Authors: Margaret McHeyzer
“Is that right, Miss DeLuca? And up until five minutes ago you didn’t even know the reason for the benefit, so please do tell, how much are
you
willing to contribute? Because with a dress like that, there’s no where you can hide your check book.”
“I tell you what, Senator, how about I match dollar for dollar to what you donate?”
“I ummm, but….”
“Right, there goes that politician mouth of yours. You don’t want to donate because it’ll take away from your campaign money. News flash, I’m sure you have your own personal money. Use that, stop hiding behind the Senator badge and do something good.”
“Stop hiding behind the Mafia badge and you do something good.”
“You truly have no fucking idea what I do. Did you know I contribute to no less than ten charities every year? Do you know that I funded a mammogram machine for Mass General? Did you even know that I have clinics set up for battered women? You have no fucking idea what I do and even the reasons why I do it.”
Jeremy sits back in his seat as we approach the hotel ballroom where the benefit’s being held in.
“I didn’t know, Frankie. I thought you were Frankie DeLuca, Mob Boss and sex kitten. I never knew you were so involved in the community.”
“Well possibly it’s time to put your finger on the pulse, Senator and start working for your living.”
“I’ll donate five hundred thousand from my personal money.”
“You think that’s good enough?”
“Frankie, I’m not made of money.”
“You’re telling me you can’t donate one million?”
“Well I could, it’s just…”
“You’re full of shit. I get it. Personal gain. You’re a politician.”
“Will you match it?”
I snicker to his ridiculous question seeing as I just said I would.
“Hmmm,” I expel the air caught in my lungs and turn my head looking outside.
“Darling, I don’t want you mad at me,” I feel Jeremy’s hand on my leg as he gently runs it up and down my thigh.
“I’m not mad at you. I’m disappointed, but definitely not mad.”
“I’m sorry, Frankie. You’re the last person I want to disappoint. Well disappoint again…” With that, the air’s lifted and I let out a chuckle. I look over at Jeremy who’s sporting a very cheeky smile.
The limo pulls up and Jeremy opens the back door and walks around to open mine. As I take his hand to get out of the car, I look behind me and see my security detail all dressed impeccably exiting a van and one of my cars behind them. Six security men in the detail, two who’ll have access to be where I am throughout the night and four to take position outside at various check points. I’m sure G’s coordinated with them. Jeremy, I and two of my men enter the hotel and then the ballroom.
The ballroom is exquisite and grand. The richness of the mahogany woods and the plush reds with deep greys covering the walls are simply divine, but the stained glass windows that look down at us are nothing short of breathtaking. With the beautiful colors and the stories they tell, it’s difficult to not appreciate this room for the sheer magnificence of it.
“Come on, Darling, my Mother’s here and I’d like to introduce you,” Jeremy takes my arm in the crook of his and leads us across the dance floor to the side where a bar is set up. There’s a woman who looks in her late fifties with complete silver hair piled high on her head, and wearing a black off the shoulder gown that falls eloquently to the floor, a dress most definitely appropriate for a woman of her age.
“Hello, Sweetheart, if you required a date so badly I would’ve gotten someone for you. You didn’t need to contact an escort service,” Betsy eyes me up and down with an impassioned look of filth and hatred.
“Mom,” Jeremy growls towards his mother. “This is Frankie DeLuca.”
“Yes I know who she is. With a dress like that though she looks more like a streetwalker and clearly doesn’t fit in here.”
“Well, Betsy, we’re all here to help raise them
one million dollars
. Isn’t that the figure you had in mind?” She chokes a little on the drink she’s nursing and Jeremy turns to pat her on the back.
“Jeremy Sweetheart, could you go see if Congressman Charles has arrived yet please?” Jeremy looks at his mother then at me, I smile sweetly to him and wink once, knowing his mother is watching.
“Um sure, Mom.”
