Beautiful Regret

by MJ Nightingale

  He climbed the stairs and paused outside of Lisa’s closed door. The light was still on, he could see from the tell-tale streak of yellow coming from under the door, and although he was tempted to knock, go in, and offer some words of encouragement, he decided against it. They needed to take it slow. Or slower at least. He walked into his parents’ room, stripped and climbed into bed. He needed to resist her, at least for a while, and focus on what he needed to do. He didn’t want any regrets later on. Again.

  The next morning both Lisa and Gio awoke at the same time, and emerged from their respective rooms simultaneously. Gio had already showered and dressed, and Lisa was headed into the hallway bathroom.

  “Morning,” he greeted her. “Sleep okay?” he asked, letting her pass.

  Her answer was a shrug. “Was okay.”

  “I’ll get coffee up, and start on breakfast. I’ll fill you in on the report from the phone tech when you get downstairs, and we can figure out our next steps.”

  “Okay,” she sighed as she closed the door to the bathroom. Lisa turned towards the mirror, and her normally luminous green eyes were dull and lifeless. She had dark circles under her eyes from yet another sleepless night. But, Gio was right. They had to focus on the case, and Johnny. She hoped her attorney had good news in that realm. Maybe Albert announcing that he wasn’t Johnny’s father might make the lifting of the court order that much easier. God, let that be so. I need to hold my son, she prayed.

  She turned the shower on. She needed to wake up her foggy brain so she could think clearly. Climbing in, the heat of the spray helped some, although the worry was still there. Always would be until this dark cloud was lifted. Albert’s cold black eyes on television when he looked directly into the camera kept coming back to her. She knew that look. He was up to something. He always was. But it was as if he had been staring directly at her.

  Out of the shower, Lisa wrapped a towel around herself and quickly crossed the hall to go back to her room and dress. Her phone was beeping indicating she had a notification. She checked her messages and there were three. One from each of her sisters, and one from her mother. Her mother? She checked that one first.

  Mom: Is it true? Johnny is Gio’s.

  God, she had a lot of explaining to do. The morning news must have replayed the interview, or one of her mother’s friends had called and told her what Albert had said. She’d call her mother later.

  Bridget’s text was more hopeful. She told her sister, she supported her, and that she would be behind her and Johnny no matter what. She also typed the word Gio at the end of her text followed by a question mark.

  Mary’s text was more explosive.

  Mary: What an ass! I’m sure you have seen or heard what Albert said on the news. I’m here for you. School called, and they said I could claim Johnny tomorrow when camp lets out as I’m listed as next of kin. Good news. Johnny will be with me. Call me.

  She hit dial.

  “Hey,” her sister answered the phone. “Great news. I just got another call from the school. They of course heard the news. Albert’s attorney faxed over papers, saying that Mr. Rasmussen was no longer financially responsible for paying Johnny’s tuition. The attorney also said that in light of the circumstances surrounding his parentage, the court order would be lifted. Camp is paid in full. But, I’m going to get him today. Mark is working, but as soon as I get the kids ready, I’m taking them with me. I’m getting him.”

  “Really? Oh my God. I want to hold my son,” Lisa cried. The emotion came to the surface.

  “Sister, he’ll be in your arms in a few hours. I know you have your attorneys coming in, so I’ll be ready to leave in about an hour and I’m sure Johnny won’t mind missing the last day of camp. I should have him to you by noon, or one o’clock at the latest.”

  “Oh yes, please, bring me my son,” Lisa cried, but this time they were happy tears. She ached to have her son in her arms. It would make these next weeks bearable.

  “Okay, love. Let me go. These kids are a mess. But, I’ll stuff them into the car, and get on the road. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Mary.” She hung up. It was not quite nine and she hurried to finish getting dressed. She couldn’t wait to share the news with Gio.

  Lisa ran downstairs and looked a million times better than he had seen her twenty minutes ago. She was out of breath and looked excited. “Johnny is coming home. I mean here. The restraining order is being lifted. Mary is on her way to get him.”

