Devlin couldn’t say when it happened, or if it happened slowly, but sometime over the last two years, he’d fallen in love with the strong and resilient Lisset Boniet. She was an amazing woman who fought diversity every day, to give herself and her daughter some kind of normal life. She still had a temper on her, of that he was sure. His ears were still ringing from the tongue lashing she gave him earlier. She was right and he knew it. Constantly moving was no way to raise Skylar, but he was right too. If they stayed, Sergio Pavlov would find them, and someone would get hurt. When it came to the lesser of the two evils, Devlin knew Lisset would side with him, but knowing that, didn’t make him feel any better.
Regardless, Devlin had to think ahead. It wasn’t only Lisset he was now protecting, but Skylar too. So, he did what he had to do, and asked Gino to go ahead and send Anthony and Phillip Marino ahead to Treasure Cove to scout out the place and secure a home for them. It didn’t matter if Lisset was against the move, she had no choice. He was right when he told her that Sergio would never stop looking for her, and he wouldn’t. When that bastard found out about Skylar, nothing, not even God would stop him from acquiring her. So far, they’d done what they could to ensure Skylar’s safety. She was legally his daughter. She may not be of his blood, but Skylar was a Brother, and as such was protected by the family…the whole family.
Devlin was just about to get up and refill his coffee cup when he heard movement in the living room. Sitting in his chair quietly he waited for Lisset and Damien to appear. He knew his brother. After a bout of hot monkey sex, Damien would be starving and would want something to eat. And just like all those times before, in walked the horney devil himself.
“Hey Dev, how’s it hanging?” the self-absorbed ingrate said gleefully as he entered the kitchen without a care in the world.
“Remind me again why I haven’t strangled you in your sleep yet?”
“Because Ma loves me more and you’d break her poor heart if you harmed one hair on my head. Besides, I’m irreplaceable.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I think Skylar now holds the key to Mom’s heart. You my little pain in the ass brother, who can keep his dick in his pants, have been replaced by a sweet little girl.”
“Damn, who pissed you off?”
“You.”
“Me?” Damien questioned. “What did I do?”
“You fucked Lisset.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Damien grinned. “I rocked her world.”
“You are such an ass, Damien. What were you thinking? Never mind don’t answer that. I know what you were thinking with. You shouldn’t have done it. She’s ours to protect. We don’t fuck the clientele.”
“She’s more than that and you know it,” Damien replied angrily. “You love her just as much as I do. Only I’m man enough to go after it.”
“She’s a job Damien. We were hired to protect her, not to fuck her. What are you going to do when the job is over? Are you going to stay with her, make a life together? Are you planning on marrying her for real? Are you going to be a real father to Skylar?”
“I haven’t thought that far, yet.”
“That’s right, because all you can think with is your dick. Damn-it Damien, you can’t do this.”
“Well, it’s too late. I’ve already done it.”
“I heard,” Devlin grumbled.
“You’re jealous,” Damien grinned. “Big, bad brother is jealous.”
“Not in the least. If you want to fuck every woman from here to kingdom come, go right ahead, but you are not allowed to fuck the clients!” Devlin yelled.
“She isn’t a client,” Damien replied. “She’s our wife.” And that was the crux of the matter. Lisset was legally their wife and they were legally the fathers to her daughter Skylar. It didn’t matter if they hadn’t fathered the child or had conjugal visits to Lisset’s bed at night. According to the law of the land, both men said ‘I Do’ in front of a priest. Granted the priest was held at gun point, but that was only semantics. They had the legal documents showing that they had every right to bed, sleep with and fuck Lisset and apparently Damien decided to take advantage of it all.
“It’s wrong and you know it,” Devlin said. “This is only going to make matters worse.”
“How so?”
“We are taking her to Treasure Cove. I called Sasha. He wants his sister with him. What is the bossman going to say when he learns that you’ve been fucking his baby sister, when we were ordered to protect her? Sasha isn’t going to be happy about it and you know it.”
“She doesn’t want to leave New Jersey Devlin. She’s happy here.”
“It’s not her decision anymore,” Devlin sighed, getting to his feet. “Gino got word that Sergio is in the area. He’s sniffing around. We can’t stay here, and you know it. You will take Skylar and leave within the hour. Lisset and I will catch up with you in two days. We will rendezvous in Treasure Cove where Phillip and Anthony will have secured us a safe house. You will not go into town. You will not contact Sasha, and you will not let Skylar out of your sight for one second, is that clear.”
“Lisset isn’t going to be happy about this. She wants Ma to come with us if we have to leave.”
“Ma’s safer here. Just get Skylar’s things ready. I’ll go tell Lisset.”
“Your funeral,” Damien muttered, and Devlin knew he was right. It was one thing to protect and care for Lisset and Skylar but being the bearer of bad news to an already angry and hostel momma bear, well that was just plain suicide. Still it had to be done. There was no way they could stay in New Jersey and he and Damien effectively protect her. It didn’t matter how many family members they had. Sergio Pavlov was a wanted international criminal with an arsenal at his disposal. It was best they get while the gettin’ was good.
