by E. M. Gayle
However, before I could make another move the door opened and Rock walked in. His gaze immediately registered Anthony on the floor and then he locked on me. "Jesus Christ, Nova. Are you all right?"
"What the fuck?" JD roared from behind him, and he wasn't alone. One second I was alone and the next the entire club had filled the small conference room.
"Nova." Rock rushed to my side and cupped my face with both hands. Just seeing him here, feeling the safety of his hands on me nearly made me collapse.
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt." My lip trembled as I tried to hold it together.
"What the hell happened?" That question came from more than one of the men at the same time.
What was I supposed to say? If I told Rock that Ronin did this, I could be his next target for ratting him out. But if I lied to Rock again. Even I couldn't live with that anymore.
"Ronin," he said, answering his own question.
I bit my lip and held my silence, which meant we both knew he'd guessed right.
"That motherfucker," JD looked particularly angry as he stared down at the body. "A bullet to the brain. What bullshit. That bastard deserved far worse."
"Dad!"
Everyone in the room turned to look at Rock. That was the first time I'd heard him use that word, and judging by the looks on all of their faces, they weren't used to it either.
JD turned to his son, his face hard. "Don't start." Then he turned to me. "I'm sorry, Nova. I'm not trying to upset you, but that man—" He didn't finish his thought, but the jerk of muscle in his jaw and the dark look in his eyes was more than enough.
"I'm not upset. At least not in the way I think I should be. His capacity for evil was so much worse than even I knew."
A chill worked up my arms as I thought of everything Ronin had said. Every word sounded like it was from a horror movie script, not real life. I rubbed my arms.
"We need to get her out of here so we can deal with this." JD waved in the direction of my father's body. I was too afraid to look down. I never wanted to see anything like that again.
"Did you touch anything?"
I shook my head.
"What about the gun?"
"Ronin said it belonged to Franciso, my father's right-hand man. I don't know what happened to him, and I'm pretty sure I don't want to know."
"Smart," Axel said, coming forward to crouch down and inspect the weapon without touching it. "I'd have to check to be sure, but I'd bet it was fired at least twice today."
"No. He only shot my father once. In the—the head."
"We don't have to talk about it now. Let's get you out of here and backstage where you're supposed to be."
I nodded, trying to pull my thoughts together to get out of here. I took a slow, deep breath and tried to slow my racing heartbeat. "Let's go now. I need to get out of here."
"Sure thing." He hesitated and looked over at JD and Axel.
"We got this. Get your girl out of here and I'll contact you after."
Rock nodded, reaching for my hand. When I tried to grab hold, I realized I still had the medallion clutched in my palm.
"Oh my God. I almost forget. I have the diamonds!" I held up my hand and showed him the gold piece I'd removed from my dress.
"Excuse me?" He asked, looking at me like I'd lost my mind.
"The diamonds. Ronin set me up and planted them in my dressing room. By sheer luck I was in there trying to send you a message when I found them. I panicked and didn't know what to do. I had to get them out of there, so I hot-glued them to this. I've been wearing them for hours and pretty much freaking out the whole time."
"You hot glued millions of diamonds to your dress?" Rock's question caused several of the men to snicker.
"Sounds pretty ingenious to me. Maybe smuggling via fashion will become the next thing."
Both Rock and I shot JD a look. "That's not even funny," I said.
"All you have to do is just pull them off. Hot glue holds really well, but it’s also easy to remove." I plucked off each gem and dropped them one by one into his outstretched hand.
"He stared at them for a few seconds before he handed them to JD. Clean them up and leave them on the body. If these are recovered, no one's going to care too much about a dead mafia don. Let's just hope they're real this time."
"No. You don't think he would pull that again, do you?"
"With Ronin, there is no telling. He is obsessed with games. I guarantee he didn't walk out of here without a plan for how to keep it going later."
A twinge of guilt constricted my chest. I was not going to open that can of worms today. Maybe never. The last thing I needed was Rock and Ronin in a never-ending cat and mouse situation. They were both relentless, and Rock would never let Ronin hold a favor over my head.
"How did you find me anyways?" I was stupid and left my tablet behind.
Tel held up his tablet. "Tracker in your necklace."
"You never take that necklace off, so we attached a micro device to it just in case." Rock explained.
I looked at him, unsure what to say. "Thanks, I guess."
"I told you I wasn't taking chances and I meant it. I'm just sorry we didn't get here sooner. Next time I see Ronin I'm going to kick his ass for this stunt and then haul his ass to jail."
I couldn't blame him for feeling that way. I was officially overspending any more time with my former pseudo fiancé.
"Can we go now?" I couldn't take another minute in this room. I wasn't going to breathe easy until I started putting this behind me.
Plus, I couldn't shake the feeling that we all needed to get as far away from this scene as possible. I had a lot to process, and that wasn't going to be easy if Homeland Security caught us standing over a dead body with the diamonds nearby.
Chapter 21
Rock
* * *
We'd barely cleared the threshold of Nova's destroyed office when I swung her around to face me. "Okay, we're alone. Tell me what in the hell is going on. What did Ronin say to you?"
