Infidelity: Inheritance (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by T. C. Winters

  Mr. Bonetti,

  In exchange for the safe release of my aunts, I’ll meet you following my father’s memorial service. I expect my aunts to attend the service.

  I closed the screen, but an incoming mail chimed.

  Mr. Costello,

  I am pleased you have reached out to me. Meet me in the alley immediately following the ceremony. Your Aunt Bella will be in attendance. I have no knowledge of any other aunt’s disappearance.

  My stomach flopped in a free fall. If the Bonettis hadn’t kidnapped Deloris, then only one other possibility existed. The realization of the deception paralyzed my raging thoughts. Shaking my head to clear the cobwebs forming, I commanded my brain to calm. I let the world spin around me.

  Movement in the hallway and low male voices brought me back to the present. Luca and Lennox appeared together at the door to my studio. With a flick of my wrist I bade them to enter.

  “You lied to me.” I wanted to catch them off guard so I could study their reactions.

  Luca raised his brow in a theatrical motion. Lennox slid a sidelong glance toward him, but said nothing.

  After a couple ticks of my heart, I said, “You knew the Bonettis killed Dad, yet you told me you were only aware of speculation. After saying an honorable man would never hurt a female, you kept Aunt Bella’s kidnapping a secret. You said Elena was here for Sera and the girls, but she’s been watching every move I make. Worst of all, you persuaded me to allow Vincent and Oren inside my house under the guise of protecting us.”

  Luca slithered closer and sat on the couch, removing his jacket once he’d settled. “Rumors. That’s all we have. We have no proof we can act on.” His gaze darted to Lennox. “We’re family. We’d never purposely put you in harm’s way.”

  His lies were nothing but a foghorn blast in my ears, offered as a warning of danger. “You use the word ‘family’ as a means to corral me. Everything has been orchestrated to force me straight into the Bonetti fold.” I focused on Lennox. “You’re using me as the canary in the coal mine.”

  A muscle in Lennox’s cheek ticked. “I wouldn’t have done this if we had any other choice. I promised to keep you safe, and I’ll uphold that promise.”

  I’d trusted Lennox. The acknowledgment of his deceit cut away a bloody slab of my innocence. “I’ve made my own arrangements. All that’s left to do now is to take out the trash.” I stood and extended my hand toward the door, where Elena stood, watching. “Take your mole with you.”

  Elena pushed away from the doorjamb. “You can’t fight this alone. It’s a suicide mission.”

  “Be careful, Elena, you almost act as if you care.” My bruised ego had forked my tongue.

  “Dante, tell us what you’re planning.” Lennox’s rigid stance never wavered. “You can’t do this alone. The situation is too dangerous.”

  “Thanks for the advice, cousin. In what scenario would I be in more danger than right now? At least I know I can’t trust the Bonetti family.”

  I read genuine regret in Lennox’s manner. Luca’s face was set in a cold mask, and I could read nothing.

  I addressed their one last sin. “Return Deloris. I know you took her because if she’d kept searching, she would’ve figured out you were using me.”

  Lennox nodded, but Luca’s expression didn’t change as he stood and retrieved his jacket. Nodding to Elena, they stood and exited together. I didn’t bother to escort them to the door.

  ****

  Deloris arrived before six a.m. the next morning, still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. The fire in her eyes and the grim set of her mouth meant she was pissed. She and I had a brief conference before she hurried upstairs to shower and change. Both of us were dressed and ready by seven, which was good because Detective Sparks dropped by shortly after.

  Deloris and I answered the door together. She frowned when I made the introductions and she didn’t invite him inside. She folded her arms across her chest. “We need our privacy this morning. Surely you can understand?”

  Still standing on the porch, he nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I need to ask some questions about an occurrence yesterday…in the park.” He raised his eyebrows in challenge.

  Deloris straightened her spine. “Nothing happened, Detective. As you can see, we’re all here—safe and unharmed.” She rammed the door forward, but the detective wedged his foot against the wood.

  Laying a palm against the door, the detective said, “Just a few questions.” He advanced, shoving his way into the entry. “Tell me what happened yesterday.”

