Rafe's Journal

Chapter 13 - Bay View - Intervention

2007-11-30T17:08:00.005-05:00

Bay View, West End

After he left the Hitman studio, Gabe drove home, still steaming. He’d controlled it all day, but now that he was home, he’d started to let all that anger escape….

Furious with himself, he slammed the car door and strode down the sidewalk toward the front door, ripping the leaves off the plants as he passed by.
Not even bothering to turn up the lights, Gabe stood in the entryway for a long time staring at nothing. Between Slim and his “gofer” crack, and his own failure to recognize Cooper, he was shaking with rage.
John Cooper…God what an idiot…how could you miss something that fucking obvious... you know better than that …pull the data apart… …The name ’Cooper’ -- a damned incredible lead guitar player -- that same hoarse singing voice -- you missed that? All right, he was supposed to be dead…no excuse, still no excuse…

Taking a deep breath, he set it aside. Get a grip. No point in working that anymore. Go on to the next problem. A replacement for Cooper Stanfield for Stevie’s band…

Interesting little scene there at the studio, too…Cooper’s world-class romantic marriage splattering all over the floor…
Shrugging into a pair of sweats, Gabe climbed up the stairs to the rooftop deck and gazed out at the city lights.
Find a lead who could replace the best in the damned world...reliable ...funny, Cooper, real funny, but hell… that was the least of his problems...someone who could sing like that and handle a guitar like that….It couldn’t be done…he had to come up with something good, though.

He paced around, thinking, then stretched out on the bench and stared into the firebowl. What’d he have to work with here? Nothing much. He’d seen everything around the city and there was nothing –
Now, wait a minute though. He got up abruptly. That wasn’t necessarily the case….what the hell was that kid’s name? Trevor. Trey. Something like that. Tyler. Sofie’s brother. The last time he’d seen him, he’d been playing some gig at the university, the audience a bunch of drunk losers, but he’d been embarrassingly better than the other guys in that band he’d been with. Where was he now?
Gabe dialed Nick Alcaide’s home number – unlisted, but he had it – gambling that he’d be out and Sofie would answer. That relationship was on the rocks anyway. And he had some history with Sofie that would work in his favor.
It rang a few times, then a woman answered. “Hello?” Slight accent. Sofie. “Sofie, it’s Gabe.”
Waited a second of two…see how she reacted. “I haven’t heard from you in such a long time! Are you calling for me?” Sure babe, he thought dryly. That’s exactly what I’m doing. Sort of. “I was hoping I’d get you instead of Nick,” Gabe told her. “How are you?”
“Oh Gabe, you don’t know, we have so much trouble here now!”
Yeah, that was certainly the case. Big trouble. Trouble called Gina P…”Sorry to hear that, Sofie…maybe we can get together and you can tell me all about it…would you like that?”

“Yes, I really would.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll work something out,” Gabe assured her, not that he would. “But Sofie, where’s Tyler? I need to get in touch with him.” She rattled off a phone number, which he rapidly memorized. “Thanks, babe. I’ll call you,” he said, and hung up.
Tyler Romero….this might be a little tricky getting him to agree to this….really good, but didn’t throw himself out there.
The offshore breeze was getting too cool…Gabe padded back down the stairs, grabbed the phone in the living room and dialed Tyler….
At least a minute of scratchy, unidentifiable music – why in hell did people do that – then Tyler’s dark, rich voice: “This is Tyler. Push the button. Leave a message.”

“Tyler, it’s Gabe!” he shouted. “If you’re there, pick up, man! It’s important!” Fifteen long seconds ticked by, then the phone rattled, almost as if someone had knocked it on the floor.

He heard Tyler answer, cautious, irritated. “Gabe? What’re you calling me for?”
With some satisfaction, Gabe responded, “I can’t talk about it over the phone.” This was going to have to be a sales job he had to do in person….”But I need to talk to you right away. Tonight.”
Some kind of sound in the background, a woman’s voice…”I got company,” Tyler told him shortly. “Can’t do it tonight. Come over tomorrow morning, and not real early.”

“Where do you live?”

“The Lee Tower Building, Apartment 700. Nite, man.” He hung up hard, slamming the phone down.
That was annoying…he didn’t like to be kept waiting....
Starting upstairs – he could use some time with his weights, get his balance back – Gabe heard the door open behind him. Shit, now what….

“Somebody pull your tail?” He smiled, turning…Amanda…

“You look like your fur is all standing up,” she murmured, easing into his arms.
“Bad day all round,” Gabe admitted quietly. “Total shit day…good to see you, Lady A…come upstairs with me and stroke the fur back where it belongs…”

“I have something interesting to tell you,” she started…

“Not now…”

Gabe lay there in the dark, satisfied, content, on the edge of sleep, Amanda warm next to him …this thing with Amanda had been going off and on since they were both 16. She would tear off wanting more, wanting what he couldn’t give her, then come back…he’d never had anyone else quite like her….one of those things that didn’t fit the way it should…
He woke up early, Amanda still half asleep, his mind already on Tyler.
Gabe shook Amanda awake. “I have to go, “ he told her. “What’d you need to tell me?”

She started dressing, stopped at the lingerie, which he considered telling her he liked, then decided not to bother. “You know that thing with the Master Dick and Rafe’s girlfriend?“ Amanda reminded him.

The Master Dick…where in the hell had she come up with that for Chris Paolini… “Yeah? What about it? The Vicky York deal right?”
“Well, it went down a couple of days ago. That’s why Rafe’s over at MJ’s.”

“And you know this how?” Gabe questioned, not really doubting she was right.

“The paperboy saw the fight between Rafe and Gayl.”

“The paperboy,” Gabe repeated. “The one you’ve been tipping?”

“That’s him.” She looked at him curiously. “Are you going to let Rafe know what’s going on?”
Gabe stared at her, then he laughed. “No, absolutely not. I told him he needed my help. And I specifically warned his girlfriend to stay away from Paolini. Both of them blew me off. Let him figure it out on his own.”
Gabe watched Amanda for a few seconds as she started to look for her clothes. “You ok still working in that place?”

Amanda glanced up and said firmly, “He still think’s I’m a total ditz. I toss my hair about every fifteen minutes and look stupid. For a smart man, he’s been incredibly slow to catch on – he keeps putting the moves on me and can’t seem to understand why such a dumb blonde doesn’t get the point. And you know my father – he’d disembowel Chris and hang his guts from a streetlight if he forced anything with me. Chris knows that.”
Pulling on his clothes, Gabe let it go. He turned around, found Amanda starting for the bedroom door, and pulled her close to him again.

“Be careful,” he told her quietly. “Watch yourself.”

“I know I’m not as good as you –“ “No one is as good as I am,” he interrupted her. “The asshole is dangerous. Be careful...I’ve got to go…”

Bay View, Central District

After deciding that Tyler’s definition of “early” could stand some challenge, Gabe drove his Porsche through Bay View to the strip of towering apartment, hotel and office buildings along Market Avenue. He’d expected to find underground parking at Lee Tower – nothing. Parking on the street, he headed toward the door.

Not the most upscale place in the world….maybe that was an angle he could use…..
Taking the elevator to the 7th floor, Gabe walked down a bare hallway and banged on the door to apartment 700. Didn’t spare the door, since Tyler might need the noise to boot him out of bed.
But he threw open the door and stood there looking at Gabe, rubbing his neck, same laid back Tyler. “I heard you,” Tyler told him in a tranquil, sleepy voice. “Door’s thin – you’ll put a hole in it if you hit it that hard. Come on in.”
“I gotta have some coffee,” Tyler muttered; he looked ragged, but calm and at ease. “You want some?”
“Sure,” Gabe agreed. “Whatever you need. Coffee’s fine.” He sat down at a small table in a cramped room – great view but that was about it.
Tyler sucked down the coffee in one big gulp.
“You know,” he said to Gabe, “kind of strange hearing from you like this…what’s so important?”
“I’ve got an audition for you,” Gabe started in, going for upbeat. “You’ve heard of the band Storm Warning, right? The one Cooper Stanfield was playing lead in while he was out there? They need a lead to replace him – they’re being signed to a contract under the Hitman label. Now, I’m looking at people who could fill that spot, and naturally I thought of you.”
Tyler stared at him, a stunned expression on his face. Gabe wondered if he was going to drop the coffee cup on the floor.
“You’re kidding,” he finally managed to say. “You want me to audition for the lead Coop had? That’s crazy, man. How in hell am I supposed to go in behind him? I’ll look like a complete ass. Why would I do that?”
“You can do it, Tyler,” Gabe cajoled him. “It’s an audition – if they don’t think you’re good enough, then no big deal. But you can wail – I’ve heard you. And you come up with some monstrous riffs. Just an audition.”
Tyler shoved back from the table and walked over to the window. Quickly following him, Gabe pressed harder. “You don’t have anything to lose, Tyler.”

Tyler laughed. “Oh yeah I do! This isn’t a great place, but I’m doing all right…don’t need to get up there and have everyone say – who’s he think he is, going behind Cooper? Don’t you get it?”
“You’re better than you think you are.” Gabe glanced around the room. Piece of shit place…”You get that contract, Tyler, you can have someplace with a view like this, and I’ll admit it’s great, but three times the size. Someplace to park a car…All it’s going to take is a couple of hours of your time.”
Moving around him in that tight space, Tyler shook his head, then asked, “You sure about this, Gabe? What’s in it for you?”
As if he was going to tell Tyler what was at stake. “Nothing. It’s your opportunity here. You need to take it.”
Unbelievable, Gabe thought, amused and irritated at the same time. “I’ll take you over there tomorrow, Tyler,” he told him. “You be ready to go, I’ll come pick you up. Ok?”
“I guess so,” Tyler finally told him. “You going to call and let me know what time?”

“Sure I will! And don’t sweat it, man! You’ll be fine! Go get another cup of coffee or something and I’ll call you later.”
Gabe left, taking the cranky elevator back down, and with relief walked out onto the street again. Damn…it was just an audition…the guy had no ambition at all….but this was a done deal. When they heard him…. He walked around a tree some idiot had put in the middle of the walk, thinking, so I’m a goddamned gofer, am I? I don’t think so….

South Beach, East Metro

On the off chance Tyler didn’t work out, or decided he didn’t want to bother and went back to sleep or whatever he spent his off time doing, Gabe drove downtown that evening to a club he knew that featured almost anyone. He’d heard some talk about a couple of guys in a new band – sounded promising – and decided he’d check it out. Backup.
Might need a drink before he sat through this, Gabe decided, and went into the bar instead of going directly to the stage.

It was almost empty – the place didn’t draw crowds, that’s for sure – and he was going to order a drink when he heard a familiar voice… He looked down the room…no, he told himself…don’t get involved in this…absolutely no percentage at all in going there…
Rafe’s ex girlfriend, Gayl, in what sounded like a heated discussion with a little hottie in a pair of booty shorts and a low cut top…“Well, I’m waiting for Joey,” the girl announced. “He’s setting up for the show, so I’m waiting here.”
“Joey mentioned he was seeing someone…You’re a student at the University?” Gayl asked her. “And you said your name was Tessa?”

“That’s right, Tessa. And of course I’m in college. My father insisted on this one because of the Legal Justice Department. Not that I'm all that interested in law but my father’s an attorney.”

Something nagged at Gayl as she studied the girl. Something about her... “This is a long way from the campus…do you follow the band?”

“The good bands,” the girl responded. "Joey's a hot drummer. I like watching him play. I like the fact that he's mine."
Everything about Tessa prickled Gayl, particularly her eyes; that unusual way they turned from lively to hard as stone. “You look…familiar…your father is an attorney? What did you say your last name was, Tessa?”
“Paolini, why? What’s the big deal?” Tessa snapped, becoming irritated.
Gayl’s voice changed completely….”You’re Chris Paolini’s daughter?” she demanded.

“Yeah, that’s right…you know my father?” No way was Gayl going to allow her son to get anywhere near that man or his daughter. She could feel the rage building inside her.
Gabe hesitated. One of the more interesting conversations he’d overheard in a long time…although he hadn’t quite caught the girl’s name. This was too good to pass up. He walked over toward them.
Both of them turned and watched as he approached. The girl’s face lit up, obviously interested. Gayl looked at him, and her expression changed. “Hi, Gayl,” Gabe greeted her, eyeing the girl. “Remember me?”
Glancing at the girl, then back at Gabe, Gayl responded, “Gabe, yes I certainly do remember you…” With a strange smile on her face, she added, “Have you met Tessa, Gabe?”

She had something going here…was he going to play along? Why the hell not?

“No,” Gabe replied smoothly. “I don’t think I have.”

“Then let me introduce you.”
“Tessa, this is a --- friend. Gabe Lombardo. Gabe, Tessa Paolini….” Gayl stepped back, watching them.

Well, damn…Gabe almost laughed out loud…Master Dick’s prized possession, his daughter….it was almost too good…He took Tessa’s hand, aimed a bright flash, eyes and smile combined, right at her. “Hi there,” he told her softly. “I’ve been wondering when we’d meet…” Beautiful girl, a lot like her bitch goddess mother…. “You have?”
Gabe swept right on. “I really have…you’ve never heard of me, though…I’m hurt…”

“I might have… you said Gabe..” Her eyes widened. "Are you the Gabe who won that 5 Diamond World Poker Tour Tournament? That everyone at college was talking about?"

"That would be me...the very same Gabe..."

She smiled and leaned towards him. "Maybe you could tell me how you did that."

“Tell you what…will you wait right here for me while I talk to the lady? I’ll be one minute.”

She continued to stare at him, obviously intrigued. “Ok…”
Gabe turned away, strode back across the room where Gayl was standing, watching the little game with what looked like a great deal of satisfaction.
“You get what you wanted here?” Gabe asked quietly.
"Yes, I believe I did…You catch on quick, don’t you?” she responded.
“That’s what I do, yes.” He paused. “I owe you. And I don’t let that kind of thing go.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she assured him. "The last thing I want is any connection with my son and that family."
“I told you once before,” Gabe countered, “you don’t know me. That’s how it works – you do something for me –– I don’t forget it.”
He still had work to do here tonight, some of it more enjoyable than he’d anticipated, considering the way the girl was watching him, but he was faced with something he definitely did not want to do.…got yourself into this, didn’t you…and there’s only one way to repay it and you know it…

Bay View, Central District

Determined to haul Tyler out no matter what it took, Gabe drove up early the next morning, parked, again, on the damned street, and started walking up to the apartment building.
Figuring he’d have to pound on Tyler’s door again to get him going, Gabe was surprised to find Tyler waiting for him inside the foyer, standing around, looking, once again, like he could use a barrel of coffee to wake him up. But he was there.
“You ready to go?” he asked him.

Tyler just shrugged. “No way in hell I’m going to get this,” he said, “so sure. I’m fine with it. Let’s go.”

South Beach, South Metro

Gabe strode into Hitman with Tyler and brought him into the sound room where Slim waited along with Stevie and Shaun. "Have a seat," Slim gestured to the stool in the middle of the room. Tyler eased onto the stool casually looking around, curious, that was clear, but loose and calm. "So Tyler, why don't you tell me where you've played?" Slim asked him.
"Mostly small clubs, some college gigs," he answered easily, "anywhere they'd let us play, we'd play."

"You performed in colleges…is that where you learned to play?" Slim asked.
"I taught myself to play when I was a kid," Tyler replied, finally focusing on Slim. "Saved up, got a cheap guitar and figured out how to play it. Fell in love with music; writing, singing, performing. I got a degree in music when I graduated from university."
"Impressive," Slim nodded. "So what's your style?"

"I'm pretty versatile. I play anything from classical to heavy rock, which happens to be my thing…not knocking anybody’s else thing.” He cast an interested glance at Stevie, then looked back at Slim, settled back again on the stool, so laid back he seemed almost half asleep.
Slim caught that look; good looking kid, and no obvious nerves, which was real unusual. “So,” Slim continued, “tell me what musicians you get your inspiration from.”
Tyler looked at him askance, almost as if he couldn’t figure out why he was being asked, and responded, “Well, Cooper, of course…and Eddie Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Clapton, Hendrix, Dimebag Darrell. You know, the innovators…”
When they were through questioning him Slim asked him to play something. "I'll be in the mixing room listening." Slim walked into the mixing room where Cooper stood waiting. "Whenever you're ready Tyler," he announced through the PA.
Tyler played for about 5 minutes when Shaun picked up his bass and said, "All right, sweet sound you've got. Let's see what you do with us now."

Tyler smiled as he eased into a song he had written. It wasn't long before Shaun and Stevie had picked up his lead and joined in. Tyler's voice was powerful, smooth and spiked with a faint accent as he began to sing the lyrics. He started low, caressing the lyrics, moving completely into them, then exploded up the range, never losing pitch.
When they were finished, Stevie walked up to Tyler and spoke. "That was a hell of a breakdown you threw in there. It's a shame you haven't had any exposure to something more than the college dives."