  “Really?” Her excitement and the news made him drop the spatula he was wielding, and he grabbed her and lifted her up in the air, putting her down after he swung her completely around. Her body slid down his, and again, he was a moth in the flames, his body reacting to her excitement, and fresh scent.

  “Yes,” she whispered as her body responded to every nuance of his chest on the way down. She stepped back shakily when Gio released her to give him the space he wanted.

  “Great news, babe. When do you think she will have him here?

  “No later than one,” she said.

  “Fabulous. I can’t wait for Nikko to meet him. Excellent!” He slapped his massive thigh and grinned at her, that wicked grin that never failed to get a reaction out of her. She bit her lip.

  At the sight of Lisa biting her lip, Gio had to turn to relieve the pressure. He was already semi aroused by his own stupid actions, but when she bit that bottom lip on the side like that, well, it was just one of those things. Picking up the spatula he dropped, he rinsed it in the sink as he asked, “Breakfast?”

  “Yes, please. What can I do?” she asked too excited to sit down.

  “Coffee is ready. Hook me up. I’ve got toast on the table. I just need to finish up the eggs.”

  Lisa turned and saw the table already set, and a mound of buttered toast. She grabbed two cups and got the creamer from the refrigerator.

  Maybe things were turning around. Just maybe.

  By the time her attorney was set to arrive, Lisa was a nervous wreck. Everyone coming around the same time added to her anxiety. She was a bit relieved when her attorney arrived anxious to get started and went to the door to greet him. Alex Rodriguez was a fabulous lawyer, and she was lucky to have met him five years ago at a charity event in downtown Manhattan. Then, when they had spoken he had mentioned Rosedale, and since she was from the area as well, they had struck up a conversation. He had gone to law school with Blaze and had grown up just six blocks away. Small world.

  Seeing the strain between her and her husband that evening, he had slipped her his card. She’d thanked him, and had actually called him years ago when she renegotiated with her father-in-law. She had told him everything, well, most of it. All, except the abuse. That, and her shame, had kept that information close to the vest, although she supposed he suspected it. He had looked over the documents and pronounced everything was in order, and it would all hold up in court. She’d thanked him, and asked if he would also handle her divorce, albeit still in the future. He’d agreed. But she needed his services earlier than she planned. Albert, she knew, was behind this attempted murder. Alex had been her first call even before she was formally arrested.

  He was at the police station, the next day even before she was brought in. She was held overnight, and her hearing the following day had not gone well. They sent her back to lock up when the judge left abruptly and ordered her assistant to reschedule the hearing. Because it was the Fourth of July weekend, she spent a week in jail. Luckily, her sister had taken Johnny to his already scheduled summer camp, and then Lisa made the decision to finally call Gio.

  Outside, she greeted Alex, and he was smiling as he got out of his silver sedan. Another man was getting out of the front seat of the car, and he was dressed equally impeccably in a designer suit. Then from the backseat she saw yet another person, but she recognized him as one of Alex’s assistants.

  Lisa heard Gio approach behind her as Alex released her. Alex’s smile disappeared, as he reached around her to take Gio’s h
and. She glanced up quickly and saw the flash of jealousy in Gio’s eyes. He wasn’t smiling either.

  Alex was the first to recover. “Mr. Marino, let me introduce my colleagues. This is Jeffrey Lambert, your attorney. He is at my firm, and he has been busy.”

  “So, I hear,” Gio shook the other man’s hand firmly.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Marino.” Jeffrey Lambert was an incredibly tall man, with wavy blond hair, cut expertly, but he looked like no attorney Lisa knew. He was built like a linebacker.

  Gio nodded and stepped back to make room for the men to step away from the curb.

  Alex was speaking again. “And this is one of my legal assistants, Justice Jones.”

  Again, Gio shook the man’s hand. Justice was younger than the two attorneys by about ten years, but he too was tall. Gio, was able to look each man in the eye as he was six foot tall, like his brothers.

  Lisa felt dwarfed among all the testosterone, and invited everyone inside. They had much to discuss, and she knew Nikko would be arriving soon, and then her son, Johnny, her sister Mary and her brood. It was going to be a houseful.

