Why would she hide from her? He wondered as she claimed a seemingly fussing Gabriella from the older woman’s arms. What was he missing? He pondered as he took in the guarded interaction. Who was Brooke Genovese and why was she so closed off from everyone?
His Apple watch buzzed on his wrist and he answered the call without taking his eyes off of her.
“Trent, what’s up?” he questioned as she placed the little girl in the middle of her bed.
“Why does Oliver have you in Miami chasing a ghost?” he questioned in annoyance because tonight would’ve been their usual night to come together and relax when they weren’t off to different ends of the world.
“It would really seem that way because Brooke Genovese really doesn’t exist outside of the crime family,” he responded softly as she moved to shrug out of her sweats.
“Do you think that she’s an undercover gone wrong?” he questioned.
“I—” Wyatt’s words stuck in his throat as she hooked her fingers at her back and her bra fell down her hand, revealing her luscious but perky caramel mounds with dark tips. For the first time in a long time, his interest stirred without a touch or being provoked. His mouth became dry and his watch alerted him of his accelerated heart rate.
“Wyatt?” Trent called and he jerked back to reality with a blink as she dragged a loose t-shirt over her head before shaking off her pants.
“I’ll look into it,” he answered before breaking protocol and moving away from his observation deck.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Every bird has its decoy, and every man is led and misled in his own peculiar way.”
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Wyatt followed her as she sneaked off the compound under the guise that Gabriella needed some things. How did he know that it was a guise? Well, he’d bugged every inch of that mansion in the dead of night. Having identical features to Stephano had proven to be his best tool so far. The idiots hadn’t even thought to update the scanning system.
It just went to prove that even though they were career criminals and fraudsters, they truly didn’t know about the intricacy of the system. They had no idea how to beat it. He had been able to easily access Stephano’s files and financial reports by using his irises and their date of birth.
Stephano was gutsy; he had to give him that because if it had been some other people, even with the blood draining down his nose, they would be copying his prints or pressing his hands to the closest surface that was needed in order to reset his passwords. Either he had some clout in the family or they just didn’t care enough to bother; unless his father already had access to all that.
He followed behind her in his plain Isuzu Trooper at a good enough distance as she took every back road that she could find to get to downtown Miami. She checked over her shoulder a million times before she ducked into the establishment.
He could tell that she was still spooked from whatever Ignacio had said to her and whatever that little boy had carried to her in that envelope. Whether or not she was going to bow under her father-in-law’s threat or continue with her obvious plan to disappear was yet to be seen.
Maybe, the old man had instilled enough fear into her for her to stay. He himself hadn’t known what to feel the day before when he’d tapped into their conversation via her phone and found out what the bastard had done to his biological parents. On one end, it shouldn’t matter because he would’ve probably ended up like his twin if his mother hadn’t died; well been murdered if he told it like it was.
But what about the fact that she’d run away from Ignacio? Didn’t that mean that she wanted to better her life? A voice questioned. Biting his lip, he pushed away from the thoughts and focused on his target; just who was Brooke Genovese?
∆∆∆
Raine counted off her tips as her shift drew to a close.
“See you tomorrow, Brooke!” Tia shouted as she headed through the door.
Raine raised her hand in acknowledgment even though she knew in her heart of hearts that this would be the last time. She couldn’t risk staying any longer. Ignacio had made his move and his threats had only gotten worse. He didn’t only want Gabriella but he wanted her as a part of the package. He wanted her as his new host because the young bubblehead that he had on his arm before had suddenly disappeared. She’d barely been legal but Raine had long learned that she should keep her head down and mind her own business to come out of this alive. However, lately, it would seem that she couldn’t get out one way or the other.
I have to, she breathed internally. I can’t have Gabriella caught up in this; I can’t be in this much longer.
Saying goodbye to her manager, she headed to the locker room to retrieve her purse. Swinging it over her shoulder, she left through the back door. Pulling her hoodie over her head, she ducked under the camera, aware that everything could be used against her. Her fingers shook as she pushed the key into the lock of the door of the old car. Forcing herself not to look over her shoulder, she slid into the car and hurriedly locked the door, aware that whoever had killed Stephano was still out there and watching. The pictures that the boy had handed her at the funeral were proof of that.
They had ensured to point out that it hadn’t been their only copy and even though she didn’t do it, it would be hard to prove to the police otherwise. The police that Ignacio had brought in had been corrupt to the core but that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t haul her away in cuffs if they believed that she had stopped their flow of income. That picture had been clear as day; when she’d believed that no one could see her in the dead of the night someone had been waiting and watching for an opportunity to incriminate her.
She quickly backed out the old car from the parking spot and headed towards where she had parked the flashy car Stephano had bought her, but she had never gotten to drive. He had always acted as if she was free to roam about and that now worked in her favor. Only she’d known that she couldn’t move an inch without him or his guard beside her. For a long time, he had thought that she’d try to run away but then Gabby had come along and he’d quickly found a new way to keep her caged. Too bad that she had easily learned how to evade his guards but she knew that she couldn’t bring back death to her parents’ doors.
