* * *
Lisa followed Gio out of the suite of offices where her lawyer’s firm ran their business in Manhattan. She could tell by the way he was stomping out that something was bothering him, but for the life of her she couldn’t tell what it was. His mood from earlier had most assuredly changed. When they reached the doors of the outer office, only then did he pause as he swung open the door, and allowed her to pass through before him. This time he followed her to the bank of elevators and she could hear him huffing and puffing the whole way.
The whole time he followed her, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her ass. He felt a growl escape his lips as his cock immediately hardened. When Lisa turned to look at him, her expression showed her confusion. “What’s wrong?” she asked, but Gio remained mute.
How could he tell her the directions of his wayward thoughts at so inopportune a time? Instead of revealing the truth, even though food was the last thing on his mind, he came up with an excuse on the fly. “Hungry?”
Lisa contemplated the word Gio muttered, but his expression told her another tale. One she recognized all too well. It was mid-afternoon, and they hadn’t eaten yet. She was hungry too, but not for food. But she also knew Gio, and when he was like this, she shouldn’t press. “Sure, I’m hungry too,” she whispered. She meant to say it in a teasing manner, but it had come out much more seductively than she intended.
Gio’s eyes flashed to her face, and her tone told him she sensed it too. They both weren’t talking about food, but goddam it all to hell if he was going to slip right back into her bed. It was bad enough he was already deep in her world.
* * *
Gio drove out of the city and back to the island, and stopped at a little diner along the way. Because it was midafternoon the place was not crowded. He found a nice parking spot at the back of the restaurant. There were only two other cars in the lot, but he knew the place was good. They missed both the lunch and dinner crowds and if they had arrived during those times the place would have been jam-packed.
They were brought to one of the four rooms in the diner and found themselves seated in a secluded alcove. They ordered right away since they had not eaten since breakfast. Lisa had the Cobb salad, and Gio ordered a club sandwich with slaw.
While they waited for their orders to arrive, Gio asked Lisa about the explosion. “So, what happened that night, Lisa? I haven’t asked and other than what I have read in the papers and seen on the news, I haven’t got a real clear picture of the timeline yet. Tell me how it went down.”
Lisa took a sip of her water and then gave him the details leading up to the explosion. “I told Albert a few weeks before that I wanted a divorce. I had moved out years earlier, but still travelled twice a week to attend the required functions. One night, a week earlier, he had a bit too much to drink. I told you about this. He tried to seduce me, and I, of course, turned him down. He got rough and I blew up at him. Told him everything I had. It was stupid of me, but he scared me that night. We hadn’t been together intimately in years, as I said, it was strictly a business arrangement. I guess I wanted to warn him off, and so I blurted it all out, even sending him a text of one of the pictures. It was stupid, but I knew his name and reputation were still too important to him. I knew his dad was dying and he would find out soon anyhow. I just didn’t think, but I knew my parents were safe, and with his parents gone, all my ties to him would be cut. But I wasn’t going to let him me paw at me, or worse.” He saw Lisa shudder at the memory. “Then, I just jumped out of the car. He yelled for me to come back, but I told him he didn’t own me anymore and hailed a cab, and went to my sister’s house. I thought it was over. I had no idea he would go to these lengths to keep me bound to him.”
“You were wrong, though?”