"The last five years of my life have been a lie. I know I should have told you that I'd been married before, but I—how was I supposed to tell you that I killed someone?" She blurted. I don't know what I expected her to say, but that wasn't it.
"Whoa. Back up. I was talking about Ronin and your father. You kinda killed someone? How do you kind of do that?"
"I don't know.” She plopped down on a chair and proceeded to push her head between her knees. Clearly, she was in shock and needed some time to get her thoughts together. But there was too much at stake and I had to know exactly what happened.
"Tell me," I insisted.
Her head dipped again as if she didn't want to look me in the eyes. "I was eighteen. All I remember is a wedding ceremony my father forced me into. Only I didn’t—don’t—remember a single detail beyond the wedding ceremony and the sick dread I felt after as I was prepared for my husband. I woke up with blood everywhere and my husband with a knife in his chest. I thought my memory blank was because of the trauma and the fact I didn't want to remember. "
My head reeled as information poured out of her in no discernible order. "Nova." I pushed all of my fingers into my hair and then scrubbed them down my face.
"I know. It's crazy. Hence why I blocked it out of my mind. Or so I thought. Apparently, my memories of that night were all messed up because my father had me drugged."
If Cullotta wasn't already dead, I would have killed him myself.
"I don't know what he gave me, but his intent was clear. He wanted to make me more malleable so I wouldn't fight him on the supposed marriage. But it was all a ruse. He lured Ronin's grandfather there under the guise of marrying me, but it was nothing more than an elaborate plan to kill him and pin it on me."
"God damn." I'd hunted a lot of mafia men in my days, but this was— "He's lucky he's dead. My father was right. A bullet to the head wasn't enough."
She blinked up at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears and I wanted to kick myself
. I needed to keep comments like that to myself. No matter how much hatred ran through her veins right now, she'd still witnessed a man she once loved be murdered. I crouched down beside her and cupped her cheek before gently pulling her into my arms. "I'm so sorry, Nova. I'm not helping by saying things like that, but hearing this—" I hesitated, reaching for something not so vicious to say. "Someone hurting you tears my heart out. It makes me need to lash out."
"I love you Rock Reed." She pressed her lips to mine and I took that beautiful, sweet kiss and devoured her mouth. I couldn't express how devastated I was by what she went through, but I could find a way to let her know how much she meant to me.
She clung to me and I clung right back. "I am never letting you—" I didn't even get to finish my thought before there was a stern knock at the door. "Dammit. What now?"
"You okay, Nova?" She still looked shell shocked and I wanted to get one of her friends in here to sit with her while I started sorting shit out. But first we had to go over a few unpleasant things. There were going to be questions sooner rather than later.
"If anyone asks you anything about your father, Ronin, or those diamonds, you know nothing. Got it? If someone starts interrogating you, you ask for a lawyer and call Gabe for help. His lawyers are fucking sharks. Do exactly what they tell you to."
"Do I need a lawyer?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
He sure as hell hoped not. "I'm telling you just in case. You can't be too careful when it comes to the letter of the law, and trust me if there is any question at all, you want a lawyer. Okay?" She nodded, but I still wasn't sure she was in the right frame of mind for this.
I'd called in some favors, and hopefully my contacts would arrive shortly and put this mess into the correct perspective. However, there were no guarantees since I couldn't one hundred percent control the information getting out. Hence, I wanted a goddamn lawyer in here to protect her as well.
I crossed to the door and discovered two of the Homeland Security agents waiting on the other side. They'd been searching for hours and were bound to start asking questions. And since this was the absolute worst timing possible, they were here.
"We're looking for Ms. Cullotta."
Shit.
I didn't have to turn and see her face to know that Nova was about to start freaking out now that they'd identified her as Anthony Cullotta's daughter.
"She's here, but I'd like to see badges first before she speaks to you. As well as locate her employer and his attorney to supervise. This is Sinclair property and she is one of their employees."
One of the men narrowed his eyes. "And you are?"
"Agent Rock Reed, FBI. I'm reaching for my badge now."
"Same," he said.
I pulled my identification from my breast pocket and traded with them. Then grabbed my cellphone and took two quick pictures so I could send them to my boss. There was nothing wrong with verifying that all of this was on the up and up and maybe I could gain a little insight into what the end goal here was.
"Are you currently conducting an investigation in The Sinclair?"
That was a damned tricky question. Officially I was on leave. Luckily, I had the best cover of all, and I could answer without really answering. "Nova, Ms. Cullotta, is my girlfriend. I am here to attend her show and accompany her to the after party."
"Oh shit," Nova swore behind him. Guess she'd forgotten about the party.
"Can we come in? This shouldn't take long."
I smirked. Famous last words. I stepped back, allowing them access. "Considering you've already destroyed my girlfriend's office in your wasted search, I'm not sure what else she can do for you."
"We just have a few questions."
"Are you acquainted with—" the agent made a show of looking down at his notepad as if he hadn't already memorized every word of every question he intended to ask. "Ronin Kavanaugh?"
