Twist of Fate

by Witek, Barbara

  He turned into a corner gas station. They wouldn’t be dumb enough to do something out in the open. Or would they? Sam parked at the pump and swallowed the nervousness he felt as the van pulled in shortly after them. He didn’t really need the gas but got out of the truck to make it look good. He didn’t want Kate getting scared, either.

  “I’ll just be a sec.”

  “Okay.” She yawned again.

  He slipped the tire-iron out from behind his seat. Bracing it against his leg, he stood beside the truck as the van pulled forward toward the next set of pumps. Sam knew they were eyeing him from behind the tinted glass. They were trying to make a statement, intimidate him, but it wasn’t going to work. He was making a statement of his own.

  He’d protect his family at any cost.

  He stood glaring at the faceless monsters. They paused momentarily across from him and his fist tightened around the iron. A young attendant left his booth, crossing the small lot. “Is everything all right, sir? Do you need any help?”

  Sam’s attention briefly shifted to the boy, and he turned to keep the iron out of eyeshot. “I’m all set. Just wanted to check the oil, thanks.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the van pull away. Apparently he’d won the challenge with a little help from the kid. He hung around to make sure they didn’t come back. When he felt the coast was clear, he got back inside the truck. This was not a good sign.

  ***

  Sam rolled out of bed to the mouthwatering aroma of fresh coffee. Growling through a stretch, he stepped into the early morning sunlight. Rubbing his chest, then his head, he made his way to the bathroom.

  What a night. Not only did he have a pretend wife who wanted a baby, but the people she’d been running from were getting too close for comfort. Bracing both hands on the edge of the porcelain sink, he scrutinized his unkempt reflection.

  “What the hell are you going to do now?”

  He’d given truth to Rusty’s words and let himself believe last night would be the new beginning of his life with Kate. She’d acted like she’d wanted him, too. Yeah, he’d set himself up, all right. What a joke. She’d fallen right to sleep.

  He’d barely slept all night. His ears had been alert to every sound the house made in case his friends in the van decided to cause trouble. It was only a matter of time.

  Then there was the whole ‘baby-thing.’ How could he? Even though it had been three years, the ring of that tiny little voice saying ‘bye-bye Daddy’ cut through him like a knife. What if a baby didn’t bind Kate to him in the end? Sam would be up against powerful people. Thinking of the life she led, baby or no, she was not about to leave that kind of life for him.

  A chill ran across his naked torso, and her old man’s words rang in his head like a fire alarm. In spite of everything, he still doubted George Thompson would find him suitable. No one had ever been good enough for George’s little princess. Well, no one except ‘Mr. Suave.’

  What if this all blew up before the baby was even born? What if he never got to see his flesh and blood child? He shook it off. That would never happen. Even if she hated him, Kate would never keep his child from him.

  Sam may not be ready to give Kate up, but Jill made a valid point. He may not have a choice anymore. He’d been wrestling with himself for weeks. Being followed last night only confirmed what he needed to do.

  He absolutely had to come clean. He couldn’t build a future on lies. Right now, this morning, it all had to come out. He couldn’t risk something happening to her before she knew the entire truth. This wasn’t the way he’d seen it, but it had to be done just the same. Sickened by the lies, the stories, and the sidestepping, he needed to face facts.

  Sam rubbed his whisker-roughened chin while eyeing the man in the mirror. “You’re on borrowed time, my friend. There is no future here.” Hell, if she was going to be shocked and hurt, she might as well hear it all from him. His only hope was if he started from the beginning, the very beginning, she might understand and forgive him. He’d have to take that chance.

  He turned the faucet on, wondering if she would stay or go. Six years ago they’d had something incredible. He’d never gotten over it. Then she’d walked away without thinking twice. He’d never gotten over that, either.

  So why had he bothered to rescue her?