Devlin found her sitting on the bed, brushing her beautiful hair. He loved watching her from afar, not wanting to disturb her peacefulness. She was everything he wanted in a woman and more. He didn’t care that she was blind or as he preferred to think about it was, she had certain limitations. What human didn’t have those? As for Lisset, she never let her limitations stop her from doing what she wanted to do. She was tenacious and outgoing, almost unstoppable. She amazed him at every turn, however, this was not going to be one of those times. Bracing himself for the inevitable war that was about to befall him, he gave her the few minutes of tranquility she deserved before lowering the boom.
“I can hear you breathing, Devlin,” she clearly said, not stopping what she was doing. “Just say what you came to say.”
“He found you.” And just like that, her world crumbled. Lisset slowly lowered her brush to her lap and took a deep breath.
“How long do we have?”
“Maybe a few hours. Damien is packing up Skylar’s things now. He will leave within the hour.”
“I don’t like being separated from her.”
“I know, but it’s for the best. If we are found, at least we can rest easy knowing Damien was able to get Skylar to safety.”
“What about us?”
“We will leave tonight.”
“I’m tired of running Devlin. When will this stop?”
“I don’t know Lisset,” he whispered softly, walking over to her. Sitting beside her, he took her hands in his. “Please trust me on this. I haven’t let you down in two years and I am not about to start now.”
“Where are we going?”
“Treasure Cove, Montana. Your brother thinks the town can better protect you and you’ll have the freedom to do what you want.”
“What do you think?”
“I think it’s a try. Your brother is there, along with Tristan and their wife Violet. Also, Gino is sending Phillip and Anthony ahead to make sure everything is good. By the time we arrive, I am sure they will have everything in order.”
“So, we’re starting over again, wither I want to or not.”
“It seems that way.”
“Well then,” Lisset
said getting to her feet. “I better start packing.”
****
“Damn-it Lisset,” she heard Devlin shout as she locked the doors to the car. It was a childish move, she knew that, but damn it, she wasn’t leaving without Philomena. As it was, she hadn’t seen their mother since Devlin gave her the news about their impending move hours ago. Since then, the Brother household had been in an uproar. She cried when she had to say goodbye to her daughter, thinking that she was never going to see her again. The only consolation was knowing that Damien would die to protect her, but that still didn’t alleviate the crushing pain in her chest. Then there was Devlin, who instantly turned into a four-star general barking orders at everyone and expecting them to obey. It was his last order that stopped her in her tracks. Oh, she had no problem doing exactly what he ordered, but when he told her that his mother was not going with them, well, that’s when Lisset put her foot down.
She needed Philomena, just as Phila needed them. Well, mainly Lisset knew the old woman would miss Skylar terribly and she refused to put that woman through any more pain. It was bad enough she had two ungrateful sons who had no problem using their mother to get what they wanted, but Lisset would be damned to hell before she allowed them to use her or her daughter against their mother. Nope, Philomena was moving with them, or she wasn’t going and that was final.
“Open the fucking door,” Devlin shouted angrily, trying to get the driver’s side door to open
“Not until your mother is in the car with us.”
“She can’t go. I’ve told you this before. It isn’t safe.”
“Then make it safe. That’s what you’re good at doing. So, fix it,” she screamed back, refusing to budge an inch. She didn’t have to see Devlin to know that he was about to lose his shit. She could imagine he was red faced and balling up his fist ready to break the glass window to get to her, but she didn’t care. She never asked for this life, she was only trying to survive it. She had given up many things over the last two years, mainly her freedom, but she refused to give up the only woman who loved her as she was, flaws and all.
“Lisset we have to go.” Devlin reiterated again. She could hear the tension mixed with blind fury in his voice. She felt it too, because she knew she was playing the odds at the moment. Technically she would never have tried such a stunt before, but that was before Philomena Fratelli. “You are leaving me no choice. If you don’t open the door, I will have to call Gino.”
“Go ahead, I don’t care!”
“Have it your way baby.”
“I’m not your baby!”
“No, you’re just acting like one!” Devlin yelled, kicking the tire. He knew she accepted the move too easily. He should have known she would retaliate. She had pitched such a fit about staying, so when she just ceded, his alarm bells should have been ringing as if it were Sunday mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Instead, he ignored the signs and now he was screwed.
Well, technically he wasn’t that screwed. Yes, Sergio was in the area, only he failed to mention what area, besides New York City was close enough. So, he fibbed, told a small white lie. It wasn’t like he killed her favorite pet, not that she had one. The fact of the matter was, he had been wanting to leave Jersey for a while now. Everyone was becoming too complacent, to relaxed. They were forgetting that there was a real, honest to God, criminal after them and if caught, would inflict major bodily damage upon them. That and neither of them would ever see Skylar again. That was something he was never going to let happen. Devlin loved that little girl. He’d been there every step of the way since she was born. He changed diapers, fed her, walked the floor with her when she had Colic. He rocked her when she got an ear infection, and he was always there when she would wake up crying. Skylar Eugenia Brothers was his daughter, and no one was ever going to take her away from him and live…ever. His whole purpose in life was to make sure she had a wonderful childhood, wanting for nothing, well and keeping her and her mother safe. But thanks to Lisset, she was making it damn near impossible to do.
