Choose Me
Parts 5A and 5B
By Stacey
Danny was laying in bed, his body beading with perspiration as he thought about Michelle and the dance they shared, she was consuming his whole mind since he laid eyes on her. Her body, her scent, her beauty, her charm, he was getting aroused just thinking about her, what on earth am I going to be like when I actually come face to face with her again he thought. On his way to take a "cold" shower, Danny was thinking how pleased he was with himself by getting the information he needed last night. He remembered the little argument between the club owner and Michelle, so he knew he could get what he needed from her, before leaving he asked her how he could find Michelle. She gave out her name, address, and phone number, hell I think she would have given out Michelle's personal information to Charles Manson if he asked, she really disliked her, but that ended up being my advantage. Getting ready Danny was extremely nervous and excited all at the same time. "Should I call her, drive over there, what, my god, I have never been like this before, how should I approach this" Danny said to himself "I think I will just drive over there, I need to see her".
After finally deciding on a pair of black jeans and a grey shirt, Danny made his way downstairs to get some breakfast and noticed an unusual sight before his eyes.... "Mick, up and about before noon on a Sunday?"
Looking up from the Sunday paper Mick decided to ignore his brothers sarcasm, remembering he had the upper hand after what he did last night.
"So Mick, what time did you sneak her out, did she have a husband to get home to or something?" Danny asked, trying to get a rise out of him.
"Who?"
"Which ever girl you chose to share your bed with last night, that's who"
"There was no girl last night, well, none that I brought home anyway", he said while laughing on the inside.
"Oh I see, so I guess you'll be cleaning the leather in the back-seat of your car today then" not knowing why he was antagonizing his brother so much this morning, but having fun doing it.
"Nope, won't need to do that either, you see Daniel, I am turning over a new leaf, it all has to do with class, I am going for the classy type now", deciding to leave on that note, not wanting to divulge anymore information at this time.
What the hell was that all about, Danny thought to himself, "the classy type", go figure, I'll believe that one when I see it.
After a few cups of coffee, and a bite to eat, Danny decided now was as good of time as any, then took off hoping it would be a day to remember.
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Michelle was pouring herself a glass of tea, staring off into space, recapping the events that took place the night before. "Dammit" she screamed, as the tea was going everywhere, "Damn you Danny Santos, why did you come into my life".
Ok Michelle get a grip, you have unpacking to do, stop thinking about him, it was only one dance, it's not like you got to know him or even........"STOP IT", screaming to her brain, like it would respond on command. After giving herself a dose of reality, Michelle decided to start unpacking her boxes. Rick offered to stick around to help after he carried everything over, but she was tired of the constant questions about how last night went, so she convinced him to go spend some time with Abby, and it didn't take much convincing, especially since they are desperately trying to conceive.
Deciding to unpack her books first, Michelle sat on the floor to get started when she heard a knock on the door. "Come In", she yelled.
He opened the door and was looking everywhere, "Hey where are you?"
"Bill, is that you?"
"Yes"
"I am over here in the living room, behind the big stack of boxes"
"Hey, Rick just told me, congratulations on moving in here, but may I ask why?"
"Just need the peace and quiet, that's all"
"Oh, I see, by the way, what happened last night, what was the family emergency?" hoping everything was alright.
"Oh that, Aunt Meta had a little incident that needed stitches, everything is ok, but thanks for asking" almost forgetting about that, what with everything that happened last night, "I am sorry for running out leaving the way I did, I was just upset"
Yeah you weren't the only one that was upset, Bill thought to himself, wondering if he should tell her about how upset Danny was when she left, and how he was trying to find out how to locate her. Deciding to bring up the subject, "Danny was worried about you", seeing the look on her face told him there was definently a story there.
"He was?" curious as to what he said about her, but also wanting to just end the conversation, it was too upsetting.
"Yeah, he tried to find out from me how he could find you, but I would not tell him, I wasn't sure if I should" biting his lip, hoping she was ok with the decision he made.
She just sat, staring off into the distance.
"Michelle, are you alright, was that ok, what I did?"
