Dangerous Beauty: Part Three: This is War

by Hardin, Michelle

  Nodding, Anastacia took his hand and led him to the couch where she sat down. She knew how much Robert loved these moments. He wasn’t big on the sexual part of a relationship. Growing up in sexual slavery had altered his perception of what the act of sex was. He’d associated it with abuse and pain until Anastacia had showed him it could be pleasurable. They’d made love, but more for her than for him. For the times she needed to feel closer to him. Intercourse with her had been the first time he’d had sex since he was pulled out of slavery. They’d spent most of their times together talking and holding each other … well, mostly her holding him. Yes, it was true. The notorious Spook Steele had a secret. All of the world’s most feared men and women did. They just had to find the one person that they could share their secret with.

  Anastacia laid on the couch and waited for him to join her. When he rested finally his head on her chest, she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Gently she ran her fingers over his short cut hair until he relaxed and closed his eyes.

  “I love you, Anastacia. I hope you know that.”

  She gently massaged his ears the way she knew he liked. “Yes, I know. I love you, too.” Although she didn’t love him the way she once had before his death, she couldn’t deny that he had a place in her heart. It was easier to hate him when he wasn’t around.

  “You know I’d rather you not be intimate with anyone other than me.”

  “Robert,” she sighed, “it’s been six years.”

  “I know, I know. I just … I don’t trust anyone with your heart, Ana.” She saw his jaw tighten. “Especially Angelo Salerno.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to be relaxing right now?”

  “I don’t want you with him, Anastacia.”

  “That’s not your decision, Robert. Just like it wasn’t my decision when you were seeing Anya Salerno.”

  “I told you we weren’t having sex.”

  “I know that, Robert, but the way you gave in to her emotionally. That was the equivalent of a sexual relationship for you. You talked to her the way you should have been to only me … all the way up until her death.”

  “I know,” he sighed. “I’ve apologized for that.”

  “And I forgave you because I love you. Because you gave me moments like this.” She kissed the top of his head and decided to put him out of his misery. “Angelo and I were together, but I ended it months ago. I’m dating now—”

  “Who?”

  “Cesare Valente.” She saw the dimple in his cheek form as his lips curved into a smile. She chuckled. “You are pleased with this decision?”

  “Yes, Anastacia I am.” He hugged her tighter. “I still want for you what I have always wanted for you: happiness. Cesare Valente is a good man, good father. He will give you everything I couldn’t.”

  “You gave me plenty, Robert. I was perfectly happy with you.”

  Looking up at her with a twinkly in his eye, he chuckled. “Do not stroke my ego, love. I gave you love and I put you and our daughter first, but I couldn’t give you everything you needed. You deserve romance, flowers, and all that other shit that I know absolutely nothing about”

  Anastacia laughed softly. Robert was the most unromantic man she’d ever met, but that wasn’t his fault and she never held it against him. His childhood, the way he suffered stripped away any hope of normalcy for him and his brother. The difference between them was that Silas could fake it until the mask slipped and he showed Anastacia just how damaged he really was.

  “You and Carterina saved me. I am glad I have a chance to tell you that.”

  Anastacia smiled. “You saved us, too, remember?”

  He closed his eyes and relaxed in response. “I like her husband,” he whispered. “This home is beautiful, plus he takes care of her and truly loves her. Best of all he can take a punch. Our baby girl has done well. We are proud, yes?”

  Anastacia could only smile. Yes, she was very proud.

  ~*~

  She’d stayed in the office with Robert for an hour. After she exited, she went to go check on her sleeping children just to make sure they were both actually there and not just a figment of her imagination. When she was sure they were real, she went on a search for Cesare. She needed to talk to him as soon as possible. Carterina had reluctantly admitted to her that she knew of her and Kyle’s relationship, and Anastacia had had to beg her to let her be the only one to talk to him. But before Anastacia talked to Ky-ky, she would see if Cesare wanted to join her.

  She found him in the kitchen talking with Bruno and Alessandro. The moment she walked in the room, Alessandro made a sound of disgust.

