The Fighter's Block (20 page)

He offered a light laugh. “Of course I do. Perhaps you and I should get to know each other
better
? I think that we could be very good together.”

Dani’s excitement faltered. “Well, that sounds lovely,” she lied. “When I finally have good news to share with my mother, I will have all the time in the world for you.”

He paused for a moment. “Good news?”

“Yes, when my mother hears that I have found someone to help me find Leah, she will be so excited.”

“Leah?”

“My friend that was in foster
care
. She’s nineteen now and on her own for sure. My mother would be so thrilled to hear
if
she’s doing well. Oh, I hope that I can deliver such news…” She frowned as she thought about it and took another sip of water.

“Do you have plans for tomorrow?” Salvatore asked.
“Perhaps we could
spend some time together
.”

Dani groaned to herself but co
ntinued on with the act. “
I w
ill be searching for Leah. S
he is on my mind, and I fear I won’t be
able to rest until I find her.”

Two plates were
delivered to the table.
The food
looked delicious, and Dani was hungry, but how could she eat when she hadn’t accomplished anything?

“Eat,” Salvatore smiled, about to help himself.

She placed the napkin on her lap and picked up a fork. She tried to use the time to decide her next move
because she didn’t feel like she was even close to getting any answers from this guy.

“You know Leslie
well
?” he asked, almost spitefully. He had motioned her direction with a side nod of his head but didn’t look at her. Dani glanced over at Leslie, whom was talking to her sister but still keeping an eye on Dani, and then faced Salvatore.

“
Well, we went to school together…
”

“You like her?” he asked, again with bitterness.

Dani leaned closer to him and whispered, “Not really. She’s very annoying.
And sometimes she’s rude.
”

He looked at her with interest and then smiled. “Then she won’t mind if I borrow you for the rest of the night?”

Dani tried not to swallow too hard. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t. I only have time for dinner tonight, and then I have other friends to see before I go back to New York.”

He studied her silently, trying not to seem too desperate. He couldn’t let this
bella signora
go. “Perhaps you have time for some research?”

“Research?”

“We can go back to my house, I can make a few phone calls to find your friend Leah…”

She wanted to kick this guy in the shins for believing she was so stupid.

“I only live a few minutes away,” he added. “We could enjoy some
wine
while I make some calls.”

Big mistake. She was not going home with this guy. That’s where she drew the line. She knew not to initiate a conversation about Le
ah again—it would tip him off—but h
ow was she supposed to make him give up the information without going to his house?

She slipped her right shoe off just slightly, hoping it didn’t take Leslie too long to catch the cue.

“That sounds really lovely,” she replied, doing her best to keep him reined in. “What do I tell my friends, though? I can’t just abandon them. They are gathering tonight just to see me.”

Just then Leslie took her pretend phone call and made her way over to Dani’s table. “John is wondering when we’re leaving,” she said, completely ignoring t
he slick little man at the table
.

Dani pretended to be in a real bind, like she truly considered ditching her friends for the Italian
hornball
. “Oh, uh…”

Leslie impatiently waited for an answer
and then in reference to Salvatore said, “He’ll get over you in about five seconds, Danielle.”

Dani pretended to be
insulted. “That i
s not very nice,” she told Leslie. “How can you be so unkind to someone?”

Leslie scoffed, not even having to play the part of a loathing in-law. “Let’s go. He’s no one special. He only thinks of himself and no one else.”

“That i
s untrue,” Dani argued, sticking up for the man. “He was kind enough to offer his help
a little bit ago. I’ve never had anyone offer something so selfless.”

Leslie laughed. “Yeah, like that will ever happen. It’s just a way to get you in the sack. Come on, let’s go,” she motioned, and she headed for the exit.

“I’m so sorry,” Dani said to Salvatore. “See what I mean? She can be so rude.”

He smiled, absolutely delighted that this beautiful goddess was so fond of him. He couldn’t believe his luck! “I would take much better care of you than that,” he told Dani. “Perhaps you’d rather not leave with her?”

“Oh, I wish I had a choice. Maybe you should call me sometime and we can have dinner again?” She
wrote her number on a napkin
and slid it across the table to him. “And please, if you happen to hear anything about my friend Leah… Ca
ll me
?
Or even just a text would be wonderful. Could you do that?
”

He slightly nodded, still a little speechless.

“Her last name is Kemp. Leah Marie Kemp. She was born and raised here in New Jersey.”

And just the look on his face confirmed that he
knew the name. Donny Kemp was
more of a reputation than anything.

“I really need to check on her,” Dani continued. “It would mean so much to me to find out how she is doing.”

Salvatore felt a bit of compassion towards her plea.
“I’ll make a phone call,” he replied.

“Really?”

He nodded. “Of course. I said that I would.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Salvatore. You truly are a wonderful man—”

“Danielle, let’s go,” Leslie growled from the exit.

