Scandalous Heroes Box Set (146 page)

Chapter Seven

Michael waited until he was sure that Kendra was soundly asleep before tiptoeing across the room, taking out a pair of well-worn dark jeans, silk boxers, and a black V-neck t-shirt. He speedily showered and dressed. He needed to speak with Sal and Piero first, and then his brother. Making sure as to not disturb Kendra, he walked over to the night table, grabbed his cell, and quietly left the room.

Once out of the bedroom, he continued on to the kitchen, where he went about making himself an espresso. He took a hefty sip to steel himself before placing the cup on the countertop and ringing Piero’s cell.

“Michael, talk to me.”

“Hello to you, too, Piero,” Michael snorted.

“Michael, no time for small talk, no? Is Kendra okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine. She is sleeping,” Michael responded.

“Still? It is late,” Piero said, concern in his voice. 

“She had a rough night,” he responded. Michael would keep the bit about her wanting him to stay in bed with her to himself. Besides, he was figuring out that Ms. Kendra was not as tough and brave as she led others to believe. He knew that she kept secrets and not just secrets about an ex-lover running off with her money. No, there was definitely something else going on, and he fully intended to find out just what it was.

“Michael…Michael are you still there?” He winced as he heard Piero’s voice piercing through the phone.

“Yes…yes I am here,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Is there something else going on that you’re not telling me?” Piero asked.

“No, Piero, everything is fine. Kendra is sleeping, and I am in the kitchen with a cup of coffee, waiting for her to awaken. Is Adanna looking for her?” Michael asked.

“She asked. I told her that she was with you. However, I gave no details as to why. Cara Mia trusts you. She had no more questions. How long are you planning on keeping Kendra there?”

“As long as it takes. She has to have a chance to process what happened first. When she feels up to going back to your house, then I will bring her. If not, she will stay here until she feels like leaving,” Michael said.

“Why are you sounding so possessive, Michael?”

“That’s because I am, Piero. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Yes, I do.
But
,” he stressed. “I trust you to do the right thing. Do not hurt her, Michael.”

“How can you say you trust me and in the same breath, tell me not to hurt her? Either you trust me, or you don’t. Make up your mind,” Michael fired back.

“She has scars, Michael. Do not add to them,” Piero said.

Michael was quiet for a moment. “So, you picked up on that, too?” he asked.

“Yes, and the fact that you did, as well, has eased some of my concerns,” Piero said.

“Only some, Piero? What still has you concerned?” he asked in a straightforward manner. “If you are referring to Carmella, then you can ease your concerns. You and I both know that situation. Carmella is of no concern to me.

“Milano,” Piero said in hushed tones.

“What about it?” Michael asked, all the while wondering how the hell Piero knew. Just in case Piero was guessing, he kept his voice calm and indifferent.

“Do not play games, Michael. That is not like you, no? My concern is valid. If it is not, then say so,” Piero demanded.

“Do no worry yourself, Piero. There is no cause for that,” Michael replied firmly. “The subject is dropped.”

“For now, it is,” Piero responded.

“Kendra will need her things. Make it happen,” Michael barked, annoyed that his cousin presumed that he knew what he was talking about. “And remember this, cousin: everything is not always at it seems. There is not just black and white all the time, no? There are some shades of gray.”

“Have Kendra call Cara Mia as soon as she feels up to it. She will want to hear from her big sister. After all, they had planned to spend time together along with Kendra’s friend, Sharon,” Piero said.

“Shit! Isn’t she due to arrive today?” Michael asked.

“Yes. I will handle it. You take care of Kendra. Goodbye,” Piero said.

Michael didn’t have a chance to say anything before Piero had hung up on him. He looked at the phone for a second. “Arrogant son-of-a-bitch,” Michael laughed.

“Was that my brother-in-law?”

Michael startled and whipped his head around. “You’re up,” he smiled.

“Yes. Was that Piero?” Kendra asked again.

“Yes. How’d you guess that?” he asked sarcastically.

Kendra gave a light-hearted chuckle. “I can remember you saying that he was calling you every 15 minutes. I know my brother-in-law very well, and let me tell you, he’s bossy as hell.” She smiled.

“Hmm, what else do you remember?” he asked.