  “What the fuck?” he muttered, his thick Italian accent slurring the word. “You look like depressed cat lady, Anastacia.”

  Anastacia lifted her middle finger toward him while the idiot laughed at his own joke.

  Cesare picked up the loaf of bread on the counter and threw it at him, cursing him in Italian. Anastacia laughed softly when the bread hit him in his face. Alessandro angrily threw it back, but Cesare caught it and sat it back to the counter.

  “I, for one, think you are a vision in flannel, Anastacia,” Bruno said.

  She wanted to laugh, but she didn’t. She just said to him what she always did. “Always a pleasure, Bruno.”

  He smirked and bowed his head forward. “Likewise.”

  Anastacia liked Bruno, she’d known him a very long time. Even longer than Angelo had known him.

  She turned her attention back to Cesare. “Cesare, can we talk please?”

  “Of course,” he replied with a nod.

  They both exited the kitchen before Alessandro could say anything about them leaving together. When they got out of the kitchen, Anastacia grabbed his hand and pulled him faster.

  “Carterina knows,” she whispered. “She knows that Abrielle is my sister.”

  “How?” he asked, trying to keep up with her. “Slow down, Ana.”

  “No, I missed you, mon amour.” She missed him so much it hurt. “I convinced her to let us talk to him before she did.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, then where are we going?”

  She glanced back at him, her face glowing with happiness. “I’m happy. My son and my daughter are home safe, and I told Robert about us.”

  He gave her a surprised smile. “You did?” He stopped her from walking and pulled her to him. “You really told him?”

  Placing her hand to his chest, she tilted her head back and gazed adoringly into his eyes. “Of course I did. He’s happy for me, Cesare. He said you are a good man, and I agree with him. I love you. I really want us to try. I’m not going anywhere this time.”

  Without a word, he encircled his arm around her waist and kissed her deeply. Anastacia threw her arms around his neck and returned the kiss with fervor. God it felt so good to be in his arms again.

  “I have never felt more betrayed in my entire life”

  Cesare and Anastacia quickly broke their kiss and their heads snapped in the direction of the wounded voice.

  Nathan, Lucca, Kyle, and Dante all stood in the living room behind an upset looking Mickey with their mouths slightly agape.

  Mickey glared and placed his hands on his hips. “What in the hell is going on here? I was only outside for a moment and you steal my woman? My own father?”

  Anastacia’s eyes widened. Uhh, come again?

  Cesare pursed his lips. “Son—”

  Mickey raised his hand and shook his head. “I don’t want to hear it, Papa. Does Carter know?” he asked, glaring at them.

  “What?” Anastacia asked, still confused about pretty much everything.

  Sighing in exasperation, Mickey pinched the bridge of his nose. “Does she know,” he waved his hand between them, “about this?”

  They remained speechless, but after a moment both Mickey and the boys all started laughing.

  Okay, what the hell was going on? Anastacia wondered.

  “I’m just fucking with you, Pop,” Mickey laughe
d.

  The young men walked past one by one, slapping Mickey in the back of his head.

  “He’s an idiot,” Nathan stated, walking past them. “Sorry we walked in on you two. We just got back in.”

  “We got beer,” Mickey said, walking toward his father.

  Cesare slapped him in the head and turned to Anastacia. “I apologize, Ana. My son is a clown. A bit into dramatics and joking, even when it is not funny.”

  Anastacia shrugged and laughed softly. “I’m Carterina’s mother, remember? I am now an expert at taking a joke. You are a very funny, young man,” she said to Mickey. “I almost thought you were serious.”

  “Oh, I was serious. I’ve pretty much been in love with you since the moment I found out you stabbed Mitchell in the neck. But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy that my father just landed the hottest fucking woman on the planet.” He winked and gave her a crooked smile before walking into the living room and plopping down on the couch.

  Anastacia could only chuckle. “He is an interesting one.”

  “You haven’t seen anything yet,” Cesare laughed. “The more time you spend with me, the more time you spend with my rambunctious sons.”

