Preston has been asleep for a couple of hours when I am still up watching old Cary Grant movies, trying to understand what makes a man a man. The light knock on the door gets me up, but with my gun in hand, I peak through the peep hole and lay my gun to the side as I open the door. “What are you doing here?”
“You didn’t look so good earlier,” Dace says, leaning against my door frame.
“I’m fine now.”
“Good, I’m sorry I couldn’t talk to you on the elevator, but …”
“Yeah… I get it, you work for a ruthless killer and can’t have anything to do with a cop. I got that now.”
“You don’t understand anything, and unfortunately, I can’t explain it to you now or maybe ever. I don’t want you to be hurt or upset, Austin.”
“I’m not. I’m fine. I’m completely fine.” He looks me over not seeming convinced. “I am, Dace. No reason to worry about me, if that is what you are doing.” He starts to say something, but I stop him. “I’m fine, I promise,” I say with a smile.
“Okay, good.” He reaches out his hand towards me but pulls back. “If … um, if you need anything, let me know. I do live right upstairs. You know if you need uh … sugar or something.” I laugh, and he smiles before leaning in and taking hold of my head and pulling me towards him. I don’t want to want him, but the feeling of his chest, his hands, and his lips against the side of my face is too much. “Good night, Trouble,” he breathes with a soft inhale of my hair and disappears.
Chapter 19
Dace
Austin was upset, and I know she was with Michael tonight. He was making a big deal about the meal that was supposed to be served and how to dress Sage for their first meeting. It was all I could do to listen to him go on and on about his expectations for the night. He actually spent money to have his bedroom decked out in roses and candles, strategically placed for multiple possibilities for the night. I don’t know what happened, but if he forced himself on her, or pressured her, I swear I will … Damn! I can’t imagine him doing that, but something happened, and as much as I should probably let it go … I can’t. I can’t rest until I know what happened. I storm out of my own building and to his house. When the door opens, I suddenly realize I have nothing to say to him, no way to ask what happened without giving away my past relationship with Austin.
Michael’s doorman escorts me to the study to wait for him while I figure out what to say. “Dace? What are you doing here so late?”
“Ettore, he came home with me tonight, and …um … well your girlfriend was in the elevator and she nearly gave me away. If you want me to play the distant, unfeeling role, I can’t have your girlfriend talking to me as if I’m a … close friend or something. ”
Michael sighs, walking around me in his robe. “I’ll talk to her, but …” I look up, hoping that he is going to confess what exactly happened. “Yeah, I’ll talk to her,” he says with a forced smile.
“What’s wrong?” He shakes his head. “Don’t do that. I know something is wrong. I assumed she would still be here. Did you not pull the infamous Michael Colletto move?” I laugh, fighting my own urge to slug him if he says the wrong thing.
“Yeah… I guess my moves aren’t for everyone. I don’t know what happened. I had her right here, enjoying the moment. I had her naked even, in my arms …” I tense, thinking of her on the sofa that’s in front of me. “She was fine, it was exciting, and I was ready … you know? And then…”
“Then what? What else is there, but to fuck?”
“Don’t say that, Dace. That’s a disgusting way to put it.”
“Then what Michael?!”
“Why are you getting mad at me? You probably had sex several times today. You should be completely relaxed.”
“Just answer the question, Michael.”
“Fine, we got right up to that moment and then she started to hyperventilate.” What? “I don’t know what happened, but she panicked and ran out of here as fast as she could. I am not even sure if she will ever see me again. There has to be something, someone holding her back.”
“Wow, that sucks,” I say, hiding my smile.
“Do you think it’s because I am a Colletto? I mean… do you think she is still having a hard time letting that go?”
“Oh probably, I mean she is a cop. She has learned to hate us.”
“I need to figure out a way to get around that. I need to figure out how to get her to forget her beliefs and marry me.”
“What?” He is unbelievably determined. “I mean, what can you do? She doesn’t like you like that, maybe you should find someone else?” I can’t believe it took this to make me realize I don’t want to see her with even him. It’s too hard.
“No, I want her. I need her, and I will do whatever I have to in order to get her.” He turns to me with a look I have only seen from Ettore, and I begin to wonder if my brothers are all that different when it comes to getting what they want. “I bet it’s that other cop, the one that partners with her brother. I have seen the way he looks at her and she smiles at him. I need to have her followed and make sure. If there is someone else, then I want to know who they are, and then I will have them removed from the equation.”
“What are you saying, Michael? She can’t be involved with anyone other than you?”
“I only mean to make sure that no one is able to capture her heart before I can.
“And if they already have?”
“Then I will dig up enough dirt on them to make her change her mind.” He looks up from his folding hands and smiles. “Like I said, I know she is the one, and I only need to find a way to convince her that I am her one. You know I will treat her better than anyone else.”
“I think you need to take a step back and let her come to you and stop chasing her. Your desperation is clear, and it is probably clear to her.”
