by Krista Lakes
“I'm not sure about that,” I mumble. I take a deep breath. I open my mouth, but I don't know how to start.
“Take your time,” he tells me. He reaches out and takes my hand. He gives it a gentle squeeze that gives me more reassurance than I thought it would.
“Norwood came to my apartment. He destroyed my piano and threatened me.” My voice somehow is calm. Detached. I say it clinically, like it happened to someone else.
Anger floods Dante's face. Rage glimmers in his dark eyes. “I'll kill him,” he growls.
“I have a better plan,” I tell him. “I have a plan to ruin him. I don't want him dead. That's too easy. I want him to suffer. I want him to wish he'd never heard the name Cara. I want him to wish he'd been the one in the car accident, not my mother.”
I say it with such force and spite that I shake. I help run a crime syndicate but this is the first time that I feel like a mobster. This is the first time that I feel like using my power to destroy someone. I feel dangerous.
Dante's eyes glitter. “Tell me what you want to do and it's done.” I look at him and see a dangerous man. I've always known it, but now I see it. He loves me and he'll destroy Norwood with his bare hands.
“I have a plan,” I promise. “But, I need to tell you something else first.”
“Anything,” he says.
This is somehow harder to say. This one catches in my throat. Telling him that I was hurt was simple. Telling him that I want to destroy Norwood was easy.
This, though, this changes everything. This changes us.
“Dante.” I pause and take a deep breath. I look into his dark eyes, afraid that I'll see them change the way they look at me. “Dante, I'm pregnant.”
At first he doesn't move. It's like he didn't hear me say it at all, so I repeat it.
“I'm pregnant.”
He blinks, his mouth falling open.
“I thought we were careful, but...” I take a shaky breath. “You're going to be a father.”
Dante lets go of my hands and leans back on the couch. Shock is the only thing on his face and for a moment I'm terrified all over for his reaction. This is half his fault. I feel anger start to heat in my belly.
“I'm going to be a dad?” he says softly.
“Yes.” I keep the anger in check, but it's mixed with fear and hard to contain.
A slow smile creeps across his face. “I'm going to be a dad.” The smile gets bigger. He's grinning. “I'm going to be a dad!”
He jumps up and kisses me, suddenly all excitement and joy. The anger fizzles alongside the fear, quenched by the flood of relief. He's excited.
He gently touches my stomach, his eyes soft and full of kindness. It's such a difference from the angry danger of before that it's like he's a different person.
“I'm going to be a dad,” he whispers once more. He looks up at me and grins.
“So, you're not mad?”
“Mad?” He shakes his head. “How could I be mad?”
He kisses me softly. His hands cup my face. I smile at him, and somehow find that I'm crying.
“I love you,” he whispers, kissing my forehead. My heart melts and I feel perfectly happy despite everything terrible that happened today.
Dante Russo loves me. If everything else in the world fell apart, he loves me. I could survive anything with that knowledge.
“I love you, too.” I look up into his beautiful dark eyes and see the love reflected in them.
He smiles back at me.
“There is one small problem, though,” he says, a mock frown crossing his face.
“What?” I can tell he's teasing me, but I'm not sure about what.
“We're going to have to move the wedding up. You're aunt is going to be so disappointed. She just booked the hotel.”
I laugh, feeling my soul lighten. “I think she'll understand.”
He kisses me again, and the world no longer feels like it's spinning out of control.
“I will keep you and our child safe,” he says. His voice is full of hidden danger and love. “Tell me what your plan is.”
I nod and tell him exactly how I plan to destroy Norwood and keep our baby safe.
Chapter 27
I walk into Mrs. Romano's house like I own the place. My heels click with authority on the tile floors. I glide directly into Mrs. Romano's parlor and sit down in the chair facing her. I cross my legs and wait politely as she turns to greet me.
The first step to my plan is to take care of Mrs. Russo. I can't have her breathing down my neck and I don't need the distraction. Plus, it might provide some extra leverage.
“Cara Savio,” Mrs. Romano says, turning to face me. She's around Mrs. Russo's age, but heavyset. Her dark hair is clearly dyed and she wears bright red lipstick that clashes with her skin. However, her eyes are sharp and bright. She is a woman who has done the mafia family dance for decades. She is not to be underestimated.
“Thank you for meeting me, Mrs. Romano,” I say respectfully. “I appreciate it.”
She shrugs like it's nothing, but her eyes don't leave mine. “You said you have business to discuss?”
I nod. “I have recently learned that you are in possession of some rather embarrassing photographs of my soon to be mother in law.”
Her eyebrows raise slightly. “And you think, what? That I'll just give them to you?”
I smile and shake my head. “Of course not. They are valuable. They give you leverage. I'm willing to purchase them.”
“They aren't for sale,” she replies.
“Everything is for sale,” I tell her. “I know that you are using them to blackmail Mrs. Russo into giving you her son's hand in marriage. I'm going to tell you it won't work. Mrs. Russo doesn't have that kind of leverage over her son, no matter what she's told you.”
“A mother's desire for her child is not something that is easily removed,” Mrs. Romano tells me. She clearly thinks she still has a chance.
