August
I left her in the bathroom, dressing quickly and grabbing my phone. Once again, an emptiness filled my heart. Even remorse. There’d been no calls, no emails that would indicate any major disturbances in the middle of the night. The quiet was as disconcerting as the events of the day before.
Even the freshly brewed coffee tasted bitter. I poured the cup into the drain, glaring at the morning light.
“A pensive man.”
I snickered, watching the reflection in the glass as she walked in. “I have a lot on my mind.”
“Such as the explosion?”
“Yes. That and other aspects of business.”
“That you still won’t tell me about.”
As she moved to find a mug, pouring herself a cup of coffee, I shook my head. “We have legitimate businesses such as the casinos and other real estate development.”
“You also have others that are directly related to crimes,” she said quietly, no condemnation, simply a statement.
“I’m not going to insult your intelligence. We are into various aspects that are considered criminal activity, but by and large, the family is legitimate.”
“And you’re talking over one day.”
I laughed, thinking about my siblings. “I have two brothers, both of which are capable but who refuse to have anything to do with the… operation. One lives out West on a ranch. He has a wife and two kids. The other is currently sailing the world at the moment.”
“Smart men. They want to live their life in an honest fashion.”
The words would normally rile me, but they were more truthful than I cared to hear. I turned to face her, nodding once. “What they never realized is that they were born into this family and by that I mean the Borgata. We are Italian, our heritage in settling in America was about forging a new life.”
“That didn’t have to include murdering people.” She dared to inch closer to me, her wet hair framing her face in such a sexy fashion. The robe was far too seductive, drawing my mind in other more nefarious locations.
“We do what has to be done, Sasha. Sometimes that includes eliminating problems. We also don’t talk about certain aspects of business in this house.” I kept my voice low.
“You talk in code as if I’m wearing a wire. I think you know better.” Her eyes flashed.
“But anyone could be listening. I’m certainly not immune to the law. The Feds have tried for years to take down my family for accusations that simply aren’t true. I can’t allow that to happen so I’m careful in everything I do.”
“Except with me.” She took a sip of coffee, her eyelashes fluttering as she lifted her gaze.
“No. Not with you.”
“Are you saying that this house is bugged, that everything we’re saying is on record? No wonder your brothers bailed. This isn’t the kind of life to live.”
“As I said, anything is possible.” Sighing, I folded my arms, trying to keep my distance. “You can’t run from who you are. Even you should know that. My brothers have no choice about who they are. My father never pushed them, allowing them to make a choice, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t required to protect our family. Every member.”
“Including me?”
The question drove a stake through my heart. “Including anyone I care about.”
“Hmmm…” She looked away. “Are you ever going to tell me about my mother?”
Once again, the question caught me off guard. I inched closer. “Why would your father lie to you about her death?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. They didn’t get along, but he never abused her in any manner.”
“Did she find out about his methods of business?”
She looked me directly in the eyes. “My mother was formidable, refusing to back down to him and he hated it. There was never a time that I didn’t see them arguing. I honestly have no idea why they stayed married. Perhaps they were in love once, but from the time I was a small child, I never saw any kind of adoration. As far as business, he never talked to her about it in my presence. And before you ask, if she’d known about his sick desires, she would have taken me and left.”
“Did your mother have secrets of her own?” There was a possibility she found out about his kinky needs, but I couldn’t imagine that would be the impetus to lock her away. There was a missing piece.
Raw anger surfaced on her face. “Don’t you dare say anything about her, August. Whatever she had to endure was much more horrible than anything you’ve experienced in your life.”
“I’m not chastising your mother in any fashion, but there has to be a reason that your father carted her off to a mental institution.”
“Where is she, August? If you know something, I demand you tell me!” She was more rattled than ever.
“All I know is that she’s somewhere in Canada.”
“Somewhere? And you expect me to buy that?” Sasha shoved her cup onto the counter, backing away. “Just because I was stupid enough to say I love you doesn’t mean that you can hold this over my head. I’m no fool. There is something hiding in the dark and very murky waters of this situation. The question is, what does my father have on you?”
I recoiled, another volley of anger sliding into my system. “Your father is a gnat and nothing more, a worthless piece of shit who uses people-”
“Just like you?” she interrupted.
Gripping the edge of the counter, I took a deep breath. “Maybe you’re right. I never lied to you about the kind of man that I was, but did your father?”
She twisted her mouth, lines crinkling on her beautiful face. “You’re right. He’s capable of anything. That much I know. That’s why I wanted to get away, start a new life. I was a fool to think that would ever happen. If my mother is really alive, please find her, August. Ruin my father. I don’t care, but please don’t ever lie to me. You have me. I’m yours now to do with what you want, but I won’t be some stupid patsy or arm candy. Never.”