Fallen Angel: Broken Saint Duet Part Two

by E. M. Gayle

  "What is it?" I finally asked, wanting to understand what was happening.

  "Listening devices, recorders, voice and motion activators, GPS trackers, electronic signal jammers, etc. etc. etc. Anything you could possibly need to have eyes and ears in places we can't legally be, and whatever it takes to give us an advantage over them. I've even got some software for your phone and tablet that works like an app and can keep us in the know."

  "For…?" This wasn't at all what I had imagined was going to happen. Although we did live in a pretty high-tech world, so I should not have been surprised.

  "If you're going back to Vegas, then we are going to make sure we have you covered every single second. I refuse to take chances we don't have to. I'd prefer if you stayed here until this was all over, but I heard you loud and clear about the show. But this part is non-negotiable."

  I shrugged. "Okay."

  He continued as if he hadn't heard me. "It's either this or you aren't going anywhere. Seriously, Nova, I want no argument about this."

  All the men looked at each other for a moment before they busted out laughing.

  Rock glowered at them.

  I placed my hand over his to get his attention. "I'm not stupid. I won't refuse your help or your direction."

  "Okay then, let's introduce you to all the guys so you know the team. We're all going to be in this together."

  Rock proceeded to give me the names, or nicknames, of the men in the club, and while I knew I wouldn't remember them all, I was pretty sure I would remember their faces. Some looked at me with kindness, some wariness and others indifference, but they all reiterated their club's commitment to taking down Anthony Cullotta, while keeping me safe at the same time.

  “Is there a plan?” I asked.

  “The plan is to go after Ronin. Since we don’t expect your father to make his move until after the show, we’re going to use that as our chance to go after Ronin and the diamonds.”

  “I seriously doubt he’s just going to hand them over because you ask.”

  JD chuckled. “Who said anything about asking?”

  “You’re going to steal them back?” No one said anything, but the looks they gave each other were all the answer I needed. “Do we even know where they are?”

  JD’s second in command, Axel, stepped forward. “Ronin made one big mistake, and it gave us the opportunity and the extra incentive to make sure we knew every single move he made. He confronted JD when you were missing and tried to pump him for information. That got our attention, and let’s just say for the sake of our Federal Agent here, that we’ve paid attention to everything he’s done since then.”

  Rock sighed. “I think we’re well beyond the letter of the law in this case. Besides, you don’t have to ‘say it’ for me to know you're referring to a whole host of potential crimes. A little B&E perhaps?”

  Axel shrugged and no one else elaborated, leaving me and Rock to draw our own conclusions.

  “So you do know where they are?” I didn’t want to assume, but I did feel hopeful.

  “It’s likely to be one of two places. His safe at The Sinclair or on his person. We have to cover both possibilities since we don’t know his exact plans for the day of the show.”

  “He is still acting like we’re getting married, even though we know that’s not happening…”

  “Definitely not happening.” Rock rasped, his hand going around my waist to pull me tight against his side.

  “So you’re planning to break—”

  “Okay, that part I do not want the details of.” Rock interrupted, his face hardening. “Suffice it to say, we expect he will make a move, most likely during the after party when everyone is still too busy to notice and when security will be focused on a much smaller area of the hotel.”

  “Most of my men will be scattered throughout the event areas, including backstage to provide extra security as well as provide extra eyes and ears for movement of the target. Tel will be providing point from his computer since we’ll be utilizing all the tech as well.”

  “I’ll make sure they have the necessary passes to give them the freedom they need. I just hope you’re right. Ronin isn’t stupid.”

  “You’re right, he’s not. But he also knows that both me and the club are after Anthony, not him. Legally, I can’t touch Ronin.”

  “Which is why we do what we do.”

  I wanted to ask JD exactly what that meant, but I had a feeling I was better off not knowing. Plus, my mind was trying to process all of this information and the possible scenarios so I could focus on the big picture.

  When that was done, and I had a moment kind of alone with Rock, I couldn't keep my curiosity contained any longer. "Is there some reason these men all seem to hate my father, or is this just some sort of club thing they do? Because honestly, I don't understand why these men want to help me. They don't know me."

  "I'm sure you noticed JD looks a little rough. Black eye, stitches in a few places, cuts and bruises."

  I nodded. A pit formed in my stomach as I jumped to conclusions. I had noticed, but I didn't want to be too forward and ask.

  "Your father couldn't get to me without getting his ass arrested, so he went for my family. Which was about the dumbest thing he could have done. Attacking an MC president is one of the most asinine things someone in his position could do. I don't know if his ego is out of control or what, but he basically signed on for a war."

  My eyes widened at his words, but I managed to keep my mouth from dropping open. That did sound incredibly stupid on my father's part and out of character. "Oh my God. I am so sorry. I had no idea."

  "Why would you? You aren't responsible for your father's actions. The man has made his bed, and he will soon have to lie in it."

  I shifted uncomfortably in the chair I sat in. "What will they do to him?" I probably didn't want to know the answer to that question, but I couldn't seem to resist asking it. "Please don't sugarcoat your answer or avoid it. I need to know the truth. I want to be prepared for what's coming."

