Checkmate (The Cassano Series Book 5)

by Scarlet Wolfe

  I can hardly catch a breath as he holds my face to his chest. Realizing the grip he has on me, he lifts me up and cradles my cheeks.

  Light kisses rain on my forehead, nose and mouth, each saying thank you for giving it all to him right here and now.

  Kruse

  She told me I’d be unable to stop the fall. Tara’s words loop in my head, a broken record replaying the threat–warning–promise.

  What she failed to say was how fast the fall would be and how far it would take me. She didn’t mention how exhilarating yet terrifying it would feel.

  I want to know when it will be over. No, I need to know. When will I reach the end? The bottom, where I’m bound to be shattered to pieces, where I will surely crash and burn.

  Is Aggie falling, too? Will she be a pile of broken pieces like me? She has no idea that it would kill me if she was, but how would she know that? I don’t tell her shit about my feelings. The silence is all I have left to control.

  If I’m not there to catch her in the end, it’s the one discretion her brothers could never forgive me for. I lose it all. All that I’ve built, the friendships I’ve made … poof–gone.

  So, what am I waiting for? Why can’t I reach out my arms and catch her already, before we hit the pavement?

  Before I lose it all.

  Before I lose her.

  I know why. I can’t give her the one thing in life she will surely want.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Theo

  Adrian is speaking to Boone on a disposable phone. Whatever they’re discussing sounds critical, yet Adrian is smiling. He tells Boone he’ll be in touch soon and ends the call.

  “I have good news. You know how Dominic is still undercover in Victor Larios’s cartel?”

  “Yes.”

  “He relayed to Boone that John Ferrera resides in Mexico. He’s not even in the States. Dominic finally overheard a conversation revealing John lives in Juarez, overseeing the operation there for Victor.”

  I rub my forehead as I attempt to piece together how this news could help our situation with the FBI.

  “Adrian, Noah had to be getting his drugs from someone.”

  “Not necessarily. Maybe he was top-dog in Vegas. The drugs were probably smuggled in and driven up here to him.”

  My brother waves his hand in the air.

  “Regardless, it’s not our problem now. We agreed we’re stopping our work in Mexico. The terrorism is too big a battle for us to fight with the small team we have. Dominic and Hammond made that crystal clear to Boone.”

  “Maybe we should still try to bust John Ferrera in case he was the one sending the drugs to Noah.”

  “Theo, we need to get our guys out of that cartel before there’s a casualty. I thought ending all this was what you wanted.”

  “Uh, it is, but I’m thinking now that we know John’s whereabouts, maybe there’s something we could do. Taking out a drug lord means less help for the terrorists to enter this country.”

  “Larios’s cartel hasn’t tried to smuggle a terrorist into the States in a while, and he hasn’t given Dominic the impression he intends to any time soon.

  “I’ll tell the FBI what I learned about John, and they can continue that battle with the DEA if they want. Case closed.” He grins, thinking our troubles are over and he’s going to live happily-ever-after with Victoria.

  “Besides, we never would’ve gotten involved with Noah if it weren’t for that bitch Kim D’Angelo blackmailing us. Fuck her now. We’re moving on with our lives.”

  “Shit, I have some news, Ace.” I sigh, my head falling forward.

  “What’s that?”

  “There’s a reason Ms. D’Angelo came to see us again.…”

  ***

  “Dammit, get Kruse in here!” Adrian barks after I’ve confessed. Victoria has done a lot for him, but she hasn’t changed his disposition at work.

  I guess Kim D’Angelo gets credit for his surliness this evening.

  “Kruse, Adrian wants to meet with you right away.” Slipping my phone back inside my jacket pocket, I take a seat in front of my brother’s desk.

  “Why did you lie to me and tell me she was here for some lame-ass follow-up?”

  “Because I knew you would react like this. Obviously, I had every intention of telling you, but I wanted time to put together a game plan I could lay out for you to possibly thwart this reaction.”

