by Ray, M. L.
His Wicked Game
M. L. Ray
His Wicked Game
Beautiful Lies Romantic Suspense Series Book Two
Copyright 2019 M. L. Ray
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Epilogue
Thank You
Chapter One
Seattle, Washington…
Levi Zapata heard his brother Knox call out to him from the studio and sighed with relief. Tabitha, Knox’s precocious three-year-old, saw her uncle’s expression and smirked. “I saw that,” Levi said to his niece who giggled and then got off of her uncle’s knee to go to her father as Knox appeared.
“Hey, kiddo.” Knox swung his daughter into his arms and smiled at her. “Hey, how was Uncle Levi at babysitting?”
“A sitting duck.” Levi muttered darkly, as he attempted to wipe the remains of Tab’s ‘make-up’ experiment from his face.
Knox laughed as Tab grinned triumphantly. “I warned you, but you volunteered.”
“I know.”
Today had been Levi’s first time babysitting on his own. Knox and Anouk, Tab’s parents, had been skeptical when workaholic Levi told them he’d like to watch Tab while they worked at Knox’s new arts center, but Levi had insisted.
The truth was Levi was tired of working twenty-four seven at his father’s business. He was good at it, hell, he was great at it, but having spent more time with Knox, Anouk and their world of art, collaboration and creativity, Levi had found a growing sense of frustration in his life. Yes, property had elements of it in the creation of new buildings but at Levi’s level, it was mostly governance and leadership and he was tired.
And there was something else too. He was lonely. He’d neglected his own need for companionship, relationship and sex over the past few years and now that Knox was happily married to Anouk, and their sister Flynn was blossoming in her same-sex love affair with her girlfriend Ruby, Levi felt the isolation more keenly.
He’d toyed with dating apps but the idea of them made him feel a little nauseous at his age. Instead, Levi decided he would step back from the day-to-day running of the business, leaving it in the very competent and trustworthy hands of his best friend and CFO Micah.
Micah had been nothing but supportive of his decision. “You need a life, man. I’ve been telling you this for years.”
They had been sitting in a quiet bar on 6th Street a couple of months ago when Levi told Micah of his desire to find… “Just more than this,” he’d said, shaking his head. “When I see Knox and Nook with Tab, it makes me ache for that kind of love. That kind of connection with someone. I mean, I know it’s my own fault and I don’t regret keeping the company and Dad’s legacy, but…”
“Dude, you don’t have to tell me. Hell, Gia and I have been talking… no, don’t look like that, it’s nothing bad, except we’re worried about you. After everything that happened with Knox and Nook, after the stabbing, and with Flynn’s illness, we were worried you’d spent so much time propping everyone else up, that there was nothing left for you. It’s been a couple of years and we’ve been kind of waiting for you to decide you need more.”
So now, Levi was looking for whatever it was he needed now. Looking after Tab while his brother worked was only the start of his search but he still didn’t know what he was looking for.
And now he knew—he was so, so not ready for kids. Tabitha was advanced for her age, rowdy, and the complete boss of whatever room she was in. Her sweet angel face, so like her mother’s, belied the criminal mind underneath—from the moment her parents had kissed her goodbye that morning and left her with her unsuspecting uncle, Tab had run riot, demanding Levi’s complete attention and submission. Just before her parents came home, Tabitha had decided Levi needed an image upgrade and had commandeered her mother’s make-up bag.
Anouk had followed her husband into the room and grinned widely when she saw Levi. “Well, aren’t you just the prettiest little girl?”
Levi glared at his sister-in-law. “I’m blaming you for raising this little demon.”
Tab smiled her angelic smile, and Knox and Anouk both hid grins. “We warned you,” Anouk repeated her husband’s words. She took her daughter from Knox’s arms and gave her a little high-five. Tab looked triumphant.
Knox retrieved some wet wipes and handed them to Levi. “So, you still up for this cookout? Or have you been beaten into submission and want to retreat?”
“Nah, I’m starving. Daisy called, and she’s already set the grill going.”
So, a half-hour later, they were in their cars and going to the Zapata mansion. As they pulled up, Flynn, Knox and Levi’s younger sister came running out to meet them, followed by the Zapata’s long term and much-loved housekeeper, Daisy.
“You’re late,” Flynn grumbled, taking her niece from Anouk’s arms and cuddling her. Tab, who adored her aunt, kissed Flynn’s cheek and giggled.
“Sorry. We had to wash up after a day with uncle Levi.”
Levi rolled his eyes and Flynn grinned. “Dude… are you wearing glitter?”
“Oh, for the love of God,” Levi grumbled as, smirking, Anouk handed him a wet wipe.
“That stuff never comes off, man,” Knox said, sympathetically. He clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Trust me.”
