by Piper Stone
“You can’t help me. They will never stop coming,” Donovan hissed.
“Who? The Taglionis?” I asked as I moved a few inches closer.
He threw his arm in my direction, his hand shaking. “I said, don’t come any closer.”
I eased my hands into the air, giving him a nod. “That’s fine. I’ll stay right here. Have you been threatened?”
Donovan sighed, lowering the gun a few inches. “Even with your protection, they were able to get to my wife. They issued a direct threat while she was out of the house, demanding to know where Winter was. She was told that if Winter wasn’t presented in twenty-four hours, my wife would be... I can’t even say the words.”
“Where is Emily now?” Christian asked, also moving closer.
“I sent her away. She has some friends from a long time ago, but you know they are going to find her.” Sweat trickled down both sides of Donovan’s face.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Christian asked, giving me a slight glance.
“Because all of this is my fault. If I hadn’t been so damn stupid, I...” Donovan’s voice trailed off.
“Let’s talk about this. What exactly do the Taglionis have on you?” Christian continued to smile.
Donovan was shaking all over, beads of sweat dripping into his eyes. “It won’t matter if I’m dead.” He pointed the barrel against his temple, his breathing heavy.
“Don’t do that! That’s not going to help the situation,” I stated, exhaling. The man was on the edge. Shit. This was completely out of hand. Christian had already moved within one foot of Donovan’s desk.
“Matteo is right. They won’t stop until they get what they want. Tell us what happened. We’ll know what to do.”
“It’s all my fault. I just can’t,” he wailed.
There was no time to wait. I could tell the man was going to pull the trigger. With one look shared between us, Christian and I moved at the same time, Christian wrestling the gun away while I pulled him into a hard embrace.
“Don’t! You don’t understand. I’ll lose everything. They won’t let the wedding occur. They won’t allow that to happen. They will take her and hurt her.”
I exhaled, keeping my grip firm. “You need to listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to Winter. I promise you with my life. Tell us what hold the Taglionis have on you.”
As Donovan sagged in my arms, I eased him onto his office chair, sitting on the desk in front of him.
“Everything will be all right, Donovan. The sect will not let you or your family down,” Christian added.
“You are the informant, aren’t you? You supplied the information about your friend, the senator. Didn’t you?” I knew I was right the second he glanced into my eyes.
He nodded, once again looking at the floor. “My good buddy. I felt I had no other choice because he...”
“Betrayed you,” I half whispered.
Donovan began to cry, words spilling from his mouth, and as I glanced at Christian, I realized how thankful I was to have a brother. Even if he was my half-brother.
* * *
Betrayal came in many forms, some worse than others; however, they all involved secrets and lies. The sect members certainly didn’t hold a record on the number of secrets kept or the lies told over the years. What I knew to be certain was that no one could hold a secret for eternity.
Myself included.
Sadly, deals were often best handled when one party had something over the other, allowing for the ability to parlay the details into a more favorable exchange. I’d been guilty of that for years. The deal we made on a sunny afternoon was one that some in the sect would likely question, even condemn us for, but both Christian and I were prepared to take the heat.
Trust was something else, but we’d be prepared for another betrayal if it occurred.
The questions continued to pour in, phone calls from other reporters. We wouldn’t be able to ignore them for long, but our last meeting was the most important. Soon, law enforcement would arrive to seize our documents as well as our assets. I’d been able to take a few steps, but not enough to thwart the officials for long.
My rage had increased. I realized that it was time to take off the gloves, fighting for the integrity of the sect becoming more important to me. This was my life, my heritage and goddamn anyone who attempted to take it away from me.
Or my family.
Senator Bellows truly believed he was an important man even though he spent the majority of his time out of the office, often inside one of his favorite bars.
That’s exactly where we found him.
His face was pinched when he noticed our arrival but he did his best to hide his disdain.
“Gentlemen, to what do I owe the pleasure? I must admit, you have balls the size of cantaloupes coming out after such a horrible article,” Senator Bellows said in a derogatory manner. “Such a shame that people don’t understand what your people are made of.”
Our people. I wanted to wrap my hand around his throat, dragging him outside until I could beat him to death. I curtailed my hatred and my anger, the plan Christian and I had one that would solve several issues.
If handled correctly.
Both Christian and I sat down at the table, the hard stare Christian gave to the senator’s guest enough to make the man rear back.
“I need to make a few phone calls, Gil. We can talk later,” his guest said as he rose to his feet. “Call me tomorrow.”
“Will do. Golf game on Wednesday.” Senator Bellows kept his smile until after his friend walked away, immediately glowering at both of us. “What the hell do you want?”
“Well, we were actually checking as to why you haven’t RSVP’d to the wedding the day after tomorrow.” I eased back in my seat, giving him a harsh glare.
He laughed. “I don’t think there’s going to be a wedding, boys. If I understand correctly, Winter O’Brien was already engaged to a member of the Taglioni mafia family. While that is certainly unfortunate given the current investigation, a deal is a deal. My strong suggestion is that you don’t fuck with the mafia.”
