Nick's Baby Read online

  "Nah, I don't care about your credentials," He glanced to the walls and shook his head. "I wanna know who you are. What's behind all this? What qualifies you to be my kid's one and only parent? Don't you have any feelings for the kid? Don't you think the kid would miss a father? Don't you think you are being just the least bit selfish?"

  "Of course I do. But I'd compensate. I've considered her feelings in the matter. But when a person is truly loved, how can they miss anything? And she would be loved. I'd give her so much love and attention, she wouldn't think about it."

  "Look, Chairman of the Board don't make you 'Mother of the Year'."

  Her cheeks flamed, her eyes blazed angrily. "I happen to be good at anything I set my mind to. I'll be a good mother! I'll love my child beyond limits. You can't imagine how much I've got stored inside to give."

  It was as though he had turned on a switch, and boy did he like the switch. Now she looked real, sounded real, not just some Chairman of the Board talking out the side of her mouth. Not some plastic person sitting there giving him a bunch of crap about test tube babies. Until this moment, the child seemed hypothetical. Now it was a female child, asking about its father. If that wasn't personal, what was?

  The woman was fire and ice rolled into one.

  "Look, lady, I came here for a job. You know, a laborer, a warehouse foreman, something I could understand. But this—this ain't a job. It ain't even decent."

  "Isn't?"

  He nodded, looking straight at her, past the glasses to the soul. He gritted his teeth, and clenched his hands. "Yeah, see what I mean? That should tell you somethin'. You probably graduated from Yale or Harvard. I'm from the other side of the tracks, and we stick to our own. Maybe that's what you should do. Most of my acquaintances are hoods, big ones and little ones."

  She stiffened. "That's hardly relevant."

  "Maybe, but I barely got a high school education. That's relevant. I had to finish in summer school—two years, with a part time job in the process. You want a refined gentleman to father your child. I can understand and even respect that. Besides, I'm not the kind of guy who goes around making babies. I know what protection is all about. What's the matter with gettin' pregnant the normal way? You gotta a disease or somethin'?"

  She grabbed the rattle so hard her knuckles turned white, but she answered calmly. "Good question, at least you're well informed."

  "You can't live in Hell's Kitchen without being informed."

  She exhaled as though she'd been holding her breath too long. "All right. Look, you're attractive, in good shape, and you're also a very decent man. At least from what I've seen and heard today. What's not to like about you Leonetti? You appear to be a man who finishes what he starts, since you took the trouble to go to summer school, and you do seem to find other jobs when you lose one. That's admirable. Things don't get you down easily. Our language barrier isn't a problem. But no, I don't have a disease, and would be happy to submit to any tests you want, to prove it. I'll also have a history of myself done, so that we can start on an equal basis."

  "Why don't you just marry some nice guy, and have yourself some babies?"

  "I've already told you—" Frustration fired from her eyes.

  "Yeah, I know. You don't want a husband, because you obviously don't trust men. So why trust me? In case you hadn't noticed . . . I'm a man."

  She tossed the rattle on the desk, wiped at her eyes, and met his questioning gaze. "Of course I've noticed. And yet,—I do trust you, Nick. Don't ask me why. But I do. And I can make it worth your while."

  Nick shook his head adamantly, irritated by her words. He should be flattered, but this was so wrong. "Everything comes down to money to you, doesn't it? There really ain't a lot of difference in you and most of the hoods I know. Pushers, loan sharks, and you." He knew it wasn't fair to size someone up so quickly, but she was doing it to him.

  She slid the glasses back on once more. "I'm trying to be up front with you. Dear God, you don't know how much I admire your morals and conscience."

  "Look." He stood and walked up to her. He purposely leaned closer. "When I make a baby, it's going to be with a woman I'm in love with."

  Her eyes widened, her breath became labored. He liked rattling her cool facade. "And I don't consider that misplaced. I got standards I live by, too. That baby is going to have me hooked around her finger. She's gonna know somebody loves her." He leaned closer and got a faint whiff of expensive perfume. He hadn't expected her to smell sweet. He'd expected her to smell like starch. "If I were to consider something this crazy, I'd want to date you. Be with you. I'd want to know everything about you. Not just some application on a desk. You're talking about creating a life, real life, and being responsible for that life. My kid will have a father. My father might have been rotten, but I'm not. Not by a long shot. I'm poor, but I have my principles. Sorry lady, no dice. I want a real job."