“Yes, apparently,” she sighed. “He came to my apartment the next day. Johnny was asleep. I wanted to slam the door in his face, but Albert begged me to hear him out. I should never have let him in, but didn’t want the disturbance to wake Johnny.” She couldn’t meet Gio’s eyes. She felt guilty enough over her own actions. She didn’t want to see disappointment there. “He began by saying he loved me. I laughed at him. I told him I could never love him, and that he was sick. He cried. I was flabbergasted, and shocked really. There was nothing to explain, nothing he could have said that would have swayed me. But he went on and on. I really had no idea that he actually cared one way or the other. I mean we were kind of friends, companions, sort of, in the beginning, but after I gave birth to Johnny it changed. I told him I didn’t want to hear anymore, but he kept begging me to hear him out. He told me he loved me all along, and that he had other partners only because I had never loved him, and he had always loved me. I just shook my head, and started to show him to the door. He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him.” Lisa shuddered at the remembrance, and holding herself, she began to pace the floor by their table. “He kissed me, and told me he could have been gentle with me, would have been, if I hadn’t betrayed him by fucking you, and getting pregnant with your child. I slapped him hard. That was a mistake. It turned him on. He slapped me back, and tore my blouse off. I fell. And scrambled backwards, and he grabbed my leg, and yanked me towards him. He grabbed my wrists and straddled me; I was still trying to fight, and then he slammed my head onto the marble floor and I was dazed. I saw stars. I was semi-conscious. I think he was going to rape me, I don’t know. But then Johnny called out from his room. I think it scared him, but I wasn’t sure he would have left. It startled him enough that I was able to scramble away, and get up. I grabbed a knife from the counter, and told him to leave or I would scream. He left. Thank God.” Lisa was rubbing her arms during the telling of her story and continued after she sat down.
Gio was angry, angrier than he had ever been. His son could have walked in on that. “What a bastard. He is a sick man, and whatever you do, you have to promise me, you will stay away from him. Whatever happens, Lisa, stay away. Let me, or your lawyers handle it. Do not go anywhere with him alone. Promise?”
Lisa nodded her agreement, and reached for her glass of water. Remembering the events of last month, and telling it to Gio, brought it all back. Yes, she had known Albert was twisted, but she was afraid now more than ever, especially after his claims that night, and now framing her for attempted murder. She heard Gio sigh and she looked up as he cleared his throat before speaking.
“Lisa, I still don’t understand why you put up with him? Why? For all those years. To live with a monster, to share a bed with him. I hate to ask, but I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around this. You’re not the Lisa I knew or remember. You were the one who called it like it was, and took no crap from anyone. Even him. But you stayed? Help me. Lisa, please help me understand,” Gio begged, his gut wrenching as he spoke.
She shook her head as she sat back down. He saw the pain flash across her face before her mask was once more in place. “Gio, I don’t know how when I’m not sure I understand it myself. It wasn’t always like this. I told you at first it was just like we were companions. Both of us pushed into this, or so I thought. The sex it was . . . sterile, perfunctory. After I found out I was pregnant, things changed, he kind of backed off. Then after the baby, he started to come around again. He knew Johnny wasn’t his. He counted back the dates. I felt guilty and I don’t even know why. But then the sex began to get rougher. Post-partum; I was a mess too. I wanted to be with you. I don’t know.” She wiped the lone tear that had managed to escape from her brimming eyes.
“I’m sorry, Lisa. I just want to understand.” He still didn’t.
“Gio, I’ve asked myself these same questions over and over again. Why did I stay? How had I let it come to that? So much had been going on in everyone’s lives, and I felt lonely. Once I knew what Albert was like, and after he hit me, I became terrified. Every time I even thought about leaving, in those first few years, I somehow got lured back in.” Hearing stories of all Gio’s conquests didn’t help her either, but she wasn’t going to tell him that part.
Instead she offered yet another apologetic euphemism and tried to change the subject. “I lived through it and of anyone, you deserve to know.” She saw Gio’s eyes and he still looked troubled. She hated seeing that look so she deflected after an awkward pause. “But we were talking about the explosion?”
“True, true.” Gio noticed the change of topic, but let her proceed. He could see how much the track of their conversation shifted, and pained her. He urged her to tell her tale at her own pace.