Tyler looked directly at her, not defensive. “Yeah, well, I don’t know about that. It's all about the music for me. I don't care where I play as long as I can play. And I can make the rent – haven’t had any reason to change what I’m doing."
Slim re-entered the room and approached Tyler. "Great sound you've got. We've got a few more people to hear but we'll be in touch in a day or two. Thanks for coming in Tyler. Leave your information with the girl at the desk."
As Tyler left the sound room, Cooper was headed in. Looking over at him, Tyler casually nodded his head at him, left his information at the desk and headed for the door.
"So what did you think?" Stevie asked Coop.

"The kid's good. Very relaxed; probably doesn't think he's getting the job but he's a good fit. He worked well with you two."

"Shaun?" Stevie cocked her head toward the bassist.

"I liked him. The guy's got a presence. Totally unaffected by everything but the music." Looking over at Coop he added in a humorous tone, "And I think he's reliable."
"All right then," Slim said, "Unless you want to keep looking, I'll work out a contract."
Cooper smiled, walked back out into the front room, where Gabe was waiting, watching him. “All right,” Cooper told him, “you pulled it off. A lot better than I expected – where’d you find him?”
“Thanks….I’d seen him around,” Gabe answered obliquely. “Harder to get him here than I anticipated, though.” With that cool smile, he added, “For some reason, he was intimidated at the thought of coming in behind the former lead…”
Cooper was stunned, not certain if it was a deliberate jibe or a joke.
Gabe laughed, laughter that didn’t even begin to warm up those eyes. “Glad you like him,” he said, taking the sting out of it. “You need anything else virtually impossible, let me know.” Then he turned and walked out -- apparently to drive Tyler home.
“Son of a bitch, isn’t he,” Slim remarked, strolling up.
“You’ve got that right…among other things…but he seems to be able to pull the rabbit out of the hat every time.”
Preoccupied with something else he was having trouble pushing aside, Cooper shrugged it off, uneasy, still watching Gabe as he left the building.

Bay View, West End

Still uncertain why he was doing this, Gabe walked out the front door, headed for MJ’s club.
Big favor done, he’d repay it….that’s how he kept the machinery in motion…but damn.

Bay View, Beach District, East End

Parking outside MJ’s club, Gabe paused briefly, reviewing how he wanted to handle this. No point in reminding Rafe that he’d warned him, that he could use someone to watch his back…as satisfying as the reminder might be…nothing useful to be gained there….
Gabe moved quietly through the door, saw who he was looking for, sitting there looking slammed, just as he expected. With a satisfied smile, he sat down on the chair across from him. Waited.
Rafe stared at him for a few seconds. “Are you lost?” he growled.
“How’s things, Rafe?” Gabe watched his cousin’s annoyance with amusement.

“Get it over with, Gabe. What do you want?”
“Thought you’d like to know that Victoria York is going down tomorrow.”
Rafe sat back. “What?”
“She doesn’t know it yet – so don’t go running out to tell her, “ Gabe laughed at Rafe’s cold, furious expression, “but she’s going to be arrested for some shit she’s been doing with escrow funds.” Rafe kept staring at him, maybe didn't believe it. Gabe added, “No lie.”
Cautious, wary, Rafe asked, “Did you have anything to do with that?”
“Not a thing.” He smiled. “Don’t you know who set this in motion?”
“No, some reason I should?”
Amazing…but then Gabe was constantly amazed that people didn’t notice what was going on right under them. “Real good reason you should…it was your girlfriend, former girlfriend, I guess…she got Paolini to take on dear Vicky…”
“Gayl did? She couldn’t afford that asshole’s fee – “He stopped, took a sharp breath.
“Oh my god….” Deep, rough, a voice out of hell… Gabe could hardly hear him… guess he finally got it…like someone had just hit him across the back of the skull with a hammer.
“Looks like she came up with a way to do it. But you’re right. Very high fee.” Gabe stood up and walked out the door. Watching Rafe go into meltdown wasn't his idea of a great way to spend the rest of the evening. Rafe slammed through the club’s glass door and stopped him. “Wait a minute! Why’re you doing this?”
Should he bother to tell him? He’d give him something. Why not? Wouldn’t cost him anything. “Your lady did me a favor – hooked me up with something interesting – I’m returning it. You do what you need to do with the info – I’m just passing it on.”
Turned, waited….watching as Rafe glared at him. Thought about it. “You probably want a piece of that guy,” Gabe surmised coolly…”But you better think twice about going over there and taking him apart. You’ll be sharing the same hotel Miss Vicky is moving into. If I get anything on him to work with, and you want in, and you’re willing to work with me, you let me know. I’m telling you, I have nothing at this point. Think about it.”
Rafe walked back towards the club, then turned around. “I'll take care of what I need to deal with. " He hesitated, then added, “Thanks Gabe.”
Gabe stood on the sidewalk for a minute, in the damned rain, while his cousin disappeared back inside the club. I ought to get a medal for this, and never expected to hear ‘thanks’ from the son of a bitch either… And on top of that, Rafe owes me big time. Not a bad position to be in, not bad at all…

-----------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 14

Chapter 12 - Bay View - Separation

2007-11-22T13:27:00.005-05:00

Bay View, North End - Gayl

Almost sick with nerves, I found Rafe in the living room and started on the big lie. “Rafe, I have to go to the university library to do some research. It’s probably going to take me most of the night.”
He stared at me. “Why are you doing it at night?”

I couldn’t let him see how frightened I was. Long seconds ticked by. Timmy was still up, playing video games, and the sound of something being blown up was loud in the silence. Rafe wasn’t buying it. “What’s going on?” he asked abruptly. “You’re really going out all night to a library? By yourself?”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” He was suspicious, but he let it go.

“That’s part of my job, to worry about you,” he said in a low voice.
Long, sweet kiss, his warm mouth moving over mine, strong arms tightening around me. “Be safe,” he murmured, “and come back to me.”

South Beach

Parking my car in front of the house I sat there for the longest time unable to move. Everything inside me screamed to flee but I had a debt to pay. Glancing over at the house I saw Chris through the glass door, looking out, and waiting.
I took a deep breath. My stomach was in knots as my legs moved me involuntarily up the walk to the front door. I pressed my eyes shut. "You can do this; you have to do this. You made a bargain; it's just business. Stay detached and it will all be over."

The door opened and he stood there in the doorway. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it up the driveway. Do I frighten you?" The corner of his mouth curled up as he invited me in. I shuddered as I walked past him into the house wondering how long he intended to keep me there.
“You really don't want to be here do you? I am sincerely not accustomed to that reaction."
Glaring at him I said flatly, "Let's just get this over with."

Chris laughed, that deep, throaty voice. “My bedroom is upstairs. Let’s go. ”

Trembling, I walked up the stairs, into the room. He closed the door, turned and looked at me, and ordered, “Undress. Then undress me. Slowly.”

Sick and shaking, I complied. He prowled around me, looking at me as his eyes swept over my body. "I've waited long enough for you I think," he said.

In the early morning light, I crept out of that damned room and dressed quickly. Chris was nowhere to be seen. As I headed for the door he came out of the kitchen and stood in my way. Smiling, he asked, "Leaving so soon? I may not be through with you yet."
Disgusted, I told him, “Our deal was for a night, remember? We're done. I fulfilled my end. I expect you to take care of yours."

I began to walk away when I turned and stated flatly, "And stay away from the people I care about."

"You honestly want to go back to your boy after last night?" he asked.

"You managed to get a physical reaction from me but you will never be the man he is!” I told him, furious. “You’re nothing compared to him!”

Laughing he continued, "You enjoyed yourself immensely so don't feign disgust with me. It doesn't suit you."

Glaring back at him, I spoke in a detached voice. "I told you, we're done with this. Stay away from me."

"I'm an attorney remember, sweetheart? If I want you again, I'll find a loophole."
I was broken inside. Desperately wanted to get out of that place. Fumbling with the keys, I stumbled out into the cool morning air – at least I could breathe out there.
I started toward the car when I heard a familiar engine…Rafe’s bike.

And the nightmare veered right off the road into total catastrophe. He parked at the curb, swung one long leg to the side and stood there, looking at me.
That flat, white hot glare. I was frozen in horror. “Rafe,” I started to say, although I really had no idea what I was going to say.
“Have fun in the library, Gayl? Tell me, did he force you?” he interrupted me coldly.

“Let me explain –“
“Answer the question!”
There was no easy way to answer that question. In one sense, yes, he certainly had. But I could not claim I was raped, and that was what he was asking. “Not exactly…” Crying so hard at this point that I could hardly speak at all. I walked up to him, reached out for him.
Rafe knocked my hand aside, and turning away, snarled over his shoulder, “I don’t want Paolini’s used goods. I’m out of here.”

Paralyzed, I stood there, the keys dangling uselessly in my hand, as he swung right back up on the bike, gunned the engine, and with a roar took off at full speed down the road and away from me and out of my life….

Bay View, Beach District, West End - MJ

MJ glanced across the club – pretty thin tonight. After Cooper had surfaced, her place had briefly seen a surge in activity, but it was gone now. She still couldn’t believe she’d had Cooper Stanfield on the stage and basically gotten nothing out of it but a 2 drink minimum and a lousy cover charge…
Oh god, not this one again, she thought, noticing Tessa Paolini seated at the bar.
“Virgin everything for that one,” she ordered the bartender, who already recognized the girl, but MJ wasn’t taking any chances. “Milk and cookies.”

Then she saw him. Rafe? Yes it was. She hadn’t seen him in a long time; he didn’t go out a lot anymore apparently, but he was here now, and by himself.
“Rafe?” MJ sat down next to him. It looked like he had plenty to drink already and was still at it. “Are you all right?”
“Sure,” he responded coldly and took another drink.
She studied him. “How’s your girlfriend – what’s her name? Tony mentioned her.”

“Her name is Gayl,” he said, hard, flat voice. “And I’m done there.”

That explained the expression on his face -- nothing hurt more than losing someone you love. He was so much like Tony. Remarkable.

“Where are you staying then?”

Rafe glanced down her body, smiled slightly. “Why all the interest, MJ?”

“You’re Tony’s son, honey.”

He met her gaze, smiled again, took another drink. “I’m working on finding a place. I don’t know yet.”

Stunned, she stared at him. “You’re hanging out here, and you have no place to go when we close?”
Leaning forward, Rafe told her softly, “Maybe you could help me with that problem.”
MJ sat silently, considering him. Very beautiful young man…well, she did have that spare bedroom…beyond that, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go.

“You can stay with me temporarily,” she offered, “if you behave yourself.”
Rafe’s expression changed, became uncertain. “Thanks,” he muttered. “And no worries about that. I’m not in the mood, believe me.”

Bay View, West End

MJ walked through the door into the darkened living room, looking for Rafe. She had to go to work in less than an hour…and there he was. Again. In more or less the same position he’d been in for the past three days.

She walked back into the foyer, hesitated a minute, then picked up the phone.

Do not do this simply because you need an excuse to call him, she told herself.

“Tony? Hi, how are you? I’ve got something I think I need to talk to you about…”

“No, not here…Laurel Park, will tomorrow at noon work for you? All right, see you then.”

She changed, grabbed her keys – damn, it was raining again – wondering if she should just kick Rafe’s butt out the door. Something had to be done…well, this was something…at least it was a start…and if it meant a few minutes with Tony, then there was no harm in that.

Millwood, Laurel Park - MJ

Walking into the park, MJ saw Tony at the table, “their” table, if it was even safe to think about calling it that at this distance. It was, after all, a long time ago, but the same beautiful man…

Tony looked up and smiled at her.

“Hi,” he said. “What did you need to talk to me about about?”

She sat down, and not taking any time to make small talk, what was the point of that anyway, came right down to it. “I thought I’d let you know that Rafe is staying with me. He’s messed up, but he’s safe. I’m going to give him something to do in my club, although I’m not sure what yet.”
Tony looked surprised, but he told her quietly, “Thanks, MJ. I know he took off, had some kind of fight with Gayl. I’ve been worried about him. I appreciate it.”
He hesitated. “Is that it?”
It was a warm afternoon, the scent of flowers in the air. Such a pretty place, just as she remembered it, although it had been so long since she’d been here. That was all she had to say, but she sat there a moment, trying to make up her mind if she wanted to approach this since…well…but she turned to him and said, “You’re playing a dangerous game, Tony.”

Tony was immediately defensive. “What are you talking about?”
Now this was opening up something MJ didn’t want to think about or go for, but if it was for Tony…and he was going to self destruct… “Tony,” she tried to say, “You know what I’m talking about! Instead of locking the door, you opened it! It’s entirely possible someone else is going to walk right in and take what you want away from you. I don’t play games with you, and I never have. If you want her, you’d better make sure you close the door.”
MJ saw him draw a breath, the temper there…Tony gave her a hard look. “You’re out of line here, MJ. That’s none of your business.”
No, it wasn’t. But she was going to press it anyway. “I know,” MJ replied “but I don’t enjoy seeing you hurt. I never have and you know it.”

Relenting a little, he looked down, and responded in a gentler voice, “Yes, I know you don’t. And I appreciate the concern, but I’m doing the best I can.”

Tony stood up, while she looked at him, every move, the way his jeans fit, his hand briefly gripping the back of the chair.

Go home, she told herself, watching him walk away, that familiar lump in her throat.

Sometimes you learn your lesson too late. There was never going to be anyone like him…she couldn’t forget him, and could not replace him. She would keep trying to help where she could and try to let the rest of it go. Somehow.

Bay View, Beach District - Beth

Searching through her limited wardrobe with frustration, Beth heard the front door open and Hailey calling up the stairs. “Hi, I’m here!”
“Come on up, Hailey, I need a favor.”

This will have to do, she thought, selecting a dress.
Hailey walked in. “Whatcha need?”

"I need to borrow Matt.”

She stared at Beth. “You want to borrow my boyfriend? What’re you going to do with him?”

As if she wanted to do anything at all with that moron boyfriend of hers… “I have a design proposal to deliver to Chris Paolini later this week, and I’m not going back over there unless I’m armed with a man. All Matt has to do is stand around.”
Since Matt had the IQ of a volleyball, there wasn’t much more he could do anyway. But he was large. And he’d follow her around if he was told to do it. Clearly. With one syllable commands.

"Chris is cute," Hailey commented. "Don't you think he's cute?" Cute...about the last word she'd use to describe that man. “About as cute as a crocodile. No, I don’t think he’s cute. I think he’s a creep. But I need the job. There won’t be any trouble if Matt’s there, and, if there is, I’ll pass and leave.”

“Why don’t you ask Tony?”
Because there may not be any Tony after tonight, Beth thought, edgy and already angry just thinking about the evening ahead. “Because he’s busy.”

“Oh. Ok sure, you can borrow Matt. What’s he supposed to wear?”

Hailey wasn’t much brighter than Matt.
Beth stared at her. “I don’t care what he wears. Clothes. Put him in something larger than swimtrunks, that’s all. And thanks, Hailey. I’ve got to run.”

Bay View, Beach District, East End - Beth

She saw Tony as soon as she approached the little beach bar, talking on the phone. Beth’s temper flared. She’d say this for Gen, she certainly brought game with her. She was good.
She waited until he hung up, then walked up to him. Tony smiled, leaned over to kiss her, but she moved away.
That's right, Tony..kiss me right after you get off the phone with Gen...she'd done it for months now, wasn't going to do it anymore...“How much longer is this going to continue?” she demanded.
Tony’s face changed, tightened. “I told you a few months.”

A few months...it was always going to be a 'few months' or some sort of nebulous timeline...impossible...this wasn't going to work...always something more... You're going to have to do this no matter how much it hurts...
“It’s been a few months. And it’s getting worse, not better!”

“I need a little more time, Beth. Come on, don’t do this tonight – “
Beth drew a deep breath. She'd known it was going to hurt. But the pain was worse than she'd anticipated...much worse...can't breathe, can't possibly do it, have to do it pain. Say it and get it over with before you lose your nerve and can't do it pain. It helped that she had a tail wind of sheer fury...so damned tired of the whole thing...Say it and mean it and do not back out of it!

“I’m going home. I don’t want to see you -- I don't want to talk to you -- until you decide what you’re doing. I’m sick of this!”

She turned and walked toward the street, his footsteps behind her, calling her name. Don't listen to him! Don't turn around! The night was moonless, the street busy. Somewhere just ahead someone started up the engine of what sounded like a large bike. “Beth!” Tony was shouting.
But she kept straight ahead, walking right into the dark.