I decide to use my strongest weapon. “I can understand that. I'm about to be a mother myself.”
Mrs. Romano does a double take. She looks down at my stomach then back up at me.
“Yes. I'm pregnant. Dante Russo is the father,” I tell her. I smile and cock my head slightly to the side. “Do you really think that he's going to leave me, the mother of his child, because his mother says to?”
Mrs. Romano's face darkens. “I guess the photographs are for sale.”
I smile, but it's not kind. I am the master of this situation.
“I can offer you money,” I tell her. “And, I'll offer you something worth more. Mrs. Russo tried to screw me. I don't take kindly to that.”
Her ears perk up, but her dour expression doesn't change. “And what are you offering?”
I give her a predatory grin. “Power.”
Her expression moves from upset to interested. “Go on.”
“I'll pay you for the photographs,” I tell her. “But, I'm looking to expand my territory. With the Russos and Savios combined, there's an opportunity.”
“I'm listening,” she says, crossing her arms.
“I want to deal with your family,” I tell her. “I need more strength on the docks. We're expecting to move more goods with the marriage in place. I want to let the Romanos in as a show of good faith.”
Mrs. Romano's face gives her away. Joining the Russos on the docks was the goal of marrying the Russos. The Romanos and the Russos both vied for the docks, but if they worked together, they would be unstoppable.
“Basically, I'm offering an alliance rather than a marriage,” I tell her. “You get what you want. I get Dante. Your daughter doesn't have to marry a man she doesn't like.”
Mrs. Romano strokes her chin. I know she's pretending to think this over but that she's already decided to to it. It's a good deal.
“I'll need sixty percent,” she tells me. That's when I know she's in. It's just haggling now.
We're negotiating now. The fact that she's willing to talk means that the
deal is on. Now it's just specifics. It takes some time, but we come to the agreement we both knew was going to happen
“Fifty-fifty. Whatever you bring in is yours and whatever we bring in is ours, but we work together and split the work,” I say.
She nods in agreement. “We both win.”
“Exactly.” I reach for my purse. “And as for the photos?”
I pull out a stack of cash. It's mostly symbolic now that we have the business deal made. She takes my money and goes to a desk drawer. She pulls out a thumb drive and hands it to me.
“I wouldn't look at them,” she tells me. “Not unless you have a strong stomach.”
I take the thumb drive. I'll have Ethan check them and make sure they are authentic. I don't want to see my mother in law having sex.
“It's been a pleasure doing business with you,” I tell her with a smile. I actually mean the smile this time.
“Likewise,” Mrs. Romano says. “Oh, and as a gesture of goodwill, I have some information for you.”
I pause, my ears perking up. “I'm listening.”
“I know that you've increased patrols on the north side of town,” she replies. “In response to the increase in unwilling escorts.”
I wonder for a moment how she found that out, but if I could find out her secrets, she could find out mine.
“And?”
“Mrs. Russo is behind it. She needs the extra cash. The rest of the family isn't involved. Just her and a couple of goons looking for a quick payday.”
My eyebrows raise. This is a surprise. “Why are you telling me this?”
Mrs. Romano's eyes glitter with malice. “That woman tried to screw me. As you said, I don't appreciate that.”
The two of us smile at one another. This relationship will be profitable. Loyalty based on common goals is stronger than money, as the senator said.
“I look forward to working with you,” I say. I mean it.
Mrs. Romano nods. “Likewise. I think we have a very profitable future together.”
Chapter 28
This time I make the meeting with Senator Grayson. There will be no confusion. Senator Norwood won't be a surprise guest this time.
Still, I have Ethan and Dante with me. I feel like a queen with these two big strong men backing me up. I walk in front and they come behind me. I now understand why mob bosses walk around with security. It isn't just for show.
We meet at my aunt's office after hours. I arrive first with Ethan making sure that everything is secure as Dante and I set up in the office. We make sure there are comfortable chairs and refreshments. It feels rather silly to be playing hostess, but I know the details matter.
I sit in my aunt's heavy leather chair behind the desk. It feels strange to be on this side of the desk, but my aunt had insisted. I am running this show. I have to be in the position of power.
Dante stands behind me, his hands behind him and stance wide. He is my bodyguard. The shape of a Glock handgun is easily visible through his jacket. I know another smaller pistol is strapped to his calf and he has a knife up one of his sleeves.
He isn't about to let anyone touch me or his child.
Ethan stands outside my office like a bouncer. I don't have the full inventory of his arsenal, but I know he was just as well armed as Dante, if not better.
I steeple my hands and wait for my meeting start. Outwardly, I look calm. Collected. Inwardly, I am shaking and nervous.
I think of my mother.
I think of her gentle smile and long fingers. The way the sunlight smelled on her dark hair after we played in the park. I remember her yellow sweater. I remember the loss of seeing her in that morgue.
“I love you, pumpkin.”
This is for you mom, I tell myself. I will get justice for you.
It took ten years, but I am going to finally have the way to put the man who hurt her behind bars.
I smile, showing my teeth. I am going to destroy Norwood.
