Throttled (5 page)

Chapter 5 ~ T-Minus Two Days and Counting

“Izzy, what did I tell you about tonight?” I looked at her as we entered the hotel suite. I couldn’t pin it on her alone. She had help planning my bachelorette party. The girls in the wedding party plotted together to send me out of singledom in style. I knew that Izzy and Sophia would be a wicked combination.

The hotel suite was stunning. I’d never seen anything like it. It was larger than my first home and overlooked the ocean. The exterior walls were glass from floor to ceiling. The sunset made it look like an ever-changing picture hanging in a gallery. The reds, purples, and orange shades reflected off the water as the sun kissed the horizon.

Izzy stepped in front of me, breaking me from my sunset trance. “I heard you, Suzy. We were good. Sophia helped me and you know that she always has your best interests at heart,” Izzy said with a laugh.

Sophia was my best friend. She was my opposite though, living life a little more carefree, taking chances, and was a little too much like Izzy for my liking. She may be a librarian, but the girl partied like a rock star. Fuck.

“What’s wrong, Suzy?” Sophia asked, touching my arm.

“You two,” I said, shaking my head.

Sophia’s lips parted as she laid her hand against her chest. “What did we do?” Her innocent act wasn’t convincing. Motherhood had softened her a little. She had more weight on her body and looked healthy. The happiness that had now filled her life was clearly evident when looking at her.

“I don’t trust you and Izzy individually, and I sure as hell don’t trust you together.” I glared at her, watching a small smile creep across her face. My stomach filled with knots. The two of them didn’t follow any of the normal rules, let alone mine.

“Suzy, would I do anything to upset you?” Her brown eyes twinkled as a large smile spread across her face. Crossing her arms, she tilted her head and waited.

I studied the look on her face. “Yes, yes you would. Just the girls tonight right?” I asked, watching her reaction very closely.

She nodded, her brown hair bobbing against her breasts that peeked out from her V-neck dress. “I only invited the girls. I swear.”

The knot in my stomach loosed a bit with her statement. “I just don’t want there to be any trouble tonight.”

“Oh, there won’t be.” She shook her head and wrapped her arms around me, drawing me against her body. “I’m so happy for you, Suzy. Do you think I would do anything bad and have to deal with Kayden’s bullshit?”

“No,” I whispered as I hugged her.

Kayden was her man and the father of her son, Jett. Their love was complicated. The road they traveled to happiness had been filled with bumps, but they made it through and never looked back. Kayden was a man I could rely on, a friend that would lay down his life for me. Sophia had told me that he could be ‘wicked jealous.’ Her words for him, not mine.

“Okay then, let’s grab a drink. The girls are all about to arrive.” She held me at arm’s length, smiling and squeezing my hands. “We’re here to celebrate before you become Mrs. Joseph Gallo.”

“I don’t want to drink too much, Sophia,” I mumbled as we walked toward the already prepped bar area.

Izzy was pouring herself a hefty glass of Jack Daniel’s as we approached. “What’ll it be, ladies?” she asked as she set the bottle on the counter.

“Just a glass of wine,” I said, looking at the dozens of bottles on display.

“No wine tonight, Suzy. Pick your poison.” Izzy smiled, waving her hands over the liquor.

“Bahama Mama,” I winced, my stomach rolling at the thought of getting drunk. “Light on the liquor though.”

“Honey, it’s your bachelorette party and if you don’t get shit faced drunk and party your ass off then I haven’t done my job as a bridesmaid.” She smiled as she started pouring the rum in the glass.

I watched, my eyes growing wide as she poured and poured. “That’s enough, Izzy,” I said, placing my hand on her arm. “I want to make it until at least ten.”

She burst into laughter as she set the rum down. “We’ll get ya there. We have the whole night planned out. It’s going to be one for the record books. When we’re old and pissing our pants with dentures in our mouths, we’ll be telling stories about tonight.” She smiled, pouring the juices and rum in the cup before handing it to me.

I shook my head and grabbed the Bahama Mama from her hand. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered as I brought the glass to my lips. The rum didn’t smell overpowering; maybe I misjudged the amount of alcohol she poured.

The fruity concoction of pineapple and orange danced across my tongue as the liquid slid down my throat causing a slow burn. I closed my eyes, enjoying the taste, although it was a bit stronger than I wanted.

