“Actually, I was following you.”
A touch of cautious fear twisted her stomach, but she kept her eyes steady and on his. She could handle Sandy. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
He looked around him, his head moving in jerky movements. “Why don’t we go somewhere more private?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
He leaned closer to her, and she had to hold her breath to keep from gagging on the stench of old beer that permeated the air around him. “You don’t want to mess with me, little girl.”
She rolled her eyes and chuckled while she adjusted her bags and stood. “What are you going to do to me, Sandy? Huh? Do us both a favor. Go home and sleep it off.”
He stood with her, and for the first time, she realized how big he was. He was a good head taller than her, but he was also huge, bulky. He leaned down until his nose practically touched hers. “It’s not what I can do to you, Robin, it’s what my friends can do to your little sister. They’re watching her right now, while she’s at her parents’ in Framingham. I just found out she’s at the kitchen table, the one with the blue tablecloth, decorating Christmas cookies.”
The finger of fear turned into a giant fist, tightening up and trembling in her gut. She believed him, and it terrified her. “Okay. Let’s go somewhere more private.”
He made a sweeping gesture with his arm, and she went ahead of him on stiff legs, through the mall, to the parking lot. Not knowing what else to do, she headed for her car. The whole time, he walked right behind her, half a step away, and her mind whirled while she tried to figure out what he wanted.
She stopped at her car and turned around, waiting for him to give her further direction. He did nothing but stuff his hands in the pockets of his worn coat and shiver against the bite in the air. Robin didn’t even feel the cold.
“Do you know who I am?” he finally asked her.
She lifted her chin. “Should I?”
His eyes hardened. “I don’t know why I thought that drunk slut would have told you anything about me.” He huffed out a breath and rolled his eyes toward the gray sky. “I wouldn’t have been caught if it hadn’t been for her, anyway. I wouldn’t have had to go to the pen for fifteen years if she hadn’t screwed up the deal so bad. But still, not to tell a girl about her daddy, now that’s just wrong.”
Robin gasped and took a step backward. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Then those watery eyes were back on hers. Eyes that would have been the same color as hers had they not been dulled by alcohol. He smiled, his teeth yellow against his pale skin. “Ah, you’re quick. Just like your daddy. I had to be quick. It’s what’s kept me from being caught this whole time.”
Somehow she knew the answer, but she asked the question anyway. “Caught for what?” she whispered.
He went on as if he hadn’t heard her. “See, I called her when I got out, thinking we could start all over. Man, she was a looker. But what a nagging –“ He paused and shook his head. “I’d just scored big time, and we were going to hit it big. But she had that boyfriend she wanted to pull in on the deal. I didn’t even know about him until we got back to the apartment. You can’t even begin to imagine how angry that made me.”
The air burned in her lungs. Suddenly, she could feel the cold and started shivering. She took another step away from him. “You killed them?”
He stepped forward. “He’s the one who had the gun. He pulled it on me. But I knew how to move back then and got it from him. The first shot was an accident. I swear it was. But then I had to kill her, too. She knew who I was and I wasn’t going back inside. No way was I going back.”
He let out a shuddering breath. “But that’s all water under the bridge. All in the past,” he said in a calmer voice. “I wanted to talk to you about the present.”
She dropped the packages on the ground, wondering if she could take him. Fear kept her frozen, and she knew she couldn’t. She also knew she couldn’t risk Sarah. “What about it?”
“See, here’s the deal.” He suddenly showed signs of nervousness, and that terrified her even more. “I really worked on going straight, you know? I wasn’t ever even going to tell you who I was. I figured, you’d work the bar and I’d get to know you, and in the meantime I was doing whatever I could to keep it going, to have a roof over my head and still be able to pay my tab.”
He calmed, grinned again. “But the problem is, the straight and narrow ain’t never worked for me. I slipped here and there, nothing major, but a deal’s a deal, you know?” He fished a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, and his hands shook badly enough that she wanted to take it away from him and get the cigarette out for him. “Then the bar closed down and I had all this free time. So a few months ago, I got into something big. Only, I didn’t know who I was dealing with, and they don’t have a sense of humor about the money I skimmed off the top. I never touched the merchandise, never have. You gotta be stupid to touch the merchandise. But, I’ve always skimmed. Everybody does. You know, to cover expenses and what not.”
He paused long enough to light the cigarette, then leaned against her car and hooked his thumb in the pocket of his dirty jeans as casually as if he were discussing last night’s football game. “So, I’m finding myself in a bit of a jamb. I have to come up with the money, see, all of it.”
She rubbed at throb that had suddenly appeared above her eye. “I don’t have any money, Sandy.”
He made a sound in the back of his throat like a strangled cough. “My name’s Craig. Craig Bartlett.”
She spoke with extreme patience, as one would to a child. “Okay, Craig. I don’t have any money.”
He laughed then bent over and coughed until his face turned beet red. He finally recovered and straightened. “I know you don’t. But I also know that your boyfriend does.”
Ice clawed through her stomach and began working through her veins. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on. You can’t lie to your old man. I know. I been watching.” He straightened and flicked the cigarette away. “Here’s how it’s going to work. Either ask him for the money or pilfer something we can hock. I don’t care which. But you do that, and you do it before Thursday. I have to pay these folks Friday morning. Got that? You got until Thursday.”