“Perfectly stated and exactly what I would have expected from a man like you, Senator. You certainly made sure I was aware given the threats you made,” I said, hesitating as a nervous tic appeared in the corner of his mouth. “Of course that was you. My guess is that you were asked to convince your ex-buddy, Donovan O’Brien, that he needed to keep up his end of the bargain.”
The senator twisted his mouth. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What we do know is that Winter O’Brien isn’t for sale,” Christian said as he leaned across the table, pushing the drink out of the senator’s way.
“I will expose your secret!” the senator threatened.
“You mean the one how Father McGivney died?” I asked, holding my breath. When the senator curled his lip, I breathed a sigh of relief. “I assure you that all the proper authorities know exactly what happened, including the fact he attempted to kill Christian’s wife. There is no secret.”
He appeared crestfallen.
“You made a deal with the Taglionis to help you gain the White House. I doubt that’s going to happen. Ever. However, the three of us are going to make a deal of our own.”
He snorted, looking from one to the other. “What makes you think I’m going to do anything of that nature? I’d be a fool. I have significant information on your sick cult. I know exactly what you’ve been doing to buy favors.”
Christian and I looked at each other, smiles crossing our faces.
“Let me ask you a question,” I posed as I flagged down the waiter. “You don’t mind if we all have a drink together. Do you? Our treat.”
He seemed more than just uncomfortable, his face reddening as he waved his hand.
“Waiter. Bring us four of your finest tumblers of scotch,” I stated, still keeping my eyes on the senator. He was agitated as hell.
“Yes, sir,” the waiter answered, moving
away quickly.
It took a minute for the senator to realize I’d ordered four drinks instead of three, his gaze floating toward the entrance then scanning the room. He was as nervous as I’d hoped he would be. I could even hear his foot tapping underneath the table.
“My brother and I were very sad to hear that you had a falling out with who I believe was your best friend.” Christian said the words in passing, spending time observing the crowd.
“What?” the senator croaked.
“Donovan O’Brien. I totally understand why you couldn’t honor his plea for help. I also believe the Taglionis had no idea about this.” As soon as I issued the statement, the senator snapped his head in my direction.
He swallowed visibly, trying to regain his composure. “Donovan and I have a fantastic relationship.”
“Is that why he threatened to blackmail you with the information he has regarding your second family?” Christian asked casually.
His face shifted to stark white, his mouth twisting.
“I understand there are few words. As I mentioned to you, I’m well aware of your second family. What I didn’t know is who you became involved with.” I wasn’t ready to play the full hand yet. He needed to suffer a hell of a lot more.
“I don’t... understand,” he mumbled.
“I think what my brother is trying to say,” Christian started, “is that we are well aware that your good friend, Donovan O’Brien, came to you for help. It would appear his gambling habit took a significant and very wrong turn.”
I did appreciate how my brother phrased his words, allowing for maximum anxiety.
“And,” Christian said as he scooted his chair closer to the senator’s, “unfortunately, he lost a high stakes poker game, one headed by Carmine Taglioni himself. For all his millions that he squandered away, what he had left was a single prize that was acceptable to offer in exchange for the six hundred thousand dollars he owed. His daughter.”
In all my years, I’d never seen a man so uncomfortable, but I could still see some level of hope in his eyes that we hadn’t been told all the other horrible details.
“The Taglionis knew that a marriage to the daughter of a sect member meant that there was a direct ‘in’ for lack of a better word to the inner sanctum of the Sacred Sect. That would certainly garner them information to further their plans to take over a portion of our world,” I continued, watching as several beads of sweat poured down the sides of his face. “I’m certain your help in making this happen would equate to a hefty sum added to your run for office.”
“That’s crazy. What... What are you getting at?” he asked, the words sticking in his throat. “That has nothing to do with me.”
“Well, it seems your good friend came to you for money at first, hoping you would help him out of his plight. When you refused, he had no recourse but to remind you of your second family, including the fact the woman you’d gotten involved with was the daughter of Carmine Taglioni.” Christian allowed the words to sink in, his expression more animated than I’d seen in one hell of a long time.
“I... No. That’s not true,” the senator insisted.
“Are you certain about that?” I slipped my hand into my jacket, tugging out a damning photograph of the senator and Sasha Taglioni, a baby in her arms. “I will admit, the three of you look very happy.”
While the senator was visibly shaken by the picture, he sucked in his breath, looking away from Christian and into my eyes. “Well, even if that were true, I guess that means I have the support of Carmine. From what I understand, the Taglionis are true enemies of the sect,” he hissed.
I leaned so close that I was able to see the various colors in the man’s irises. “You don’t threaten the sect, Senator Bellows. I would have thought you understood that by now.”
“My investigation is going to ruin you.” The senator’s confident words were given with a smile, although he faltered when the waiter brought the four drinks, placing the last in the middle of the table. His hand shook as he reached for his drink.
“Not so fast, Senator,” Christian said. “We need to celebrate the deal we’re going to make together.”
