His as Payment

by Stone, Piper

  “Oh, no. You know how your father is, very private.” She fiddled with her hands, as if she was concerned that she’d broken some rule. I could just see the New York Times on her desk, the splashy caption easy enough to read.

  Is One of New York’s Most Eligible and Dangerous Men Off the Market?

  Sneering, I yanked the paper into my hands. I wanted the information public, but this wouldn’t bode well for certain parties hell bent on breaking us. I should have known pictures would be taken. The concept that Lorenzo might have been seen weighed heavily on my mind. I didn’t need the FBI sniffing around right now. The sons of two kingpin families shaking hands, one dancing with the other’s fiancée was out of the realm of possibility.

  Unless the two were working together.

  Fuck.

  “I appreciate your kind words.”

  She beamed at my compliment. “If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”

  I tossed the paper back onto her desk, offering the sincerest smile. “You are truly a fabulous person. Is my father in?”

  “Yes, but you don’t want to go back there. Not right now.”

  “Why is that?” I glanced at the door, my hackles raised.

  “His badge said he was from the organized crime unit.” She paled, backing away. “I didn’t even know there was such a thing.”

  “They’re old friends. Nothing to worry about.” My smile was as polished as possible. Jesus Christ. I didn’t believe in coincidences. The fact Dick Markus had been in my casino the night before meant he’d been tipped off about something big possibly going down.

  “Oh, good.” Relief flooded her plump face. “I was so worried for your father. He’s such a wonderful boss.”

  I tapped on her desk, winking to calm her down and moved toward my father’s office, once again not bothering to knock.

  Dick immediately jerked to his feet, his surprise turning into the same kind of practiced smile I was wearing. The man knew certain details. I’d played in his arena too many times not to know the signs.

  “Dom. So good to see you again.” Dick held out his hand and the instant I accepted, I was surprised that it wasn’t clammy as I’d come to expect from him.

  Which meant he had hard evidence of some kind, curtailing his fear of retaliation.

  “Did you enjoy yourself last night?” I patted his arm and kept the handshake for a full minute. “If I remember correctly, you were with a beautiful woman.” And not his wife. He was very married, his wife rarely seen on his arm.

  For two seconds his eyes flashed then the suit of armor was locked down.

  “Absolutely. You are the consummate host. The salmon last night was impeccable. Your chef is truly amazing.” He grinned, trying to pull his hand away.

  “And the gambling?” I laughed knowing he wasn’t going to answer the question. I’d heard only that he’d been down thirty large, a number he couldn’t afford.

  “Dick’s here as a courtesy regarding some information on a certain drug coming into the states.” Giordano lifted a single eyebrow. “Why don’t you tell us more, Dick? We’d love to help in any way we can.”

  “I’ve heard scuttlebutt of that nature on the streets. Where do you think it’s coming from?” Why not play along with the game? I still found it curious that he jumped through my father’s hoops every time.

  “All we’ve heard are Columbians. The shit is deadly, Dom. That much I can tell you. Even cut fifty percent, there have been twenty-five deaths reported from Philadelphia to New York.” Dick shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “What does that have to do with organized crime?” I asked casually. I had heard that the shit was deadly, but for him to know actual number meant the investigation had been ongoing for some time.

  He laughed. “I was just discussing that with your father. The word on the street is that you boys have a connection with them. Now, as you can imagine, I hope like hell I’m wrong.”

  My father and I shared a look before I walked closer, adjusting Dick’s tie. “I think you know better than that. We don’t do any kind of business with the Columbians. They’re nothing but animals feeding off themselves. We simply provide legitimate methods of entertainment for all the important people just like yourself, Dick.”

  “Yeah, they are dangerous. I just thought I’d check it out. You know, doing my job.” Dick managed to keep his eyes locked onto mine, not a single nervous tic that I was able to notice.

  What in the fuck was going on and what could he know?

  “Dick, I take pride in what I’ve built with my businesses. You know that I’m an honorable man,” Giordano stated with confidence.

  Dick shifted, giving my father a genuine look of appreciation. The agent was on a fact-finding mission about my business, not my father’s.

  “I am confident of that, Gio, and so is most of the department. I simply wanted to give you the heads up. As I said, a courtesy only, but if you do hear anything concrete, I hope you’ll contact me straight away.”

  Giordano tilted his head, scanning Dick from head to toe. “You’ll be the first, my friend. Take care of yourself, Dick. Drug runners are some of the most vicious people on Earth.”

  The skill with which my father issued a threat was truly brilliant.

  “I think we’re finished here, and you don’t have to bother seeing me out.” Dick grabbed his coat, offering another slight smile before walking to the door.

  But the man was sweating.

  I walked behind him, shutting the door with a soft click and waiting before approaching my father’s desk.

  “What in the hell?”

  “You tell me, son. I haven’t had a visit like that from Dick in almost five years. He’s fishing.”

  “He’s going to get himself clipped.”

  He gave me a stern look. “You want to talk to me about the shipment? Is there validity to what he’s talking about? Is our shipment being threatened?”

  “Just may be.” First the senator then this.