“No way.” She was mad now, and the heat of anger started to thaw the ice.
He grabbed her by her shirt front and dragged her toward him. “Ten thousand. I need ten large by Thursday, or I hurt your sisters. I don’t care which one, either. Neither of them’s mine.” He pushed her away and she staggered into her car. “Thursday,” he repeated, then stalked away, leaving her standing there in the cold.
CHAPTER 15
HE dress had the faintest of silver snowflakes sewn into icy blue satiny material. It had long tight sleeves hemmed at the wrist with silver thread and buttoned down the front with silver buttons in different snowflake shapes from the scooped neck down to where the dress stopped just below her knees. When she’d put it on in the store, she’d felt elegant and beautiful. Tonight she felt cheap and gaudy.
Robin managed to get her hair piled on top of her head and styled into a mass of curls secured by a silver clip on loan from Maxine. But when she tried to apply her makeup, tremors kept going through her hands and she had to wipe it off and start over again twice.
She added lipstick and stood back from the mirror. No one looking at her would know that it had taken a full half an hour to apply the makeup, and only the façade mattered, anyway. She took a deep breath and slowly released it before she reached for the necklace, another loan from Maxine. The latch wouldn’t catch, so she took another breath to try and steel her nerves, then tried again. Still nothing.
It all started to overwhelm her, and suddenly her world began to gray and her heart started racing. Then she heard the knock on the door and let out a strangled cry.
Steeling herself, she met her own eyes in the mirror and tried to give herself a little boost. Tonight was a big deal for Tony,
and she could pretend she felt perfectly fine and dandy until tomorrow.
Secure in her ability to control her emotions, but not sure how much time had passed since the knock, she quickly moved through the apartment and threw open the door. There stood Tony, clad in his tuxedo, looking gorgeous and strong. Her eyes met his, and some calm returned. Just remember the façade, she told herself. This night belonged to Tony.
“Wow,” he said. “You look absolutely beautiful. More than beautiful. Amazing.”
She smiled and fought back the sting of tears. “Thank you. I actually went shopping this morning.”
“You have both beautiful eyes and a good eye, cara,” he said with a smile. “Problem?” he asked, gesturing to the necklace she still had clutched in her hand.
“Yeah. The latch isn’t working. Or my hands aren’t. One of the two.”
He picked the necklace up and made a show of inspecting the latch he’d personally had Maxine rig while her spicy perfume wafted up and assaulted every sense he had. His hands shook and he thought about them all alone in the apartment. Then he thought about the hundreds of people waiting for him at the hotel. So, he turned her toward the mirror by the door.
Behind her back, he switched necklaces, then put the new one around her neck. Maxine had done him the favor of calling him the very second Robin had returned with the dress, so he’d known exactly what to buy. It was a simple single strand choker of diamonds set in snowflake patterns in white gold that complemented the dress as if it had been made for it.
He watched the reflection of her face while he secured the ends of the chain. Her eyes were downcast, her expression serious, and he wondered what was going through her mind. He could almost see the waves of tension radiating from her.
“There,” he said, “all fixed.”
“Thanks, I don’t know what was wrong with the stupid – “ Her hand touched the choker as her eyes flew up to the mirror. She stared at her reflection with wide eyes before she slowly raised them to his. “Tony, I … you … I … ”
Tony kissed the side of Robin’s neck just below her ear and smiled. “It’s perfect.” He murmured. He turned her by her shoulders and tilted her chin up. “You’re perfect.”
He turned her gently, but firmly, and he deliberately took her mouth with his. The slow languid kiss made her sigh. The sound vibrated through him. She stepped closer and wound her arms around his neck. A spark of desire ignited and spread through his middle. He forced himself to break contact and stamp it down.
Robin closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his shoulder. “You need to quit giving me gifts like this.”
He grinned and trailed a finger down her sleeve, over the pulse in her wrist and back up again. “Why?”
“Because I don’t want you to think that I expect it.” She raised her head and gripped the lapels of his coat and looked at him with eyes so intense they glittered. “That’s not why I’m with you. I don’t care about the jewelry or the money.”
His eyes sobered as he tilted his head and looked at her. “I know that, Robin.”
She jerked away and reached her hands behind her neck, fumbling with the clasp. “People will see me and they’re going to think – ”
“Stop!” He grabbed her wrists and jerked them down. “What does it matter? Huh?” He rolled his eyes over her head and muttered under his breath. “Si un piccolo testardo.”
She’d been working on learning Italian, and her eyes widened while she fought to keep up with the words as he rattled them out. “Did you just call me a little pig?”
“Pig headed. I called you pig headed, because I’ve already made it clear that I don’t care what others think.”
“People will – ”
“So what?” He realized the level to which they’d raised their voices and took a deep steadying breath. “We know. You and I know. Us. God knows. That’s all that counts.”
She breathed in and out, concentrating on fighting off the panic. “Okay.” Another breath, in and out. She nodded. “Okay, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous.”
