Billion Dollar Hearts (Inconguity Series Book 3)

by Thandiwe Mpofu

  There is fear there, a whole lot of fear that I’m partially responsible for putting there. As she takes me in, my tux and bowtie—like I am dressed for a fancy night out—I see her confusion, a flare of hope and a bit of relief at seeing me but most of all, I see the desperate question in her passionate eyes. How are we getting out of this? The truth is, even though I’m here and we are together right now, we aren’t out of the woods just yet. Not by a long shot.

  It’s as I study her face that I see it; the fading of a bruise on her cheek. I notice another one just by her right temple and her jaw looks funny. They beat her up! They fucking laid their hands on her. I must make some kind of sound and make a move towards Chloe because the next thing I know, two of the guards are holding me back.

  I try to fight them, but they are bigger than me, but that doesn’t matter because I fight anyway and manage to dislodge the hold of one of the men, only to be punched in the face by another goon I hadn’t seen.

  “No! Please, no!” Chloe screams, her beautiful voice bouncing off of the void, cold walls of the room. That hurt like a bitch but I will fucking take it. The force of the blow whipped my head clean to the right and as I rub my cheek, I see a figure standing there, gaping at the scene in front of him.

  I wonder if Alexander Hamilton knows that this whole thing, is in fact, in his honor. I should feel sympathy but after what he told me earlier in the day, I started thinking about everything and what with Chloe and Sam being taken, a lot of unexpected clarity shone through.

  He catches my gaze and then immediately looks away. A move that Giovanni doesn’t miss because as I turn my head back, I see the smirk on his face as he glances at Alexander, catching the interaction that we just had. He is practically rubbing his hands together in anticipation of whatever he has planned for this evening.

  My gaze meets Chloe’s, who is now being held back by her friend, Sam and another guard is blocking her from taking any further steps towards me. Her eyes cut to mine, her eyes filled with worry for me, wanting to know if I’m alright but that blows my mind even further. She has been with these assholes for almost seven hours now and judging by the bruises that they tried to conceal with make-up on her face, she has been through much worse torture than I even want to know, yet here she stands, a sight to behold, asking me if I’m alright.

  I can’t keep our connection for long as I’m suddenly being forcefully dragged away from Max who took a step forward to help me and more pointedly, the damn idiots move me further away from Chloe until I’m standing a distance away from her but now closer to Giovanni Lorenzo.

  “How could I turn down a forced invitation?” I spit once I make eye contact with him. He knows damn well why I’m here and while he might think he will be victorious, he doesn’t seem too perturbed at my presence.

  “Oh, I just knew you would follow her here. Trying to be the hero, are we?” He questions, then starts laughing in a sadistic, high pitched manner that grates at my ears. The sound irks me but I don’t break eye contact with him and I remain silent but then he turns away and I take the opportunity to study the occupants of the room. A murmur goes through the room as Giovanni continues to laugh.

  Behind him, I see a number of men that I think I know but I’m shocked to see that they are part of this sadistic circus. They look down at me from their chairs, unbothered. Probably in their minds right now, they think they will live to continue their wickedness since all witnesses will be eliminated. Well I’m planning on something else.

  “Brothers.” Giovanni starts now, and the room falls into utter silence, all eyes now on the man who hungrily takes in all the attention that is on him. Definitely a power-hungry asshole.

  “Brothers, for many years we have excelled above all standards. We have risen above all that these mere, average human beings know, haven’t we?”

  A sound of agreement rings throughout the room, as if they have practiced the move before. As if they had choir practice before hand and the speech that Giovanni gives as he turns, first left then right, is all too familiar for their corrupt ears.

  “And in all these years, we have managed not only to give direction to those that need it. The peace that mothers cry for in order to give their children a future. The security of jobs that the men need to be the providers they were created to be. All of it, we, Brothers, we have had a hand in it all!”

