Chapter Thirty Seven
Maria came out of Dave’s office bathroom, changed into jeans and a t-shirt, she felt more like herself, than the rich housewife outfit she had on, “I don’t want Michael to get too attached to you.”
“Why not?” Dave swung on his seat watching Maria as she moved fluidly around the room. She checked on Izzy in her pen before she dropped in the seat opposite him.
“Because I don’t want him to have another disappointment.” she took the pins out of her hair and let it fall freely around her shoulders.
“I’m not Ricky, or Miguel.” Dave said sternly.
“I never told you Ricky was Michael’s father?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. She had that feeling again, that Dave knew more about her than he let on.
“You implied it.” Dave answered quickly.
Maria watched him for a moment for some tall-tale signs that he was lying, but the guy was a lawyer, he didn’t wear his cards on his sleeve, “I didn’t mean you were like either of our fathers. Izzy is going to know the love of a father, something Michael and I know nothing about.”
“It would be weird being a father figure for you, considering what I imagine for us, but Michael can have that and much more… if you allow it.”
Maria had sworn off men, in fact she had come to resent them, until Dave came into their lives. He was making it difficult for her to protect Michael, from whom or what he might turn out to be, once he had his hooks in her, “Not everything is as simple as you think.” She moved from the seat to the couch.
Dave followed her to the couch, “I really like you and I really love Michael. You really love Izzy and I’m hoping you really like me too. It is that simple.” He took her hands and rubbed them gently with his thumbs.
Maria felt uncomfortable at how serious he had gotten. It had seemed harmless and adventurous at first, but not anymore, she was going to end up hiding from him if he didn’t stop, “Are both yours and Amy’s parents coming for the party?” pulling her hands from his and tucking them under her arms.
Dave huffed before he turned away from her, taking her cue, “Amy’s parents have been vacationing in Europe for the past six years, and I don’t see them coming back any time soon. My parents will be there.”
“Okay, you can tell me what they like, I want to get everything right.” she felt guilty sensing the annoyance in his voice.
“It’s a kid’s birthday party, not a cocktail dinner.” he added coldly.
“I should never have kissed you.” She stood up and moved away from him.
“Why not?” he asked angrily.
“Because now you want more and I can’t give that to you. What I have left in me, I’m giving to Michael, and now Izzy. The little that is left is split between you and me and I can’t give you more.”
“I know you’ve been through a lot, but that’s no reason to shut yourself off and keep me at arm’s length. You are not recovering from your past, you are just letting it keep you locked in.”
“What do you mean by that?” Maria asked, moving closer to him.
“Nothing.” Dave answered evenly.
Todd walked in with a number of files in his hands, interrupting their argument, “Dave we need to get these files done. Hi Paula.”
“Maria.” he corrected, “Not now Todd.” Dave dismissed him, keeping his eyes on Maria.
Todd shifted his gaze between the two, realizing he had walked into a very tense situation. “We need to get this done Dave.” Todd added carefully.
Dave stood up and turned to him, “I said not now!” he shouted, making Maria jump.
She took a step away from him and clutched her shaky hands into fists, as much as she was trying, his temper still scared her. Maria took several deep breaths and leaned against the desk to keep her steady.
“Are you okay?” Todd asked, looking past Dave at her.
Dave followed his worried gaze to Maria, she looked rattled and he knew he did that to her. “I’m fine.” she said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady and avoid Dave’s gaze.
Carol leaned against the door, “Maria, Your mom’s on the line.”
Maria was relieved for the escape, she needed to get away from him for a while, just until he had his temper under control, “Thanks, I’ll take it at your desk.” Carol nodded and moved from the door.
Maria was about to walk out of the room, but Dave stopped her and held her hand. She cringed and her whole body tightened, but she didn’t dare pull away. He pulled her to his desk and picked up the receiver, “Carol put the call through.” Handing Maria the receiver when he was sure she was on with her mother and wasn’t about to run off scared, he turned to Todd, “What is it?”
***
“Yes mama.” Maria moved to the other side of the desk, soothing and rebuking herself for over reacting, she knew better than to be afraid of him, she felt safest when she was around him. She watched Dave in his element as he spoke to Todd in a rush, pointing at the documents he brought, giving him instructions on what to do. Maria wasn’t sure Todd understood a word Dave was saying, he had a blank look on his face and he didn’t seem like he wanted to interrupt Dave for an explanation.
“Hi dear, Michael told me about his party.” Edna spoke, as she threw clothes into her suitcase. Miguel was on his cell phone rapping angrily in Spanish. His men had let Ricky slip past them. He’d gone to Nate’s house, got the information on his New York home. He had a few hours head start, but Edna was determined to catch him before he got near Maria. She was grateful Maria had moved out of the apartment, with Nate in the hospital fighting for his life and someone else already dead, she was glad her daughter moved.
“Yes, we are having a double party, Izzy is turning two. Will you be able to come?”
“Yes, I’m bringing someone, Michael told you right?”
“Yes he did. You can use Nate’s apartment if you like.” Maria sat in Dave’s huge seat. She took her time speaking to her mother so that Dave could have more time to finish his work, before they finished their conversation.
“That’s good.” Edna exhaled in relief. All she could hope for was they didn’t leave any clues behind. Miguel tapped her on the shoulder, she held the receiver away to listen to him.
“Someone’s been digging up information on Maria. The PI got everything on her, police and hospital records included. Should I get rid of him?” his voice had a hint of enthusiasm in it.
Edna looked at him puzzled and a little annoyed at his eagerness to kill someone. She held the receiver back to her ear, “Maria, you said your boyfriend is a lawyer?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Maria said firmly. Even as she said it, she wouldn’t have minded if he was, “yes, one of the best lawyers.” She said proudly.
“Could he have hired someone to check up on you?”
“What?” Maria shot up straight in the seat. Dave and Todd turned to look at her.
“There is a PI here, he’s got everything on you, and I mean everything.”
“He must belong to Dave.” Maria got off the seat and walked towards the duo. She grabbed Todd’s arm and led him out of the office, closing the door behind him, and then turned to Dave. He looked at her, not sure to be amused or frightened of the tiny woman.
Edna held the receiver away from her, “Leave him be, he’s Dave’s.”
“Damn it! I don’t need a lawyer snooping around,” Miguel turned and went back to his phone.
Edna put the phone back to her ear. She didn’t want to deal with Miguel’s problems right now while a maniac was hunting down her daughter, “Honey we’ll see you in a week or so.”
“Why so soon?” Maria asked, taking slow steps towards Dave.
“I miss you guys, that’s all.” she handed her suitcase to one of Miguel’s men and rushed out of the house for the car, “Love you.”
“Love you.” Hanging up, she turned her full attention to Dave, “A PI?”
Dave pocketed his hands and stared down at the threat half his size approaching him, “Put down the phone, I don’t want to get hurt.”
She threw the phone on the couch, “You said you didn’t know a lot about me?”
“Lawyers lie all the time.”
“Dave!”
“I wanted you to tell me on your own, with no pressure.” He spoke in a placid tone, to contrast her furious one.