* * *
Tonight, I will confess my sins to her in the hope that she will grant me the redemption that only she can give me.
But first, I decide to stop at The Sandy Claws for a drink before I prepare for Sienna’s arrival at the brownstone tonight. She didn’t want to be my dinner guest tonight, but I worked my charm to convince her to stop by for a drink, at least.
I’m about to take a sip of my freshly poured whiskey when I spot a familiar face, Vanessa.Fuck.
Alex was right to warn me about her. I knew it would only be a matter of time before she started sniffing around, looking for my father. But hours later, after one missed meeting? That I was not expecting. Already sitting down, with my half full glass of whiskey, I swirl the liquid around the glass with laser focus, waiting for her to begin her questioning. Judging by the intensity of her stride and the stern look on her face, she isn’t here for pleasure, she’s here for me.
She stops right in front of the table I am sitting at, taking her hands out of the pockets of her long trench coat, placing them on the back of the empty chair in front of me.
“Ah, Vanessa, to what do I owe the pleasure?” I say through a forced smile.
“I came here looking for your father. I was supposed to meet him today and he didn’t show up,” she says, subtly scanning the small crowd in the bar.
“Have you met my father? A gothic, grunge bar isn’t really his scene,” I snap back.
“Yea, well, he is your father, and this is your place, so wouldn’t any loving father come for a drink to support his son’s business?” she says with palpable sarcasm.
I let out a genuine chuckle, nearly spitting out my damn whiskey. “He was anything but loving. Cut the good cop shit. What do you want?”
“Past tense, interesting,” she notes.
“Don’t get your panties wet, Mrs. Officer, it was a simple mis-wording.” I clear my throat. I realize how much of a dick I am coming off as, and truthfully, it’s just too fun not to be sometimes. “Heisanything but loving, satisfied?”
“Hardly.” She is unimpressed by my antics.
“Yea, well, you aren’t Sienna, now are you?” I mumble as I signal to José to bring me another whiskey,quickly.
“I don’t know what the fuck your obsession is with Sienna, but I’m not here to discuss her with you,” she says, flustered. I can tell that she truly is here on business, which makes her seethe inside that she can’t interrogate me the way she wants to about Sienna. I know she will, but first, she must check off the actual cop questions.
“Then do tell, what are you here for?” I ask with genuine curiosity. I need to get a feel for what she knows; or thinks she knows, that is.
“I was supposed to meet your father today and he never showed. I tried calling him and it went straight to voicemail. Just wanted to see if you have heard from him today.”
Just him pleading for his pathetic life.
“Can’t say I have.” I shrug off her questions, acting as disinterested in the topic of my father as I truly am.
“That’s strange, considering he is your father and business partner.”
“Was my business partner. Do forgive me for the past tense, but in this case, it is appropriate, seeing that he sold his shares to me not too long ago,” I say with ripe condescension.
She rolls her eyes. “Sorry, I just assumed—” she begins before I cut her off.
“Your assumptions mislead you, Vanessa. Now, if you don’t mind, I have an evening meeting I need to prepare for,” I say as I bring my whiskey glass to my lips, slamming the amber liquid down. José must have been eyeing me from the bar because the second I lower the glass to the table; he comes over asking if I want another. I decline, as I am ready to end this impromptu meeting with Vanessa.
I rise to put my jacket on, signaling to her that I am done here. “Good evening, Ms. Mendez.” I nod as I begin to walk past her. I’m not even halfway to the door when I hear Vanessa shift her stance, so she is facing my back. The chair skids just slightly, and her hands are on me, grabbing my attention.
“Oh, Mr. Moretti, one more thing,” she begins.
I take a deep breath as I turn back to face her. There is a vindictive gleam in her eyes.
“I have a meeting with another associate of yours coming up. If they don’t show up, it will only further confirm my suspicions. I wouldn’t do anything impulsive if I were you,” she warns.
I just give her a nod.
“I’ll be in touch. I know where to find you,” she says as I walk away.
