Chapter 74 Jealous Jade
Amelia
First National Bank - Second Attempt
Patricia was pleased to see us return. "You got the birth certificate! Excellent. Let me make a copy for our records."
She took the document, made her copy, and started filling out forms.
"Okay, so your full name is—" She paused. "Just Amelia? No last name?"
"Yes, Just Amelia."
"And date of birth... place of birth..." She continued filling in information. "Okay. This is enough to start. I'll need you to apply for a state ID within thirty days and bring it in, but I can open a basic account now with the birth certificate and this initial deposit."
"Really? Thank you."
The rest of the process went quickly. Patricia explained fees, interest, and account features. Showed me how to use the phone app to check my balance.
"And here's your temporary debit card," she said finally. "It'll work immediately. You may choose any PIN you prefer—let's set it up right now."
I chose a PIN. Memorized it. Signed the final papers.
"Congratulations, Amelia," Patricia said. "You're all set. Your three thousand four hundred dollars is now safely in your account."
The total amount of three thousand four hundred dollars is now securely deposited in your account. In an account that bears my name on it. Money I could access whenever I wanted.
Mine!
"Thank you," I said. "Thank you so much."
Outside, Luca walked me back to the car. "Feel good?"
"Yes. Really good."
"Good. That's how it should feel. Having your money. Your own power." He opened the car door for me. "Now let's get you home. Boss should be back soon."
Home. The estate. Jeremy.
I settled into the car, my new debit card in my wallet, and felt accomplished.
I had a bank account. This was my initial step towards achieving true financial independence.
"Luca?" I said as we drove.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For helping me today. For making me feel okay about not having ID."
"You're not stupid. You just—you had a rough start. But you're figuring it out. That takes strength."
I smiled. "Thank you."
We drove in comfortable silence.
JEREMY
The meeting with the Morano family dragged on for three hours.
Territory agreements. Trade routes. Alliance terms. Maintaining peace between powerful families was the usual business.
Enzo Morano—the current head of the family—was shrewd and calculating. Every concession came with a price.
"The port access you want," Enzo said, leaning back in his chair. "That's prime territory. What are you offering in exchange?"
"Distribution rights through our New Jersey networks," I countered. "And reduced rates on our shipping contracts."
We negotiated. Back and forth. Give and take.
By the time we'd reached agreement, my head was pounding and I was ready to leave.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Santoro," Enzo said, shaking my hand. "Your father will be pleased with these terms."
"As will yours."
I left the Morano estate and headed back to my car. Luca had texted twenty minutes ago:
Bank account opened. Amelia's all set. We are heading home now.
Good. She'd gotten what she needed. She had taken a significant step towards achieving independence.
I was proud of her. For saving money. She had taken charge of her finances. She built something that was truly hers.
Even though a part of me questioned the purpose of her independence, I still supported her.
Even though a part of me was concerned that she was trying to distance herself, I still supported her.
I pushed the thoughts aside and drove home.
Tonight, we'd celebrate. Her first bank account. A milestone.
AMELIA
When Luca and I got back to the estate, Jeremy still wasn't home.
"Boss texted. He'll be back around four," Luca said. "You good until then?"
"Yes. "Thank you again. For everything today."
"No problem. Go relax. You earned it."
I went to my room, changed into comfortable clothes, and lay on my bed.
My phone was in my hand. My new debit card is in my wallet. My birth certificate is in my drawer.
I'd accomplished something today. Something real. Something that was mine.
And tomorrow, I'd learn more about shooting. More about protecting myself.
My phone buzzed. Jeremy:
On my way home. How did the bank go?
I smiled and texted back:
Perfect. Thank you for helping me set it up. I feel very adult now.
You should. I'm proud of you. See you soon. Love you.
Love you too.
I put the phone down and closed my eyes.
He loved me. I loved him. We were creating a complex and intricate system.
We'd figure it out.
JADE
The back room at Crimson was thick with cigarette smoke and cheap perfume. Five of us crowded around the small table—me, Sarah, Monica, Brianna, and Kelly.
Our weekly meeting. The girls called it our "trustee meeting" as a joke, but really it was just us discussing business. Who was seeing which clients? Who was making the most tips, and who was causing problems?
And today, who'd been spotted coming back to Crimson after abandoning us.
"I'm telling you, I saw her," Sarah said, leaning forward. "Last week. Tuesday night. She came in with Jeremy Santoro. Walked right through the main bar like she owned the place."
My hand tightened on my drink. "You're sure it was Amelia?"
"Positive. I'd recognise that white cane anywhere. And that pathetic lost expression she always had." Sarah took a drag of her cigarette. "She was wearing nice clothes too. Way nicer than when she worked here. Designer shit. And Santoro—he was all over her. Hand on her back. Guiding her like she was precious cargo."
"They went to room three," Monica added. "Nina served them. Said they were in there for hours. Just the two of them."
I felt rage building in my chest. Hot, sharp, and consuming.
Amelia. Blind, helpless, pathetic Amelia. Was with Jeremy Santoro. The Jeremy Santoro. Santoro heir. One of the most powerful, dangerous, wealthy men who came to Crimson.
And he'd chosen her.
"Did Nina say what they were doing?" I asked, keeping my voice level.
"Just talking," she said. Drinking. Nothing physical. But the way he looked at her..." Sarah shook her head. "It was intense. Possessive. Like she belonged to him."
"Maybe she does," Kelly said. "Maybe that's why she disappeared. Santoro took her. Made her his what? Girlfriend? Mistress?"
"Bad luck, Amelia landed a Santoro," Brianna laughed. "Who would have thought?"
Not me. I never would have thought.
When I'd thrown her out of Crimson, when we'd all thrown her out—I assumed she'd end up dead. Or homeless. At best, I assumed she would end up working at some other shabby bar for scraps.
I never imagined she'd end up with someone like Jeremy Santoro.
"You okay, Jade?" Sarah was watching me. "You look pissed."
"I'm fine."
"You sure you are okay? Because you're gripping that glass like you want to break it."
I set the glass down. I forced my hands to relax. "I said I'm fine."
"Jade's jealous," Monica said with a knowing smile. "I wish she'd been nicer to Amelia so Santoro would have noticed her instead."
"I'm not jealous." The lie came out too sharp. Too defensive.
Because I wasn't jealous. Not exactly.
I'd never wanted Jeremy Santoro. He was too dangerous and too cold for my liking.
The few times he'd been here when I'd served him, he'd barely looked at me. Had requested Amelia instead. Had made it clear I wasn't what he wanted.
And that was fine. I didn't care.