  “Talk to me, Dom. I need to know all the details. We are one week away from a final vote from the local supervisors on the new casino. They’ll slink back into their holes if they smell deception of any kind and that would become a serious problem.”

  “You’re not going to like what I have to say.”

  “Try me.” My father eased behind his desk and I couldn’t help but notice his hand was shaking.

  I briefly highlighted the story, filling in as many blanks as I knew.

  My father sat back, tapping his fingers on the desk. “That doesn’t bode well for the shipment we have coming in. The Feds could be all over it. I’m inclined to pull it until the heat dissipates.”

  “Don’t do that just yet. We already have customers. Besides, I’m working with Lorenzo on trying to locate the bastard. He can’t stay hidden for long.”

  “Lorenzo. Interesting. I hope you know what you’re doing. Use every resource we have to squash this, son. We can’t lose the casino deal because of containment issues. I worked long and hard to make this happen.”

  “And you haven’t heard anything?” I leaned forward.

  “I heard there was certain muscle trying to come in, but the details were sketchy. Found out more from Dick today than my informants, which is not in our best interest.”

  I thought about Marco. “They’re all running scared. Little activity on the streets. Limited sales. Someone has them terrified.”

  “Not a good place for our business to be in.”

  “No.” I hesitated.

  “What is it, son?”

  “Drummand. What connections does he have? Is there any chance he is two-timing us?” There was an odd glint in my father’s eyes when I asked the question, a knowing in the same manner as I’d witnessed when telling him about Margaret.

  “He has enough to possibly bury us, but the man isn’t that smart. He allows his ego to interfere, which has kept him a low man on the totem pole. I’m surprised he’s gotten this far in politi
cs. Still, I hope you have a firm grasp on whatever you’re holding over his head.”

  “I do.” I hesitated again, tapping my fingers on his desk. “Look, I know you don’t want questions about the past, but have you found anything out about Margaret?”

  His expression changed, turning darker. “Drummand is a true piece of work. He must have wanted her out of the picture badly. She’s being held in Canada. That’s all I’m going to tell you at this time.”

  “Why not just have her killed instead of keeping her locked away?”

  “That’s something I will find out from Drummand when the time is right. I don’t want to tip him off since he currently has the upper hand.”

  I was ready to launch into him for no other reason than I wanted to give Caroline some good news when I heard both our cell phones going off. This couldn’t be anything but treacherous information. My father answered a split second before I did and the instant look on his face said it all.

  “Angelo. What?”

  “The casino. A portion was bombed. Motherfuckers.”

  * * *

  If the Columbians were behind the scheme, then we were so far behind the eight ball that we might have no chance of catching up. The bomb had been merely a warning, taking out a portion of the kitchen and the outdoor dining area. They were pissed at what had occurred the night before. Either they’d known to hit the establishment when the least number of employees were working, or they were trying to get the word across quickly.

  Either way, our entire organization was on high alert.

  I’d spent the better part of the day fielding questions from the media and the local police, unable to have my own version of a conversation with the two men we’d captured. That would have to wait. All eyes were on us, scrutinizing every move. I’d been surprised Dick hadn’t appeared, chomping at the bit to witness a faction of our organization implode. I left as the contractors arrived on the property, the repairs promised within a few days.

  Canada. There was no way I was going to share the news with Caroline, dashing her hopes if something went wrong. I found Bruno in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee and reading the same damn newspaper article. I stared at my watch, certain nefarious needs overwhelming me.

  My cock ached just thinking about her. The sweet scent of jasmine and exotic spices. The way the sunlight created blazing copper strands in her hair. The way her mouth twisted in anger and frustration.

  I wasn’t a good man, not in any regard and my anger was far too strong to try to be around her.

  “We heard about the bomb when we were out today,” Bruno said quietly.

  I hissed at hearing the news. “What did Caroline say?”

  “Nothing. She watched a full five minutes of the broadcast then turned away as if nothing had happened. She didn’t ask me any questions about you or about what was going on.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Her studio and before you ask, she was good as gold today. She even saw her father and ignored him.”

  “Senator Hargrove? Where? When? And what the fuck did he say to her?”

  Bruno shrank back from the paper. “Chill, boss. The dude was at a fundraiser. He didn’t see her, and she certainly didn’t attempt to talk to him.”

  Exhaling, I took another glance at the rather grainy photograph in the paper. I don’t know who had the balls to take it, but they’d done it while we were dancing. Fuming wasn’t going to do any good.

  “O-kay. She doesn’t like to shop. Just wanted to come back here and paint.”

  She needed the one thing that comforted her. “You can take the night off, Bruno. Two soldiers are outside.”

  “Not a chance, boss. You need to spend quality time with your lady, which includes complete privacy and security. I mean, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

  “Then check with Angelo and Jo-Jo in a couple hours. The streets need to be swept clean. And the boys we have on lockdown, make certain they find out something.”

  “I got ya, boss. The streets will sparkle by in the morning, birds singing up a storm.” His grin covered his entire face.

