Secret Past

by Sharee Stover

  A long pause and without words, Daniel complied.

  “Bella, do you remember what I said about the locket?”

  “Yes.” Katie nodded. “But I don’t—”

  “Giovanni believes your mother gave the locket to you. I fear he may become more aggressive,” Anthony warned.

  “More aggressive? You know she’s in danger, yet you refuse to let us go. Where was your faithful Lorenzo when all of this happened? Shouldn’t he be protecting Katie instead of guarding us like we’re the enemy?” Daniel’s low snarl kept Katie on edge. “Giovanni’s the one behind this.”

  “Do you think it’s that easy?” Anthony bit back. “He is my son. And he is dangerous. I’m an old man. I don’t know which of my men are faithful to me, and which are faithful to Giovanni.”

  “Do you have hidden security cameras? Maybe some right here in Katie’s room?” Daniel’s accusation continued, “Besides watching our every move, could one of those caught the intruder?”

  “You’re paranoid! You really think I’d put a camera in my daughter’s room?” Anthony turned to Katie. “The only cameras we have are on the parameter of the property! I will make sure Lorenzo follows up on those.” He shot a venomous glare at Daniel. “We will find who did this.”

  “Do you believe Lorenzo is trustworthy?” Katie asked.

  “I want to believe he’s loyal. Money changes people.” Anthony’s shoulders sagged and he shook his head. “One thing you’ll soon learn, my Bella, is be careful whom you trust.” He turned to Daniel, emphasizing the point.

  “I knew her before she had money, so she’s safe with me,” Daniel said, sarcasm thick.

  “I don’t have anything,” Katie argued.

  The wrinkles around Anthony’s eyes deepened. “Perhaps it was a mistake bringing you here. In my desperation, I failed to calculate the costs.” He stood, pacing between the window and bed.

  “We’re leaving here, now!” Daniel asserted, going to Katie’s side. “Get dressed.” Then to Anthony, he said, “You can provide a vehicle for us or I’ll help myself to one, but we’re not staying here another minute.”

  “You will not order me around in my home! And no one is taking my daughter from me again!” Anthony bellowed.

  Katie sat up straighter, frustration building. “Excuse me. Could both of you talk to me and not about me? I’m a grown woman capable of making up my own mind.”

  Anthony frowned. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Mr. Knight, please give me a minute alone with my daughter.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no way I’m leaving Katie alone with anyone in this house.”

  She looked between the men. Anthony’s pleading expression piqued her curiosity. She gave Daniel a slight nod. “It’s okay.”

  He flexed his jaw, clearly, not in agreement. His exaggerated hesitance was obvious by his sluggish movement. “I’ll be on the other side. You’ve got five minutes.” The door slammed behind him.

  Anthony faced Katie, his eyes shadowed by gray circles. “Do you trust Mr. Knight? If not, we’ll have him removed immediately.”

  I trust Daniel with my life. And my heart. Katie shifted her gaze, tucking the blankets under her arms. “Daniel is my friend, and I trust him implicitly. What does he have to gain by hurting me?”

  “You are a wealthy woman and will be even more so when I’m dead. Perhaps he’s waiting for a payout. His predecessor was a liar and a thief. What makes you think Mr. Knight’s any different?”

  “I know you think you have reason to hate Mason Garrett, but he was a good man. He took care of me.”

  “That is debatable.” Anthony cleared his throat. “I will do whatever it takes to protect you.”

  “Then let us leave.”

  Anthony grasped her hands and sat down. His slacked posture and downturned lips aged him before her eyes. “Please, Bella, give me one more day. I must put some things in order before I can let you go. Twenty-four hours is all I ask. Then, if you still want to leave me, I will reluctantly agree to your wishes.”

  Had she heard him correctly? Katie leaned forward. “You’ll let me leave?”

  “Yes, if that’s your desire.”

  “Okay.”

  “One other condition. Giovanni cannot know about our agreement. It’s imperative that he suspects nothing. Do you understand?” Anthony’s eyebrows creased.

  “I understand.”