-------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: DD Chapter 11

Chapter 11 - Bay View - Storm Warning

2007-11-11T17:09:00.003-05:00

Bay View, Beach District

Beth slid into the chair opposite her friend and apologized breathlessly, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t find a taxi.” “You need to get a car,” Gayl said.
“I might be able to afford a bicycle, but not a car, and there’s no good place to park anyway. If you park on the street, the beach drunks are always running into you…How’s Rafe?”
“A little better, I think…depressed and restless. He’s been looking for work.” Gayl didn’t mention her own lingering anger, the fury she felt over what had happened to him. She studied Beth and asked, “So what’s going on with you and Tony?”
Sighing, she sat back. “I don’t know. I don’t even see much of him. He’s taking care of Marc, now, so he doesn’t stay overnight with me, and I don’t want to go over there and run into that bitch Gen. I miss him, but it just…it just isn’t working.”
She glanced out the window when someone unexpectedly jostled the table in the crowded room. Gayl and Beth both looked up.

A tall blonde man said gruffly, “Sorry about that,” then took a second look at Beth, grinned.
“Hi there,” he said. “You know, I still owe you for that newspaper.”
She laughed. “Throw a quarter on the ground sometime. Believe me, I’ll pick it up.”
He walked off. Gayl whispered discretely, “WHO is that?”

“I think he owns a music studio or label. He bought that beach place a couple of doors down from me – probably one of a hundred he owns. I’ve run into him a few times. He seems nice. He swiped my paper one day – not that I care; I don’t bother to read it anyway.”

Gayl raised one eyebrow. “Well? He’s gorgeous!”
Beth shook her head, “There’s nothing there, zip, no chemistry for me at all. He’s a hunk, but I’m not interested, and he has a girlfriend.” She bit her lip; the only interesting thing about the guy was his unnerving resemblance to Tony, but there was no point dwelling on Tony right now. “Are we going to order?”

South Beach, East Metro

Walking into the club Violet, Gabe looked around, then with satisfaction saw the person he thought might be there. MJ. This had to be low key, not something he asked her to meet him to talk about.

“Hi, Gabe,” MJ greeted him. “You don’t usually show up here.”
“I thought I might run into you,” he told her smoothly.
“Oh really? Why? Am I going to need a drink first?” she laughed.
“Might not be a bad idea.”
They sat down at the bar. It was midweek and quiet. Gabe turned to her and said, “What do you know about Eden?”

MJ stared at him, obviously taken by surprise. “More than I need to know, but undoubtedly not as much as you do, if you’re interested for some reason. And why would you be interested in Eden?”
“Maybe I’ve decided I don’t like her.”
She looked at him carefully. “I don’t know anything you would find useful, knowing you. If I did, don’t you think I’d have gone to Tony with it?”
Slightly disappointed, not that he’d expected he get much from her, though, longshot, but you have to go for those…Gabe studied her, and switched tracks. “So you’re still in touch with him?”

She seemed uncomfortable, looked away. “We talk occasionally.”

That was amusing….”You’d take that back in a second, wouldn’t you, MJ?”
MJ glared at him. “Let’s put it this way, Gabe, I wouldn’t take you no matter how many seconds I had.”
Mildly interesting, considering what was going on with Tony and Gen… Other shit in the mix, too…Slim owned a place on the same street where Tony’s girl lived…Gabe already wondered if he knew Cam had a brother, and who he was…Didn’t matter now, though, nothing going on there. Useful for the future maybe…

“That’s not what I asked…but I owe you a drink for asking….”

Bay View, North End

Nervously checking my appearance in the mirror, I wondered if I was insane for attempting this. The man frightened me. But if what Rafe’s cousin had said was true, and I definitely had the impression he knew what he was talking about, then it was too good to pass up….Remember why you’re doing this, I told myself fiercely!
Rafe’s agonized confession that day…

“I had sex with someone else,” he told me, looking away. “Two women. I’m not making any excuses for myself…”

Horrified, I stared at him. Disbelief. “You did what?..why?”
Rafe turned and looked back at me. “Baby, I got stuck in something,” he said in a rough, broken voice. “I didn’t want to do it. I got….ok…I’m not making excuses...but it wasn’t something I wanted to do.”
Unsteady on his feet, he stumbled, started to go down, and I could hear that catch in his voice, he was starting to cry, that same long terrifying sound I’d heard that night on the beach when he told me the truth about his mother…
Caught himself and stood up and looked back at me. “You want to hear it or do you want to throw me out now?”

Whatever happened, it had hurt him so much that he had almost killed himself, and I believed it was intentional. That was no accident. Something, or someone, had hurt him so seriously that I’d almost lost him.

"I want…I need you to tell me what happened. It's okay…Rafe, talk to me." My heart was in my throat, filled with apprehension. I should have seen it, should have known something was wrong.
Rafe turned and looked at me. “It started after the fire…I didn’t have enough money. Gayl, I…” In a hard voice, he continued. “I should have turned her down. I didn’t. Sex for the rent. Then she wanted more. Friends. When I tried to get out of it, she was going to go to you. I couldn’t do that.”
She wanted more?…What…who was she? She’d done this to him…ripped someone already vulnerable wide open…Total fury…I was so pissed off…I would kill that bitch…but first, why hadn’t he told me when it started? “Why didn’t you come to me about it? After all we've been through? All we've shared? Rafe, you can tell me anything!”

“Because I’m didn’t want to hurt you!” he came back, angry, his voice still shaking. “And I don’t want you to think you’re responsible for me – you don’t need to take care of me like some kid! I want to be the one taking care of you!”
He took a step back and a breath. The silvery eyes chilled down. “That’s what happened. I didn’t want it. Hated every damned minute of it. I never wanted them. Anything about them. Nothing. But I did it.”
Thinking about that, thinking about other women touching him…I looked at him again. It made me sick.

“I’ll leave,” Rafe told me quietly, “I love you. I’m sorry…”
I reached out for him, pulled him close against me, felt the fast, uneven breathing. “Whatever she did,” I told him, softly, fiercely, “she’s not going to take you away from me! I love you. I never want you to go.”

Rafe took my hands, looked at me searchingly. “I broke trust with you,” he whispered. “Are you sure?”
“She’s the one who needs to pay for this! Not you! Not me! We’ll work it out – but please don’t even think about leaving!”

All I could think of right then was murdering whoever she was, slowly, painfully. More anger than it seemed possible to contain. “I’m sure,” I murmured. And pulled him down to me.
That was it. I was going to do this.

Bay View, Central District

The elevator took her to the 7th floor of the office building downtown where Chris Paolini's law offices were located. Stepping off, she took a deep breath staring at the door momentarily and then entering.
"May I help you?" the girl asked from behind her receptionist's desk. She looked bored, and had been gazing out the window at the mountains in the east.

"I'm here to see Mr. Paolini," Gayl spoke calmly.

"Do you have an appointment?" the girl inquired, mechanical, without much interest.

"Tell him it's Gayl; he'll see me," she responded.

Pressing the button on her desk phone, she girl tossed her hair slightly. She was strikingly beautiful, golden eyes, blonde hair; she spoke into the intercom quietly.

Gayl recognized that rough voice even through the speaker. “Send her in, Amanda.”
Amanda turned back and looked up at her with a strange expression, intent, curious, and announced, "Mr. Paolini is very busy but is willing to spare you a few moments. His office is through that door."
"Thank you," she replied softly as she approached the door, hesitating again as if she feared falling into a deep abyss if she were to continue. Closing her eyes Gayl reminded herself why she was here. Pushing through the door, she entered his office.
Chris looked up from his desk and drank in every inch of her. "This is an unexpected pleasure; I hope you aren't concealing a hot cup of coffee," he teased.
"I'm here on business; I want to hire you," she told him.

He studied her carefully before responding. "You're having some legal troubles?"

Shaking her head she responded, "It's not for me; it's…I'm here…it's for Rafe. I…we need your help."

A deep laugh came from him as he sneered, "What did the boy do…get some underage girl pregnant?"
She was furious but kept it under control, "It's not like that at all! Someone hurt him, terribly. I want her to pay for it!"
His eyes were hard as he baited her, "You're even more desirable when you're angry. You want revenge? That's not in my line of work."
Gayl pressed him, "She needs to pay for what she did! I have it on good authority that she's doing something underhanded with her finances, real estate. It requires a lawyer to dig up the information, a good lawyer."

Curious now, Chris prodded her for more information, "Who is this woman?"

Looking steadily at him she answered, "Victoria York."

Chris was quiet as he leveled his gaze on her.

Unable to read his reaction she implored him, "Will you do it?"

Sitting back he dismissed her casually, "I'll think about it."

She slammed her hands on the desk. "That's not good enough. I'm prepared to pay you."
His eyes raked over her as he coldly replied, "You can't afford my fee."

"I have money," she insisted, "if I have to, I'll borrow against the house. How much?"
A slow smile formed as his eyes danced. He rose and walked toward her, running his fingers along her arm. "You'll do anything for him, won't you?"

Shivering at his touch she repeated, "How much!"> "I know Victoria; she's very clever. It's going to take a great deal of work to bring her down. You're going to need the best attorney you can find."
Dark, impenetrable eyes…he continued, "I can do it if you are willing to agree to my terms. Do you love him enough to do anything for him?"
"How much," she softly uttered.
Chris wove his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back as his mouth lingered at her throat. "One night with you, that's my price." Gayl pressed her eyes shut. "You bastard," she breathed.
He let out a guttural laugh. "I'll need my retainer now," his murmured, lowering his mouth onto her neck.

-----------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 12

SB 10 - Bay View - Choices

2007-11-04T15:55:00.010-05:00

Bay View, West End

The job, house, everything was working out as Gabe had planned once he graduated. He stepped out of the shower, walked into the bedroom to dress and casually glanced outside – not sure that Porsche had been the right purchase – when he noticed another car by the curb. Shit --- “Hi sweetie,” Camilla said brightly, strolling into the room.

“What is up with you?” he shouted, furious, gut deep aversion to Camilla walking in on him. “Do you have some kind of fucking sixth sense – Gabe’s naked, must be time to walk in on him!? Get the hell out of my room!”

“Are you naked, Gabe? I didn’t notice. Been working out though haven't you sweetie you're almost as big as Rafe well almost...” “Crazy bitch,” he muttered, angry, she always stuck something in there about Rafe, stalking back into the bathroom where he slammed the door and pulled on whatever he could find lying on the floor. By the time he walked out, Camilla had gone back downstairs. Striding down into the living room, he studied her for a moment with narrowed eyes. “You know, if you have any sick ideas about you and me, you can drop them in the toilet where they belong.”

She smiled. “Now I don’t know how sick that would be since it’s something like second or third cousin and there’s a removed in there somewhere. But no….You really need to lock your door though.”

“I was expecting someone…who will be here any minute, so let’s get this done. Contact info for the Paolini woman is on that paper on the table. Take it and go to Tony with it – she’ll talk. I don’t know why it bothered her so much when he screwed the nanny since he’s doing everything else in the neighborhood, but it’s there.”
With a satisfied expression, Cammie picked up the paper. She looked around the room again and commented, “This is a really nice place for someone who’s probably not making that much money…how’re you paying for it?”
Gabe walked up to her and said softly, "I steal it from orphans – you really think I’m going to discuss my business with you?”
“One of these days something bad is going to happen to you Gabe,” Camilla warned, “and you can be sure that I’m not going to do a damned thing to help you.” “So much for your lecture about family,” he responded dryly. “You know where to find the door.”
Gabe hesitated, then called after her. “Hey Cam, wait a minute.”
Camilla turned around. “What?”

Not a good idea, he told himself, but it was an interesting development, and, if she screwed it up, nothing to come back on him. “If you can come with up with sufficient skill to pull it off without sounding like an idiot – doubtful, but I’m putting it out there – ask Tony about Gen.”

Her face changed, and she demanded: “What are you talking about?”

“That’s it,” Gabe said coolly, “that’s all you get. Ask him how she is.”

“She’s a nut,” Cam retorted. “She’s crazy. She messed up his life. Why should I ask that? What do you know that you’re not telling me?” “Go on Cammie. If you don’t want to do it, don’t. Nothing to me one way or the other.”
She stared at him, muttered, “Asshole.” Turned on her heel and walked off.

“You need to find a new insult,” Gabe retorted, amused. “You’ve worn that one out.”
Gabe paced around the house for a while he waited. That encounter at MJ’s still bothered him – he felt like he was missing something, something obvious, something important…how could a musician that damned talented come out of nowhere? He’d even put in a little time trying to find something on John Cooper, but he was like a ghost, nothing out there at all, which probably meant “John Cooper” wasn’t even his real name. It didn’t make sense…
Well, he had to put it aside…too many other things going on to waste time chasing some mystery that probably led to nothing much, a guy with a past he was trying to hide.

Bay View, Beach District

Now that it came down to it, Camilla was uncharacteristically uneasy about confronting her brother. If it could be called a confrontation. Maybe a discussion would be a better way to describe it. That’s it, a discussion. No it’s not a discussion it’s a chat…or something…

Tony hadn’t been happy about driving over to her place anyway – suspicious and difficult and demanded to know what she wanted, but he finally agreed. Impatient, she waited outside until it got dark, finally he drove up.

Tony hugged his sister and said quietly, “What’s going on, Cam? This is not a good time to do this.”
He looked worn, not that he ever let anything he felt show, but something was wrong. Gabe, Cam thought angrily, if you knew something and didn’t tell me, I am going to go after you so damned hard. Ok, she probably couldn’t pull that off anymore, he was beyond that, but she’d give it a try.

“I know but I have to talk to you.”

“Then make it quick, if that’s possible,” he replied.

Camilla watched her brother walk out of the kitchen and sit down on the couch. This wasn’t going the way she thought it would.
Sitting on the couch next to him, she asked carefully, “Tony are you ok?”
“I’m fine, Cammie. Tell me what’s going on.”

Now that was a lie. He wasn’t fine. Not big on finesse, Cam struggled briefly, then decided to just come out with it. “Your nanny fucked the guy who employed her before you did. Before you obviously I’m not saying YOU fucked her because I don’t know that you did and that’s not something I’m talking about here but she did.”
Tony looked briefly disconcerted. “What? Can you translate that into human language, Cam?” He would make it difficult. He always did.
“Your nanny,” Camilla repeated carefully, “was going to be fired by her previous employer because she fucked the husband.”
Tony said nothing. Looked at her, blank.
“Tony, hello? Did you get that?”

He said wearily, “I got it. Thanks.”
Alarmed. “Tony what’s going on? What’s going on with Gen?”

Without answering her question, he replied, “I’m tired, Cammie. I’m going home.”

Ok, Gabe said not to press it or she’d be an idiot, but the idiot thing wasn’t anything she was really concerned about. “Tony, what the hell is going on?”

He looked at her, dark eyes, a lot more there than exhaustion, and said, “Gen needs me, Cam. She’s coming back to where she used to be, who she used to be. She needs my help. I have to do it. Again, I’m tired.”

After he left, Camilla brooded, anxious, considered calling Gabe and yelling at him but she wasn’t in the mood. He’d known, that’s for sure, he’d known, but it didn’t matter. This, she thought,dissatisfied, uneasy, is a train wreck.

Millwood

Long, sleepless night…Tony had spent some time considering how he wanted to handle firing Liz and finally decided he didn’t want to deal with a confrontation right now. Simply dismiss her. He gave Marc a hug and sent him out to play, then went in search of Liz.

She was back by his desk, tidying up or something, when Tony approached her. “Liz,” he told her flatly, “I’m not going to need your services anymore. You can take a few days to make other arrangements – let’s say until the end of the week.”
Liz drew in her breath, but she didn’t seem surprised. “I’ve been expecting this,” she countered, “since it’s becoming obvious that you’re reconciling with your ex-wife – that certainly makes my services unnecessary.”
“I’m not reconciling with her!” Tony snapped. “My circumstances have changed, but she has nothing to do with it.”
She smiled, responded smoothly, “Of course,” and walked off. Irritated, he glanced down at the desk, wondering what she’d been looking at, when the doorbell rang. Gen…right on time, not that he’d expected anything else.
With a feeling approaching dread, he opened it, stepped outside and studied her. Was this the real deal or something else? He couldn’t tell yet. Wary…he was going to be risking so damned much on this. He still felt something when he was close to her, but distant, remote, memories seen through the wrong end of a telescope.

“Hi, Tony,” she said, obviously uncertain. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better…But it’s all right…Marc’s somewhere out here playing, if you want to go look for him.” Gen started to say something, then looked away, went down the path toward the back of the house, calling Marc’s name.
Walking back inside the house, he hesitated, abruptly overwhelmed with anxiety…was this going to be a terrible mistake? He heard Marc’s laughter, walked over to the window and looked out. Gen was pulling their son into a big hug, the little boy giggling with delight. God, there was no good choice here…

Abruptly turning his back on the scene, he strode up the stairs down the hall, toward a painting. The painting that always reminded him of Beth. That’s right, Tony thought, dig in the knife and twist it…what good is this going to do..

