“Stop it.” Mercedes massaged her temple. “Stop it.” She then cried again as she asked, “What are you? A ghost sent to torture me?”
Sophie’s heart shattered, and she realized she felt sorry for Mercedes too. She should close the door and give Michael privacy but then Michael asked Mercedes, “This Dante. You loved him?”
“Yes.” Mercedes answered fast.
Sophie peered through the opening. Michael leaned closer to Mercedes. “For how long?”
“For all of my life.” Mercedes brought trembling fingers to her mouth.
Sophie watched like this was in a movie and not her life that was being sucked out like a vacuum.
Michael spoke with harsh confidence. “And how long after he died, did you marry Mr. Pearce?”
Mercedes’ face went white. “That’s not fair.”
“It’s time to go, Mrs. Pearce.” Michael straightened his tie.
Mercedes turned toward the door to leave. “You’re right. You are too cold to be my Dante.”
Sophie jumped back and let the door close. However she heard Michael’s parting words. “There you are—Dante is dead.”
Sophie took off at full speed to the lobby, her heart racing. Mercedes was right behind her but the woman didn’t slow as she passed Sophie and went into the restaurant and the party.
Michael followed at a sedate walk, as if nothing awful had just happened in the women’s restroom. His gaze locked with hers, his hand went to her lower back and he kissed her cheek.
Part of her wanted to scream, but instead she walked outside with him. Michael handed the valet his ticket and the young man hurried off to call for the limo.
She couldn’t keep quiet any longer and asked, “Michael, is everything okay?”
“It’s time to go, my love.”
Her heart stopped. If he loved her then he’d not even look at another woman, including his ex. She averted her gaze. “You kissed her.”
He reached out and grabbed her wrist as the limo stopped in front of them. She turned toward him and Michael said, “She kissed me and I felt nothing for her.”
Nothing? Her heart whispered to believe him, but he had so much revenge in his heart that she ignored the inclination. Her gaze narrowed. “Are you sure?”
He held open the door for her to get inside. “More certain than ever. Tomorrow my plan unfolds perfectly.”
If she ran off because of hurt pride, she’d abandon her sisters, along with her hopes for a future with Michael. She scooted inside the car and waited. Michael joined her and she couldn’t ignore the jackhammer of her heart anymore. She lowered her gaze. “I’m scared for you Michael.”
He whispered and held out his hand. “Then hold me tonight. I don’t want to let you go.”
She crawled on his lap and let his arms help her feel protected and loved. If only she could believe her feelings. She placed her hand on his chest and then told him, “When I’m with you, I believe in the impossible. Please don’t disappoint me.”
“Then I am truly blessed.” He claimed her lips. She heard his slight moan and hoped that meant he felt something with her. The truth hit her hard. It was far too late for her. She loved Michael and she needed to help him even if it meant risking her neck. She couldn’t let Michael’s quest for revenge destroy a possible future for them.
Chapter 17
Sophie woke up even though it was still dark outside, and the sun wasn’t up yet. She turned toward the empty pillow in a panic and realized that the sheets were still warm from Michael’s imprint. She sat up, detecting footsteps in the bathroom.
Not too late. She scooted off the bed as the door opened. Michael walked out in dark jeans and a white t-shirt that showed the tip of his cross tattoo.
He walked over and ran his hand through her hair. “Sophie, I must go.”
“It’s still early.” She stood. Once he was gone, she would spend every second wondering what she might do to help him and bring him home.
He kissed her forehead. “The earlier I go, the earlier I can return and we can start the rest of our lives.”
“Hurry.” She closed her eyes. He kissed her and she forgot about everything else until he let her go.
The second the door closed, she rushed into the bathroom and cleaned herself up. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a navy blue t-shirt that had no words and fit her perfectly.
Michael was already gone when she came out, but she grabbed her pocketbook and dug out Mercedes’ address. His ex was a part of his plan, so she’d go there first.
