Infidelity: Inheritance (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by T. C. Winters

  “Yes, but I’ve never been a fan of guns.”

  He swiveled and met my gaze. “Take your weapon with you everywhere. Leave it beside you when you sleep. Until we have details, let’s assume they’re coming for you.”

  “Me, why?”

  “An honorable man would never harm a female. If the Bonettis are gunning for the Costellos, it’s you they want.”

  Luca’s words created havoc with my heart rate. Little time had passed between learning of my father’s death and our house filling with people. My thoughts had been consumed with the loss of my father—and retaliation. “I have nothing they would want or any knowledge that would be useful.”

  Luca shrugged and lifted a glass from the bar. Filling it with ice, he said, “Maybe so, but humor us. We’ll hang out until everyone else goes home. Coming Lennox?”

  Lennox shoveled ice into a glass. “Right behind you. I think I smell lasagna.”

  My cousins went in search of food, leaving me to ponder their odd behavior. I spent the rest of the evening chatting and smiling until my teeth hurt. Elena Flores seemed to be my shadow. Knowing she was watching my every move did crazy things to my pulse rate. For every two steps I made, she made one. Under other circumstances, I’d have been flattered. A stunning creature—all legs, and sleek black hair—she was out of my league.

  She caught me eyeballing her and smiled. Her stark white teeth and plump lips were mesmerizing, but her job didn’t entail fraternizing with the clients. Her swan-like neck bobbed in a small nod.

  By the time the last of the guests had left and I had escorted my cousins to the door and my unwelcome guardians to the guest rooms on the upper level, my head throbbed. I went to the only place capable of providing me with solace—my studio.

  Picking up my brushes, I attempted to immerse myself in my art, but the creative juices weren’t flowing. After a short time of staring at the canvas, I sensed someone watching me. Turning, I found Sera in the doorway.

  “You have such a talent, Dante. Antonio was so proud. No matter what happens, you must never give up your art.” She held two white envelopes. “These are the letters for your sisters. Do you want to be with them when they read what your father said?”

  My art forgotten, I returned the brushes to the stand and sat on the leather sofa. “They should have privacy.”

  She nodded and disappeared down the hallway, leaving me to wonder what my letter would entail. I wasn’t concerned about the business. My paintings were sold in art galleries all over the world, and a trust fund had been set up years ago for my sisters and me. Aside from Luca’s question earlier, I’d given only a fleeting thought as to what might be in the will, but the contents of the letter worried me.

  Unlike earlier, when I’d not heard Sera, I was now attuned to every noise in the house. At the sound of footsteps in the hall, I rose, anticipating Sera’s delivery of my letter.

  Instead, Vincent, Oren, and Deloris appeared. With the chaos downstairs, I’d forgotten Deloris was still here. Oren held a white envelope similar to the two Sera had shown me. The need for the letter to be delivered by members of my father’s generation did not bode well.

  “Dante, please sit.” Oren’s words were gentle, another bad omen.

  I did as instructed, nearly collapsing onto the couch. My dry throat made speaking difficult. “When did he write this letter? Seems as if you all knew about it.”

  The three exchanged glances. Deloris spoke first. “We knew nothing of these letters until Serafina brought them to our attention a few minutes ago. Antonio contacted Oren and Vincent by phone before he died, but his messages were cryptic. None of us are sure what happened.”

  Oren gave me the letter. “We haven’t opened it.”

  My hands shook as I accepted the envelope.

  Dante, mio figlio,

  If tomorrow starts without me, please know I love you.

  It has never been my wish for you to be involved in the Costello family business, but if you are in possession of this letter, our situation has changed. Please ask Vincent and Oren for protection. Their assistance is the only thing that can safeguard you and my girls. My death should serve as a warning as to what will happen to the ones I love the most if the demands are not met. I do not wish for my family to pay for my sins.

  Papà

  Unable to speak, I gave the letter to Oren. Vincent and Deloris scooted closer and they read the message together. When finished, they shared a bewildered expression.

