With Us (The Amato Series Book 1)

by Layla Frost

  “I might, if someone would bother telling me what the hell was going on,” I returned in a harsh whisper.

  The judge asked something I’d missed, but Theo nodded. His voice was calm as he said, “I was out at Oakley’s with Luca Ricci and Dale Henson. Mr. Ricci went into the side alley to smoke, and was taking longer than usual. When I went to check on him, I saw a man waving a knife in his face.”

  “You recognized the man?” the other lawyer asked, reading his notes.

  “Yes,” Theo answered. “He’d been drinking at the bar, too.”

  Theo’s lawyer held up some papers. “We have signed statements from the bartenders working that night. They talk about Mr. May’s harassing of female patrons before he and his drinking partner were escorted out. They also detailed his lengthy bar tab and inability to pay, something he knew going in he wouldn’t be able to do.”

  The judge nodded before asking, “What happened next?”

  Theo resumed his story. “One of the dishwashers had followed me outside to smoke, but returned inside to call the police. Mr. Ricci was trying to hand over his wallet and watch, but the man became increasingly angry. I kicked the dumpster, hoping to scare him off, but he didn’t react. When he went for Mr. Ricci with the knife, I hit him over the head with an empty bottle and shoved him to the side.”

  The lawyer held up another file folder. “Hospital records proving Mr. May had a blood alcohol level of just under point three, plus a toxicology report showing diacetylmorphine.”

  I leaned close to Ben, who whispered, “Heroin,” before I had the chance to ask.

  “Both of these things,” Theo’s lawyer said, “would contribute to Mr. May’s instability, lending to him hitting his head on the brick wall. In addition, the toxic levels of alcohol mixed with the narcotics could be what put him in the coma, and not the head wound.”

  “Why did you leave, Mr. Amato?” the judge asked, flipping through the folder.

  “There was another man with Mr. May who made threats against me.”

  The judge nodded, seeming to believe Theo’s story.

  His lies.

  I didn’t even realize I’d shifted to stand until both Luc and Ben’s arms held me in place. They gripped my hand, as if offering me support.

  Lies. It’s all lies.

  ···

  How could everything change so much in just a few days?

  I still had no answers. Theo was in prison, his deal reducing his sentence from two years to four months. On the way home from the courthouse, Luc had tried to talk about everything but what I’d wanted to know.

  I’d been in a daze. In shock. Drained and exhausted, I’d taken a bath and then fell asleep in the guest room, fitfully sleeping until morning.

  When I’d come downstairs, packages had filled the entryway, spilling into the living room. I’d ignored them as I left the house, taking the Rover into the city to work my Java Brew shift.

  It hadn’t been until I’d pulled into a spot that I’d noticed Ben had followed in the SUV.

  Observant super spy, I was not.

  He’d stayed outside the whole day until I’d locked up in the afternoon and began walking down the street. Getting out, he’d followed, not interfering as I’d approached my apartment building.

  He’d had no reason to.

  My passcode hadn’t worked. I’d pressed random buttons, waiting for someone to buzz me in. When they had, I’d taken the elevator up to my apartment. I hadn’t been that surprised when my key no longer fit in the lock.

  With a frustrated sigh, I’d headed back to the Rover and the only place I had. Like the night before, I’d locked myself in the guest bedroom. Pacing and restless, my anger had grown as the shock had worn off. I’d reviewed all my options, and a plan had begun to form before I’d eventually fallen asleep.

  As I turned off my alarm, stretching and planning my Friday, I contemplated calling in sick to work. Actually, I thought about just not showing up.

  If I don’t show up, I’m sure Mystic Stones will be able to psychically see and let Wendy know. Wait. Maybe she already does.

  Begrudgingly, I climbed out of bed and showered, quickly getting ready. When I walked downstairs, new bags and boxes were waiting. I continued to avoid them as I went into the kitchen.