As Jeremy walks past me I grab onto his hand and stop him. Turning my body into his and leaning right into him, I bring my lips to meet his. Instantly he opens his mouth and lets me control the tempo of this kiss. The world disintegrates around us as my tongue draws a perfect line around his top lip. Jeremy brings one hand to rest on my hip and the other to the small of my back, his pinkie finger darts inside the back of the dress and he slowly caresses the top of my arse. My arms come up to encircle his neck and I continue this passionate and lustful kiss. Pulling each other closer together, I can feel Jeremy start to swell in his pants. I break away and look into his now liquid silver eyes, but his hands remain in the same position. He brings me closer to his body as he whispers, “Fuck, Darling, when can we leave?”
“Not yet, just hurry back.” I scrape my teeth down his chin line as he reluctantly pulls away from me. Jeremy leaves his mother and myself to talk as he goes looking for Congressman Charles.
“So, Francesca, it seems I’ve under estimated you.”
“Please, Francesca is so stuffy, I insist you call me Miss DeLuca, Betsy.”
“That’s Mrs Miller to you.” I let out a laugh and look at her with one perfectly cocked eyebrow.
“So let’s cut the shit, Betsy, you can clearly see I can get to anyone. And your son is most definitely taken by me. It may be in your best interest to run away with that old tail between your legs because I’m sure that’s the only thing that gets between them.”
Betsy leans back on the bar and gives me a look I can only describe as dangerous.
“You totally under estimate me,
Miss DeLuca
. You think I care about Jeremy. Truthfully, I’ve never wanted him, I’ve never needed him and I’ve certainly never even loved him.”
What the fuck!
“Then why did you……” Realisation strikes me immediately. “Status. You trapped his father into marrying you.”
“I’m a woman much like yourself, I take what I need and want and disregard what I don’t. You have something I want and I have plenty that you don’t want to fall in the incorrect hands.”
“Betsy, for one million dollars, I can have certain professionals who’ll happily eradicate any vermin issues that I have. I’d rather see the money go to them then to the person standing in front of me.”
“Miss DeLuca, if that’s what you need to do, then please go ahead and exterminate the problem. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the aftermath of it.”
Leaning into Betsy so I’m talking in low tones I smile as nicely as I can, “Now this is going to be a lot of fun, Betsy. Please ensure that you’re fully equipped for me because you have no idea of the force behind my punch. Now please excuse me, I have your son I need to find and fuck hard. Enjoy your evening.”
Turning to leave a cocky Betsy at the bar, I have to take a different approach to her. Obviously she has no care factor for what happens to her son so threatening Jeremy is futile for me. I’ll need to find another avenue to attack her and to dismantle her, possibly in a more personal way. G and I will need to brainstorm and come up with an effective way to destroy her.
As I approach the bar on the other side, every male pair of eyes and some female, appreciate the very little I’m wearing. The dress calls attention and I proudly boast and advertise every beautiful curve that the gold material embraces. I cross the room and see Jeremy’s side as he stands with a tumbler in his hand and his other hand in his pocket having a conversation with another man. Jeremy throws his head back and lets out a deep laugh as I catch a glimpse of the man he’s talking to. The man stops talking to Jeremy and stares at me, his eyes rake and he takes a step closer to me. He’s attractive but he’s no Jeremy Miller. Jeremy looks at the man and follows his gaze over to me. The man mutters something to Jeremy and Jeremy smiles at him then back to me. Within a few steps I stand beside my Senator and he wraps an arm around my waist.
“Who’s this enchanting young lady?” The man takes my hand and brings it up to his lips.
“This is Miss DeLuca, my date, Jonathon.” Jeremy proudly claims me as his.
“Please, no need for formalities. Frankie will suffice.”
“Frankie DeLuca? The Frankie DeLuca?” The man named Jonathon asks me.
“I’m not sure how many there are but I’m certainly one of them.”
“I didn’t think this would be your scene, Frankie,” Jonathon says as he lets my hand go.
“And what is my scene? A seedy strip joint with an office upstairs filled with strung out hoes? They only exist in books and movies Jonathon. I assure you that I’m merely here for the youth and to raise money.”
“I just thought that you were, well um, it doesn’t matter.” Jeremy’s arm tightens around my waist as Jonathon stumbles over his words.
“So, Senator, I need a drink and I’d like to find our table.”
“Of course, Darling, excuse us Jonathon,” Jonathon nods and walks towards another group of men standing together talking and sneaking glances over at me.
“He was ogling you,” Jeremy says as he leads me towards our table.