  “This is a big fucking deal, Theo. This isn’t you telling me a member of the lounge was treated poorly and left.”

  I rub my forehead, trying to curb my own anger.

  “I don’t need you to tell me how big a deal this is. I have two small children counting on me to always be there for them, looking at me like I’m a fucking superhero. Do you think I want to disappoint them or worse yet, leave them?”

  Adrian yanks off his tie and falls back farther against his chair.

  “I’m sorry. I know I need to calm down.”

  Kruse taps on the open door before he steps inside.

  “You wanted to see me, sir?”

  “Yes, and shut the door please,” Adrian replies.

  “Pull up a chair,” I add once he’s walked over to us.

  “We’re back under the FBI’s radar. You’re only the third person to be informed, and it better stay that way,” Adrian threatens.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I need your eyes and ears everywhere. Anything unusual that’s said or seen, bring it to us, whether from staff or patron. I mean anyone or anything, Kruse.

  “Drug references, prying eyes, uneasiness by a lounge member, or a new employee seeming out of place. If you feel it’s not right in your gut, tell us about it.

  “I don’t want to be in the dark if the FBI or police plant another person in this place. Also, we have to find out if there is anyone left above Noah selling drugs in this city.”

  “Certainly.”

  We spend the next few minutes giving Kruse some details from Ms. D’Angelo’s visit. My phone rings, and it’s Aggie. “Hey, sis, can I call you back in a few minutes? Adrian and I are in a meeting.”

  “Make sure she’s OK,” Adrian says, his brow tightening with his words. I roll my eyes. He hardly paid attention to the woman for almost a decade, and now he’s back to being the overprotective twin I remember from our youth.

  “Adrian wants to know if you’re OK.”

  “Yes. Tell him I got moved to the condo yesterday.”

  “Why didn’t you let me know ahead of time? I would’ve helped.”

  “It was your weekend with Miranda and Elijah. I wasn’t about to interrupt that. The movers did most of the work, and Reggie came to help.”

  “Reggie, huh?” I glance to Adrian, and he’s wearing a full-blown scowl now. So much for him calming down.

  “He’s my friend, Theo. He’s been a huge help since I moved here, so don’t let Adrian freak out.”

  I’m scratching my head and sighing into the phone.

  “You purposely told me, knowing damn well I would have to bear the brunt of his reaction.”

  She giggles.

  “You now owe me a night of babysitting. I’ll call you later,” I say to her.

  “Love you, little brother.” I get one last giggle from her before I end the call.

  “What the hell did she say about Reggie?” Adrian’s hands are laced behind his head.

  “She said he’s her friend and has been a huge help since she relocated here. He helped her move into the condo yesterday.”

  “Yes, I’m sure his friendship is all he wants to give her.” My brother’s face is turning red. “This can’t happen. It’s like he’s trying to piss me off. Victoria first, now Aggie.”

  “Adrian, you two are friends. I would think you would prefer she be with someone we know and trust.”

  “Not him. He can’t be in this family.”

  “You’re getting ahead of yourself, but if you go flying off the handle to her over this, she’s going to get pissed, and y
ou have no right sticking your nose in her business after ignoring her for years. Not to mention, she’s pushing forty years old. She doesn’t need your permission.”

  “Fuck. Why do you have to be so damn insightful and patient all the time? It frays on my nerves.”

  “What doesn’t?”

  Dropping his arms onto his desk, he blows out a loud breath.

  “Fine. I’ll fly off the handle to him.”

  I shake my head no and give a threatening glare.

  “Don’t tell Reggie to stay away from her. If she finds out, she’ll date him to spite you. Leave it alone.”

  “I need to get back onto the floor. Are we finished here?” Kruse asks somewhat tersely. I guess we are wasting his time while we discuss Aggie’s affairs.

  “I apologize, Kruse. Yes, we’re finished,” I say to him.

  Adrian sits up straight once we’re alone again.