  I raised my brows at Ben and Luc sitting at the table, but didn’t say anything. It was too early for me to pretend to be nice. Fixing a travel cup with so much espresso I had a feeling I’d be able to run to work, I started for the door. Grabbing the keys, I stepped outside onto the porch and froze when the motion sensor light flicked on.

  The Rover was gone.

  Actually, a Rover was gone.

  Another was in its place. The prettiest blueish green color I’d ever seen, with a larger model and shiny chrome details, it was obviously brand new.

  I turned around, running straight into Ben.

  His hands shot out and grabbed my upper arms, keeping me from falling. “Sorry, thought you knew I was here. You okay?”

  “I’m the one that smashed into you, so I’m sorry. Where’s the other Rover?”

  He shrugged. “I just got here.”

  “Are you babysitting me again today?”

  Lips tipped up in a sheepish smile, he nodded.

  “Then you’re also on taxi duty. Otherwise I have to order an Uber, and who knows how long that’ll take.”

  “What’s up?” Luc asked from behind Ben.

  I sighed, checking the time again. “I have to leave or I’m going to be late. Since I don’t have time to wait for a ride, Ben is driving me. Or someone can tell me where the other Rover is.”

  Luc moved next to Ben, his eyes dropping to the keys I held and then out the door.

  “I’m not driving that,” I stated firmly.

  “I know things have been… crazy lately,” he said, the understatement of the century. “But the new car isn’t a bribe or anything. Theo bought it a couple weeks ago to surprise you with. It just took some time for it to be ready.”

  His words seared into me, a painful reminder of how sweet Theo was, and how torn apart I felt.

  I shook my head, clarifying, “It’s not that. Distracted, sleepy, and running late doesn’t have me at my prime. Truthfully, even at my prime, I suck at figuring out new things. All those buttons and settings are not my friend.”

  From what Theo had told me, Luc was a tech genius. He looked confused, and a little disbelieving, at my inability to figure out a simple car.

  I held my phone out to him. “I still haven’t figured out how to do more than make calls, text, and check my email on this thing. Every time I try to log in to Facebook, it gives me an error message.”

  He grinned at me. “Ride with Ben today. When you get home, I’ll help you get the Rover set.” He glanced down. “And your phone.”

  Perfect time to put my plan into action.

  “Thanks.” I raised my brows in wonder, rotating the phone slowly. “I heard they’ve got the interweb on these things now.”

  His laughter followed me out the door.

  ···

  People knew.

  I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it, but pictures had been posted that day on different news sites of me and Theo’s family at the trial. I was steering clear of any and all news, and wouldn’t have known, had some customers not brought it to my attention.

  A small group of college girls who came in occasionally stood in front of me, pretending to be figuring out their orders. Their focus was more on me than the menu board, though.

  I waited patiently.

  “Umm, were you on the news?” one of them finally asked after being shoved forward by one of her friends. “For your boyfriend’s trial?”

  Nodding, I touched the screen on the menu. “That was me. What can I get you all? We have an iced rocky road blended coffee special today.”

  Not taking the hint, she continued. “Your boyfriend is like a mega hottie.”

  She’s not wrong.
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br />   “But he’s also totally, like, a hero,” she added.

  That took me by surprise. Of the bit I’d caught, the general consensus was people were siding with Theo.

  But ‘hero’ was a bit dramatic, even if it wasn’t all a giant lie.

  Which it was.

  “The loser he hit used to come into the club we go to, creeping on all the girls. He got banned after he…” She shook her head. “Anyway, he can’t go there, but he started going to all the other bars and clubs near campus. He’s a serious tweaker. We all feel safer now.” Smiling, she added, “And that special sounds so good. I’ll have a medium.”

  The rest of the girls placed their order, chatting about the start of the semester. When I swiped the last card and handed the cups over, they started out the door.

  “I’ll… I’ll be right out,” one of the girls said to the understanding nods of the others. They headed outside, leaving just the two of us. Probably an inch or two taller than me, and a year or two younger, she looked intimidated as she opened her mouth before closing it again.