Flynn met Anouk’s eyes, and they both snickered. Daisy waved them inside. “Come on, we’re all set up in the garden.”
The weather was warm and clear, this Washington evening in late May. As expected, as soon as the men arrived, they took over the grill from Daisy and Flynn who gladly relinquished their grill irons and sat in the shade with Anouk and Tab. For all her energy, Tab had fallen asleep now and Anouk cradled her daughter in her arms, frequently burying her nose in her child’s dark hair and kissing her tiny head.
Levi watched them. “Despite everything,” he said with a smile, “I had a great time with her today.”
“So, could you do it every day?”
“Nah, uh-uh, no way, you parents are like superheroes or something.” He shuddered dramatically, making everyone laugh. “Seriously, though, how do you do it? I’m exhausted.”
Anouk shrugged. “When you have to, you just do. Amazing what this little person does to incentivize you to find time.”
“But you’re both so busy at work too.”
“Like I said, when there’s no choice…” A
nouk kissed Tab’s head again. “Work is important, yes, especially when it comes to making a difference outside the family. But when we get home and this one is happy and laughing, there’s nothing like it. She knows we work; she knows why. You’ll have noticed Tab asks a lot of questions.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “I’m thinking she’ll be a talk show host when she grows up.”
“Investigative journalist, please,” Anouk rebuked him with a smile, and he laughed.
“Fair enough.”
Anouk studied him for a moment. “What is it, Levi? What’s going on with you?”
Levi half-smiled. “I’m just trying to find my place in the world. The business runs itself and I’m feeling like I need something different. Like, totally different. A new challenge, you know?”
Anouk nodded slowly. “I get it. And I’ve kind of done it. When Sha… when the psycho…” she whispered the word even though Tab was asleep, but she couldn’t bring herself to say his name. Shawn. Her ex-‘husband’ who’d almost killed her a few years ago, having already torn her life apart by bigamously marrying her when he already had a family. “When he did what he did, the first time, all I wanted to do was go, run. And I did. Not that you’re in the same position, but sometimes, the need for change is such a driving force. Any idea what you want to do?”
Levi shook his head. “It’s not like I have a specific talent I can explore, like Knox’s art or Flynn’s love of science. I’m kind of the boring one.”
“You are not boring,” Anouk said with emotion. “You are this family’s rock, you know? What any of us would have done without you over the last few years, I shudder to think.” She smiled softly. “But I get it, Levi. You need more. You certainly deserve it.”
She reached over and took his hand and he squeezed it gratefully. He loved Anouk as if she were his blood family, had done since Knox had introduced them. She really got Levi and while sometimes his more creative siblings took the spotlight, Anouk had always made sure Levi was included in everything. Her love had brought him and his twin, Knox, closer than they had been in years.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, Levi. I truly do.”
In the end, it was a couple of months before Levi even had an idea of what to do and it all came about because of an email from an old friend.
Levi had met Federico Martello twenty years previously as the two attended college together at the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Levi’s father Gregory’s alma matar. Federico had been Levi’s polar opposite—the exuberant Italian drew people to him easily and enjoyed the attention and he enjoyed Levi’s quietude and stoic nature as a counterpart to his personality. They’d connected on an intellectual level and Federico had brought out Levi’s sense of humor. He had allowed Levi to act like the just-out-of-his-teens kid that he was for once.
Federico cut a path through most of the woman at college, his carefree manner and devastating good looks meaning he could—and did—have anyone
Levi adored Federico and the two of them were inseparable through their time at college. During the holidays, he visited Federico’s home in Venice, meeting his parents and Federico’s kid sister, Juno, who was no more than a toddler, a late, surprise baby for the Martello’s, already in their late forties. When a traffic accident took his parents far too young, Federico surprised everyone by putting his dreams of being an architect on the back burner to raise and take care of Juno. He dropped out of college just before getting his degree to do so and Levi had always wondered if he’d ever regretted that decision. The two friends had kept in touch for a while then, as both their lives began to fill with more and more responsibility, the communication had drifted off to an occasional Christmas card.
So, when Federico emailed Levi out of the blue, Levi was delighted but as he read the email, he realized this could be what he had been looking for.
Ciao Levi!
How are you, my old friend? Here in Venice we are always inundated with the tourists but we survive. Juno has grown into a very accomplished young lady-a ballerina, if you will believe that! I was skeptical at first when she told me of her wish to be a dancer but when I see how hard she works… you would not believe the tough regime at her company. She amazes me.
For myself, ah, old friend, I have tried to reclaim my own dream and have enrolled with an online course to finally get my degree. Alas, I have found that the companies I would prefer to work with here in Italy seek youth in their employees, and youth is not on my side now.
Which brings me to my letter to you. For a while now, I have been considering my options when it comes to business. As you might know, my current company has specialized in new housing solutions but now I have this dream of building beautiful concert halls. I admit my Juno is the inspiration for this. You should see her dance, Levi. It’s magical.
