by Carina Blake
“She’s my mother too. You know you don’t have a monopoly on her. In fact, you had her for two years.”
“Dad’s going to kill you, and I’m going to watch.”
“He’s not my dad, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I’m going to see you go down, Rafael. You don’t deserve the air you breathe. I wonder if Mom will really mind if I strangle you to death myself.”
“Please. You’re a big puss bag, and don’t call my mother a whore again.”
“I didn’t call my mother that.”
“You just said he wasn’t your dad.”
“He wasn’t. Your father killed my dad to steal my mom. You need to ask his ass about that, but he has a death wish I’d love to grant.” I hang up on him because he can go to hell. We have nothing to say to each other. War is war.
Chapter Fourteen
Santino
I do my best to sleep, but I’m still trying to get a handle on everything that I learned. My heart hurts for the man I never met and the life we missed together. Then I think about my mother. Would that be Giada? Would she mourn me? Probably not, but damn, I miss her so much. I can’t stop thinking about her.
My cell phone rings as soon as the sun is up, and I wonder if my brother wants to threaten me again. I scoop it off the nightstand and see it’s a private number. “Hello,” I answer, remaining guarded.
“Hello, this is Alexei Bykov. I received a call from Mr. Santino.” I hadn’t given my last name because I didn’t want to use Marchetti, and I didn’t have my real last name at the time I called.
“Yes, sir. That’s me. Unfortunately, I have some bad news.” I pull off the covers and get up. I’m not going to be able to sleep anyway.
“They got him, didn’t they?” He sighs.
“Yes. I’m sorry, Dimitri is intensive care at the moment in a medically induced coma.”
“Please inform me where to come, and I shall be there tomorrow. I cannot believe he got involved in my business issues. I must go.” He ends the call, and I can tell that he’s pissed, and he should be. Dimitri was my friend.
As I get dressed for the day, I call the hospital, but the result is the same. It’s not looking good, but I hope he pulls through.
A knock on my door disrupts my thoughts. “Come in.”
Mom walks over to my bed and sits on the edge.
“Good morning, Mother. Are you feeling better?”
Her eyes are swollen from the tears she shed last night. “Yes and no. I’m glad that you know the truth no matter how painful it is, but the memories of the loss. It feels so fresh all over again.”
“Tell me about him, please.”
“You are his spitting image, but that I’m sure you’re aware of. You also have so many of his good qualities. Your sweetness in all this adversity has shone through and not just with this, but well before you ever went to prison. You thought past the violence and murder to become a better man.”
I can’t think past it now. “Are you trying to talk me out of killing your son?”
“No. I can’t ask that of you and as much as I don’t wish it, I don’t know if he’ll leave you alone unless you do.” A part of her will always love her son, but she knows the monster he is.
“Has Junior ever hit you?”
“Almost. What he saw at his father’s hands made him believe it was okay, but for all his faults, and there are oceans full, Rafael told him that I was never to be touched.”
“It’s strange that he would do this because he loved you and then do everything to hurt you.”
“That’s because he doesn’t love me. I’m a possession. At first I was a challenge, then I became an obsession, then his property to guard. He could misuse me, but no one else could.”
“I don’t get it.”
“That’s because you have a good heart. You are repulsed by the evil and yet they continue to drag you back into the fray. My sweet boy, I’m hungry and you look exhausted. Let’s eat and you can tell me about Giada. Can you walk me downstairs?”
“Of course, but there’s nothing to tell.”
“You can lie to others, but you cannot lie to me. From the second you saw her, you had that look your father used to give me all the time. From the first moment we met, I knew he loved me. She needs a man like you to make things right.”
“Mother, then I will be no better than Signor Marchetti.”
“You are a million times better. And she looked at you with loving eyes as well, my boy. Something I never did with my captor.”
“I don’t know.” I want her to look past it all and see me for the man I am. Frankly, I’m not sure she’s going to speak to me again after dumping her on a beach. Locked away. Caged again.
“You’re lying to yourself.” She kisses my cheek and stands. “Let’s go. I’m sure I can make something special for you. I’ve deeply missed you, Santino.”
I watch my mother make me breakfast, seeing a new light in her eyes. Rita comes in and smiles. “You two are up early. Do you need my help?”
“Coffee, please,” I say.
“Coming right up.” Rita needs to feel useful after all this time. I love having her here to care for my mother and soon to keep Giada from working too hard while she’s pregnant with our babies.
After breakfast, I excuse myself because there’s a lot to do before I head into work tomorrow. The bell to my gate rings just before noon. I check my cameras and almost laugh at the absurdity of the murderous bastard standing at the gate with my brother. “Can I help you?”
“Bring my wife out here,” he demands, making me laugh.
“Ha. No. Go away before I have you arrested for trespassing.”
“I will get her,” he persists, as if that’s going to work with me.
“Actually, you need to stay away from her. After all, that recording did say you planned to kill her. There’s a restraining order on you. I know that means bullshit to you, but I’m prepared to deal with you should you try.” My guards not only surround my home, they are armed. It’s one luxury of being well off and with known threats.
“I see. This isn’t over. You know, I should have drowned your ass as a baby.”
