Revengeful Deceptions

by Ursula Dukes

  By the time they fell back to sleep it was almost dawn. Adam was finally able to settle her down to sleep by stroking her hair and letting her talk softly to him about Stephen and Teddy.

  Dominique did not want to leave the comfort of Adams arms as he held her outside of the brownstone. “I had a wonderful time Adam, thank you so very much.”

  “Your very welcome Dominique, I hope we can do it again I really enjoyed myself,” he said with a genuine smile.

  “Oh I’m sure Adam,” she giggled, “Let’s see what you enjoyed the most, was it the crying, or the screaming? Oh and let’s not forget calling out my dead husband’s name in the middle of the night, which was it?” Dominique asked, making fun of herself.

  Adam took the keys from her hand, unlocked the door and led her inside.

  Taking her in a firm embrace he said, “Dominique I had a great time, I really did. And I’m glad that I could be there for you, I want you to feel good again Dominique.”

  “Is that so?” She asked with a smile and giving him a kiss.

  Adam let out a soft moan, “Oh that’s definitely so.”

  “Then why don't you start by showing me just how good you want to make me feel Adam.”

  Two hours later, Dominique waved good bye to Adam as he drove off. It was Sunday afternoon, and she had a wonderful idea. She called her friend Molly and invited her to go costume hunting with her. Molly was more than happy to oblige and the two met on Columbus Ave. in search of the perfect costume. Molly had already chosen her costume, she and her boyfriend were to go as Marie Antoinette and King Louie but was all too happy to help Dominique chose one. While browsing through an antique store that had a small clothing area, Dominique decided to tell Molly about she and Adams weekend together.

  “Oh Dominique, I knew you guys liked each other!” She said squealing with delight.

  “Oh Molly, was it that obvious?”

  “Well yes and no Dominique, I just happen to have an eye for that sort of thing. I’m a romantic at heart and I’m the type of person who pays close attention to body language and certain innuendos. And you and Adam have incredible body language. I’m so happy for you guys, you make a beautiful couple.”

  “Well we’re not a couple yet Molly, there are some issues I need to work on first.”

  “Dominique, if you don’t mind me asking, what kind of issues? What would keep you from wanting to date a hunk like that?”

  By the time Dominique had finished telling Molly about Stephen and Teddy, Molly was in tears. She could not believe how Dominique was even able to go on and be as strong as she was.

  “It’s been hard Molly, it really has but Adam is going to help me find the person or persons who killed my husband and son and then I will be able to get on with my life, and hopefully that life will include Adam. Because I really am starting to have feelings for him.”

  “Dominique thank you so much for telling me that,” she said as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. “I think that Adam helping you is great but mind a little advice?”

  “No Molly, go ahead, I’ll take all that I can get.”

  “Well just don’t let it consume you, I mean by all means go after the son of a bitch who did this to your family but Dominique, once it’s done then let it be done, don’t put your life on hold any longer than need be.

  I mean I know we’ve only just met and you barely know me but I like to think of myself as a pretty good judge of character and I can see that you and Adam are meant to be, so just remember to live your life Dominique and while you’re taking care of the memory of your son and husband, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Life’s too short not to.”

  “Your right Molly, you’re absolutely right, and believe it or not, my heart is slowly but surely telling that to my mind. Now let’s get shopping, I want to find something incredibly sexy for the party!”

  A few hours later, Dominique walked out of an authentic costume shop with a gorgeous gone with the wind inspired ball gown.

  “Dominique, that gown is going to look absolutely gorgeous on you,” said Molly. “You’d put Scarlet herself to shame,” she said with a giggle. Is Adam going as Rhett Butler?”

  “He doesn’t know it yet, but he is,” Dominique laughed while sending Adam a quick text.

  Adam chuckled when he read the text from Dominique.

  “Hey handsome. Guess who’s going to be Rhett Butler to my Scarlet O’Hara? But, please no moustache. See you tomorrow. Thanks again for the wonderful weekend.”

  For the first time in a long time Dominique began to feel like herself, she had almost forgotten what that felt like. And it seemed to her that Adam and Molly were helping her to remember.

  Jonathan Caruso was waiting for his son in his office first thing Monday morning.

  “What is it now dad?”

  “Nothing son, your mother and I were expecting to see you over the weekend that’s all.”

  “Oh, I took Dominique to the cottage for the weekend, is that alright?” He asked his father in a derisive tone.

  “That’s perfectly alright son, why wouldn’t it be? How did she like it there? This isn’t exactly the best time of year to bring a guest to Nantucket though is it?”

  “She didn’t like it dad, as a matter of fact she loved it, it was just what she needed.”

  “Oh? How so?”

  “It’s just that she’s had a rough week, we both did and we needed to get away, now if there’s nothing else dad, I’ve got a few phone calls to make before the meeting.”

  “Sure son.” As he turned to go, “one more thing son, it’s good to see you happy, maybe you’ll settle down soon, make me and your mother grandparents,” he winked at his son before leaving.