  “Back to business. What’s your game plan?”

  “You mentioned to me that Victoria and Reggie might go into business together. I was thinking this could be their first case. “They could investigate the Sanders bust. Maybe someone under him who was arrested can lead us to who’s above him in Vegas, if that person even exists. Victoria would eat it up. She lives for that shit.

  “Second, I’m going to pursue Ms. D’Angelo to uncover why they keep stalling on outing us. My gut tells me it’s another key to getting us free from this mess.”

  Adrian chuckles. “Good luck with that. She’s an ice queen.”

  “Did you not observe us laughing together?”

  Adrian rolls his eyes. “Not the best game plan, but OK. I’ll speak to Victoria about it. I’m sure she’ll be salivating over the opportunity.”

  “Thank you. We’ll figure this out.”

  “What about Zev and Simon? How long are we going to keep this from them?”

  “Tara has been through enough after what Noah did to her, and Sadie’s pregnant. She can’t afford to get stressed-out and worried. I think it’s best we keep this from them as long as possible.”

  “Even with them marrying in the meantime?”

  “Are you postponing your wedding because of this news?”

  “Hell no.”

  “Then I doubt Simon would, either.”

  Adrian sighs. “OK. Let’s get to the bottom of this and fast.”

  Sadie

  My phone rings, and it’s Victoria.

  “Hi, sis. What’s up?”

  “I have news about this Russell Chadwick guy.”

  “Does he have a record?”

  “He was arrested for drug possession last year, but it was his first offense, and somehow the charges were dropped. Who is he, Sadie?”

  “Professor Edward’s new so-called assistant. The whole thing is strange. I help my professor plenty, so I’m not sure why this guy is hanging around. It’s almost like he’s there to keep an eye on me.”

  “Reggie couldn’t find anything else on him.”

  “I thought I watched him do a drug deal at school, and it’s one of the reasons I had you check him out. I can’t shake that he could’ve known Noah Sanders.

  “I mean, Noah was always showing up at the science building, and a maintenance man was found murdered there. My gut says it’s all connected somehow, but maybe I’m just paranoid.”

  “Sis, do you think your professor is crooked?”

  “No way. The man is boring and teaches science.”

  “Don’t let on that you’re suspicious. If something shady is in the works, your safety could be in jeopardy, especially if this Russell guy thinks you’re on to him.”

  “I’ll keep quiet and play dumb.”

  “There is one thing I need you to do. Do you think you could get a birthdate on your professor?”

  “Oh, I’m sure I can find it on some paperwork filed away. I want to do some snooping, anyway, when no one is around.”

  “OK, but to be safe, I think I should be with you at the time.”

  “Sure. On to another subject … are we still going to pick up our dresses tomorrow?”

  “Yep, and I guess I need to look for my own wedding gown soon.”

  “It’s crazy, sis, how you, Tara and I are marrying Cassano brothers this year.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty wild. Pick you up at five tomorrow?”

  “I can’t wait. Love you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Aggie

  “Go home,” Zev says. “It’s eight o’clock and more than obvious you’re exhausted.”

  “I am exhausted after my eventful weekend of shopping and moving.”

  And from Kruse fucking me into a delirium this afternoon.

  “And working longer than you should’ve today,” Zev adds.

  I smile at him. “Yes, that, too. OK, OK, I’ll go home.”

  “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  After shutting down my PC, I grab my purse out of a side drawer and head out. I’m almost to the end of the hallway, which leads to the inside of Caged, when Kruse rounds the corner.

  His near seven foot frame is intimidating enough, but the grimace he’s sporting compounds his cryptic manner.

  I’m physically exhausted, and the excitement and mental confusion he instigates is too much for me today.

  He takes hold of my arm and leans down to my ear.

  “Follow me.”

  Without another word, or even a second glance to be certain I’m obeying, he turns and exits the hallway. I follow him through the club, past the bar, and out the door.

  We get on a private elevator next.