  "I am not sure you can be totally prepared for what might happen, but I get that you want to. I would feel the same way." He cleared his throat and nodded his head to the patio doors that led out to the pool. "How about we go outside and finish this conversation."

  I nodded, following his gaze towards the men sitting too close for comfort. Rock led me outside, and I breathed a heavy sigh of relief when the slider door closed behind us and we were alone outside. I breathed in a gulp of fresh air and held it for a moment before releasing it slow. I didn't realize how much I needed to this until right that moment.

  "Tell me," I urged. "Please."

  "If JD has his way, your father won't live another week. Under different circumstances, he might consider eye for an eye style of retaliation, but we all know that it will never end there. If they attack your father, and they will, it will be one battle after another until the innocent casualties become unbearable. So JD is going to do whatever it takes to end it with one confrontation."

  "And you're okay with that?" What kind of FBI agent did that make him? I rubbed at my arms to hide the sudden chill bumps popping up on my skin. And who the hell was I to judge?

  "Hell, no. I'm not okay with that. I want nothing more than to see your father in court, where he has to answer for his crimes the hard way. His death at JD's hands, while effective getting him off the streets and making the world a safer place, is not the answer. It's the easy way out."

  I didn't know about that. Killing someone it wasn’t….

  "So you want him locked up?"

  "I want him to be punished for all the shit he's done and the people he's hurt and will hurt. I'm not a judge or a jury. How he pays isn't my job. Although I won’t lie, when I saw that needle go into your neck, I reacted in pure rage. If your father had been there, I might have killed him. Hell, I still might. But I'm not letting the club take over this fight for me. That I can guarantee. I will see this through all the way to the end. Whatever that
happens to be." He squeezed my hands. "We'll do it together."

  I wasn't sure what to think. Or what I could say. If his stance on this was as rigid as it sounded then how did I ever stand a chance if/when he learned the truth about me? My stomach roiled just thinking about it. I never wanted to see that look of disgust on his face turned towards me. I wouldn't survive it. And this was exactly why we were not going to end up together.

  Our lives were too different. In our family, the apple wasn't permitted to fall too far from the tree. Our life was ingrained in us. He mistakenly thought locking my father up would change something, when I knew it would not. There was only one thing that would give my life a different outcome, and I wasn't sure I had the guts to do it.

  I could, however, honor all the commitments I had made, and maybe help Rock get what he wanted. At least professionally. I owed him that much. He deserved the truth too, but I couldn't—I just couldn't.

  "I think it’s time," I whispered.

  He leaned closer, and I breathed his scent deep to memorize it. I was going to need this to get me through the coming days.

  "We could stay a little longer."

  I shook my head. No. If I stayed much longer, it would be too hard to leave. Too many people were counting on me to show up. Now in more ways than one. I was going to see this through, no matter what sacrifices had to be made.

  "It's time to take me home."

  Chapter 16

  Nova

  * * *

  I looked out over the rapidly filling auditorium and imagined how, in less than an hour, the space would be packed with people who wanted to see my designs.

  The press would take endless pictures and splash them across social media, celebrities would take note and hopefully place orders, and then there would be the critics, who with a few keystrokes on their phone could make or break an event like this.

  I already had more than enough accolades and clients in my store, but this show was next level for me. My time in New York had taught me a lot, but I'd never quite gotten where I wanted to be. Not until I moved back to Vegas, and took the time to build a social media presence for me and my designs.

  One viral video later, and I had celebrities contacting me for more requests than I could handle, and the interest of a businessman looking to round out his exclusive hotel with something new and fresh. It was thrilling and exciting, but this…

  My own show.

  A few hours ago I was worried I'd miss it all, but Rock had lived up to his promise, and here I was, poised to showcase my life's dream, and blow up my entire world at the same time.

  "Nova, you're needed backstage. There's a problem with the lineup."

  I inwardly groaned. Of course there was a problem. It was to be expected.

  I turned toward Trina, who would coordinate everything along with the support of the rest of the team. There was no doubt in my mind we would make it all work. I'd hand chosen her based on her strengths and my weaknesses. We complemented each other perfectly. However, no matter how well we planned, things were still going to happen.

  "What is it?"

  "One of the dresses you have scheduled to show is missing, and another doesn't fit the model assigned to wear it."

  I took a deep breath and followed her backstage. “Okay, show me which dress is missing. I made duplicates of everything, just in case. I can retrieve whatever we need from the vault."

  "Perfect." Trina tapped a few things on her tablet and then turned it to show me. She and I were the only ones allowed any electronic devices backstage. All other cellphones and tablets had been confiscated until after the event. Tonight was the big reveal of these designs, and we couldn't risk anything getting out early. I made a mental note of the dress.

  “Now, which model and which dress is not working out?" Trina led me over to one of the dressing rooms, knocked before she entered, opened the door, and ushered me inside.

  Immediate chaos greeted me. There were people everywhere. Models in varying stages of undress, hairdressers and make-up artists working their magic, technicians testing out different lighting and talking each of the women through the process. It might have looked like a free for all, but it was all actually very organized and orchestrated.

