Melina didn’t understand. She squinted at her.

  “Morris didn’t call you yet?” Jo asked.

  “Call me? Why would he do that when he basically bit my head off at their house the other day, and his brothers as well and asked why I was even there? It was nothing to him, that was obvious, and if I had sex with him then I would feel like shit. Lower than shit. Like the crud on the bottom of a shoe low.”

  “No, he was regretful when you left.”

  “What?”

  “My other brothers, Ace specifically, started to egg them on. He talked about how hot you were, how sweet, sexy and beautiful, and then about your ass, which the others were describing and wondering how toned and tight it was and not flabby.”

  “What?” she asked and her jaw dropped.

  Jo laughed. “It was all to get the truth out of Morris, Trek, Vetter, and Blade, and ultimately find out where they stand with you.”

  “I don’t understand. It’s obvious they don’t have feelings for me. So I was like what, a joke in conversation with all of the men there?”

  “No. No, no, not a joke. They challenged Morris, Trek, Vetter, and Blade, and made them admit to liking you, to having feelings for you, and basically, my brothers are being morons. Why? They don’t want to appear weak in front of you. They were drugged up and snappy.”

  “I didn’t look at them as weak. I saw them as superior soldiers who nearly died, but didn’t because of their capabilities and strength. Something intimidating, yet attractive about each of them. So when they were snappy and made me feel out of place, like I had no right to be there even as your friend, it hurt,” Melina admitted, and looked away from Jo.

  “I know it did, and they know, too. He’s going to call you.” Melina looked at Jo.

  “I don’t need him calling me because you and the others made him feel badly. If he cared, if he felt something for me and the bedroom scene wasn’t a mistake, a regret, then he would have been more receptive to me caring and being there for them.”

  “They may be strong, capable soldiers who can conduct and conclude strategic military operations, but that doesn’t mean they have a fucking clue when it comes to women. Especially to a woman they are attracted to, which hasn’t happened before like this. Do me a favor and cut them some slack. I’m not saying they won’t screw this up with you anyway, but if by chance they get their heads out of their asses and go after what they want, which is you, hear them out. Just because they’re big strong men, doesn’t mean they aren’t fearful. In fact, it could be as simple as them never letting down their guard or liking a woman, and they don’t do emotions well. That’s something else to keep in mind. Not exactly romantic types.” Melina chuckled.

  Her phone buzzed and she looked at the text message. She squinted.

  “Something wrong?”

  “I don’t know. While I was at that concert with you guys remember me meeting up with Nelly Port, a woman I worked with at Slader Corp?”

  “Oh yeah, what about her?”

  “She wanted to get together for drinks and was going to let another woman we were friends with know as well. Like a little reunion I guess. She just cancelled. Said to text her when it was a good time to talk.”

  “Hmm, that sounds funny. Call her now,” Jo said.

  “I can call when we’re done.”

  “I’m curious, too. You definitely look perplexed so just call her.” Melina had a funny feeling and she didn’t know why. She called Nelly.

  “Hey, Nelly, what’s going on?” she asked.

  “I don’t know how to say this, I’m not even comprehending it myself, I can’t stop crying. It’s so terrible,” Nelly said, and Melina could hear her sniffling.

  “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” she asked, and now Jo squinted her eyes.

  “Priscilla was found dead in her hotel room when she was away on business.”

  “What?” Melina asked, and now her eyes filled with tears. She hadn’t even seen or spoken to Priscilla in over a year.

  “It’s terrible, Melina. They said she overdosed on drugs. There were so many in her system and she fell and hit her cheek and head on the bathtub. There were syringes, cocaine and heroin. It was insane. I didn’t know she did drugs. I mean, she had a cousin who died from heroin. She was an advocate for the drug program and volunteered and everything. It makes no sense at all.”

  “My God, that’s crazy. They found all that stuff though? She had the drugs in her system?”

  “That’s what I’m hearing. The office is a mess, everyone is in shock. They have counselors around for support. It’s a mess.”

  “I can’t even imagine. I’m so sorry for your loss. She was such a nice woman.”

  “She was.”

  “Let me know about the arrangements.”

  “You’ll come?”

  “Of course I’ll come. If you need, I can be there for you. We can go together.”

  “I appreciate that. I’ll let you know.”

  “Okay, talk to you soon.” Melina ended the call and she shook her head.

  “Who died? What happened?” Jo asked, and she explained.

  “That is crazy. I’m so sorry, Melina. She was a nice woman?”

  “Yes, a bit older than us, thirties, and very hard working. This is so tragic.”

  “You never know. Sometimes the nicest person is suffering inside and hiding it from everyone.

  “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Well, the police and detectives would be doing a thorough investigation, so it takes time to confirm their initial findings, right?”

  “I suppose so. God, I have to go to the wake. You know who is going to be there.”

  “Oh shit, Allen.”

  “And more than likely his father, too.”

  “Want me to go with you?”

  “No, I wouldn’t ask you to do that. I’m going to go with Nelly, and focus on being there for her because she was good friends with Priscilla. I’ll handle it. It’s been more than a year. I think I can handle Allen and his father.