  Deloris did most of the talking, which resulted in no information being swapped by either party. The detective eyed me during the entire exchange, leaving me with the impression he thought I’d played some role in the abduction attempt. Deloris gave him details about the couple in the park, leaving out how we were separated and my family held her as a pseudo-hostage.

  The questions and innuendos flying back and forth made me squirm, but Deloris rose to the occasion. Detective Sparks retreated after less than ten minutes of sparring, leaving me to isolate myself in the parlor where I obsessed about my decision to meet Cosmo Bonetti.

  I debated whether or not to carry a handgun, but decided against it. If Cosmo Bonetti had wanted me dead, I’d be dead. Carrying a weapon would be like waving a broom to slow a runaway train.

  Last night, time had nearly stood still. I alternated between grief and fear. I prepared a will, detailing what I wanted done with my assets and which art dealers I trusted to sell my recent works. I finished the nude I’d been working on when Vincent had so callously informed me of my father’s passing.

  Cat and Bettina were eating breakfast when I joined them in the kitchen, but I couldn’t so much as choke down a cup of coffee without the liquid bubbling in my gut. After what seemed like an eternity, we were ready to leave for the funeral home.

  Reserved and elegant in her stark black attire, Sera herded the girls into a town car hired for the day, and I rode with Deloris in her reengineered SUV with steel doors and bullet-resistant glass. The tie I wore threatened my oxygen supply, and I couldn’t resist tugging it away from my neck. I’d not mentioned my meeting scheduled after the service, but the sideways glances she sent my way increased my agitation. Divisive maneuvers would be required to shake my aunt if I planned to meet Bonetti alone.

  We arrived at the funeral home forty-five minutes before the service, yet the parking lot was already beginning to fill. We slipped in the side door where our minister greeted us and escorted us into the chapel. Rows of chairs formed a rectangle in the center of the room, and in two rooms off to the side. Pictures of Dad were scattered throughout the room. Floral arrangements on pedestals covered the front and sides of the chapel. My nose twitched from their sweet, cloying perfume. The dim lighting made me squint. Mood lighting and flowers were meant to provide comfort, but in my current state of mind, they only added to my distress.

  Mourners filed in, most stopping to hug my sisters and Sera. Several offered me words of condolence, but I wasn’t ready to accept sympathy. My only desire was revenge. Aunt Bella arrived with Vincent, her usual finery in place, but her customary gravity-defying hairstyle drooped, emphasizing the dark circles under her eyes. She made a move in my direction, but Vincent touched her elbow and guided her to a seat in the last row. Lennox and Luca selected seats nearby, followed by Elena, dignified in a dark blue dress that hugged her body in all the right places. My gaze settled on her. If only we’d met under different circumstances.

  Deloris, who’d remained glued to my side, regarded Vincent with a frown and made a clucking noise with her tongue.

  The service went by in a blur. The tissue I held became a wadded, shredded mess, and sweat soaked the back of my shirt. Friends and business associates eulogized the Antonio Costello they knew, but no one came close to capturing the essence of the man I knew.

  Aspiring to become an artist in a long line of self-made entrepreneurs would’ve been impossible if not for his support
. Every Sunday morning we went to a café downtown. Over coffee and croissants, we discussed his business, my art, and my relationships—good and bad. Our connection had shaped my life. Without him, the foundation under my feet crumbled.

  After the service, the crush of people offering condolences separated me from Deloris. Seizing the opportunity, I glided out the side door and into the parking lot. An ancient Cadillac with vapor curling from the exhaust idled in the alley near the far end of the pavement. Parked cars provided a screen from the mourners milling in the lot and Isaac, who leaned against his SUV, as I zigzagged to the alley.

  A large man was wedged behind the steering wheel, his bug eyes following my movements. He motioned me to the passenger side, and I opened the door.

  The interior of the car smelled like sweat and garlic, reminiscent of my grandfather. I tossed a quick glance over my shoulder to be sure no one lurked in the rear seat. “Tell me why you killed my father.” The command lost authority because of my high-pitched tone.

