Image of Deceit

by Raines, Rumer

  “Are you blaming me? I didn’t tell either of you because I wanted a chance with him.” I stiffened at the challenge.

  “I am not blaming you for shit. You are blaming us because he was killed. You are blaming us that his family doesn’t know he’s dead.” Frank reminds me.

  “You’re right I am blaming you for that. Someone could have called the cops, Frank. You are the mob, you could have made sure they never knew it was you calling, and his family would know what happened to him.” I take a quick, sharp breath.

  “We don’t call the cops, Alexis. We never call them. I thought this was made clear to you?” Frank reminds me, and I am stunned by his cool appraisal. I shake my head and start to chuckle.

  “Yes… it was made clear to me. It was also made clear to me that if Noah doesn’t leave town, he’ll end up next to Nick,” I say angrily to Frank and he stares at Alex, surprise on his face.

  “You shouldn’t have been told that, Alexis.” Frank gives me a sidelong glance of utter disbelief.

  “Is it not true, Frank? Will you stay away from Noah?” I stare at Frank waiting for his response and notice he’s gritting his teeth.

  “I can’t make that promise, Alexis. Your boyfriend, Noah, is sticking his nose in places it doesn’t belong. He is asking the right questions to the wrong people.” He clenched his mouth tighter and leaned towards me, his eyes cold.

  “What are you talking about Frank?” I lean back and close my eyes.

  “Your boyfriend is walking into police stations showing pictures to dirty cops, Alexis. The same dirty cops who had a hand in getting rid of Nick. The same dirty cops who aren’t going to let him end their freedom.” Alex smirks and his dark eyebrows arched arrogantly.

  “You didn’t think that we could do all this on our own, did you? Your boyfriend wants to walk into a courthouse and get search warrants for Nick’s apartment and financial records. We are told, Alexis. He asks questions from people on our payroll who help us cover up shit. They aren’t going to be happy when he is asking questions that can lead back to them,” Alex quirked his eyebrow.

  “You do understand why it’s not good if he stays here and asks questions?” his brows draw downwards in a frown and Frank sighs.

  “Alexis, it is for the best if he doesn’t stay in Chicago,” Frank adds, and I look at them and nod realizing that I am not just looking at my brothers but at the images of deceit.

  How am I going to get Noah out of Chicago? He just bought a house for us. I was shocked when the words came out of his mouth. Our house. Noah knew I was afraid our relationship wouldn’t survive the distance and he bought a fucking house. He wouldn’t have done that if I was just a fling or if he wasn’t serious about me. The worst part about any of this shit is I could imagine spending time with him in our house.

  Noah

  It’s been two days since Alexis walked out on me again. I haven’t tried to contact her, I am trying to give her space. I am hoping that she realizes that I am in this for the long haul. Every time my phone rings, I pray that It’s her, but it never is. I have been bombarded with calls from Maurice and Sam. I have answered Maurice’s calls since its business related, but I have ignored all of Sam’s. Sam is a beautiful girl, but I don’t know what the hell Nick saw in her. I almost wonder if she badgered him into marriage. I can see why he spent so much time in Chicago. Alexis is totally opposite of Sam. Whereas Sam is pushy, loud, and demanding, Alexis is none of these things. Sam wants to be taken out and spoiled and Alexis is happy having a quiet dinner at home and watching TV in bed.

  Another day passes, and I still haven’t heard from Alexis. I have had enough of this shit and decide to go talk to her. The last thing I want to do is bother her again at work. I glance at my watch and see that there are a few hours until the store closes. I decide to send her a text.

  Noah: I am going to Deluca’s. Meet me once the store closes.

  I don’t get a response and I start to wonder if Alexis is going to ignore me.

  Alexis: Don’t go to Deluca’s

  Noah: I’ll be there when the store closes. Just meet me there.

  Alexis: Noah… DO NOT GO to Deluca’s

  Noah: Why? It’s either there or the store. I want to see you.

  Alexis: I’ll come by your place.

  Noah: Our place.

