by Piper Stone
Or if I could trust Lorenzo.
Everything in my mind was muddled, fear that Lorenzo had actually been the one to get Lucas killed weighing heavily on my mind. I’d assumed Axel wasn’t on Lorenzo’s payroll. What if the monster was a Francesco soldier? Then why had Lorenzo protected me? Was it all a ploy?
Nothing was making any sense, but I’d started this freefall and I planned on ending it.
“Dante, can you stop by the same store so I can purchase a few additional clothes? It won’t take ten minutes.” He had no way of knowing I’d ordered off the internet. Any other excuse would seem implausible at best.
Dante shifted in his seat, peering into the rearview mirror. “I don’t know, Sierra. Boss told me to take you straight home.”
“I promise. Ten minutes. Maybe less. I’ve worn the same clothes for two days and have nothing else.” I allowed my voice to have a singsong quality, offering him a huge smile.
He sighed. “All right, but only ten minutes. I’ll wait directly outside. If you see anything suspicious, find me immediately.”
“I promise you.” I tried to figure out a plan of how to get to the senator. I knew where the man lived. I’d researched both Lucas and his father after Lucas’ first contact. Although there was no indication of wrongdoing on the senator’s part, especially since Senator Spalding had been on a vendetta against the Francesco family, I was uncertain of the truth.
Everyone could be lying.
Just like you are.
I hissed, angry with the little voice, trying my best not to fidget. When he pulled into the crowded lot, I waited until he’d parked to even consider opening the door. I was trying to build courage in order to be able to strike out on my own. This was so damn risky, but I had to know the truth or the nagging thoughts would never end.
I felt responsible for Lucas’ death. If I hadn’t insisted he provide evidence, perhaps he’d still be alive. Someone had to pay for the shitty hand that had been dealt and there was little Lorenzo could do without inciting violence. Too many people had already died, Lorenzo’s poor brother still in the hospital. I didn’t want to think about the passion we’d shared, or the lightness I’d felt in being with him in the shower. I refused to fall into that trap.
You can do this. You have the strength.
I almost laughed at the thought. I was no martyr and even with my father’s tutelage, I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to do. My stomach churned and I remained lightheaded, but this was something I had to do.
For both of us.
“Wait here.” Dante gave me a hard look, as if expecting I was going to run before opening the door. By the time he walked around the side of the SUV, I was able to see his weapon in plain view. Whatever call Lorenzo had received meant things were escalating. Even Dante seemed nervous. Maybe confronting the situation would help in some small manner.
And maybe you’re dreaming.
I bit back a moan, more determined than ever.
He ushered me out of the passenger side, taking my arm and leading me toward the entrance, his eyes scanning the parking lot. “I’ll just be a few minutes,” I assured him before walking into the store. I took several deep breaths, walking slowly until I was out of sight.
And directly to the back, the emergency exit leading to a street where I knew I could catch a cab. It wouldn’t be the first time I ran off on a fare. I’d do what had to be done.
I raced out the back door, weaving my way through several parked cars until I made it to the street. I had only a few minutes before Dante would hunt me down. My entire body was shaking from the heavy rush of adrenaline. While there were no televisions or computers at the cabin, I had to think my ‘death’ was now public information, especially given who my father was. This had to remain quiet.
I pulled the collar of my jacket around my ears, shoving my long hair underneath. With no makeup on, I certainly didn’t look like whatever stock pictures would be used announcing my death. Perhaps that was an advantage.
Although at this point, there’d been no luck shifting in my favor.
I jogged along the road until I believed I was far enough away, praying a taxi would come. My prayers were answered less than three minutes later, the taxi jerking to a halt. I jumped inside, trying to formulate a story if necessary.
“Where to, lady?”
“14 Shepherd Street.” The senator’s house.
He barely gave me another glance in the rearview mirror as he sped away. I slunk down in the seat as low as possible, my nerves on edge. As the driver passed by the store, I dared take a look to see if Dante was already in rescue mode. Seeing nothing, including his truck, I took several shallow breaths. This had to work.
Only when we were a few blocks away did I exhale. Still, I remained shaking, knowing that no amount of heat would make me feel any better. I was a lost girl, torn between the life I’d led before and the man I so loved.
God. This was crazy.
I loved him. I did. I adored everything about the man, even though I didn’t think I could feel safe again. But he was so handsome.
Virile.
Powerful.
Reckless.
Gentle.
I pressed my fingers across my lips as I leaned my head against the back of the seat, envisioning the way he’d looked when I’d been sucking his thick and delicious cock. I heard a moan slipping from my lips, forcing the driver to shift his gaze in my direction. If only we could live in the cabin, far removed from the rest of the world.
If only...
I must have closed my eyes, the exhaustion taking a toll. When I heard the rough voice, I jerked up, flinging out my arms.
“Whoa. Jesus, lady. I was just trying to wake you up. We’re here.” His gruff voice held a hint of amusement. The driver turned around, staring at me as if a hint of recognition had entered his mind.
