Flirting with Deception

by Ava Catori

  His reaction was so absurd that I lost it. Instead of the civilized congratulatory sentence I had rehearsed in my head to tell him about his grandson, a spiteful sentence came out of my mouth. “Right, as if you have a clue about your own family!”

  That’s when a powerful hand grabbed my arm and jerked me around. The hand was Gino’s. He and my mother were standing side-by-side glaring at me. My mother looked up to Domenico and said, “We’ll be leaving now.”

  Gino’s finger dug in my flesh as he attempted to make me follow him in the direction of the parking.

  “Wait,” Domenico said making Gino falter and turn around to face him.

  Superbly ignoring my uncle, Domenico took a step forward and asked, “What do you mean I have no clue about my family?”

  “Exactly what I said! You have a great-grandson you know nothing about!” Domenico opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. “Your son, the one who’s a priest now, well he had a daughter and she just gave birth to a beautiful little boy, Aidan, and you didn’t know about it. So don’t give me your crap about the old school capo knowing everything about his own family.”

  Domenico grimaced so hard that, for the second time, I thought he was having a heart attack.

  “Aidan?” he said with an incredible look of disbelief. “Porca miseria! What possessed his mother to give my great-grandson an Irish name?”

  “Possibly, the fact she had no idea who her father was, and that she’s going to marry an Irish man,” I finished.

  Standing between Ryder and Hunter, her baby in her arms, Barbara stood next to her grandfather. How long had they been there? He stared right back at her and then looked at the two men surrounding his granddaughter.

  “Which one of you is responsible for this?” He bellowed. “We have to get a wedding organized, right away. My great-grandson will not be a bastard!”

  * * *

  26

  Hunter

  Barbara’s voice quivered. Ryder and I stood by her side. Gia looked surprised to see me, but then probably Barbara had never mentioned both Ryder and I were coming. It was Ryder who called me in on the situation. A little extra muscle never hurt when it came to confronting someone, especially of this caliber.

  Gia’s jaw dropped. We locked eyes. She quickly broke the link, refusing to hold my gaze. Now wasn’t the time, but I had no clue what was going through her mind. I needed to talk to her, but we had other things to handle first.

  Barbara held Aidan close. He clung to her, knowing comfort was in his mother’s arms. She was confronting a man who didn’t fit into her plans. Ryder filled me in on the pieces of information I’d missed along the way, and explained how it all connected. When the man was confronted with his new family members, I think we all held our breath, waiting for his response.

  Surprising us, all he seemed to care about was the horror of Aidan having an Irish name, which suited my Irish blood well, but apparently not his. A marriage, was he kidding? This is what the man was worried about?

  I was more confused than I expected to be. The way he started, I thought his demanding tone would be followed by – well, quite frankly, I’m not sure what I expected. My mind was too wrapped around Gia to think about much else. I stood with my brother and Barbara, but seeing Gia, I wasn’t prepared.

  I wanted to wrap her in my arms, pull her close to me and… I was disoriented, off my game. People were moving, talking, and I was standing there like a fool staring at my lover. I was so far gone, lost in love. She turned away from me, refusing to let me read the message in her eyes. It didn’t matter. I’d win her over. There was no other answer for me. She was everything I wanted. She was my future.

  A little girl tugged at my sleeve, no more than six or seven. I looked down, startled out of my thoughts.

  “Mister, you’re blocking the way,” the little kid said.

  I shook my head and moved aside. “I’m sorry.”

  Barbara and Ryder had stepped over a few feet and were in deep conversation with the man of the hour. Gia slid back just a bit to allow Barbara the spotlight. A woman, I’m guessing her mother, was by her side. And I was not certain, but the guy who stood beside them both looked too familiar. Could that have been my past visitor that arrived with a threat? He looked an awful lot like him, but I wasn’t looking to point fingers at this particular moment. We had enough issues to tackle.

