She remembered finding this place. Treasure Town. Even the name had a mystical appeal laced with new beginnings and fantasies come true. She wanted her happy ever after, goddamn it! She giggled to herself. What was she thinking? She was a realist now. Cynical even to a fault, after what life threw at her. Her inability to trust held her back from sharing anything about herself or her past. When she thought about Rico, she shook with fear. She didn’t need the added stress. Her evenings in bed filled with nightmares, panic attacks, and cold sweats were enough anxiety to live with.
“So, are you working at Fannie’s tomorrow?”
“Yes. She’s trying to give me some more hours, but the store really runs itself. People browse around looking, reading all the spiritual sayings and things. You really can’t bother them or ask to assist them.”
“I didn’t think of that. Are you still looking for other work? I can ask Florence if she needs another waitress at Sullivan’s.”
“I’ll let you know. Maybe she needs some fresh-baked pies to sell there?”
“I can ask her. They order in from the city and get deliveries. But it would be great to advertise a local girl’s homemade pies.” Cindy smiled and winked.
Nina placed the last two pies onto the counter.
“I’m not a local girl, remember? But I like the concept.”
“Who cares that you weren’t born here. You live here now. Your pies are ‘delish,’ and you’re gorgeous. What more could make someone stand up and notice you?”
“I don’t know, but if you think of anything, let me know please. I’m getting desperate. Oh, and I’m not gorgeous.” She shyly looked down and wiped her flower-sprinkled hands on her apron. She didn’t like to receive that kind of attention from anyone. She knew her eyes stood out more than most. It was her one asset that she was blessed with. People had referred to them as spirited eyes, magical, entrancing, and some other words she really didn’t bother to overthink.
“You really don’t think you’re beautiful, do you, Nina?” Cindy asked as she put her phone away, stood up straight, and placed her hands on her hips.
“I know we haven’t known one another long at all, but girl, your eyes alone are a knockout. I mean, I’ve never seen such mocha-colored eyes, and they practically glow around the edges. You have that olive complexion, the whole Italian–Sicilian thing going on, and your body? I think I’m going to take up walking. Cause your form of transportation has you sporting a killer ass and toned thighs, too. You’re gorgeous, woman. Don’t ever let anyone ever tell you otherwise,” Cindy told her.
Nina was shocked at Cindy’s description of her. She didn’t like to think of herself as beautiful. Especially with the faint scars along her forearms and the ones on her ass. Rico really hit her hard with his belt that day. If she hadn’t been on the run for so long, she would have used some money to get some ointment to prevent scarring. But that wasn’t the case. She was on the run, and he was going to hunt her down unless she disappeared.
“Hey, what’s that look for?” Cindy asked, touching her hand. When she did, Nina immediately pulled away. She tried to step around the small space but Cindy stopped her.
“Nina, I know we haven’t known one another long, but I care about you. You’re a lot like I was a few years back. Living on my own, no family, trying to make ends meet and get through this life. But sometimes you just have this far-off look, and I can’t help to think that you’re afraid of something. I don’t know what it is. I know your life and your past is none of my business. Hell, I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you need a friend, I’m here for you.”
Nina felt her chest tighten. How much she wanted to accept that friendship and admit some of her fears to Cindy but she couldn’t. It was easier, wiser, she knew from experience, to just stay hollow inside and alone.
“I appreciate that. I’ve never had a close friend before. Thanks.” She turned around and placed the pies into a large cardboard box. She placed three apple pies into another box for Cindy.
“So let me know what your mom and her friends think, okay?”
“Will do.” Cindy closed her eyes and inhaled.
“If these pies make it to the house. Damn, girl, these smell so good.” Nina smiled at the compliment and then opened the door for Cindy, who headed out.
As Nina closed the door, she leaned back against it, feeling that tightness in her chest.
Will I ever be able to have a friend? Will I ever feel strong enough and safe enough to get close to anyone? God, life is going to be lonely. All I have is my baking abilities. Please God. Please let these people love my pies and place some orders. Please.
Chapter 3
“That answer isn’t good enough, Alex. Nina has been gone for six months, six fucking months. How the hell could she be surviving out there on her own without me?”
“I don’t know, Rico. Obviously she’s more capable and resourceful than we all gave her credit for,” he replied.
“Bullshit!” Rico slammed his fist down on the table. He stared at Cougar.
“What’s your take on this? Any leads at all?”
Cougar shook his head. “None. She’s gone, Rico. Can’t you just forget about her? You have a dozen others who can replace her,” Alex added.
Rico stared at him and then stared at the picture of Nina on his desk.
Her eyes were a shade of mocha so incredible that it was as if they glowed around the edges. She was submissive, controllable, until he pushed too hard, too far.
“She is too special. She is perfect, and I pushed her to the edge.”
“How can you say that? You gave her so much. You got what you wanted from her, her innocence, her virginity,” Cougar countered.
Rico shot a look at him. “It was more than that. By taking her first, by possessing her fully, she became mine. No one takes what is mine. She belongs to me and always will. I will stop at nothing to find her. Do you hear me, Alex? I will stop at nothing. I want more people on this. When we have her back, things will change. The club is running itself. Cougar, you could stay on as manager while I take Nina away for a while. You know, to get her used to her permanent position by my side. I will teach her to obey me, and do whatever I ask of her.”
“And what about what Martino and his brother Miguel want?” Cougar asked. “They were waiting on you to share her with them and that was supposed to happen the night she took off.”
Rico bit the inside of his cheek. “I said I wouldn’t share her despite the proposition they offered.”
“They offered a great deal, a partnership across the Caribbean. Is she really worth all this? Is it worth it to make her return to appease your obsession, only for you to be forced to share her with Miguel and Martino?” Cougar asked.
Rico stared at Cougar. He had been with him for the last seven years. He was more than just his head of security and guard. He was family.
“I need to do what I must. I’ll face that decision of sharing her when the time comes. All I ask of you two right now is to keep digging. She’s out there. She’s alive, and I will not stop looking until I find her and have her in my arms. I’ll never give up looking. Never.”
* * * *
Nina was feeling a bit frustrated from not receiving any orders after Cindy’s mom’s party the other day. Fannie Higgins let her place flyers on the counter by the register at Angel’s Wings, but no bites yet.
She was using Cindy’s cell phone number and e-mail because she couldn’t afford a phone for herself, nor was she willing to risk setting up an e-mail account, giving Rico a way to track her down.
The store was quiet today, and it was getting close to closing time as Nina picked up one of the little cards on the rack that caught her eye. It had a picture of a small blueberry pie at the top. “Life is as sweet as the ingredients you put into it. A dash of spice, a little bit of sugar, a lot of love, and sweet results.”
She chuckled and then placed the card back down. The store was filled with so many cool things and not all the sayings were spiritual. Some were just intuitive and witty phrases.
There were all different sections catering to all emotions and life events. There were cards suitable to give someone in mourning, congratulations, best wishes, get well soon, inspiration. She walked over to the wind chimes that appeared so mystical and sounded pretty. They had some seashells and other little things that she loved to hear when they connected and chimed. If she had a house with a front porch, she’d buy one. But right now her cramped one-bedroom apartment above the small liquor store was not exactly home. It was hers for now and what she could afford for the next few months. Then it might be back to the parks and other areas where it was safe to sleep outdoors. She swallowed hard.
“You could get going, Nina. I don’t expect many more customers in the last twenty minutes,” Fannie said.
“Are you sure? Do you need anything else done?” she asked, heading back toward the counter.
“Nope, we’re good. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nina said and took her purse from behind the counter.
“Be careful walking, there are some crazy drivers around here at night.”