“You’re right. So I guess I shouldn’t have her followed?” He laughs, but for some reason, I don’t think he is giving up on the idea. His head lowers as he picks up a picture of Wendy, pregnant with Sage. “I miss her so much. I miss having her here to talk to, to hold, and to love … I miss being in love and feeling it back. I want that feeling back, and then I am going to do everything I can to keep anyone from taking it from me.” He closes his eyes tight, and for the first time, I see what Antony has been telling me—Michael is completely heartbroken, a feeling I can understand.
I spot the public chessboard tables in the park and walk towards them, and after passing a couple of tables, I spot the coin on the third table at the right side of the south end on the empty chessboard. Picking it up, I put it in my pocket. Before moving in any direction, I check my surroundings and move south to the third walkway on the right. There is nothing but the homeless and drug addicts out this late, not exactly a relaxing walk through the park. Our meeting spot is clear, and I find him waiting nervously for me.
“Maybe we should start meeting in a safer place for you to be, Father.”
“Don’t worry about me. This is fine. Besides, any other place would make it too easy to be followed. So, tell me, what do you know so far?”
“Not much more than I did the other day. I told you he doesn’t fully trust me yet. Brotherly love doesn’t mean much in this family.”
“All I want you to do is find out who he is aligning himself with, if anyone. What he’s planning? I know he’s up to something, and it’s going to be a problem for us all. He is quiet and keeps his opinions to himself too much these days. My own son and I can’t trust him not to stab me in the back in order to take my seat at the head of the family.” My father slams his cane into the ground, cursing his own son. “I use to think his determination was something to be encouraged; little did I know that determination would eventually overpower everything I have worked for.”
My father is so paranoid. I have been around Ettore constantly for weeks, and he is already more powerful than my father and certainly too powerful to bother killing him. “How could Ettore possibly take
over for you? Michael is next in line and you made sure that was how it was going to be with the way you set up the funding for everything. Michael has the ability to stop everything and ruin Ettore, if he so much as thinks about making a wrong move. If Ettore has found a way around that system, then I don’t know what you want me to do.” My father was careful to set up his will so that Michael has control above all, then Ettore. Ettore began working through my father, and my father took advantage and weaved each new business through an old so the confusing web would take him forever to unravel if he didn’t wait his turn in line or get Michael to sign it all over to him. Michael may not want the role, but his campaign is funded through the same sources. He was smart, too smart for his own good, because he knows damn well that someone is going to be able to figure out his money puzzle and steal everything out from under him.
“You just keep me informed. I don’t want you any more involved than you have to be. I will take care of whatever it is and cut him off before he can make any major moves.”
“If Ettore truly wants to kills us all and take over, then why would he ever tell me anything?”
“Because he needs you,” my father growls. “I saw it in his eyes when he realized what you could do. He will confide in you eventually; he is waiting for the right moment, the right time, to force you to trust him. Be careful what you share with him, Dace. He’s smart and always waiting for you to make a mistake so he can capitalize. Is Michael giving you anything to report back to Ettore?”
“Nothing of value, or of any value to Ettore. Michael is purely political right now. Ettore could give a rat’s ass about any of that.”
“What about that girl Michael has been seeing?” he asks.
“What about her?”
“I’m assuming it’s only a matter of time before Ettore suspects her of spying, which I am sure she is doing, not that she will get anywhere. She should be enough to get Ettore upset and make a mistake, hopefully the mistake will cause Michael to wake up and take Ettore more seriously. ”
I jerk my head in his direction. “What? You’re using her to start a war between them? You are going to get her killed!”
My father stops our casual walk and looks me over. “She is a cop, right? I am sure she can take care of herself. Besides, Ettore will only use her for leverage. Killing her would be a last resort. If she is going to be worried about anyone, it should be Michael. Michael’s last wife, I suspect, would still be alive if she hadn’t of been cheating on him.”
“What? I thought they were so in love that they were devoted to each other?” I ask him, considering what could happen to Austin.
“Oh, don’t listen to me. I am sure they were; it is primarily speculation on my part. She was a beautiful woman, Wendy. I only assumed she didn’t spend all those lonely nights by herself while Michael was working late.”
“I think you need to tell Michael to find someone new, someone other than a cop. Austin deserves better than to be pushed into a middle of a war.”
“She does, does she? What was the name of that woman I saw with you the other night?”
“I don’t remember. I wasn’t that much into her.”
“Uh-huh. Anyway, I could be wrong. I imagine there could be some faithful women out there somewhere. Maybe this ‘Austin’ is one of them?” he says oddly. I shrug. “It was a sad funeral …” My father’s concentration drifts off, and I wonder whose funeral he is speaking of—Wendy’s or my mother’s? Considering he is twisting his old wedding band that has never left his finger since their wedding day, I assume it is my mother’s. He looks up at the sky and smiles before sighing back in my direction. “You were always a good kid. I find it ironic that you’re the one I trust the most.”
“Oh yeah? Why? Because I am the one always running away.”