  “Did you need something else?” I asked gently.

  “For the first time since it happened, I can leave the house without feeling like I can’t breathe. I’m not looking over my shoulder a million times. Can you tell your boyfriend I said thank you?” All emotion left her voice. “I hope that animal never wakes up.”

  I didn’t trust myself to speak, so just nodded.

  The girl inhaled deeply, smiling. It was small and wobbly, almost as if it felt unfamiliar, but it was there. “Thank you.”

  Taking off out the door, I watched as one of her friends threw her arm around her, saying something. Then I watched as the girl laughed.

  Whatever the real story was, I couldn’t deny I felt better knowing it wasn’t some innocent man lying in the hospital. Whoever that man was, he deserved worse.

  I was still mad. I felt betrayed and in the dark, something that didn’t sit well with me.

  But I felt a little better.

  ···

  “Any other questions?” Luc asked from the passenger seat of the new Rover.

  “Yeah.” I pointed to the ignition. “What’s this thing do again?” He looked panicked for a second until I rolled my eyes. “I’m kidding. I know I’m hopeless, but I’m not that bad.”

  “Do I have to remind you how long it took for you to figure out the folders on your phone?”

  “Oh, hush it.”

  He had a point, though. Everything on my phone automatically organized into folders by category. All the organization in the world was for nothing if I couldn’t find what I was looking for.

  Climbing out of the car, I rounded the hood. It was probably frustrating for a tech genius to explain the most basic features. I didn’t want to add to his frustration, but I needed answers. “Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”

  “Boss’ orders,” he stated simply, knowing exactly what I was referring to.

  “When will I know more?”

  “Soon.” His answer was as evasive as I’d anticipated. He climbed the porch stairs, but I stayed on the walkway.

  “That man,” I said, making him stop, though he didn’t turn around. “The one in the hospital?”

  “What about him?”

  “He hurt someone. A girl. She didn’t say exactly, but I could tell what she meant.”

  That got him to turn around. “How’d you find out?”

  “She comes into Java Brew sometimes.”

  “He’s worthless human filth who got better than what he deserved.”

  “But Theo’s not the one who gave it to him.”

  It was subtle. So subtle, in fact, I wasn’t even totally sure I saw it.

  A slight shake of his head.

  “Luc, I need to know what’s going on. It’s been almost a week. I refuse to wait around in the dark.”

  And I hadn’t been.

  When asking for answers had gotten me nowhere, I’d switched to demanding them. Since it was the equivalent of Gus going head-to-head with a lion, I’d ended up with only a load of frustration and anger. I’d spent the week at work or locked in the spare room, but when I couldn’t stand the seclusion any longer, I’d begun to plan.

  I’d called my landlord to find out my apartment was already rented, which hadn’t surprised me. It was a small and cruddy place, but it was relatively safe and cheap. I’d also applied at a few grocery stores, and had an interview the following week, if I could shake whoever my babysitter was that day.

  Even without the job, I had enough money to live on until I found something else.

  The city had been my dream. I loved looking around, no matter where I was, and seeing so much life. So much world. Working so hard had been worth it to live surrounded by it all.

  I couldn’t afford to live in the city if I was only working at Java Brew, especially with the way things had been going. Staying with Theo in the suburbs had shown me I could be happy there. There was something to be said about quiet nights and a view of the stars, even though I knew I wouldn’t be living in a mini mansion. I was used to tiny apartments.

  But I loved Theo.

  I was still whole; I’d never need another person to complete me.

  However, when I tried to imagine not being with Theo, I felt an ache so deep in my soul, it made it hard to breathe.

  Loneliness surrounded me at night, keeping me up for hours. When I’d eventually fall asleep, it was restless, haunted by my memories. A gentle touch. His low whispers. My eyes would snap open, but it was only me and my cruel dreams.

  Out of options, and not sure I was ready to walk away, I’d decided to do a one-eighty. I’d pretend I was fine, force a smile, kill ‘em with kindness, and hope that someone, anyone, would take pity on me and tell me the truth.