There was no way she was going to accept this situation. He wouldn’t if it were the other way around. He was stepping out into the mid air with nothing to break the fall, nothing.

Bay View, Beach District

Beth watched Tony walk up to the house, apprehensive. That phone call…carefully phrased…almost a kiss off call… “Beth,” he said softly, “I’ve got a problem…”
Her heart sank down to her knees. Do not give it away, stay calm… “I’m listening. What is it?”

“I told you about Gen….she’s improving, medically, but she needs my help,” Tony told her. “Recovery… reconnecting…”
“Reconnecting:” Beth took a deep breath. “I don’t understand why she needs to reconnect with you, Tony. You’re divorced.” That sounded stupid and jealous…back off, Beth told herself…don’t sound like a bitch….”Can you explain it to me?”

Tony held her, said quietly, “I have to back off our plans for a while….I need to be available for her…in the place she remembers….the same house we lived in. She needs me to spend time with her, to recover….I can’t move out….It doesn’t mean anything, Beth, it really doesn’t….are you listening to me?”
Absolutely she was listening to him. Unbelievable. Completely beyond belief he’d think she would ….Beth clenched her hands, looked away, look anywhere don’t look at him, look anywhere. “Tony, isn’t it an incredible coincidence that she would change back from – “ she almost said ‘slutty bitch’, didn’t – “a difficult person to a nice person just when you were ready to move in with me? She’s trying to keep a hook in you!”
“I believe I can tell the difference – I’m not going to risk this for a ploy. And I did what you wanted about Liz -- I fired her.”
“I don’t think you have a clue! You fired the nanny but brought in your ex-wife? You want me to sit around and wait for you while you play house with Gen!” Beth screamed. “No! I am not doing that!”
“I’m not playing house,” Tony tried to get in, “can’t you understand that? I was married to her, Beth – it wasn’t her fault she was injured! She’s the mother of my son! I can’t turn my back on her now!”

I can’t believe this, she thought, sick, horrified, grabbing at anything to turn it in a different light, make it look like something it wasn’t. Angle of the light, another reflection, not like this, not this. Not Tony, but look at it, that’s what she had…no way to make believe her way out of it…hard clear reality, there was another woman.

Breathing hard, she walked out of the house onto the pier. Behind her, Tony called, “Listen to me! Beth!”

She looked back at him and said in a clear, calmer voice, “Fine. Go back and take care of her then. Make it all better. I do not, and, I repeat, I do NOT believe you don’t know what’s going on here.”

Obviously distressed, Tony tried to take her hand. She shook him off. “Let me have a few months,” he pled quietly. “Nothing is going on between me and Gen... nothing.”
“Tony, take a few months. Take a few years. Take any amount of time you want.” He was making a choice. She knew it. And that choice wasn’t her Keep it together, she thought, don’t give in. “But I am not going to be sitting around here waiting for you. If I’m still here when you ‘fix’ Gen, then I am, but don’t count on it.”
“Beth…”
Pain ripping through her, she looked out at the surf and the sky, trying desperately not to cry. “Tony, do you love her?”

“That’s not fair…of course I loved her.”

He wasn’t going to answer. She knew it. That’s right, Tony, use the past tense, deny it. Refusing to look away from him, although it was so hard... she demanded, “Do you love her?”

In a shaken voice, he responded, “I love you. You know I do.”
Same shit. Don’t break down, she told herself angrily, don’t you dare do it in front of him. Tears stinging her eyes, Beth fought back hard, struggling for control. “Go,” she managed. “Leave me alone. Please.”

“I’ll go,” Tony said quietly, “but I’m not giving you up.”
She watched him leave.
Heard the engine start on his car, the car move away. What was she going to do about this? What could she do? Nothing. Sit and wait on his doorstep until he made up his mind...
Shaking, she stared out into the night….The ocean was restless, a storm somewhere, waves breaking hard against the rocks.

“Rain!” she screamed fiercely. “Rain like hell for me!”

-----------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 11

SB 9 - Bay View - Apologies

2007-10-26T10:44:00.008-04:00

Bay View, North End - Tony

After leaving Rafe’s rental, I rode the damned bike for an hour, watching Beth maneuver the vette behind me. No, she was not going to lose me, and it kind of turned me on to watch her driving my car. About an hour later, we pulled up in front of what I call a gingerbread house, turret type round thing on one corner and lots of pointy roofs. A little stiff – it had been a long night and I was tired – I got off the bike and stretched. Beth walked up to me. “How do you want to handle this? Do you want me to wait here?”

I didn’t know. That seemed ridiculous; this wasn’t a social visit, but Gayl was her friend. There was no way I was going to dump the bike keys on the mat and leave either. But I didn’t want to intrude on a personal fight between Rafe and his girlfriend.

“I think we’ll have to play it by ear. Come on with me. If it looks messy, you decide what you want to do – talk to her or whatever you think is best. I’m going to try to get an explanation out of Rafe, if I can.”

“She really loves him, Tony.”
I’d had an hour to play out some scenarios while I drove over here, and I thought I already knew what was going on. “I think he got in over his head, and, if I’m right, that may be why.”

We’d made it up to the front door when it opened. I was expecting Rafe, but a woman stood there. Even looking over her shoulder, I didn’t see him.
Now that I’d stopped looking for Rafe, I focused briefly on her. Pretty woman -- Rafe always did pick the best. Whatever was going on, she’d been hit hard, too, but I thought I recognized the expression in her eyes. It probably mirrored what she could see in mine. I was struggling with fury; I hadn’t dragged Rafe away from Eden to see him eaten alive by her clone.

“I’m Tony,” I told her. “Rafe called me…I brought his bike.”

She glanced at Beth, then looked at me more carefully than I would have thought a woman in the middle of a fight would be capable of managing. She took a deep breath, and responded, “It’s good to finally meet you.”

We stood there looking at each other; she looked wary, uncertain. “Is he all right?”
“No, he’s not.”

“Can I talk to him?”
“You can try. Rafe’s on the back deck – I don’t know if he’ll talk to you. Right back there.”
Walking around her, I strode down a hallway toward what looked like a back door. Shoved it open and saw my son standing there, one hand on the deck rail, wearing old sweats and an undershirt.
Rafe turned, looked at me – god, I thought, he looks like hell. “Your bike’s out front,” I told him. “Sit down before you fall down, no, there, patio table, whatever it is.”

More concerned that I had even anticipated, I let him alone for a minute. “I fucked up,” he said quietly. “I have to drop out for a while.”
“Fine,” I told him. “Not a big deal.”

Obviously he hadn’t expected that. “Kind of a disappointment for you, I know.”

“Is that what this is about? My disappointment? Gayl’s disappointment?”

He stared at me. “You don’t know –“
I blew up at him, and I shouldn’t have done it. “I don’t give a damn, Rafe!” I yelled. “I warned you! Didn’t I warn you? You didn’t grow up with me, but damn it! You should know me better than that! What the hell is the matter with you! Why didn’t you tell me you were in trouble! What did she do, threaten you? She used your girlfriend out there, didn’t she?”
“Yeah,” he said quietly, miserable. He looked sick, hollow eyed, crushed.
I leaned back, gave him a minute. Gave myself a minute to try to get the anger under control. “Do you need a place to stay?” I asked him.
“I…I think I can probably stay here. I think that’s going to be ok.”
“All right. I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to go back and get anything I can out of that place, your clothes and anything else I feel like taking -- even if she's already locked it up, I have no problem kicking in the damned door. Already took the laptop and your cell – I’ll leave them with Gayl. Eden and her pet husband are paying the tuition, so whatever happens with that is nothing to me.”
Gave him a quick hug, and asked quietly, “I don’t have any reason to worry about you doing something to yourself, do I?”

"No," Rafe replied in a steady voice. "I made a mistake -- know I look like shit, but it was an accident.”

I believed him, or wanted to believe him. Left him there looking like a whipped dog. Part of it was his own fault for refusing to ask me for help when he needed it. Not the biggest part, though.

Furious, I walked out the front door, saw Beth sitting on a chair talking to Gayl. They stopped talking and looked at me, which probably meant they were talking about me.
Gayl stood up. I went up to her and said frankly, “It’s none of my business what’s going on between Rafe and you. But if it’s not going to work for him to stay here, I’m asking you to let me know. I don’t want him left alone right now.”

"He won’t be,” she said.
Trying to assess her, I took a few seconds. “He’s not as strong as he might seem. His mother did her best to remove his spine – unsuccessfully, but she left scars.”

“I know,” she said quietly.

Something about the way she said it made me wonder if she might know more than I did about those scars. Rafe had never completely opened up to me about what went on in that hell hole he grew up in. “Give me a call if you need anything,” I told her. “And let me know how he’s doing.”
On the way to the car, I asked Beth quietly, “How is she?”

“Worried about him more than anything else. What happened?”
“I’ll tell you later.” Pausing, I looked across the street. The house backed to the ocean, and it was a decent size, not too big – with a big FOR SALE sign out front…

"What about that place? Want to go look at it while we’re here?”

Beth pulled away, glanced at the place, then looked directly at me. “Who’s moving into the house Tony?”

Surprised … "Me and you and Marc. What do you mean?”

“You and me and Marc, not Liz.”
Stunned, I stopped. So that’s what this was about. Exhausted and fighting with the anger over what had happened to Rafe, it wasn’t the kind of discussion I intended to have out on someone’s front lawn. “We do need to talk about this, don’t we?”
Stony, the wind blowing her hair across her face, which she swiped at irritably, she said, “Yes, we do.”

If Liz was the dealbreaker, I had no problem dealing with it. I wasn’t happy about it…maybe there was some way to convince her there wasn’t any reason to worry…couldn’t think straight though. “All right. Let’s go. We’ll talk.”

South Beach - Paolini Residence - Gabe

Gabe pulled up, got out and stood there studying the house. The ex was set up in a luxury estate, although he’d expected that from the address and the neighborhood. Red Maserati Quattroporte in the drive, some kind of conservation preserve behind the house and the ocean only about a block away. It had to be costing Paolini some serious alimony. He straightened the suit jacket…might have made a stronger impression if he’d cut his hair and bought a tie, but he wasn’t going to that much trouble.
Across a park-like lawn and stone walk, Gabe went up to the door and knocked. And waited. No one answered. Irritated, he had other things to do today, he banged louder. What was she doing, taking a nap?
The door swung open, and a woman in a swimsuit, an incredible thong, stood there, glaring at him. “What do you want?” she demanded.

Damn…not at all what he’d anticipated. Drop dead bombshell blonde…interesting…she’d know what she had there, and probably a major bitch. Strategy fell into place smoothly, not the one he’d expected to use, but even better…if this was even the right woman.

"Good morning,” he said calmly. “I’m from the Harrison Staffing Agency – we provide placement services for nannies and mothers’ helpers. I wonder if I could take a few minutes of your time for a reference check?”
A strange expression crossed her face. “Perhaps. Who is it?”

He made some small business of checking the papers in his hands, then looked back up at her. “Liz Davis…”

“Really…this won’t take long?”

As long as it takes, he thought, amused. “Only a couple of minutes.” Paused, then Gabe added, using his favorite alias, “I’m Gabe Locke.”

She stepped aside, holding open the door. “Gina Paolini…come on in then.” And walked ahead of him without looking back, flashing the thong and her ass without any apparent concern. “Your agency should have called first,” she remarked over her shoulder, “this might not have been a convenient time for me.”
“I was in the neighborhood,” Gabe responded, keeping it vague.
Through a long hallway and into a sitting area overlooking an enormous pool, Gina waved a hand at a chair. “Have a seat.” She turned and took an obvious second look at him. “You said your name was Gabe?”
He eased smoothly into the chair, leaned back and returned the look but carefully, keeping it polite. The body in that swimsuit was a real distraction, but the woman was obviously a demanding bitch….”That’s it,” cool voice. “Gabe.”

“Well, Gabe,” she said, slight emphasis on his name, “would you like a drink?” Watching her walk toward the bar, hips swaying, he thought about it…not with this woman, too much baggage, big attitude.

When she turned and looked back, waiting for an answer, he kept the smile off his face and said, “No thanks, not while I’m working.”
She shrugged. “Suit yourself,” then curled up in the chair opposite him. “Ask away.”

He’d taken some time to consider how he wanted to do this – just bring it right up fast, or slide into it with a lot of preliminary bullshit. Blonde bitch was primed for it, though, so the foreplay didn’t seem necessary… “We’re considering her resume, but some of her previous employers seemed to imply a…well…morals issue…”

Gina laughed, short, sharp. “And who did you get those references from?”

Since he had zero here, he threw it right back at her, turning it around. “I assume you checked them?”

"Of course we checked them,” she said, defensive. “They lied, or they didn’t tell the complete truth about her. If you’re here because you have reservations, I will tell you this – I wouldn’t recommend her.” Gabe leaned forward slightly, keeping his expression soft, nonthreatening. “Can you explain why? Anything you tell me is confidential….”

Gina looked briefly uneasy. Then she said, “The woman can’t be trusted. She’s a threat to the family relationship.”

Now that was a good one, he thought, silently laughing. So body beautiful didn’t want to admit that her husband went after another woman….Trying for a delicate tone, he asked her, “Can I assume you’re referring to your husband?”

She glared at him, shifted in the chair. “As long as this is confidential, yes, you can assume that.”
The concerned expression... “Of course, as the mother of a small child, that’s the last thing you want in your home, that sort of immoral influence…”

“Yes, of course. Who wants to subject a child to that sort of thing?”

“Would you be willing to confirm that in a private conversation with a potential employer? Nothing in writing, of course.”
“I suppose that would work for me.” Satisfied, Gabe smiled at her. Always something that locks it down. Got what you wanted on this one, Cammie. Tony wouldn’t like it, didn’t like that kind of shit at all.

He stood up. “That’s all I need. Thanks for your time.”

Gina looked a little surprised. She asked once again, “Sure you won’t change your mind about that drink?”

“Thanks,” he replied casually, done here and not interested in playing with her, “but I have to pass. Got other stops to make.”

Restless, Gabe stood outside the house, listening to the ocean; the water was calm, surf breaking quietly against the sand.

You are not thinking of doing this, he told himself…come on…still, the whole thing stunk, this place along with the rest of it. And whether or not it was the “right” thing to do, doing it would give him leverage he didn’t have, repair a hole he’d torn in his network, and give him an interesting and possibly advantageous position…the “good guy”.

Not that anyone was going to really believe that, but it would put them off balance and that was definitely a good place to be… And the look on his cousin’s face alone would make it worth what it was going to cost.

He could squeeze it in if he moved fast. Damn, though, it was going to be a challenge to pull it off and make it look sincere….maybe not so bad since in some minor way it was sincere. And there was that little issue with his girl and some of the reports he’d gotten…probably not a good idea to bring that up right now, and it seemed harmless so far. If she got any closer to Paolini…well, that was Rafe’s problem. Getting into the car, Gabe turned around and headed for Bay View.

Bay View, North End

When Gayl opened the door, she saw a slender young man with a mop of thick black hair and a youthful, almost gentle face, a poet’s face, offset by a pair of very cold blue eyes. She looked at him inquiringly.

“Hello,” he said. “I’m Gabe. Is Rafe here?”

“I’m sorry, who are you again?” Her tone was firm, and she stood squarely in the doorway.

He smiled at her. “Gabe…Rafe’s cousin.”

“He’s never mentioned you.” Although she didn’t really doubt there was a relationship; the family resemblance was definitely there.

“Is that right? Kind of surprises me…I need to talk to him.”

Something about the tone of his voice put her off. Amused. Insolent. “Let me see if he’s up to having visitors –“ Before she could finish her sentence, Rafe walked up behind her, glaring. “What the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.
Gabe drew a breath, casually brushed at his jacket. In a calm, low voice spiked with amusement, he said, “It’s the suit – comes with a superpower. You put it on and you act like an adult. We need to talk.” “No we don’t! You need to get out of here!”

Gabe didn't respond, glancing at Gayl. That cool gaze lingered briefly, but without any real interest. Then he looked right back at Rafe, who looked like he didn’t understand or hadn’t even heard what he’d said. “I don’t have a lot of time,” Gabe said to him.

Rafe continued to stare at him, suspicious. “If you think I believe anything you say – “

“Then don’t believe it. That’s your deal. Where can we talk?” Rafe hesitated. Gayl looked up at him and then back at Gabe with an expression approaching hostility now. “It’s all right,” Rafe told her quietly. “I’ll talk to him.”
Gabe laughed and said to Gayl, “I’m not going to bite him.”