Izzy tipped my cup. “Drink up, girl. We have a big night ahead of us.”

I batted her hand away, pulling the cup from my lips. “Last time I drank too much I ended up in your brother’s bed.” I smiled, my body warming at the memory.

If I hadn’t been tipsy that night, I would’ve been a total mess the first time I saw him naked. The man had a kickass body and don’t even get me started on his piercing. If I had been stone cold sober, I probably would’ve run out of the room screaming once that caught my eye. Even to this day, I get a thrill looking at him naked.

“You’re a dirty whore and we all know it.” Sophia nudged me, cackling like a loon.

“Am not,” I said, my cheeks heating as I glared at her.

“Suzy,” Izzy interrupted, “you’re with us, your girls. You can drop the good girl bullshit. We know you’re a closet freak. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be with my brother.” Izzy laughed.

A knock on the door saved me from the conversation. One by one Izzy and Sophia’s friends and mine from work poured into the door. My sister wouldn’t be here tonight. She said that she couldn’t get off work to be here in time for the bachelorette party. She’d make it for the rehearsal dinner. The girls in this room were more like family to me than my own flesh and blood anyway.

I stood at the window, watching the sun kiss the horizon as I sipped my drink. I felt blessed, surrounded by loving women, marrying the man of my dreams, and officially becoming a member of the Gallo family. The ladies chatted and drank, their laughter filling the room.

“Hey, you okay?” Sophia asked, standing at my side.

“I’m just so happy, Soph. I never thought I could be this happy.” I turned to her, a sad smile on my face.

“What’s the sad face for?” Her eyebrows drew together as she looked at me.

“I’m not sad. I’m just thinking about what City and I have been through. I almost shut him out of my life by judging him. I would’ve never known the love I do now. Then the accident happened and he was almost ripped from my life forever.” I shook my head trying to force the sad memories from my mind. “I’m so happy right now…happier than I’ve ever been before. Is this as good as it gets?” I asked, grabbing her hand and squeezing.

“Nah, there’s more good things to come.” She smiled, squeezing my hand. “Wait until you hold your first born in your arms. There’s nothing like it.” She smiled, releasing my hand. “I’m proud of you.”

My eyebrows shot up at her words. “For what?”

She giggled, covering her mouth. “For staying with City. I know he scared the hell out of you. I know how OCD you are with your lists–even that fucking list of your husband requirements. You threw them out the window and took a chance for once. You listened to your heart and not your head. When I met him, I knew he was right for you.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Now, let’s stop talking sad shit and party our asses off. I have a night without Jet and Kayden. I want to get drunk and enjoy a night without baby food on my clothes.”

I chuckled and squeezed her. “I love you, Sophia. For you, I’ll party like it’s 1999.”

“God, you’re such a dork.” She said as she laughed, holding me by the arms, shaking her head. “But I love you. I don’t know why, but I do.”

“Bitches, I better see you two drinking a little quicker,” Izzy said as she grabbed my glass and looked inside. “Let me refill this. Sophia, want more?”

Sophia held her cup out, shaking it. “Feels a bit light to me. Another Jack and Coke please.” She handed the cup to Izzy.

“And I’ll–” I started to say as she started to walk away.

“Got it, light on the alcohol,” Izzy yelled over her shoulder.

“Gifts! Let’s do gifts,” Sophia said, pulling on my arm.

I loved presents. It’s not that I was materialistic; I just never had the type of family where the gifts were piled higher than me. I always received a couple small gifts for my birthday or Christmas. My family decided to draw names for Christmas that year. Just when I thought it couldn’t be more depressing, bam, wrong again.

“Okay,” I said, nodding, trying to hide my excitement.

Sophia clapped, drawing everyone’s attention. “It’s time for presents!” she yelled, pulling me toward the couch.

I sat down on the large U-shaped sectional in the middle of the living room that faced the windows. Everyone fit snuggly on the couch as I opened each gift one by one. I felt slightly uncomfortable being the center of attention. I liked to blend in to the background, but I knew the entire weekend would be filled with uncomfortable moments. I was the bride and as such, I’d definitely be the center of attention.

“Open mine next,” Sophia said, holding out a pretty pink box with a giant white bow. I opened six presents so far and they’d all been lingerie and nighties to wear for City. He’d love them, but I knew most likely one or two would get ripped. The man was a brut.