“You want to know if I remember trying to jump your bones?” she asked.

Michael blushed, something he hadn’t done since his early years in high school. He ran his hands through his long, silky hair. “You remember that,” he coughed.

“Yes, among other things. Do you happen to have a spare toothbrush?” she asked.

Michael could see that, although a smile was on her face, her eyes told a different story. Hence the sudden change of subject.

“I do. Everything that you need is in the vanity chest of drawers in the bathroom,” he said. “Are you hungry yet? I can make you a sandwich, soup, or macaroni.”

“Macaroni?” she asked. “Really?”

“No, macaroni per se. Pasta. My mamma makes it from scratch as well as the sauce. She gives all of us some, and we freeze it for when we need it. It will only take a few minutes to boil it. I usually only put butter and garlic on mine, but I can heat a container of sauce if you’d like,” he finished.

“Sounds lovely. However, I will try just a little soup and maybe a small salad if you have it,” she said.

“I do,” he said.

“Good. I will be back in a second. I just need to brush my teeth. By the way, thanks for the clothes,” she tossed over her head.

“You’re welcome. They look better on you than they do on me anyway,” he called after her as he watched her disappear around the corner. Yes, she had on a pair of his boxers and his t-shirt. The t-shirt was long enough that it covered most of her luscious ass.
Okay, Michael, wrong thinking pattern. She’s here to get well, not for you to pounce on.
At least not yet, anyway. There would be plenty of time for that.

Michael went about taking out two containers of homemade soup—one tortellini, and one pasta and meat, both very light. He then took out two soup pots and put them on the stove to heat. He removed the ingredients from the freezer bags with the pasta and placed them on the kitchen countertop. He then took out a pot, filled it with water, and placed it on the burner to boil. 

Michael had set the table and was mixing the salad when he heard Kendra re-enter the room. He stared at her for a minute. When he’d seen her at the wedding, she’d had a short pixie-cut. Now, her hair was longer, yet still stylish. Her face was free of makeup and she appeared to be comfortable just the way she was. The women he dated wouldn’t leave the bedroom without first putting on makeup.

“Wow, that was quick,” she said, coming to stand next to him. “Can I help with anything?”

“Everything is ready. I’ll just take the soup off of the stove and we can eat. What would you like to drink? I’m having a glass of wine,” he said.

“I think I’ll stay away from the drinks for a while,” she snickered. “A glass of water will be fine, and some lemon, if you have any.”

“I should. Honestly, I don’t buy my groceries. My mom or sister makes sure the fridge is fully stocked. I have a cleaning lady who comes in once a week. If I run out of something, I ask her to pick it up for me, which is rarely since I am barely here and eat out a lot. Sundays are family time, so I’m usually at my parents’ home. They are still very old school. Sit-down family meals are very important to them,” he said.

“I understand. My family used to be like that. My parents retired and are now traveling the world. They travel more than Adanna and I put together,” she chuckled. “They are visiting relatives in Texas now, and from there, they’re off to Vegas.”

“Good for them. My parents only take a trip once a year to Italy. That’s it. They usually stay from one month to a few months. I think it gives my mamma and aunts an excuse not to speak English,” he laughed. “I am sure you noticed the few times you were in their presence.”

“Oh, yeah. Adanna has told me about her mother-in-law and the aunts. They want their boys to marry good Italian women. I think Piero’s mom is warming up to Adanna. Your mom has never expressed a problem with her since she and Carina have been friends since forever.”

“Aunt Sophia will get better just as soon as Piero and Adanna produce their first child,” Michael said, rummaging through his fridge. “Ah, here we go. Lemons.”

“Great,” she said, watching him cut the lemon into four slices.

Michael watched as Kendra began to pour soup into her bowl and put salad on her plate. He noticed that her hand shook a little as she was doing so.

“Why are you nervous?” he asked.

“What…what do you mean?” she asked, clearing her throat.

“For some reason, you’re nervous. There is no need to be. Relax and eat, Kendra. You are safe here. But I believe I have told you that before, no? Why don’t you believe me?” he asked, looking at her through squinted eyes.

“I believe you. Let’s drop it and eat. I’m hungry,” she said.