Lisa put down her fork. She had eaten a bit, but lost her appetite. “Well, Albert called a few days later. He apologized profusely. He had some papers drawn up that he wanted me to see, about our divorce, and if being apart from him would make me happy then he would do it. I was shocked once more but desperate to make it happen, the sooner the better. I wanted, needed to move on. I was relieved that he seemed to be coming around. He told me he would fly to Mexico and take care of the divorce just as soon as his dad passed away. The doctors had given him just a few weeks to live. So I agreed. I told him I wanted nothing, just the divorce. I had plenty of my own money by then, and of course, Johnny was mine. He knew that. I told him I’d sign whatever papers he had. He told me he could have them ready the in a week or so, and then he called again when he claimed they were ready. He told me to come to the shop around closing. The next day I was at Mary’s and he called and said to come by a bit later, he had a big client in and wouldn’t be done with him till after eight. I thought nothing of it. Just before eight I left Johnny with my sister, and headed over to his dealership on Grand Boulevard.” She reached for her glass and took a sip of her water before continuing.
“When I pulled up into the lot, I saw the place was locked up, and so I texted him. He said he was still there, and to drive around back, he would have one of the employees buzz me in. I was relieved to know we were not alone. I drove around back, got out of my car and stood by the employee entrance, and waited. It might have been thirty seconds, maybe less, but then all hell broke loose. The explosion was so loud, and the entire front half of the building was awash in light. I saw the fireball and smelled the smoke immediately. It sent me stumbling backwards. I was aghast, and in shock. I managed to get back on my feet, and I ran back to my car. I got in my car, to drive around to the front of the lot where the explosion had come from. I heard sirens already by this point. I got to the lot, and I could see several vehicles had been damaged, and one was completely engulfed in flames? I got out of my car, and then I saw Albert running towards me, screaming. The police pulled up behind me, and Albert was screaming, pointing at me, and yelling that I tried to kill him.”
“Holy Shit!” Gio’s mouth fell open and the more Lisa talked the more he realized just what a sick man Albert was.
Lisa nodded and continued. “The police did not arrest me, but did ask if I would go to the station for questioning. Of course I would, I was dumbfounded. I told them I would meet them there, and then on the way I called Mary to tell her what happened, and called Alex too. I don’t know what made me do that, but I am glad I did.”
“Smart thing to do,” Gio put in.
“Yes, they let me go that night, and Alex and I met the next day. He warned me that I would probably get arrested if the police found any corroborating evidence.”
“And I am assuming they did?” Gio asked.
“Yes, and I still don’t understand it. But please believe me before I tell you, I did not do this.”
“Go on,” Gio encouraged, eyes narrowing.
“He has tapes. Video surveillance. The tapes of the lot, show a woman messing around under the car a few hours earlier. The woman from the distance and grainy texture of the tapes looks like me. I’ll admit it. I saw the tapes. But I know it wasn’t me.”
“He hired someone then,” Gio stated to Lisa’s nodding.
“The prosecution also has receipts in my name for the stuff that was used in making the bomb. I don’t know how he managed that either. Gio, I swear didn’t do this. He framed me. And we just have to figure out who he used.”
“This is pretty tight. But if he used someone and planned this thing we just might catch him. If he hired someone then that someone is who we have to find. They can bring this all down crashing around his ears. I believe you, Lisa. Whatever your sins are, I know murder is not one of them.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and reached over to take his hand.
He took it and cupped it quickly, squeezing his reassurance before letting her go. Even that brief connection had him feeling things he didn’t want to think about at the moment. “But at least I know now, following Albert is the ticket. Whoever he paid to pretend to be you, and whoever he had buying these things with your credit card has got to get paid. So we have to find this person. He has to have left a trail.”
“I hope so,” Lisa murmured, once more feeling lost, but not so alone anymore. She watched Gio as she told the story, and she knew he believed her. That felt good. Between Alex and Gio, she had a chance. She hadn’t felt that way just days ago, but now she felt just a glimmer of hope.
