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I am embarrassed. Then I remember Josef’s weird sense of humor. At the same time, I see him trying to hide a smile.
“Just kidding, but you did say something about a toy,” he says. “I figure with Connie here, you were probably dreaming about playing with your sister when you were kids or something.”
“Yeah, that must have been it,” I say, relieved, and change the subject. “So you just happen to have a girl's backpack with everything needed to hike thousands of miles?”
“Yes,” he simply says.
“For Brenda?” I ask, trying not to sound judgmental.
“Or another friend who might need it. It pays to have plans in place in my business. It can be pretty dangerous on occasion.”
“My dad was right. I should have never entered this world.”
“Maybe. But I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too, I guess. I have a lot of questions, though.”
“Shoot. I’ll answer everything I can.”
“Who are you?”
“Joseph Blondie.”
“Really? Your last name is Blondie?”
“That’s what my driver's license says, “ I smirk at this as I notice him glance at me from the corner of his eye. “My associates aren’t very creative when it comes to nicknames. My hair is blonde. I thought it would be funny to use it as my last name. I didn’t actually have it legally changed or anything.”
“Your associates. I figured you were connected with Russian organized crime somehow since my uncle called you Bratva Blondie, and the Southside gang was afraid to make you mad at them. Are you really affiliated with the Bratva?
He just looks ahead and keeps driving.
“You said you’d answer my questions,” I remind him
“I said I’d answer what I can. Some things are obvious, but unless they’re said out loud, there is plausible deniability.”
“I see. So, let’s say, hypothetically speaking, there was a young man whomaybe associated with the Russian mob.”
“Okay, let’s say that, but I have some hypothetical questions I want to ask you too. Quid pro quo, as it were. Deal?”
“You people sure make a lot of deals. Okay, deal,” I agree. “Now, if this hypothetical blonde man’s job is only making record deals, why is he so feared?”
“Well, hypothetically speaking, if someone double-crosses an organization like the Russian Bratva in deals, like record deals, there are consequences. Negotiations usually start out peaceful, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way in the end.”
“And someone would need to be the one to handle those not-so-peaceful negotiations? Hypothetically speaking, of course.”
“Yes. That person doesn’t get any pleasure out of it when it goes that way, at least not anymore. He’s gotten to know people, made friends he never had before, and has grown up quite a bit. He doesn’t want to hurt people anymore.”
“You want to help them now like you just did here,” I say, turning my head away from him as tears begin to form in my eyes.
“Hey, my turn. Hypothetically, if a guy wanted another chance after screwing up his first kiss with a woman, do you think she might consider kissing him again at some point?” he grins.
“He would have to, not so hypothetically, pull over and stop the car,” I can’t help but let out a laugh.
“Deal!” he says, and the car swerves to the shoulder.
He leans over and wraps his big, strong arm around me, gently pulling me close. He is the sexiest man I’ve ever met. He’s also the most dangerous man I’ve ever met, but I feel safer in his arms than I’ve ever felt before.
When I feel his lips parting mine, I plunge my tongue inside his mouth, needing to taste him. His hand is on my knee, and I want so badly for him to slide it up further. My arms squeeze him tight against my body. Our tongues continue to play in each other’s mouths until I pull back to take a breath. Josef leans his head down and kisses the side of my neck. I involuntarily inhale a sharp, deep breath. His hand starts to move up as I wanted it to, but I put my hand on top of his to stop it. As much as I want to keep this going, I realize where we are.