  After the last of the crowd left, I moved toward Gia. The guy beside her didn’t bother side-eyeing me politely, he flat out glared as if daring me to speak. I ignored him. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “I gave them a minute. I was so determined to get in his face, and then when I saw you…”

  “I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” I hated that her mother and Mr. Back-Off guy heard every word I said. “How could I have expected you to act any differently? I used poor judgment. Gia, I lo-”

  Gia’s mother’s eyes went wide.

  “Gia, can you join us?” Barbara called to her friend. They were in this together.

  She looked at me, her guard crumbling. “Don’t, not right now,” she said before joining Barbara and Ryder.

  My heart broke. How could she not want to hear it? I know she felt it, too, even if she was in denial. What happened between us was real. I followed her over.

  I’d missed whatever words had passed between the group prior to this. Some help I’d been, though the old guy hardly seemed a threat when he heard he had a grandson. I could see how he could have been more intimidating in his youth, but for a moment in time, he was almost like every other old man. I studied his profile.

  “What are you looking at kid?” His stare was cold.

  I shook it off and muttered, “Nothing.”

  Gia reached out for my hand and squeezed it. More for support than affection it seemed, but that she did it without thinking told me what I needed to know. Her instinct was to comfort me, to tell me she was by my side. She could say whatever words she wanted, I knew what was in her heart.

  * * *

  27

  Gia

  Domenico was a strange character; one second he looked at his great-grandson with the sweetest expression on his face, and the next he’d be back to Capo mode, daring the world to defy him. I was grateful to Hunter for not provoking him and instinctively reached out for his hand when Domenico called him out for staring.

  For an instant, I allowed myself to need Hunter’s support. I so wanted to rely on him. But then I remembered … we crossed a line and I’d lost my best friend. I tried to free myself but no matter how hard I pulled he held fast to my hand. Why couldn’t he let me go? I didn’t want to confront him now. Obviously, he could understand this was not the time or place to talk about us, or what we could salvage of our friendship.

  I stopped thinking about my hand trapped in his and listened to the conversation between Barbara and her grandfather.

  “But you don’t get it, Barbara,” the old man was saying. “Gia should never have applied to your tender offer. She should have known that Ocean Crest was forbidden territory for her. Her coming to work for you without malice is totally irrelevant as far as I’m concerned. Her father should have kept her in check.”

  Barbara took a deep breath. I could read in her eyes that she was just as exasperated as I was by the old Italian macho act. Barbara and I were on the same page, we didn’t think women were some sort of prize property or cattle that had to be watched over. We were our own person, and no one but ourselves was responsible for what happened in our lives.

  “Fine,” she said. “Then please do it for me and for your great-grandson.”

  Domenico tilted his head and squinted. I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head as a victorious smile spread on his lips. It was clear he wanted something from her and was now sure he was going to get it. He paused a few seconds before answering Barbara’s plea and said, “I guess I can do that for you and for Aidan Domenico.”

  Barbara smiled sweetly. “And we can even have the chris
tening here, if you want.”

  Pulling an old flip phone from his pocket, the old man dialed a number as he took a few steps to isolate himself from us. He walked into the little playground adjacent to the church and paced while talking to someone. With his free hand he made broad gestures for emphasis. That made me smile. Nona always used to say the best way to keep an Italian man silent was to tie his hands behind his back. Domenico Guarnieri was indeed an Italiano vero – a real Italian man - he couldn’t speak without moving his hands!

  Having no memory of my grandfathers, I surprised myself imagining that they must have been like him, filled with certainty about the way things were supposed to be, convinced they held the truth and were the rightful rulers of their own tribes. Right, but Domenico Guarnieri was not only a benevolent patriarch, he was also a known ruthless killer. Yes, this was also the man who had sent my father to jail and some stupid nostalgia of grandfathers I never knew couldn’t let me forget it.