Sophie called herself a car that would arrive in two minutes. Then she knocked on Emily’s door and peeked her head inside. Her sister was lying on her bed, reading another book. “Emily, can you make sure neither you nor your sisters go out this morning, at least not until I get home?”
Emily closed her book and sat up. “Where are you going and where’s Michael?”
The last thing she needed was a teenager who could get in trouble tagging along. There was already someone out to kill them and her family was safe, here. She stood taller. “He’s gone already. I have to go help him.”
Emily shrugged and sank back in her bed, picking up her book. “Okay, not a problem. Have fun.”
Her phone beeped that the car had arrived. She closed the door and headed to the front door and saw a Toyota Rav 4 outside the gate. She climbed into the car after double checking that the license plate matched her phone app. The driver took off after programming Mercedes’ address and Sophie’s mind raced.
She wasn’t sure what she’d say to Mercedes or where Michael was exactly, but today she couldn’t be afraid, not anymore. Her heart pumped but her body was full of adrenaline already.
As they exited the highway, the driver casually said, “There isn’t much going on in the Grove this early, ma’am.”
Miami, in general, was known for its nightlife, and the days at the beach. Mornings tended to be peaceful. She didn’t blink. “I’m going to visit a friend.”
The driver continued down a small road. “I’ve dropped people off for extravagant evening parties at this address—but the last month has been quiet.”
So, no parties recently. Had the couple been out of town? Or worse… Sophie remembered how Michael watched the Pearce’s bank accounts on his computer. “Interesting. Well thanks for bringing me here.”
The driver stopped in front of the house and let her out. She tipped him very well.
The mansion was done in the art deco style with blue shutters just for show. The white exterior was so glossy she could see her reflection.
She walked up the steps and rang the doorbell, hoping this wasn’t a mistake. But how else to help Michael?
Her nerves raced through her as she heard footsteps inside and part of her wanted to run. However as the doors were unlocked and then opened, Mercedes’ eyes widened with surprise to see Sophie on her front step. “You and Michael left the party early last night! I looked everywhere to say goodbye.”
Now or never. Sophie’s heart beat wildly but she held the woman’s gaze. “We had a lot to discuss. I saw you in the bathroom.”
Mercedes looked like she’d swallowed air. Even though she was dressed in a Kelly green day dress with full makeup, her face paled but she opened her door in welcome. “Come inside. My husband is just leaving. Please give me two minutes.”
Hopefully Mercedes would think that Sophie had come over to fight with her, but there was no need to make a total scene. She bowed her head and walked over the threshold. “Very well.”
Their house was modern with a taste for squares, everywhere. The picture frames, the mirrors, the tiles on the floor.
Edmond Pearce rushed down a flight of stairs that had no foundation and narrowed his gaze on her. “Ms. Mira, it’s nice to see you this morning. Mercedes, come say goodbye.”
Mercedes walked with her husband to the front door. Sophie strained to listen as Edmond whispered, “Keep her here. I’m off to meet Chris at the docks.”
; “On it.”
The docks. Michael was probably there too. She mentally prepared how to get away from Mercedes if she tried to force her to stay against her will. Anything less than a gun, Sophie would claw her way out if she had to, for Michael’s sake.
The door opened and closed while Sophie walked into the living room, assessing the area. She saw nothing to use as a weapon.
Mercedes returned and sat on the couch, indicating Sophie should sit too. “So my husband is gone. We can talk now.”
Right. She needed to appear angry about last night. Sophie sat in the chair closer to the door and possible escape and crossed her arms. “You kissed my Michael.”
A servant brought in two cups of tea and some sweet pastries. Mercedes set them both up with the plate in the middle. Mercedes took a small bite of a scone. “Is he really your Michael or is he my Dante?”
Sophie set a petite cranberry scone on her dish. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Mercedes put her plate down, sat back, and crossed her arms. “My husband was always my backup choice. I’d have married Dante and stayed with the man I loved forever.”
