Chapter2
Violet couldn’t believe that Amedeo was taking her back to her apartment. They were in the back of his limousine. The man had someone to drive him. Everywhere. It wasn’t one of those long ones, but she’d bet he had one, too.
She wasn’t in her wet clothing. She was in one of Amedeo’s shirts and some sweatpants that someone had in a desk. Her socks and underwear were still wet, but she could live with that. Soon, she’d have some dry ones. Not that they would be clean. She hadn’t been to the laundromat in weeks. No one saw her, so it wasn’t a priority to have clean clothing. She worked mainly in sweats.
She had to admit that Amedeo helping her chafed a bit. She was not beholden to him. She didn’t like owing anyone anything. The next months would be hard for her. Being a loner, she’d never liked living with anyone. Even as a child, she’d dreamed of leaving her mother’s place. And she did as soon as possible.
Probably why her mother had died, but that was another day of guilt to deal with. Now she was bringing an unwanted child into the world. Well, Amedeo seemed to want the child. She was just scared she was going to screw the poor little thing up. She didn’t really want the baby to die. It had been a relief when Amedeo had asked her not to terminate the pregnancy.
The downside was depending on Amedeo. She’d found that men didn’t often do what they said they would. Like stay around. Be a grownup. Keep promises.
She felt like her skin didn’t fit right, but this was the choice she’d made. It had been the only one she could make. Amedeo studied his phone, maybe answering emails as if he did this every day.
He didn’t seem to be unnerved by her moving in.
They finally arrived at her apartment building. Never had a vehicle looked so out of place. Amedeo gave instructions to the driver who drove away after they climbed out.
“You ready?” Amedeo said.
“As I’ll ever be.”
With her stomach full, she thought she could do this. Amedeo held out his hand. She shook her head. No, that would be too much. She brushed past him into the apartment building. She stood by the landlord’s door.
“I admire your determination, but you can’t do this without me,” Amedeo said in her ear.
“And that will bother me forever.”
She stepped away, waving him toward the door. Amedeo knocked. Reggie answered, still in his boxers.
“What do you want, bitch?” he said.
Amedeo stepped between them. “You will not call her names. I’m here to pay her rent.”
Reggie took the cigar out of his mouth, his gaze going up and down Amedeo as if taking his measure. From the look on his face, her landlord found Amedeo lacking. This had been a mistake. What was she thinking? Amedeo was Park Avenue. Reggie was Harlem. Harlem could kick Park Avenue’s butt.
She didn’t want to watch that.
“Could we stop posturing and get this transaction over with? I’m cold and tired and feeling pretty cranky,” she said.
Amedeo glanced her way, then reached into his pocket. He pulled out more cash than she had ever seen at once. Maybe more cash than she’d seen in her whole life combined. If Reggie liked to fight, he liked money more.
“This should cover what Violet owes you. Now, go unlock her apartment. Don’t lock it again and we’ll have her moved out this week,” Amedeo said.
Reggie didn’t eye the money for long. He snatched it from Amedeo’s hand, then slammed the door on their faces. Amedeo threw her a look, his eyebrows raised. She shrugged. Reggie opened the door again. This time he had on ratty sweatpants.
“Fine,” he said.
He trudged up the steps. Amedeo was right behind him with Violet taking the rear. Reggio took the lock and the sign off the door, then he disappeared. Amedeo held out his hand. “Your key?”
“I can unlock my own door,” she said, brushing past him.
He stepped out of the way as she unlocked the door. For a moment, she wondered about the last time she’d cleaned the apartment. She’d bet Amedeo didn’t keep things a mess. He probably had a whole cleaning staff to keep his apartment germ free.
She opened the door. Her place wasn’t a complete pigsty.
“You have suitcases?” Amedeo said.
“Yes.”
Well, she had one. She never took trips so she didn’t need more than that.
“Just get what you absolutely need. I’ll have a moving company do the rest.”
She spun on him. “That’s not necessary.”
“Do you want to chance dealing with Reggie again?” She sighed. She didn’t. He nudged her further into the apartment. “Now, pack and I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“He isn’t worth getting upset about, Amedeo.”
“Leave it to me,” he said then left.
She hurried and packed as much as she could into a suitcase. Not that it would matter. When she started to show, she’d have to buy other clothing. With her suitcase full and her laptop in tow, she found Amedeo coming back up the steps.
“Is everything okay?” she said.
He didn’t look mussed at all. What had he done to Reggie? He held out his hand toward her suitcase. “Everything is fine.”
She pulled her bag closer to her.
“Violet, please let me take your suitcase. You’re pregnant and probably shouldn’t carry things.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll only ask nicely one more time,” he said.
She could see his grave expression and decided not to argue. He could win this small battle. He wasn’t going to be victorious in the war. Not if she had anything to say about it.