  Settle down and make my dad a grandparent? Now where is this coming from? One minute he’s telling me to be careful and the next he’s expecting grand kids. Either my dad is losing his mind or he’s finally starting to realize what’s really important in life.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nick Kilarmo pulled up in front of the law firm. He knew that Brandon wouldn’t be there this early in the morning, he just left him sitting at the afterhours bar a couple hours ago. Nick figured he’d go in and tell Jonathan Caruso exactly what he knew and how much it would cost to keep him quiet. The old man would have no choice but to pay him, otherwise he’s be on the phone with the New Hampshire state police telling them who was responsible for that hit and run accident almost two years ago. No, this is gonna work,” he told himself as he headed towards the office.

  “Can I help you sir?”

  “Yeah, I need to see Jonathan Caruso.”

  “And your name is?”

  “Yeah tell him that Nick is here, Nick Kilarmo.”

  While the receptionist left her desk, Nick took in the surroundings, the old man is doing well for himself. He nodded with approval.

  “Mr. Caruso will see you now Mr. Kilarmo, right this way.”

  Nick followed the receptionist down the long hallway that led to the larger offices, the offices of each partner.

  “Diane it looks like I’m going to miss the morning meeting, see to it that Mr. Dorr handles it today will you?”

  “Of course Mr. Caruso.”

  Jonathan waited until his secretary closed the door before speaking.

  “What can I do for you Mr. Kilarmo?”

  “Well Mr. Caruso, it seems like I can do something for you.”

  “Oh and what is that?”

  “Oh I can see you’re a man who doesn’t like to beat around the bush, I like that.”

  “I don’t care what you like or don’t like now get to it, I’ve got a firm to run and you’re wasting my time.”

  “Well Mr. Caruso, what I can do for you is keep my mouth shut about what your boy did two years ago, it is two years right? “ He said sarcastically, “because I don’t know about you but I been keeping track and it seems to me that the two year mark came on Friday. And one seems to remember things that oh shall we say leave a p
ermanent mark on one’s mind.”

  “Mr. Kilarmo.”

  “Please call me Nick,” he smirked.

  “Nick, I know what you’re getting at but let me put a stop to it right now, if you think you are going to waltz in here and black mail me because you were stupid enough to be with my son that night you’ve got another thing coming. Do you really think that the police are going to believe a two bit loser like yourself? You don’t have the brains or the balls to do anything about it. But let’s say you did, let’s say you went to the police, just what would you tell them huh? That you and my son were delivering drugs for Mr. DiNunzio and on the way home you hit a car killing the occupants?

  Or maybe you’d tell them that you and my son were drinking and decided to do a couple lines of coke and things got way out of hand and now you’re in over your head. You can try either story but they won’t fly Nick, like it or not you’re an accomplice to murder.

  Oh but wait, I have one to add, tell me if you like this one, I call the FBI and I tell them that not only are you heavily involved with organized crime, but you also had a hand in the killing of an innocent father and son? How do you like that story Nick? Does that fly? You low-life piece of shit now get out of my office before I have you forcefully removed!”

  Nick knew Jonathan was right, and he didn't like hearing that at all. Coming here was a mistake, he told himself, a big fucking mistake. He should have thought things through, he told himself. He wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if he went to the cops, and if Brandon was going to go down, he'd have no problems taking Nick along with him. No, I’ve gotta go about this a different way, he thought quickly, I’ll go after the chosen one.

  “This isn’t the end old man; if I were you I’d watch my back. Better yet, how’s your son Adam doing? I hear he has a new girlfriend. Brandon tells me he's doing good, representing all those cases, better tell him to be careful though, wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him. What with him being your favorite and all.”

  “You stay away from my son or so help me god!”

  “Save it old man, you ain't gonna do nothing.”

  Jonathan pressed a button on his desk phone.

  A voice immediately came through the speaker. “Yes Mr. Caruso?”

  “Diane get me security, Mr. Kilarmo needs to be shown out.”

  “Right away sir,” Diane urged.

  “I’ll go when I’m good and ready!” Nick shouted and with one swift motion, pushed the contents of Jonathan's desk onto the floor.

  “You think you can come in here and try to intimidate me Mr. Kilarmo? Well, you don’t know me at all do you? You come near my son and I’ll have your head on a platter compliment of your boss Mr. DiNunzio, yes that’s right Mr. Kilarmo, your boss owes me a favor or two, now GET OUT!”

  “I ain’t movin old man!”

  Hearing the commotion, Adam along with several other employees rushed into his father’s office. Adam charged into Nick and tackled him onto the floor before the man had a chance to reach Jonathan. A crowd gathered outside the office door but parted as security came through. Nick put up a fight as Adam and the two security guards tried to subdue him.

  Out of breath and out of shape, he was finally able to be handcuffed. As they pushed their way through the small crowd, Nick stopped and stared at Dominique for a brief moment giving her a chilling look before turning away. “Creep,” said Molly as they took him away to the security office to await the police.

  Dominique wondered why he stopped and looked at her in such a way that made her skin crawl. Adam wondered too as he turned to his father.

  “Dad are you alright? What the hell was he doing here? What has Brandon gotten himself into now?”

  Jonathan Caruso knew there was only one thing to do, and he hoped that he was making the right decision.

  “Son, close the door there's something we need to discuss.”