Michael thought Mercedes was part of the conspiracy against him and his family. She finished her bite and swallowed. “Then why didn’t you?”
Mercedes dropped her arms to her side and closed her eyes, swept away on a dream. “Life interfered. He was arrested and I thought he’d died.”
Oh no. What if Mercedes was innocent and her planned life with Dante stolen? Sophie had no idea what she’d do if she was in the other woman’s shoes.
Mercedes straightened and picked up her tea. “Did Dante send you?”
Sophie pressed her lips together but then also leaned closer for her delicate cup. Her heart was in her throat now, but she tried to sound calm and cool. “Michael doesn’t know I’m here. I’m trying to figure out why you kissed him at my engagement party.”
Mercedes sipped her tea and stared quizzically at her. “The questions make it seem like you know more than you say, Ms. Mira.”
Great. She’d dealt with women trying to get things out of her in the past, but Mercedes was better than most. Sophie sipped her tea. “Avoiding the question makes me think you kissed my fiancé for more reasons than the distant past.”
Neither one of them said anything else. Part of Sophie wanted to hear that Mercedes wanted Michael so she understood the kiss, and another part hoped Michael was right about Mercedes being in on his plan. Sophie hoped this was all and that jealousy had only a slight tinge of responsibility for why she stayed.
Footsteps echoed from upstairs and Mercedes stood. Sophie followed Mercedes to the hall, unsure of who else might be in the house. A teenage boy the spitting image of Michael walked to the bottom step.
Sophie took a step back in surprise.
Mercedes must have had Michael’s son. No wonder she’d said “it wasn’t fair” to Michael last night. He probably had no clue. Sophie stared at the boy and saw Michael.
Mercedes motioned for her son to come closer. “Dane, hang on a minute. Sophie Mira, this is my son.”
And the name was close to Dante. Sophie saw no other possibility in her mind other than what she’d surmised. What did Edmond think of that?
Dane kissed Mercedes’ cheek. “Nice to meet you. Mom, I’m heading out now.”
“Have fun at Jose’s and good luck in the game.”
Dane winked. “Thanks.”
Sophie waited until she heard the door close and then retook her seat. “Your son looks like my Michael.”
Mercedes’ face went red as she sat as well and she looked at her teacup. “Everyone believes he looks like my husband, Edmond.”
Her husband was shorter and his face was square with a bigger nose. Even as teenagers in that photo Michael had, he’d been the hot one compared to the smaller boy. Sophie sipped her tea—pushing for answers. “I don’t see how. Were you pregnant when you married, Mrs. Pearce?”
Mercedes’ jaw clenched, and she put her tea down. “I was, not that it matters. It was long ago.”
Sophie scooted her tea on the coffee table as well. She braced her body in case this went ugly fast, but she stood and smiled. “I see. Well, I should be going.”
Mercedes also stood and blocked one way toward the door. “Let me call you a car.”
The openness of the house made getting to the front door easy. Sophie backed up. “It’s unnecessary.”
“I’m afraid I can’t let you leave.” Mercedes came toward her.
Sophie’s hands became fists in case she needed to fight, but she backed herself to the front door and swung it open. “Sorry you’ll disappoint your husband’s orders, Mercedes. And next time keep your lips off my fiancé.”
In her run down the driveway her words seemed meaningless—though Michael having a son changed things. She raced toward the ocean and an open restaurant that would have breakfast customers and a place for her to hide in plain sight.
Her breaths came fast, but she took out her phone and ordered a car service and rushed inside the restaurant where she immediately heard laughter and plate-scraping and lots of conversations.
Good. She pretended to look at a menu until her phone beeped and she went outside to get in her car. Rather than go home, she would find Michael at the docks.
Getting away had been easier than she’d anticipated. Had Mercedes let her go? She relaxed in the backseat of a Nissan Altima that drove the short distance to the port. As they neared the security gate, the driver glanced at her and said, “You have no bags for a cruise, ma’am.”