  “You can handle them. Remember they’re assholes and you’re a success because of your hard work, not from spreading your thighs.”

  “They know that now. I’m sure Allen and his father are aware of my new software program and getting the patent for it to come through soon. It’s the buzz around the industry.”

  “What new software?” Jo asked, and Melina explained about how she invented this new computer software to be used by restaurants and clubs. “It’s high tech and foolproof, easy to learn, and orders are coming in for it already.”

  “Oh my God, you’re going to be rich from this, aren’t you?”

  Melina smiled. “I won’t need to work ever again if I didn’t want to, but that isn’t going to happen. I have plans for other things, and I actually like going to the restaurants we help and assisting with the training of the programs, and molding it to their specific restaurant or club. It’s cool stuff. The program will go national sooner than later. In fact, I have to go to an event in the Bahamas for a week. There’s a small resort there and some big shots will be there. It’s like a convention of sorts. I’ll be speaking about the software and where I see it going in the near future.”

  “That is incredible. You are doing fantastic. My brothers are going to miss you,” she said, and winked.

  Melina laughed. “Your brothers and I aren’t even talking, never mind a thing. I can’t worry about that. Morris hasn’t even called.”

  “He will. Trust me, he’ll call.”

  Melina wasn’t sure, and she didn’t want to get her hopes up. Right now, her mind was on Priscilla’s death and going to the wake and funeral and having to see Allen and Jovani. She needed to mentally prepare herself for their chauvinistic attitudes, and their hands.

  Chapter 4

  Allen Pinioli spotted Melina immediately. At first, he saw the back of her, the long brown hair, slim-fitting black dress that hugged a perfect ass, and long, tanned thighs. She wore designer heels, making those thighs and her calves look super sexy. He wasn’t the only man watching her, which pissed him off, and then his father was right there greeting her. Allen could see Melina’s surprised expression, and how she held back as his father embraced her and squeezed her arms, towering over her like Allen would be as well. They were both tall men, six feet two. Both very powerful businessmen, and she would be a prize possession to any men, but especially a man like him or his father. He didn’t want to do his part to seduce her, to trick her into the trap his father would surely set, but what choice did he have? He could be spending his life behind bars, and his father had the knowledge and power to put him there. He wanted to see her. To look into those stunning hazel green eyes that glowed so special, and to inhale her scent and remember how she was once in his bed, and would do anything to have her there again.

  * * * *

  Jovani Pinioli inhaled deeply. The woman was super fucking hot, and so classy, sophisticated and mature. He had thirty years on her, but that never stopped him from getting what he wanted and fucking whatever woman he chose. He would choose Melina, and he had to make his presence known.

  “It’s so wonderful to see you, Melina. It’s been too long,” he said to her as she pulled back from his hold and seemed to shiver. She knew power and authority when she encountered it.

  “Mr. Pinioli, so sorry for your loss. It was so tragic to hear of Priscilla’s death. You must all be so shocked still,” she said.

  “Oh yes, we are. It’s terrible, to think she had a drug problem and none of us knew it. I worked with her several times in the same room going over things and I never picked up on anything.”

  “That is very strange. Well, I’m here with Nelly, to give her support. She was very close to Priscilla, and she’s really taking things hard, so if you’ll excuse me.”

  She went to move but he wasn’t ready to let her go. He grabbed her hand. “Wait, I’d love to talk to you about the company you’re working for.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Well I’m a silent partner in a few restaurants a friend of mine owns. He’s looking to improve his service in one particular place that’s busy all the time. It’s in Savannah, Georgia. Actually, there’s going to be some sort of convention at a nearby hotel that I believe you’ll be speaking at next month. Perhaps we could arrange a meeting with my friend and go over details?”

  “Well, I’m not sure I would be able to do that. You’ll have to go through the proper channels. Contact the main office and ask for Vince. He can direct you to the waiting list for the new software we’ve been using.”

  “A waiting list?”

  “Yes. I really need to get going, but thanks for the interest,” she said, and walked away from him.

  It both pissed him off, and enticed him more. What game was she playing? A waiting list? To just discuss the product and its potential usage? Was she fucking serious? He didn’t wait for shit. He’ll know exactly where she is and when with just a few phone calls.

  * * * *

  Melina couldn’t help but to shake. That man gave her the creeps just like his son, who was staring at her since the church and funeral. She didn’t want to come to the center afterward with some family and friends, but Nelly did, so Melina would wait a little longer to leave. She prayed that Jovani didn’t have the audacity to call the company and try to get her involved with something he owned. She didn’t trust that man or the way he looked at her, still wanting her. He was very attractive, and could get any stupid woman younger than her to be his mistress, or whatever. His wife was a mental case and in some home from what she heard. It was probably Jovani that caused her mental breakdown.

  As she walked toward Nelly and a few other women she just met from Slander Corp, she saw Felicia’s eyes widen and then lower as Allen approached. She looked scared, and Allen licked his lips and winked at her, then gave a stern expression. Something was going on there. Felicia immediately excused herself and hurried away, making Melina wonder what that was about. Her first thought was that Allen either tried to flirt with her or seduce her, or he slept with the woman and now the woman was embarrassed. It was totally his MO. The man was attractive, charismatic, but had a dark side to him, and an ability to manipulate. She should know, she fell for his charms, believed he was the one for her, and then he cheated on Melina.