I swallowed and avoided his gaze, darting a look at the massive mansion-style house positioned behind brick walls. “Thank you.” As I opened the door, I grimaced, pulling out the bills I’d been given. “How much?”
“Thirty-seven fifty.”
“Keep the change.” I couldn’t waste time waiting. What did I care? It was blood money.
He exhaled, studying me intently as he handed it back. “That’s okay, lady. Somehow, I think you need a break. We’ll meet again one day. Just remember you owe me.”
I let out a deep breath, nodding several times. “Thank you. You’re a good man.”
“Naw, just one who’s been in your place before. Take care of yourself. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
For some crazy reason, I stood on the curb long after he’d pulled away, staring after the beat-up cab as if he’d been able to give me a sense of courage. Maybe things happened for a reason. I half laughed as I turned toward the mansion, glancing right and left before heading up the driveway. From what I’d been able to tell, there was no one following.
I was prepared to find several cars in the driveway, although I hadn’t planned on what I would do if that was the case. There were no cars in sight, no sign of obvious life of any kind. I knew the senator was a man who preferred his privacy. His larger than life persona no doubt required time alone.
I took several deep breaths, glancing over my shoulder one last time before daring to knock on his door. A full minute ticked by then another. I had no freaking idea what I was going to do if he wasn’t home. I’d invested my single moment of freedom in this. Jesus.
When I heard footsteps, I yanked my hair from the collar, trying my best to remain calm.
The man opening the door held a look of utter shock. “What the hell?”
“Senator Spalding. You and I need to talk.”
He issued an exaggerated deep breath before nodding and ushering me inside, closing the door quickly. “I thought you were dead.”
“Why don’t we cut the pretenses, Senator? I am well aware that you somehow managed to fake my death.” His eyes told me that I’d been right.
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A wry smile crossed his face. “Well, I can see you are indeed just as tenacious as your father claimed you to be. Why don’t you call me William? I think given what you’re going through, we should be on a first-name basis.”
“Does my father know?” My God, the man was trying to play me. He must think I’m some fool.
He shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked past me, heading toward the back of the house and into the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee? Maybe something stronger. It would appear you could use a libation.”
“What I need is the damn truth. We’ll start with an easy question first. Does my father know I’m alive?”
He lifted a single eyebrow before walking to a cabinet, pulling out two glasses. When he reached for a bottle of bourbon, I was almost incensed. He thought he could handle me. That much was certain. “Your father is a good friend of mine, but I couldn’t afford to risk telling him. He’s not a good actor. Plus, I’m not entirely certain he isn’t working with that fucking murderer who killed my son. Your death had to appear real. Granted, when you disappeared, I honestly had no way of knowing whether you really were alive.” The man was shaking like a leaf.
“Or if the monster, Axel Movino hunted me down, killing me for witnessing the murder of your son for something you did?” I’d shocked him again, his hand shaking.
William seemed to regroup, pouring two glasses and moving in my direction. When I refused to accept his offer, he simply placed it on the counter. “I’m not working for Axel Movino. I have no idea who told you that.”
“You know exactly who made that suggestion. Maybe both you and my father were in on this. You also somehow found out that I’d had a relationship with Lorenzo Francesco years ago. While that surprises me, I realize you’d obviously go to any lengths to keep your good name and reputation. Wouldn’t you, William?”
He studied me intently as he took a sip of his drink. The fucker was buying time, building another series of lies.
“I’m a careful man, Sierra. I have to be given what I do. You know that old expression about keeping your enemies close.”
I almost laughed, the expression trite and overused. “Let me venture a guess, William. You thought that if certain evidence was slipped in my direction, I’d go running to Lorenzo instead of telling the story, maybe somehow giving you more of an inside to the Francesco family.” He didn’t even blink. “Or wait. Maybe you are working for the Movinos and figured any additional information I gathered would expose both groups of lowlifes.”
A slight curl on his upper lip was the only indication he knew what I was talking about. “I assure you, Sierra, that I only wanted the truth exposed. It’s been public knowledge for years that I can’t stand the Francesco family and what they’d doing to our beautiful city.”
“No, you wanted to make certain you weren’t implicated in any wrongdoing. You do realize that Movino is a true monster. He murdered your son in cold blood. Don’t you even give a shit?” Finally, there was some real emotion on his face, a mixture of anger and sadness.
He blinked several times, looking away, his breathing ragged. “I never wanted anything to happen to my son. He was all I had.”
“Then why did you allow him to get involved?”
“Because I had no choice!” He bristled, shrinking back.
“Who was threatening you? Movino? I don’t know anything about him other than the fact he’s a murdering asshole, but I don’t think he’s smart enough to blackmail you.” I could see there was so much more. I inched closer, daring him to look into my eyes. “Who the fuck is behind all of this?”
“I gave you a second chance at life, Sierra, because of my respect for your father. Don’t fuck it up. I was in over my head when I asked my son to get involved, to provide you with evidence. I was wrong and now I’m going to have to live with it for the rest of my life.”