  He sighed and pushed himself up to a standing position. His hunched shoulders and sluggish manner revealed his frailty. Was he sorrowful at their arrangement? He opened the door and waved Daniel inside, then returned to the armchair.

  Giovanni trailed in behind Daniel. “I heard what happened. Are you all right?”

  Katie studied him. The man never looked frazzled or out of control. Would he reveal frustration if he’d ordered the failed attack? “I’m fine.”

  “Giovanni, where’s Lorenzo?” Anthony interjected, shrinking under Daniel’s scrutiny.

  “I’m sure I don’t know, Father. I’ll check into it,” Giovanni said in a calm, placating tone. He gestured at Daniel’s boots. “It’s a good thing Mr. Knight heard Bella and was able to respond so quickly. He even had time to put on his boots.”

  “I stepped out of my room before Katie screamed,” Daniel retorted.

  “Really? For what?” Giovanni asked.

  “I thought I wasn’t a prisoner. Do I need a reason?” Daniel narrowed his eyes, his jaw tense.

  “Interesting.” Giovanni gave a slight shake of his head.

  Daniel focused on Giovanni. “You’re the man in the know. Any idea who would want to hurt Katie?”

  “It could’ve been anyone,” Giovanni debated.

  Daniel closed the distance between him and Anthony. “Anyone who happened to know this was her room? Anyone who could get past your legion of bodyguards?”

  Katie slapped the bed. “Shouldn’t you have someone out looking for whoever tried to kill me tonight? Or do you already know, Giovanni? Because I think I do.”

  His cold smile sent a chill up her spine. “Do tell, who attacked you, little sister?”

  Katie wouldn’t let this man intimidate her. “The same man who attacked me in Nebraska.”

  “Wouldn’t that be one of your men?” Daniel baited.

  “I’ll pretend you’re not accusing me and will make sure Lorenzo is reprimanded for his lack of protection.” Giovanni snatched his cell phone from his belt clip and stormed into the hallway.

  Daniel faced Anthony. “Give us a way to get out of here before something worse happens.”

  “I can’t...” Anthony wrung his hands and shuffled to the doorway, peering out. He turned to face Katie. “I will order Lorenzo to stand guard.”

  “Try again,” Daniel said.

  Remembering Anthony’s promise, Katie interceded, “Daniel, I’ll also make sure the door is locked.”

  Anthony appeared pleased as he took her hand. “Please, Bella. Just a little longer. That’s all I ask.”

  She nodded, and he glanced over his shoulder once more before exiting the room.

  Daniel pushed the door closed. “What was that about?”

  Katie relayed Anthony’s request and his promise to release them.

  “Well, his twenty-four hours started the minute they kidnapped us. Tomorrow, we’re leaving, with or without his help.”

  She considered arguing. Having everyone boss her around was getting old. Fast. Except she agreed with Daniel. “Okay.”

  “Are you sure about having one of their guards outside your door? I’d sleep in the hallway if necessary.”

  She grinned. “I appreciate the offer, but you need rest as much as I do.” Katie looked down, studying her hands.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “Giovanni’s trying to kill me, and Anthony’s terrified o
f him. I want to get out of here.”

  “We can leave now.”

  “No, I gave Anthony my word.” Compassion tugged at her heart for the old man. She squelched it before it took hold.

  “Okay...” Daniel leaned against the wall.

  “You know as much as I don’t want to admit it, Anthony’s been nothing but kind, protective and concerned. Everything I’d hoped a father would be. We might’ve had a good relationship in other circumstances. Too bad the criminal side of him is the part I can’t ignore.”

  “You scared me for a moment there. I thought you were caving.”

  “No. It’s only sheer morbid curiosity keeping me here. When his time is up, we’re out of this place. One way or the other.”

  Daniel walked to the door, placing his hand on the knob. “Are you sure you’ll be okay in here?”

  “I’m sure. Surely no one would attack me twice in a night,” Katie reassured, though she doubted sleep would come again.

  “Lock the door.” Daniel exited the room.