Dani glanced behind her for effect, but faced Salvatore one last time. “I’m so sorry. But I do look forward to hearing from you,” she smiled. “
Au revoir, mon bon ami.
”

Salvatore returned the smile and replied, “
Fino al prossimo, bella signora.”

Chapter Ten

Van had another good hand,
setting down
a full house. He
won
ninety bucks when he heard Ian say, “Holy shit, someone needs to put out a fire.” All eyes followed his to the door when he added, “That’s
smokin
’ hot too, but I’m talking about the fire in my pants, boys.”

“Hey, watch your mouth,” Van chuckled,
getting up
to meet Dani in the doorway.

“Jesus, she
is
for real,”
Marty
said.

“Is this a bad time?” Dani asked
quietly when Van approached
. She was used to stares, but she didn’t want to create a problem for Van at work.

“Never a bad time,” Van replied, giving her a kiss. “Unless I’m not here,” he added with a smile.

“Hey, you gonna introduce us?” Ian hollered. “Or you too embarrassed to be seen with that hideous thing.”

All the guys
laughed
, but every one of them
secretly
hoped that Van would oblige.

“Wanna meet some of my obnoxious
co-workers
?” Van asked her.

“Of course,” she shrugged, following his lead when he took her hand.

“Okay guys,
this
is Dani. Marty, Ian, and
Dicky
,
”
he pointed.

“The pleasure is ours,” Ian announced, standing up to offer a partial bow. “And your boy just won you some pocket change,” he added, sliding the pile of bills her way.

“Oh yeah?” she smiled, tilting her head to Van.

“Or you can add it to your funds for a facelift,” Ian smiled.

“I’m that hideous, huh?” Dani replied.

“Totally. I’m sorry, but you are definitely the
ugliest
broad I’ve ever seen.”

Van shook his he
ad at his friends but he really didn’t mind their banter. Dani
had finally come by to see him
and
he
was hoping it would put a stop to all their teasing about his “pret
end” girlfriend. B
ut now he could tell that it was only going to begin a new series of jokes.

“Hey, you want us to tie the red scarf on the door,
Vanny
?” Ian joshed as Van led Dani out of the lounge.

“Does he ever quit?” Dani murmured.

“Hey, Van, show us
your
catwalk.”

“Only when he knows I’m pissed,” Van replied.

“Ooh, I wanna see what happens,” she smiled.

Van kind of chuckled and then turned around at the door to give Ian a look, just as he was about to say something more. It shut him up instantly, and he shrank a few inches in his chair.

Dani had to stifle her laugh
until
they were out of
sight
, and she playfully swatted her boyfriend in the
chest as they walked. “You’re so mean
.”

“What? That’s not even cool.
You told me to.”

“Okay, it’s funny, but I don’t know why. People are afraid of you.”

He shrugged. “It’s called respect. I can take a joke or mess around with the best of ‘em, but it’s not a secret when I mean business. Man, you ask me
to
strut my stuff for you and then rip me apart for it.”

“Aw, I’m sorry,
baby,
” she chuckled, pretending to console him. “How can I make it up to you?”

“Well, you can help me find that red scarf…”

He pretended to look around for it and she laughed.

He led her into another lounge, one that was currently empty, and shut the door behind them. Without a word she pulled him against her and started kissing him.

“You wore a skirt on purpose, didn’t you?” he accused her with a smile.

She continued to kiss him even though she chuckled. “What?” she asked, feigning innocence.

He slid his hands down her waist to the edge
of her skirt and inched it up.
“I can’t, though.”

“
Aww
, really?”

“I’
m sorry, babe.
Not at work.
”

“
I
want you
,” she whispered in his ear.

Just those words sent passion into his groin.
“I want you too, but…”

She understood so she didn’t protest. However, they continued to kiss and things naturally progressed. Van
had
the intention of
just
messing around
a little
, but the temptation was
too much. H
e continued to kiss her, and while his hands were busy down below, she unbuttoned her top.

“Mmm,” she responded as his hands felt over her breasts
and then down to her hips
.
T
he way
he
held her while he kissed her at the same time always gave her a rush.

Van knew he needed to make it quick, so he was pretty sure Dani didn’t get any sort of satisfaction from him. She didn’t seem to care though as she continued to kiss him while they gradually finished up the session.

“Sorry,” he said quietly.

Dani shook her head with a smile. “Don’t be sorry, that was the point.”

“You came here just to seduce me into a quickie?” he chuckled as they both put
their
clothing right.

“Yes,” she replied, lovingly kissing him one
more
time.

“
Hm
, I’m not sure if I should be mad at you
or not
for having that
kind of
power over me.”

“Okay, I won’t
ever
do
it
again.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead. “No, I’m not mad at you. I can’t even think of a better thing to do on a Monday night.”

She laughed. “Okay, but I should
count my win and go
.”

“Can you come back
for lunch
tomorrow?” he begged.