I believed in his angst as well as the fact he had been blackmailed. I had to believe the situation was the same for my father. I couldn’t imagine he’d betray his country. The sweat beading along the senator’s forehead was a clear indication he was still terrified. “My life means nothing if I have to run, hiding behind shadows while I wait for the monster to arrive.”
“And your life will be no better with Francesco!”
I took a deep breath before answering. “That may be true, but it’s my choice. Lucas told me that if anything happened to him that I should talk with you. You need to tell me about what.”
“It’s the only bargaining chip I have left.”
“Bullshit!” I exclaimed. “You’re hungry for power. Who is it that you have something on? Not the Movinos. Someone more powerful. Isn’t that right?” His face had actually turned ashen. “Who? You’re going to tell me who or I swear to God, I will go to my father and make certain he knows everything I know and my guess is that friend or no friend, my father will be forced to open an investigation into your office. You see, Senator, blood is thicker than water.”
“Don’t threaten me, Sierra. You have no idea what’s at stake here,” he hissed, taking several gulps of his drink.
“I know enough to realize that whoever is blackmailing you isn’t going to let you live. You see, powerful men who pull the puppet strings usually want to get rid of any dangling issues. You’re nothing but a bit player. That’s why you had your son involved. You knew that I would eventually talk with Lorenzo, the only man who could actually stop Movino’s reign of terror.” The realization hit me hard. The senator wasn’t afraid of the Francescos. He was terrified of the puppeteer.
His hand still shaking, he eased his drink onto the counter. “If I give you what I have, I’ll have nothing left.”
“It would appear that you have nothing now. If you care about your son at all, give me what you have.”
He debated, finally nodding. “You don’t understand the ramifications of what I managed to collect. There’s so much at stake.”
“Allow me to be the judge of that, William. Since I’m... dead, I’ll have ample opportunity to sort through the information.”
“Be careful, Sierra. That’s all I can tell you. Things aren’t as they seem.”
His words were an attempt at a sincere warning, perhaps even an apology of sorts. Either way, I was shaking inside and out, terrified of what I’d find.
“Come with me,” he said in a resigned manner.
I felt hollow inside, realizing a man had lost his life because of greed and an overwhelming desire for power. I had no idea just how entrenched the senator was in whatever was going on. I also had a greater fear for Lorenzo, knowing that he would go barreling into a situation without having knowledge of what exactly was going on.
I followed behind him and into his office, watching as he moved toward his desk. He leaned over, placing his hands on the dark wood.
“My son was the light of my life. Whatever happens, I never want you to believe that I intentionally placed him in harm’s way. My son was an amazing young man who insisted he help his father. Yeah, he got into some trouble, but he was cleaning himself up. He had a bright future ahead of him. He just had no idea just how ruthless the bastards could be.”
“But you knew.”
He lifted his head, tears slipping past his lashes. “Yes, I knew and that’s something I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life.”
I was the first to hear some kind of noise, tilting my head in the direction of the front door.
“Senator...” The words were barely out of my mouth when a loud crash sounded, what seemed like wood exploding coming from all directions.
Then I heard what had to be heavy boots. Oh, God.
Within seconds, the room was filled with several men, all carrying weapons, the guns pointed in our direction.
“What the hell is the meaning of this?” the senator demanded, moving from around the back of the desk.
One of the intruders took two long strides, smacking the senator’s head with the gun. As William crumb
led to the floor, writhing in pain, another sound assaulted my senses.
The sound of a deep and husky laugh followed by another set of boots storming into the room.
“It’s a delight to meet you, Sierra Fox. I’ve hungered for your acquaintance.” He stood reveling in the moment, his cold eyes flashing, his grin evil. He walked closer, allowing me to gather a scent of the stench covering him.
He reeked of blood and death.
“You and I are going to get to know each other much better and I so look forward to it,” he said as he breathed in. “But I need to make certain you understand one thing clearly. You now belong to me. I almost had you. Almost.”
He’d been responsible for sending the men to cabin to abduct me as well as kill Lorenzo. “I’ll never belong to you. Whoever the fuck you are, you won’t live long enough to lay a hand on me.”
The fucker actually laughed as he walked closer, rolling the tip of his index finger down the side of my face. I’d never felt so dirty in my entire life. I flinched, taking a step back until a hard body stopped me from going any further.
I swallowed as the leader lowered his head, taking a deep whiff. “I can smell your pussy from here, sweet Sierra. I can’t wait to taste you, to feast on your pretty pink lips.”
Disgusted, I spit in his face, refusing to back down. The brawny jerk behind me immediately grabbed both of my arms, holding me in place. Between the two of them, the stench was rancid.
He closed his eyes, making no sound as he simply wiped the glob away and onto his pants. He twisted his head, his dark eyes riddled with more evil than I’d ever seen, his heavy accent drilling into my brain. “I assure you, Sierra, that not only will I lay a hand on you, I will take you to the very limits of your existence. In time, you will learn to call me master. Until then, you will suffer for any indiscretions.”
While my body was shaking, I refused to back down in any manner. “I guess we’ll see.”
He laughed once again before issuing two words commandingly. “Take her.”
Chapter Thirteen