Gia
I already paid ten thousand dollars to Rocco and I knew I could do better. I just needed time, something the douchebag wasn’t giving me. The debt to be paid was more than this, but I thought I was doing well. If I was close to my dad, he would have given a fancy family heirloom and I would have sold that. My half sister Sydney was given an old diamond necklace. That would have come in handy right now. I bet Sydney didn’t even wear it she had a bunch of priceless jewelry pieces.
I couldn’t ask Sydney for help. We hadn’t had much of a relationship since sophomore year in high school. The rest were just sad attempts at communication. Dad was worse I couldn’t remember the last time he showed up. He lived in a different town, but he did call to ask how I was doing at least twice a week.
I didn’t have a relationship with Nora, Sydney’s mother. I really believed she hated me.
I went to my room and changed into a pair of black jeans. They curved out my legs nicely. I put on a white sleeved shirt that hugged my body well and a leather jacket on top. I wore a pair of black sneakers in case I needed to bolt out of there.
Red Lip Nightclub was the destination for the night. I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t believe Rocco wanted me to be Mrs. Cage. Music blared from the club. I’d never been here during the night. Two body guards stood outside the door in front of a purple rope. The glared me down as I approached them.
Was this place exclusive? I wondered how much a shot cost in this place. I wasn’t staying long to find out. My goal was to sign the contract signing over Mom’s debt to me. I wasn’t going to let her lose everything.
I stared at the tallest body guard. He wore black shades and a suit that looked designer. Well, they must be paid well.
“Are you at the right place little lady?” He asked.
I folded my arms over my chest. “I have an appointment with Rocco.”
They both chuckled.
“I have payments to make.” I said through clenched teeth.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you.”
I scurried in as soon as the purple rope fell. I was hit by the scent of cigarette smoke and alcohol. It was everything I expected. Dark room with different flashing lights. Heavy music, a DJ on the desk. A bartender with a heavy armory of alcohol.
“Rocco can’t be in his office.” I whispered to myself.
There were two stages down here with four girls dancing on the poles. I tried not to focus on the faces, but I flinched when I recognized a guy from my marketing team. He asked me out a week ago. I kept my head down and made a bee line for the bar.
“Do you know where I can find Rocco?” I asked the bartender.
He smirked as he wiped a shot glass. “Looking for work? I can help you out.”
“Not a chance. I need him for something else.”
The brown eyed bartender nodded. “Upstairs. VIP lounge.”
“Thanks…” I was about to leave the bar behind when the bartender spoke.
“Be careful out there.”
He made me feel as if I was about to jump into a shark tank. Why did I feel I was? That’s what Rocco was and probably so were a lot of people associated with a loan shark. I didn’t know how to handle him and frankly I didn’t want to. I wanted to get rid of him.
I made it upstairs and it as a different atmosphere. For one the place smelled of fancier cigarettes and expensive cologne. I was a sucker so sweet cologne!
I scanned the seats of designer suits and alluring grins for Rocco. This level had a lot more poles and a larger number of working girls. I felt out of place. I wanted to run and come back tomorrow. I pulled my jacket around myself and exhaled. I couldn’t back out now.
Soft laughter came from behind me. I swirled; expecting to find Rocco, but it was six-foot-tall with blue green eyes. I’d never seen a shade like that before. Why was he smiling at me? I didn’t want anyone to smile at me in here.
“Are you lost?” He asked.
I bit my lip. He filled out his dark blue suit perfectly. He had a glass of wine in his hand. Is that what they sold here? Did it cost an arm and a leg?
“I would know if I was lost, wouldn’t I?” I said through gritted teeth.
He let out a silent laugh. Who was he? He had silky blond hair that he pushed back. I didn’t recognize his cologne, but it was intoxicating. I nearly took a step back, but I wanted to leap forward into his scent.
“What are you doing here?” He said low and firm.
“Excuse me?” I stepped back.
“You’re more than lost sweetheart.” His eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” Rocco said before I could open my mouth. I narrowed my eyes on the mysterious good looking man as he did me.
“Neither of you to be honest. Well, maybe Gia.” He brushed my cheek with his finger.
I recoiled and he barked out a laugh. I thought I heard the handsome bastard repeat my name, but I could be wrong.
“Consider my offer?” He shoved his fists in his pants.
Of course I had, but that wasn’t the route I was going down.
“Can we talk in private?” I cleared my throat.
Rocco opened his mouth but a guy grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.