  Inside the men all settled at the dining room table, and Alex was the first to go over what work he had been up to. “I’ve just gotten a court order to get access to your husband’s email, and credit card statements and computers. I’ve got men already on the way, to start digging.”

  “Excellent,” Gio chimed in. “I was going to ask about that. I have some of my own people tracing his calls.”

  “You can’t do that. It’s illegal.” Alex didn’t look pleased.

  Gio gave the attorney a sour look. “Listen, you do your thing. I’m happy to share. I understand what I find, you can’t use. But, if it gets us to evidence, I’m sure you can find a way to obtain it legally.”

  “Please don’t tell me anything directly, Mr. Marino. If this goes to court, it could jeopardize what the judge will allow as admissible.” His eyes narrowed at the use of the word directly.

  “Understood.” Gio turned to Lisa who then expressed her own understanding.

  “Alex, I think you might find a need to examine my husband’s cell phone records.”

  “Understood.” Alex smiled and Mark, the legal assistant, was pulling out his phone and typing away furiously in an instant. “Anything else?” he asked.

  “Well,” Lisa continued. “Gio and his brother who work for Marino Bail, Bonds, and Bounty will be following my husband around, to establish his routine, and see if he meets with anyone he may be in contact with on his phone.”

  “Stop.” Alex put up his hand. Both Gio and Lisa looked at Alex. “Mr. Marino, my firm would like to hire you to continue this investigation. Your fee?”

  Gio nodded. “One dollar.”

  Again, Alex nodded at his assistant, and once more he began typing. Justice chimed in, and then slid his iPad over to Gio. “Can you please sign here Mr. Marino? A contract.” Gio used the stylus and signed his name electronically.

  “Okay,” Alex continued. “Now you can tell me more.”

  “I have reason to believe Albert hired a woman to pose as Lisa. He set her up with similar clothes, had her make the purchases for the bomb parts, and then had her go to Legacy Luxury Autos to get her on film. This woman worked at a fetish club, called The Scene, and she looks similar to Lisa in some ways.” He passed his phone over to Alex who smiled broadly.

  “Very interesting. Very good. Her name?”

  “Connie Wheeler.” Justice continued to type furiously.

  “Yes, I think so, and it is a solid lead. My brother will be here soon,” Gio glanced at the clock on the mantle. “And he will be following Albert. I’ll take this Connie Wheeler.”

  “Perfect.” Alex tapped his long fingers along the maple table. “You do good work.”

  “I know.” Gio’s statement was made simply.

  Alex shook his head in derision. Gio Marino was not Blaze, but he knew why the man was so uptight with him. He saw him as competition. And if Lisa didn’t have eyes for Gio, he might be that competition. The leggy red head was just his type.

  “Okay, well, I think we are in a good place where the investigative work is going. I think we need to follow up tomorrow with anything new. But let’s get onto other matters.” Lisa smiled as he reached over and patted her hand. She saw Gio scowl out of the corner of his eye, and pulled her hand back to her lap.

  “Please do.” Gio snarled.

  “Well, the court order, surprise, surprise was lifted by none other than Albert himself restricting access to your son.”

  “Thank goodness. And yes, we heard. The school called my sister.”

  “Yes, it’s great news,” he went on. “Mr. Rasmussen probably knows he can’t win that dispute, and we may have tipped him off yesterday when we submitted a request to his own attorney for Albert to take a paternity test at a lab downtown.”

  “What time was that?” Gio interrupted.

  “Um, about four, I think.”

  That made sense, and was probably why Albert had left work early Gio thought. It was also why he had made those calls, and that impromptu report on the news. He had probably called his attorneys and they concocted the plan together.

  It was finally Jeff Lambert who spoke up next. “I pulled some strings to get the tests done quickly, and I have the results here. They came in this morning. Albert’s announcement last night was because they wanted to reveal the news first and get in a preemptive strike. Smart. As you know, I am sure, you are without a doubt the boy’s father. I also have a hearing tomorrow in family court to gain for you partial custody if Ms. Rasmussen has no objection. And, I’m sure she doesn’t. We felt,” he looked at Alex, “this would make any transition easier if, sorry,” he apologized to Lisa, “things don’t go well in court. We both felt that this would protect Johnny.”

