LAKE
“Before your mind went somewhere else, the answer is no. Terzo did not steal or sleep with my girlfriend.”
I put her in the tub with generous milk products and rose and lavender oils. I also brought a glass of wine so she could relax, but as I expected, she grilled me with many questions I couldn’t answer.
“Figures.”
“I just met him days ago, Maverick. I don’t know him personally other than what I already told you. Why are you interested in this guy?”
She arched a brow at me. “Don’t give me that look. I don’t have feelings for him. I feel like we have a deeper connection-”
I groaned in annoyance because I had a pretty good idea it was the same blood running through their veins.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Should I be worried?” It was absurd. I knew why, but she better not know it or, at least not at this moment.
She grabbed the wine by the stem, swirled it, sniffed it, and sipped it. My gaze dropped to her long, elegant neck as she swallowed it down and then to her chest, the bubbles barely covering her succulent breasts.
“Eyes up here, Lake.” She snapped her fingers before me. “I told you I don’t have that romantic affection for him. I just feel that I can trust him, that he won’t harm me. He’s funny and made sure that we’re friends, nothing more. So keep your fangs in your mouth. No need to bite.”
“Uncle Moses saved his father, Gaetano, so he’s indebted to my uncle for the rest of his life. I know, and I can guarantee that Terzo would never harm you. I don’t like the idea of you hanging out with him because they have enemies, and you might be targeted when someone sees you with Terzo.”
“He’s mysterious, but it never occurred to me he’s a mafia.” She chuckled, and she almost ran me over by her car. I knew she wouldn’t do that, but at that heated moment, we were both furious.
“Siciliano and his people will never harm Braddson unless someone breaks that sacred bond. Both parties have this mutual agreement to protect Braddson, including me and you.”
“How did you meet Terzo?”
“It doesn’t matter. Siciliano saved London’s father from another mafia. I don’t know the details. That’s how London and Striker ended up married.”
“Wait. What?” She suddenly showed interest.
“Gossip isn’t my thing, baby. Shut that look.” I kissed the top of her head before I got up. “Enjoy your time.”
“Wait. Where are you going? We barely get to the juicy part.”
I smiled as I turned around. “We’ll get juicy later. I promise you.”
“Go away. You’re no fun.”
“I told you we’ll have fun later. We’re keeping the best for last.”
I went downstairs. Owen and Homer were already waiting for me.
“Did you get the image from the CCTV?”
“No, boss. He clearly knew what he was doing. He was a pro. Maybe you can ask your wife to describe the face of the man.”
“How about the dashcam of her car?”
“Nope. Did she tell you who she was talking to that night?” Homer asked.
“It was your job to know, Huxley.”
“I’m sorry, boss, but I thought she was in the locker the whole time. Trust me. Your wife is smart and slippery. The only way to find out about that man is if Mrs. Winston will talk.”
I sighed as I walked to the wet bar. I poured a scotch and stared at it. “Why is she keeping secrets from me?”
“The night before you arrived, a woman, Leah Fox, was there-” Homer wasn’t finished. I was already cursing out profanities.
“Fuck. Yeah, that woman. By any chance, her ex was there, too?”
“That’s what I was about to say. But why did he want to talk to your wife?”
“Good question. That fucker.”
“Your wife would have told you if her ex was harassing her. She hates that loser. Maybe it wasn’t Heath Davis.”
“Enough. I’ll ask her about that. You both can rest. It’s been a long day.”
“Boss,” Owen called me as he rose to his feet. “Should we worried about Siciliano?”
I shook my head. “No. He’s not a threat, and don’t ever cross him, or we will have a huge problem.”
“Like what, boss?” This time, Homer asked.
“For one, he’s Siciliano. My uncle and his family have a mutual respect. Let’s keep it that way. And I know something that I can’t tell you right now.”
“I think I heard enough from this afternoon, boss.”
I nodded at Owen. “Keep it that way.”
I went back to my room. Maverick was already in bed, sitting Indian-style with her phone.
“Nana is still mad at me. She didn’t even reply to my text or answer my calls. I’ve tried it every day, and nothing. I hope she’s okay, though. I’m so worried.”
“I’ll ask someone to check on her. I’m sure she will throw her pots at me if I ever enter her door.”
She giggled. “She likes her pots. She won’t do that, but Nana has an old gun from my grandpa, and I’m one hundred percent sure she knows how to use it.”
“Noted.” I raised my hands for a surrender before I joined her in bed. “How was your day?” I put the palm of my hands on her exposed thighs, dragged them up, and her silky shorts rode up.
“No juicy part tonight.”
“What?” I asked in disappointment. “Why?”
“You’re being a bad boy.” She lay down on her side, and I came behind her, pulling her close to me in a tight hug.
“How can I change your mind, baby?”
“I’m tired, babe. Let’s get some sleep.
***
I didn’t listen to Maverick’s advice. I stepped onto the porch of the Bates house and rang the bell. A few moments later, Augustine opened the door.
“Hello, Mrs. Bates. I’m-”
“I remember who you are. I’m not senile. Why are you here?” She opened the door wide but neither invited me in.
I stepped inside. “Maverick is still devastated-”
“She lied to me. I didn’t want to go on the same path as her mother, but girls nowadays don’t listen to their elders anymore, and they think they know everything. They have minds on their own, but I never thought my granddaughter would sell her soul for money.”
“I know you are disappointed-”
“You bet, young man. What is it really you want from her, and what are you doing here?” She stared at me flatly.
“It pains me to see my wife-”
“Jesus Christ. It even sounds absurd coming from you. You paid her to be your wife. Does that even count? Is that even a real marriage?”
“Yes. We got married-”
“I know where it happened, young man. If you’re here to convince me to forgive Maverick, you are wasting your time.”
“It wasn’t her fault she was in need of money. She’s done her best and everything, working hard and going to school with her barely running car. Her ex just dumped her. Her things were out of the apartment building, but she didn’t come here because she didn’t want to disappoint you. She always wanted to make you proud.”
“What do you know about disappointment?”
I chuckled bitterly. “My father. All I did in my life was to do what he asked me to do to please him. I did everything I could, even if he treated me like a rug than his own son. I just wanted to see how proud he was of me, but I never heard a single compliment from him, and he was more disappointed when I chose Maverick over any other rich heiress.”
When she seemed to listen to me, I continued, “All Maverick could tell me with the pride in her voice was how you raised her and that you’re the only family she has left. She loves you very much, Mrs. Bates. If she chooses between us, she will not think twice about choosing you, but I hope it will not come to that. I don’t want her to choose because I’m also her family, and believe it or not, I fell in love with your granddaughter, and that’s not going to change. She’s the most amazing and wonderful woman I’ve ever met, and I’m not going to leave her like how her mother abandoned her. And please, don’t abandon her, too.”