  Adam listened intently as his father told him that his older brother was responsible for the deaths of Stephen and Teddy Greenway. And that Adam knew the widow. “Son, Dominique Foster used to be Dominique Greenway, she's taken back her maiden name.”

  Hearing this made his skin crawl, he felt sick to his stomach. He had finally gotten Dominique to open up to him. He had told her he would help her find her husband and son's killer. Well I certainly did that didn’t I? He thought to himself. But he also remembered promising Dominique that he would keep her secret to himself. He would not tell his father what Dominique had shared with him.

  “Son, I’m sorry that it had to happen this way, I know that you were beginning to get close with Dominique.”

  “Sorry dad? Sorry? That's all you have to say? Well your right about one thing dad, I was getting close to her, I was getting more than close but thanks to you and Brandon it's all over.”

  “Son it doesn’t have to be.”

  “Dad what the hell are you talking about?”

  “Hear me out son will you? Now listen, we both know what Nick Kilarmo does for the DiNunzio family. Now he came here to blackmail about the accident, he thought I’d pay him to keep his mouth shut, but I simply reminded him of what he does and who he works for.”

  “Yeah, and? Get to the point dad.”

  “Son, he threatened to go after you and Dominique.”

  Adam worriedly ran his fingers through his hair as he stared out the window.

  “So what are you saying dad?”

  “What I’m saying son is that the only way you can keep Dominique safe is by staying with her and you won’t be able to do that if you tell her about Brandon's involvement in the deaths of her husband and son.”

  “Or we could go to the police and tell them everything's that’s happened.”

  “If we do that son, you'll lose her forever and you know that. You and I both know that Brandon isn’t strong like you, he'll die in prison.”

  Adam couldn't help but raise his voice.

  “Then maybe that's what should happen ! Look dad, it sounds to me like you’re still covering for Brandon, and yourself. I think I’m falling in love with this woman, I can't keep this from her, I can only tell her and hope that she'll forgive me!”

  “Adam she won't forgive you, it's too late for that and you know it. Son if you don’t tell her, you'll get to have her and the longer she is with you the better the chance that she'll want to move on from this horrible accident and start a new life with you that is what you want isn’t it?”

  Jonathan knew he was using Adam's affection towards Dominique against him. It was all that he had; he also knew that Adam would do the right thing and protect Dominique at all costs.

  Jonathan placed his hands on his son's shoulders, “Son, look at me, your brother messed up, I messed up, but that doesn’t mean that you have to suffer for it. You just said yourself that you’re falling in love with Dominique. Son, you need to protect her then.

  If you tell her, there's no telling what she'll do or how she'll react. Now are you willing to lose her for good Adam? Because that's what’s going to happen if you tell her, and if she's not with you then that leaves her vulnerable and unprotected from Nick. Adam, think about this son please.”

  Adam certainly did not want to lose Dominique, nor did he want her harmed. He could take care of himself, but there was no reason Dominique should be punished. She's been through enough, he told himself. Because of what my brother and father covered up, she should not be made to suffer any longer. No, I want her and I’m going to do anything and everything in my power to get her to drop the investigation and get on with her life with me.

  “Dad, I know I'm being selfish, and because of that I am going to keep your secret. But know this, I no longer consider Brandon my brother and if he ever so much as crosses me or Dominique, I will kill him, except I won't go crying to daddy and ask him to cover it up.”

  “Son you’re making the right decision, and together we can fix this.”

  “Dad this is one thing you cannot fix. Am I correct in thinking that Bra
ndon and Nick don’t know about Dominique?”

  “Yes son you’re correct, I didn’t tell them because I fear they will try and hurt her.”

  “That's the first sensible thing that's come out of your mouth today.”

  “Son, together we can make this work, I just need you to be careful because Nick is angry and he's not going to let this thing die son. And we both know what he's capable of. But his boss DiNunzio owes me a favor, and if I have to, I’ll collect on it. But until I do, I'm going to need you to be very cautious son, and that means everywhere you go, you got that? And I expect you to keep Dominique safe as well.”

  “Don't do that dad.”

  “Do what son?”

  “Don't act like you care about Dominique, because I know that you don’t.”

  “Your wrong son, I know you think it’s wrong what I did, but you'll understand when you become a father, you'll do anything to protect your family son. And sometimes a parent will try and protect them no matter how horrific the crime.”

  “Dad does that help you sleep better at night? That blatant lie?”

  “Son, I know I messed up and I’m doing my best to fix things, please let’s not ruin your chances at finally finding love Adam.”

  “Dad, how did you find out who Dominique was? How did you know she'd be moving to Boston and the biggest question is how in the hell did she land a job at THIS law firm dad, tell me exactly what you did.”

  “Son, when Brandon returned to Boston the night of the accident, I had already begun making arrangements, the first was to send him to Italy and stay at your grandparents place, then I had to get rid of your brothers car. After that was taken care of I called one of my private investigators and told him that I needed any and all information about the decedent’s wife and within a matter of days he had candid photos, bank account information, everything. I knew that she was planning on moving but I had no idea where until my investigator followed her here one day. It was the day of her interview and once I spoke to human resources, she was given the job.”