Angelina sweetie, give him a chance to breathe,” Carmella said in a soft voice.

“S
orry,” she whispered as she lifted her head and unlocked her arms around me. “Sorry, are you okay?” She asked still in panic at the thought of me being hurt.

“I’m fine.”

“What happened?” She asked as she took my hand and pulled me down to the couch to sit down next to her.

“There was a problem with the car. I noticed it before something serious happened and jumped out before I crashed,” I said somewhat truthfully.

“On t
o the road?”

“Yes,” I showed her the rip in my jacket.

“I guess that explains theses,” she said as she lightly traced the scratches on the side of my face.

“I’ll go get the first-aid kit,” Carmella said as she walked to the kitchen to look for the first-aid kit.

“I don’t understand, Jared
said you were in an accident. I thought you…” her voice broke into a sob; I combed my fingers through her hair trying to comfort her.

“I’m fine. Whoever called Jared must have given him false information,” I said as I casted Jared a scornful look.

“Don’t you ever, ever, ever do that to me again, ever. Do you understand,” she said as Carmella came back with the first-aid kit.

“Yes dear,” I said laughing. I’m glad to hear that she does care about me. “I didn’t think you cared,” I said.

“You didn’t think I cared? Look at me Dennis. Do I look like someone whose been jumping for joy while I waited for you to come back?” She shouted then began to stand up.

“Ang I…”

“What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you so oblivious to other people’s feelings? You might not care but the rest of us do. Look around you Dennis,” still shouting while throwing her arms up in the air. “See all these people who love and care about you but you’re just too blind to see that. Do you think any of them would have been happy if something bad happened to you?” She said as she took a few steps back. I got up and grab her by the arm before she took off running. “I love you,” she said shouting at me. Her voice echoed the room. “The thought of you never coming back to me ate at me! And you thought I didn’t care? Do you think I’d be screaming at you right now if I didn’t?” I was in shock. I let go of her arm as she back up again and closed her eyes while shaking her head.

“Angelina please listen to me,” I begged taking a step towards her.

“Stop! Don’t follow me and don’t bother with me anymore. I want you to leave me the hell alone,” she said as she ran out of the living room and up the stairs to her room.

I turned around
forgetting that there were others in the room listening and watching. I looked around and saw Carmella, she looked disappointed.

“Carmella…” I started to explain myself but she just got up and left the room as well.

Amber and Jared
looked at me with an anguished expression etch on their faces as they left the room too. Now I was standing in the threshold of the living room alone. I slowly walked upstairs to my room, opened balcony doors and sat outside on the balcony letting the gentle summer breeze calm my nerves. My thoughts and emotions were in a state of pandemonium. I can’t believe Angelina really thought I was heartless, especially towards her. I have to find a way to prove her wrong. She told me that she loves me, I should be jumping for joy but the fact of the matter was that she screamed it at me. If she truly loves me, why am I sitting here when I should be showing her how much I love her in return? I heard my bedroom door open but I didn’t bother to look to see who it was. Carmella sat in the empty chair next to me. We both sat there in silence for a few minutes, until I broke the silence.

“I thought you were mad at me.”

“Dennis, I’ve always looked at you as a son. I could never stay mad at you,” she said with a warm smile.

“She’s right about me?”

“Yes in a way that you don’t consider the people who care about you when you put yourself in dangerous situations and no to you not caring, I know you care.”

“What am I going to do Carmella?” I asked as I placed my head in my hands.

“I think you already know what you have to do you. She loves you and I know you love her too,” she said. “The question is, do you want this or you not,” she said as she looked up into the sky. “You can convince her that you do feel the same way about her or end it now so you don’t give her any more heartache.”

“Danger surrounds me in my line of work, I have enemies. For instance, one bastard is trying to hunt her as we speak.”

“Let her make that decision son. Don’t deprive her of her choice.” She got up and patted my shoulder. “I will support any decision you make, only if it doesn’t hurt you or Angelina,” then she turned and left me alone on the balcony.

I sat there and real
ly thought hard about what Carmella said. Debating on what I wanted and what was right. I wanted to be with Angelina more than anything in the world, but could I risk bringing her life into my dark world? I couldn’t just let her go, it would kill me. I decided to head up to her room. Carmella’s right, the choice is hers. I walked down the hallway and paused just outside her door. She told me to not to bother her but I needed to know if she is okay, the only thing is that it’s almost one in the morning. She’s probably sleeping; I’ll just peek in just to check if she’s all right. I slowly and quietly opened the door and peeked in, it was dark except for the lights that can from the balcony. I glanced at the bed and saw that she was under the covers. She looked like she was asleep, so I crept up to the bed. When I looked at her she looked worn out, I sighed inwardly. She opened her eyes sensing she was not alone, when her eyes met mine she quivered.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” I said quietly as she turned away from me.

“I thought I told you to leave me alone
,” her voice sounded weak and rough. I sat on the edge of the bed facing toward her.

“You did, but it’s hard for me to stay away,” I said softly, that was the truth. I don’t think I can ever stay away. She sat up and faced me.

“What do you want Dennis?” She asked.

“Well I came to apologize,” I said staring into her beautiful brown eyes. Every time I looked into her eyes I always got lost in them.

“You don’t have to apologize, you didn’t do anything wrong. I should be the one who’s sorry; I went overboard on the way I acted. I don’t know what came over me,” she said while looking down.

“No Angelina, you’re right about me not caring about others feelings and I’m sorry I was so insensitive towards you,” I said as I reached out and lifted her chin with my fingers. “But you’re wrong about me not caring. Can’t you see how crazy I am about you,” I added softly and gently caressed the side of her face. She shot me a shocked glance. “You’re not the only one who is a mess Angelina; something also happened to me, that’s why I’m nervous about having a relationship.”

“Tell me?” She whispered. I nodded while taking a deep breath, I have never told anyone this story, not even my close friends.

“I grew up in a small town in New Mexico, my parents loved small towns. They never cared about the money and power. I’m sure Carmella told you about how she met my parents?”

“She refused to tell me anything else.”

“Even being the only child I was a happy little kid, but I was the closest to my mother. She meant the world to me; I loved my father too don’t get me wrong. I went from being loved and happy to being alone and traumatized.” I said in sad voice. “I lied about how they died, they didn’t die in a car accident, they were murdered,” I said as I heard Angelina gasp. “That day, Carmella had to run to the store to go food shopping, me and my parents were playing in the living room of our house when a bunch of black-suited armed men busted down the door. At the time I was too little to understand what was going on, but it looked like my parents were trying to fight them off. My mother screamed for me to run but I couldn’t, I froze up. The men shot them down in cold blood right in fronts of my eyes. I had to stand there and watch them die,” her hand was on my shoulder trying to comfort me as tears streamed down her face.

“Oh my God Dennis,” she choked out.

“They left me, alone with my parents bleeding to death. I didn’t understand why they didn’t kill me as well, I guess they thought I was a harmless little kid,” I said as I wiped away her tears with the back of my hand. “Carmella came back and found me crying in a pool of my parent’s blood. She called 911 and when the cops came they called child protection services. They came and took me away claiming it was for the best. I remember Carmella screaming as she tried to prevent them from taking me. That was the last time I seen her… at least for a while.”