“Chrissy,” Drummond said. “Where’re you going?”
“You know, Mr. Walker, it’s getting late, and I have to meet my family. So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go.”
“But we haven’t discussed your new job duties yet.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Drummond. I should’ve told you sooner; I’ve had another job offer. So, you can fuck yourself.” With that Chrissy gathered her clothes from the bungalow and slipped them over her wet bathing suit.
With tears stinging her eyes she fled the house of Drummond Walker, wondering how many bridges she could burn in one week.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“When’s this girl going to show up?” Saks groused. He leaned against the bar in a manner of which his cousins distinctly disapproved while tipping his beer bottle to his lips. He’d spent three hours listening to the extremely loud, lousy, live band, and nursed two beers waiting for the Serafina woman to arrive. Bad enough that he was pushed into showing up, but the woman had some nerve keeping him waiting. Who did she think she was? Some sort of princess?
Yeah, he thought. A Mafia princess. So, what did that make him?
A sucker.
If she didn’t show soon, he'd join his Hades’ Spawn brothers who came to the party. The Spawn held club night last night, so those who wanted to come to the Roccos’ rare party could. Oakie wasn’t here, but Spike, the VP came, and Luke promised to bounce in at around ten with Emily.
Saks made up his mind right then and there. No way was he getting pulled into marrying this woman.
He set his empty bottle on the counter a little too hard, drawing a sharp look from John.
“She’s not showing,” Saks said over his shoulder.
John’s eyebrows furrowed as he poured a draft. “She’ll be here. Go get yourself something to eat.”
Saks glanced at the ravaged table of near-empty platters. The crowd had gone crazy at the all-you-can-eat buffet. Sheldon didn’t take into account the ravenous hunger of bikers, and the kitchen staff hustled to fill the table for, like, the third time. “Dude, did you see what's left of the food?”
John arched an eyebrow. “Have another beer, then.” He pushed another bottle as Saks gave a desultory glance at the brew over his shoulder.
“If it were me,” said a brunette sitting at the bar, “I wouldn’t stand you up, handsome.”
Great, now he looked pathetic. And his stomach rumbled.
“Thanks for the thought, but I’m sure she’s stuck at work.”
He didn’t want to talk to this woman. Or any woman tonight. Damn. He was getting cranky at the ripe old age of twenty-eight.
The brunette pouted. “Ok, Sugar. But I’m just saying I wouldn’t keep you waiting.”
Saks frowned. He was falling deeper into the rabbit hole with each passing second. He didn’t want it getting around that he was involved, and in this bar gossip flew faster than a jet plane. It’d take two minutes before Uncle Vits would be coming through the door, questioning him.
The front door flew open, and Saks glanced over, half expecting to see his uncle. A young woman with blue-black hair came in. Her eyes scanned the room predatorily, as if searching for someone. She stood five-foot-five, with full breasts and a round figure. Her eyes were dark, and her face had the aquiline nose that marked the Serafina family.
Saks realized with a sinking heart that this must be the girl his family wanted him to marry.
No freaking way.
Not that she was unattractive, but no way that she could compare to Chrissy with her long blonde hair, and to-die-for body. Or her lips. Or just about every freaking thing about her.
John stood at the opposite end of the bar and she asked him a question. Over the music of the band Saks couldn’t catch what she said, but his worst fears were confirmed when John nodded in his direction.
She walked to him and stuck out her hand. “Hi,” she said.
“Hi.”
“I’m Gloria Serafina.”
“Hi, Gloria. Anthony Parks.”
“Anthony? That’s Italian enough. Where did the Park name come from?”
“Dad. Maria Rocco is my mother.”
“I see.” She pursed her lips as if in concentration. “Can a girl get a drink around here?”
“Sure.” He motioned to John. “What would you like?”
“Rum and Coke.”
Saks relayed the order to John, who nodded.
“So, I hear you’re not in the business,” she said.
“Nope. Momma wanted me to be a priest.”
The young woman laughed. “She got you wrong, didn’t she?”
Saks stiffened. Something about this woman set him on edge. “Maybe, maybe not,” he said noncommittally, reaching for his beer.
“So, what do you do for work?”
“Didn’t they tell you?”
“No.”
“I’m a mechanic.”
“Like in cars?”
“No. Motorcycles.”
“Cool,” she said. “Though my sister isn’t into riding much.”
“Your sister?”
Before she answered, Saks caught Luke and Emily coming in the door. Luke waved before taking off his Hades’ Spawn jacket and hanging it by the door. The couple quickly made their way to Saks, and Saks motioned to John to bring their usual. “Hey, Luke,” Saks greeted.