“There’s a problem with one of the gents upstairs.” The young man said.
There was another level? I stared at the ceiling.
Rocco groaned, “Fine.”
He walked away without as much as glancing at me. I guess I had to stick around until he was done. It was just me and the man whose name I didn’t know.
“What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” He took two steps forward and was standing right in front of me. So close his scent had to be swimming to me.
I dipped my head back, “A girl like me?”
The corners of his mouth lifted, “I could only assume you’re looking for work.”
“I have an associate degree for your information.”
“I doubt that would work here. Unless your degree is in other things.”
My blood boiled, but I balled my hands into fists. Who wanted a lawsuit?
“You're disgusting,” I muttered.
He laughed. He seemed to be enjoying our exchange. I didn’t understand why I was still talking to him.
“There’s worse men in this place beautiful. Plenty who would love to discover your talents.”
Oh he was despicable.
“Put a pig in a suit, but it’ll still be a pig.”
His eyes widened and I side stepped him. I had to get away from him. I shouldn’t have been talking to him anyway. My mission was to sign over the debt to me. Not getting lost in meaningless banter with an extremely handsome and sweat smelling man.
“I’m going to wait in Rocco’s office.”
I scurried off without as much as a glance back at him.
***
I did it. I signed the contract. Mom was officially free, but I still had a mountain to climb. I saw the official figure and it felt like two mountains to climb. I’d have to marry Rocco to settle this amount. Most of it was just added on interest and the money that was added on each day.
“I can’t believe this.” I slumped on my chair at home.
I really loved my mom. I wanted her to be secure, but I also wanted freedom to choose the man I spent the rest of my life with. I wanted sparks and butterflies. I didn’t and would not have that with Rocco. I couldn’t have it both ways. I had to make a decision. My phone rang. I picked it up thinking it was Lilly, but it was an unsaved number.
I normally didn’t answer those, but it was late something could have happened. I hoped it wasn’t the case though.
“Hello?”
“Gianna?” A lady breathed out. It was a voice a knew, but I couldn’t put voice to face.
“Yes? Who… is this?”
“Oh, I wasn’t sure this was your number. It’s Nora.”
“Nora.” I stood and paced to the kitchen. I hadn’t spoken to her in years. “Has something happened to my dad?”
“No, no. This is urgent however. I can’t explain over the phone. We need your help.”
“My help? What’s going on?”
“Please, come over. I’ll send a car for you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, it’s serious Gia.”
GiaMy dad and Nora lived three hours away in a small town. As promised a taxi came to pick me up by six in the morning. I barely slept wondering what Nora wanted to talk about. It had to be serious if she called me herself. It made me scroll my sister’s Instagram, but I knew it wouldn’t give me any answers. She hadn’t posted any pictures in a while. Most of them were of her on vacation or simply spending money with her rich friends.I hadn’t seen Sydney since Christmas two years ago. It wasn’t even a planned meeting. I really didn’t have a relationship with my half sister. It sucked too because when I looked at her I saw myself. Expect I was a little darker and had a thick head of curls. Otherwise we had the same brown eyes, same pointed nose, height and weight. We could be twins, but we lived totally different lives.I wasn’t sure I could help them though. They weren’t the type of peo
I stood and shook my head. Why was marriage suddenly on every table? I was still waiting for actual butterflies and fireworks before I thought about spending the rest of my life with someone.“You don’t have to do it.” Dad sighed.“What happens if I don’t? What happens to you?”Nora stood, avoiding dad’s gaze. She wanted to grab my hands, yet pulled back at the last second.“You can think of this as a deal too. What do you want Gia?”There were a lot of things I wanted, but none so important I would marry a total stranger. Then the terms of the contract I signed hit me. I had no more than seven weeks to pay back the debt I now owned and with each day five hundred dollars was added to that debt. If I failed to pay the debt went back to mom and surely she would lose everything and I might end up as a high end prostitute.“Nothing, nothing I’m not bribing my daughter into doing t
If dad hadn’t communicated the change of plans, then it really put me in an awkward position.“Um, you really don’t know why I’m here?’Brad eyed me up and down. I didn’t know how that made me feel. Exposed?“Of course I do. What I don’t understand it why the sudden change of plans. I also wonder why Sydney never mentioned she had a sister.”“You can imagine we’re not close.” I said, through clenched teeth.“A little sibling rivalry? No one else mentioned you existed either.” Brad shoved his hands in his pockets.“Why am I not surprised?”The party bellow us in the garden was getting loud. Nora would be here any second. It was time for the show. Put on the mask and get on stage. I picked up my dress and walked passed Brad into the room or at least I tried to.“Gianna,” he said.My name sounded so foreign coming fro
