Reckless (Bertoli Crime Family #2) (28 page)

Tyler chuckled. “Yeah. He owes me big time.”

"For what?"

Tyler grinned. "You remember where we first met?"

I rolled my eyes. "How could I forget?" Images of Tyler's chiseled thighs and enormous bulge flashed in front of my eyes, making the heat rise within my body.

Your lips would look good wrapped around my . . .

"Well those guests you guys were fitting were for Brad's wedding, and guess who’s footing the bill?"

"Okay," I said, smiling. It was nice to know that Tyler would do that for someone, even if it was a drop in the bucket for him.

Tyler planted a kiss on my cheek. “Everything will be all right, baby.”

My breath quickened at his words and his hand that was now on my thigh.

"What are you doing?" I demanded

Tyler's beautiful eyes sparkled with mischief. "You left me hanging this morning. I'm just getting what I've been waiting for all day."

I glanced uneasily up at the front of the limo. There was a glass window separating us and Jonathan, but I wasn't sure if he could see through it.

"In here? While he's driving?"

My breath quickened as Tyler’s eyes bore into me with an intensity that made my thighs quiver like Jell-O.

Tyler pushed my legs open wide and winked at me, giving me a grin that said,
I'm about to fuck you and you're going to love it
. Who could resist?

* * *

T
he next day
, after a grueling morning with Christine, who'd sent me around the building like a chicken with my head cut off, running errand after impossible errand, I stopped by Bixby’s to meet up with Tyler and his friend, Brad, to have lunch.

After the hot session I’d been treated to in the back of Tyler’s limo, I was anxious to see my beautiful boyfriend again and to meet his childhood best friend. Tyler seemed to limit those he called friends, and I was curious to see what he was like.

"Looks like you’re in a bit of a pickle,” Brad announced, closing the last page of the form and sliding it across the smooth, marble table to me. “She’s right. I’d recommend going ahead and giving your notice.”

Though not as handsome as Tyler, Brad was a very attractive guy. When I’d arrived at the restaurant, he greeted me like the utmost gentleman, pulling out my seat and giving my hand a kiss, which had prompted a jealous warning from Tyler. The two began bickering back and forth over it, and I thought for a minute that they’d come to blows when I finally realized that they were just playing.

After that playful introduction, we sat down to figure out our orders. It wasn’t long after our food came that we got down to business and I’d given Brad my contract to look over.

My heart fell into my chest as I took the form and slid it back into my purse.

So much for that,
I thought with disappointment.

Despite knowing how badly I wanted out of my contract, Tyler didn’t seem too bothered by it.
Here I go again
, I thought as the familiar feelings of suspicion began to creep back in. I did my best to dismiss the feelings.

“That’s pretty much your only option,” Brad said, picking up his knife and slicing into the premium steak he’d ordered.

“I guess I’ll go ahead and give her notice then,” I said slowly.

Beside me, Tyler became quiet, arousing my suspicions further.

My heart pounded within my chest as I was overcome with a volley of emotions. The worse part of it all was the look in Tyler’s eyes. It was one of indecision.

It’s not all in my head, after all.

I wanted to accuse him of going back on his word, and I almost did, but I didn’t want to start an argument in front of Brad, who’d been nothing but polite to me.

Right then, the waitress came up, a blonde with a bad dye job.

“Is everything going alright?” she purred, moving closer to Tyler than I was comfortable with.

“Fine, thanks,” Brad said shortly, flashing her a boyish grin.

“I’d like another glass, please,” Tyler asked politely.

The waitress grinned as if he’d offered her a night of hot sex. “Coming right up, handsome,” she giggled, playfully clapping him on the shoulder.

Tyler grinned back at her, his eyes sparkling.

That was more than I could take. The only thing that kept me from jumping up from my seat and dragging Miss-Bad-Dye-Job across the restaurant was the fact that I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of Tyler’s friend.

“I have to go,” I announced suddenly as soon as the waitress sashayed off. I jumped up from my seat, trying unsuccessfully to keep my limps from trembling.

Tyler started to get up from his seat, but I quickly motioned him back down. “Already?”

I have to go to keep from going into a rage and embarrassing us both in front of your best friend.

“Yeah. Christine needed me to schedule a very important upcoming show for her as soon as I got back from lunch.” I flashed a fraudulent smile at Brad. “It was nice meeting you, Brad. Thank you so much for your counsel, and I hope your wedding is one to remember.”

Brad smiled back and nodded his head at me. “It was no problem, and it was nice meeting you too. You have a nice day.”

“I will.” I tossed a quick glance at Tyler, trying to keep a straight face. “Thanks for the meal.” I turned and began walking away from the table.

“What? I don’t get a kiss?” I heard Tyler call behind me.

I ignored his question and kept walking out of the restaurant, grateful that he couldn’t see the tears of frustration rolling down my face. My emotions were on a roller coaster, and I needed to get out of the situation before I did something I’d regret.

I
immediately resisted
the urge to jump up and follow Victoria out of the restaurant.

I’ll just end up making things worse if I go after her,
I thought, angry that I hadn’t been able to hide the fact that I was having second thoughts about our future business venture.

Telling her how I felt after her jealous reaction would only result in her feeling like she'd been right all along: I was a manwhore who’d say or do anything to get into the next girl’s pants.

“Geez,” Brad said over a mouthful of steak. “She seemed extra pissed when the waitress flirted with you.”

“She was,” I muttered, glancing down at my food. My stomach turned at the sight and I put down my fork. I’d lost my appetite.