“I’m not making any deal with you. I have no reason to. I’ve already told my wife about Sasha. While she’s angry, she’s aware that everyone is allowed to make mistakes. She stands by my side and that child does not belong to me.” He laughed and purposely took a gulp of his drink.
“Uh-huh.” I fiddled with the glass, taking my time before answering. “What I don’t think you understand fully is that given your initiative to run for president of the United States, your constituents might not appreciate or understand your connection to the Taglioni crime syndicate. Do you?”
“I had no way of knowing that she was a member of their family! She uses a different last name and lives far removed from the family compound,” the senator snarled, slamming his hand on the table. “You will not blackmail me. With what I have on this cult of yours and all the disgusting information I have on your sick organization, it’s just a matter of how far down the sect will go. I can’t wait to see that happen.”
What we’d learned from Donovan was not only disheartening, it had been eye-opening. What Donovan had to endure when he realized that there was no easy way out from being entangled with the mafia had led him to dire decisions, including blackmailing a man he’d been close to for years. His plan to blackmail the senator while offering his daughter to the sect for protection had taken guts.
What hadn’t been mentioned was the secret Christian and I held. However, there was no relief, no sense of taking a deep breath. I had no doubt that someone at some time would use the damning knowledge to their benefit. It was only a matter of time.
“And that’s not something you want to do,” Christian said, his smile growing wider.
“You wouldn’t dare cross the Taglioni family. We’re very... close.” The senator acted as if he’d won.
“I don’t know about that. While they have certainly been funding not only your lifestyle but your campaign fund, they don’t take kindly to a man who double crosses them.” As I said the words, the senator turned his head, once again thrown into the world of the unknown.
“That’s bullshit!” he insisted.
“Is it?”
The deep voice penetrated the space around us, gravelly from years of cigarettes and cigars. As Carmine Taglioni closed his distance toward the table, I could see the terror crossing the senator’s face.
“Carmine,” Senator Bellows whispered, his hands gripping the edge of the table.
“Please join us,” Christian suggested, pointing to the fourth chair.
Making a deal with the Taglionis had been risky, but worth it if for nothing else than seeing the senator sweat.
“I will do that,” Carmine stated, his glare harsh as he sat down, immediately reaching for the drink I’d ordered. “It would seem, Gil, that we have a problem and one I’m hoping you can help us with.”
The senator appeared to have a difficult time breathing as he glanced around the table. “What is this?” he finally managed to ask.
Carmine tapped his fingers on the table. “It would appear that you’ve convinced certain members of law enforcement to include my family in this investigation of yours. It would also appear that the appropriations committee that you so proudly serve on is prepared to shut down various land deals, including those both the Capodanno and the Taglioni family represent. Is that true, Gil? If so, that would mean that you not only betrayed my trust but that of my daughter and the child you brought into this world.”
The tension could be cut with a knife.
“I didn’t betray you.” The senator’s words were strangled. “I have loyalty to you.”
“To the contrary,” Carmine said, laughing. “Now, as I’ve told you before, Gil, I’m a businessman. To that end, these fine gentlemen made me a deal that I couldn’t refuse. I’m going to honor those terms and in doing so, that will bring an end to the stri
fe between our organizations.”
The senator was white as a sheet. “Meaning?”
“Meaning that both our organizations will thrive. And do you want to know why?” Carmine asked, his eyes twinkling.
While the senator continued to have a difficult time breathing, both Christian and I were satisfied with the events that had unfolded during the afternoon. Our meeting with the Taglionis had been successful. We agreed to back down on certain land acquisitions and building casinos, allowing the Taglionis to take control of that avenue of business. In turn, they agreed to release the debt owed by Donovan, as well as his unscrupulous payment.
Winter was now all mine.
Could they be trusted? Not for a damn minute.
While I certainly couldn’t care less who the senator slept with, the fact he’d gotten into bed with the Taglioni family in his effort to run for the White House was all the ammunition we needed. He would either accept the deal or face a level of retaliation that he certainly wouldn’t recover from.
Sadly, the senator had been supplied with very detailed information about the sect, including financial information and connections to outside companies and politicians. It was likely the senator was poised to release various portions during the upcoming days or weeks, only further fueling the power and influence he’d gained already. He’d been careless on several levels, at least according to Donovan. The man had made many deals himself, various politicians that refused to be influenced by the sect.
A clean sweep was in order.
Not only had we made a deal with the Taglioni family, we’d also made certain that our various friends in law enforcement had all the information Donovan had supplied. It was my understanding they were prepared to raid the senator’s offices, as well as those of other individuals he considered confidants.
I had my doubts the senator would remain alive for very long, but that was none of my concern.
Hunting down the traitor within the Sacred Sect was. This meeting was nothing more than a formality.
“Why?” the senator asked in a hushed voice.
“Because you’re going to hold a press conference today denouncing the investigation.” I kept my words even, also offering my own smile. I could tell the asshole knew he’d been beaten. Whether or not the sect had issues with the Taglionis in the future remained to be seen, but I knew our deal would at least buy us a tenable partnership.