Regan Harris Box Set

by Kelly Wood

  Milano turned his focus to Bianchi, giving Franky a clear shot of his chest. With only six feet separating them Franky knew he could make the throw. He’d done it a thousand times in practice. Franky brought his arm up, snapping it at the elbow. The knife released from his hand and plunged into Milano’s chest. Milano fell back with a look of shock on his face. Costa was right. His arrogance never allowed him to think he’d lose the fight.

  At the same time that Franky threw the knife, Bianchi stepped toward the other man. He used both hands to grab the guns, pushing the man’s arms apart. Antonio locked his hands around the man’s wrists, keeping the guns pointed over his shoulders and out of harm’s way. Any wild shots fired would miss. Antonio headbutted the guy. Blood spurted from his nose. Antonio released his hold on the guns to give a one-two punch. The man fell to the ground out cold.

  Franky and Bianchi stood over the men watching. Costa leaned down over Milano. Gone was his congenial face. The wolf had shed his sheep’s clothing. His face showed his anger, his rage. No, thought Franky, not rage. His face showed his lack of any feelings at all. It showed his cunning and ruthlessness. Costa placed his finger on the end of the knife, moving it incrementally. Milano cried out with each new pain. Costa took pleasure in knowing he was causing Milano so much discomfort with nothing more than the power in his one finger.

  “A lesser man would pull this knife from you and let you bleed out quickly. But, now it’s your turn. The tables have turned, Milano. I’m going to watch you die a slow, painful death. I’m going to stay right here, looking you in the eyes while you take your last breath. Now who’s on top?” Costa’s grin sent chills down Franky’s back.

  Milano coughed, dribbling blood down his chin and reached for the knife. His arms fell back, too weak to move the few inches to his chest.

  Bianchi bent over the unconscious man, picking up the man’s own gun. He pulled the trigger twice, point blank, firing into the man’s chest. He took his last breath in the next moment.

  Franky watched the scene playing out before him like he would a movie. Bianchi, the bulldog, went for the straight attack. Franky realized he would always be able to see a man like Bianchi coming for him. Like his old man, Bianchi didn’t pull punches or play behind the scenes. If you were in his crosshairs, you knew it. You’d feel the tingle down your back until the deed was done.

  Costa became even scarier to him at that moment. Twenty minutes ago, Franky was pushing for the families to unite. Now, he was questioning his decision. Costa would always be a snake in the grass waiting for his moment to strike. Franky would forever be on guard. Always trying to stay one step ahead. His life would be exhausting. And Franky knew, with a doubt, one day Costa would come for him, too.

  It took Milano another twenty minutes to take his last breath. The twenty minutes were an eternity to Milano. And to Franky. Franky prayed the whole time that it would end. Franky had killed before. Always in self-defense. And always quickly. If a man looked like he might hang on Franky showed compassion and put another bullet in him. This was his first time watching a man die slowly. This was his first time watching another man take so much pleasure in watching one die. Costa continued to taunt Milano throughout the twenty minutes, slowly moving the knife back and forth. Sometimes, pulling it out partially only to plunge it back in.

  When it was finally over, Costa rose, brushed his hands on his slacks and turned toward the house. Franky could see him pick up a phone in the kitchen. The call lasted less than a minute. When he finished, Costa returned outside.

  “This will be cleaned up shortly. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, I believe our time to ponder our alliance has come to an end.” The wolf had donned his sheep’s veneer again. The cruelty had been put away to be covered in niceties. A chill ran up Franky’s spine. A cruel man Franky understood. Even a nice one, to some extent. But one who could switch between the two facades so easily? Not at all. That took a special kind of madness. Franky realized he would spend his life dancing like the women on stage that Bianchi hated watching so much.

  Bianchi remained quiet throughout. After shooting the man, he leaned against his car and watched Costa torture Milano. Never speaking. Never taking his eyes off the event playing out in front of him. Franky didn’t know what Antonio was thinking, didn’t know how his boss was going to vote. Franky held his breath waiting for Antonio to decide their future. Either way, alliance or not, they would need eyes in the back of their heads for the rest of their lives.