“Well, your fault you didn’t. On another note, before you go...does my brother there know that his mistress had your kid and not his?”
“What kind of lies is your mother spouting?” He’s turning red, getting heated as he realizes I had something else on him. I’m guessing Junior had no idea about it.
“You think she had to tell me? I never understood why you never let him marry her even though she had your grandkid. Then I did a little digging. You know that DNA test makes you the father and him the brother of little Antonio. Brother, I’m betting he told you it was a mix up, or did you know you were fucking your father’s leftovers?”
“What the fuck?” Rafael Jr. exclaims, staring at his dad with contempt.
“He’s lying.” He tries to go into an explanation or maybe an excuse, but I don’t have the time or patience for it, so I interrupt them.
“Have a good day, gentlemen. Oh, and Rafael—if you need a copy, it was with my attorney’s things yesterday before he was shot. I have a copy.” They storm off, and I’m betting young Rafe is thinking about it.
The buzzer goes off again and I’m about to bark out that I’ve called the cops, but the giant man in the camera tells me it’s not him. He has four other men surrounding him. “Can I help you?”
“I am Alexei Bykov.”
“Please go through my security and then come in.” I get up and walk to the foyer. It takes a minute before they’re searched. After they leave their obviously illegal guns outside, I invite them in. “Sorry about that, but I’ve had a rough time lately. I’m Santino Benedetti.”
“I thought it was Marchetti.” He gives me a suspicious look since he probably looked me up.
I want him at ease. I’m dealing with extra trouble I don’t need. “I’ve just been made aware of my parentage. Please follow me into the living room.” I
escort them in there.
“Martin, please prepare some drinks for these men.”
“Mr. Benedetti, is it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m here about my cousin. I don’t know who did this exactly, but in Russia the number of people could be staggering.”
“I’m not sure if I was the reason for your cousin being targeted. I don’t know if you saw those bastards out there.”
“I did. Is that what America’s Mob looks like, because it is weak.”
“Oh no, don’t underestimate that piece of shit. The older one. He’s going to be my first kill.”
“Ha. Mr.—”
“Santino.”
“Santino, I can tell you are not meant for this. From the records I pulled, you have a clean nose except for the wrongful conviction. Unless you have sneaky lawyers?” He winks, knowing Dimitri was mine.
“No. I was set up. I’m not in that line of work. Dimitri did his best and worked with my people to get my freedom. I owed him so much, but I might have put him in the way. I’m sorry.”
“Do you have any evidence of that?”
“I received this text right after the shooting.” I pull my phone out of my pants pocket and bring up the messages.
He reads it and then passes it to the other guys. “I’m not sure it was my enemies, but whoever they are, they are my enemies now.”
“Oh goodness.” We all turn to see my mother standing there. “I thought you let those other two in.” She has her hand pressed to her chest.
I walk to her, giving her a quick, reassuring hug. “Never, Mother. They’ll take you over my dead body.”
“So who are they?” She crosses her arms.
“Unfortunately, the reason I was at the police station was because my lawyer was shot. His family arrived from Russia.”
She clasps her hands to her mouth. “Really? Oh my goodness. I’m terribly sorry. Is he alive?”
“Thank you,” Bykov says with a nod. “I hope he survives.”
“When can we prepare to see him? We wish to take him back home as soon as he’s recovered.”
“It’s something you have to speak to the police about. They will need a bunch of shit from you before he will be released if he pulls through.”
“Very well. Can you give me the information for the hospital? I’d love to check on him.”
“Sure. I need to see Dimitri soon, but I don’t want to be the reason they make a second attempt.” I text it to him. “They won’t.” He stands up and says, “We will be staying at the Plaza. Can you inform the authorities to contact me?”
He takes his leave with the rest of his men. “That man looks like he’s about your age. I’m sorry about your lawyer.”
“Me too. Come, let’s eat some lunch and then relax for a bit.”
Chapter Fifteen
Giada
A week. I have been on this island for a week. Not once have I gotten to hear from or see Santino. He hasn’t called, messaged, or visited me. I’m beginning to honestly believe that he’s moved on to a new flavor. After all, it’s been two years of no pussy. That’s got to drive a man like him insane. He’s hot, young, and virile. Gosh, remembering the things he did to me reminds me how much he needs to get laid.
“Lunch is ready,” Joey says, interrupting my memory of Santino’s fingers teasing my pussy to an incredible orgasm.
“Okay.” I follow him into the kitchen where the temporary chef has prepared a delicious pasta in a light sauce.
“Thank you.” He leaves us to enjoy the meal. This is the only meal Joey eats with me. I like the guy, even though he hardly says a word. He’s the only reason I don’t jump into the ocean and end it all. Every once in a while, he lets it slip that he’s spoken to Santino. He tells me that Santino misses me but refuses to give me the phone. I can’t tell if he’s telling me the truth or trying to keep me compliant.
“So when can I leave?” I ask after I plop down on the stool.
His expression changes and he tilts his head. “Are you going to ask every single day?”
I roll my eyes and then pop a grape in my mouth. “Yep. I mean, I’m not doing shit here.”