“For the record, what happened will go no further than the people involved. Your family will not find out from me or Piero, and trust me, those two imbeciles will definitely not be talking,” Michael said, furiously.

“How do you know they won’t say anything?” she asked.

“I know. Now eat up,”

“I will. Stop being bossy,” Kendra said, picking up her spoon and putting a healthy mouthful of soup in her mouth. “Hmm, this is good.”

“Of course. My mamma made it,” he smiled.

“Wow! Boys and their mothers,” she said, shaking her head.

“What?”

“All I’m saying is that guys tend to skirt their mother’s coattails for a long time and then get married and expect the wife to treat them exactly like their mothers would.”

“No, we don’t,” he scowled.

“Uh, yes, you do. Tell me, Michael. What are you looking for in a wife?” she asked, stabbing a slice of lettuce with her fork and then putting it in her mouth.

“That’s easy. I don’t expect anything in a wife because I am not getting married. At least not now.”

“Well, let’s say the ‘not now’ is now. What would you expect in a wife or a woman whom you’ve been seeing on a regular basis?”

“You have to understand. I am used to certain things—”

“Uh uh uh. No excuses. You would expect her to do what your mom and sister do for you,” Kendra cut in.

“Trust me. Neither my mom nor my sister can do for me what I want to do to you right now,” he smarted, and laughed outright as her eyes bugged. “What? Nothing to say?”

“No. I think you’ve said it all. I still made my point, though,” she mumbled.

“To some degree. For one, your sister can’t cook, and Piero adores her.”

“Yes, he does. Sophia still insists on teaching Adanna how to be a ‘good’ Italian wife. Even went as far as damn near kidnapping her for the day, trying to teach her how to make Piero’s favorites,” Kendra snorted.

“I remember. Well, Aunt Sophia is special. She’s also bossy as hell. For the most part, she is okay. Just set in her ways, as is my mamma. However, my mamma has been in America longer than Aunt Sophia.”

“Yet, neither speaks English,” Kendra chuckled

“Yes, well, that is another conversation altogether. One I don’t have the time to go into now. How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling a lot better. Still a little sluggish. It will pass. I take it my brother-in-law is still pestering you.”

“Please, don’t talk him up. Piero and I have come to an understanding.”

“Oh, what understanding is that?” she asked, taking another spoonful of soup.

“Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over. Piero and I are fine. So, what do you want to do today?”

“Relax and watch movies. I don’t really feel like being social today. Maybe tomorrow,” she murmured.

“I’ll take care of it. I don’t have a television in my bedroom, but there’s one in a couple of the other bedrooms, and also in the entertainment room.”

“Just how many bedrooms are in this house?”

“There are only six bedrooms. Why?”

“You all love monstrous houses. You’re a bachelor with this big house. I don’t get it,” she said with a shrug.

“That’s easy. I like my privacy, and with a family as large as mine, you just never know when a family member or three will show up. However, because my family knows how I value my privacy, so no one will ever show up uninvited. Well, except for my mamma and Nicco of course. I think Nicco does it to be a pain in my ass.”

“Hmm, could be,” Kendra chuckled. “He’s a character.”

“Yeah. Real funny,” Michael snorted.

“Wow, that was great!” she said, finishing off the last of her salad. “Since you prepared the food. I’ll clean up.”

“No. Go relax. I’ll leave it for the cleaning lady,” Michael said.

“Please, there are only a few dishes, Michael. You don’t need a cleaning lady for this. I can do it. Besides, it will keep me busy for a bit.”

“I didn’t bring you here to clean my house, Kendra.”

“I hardly call washing a few dishes ‘cleaning’ your house.”

“How about we both put them in the dishwasher? It’s settled, no?” he said, getting up from the table and picking up dishes as he went along, not waiting for her to protest further.

“You like getting your way, don’t you?”

“Of course. Most times I do get it, too,” he smiled. “Are you going to hold that dish hostage or are you going to place it in the dishwasher?”

“Ha. You do it,” she sniffed. Placing the dish on the table, she turned and left the room.

“Aww, come on! We are supposed to do this together,” he chortled. “See, I could’ve left it for the cleaning lady.”

Michael hooted with laughter when Kendra flipped him off. “We can do that too,” he called after her. “I have a feeling my life has just changed for the better,” he said to himself.