  He turned to leave.

  "Dammit, this is a job!" she cried, her voice breaking. "You think I don't take this seriously? You're wrong. Dead wrong. I want a baby, Mr. Leonetti. Is that so bad? You just don't understand. Marriage in my circles isn't what it's cracked up to be. It's more like a prison than a relationship."

  "Then maybe you should change circles." Nick gave her one last look before he walked out the door.

  ~~~

  Kelsey stared at the closed door. Tears stung her eyes, goose bumps prickled her skin, and a slow smile played at her lips.

  "Wow!" she exclaimed aloud as she tapped the application in front of her on her desk. "Well Nick Leonetti doesn't know it yet, but he's going to be the father of my baby!"

  CHAPTER THREE

  The aroma of Mama's spaghetti simmering on the stove sent Nick careening into the kitchen, sniffing with a delighted smile. "Smells great, Mama. How's your back today?"

  "It's better Nicky, much better. Are you hungry?"

  The small round woman brushed a wayward strand of graying brown hair away from her pumpkin shaped face, and washed her hands in the deep-welled sink. She glanced at her son over her shoulder.

  Nick eyed his mother. She had aged much too quickly in the last ten years since their father had left. He wished he could turn back the clock for her. Now if he could convince her to quit worrying.

  "Always hungry. Hey, I got another job today, Mama."

  "A job! Wonderful Nicky. Does it pay good?"

  He shook his head, "Not as much as I wanted. But we'll manage, and it won't interfere with the time at the garage on the weekends."

  "Ah yes, your garage." Mama sighed heavily. "The job where everyone takes advantage of Nicholas Leonetti. Nicky, Nicky, you work too hard and have too little time for yourself. You should be married by now. I want grandchildren."

  Nick itched to tell her about the job he could have had, but she would never believe such a thing. He wasn't sure he believed it. "Jo-Jo is good for the money."

  Wiping the sweat from her brow, she looked at him fondly. "He won't pay. He'll give you another hard luck story, and you'll believe it, or pretend you do. But no matter."

  "We'll get out of here. I got my eye on a place in Queens. I'll get the money, Mama."

  "Such a dreamer, Nicky. Just like your father."

  Nick started to protest the effigy, but she rattled on.

  "I've lived here all my life, seen a lot of changes. Some good, some bad. We do what we gotta do. We can always go live with Cousin Louis, if things don't work out here."

  "Things aren't going to work out here Mama. The building is practically sold. We gotta move." He picked up a toothpick and rolled in into the corner of his mouth.

  Tina dashed through the kitchen, distracting everyone in her path. Her dark hair swished gently over rosy cheeks. Her books clutched in her hands, she headed straight for the kitchen door.

  "Don't hold supper for me. I'm going to Gloria's."

  "Come on, I'll walk you over, princess."

  "Oh, please, just once, can't I go by myself? It's only across the s
treet, Mama. It's Gloria's, for Pete's sake. This family, honestly."

  "We've had this discussion before. Now, let's go."

  "Mama?"

  "Walk her over, Nicky," Mama said chuckling softly, not giving either of them a second glance as she stirred her sauce. "Nicky knows what he's doing, Tina."

  "Good grief, why couldn't I have been a boy?" Tina pouted and jumped out of the door trying to escape her brother.

  Nick grabbed her round the neck, pulling her to a slower pace. "Look, sometimes, I wish you'd been born a boy too. It would be easier for both of us."

  "I told you Nicky, the car only stopped once, and asked to take my picture. They were going to pay me, Nicky."