  Oren folded the paper and returned it into the envelope. “This is what we’ve feared.”

  Chapter 3

  The four of us stayed up half the night dissecting the letter and the brief phone messages Oren and Vincent had received from Dad. All he’d relayed was that a member of another crime family had threatened him, and he wanted Oren and Vincent to be aware. The three of them quizzed me about Dad’s actions the past few days, his business connections, and what I’d thought about his state of mind. Almost a complete rehash of what I’d discussed with the detectives. Sometime in the early morning, Deloris brought sandwiches from the kitchen and a pot of coffee.

  After everyone left for bed, I stayed in my studio. Sleep was not an option. In addition to my lack of trust of Vincent, I didn’t understand why Dad hadn’t been forthright about what the Bonetti family had demanded from him—or me—or even if the Bonetti family had threatened him. He must’ve died because he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, give them what they sought.

  The woman Lennox had left in the house darkened my doorway twice, but didn’t speak. For someone who was here for my stepmother and sisters, she spent a considerable amount of time keeping track of my whereabouts. The knowledge rubbed me the wrong way.

  The attorney called around seven, asking if he could come by in an hour. I took a shower, but threw on the same clothes. Tossing down a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, I went in search of Deloris. Finding her in the parlor hunched over a laptop and wearing headphones, I waited until she removed her headphones before saying, “The attorney will be here in twenty minutes. Do you want to sit in?”

  “I’ve seen the will. It was recorded last year. Nothing unexpected there. Let him say his piece, then come and talk to me when he’s done. We have things to discuss.” She put the headphones on and went back to the screen.

  While I mistrusted Vincent, I had complete faith in Aunt Deloris. By the time the attorney arrived, I’d had enough caffeine to make me coherent, but my scratchy, dry eyes had trouble focusing.

  Sera and I settled side by side on the couch in the office and read through the will. She would receive income from the company, and my sisters and I would become joint owners. Further provisions were made for assets, but my father requested we sell the trucks and start using a service to transport our products. Sera and I agreed to have the body cremated as soon as possible, and arrange a memorial service for the next day. After a public tribute we wanted to hold a private ceremony to inter his remains. Because our new church had fewer restrictions than the Catholic Church, we were able to streamline the process, so the attorney was in and out within a half hour.

  I escorted the attorney to the door, passing Vincent and Oren in the dining room. I returned to them, but they were busy eating breakfast and discussing the state of New York’s finances. Elena hadn’t made an appearance, and I hoped she was with my sisters.

  Deloris hadn’t moved from her perch in the parlor. She stretched her shoulders when I entered the room. “You look like shit. How about we go for a walk?”

  “A walk? I thought we were on lockdown.”

  She wrapped the cord around her headphones and tucked them beside her laptop. “We don’t want anyone leaving the house without an…escort.” She stood, taking my arm and propelling me toward the door. “You’re safe with me.”

  At the front entry, we collected our coats. Deloris threw hers over her shoulders and her shirt lifted to above her waist, revealing a large gun strapped to her side. She jammed her arms into the sleev
es and yanked her shirt back. She led me outside without another word, and remained silent until we’d walked the few blocks to the park. Puddles from the steady mist had formed in the low spots, and the earthy odor of damp dirt invaded my senses.

  Unable to stand the suspense, I said, “What’s with the cloak and dagger tactics? Someone in the house you don’t trust?”

  She marched to a bench situated under a budding tree and sat. “I don’t trust anyone except you and Lennox, and sometimes Lennox is iffy.” She patted the bench. “Sit with me. Let me tell you my theory.”

  With no choice but to do as instructed, I dropped into the seat beside her. Early spring wildflowers popped through the decayed leaves, making me long for my sketchpad so I could capture the contrasting colors and textures.

  She swiveled until our knees touched. “Even though Antonio is dead, the letter he left to you indicated the threat didn’t die with him, which leads me to believe the Bonettis needed something from you. When your dad wouldn’t let them close to you, they killed him.” She wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “He died protecting you.”