“Shut up asshole,” Rafe growled. “Follow me and shut the fuck up.”
Surveying the place with interest as he followed Rafe down a hallway, Gabe noticed what looked like school books on a dining table. So the woman had a kid, little family group with Rafe playing at daddy or something like it…nothing Gabe had ever had but not something he wanted either. Rafe walked down the stairs off a little deck into a backyard and stood there by a pond. Curtly, he said, “You’ve got about 30 seconds to explain why you’re here before I throw your ass out.”

Gabe ignored him. Great rock spa, not what he would have expected from the overall look of the place…. “Nice place back here. You’d never know it from the front.”
“Twenty seconds.”

Looking directly at him, Gabe replied calmly, “I’m apologizing. The video was a mistake. Things have gone too far. Never meant it to happen like this.”

Rafe shook his head and said, “That’s bullshit, Gabe. What’s your angle this time?”
“Cam started it,” he said frankly. “But I’m on my own here. You didn’t grow up in my family – got your own shit to deal with I know but it wasn’t easy. Can’t take any crap off anyone. Cam doesn’t like what’s gone down here and I don’t either.”

Uneasy, wary, Rafe studied in him silence. “Let’s say I believe you, and I’m not saying I do, is that it?” Gabe considered how much he wanted to share. What the hell, it didn’t make any difference, no advantage in keeping it to himself...

“Not completely. I did some work, tried to figure out if I could get anything on Vick York – no don’t start with me man not yet, let me finish, I know about her – but it’s outside my area. Technical shit about finances and real estate. I told Cam it would take a lawyer to get into that. But I tried. And you know I’m good – if it was there, I’d have found it. There’s something on that nanny, though. You got anything to tell me before I go to Tony with it? Some interest in her?” There was a sound in the kitchen behind them. Rafe glanced up quickly at the open window, hesitated, then said, “No, I’m not interested. I never had anything with her. If it’s something Tony needs to know, tell him.”
Gabe studied him, then said, “Thought you might, but if that’s not the case, then I’m going for it.” Well, this was finished. “I’m out of here, got to meet someone tonight over at MJ’s place and got to get out of this suit before I go. Are we clear?”

“You’re a damned snake, Gabe!” Rafe shouted, intimidating performance if Gabe had been easily intimated. “If you’re saying you’re not going after me anymore, then we’re clear. Keep away from me though, man. Keep away from me and keep away from Gayl!”
“I don’t want your girl,” Gabe told him. “But if you don’t me want me watching your back for you, I’d recommend you do a better job than you’re doing. Later.”

He still didn’t get it, but Gabe had wasted enough time on this already.
As he walked back through the house, Gabe found Gayl standing in the hallway, looking directly at him. “Do you have something you want to say to me?” she challenged.
His expression changed, temperature dropping. Leaning in close, Gabe said softly, coldly, “You don’t know me, but you have to be very good to hide anything from me…you better watch that big dog…he comes with big teeth.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she snapped.
Amused, he shook his head and said, “Yeah you do. Take care of cousin Rafe – he looks like roadkill – you’ll have his Aunt Camilla crawling all over you if you don’t. And believe me, you won’t like that. Nice meeting you..”
He walked out. Hadn’t gone too bad. He hadn’t planned on that thing with the woman...and since when had it become his responsibility to watch out for all of them…He had a lot going right now, too, the job, graduation in a couple of weeks, needed to nail down that apartment …but Gabe the hero…he could get used to that….careful now, he thought, laughing inwardly, don’t want to overplay your hand here, hero…
Before he could get to the car, though, his cell rang. Glancing at the ID, Gabe answered impatiently. “Yeah Linds what is it?”
“No shit…look babe go check that out for me – make sure you got it right – call Josh – no I can’t I’m busy throwing dirt all over myself -- and I have to be somewhere. Do that for me and I’ll call you tomorrow.”
He hung up and stared thoughtfully back at the house, considering it, then walked on to the car. So Gen Piacenza had some kind of breakthrough and was almost normal again…and asking for Tony. Interesting, but he had something he’d said he’d do, something for Stevie.

----------------

NEXT CHAPTER: DD Chapter 8

SB 8 - Bay View - Conspiracy

2007-10-15T15:46:00.012-04:00

Author's Note: There is a disconnect in the chapter numbers and placement in the right blog. This should have been placed with South Beach, instead of Rafe's Journal. It's old work so I'm not going to try to fix it, but there's no missing South Beach 1-7.

Millwood

Middle of the night, I couldn’t sleep, thinking about her, fever in my blood, all the time. No, I’m not obsessed, although that might depend on your definition. Love, obsession, that hot flame…damned good thing I’m not burning up alone in the fire.
It had been raining on and off for the last two days, and thunder had begun to reverberate through the air again, long pulse in the air echoing mine. Definitely not an easy drive, not that it was ever an easy drive, if I made it again tonight. By now I thought I’d have solved this, found another place to live, but that hadn’t happened, and I wasn’t entirely sure why.

Bayview, Beach District

Called her on the way, and woke her up, but she was outside waiting for me… Beth looked tired, happy, and better than anything I’d ever seen period.
“You could have waited until tomorrow,” she said. “It’s been pouring rain, and the beach road is dark and slick…I wish you would stop making that drive in the middle of the night.”

“Then quit forcing me to make it….And I want to go in. Now.”

Upstairs, holding her. The rain had stopped, but the wind was still blowing hard, the room smelled like rain and salt. Beth smelled like rain. Warm skin in a room cooled down with the rain.

“Tell me…tell me what you want…” “You,” she whispered. “That’s what I want…you know what I want...”

My girl…. “Are you going to show me how much you want me?”
I’d asked her once before what it would take to get those kisses all night long… didn’t really expect or need an answer…
Then she threw me a curve. “Tony, we have to talk about the house.”

Talking about the house wasn’t what I wanted to do at that particular moment. I didn’t care what kind of house we got, although I’ll admit I was concerned about why she was putting me off. “You’re not backing out on me, are you?”

“No, that's not what I meant."

The damned house could wait. Not what I wanted to think about when I’ve got the woman I love in a bed and in my arms. “Whatever you want.. Later, not now…” Light from the sky, the ocean, somewhere, illuminated her eyes, her mouth. “I love you,” I whispered.
Long slow lingering caress down my shoulders and back, light scratch of her nails against my skin, damn I like that.…“I love you, Tony.”
When I slept, finally, I dreamed, vivid and disturbing dreams, distant dark memories. Eden, Gen, MJ, none of them or all of them….thunder in the air….
Beth woke up before I did. “I’m going to put on some coffee. Do you want anything?”
Although going back to bed would be my first preference, I needed to get up. “Coffee would be great.” Not without my kiss though.
Always walking around with nothing on…. my private show, but I’d prefer to keep it private. Watching her start to walk out of the room, I added, “Hey, come on girl, you can’t go down there like that. You need to put on some clothes. Those curtains downstairs aren’t worth a damn.”
I’m sure she was humoring me, but she smiled and pulled on a pair of shorts and a top. When I moved into another place, that was the first thing I had to do, something about the windows. And what was the issue with the house? Forgot about following up on that. Tired, completely content, I lay back, watching the cloud shadows over the ocean outside the bedroom window, when the phone rang.
Small downstairs sounds, which I didn’t pay attention to. She answered it, then hurried back up the stairs. “Tony, it’s for you, it’s Rafe. I think something’s wrong – it sounds like he’s been crying.”
Now that couldn’t be the case, not Rafe, he guarded himself too carefully. “I’ll go back downstairs. You can use the phone here.”
Uneasy, wondering what had happened now, I waited until she went back downstairs, then picked it up and said cautiously, “Rafe?”
In a hoarse, unsteady voice, he replied “I need your help – my bike’s at the rental and I can’t go get it.” It did sound like he’d been crying.

“Where are you? What’s going on?”
“I’m at Gayl’s house.” He paused. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’m ok, but I can’t go get the bike.”
If he needed someone to do that, it made sense he’d ask me…who else could ride that thing…but I don’t like mysteries, and there’s no way he was ‘ok’ if he was asking me to do this...

“What the hell, Rafe? You want me to drive all the way out there and you won’t tell me why?”

“Will you just do it for me?” he said, same quiet, strange voice. “The keys are in the desk drawer.” This had to be bad. Maybe nothing more than a fight with the girlfriend, but I didn’t believe it. “All right. I’ll see you when I get there.”

“Thanks,” he replied, muted. “Thanks for everything. You’ve done a lot for me and I don’t deserve it.”

I couldn’t figure it out. If he was sick, why wouldn’t he tell me? That voice…that wasn’t something I’d heard before…I couldn’t do this without help, and didn’t want to do it alone. “Beth,” I yelled downstairs, “I have to make a roadtrip, and I’m going to need you to go with me.”

South Beach University Campus

We pulled up in front of that little rental house, which I didn’t think was so bad, although I know Rafe despised it. Looked like something was wrong with the front door…

Beth stood there next to me, gazing around. “Someone broke in the door,” she pointed out, then glanced at me, concerned. “Tony, something must really be wrong.”

“I know.” Hesitating, I added, “I’m going to take a look inside. Stay here, all right?”

It was foul inside the place, the stench of vomit, phone on the floor. I got his laptop and cellphone and dumped them on the ground next to my car.

“What is it?” she asked me. “He’s been sick, for one thing. Don’t know what else.” Sudden, hard suspicion, which I didn’t intend to share with anyone yet. “Let’s get out of here.”

Bay View, Marina District

Camilla had been sitting at the bar across from the Marina for longer than she had expected, irritated and impatient.

“Sorry I’m late.” Slim eased onto the stool next to her, ordered a drink, then flagged the bartender down again and changed his order to a double.
Annoyed, she shot a look at him and said, “I was going to leave but since I’m the one who asked you to meet me here I thought that might not work out exactly as I wanted but you are really late.” “I’m busy, Cam. What do you want?” “Did you hire my cousin Gabe a couple of weeks ago?” Slim gave her a narrow eyed look, suspicious. “Yeah, why?”
“I want you to fire him maybe I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

He stared at her. “You want to tell me why I’d do that?”

“Because he’s making me mad.”

Slim shook his head. “That’s your problem Cammie. I don't like him much but got no reason to fire the guy."
She tapped her fingernails on the bar, annoyed. “Then you can hire him back but I really need this.”
Slim looked back at her, obviously not happy about it. “I don’t know…that makes me look like an idiot, firing him then hiring him back.”
“You probably won’t even really have to fire him I just need to tell him that come on Slim I’ve done some things for you in the past.”
“Nothing much,” he said dryly. “Kicked me out of your room that night – maybe you don't remember but I do. I don’t owe you any favors.”

"Ok well yeah I guess I did but it wasn’t personal. I had someone else I was expecting you know how that goes and that probably does count as a favor. You didn’t need to get involved with me and you know it.”

“You might be right, but what I wanted that night wasn't involvement.” He took a drink. “Who was that guy?”
Edgy and impatient, Camilla took a look out the window. It was getting dark, and she was running late. “You always thought it was Coop and it wasn't. I don’t remember. It was a long time ago. Maybe I should have let you stay...”
“No, good thing you didn’t.”

She smiled. “Probably. Now can I tell Gabe you’ll fire him even if you don’t want to and really won’t do it?”

“I guess so.”

“Ok thanks well see you later.” She stood up, stumbled slightly. “Shit these stupid heels slip on everything and just try walking all the way to the car on that deck out there they get caught in those little holes between the boards.” He looked down the length of her leg at her shoes, not that the shoes were the main attraction. “You could always take them off.”

“That would ruin the effect though and I wouldn’t want to do that. Bye.”

Teetering on the heels, Camilla walked down the stairs and out onto the deck, caught the heel once again, stumbled and started to fall when someone reached out and grabbed her arm.
“Careful…you don’t want to end up in the lake…I doubt that beautiful dress would survive the experience.” His eyes roamed down her body, then up again, a slight smile on his mouth.
She straightened up but made no attempt to shake him off. Tall, dark, muscular man with a deep, rough voice. The hand on her arm was warm and strong.
Camilla gave him a direct look, assessing what she had there, and it took her back for a second. Alpha wolf… hard body and the eyes of a major predator…god now that was interesting… not on the menu for tonight though...

"Do you need to sit down for a moment? You’re more than welcome to lean against me, however.”

Amused, she hesitated…so the wolf thought he’d found a sheep... it was irresistible.. Shifting her weight slightly, she leaned into him. His arm tightened almost imperceptibly.

"It’s these damned shoes I should have taken them off but then I’d be walking around with nothing but bare feet and I might step on something. I don’t really like stockings do you?”
Obviously he hadn’t expected that kind of response. A look of surprise crossed his face. “I suppose it depends on the occasion,” he said, lips parting in a slow, interested smile. “I’m Chris Paolini. And whom do I have the pleasure of rescuing?”
She paused for a second, intrigued, but no, he wasn’t going to get what he wanted, not now. But it couldn’t hurt to let him think he’d grazed the poor little sheep with his teeth…

“Camilla and I guess you’re right it does depend on the occasion.”
He released her arm, running his hand down her arm to her wrist before he stepped back. Powerful attraction, Cam could smell it, felt the pulse, fascinating…but apparently he didn’t realize what he'd run into...first mistake, misjudging the prey...

She stood absolutely still, dropping her gaze slightly, wouldn’t do to let him get too close a look until she decided how she wanted to play this, green eyes brimming with laughter she never let reach her mouth.

“Do you have a last name, Camilla?”
“Of course I do everyone does.” Carefully turning away, which was a challenge on the broken shoe, Cam walked a few paces, then looked back and smiled again. “See you again sometime Mr. P.”

Limping out to the car on the broken heel, Cam stopped a moment. Shit, she was really late, and there was no way she could meet Jason without changing her shoes. Blow him off, she decided, go home and make it up to him another time. Something she had to do tomorrow anyway, a lot more important than the man of the moment…

South Beach University Campus

Camilla pulled up in front of the rental, checked the address against the one Josh had given her, and got out.
She didn’t expect the door to be unlocked, but it was – he’s so stupid, she thought, anyone could walk in here.
There was a lot of noise coming from upstairs. This was going to be even more fun than she’d anticipated.
Walking quietly up the stairs, she pushed open the door into the bedroom and said, “Hi Gabe.”

Hysterical…Gabe in the bed with a girl…much better than getting the little shit on the phone and yelling at him…both of them naked and what a hit to force him out of his favorite position. It was definitely worth the wait.

Outraged, Gabe yelled, “What the hell are you doing here? Get out of here!”

Walking right on in, Camilla glanced around, not bad, the whole place was set up really nice. Not even paintings of naked women…

"No I don’t think I’m going to do that so you may as well get up.” Turning to the girl, not her fault, but that’s the way it goes, she said, “Hi there sweetie sorry about this but you have to go.”
The girl leaped out of the bed, screaming “Who is she?!”
“My fucking cousin,” Gabe growled. “Or aunt, or some kind of damned relation.” Cold eyed, he glanced at the girl. “Go on, Heather, you’d better leave.”

Glaring at Camilla, Gabe asked sarcastically, “Are you going to stand there watching me while I get dressed?”
“Probably not I’ll probably sit down.”
“You are completely insane!”
“I’m not the one standing there naked yelling at his cousin or aunt I think it’s cousin actually so who’s insane?”

He shoved his hair out of his face and yanked on his jeans, muttering, then turned on Cam and demanded, “What’re you doing here?”
All the amusement drained out of her face, making her look remarkably like Tony when he was having a really bad day. “Look you little shit,” Cam said in a level, cool voice, “you’ve messed with me and my brother for the last time. Nobody messes with me or Tony I don’t like it and you’re going to put it right and I’m going to tell you how you’re going to do that.”

Gabe stared at her. “What are you talking about? I’ve never done anything to you.”
“You’re a total traitor and you know it and you’ve got balls because I just saw them but you sure act like someone removed them. Whiny baby making up stupid little girl plots against your own family. Against Tony who treated you like his own son and I still can’t believe you would do that! How could you do that?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t do anything to Tony. This is about Rafe, isn’t it?”
Cam sighed, stood up, the chair wasn’t very comfortable anyway. “And they think I’m stupid. Do you think I’m stupid Gabe? Do you really think there’s nothing I can do about this if I want to and you know what, I want to do something about it.”
Wary, Gabe said, “I never thought you were stupid. Different, but not stupid.”

“Yeah well if you don’t stop it right now and do what I tell you to do you’re going to starting losing stuff and I’ll start small and work up, like that frat membership you worked so hard to get. Sweetie, that’s gone this afternoon.”

Laughing uneasily, he retorted, “There's no way you could do that.”

"Poor dumb child it’s done I am telling you it’s already done. I know LOTS of people. I sort of figured you wouldn’t take me seriously if I didn’t you hit you with something to begin with so I picked that since it was so easy to do. That little job you got so happy about doing some kind of thing for Slim Savage that’s going next and yes I can do it because I know him and he likes me and he doesn’t know you hardly at all and he probably wouldn’t like you if he did!”

