Page 19 of Family Secrets

“You’re welcome, Ms. Smith,” Niko dipped his head. “And it’s Niko, no need for the mister part.”

“Of course, Niko, and its Elizabeth. I have a feeling we will see much more of one another.”

Niko watched as the young woman walked with confidence into the front entrance of the Waldorf. Either this Elizabeth had balls of steel or was one of the best con-artists he’d ever met. His gut told him the former was true. Pulling out his cell, Niko slipped behind the wheel of the car, the phone ringing twice before connecting.

“Just dropped off the girl Sully hired, and I have the information you requested.”

“And?”

Niko smirked as he stole a place in traffic. “She isn’t a plant, I can tell you with confidence, but…” Niko drifted off, not sure how to present the next piece of information. “There is something about her you should know.”

* * *

Elizabeth’sfirst morning in New York City presented itself as gloomy and overcast, the snow from yesterday was but a memory. From the bundled-up pedestrians on the sidewalk, she knew the bitter temperatures had remained. After the bellman left last night, Elizabeth allowed her inner five-year-old to lead the way in tossing her body in the center of the luxurious bed and bouncing like an idiot. When she called Lisa, the two squealed like toddlers and made plans for breakfast as Lisa had a prior obligation. Elizabeth ordered room service and then filled the enormous tub up with hot water and bubbles, where she stayed and watched a fight live from Las Vegas.

Glancing at the clock on the fireplace mantel, Elizabeth grabbed her coat and the gold card Niko gave her last night, heading downstairs to meet Lisa.

As Elizabeth entered the lobby, a black, flashy car pulled alongside the curb forcing several people to jump out of the way in order to avoid being hit. Elizabeth slipped into her coat, making her way to the door as Lisa flirted shamelessly with an older gentleman who’d emerged from an equally impressive car.

“Lizzie!” Lisa shouted, rounding the front of the car, the man she’d been talking to forgotten.

“Lisa,” Elizabeth closed her eyes and engulfed her friend in a hug. Lisa was about her height, skinnier by a few pounds, but it was her well-endowed chest that created the biggest issue in the pair getting close. Long hair, blonde from the roots to about three-quarters down, the bleached color fading into black tips. She was in full makeup despite the early Sunday hour, eyelashes thick and long and definitely not real. Her skin was tan despite the lack of sun, teeth straight and impossibly white. Her fur-covered boots matched the vest she wore, both looking so soft Elizabeth fought hard not to reach out and touch them.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Lisa raved, pushing Elizabeth back so she could have a good look at her. Dark hair and the bluest eyes Lisa had ever seen stared back at her. She was skinnier than she thought but contributed that to the pounds the camera added. Clear skin, practically flawless, with not a stitch of makeup to be seen. Excitement filled her chest at the raw canvas she had before her. It would take a little work, and begging for a few dollars from Sully, but Lisa felt confident she could make Elizabeth look as if she belonged.

“Come on, I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday and I’m starving.”

Elizabeth may be an expert on spreadsheets and ledgers, but she knew next to nothing about cars. However, the smell of leather, dancing horse and iconic name stamped on the emblem of the steering wheel told her the car was expensive. She listened as Lisa chatted about the best places to shop and where to avoid, of how to tell a fake designer purse from the real one, all while driving as crazy as Niko had.

Several minutes and bridge crossings later, Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide as she saw a sign welcoming her to New Jersey. Moments later, Lisa whipped the car onto a secondary road, pulling alongside a brick building with a line of people waiting to gain entry.

Lisa threw the car in park as a leather jacket-wearing man stood from a seat inside the restaurant, rounded the front of the car and opened Lisa’s door. She left the car running, tugging a purse which was nearly as big as she was, from behind the seat.

“I hope you have a granola bar in that bag of yours,” Elizabeth teased. “Looks as if we’ll be waiting for a while.” Motioning to the line behind her.

“Not when you know the owner.” Lisa tossed over her shoulder, bypassing the line as if it didn’t exist. Elizabeth sprinted to catch up, thanking the young man who held the door open for them as she followed Lisa into the crowded restaurant.

Elizabeth watched as Lisa greeted practically every table they passed, kissing the cheeks of several older men and the much younger women sitting beside them. Sliding into an empty booth, two plates of food were placed in front of them, a cup of coffee for Lisa.

“You remembered.”

“Your aversion to coffee?”

“Yes, I’m surprised you remembered.”

“Don’t be, I have a photographic memory. Its why our boss keeps me around.”

A rumbling of laughter sounded behind them causing Elizabeth to look over her shoulder at the table of men.

“Speaking of bosses, Elizabeth. There are a few things you have to know about working for the Vitale’s before tomorrow.”

“Oh?” Elizabeth returned her attention to Lisa, not comfortable with the warning tone of her voice.

“Rule number one; no matter what you see, keep your mouth shut. Two, and this is the most important, no matter how many times you see it on paper, never call Gino by his given name.”

“Is it a terrible name?” Elizabeth whispered, leaning over top of her untouched food.

“No,” Lisa mumbled over a bite of eggs. Her tone gave Elizabeth the understanding this was all that would be said on the matter, making Elizabeth's curiosity pop off the charts. She would wait and see for herself what the big deal was.

“So, are you excited about tomorrow?”

Nodding her head, “And a little nervous. Is there a dress code I need to worry about?”

“Not really, most everyone dresses like me.”

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed in concern. She didn’t have the kind of wardrobe Lisa possessed; the selections available to her were much more conservative.

Sensing her despair, Lisa reached across the table, placing her hand on top of Elizabeth's. “You don’t have to worry about clothes. The guys,” nodding to the loud table behind them. “Take care of us; makeup, jewelry, clothing, anything we want. You’ll have a new wardrobe in no time. Sully will more than likely have a car and the address of your apartment tomorrow. Until then, sit back and enjoy the last few hours of the weekend.”

A little over an hour later, the two walked out of the restaurant, faces split with a genuine smile and their stomachs full. As they waited for Lisa’s car, Elizabeth took a look at the businesses around her; a florist shop across the street, a deli next to it, but it’s the lettering of the gym next door which grabbed her attention and held it, or rather the chiseled man running on the treadmill just beyond the glass. Elizabeth licked her lips as her eyes followed the beads of sweat traveling down his naked chest, passing a gold crucifix and disappearing into the band of his athletic shorts. Dark hair, the same shade as hers, bounced with each step he took. A smattering of facial hair along his chin gave him a certain edge she’d always found sexy. His movements were mesmerizing, not even the roar of Lisa’s car engine was enough to pull her attention away. As if sensing he’s being watched, the man shifted his focus to her. When their gazes collided, several things coincided, Lisa sounded her horn causing the man on the treadmill to step wrong, nearly falling off the moving belt. Embarrassed at being caught staring, Elizabeth ducked into the safety of Lisa’s car, shutting the door with too much gusto as she pulled away from the curb, tires screeching in protest.

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