"Yes. He's the man my father has arranged for me to marry despite my objections."
I ground my teeth to keep my mouth closed. I should have emphasized the need for only yes or no answers. That kind of detail only opens her up to even more questions they might not have thought of.
"But Agent Reed here is your boyfriend?"
She looked up at me and a slight smile crossed her face. "Yes, we've been dating for several weeks now."
Both agents scribbled notes. Assholes.
"Do you know where Mr. Kavanaugh is now?"
"No."
Much better. He hoped like hell they were wrapping this up soon.
"And your father. Have you seen him today?"
She nodded. "Of course. He was in the audience during the show."
"What about after?"
"Not yet. Although I am sure I will hear from him soon, since I informed Mr. Kavanaugh earlier today that I would not be marrying him."
The questions continued, but I started to tune them out. Nova had pulled herself together and was handling herself like a true media star. Considering her experience with the press, I should have known she could deal with two Homeland agents. First, I texted Houston and informed him of what was going on and asked if Gabe and Nina could give Nova an assist. He texted back they were all on their way, including the lawyer.
Good. He'd shut this down immediately and we could get on with working through the other problems.
The next text went to JD, which went unanswered. I couldn't say much over the phone, but he'd know I wanted to talk to him. There were so many balls in the air right now, I didn't know which one to catch first.
There was going to be a shit ton of fallout over Cullotta's death. He may have been a shitty leader, but he'd been the head of a small family that would leave a power vacuum in Vegas. Which meant more problems for law enforcement and criminals alike. It was time to get JD and the club out of Vegas. They might be family, but their visit had bad timing written all over it.
I scrubbed my hand over my face again. Maybe it was time for me to leave the agency. It was impossible for me to see the world in only black and white. I wasn't about to rejoin the club and do the things they did, but I was tired of having my hands tied in ways that meant I had to compromise myself at every turn. Leaving now might leave a cloud of suspicion behind, but I didn't make decisions based on what other people thought.
My phone dinged with an incoming text. I looked down to read it.
JD: We're all clear. Come home and visit soon. Bring the girl.
That was my father. He said so much with so few words, and he apparently liked Nova and I together. That didn't surprise me. She was one hell of a woman.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket without answering. A visit home might be a bit of a minefield of emotions, but it might be nice to let Nova see where exactly I'd come from. No family was perfect, but they all had their moments, and after tonight, we earned a vacation.
A few minutes later, Houston, Gabe, and Nina arrived, followed shortly by the lawyer. As I expected, he made short work of getting rid of the Homeland agents. They were likely to call everyone back in once I reported the body, but until then Nova could breathe easy with her friends at her back.
"What's next?" Houston asked as they both watched Nina and Gabe each offer Nina a hug.
"Is that position in your firm you keep trying to get me to take still open?"
Houston's head snapped sideways so fast it made me laugh. That look of surprise on his face was damned priceless. We'd been taking it slow in getting to know each other again after a decade apart, but it was time to finally put that to rest for good.
"Are you serious?"
I lifted my shoulders, since I was feeling him out, not making a commitment. "Keeping my options open is all."
"Just say the word, brother. I've been waiting." His answer felt good and right.
After the agents were gone, I sat next to Nova, grabbed her hand, and filled everyone in on what was about to happen. Definitely not protocol, but it was a little late for that at this point.
"We need to
brace ourselves for what's going to come next. You may have gotten rid of Homeland, but things are about to get a whole lot worse before they get better. Since the after party is set to take place in Zia's Kitchen, I would suggest everyone head there now. Stay there. I'm going to control the fallout as best I can, but Gabe,”—I looked over at the hotel manager—"you are going to have to control the press. Whatever connections and influence you have, use them. I can certainly keep my part out of the news, and I suggest you all do the same."
"What are you talking about?" Gabe asked, his confusion evident.
I took a deep breath, squeezed Nova's hand, and dropped the bomb about Cullotta's murder. I'm pretty sure Gabe's face turned about fifty shades of red as the implications of a murdered crime boss on his hotel property sank in.
"I know you have a million questions, but there's no time to answer them. You'll probably have about an hour or so to coordinate how the coroner will get in and get out without being seen by the press, so I suggest you don't waste any time."
"Fuck." His grated curse was the exact sentiment for how they all felt right now.
His lawyer touched his arm and whispered something to him that I couldn't make out. Probably for the best I didn't hear whatever plans they made.
"Where?"
"Small conference room in the back of the convention area behind the auditorium."
"Dammit," he cursed. "There are still a shit ton of people out there."
"Then I suggest you get to work."
While Gabe looked ready to explode, he wasted no time. He pulled his wife to the side and spoke to her and then he, Houston and the attorney left.
"What about us?" Nina asked. "We're just supposed to party like nothing happened?"
* * *
"It's what everyone expects. The Sinclair has just co-hosted their first successful fashion show, and the press and guests are going to expect a big blowout. So give it to them and keep them too busy for anything else." I brought Nova's hand to my mouth and kissed her fingers. "It's what she deserves."