Gabe stared at her. “You did not do that…Cammie, come on…”

In a gentler voice, Cam asked, “What’s wrong with you anyway Gabe? Rafe never did anything to you.”

Gabe took a step back, his eyes hard, face tight with anger. He crossed his arms, and in a low, cold voice, said: “He took over my life. Stepped right into it and took it. And I was the one who started everything so Tony could get him back. Did he ever say, thanks, man? Or anything?”
Not entirely without sympathy, although it wasn’t her strong suit, Cam thought about it for a second. “You’re not real good at groveling either are you sweetie?”
“Look,” he snarled, “I never expected the son of a bitch to grovel! A little appreciation would have been nice, though.”

"And instead he got all the attention and didn’t hang around with you and look up to you and be all grateful and stuff right.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “You don’t know shit, Cam. That’s not how it was.”
“Yeah it is the way it was and I’m not sorry for you no not a bit. Tony and Don were really proud of you for what you did and I don’t know what Don thinks now because I never did understand how he thinks but Tony thinks you’re a devious jerk who wants to hurt his son and he’s right.”

“I don’t think you’re –“

Cutting him off fast, Cam yelled, “I don’t care what you think now or why you did it because you’re going to stop it and you’re going to help me and you’re going to quit fucking with family. For some reason that I don’t get Tony and Don haven’t taken you down yet maybe because Tony’s got other problems and I don’t know about Don but it’s over.”
Gabe seemed to regroup, looked down, then came right back. “If Tony had a problem with me, he’d be here himself! He doesn’t send his baby sister out to take care of business for him! Let’s say you’re right – I’m not saying you are, but ok, what do you want from me?”
“I want everything about that woman, every single thing, who she likes, where the money comes from, everything!”

“All right,” Gabe said quietly, flat, cool voice. “Let’s say I go along with this. It won’t be for you and it won’t be for Rafe."

The music from the stereo downstairs pounded up through the floor, loud, the walls vibrating with the beat. The light outside had begun to fade.

“Victoria York. Start with that. You go start with her and let me work. I’m not Rafe’s keeper and I’m not going to pick up his pieces. But you made your point. Now get out of here Cam.”

Bay View, Marina District

Camilla loitered around the Marina for three days, looking for Victoria York, figuring the woman would get mad and do something she could take advantage of. It had started off interesting, lots of extremely good looking guys…but it got boring. If she hadn’t had high grade prey in mind, the boredom would have driven her out after the second day…have to be patient when you’re hunting, though.
Late in the afternoon, an older blonde woman walked in and strode purposefully up to the desk where she began to berate the clerk about the poor service she’d received from one of the staff, Rafe Taylor. “He doesn’t work here anymore, Miss York,” the desk woman told her, “and I’m sorry if you weren’t pleased.”
Finally….
Cam eased up off the couch and walked casually towards her.
Stepping to one side, she bumped up against the woman, who glared at her and threw up her arms as if she’d been touched by a dirty animal.

Victoria swung around, tight, hard expression on her face. Cam looked back at her with considerable interest. So this was it. What in the hell did she have on Rafe? He'd never take a second look at an old evil skinny bitch like her. Wonder if she caught the family resemblance…very good possibility considering the look in her eyes, something uneasy there.
“Are you a member?” Victoria demanded.

Cam laughed. “In this place? Darling you have to be kidding and the stairmaster can do wonders for that flat butt you know you should check it out.” With a frosty look, Victoria turned her back to her and went on off upstairs.
Cam waited until she was gone, then sauntered up to the desk. The desk clerk looked at her warily. “You’ve been here three days,” she said, “have you made up your mind about a membership?” “Well I was about to say I really love your place it has a great bar but you know what that woman who was just here complaining about Rafe Taylor, did you know she’s hitting on the guys who work here?”
The desk woman stared at her. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I said she’s hitting on the guys who work here and if they don’t go out with her then she files complaints just look it up she’s got lots of complaints doesn’t she?”
“I can’t divulge that kind of information.”
“You look it up though and you’ll see I’m right and you know what? I don’t want to belong to a place that’s going to get a sexual harassment suit filed against it. You know what I mean? That’s just bad it’s just not the kind of thing I like. You understand I mean who wants to go someplace where they hit on you when you’re all sweaty and wearing not much. So no thanks I don’t think I’ll join. Maybe it would be a good idea to cancel the membership of someone who does that kind of thing I think it would be a good idea anyway. Don’t you?”
The desk woman stared, open mouth. “I don’t understand…”
Cammie sighed. “The woman is hitting on your male staff and threatening them when they won’t screw her. Is that plain enough for you? You get it yet?”

The woman’s expression changed from puzzled to horrified. “Thank you…we’ll certainly look into it –“
Without waiting to hear any more, Cam turned and walked out the door.
It was good for a laugh, Camilla thought as she slid into her car, but not much more than that. She needed a lot more. Maybe Gabe had something better than this…he’d had a couple of days…ok, Gabe sweetie, come through with the big stuff… cousin Cammie’s coming down on you…

Bay View, Beach District

Cam pulled into her drive to find Gabe’s car parked out at the curb, but he wasn’t sitting there waiting for her.
The front door was open – she was certain she’d locked it before she left. “Gabe? Are you in here?”

"Outside,” came the short reply, distant, sounded like he was up on the deck.

Irritated, she went out and up the stairs to the upper deck. “How’d you get in here?” she demanded.
Wearing swim trunks and holding a drink in one hand, Gabe looked perfectly at ease.
He took a sip and replied casually, “Through the door.”
“It was locked.”

He put down the empty glass, walked over to the end of the deck and pulled out a chair. “That slowed me down, you’re right.”

“Asshole you do NOT go breaking into my house!”

He flashed a grin at her. “Have a seat Cam. Let’s talk.”

"You look really comfortable. Just made yourself right at home didn’t you? Mind if I change I think I’m going swimming.”

"I don’t care what you do. Take your time.”

Muttering, Cammie went back down, changed, and stomped back upstairs. “That’s a swimsuit?” Gabe commented. “It looks like underwear.”

"So what if it is? What are you some kind of fashion editor now? What’re you doing here? What have you got for me?” Gabe leaned back. “What’s the objective here Cam?”

“What do you mean what’s the objective? I thought I was pretty clear about that.”

"I’ve got nothing on Vickie York, nothing I can deal with. You need an accountant or a lawyer to get into her finances – there’s something there that doesn’t look right but I don’t know enough about it to figure it out.”

“That’s it? That’s all the great Gabe could come up with you tell me to go outsource it or something?” she yelled.

"You asked me to look at everything. I’m going to tell you right now that I’ve got something, but it’s not on her.” He paused, looked over her shoulder, a brooding, uneasy expression on his face. “I need to talk to Tony.”

“Why?”

“Two things. I’m going to start with the easy one, just for you, sweet Cam. The nanny. Did you know she worked for Chris Paolini before she started working for Tony?”

“How would I know that and so what?”

"Come on, Cammie, you’ve got plenty of contacts. Don’t you know who he is?”

The man on the deck and the broken shoe….“I think I met him the other night.”

Gabe leaned forward. “What’s that mean? You screwed him? That might not be a good thing right now.”
She laughed. “No I’m saving that one for a special occasion like my birthday. Ok I get it I remember him. Yeah, you probably do need to talk to Tony but not until you know what you’re talking about.”
“He’s got an ex-wife,” Gabe said smoothly. “It won’t be a problem for me to find out what happened. But there’s something else. What do you know about that car accident, the one where Gen was hurt?”
Surprised, Cam didn’t immediately respond. “I don’t know anything. Is this still about the nanny how could she have anything to do with that?” “I changed subjects. Listen to me. Isn’t it a coincidence that the brakes failed on that car right after Tony got Rafe away from Eden? What if it wasn’t an accident? And what if Gen wasn’t the target?”

She stared at him, then laughed outright. “You’re crazy! You think Eden crawled under the car and poked a hole in something?”

"Not personally.” Gabe stood up. “I’m leaving. I’ll talk to you later.”

“That’s it then?”

“That’s it for now Cam. You deal with Vicky York any way you want. I can’t fix Rafe’s problem, and I didn’t set him up. The son of a bitch is better off where he is right now, let things cool down, get some TLC from his girlfriend. I’m going to follow the leads I’ve got."

"You can’t just drop it like this!”

Gabe took his time, standing there looking at her, small smile which vanished almost immediately. “I’ll be in touch.”

-----------------------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 9

Chapter 7 - Rafe's Journal 7 Part 8 - Crash

2007-09-28T12:22:00.002-04:00

South Beach - Griggio Residence

A couple of days later I got the call to meet up with a Robin Griggio.

Bunch of status palaces and wannabes, I thought, complete sour, black mood. I’d had to drive here in the rain, which stopped about 30 seconds after I parked my bike outside this damned place. If I’d slept more than three hours in any night…less than that probably. Had nightmares eating at my brain when I did sleep.

Tired and wet, I banged on the damned door a couple of times before I saw a redhead walk through the foyer.
"Good afternoon. You must be Rafe. Please follow me."

At this point, I guess I’m the stud dog. Heel. Sit. Sure, follow her.

She sat down on a couch in what I guess was the living room. “You certainly are an incredible specimen. Victoria was not exaggerating – very refined face for someone with such a body.”
Now that was about the worst pick up line I’ve ever heard. Insulting. I’d never waste a minute on a woman like her. If I had my choice. Which I guess I didn’t.

"I've heard a great deal about you. I don't, however, think you know much about me. Please sit down. Let's get to know each other shall we?"
She was obviously waiting for me to sit down. Get to know her? I did not want to get to know her. I deliberately sat in a chair on the other side of the room. She just looked at me, batted her eyelids slow a few times and then started talking.
"You've been highly recommended, Rafe. I'm a very difficult woman to please."
Didn’t give her anything. I sat there and stared at her, thinking maybe she ought to invest in a personal appliance if she’s all that difficult to please.
“My husband is much older than I am; he is, unfortunately, unsatisfactory in bed. I have needs, Rafe, that must be fulfilled. If you have the skills, I will reward you for them."

"Please, join me over here will you? You'll be more comfortable."
“I can hear you just fine from here,” I retorted. “Let’s cut the crap about my comfort. What do you want?”
She looked taken aback. Too damned bad. Either she took what I came with or she didn’t. I sure wasn’t here because I wanted anything she had.

"Let me make my expectations clear. I have a rather voracious appetite for sex. My husband is incompetent in that area. He does however have other assets that I find appealing. I require oral sex and understand you are proficient in that area. I immensely enjoy giving it as well. I will also require intercourse."

Cold to the bone, more turned off than I’d even been with Victoria, I leaned back and looked at her. I’d grown up around women like her. Hated all of them with a more voracious passion than she could imagine. I didn’t say anything.
She got up and looked at me, waiting. "Do you have any questions?"

“No,” I said flatly.

"I am extraordinarily demanding when it comes to sexual pleasure, Rafe. Let's get started. Follow me please."

I followed her, suddenly hot, breaking out in a slick sweat, then cold. I realized I was completely freaking out. Felt like somebody was going to jump me from behind, hyper alert, something close to panic. Even mechanically, I didn’t think this was going to work no matter what she did.
Long narrow room almost completely draped with some kind of silk curtains, it made me feel like I was locked in a woman’s closet.

Don’t know whether than unusual outfit she was wearing came with Velcro or something, but she already had it off and was standing there, looking impatient. “Get undressed,” she told me, “I don’t have all day. My husband will be home in a few hours.”

Why yes ma’m…right away…increasingly off balance, I stumbled trying to pull everything off. She grabbed me while I was still trying to stand up and immediately dove into a passionate, open-mouthed kiss.
It felt like I was being sucked underwater and tongued by a big and not very appealing fish.

She stretched out on the bed. Almost shaking, I lay down next to her. Thought about it. Did nothing.

“You certainly are slow to get started,” she complained.
That was it. I sat up, breathing hard, rage so intense, I couldn’t look at her. “Sorry,” I said abruptly. “I don’t feel well. I’m leaving.”

Robin almost jumped out of that bed, strode around it, got in my way and stared at me. “Surely you’re not serious.”
“Yeah, I am.” Trying to get around her to get my clothes without touching her again. Had enough.

“This isn’t at all acceptable.”
If she didn’t get out of my way fast, I was going to shove her aside. “You know what? If you don’t want me making a mess on your pretty floor, you’ll stay out of my way. I meant it. I’m sick.”
She seemed to consider that. “Wonder if Heather could have given you something… well, if you’re really ill, I suppose we can reschedule.”

Not in my lifetime. Had to get the hell out of there now. Heart racing so fast that I did almost feel sick.

“I’m going to be sick for a long time,” I muttered.

“I’ll be in touch,” she called after me.

God, I can’t do this, I thought, got on my bike and left rubber on her driveway trying to get the hell away from there.

South Beach University

I got back, trying to ignore the messages I’d got from Gayl on my cell. I’d been avoiding her. Around her, I was having problems hiding what I feel. She’d know something was wrong. I was going to screw up her life along with mine. Everything coming down on me.
I walked around for a while, trying to think. This was not going to work. I could not keep doing this. Better to try to come clean with her. I was going to lose her. I knew it. But keep doing this? So damned tired, and everything inside me was fracturing into pieces.
I’d bought some shit, on the street, a couple of weeks ago, that I hadn’t tried. Supposed to be Valium or Xanax, something like that. Hadn’t used it, not yet, but I wanted to get everything out of my head. For one night. Make it go away. I’d seen everything I think you can see in that area – my mother used some of that crap – and it didn’t look like what I thought it would. But what the hell. Take it. With a Jack Daniels chaser. Not much of a chaser since I was drinking it straight out of the bottle.

An hour after I started drinking and downed those pills, the pain started. Intense, knife carving up my belly like a holiday turkey.
I dealt with it for a couple of hours while it got worse. I kept drinking, thinking that would make it go away, but it didn’t, and I was getting so drunk I saw double. Knew I was in trouble, and I wanted out of that place so bad. But I couldn’t think what to do. Call her, asshole, I told myself. Get out of here. For good. Like she would answer the phone if she knew…
I couldn’t force myself to do it. Ashamed. I knew I screwed everything up. Was going to lose everything I cared about if I refused to go on with it, if Victoria did what she said she’d do. Yeah, she sure did have enough detail to be convincing, not that I’ve got a tattoo but couple of little sort of freckle or whatever things down there…I was so damn drunk.

Scared stupid worthless kid…that whole shit coming back at me from my mother…and I guess I was. Everything she ever called me. Total fuck up. All of it. In some black part of my mind, I thought, you know what, mother? I’m worse than you ever imagined. Does that mean you win or does that mean I win? Maybe I win...what's the prize...

Whore. Fucked three cows while they paid me…and I did it, and I could still smell them….goddamn, if I could have driven a nail through my head to forget about that…no matter how much I drank, it wouldn’t go away. Would never go away.
Didn’t exactly fight them off, did you, stud? Nooo…just figured you could get through it as quick as possible. God, that one with her hands on my ass, the other one shoving her damned tongue in my mouth….if I could do it all over again… walk out…

Curled up and put my hands over my head and screamed and hit the floor. Real useful. Just the kind of thing somebody like me would do. Hit the floor. Why don’t you try fucking the floor, idiot? Seems to be the only thing you know how to do….
Could never let anyone find out…they were going to find out….Lady V had made that very clear…Tony would know…Gayl would know…puddle of stinking dog piss on the floor to step over…
The phone started ringing. Didn’t even know what day it was anymore. I’d fucked that up, too. You’re fired, Rafe. Or, you were supposed to be here and you didn’t show, what kind of asswipe are you? But I tried, tried to answer it, what if she needed me – fucking moron, and you could do what about it if she did?
Screaming in pain, I tried to move, slide sideways, anything. Blacked out. Came to and vomited all over the floor, and couldn’t get away from that either. So now I had that all over me. Crawled, agony, couldn’t breathe except between my teeth and didn’t know how I managed that. Had to get to the phone. I swiped at the table and knocked it over, the phone fell on the ground. Shaking so hard I could hardly control my hands, I picked it up and got the dialtone. I swear that dialtone woman sounds exactly like my mother, smooth voice, giving nothing: “If you want to make a call, please hang up and try again.”
I think I was crying. Lay there for a long time. You need to move, I told myself. Do something. Are you going to lie here and die? Yeah, I wanted to, but I couldn’t do it. I started fighting it. Somehow got the phone back in my hand and hit the speed dial.
It rang. Rang and rang and fucking rang a hundred times. No answer.
Had to be a good reason why she didn’t answer. A good reason. Not the one I was afraid of. Not Paolini…might be…wouldn’t blame her….not now…Probably blacked out again. I could see daylight through the window when I looked up again.
I don't give up easily. Swearing, I hit the button again. Rang. Rang. Then she answered. And I couldn't get a damned word out.
"Rafe?" Tried again, a mutter. "Rafe, is that you? Are you all right?"