  I wait but she never responds. All the furniture that I purchased has been delivered. Hopefully, Alexis will like it. I lock up the house and grab a cab to head to the store. Even if Alexis is coming to the house, I want to be able to have a beer with her and maybe I’ll even throw something in the oven.

  I have a sick feeling as I walk around the store. I think I am being watched, but when I stop and look behind me there is no one there. I always trust my intuition and I know something isn’t right. When I turn around and head back in the direction I came from, I see a big guy staring at something on the shelf. I walk behind him and pretend to start looking at something on the shelf behind where he is standing. I catch him peeking over at me, so I walk over to stand next to him and he looks at me. I narrow my eyes staring at me realizing that I have seen him before. I just can’t recall where the hell I have seen him?

  “Do I know you?” I ask, and he turns to look at me with dead eyes.

  “I don’t think so,” he advises and turns his back and walks away from me.

  I watch him walk away and finish gathering the items for my night with Alexis.

  By the time the salmon is done, I have showered and dressed. I check the time and realize she should be here at any moment.

  Alexis doesn’t look happy when I open the door. I can already tell this is going to be a long night. I move aside, and she walks in and brushes past me and I can feel the chill coming from her.

  “Why are you doing this, Noah?” her eyebrows raised inquiringly.

  “I wanted to have dinner with you. Is something wrong with that?” I tell her, and her eyebrows now rise in amazement.

  “I told you to leave Chicago.” Her voice is now more demanding, and I take a deep sigh as I walk closer to her

  “I told you I wasn’t leaving unless you’re coming with me,” I smiled, thinking about it. I would love to take Alexis back to Boston with me. I have so much to offer her. We can always use this house for weekend getaways. I just can’t stand the thought of being away from her.

  “Noah… why are you doing this? I don’t know how many ways I can tell you that we’re over!” Alexis practically yells at me, but I shake my head letting her know that I won’t accept what she is saying. We both know she is lying.

  “Tell me why,” I demand.

  “Why?” A momentary look of discomfort crossed her face

  “Yes… tell me why, Alexis. Tell me why you don’t want what we have. Tell me why you're trying to send me back across the damn country to get away from you. Tell me why or stop telling me to leave,” I insist.

  I step forward and clasp her body tightly to mine. My gaze travels over her face and I search her eyes. I know exactly what I am seeing. Alexis wants me just as much as I want her.

  It feels so good having her in my arms, and I can feel her racing heartbeat against my chest. “I made you dinner and I don’t cook for anyone,” I whisper in her ear and notice when she takes a deep breath.

  We have a nice dinner and I finally have Alexis relaxed enough to start talking to me. She starts to talk about the store and her future business plans, but I notice she doesn’t talk about her brothers. They seemed to be major players in her life. I also notice that she doesn’t ask me about my family either.

  I take one of her hands and pull it to my lips to give her a soft kiss. I notice Alexis’ eyes darken, and I pull her chair closer to me and she lets out a squeal. My lips press against hers, then gently cover her mouth. My lips soon became hard and searching and I could feel Alexis parting her lips as she raised herself to meet my kiss.

  I stand up, lifting her in my arms and head to our bedroom. I carefully place her on the bed as
she giggles and watches me. I quickly undress as she watches every move I make. Once undressed, I pull her pants off and climb on the bed to help her out of her blouse. I ease the lacy cup of her bra aside and let my tongue pay special attention to each breast. She writhed beneath me, eager to touch my skin.

  Slowly my hands moved downward, skimming either side of her body as I reach her thighs. I am desperate to taste her and hold her thighs while I move down between her legs. Alexis gasps as if she’s in sweet agony as I lick her folds and sucked on her clit. The taste of her sweet juices becomes overwhelming as I suck and hold her down as she tried to climb up the bed to get away. I sit up and pull her back down as I grab my hard dick and notice that her eyes are closed. I lean over to kiss her on the lips as I slowly push myself into her tight, hot pussy. Alexis groans and she meets me thrust for thrust. I sat up throwing her legs over my shoulders, so I can reach deeper and Alexis moans loader with erotic pleasure.

  With every thrust, I try to prove to Alexis that we belong together. I thrust several more times into her and she when she comes, I follow.

  Alexis is lying in my arms and there is no way I will let myself fall asleep. Every fucking time I fall asleep, she disappears.

  Alexis

  Noah has his arm and leg thrown over me holding me in a tight grip. I know he’s awake, and I know I will not be allowed out of this bed without talking to him. When he opened the door tonight, it took everything in me not to throw myself into his arms. I have missed him so much that it hurts. He was right when he said that I didn’t mean it when I told him to leave and that we’re over.

  “What are you thinking about, baby?” Noah whispers in my ear and I wonder if I should pretend to be sleep.

  “I know you’re awake. I felt you tense up when you realized you’re still in bed with me.” Noah nuzzles against my neck and I shiver at the touch of his stubble on my skin. It instantly brings back memories of that same stubble being between my legs earlier.

  I whisper that I am fine, but like everything else, it is a lie. I don’t know what I am supposed to do. My heart is telling me to be honest with Noah and tell him everything. I feel that Noah loves me and would understand if I am truthful and open with him. My head is telling me to keep my mouth shut and get him the hell out of town. I can’t put him in danger, and if he stays I believe that whoever is working with Frank and Alex will ‘handle’ him or whatever the hell they do with people.

  I wish there was some way I could talk to Frank and Alex and convince them to let me and Noah live in peace and be happy. Would Alex and Frank back off if I told Noah the truth and he accepted it? Or would this only put a target on Noah’s back? I would never forgive myself if anything happened to him because I put myself first. This is what I would be doing, isn’t it? I would be putting my own happiness before Noah’s safety.

  “Baby… you’re getting tense again. Will you please just talk to me damn it?” Noah groans as he pulls me even closer and I feel his hard cock against my ass, which causes me to groan.

  “I was thinking about breakfast,” I lie, and his knowing eyes narrow at me. We have spent enough time together to know when the other isn’t telling the truth. I am lying in his bed, in his strong, secure arms where I feel so protected and loved and yet, I lie to him. I am no better than Alex or Frank.

  “Breakfast?” Noah asks pulling me from my self-hating thoughts and I nod.

  ““You don’t trust me.” His mouth took on an unpleasant twist.

  “I trust you, Noah. Why would you say that?” I ask.

  “No, you don’t, Alexis. Something is bothering you and I have asked you several times to talk to me. Baby, I will take away any problem that you have if you just let me.” His eyes darken dangerously.

  “You can’t take away all my problems Noah,” I advise.

  “I can, Alexis. Why don’t you let me prove it to you? I have money and power and I can and will use it for you.” He studies me thoughtfully for a moment.

  “You might have those things in Boston, but not in Chicago, Noah. There are people here that you just can’t mess with,” I advise him knowing that those people are my brothers and possibly the people I considered my friends.

  “These are people that you deal with, Alexis?” he asked in a grudging voice and I don’t know how to answer his question. This is the point where my heart and mind reached an important impasse.

  “I need to go, Noah,” I whisper as I try to avoid looking into his dark eyes.

  “Alexis, I already lost someone important to me here in Chicago, I am not going to lose you too. Nick walked away from my family without looking back. Don’t do the same thing to me,” his hoarse whisper broke me.

  “Nick didn’t walk away from you, Noah.” I blurted out, scarcely aware of my own voice.

  Noah closes his eyes and lowers his head.

  “What are you saying, Alexis?” There was a cold edge in his voice. I am close to answering his question when the doorbell rings. I notice the agitation in Noah’s eyes when his business partner, Maurice, shows up at the house. I use the visit to my advantage and quickly get dressed and leave them to go over their business. Noah walks me to the door and pulls me close to whisper in my ear.

  “We are not done with this conversation baby.”

  Noah

  “YOU’RE FUCKING HER!” Maurice yells the minute I close the door. I walk past him and back into the kitchen to sign the contracts that should have been mailed and not hand delivered.

  “We are not talking about her,” I reply as Maurice starts to pace the kitchen.

  “You were supposed to be looking for Nick, not fucking his mistress,” Maurice spits out and I see red when he calls her Nick’s mistress.

  “Will you fuck off? I didn’t know who she was until you showed me those damn pictures AFTER I got back home,” I remind him, and he starts to chuckle.

  I clenched my mouth tighter as I turned away from Maurice. When I went back to Boston Maurice gave me information that I wish I never had received. He handed me a folder that had photos of Nick and Alexis…together.

  All this time I was looking for clues about Nick’s disappearance and I was sleeping with the person who had them.

  “You know who she is now and still you didn’t put your dick away, did you? His voice was heavy with sarcasm

  “Who the fuck are you talking to, Maurice?” I ask, and he shakes his head and walks out of the room. I grab the signed paperwork and follow him. Maurice heads straight for the front window and glances out for a few /minutes before turning to look at me.

  “There is shit you don’t know, Noah. I didn’t want to tell you this, but I think Nick was connected,” Maurice whispers and I tilt my head.

  “What do you mean connected? Connected to what?”

  “I think Nick was connected to the mob,” Maurice says, and I immediately shake the thought off. There is no way in hell Nick was connected to the damn mob. Nick was so clean he practically squeaked when he walked. I let out a small growl as Maurice turns to face me.

  “I can promise that you're wrong. Hell, I would believe it more if you said I was connected. Nick would never get involved in that shit,” I said matter-of-factly.

  “Noah… the PI that was watching him, told me that he saw Nick with known mobsters. I would have gotten more information if he didn’t deliver me the photos and basically disappeared on me.” Maurice replies, and he now has my full attention

  “What do you mean he disappeared?

  “I mean that the last time I saw him he was so fucking scared I thought he would piss his pants talking to me. He told me that he would contact me in a few days and I haven’t heard from him. I tried calling him and his voicemail box is full. He has dropped off the grid.” Maurice advises.

  “Maybe he just got sick of dealing with you,” I tell him in a grudging voice.

  “No. He was scared, Noah. I hate to bring this up, but if Nick was involved in the Mob, your little girlfriend knows about it. Did you even tell
her that you’re Nick’s brother?” he asks, and I shake my head

  “No. I want her to open up to me when she is ready.”

  “Do I need to remind you that your parents and Sam are in Boston thinking you’re here looking for him?” Maurice says to me as if I need the reminder.

  “Let’s say your PI is right and Nick did get tied into this mob shit. Maybe that’s why he walked away from us. He would never want to bring that shit near our parents or Sam,” I tell him, and he closes his eyes and reopens them, looking at me.

  “Or maybe he can’t figure out how to get out,” he says.

  After Maurice has completely fucked up my mind, he catches a flight back to Boston. I have never felt more relieved to see anyone leave. He’s been full of bad news lately. First, he shows me those damn pictures of Alexis with Nick and now he’s trying to convince me that Nick was in the mob?

  I don’t care what any PI says, if he can’t provide the evidence to back up the claim. Nick was never and could never be involved with the mob. Maurice is only providing circumstantial evidence and unless Nick tells me personally, I won’t believe any of it. Nothing is worse than believing things about people when it comes from an unreliable source. If you want the facts about a person, you should ask that person.

  A few hours later, I am standing in Alexis’ busy store.

  The girl that was here the last time, finishes with her customer and smiles as she walks over toward me.

  “Hi. I take it you're waiting for Alexis? She asks and there is a gentle softness in her voice.

  “I am.” My tone was apologetic. I know Alexis hates me coming here and the girl sticks out her hand to me and my eyebrows lift.

  “I’m Adele, her sister-in-law,” she said firmly. I nod my head and place my hand in hers.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Noah.”

  Adele softly nods her head and opens her mouth to say something, but before anything comes out, Alexis interrupts us, grabbing me by the arm. As she is pulling me out the store, she tells Adele that she will be back in ten minutes. Adele nods and waves at me and I lift my hand to wave back, but I bump into someone. Alexis gasps and I turn to meet the angry dark eyes of her brother, who I recall seeing at Deluca’s. He takes a deep breath and looks between Alexis and me and I wonder why the hell is this guy so pissed off. You would think that he just caught me leaving with his wife and not his sister?