  Katie threw off the covers and scurried to the door, securing the lock. For added protection, she dragged over the armchair, adjusting it beneath the handle.

  She climbed into the bed and slid under the covers. Daniel’s absence left her lonely. Missing him. Their conversation on the beach had convinced her mind what her heart already knew. She was falling for Daniel. His promise to stay with her, even when he could leave to help his sister, said more than words ever could. But love—or whatever she felt for Daniel—wasn’t selfish. He’d already made his professional ambitions clear. He deserved to get promoted and she wouldn’t stand in his way.

  Katie glanced at the chair blocking her bedroom door before turning off the light. Would that hold if another attempt was made on her life?

  FOURTEEN

  Daniel hated the sight of Lorenzo’s ugly mug and the—surgically attached, since he was never without it—MP5. Not only had the jerk jolted him awake from the restless night of sleep, he’d “encouraged” Daniel to shower and change his clothes. If he hadn’t caught a whiff of his sweaty two-day-old scent, Daniel would’ve fought more about the issue.

  Twenty minutes later, he sat opposite Anthony Marino in a sunrise breakfast meeting. Lorenzo leaned against the doorway of the dining room, guarding the entrance and any possibility of an escape. A fractional part of Daniel wondered if the elaborate breakfast buffet—spanning the oversize dining room—was his last meal.

  He sighed, tired of waiting for the decrepit Marino to explain why he’d been forced to attend the meeting. “Look Marino, let’s not play games. Since we both know I’m not here by choice—”

  “We all have choices, Mr. Knight,” Anthony interrupted. He appeared tired. More than tired, worn down.

  “You realize you’ve left Katie’s room unguarded.”

  Anthony steepled his hands on the table. “This won’t take long, and I have Zach keeping watch over her. He’s capable of protecting my daughter.”

  Daniel clamped his mouth closed before expressing his disagreement. He wanted to finish this conversation and get back to Katie.

  “I have requested your presence to discuss the options for my daughter’s safety.”

  “Requested? I guess that’s one way to describe being dragged here at gunpoint.” Daniel scowled.

  Anthony shook his head, either from age or annoyance. “Mr. Knight, this isn’t easy to say, so please refrain from your constant urge to add unnecessary commentary and allow me to finish.”

  Daniel gritted his teeth and gave a quick jerk of his head.

  “You know, the curious thing about lies is that too many of them are hard to control. Before long, they take on a life of their own. They’re a two-edged sword, cutting both ways.”

  A Bible verse from Daniel’s childhood floated to mind. Great, philosophical lessons at dawn.

  Anthony continued, “Isabella’s lifetime of deceit demands I set things straight before she leaves.”

  Leaves. The word renewed Daniel’s attention. “What do you want?”

  “I wasn’t aware Giovanni sent men after you in Nebraska and again in Colorado.”

  “I gathered that yesterday. Were you aware he ordered them to kill us?”

  Anthony frowned. “No. Please understand—I only want time with my daughter before I die. I am quite disturbed at Giovanni’s exuberance.”

  “Is that a nice way of saying attempted murder?”

  Anthony’s eyebrows furrowed. “I have a confidential request to make. It must be kept between you and me. Otherwise, all of our lives may be at risk.”

  “Does you and I include Lorenzo?” Daniel gestured toward the bodyguard.

  Anthony twisted in his seat as if seeing Lorenzo for the first time. “You don’t think I’d be naive enough to sit here unguarded, do you?”

  Daniel narrowed his eyes. “Fine. What kind of request?”

  “I fear my son’s impatience in gaining his inheritance may cause him to act irrationally.”

  “You think Giovanni’s going to try and kill you?”

  “Not just me.”

  “Katie,” Daniel murmured, making the connections in his mind. “Your men were sent to retrieve Katie. Giovanni’s were sent to kill her.”

  Anthony nodded. “I cannot lose my daughter again.”

  “So, help me get Katie out of here.”

