Yesterday’s Betrayal, Today’s Scars

Chapter 9 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Star POV

Standing under the hot spray of the shower, I let my muscles relax, the tension leaving my body. Shampooing my hair, I let my mind wander.

Why did I agree to have dinner with them? I sigh. Nothing can come of this other than actual business; I have to make that clear to them. I’m incapable of anything with my baggage, and I’m certainly not interested in some fling.

Finishing up my shower while I replay the exits and windows of Lucia’s. Drying off, I wrap the white, fluffy towel around myself and enter my room.

Of course, Alice is sitting on my bed with a mischievous smile. Sighing, I walk close and notice one of my dresses lying on the bed.

Raising a brow, I ask, “What is this?” Her smile grows. “It’s the perfect dress for this evening,” she chirps. I look at it again. It's the black one with spaghetti straps and a low front. At least it's a modest length to my knees, but it has a slit in the side and will show plenty of legs.

Like she can read my thoughts, she says, “You have great legs.” Flicking my gaze back to her, “I also have a beautiful sister who could go in my place.” She laughs. “Make sure to wear panties instead of a g-string. Wouldn’t want a wet spot on the back of your dress all night,” she sing-songs, walking out of my room. Grrrrr. She infuriates me sometimes. Even when I know she’s right.

I blow dry my hair, leaving it down, and put on the black dress. Finding a black pair of bikini underwear in my drawer to match. Then I slip on a pair of black stilettos. I'm ready to go besides weapons.

Strolling down to the weapons room, I find Alex casually leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He is wearing a very dapper black suit with a black button-up underneath.

“Well, don’t you look handsome,” I compliment him. “I always look good,” he says with a smirk. “Besides, I have to look my best if I'm going to be seen with you,” he gives me an appraising look.

“What do you mean?” I ask. He gets a serious expression on his face. “My gut has been nagging at me all day. You know it's never wrong. So I'm driving you. Having me close by outside can’t hurt anything.” he states with a shrug.

I start running scenarios in my head. The only thing that comes to mind is that the Marino brothers lied about why they wanted this dinner. I could smell it a mile away. Nothing about their actions or demeanors says they have ill intentions.

“I'll agree to you coming under one condition,” I state firmly. He raises his brow, waiting. “If anything goes down, you cut and return to the compound.” Alex’s face goes red with anger.

“You think I would ever leave you behind if something happened?” he asks. I can see he is both hurt and angry now. Speaking in a soft voice, I explain honestly. “I can’t lose anyone else. I know you can hold your own. Hell, we are evenly matched training and out in the field in hand to hand. My heart couldn’t take you getting hurt or losing you, Alex. Understand?” I plead.

He pushes off the wall, and in long strides, he has me off the ground, enveloped in a hug. “No one in this family runs, and if anything goes down, we kick some ass. But if anything happens to you, even a scratch, I'm burning the Marino’s to the ground,” he says.

“I would expect nothing less,” I exclaim through laughter. “Let’s get you suited up,” he says, reaching me a throwing knife and my Glock. I strap my knife my father got me on my 18th birthday to my left thigh and my Glock holster to my right.

As I stand up straight, I see Alex looking at me questioningly. “You still don’t like bags, huh?” he questions. “Nope,” is my reply. “I don’t want to know where you have money stashed,” he states while shaking his head. I burst out laughing but don’t reply. Why ruin the fun by telling him there's a couple hundred in my phone case?

We take the limo since it hasn’t been driven in a while. Pulling up outside Lucia’s, I scan the area just as Alex opens my door. “Madam,” he says, his lip tipped up, trying not to smile. “Kind sir,” I reply as he takes my hand, helping me out.

I stroll inside, brushing my fingertips across my Glock in my practiced move. Approaching the hostess, I give Tony and Max’s name. She looks me up and down. I stare at her with my don’t f**k with me face. She quickly corrects herself and politely says to follow her.

She is taking me to the upper floor, which, according to Alice’s research, is a private dining area. Good, I don’t like crowds unless I need to blend in as a necessity.

An older gentleman is outside a set of double doors. “I'll escort her in,” he says to the hostess. As he reaches to pull one of the doors open, I spot a Rolex worth at least $50K. That’s not a knockoff. What are the chances the Marino’s pay their staff at a restaurant that well?

He leads the way in, and I momentarily clear my mind to take in my surroundings. A large dining table sits in the middle of the room with Tony and Max. A bar area with liquor and two bottles of chilled wine. A small round folding table for a server to sit a food tray on when carried in, and one large window that appears to open outward.