"Come get me," I got out. "baby please…"

I could hear fright in her voice now. "I'm coming. I'll be there as soon as I can. Rafe?"Frantic now. "Rafe? Answer me! Rafe?" Then nothing.
Don’t think I even hung the thing up. Dropped it, rolled back over on my side and whined like a little kid. Bad shit… never was going to be able to explain this… but didn’t care anymore…just wanted out of here. Never come back.
No idea how long it was, but I heard her knock on the door. Damn. I’d locked it. And I couldn’t get up. A few minutes maybe and glass broke. Even as bad off as I was, I thought, that’s my girl, break the damned glass and get in.
She pushed in through the door, glass crunching, I’d have to pay for that, I guess, didn’t care.

I heard her scream. “Oh God no! No! No!”
Stunned, horrified, I realized what I’d done. What the hell was I thinking to bring her into something like this? She didn’t need to deal with this…after what she’d been through?

Tried to get up or move, still couldn’t. Even if she couldn’t hear me, I tried -- “no it’s ok..”
She was crying when she knelt down beside me. “Rafe? Can you hear me? Look at me baby; open your eyes. Rafe? It's me. I'm here.”
I looked up at her and whispered out of a dry throat, “Get me out of here. Take me home.”
“You’re alive…” Still crying, but there was a change in her voice. Calmer. Determined. “It’s all right…no...no… hush… don’t worry…I’m taking you out of here…it’s going to be all right, Rafe.”

I don’t even clearly remember the next few hours; think I fell asleep in the car. It was such a damned relief to get away from there. When I woke up, I had a disoriented couple of seconds, couldn’t figure out where I was, and when I realized I was in her bedroom, all the depression came right back down on me.
Carefully, unsteady, I got up. Although I didn’t remember it, she must have dumped me in the shower since at least I was clean.

I had to get my bike back. I didn’t know anyone but Tony who could drive it, which meant I had to call him. What the hell was I going to do?
Stumbling around the bed, I bumped into the table with my bare foot, which hurt, and I must have yelped. I heard her footsteps on the stairs, light and quick, and the door opened. For a second or two I stood there looking at her, that rush of emotion. I tried to shove it aside but I couldn’t. “Hi,” I said.
She held onto me, and I held onto her, tight, consumed with so much emotional shit, some of it so good, some of it so damned bad. “I have to talk to you,” I whispered. “I screwed up.”
There was already anxiety in her face, and I saw it increase. “You need to sit down,” she said. “Do you want to try to go downstairs?”

“Yeah, outside maybe. I need to put something on first.”

It was tearing me apart. If I didn’t tell her and she found out, she’d think something that wasn’t true. If I did…well, I know how I’d react if it was the other way around. It wouldn’t be good.
I pulled on a pair of jeans she’d bought for me, my hands still shaking so much I couldn’t even button up the damned things, and got down the stairs and made it to the bench on the deck without falling over. Weak as a day old puppy.
Sat down next to her, and though I knew I probably shouldn’t, reached over and kissed her, as long as I wanted, which was a long time. Might be the last one I got.
“I love you,” I told her. “No matter what, you need to know that. I love you so much.”
She gave me a long look, but there was something in her expression I hadn’t anticipated. Something, I don’t know, protective maybe. It was as if she was gearing up to get angry, but not necessarily at me.
Wrapping her arms around me, she asked, “What’s wrong? What happened to you?”
Took a deep breath and looked out at the back yard. At least I’d given her that hot tub she liked. Not much else of any use. “I got involved in something. I got stuck in it and I …well, I’m not going to say I couldn’t get out, because I could, but I thought I could deal with it. I didn’t want you to get hurt.” I glanced at her. “I’m sorry. This is going to hurt. It’s bad”

“Then you’d better get it over with… and Rafe, I love you. I didn’t scrape you up off the floor yesterday only to kick you back down.”
“All right,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure that was true. You can break someone’s trust and break it permanently, no way to even find all the pieces, much less put them back together. And it’s not always the thing you expect that will do it. Done it and had it done to me, too.

Whether or not this was one of times, I started in on it.

-------------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 8

Chapter 7 - Rafe's Journal 7 Part 6 - Descent

2007-09-27T16:49:00.004-04:00

Author's Note: This chapter is graphic. It was difficult to shoot and I took no pleasure in it. The material will undoubtedly be offensive to some people.
______________________________________________

South Beach - York Residence

Feeling better about things, at least I had a place to live, not worrying too much about it, I drove over to Victoria’s place the next day.

"Rafe, punctual as always.” She paused, just looking me over.

I was wondering why she hadn't changed into her gym clothes, when she said, “I think it’s time we discussed our arrangement.”

It always felt cold in her house. Maybe that wall of glass between the living room and all that pool water. Too much cold air blowing out of the vents. Something. My skin crawled in that place. And the frost lady didn’t warm up the temperature. Whatever, I had to deal with it. “All right. I’m listening. What’s the arrangement?”
She turned to look at me, stone cold bitch stare. "Perhaps I haven't been making myself clear to you, Rafe. I'll be more direct. I want to have sex with you. And I am willing to make it financially worth your while."

I stared at her. The proposition was ridiculous. In any other situation, I would have laughed at her. I’d guessed it from the day I met her, but it was still unbelievable. “No,” I told her, very calm, trying to be nice about it. “You want sex, go talk to my cousin Gabe. He won’t charge you for it.” From the look that had passed between the two of them that day, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already tried her out.
She smiled. “I know who he is. And I know who you are. Why so shy?”

Stuck up bitch. She reminded me a lot of my mother, which made me even queasier about it. “If I wanted you, you’d know it. I said no.”
"You didn't really think I was paying you this kind of money because I wanted to be more fit did you? This is the way it works, Rafe. Mutually beneficial. You really have no reason to be concerned – I am the picture of discretion. There’s no reason for anyone to know. And I do have quite a lot to offer. "
No damned way. Wait… think… I needed the money… don’t insult the bitch right off… try to manage this. I told her again, carefully. “I can’t do that for you. I’ve got someone else, and even if I didn’t, I'm not interested. No insult, but I'm not.”
She stepped back slightly, gave me that frosty look and said, "You have a roof over your head that I was able to provide for you, Rafe. You don't appreciate that? You could just as easily be out on the street tomorrow. Things happen, don't they? But if I get what I need, you keep what you need."
Things happen… fucking A things happen, but not that kind of things. Since when did I get that damned low? I couldn’t believe she was serious. "Let me get this straight…you're forcing me to have sex with you?"
She got real close, cool stare, breathy voice. "Again, let me be clear. I wouldn't dream of forcing you to do anything darling. The way I see it, you have a choice. You have sex with me now or you find another place to live."
She laughed …almost like Eden. Same bitch goddess attitude. So this was the deal? I fuck her or I get tossed out on my ass to go beg for help, again, from Tony? Or Gayl? Like another kid...couldn't do that... I thought about it for a second, about as angry as I’ve ever been in my life. Not that it was a big surprise. Just another goddamned woman, I told myself. You've done plenty of them -- most of the time you didn't even like them. What's the difference?
That it had been my choice, obviously. All right, I'd make it my choice this time, too. Humiliate the bitch if I could.
Stared at her. Can’t tell you what my voice sounded like at that point. Hope to hell you could rip a hole in a wall with it. “If you have to pay for it,” I snarled at her, “that’s pretty fucking pathetic. You want me? It’s going to cost you more than that damned rental. How much do you have?”
Stand off. For a minute I thought, hoped, that she didn’t want it that much. I was wrong. "Enough,” she said. “I think we understand each other now. Now let's see what you've got."

I shut down, hard. No idea if she actually thought all she had to do was touch me and I’d jump her, but I’d never been less attracted to a woman.
Complaining, she said, “You might at least feign interest for what I’m paying you.”

Enraged, I grabbed her hair, tightened my hands in it until I know it hurt her. "I'm sure you've read the manual, lady," I growled. "You figure out how to turn on the fucking ignition. That's your problem." Damn, if I could have done it with a bag over my head. Terrible sex in a cold room that had me shivering. I got through it as fast as I could.
Without saying a thing more to her, I finished, scrubbed myself down before I threw up, and got out of there. The only person I hated more than her right then was myself.

I showed up at my usual time at the York place. Dragged myself up the stairs and collected my money for 'services rendered'. I started out the door when Victoria stopped me. "There will be a slight change for next time, Rafe." I looked at her wondering what I could possibly do to the bitch that I hadn't already done.

"I have a client, another member of the Marina. She's purchased your 'personal training' package. You'll be seeing her instead of me next time. Of course if she benefits from your expertise, we'll fit her into your schedule as a regular."
What? So now the arrangement included lending me out? "You're joking right?"
She just looked at me, that tight grin and icy look. "Perhaps I neglected to mention it before. There may be others from time to time. Of course if you choose to sever our arrangement…well I think we've already discussed the consequences of that haven't we?"
Felt cold, exposed, still standing there naked in her bedroom, her territory, didn’t give me much of a psychological advantage. “No deal,” I told her flatly. “It's bad enough screwing you. I’m through with this. I’m done."
That tight, pinched face hardened. “I believe you are already in the public eye, darling. That video? Which is charming, by the way. Can you imagine what will happen if this arrangement comes to the attention of, let’s say, your girlfriend?”
I’m dead, I thought, sick, horrified. “You fucking bitch…you planned this…”
She actually laughed. “There’s no reason to upset yourself, Rafe. You can walk away if you choose. Pity though…I understand she's a lovely woman. My attorney, Chris Paolini, has spoken very highly of her. Have you heard of him… and darling, sorry to say, you've seen it haven't you? The way she reacts to him?”
Everything came into real clear focus. I took a breath, waited, trying to think. Rage. I know how to deal with that. Gayl and Paolini? I was struggling. I’d seen it. I’d like to deny it, but I’m not an idiot. How in hell did she know about that? Not useful, ditch it. If I had to play defense, for now, and it was temporary, I’d figure a way out, I’d do it. Carefully, I said, "I've heard of him."
"I understand he is quite taken with her. He's quite a formidable man; very…unusual tendencies…so I hear."
Yeah, that son of a bitch and his tendencies…one of these days he was going to lose a piece of them, and if there was any way I could get in on that action…

“Listen to me,” I told her. “And you had better listen carefully. You can go suck his unusual tendencies all you want, if he’ll let you. If you want to force this, it won’t last. Not with me. You have one shot here, woman. One. You just took it. You won’t get another.”
Don’t think she expected that. She stepped back half a step. “Are you threatening me, Rafe?”
“I’m clarifying my position,” I said. “You take it any way you want to take it. As long as you understand what I’m saying. You stay away from her. Is that clear? Is there something you don’t get?”
If she had even the slightest amount of emotion, it completely drained from her. She looked at me hard. "Any hurt that is inflicted on your girl will come from your doing, not mine."
She stepped closer. "You underestimate his appeal. That coupled the detail I can give her, and I can provide explicit detail, will send her running to his sympathetic broad shoulder. I have reason to believe she’s already attracted to him…That's where you send her if you walk away, Rafe. Your choice."
So I hurt her or I do something I don’t want to do. Not much of a choice. Whether or not I believed she would go running to Paolini… Would she? Well, look at me, only marginally trustworthy…that would just about wreck it… Stony, I said, "Where do I have to go?"
"That's a good boy. I knew you wouldn't mind. Her name is Heather Montclair. This is the address. Be on time."
Cold ass bitch. “You,” I told her, “are the worst fuck I’ve ever had. No wonder you have to pay for it.”

South Beach - Montclair

I showed up at the Montclair estate. Modern, sterile. Brought my gym bag just in case, although I figured that was a waste of time. No way I could misunderstand the reason I was there.
I rang the bell and a thin blonde answered the door. "Well hi! You must be Rafe! I'm Heather! I've heard so much about you from V. Come on in! Gosh you really have a hot body!"
My first impression? Small brainless dog running in circles looking for something. Guess that was me. If she'd been a Chihuahua she'd have humped my leg by now. "You want to show me where the exercise room is?"

I've never heard a grown woman giggle but that's what she did. "Sure, just follow me; it's right this way."

I followed her up the stairs past the equipment and straight into a bedroom which was more masculine then I thought she would have liked.

She turned and looked at me. "I was a dancer at one time. Do you dance Rafe? I line dance. Every Monday. And I study ballet."
She started taking off her clothes. "It keeps me fit. Don't you think I'm fit? My husband doesn't seem to appreciate my body. You appreciate it don't you Rafe?"

Couldn’t believe she wanted me to say anything, so I didn’t. What the hell was I going to say? I don’t want to be here. I don’t do ballet or line dancing. I don’t give a shit about you or your body or your husband. And you need to give up on the dancing and eat something. Damn…
“Yeah, that’s great,” I told her. She ignored me. I started looking out the window, anywhere. I just wanted to get it over with, get my money and get out of there.

"He spends most of his time at his 'gentlemen's club' instead of with me. This is his bedroom."

He had his own bedroom? Probably couldn't sleep with that mouth running all the time.
She pulled my shirt off and started to undo my pants. "I want you to fuck me in his bed Rafe."
She pulled my pants down and decided to spend some time checking out the equipment. She had some minimal ability, enough to get me up anyway. First time she shut up since I got there. Even then she wasn't quiet.
After a bit she stood up, grabbed my ass and pulled me toward the bed. "Your turn," she said, "and then I want you to fuck me real hard."
That wasn't a stretch for me. Angry as I was…bony bitch can bear the brunt of it. And she liked it. Kept grabbing me, pulling me hard into her.
I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. "I need my money," I told her. "Sure! It's down in the kitchen."

Followed her back down the stairs. Chattering the whole time. "You know, I told V. if I liked you I'd make arrangements for regular visits. I really like you. You have a really great body. And I also told her about a friend of mine who would really benefit from your attention."

Regular visits? I stared at her. Said nothing. Idiot woman probably wouldn’t even get it if I insulted her, but she was a total turnoff, one-time fuck. I didn’t want to be there – she needed a lot more than she’d shown me so far to make it work a second time. I had to get out of this.

She handed me an envelope with cash in it. Then she took out another one.
"My friend really needs your expertise. I'll pay you extra. It will be our little secret. Say you'll do it Rafe. Please?" She held the envelope out to me.

Looked at it for a long time. Completely humiliated, I took it and stuffed it in my pocket without saying a word and started for the door. "Victoria will make the arrangements and let you know the place and time. Bye bye Rafe! I'll see you next time!"

South Beach University

I got back to the doghouse, probably should have showered with bleach, but I washed until my skin hurt, too tired to go back upstairs to find something to wear. It was dark anyway.
If I could just lie down for a few minutes and sleep and think about something else. Self destructive thoughts racing around my head like crazy cars, crashing against nothing but leaving a smoking, bloody trail.
Lights off, I lay there, so tired.

“Please don’t do this,” I think I whispered, losing it I guess, into the dark empty air. And finally did sleep. At least I didn’t dream.

-------------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 7, Part 7

Chapter 7 - Rafe's Journal 7 Part 3 - Fire

2007-09-26T18:25:00.003-04:00

I parked my bike down the street, because, yeah, my house was on fire. Burning? It was a torch, flames blowing out of every window, every floor. I stood there, stupid, staring at it. Everything gone, from what I could see. What the hell? But all the furniture I needed, everything, all gone. Couldn’t even think.

The heat was overwhelming. Trees started to catch fire and go up, burning leaves flying around in the air. The smell…

The firetruck had arrived, not that I thought there was much they could do except prevent it from spreading.
Trying to keep my distance from it – there was nothing I could do – I saw someone run from the back toward the front, a cop closing on her. Mallory.

“I wanted to light a candle to you!” she was screaming at me. “I love you! I wanted to light a candle to you! A candle to our love!”

A candle? She lit a damned candle? If the force of the heat hadn’t kept me back, and I couldn’t understand how she could stand there next to it, I think I would have killed the bitch. What had I done to her? Taken her to bed once, one time, and she begged me for it....

Numb...I stood there in that blast furnace and couldn't think at all.

“I’ve got a room,” Josh shouted over the incredible noise. “You know I'm graduating. I'm out of here in a couple of weeks. I kicked Gabe out. You've got a room until you find something else. No issues. Ok?"
“Yeah,” I said... Inadequate, stupid response, but all I could come up. “Thanks.”

He hesitated a second. “You ok? Want me to stick around?”

“No, no you go on.”

After dealing with what I couldn’t deal with, the place was a total loss, I spent the night at Josh’s place. He was as good as his word. Quiet. Nothing going on. No sign of Gabe.
I got up the next morning and called Victoria. “Hi, sorry to wake you up.”