  A round of applause breaks in the room, causing a sadistic smile to play on Giovanni’s face who looks like some type of orator, speaking to everyone in the room as if he is sensical. As if being the biggest underbelly organization in the world is saintly and righteous. Men like him thrive on power gained by oppressing the weak, overpowering people is his game. I bet he goes off on inflicting pain on people around him. His crimes probably extend back to when he was a stupid boy. That’s where it always starts anyway.

  “Don’t even get me started on the generosity we have shown all these years.” With that, he goes down the cobblestone steps, slowly striding over to where I stand. “The grace that we have extended to our foes—because at one time or another, they helped us.” He locks eyes with me, no doubt looking for a rise out of me but I don’t say a word—and we now stand toe to toe. Giovanni must be almost my grandfather’s age but he doesn’t look it. All those procedures must be doing wonders on his horrendous face.

  “Just recently, my son made a discovery that I wasn’t even aware of, Brothers! Can you imagine my shock and surprise to realize that my son actually has a brain?” Giovanni exclaims, now walking towards his son who stands right beside Alexander and Demetri—standing there looking intimidated, shooting his father a loathsome gaze.

  I study the way they are all standing, as if they were purposefully directed to stand in a line, almost like they are about to face the firing squad. It’s Alexander, Demetri and Caleb standing side by side but the looks on their faces are ranging from outrageous anger, to fear and worry and lastly just plain hate. All in respective order.

  “My son discovered someone who I thought never existed. Her status was never known to me but as soon as I saw her for myself, I had not an inkling of doubt in me.”

  Giovanni comes to a stop right in front of Sam and Chloe but he isn’t looking at Sam, nor does he care. All his attention and focus is zoned in on the ultimate prize. Right on Chloe, who returns his stare with a blast of coldness that I would be proud of if this was another type of situation. Maybe a less dangerous one but now, all I want is to get her away from that sick bastard.

  “Hello my dear.” He says as he extends a hand towards Chloe and I take an involuntary step forward. If that asshole lays one finger on her. . .

  “Who are you?” Chloe spits out, taking a step back, away from Giovanni who doesn’t look one bit shocked by Chloe’s guts.

  “You mean you don’t know?” Giovanni taunts. Then he shoots me a look. I give him a flat look in return which amuses him. “Well, I’m hurt.” Giovanni says as he shoots Alexander a meaningful look.

  “Giovanni, can you get to the point. I have to be in California by dawn.” A federal judge from the state of California says, waving a bored hand around. The level of corruption and greed that people stoop to—never ceases to amaze me. . .

  “All in good time, Dan.” Giovanni answers over his shoulder without breaking his gaze with Chloe, staring her down—perhaps trying to intimidate her. If she is scared—which I know she is—she doesn’t show it. Instead, she looks annoyed, glaring up at him.

  “Why don’t you ask your lover who I am?” Giovanni prompts making Chloe whip her head to search me out. Fuck! Fucking shit.

  Her gaze is searching mine, looking for answers that I have but never told her. Here it all goes.

  “Gideon, what is he talking about?” Chloe asks me, her voice surprisingly strong and alert. I’m to blame for all of this and the pain that filters in her sharp eyes as silence stretches between us, I know she will never forgive me.

  “Baby. . .” I start. How can I make this better? How can
I fucking stop this train wreck from happening? My chest twists, my stomach churns as she looks at me and I know she knows, at least she suspects. How can she not when he literally has the same shade of grey eyes that she has?

  “Oh, be truthful with her for once, Black. Stringing her along while using her all this time was a savage but genius move on your part! Or maybe it was all Samuel’s idea wasn’t it? That bastard is cunning!” Giovanni exclaims with a laugh, obviously aware of the growing tension in the room. But I don’t pay him any mind, my eyes firmly on Chloe, begging her to stay in this with me. Pleading with her not to shut me out, not now, maybe when we are finally safe then she has every right to shun me away from her but Giovanni is purposefully ripping open the bandages to destroy us before we even get anywhere.