  “And then there were two.” Antonio said as he reached out his hand to shake Costa’s, sealing their fate.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Dad, do you think he’s right?”

  James Harris—Dad, to me—walked over and laid his palm on my cheek. I tilted my head, pressing my face into his hand.

  “I’ve always been honest with you about my past.” I looked into his eyes and nodded. “I’ve made some very poor choices. The drugs and alcohol. The women. Did I ever tell you that I even rode with a motorcycle gang for a while?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Come, sit with me.” Dad took down two of the stacked chairs. He placed them facing each other. Dad took my hands in his after I was seated.

  “I did. We called it a club, but it was nothing more than a group of thugs. When you choose a lifestyle like that you learn quickly to read people. The eyes. It’s always in the eyes. Some are as cold as snakes. Some still have flashes of life left. Humanity. It was a tough life. Very stressful. Always watching your back for the next attack.”

  “Dad, as much as I like hearing your stories, do we have time for this?”

  He chuckled at my question. “Don’t worry, kid. They won’t start without you.” Dad wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me in for a kiss on the cheek. “Just listen, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “The men turned on each other. Sometimes over perceived grievances only they saw. Sometimes over a woman. It was a mine field. That’s when I learned to watch the eyes. I learned to get out before the fighting would start.

  “Every once in a while, a member like Michael would come along. Someone who could blend. Someone who was so deadly and volatile, you never knew when they would strike. Those are the ones to really watch out for.

  “My point? Gray’s eyes have none of that. He’s kind. He may come from Michael, been raised in a club of his own, but he’s not really a member. He’s a fringe player. He’s a sheep dog to Michael’s wolf. Do you get what I’m saying?”

  “I think I do. So, it’s okay to marry him?”

  Dad raised a finger in warning. “If you want to. If not, well... I’ve got some cash, a credit card with your name on it, and a rental car waiting out front. You can just walk away.”

  My jaw dropped open. “What about everyone else?” I asked.

  “Who cares? Your stepfather and I would take care of it.” I thought long and hard about what he said. He was only wrong on one account. I had seen Gray’s eyes go cold and deadly back in Chicago. But, it wasn’t directed at me. Dad compared Gray to a sheep dog. Being on his farm, I’d seen a dog’s eyes go cold and wary before, too. Right before they had to protect the sheep. I’d seen Gray’s eyes go cold. Right before he needed to protect me.

  “I want to marry him.”

  “I thought you’d say that. Though, I’d prefer if you had picked someone not so connected.” Dad chuckled. “Let’s go.” Dad held his arm out for me. I laced mine through his. Love for my family flowed through me.

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “By the way, you look beautiful. Hair and all.” I looked up and he winked at me.

  The walk to the other room was short, but butterflies still battled in my stomach. Passion held up her cell phone so I could see the screen. Peyton’s face filled the window along with her two girls. My brother-in-law peeked in from over Peyton’s head. My nieces blew me kisses.

  Passion opened the door and my heart exploded. Small, round tables held photograp
hs of Gray and I over the years, telling our story. The tables created a walkway with the guests standing on the other side of them. Gray’s parents and siblings stood to the right along with Frank and a woman I didn’t know. My side had my parents, Grams, and Liam, Jax’s boyfriend. Feeling overwhelmed in the moment, it didn’t register that Jax wasn’t standing next to Liam.

  The first photo was of Gray and I on the plane for our first trip. We’d known each for two weeks at the time and left on an adventure. Our heads were bent together, both of us smiling with excitement and newness.

  Other photos showed our years of travel and the places we’d been. Rome, London, Aruba, Nicaragua, and many more. In some, we were dressed up for special occasions. In others we were sweaty with exertion while on hikes. I loved every moment shown. My favorite one was last. A shot taken a few days before at the Stratosphere. Gray had snapped a selfie of us after I jumped off the building. Our smiling faces said it all.

  I pried my eyes from the pictures to look at Gray. He stood at the front with my best friend Jax. I craned my neck to see Passion. “Jax is here.” I laughed at the obviousness of the statement I made.