So, doing the only thing he could, he called his cousin Giovanni Rossi, aka Big Gino. It was nice having a large family, especially when that family preferred to look after their own, their own way. It may not all be legal, but in the years that Big Gino took over as head of the family, none had perished and that was saying something. So, it wasn’t a shock when a few seconds later, Devlin saw a black Cadillac round the corner then stop next to him.
Now Devlin wasn’t one to panic or start making a scene because Big Gino had arrived. Nope, he was the one, who when the man in in question finally extracted himself from his vehicle said, “About fucking time. What took you so long?”
“You know Dev, if you weren’t my aunt’s son, I would wash your mouth out with soap.”
“Yeah, you and what army?”
“Where is she?”
“Where the fuck do you think? She’s locked herself in the car.”
“You have the keys, unlock it.”
“Gee, why didn’t I think of that,” Devlin replied sarcastically.
“The keys are in the car,” Gino smiled, patting him on the back. “Let me see if I can talk to her.”
“You do that, Gino,” Devlin said walking away from the vehicle.
Lisset sat listening to Devlin and Gino talk outside the car. It was muffled a bit, but she was able to decipher what they were saying. Devlin was pissed and in no mood to deal with her or Gino. Gino on the other had didn’t give a damn and did and said what he wanted. So, when there was a soft tap to her left, Lisset knew it was Gino and not Devlin. Hitting the unlock button on the small key pad, she took a deep breath as Gino slid into the driver’s seat and shut the door. Once the door was shut, Lisset wasted no time, locking them in.
“Afraid he will interrupt us?”
“No, just pull you from the vehicle kicking and screaming,” she replied.
Gino laughed, “I’d like to see him try it. I weigh a hundred pounds more than him.”
“No, you don’t. You are a healthy weight Gino. I’ve told you to eat more vegetables and the weight will fall off.”
“Lissie, I am an inch shy of seven feet. If I lose five pounds, I will look anorexic.”
“I wish I could see you,” she whispered softly.
“You have seen me. You know what I look like.”
“That’s different. Seeing you with my hands verses my eyes are two different things. I miss my eyesight.”
“What brought this on?” Gino asked. “Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve been happy with your situation. You’ve never hinted or said that you missed seeing. What’s happened?”
“Nothing, everything. I’m tired of running. Skylar deserves a safe home where she can grow up and have friends, date and go to school, not a safe house where she’s guarded twenty-four seven. Before we moved here, all we did was run from one safe house to the next. I can’t do it anymore. I love it here. Everyone looks out for Skylar. She’s safe here. I know you’d never let anything happen to her.”
“You’re right,” Gino replied. “I love that little girl. I think of her as my own blood and so do allot of other people. But we also think that of you. Why don’t you tell me what is really bothering you, because I know it doesn’t have anything to do with Skylar. That little girl will only know happiness. You on the other hand, are different.”
“Devlin is taking me to Treasure Cove, Montana.”
“I know that.”
“My brother is there.”
“That is good news. More famiglia for you.”
“I miss my brother, I do, but I’m different now.”
“Ah,” Gino said. “He remembers you before the accident.”
“Yes.”
“And all of us here, don’t. We love you as you are now.”
“Yes.”
“Lisset, you can’t go through life ignoring your past. You are a strong woman, who has defied many odds set against you. I know you have been dealt a crappy past, but you’ve over
come every obstacle set before you. Don’t dwell on what you can’t change, accept it and move forward. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything, because you can. You are a survivor. You will make your own future wherever you go.”
“I’m going to miss you Gino,” she whispered, trying hard not to let him see her tears. She was going to miss him. She was going to miss them all. Since her daughter was born, Gino and his family had become her family and she loved them all dearly. She wanted to stay but knew deep down she couldn’t. She couldn’t let her past destroy their future and if she stayed, she knew that would happen. It was just so damn hard saying goodbye.
“Don’t miss me,” Gino said, taking her hand in his. “I don’t like goodbyes. Saying goodbye is final. You are famiglia, and we prefer ‘until next time’, because Lisset, there will be a next time. I promise you that.”
“Will you look after momma for me?”
“I won’t need to,” Gino chuckled. “She found out that you were leaving and insisted that I send her to you. She will be waiting for you when you arrive. I am sure Devlin will be surprised to see his mother again.”
Lisset laughed. “Oh, he will be surprised alright.”
“Having his mother around is good for him. She will keep him on the straight and narrow. As for you, Philomena wants nothing but to be there to help you raise her granddaughter, even though little Skylar really isn’t a Fratteli.”
“You know?” Lisset asked shocked.
“I’ve known for a while now, but it doesn’t matter. Skylar is and will always be a member of this famiglia. She is a true Fratteli.”
“She isn’t a Fratteli, Gino. Her last name is Brother, like Devlin’s and Damien’s.”
“Lisset, Brother in Italian is Fratteli.”
Lisset: The Men of Treasure Cove Page 5