“I know.”
“I didn’t enjoy that very much.”
“Well you best keep your blinkers on because he’s not the only one looking.”
“I’m feeling a little insecure and somewhat possessive, especially seeing as I’m sure all the men and half the women want to strip you down and play with that delicious body of yours.”
“Senator, there’s only one man who’ll be playing with any part of me tonight.” We find our table in the centre front of the area and Jeremy pulls the seat out for me to sit. There’s another couple sitting at the table. As their eyes look at Jeremy first, a wide smile forms on their faces; they look to me and instantly look away. They must have recognised me because I automatically know them as Mr and Mrs Austin. He’s a well-respected business man of a large gaming platform and a very frequent customer to one of my exclusive brothels. She’s a stay at home wife who’s dedicated her life to caring for their children.
“Mr Austin, it’s nice to see you again. How are you, Mrs Austin?” I look over at the woman who’s avoiding any eye contact with me.
“Yes I’m fine,” she mutters away from me. Mr Austin meets my sight and I tilt my head to him once and go back to speaking to Jeremy.
“You know them?” Jeremy whispers.
“I know him,” I whisper back.
“How?”
“You don’t need to know,” I lean in and kiss him on the side of his mouth.
Dinner’s served and by the time dessert’s placed in front of us the charity auction begins. Weekends away, photo shoots with world class photographers, box seats at baseball games, rare jewellery are all auctioned off. Nothing piques my interest more than a case of 1981 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, it was made the year I was born, so naturally I have to buy it. The case itself is worth maybe twenty five thousand dollars but I also want to help the homes with the amenities that they require. I raise my paddle when the bidding starts to stall at thirty five thousand. Another bid comes from behind me but I don’t need to turn around to see who it is. Jeremy puts one arm up behind me, resting it on the back of the chair as his fingers draw circles on my back.
“You look so fucking sexy, wielding that paddle around.” He runs his tongue just lightly down my jaw.
“Forty five thousand,” the female voice is coming from the back, I automatically know it’s Betsy.
“One hundred thousand,” I counter.
“One hundred and twenty thousand.”
I roll my eyes and the auctioneer looks at me. “Two hundred,” I shake my head at the stupid Betsy.
“The bidding stands at two hundred thousand by the very alluring Miss DeLuca. Going once, going twice,” The auctioneer pauses.
“Two hundred and fifty thousand,” Betsy screeches out. I smile at her ridiculous games.
“Darling, Mother will beat anything you offer.” Jeremy whispers in my ear before kissing my shoulder. His tongue darts out and licks me just before he takes skin between his teeth and applies a little pressure. The feeling is intense and extreme and with hope a preview to what the night will offer.
“I was approached with a business proposition early this evening but the wine’s definitely more alluring, one million dollars.” I casually say as I look over my shoulder and see Betsy’s face turning a lovely shade of red. Small whispers and gasps are heard around the room.
“Alright folks, seems we have one million on the crate of 1981 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Going once, going twice.” Again the auctioneer slows but this time there’s no counter offer “Sold to Miss DeLuca for one million dollars.” A small round of applause is given before the next item is auctioned. Jeremy purchases a weekend away at some uber chick resort for two hundred and thirty six thousand dollars. When I turn to see where Betsy is, she’s no longer in her seat or by the bar.
When the auction finishes, the lights dim and the band starts playing tunes that everyone can dance to. Jeremy stands and offers me his hand, graciously I accept and he leads me to the half empty dance floor. He grips my right hand firmly in his left, and his right hand sits at the top of my hip as he pulls me in quite close to his body.
“You have to be the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in a very long time, Frankie.”
“Thank you,” I bite my lip to stop any bitchy retort and Jeremy notices.
“You want to say something you shouldn’t, don’t you?”
“I’m trying to be good tonight, Senator. It appears that the most attractive man in the room can’t stop looking at me and so I’m attempting to curb my not so subtle side, even if it’s only for the evening.”
“You think I’m attractive?”
“I didn’t say it was you. A lot of attractive men are looking at me tonight.”
Jeremy throws his head back and lets out a deep laugh. “I asked for that.”
I cock an eye brow and let him lead in the waltz.