  “Shh.” Passion waved one hand for me to turn back around while she held the phone up in the other. I followed her order and turned back to the guests.

  Mary Francis looked pained as I neared her. Michael gave me a nod. He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Gray’s brother and sister looked bored and put out that they had to attend. His sister looked at her nails while his brother tried to discreetly check his phone. I moved on and put them out of my mind. I was here for Gray and only Gray.

  I refused to look at my side, knowing the tears would overflow if I saw my family and friends with happy tears streaking down their faces.

  Gray’s eyes never left mine. Every time I looked back at him, his were locked on my face. His smile reached his eyes. The gray color was warm and inviting without a hint of deception. I let go of my dad’s arm to reach for Gray. My future. My dad let me go after whispering in my ear, “I love you, kid.”

  My stepdad, a part-time minister, stood up front ready to marry us. Passion really had thought of everything. I got to have both of my Dads involved in giving me away. The tears started to leak out. Gray wiped them away with his thumbs.

  I smiled up at him. Every cell in my body was ready for this moment. Gray pulled me to him and kissed me. My stepdad cleared his throat while everyone else laughed.

  The ceremony passed in a blur. It was over almost as quickly as it had begun. I couldn’t describe what was said or if I cried more later. I only remembered Gray, and my feelings. Happiness. Love. Joy. Contentment. They all rolled into one. I forgot about Gray’s family and what they did. I forgot about my hair. I forgot that not all of my siblings could be there. I wished they were, but it wasn’t what mattered. I held onto Gray’s hands with my own. He was my lifeline. My love. My husband.

  After it was said and done, Gray picked me up and swung me around. While everyone else clapped and cheered, my heart exploded.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Passion and Gray planned a lovely dinner after the service. I thought the meal was wonderful. I assumed it was since my mother was now in the kitchen pounding the chef with questions. I didn’t remember any of it. Not a bite. The whole meal passed in a blur of activity. Waiters running back and forth, toasts being made, forks tinkling against champagne glasses. I remembered the feeling of the evening, but not the details.

  I held Gray’s hand in mine. We’d been linked since the ceremony ended. Snippets of conversation floated up around me.

  “...it was beautiful...”

  “...nice ceremony...”

  “...I love these canapes. What are they?”

  “...I want to hit the casino...”

  I tugged on Gray’s hand, leading him out into the hallway. I wanted a moment alone with him to just enjoy being his wife. We slipped around a corner, but I stopped short at the sight in front of me.

  Passion and Frank were locked in an embrace. Their arms entwined around each other. Lips smacking and sucking noises gave the impression they were about to devour one another right here. Passion wrapped one leg around Frank’s waist trying to climb his body. The bottom of her dress rode dangerously high. I prayed she wore underpants today.

  A sound escaped me. Shock. Horror. Embarrassment. I didn’t know. It was probably all three wrapped into one. Gray laughed. Irritation flashed across my face. Right now, I didn’t find this funny at all.

  Passion and Frank jumped apart at the sound. Frank straightened his suit and smoothed down his shirt. Passion didn’t bother to try and pretend the kiss was anything innocent. Her blond hair was mussed. Her dress twisted, slightly askew. While Frank looked mildly embarrassed, Passion looked irritated at the interruption. I stood staring with my mouth open, at a loss for words.

  “Oh, Regan, good. We wanted to talk to you,” Passion said.

  “Did you convey that message to each other through your spit?” I asked.

  “Ha, ha.” Passion dragged the two words out, waving her hand in the air. “It was just a little kissing.”

  I pulled her a few steps away from Frank and Gray.

  “It looked more like devouring.” I glanced back at Frank and lowered my voice. “And, he’s like Dad’s age.”

  “He’s not nearly that old. Frank’s handsome, don’t ya think?” Passion gave Frank a little finger wave over my shoulder. “Don’t tell Mom, though. She’d freak.”

  “That’s your biggest concern right now? Mom?” I asked.

  “No. My biggest concern is Frank.” Passion pulled me back over to Frank and Gray. “We need your help.”