  At the very least, it would give me time to figure out what I wanted to do.

  Pushing Luc meant I’d already failed at my plan, but I was determined to keep trying.

  “Don’t,” Luc ordered, snapping me from my thoughts.

  Confused, I looked back up onto the porch where he stood, his arms crossed. “What?”

  “I know what you’re planning. Drop it.”

  Usually, Luc was all smiles and relaxed. Even with Theo in prison, he hadn’t seemed to sweat it.

  At that moment, though, there was no hint of a smile. No warmth. Gone was the teasing lightness from earlier.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, wondering how much he knew.

  Before he could answer, a car pulling in grabbed his attention. I didn’t bother to look until I heard the doors close and Rachelle’s voice.

  “We brought pizza!” she called, happy as could be.

  “I’ve got to go,” Luc said to me. “Rachelle and Lou wanted to come for dinner, and Ben is here, too.”

  “I don’t need babysitters,” I asserted, even though I didn’t really want an empty house, either.

  Luc didn’t say anything to me, yet his raised brows made it clear he was suspicious.

  Rachelle and Lou walked past me on the way to the steps, each pausing to kiss my cheek as they went. They greeted Luc before heading inside. Not wanting to be rude to them, I climbed the steps, following after.

  Hmm. Rachelle likes me. Maybe she’ll tell me something.

  “Not happening,” Luc whispered in my ear from behind me, reading my thoughts. “You’d have better luck getting info from me than you would her.”

  My steps stumbled before stopping. My hopes flew away, taking my appetite with them. I looked at the stairwell, tempted to just lock myself in the guest room.

  “You coming?” Rachelle asked from the entryway of the kitchen, a stack of plates in her hands. Her eyes were sharp on me, but still warm and sympathetic. “I brought the stuff to make those blood orange drinks.”

  You barely made it a half hour before messing up the plan. Focus! It shouldn’t be too hard to put everything out of your mind for a night and pretend to enjoy yourself.

&n
bsp; Forcing a smile, I nodded at her. “The pizza smells amazing.”

  I ignored Luc’s shoulder squeeze of approval.

  ···

  Full of delicious pizza and strong drinks, I locked the door behind Lou and Rachelle. The night had been tense, though everyone had acted like everything was fine. I hadn’t been rude, but I also hadn’t bothered to carry out my acting plan. It took less than five minutes for me to see Luc had been right.

  Rachelle was locked up tighter than any of them. There was no amount of demanding, pleading, or sobbing that would get her to say a peep without her son’s okay.

  She’d insisted on an afternoon out with the girls the next day, and I was kind of looking forward to it. I needed to get out of the house, and I was optimistic that enough drinks would loosen Tina’s tongue.

  I knew Ben was somewhere in the house, and Luc would likely be back soon. But I pretended I was alone, humming to myself as I fixed my bottle of water for bed. I was walking back to the stairs when the growing stack of mail on the small table caught my eye.

  More specifically, my name on the envelope at the top.

  Snatching it up, my breath hissed from my lungs when I saw it where it was from. I ran up the stairs on shaky legs as my heart pounding an uneven tempo. Without thought, I closed myself into the room I’d shared with Theo.

  I tore into the envelope, nearly losing grip of it in my trembling fingers. Theo’s neat and masculine handwriting was on the page, but there wasn’t as much of it as I’d been hoping for.

  My gattina,

  I’m sorry. I should have told you. Given you some warning. I know that now. I hope once we’re able to talk more fully, you’ll understand where I was coming from. Until then, please be patient. Stay at the house. Stay with me. Quit the café and spend your days by the pool. Or take a few classes, Rosa found some you may like. I know I’m not there to take care of you, but let me do what I can. Please?

  I love you, Dahlia. No matter what you think, never doubt that.

  Love,

  Theo

  I read the note again. And again. And again still, until the words blended together.

  There was nothing.

  No answers.