Chief O'Brien arrives first. He wears civilian clothes of a dark blue suit and pale green tie. He plays with the expensive wedding band on his left hand as he enters, but otherwise doesn't look outwardly nervous.
As a prominent citizen, it isn't that strange to ask him to come to my office.
He comes in and greets me, shaking my hand. He swallows hard before shaking Dante's hand as well.
“Please, take a seat,” I tell him with a smile.
He sits, crossing one leg over a knee. “You look good in your aunt's spot,” he tells me. “It suits you.”
I nod politely. I can hear Ethan greet someone and a moment later, the office door opens. Senator Grayson walks in.
A little bit of tension leaves me. Despite it being irrational, I was nervous it wouldn't be him. The last meeting I was supposed to have with him ended with me being beaten to a pulp. I still have the fading purple and green marks on my face and arms.
“Senator.” I smile and shake his hand. He shakes mine and gives Dante a polite nod.
I sit back down. It's time for me to start the avalanche that will bury Norwood.
“Gentleman, thank you so much for coming here tonight. I'm sure you're curious why I've asked you here.” My voice is steady, but my heart is racing. “I have asked you here tonight to stop a criminal.”
Senator Grayson looks slightly surprised, but Chief O'Brien simply nods.
“Senator Norwood beat and abused my mother,” I inform them. “And I believe he killed her.”
Neither of them show much surprise. It isn't really a secret that my family believes Norwood killed my mother. We just haven't been able to say it in public because we didn't have any proof. Until now.
I slide a packet of photos to each of them.
“In these folders are photographs of the abuse Norwood inflicted on my mother,” I say. My voice shakes slightly. I hate those photos. My beautiful and talented mother deserved so much more than this. Dante puts his hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze. “There are also copies of receipts, transactions, and what occurred for every documented bruise.”
The senator's eyes go wide and he turns pale as he looks through the photos. He shuts the folder without looking at all of them.
“I know the chief of police where this occurred,” Chief O'Brien says after a moment. “Statute of limitations hasn't passed yet.”
“Good. I want the law to take this as far as it can go,” I tell him. I turn to the Senator. “And I want these to go public.”
A cruel smile crosses his face and he quickly masks it with an expression of concern. I know that inwardly he's doing happy somersaults. I just handed him the end to Norwood's presidential run on a silver platter. No candidate can come back from something like this.
“Are you sure?” Grayson asks. “These are your mother, after all.”
I swallow hard. Dante has already asked me this question. Am I okay with pictures of my mother with bruises being public?
“She took these in order to bring him down. She died before she had the chance. She would want these to be out there if it means catching and punishing him. She took the photos and kept all the details so that this could happen. It's just that it's happening ten years after when it should have.”
Senator Grayson nods, but I see the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
“There's something else I want with these photos,” I say. “I want to push for a new autopsy of my mother. In light of the fact that the first one was done by a close personal friend of the man who beat her.”
Chief O'Brien looks up slowly. “You're going to use these to open up her death?”
I nod.
He leans back in his chair and looks me over. “You think you'll get anything?”
“He was the last one to see her after having an argument,” I reply. “He obviously had no issue with beating her. The police report doesn't match the coroner's report. There was no investigation done and it was pushed along. I want it redone.”
“With these, I think I ca
n make that happen,” Senator Grayson says. “Norwood has a lot of people that don't like him. The only people that are loyal to him are those on his payroll, but these?” He points to the photos. “These will make a lot of those payments seem like not enough.”
“You'll do it then?” I ask him.
“Consider it already done,” Grayson replies. “I hope we nail him to the wall.”
Chief O'Brien chuckles. “This is going to be a bloodbath.”
“I certainly hope so,” I tell him. He smiles a feral smile at me that makes me glad he's on my team. Senator Grayson wears a similar one.
“We're going to get justice for your mother,” Grayson tells me. He smiles down at the folder. “Sweet, sweet justice. And maybe just a touch of revenge.”
I feel a pressure lift from my shoulders. My mother will have her day in court against the man that hurt her. She isn't here to do it personally, but I'm going to make sure that everyone knows exactly what Norwood did to her.
I'm going to ruin his life like he ruined mine.
Chapter 29
The sun is shining and it's a beautiful, crisp winter day. The snow is still clean and sparkling out by Mrs. Russo's home. Beautiful green branches support fluffy white coats and everything sparkles in the afternoon sunshine.
“You doing okay?” Dante asks as we turn into his old house. Ethan is driving us today.
I'm meeting Mrs. Russo. The last time we spoke, she threatened to invite Norwood, so it's possible he'll be here today as well. Today, Dante isn't leaving my side for an instant.
“I think so,” I tell him. Inside, I'm a mess. Just the thought of seeing Norwood makes my stomach roll. The bruises still ache from my last meeting with Norwood. My stomach is a mess of knots and I have to pee, even though there's nothing there. It's just nerves. Or maybe the pregnancy.
I think I'm going to be sick.
I pray she was bluffing and Norwood isn't there. I'm ready for an easy meeting.
Still, this needs to be done. After this, I'm free of Mrs. Russo. Soon, I'll be free of Norwood.