  She turned to the side to ask Nelly if she was doing okay when she felt the hand on her hip. She turned to look up at Allen. He smiled at her, his eyes roamed over her breasts and then back to her lips and eyes.

  “Excuse us a moment, ladies. I haven’t seen Melina in a very long time,” he said, turning her away from the other women

  “My God, Melina, I almost didn’t recognize you. You’ve gotten more beautiful,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  She hoped she did look good and he felt the loss. There was a time she’d loved him, and then hated him. Now she felt nothing at all because he had no place in her life, and was no one as far as she was concerned. She eyed him over and stepped back. “So sorry for your loss, Allen. I understand you worked side by side with Priscilla for months.”

  “Yes, it was horrific to hear of her death. I had no idea she had such problems. My understanding from speaking with the counselors is that heroin is a powerfully addicting drug.”

  “Yes, it is,” one of the other women said, and they began to talk about it.

  She looked away from him and could feel his eyes on her, then his hand on her elbow.

  “Can we talk a minute? I’d love to catch up,” he said to her as she turned.

  “I don’t think so. I’m here for Nelly,” she said, and she saw something in his eyes. An evilness she had never seen before. There was always a hint of anger, of power, in the man’s blue eyes, but never evil. Was she imagining it? Looking at him, a year now passed, and she saw more than she had before. A hardness to him. Her gut clenched with a bit of fear, and that surprised her. It also got her defenses up. She was ready for him. Ready to handle whatever he said to her.

  “Just a minute,” he said, and took her by her elbow. He brought her closer to the wall and away from people. “You really do look incredible. I’ve heard such wonderful things about you in the industry. Recently, I caught wind of a new software you invented. You finally have achieved one of your many goals, Melina. I’m so proud of you,” he said to her, and it surprised her. Caught her off guard as he caressed her arm. She squinted at him and then moved back so his hand fell.

  “What?” he asked.

  “You never really paid attention to my goals and my dreams, Allen,” she whispered with attitude she heard, and he would definitely detect.

  “I was a fool. The past is in the past.” He stared at her but those eyes. They roamed over her breast then to her lips. The son of a bitch thought he could use his charms and believed she would fall back into his arms. What an asshole.

  “I suppose it is,” she replied nonchalantly, and looked away a moment.

  “If I could go back and change things I would, Melina.”

  She looked at him. Eyed him over and felt nothing. She was glad. She was healed, over him, and it felt great and empowered her quick retorts. “The wish of so many, but for me, I focus on not repeating the past and instead focus on the future. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She started to move and he gripped her waist. “I miss you.”

  She laughed. “I doubt that very much. Certainly, as usual, you have your choice of women to fool with your lies. As I said, I don’t repeat the past.” She walked away from him and hoped he felt like an asshole for cheating on her. Who had the last laugh now?

  Melina decided to leave, said her good-byes, and headed outside to her car. Before she could get in, Allen was there.

  She exhaled. “You’re leaving?”

  “Listen, Allen, I don’t have anything to say to you. Just leave me alone.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. She pushed against his arms but he was stronger, and he had her nearly pressed against her car.

  “Let go of me.”

  “I want you to hear me out. Please.”

  “No, Allen. It’s been a year. I moved on, and I know you did as well. You cheated on me, remember?”

  “Of course I do. I was an idiot.”

  “No argument there.”

  “Please talk to me.” He slid his palm along her ass. Squeezed it as he thrust his cock against her body.

  She pushed hard against him.

  He stepped back.

  “How dare you touch me or think you can put your hand on my ass? You and I have been over for a year, Allen. You cheated on me. You betrayed the trust I had in you. I want nothing to do with you ever again. Good-bye.” She got into her car and he stared at her, teeth clenched, fists by his side and an eerie, warning type of sensation hit her gut. Allen looked different.

  She started the car and took off out of the parking lot. She was fuming mad. He grabbed her ass. Rocked his cock against her like she would be enticed by him? The son of a bitch! Had the nerve to restrain her, too. The bastard.

  As she raged, her cell phone rang.

  “Hello?” he snapped at the caller, her breath hitched and she felt like screaming to get rid of the shakes that now hit her body.

  She heard a man clear his throat. “Uhm, it’s Morris.”

  Her heart felt like it stopped beating. She gripped the steering wheel tighter.

  “I wanted to talk to you, to apologize for the other day, and maybe you could come over and hang out.”

  The anger still in her system from Allen came out without thought.

  “Oh really? For what? Why do you want me to come over? To use me? To get off? Listen, I get your attitude and the whole idea that you and your brothers are a team, and you don’t do commitments, don’t need anyone taking caring of you or caring. I get that the night in the bedroom was a mistake. I fell for your charms, your commanding mercenary magical skills, but not again. What we did was a mistake I regret. You’re just like any other man I’ve met and you want to take, take, and not give. So the answer is no. I don’t need you pushing sex on me like I just had someone do a few minutes ago.”