  She smiled at him. “The same goes for my kids. Beware of my son, though. He has a very strong personality. But I have no doubt that once you get to know him, you will like him.”

  “I have no doubt either, my love.” He leaned forward and caught her lips in a kiss.

  “Are we witnessing a steamy affair, or are you two really together?” Lucca asked.

  “Both,” Cesare answered, making Anastacia laugh. “We actually need to steal my son for a moment.”

  “Who me?” Mickey asked.

  “No. Kyle,” Cesare said, “but you can join us if you’d like, Mikilo.”

  “Hell yeah I’m coming,” Mickey said through a chuckle. “There will be no family meetings without Mickey.” He grinned. “Two questions, though. Is our new mommy coming, too?” The guys chuckled. “And will Kyle be getting his ass kicked?”

  Kyle’s head snapped in their direction as alarm flashed across his face. “Wh–what? Why me, what did I do?”

  Cesare frowned while Kyle continued to stammer on.

  “I–I don’t understand why you’d need to talk to me, you know, I mean unless …” His words trailed off as he turned to face Mickey, and a dark rage fell over his face. “You fucking big mouthed little prick!” he shouted.

  “Wait, I didn’t tell!” Mickey yelled right as Kyle got up and lunged at him, repeatedly pounding him with his fist. “Ahh! Stop you fucking bastard. Pop!”

  Cesare muttered expletives in Italian and stormed over to his sons. “Enough of this!” he shouted.

  Anastacia was surprised when they both stopped immediately. Wow.

  “Get in the dining room,” he growled.

  They both stood from the couch, glaring at each other, and did as their father had instructed.

  Cesare began fixing the couch they’d messed up. “I apologize for their behavior in your home, Nathan.”

  Nathan quickly stood to his feet. “No problem, Valente. They do that all of the time. Let me take care of that for you.”

  Nathan hurried to take everything from him and place it back on the couch.

  Cesare stood. “Are you sure, because I can—”

  “No, man, we’re good. I’ve got it.”

  Nodding, Cesare walked over to Anastacia and gripped her hand, escorting her to the dining room.

  ~*~

  Anastacia couldn’t believe it … little Ky-ky was a daddy. She was sure that she was the only one at the table that was happy for him.

  “So now that we know all about my failures as a man, what is it you two actually wanted to talk to me about?”

  Anastacia hated that he spoke that way about himself. He was a good boy, but he had such sadness about him. She couldn’t help but blame herself a little. Had she not have left … It was too hard to think about.

  She gently squeezed Cesare’s hand, urging him to say something encouraging to his son. Cesare looked up from their clasped fingers with a sigh and nodded, acknowledging that he understood her.

  “You’re not a failure, son. You’re going to take responsibility, and that’s the right thing to do. It’s not going to be easy, but you have your family here to help you anytime you need us.”

  “What’s her name?” Anastacia asked.

  Kyle glanced over at her. “Sofia.”

  Anastacia smiled. “Oh, Ky-ky, that’s darling. Isn’t it, Cesare?” When Cesare didn’t answer, she turned to him with a glare. “Cesare,” she whispered sharply.

  Cesare sighed. “I’m adjusting, Anastacia.”

  “To what? Little Ky-ky being a daddy, or you being an old grandpa …”

  That got him to lighten up. Chuckling softly, he sat back in his seat. “So because I’m a grandfather I am now old?”

  She shrugged. “Oh come on, grumpy. Be happy. You are a grandpa!” Her excitement made him smile. “Ky-ky, what is it that Italians call their grandfathers?”

  He smiled faintly and answered, “Nonno.”

  Anastacia clapped her hands. “Nonno, you are a nonno, Cesare!” Anastacia stood and walked over to Kyle. “I’m happy for you, Ky-ky.” Unable to contain her excitement, she hugged him tightly. She was incredible proud of the man he’d become. “You’re going to be great.” After she’d pulled back from the embrace, she gently cupped his face. “If you ever need anything—I don’t care what it is—call me, and I’ll be right there.” Like I should have been when you were still a boy. She lightly kissed his cheek. Then did what she used to do to him when he was just one years old … she tugged both of his ears then pinched his nose.