He shakes his head and cuts a piece of chicken. “I never met someone who didn’t like living in a paradise,” he says before taking a bite.
“What’s the point of paradise if there’s no one to share it with?”
“Damn, what am I? Chopped liver?” He presses his hand to his chest in mock outrage.
“At this point, yeah.” I smirk with my head bent toward my plate.
He just scoffs and takes another bite. “Well, tough. I can’t let you go anywhere.”
“I’m not going to take this shit much more.”
“Just give him time.”
“I gave him a week already. I hate this. It’s worse than being stuck with Rafael.”
“Behave.”
I know that’s crossing the line because nothing is worse and then again, to me it’s painful to think of Santino and to know he’s abandoned me. “Whatever. I’m not going to sit around like a puppy dog. I’m going into town today.”
“No, you’re not.”
“We’ll see about that.” I empty my plate into the garbage and then wash my plate. He finishes his and then hands it to me for me to wash. We’ve set up this routine that works nicely, but even as I set the plate in the rack, I’m thinking about Santino and my mood darkens.
“If you want to go in the water, today’s a good day, but I’ll be watching you.”
“Damn you need to get a girl. Spending your day ogling me is getting out of control,” I tease. Honestly, the man ignores me like I have the plague.
“Don’t let Santino hear that, or he’ll kill me for nothing.”
“Whatever. I’m going to change.” I head into my bedroom and scoop up my latest read. It’s a great book and I’m looking forward to learning what causes them to separate and if they’ll get their happily ever after almost all us girls dream of. Since Santino took me, I’ve dreamt of a life without Rafael and it sends me into a much better mood, but I also picture Santino as my happily ever after.
Slipping out of the house, I walk along the beach for hours, thinking about life. What can I do about it? I know that just escaping Rafael is a blessing, but can I be greedy and ask for more?
“Giada, where are you going?” I stare up at the sky, wishing I can punch Joey in the face.
“I’m not going anywhere. Gosh, didn’t you say I could walk along the beach?” I remind him.
“Yes, but you’re way past the house.” I turn around and look. I can’t even see the house anymore.
“Oh goodness. I was lost in my thoughts.”
“Let’s get back to the house.”
“Ugh. Okay.” I nod and follow in step alongside him.
“Don’t look so down. Things will get better.”
“Is he seeing someone else?” It bothers me more than it should. He doesn’t owe me anything including his fidelity. I’m not his wife. Hell, I’m married to someone else, but that doesn’t stop the pain in my chest thinking of him with another woman after the stolen moments with him.
Joey sighs and then says, “No. Be patient.”
“You don’t even know what it’s like to be caged.”
“I do. I met Santino in prison.” I wasn’t aware of that. Wow.
Surprisingly, I’m not afraid of him after that revelation. “I’m sorry. It’s just I felt the taste of freedom and had it taken away.” Joey has been kind to me, but I’m lonelier than I’ve ever been and Santino’s the reason for it.
“You need to just remember that things will get better.” He’s right. They’ve already drastically improved.
Once we’re inside the house, I excuse myself to go lie down. It’s not like he spends more than a handful of minutes with me at any given time.
I WAKE UP TO THE SOUND of movement in my room. “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Santino.”
“It’s
about time.” He sweeps me into his arms and crushes his lips to mine. It feels so incredible, and then he’s gone.
I sit up in bed, realizing that it was all a dream. Uncontrollably, tears stream down my face. The sound of the phone ringing causes a break in the waterworks. It’s still light outside. I must have taken a quick nap.
Climbing out of bed, I walk out into the hallway and there’s Joey on the phone.
“Yeah, the cow is getting restless.” Did he just call me a cow? I can’t hear what Santino’s saying to him, but he just referred to me as a cow. I glance down at myself. Yes, I put on a little weight, but I was underweight before we came here, so I’m actually healthy looking.
“Okay. I’ll handle it, boss.” What’s he going to handle? Are they going to get rid of me? No. I can’t see them doing that. Either way, it appears that Santino wants nothing to do with me and is leaving me to the whims of his henchman.
There’s nothing left for me to do but find a way for me to escape. I wait until he goes to his room and then I sneak back into my room and get my things together in a tiny travel bag that’s stored in the closet. The best I can do is sleep on the beach while trying to find a job somewhere on the island. I have to play the rest of the day cool.
After I’ve gotten my gear together, I go into the living room area where Joey’s watching television. “Did you have a good nap?” he asks without turning around.
“It was fine. Is there anything made for dinner?”
“Yes, it’s in the oven.”
Just like that, the timer goes off. “I’ll get it.” I’m only going to do it so I can steal some snacks for my plan. I take out the baked spaghetti and set up the plates. I take a kitchen towel and wrap up some apples, granola bars and a couple bottles of water and scurry into my bedroom.
When I come back, Joey’s in the kitchen. “Where did you go?”
“When you got to go, you got to go,” I lie, and he doesn’t question it.
He blushes slightly and serves our food before taking his into the living room. It’s what he always does, which I’m grateful for especially after his cow comment. In fact, I don’t think I can eat a thing. I leave it on the plate and steal a few more pieces of food that travels well and go into my room, locking the door.