"Oh, yes Bill, thank you"
"Um, Bill, I don't mean to be rude, but I have a lot of unpacking to do, can we maybe meet up tomorrow or something?" trying to get off the Danny subject, and hope like hell he doesn't try to pursue the conversation further. Bill could tell he hit a nerve, he knew his best friend like a book, and there was something more where Danny was concerned.
"Sure, ok, just call me" but before leaving, looking around to see her face, it was one filled with a lot of emotion.
********************************************
Danny entered the driveway double checking the house numbers from the mailbox, with what was written on the paper. Well this is it, he thought to himself, getting out of the car he took in the scenery, it was a beautiful suburban house, not like the mausoleum style he lived in, and the trees surrounding the yard were amazing, it was so peaceful here.
He just stood there for what seemed like several minutes before finally ringing the doorbell. "Damn, please be home", after getting no response, he decided to knock loudly, still no response. Danny was half way down the sidewalk when he heard the door open.
"Yes, can I help you?" Rick asked
"Ah, yes, well maybe, I am looking for Michelle, is this the right address?"
"Yes it was, but she actually moved today" thrilled that a man was at their door asking for his sister, must have been some night, he thought to himself.
"By the way I am Michelle's brother Rick", he said extending his hand
"Nice to meet you, I'm Danny" "I'm sorry did you say she moved, can I get her new address?" hoping he would give it to him, after he had worked up the nerve to get this far.
"Next door to your left, and you will get her", Rick said pointing.
Danny was relieved to find out she lived there, just in an apartment over the garage. "Thanks, nice to meet you"
Rick nodded his head and shut the door, anxious to get back to his wife who was waiting up in their bed wearing very little, hoping that by the time he returned she would be wearing a lot less.
Michelle was in full unpacking mode when the doorbell rang. "Man, it's like Grand Central Station around here", saying under her breath, heading for the door. After achieving the obstacle it was to get there, she finally turned the handle to see who it was. Taking a double look, it was, it was him...."Danny!"
___________________________________
That one word, that one name was the only thing that escaped her mouth. Standing there looking at this beautiful, beautiful man was intoxicating, and she couldn't speak, she couldn't move.
What is she thinking, her face was unreadable, was she happy to see me, surprised, disappointed, what?
"Um, hi, Michelle", finally deciding to break the ice.
Snapping out of whatever state she was in, Michelle decided to come back down to reality. "Danny I am very busy here, please leave!" she said with her eyes closed, as if it would make it easier to speak to him, if she didn't have to stare at his gorgeous, innocent looking eyes. It is just a mask though, nobody that is in the mob is innocent, just a mask. Slowly opening her eyes, it broke her heart, the hurt in those eyes, I can't stand this, please just walk away, I can't take no more she thought, please disappear before I loose myself in you.
Danny wasn't quite sure what to do, did I imagine us last night, that dance we shared? Should I walk away, no, I can't do that, there must be more to this, there must be.
"I'm sorry, is everything alright, can I maybe help you with something so you're not so busy, and then maybe we can go and get a bite to eat when we are done, that way we can talk and get to know each other", at this point trying to just skate by so he can get to whatever is upsetting her.
"Get to know each other?" "You want to get to know each other?"
"Well yes, of course, I would love to get to know you", he said while reaching out running his finger down her arm.
Backing away from that incredible touch, Michelle screamed, "Get your hand off me Mr. Santos!" "You see, we don't need to get to know each other, I already know who you are and what you do, so there you have it."
Danny was certainly shocked by this, who told her, dammit!!
"Who told you my last name?" he asked while looking down, not wanting her to see the hurt in his eyes.
"Not that is matters, but last night I came back to Millennium to find you, and when I realized you weren't there your brother came up to me and......"
"MY BROTHER, MY BROTHER!!" he echoed, before she could finish.
"Yes, Danny your brother, you know I would think you would be happy for him, trying to get back on his feet and all after being released, instead of hounding him all the time".
Danny couldn't believe his ears, ole' Mick was pretty busy last night, but I will not let him win this, he is not going to manipulate Michelle like that, she needs to know the real me.
Softening his voice, "Look Michelle, just let me talk without any interruptions, and I will explain everything, please," he said, pleading to her.