  "And you're old enough to know what they were paying you for. I catch you messing with those skin pushers again, I'll . . ."

  "I'd never do it. If I'd known you'd act this way, I wouldn't have told you about it in the first place. I'll probably never be able to date because of you."

  "Who's to say you can't date? But you know the rules as well as anyone. First you gotta bring him home."

  "Yeah, to be inspected."

  "A hazard of growing up. You think Mama doesn't inspect whoever I bring home? Don't kid yourself."

  Tina smiled her anger fading.

  They walked down the long row of stairs and across the dimly lit street, and up into the far building on the corner. Another tenement building, just as overcrowded as their own, just as run down. Before long, these old building would only be a memory.

  "Maybe so, but you haven't bothered bringing anyone home in a long time."

  Nick cast Tina a warning look, then waited until she was safely inside Gloria's apartment. He also made sure Gloria's mother was at home and that the stairs were clear of any bystanders before he took off. It was a precaution.

  He sympathized with Tina's impatience, but he knew best. Like his older brothers, Geno and Lon had, Nick carried the burden of responsibility for his family with pride. He figured when he got the garage paid for, moved them into a better neighborhood, he could relax and start thinking of a family of his own. If that ever happened.

  "Hey Leonetti!" A raspy voice from the side of the apartment complex brought Nick out of his thoughts. "Babysittin' that sister of yours again?"

  "That's right, gotta a problem with it, Calvin?"

  The big man with long whiskers and dirty black hair shrugged, hiding the fact that the name Calvin irritated him. "No problem. But it looks to me like she's big enough to take care of herself. A real looker, too."

  The hair on the back of Nick's neck rose. He rolled his shoulders, then shot his intruder a quick, decisive glance. "That's exactly why I'm walkin' her, Davinchy."

  "Gotta let go of the strings sometime." Davinchy snorted, a gold tooth protruding from the side of his mouth.

  Nick felt the toothpick break in his mouth as he bit back a retort. It did no good wasting his breath with thugs like this one. But Calvin Davinchy was harmless—one of the few—all mouth.

  "Not as long as mean little hoods like you are around, Calvin." Nick switched his toothpick to the other side of his mouth and nodded at him. Calvin Davinchy was twice Nick's size, but not in Nick's league.

  "You'll make plenty of money," Kelsey had promised.

  Somehow, he had to get that dame off his mind. Sure he had his troubles, but they were his troubles, and in time he'd solve them. Kelsey O'Sullivan was a nut, he had to remember that.

  Wrestling with his priorities, Nick didn't sleep well that night. Late for work the next morning, he grimaced as he drove the kids to school, and dodged the traffic jam. Not that it was his intention to be late. It never was. Naturally, his explanation didn't keep his six foot-nine boss from glaring at him, a half-eaten cigar hanging from one side of his bagel-shaped mouth as he watched Nick clock in a half hour late.

  "Sorry, I'm late, boss," Nick managed awaiting instructions with the other men. "I had to take the kids to school and there was this traffic jam. . . ."

  "Thought you weren't married," the big man said, drooling his tobacco.

  "Nah. It's my kid sister and brother."

  "So, can't they walk?"

  Nick ignored the jabs like he always did. He always tried explaining about his family. Family first. No one understood, or cared. Why should this boss be different?