  He clapped his phone shut and walked back in our direction. My mother and Gino took a step closer. Gratitude shined on my mother’s face as Domenico said, “It’s done.” His shrug made it clear he wasn’t going to offer any further explanation.

  “Thank you very much,” Barbara said as she extended her arms and offered the man a chance to hold the baby. With a surprisingly gentle gesture, Domenico took Aidan and cradled him. The ease with which he did it demonstrated, at some point, he must have spent time with his kids. Something like pride and sadness crossed his face as he looked at the tiny man child. “Do you think we should ask the grandfather to perform the christening?” he chuckled. “I wonder how the church will feel about this situation.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at the man’s sense of humor and noticed that my mother was smiling as well. Gino, on the other hand, looked clearly unhappy. Was it because my father was going to be released? Noticing I was watching him, he glared at me, and despite myself I was happy to have Hunter next to me. Everything about Gino’s body language made me think of a lion about to pounce.

  Aidan started to bawl and Domenico promptly returned him to the safety of his mother’s arms. “I think he needs changing or something,” he grumbled. Pulling out a business card from his suit pocket, he tucked it into the baby’s blanket. “You take good care of him and call me. Tonight. We need to have a serious talk.”

  Barbara nodded and fussed with the baby while her grandfather crossed the street in direction of the parking lot.

  “Gia, Chiara. It’s time to go,” Gino snapped. I wanted to run from Hunter but I didn’t want to obey Gino.

  “Why don’t you guys go ahead,” Hunter said to Gino and my mother. “Gia and I need to talk. I can drive her where she wants to go when we’re done.”

  The fact that he didn’t even ask for my permission made me mad. I was about to protest when Gino raised his voice. “She’s coming with us, and that’s final.” He took a step toward us and adopted a menacing stance.

  Hunter immediately let go of my hand and stepped in front me defensively. “Gia will do whatever she pleases,” Hunter growled. “No one dictates what she does!”

  I just had enough time to think how deliciously ironic it was to hear him say that. Indeed, a few seconds before, he had behaved as badly as Gino, deciding for me what I was going to do next. I was about to say something about being my own woman when fists started to fly. I couldn’t tell who had thrown the first punch but they were going at it in earnest as if happy to find a way to let out their frustration.

  The fight didn’t last long. An instant after it started, a blast hit us. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Gino turn around and take my mother to the ground with him, covering her with his body. My heart went out to him. Even if Gino didn’t like my father, it was clear he adored his sister. I should never have doubted that.

  I was unable to see anything more as Hunter did the same with me. My head hit the pavement with a thud. I felt it but didn’t hear a thing. The explosion numbed my ear drums. Not for long. The wail of baby Aidan reassured me that I hadn’t lost my hearing; it was temporarily dulled.

  Turning my head, I saw that Ryder, Barbara, and the baby were fine. They were as shocked as we all were, but not physically injured.

  Ryder was the first one to get up. He ran across the street in direction of the parking lot, but was unable to get in. I don’t know what he was hoping to accomplish but -- given the height of the flames I could see from my position and the black smoke filling up the air -- it was clear that Domenico Guarnieri couldn’t have survived the explosion.

  My mother slowly sat up and looked in my direction. I nodded to let her know I was fine and silently mouthed “thank you” to Gino. Looking into Hunter’s eyes, I tried to determine what I was reading in them.

  * * *

  28

  Hunter

  The explosion was deafening. I dove, taking Gia with me. I threw myself over her, needing to keep her safe. It all happened so fast, and nobody was prepared. Ryder ran over to the car, wanting to help, but it was too late. The flames of what was left behind of the mangled metal made it clear there would be no survivors. The person who planted the bomb left no room for error.

  We were stunned, moving in slow motion, each of us going through complex emotions. I was numb, almost unable to move, but Aidan’s cries pierced the air and brought me back to the moment. Gia was on her phone, dialing 9-1-1.