“Boundaries?” I lifted my head. His eyes were enchanting. “Yes, come with me.” He released me, but captured my hand. I lifted my dress so I wouldn’t step on it as I followed Brad into the house. All eyes were on us. Some people eyed us and smiled while others commented on how lovely we were as a couple. “Are you going to tell me there are certain places I can’t go? I don’t even live here.” I asked when we were alone in the dark foyer. “No, but there are a few things you can’t do.” “Like what?” I folded my arms. “Like, whatever you have with Rocco, I won’t tolerate it.” I nearly burst out laughing. Thanks to him there wouldn’t be anything between Rocco and I. “There isn’t anything going on between us.” “It didn’t look like it when you too were dancing. Look, I won’t be made a fool of. If you’re going to marry me you’re not going, bring your men into it.” I gasped, “I am not sleeping with Rocco!” I s
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked as I climbed into Brad’s silver convertible.“Don’t worry I’ll feed you.”“I’m not worried about food.” Please don’t growl stomach.“You’re not dressed for what we’re about to do.” Brad glanced at the leather dress screaming for relief.I hoped Sydney didn’t like this dress because I might have to cut it out when I get home.“I dressed for fancy brunch.”Brad turned to the left down a spiraling road from the gate of his house. A few minutes into the drive sparling blue water materialized with an array of boats on the dock.“I didn’t take you for a fishing guy.” I said when the car parked.“Actually, I am. Have you ever been on a boat?”“Does a canoe count?”Brad shook his head and climbed out of the car.
“I’ll see you naked eventually.”“It’s not going to be like that remember?” My voice cracked.“I didn’t agree to that.” He frowned.“You… you want to have sex with me?”“You’ll want to have sex with me.” Brad smirked.“That doesn’t answer my question!”He barked out a laugh. He moved around me and through himself backwards on the bed.“Don’t you have a boat to drive?” I asked.He shook his head. “I’d rather help you dress.”“I can’t wear this Brad. It’s ruined.”“You can wear my clothes I don’t mind.” He shrugged.I frowned, “What will it look like?”“Like you had a wardrobe malfunction or you went swimming and your clothes got wet.”I could only imagine my dad’s reaction then again maybe he wouldn’t care so wearing Brad’s clothes wasn’t so bad.“Gives me an accuse to take you out again. This time I’ll tell you where we’re going.” He grinned.I exhaled. “I guess it isn’t so bad.”***I stood in front of my dad and step mother wearing Brad’s massive shorts and t-shirt. My father’s jaw
The phone buzzed in my hands. This was about payment or his stupid deal. Brad was in the car waiting for me to join him. I couldn’t take this call now. I turned the screen off and the buzzing ceased. I put my phone on silent because I knew he was going to call again. I eased into the leather seats and the scent of pine and masculine perfume instantly captivated me. I could spend hours in here breathing in the aroma. “So where are we going?” I asked. “My favorite restaurant. I have a private table outdoors.” “Why? Don’t like people looking at you while you eat.” He grunted, shifting gears. There was always something that turned me on about watching a man drive. “No, it’s usually for business and other ventures.” He grinned at me. I sucked in a breath. “Other ventures? Like dates? Why didn’t you just say?” How many dates had he been on? Wait was he even supposed to be dating when he was engaged to my sister! I was about to open my mouth in protest when he hit the gas, thrusting m
Lilly held me in her arms as I cried on her couch. Rocco wasn’t giving me time. All I needed was until next week when my wedding was.“Don’t cry, you’ve come so far.” Lilly said.“It doesn’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything other than other people’s debts.” I sniffled.She bobbed her head from side to side, “All this will be over next week. Oh, am I your maid of honor?”I laughed softly, “I wouldn’t want anyone else.”I was back at Lilly’s apartment after a failed attempt to speak to Rocco. I took a bus all the way to his nightclub, in high heels and my date’s jacket only to be told the bastard couldn’t see me. They didn’t even let me into his office.Brad hadn’t texted or called. I thought I pissed him off. I know I would be mad if my date ran out on me without explanation. I just didn’t feel comfortable telling him about the debt I took on. I was already marrying him to help my dad with some agreement that would help me pay mom’s debt. He’d think I was a gold-digger or something