“Damn, this steak is as tough as a donkey’s ass. With what this place charges, you would think you’d get better.” Brad gave me a look as he chewed. “How are you two going to last if she gets mad at that? Chicks hitting on you is an everyday occurrence.”

“Her confidence is a little shook up with all the stuff that’s been going down, that’s all. She’s normally pretty feisty. Anyway, I don’t think that’s what she was really upset at, though it didn’t help.”

Braid raised an eyebrow. “What else then?”

I didn’t respond, because Miss Flirty Pants came over to see if we needed anything.

“No thanks,” I said. “We’re fine.” I avoided eye contact with her.

“So tell me what’s going on. You’re not getting away that easily.” Brad pressed.

“I really don’t want to talk about it. I’m pissed enough at myself about it already.”

Brad paused for a moment and wiped around his mouth with a napkin. “Come on, man. Maybe I can help.”

I knew if I didn’t tell him, he’d just keep bugging the shit out of me. “Okay, fine.” I sighed. I quickly outlined to him what I’d promised Victoria.

Brad let out a low whistle when I was finished. “Man, I can’t believe it.”

“Believe what?” I asked, knowing that I was falling into a trap.

“This chick has got you whipped.”

“Oh shut the fuck up. And hey, I’m not the one getting married.”

“Yeah, but I never swore off serious relationships either. I mean, after Candice—”

“Can you not mention her name?” I snapped.

Brad managed to look guilty “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring her up. I know that one’s a tough subject.”

“I’m sure you didn’t,” I said sarcastically. “But really, I know what you mean. I didn’t think I’d ever get back into a real relationship either. But Victoria . . .” I shook my head, looking for the words. “She’s just different. She’s beautiful, smart, headstrong, knows what she wants and—”

“She’s your stepsister.”

“Exactly.”

“I guess that does add a little excitement to it.”

Brad took a swig from his wineglass and shook his head. “This is some crazy shit. The one girl that you finally decide that you actually want to be with winds up being your stepsister. I can’t believe your luck.”

I shrugged. “Stranger things have happened.”

“Ain’t that the fucking truth.” Brad set his wine down and his expression turned serious. “But . . . I gotta ask, and don’t get pissed . . . is she really worth it? I mean, is it worth losing your job over her?”

My immediate impulse was to snap at Brad’s suggestion, but I resisted. The truth was, I didn’t know what anything was anymore. I wasn’t used to dealing with this kind of emotion, and it was messing with my head.

I don’t know how to feel or to think
, I thought.
I swore I would never be in this position again, worrying about another female and fulfilling her wants, needs and desires, only to be betrayed by her in the end. Yet, here I am, trying to figure out how I can keep my job and keep her all at the same time. And for what?

It was scary, the feelings that Victoria evoked in me. She made me want to be a better man. She made me want to treat her with the respect that she deserved, made me want to be her knight in shining armor. For anyone else, it would have been a godsend. But for me, it was all new, and it both scared me and pissed me off at the same time.

I’ve got to do something about this,
I thought
. I can’t keep on like this—wanting her but too afraid of being with her.

“Anyway,” I said, changing the subject because I didn’t want to talk about it anymore until I actually had it sorted in my head. “I’m calling my dad’s bluff. I still have my doubts he’ll go through with it, but if he does call a vote to remove me, I want to know my options.”

Brad sat back in his chair and pushed his half-eaten steak away from him. “Well you have a couple of options, but only two make sense.”

“You can fight it in court, but . . .” Brad scratched at the stubble on his jaw, reluctant to continue. After a moment, he sighed and said, “The fact is, to be completely honest with you, Ty, I’m not looking forward to that. It’s just a lose-lose scenario all around. Not to mention with the wedding coming up and Katie’s constant demands to make everything as perfect as possible, the stress of a drawn-out court case will probably put me in an early grave. So that basically leaves you with two options.”

“And what are those?” I asked, curious.

“The first, and I’m just putting it out there, is to end your relationship with Victoria. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but that’s option one.”

I couldn’t help myself. “Well aren’t you just fucking useless.”

“I know, I know, I said it’s not what you wanted to hear, but it had to be said. Look, you’re not going to like option two either, but if your feelings for Victoria are real, it has to be done.”

I gave him one of those
Did I just smell a fart?
puzzled looks.

“You need to have a heart-to-heart with your father.”

T
he following day
on lunch hour, I was sitting at my desk eating a donut. A big, powdered, jelly-filled donut. And I never, ever ate donuts. I was always too worried about gaining a pound. It definitely felt good now, but I’d regret it later. Damn Christine and her giving me self-esteem issues.

But today she could kiss my ass. I didn't give a damn if I gained a pound, because my relationship with Tyler was on the rocks and I was super fucking depressed.

After I left Bixby's, the image of him smiling at the waitress kept flashing in my head, filling me with rage and hurt. At least, that’s what I told myself. In all honesty, I think I was just looking for another reason to be mad. He’d really let me down with his nonchalant attitude.

I should've known he was no good. He just saw me as an interesting conquest.
After he got what he wanted from me, I was no longer a priority. All that talk that he would fight our parents on my behalf? Obviously bullshit. He’s just a stubborn asshole that wants to defy authority. That, and he just wanted to make a point to his father that he can do what he wants.

The worst part of it all was that I’d totally humiliated myself and nearly destroyed my career, all on the basis of Tyler’s false promises.

I’m lucky to still be working
, I thought angrily. Thankfully, Christine’s ever-present need to torture me was the only reason I still had a job. I’d come so close to losing everything, all because I lost all rational thought when I was around Tyler. The image in my mind absolutely frightened me.

I definitely dodged a bullet with that one.