  The cool water felt refreshing on his face, and he sighed. Checking himself in the mirror one last time, he smoothed wet hands through his tousled hair to tame it. He plodded barefoot down each stair, sinking deeper into his already dismal mood. He didn’t really want to get into this with her, but he needed to clear the air. As he reached the last step, he shoved his hands into the soft cotton pockets of his pajama bottoms. Sam had every word at the ready, prepared for the showdown of his life.

  Then he reached the threshold of the kitchen and saw Kate.

  She was cracking eggs over the stove wearing nothing but his pajama shirt. Her dark curls were clipped atop her head in a loose knot. He watched silently as she brushed a stray hair away with the back of her hand. He licked suddenly dry lips at the sight of her delicate wrist peeking from under the sleeve. Her soft curse chimed in his ear as an eggshell hit the floor.

  He smiled.

  To his delight she bent from the waist to retrieve it, exposing a slight glimpse of her red satin panties, soft round buttocks, and long, lean legs. Sam couldn’t control himself. He was aroused instantly and had to adjust his position in the doorway to accommodate his increasing erection. She didn’t have to do much to turn him on. Watching her, he couldn’t remember one damn thing he was going to say. Whatever happened last night, they’d talk about it later.

  Much later.

  He could think of one thing and one thing only. Now he had to live for this moment and see where it would take them.

  ***

  Kate bent to pick up the shell and was startled by a shadow she saw out of the corner of her eye. Her hands flew in the air, dropping the shell again. “Oh! You scared me.” Her eyes fixed on his bare chest as if she were seeing it for the first time.

  “Sorry.” His voice sounded scratchy from sleep.

  She couldn’t move. She could barely breathe. Scanning the length of him, her tongue moistened her lips as she lingered at the waistband which hung low on his hips.

  Wouldn’t I love to have you for breakfast.

  “You alright?” The touch of Sam’s hand startled her and she wondered if she’d spoken aloud.

  “Who, me?” She clamped her mouth shut and blinked several times to focus. “I’m fine.”

  “You were staring.”

  She saw the fire smoldering in his eyes. They hadn’t made love last night like she thought they would, then again she’d had so much to drink the ride home had made her extra sleepy. The hungry look in his eyes told her how much he wanted to now.

  “You look yummy this morning.” The words popped out. Apparently she’d taken him off guard, because he let go of her arm.

  “What?”

  “Um, I mean good morning.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before spinning back around to the stove, hoping the heat from the flame would cover the heat of her embarrassment. Sam came up behind her.

  “What’s all this?” His question was innocent enough, and she was thankful for the distraction. She didn’t want him to see her like this. Maybe she’d read him wrong, and he wasn’t feeling the same things? Maybe he’d just put up a good front with their friends and after all that had happened between them, he wasn’t ready to take that step and start their family again. She needed to consider what he was going through. This wasn’t all about her.

  “I wanted to make up for last night.” She continued fussing around the stove.

  “Yeah...Kate, about last night...” He tried to put his hands on her shoulders, but she flicked the flame down on the stove and moved away.

  “You don’t have to say it.” She put both hands in the air. “I know exactly how you must be feeling.”

  “Y
ou do?”

  “I let you down.”

  “Aw, Kate, wait a minute--”

  “I kind of put you on the spot last night. Then I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow. I had plans for a romantic night together to celebrate. Can you forgive me?” She looked up from under her lashes as she poured his coffee.

  He seemed a little confused before he raised his mug to take a sip. “Romantic night, huh? Not that we need a reason, but what exactly were we celebrating?” That frisky spark returned to his eyes. Her insides melted at the thought of making love. She gave him a playful tap on the shoulder while she turned to grab the platter of bacon.

  “Our decision to have another baby, silly.”

  “Oh, that.”

  “I know this seems premature, but I want to redecorate the nursery. There’s just bad karma in that room, and I want the new baby to have a fresh start.” Oblivious to Sam’s blank stare, she continued to ramble while putting the rest of breakfast on the table. “Jill and I were talking about going shopping for dress material, anyway. If you don’t mind, maybe she could help me pick out new things for the baby’s room.”