  “Tell her, Black!” Giovanni’s sadistic voice rings throughout the room, everyone waiting on bated breath for whatever secret is about to be revealed. These people thrive on exposing and manipulating secrets.

  “Please, no . . .” Chloe pleads, a shine of unshed tears caught by the lights in the room as she stares at me, unflinchingly.

  “He’s your grandfather.”

  HEARTS ♥

  Part III

  “With each heaving of my chest and every time you looked at me, I thought my heart was safe with you. That is, until you opened your mouth and disappointment laced each lie you spewed. And now, I question each word that has ever come out of that lying mouth and each action ever done by that deceitful work of art you call your soul.”

  xx. Thandie

  Chapter 25

  Chloe

  I’m strangely unaware of anyone else in the large room filled with nameless people that I have never seen in my life as I suddenly develop a blurred—because of the sheen of tears coating my eyes—tunnel vision for just one man.

  “What do you mean by that?” I croak out as I look at the man that gives me all the chills down my spine and a zoo of animals stampeding in my belly. The same man who devastates me with his touch when I fall apart in his arms after a rough round of love making.

  Gideon Black, the man who swore to me that he would never withhold anything from me anymore but now. . .

  “I didn’t find out until recently. I’m so sorry, baby.” Gideon says as he tries to come to me but Giovanni’s men that surround him stop any attempt to do so and honestly, I don’t think I want his touch right now.

  Was all of this a lie?

  “How?” I brokenly whisper, looking down at the cobblestone floor. This is indeed a place where snakes live alright. Without so much as stepping in this snake pit for more than five minutes, I’ve already been bitten by a venomous snake and the most poisonous venom now flows through my bloodstream and I don’t know how long I will remain conscious. This was not at all what I was expecting, but Giovanni’s eyes. How can such an evil, vile and atrocious excuse of a human being be my grandfather?

  “You look just like I did a few days ago! Imagine that.” Giovanni says as he looks behind me and waves his hand in some kind of gesture.

  “Leave me alone, I have done nothing wrong!” Bellows a man from somewhere in the room and I turn to see who it can be.

  I’m shocked to see Alexander Hamilton, the man who I thought was my grandfather initially and fucking Gideon let me believe that this man, who looks nothing like me, was actually my blood? Why? What was there to gain? Is Gideon lying? What’s the play here?

  Since being led into this room, I must confess, I haven’t made it a point to study the room, my gaze intently focused on the man that stands right in front of me. Towering over me and he has the same shade of grey eyes that I have.

  Alexander and I connect gazes now and I almost reel back as I see the white hot, branding anger in his eyes. It actually scorches me and I have no idea why or where it is coming from.

  “I bet they had you thinking that this man was your blood, these foolish and cunning Blacks.” Giovanni says, his voice soft, setting up the story once again for the kill. He seems to excel in exposing things and then enjoying his handiwork as he watches people’s identities and lives stripped away. He actually thrives on that.

  There is no way I’m related to him. I remain mute but he isn’t perturbed by my silence.

  “Would you like to explain what’s going on Alex, my dear old friend?”

  My dear old friend? Alexander Hamilton is part of this damn syndicate? I mean obviously or why else would he be here? I’m not at all shocked at seeing Demetri in here, but Alexander—the sweet old man I met at Gideon’s parent’s home—now he is a surprise. Never mind the fact that he isn’t actually my grandfather and he actually hates my guts with a passion.

  “Fuck you Giovanni! Just get this over with.” Alexander spits, his blotchy face now red, his chin working double time and sweat coats his face. Though he looks angry—he is even spewing anger filled words—he actually looks terrified and panicked. It’s there in his eyes that look wildly around the room as if trying to find someone to blame for this very moment and what’s happening right now.

  “Oh, but with all that the Brothers have done for you, you owe it to them to explain what exactly is going on here. After all, all those hotels you own and all that wealth you amassed over the years—all of it is no longer yours now is it?” The entire room is transfixed as to what’s happening and from the corner of my eye, I notice one of the men seated in the chairs above widen his greedy eyes—hands now steepled together as if he has just been presented with an opportunity.