  The energy of it all was exciting, and the excitement in the air was contagious.

  As soon as I saw the model wearing one of my daywear dresses, I needed no further explanation. I walked over to the big whiteboard with a square for every outfit. The sketches of each, were miniature drawings of my original works. I scanned through the lineup and the models assigned to each one until a solution presented itself. "Let's switch out model number 3 for this one. The cut of that dress will fit Gigi better, and Michelle works for anything in the collection. Make sure they both understand the change in lineup, and get an extra run-through during the final rehearsal."

  Trina made notes and Gigi looked relieved instead of on the verge of tears.

  "What's next?" I asked as we headed back into the heart of the backstage area that had also filled with people.

  "That's it for now. Although I'm sure something else will come up soon." Trina started to turn away when she suddenly turned back. "Oh. Your dress was delivered by security and put in the closet of your office. Do you want to try it on and make sure it's okay? It's the only one that hasn't been fitted today."

  "Sure. I'll do that now." Of course we'd had multiple try on sessions, but that didn't mean anything as evidenced by Gigi's issue. Every time a seamstress got their hands on a dress, things changed.

  I headed into my office and came to an immediate halt. "What are you doing here?"

  Sitting behind my desk with his feet up and his phone at his ear, he looked entirely too comfortable in my space for my own good. I also didn't care if I was interrupting something important. I had not offered him my office for a reason, and if he was going to insist on staying by my side the entire time, he could do it elsewhere.

  He clicked off his phone and I imagined how the party on the other end of the line felt being hung up on without so much as a goodbye. "Wouldn't the question of the day be where the hell have you been?" He didn't make to move from my chair or even remove his shoes from my desk. "Although that is actually a stupid question, isn't it? I think we both know exactly where you were and who you were fucking."

  I so did not have time for this confrontation. Even if it was completely necessary. "You shouldn't be back here. Especially not with that." I pointed at his cellphone. "All electronics have been banned backstage until the show ends. No pictures or recordings of any kind are allowed."

  He smirked. "That's what you think is important in all this?" He waved his phone in my general direction. "I have no reason to take pictures, Nova. I'm not into fashion espionage."

  I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm. I wasn't in the mood for anymore of his digs. I got it. He didn't give a crap.

  "And we're not married, yet, so I don't have to do as I'm told."

  His laid-back expression disappeared and his eyes narrowed to angry slits. "I'm getting tired of this. Have you seen your father, yet?" he asked.

  The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I bit back my retort to the first part of his statement. "No. Should I have?"

  "Maybe. I've heard he's looking for you."

  I bet he was. "What on earth for? He's got to know I'm not going to talk to him after the last time."

  "That's exactly what I told him. But he seems hellbent. Do you know why?"

  I took a deep breath. This was it. "I think he knows about the diamonds."

  Ronin narrowed his eyes. "Is that what your lover told you?"

  Withholding a sigh wasn't easy. I understood that I was playing with fire every time I went anywhere near Rock, but until Ronin and I married, I resisted his control over my life.

  "The information about my father did come from Rock. But that's not all he told me," I hesitated, waiting for a sign from him that he was interested in what I had to say. I carefully stood as still
as possible, doing the best I could not to fidget or show any other outward sign of nervousness. When he said nothing, and didn't even look up from looking at his phone, I continued. "He claims the diamonds I gave him aren't real. He's pissed and ready to arrest me for fraud if I don't produce the real ones."

  He still didn't look at me, but I did see the tic of his jaw muscle for a split second. Despite that, he wasn't going to make it easy. He was the logical choice for the thief, but I had nothing to prove that, and I doubted very much he would confess.

  "Sounds like you got played. If the diamonds aren't real you went to a lot of trouble to get them for nothing."

  "You might think. Except I had the diamonds I took verified. They were as real as they come."

  He finally looked up at me, his face one hundred percent passive. "You let someone steal them. From your hotel safe? Jesus, Nova. That's why someone like you shouldn't be playing the game. You are incompetent."

  I threw up my hands. "What fucking game? What are you talking about?"

  "Language, Nova. Some find it sexy when their women talk like trash, I do not." I caught him narrowing his eyes at me again in that frustrated look of his and it made me want to strangle him. How dare he judge me for the way I spoke? The asshole did things one hundred times worse.

  "I know you took them." I hadn't been sure until right that moment if I would make that accusation, but he clearly thought I was an idiot if didn't think I could put two and two together. "What I don't know, is why. When I wanted to broker a deal with you in exchange for them, you said they were worthless to you. So why take them?"

  He stood and crossed the room, looking down at me as if I were a child that needed to be indulged. He even went so far as to pat my head. "Because I could. I took your assurances that they were valuable to your father, and anything valuable to him is valuable to me."

  "But why? I would have given them to you. I only wanted my freedom. That seems like an easy price to pay."

  A harsh laugh erupted over my head, the sound of it grating down my nerves. I wanted him to tell me more, but I could feel the pit in my stomach growing by the second. Whatever he deigned to tell me wasn't going to be pleasant.