Secrets & Lies (Undercover Love Series Book 2)

by Michelle Iannarelli

  “You’re right. Ok, I’m ready.” Miles opened the car door and got out and walked around the car and took Cruz out of his baby seat.

  Eden closed her car door and Miles placed Cruz in her arms. Once Eden had Cruz resting in her right arm she reached for Miles’ hand.

  Miles knocked on the door. It felt like he was waiting for an hour before an elderly woman answered.

  “Can I…oh my God!” Miles’ mother covered her mouth and tears rolled down her cheeks. “Is it really you?”

  “Momma?”

  “My Baby!”

  Miles’ mother grabbed Miles as she cried in his arms. Eden couldn’t help but let a few tears escape from her eyes as well.

  Miles pulled away “I’m so sorry for everything I did to you and Dad.”

  “Come inside.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “You don’t think that I’m going to send you away after all these years.”

  “Marie, who was at…” Miles’ father stopped in his tracks. He looked at Miles and then back at his wife.

  “It’s really him.”

  “Son?”

  “I came to apologize for everything I ever did to you and Mom.”

  “We thought you were in jail or even worse…dead. My God, we prayed every day for you.”

  “And now he’s here.”

  “I’m so sorry for what I put you two through. I was addicted to drugs and I was stupid and even then, it still wasn’t an excuse for all the bad things I did.”

  “Son, did you come here for forgiveness?”

  “No, I came to apologize and hoped that maybe you’d want to get to know me and your grandson but I’ll understand if you don’t.”

  “Grandson. That baby is yours?”

  “Yes. This is my wife, Eden and our son, Cruz.”

  Eden smiled. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “Eden…Eden Cruz?”

  “Yes.”

  “My God, you’re that little girl that used to color Miles pictures. I’d find them in his pants pockets when I’d empty them to do the wash.”

  “I think I’ve loved him my whole life.” Eden smiled at Miles.

  “Can I hold the baby?”

  Eden stepped forward and handed the baby to Miles’ mother.

  “So Miles, what made you come back after all these years? Do you need money?”

  “No Sir. I have plenty of money. I just realized after becoming a parent that I owed you both an apology. I put you through hell and I blamed you for my mistakes. I know that you just did what you had to do.”

  “We tried to help you but you didn’t want our help.” Miles’ father turned around.

  Miles’ mother looked over towards her husband and then back at Miles. “He always felt responsible for your leaving.”

  “I don’t think anyone could have helped me.”

  “Miles, do you think that we can stay in contact?”

  “I’d like that.”

  Cruz started to cry. Miles’ mother handed him to Miles.

  “I think someone is hungry.” Eden took the baby from Miles.

  “I better get my son home.”

  “Please come back, Son.” Miles’ father nodded his head to him.

  “I will. Here’s my number if you want to contact me.” Miles placed his business card down on the kitchen counter.

  Miles’ mother reached her hand up and touched his cheek. “It was so good to finally see you again.”

  “I know. Take care, Mom.”

  Eden opened the door and stepped out, Miles followed her.

  RYAN HAD BEEN PICKED up by two undercover cops and brought down to the police station and left sitting in a room for over a half hour before someone finally came in to talk to him.

  “I’m Detective Storm Donovan, thank you for coming down.”

  “Coming down? I was practically kidnapped by two of your cohorts.”

  “Mr. DiPietro, I apologize for my, as you say, cohorts. We are just trying to protect you.”

  “Protect me? Protect me from what?”

  “We believe that one of the men that assaulted you has ties to the Grimaldi family. I’ve spoken with Dane Carlton, and he stated that he made the same connection.”

  “Is that all?”

  “No, that’s not all.”

  “Then what is it that you dragged me down here for aside from telling me something that Dane already knew?”

  “Is there any reason to believe that the Grimaldi’s may have sent these men to assault you or do you think this is just a coincidence?”

  Ryan sat there trying to decide if he should mention his case. He didn’t want to believe that Grimaldi was responsible for his beating but at the same time it seemed quite possible.

  “I’m not sure.”

  Just then the door opened and Miguel, Miles and another detective walked in.

  “Miguel, Miles, they dragged you in here too?”

  “Miles and I were here to discuss the intel Dane found with Liam.”

  Liam extended his hand to Ryan. “Detective St. Paul.”

  “So you all think that the Grimaldi’s were the ones who had me beaten up?”

  Miles patted Ryan on the shoulder. “It looks that way.”

  “Can I speak to Miguel and Miles alone?”

  Storm and Liam looked at one another and Liam shrugged his shoulders. “Sure.” Then the two walked out.

  Miguel sat down across from Ryan and looked him in the eyes. “What’s going on?”

  “Look, I know that I can trust you two.”

  “Of course you can.” Miles sat down next to Miguel.

  “I think you may be right. The case that I’ve been working on for the last few months is against Lido Grimaldi.”

  “Shit!” Miguel stood up and started to pace. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Dane.

  “Blade.”

  “Sniper.”

  “Was I right?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you want me to proceed?”

  “Double up the security and stand by. I will give you a call back when we finish up at the station.”

  “Roger that.”