  “With what?” Gray asked. Gray’s face still showed his amusement.

  “Figuring out what is going on around here,” Passion said.

  “So, I can write about it?” I tried to grab at my hair to fling it over my shoulder, but quickly realized I didn’t have any hair left. I tried to hide my dismay by running my fingers over my head. They slipped through the short locks reminding me of my new look. Passion looked at me with ‘I told you so’ eyes.

  “I’m not a detective.”

  “You’re better than that. You’re the nosiest person I know. And you love a good mystery. Please, Regan, this grand opening is too important to us to be ruined.”

  “You’re an ‘us’?” I asked. Passion and Frank exchanged a look. The tenderness in each of their faces made me want to turn away.

  “We are,” Frank said, snaking his hand into Passion’s. I glanced at Gray. He shrugged his shoulders in response. I got the message loud and clear. I would nose around anyway because of my article, I might as well have the blessing of the owner. But, I wasn’t willing to give in just yet.

  “I’m on my honeymoon,” I said.

  “You were here working already. Honeymoon or not, you still have an article to finish,” Passion pointed out.

  “An article, yes.” I raised a finger.

  “And some snooping. Think about it, Regan.” Passion waved her hands in the air. “No, don’t think. Do. Please, just do it.”

  “No. I don’t want to. I want to enjoy my time here,” I countered. I looked around at Frank and Gray. Frank stood behind Passion, his hand planted on her back. Gray stood behind me, not wanting to get involved in the argument between two sisters. I was alone in defending myself against her pleas.

  “Regan, you have to! There’s no one else to help us.” Passion grabbed my arm and squeezed. She gave it a shake to emphasize her point.

  “The police? Private investigator? Both would be better equipped than me,” I said.

  “We can’t trust anyone else,” Passion said, stamping her foot in annoyance.

  “Don’t be a drama queen. Now, let go of my arm. I want to enjoy my party.” I tugged against her grip.

  “Please, Regan. Please.” The pleading echoed in her ears. I could feel myself losing my will. Passion always got her way. It was the curse of bei
ng the youngest.

  “You’d owe me,” I said.

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t say that, Marie. It may come back to bite you.” I blew out a breath. Why was I even thinking of committing to this nonsense? “I don’t even know where to start.”

  “You’ll figure it out, sis.” Hope blossomed on Passion’s face.

  “I didn’t say yes.” I looked from Passion to Frank. Passion’s face sank in defeat.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Gray and I entered the party room, our moment away ruined by Frank and Passion. I scanned the room for my parents. All were busy with conversation. None of them seemed to notice that Passion and Frank were both missing. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the relationship came to light. Based on Passion’s past antics and my parents’ responses, I’d guess they would just shrug their shoulders. Better to ignore the behavior and hope Passion moved on rather than marrying someone Dad’s age.

  Gray’s parents sat in the corner talking to the woman I noticed earlier. Gray’s mother caught my eye and gave me a tiny shake of the head. I was sure us running out was against her decorum. I moved my eyes past her, ignoring the reprimand.

  The lights were dimmed and the room glowed with soft light. Our friends and family gathered in small groups talking and laughing. My heart swelled again with the sight of everyone, pushing out the dread I felt at thinking about helping Passion.

  “I still can’t believe you made this all happen. It’s amazing.” I looked up at Gray. His happiness was my only concern tonight.

  “You’re welcome. Come. Let’s make the rounds and get out of here.” Gray squeezed my hand with urgency.

  Waiters passed appetizers while instrumental music played in the background. It created a nice, casual ambiance. On the surface, everyone seemed to get along, but I kept thinking about what everyone else didn’t know. I laughed to myself when Liam, a detective, shared a table with Michael Thomas. I laughed out loud watching my dad talk to Frank. Dad kept his eyes squinted like he was looking at Frank through a filter. There wasn’t much that my dad missed. Frank smiled through the whole exchange, but at the end I could see my dad mutter to himself. I didn’t need to hear him to know what he said. Never trust a man that smiles all the time. They are trying to sell you on something. It was one of the many sayings he told us repeatedly as children. Dad was always full of life advice.