  “Dante Costello. We have not been properly introduced. I am Cosmo Bonetti.” He extended his hand.

  “Why?” This time the word came out with the force I’d intended.

  He pulled back his hand and waved it in the air. “I did nothing to Antonio. He wanted my help, just as I now want yours.”

  “Then you ordered his murder. No one else would do something that brutal.”

  His cheeks jiggled when he shook his head. “This was not my doing. He was killed by coo—”

  A loud bang, like a baseball bat against a trash can, resonated inside the confined area. A warm mist splattered me. I swiped a palm across my forehead and examined the moisture clinging to my skin.

  Dark red with chunks of foamy pink. White lumps like pieces of teeth—or bone.

  My vision tunneled, but I couldn’t look away from the horror. The breath hitched in my lungs, and ice flowed through my veins.

  My door wrenched open, and I was dragged into the alley. The pain of landing in the gravel barely registered. People scattered, but I could hear nothing, as if the sound had been turned off. Jimmy grabbed my belt and hauled me to my feet. Isaac thundered in my direction and shielded me with his body as he propelled me toward the SUV. Seconds seemed like hours. Guns appeared everywhere.

  Isaac dumped me into the back seat and shoved me away from the window. Deloris sat on the opposite side, her posture tight and unyielding. We shot out of the parking lot amidst squalling tires. Squad cars, sirens blaring and lights ablaze, passed us on the street, but Isaac gunned the motor and headed toward the house.

  “Wh-where are my sisters?”

  Deloris studied the traffic. “They’re being secured.”

  Understanding there was no point questioning anyone, I stayed quiet for the remainder of the drive.

  Isaac took the turn into the driveway too fast and skidded. Slamming on the brakes, he screeched to a halt near the front entry. With no garage door opener, we were exposed. Deloris scooted out the side door and motioned for me to follow. She and Isaac squared their bodies in a shooter’s stance and circled around me with their guns drawn while they hustled me into the house. Once inside, they scoured each room for intruders.

  Deloris returned to where I stood frozen with fear. “Your family will be here in a few minutes along with the NYPD. Why don’t you explain why you were in the car with a member of the Bonetti crime family?”

  “He traded me for Aunt Bella.” I swallowed the anger. “He said he didn’t kill Dad. He was about to tell me who did when…when…”

  Her features screwed up, giving the impression she was about to cry. “Don’t ever do anything that stupid again.” She ambushed me in a hug. “You could’ve been killed. Something else is going on. Don’t leave my sight until we know what.”

  She brushed at the goo coating my skin. “Let me get you a towel.” She dashed away and came back with a small towel from the guest bath.

  Most of the mess transferred to the towel before Cat and Bettina rushed in followed closely by Sera and a tightly wound Jimmy. The girls’ pale complexions and tear-stained cheeks softened my anger. Sera stood back with her mouth opening and closing, but no words were coming out. My actions had been foolish.

  I left my sisters and went to her. “Sera. We’re safe. I’ll find out what they want from me, and I’ll give it to them. We can’t live like this.”

  She nodded, but a sob escaped. “Dante, you can’t leave us, too.”

  Sorrow consumed me. If I’d been shot, then they would have no male influence in their lives. I couldn’t let that happen “I’ll be more careful next time. I didn’t realize—”

  The door slammed against the wall and Lennox stormed in, along with Vincent and Elena.

  “Damn straight you’ll be more careful,” Lennox shouted and yanked Elena forward. You’ll tell everyone she’s your girlfriend. You’re so in love you can’t bear to have her leave your side.”

  I stifled the urge to offer them a one-fingered salute. “I don’t need a woman to protect me.” What I didn’t need was a woman who I wanted to impress, protecting me.

  Lennox jabbed a finger into my chest, hammering home his outrage. “She’ll go everywhere with you. Everywhere.”

  “I’ll permit her to continue staying with the girls.” I allowed my gaze to roam over her statuesque form. “That’s where she’d be the most useful.”