  Right when she pulled back from his nose, Kyle reached forward and caught her hand. Anastacia gasped at the sudden movement, and looked at him to find him staring at his father with a pained expression and confusion in his eyes.

  “Who is she?” he asked his father.

  Cesare seemed shocked into silence, as was Anastacia.

  Kyle shot up from his seat with her hand still in his. “I know you, I swear I know you.” His voice was shaking with emotion. “Ever since I saw you in the hospital after Carter was attacked I’ve felt it.”

  Cesare stood from his seat. “Kyle—”

  “I know her, Papa, I promise! Every time I see you, every time you call me that name, every time you do that thing when you tug my ears.” He gasped as if he’d just remembered something. “I even felt it when I first saw Carter in the bar. When I saw her it was like this insane nostalgic feeling and I loved her instantly. Every chance I got, I went back to Hope Beach just so I could be around her, I’d call her just so I could hear her voice and feel that … safe feeling again.” Abruptly, he cupped her face. “That feeling, of nostalgia, it’s stronger whenever I see you. You have to know …” He released her and began unbuttoning his shirt even as his brother and father began to protest against his doing so.

  When he had it unbuttoned and opened, Anastacia gasped as her hand shot to her mouth. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes at the sight of the scars covering Kyle’s chest and side. “Oh my God,” she cried.

  Kyle placed his hand on her shoulders gently. “You know her, don’t you? Do you know what she did to me? Do you know where she is? I can’t remember anything, Anastacia. If you know anything please tell me—”

  “Kyle,” his father yelled.

  “I’m sorry!” He raked his finger through his long, black hair. “I need to know something, anything! Do you know how it feels to wake up every morning with these fucking scars and no memory of how I got them? If you know something just tell me, please.”

  Anastacia ran her hand down her face and nodded. “Yes. Kyle, honey, you know me.”

  Kyle released a shaky relieved breath and closed his eyes. “I do?”

  She touched his face gently. “You do, honey. I was there with you until you were fifteen months old. Me, you, and your fath
er had a home together in Naples, Italy.”

  “Italy …”

  “Mmmhmm.”

  “What happened? Where did you go?”

  Anastacia didn’t want to say this part, but she knew she had to. “While your father and I were together I became pregnant.” She smiled. “You were so happy about becoming a big brother. Every night you and I would read a bedtime story to your sister and you even helped me clear space in your room for her. Our place was so small, but it was … perfect. Unfortunately, at around my thirtieth week of pregnancy, your sister … I couldn’t feel her moving anymore. And that night I had to deliver her stillborn. The doctors said I didn’t do anything wrong, but I was so broken and hurt. I felt like I failed myself, your father, and you. I left with every intention of killing myself. It was my twenty-first birthday and my father’s money had become available to me. I put everything in your name, so that you would inherit it in the event of my death. Even today, both yours and Carterina’s names are in my will. You two will inherit the Stone fortune when I die. Now Gabriel will be added.”

  “But why would you leave it to me? Why not my father? You were with him.”

  “Because I love you. I loved you then, and I love you still. I wanted to come back after I finally got myself together, but by then I had Silas on my tail. I wasn’t willing to put your life in danger. Once I started to build my army, I watched you grow, just like I watched my daughter. As my two heirs I needed you both protected.” She swallowed nervously. “The other reason why I chose you is because only Stones are eligible to inherit the Stone fortune.”

  His brows furrowed in confusion.

  “Kyle, Abrielle is my sister. I am your aunt, sweetheart.”

  “That means—”

  Anastacia nodded. “Yes, Kyle. That means Carterina is your cousin.”

  ~*~

  Carter woke with a start, sensing something was off, and spotted a dark male figure sitting at the end of the bed.

  She frowned as she tried to figure out who it was. “Kyle?”