  “I understand, and I have no objections.” Lisa shrugged her shoulders, and this time Gio reached for her hand under the table.

  Once more the iPad was slid in front of her. She looked down.

  “Signature please.” It was Justice once more, and Lisa picked up the stylus and signed.

  “But, the good news is that Mr. Rasmussen by his statement, meant to taint the jury pool, has also relinquished his claim to Johnny. We will be sending papers this afternoon for him to sign as well, that will smooth things over in court tomorrow.”

  “You guys work fast.” Gio’s respect for Alex, and the firm he worked with was growing, slightly.

  “We have to. And yes, we do.” Alex grinned, showing even white teeth in his chiseled face.

  Cocky, son of a bitch, Gio thought. He’d like to smash him in the face. He did not like the way he looked at Lisa at all. But, he’d restrain himself. The man was good, and so was his own attorney.

  “Okay, well, I must say the meeting went well. I do believe we need a few more forms signed by each of you. And the original documents and tapes you have. But, I am happy to say that Lisa, you can go get your son.”

  “He’s already on the way.” Now, it was Alex’s turn to look surprised. Lisa laughed. “I told you the school called my sister.”

  “Wow, ok. That should be all right. I was hoping to deliver the good news myself.”

  “That’s okay, Alex. You confirming it, makes it seem even more real. I know it’s only been two weeks, but I have never been apart from Johnny this long, and just not knowing what the future will hold, well, I want to spend every minute with him I can. Oh, tomorrow, do we need to be in court?”

  “No, not with the papers already signed by each of you. We will have everything sent over by courier, so you have all the paperwork confirming that Gio has partial custody.”

  “Excellent,” Gio said and stood abruptly.

  Alex’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he took the hint. “You said your brother was arriving?”

  Gio nodded. Alex smiled and remained seated. “We need him to sign a contract as well, so that any information we obtain from either one
of you, has legitimacy. You understand, of course.”

  “Of course,” Gio smiled. “I’ll just go make a fresh pot of coffee.”

  “You do that,” Alex purred. Gio turned in mid-step.

  Lisa sensing the tension, immediately intercepted. “No, let me get the coffee.”

  Just as Lisa put her arm out to stop Gio the door flew open.

  “I’m home!” It was Nikko, and with his smile came a warm gust of wind. The room was deadly silent. “Well, hell, I expected at least a hello.” His grin was full of mischief.

  “Hi, Nikko,” Lisa was the first to speak.

  She began to approach the door, and he met her half way. Giving her a small hug, he pulled back, and then chucked her under the chin. “Now, where is the kid? Where is my nephew?”

  Lisa heard the note of disappointment in his voice, but continued to smile. She owed these Marino men, all of them an apology. “He’ll be here soon. I’m sorry, I kept this from you. I hope in time you will come to understand.”

  Nikko nodded as he passed around her to reach his brother. “Yo Daddy-O. Big pops. Old man,” he teased.

  Gio just shook his head at his brother’s silly antics. He was normally the one with the silly one liners. “Cut the crap, Nikko. I’ll put you over my knee. I need the practice.”

  “Ouch,” Nikko made a fake pained expression. “Did the old man lose his sense of humor?”

  Gio cracked a smile. “I’ll show you who is old.” And then he grabbed Nikko and put him in head lock so quick, the whole room gasped. Lisa stood back, and then burst out laughing. They hadn’t changed at all. She loved it and clapped her hands in glee. She felt sixteen again. She hadn’t seen this side of Gio, since he arrived. This was her Gio. Fun loving, go lucky, Gio. Not the brooding man he had been these past few days. Having Nikko here might help rather than preventing them from making progress on their own personal situation. She knew he would be helpful with the investigation, but a small part of her had worried that having him around might put a distraction there that would not allow her and Gio to talk this thing out. But now, she saw that having Nikko there, might just help. He would bring back a little normalcy to a very un-normal situation.