  “Today I will put things into place. Things I must talk with her about. For that, she needs to be present. Once I’ve completed those particular items, you both will be free to leave. However, Giovanni cannot know about our arrangement or that I suspect his part in her attack. I must know she’s being protected at all times.”

  “You’ll let us go?” Daniel clarified.

  Anthony met his eyes. “It breaks my heart, but I will not keep her here if it means risking her life.”

  “I agree. On that note, I’d appreciate a gun—preferably mine.”

  “In due time. For now, you must protect Isabella here and outside of my home without letting Giovanni know we’ve made this agreement.”

  “He already knows I don’t trust him. No big secret there.”

  “Once you leave the security of my home, I want you to come under my employment. I’m sure my compensation outweighs the government’s. Then we’ll both be working for the same side, and I can be assured of your loyalty to me.”

  “The only person I’m loyal to is Katie, and I don’t work for criminals.”

  Anthony’s hands fisted in his lap. “I’m no criminal. Stop believing the slander you’ve heard about me woven by Mason Garrett and my insane wife.” He spat the last words. “Let me ask you, do you have any personal knowledge of me and my family? Or is your belief based on what you’ve been told?”

  Daniel barely considered the questions. “I know what the case files, evidence and my mentor, Garrett, taught me.”

  Anthony sighed. “Evidence? You mean the planted evidence? Then you’ve been conned. All I ask is you give me a fair chance. If you find me to be the criminal you believe, fine. Hate me because it’s what you believe, not because you’re blindly following like a trained monkey. Garrett and Evangelina made the perfect getaway. Blame me, turn State’s evidence and run off into the sunset.”

  “Garrett was a good man.” Daniel’s weak argument didn’t address Anthony’s accusation. Would Garrett’s love for Evangelina cause him to do those things?

  “Does a good man tear a family apart? Does a good man deceive a little girl and brainwash her to believe his lies? Good men don’t do those things, yet Mason Garrett did them all.”

  Daniel swallowed. “Let me get this straight. It’s work for you or be eliminated?”

  “You are free to go, Mr. Knight, without repercussions. If you’re incapable of protecting her, it might be better if you left.”

  “I’m
not leaving her.”

  “I know you won’t. That’s why I brought you here in the first place. Your strong work ethic will keep you here, even if you aren’t forced.” Anthony sipped his coffee. “Love is stronger than obligation.”

  Daniel clamped his mouth shut. What? Love? No, this was a job. Wasn’t it?

  Marino continued. “As for your gun, I cannot return that to you without giving away that you’re under my employ. If Giovanni suspects anything, he will...react. As I said, I’ll do my best to find you a weapon. In the meantime, you must use your skills as a weapon. We’re on the same side. Both of us want the best for Isabella.”

  “Her name is Katie.”

  “No, she’s been conditioned into taking a name that’s not hers and denied her birthrights as a Marino. Don’t keep her from knowing the family she’s always wanted.”

  “And you think you know what Katie wants?” Daniel asked.

  “Everyone desires love and acceptance. Use your own brain to make judgments about us before you attempt to whisk Isabella away. Don’t be the mindless civil servant following government orders.” Anthony’s arms shook from exertion as he pushed himself to a standing position.

  For a brief second, Daniel considered assisting the man.

  “I ask your discretion of this conversation for all of our sakes.”

  “Giovanni offered to help me find my sister,” Daniel blurted, surprising himself at the uncensored words.

  Anthony paused. “You may take Giovanni up on his offer to leave and obtain the information about your sister. I would certainly understand if you’d prefer to do so. Family is important. However, you should also consider that Isabella is in danger. You must decide which you can devote yourself to. You cannot serve two masters.”

  “Why not have Lorenzo do the job for you?” Daniel glared at the bodyguard.

  “Lorenzo’s duties are to ensure my safety. Money makes enemies and creates friends. True devotion cannot be bought. You obviously care for Isabella. Unless you’ve grown a quick affection for Giovanni, I’m guessing you don’t like him. Or me.”

  Daniel nodded. “True.”

  “Then you would be the one who would selflessly protect my daughter. I can be assured of that. Consider my offer.”