Right. That was logical. She tried to appear calm as she formulated something to say that wouldn’t be suspicious in front of guards. She sat straighter. “My husband is bringing them. I’m meeting him there.”
“Very well.” The driver and the guard exchanged a few more pleasantries and they passed through the gate.
Huge cruise ships had passengers ready to board hours before the ships let people on and others were milling around the offices that checked people onto their ships.
Finally, they passed the cruises and she spotted the merchandise ships and crates. She pulled on the door handle. “Here, let me out.”
The driver unlocked the doors and she jumped out. “Thanks.”
He drove off, eager for his next fare.
Her skin prickled as she walked toward a merchant ship, her body alert.
Somehow she could sense that Michael was close, but the ship seemed empty.
She clutched her stomach, unsure what to do as she wasn’t about to trespass and risk being arrested. But then her muscles tensed and something cold and round was pressed against her neck.
Her old boss said, “Sophie Mira, you just made killing you so much easier.”
Arms snaked around her waist and she was forced forward.
She saw no way out of this. She had no defenses from a gun and honestly this was all her own making. Michael had told her to stay home and she knew Daniel wanted to kill her. Thinking with her heart had brought her here.
Chapter 18
The cold metal pressed against Sophie’s neck sent tension throughout her body. She reached up and tugged on the muscular arm that held her as she said, “Daniel.”
Her former boss ran his other hand down her back and left a frozen tundra of skin in his path. “Glad you remembered the man whose life you ruined. I’ve wanted to kill you myself but the FBI made that impossible.”
Then kill her for being an idiot and be done. She didn’t say that, but instead tugged on his arm again. “Just leave my sisters alone.”
The gun pressed tighter into her throat while he laughed. “Once I finish with you, that teenage sister of yours will be a tasty treat.”
“No!” She pulled at his arm with all her might. Her sisters were innocent. She yanked so hard she almost had his arm down.
He used his other hand and tightened his grip, pointing the gun. “Try that again and you will be dead right here.”
N
o. She couldn’t let anything happen to her sisters. She gasped for air.
A gruff male voice called out, “Daniel, we have more important things. Bring the girl up here.”
Daniel lowered the gun. She took a deep breath, but it didn’t help much as he said, “Seems you have a momentary reprieve, Sophie.”
As she was dragged onto the ship, her gaze caught sight of Michael. Two men held him and his hands were cuffed behind him. His eyes widened as he shouted. “Sophie!”
Simon, Daniel’s brother, grabbed her arm and pointed for Daniel to hand her over. Daniel struggled for a moment with his brother but walked her over to Michael.
Her hands were free for a second but then she and Michael were both pushed into a small room. Simon said, “So it seems I’ve relieved you of your money, Mr. Haniel. You and your fiancée can die together. We’ll call it my engagement present.” He bowed like this was a gift. “It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
The door slammed shut.
She ran to the door but heard footsteps fading away as she banged on it.
Without a word or a fight, Michael sat on a chair and reached for his shoe. She walked over to him, knelt down, and unlaced his shoe. He grunted, but continued to reach for his sock. Strange. She decided to check his sock and found a key. “Are you okay, Michael?”
“Don’t talk, Sophie. Not until we’re sure they’re gone.”
Without another word he motioned for her to give him the key. She did and watched him release the cuffs around his wrists while his eyes turned almost black. Silence clung in the air now, but Michael broke it first. “Sophie. I told you to stay home.”
Now wasn’t the time to be angry about that. She stood, brushed her knees free of dust and argued, “We’re trapped! I came to help.”
He stood from the chair and looked out the small port window. It was almost like he counted for patience. She did that sometimes when her sisters frustrated her.
Her breaths became even.
Michael turned toward her. “Be calm. This was all part of my plan. Jack is getting my money first. Edmond is about to realize he’s completely bankrupt, including what he thinks he just stole from me.”
Hidden Michael Page 11