  Miguel hung up and sat back down.

  “I don’t need more security. Honestly, if they wanted me dead they could have killed me that first day. Weeks have gone by and nothing has happened. Maybe they realized that…”

  “These people would never have a change of heart. They are just waiting for the right time.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  Ryan looked up at Miguel. “Should I tell them?”

  “If you want to survive then you need to tell both of them and us everything, no secrets.”

  Miles got up and opened the door.

  “So anything you want to share with Storm and I?”

  “I’m working on a case against Lido Grimaldi.”

  “Damn.” Liam knew it the minute they made the connection.

  Storm walked over and stood next to Ryan. “I am sure it is safe to say that you are not willing to drop the case, correct?”

  “Correct.”

  “Ok then, we need to come up with a plan to keep you safe.”

  Miguel looked up at Storm. “Detective, I have my men keeping him safe.”

  “It’s my job to make sure he is safe as well.”

  “Why don’t you just focus on cracking down on these guys so that we can bring in their boss.”

  “Mr. Cruz, please don’t tell me how to do my job.” Storm was getting annoyed.

  Liam walked over to Storm. “Calm down.” Liam didn’t want Storm’s temper to get out of hand.

  “I apologize Detective. Let’s just all work together here, we’re both on the same side.”

  “I need to be in court in a half hour.”

  “Miles and I will drop you off at your car.” Miguel turned and looked at Liam and Storm. “May we leave now Detectives?”

  “Yes. Let’s just all keep in touch and make sure we stay on the
same page.” Liam walked over and opened the door. “Ryan, you watch your back and if anything at all seems suspicious call me right away.” Liam handed Ryan his card as he walked past.

  Eden zipped up her dress and walked out of the dressing room. She couldn’t believe that she actually squeezed herself into it.

  “Eden, you look perfect!”

  “I was so afraid that after having Cruz that this dress would never fit.”

  “Well it does and oh my God, I still can’t believe that this wedding is really happening in two weeks.”

  “I’m so happy for you and my brother.”

  “I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love him.”

  “I don’t think he’s ever loved anyone but you.”

  Alex looked down at Cruz who was asleep in her arms. “I can’t wait to have Miguel’s baby.”

  “Carrying Miles’ baby inside me was such a wonderful feeling. I thought my heart would explode from the love I felt.”

  “I can’t wait to have that feeling.” Alex smiled.

  “I’m going to get changed before my little one wakes up and wants to eat. It’s nearing that time.”

  Alex sat down and thought about how lucky she was to have her family and Miguel’s family in her life. Alex smiled and looked down at Cruz.

  “Auntie Alex loves you so much and I am so blessed to have you in my life, Cruz.”

  Ryan lied about having court. He was so stressed about the case before but now after finding out that Lido Grimaldi was most likely the man who had him beaten up made it ten times worse. Between Zac telling him that he was going to ask Faith to marry him and now this he just couldn’t handle anything else. He sat in his car for almost an hour just staring out the front window trying to make sense of his fucked up life. Finally, he came to the conclusion that he fucked up and deserved whatever happened to him. Then he headed to the bar.

  Once he was inside the bar he started downing one drink after another. Darla walked in and went right over to his table.

  “Here you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  Ryan didn’t even look up. He just kept drinking. “Why?”

  “You missed your appointment with Mr. Weiss. I got worried. Your car had been at the office but you were nowhere to be found.”

  “I was with the police.”

  “Police?”

  “It seems that someone is out to hurt me or maybe if I’m lucky kill me and put an end to my misery.” Ryan raised his glass. “Cheers!”

  “Ryan, what the hell is the matter with you? And who’d want to kill you?”

  “The Grimaldi’s. Maybe you should back off the case. I don’t want anything happening to that cute ass of yours.”

  “Ryan, you’re drunk. Let me take you home.”

  “We don’t have to go home Baby; I can fuck you right here.”

  “Listen, you need to stop drinking and let me take you home. You are not in any condition to drive.”

  “You don’t want me either?”

  “Ryan, I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to help you.”

  “Then leave me alone.”

  “Ryan.”

  Ryan got up and stumbled back over to the bar and ordered another drink. Darla turned and left.

  Faith was taking a long, hot soak in the tub. She kept going over the last few hours in her head. She was full of emotions. She wanted to call Alex and talk to her but she didn’t quite know what to say.

  “Faith! Faith! I know you’re home. Faith open the door; I need to talk to you.”

  Faith jumped up from the tub and pulled on a robe to answer the door before Ryan banged it down. She yanked the door open and was prepared to yell at Ryan but when she saw him she was suddenly speechless.

  Ryan stood there with his heart on his sleeve. He had tears in his eyes and a dozen roses in his hand.

  “These are for you.” Ryan handed Faith the roses before he walked inside.

  Faith took the roses and then closed the door.

  “Have you been drinking?”

  “I have but…”

  “Ryan, I think I should call you a…”

  Faith didn’t get to finish her sentence because Ryan kissed her. Faith tried to pull away but Ryan just pulled her closer and sucked on her tongue as he ground himself up against her. Faith was suddenly like a literal wet noddle in his arms.