Signaling for him to come in, they made their way into the living room, but remained standing. "Ok, I am listening, not like it is going to change anything though."
Choosing to ignore that last statement Danny began, "First of all, yes, my last name is Santos, but that doesn't mean what you think, people can't help the family that they are born into, it just happens, I didn't ask for this. My father was a wonderful man, a wonderful father who was trying desperately to make this a family name to be proud of, but it never happened before he was shot and killed....."
"Danny I'm so sorry", Michelle said with tears in her eyes.
Shaking his head in acknowledgment to her, he continued "Anyway, my mother then took over as head of the Family, but you see she had other plans, she loved the power, thrived on other people's misery, she's turned into nothing more than a cold, heartless person, or monster rather, and was no longer the mother I knew from my childhood. She picked me out from her three children to help with the business part, Mick was chosen to do all the dirty work, and my sister Pilar, well she got saved, she was carted off to another country to be hid away, to remain pure and innocent", trying to hold back the tears, he continued, "I was fourteen, FOURTEEN, when I was informed of my duties to the family, I didn't understand it then, and I don't want to today. There are things I would never do, and I will finish what my father started for this family, I can promise you that. So if you want to run like everybody else does at the mere mention of the word "Santos" then just go right ahead, I am sick and tired of trying to explain, sick and tired. Oh, and just a little word of advice before I leave, if you listen to Mick and believe what comes out of his mouth then, my dear, you are in for a world of problems". He left, angry, no longer upset, but angry, angry at his brother, angry at life.
Michelle just stood there, not quite sure what just happened, not quite sure what to do, before she knew it her feet where carrying her out the door and down the drive, all she knew was she needed to stop him, not really sure why or even what to say after all that, but couldn't let him go.
Approaching his little black BMW, "Danny wait, please wait!"
"WHAT" he shouted while putting down his window, "Did I not answer all your questions, just what the hell do you want?"
Looking down at the cracks that were starting to form in the concrete drive, Michelle looked into his eyes and in her softest voice said, "I'm sorry".
He couldn't speak, they both had tears streaming down their cheeks, and words, there were none, just eyes, their eyes staring back at each other.
"Please come back inside, let me make us something to eat, I don't have much, but I can go and raid my brother's fridge".
The tears where now null, and the biggest smile poured out onto Danny's face. " I tell you what, why don't I go and get some Chinese take-out, and bring back, that way you can go and do some more of your unpacking, and won't have to worry about making anything, then I can help you after we eat."
"Sounds like a plan, I need to freshen up anyway, I'm feeling quite grimy, I can't believe you would even look at me looking like this."
Looking at her from head to toe, with her hair in a pony-tail, t-shirt, and jeans, she was still a vision, "Your beautiful," he whispered before shifting his car back into reverse.
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Mick stuck his head over Olga's shoulder to see what was smelling so good. "Senor' hungry?" she asked
"Always hungry for whatever your cooking, baby", he said playfully.
"Oh you," get out of here, she said giggling, as she hit him with her dish towel.
Mick was heading into the den when his cell phone started to ring.
"Santos", he answered
"Hey buddy, whatcha doin?"
"Who is this?"
"What, you been out of the joint a few days, and already forgetting your ole' buddies?"
After finally realizing who it was he was infuriated, "What the hell are you doing calling me, don't you realize that we cannot be in contact until...."
"Relax, relax, I used your contact at the phone company to make this call, it cannot be traced, don't worry," Roy interrupted.
Mick was still not happy but decided to see what he wanted, "Ok, so what do you want?"
"Just wanted to see how things are standing with our little job."
"Dammit Roy, I told you I would be in contact with you, what the hell." wanting to just call the whole thing off by this point.
"Calm down Mick, I am sorry, just anxious that's all, I promise I will wait to hear from you from now on, Ok?", hoping he would still do it.
"Alright, look, I am getting ready to drive over to this Abby chick's house and scope it out, and try and spot her, so I can be prepared for when this thing all goes down, so just sit tight, I will call you back in a week or so to give you the full report." finishing by pressing the END button.