  Elena smiled and the room lit up. “Brave words. If that bullet had been another foot to the right, you’d be dead.” She snapped her fingers and stared me down. “But if your male ego can’t handle a woman protecting you, then by all means, test however many of those nine lives you have left.”

  “I’ll end up road kill like…” The girls were still close by and I couldn’t say his name. “She’ll slow me down.”

  Her blue eyes danced. “Now you’re just trying to charm me.” Her gaze wandered over my slender frame at a glacial pace.

  The only thing the conversation accomplished was to take my mind off the horror I’d witnessed. For the first time, I directed my attention to Vincent. Looking him in the eye, I asked, “Why are you here?”

  “Please. Let’s sit and talk. There are many things you have misunderstood.” He maneuvered around the entourage gathered in the entry and made his way to the parlor. At the door, he stopped and waited.

  Sera shooed the girls into the kitchen, and Lennox followed Vincent. Elena extended her arm as if I were to escort her to the parlor. Her smile mocked me.

  Art was my world. Not murder. Not espionage. Not a beautiful woman who could snap me in two with her thighs. Being steamrolled was tiresome. I had no fight left.

  I took her arm.

  Vincent held court by the window with Lennox at his side and Deloris seated nearby. He’d poured whisky into a lowball glass and one finger circled the rim. The old man had one chance to explain or I was done with him.

  Elena released my arm and slid into a seat. I leaned against the fireplace in an attempt to distance myself.

  Vincent breathed deeply and frowned into the contents of his glass. “My greatest regret is not being available when Antonio contacted me. I might have been able to save him, instead all I have is a cryptic voice mail.”

  “You withheld vital information?” Grinding my molars, I applied the brakes before I pounded his face.

  Vincent lowered his gaze and used his free hand to rub his temples. “Antonio wasn’t clear, so I didn’t understand right away. He said he hid an important painting somewhere we both held precious.” His shoulders lifted. “I thought he meant the Ferrari, so I took the car before anyone else could. I’ve torn the thing apart and there is nothing.”

  Deloris jumped from her seat. “Antonio and Cosmo Bonetti are dead because of a painting?” Wrinkles formed on her forehead and she blinked. “I assumed the Bonetti family wanted Dante’s contacts in the art world, maybe to sell forgeries, but this makes no sense.”

  “I don’t understand either.” Vincent’s bushy eyebrows
slammed together in the center of his forehead. “The Bonetti family doesn’t deal in art—real or forged.”

  “Someone wants that painting bad enough to kill for it.” Lennox’s voice was calm, but his downturned mouth and flared nostrils indicated his agitation. “My dad said Antonio’s message to him was just a warning about trouble.”

  I wanted to question them, but the doorbell rang. Deloris and Elena hauled their weapons from their holsters and hurried to the front of the house.

  Seconds later, Deloris reappeared at the doorway. “Dante, the police are here.

  Chapter 5

  Detectives Sparks and Cohern lectured us on leaving the scene of a crime, and they insisted on taking me downtown for an interview, but Deloris declined. Instead, she escorted them to the office and refused to leave my side.

  “Mr. Costello, with your permission, we’d like to test for gunshot residue on your hands.” Detective Sparks held up two containers. “We also need to swab your skin for evidence, and we’ll need your clothes.

  “Do I need a lawyer?” This was the only thing I could think to say.

  “No, sir. This swab is voluntary. We want to eliminate you as a suspect.” Detective Cohern leaned back on his heels.

  I wasn’t falling for his innocent act. My father had been brutally murdered and a man who had been sitting next to me in a car was shot. They wanted me as a suspect because I was the only lead they had. I glanced at Deloris, who offered a small nod.

  Holding out my hands, I said, “Of course. I want to help.”

  Sparks removed gloves from a kit and struggled to put them on. He opened a plastic container and pressed the inside of the lid to the fingers on my right hand. He sealed the container and repeated the process on my left hand. He then swabbed the remnants of Cosmo Bonetti off my face.

  Elena strolled in just as he completed the task, almost as if she’d been listening at the door. “Detectives, I’m Dante’s girlfriend. Since this is an informal interview, you won’t mind if I sit in.”