  “Whoa, whoa.” He stood up from the table, abandoning his steaming mug. “Where is this coming from?”

  “What do you mean?” Her insecurities came flooding back. “I thought you’d be happy. You said yes last night.” She should have broached the subject with Sam alone, not in front of Rusty and Jill. She kicked herself over her lack of patience.

  “I said I’d have to think on it.”

  She felt foolish. Reality weighed heavy on her chest. The sting of tears threatened to blur her vision so she turned away. “You don’t want another baby, do you?”

  “Hey, I never said that.” He spoke tenderly against her ear.

  “You didn’t have to.” She swiped the first tear away.

  “I don’t think it’s a good time, that’s all.”

  “How can you say that? It’s the perfect time.” He must be having doubts about our marriage.

  “Let’s wait awhile.” This wasn’t the reaction she’d hoped for, but she’d take it. Even though she was disappointed, she could wait. He’d see how serious she was about making their marriage work, and then he’d change his mind.

  “How long?”

  “How about Fall?”

  “Really?” She couldn’t believe her ears.

  “Sure.” He smiled.

  Once again her heart swelled. “You won’t mind if Jill and I still go shopping Friday, will you. I really want to get working on my clothes. Now I can take my time and maybe order some things for the nursery. Is that all right?”

  Sam was quiet for a moment before he answered, “Whatever.”

  Kate wrapped her arms around him, thankful that he was giving her this chance. How could she have ever thought to leave this man?

  ***

  “Dante, assure our new friends Jose and Cody when their order will leave the dock,” Carlo said from across the pool table. Blowing the excess dust from this cue stick, he lined up for a shot.

  “Of course.” Dante rested his stick against the wall and took a slow sip from his rocks glass full of scotch.

  He didn’t trust these two, hence the reason why he lifted the diamonds from Carlo and formulated his own deal with Rico to smooth things over. For reasons Dante did not know Carlo had chosen to stop working with Rico, sending the young-gun into a paranoid frenzy of threats to pull all deals currently in place. Carlo now treated Jose and Cody like they were long lost family. The Florida panhandle was booming these days, there was no reason to seek out a new supplier.

  Unless Carlo was making private deals on his own.

  Rico trusted Dante at this point more than he did Carlo. Dante was able to entice the younger man with a glimpse of the diamonds, assuring him there would be more to come as soon as their job was complete. They came up with a plan which would make the new boys appear incompetent and careless, solidifying Rico’s place with Carlo.

  The two thugs he’d seen at the warehouse were not Jose and Cody, but they had to be somehow connected. The job was between Rico and Dante, no one else in the Philadelphia area knew. Had Carlo found out? No, Dante felt confident they had covered their tracks well. Looking intently at the two before him, they were nothing more than delivery men who believed they carried more weight than what they did.

  “Well?” Jose took a drink from the amber beer bottle. “We’ve been waiting for almost a week. Still nothing.” He tossed a hand in the air and stepped closer to Dante, who wasn’t about to be intimidated by such immature antics. Jose’s thin mustache twitched when Dante centered his stare directly on him.

  “There have been some delays, and I appreciate your continued patience.”

  “Delays? What kind of delays?” Cody flanked Dante’s other side. “We have a schedule to keep as well, Mr. Pizzaro. Unless you want the price to go up, I suggest you speed things along.”

  “Understandable.” Dante kept his voice calm yet stern, focusing on them rather than Carlo. “My wife had an unexpected family emergency. In her absence, my sister has been handling the business affairs. I will be having dinner with her tomorrow evening to discuss the situation and confirm delivery.”

  “Smart move, Dante,” Carlo said, raising his glass. “Francesca has impeccable fashion sense, not to mention business acumen. I trust you are in good hands, my friends.” Carlo laid his pool stick across the table signaling their game was now over.

  For Dante, the game was just beginning.

  ***

  Sam saw Jill’s red car coming down the drive and yelled to Kate who was still upstairs.