  ~~~

  Four hours later, Kelsey O'Sullivan stood watching him as he sat on a concrete slab in the shade, talking garbage to one of his coworkers, munching on a delicious smelling sandwich. Kelsey's mouth watered, she'd forgotten to eat this morning in all the excitement to catch up with Nick. Seeing him again still did things to her heart rate. How could such a drop dead gorgeous guy like him stay singled?

  It wasn't just the sight of all that muscle and brawn, nor the sexy twinkle in those secretive black eyes. Maybe it was his magnificently white smile against perfect olive skin? Or the way his lean hips hugged a pair of jeans, or the way his arms bulged from his t-shirt, sending her imagination spiraling in avenues she never dared before. Did he have hair on his chest or was he a solid golden torso? Would his long legs curl about her hips perfectly, protectively? Slow down, she ordered her wayward heart. He wasn't perfect, his nose crooked at the bridge, as though it might have been broken once, and he had a couple of scars by his left ear. His lips were firm, and begged to be stared at when he grinned.

  He looked up and frowned instantly. So much for fond greetings, Kelsey surmised, sniffing his sandwich, and trying not to lick her lips. God, she was hungry.

  "Mr. Leonetti, you are the devil himself to find."

  "Didn't know anyone was lookin' for me." He smirked, until one of the men began whistling. Cat calls.

  "Hey Nick? Who's the dame?"

  "I'm Kelsey O'Sullivan, good morning." She extended her hand to the man closest to her and shook it firmly.

  "That's some piece ya got there, Nick."

  "That your old lady Nick?" Someone else called.

  Kelsey kept her smile in place, refusing to be intimidated.

  "Cut the crap, she's a lady." Nick stood up and pulled her by the upper arm, out of earshot. The warmth from his touch spread through her quickly, surprising her, again. His handshake in the office had been firm, and warm, not hot and sweaty. She was fighting this underlying attraction she had for the man all along and every time he touched her she went to putty. She'd had so many dealings with men through her business she hadn't expected direct contact to affect her. But Nick's touch electrified, and momentarily confused her.

  "What do you think you are doing here? How on earth did you find me?"

  "Well, which answer do you want first?" she huffed, straightening her slacks. "I came to talk some sense into you."

  "Here? Are you crazy? How did you find me? I've been in six different places this morning. This ain't no place for you. And we don't have visiting hours. You might be a corporate executive, but here, you're just another dame."

  "Isn't."

  He frowned and shook his head. "Go home."

  "Now wait a minute," she protested vehemently, following him back to the concrete slab. Throwing her purse down beside him, she dusted the spot next to him with the flat of her hand and sat. "I tried calling first. The line was constantly busy. When I finally got your mother, she couldn't tell me exactly where you were. She said you worked for the city sewer, and I spent some time tracking you here, after I called the city. I've been running all morning to keep up with you. I'm hot, tired, and sweaty, and if you think traveling on foot in these shoes is easy, try it sometime."

  A smile escaped his stern face. "For a girl who doesn't like shoes, I'm surprised you never heard of sneakers?"

  She rolled her eyes.

  "You tracked me all this way?"

  "Yes, of course."

  "To the city sewer? Nobody does something that stupid."

  "Stupid? Are you calling me stupid?"

  "If the shoe fits," he glanced at her feet, and shot her a lazy smile. "Look, it's lun
chtime, Ms. O'Sullivan, do you mind? I only have thirty minutes."

  "Thirty minutes?" she gasped loudly, making heads turn her direction. "That's absurd. You can't properly chew your food in that length of time."

  "Chew my food?"

  "Yes, of course. You should chew your food at least forty times, before you swallow." When he crooked his head at her she continued, "It helps in digesting."

  "Really? Do you?"

  "Naturally." she withdrew a Kleenex from her purse to wipe the sweat from her brow. As she looked down at her hand by his side, she noticed a big ugly black bug crawling out of a crack in the cement, and she bolted upright. But when she tried to lift her foot to move, she found herself trapped by a big wad of chewing gum. "Dammit!"

  Grinning, Nick flicked the bug away. He seemed to enjoy her losing her cool. He watched in fascination as she squirmed, trying to free her foot, but he didn't offer assistance.

  Without forethought, she leaned a hand against his big strong shoulder, as she tried a Kleenex, it only made matters worse, and her more aware of him. He smelled like sweat and grime and all man. A combination she found heady. His flesh was hard and hot to the touch. Perspiration formed between her hand and his shoulder. Her mind skittered about recklessly wondering what the rest of him might feel like, as she lamely attempted to free her shoe.

  Nick should be against the law, her mind wandered with her pulse rate pounding in her ears. Were all Italians so sexy?

  Great! She groaned as she watched the gum yo-yo. She tried to pry it with a pencil from her purse, it merely stuck then broke. Nothing would remove her heel from the offending goop. Nick whipped out his pocket knife, a big O'Henry and loosened the gum from her shoe. Grabbing her chest, she gaped at the large knife.

  "Thanks, I think. Do you always carry a weapon?"

  "Hey Nick, need some help?" one man called out.

  "You're scarin' the sweet little thing," another chuckled.

  Nick ignored them, his gaze lingering on Kelsey.

  Kelsey's heart felt as though it might explode it was beating so fast. He shouldn't stare at her like that, those dark eyes probing her. His big wide smile contrasted with the perfectly tan skin, taking her breath away as she stared back.