  Ryan picked her up and carried her into her bedroom. He stood her down next to her bed and removed her robe. Then he undressed and lifted her up and placed her on the bed.

  “Ryan…”

  “Shhh, I want to do this right. I’ve always fucked you like it didn’t matter. I want this time to matter, Faith.”

  Faith looked up at Ryan and watched him as he kissed her whole body from top to bottom and then back up to her lips. When he finished kissing her he knelt between her legs and slowly slid himself inside her. He leaned forward and kissed Faith again before he began to make love to her. He was far from the Ryan who liked it hard and fast. This time he was slow and gentle and kept kissing her and maintained eye contact.

  Ryan knew that if there was ever a woman for him that it was Faith and that if he didn’t tell her right now that he loved her then he may lose her forever to Zac. So he bit the bullet and after he came he kissed her again. Then he looked into Faith’s eyes and smiled. “Faith Marie, I love you.” Ryan laid his head down on Faith’s chest. “I mean it Faith, I love you.” Then he passed out.

  Faith blinked a few times before the tears streamed down her cheeks. Ryan, the man she had been so in love with, the man who just made love to her…told her that he loved her and she didn’t even know how to respond. Was he for real because it seemed that way but what if it was the alcohol talking? She had better think long and hard before he woke up. What was she going to tell him?

  EDEN WALKED INTO MIGUEL’S house carrying what looked like bags for a month long stay.

  “All of this for one night? I should have come to your house.” Alex chuckled.

  “He might be a tiny fella but he needs lots of things.” Eden laughed.

  “Well let me take my Godson off your hands so that you can carry in his things.” Alex stole Cruz from Eden’s arms.

  “And here I thought you’d like to carry the bags so that I could rest.” Eden laughed.

  “Ummm, nope.” Alex smiled and then walked off with Cruz. “Let’s go see Uncle Miggy, shall we?”

  “Miles, do we really have to do this?”

  “Yes, Uncle Miggy, you do!”

  Miguel turned around and a huge smile spread across his face. He kissed Alex and then took Cruz from her.

  “I’m sorry, I thought that you were Miles coming to drag me off to this insane bachelor dinner.”

  “Miguel, it’s just dinner with your friends. Go and enjoy yourself. I’m having Eden and Faith over for pizza and movies.”

  “I know Alex; I’m just concerned that it will turn into something else.”

  “If it does, it does, I trust you.”

  “I know and that means so much to me.”

  “So lose the attitude and go and enjoy yourself.”

  Miguel leaned forward and kissed Alex on her cheek. “How long until we can have one of our own?” He smiled down at Cruz.

  “About nine months if you get me pregnant on our wedding night.” Alex winked.

  “Challenge accepted.”

  “Now give me back that baby and you finish getting ready.”

  Miguel looked down at Cruz. “Your Auntie Alex is bossy sometimes but I love her anyway.”

  Alex took Cruz back. “And I love Uncle Miggy, even when he is cranky.”

  Miles came in and looked around. He saw the infant carrier minus the infant, the diaper bag, the boppy pillow, the toy bag and Eden’s ‘just in case it wasn’t in the other bags’ backpack but no sign of his wife or child.

  He checked in the living room and the kitchen and then on his way out of the kitchen he spotted Eden.

  “Hey, Baby. I was jus
t looking for you and our son.”

  “Alex took Cruz and ran upstairs to see Miguel. I went to use the bathroom all alone, imagine that?”

  “We can get a nanny.”

  “Hell no! I’d rather have no time to pee and no privacy when I do than have someone else raising my little peanut.”

  “I love you and our little peanut. I’ve never been so happy or felt so loved.”

  “I never thought it was possible to love you more than I do but each day my love for you and Cruz grows and my heart is just so full of love for you both.”

  Ryan rolled over to find Faith still asleep. She looked like an angel. He slipped out of the bed and went into the bathroom. After he finished peeing he walked over to the sink to wash his hands. When he reached for the hand towel he saw a small glass dish that had Faith’s earrings on it along with a huge cushion cut ring, the one that Zac planned to give her. Ryan’s heart broke and then anger coursed through him. How could Faith let him make such a fool of himself? How could she tell him that she loved him and then marry someone else?

  “Ryan?”

  Ryan turned around holding the ring in his hand. “I thought you loved me?”

  “Ryan, please let me explain.”

  “Explain! Explain that you never really loved me? That I was just some game to you?”

  “No, that’s not true.”

  “I told you I loved you last night. I’ve never said those words to anyone EVER and after this I’ll never say them again.”

  Ryan practically pushed Faith out of the way. He went into her room and pulled on his clothes while she stood there crying.

  “Ryan, you don’t understand. Please, please, let me explain.”

  “Tell me something Faith, were you laughing inside at how pathetic I am while I was making love to you and telling you that I loved you?”

  “No!”

  “No? Then why did you even let me…”

  “Because I wanted you, I wanted to be with you.”

  “Why because Zac can’t give it to you like I can?”

  Faith smacked Ryan across the face.

  “You bitch!”

  “I hate you, Ryan!”

  Faith walked into the bathroom and slammed the door.