The Full Moon Speakeasy

CHAPTER TWELVE: Our Tether

“Soulmate?” Luci repeated, staring at him. 

His face was perfectly flat and calm, letting her know that he meant what he had said and wasn’t speaking with romantic flare. “Don’t you feel it too?” 

“Feel… what?” she asked. 

“The connection,” he stated softly. “The indescribable magnetism to one another. Your mind has not yet caught up to the feeling because you intellectually know you don’t know me and everything you’ve been taught by the women in your life tells you not to trust men you don’t know. And so at this point, you’re torn completely between what your mind is telling you and something that’s even beyond the control of your heart. Because no matter what, you feel this instinctual trust and longing for me.”

Luci was left speechless, completely taken back by the accurate description of what had been going on inside of her head. He was right with every detail. And even though he had put it into perspective for her, Luci’s mind was determined to try and make sense of it. “Can’t this be just attraction? Perhaps it’s stronger than it should be, but—”

“Tell me, Luci,” he interrupted gently. “If you had been starting a sort of courtship with some other man and you found out there was already another woman in the picture… would you entertain the idea of him calling you soulmates so soon after?” 

No, she wouldn’t. Hell, Lucille had never really given men much thought, let alone time or effort of her own. A little voice in the back of her head sounded, perhaps you’ve always been waiting on Noah. Just as she tried to vocalize a counterargument, the words died in her throat. After all, how far stretched was the concept of soulmates when she was in the presence of a werewolf? 

“What… what exactly does that mean for us? If you’re promised to Imelda…” she questioned. 

“To be honest with you, I’m not sure yet. But what I can promise you, is that I’m not going to give up on you. We will figure something out to make the best decision for ourselves and for the pack,” he stated, clutching her hand. Their eyes locked and she knew that he meant every word. “For now… Do you have a telephone?” 

She shook her head. “No, but there is one down in the lobby.” 

Noah asked for a pen and paper, which she fetched from the coffee table. He leaned forward and scribbled down. “Would you mind calling this number for me? Ask for Lonnie Accetta. Tell him the Lupo needs a suit delivered to this address.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Accetta? Isn’t that Emil’s last name?”

He nodded. “Lonnie is his older brother.” There was a look on her face then, not really loving the idea of having Thelma’s lover’s brother over. “Emil won’t come here. Not unless Thelma brings him herself.” 

She nodded and took the slip of paper and headed down to the lobby. She felt like her body was the only reason she was getting through the motions, her mind completely overwhelmed. Luci wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to fully wrap her head around the fact she was getting involved with werewolves. Thelma’s warning to her was starting to make sense, even if nothing else did. Reaching the lobby, she saw their downstairs neighbor, Edith Thatcher, chatting away on the candlestick telephone. She had rollers in her hair, a cigarette between her fingers, and her housecoat on. 

She was gossiping. None of it seemed all that urgent, but she didn’t want to be rude. So, she waited and hoped that her presence alone would be enough for her to get the idea that Lucille really needed it. Only, Edith glared over her shoulder at her. The harsh expression deepened the lines on her face and made her makeup crease. With a hand covering the mouthpiece, Edith addressed her. “Can I help you?”

“I just need to make a quick call.”

Edith rolled her eyes. “Can’t you see I’m using it, kid?”

“Yes,” Lucille muttered. “And I’m waiting for my turn.”

“I’m going to be a while,” she snorted. “So why don’t you run along?” 

“I’m fine right where I am. I need to make a call— ”

“Are your ears clogged or are you just trying to play dumb?” Edith snorted. “I just said I’m going to be a while.”

Lucille typically would have folded just to avoid an aggravating conversation, but she knew Noah was stuck in her robe until he got a suit delivered. “I must have missed the memo in our mail slot that informed us that Edith Thatcher of 3B is the new Super.” The woman made a noise of offended exclaim, but Lucille continued. “Let me make my call that will less than two minutes, and you can get back to gossiping about the wife of the man you’re cheating on your husband with.”

Edith’s eyes hardened and jaw set in place. She said a swift goodbye to her friend on the phone, slammed the earpiece down, and glared daggers at Lucille as she passed. She didn’t pay her any mind, knowing that giving into her ways would have been better. She didn’t want to give her the idea that she could just push others around. Lucille stepped up and used the rotary to dial the number Noah had written down. There was a low chirping as the line rang out. Then, eventually, there was the distinct sound of a phone picking up on the other side. 

“What,” the gruff voice sounded. 

“I’m calling for Lonnie Accetta,” Lucille stated, her voice lacking confidence. Why was she so nervous? It was an easy call. Maybe Edith just had her wound up. 

“Who is this?” the voice asked. 

“The Lupo has asked me to call and ask Lonnie Accetta to deliver a suit to 2461 Brunswick Avenue, apartment 4B,” Lucille pushed on, not wanting to answer his question. 

There was a pause, but then a sigh. “Alright. I’ll be there in a half hour.”

Hanging up the phone, Lucille made her way back upstairs; not without menacing stares from Edith. Shaking it off, she made her way back to the apartment. Her eyes fell right to Noah, who was standing at the window. He was rather picturesque no matter what. Even in a woman’s robe, in a crappy little apartment like that. His skin had a glow to it, and his bone structure casted flattering shadows over the contour of his face no matter the angle. 

“He’lll be here in half an hour,” Lucille announced as she paced over. 

“I don’t like you being here, Luci,” he breathed. 

“What do you mean?” 

His mouth twitched as he continued to survey the neighborhood. “I want to respect your independence and privacy. But having you removed from my territory… It’s going to be dangerous for you.”