  “Go easy. We don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention.” I yanked off my jacket, tossing it over the back of a chair then unfastened my holster. Reminders of my life even I didn’t want at this moment. I had to get through to Caroline tonight, and obviously my methods weren’t working. If she wanted to believe I was such a horrible man, then she was going to learn just how much of one I could be.

  I didn’t mask my approach, storming toward her studio, the very one I’d created for her. The door was open a crack and I could hear the subtle strains of jazz music. I waited just outside, listening as she hummed, the sound so melodic and calming. After pushing open the door, I was unable to advance, stunned by her appearance.

  She was dressed in a men’s white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and I could see no indication of anything underneath. Her feet were bare, her toes polished in flames of red and her long and curvaceous legs seemed to go on forever. Even the way she’d pinned her hair in a haphazard bun, strings falling against her lovely neck, curling along her high cheekbones was sexy as hell. I held my breath as she swished the brush then dabbed the end in a circular pattern.

  She’d been busy, painting furiously and every scene was more magnificent than the one before. I finally entered, taking careful steps.

  Caroline jumped, almost knocking over her canvas. Immediately she shut down, her face pinched as she glared at me. Even as her lower lip quivered, her eyes were filled with biting hate. “I was hoping to hear about your dead body on the news in the morning, blown into a thousand pieces of flesh and bone.”

  “Were you, Caroline? If that’s the case, then your earlier threat would have been for naught.” Drips of paint covered the crisp white cotton, even smears where she’d wiped her hand clean. I realized she’d taken one of my shirts, a gesture of her anger, but she couldn’t realize how little I gave a shit.

  She rolled her eyes.

  I eased mine down from her lips to her cleavage, unable to take them off the rise and fall of her chest. Everything she did, she did so with a purpose and the fact only a few buttons were fastened screamed of seduction.

  She seemed to collect herself, going back to her painting but every few seconds, she took the opportunity to study me, darting glances. Her breathing remained scattered. Even her hand was trembling.

  “No one was hurt in the blast.” I walked around several of the paintings, taking my time to scan each one.

  “Why are you telling me? What should I care if criminals die?”

  “Except they’re not criminals, Caroline. Just people who need a job in order to survive like you and me.”

  “You’re nothing like the working-class people, Dominick. Nothing.”

  As I moved closer to a group of paintings on the floor, I sensed her discomfort.

  “Those aren’t finished.” Her normally sultry voice was sharp, laced with apprehension.

  I eased two aside and there was nothing that would have prepared me for the intense yet gorgeous painting hiding underneath. I was thrown, unable to comprehend why she would have created something so breathtaking. I was drawn into the world easily, able to hear the roaring surf lapping at the shoreline. “My God.”

  I could feel her standing behind me. “Why, Caroline? If you hate me so much, why would you paint such beauty? Why would you pretend in such a ridiculous fashion?” I wanted to rip it to shreds, my anger was so ardent.

  “I wasn’t pretending,” she mewled.

  I laughed bitterly, taking another look. The serene setting included a beach house positioned by the ocean, the turquoise blue of the water and the froth of the waves coming alive from the bold brushstrokes. A stunning sunset splashed vibrant colors across the sky, cascading down to the couple so obviously in love.

  And there was no mistaking their identity, the likeness drawn with a skilled hand.

  “And I don’t hate you, Dominic
k, only the man you’ve been forced to become. I saw the other side, one so sweet and passionate that I wanted more. You let go with me in the SUV. I could see such joy in your eyes. You were free and open. I adore that man.”

  “That man doesn’t exist, Caroline. You’ve said so yourself. I’m evil, the devil.”

  “No! I don’t believe that. I just... I refuse to believe that man doesn’t exist. You already reminded me that every one of us has two sides. Show me that man.”

  My hand shook from the heady dose of adrenaline as I reached out, my fingers moving over the lines, even though they would never touch the sacred canvas. Inhaling, I clenched my fist, fighting the range of emotions building to the point of explosion. “You shouldn’t have done this.”

  “Why not, Dominick? I painted this as a gift and I honestly don’t why. I knew you’d react this way. Jesus. Has no one ever been kind to you?” When I didn’t answer, she shook her head. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have wasted my time. There is no reason I should have included myself in the painting, but it felt right. I just...” She backed away quickly, her words tapering off. A warm flush crept along her jaw, moving to her cheeks. I could swear there were tears in her eyes. “You can do whatever you want with it. Destroy the painting. Hang it. Laugh with your buddies. I don’t care.”

  “This is beautiful, Caroline. I would never destroy your work. It’s too precious.”

  The words hung in the air.

  “I shouldn’t have said those horrible things to you. That’s not me. That might be your world, but I’m not that kind of person. You didn’t deserve that.”

  “Is that all there is, Caroline? You can tolerate me because you live in a different world, a glass house where nothing ever goes wrong? Do you really think that the fake life you led was so much better than mine?”

  She huffed and turned further away. “You don’t understand.”

  I eased the painting onto the floor. “Then explain it to me.” My heart raced, every cell in my body on fire. “Please. I need to hear why.” I could see just how exasperated she was, fighting with the woman who craved in the same manner that I did.