My gaze goes back to the Marino’s. “Good evening, gentlemen,” I stated politely. “Good evening, Ms,” Tony pauses. I sigh. I can’t have them calling me Lightning outside the compound; no one knows who I am, and I'm keeping it that way. “Star” is fine.

He repeats it as if memorizing it. Max rises from his seat and pulls out a chair for me. “Thank you, Max,” I say. He leans down so his mouth is close to my ear. “you're very welcome, Bella Dea.” A chill runs down my spine, and my panties are now wet. Alice was right. I need to get myself under control.

Shifting my gaze to Tony, he is observing me closely. I cross my legs while sliding my hands down, placing them on my thighs next to my weapons. It's a comforting move for me.

The waiter comes in, placing fresh drinks in front of Tony and Max, Then asking if I would like white or red wine with my meal. I study his face to memorize it, then answer, “Water, please.”

“You don’t drink?” Tony asks. “Of course I do,” I answer with a smile. “But only at home, never out.” That is my honest answer. The look in his eyes tells me he wonders why, but he doesn’t ask.

I look between them, and Alex is right. They are pure eye candy, and my n*****s are hardening. Max’s eyes drift down, noticing.

Clearing my throat, “You asked for this meeting, gentlemen. What would you like to know about our business services?” I ask in a serious tone, trying my damnest to gain control over myself.

Tony leans back in his chair. “What services do you offer?” It's a genuine question based on the look he has. “We primarily do track and recovery as well as disposal. However, occasionally, I will take on a specialty case depending on the circumstances,” is my answer.

He studies me very carefully before speaking. “Can you clarify specialty case?” he asks, leaning forward and resting his hands on the table. Max takes a drink, then sits his glass back down, listening intently.

“Do you recall about five months ago, there was a terrible story in the news about three very prominent young women being attacked while on a trip to Paris shopping?” They both nod, waiting for me to continue. I look at my glass of water, running my index finger around the rim, recalling the events.

“One of the young women was a senator’s daughter who didn’t survive. They didn’t release all of the details to the public, but only to the family due to the nature of the crime,” I say as I lift my gaze to look each of them in the eye. “Sometimes people are in places that are hard to reach, and sometimes what the judicial system deems is just punishment doesn’t fit the crime.” I shrug, letting the implications of my little confession hang in the air.

Taking a sip of water, I lick my lips as their eyes follow the movement. “Your turn,” is all I say, waiting for them to state what business they are interested in or tell the truth of why they wanted this dinner.

Max looks to Tony, who now has a sly smile. “I think we may be doing more business in the future, Star. There are times I'm sure we could use your tracking and recovery skills.” He says in a playful tone. “You have our number, and Alice or Max will be happy to answer any questions you have,” I say with a smirk.

“I would like to get to know you better, Star, since we will be doing more business together,” Max says with a fire in his eyes.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” I say, looking between them. I continue, “For every question you ask me, you state the question, then answer it with your answer. I’ll be just as honest and forthcoming as you are,” I say with amusement.

“You want me to answer my own question?” he says. “Well, this way, we get to know each other with the same details,” I explain. He laughs at me, but I see he is thinking it over.

“What is your full name?” Tony asks. Then he says Anthony Marino, no middle name. I smile because I haven’t heard my full name since I was a young child and was in trouble.

“Starlight Montgomery,” you know my middle name, but I prefer we keep that to ourselves.

He looks a bit taken aback. I'm sure because it's unusual. “I was named after my great grandfather, you?” he questions, pushing further.

I smirk because the answer to my name is so simple. “The night I was born, the sky was full of stars. I was told they were brilliant, hence the name Starlight. However, in the distance, there were flashes of lightning. My father said it was obvious to him what I should be named,” I left my answer hanging there.

“Your father named you?” Maxed asked. I shift my gaze to him and lift my eyebrow. He just broke the rules of the questions, and now he realizes it by the look on his face.

The door to the room opens, and the waiter steps in with appetizers they must have preordered. “I hope you don’t mind, but we order for you before you arrive,” Tony states. “I do mind. However, this is a one-time meeting, so I'll let it slide,” I say. They don’t even know me and presumed to order for me.

I don’t say anything else because the waiter has my attention again, how his eyes flicker around each of us. He’s nervous. When he stands straight after setting the appetizer down, he is compensating on his right side. Extra weight for a weapon, I realize.

I glance down quickly at his shoes. He paid $500 for those at least. He doesn’t turn to leave immediately but catches me watching him.

Move Lightning! I say in my head.