Quickly, she intertwined the backroads until whoever would’ve thought to follow her would be lost, before she headed to the hottest part of Miami’s shopping village. Her fingers ran over the tattered leather of the steering wheel, her nails not as pristine as they had been only this morning but that was okay; that was why they sold glue-on nails. Those would tide her over until she could escape that mansion.
With ease, she parked the car in the usual spot where the paint was fading and peeling just a bit. Opening the door, she slid off the torn and faded seat covers to stand in the musty parking garage. The dimness caused her skin to crawl but if she moved any faster, things would look too suspicious. She locked up the little car properly and stashed the key under the wheel as she’d promised the woman who had eaten up her sob story at work and had loaned Raine her son’s car while he was off at college. The magnet clipped onto the inner belly of the section above the back left wheel with a loud clunk and she bit her lip in apprehension.
A muggy wind whipped between the layers of the garage as Miami’s atmosphere battled with the temperature change. Times like these made her long for her parents’ winter home in Aspen where the temperature remained constant. Her plain, cheap sneakers crunched on the pavement of the parking garage as she moved towards Stephano’s car. The sound seemed to echo with each step but she knew that it was only her apprehension that was amplifying everything. She swallowed shakily as she neared the Cadillac, expecting someone to jump out at her any minute. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention as goosebumps littered her arms under the sweater.
Lengthening her strides, she swung the knapsack from over her shoulder as she walked and dug out the keys for the car. Her breathing came out in quick puffs of air as her lungs started b
urning from her fast-paced puffing as her feet almost broke out into a run. She pressed the button and the car’s lights flashed before she yanked open the door and jumped into the driver’s seat before slamming the door closed and stabbing the lock button with her index finger.
In the car, she quickly removed the worn hoodie and tucked it into her backpack. Reaching for her supplies, she skillfully glued the nails to her fingers before loosening the braids from her hair and fluffing it. She dragged the legging down her thick thighs and pulled the grease-stained t-shirt over her head before reaching into the back seat for the dress she’d bought earlier. Carefully, she smoothed it onto her body before rising onto her elbows to smooth it under her generous derriere. Reaching for her Michael Kors bag under the seat, she slapped on some face powder after cleaning away the day’s grime with some wipes. Thankfully, she had known better to grab a shower at work to wash away the day’s smell of cheap fries and greasy burgers. She applied some color to her lips and spritzed some expensive perfume behind her ears and on her wrists.
She reached for her I-phone as she powered down the track phone and threw it in the backpack with the work clothes. Flicking through the pictures, she made sure that the hundreds she had taken of her shopping merchandise were still there before she slid on her jewelry. The back of her earring slid from her fingers and fell into the passenger seat. “Dammit!” she muttered as she bent over the seat to look for it. Her hair fell forward and she swore some more as she brushed it back when it blocked her vision.
A scream tore from her lips as a loud knock sounded on the window. Jerking up, her head hit against the dashboard and she cringed. Her heart raced out of her chest as she looked at the shadow outside her window.
Just act calm, she thought as she wound the window down a smidge after starting the car.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t park here. This level is reserved for the doctors of the building next door,” he muttered and relief flowed pure and sweet through her veins.
“I’m sorry about that; I’m leaving now,” she murmured and the man stepped back from the vehicle, allowing her to pull away.
She quickly headed to the exit of the garage to pay her parking ticket; as soon as she did, she slowed at the entrance and dropped the backpack into the garbage, phone and all.
CHAPTER SIX
“The thing about being brave is it doesn’t come with the absence of fear and hurt. Bravery is the ability to look fear and hurt in the face and say move aside, you are in the way.”
—Melissa Tumine
She rolled up the tinted windows and headed northeast. As she hit the highway the sky burst open and she swore under her breath as she stepped on the brakes. Florida weather was as temperamental as Stephano had been but she was glad he had rubbed someone the wrong way which had allowed her an out. She was also glad that no one else had any idea who she really was for very soon as easily as Brooke Genovese had appeared, she would disappear. She swerved from behind an idiot going ten miles in the heavy downpour with no lights on and shifted gears as she left Brickell behind.
The custom leather was smooth beneath her now well-moisturized hands to hide the day’s work. The difference between both cars was night and day but if she could trade this life for what was to come she wouldn’t miss it for the world. Though the bucket seat hugged her frame in a loving fashion whilst the little, old car had forced her to keep on shifting for comfort throughout her driving, she knew that that tattered, cheap, second or fifth hand car was bought with hard earned cash and not the benefits of moving money or drugs around.
Her lips pressed together as she drew closer to the ominous mansion. Heading home for Gabriella might be risky but carrying her would’ve been more so. Slowing her pulse rate, she cleared her face of any emotion that could give her away as she pulled up at the gate. Pressing the button on the dashboard, she waited for the heavy metal gates to open before she rolled forward. She brought the car around the circular driveway and as soon as she came to a stop, someone moved forward.