At that time, the waitress returned with their check after asking if either wanted dessert or coffee. After they both shook their heads, she placed it face down on the table and left them alone. Gio glanced at it quickly before laying down enough money to cover the tab and a generous tip. Lisa was suddenly exhausted. Reliving this for Gio again had been hard, but she was glad it was all out now. He knew it all. As she followed him to the car, she couldn’t help let the tears come. They just slid silently down her face. It was just so much. Too much. Albert had planned this perfectly, and her biggest fear was losing her son.
When Gio opened her door for her to let her pass, he saw the tears streaking down her face, and once again his instinct took hold of him. “Aww, Lisa, hush now, baby.” And just like old times she wordlessly slipped into his open arms.
Chapter 10
Going Down that Road Again
Gio held her. He hated seeing her so torn up. He heard her muffled voice coming from close to his heart.
“Gio, if I don’t beat this, promise me you’ll look after our son.”
“Hush now, we will beat this,” he continued in his attempts to soothe her.
“But promise me,” she cried looking up at him.
Her green-gold eyes were frightened. She couldn’t hide that from him. “I promise.” As terrified as he was of the prospect of raising a child alone, he knew those were the only words she wanted to hear and so he said them. Her pained expression dissipated somewhat.
“You’re going to be a great father,” she whispered the words, but they held such conviction. Her heart beat furiously. She had always known he would be a fantastic father.
Saying those words to him did something to him though. All of a sudden the air went out of him, and he could feel her body tremble as it pressed up against his. Without thought, Gio did what he’d wanted to do since he saw her in prison. He captured her cherry lips with his.
It was meant to be for comfort, but quickly it turned into more. He felt the heat expand outward and around them, engulfing them. Too soon her hands were clawing at his back causing havoc with his senses. Everywhere she touched, he burned. And soon the kiss wasn’t enough. When her mouth opened for him, his tongue slipped inside effortlessly. It was like coming home.
Gio’s hands slid from around her to her shoulders then slowly made their way down her arms to her hips. He needed to feel the heat, and needed the pressure to be eased. He pulled her to him crushing his cock up against her.
Lisa was shocked and thrilled all at once, and her sex clenched as she felt the steel of the man pressed against her. A growl of pent up frustration escaped her lips as her tongue tangled with his. Only Gio had ever made her feel this way. Only Gio had been able to bring her to the edge. And fling her over the brink into the abyss.
Gio buried his head into Lisa’s neck, and licked a path to her ear. “I am so hard for you,” he admitted as he ground his cock into h
er core.
Her lips sought out his as his confession banked her fires even higher. She felt his hand begin to stroke her thigh inching up higher until he cupped her. Instinctively, Lisa lifted her leg to wrap around him thoughtless of the scene they may be causing in the parking lot. Her pulse quickened as his fingers worked over her and through the sheer material finding her already sensitive nub. When the tips of his fingers grazed over her she gasped into his mouth and she cried out her pleasure. Gio swallowed her moans as heat enveloped her body. Only Gio had ever had this effect on her. It was madness and she couldn’t get enough of him.
“Oh Gio,” she crooned when his lips again broke from hers to look into her eyes. She saw the lust there, the need for her, and it took her breath away. He still wanted her. And how she wanted him. Needed him. “I need you,” she confessed her desire for him.
Gio was lost, lost in the moment and in her eyes. It had always been like this for him. With other women his actions had been calculated, and as of late repetitious, but with her, it was instinct. He pushed two fingers against her clit, swollen and protruding, and her eyes went wide. His cock throbbed painfully in his black denim jeans, and he wanted nothing more than to sink into her, take her, and claim her once more. Lisa took his other hand, the one that still caressed her along her ribcage and brought it to her breast. Gio felt her nipple already tight and pebble hard under the palm of his hand. He rubbed his palm across it, giving her what she wanted. His thumb grazed it, and circled it, as he used his other hand to stroke her clit. He began to feel her hips gyrate in time to his ministrations.
The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.: Box Set Page 55