“No, but now that you bring it up, you’re ability to know when to stay and when to leave is what will keep you alive. If you’re the only one left standing against Ettore, I left you something, an apology you could say. It will help you regain whatever stronghold you may need.”
“An apology for what?”
“It will all be in the letter. I have someone assigned to give it to you after I die. Look for a man named Hayden Stryker, he will know what to do.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “I told you I don’t want to take over. I am only here to help you and Michael, and then I’m gone. Let Antony be your prince in waiting.”
My father grabs my coat and forces me back to him. “You listen to me. You are the best of both your mother and I; I know it, I see me in you.” I nod with a sarcastic roll of my eyes. “You are my son!” My father looks into my eyes, vibrating with intensity. “You are my son.”
“Yes, I am,” I say with my hands out as he clamps down on my coat and stares into my eyes as if he is searching for something.
“You will honor your heritage, your birthright, and claim your position at the head of this family if it is necessary. My name cannot die.”
“Are you planning on dying soon or something?”
“Not planning, expecting. Like you, I know when something is coming. I don’t know from which direction it is coming, but it’s coming for me. All I can do is wait for it. A word of advice: if it is Ettore left standing with you, then you fight like all hell to claim that sovereignty from him because he won’t let you run free without getting blood on your hands. You just make sure it’s his blood,” he says with an odd sadness about him. All I can do is nod in agreement to something I don’t even understand. This family was always considered the tightest, most solid family there ever was. That’s what kept us strong, but now, all of a sudden, all hell is breaking loose.
My meeting with my father has bothered me ever since I left him. I am feeling a weight on my shoulders like I have never wanted. I really don’t care if Ettore takes over; I just want out of here—out of this city and away from this insane family.
“Hey, sexy, you want a date?” I look over and laugh as Antony smiles his goofiness in my direction.
“Get in the damn car, dumbass. We got shit to do.”
“So what’s on your mind that you look so serious?”
“What’s on your mind that’s made you look so happy?”
“Do you really want to know what I was doing last night?” He glances my way, letting me know all I need to know. I shake my head, looking away. “Oh come on. He was really good. It might be enough to sway you?”
“No thanks. I’m good, but nice to know someone in this family is having sex.”
“Wait, who’s not having sex? Obviously not Dad and his old boring balls. Ettore … uhhh ew. Michael … oh yeah how did the date go?”
“Not well. She was coming home as I was coming in with Ettore. She grabbed my arm and looked at me with those pitiful eyes of hers. Nearly killed me to act like she was a nutcase and turn away from her. And fucking Michael is obsessed with her.”
“Sounds like Michael.”
“What do you mean? How am I the only one that didn’t know how obsessed he can get?”
“Because you weren’t here right after Wendy died. He’s been crazy obsessed about perfection ever since. Nothing can be out of place or done even a second late. Now that he has it in his head that Austin is perfect for him, he isn’t going to settle for anything else, better or not.”
“Oh great, both of my brothers are insane. Why would you let me tell Austin she should be with him then?!”
“Excuse me, asshole. I wasn’t there when you fucked that up. You should stop pushing people away and start letting life work itself out rather than forcing it on everyone.” I look at him with annoyance. What the hell am I supposed to do? Continue seeing her and risk her life? If I didn’t live here, if I was back with KTR, then it might be different. “It’s your life, Dace. If you can’t control your happiness then the world will, and that is not going to ever work out in your favor. You might end up with Shirley over there.” I look out my window at the large woman in yellow heels and tight mi
ni skirt that is barely covering her backside.
“She isn’t even bothering to shave anymore.” I take notice of the facial stubble on her face.
“Why bother? That snake is hard to miss. Good news, she said she has nearly got enough to pay for a boob job.”
“A boob job? Shouldn’t he, I mean she, get the snake taken care of first?”
“I asked that, but she said there is a lot of money to be made in dick fucking a guy with big boobs.”
“What?” I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the visual. “Okay, let’s talk about something else.”
“Went too far with the gay info this time, huh?”
“Little bit.”
“Awesome. I love grossing you out.”
“Just drive asshole. At the next light, take a right.” He does as asked, and I see the building up ahead. “Pull off here and let’s walk.” Antony and I both get out and carefully approach the broken down building. It doesn’t seem to be much of anything but the amount of internet activity coming out of this building is staggering. There seems to be something going on here; the Aksakovs must have something more going on than they appear to. There are only a few guards posted around the building, which makes it easy for Antony and I to sneak in. The computer system is surprisingly out of date. The only thing odder are the security cameras showing Austin and her brother walking in and asking questions, both of their partners behind them.
“Is that Austin? Ooh yeah, and that’s her brother. Can’t miss him.” I look back at him and roll my eyes. “Sorry.”
“What the fuck is she doing here?”
“She seems to show up wherever you are. It’s like you two can’t be broken apart, no matter how hard you try to push her away.” He laughs while I stare impatiently at him. “Not funny? Okay, maybe later then.”
“Shit!” I yell as an alarm goes off and the cavalry rushes in around us. Men are coming in from everywhere.