  “You set me up!” He violently thrushes out, extending his short arms towards me as if he actually wants to wring my neck. “I did everything! That hoe of a wife I had, slept with your slimy ass and she had the audacity to have me believe that I was the father of that demon child who had your fucking eyes?!”

  I gasp, taking another step back until I bump into Sam who now holds my hand and squeezes it for comfort but I’m unaware as I try piecing together what’s going on here.

  “And you fucking sonofabitch made sure that I knew about it, after having raised your child until she was an adult, and perfect timing wasn’t it? Coming into my face like that, telling me that I actually do not have any offspring!” Alexander spews cuss words and fights to get to Giovanni or to me, either one would be great for him if he ever got his hands on either one of us. I know Giovanni is untouchable, judging of course by the many guards around that are willing to sacrifice their lives for their master.

  But Giovanni only smiles sardonically, encouraging Alexander’s violent outrage. He is happy about this, watching Alexander lose it like that, riling him up.

  “Oh, she was the best fuck ever. Too bad you killed her.” Giovanni taunts and a collective gasp goes through the room. What is this?

  “Yes! Yes, I fucking killed her with you seating downstairs, having a drink that very same night!” Alexander is wild, and he actually looks pleased at his revelation. “I killed your slut. Then I had her fucking her daughter and her scumbag of a husband killed right after that!”

  “Ahh, there we go. My dear, we are finally getting somewhere.” Giovanni exclaims with a pleased, blissful expression on his face while he looks down at me. “And that’s where Mr. Demetri comes in.”

  From somewhere behind me, a soft gasp ensures and I’m willing to bet it’s Sofia but at this point, I’m still perplexed about her. Is she acting now? Pretending that she didn’t know her husband was ever part of this or does she genuinely not know?

  “My lord, I did not do anything, I have had no dealings with this man . . .” Demetri starts speaking immediately, taking a step towards Giovanni. There is a look of deep terror on his face and he looks like he actually wants to fall down to his knees and beg for forgiveness from his ‘lord’.

  “Oh, I know Stefan. You didn’t mean to do any harm did you?” Giovanni says in a soft coo, as if speaking to a wounded child but I don’t miss the hard, calculating glint in Giovanni’s eye as he looks at both Alexander and Demetri. This guy is great at mind f
uckery.

  “Yes, of course sir. You know me. You know I wouldn’t collude with this vile creature!” Demetri says pleadingly, looking up at Giovanni as if he thinks he will get saved by him.

  “Oh, for fucks sake, don’t get your hopes up! You think he doesn’t know?!” Alexander shouts into the room which is dead silent by now. No one moves an inch as we all watch the drama unfold and my life be shattered into millions of pieces. What is my life when after all, it was built on an entire lie?

  “Why don’t you explain to the Brothers, huh? Tell us about Demetri’s role in all of this.” A different man pipes in. I look over and watch as his disinterested gaze falls on me and then back to Giovanni. Isn’t that the Chief of Police for NYPD?

  “Isn’t it obvious!” Caleb suddenly jumps in, stepping forward but no one stops him. “That sly dog Hamilton ordered Demetri to make a hit for him. To kill Sandra and James—the bellhop you always hated because you are a racist, bigoted pig!” Caleb points a finger at Alexander but I know for a fact that he hates Demetri with a passion and my point is proven right as he walks up, directly into Demetri’s face.

  “And you have always been an errand boy! Your ambition getting in the way of covering your tracks! How could you have not known about your target’s bastard child?” Caleb gestures to me as he speaks. He turns now, pointing at his father, Giovanni, who isn’t bothered at all. “How could you miss that the very witness you left alive, turned out to be the same woman that has been working for you for three years. How could you not know that, errand boy?” He questions Demetri but he is still looking directly at his father. If looks could kill?