  “Where are we going, Kruse?” My tone is impatient since it’s exactly how I’m feeling.

  “My room.”

  “You have a room here?”

  “Yes. I need a place to crash sometimes. You had a room here, too, until yesterday.” His last biting word gives away how displeased he is.

  Ushering me in first, I scope out his hotel room. This one is regular, unlike the suite I was staying in. One queen bed rests in the middle of it. There’s an empty tumbler on the nightstand, and what appears to be workout clothes haphazardly cover a side chair.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were moving?”

  I turn to face him and find him biting his lip.

  “When, Kruse? Talking isn’t exactly your thing,” I spew.

  He lifts a brow. Hell, I don’t even know where that boldness came from. Maybe from a place of anger over the unknown between us.

  “I would’ve listened to you, Aggie. You could’ve text me or called. I heard you had help. I would’ve helped you had I been informed ahead of time.”

  “Ah, you overheard that Reggie was over.”

  “What is he to you?”

  “I don’t know exactly. The same way I have no clue what you are to me.”

  “Are you fucking him, too?”

  I recoil, his words sounding dirty and wrong.

  “No,” I quip.

  “Good. Don’t.”

  My head cocks to the side. “So that’s what we’re doing? Fucking? Because I told you I wasn’t looking for a fuck buddy.”

  While charging at me, his brow knits with emotion. My cheeks fill his massive hands, and he kisses me, his tongue carefully exploring every corner of my mouth as if it could be the final time. I pull free to catch a breath.

  “Princess, I didn’t take what you weren’t willing to give.”

  “You’re right, but you knew I couldn’t say no. You knew you held all the power.”

  “You think I hold the power?” Astonishment drips from his words and from the bluest eyes that prance across mine. “Why do you think I’m drawn to your office time and time again? Why I can’t stop touching you?”

  “I don’t know,” I whisper.

  The agony of having to feel the way he does is transferred to me by the shaking of his hands against my cheeks, the pronounced wrinkle across his forehead, and through the phenomenon neither of us can explain.

  Whatever h
is emotions, which I’m somehow collared to, he’s begging for them to disappear. He doesn’t want to have feelings for me. Tears prick the corners of my eyes at the realization.

  “I don’t know, either, baby, but this between us is real and raw, and I can’t escape it.”

  “But you want to. I have to go.” I swipe away the tears I can’t keep at bay and start toward the door.

  “Please, don’t leave.”

  Turning me back, his lips land on mine again. This time they’re rough, his tongue forcing its way inside. It’s punishing and unyielding, and I whimper against it, losing the fight.

  He frees my tongue, and his mouth skirts frantically along my jaw and down my throat. I swallow against his urgent lips, a light moan rolling up after it.

  “That’s it, baby. Stay with me.” His purposeful mouth travels farther down my neck and steals a kiss beneath the top of my blouse.

  With a groan, I’m suddenly released. He whips out his phone and rapidly types out a text. He then tosses the device onto the credenza next to us.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m supposed to be working, but I just took care of that. You’re mine for the next two hours.”

  And with that command, I’m putty in his greedy, plundering hands. Collared. Leashed. Tethered.

  All his.

  ***

  My eyes open, and my location registers in my brain. I sit up in the bed, covering my chest with the sheet. I’m looking around the hotel room as I listen for any sort of sound.

  Silence.

  Glancing at the nightstand for the time, which is 11:00 p.m., I see my name on the front of a note propped against the empty glass tumbler.

  “Aggie, I had to return to work. You were sleeping so peacefully, I couldn’t wake you. Please, please, don’t leave. Yeah, I guess I’m begging again. I’ll be back around 2:00 a.m., and I hope to find you in my bed.”

  A taxing sigh is exhaled from my lungs to ease stress, but anxiety fills them right back up, a saturation so concentrated with confusion, hope and alarm. It begins to spill from my eyes, weighted tears of insecurity falling to my cheeks.