He smiled and kissed her one more time. “Everyone will love you.” Like I do, he silently added. “I have no doubt.”
Wanting to lighten the mood, she pushed away and grabbed her clutch bag. She pulled out her lipstick tube, intending to repair the damage of his kisses. “Except those who call me a pig.”
He laughed and kissed the top of her head before gathering her coat from the back of the couch. “The exact translation was you’re a little pig headed fool.”
She snorted while she laughed and tried to hold her arms steady through the gale while he helped her put on her coat.
ARRY watched them walk into the ballroom arm in arm – the tall, dark Italian with the cool, slim blonde. Even he, skeptic of their relationship, could see how well they looked together, and could see the way his friend practically hovered over her as they worked the room. His touches were casual but constant – a brush on her cheek here, a hand at the small of her back there, and Barry relaxed further when he saw how Robin responded, how she leaned into Tony or smiled a smile just for him. They communicated through touches as though they’d been married for years, and for the first time, Barry began to rethink his earlier opinion.
Deciding that he’d observed from a distance long enough, he headed in their direction. The party consisted of all of the people who ran the individual companies of Viscolli Enterprises across the country, and their spouses or companions. The gathering was mandatory without being called that, and airplane tickets and lodgings were part of the annual budget for this event. They all knew Barry and several accosted him with different legal questions. At one point, he lost sight of the couple while he talked to a manager and his deejay wife from a west coast radio station Tony owned. Finally, though, he managed to make it to them.
For the first time since they’d arrived, they stood in a corner alone. Barry watched Tony turn his head and whisper into her ear before he looked up and saw Barry’s approach. He felt that conversation they’d had about Robin was the right conversation at the right time. Still felt that way. But he couldn’t help feeling relieved when Tony’s eyes warmed.
“Barry. I was wondering where you were.” He looked over Barry’s shoulder. “Where’s Jacqueline?”
Barry looked at his watch. “She should be landing in Zurich within the hour.”
Tony raised an eyebrow. “Christmas in the Alps this year?”
“Apparently.” His lips formed a hard line. “My flight will leave Tuesday morning.”
Catching Barry’s tone and leaving the subject alone, Tony slipped an arm around Robin’s back. “Robin, you haven’t officially met Barry Anderson, Viscolli’s lawyer and, I’m proud to say, a personal friend. My best friend, in fact.”
Robin remembered the last time she’d seen the giant now standing in front of her. She’d been in Hank’s kitchen and he had defended Tony when she claimed that Tony insinuated that she could be bought. Her cheeks flushed a little at the memory. “You’re the Shirley Temple,” she said with a big smile, hoping to cover some of her uneasiness.
Barry cleared his throat and squeezed her outstretched hand. “How can you even remember that?”
“It was just surprising that a guy who looked like a linebacker would order that drink. I guess it stood out.” She noticed the same drink in his hand and laughed. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. Tony speaks of you often.”
Robin imagined he could look really mean if he gave it half an effort, but after so many years with Hank, his size did nothing to intimidate her. She could see the kindness in his eyes, and immediately liked him, though she couldn’t help shifting under his appraisal.
“I wouldn’t have recognized you if I hadn’t known who you were,” he said, finally releasing her hand.
She gestured at the dress. “Well, it’s a far cry from a tuxedo shirt and slacks.” She leaned closer to him. “But I’ll confess that I’d be more comfortable.” She shifted her feet
in the silver heels. “Especially in those ugly shoes. I miss my ugly shoes.”
The longer Barry spoke with her, the further Tony relaxed. He checked his watch. “It’s about time for me to give my yearly pep talk.” He glanced around the room until he made eye contact with someone and nodded. “Why don’t you two go sit at the table and we’ll get the party started.”
Robin hooked her arm through Barry’s. “How uncouth would it be for me to kick my shoes off at the table?”
“Your feet don’t smell do they?”
“Of course not. My nose smells. My feet walk.”
Barry patted her hand while Tony followed behind them. “In that case, anyone who wants to say anything will have to come through me.”
She laughed and glanced back over her shoulder at Tony. He looked so relaxed, so at ease, and she vowed to keep the simulated smile solidly on her face, no matter what.
ILENCE cloaked the interior of the limo while Robin toyed with the choker around her neck and stared out of the window. Tony stayed quiet himself, choosing to just watch her while the car cut through the quiet streets. He’d known something had been bothering her earlier in the day and had assumed it was nerves from the party, but as the evening wore on, he watched her become more and more tense. He watched all night and whenever she wasn’t actively engaged in speaking with someone or laughing just a second too long at something someone said, her face sobered up and a few times she seemed on the verge of tears.
Neither spoke when the car pulled up to her apartment building or when the driver let them out. They held hands as they climbed the stairs to her floor and walked, slowly, down the hallway to her door. She slipped one shoe off in the hall outside of her apartment, leaning into Tony when she wobbled on one foot and peeled the other shoe off, but still never spoke a word. Tony decided to be the one to break the silence. He took her key from her and unlocked the door but didn’t open it.
“May I make an observation?” He asked, leaning against the wall by the door.
Robin raised her eyes from the ugly green and orange design in the carpet to look at him. “Sure.”