  “Stall her for me. I’m not quite ready,” she called down.

  He opened the door for Jill as she came up the porch. “Kate will be right down. She’s almost ready.”

  “Good. That gives me a minute to talk to you.”

  Sam rolled his eyes and leaned against the doorjamb. “Jill, I’ve done enough talking.”

  “Then why is she still in the dark? I thought you were going to fess up?”

  “I was. You heard her the other night. She’s so into having a baby. How can I disappoint her?”

  “How can you agree with her? Don’t tell me you’re actually considering it?” Jill slapped a hand to her own forehead. “I don’t understand you. You’re a smarter man than this, Sammy.”

  “I don’t want them to hurt her. If I tell her now and she leaves me, I’m afraid they will hurt her.”

  “They? What are you talking about?”

  “I was followed when we left your house the other night. I pulled into the gas station, we had a little stare-down, and then they left.”

  “Was it the Santini family?” Jill glanced at the stairs. “Sam, that’s not good.”

  “I know.” He paced the small entryway, his hands in his denim pockets. “I keep thinking if we try to have a baby, then she won’t leave me even if she does find out the truth.”

  “Don’t you mean when? In case you’ve forgotten, she already has a child, with her husband. Don’t you think she’ll want to reunite with her daughter?”

  “Almost ex-husband,” Sam corrected before his heart sank even lower. “I hadn’t thought about that.” What was he thinking? What seemed like a grand idea in the beginning wasn’t looking so hot right about now.

  “Well, you’d better start thinking about it. You might have gotten yourself into more than you can handle.”

  “Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind lately.”

  “What’s that, honey?” Kate slid her arm through his as soon as she got to the foyer.

  He noticed how radiant she looked. As much as he hated to see her go with Jill, he hated the thought of her being in danger here with him. He looked down at her expectant face as she waited for his answer.

  Once again, Jill came to his rescue. “About how much fun we’re going to have in Philly when we’re not shopping.” Jill linked her own arm through Kate’s. “Where’s your
bag?”

  “Bag?” Kate and Sam asked in unison.

  “Yes, a bag. You didn’t think we were going for just the day, did you? Hell, we’re going to treat ourselves right and spend the night in one of those posh hotels.”

  “Oh. Then I’d better grab some things.” Kate started toward the stairs, but Jill stopped her.

  “There’s no time for that if we want to get there at a decent hour. I’m sure your wonderful husband, here, will agree to let you buy whatever you need.” Both women looked expectantly at Sam.

  “Sure.” He opened his wallet then handed Kate a credit card while leveling Jill with a glare. “Don’t go too crazy, all right?”

  “Promise.”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it,” Jill piped in with a look that said he deserved it.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.” Sam covered his eyes with his palm.

  “She needs a night to relax and have a little ‘girl time,’ especially if you guys are going to start popping out babies any time soon.” Jill gave Sam her do-the-right-thing look that was starting to drive him nuts.

  He only nodded. “You two be careful. Call if you get into trouble.” He leaned in so only Jill could hear. “I mean it, Jill. Keep your eyes open.”

  Jill gave a wink and then gave him a friendly pat on the cheek. “Perk up, Sammy, she’ll be back by dinner time tomorrow. Now give her a quick smooch because we’ve got to hit the road.”

  Sam watched Jill trot through the door and couldn’t miss Kate’s excited expression. He pulled her to him, enjoying the brief feel of her body against his own. He hoped he didn’t squeeze her too tightly or kiss her too quickly, but if he lingered, he wouldn’t let her go at all.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  Chapter Eight

  Kate and Jill had been so into their quest for fabrics, perfumes and gifts, they totally skipped lunch. By the time Jill pulled up for valet parking in front of the St. Claire Regency, they were famished. Their packages were loaded onto a brass dolly, and Jill handed a clean-cut young man her keys before slipping him a twenty.

  “Put the seat back where it was and don’t change my radio station.”