  For a few seconds, my world went silent and my vision dimmed. All night I’d turned over every possible reason for his murder, but I’d never considered it was my fault. “What could a crime family possible want from me? Is this about Uncle Vincent?”

  “I don’t yet know exactly what they want, but I know they have no contacts in the art world. They may have wanted to use your contacts. There would be no other reason to need you.” She studied me. “I know this is difficult, but Antonio would never have permitted anyone from organized crime to use you. I think they killed him because he refused, and they knew once he was dead they’d be able to force Vincent to ensure your assistance.”

  My knees trembled and my gut clenched. “Why do you think they’d involve Vincent and why do you think there’s an ongoing threat?”

  “Because his wife has disappeared. She missed a meeting for the Junior League yesterday and she left her phone on the kitchen counter. Her hair dresser called her phone because she didn’t show up for an appointment.”

  A headache tunneled deep in my brain. This explained why she was absent last night. My few fond memories of the extended Costello family involved Aunt Bella. She loved to cook and she’d lavish me with her homemade items. I’d missed her the most when Dad and Uncle Vincent broke ties. “But Luca said an honorable man would never harm a female.”

  Deloris fidgeted with her coat collar. “Let’s walk.” She stood and I followed. She didn’t speak again until we were back on the sidewalk. “Bella hasn’t been hurt, and I don’t believe she will be. Family is Vincent’s weak spot. They know he’ll do anything, including betray you and Antonio, to get her back.”

  Every new detail was just another splinter in my heart. “If Vincent or Luca had just told me, I would have helped.” My chest squeezed with fear for my aunt. “I don’t understand.”

  “One of the commandments of the mafia is that wives must be treated with respect. This is why I don’t think she will be harmed.”

  A woman’s scream ripped through the quiet park. Deloris reached for her gun and shoved me behind her. Without thinking, I broke loose and rushed toward the sound.

  Deloris yelled for me to stop, but every instinct told me to help the woman.

  I ran into a small stand of woods where the tunnel-like trees blocked the rain. A man pinned a young woman to the ground by her wrists. At my approach, they jerked away from each other and scrambled to stand. They moved farther into the woods and I followed, Deloris at my back with her gun raised.

  The man glanced over his shoulder, then stopped and raised his arms. “Hey, no need for guns. We’re just playacting. You know, a little kink to get the juices flowing.”

  Birds squawked overhead as I stared. I lowered my head and studied the earth under my feet.

  Deloris holstered her gun and laughed. “Sorry to intrude.”

  She spun and motioned for me to follow. “You’d think with the work I’ve done for Infidelity I’d get used to all the weirdness when it comes to sex, but the lengths people go to for a thrill never cease to amaze me.”

  Footsteps pounded in the dirt and keys jingled as if jostled. Twigs snapped and birds scattered. I swung toward the sound and a scratchy hood slipped over my face, blinding me. I yanked hard, trying to remove the fabric.

  Adrenaline rushed through my veins as something struck the back of my knees, taking my legs out from under me. I lost track of time before the pressure stopped and the fabric ripped from my face.

  Isaac towered over me, his mouth set in a grim line and his gaze searching the surroundings. I tried to stand, but he pushed me, forcing me to remain on the ground. Other than the two of us, the area was deserted. Everyone else was gone, including Deloris.

  Rising on shaky legs, I brushed off Isaac’s hand. “Where’s Deloris? Did she go after them?”

  Isaac didn’t answer, but the set of his jaw made his face appear fierce. Jimmy and Elena materialized in front of me. Jimmy tugged me to a standing position and manhandled me toward the sidewalk. Elena grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the park. On the street, a black SUV stood waiting with the doors open. Jimmy and Elena shoved me inside. Elena jogged to the driver’s seat and jumped behind the wheel. She gunned the motor and the tires squealed.

  The quick start threw me against the black leather seats. “What the hell? Why didn’t you wait for Deloris?”

  Elena peered over her shoulder. “Deloris was taken. We’re getting you to the house where you’ll be protected.”