He took her suitcase then reached for her laptop bag. “I can handle the laptop. It isn’t heavy.”
“Violet.”
“Okay, fine.”
She handed him the laptop.
***
Most of the time Amedeo liked his job. Today had not been one of them. The power went out in the building for two hours, making it impossible to get work done. Then his server was having issues and the hosting company wasn’t giving him good customer service.
He had his IT department look into getting their own server. It had always chafed him that he wasn’t keeping that in-house. Now he wanted it. He also had the maintenance department look into hooking up a generator to the building.
He’d thought about it after a few hurricanes had come through New Jersey. He’d never done it, but now it was a top priority.
He loosened his tie on the ride home and he wanted to put on a pair of jeans. He mentally reviewed his refrigerator for what he could make for dinner and decided maybe takeout was a good idea. He’d have to see what Violet wanted.
His driver dropped him off at his house.
“I’m not going anywhere tonight, so take the night off,” he told him.
“Thanks, Mr. Killiano.”
“No problem. As always, keep your phone on in case of an emergency.”
“Yes, sir.”
Amedeo climbed out and looked up at his house. He loved this place. It was his sanctuary. Tonight it glowed with lights because Violet was here. He liked the idea that he wasn’t coming home to an empty house. He probably shouldn’t get used to that idea. She was only here temporarily.
He opened the front door to a wonderful smell. Beef something? Stew? He couldn’t quite place it, but his stomach rumbled at the scent. Dropping his keys in the dish by the door, he put his briefcase under that table.
He took in a nice breath through his noise. Damn. That smelled good. Better than takeout.
Walking into the kitchen, he found Violet stirring something on the stove.
“That smells marvelous.”
She jumped. “Hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will. I don’t have to cook it,” he said.
He dropped his now untied tie onto the counter. He’d get it later. He unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt. When he looked up, Violet was staring at him. She shook herself, then put a plate in front of him.
“Thanks,” he said.
“Wine?”
She’d found his cellar and obviously opened one for him. “Sure.”
She poured him a glass, then headed toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I was going to leave you alone. I have some work to do,” she said.
“Stay.”
She looked at him as if she didn’t believe he wanted her to stay.
“Please, Violet. I’d enjoy the company.”
She nodded, then slid onto a stool at the other end of the island in his kitchen. He’d situated it diagonally so it could be as long as possible. Ten feet. He was proud of that. When he cooked for his family they could gather here. He liked the warmth of having them around, though now that he was married, Dante was having them over to his place more.
When he finally told his mother about Violet, he’d invite her over. Might be easier to get to know his mother in this setting rather than her own house. Neutral ground.
He took a bite of the stew that she’d put over egg noodles. His eyes closed. There was some wine in it and some rich broth. The chunks of beef were large, but tender. The vegetables had just the right amount of give. This might have been the most perfect stew he’d ever eaten.
“Oh. My. God. Violet. This is really good. Really delicious.”
She smiled, looking a little shy, which was not how he’d ever seen her before. On the night they’d spent together, she’d taken as much as she’d given. Maybe because she knew she’d never see him again. That didn’t work out.
“Thanks.”
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“I learned from television,” she said.
“Ah, Food Network. Making cooks out of all of us.”
“You a big fan?”
“I am. My mother taught me to cook Italian, but I learned everything else from Bobby Flay and company,” Amedeo said.
He took a sip of his wine. It worked with the stew.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” he asked. .
“I ate before. I was hungry.”
“Okay. You sure you don’t want seconds? You are eating for two.”
She licked her lips and it looked sexy beyond belief. “Well, maybe a little more.”
She put some stew into a bowl and ate with him. He liked the domestic scene. Who would have thought? Or maybe it was just Violet. He’d been enamored and had wanted to see her again. She hadn’t felt the same, since she’d only contacted him when she found out she was pregnant.
Well, he’d enjoy her company while she was here.
He could still date. He was taking care of her, not in a relationship with her. Still, he couldn’t bring a woman home with him while Violet was living here. That wouldn’t be fair.
“You don’t have to cook for me, though I appreciate it. I was too tired to do it myself tonight. It was going to be takeout.”
“I don’t mind cooking. I’m home and I have to eat also,” she said.
“Just remember that if you’re tired and don’t want to, just let me know.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“How was your day?”
“One of my clients finally paid me. The other two are holdouts.”
“What is your recourse if they don’t pay?”
“I don’t really have any. I don’t have the money to sue them,” she said.
She looked down at her food. It must bother her that she didn’t have money. He wasn’t sure what she would let him do once the baby came, but he’d help her. He couldn’t just throw her out on the streets. Especially if she chose to keep the baby.
He’d cross that bridge when he came to it.