“Do you need any help, Mrs. Genovese?” Salvatore’s rooky questioned and she pasted on a come-hither smile.
“The bags are in the trunk,” she murmured as she swung her legs out of the car. The high double splits on the front of the dress left her thighs bare and his eyes bounced off them to her face as he colored.
“Will do,” he stammered as he moved down the entrance steps.
“Thank you,” she responded as she threw her head back, allowing her hair to cascade over her shoulders and down her back. Her firm rear barely jiggled as she made her way up the steps to come face to face with Salvatore.
“I hope all went well with your expedition,” he murmured as he ran his eyes over her as if trying to spot any irregularities.
“I got most of what I needed but I’ll need to bring Gabriella with me in a few hours for her fitting for her birthday dress,” she stated.
“And the designer couldn’t come to you?” he questioned as the rookie struggled by them with about twenty bags.
“You know how Stephano felt about strangers coming here for them to see what they shouldn’t,” she reminded him and he grunted in response, his eyes flashing at the mention of his deceased boss’s name as if he wanted to give a retort. “Is something wrong?” she questioned as she could swear she’d seen hatred behind his lenses.
“Stephano is no longer here but you are his wife so whatever,” he muttered.
She hardened her eyes as he had always taught her, to ensure that she only ever seemed inferior to him. “Damn right,” she muttered and began to turn away. She looked down at her arm where his strong fingers had wrapped themselves around before looking up at him.
“I’m sorry about the other day,” he murmured and she shrugged off his hand.
“We were all in shock,” she responded.
His eyes flashed and she forced a smile before moving away, escaping this time. She knew what he was trying to do; it was as obvious as the lowering sun in the sky: Salvatore wanted her on his side so that he could move up the ranks of the gang. Someone had to replace her dead husband after all.
She escaped inside to play with Gabby, showing her nanny the hundreds of pictures she had strategically taken to ensure it would seem like she had spent all day shopping but kept an obvious watch on her watch.
“Late for somewhere,” Rosa questioned as she glanced at her watch for the hundredth time.
Raine smiled internally; glad the older woman was buying into her antics. “I don’t want Gabby to be late for her fitting, you know how sensitive designers are; so I want to ensure I leave with enough time and before it gets too late,” she answered.
“Then why don’t you go on from now?” Rosa suggested.
Raine shrugged shyly. “I don’t want Salvatore—”
“You are the woman of this house whether Stephano is dead or alive; God rest his soul,” the older woman muttered, interrupting herself to make a cross on her slightly wrinkled face with her well-manicured finger and bring the silver cross around her neck to her lips. “Salvatore does not own you or your movement. It was unfortunate what happened to Mr. Genovese but tying you to this house will not prevent anyone from coming in or harming you if they so wished. Go and handle your business!”
“If you think so,” she murmured in a timid voice.
“I know so!” she responded. “I’ll get my little princess here ready,” she finished before carting away a twirling Gabby.
Not long after, Rosa was at the door waving them off with a looming Salvatore.
“Keep safe,” he stated strongly as if making a point and she raised her hand to her forehead in a mocking salute but with a straight face.
“I will, Captain,” she responded before dropping her hand brake and rolling down the brick paved driveway.
∆∆∆
As the evening wore on, she made sure to take videos of Gabby as she tried on different dresses and how she behaved for the designer before they were off aga
in, seemingly heading back to the mansion. She secured her precious bundle in her car seat fast asleep and she breathed a sigh of relief as she placed a sound muffler over her tiny ears. Taking a breath, she turned in her seat and started to back the car out of its parking spot.
“And so it begins,” she breathed as she headed onto the highway after making a predestined stop. Her eyes flickered to the rearview mirror before she swiped her fingers across her phone screen mounted onto the dashboard. It rang for less than a millisecond before his voice crackled through the speakers.
“Brooke?”
“I can’t believe you had the audacity to follow me!” she snapped.
His end of the line went silent as his shock at her attack became obvious.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Brooke!” Salvatore muttered back almost bored and so she injected some passion into her voice.
“I can see you in my dang rearview mirror!” she hissed. “You are not my keeper because someone dared to take Stephano out,” she snapped as she slid into character.
“I think you are mistaken, Brooke, unless I can be in two places at once because at this moment I’m with my partner for this evening. Look again because I sure as hell am not behind you even though you could trade places with this blonde if you so desire,” he suggested and she had to bite back her urge to gag when the woman spat obscenities at him before she heard a door slam. “Well, there goes my lay for the night; what do you really want, Brooke?”
She injected some fear into her voice. “Salvatore, I’m not playing around; there is someone following me!” she cried.
He seemed to pause before she heard a zipper. “Where are you?” he questioned.
“I was heading back home from Brickell but I exited the highway; I’m trying to lose them on the side roads before I head back on the freeway.”
Salvatore spat a curse. “You should have kept heading home and I could’ve come to meet you. Dammit!” he snapped and she could feel her heart pounding out of her chest.
A Hitman's Kryptonite Page 3
