Proserpina
'Having a good time, eh?' growled Lucien and I sat up, suddenly bolting upright as though I had been zapped by a Taser. My husband had been drinking but his face was cold, eyes sharp as they took in my flushed face. They slid over my body and I shivered.
How could I ever get over this man? He was like a drug.
Schwartz however, was unmoved. Swiveling, he stood up easily, hands in his pockets, mirroring Lucien's stance on the grass and smiled lazily. He seemed to be weighing up the situation and choosing his words before answering. When he drawled, there was an easy look on his face:
"Mate, I see a despondent-looking lady, I make her laugh. My good deed for the day has been done."
He turned to look at me and then winked outrageously, and I dimpled in return, unable to resist.
He was such an incorrigible flirt! And a harmless one at that.
Behind us, I felt Lucien stiffen.
From the corner of my vision. I also sensed Sita shift restlessly.
Ria appeared before Lucien could respond, although I was aware of his dark presence, hovering close to me, his thick fists bunched in the pocket of his elegant chinos. The dark, muscular figure exuded aggression and I quailed. The man carried an air of authority and now, his masculine scent and the slow anger radiating from him made me want to get up and bolt.
He stepped closer to me and I sat rigidly, tense as taut as a bowstring, staring anywhere but at him.
But then Ria broke in.
'Are you Ria daddy?' she demanded, looking at Schwartz and frowning in consternation.
Her entire body stance was a study in concentration, She now wore her small golden curls in two bunches at the top of her head and had waddled over to ask what was obviously a question of earth-shaking proportions in her eyes.
I gasped. The girl had a talent for saying the most shocking things at the most inappropriate times.
Even as I gathered her in my arms and tried to shush her, I sensed Lucien stiffening behind me and I felt myself break out into a sweat.
But Schwartz intervened smoothly. Dropping to his knees easily, he grinned disarmingly at her, his blonde hair flopping onto his forehead endearingly.
"I'm sorry, no, kiddo.' He said apologetically, gathering her in his arms and dropping an affectionate kiss on the top of her golden head. Then, leaning over conspiratorially, he added,
' But I'll still get you chocolate chip ice cream on Tuesdays the way I always do, which is almost as good as what your Mumma makes, pumpkin!'
And laughing, he grabbed her in his arms and kissed the damp curls, tickling her under the chin.
***
Lucien
Lucien stood, unmoving. He wanted to throttle his friend.
He glanced at his wife who sat, pale and unmoving, her eyes on her hands which were tightly clasped, showing white at the knuckles. The dark hair fell like a curtain, almost hiding her face but he could see that she was agitated.
How could Schwartz know so much about his children? How often did he come here and spend time with his family?
The jealous feeling in him grew.
Suddenly she stood up, almost overturning her chair in her haste to move away, from him, thought Lucien, clenching his jaw.
'I ...I promised Beatrice I would make dinner...' she babbled and walked away, almost running in her hurry to leave. He stared after her, unable to take his eyes off the pert ass and pretty ankles as she walked swiftly to the safety of the house. Her rounded ass moved sinuously beneath the flowery skirt and he felt himself react.
'This is your Daddy.' said Schwartz, who was still kneeling, holding the little girl in his arms as he pointed to Lucien, a wicked gleam in his eyes as he took in his friend's furious face.
Ria turned and wrinkled her nose as she looked at him.
Pouting, her small pink mouth like a small rosebud, reminding him of her mother, Ria looked him over and found him lacking. Turning to Schwartz, she lisped in a loud whisper, forlornly.
'Angi Man. No play wit Tia 'n Pie.' She was too young to form the words clearly, but the message was clear.
He was an angry man who was too old to play with her and her brother, little Piers with the stormy expression who stood a little apart, his blue-grey eyes stormy and sullen as he regarded his father hostilely.
Lucien felt as though the little girl had landed a blow in his solar plexus; Ria St Claire, his daughter, did not think much of him because he had never bothered to be a father, and he had never acknowledged their presence in his house.
Now, seeing the affection they had for Schwartz, the easy way Piers rushed to him and clasped his hand, ignoring Lucien all the while, he felt annoyed. And worse, he felt plagued by a deep sense of guilt because he had chosen to create a chasm between himself and his family.
What was staring him in the face now made him realise what he had been missing all the while.
He, Lucien Delano, the Mafia Don who could strike terror in the hearts of thousands, who commanded undying loyalty and respect amongst countess people, he had failed miserably as a father. True, he had bred the beautiful girl who had run for her life now, away from him; but he had no one to love him, to shower him with affection in the way his children adored Schwartz.
Annoyed with his handsome friend for obviously having stolen their hearts, annoyed with himself, he stood, scowling at his children and Schwartz..
Piers, who was half hiding behind Schwartz's legs, poked his head around and frowned at Lucien, looking exactly like himself, thought Lucien, a smile reluctantly tugging at his lips.
"OOL,' the little fellow announced dismissively and hid again.
OLD. It was intended to be an insult but Lucien felt a smile grow in his heart.
Schwartz roared with laughter and sank onto the chair recently vacated by Proserpina and shook his head, tears of mirth appeared in his eyes as he looked up at Lucien. draping an arm easily around the little boy who looked like he wanted to cry.
'He just said you are OLD!' he explained as he cuddled the boy to his strong chest in a protective gesture as Lucien watched, brooding. Sita Kumar turned away but Lucien had caught the smile on her face.
He felt furious.
'Mate, no point in getting yer boxers in a twist. You're not too old to play wi'them but the wee uns have never seen you LOOKING at 'em.' James Schwartz went on bluntly, slipping into his native Scottish brogue.
Scooping little Piers onto his lap, he spoke seriously, meeting Lucien's eyes coolly. The little girl perched on his other knee, watched the adults alternately in bafflement and curiosity as Schwartz went on in a hard, low voice,
"You were too busy proving a point. YOUR loss.'
The mockery in his voice was obvious.