  “We need to go back for Deloris.” I’d meant to shout, but the words came out as a whisper.

  “Isaac is going for her.” Elena’s gaze met mine from the rearview mirror. “This is bigger than you know. Your aunt can’t protect you by herself. Let this be a warning.”

  Up until this moment I’d treated everything as a bad dream. The reality of my father’s murder hadn’t set in. I hadn’t claimed any responsibility for what was happening, relying instead on Deloris to guide me. The time had come for me have a proactive role in this crisis. If I didn’t, more of the people I loved would be harmed.

  The short ride to the house ended with Elena driving around her rental car sitting in the driveway and into the open bay of the garage. She insisted I wait until the garage door was down before exiting the car. Because Vincent, Luca, and Lennox had not felt the need to share the danger to Aunt Bella and now Aunt Deloris, I assumed their desire to keep me safe had more to do with protecting their own families and assets than saving my hide. Elena wasn’t here for the females in my family; she was here to keep tabs on me. The knowledge angered me far more than I cared to admit.

  Even in the wake of my father’s brutal murder, my extended family didn’t mourn. They protected me only as a means to protect themselves.

  I understood why Dad cut ties with the Costello clan.

  They were monsters.

  Chapter 4

  Deloris’s laptop beeped and buzzed, but locked me out after too many failed password attempts. Her computer held information on her last search, which might help determine her abductor. I scoured the scraps of paper littering the coffee table, but most had the appearance of hieroglyphics, except for one, which I shoved into my jeans pocket.

  Shaking with adrenaline, I fished out my phone and left messages for Lennox and Luca, asking them to meet me as soon as possible.

  My thoughts raged, but I abandoned the laptop and searched the house for Sera. I found her in Bettina’s room, helping her pick out a dress for the memorial service. I leaned against the doorframe, admiring the easy way they communicated. Her room was decorated in wild colors and textures, a common theme among teenage girls. Her closet doors were wide open, affording me a view of the shelves and hangers stuffed with clothing. Shoes of every color and style were piled on top of one another.

  Bettina caught sight of me and beckoned me inside. “Dante, can we read the letter Papà left
for you? In our letters, he told us how much he loved us and how he knew we’d grow up to be a positive influence on other people’s lives.”

  Reality struck—the Bonettis had robbed me of the chance for my father to say goodbye. He’d used his last communication to warn me of danger, not to relay his hopes for my future. In an attempt to stall Bettina’s questions, I changed the subject. “You are lovely in everything. However will you choose?”

  Her youthful innocence warmed me. “Something somber I think.” She dropped the dress she held and ran to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “It’s only been a day, but I don’t want him to be gone. I wish we could have him back. I want to see him at dinner and listen when he wails some stupid opera song.”

  “So do I, Bettina. So do I.” I hugged her until my vision stopped blurring from the forming tears. “I came to check on you, but I need to get back to work.”

  She wiped her tears and returned to her wardrobe. I trapped Sera’s gaze and tilted my chin toward the hallway. She dropped the hangers and followed.

  Elena leaned against the bathroom door, lurking.

  Ignoring her, I said, “Sera, have you found somewhere for the memorial?” Guilt racked me for not being around to help her with those tasks.

  “Yes. His body hasn’t been released, so we decided to hold the memorial service at a funeral home instead of the church.” She rubbed her forehead. “I just want this part to be over.”

  “I hate seeing you grieve, Sera. I wish I could help, but I can’t even help myself.”

  She touched my sleeve. “Dante, we are all suffering. Forget what I said earlier about allowing the police to handle this. Please, for me, find the man who did this to my Antonio.”

  “I will. I promise.” Even if this was the last thing I ever accomplished.

  She returned to Bettina, and I shot Elena a glare meant to prevent her from following. I returned to my studio and dug out the scrap of paper I’d found by Deloris’s computer. Cosmo Bonetti’s email address was written in black ink. Booting up my laptop, I carried it to my work bench, opened my email, and typed: