by Jade, Ella
“Let go of me!” I wiggled out of his hold but he only gripped harder.
“They’ve amped the security up around here. I have someone on the inside.” He glanced around the room, particularly at the ceiling. “The word is Dominick is paranoid with his father out of the country. There will be cameras all over this place by next week.”
“You don’t need me if you have someone else.” I tried to reason with him, knowing I’d have to tell Sal everything now. I couldn’t let Franco hurt him.
“Nice try.” He grinned. “The winery will be packed on Friday night. Lots of influential people here. You’re going to get me in.”
“Why?”
“That’s not your concern.”
“I’m not doing it. You said you have someone helping you. Tell them to do it.” They’d never get that far. I’d confess tonight and make this right.
“Are you crazy? I can’t risk leaving my guy in place before I complete this job. He’s long gone. Not a trace of him. You’re going to shut down the cameras so I can have full access.”
“What does that mean? What are you planning?”
“Stop asking me questions!” He tugged on my arm, his grasp so tight I lost circulation. “You’re going to let me in on Friday night. You don't have to worry about what I’m going to do.”
I stared into his ruthless glare.
“Don’t even think about going to Sal. If the Marchellis find out, he’ll pay the price.” He jerked me closer to him. “I may have missed the mark with Vincenzo but I’ve got nothing to lose now. I told you I’d make you watch when I put a bullet between his eyes.”
My body stiffened as my insides heaved. What had I done? As I tried to process how much destruction Franco was capable of, the kitchen doors swung open.
“Rocco!” I pulled out of Franco’s hold.
“What’s going on?” He eyed Franco. “What are you doing here?”
“How unfortunate for your poor timing.”
It all happened so fast. When Franco reached for his gun, Rocco never stood a chance. The shot radiated through the kitchen a second before my boss hit the floor with a loud thump.
“Oh my god!” I screamed, dropping to the floor, and crawling to Rocco. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you do that?”
“To show you I can.” Franco kicked the side of Rocco’s lifeless body. “Did you think I’d leave a witness?”
“Why?” I cried. “I did what you asked. I never said a word to Sal. You didn’t have to do this You didn’t have to kill him.”
“You remember this the next time you think you’re a Marchelli. You’ve already betrayed them.” He headed toward the back door. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Rocco?” I shook him before I started chest compressions. The tears streamed down my face because it was too late. My hands were stained red but I kept trying to no avail. “I’m so sorry.”
This is all my fault.
Chapter Fifteen
Salvatore
Time To Tell The Truth
“Hayden!” I ran through the foyer of the winery, hoping she would be there waiting for me.
“Stop!” Gianni held me back. “We don’t know who’s in here. You have to be quiet.”
Joey was a few feet behind us. “I have Michael and the other guys doing a sweep of the perimeter. I was trying to find Sal,” he said to Dominick. “I’m sorry I didn’t go after the shooter.”
“Your priority is always Sal,” Dominick assured him. “You did the right thing.”
“Have you seen Hayden?” I asked. “She was in the kitchen.”
“That’s where the shot came from.” Joey frowned.
“Move!” I pushed passed Gianni’s solid frame.
“Let us go in first,” Dom insisted. “You stay here.”
“No.”
“If she needs help.” Gianni placed his hand on my shoulder. “You’re wasting time arguing with us.”
“They’re right,” Joey said. “When they say all clear, I’ll take you in myself.”
Dominick and Gianni were already heading for the kitchen when I tried to follow them. “I’m not waiting here.”
“Sal.” Joey grabbed my arm. “Are you sure you’re prepared for what you might find in there?”
I stared into his eyes, realizing what he meant. My pulse quickened but I willed myself to move away from him. “Whatever I find, I know she needs me.”
I made my way to the kitchen with Joey right on me, gun drawn and clearing every step of the way. None of this was ever supposed to touch my winery. Gianni greeted us at the door with a dreaded look in his expression. My brother had nerves of steel. Nothing rattled him but I could see the devastation in his eyes.
“Hayden?” I swallowed hard. “Is she...” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“She’s okay.” When my brother nodded, the fear that had accumulated inside my chest turned to relief. “You should go in but I have to warn you, it’s not good.” He glanced at Joey. “Dom went out through the kitchen. Catch up to him. He might need back up.”
Joey looked to me for reassurance because he didn’t want to leave me. I had been his responsibility for years.
“Go,” I said. “I’m with Gianni. Nothing will happen to me.”
“Sure thing.” He patted my back. “I’m glad you’re all right. When that gun went off...”
“I know.”
Once Joey disappeared through the kitchen, I asked Gianni, “What’s wrong? Why is Hayden still in there?”
“She’s with Rocco.”
“Rocco? What’s he doing here?”
“Sal.” Gianni’s voice was soft. “I’m sorry, man, but Rocco’s gone.”
“Gone like...” No, he wasn’t even supposed to be here. “Let me in there.”
My brother opened the door. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I don’t have an answer for this.”
Hayden crouched over Rocco’s body. Her hands and shirt were covered in his blood. I glanced at Rocco, saying a silent prayer that he would forgive me for my family’s indiscretions.
“I tried to help him,” Hayden sobbed. “I couldn’t.”
Snapping out of my momentary lapse in shock, I dropped down next to her. “It’s okay.” I wrapped my arms around her. “You found him like this?”
“Huh?” she muttered.
Gianni stepped into the kitchen being careful to avoid the pool of blood in the center of the room.
“Don’t you want to go after Dom?” I asked.
“I’m staying with you.” He looked at Hayden. “Did you see who did this?”
“She’s probably in shock.” I held her tighter, trying to keep her from trembling. “This isn’t an everyday occurrence for most of us.”
“No.” Hayden took a deep breath. “I heard something loud.”
“The shot?” Gianni asked.
“I guess.” She closed her eyes, still shaking in my arms. “I don’t know. Rocco was here.”
When Dominick entered the kitchen, Gianni moved toward him. “I didn’t see anything,” he said. “This is a big property with a lot of ground to cover. I have the guys on it but whoever it was is probably long gone.”
“Why would they target Rocco?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Dom shook his head. “Sal, I’m sorry.”
“Did you call the police?” Rocco’s family would be wrecked.
“Not yet.” Dom placed his gun back in the holster.
“We have to.” I took my phone from my pocket. “It’s my place, my responsibility.”
“Not yet,” Dominick said again. “Vince and Santino are on their way. I’m having the surveillance of the property pulled so we can examine it before the cops get here. The more prepared we are, the better.”
“Surveillance?” Hayden let go of my hand. “You’ll be able to see who did it?”
“Don’t worry.” I kissed her temple. “My brothers will handle this. They won’t rest until they know what happened.”
; “Take her upstairs,” Dom said. “I want her out of this.”
“I’m the one who witnessed it,” she insisted.
“Witnessed what?” Dom asked. “You saw who did this?”
“I mean I was here.” Her voice cracked. “I administered CPR.”
“We’ll handle that,” Dom assured her. “There’s no need for you to be involved.”
“You want me to leave a scene of a crime?”
“Take her out of here.” Dominick motioned to me. “We’ll be upstairs soon. Joey’s waiting for you by the elevator. He’ll escort you up and make sure the loft is clear.”
“Come on.” I stood and extended my hand for her. “Dominick is right. This doesn’t concern us.”
“Sal,” Gianni called as we headed down the hall. “We don’t know if this has anything to do with the Marchellis.”
“That would be one hell of a coincidence. Wouldn’t it?”
HAYDEN
When I gazed up, I found Sal testing the water for the shower. The jets streamed at full force while the steam swirled around the master bathroom. I vaguely remembered riding in the elevator and coming into the loft. Joey and a few other men were with us but I don’t recall them leaving. I kept replaying what had happened to Rocco. The gun went off and he hit the floor. His eyes were opened when he fell. He never saw it coming.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He reached for the hem of my shirt. “Okay?”
I nodded as he removed my blood-stained shirt. “I don’t know what happened.” I sobbed when I saw my red hands and forearms, serving as a reminder of Rocco’s fate. “We were going to order in. I wanted you to try the new dressing.”
“If anything would have happened to you... I don’t know what I would’ve done. When we heard the shot, all I wanted to do was get to you.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because when you’re with me there will always be risks that I can’t control.” He held me in his arms. “I should have explained that. Prepared you for what could happen.”
“I know who you are.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “None of this is your fault. Quite the opposite really.”
“It’s easy to blame my family. I struggle with that all the time but they do their best to protect me.”
“Not your family.” How could I explain this to him? “Sal, you don’t understand.” I took a breath. “It’s my fault.”
“Don’t say that.” He set his palm on my cheek, caressing my skin. “You tried to save Rocco. You did everything you could.”
“No.” The tears streamed down my face when I thought about Rocco. “He was so good to me. He taught me so much and now...” He died because of me. “Why?”
“Shh.” He swiped his thumb under my eye, wiping away the fresh tears. “You’ve been traumatized. Take a hot shower. I’ll pour you a drink and we can talk about it then.”
“Maybe the shower will clear my head.” Then I’d have the courage to tell him the truth. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Being you.”
“I’ll always be here for you.” He gently kissed my lips. “I love you.”
“I...” I couldn’t hold back my sobs. “I love you too.”
“I could stay with you, if you want.”
“That’s okay.” I stared at him, getting a good look at the man who might never forgive me in a few minutes. The honest person who wanted to make his own way in the world despite his last name. I was the one who let in the enemy and shattered his hopes and dreams. “I won’t be long.”
TEN MINUTES LATER, I was out of the shower and dressed but it didn’t help. I was still the same liar I was before I stepped into that stall. Because of me, Rocco was dead. I betrayed Sal. I should have turned Franco away that first time but I had no idea the destruction he would cause. He shot Rocco without hesitation. There wasn’t an ounce of remorse in his eyes. He would have done the same to Sal. I did what I thought was right at the time but now as it all crumbled around me. I saw the circumstances in a completely different light.
Sal gazed out the window, deep in thought. He held a drink, distant and lost. He blamed himself. I wondered how I could ever make this right. The pain in his heart was splashed across his face. “Rocco has a mom and three sisters. Two nieces. He adores...” He closed his eyes. “Adored them.”
I joined him by the window, taking his hand. “He spoke of them often.”
“He supported all of them.” He sipped his drink. “I’ll make sure they never want for anything.”
“You’re a good person.”
“Am I?”
“Of course.”
“My family does everything to protect the Marchellis but innocent people get caught in the crossfire and then we comfort and support those left behind. Do you know how many families have lost their loved ones because of mine? Do you know how many widows and children my father sends money to every month?”
“This isn’t your burden.”
“It is today.” When he sighed, I couldn’t take his pain. “I wish I knew why Rocco was here.”
“Sal.” A wave of nausea coursed through my stomach, making it as far as my throat before I pushed it back. “I have to tell you something.”
“Do you want a drink?” He motioned toward the bottle of Jack on the table, not as focused as I wanted him to be. “I needed something stronger than wine.”
“No, I don’t feel very good.”
“I’m sorry.” He led me to the sofa, the one we should have been sitting on and having dinner right now or making love on. Anything but this. “I’ve been making this about me. You must be so shaken.”
I sat down next to him, placing my head in my hands. “I can’t stop thinking about Rocco.”
“We’ll get through this together.” He stroked my hair. “I need you.”
“I hope you always feel that way.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” He held me to him. “You’re upset. I don’t want you to worry about anything. We’re safe. Dominick will make sure of that.”
“You don’t understand. There’s something I have to—”
The doorbell chimed through the loft, interrupting my confession. Part of me was relieved because I couldn’t find the courage to say what needed to be said.
“That’s probably my brothers.” He got up to answer the door. “They have access to the elevator.”
When Sal opened the door, all four of them appeared in the entryway. Santino and Vincenzo hugged Sal, offering their condolences for Rocco.
“None of this makes sense,” Santino said. “But we will get justice.”
“Santino.” Dominick shook his head. “That’s a conversation for another day.”
“Preferably when I’m not in the room.” Vince glanced at me but didn’t say anything. That wasn’t like him. He was the polite one. The voice of reason.
Come to think of it, none of them acknowledged my presence. An odd, dark sensation came over me. That sick feeling came back, stronger than before. They know!
“We have a problem.” When Dominick stared at me with intimidation in his expression, I realized I was the problem.
I stood from the sofa, my legs buckling beneath me. “I can go in the other room.”
“You should stay,” Dominick suggested.
“She’s not feeling well.” Sal took my hand.
“No, I guess not. Betrayal isn’t for the faint of heart.” Dominick glared at me. “Gianni, show Sal what you have.”
Gianni clutched the tablet to his chest, reluctant to hand it over. “It’s the surveillance right before the gun went off.”
“Does it show who did it?” Sal asked.
“We know who did it,” Santino said. “A problem that should have been resolved last summer.”
“Santino.” Dominick raised his voice. “If you can’t shut up, I’ll make you wait downstairs.”
“Let me see it,” Sal insisted. “Who?”
/> “Franco.” Gianni’s jaw tightened.
When he confirmed who had done this to Rocco, my weight shifted and I leaned against Sal. He tightened his grip on my hand.
“It’s okay,” he assured me. “They’ll handle it.”
“Here.” Gianni tapped play on the video, exposing me for the fraud that I was.
“That’s the back of the building,” Sal observed. “I didn’t know we had cameras out there.”
“We have cameras everywhere,” Gianni admitted. “I had them installed a few weeks ago.”
“Without telling me?” Sal’s body stiffened.
“Does it fucking matter?” Dominick shouted. “Show him the rest.”
“Dom, is that really necessary?” Vincenzo asked. “We could do it later.”
“No, what else is there?” Sal studied the screen as he let go of my hand. “You were in the kitchen with Franco first,” he whispered. “How could that be?”
“I...” The five of them stared at me, waiting for my explanation.
“That’s not the way you said it happened.” He studied the screen. “You said you found him in the kitchen.”
“I know.”
“Then what the hell is this?”
Chapter Sixteen
Salvatore
Betrayal Cuts Deep
“What were you doing in the kitchen with Franco? Why was he here? Why didn’t you tell me?” Why would she lie to me?
“Can we go somewhere so I can tell you?”
“We have it on the security cameras. Franco got here first. He was probably waiting for you. Then you arrived. You were in the kitchen five minutes before Rocco showed up.”
“I can explain.”
“You can explain what?” Dominick asked. “Working with Franco? Being an accomplice to Rocco’s murder?”
“No, I would never.”
“You would never what?” he yelled. “Tell us what happened.”
“Dom.” Gianni placed his hand on our oldest brother’s shoulder. “Why don’t you let Sal handle this?”
My brothers dispersed around the loft but all were in earshot, waiting for her explanation.
“Can we talk in private?” Hayden pleaded with me. “I’ll tell you everything.”