“Oh you didn’t wake me up.”

“I need to move into another place immediately. There was a fire.”
“A fire? I’m so sorry! Let’s see, that place I was talking about…I can get you into that today…now you understand that it’s a bit out of your price range…we’ll need to discuss how to handle that.”
I heard Josh yell: “I’m going to class. There’s food in the fridge.”
Someday I had to make it up to him. For everything. Best friend I’d ever had.
“I want the place,” I told her. I wasn’t going to make life hard for Josh. “What do I need to do?”

“Don’t worry about it, dear,” she said. “Meet me there in two hours, at the address I emailed you.”

Now the harder call. Since the place was empty, I put the phone on speaker, and punched in Tony’s number, hoping he was at home for a change.
It rang a couple of times, then he answered. “Hi,” I said. “Yeah, I guess something is wrong – somebody burned down my house last night. No, I’m ok, I wasn’t there, but it’s a total loss, yeah – everything – yeah, I know who did it, it was this girl –“
And I heard him yell, loud enough that I could have heard it upstairs. Probably across the street. “Wait a minute!” I yelled back at him. “I didn’t do a damn thing! I went out with her once! One time! She’s crazy! And I don’t have a single thing now, clothes, books, nothing!”
There was a long pause. “What do you need?” he asked me, in a much calmer voice. “I’ll be there this afternoon.”

If there’s anyone I can always count on, it’s my father. And I was trying to turn my life around, more for my own satisfaction than his, but I didn’t like disappointing him. I’ll never forget what he did for me. Never.
I met Victoria at the rental – still wasn’t sure what she planned on “working out”. It was even more depressingly small than I remembered, but what the hell. She had just unlocked the door and was taking a quick walk through the place when Tony drove up.

I went out to the curb to talk to him. He was looking around with a bemused expression on his face. “Not really your style,” he said, then asked “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t home. It’s a bitch to lose all my stuff, though.” “I brought clothes, a laptop – no, it’s ok, I’ll get another one – some food. And a check.” Tony shook his head. “There’s more to this than you’re telling me, but I’m not going to pile on at this point. Whose car is that?”
“The realtor. The landlady, I guess. She owns the place.” He gave me a long look. “Landlady, Rafe? No more problems, all right? Ok, help me haul all this inside.”
Tony set the laptop down inside and was turning around when I heard Victoria coming down the stairs.
“Well, hello, “she said to Tony, glancing from him to me and back again. Something in Tony’s expression changed slightly. She looked surprised. “I’m Victoria York.” Tony looked at her, nodded briefly. “Tony Lombardo,” he said coolly. “Rafe’s father.”

"His father?" Stupid woman looked she was starting to sweat into that blouse, which didn’t suit her anyway. She had even less chance with him than she had with me. Less than zero. "I would have guessed older brother, but the apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree, did it? Rafe looks just like you."
He just looked at her, then turned his back to her and said to me, “Can I talk to you outside for a minute?”

I followed him out, caught Victoria continuing to look at him, which was pretty funny.

Tony looked back at the house, then said to me quietly, “Watch yourself, Rafe.” Nonplussed, I told him, “I will.”

“I mean it. You’re out of your depth here. She’s no college girl. Be careful.”
I went back inside. I needed a shower, and I wanted to put things in some kind of order. And I needed to call Gayl. Hadn’t even told her yet. Impatient for Victoria to leave. And she had a tight look on her face – Tony’s unenthusiastic reaction, probably.
“Thanks,” I told her. “So what do I owe you extra for doing this?” “I’ll discuss it with you tomorrow,” she said. “I’ll expect you as usual.”
Did I believe I was “out of my depth”? No. I could handle this woman. “I’ll see you then,” I said, trying to come up with a way to tell her to get out and leave me alone. “I’ll be looking forward to it.” She left, looking back at me with a small smile.
With a feeling of relief, I watched her leave, and then went to make the phone call I wanted to make.

----------------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 7, Part 4

Chapter 7 - Rafe's Journal 7 Part 2 - The Doghouse

2007-09-25T19:41:00.003-04:00

South Beach University

The next morning, before I was even fully awake, I got her call.
“Yeah, “I said fuzzily, “today is fine. Can you meet me here?”

I took a shower and called Gayl, uncomfortable and uneasy, and got no answer. Could be anything, I told myself, anything; but I was in no good mood when Victoria showed up.
“Who paid for this?” she said when she walked in, strolling around, looking at everything. “This is unusually upscale for a college rental. An elevator?” Turning, she gave me an assessing look. “Do I know your family?”
Edgy, I responded without answering her question. “Can we get this moving? I have things I need to do today.”
She didn’t let it go. Keen, avid smile on her face, which wasn’t attractive. “Taylor? Do not tell me you’re Senator Taylor’s son...and he's not financing you anymore?”
Without moving, I stared right back. “You’ve got it. My mother’s Eden Taylor. I told you I have things to do. And the money is none of your business -- I've got limited funds, that's all. Are you going to show me the rentals or not?”

Long, slow smile. “This is even more interesting than I thought…I don’t make you nervous, do I?”

She had to be kidding. If she wanted to talk about nerves…I leaned in towards her and said very softly, right up in her face, as close as I could get without touching her, making sure she could feel my breath on her face, right up on her mouth, “I want to look at the lots. That’s why you’re here. Isn’t it?”
Damn right she reacted. I saw that. Stupid bitch playing mind games with me.
And I turned around and walked out of the house. “Let’s go,” I said.
We drove up in front of one of the smallest places I’ve ever seen. Doghouse.

I got out of the car and stood there looking at it. “This is a piece of shit.”
Victoria put her hand on my shoulder, a personal invasion of my space I didn’t appreciate. “Dear, I’m trying to help you, but I’m not sure you can even afford this. You need to be realistic.”

All right. I’m spoiled. But if this is it, then it is. “How much?” I asked her.
She told me. I don’t sweat easily, but I could feel it start. She was right. I couldn’t afford it.

“Well, thanks for your time, I’ll have to figure out something else,” I said.
She stood there, looking at me. “I have another place, the same model, but it’s been rehabbed. It might give you a little more room. The price is the same. And since I own it, I might be able to do something for you.”
I was starting to feel trapped, and I didn't like it. "Like what?" “I’ll come up with something. I certainly don’t want to see you out on the street. Let me drive you back, and I’ll work on it and call you.”

After she dropped me off, I went outside and took a long look at everything. Played a last game of pool. Paced. At least I could scavenge most of the furniture, which would save me some money. Victoria’s “deal”, whatever it was, didn’t feel right. I wanted to go see Gayl. Was burning up to go, but I didn’t. Uneasy. Not about her, but everything else put me off. I was already worried about being the “kid”. She didn’t need to know about my problems. That’s all she needed, one more kid to take care of. It wasn’t going to be me.
I was dropping I was so tired. When the alarm when off, almost crawled out, dressed, went to class.
I was trying to cram in the library when I looked up and saw Amanda. She sat down in a chair directly across from me and just looked at me.

One of the last people in the world I wanted to deal with. It was hot in the room. Already feeling pressured and physically uncomfortable, I kept working for a minute. Finally threw down my pen.

“Do you want something?” I asked her.

“You were going to dump me anyway,” she said.

So that's what this was about. The chair was digging into my back, which already hurt -- must have pulled something at the gym yesterday. I didn't have a lot of time to spare to deal with her, and I had a lot of anger I didn't want to look at, think about.

“You could have had any guy here,” I retorted. “You didn’t have to hook up with Gabe.”

“You hurt me.”

Surprised, I stared at her. Not what I'd expected from Amanda. Honestly, I didn't think anyone could hurt her. “You’re telling me you went back with him to get back at me?”

“That was part of it.”
I looked down at my book, then said, “Well, it worked. Good strike on your part.”
“It’s not permanent, Rafe.”
What a joke...anything with Gabe being permanent. I laughed, even though it wasn’t particularly funny. “No, I guess not.”
“Your girlfriend, is that permanent?”

Now that took me back. I could not believe where she was steering this. I’d never trust her again, and couldn't believe she didn't know that. “Doesn’t matter, Amanda. We’re done. Not after Gabe.”

My cell started vibrating. I glanced down, saw it was Josh, which was strange. “I’ve got to take this,” I told her, and got up and turned around.
He was shouting. “Rafe, man, your place is on fire! I can see it from here!”
“What?” Stunned. “It’s on fire?”

“It’s on fire! No shit!”
“I’ll be right there.” Hung up, stared stupidly at Amanda. “Gotta go, apparently my house is on fire.”

“On fire? Do you want me to go with you?”
I don’t trust women in general. I didn’t love her, never had, but I’d trusted her at least to some extent. That was gone. “No. Like I told you, I’d get over almost anything, but not that. It’s all gone for me. Leave me alone, Amanda.”

Turned away from her, angry, hot, to go find out who or what was burning down my damned house.

-------------------------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 7, Part 3

Chapter 7 - Rafe's Journal 7 Part 1 - Intersection

2007-09-25T18:44:00.003-04:00

South Beach University

Fall semester was 3 weeks away. The last rent payment made on the place I was living. I’d looked at a couple of situations – room for rent, room about the size of my locker with a single bed. And I ran into not entirely unexpected resistance even with those places – guys seemed reluctant to let me near their girlfriends, and I really wasn’t interested in living with a bunch of women. Yeah, I know…but it’s not worth the trouble.
I kept working. Burning up the gas driving back and forth from the beach but I wasn’t going to stop that. Everything else was on the table but that. I’d drop out before I lost her.

Bay View - Marina District

Work at the gym was going ok. Hard, not a lot of money, but I could do it. And it kept me from worrying about where the hell I was supposed to live in two weeks..

Late afternoon, middle of the week, I was tired, wanted to clean up and go home.

I was about to go shower and get out when a woman came up and said to me, “I purchased the personal trainer package. They said you’re available.”

Irritated, I looked at her, and back towards the desk. Someone should have asked if I was “available”. No one there.
“All right, “ I said, taking a look at the woman. She wasn’t in bad shape. I was tired, hungry, but I was always hungry since I wasn’t eating much, trying to cut back on spending money wherever I could. “Sure. My name’s Rafe.”

“I’m Victoria York,” she said. Sleek blonde. Rich probably. That smooth voice with a purr in it.

God. Not again. I knew that tone.
I pushed past it. They were all like that here anyway. “You want to set up a schedule?” I asked her.
“I was thinking more on the line of a private arrangement at my home,” she said. “I’m not comfortable with disrobing in a gym.”

Disrobing? “I don’t do private schedules at private homes,” I told her flatly, wary and already turned off.
“I can offer several times more than what the gym offers, if you could stop by for an hour a couple of times a week.”

I thought I knew what this was about, but I could be wrong, and I could use the money. And I could walk away from any move she intended to put on me. I couldn’t discuss some kind of private arrangement here, though.
Grabbing a business card from the desk, I scribbled my phone number on it and gave it to her. “I’ll think about it. Call me and we’ll talk.”

Decided to forget about the shower. I could clean up later. I walked out, the woman following me, but maybe she had someplace to go.
And there was Gabe. I hadn’t seen Gabe in a long time. I hardly recognized him. He’d grown his hair, been sitting out by the pool judging by the tan.

He looked at me, that same direct stare, then looked at the woman. She stopped and looked right back at him. Little thing going on between them, as far as I could see, but he walked on in, and she walked on off.
Before I could take another step, someone called my name. “Hi Rafe."

Amanda. I’d been putting this off a long time, and it was time to end it. “Amanda,” I said, not with any enthusiasm, “got a minute?”
She looked past me, over my shoulder, as if she was looking for someone. “I guess so.”

I still liked her. She was a good friend. If I hurt her, I wasn’t going to be happy with myself, but I couldn’t put it off anymore.
Decided I would do it blunt. I thought she was probably immune anyway. “This isn’t working out, between us,” I told her.
There was a funny expression on her face, funny like I couldn’t figure it out. Light flickered in her eyes. “Rafe, are you trying to break up with me?”
“I guess that’s what I’m saying. I’m sorry.”

She glanced down, then back up at me, a little smile on her mouth. “You’re always going to be my favorite friend, but you’re a little late.”

The door swung open.
Gabe came back out of it, that sliding look towards me, then he walked over to Amanda.

“Hi baby,” he said. “Ready to go?”
I could not believe it. She’d gone back to Gabe? After everything he’d done to me? I was stunned, then furious. Betrayed. Stabbed in the back. You come up with it, that’s what I felt like.

“Hello, Gabe,” I said. “Making any more videos?”
“I wasn’t aware I ever made a video,” he shot back, fast. “I sure didn’t pose for one. Don’t you have someplace you have to be, Rafe? Taking care of somebody? Being their ‘personal trainer’? Maybe I got a couple of dollars I can donate to the Feed Rafe charity.”
All right, I never said he wasn’t a smart fucker. Ignoring the insults, I went right back at Amanda. I knew where he was coming from. But I couldn’t believe what she was doing.

“What exactly do you think you're going to do with him, Amanda? Lock him in your jewel box? Take him out and chew on him when you're in the mood?”
In a voice that sounded a lot more like Tony’s than I thought Gabe was capable of using, he whipped back at me: “Maybe I do a better job of filling up that jewel box than you do.”
Before I had a chance to respond, Amanda snapped, “Shut up, Gabe. You definitely don't know what you're talking about.”
Enraged, I came back, mimicking her. “Yes, shut up, Gabe. Get used to the choke chain, man. She'll have you pissing outside in the bushes like a good dog. And by the way, you’re looking very pretty. Amanda must have to stand in line.”
Not backing down, not an inch, still smooth. “At least she wouldn’t be standing in line behind paying customers, would she?”
I’m not going to say I’m naïve. Come on, no one’s going to believe that. But I went for it. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He looked at me. Let me hang on it a couple of seconds. “Come on, man, PT in this place? You really think everybody doesn’t know what the deal is here with the “personal trainers” and the marina set?”
“I’ve got no fucking deals. But if there’s any to get, I’m sure you beat me to it, Gabe. You’re the man, right?” Tired, hungry, angry, yeah, even hurt some, I turned and left.
Behind me, I heard Amanda shout, “Rafe! Wait!”
I got some satisfaction out of the edge in Gabe’s voice when he tried to stop her. “Amanda?”

Same big cat she’ll always be, snarling, “Get out of my way, Gabe! Rafe!”

I walked off. Done with this.

South Beach

Right on time, I got the call from the York woman the next day, set my teeth and agreed to go out to the shore to help her do whatever it was she wanted me to do. Within limits. And I’ve got some now.

Nice house,” I remarked, setting down my bag. Spectacular view of a pool out back.

“Thank you,” she said. “My little home gym is upstairs.” She glanced at my clothes, that up and down look. Get over it, lady, I thought, irritated. “Are you going to change?”
If there been any reasonable way to keep everything on I walked in wearing, I would have done it. Not realistic though. “Yes, you want to show me the way to the bathroom?”

“You’ll probably be more comfortable changing in the bedroom. There’s a lot more room to move around. Follow me….”

Annoyed and unhappy about this, I followed her upstairs, across a loft where she had a few pieces of equipment lying around, through a double door into a bedroom that rivaled the place my mother and stepfather had. She stood there, looking at me.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I said pointedly. What, did she think I was going to strip in front of her?
“There’s no reason to be so modest, Rafe,” she said, but she left me alone.

When the door closed, I stood there for a second or two, suspicious that she might have a camera somewhere, or that one of the mirrors was a window of some kind. I’ve got good reason to be paranoid. I’ve been burned to the bone before. Moving quickly, I yanked off my clothes and pulled on my gym stuff, almost stumbling over my own feet I was working so fast.
The session went reasonably well. I tried to avoid touching her as much as possible. She knew what she was doing anyway.
“See you next week,” I told her. “Got my money?” I wasn’t even sure I had enough gas to get back if she didn’t pay me.

“You’re not leaving dressed like that, are you?”
I felt like an idiot driving back in my gym clothes, but I wasn’t going to go into that room again. “I need the money,” I said, ignoring the comment.
Victoria went to her purse, handed me an envelope, then said, “You know I’m a realtor. Since you appreciated my home, and if you’re interested, I may be able to help you find something you might like.”
Again, deeply suspicious, I hesitated. “That might be good. I have to move soon. But I don’t have a lot of money.” In a smooth, expressionless voice, she replied, “I’ll call you tomorrow. I have a couple of properties for rent that might work for you.”
“Thanks.”

Smiling, she said, “We’re going to get along very well. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Rafe.”

South Beach University

I spent a bad evening, on edge.

Built a fire out on the deck and curled up next to it -- I like the heat.

This arrangement didn’t feel right. I wasn't in control…and if there was one thing that scared me, that was it…losing control, turning over power to someone else.

Particularly a woman…

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NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 7, Part 2