  The flames licked higher. Sirens wailed in the distance as emergency responders made their way to the scene. Gia’s call must not have been the only one. Nobody spoke. There was an eerie silence as the crackle of fire and a plume of black smoke filled the sky.

  I looked at Gia, standing beside me, as numb as I was. I reached out and pulled her to me, wrapping her in the temporary safety of my arms. She tipped her head against my chest. I felt her body shake when the sobs started. I held her tighter. There was nothing else I could do. The police would want statements, and only then, when we – as witnesses were released, would I be able to take her home.

  “I didn’t do it,” Gino shot out defensively. Nobody responded. In his world of violence, if it wasn’t him taking people out, it was other people. “I don’t do that kind of work.” Right, I believed he didn’t; he was not the type to dirty his hands.

  I wasn’t sure if he was trying to offer comfort to his sister and niece, or if he was trying to convince me or Ryder. Just like that, a man’s life was over. Barbara turned her back on the car, pain painted over her face. She tucked her head against Aidan’s and walked back into the church.

  Gia’s mother was saying a prayer. She talked to nobody but her God at that moment. Her prayers were whispered as she looked toward the heavens, only once did she stop to glare at her brother, questioning his wording and the timing.

  The police gathered a group of witnesses, us, and a couple of others who had yet to leave the parking area. Nobody was arrested or taken in, but statements were made and warnings were given. If we had any information…

  …when we were released, I took Gia’s hand. She wasn’t talkative. She simply stared ahead. “Come on, babe.” I led her to the truck and winced as I turned the key in the ignition. How could I not in that moment, so closely related to what just happened. Only, then I remembered, I’m not a part of that world. I don’t have to worry about things like people blowing up my truck with me in it. Did Gia have to worry about that growing up? Now? In the future? Were her family ties enough reason to mark her? I would do whatever it took to protect her. Nobody, and I mean nobody, would lay a finger on her. She was my angel, and I’d move heaven and earth to protect that woman.

  She turned to me unable to speak and nodded as if to say thank you for getting me out of there. I can only guess, as her lips never parted. I took her home. That’s when she spoke. “Can I come home with you?”

  This time I nodded. I didn’t want to impose myself on her, but hearing those words opened the door. I’d wrap her in my arms and hold her to me, letting time wash away the sh
ock and pain of the earlier events. I turned my truck around and went to my place. After parking, we went inside. There wasn’t anything to say. We were still absorbing our own thoughts. I pulled her into me and kissed the top of her head.

  “Take me to bed,” she whispered. “I don’t want to think.”

  “Gia…” I questioned as I looked into her eyes. She was numb. If I obliged, would it be a wasted moment that takes away the tenderness I feel toward her? Or will it bond us in a moment when words didn’t seem to be enough?

  She pulled away and started to lift her shirt over her head. Almost as if she were detached, she turned and walked to the bedroom. I followed her, torn between wanting to hold her, to let her work through her emotions – and understanding that sometimes “not thinking” was what we needed most.

  I stepped in behind her and rested my hand on her shoulder. Her muscles relaxed under my touch. I whispered to her, “I love you.”

  “Fuck me, Hunter. I don’t want to feel anything else today. I just want to get lost in your arms. Make the world go away,” she answered.

  I helped her slip out of the remainder of her clothing and then pinned her to the wall. Sliding a hand between her legs, I parted her thighs and dropped to my knees. I pressed my face tightly to her wetness and drove my tongue between her sweet lips. She gripped my head and held on. Her soft moans turned to untamed roars as I pressed my fingers into her while locking my lips around her clit, sucking her until she couldn’t take anymore. Her body sagged as the orgasm hit, her legs weak. I stood, lifted her, and moved her to my bed.

  I stripped off my clothes and slid next to her, my hand already tracing the curves of her body. I didn’t have it in me to be soft right now, I desperately needed her. Gia parted her legs to me, and as I climbed over her I groaned and plunged deep inside her wetness.