Pulling it from her grasp, I smiled nervously, unsure of what was inside. With Sophia, it could be romantic to downright dirty. “I don’t trust you,” I said, placing the box on my lap and pulling on the ribbon.

She chuckled, covering her mouth. “I wouldn’t either.”

I stilled my hand, looking up at her with a glare. “Do I want to open this in public?”

She nodded, her smile growing larger. “You do. Don’t be a baby and open it already,” she said, putting her hands on her hips.

I pulled the ribbon, letting the white material fall away from the present before tearing into the shiny pink paper. When I opened the box, I gasped and put the lid back on. “Sophia,” I said, trying not to laugh.

“You have to show us,” Izzy said as she stood. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and held it up to take a picture. “Come on, Suzy. We’re all girls here. Don’t be a pussy”

I sighed, realizing I wouldn’t win the battle. “Fine,” I said, opening the lid and grabbing the first object. Fuckin’ Sophia. I held it up and listened to the whistles and giggles.

“What the fuck is that?” Mia asked.

“That, my dear,” Izzy said, snapping a photo, “when assembled, is a spreader bar.” Izzy giggled and snapped another picture.

My face grew flush, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve never had a problem keeping them open for City.” I winked at Sophia. She and I always swapped stories about sex. Before City came into my life, sex had always been bland and boring. I lived vicariously through her and always went to her for advice.

“Oh, I know. You’ve turned into quite the little sex kitten since meeting City. This gift may seem like it’s for you, but it’s really for him.” Sophia smiled and looked very pleased with herself. “Next.”

“Whore,” I mumbled as I pulled out a pair of nipple clamps.

“I don’t want to think of you using any of this shit with my brother. I can never look at you two in the eye again. I know too much. Too much, I tell you.” Izzy snapped another photo before taking a seat at the end of the couch.

I quickly pulled out the other objects, crotchless panties and a crop, and held them up before dropping them back in the box. The crop was the one I always wanted and admired. It had a heart made of leather on the end. I just loved the look of it, but it had to sting like a mother when hit with it.

Knock. Knock.

“Oh,” Izzy said, jumping from the couch. “There’s my gift. I had to have it delivered.”

I looked at Sophia and she shrugged. Motherfuckers. I knew they wouldn’t listen when I said no strippers. I hung my head, rubbing my face, as I heard the door open.

“Why, hello there officer,” Izzy said. She giggled and backed away from the door.

For the love of God—I wanted to kill her right then.

“I heard there’s a disturbance up here. I’m here to investigate,” the man who obviously wasn’t a cop, said as he looked around the room.

I thought for a moment that I was in a movie. Cop stripper comes to the door and then the real party starts. The last thing I wanted in the world was someone other than my fiancé touching me.

“She’s right over there—the blonde in the middle. She’s a real handful.” Izzy looked at me with a smile and winked.

I blushed, all eyes turning on me as he started the little CD player he had in his hand. The girls started to scream, scrambling from the couch.

I sat alone, leaning back, and crossed my arms over my chest. He handed the CD player to Sophia as he approached me. He stalked toward me, untucking his shirt and shaking his hips. Izzy held her phone in our direction.

“Don’t you fucking dare take a photo of this,” I warned. The last thing I needed was this getting into City’s hands. He wasn’t a jealous man, he knew I was his, but still there would be a sting.

“You’re such a kill joy,” Izzy said as she shoved the phone in her pocket.

“Bad Ass” by Kid Ink played as the stripper tried his best to seduce me. He wasn’t bad looking—blond hair, thin but muscular and beautiful brown eyes. He ripped his shirt open, exposing a hairless chest. He turned, shaking his ass in my face as he ripped off his pants. Was he twerking?

I wanted to laugh but I didn’t want to be rude. He was trying hard to impress me but he wasn’t my City. I uncrossed my arms, letting them fall into my lap, as I watched him shake his ass. He turned and I came face to face with his cock, thankful it was tucked neatly in a G-string. Wouldn’t work for City and his well-endowed package.

“Smile for shit’s sake. At least pretend to have a good time,” Sophia whispered in my ear. “As soon as he’s done with you the rest of the girls will get their shot at him.”