***
Violet was in the middle of some intense coding when she heard a noise. The front door. She glanced at the clock on her computer. He would be early. Damn. She needed a few more hours of quiet to get some work done.
He didn’t seem to like to leave her alone when he was home. She wondered if he had any friends because he hadn’t gone out after work this whole week.
She sighed. Then she listened carefully. Those weren’t his footsteps. Those sounded like high heels.
Thankfully, the kitchen was on the way to the front door. She picked up a knife on her way. Tiptoeing, she entered the hallway in time to see a coattail disappear up the steps. Shit. Should she call the cops?
Violet debated what to do. She’d left her phone by her computer in the office that Amedeo had set up for her. His was upstairs. Hers was off the kitchen. Worked well as long as he stayed in his office.
No time to go back for her phone. Hopefully she could find an extension upstairs to use.
She crept up the steps. When she arrived at the top, she listened. The person seemed to be in Amedeo’s room. His was next to hers. He’d insisted that should be in case she needed him in the middle of the night. In her mind, he was hoping for a booty call. Hadn’t happened yet, but her hormones going wacky had her thinking about it.
She shook herself. Her mind liked to take detours these days. Must be pregnancy. She contemplated what to do. With a knife in her hand, she strode to the door of Amedeo’s bedroom. She hadn’t been in here, but it was filled with dark wood. Very masculine, but very him.
She had no time to admire it before she stepped in. The shower was running. Had he come home? Was she going to walk in on him naked and soapy? The thought made her mouth dry.
No, those had been heels. Besides, he would have found her when he got home. He always did.
She eyed the phone, and knew she should call the cops, but she was pissed that someone had invaded Amedeo’s space. This was his domain. She threw open the door to the bathroom. Stepping in, she saw the person in the shower.
That was not Amedeo.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” the woman said. Then she shrieked. “Put down that knife.”
The woman turned off the water, then wrapped herself in a towel. Violet got a glimpse of the most perfect body she’d ever seen. Down to the nicely shaved pubic hair. Shaped like a heart. Holy shit. Was that a white girl thing to do? She’d never seen that on anyone.
“Who are you?” Violet demanded.
“Who the Hell are you and what are you doing in Amedeo’s house?”
“I’m Violet and I live here.”
The woman gave her the once over. “You the maid?”
Oh, now she really wanted to stab this perfect blonde bitch. “No, I live here. With Amedeo. Who are you? Before I call the cops.”
She didn’t need to know that they slept in separate rooms. Or that he’d taken her in because she was pregnant with his child. None of that mattered right now.
“I’m Victoria Sheffield.”
She said her name as if everyone would know who she was. Like Cher or Madonna. “Okay. Who the hell is Victoria Sheffield?”
She brought herself up to her full height, making Violet hate her even more. She was tall and leggy. “I’m Amedeo’s fiancé.”
“Fiancé? “He never mentioned you.” Violet glanced at the woman’s left hand. No ring. “Where’s you’re engagement ring?”
This flustered the woman. She looked at her hand, then up to Violet. “I don’t wear it in the shower.”
“Then where is it?”
“I, uh, don’t have it. I gave it back to Amedeo and now I’m here to make it up to him.”
“I don’t think so. I’m calling the cops.”
“Call Amedeo. I was here to surprise him,” she said. “He’ll vouch for me.”
Without taking her eyes off of Victoria, Violet dialed Amedeo’s number on the house phone. It went to voice mail. “He’s not answering. I guess you can talk to the cops. I’ll bet they’ll be here in ten minutes. You might want to get dressed or they’ll get an eyeful.”
“Will you please leave?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t know who you are and I’m not turning my back on you. We’ve got the same parts, so it doesn’t matter if I see you.”
Victoria frowned then dropped the towel. Creamy white skin. She had it. The house phone rang. Violet picked it up.
“Violet? Is something wrong? I couldn’t get to my phone.”
“You have an intruder.”
“Did you call the cops? Are you out of the house?”
“No and no. The intruder says she’s your fiancé.”
“Tory?”
“It’s me, Amedeo,” the woman yelled as she wrapped herself in her coat. Guess she hadn’t worn any clothing underneath it.
“Put Tory on the phone, Violet.”
She handed the naked intruder the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”
Tory did a lot of listening and nodded. Then she handed the phone back to Violet. “Amedeo?”
“She’s my ex fiancé. She dumped me weeks ago. It was why I went out and picked you up. Don’t call the cops, but make sure you take the key to my house from her. I don’t want to have to change the locks.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll talk about her when I get home.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation, Amedeo.”
“Yes, I feel I do.”
She hung up with him, feeling warm that he wanted her to know what was going on. Not that they were in a relationship, but it was nice. Victoria gave up her key after Violet escorted her to the front door. She’d never seen a woman so crestfallen in her life.