I am rambling, forgive me. Levi, I would like to collaborate with you on these projects. Again, forgive me for being so blunt but there is no one else I would want to do this with. Remember how we used to discuss building great entertainment halls like La Fenice? That is my dream again.
I know this is a request you may not have the time to even consider, but I wanted to say it, nonetheless. Could we talk about it?
I look forward to hearing from you… all my love to you and your family
Federico
Levi didn’t hesitate. He checked the time—it was one p.m. in Seattle, which meant it was nine p.m. in Italy. He picked up the telephone. When he heard Federico’s voice, he grinned, his heart warming. “So,” he said with a soft chuckle, “when do we start?”
Chapter Two
Venice, Italy
Juno Martello bashed her ballet shoe against the hard stone wall of the changing room. On the wall were years-worth of scuff marks from other dancers who had done the same thing. New shoes were the bane of all dancers’ lives. The tough unmalleable soles, the rock-hard en-pointe toes… by the time a dancer’s shoes were semi-comfortable to wear, they were falling apart. That was just the way it was, along with busted toenails and blisters for days.
“Hey, girl.”
Juno looked and smiled. Moriko, her best friend in the company and in life, was coming into the changing room and she nodded at Juno’s shoes with a grimace. “Oh, lord, that time again, huh?”
Juno chuckled a little sourly. “Yup. I’ve been holding out as long as I could but—” she held up her old ballet shoes, one of which had the sole hanging off, were both stained and no-longer the beautiful satiny pink of the new pair.
“Ah,” Moriko made a face, “rest in peace, Abbott and Costello.” She took one of the shoes, the one with the hanging sole. “Abbott is death process.” She quoted the line from her and Juno’s favourite film, Arrival—they spent hours re-watching the science-fiction film in their studio apartment.
Juno grinned as another dancer, Jake, groaned.
“Hell, you still quoting that damn film? Geeks.” He rolled his eyes at them and Juno stuck her tongue at him, laughing. Later, she would remember this moment as one of the last moments she would be happy for quite some time.
Claudia, the company’s ageing ex-prima ballerina and now, deputy artistic director, came in and yelled at everyone in the corps de ballet to get their slovenly asses into the studio, and cheerfully took their answering abuse. That’s the way it was in the ballet company then, playful and hard-working in equal measure. They knew the ballet company would never be on a par with the Russian Ballet or the rising stars of the American Ballet Theatre, but they held their own within the lower ranks of ballet companies and some of their alumni had even gone on to join those more prestigious companies.
Juno’s older brother Federico was always trying to persuade her to strive to join one of those companies but Juno was happy where she was. She knew some of the dancers who had gone onto bigger but infinitely less happy careers.
She also feared ever meeting one particular dancer again. Tudor Welch had been a tutor at Julliar
d when Juno had won a scholarship there. Tudor was an exquisite dancer. To watch him dance was truly to see a master at work but the person he was on stage was a mirror to his personality off. Juno knew that better than anyone. She’d held out for the two-month duration of her scholarship and had gotten on the first plane back to Italy an hour after the final show of her placement.
Juno pushed the thought of Tudor away now, as she had every day since then, and went to warm up at the barre. First position, second… she ran through the exercises automatically, listening to the idle chatter of some of the others as they moved around her. Each one of the dancers had their own rituals when it came to practice and they were all respected by the others. Most of them would laugh and talk to ease any tension in their bodies, but Juno and Jake shared the same, quiet meditation and had fallen into the routine of mirroring each other’s practice moves and they knew each other so well, it was like watching two halves of the same soul, Jake with his gleaming ebony skin and Juno with her dark olive complexion, her long mahogany hair twisted up into a bun, her brown eyes concentrated on his hazel ones. Jake, even more than Moriko, had always been her confidante when things got hard for her—he was the only one she had confided to about Tudor and what had happened between them. Jake too was American and had known Tudor before he was Tudor Welch, when he was just Kevin Hawkes from Gary, Indiana. Jake’s bitchy impression of Tudor had eased her nightmares a little. It helped to mock the monster.
It was not without a little regret that Juno considered Jake to be the perfect man for her… if only she was his type. Jake was an out and confident gay man, happily flirting with all the beautiful Italian boys who waited at the stage door for him, but remaining steadfastly loyal to his boyfriend of three years, Riccardo. Juno didn’t see how she would trust any man but Jake… even, to her heartbreak, her beloved brother, Federico.
When had Federico begun to change? Juno had seen the messages on her phone from him last night, one after another, asking her to call him, asking her to forgive him, but she had ignored them. The last time they talked, before he told her he was going into rehab, Federico had been manic, rambling on about building her castles and palladiums and lord knows what else.