Victoria wanted to protest, but she knew how overprotective Jack could be. Tammy wasn't willing, nor did she deserve Jack’s wrath when he couldn't put a finger on her in troubled times.
“Okay,” Victoria said as she followed Lorenzo to the front door. “I’ll call Emily on the way. He might need a lawyer.”
“Good idea,” she heard Tammy say as she exited her house.
****
Only because some of the cops on the scene didn't know that Victoria had resigned from the department, was she able to get through the uniformed officers that had cordoned off the restaurant’s main entrance. She took the stairs to the second level and paused when she reached the landing. The scene was reminiscent of the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Deceased Russians were spread about the floor. Thankfully, there was no sign of Sicilian casualties. There were cops and evidence technicians everywhere, busy with the task of securing the scene and the collection of evidence.
“Damn,” Victoria whispered.
She scanned the room until her eyes landed on Luca. He was on his knees with his hands cuffed behind him. Victoria hurried over to him, but she was careful not to disturb the crime scene.
“Luca, are you okay?”
“Sto bene, donna. Tammy?”
Luca was a big man, and even on his knees, he was tall. There was a blood stain on the sleeve of his suit coat. He had to be experiencing some sort of pain, but his first concern was Tammy. Luca was a different kind of man with qualities similar to those of her own man. Since the beginning, Jack had always put her first. She was truly blessed, and so was Tammy.
“She’s good. She has the task of explaining to Jack why I’m here,” Victoria said with a smile.
“Why would you put my woman in danger like that, donna?” Luca responded. “She was probably safer dodging bullets.”
Victoria placed a hand to Luca’s shoulder and laughed. “She’s a tough girl. She’ll be okay.”
“I’m not so sure,” Luca scoffed.
“I’m here to help. Let me see what’s going on.”
Luca nodded toward her left side. Victoria turned and cringed when she spotted Detective Devereux.
Ughhhh!!!
Victoria still had plenty of connections on the police department, but Belladonna Devereux was not one of them. She was as hard as they came. Bella was not necessarily by the book, but she could be immovable. Hell, she had her own book. She was a good detective; one of the best. But to Victoria, her attitude was as stank as they came.
Bella was tall, curvy, and had flawless Native American features. Victoria figured that her disposition had a lot to do with the fact that she was drop dead gorgeous. Maybe she felt as if she had something to prove. Had she not been such a bitch, she would have totally been Victoria’s type.
“Victoria Price,” Bella greeted as she approached.
Victoria rolled her eyes. Bella was Taylor Montgomery’s friend, but she definitely wasn't Victoria’s favorite person. Taylor was super sweet, and Victoria couldn't imagine how she and someone as uptight as Bella had managed to hit it off.
“Storm. It’s Storm now. Hello, detective.”
“Mm-hm, I know,” Bella responded dismissively.
Getting to the point, Victoria pointed toward Luca and asked, “Why is my cousin on his knees, bleeding, and handcuffed like a criminal?”
“Well, Victoria, your cousin was armed, he shot at least five men, he’s not an American citizen, and he’s bigger than me. This is why Mr. Savelli is cuffed. Stop acting brand new.”
Had it not been for Luca’s well-being, Victoria would have responded to Bella’s ire with her own brand of stank.
“Bella, I promise you that Luca’s not a threat. It’s clear that he was acting in self-defense. I will vouch for him.”
Bella chuckled. “You’ll vouch for him? You're not even a cop anymore. If fact, I suspect that you may have crossed over to the dark side.”
Victoria, losing her patience, stepped toward Detective Devereux.
“Easy, Price,” Bella said with a condescending smirk. “I’m the only woman that you couldn't beat in the ring.”
“Times have changed, Belladonna. Wanna get some exercise?” Victoria challenged, ready to ugly the detective’s pretty face.
“Not today,” Bella said with a smile. “Maybe tomorrow.”
Bella’s smile was meant to provoke.
Not a good idea.
“Calm down, Price. Your endorsement is good enough for me.”
Bella pulled her cuff key from her front pocket and allowed Luca to stand. Bella wasn't a short woman, but even she shrank next to him. The way she looked up at Luca made the tough detective appear tiny and uber feminine.
“What’s this all about, Mr. Savelli?” Bella asked, waving her hand at the carnage.
“I don't know. A robbery maybe,” Luca responded with a shrug.
Bella smiled up at Luca. Her skepticism was apparent.
“A robbery? Okay. If you don't mind, Mr. Savelli, will you please stay right here?”
Luca nodded his intent to comply.
Bella handed Victoria her cuff key and turned to walk away.
“Price, you still know how to use those, right?”
“Detective, my name is Storm. If you stop being such a bitch, maybe a man will offer you his last name.”
Bella smiled, showing off perfect white teeth. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She chuckled as she walked away.
Victoria glanced at her perfect behind before turning to Luca.
“I can't stand that bitch,” she grumbled.
“But she is beautiful, si?”
“Yeah, she fine as hell,” Victoria agreed, hating herself for noticing.
CHAPTER 19
VICTORIA
Victoria entered the house, leaving Luca out front to sort things out with his men. She tossed her purse on a table in the foyer and followed the voices to the family room. Tammy was pacing back and forth in the middle of the room, Beverly was frowning on the sofa, and Tracy was on the floor playing with Jack Jr.
“Where’s Jack?” Victoria asked no one in particular.
“He’s upstairs putting Jasmine to bed,” Tracy offered. “He said to tell you to come up when you got here.”
“Shi-id, I ain't going up there. Jack must think I’m crazy,” Victoria grumbled as she walked over to her son.
“I see my little man ain't thinking about sleeping any time soon.”
“Naw, he is wide awake.”
Victoria looked over at Tammy and saw that she seemed thoroughly irritated.
“You good, Tammy?”
“Good? No. But I’m alive,” Tammy said as she flopped down on the sofa.
Before Victoria could comment, Luca stormed into the room. He was wearing a scowl that intimidated even her, and that was no easy feat.
“Thank God you're okay,” Beverly sighed, jumping to her feet.
Tammy looked at Victoria, giving her the, ‘Is this bitch serious?’ look. A couple of hours ago, Luca was nothing more than a thug. Her entire demeanor had changed in his presence.
Victoria only shrugged. She had no intentions on saying anything else to Tammy’s mother because she wouldn't tolerate someone speaking less than respectful to her own mother. And even though Beverly had run out on Tammy and her dad, the woman was still her mother.
Victoria laughed inwardly as Luca glared at Beverly like she’d lost her mind. He rushed past her and walked over to where Tammy was sitting. He lowered to his knees and placed his hands on her thighs.
“How are you?”
“How am I?” Tammy questioned, placing her hand on his cheek. “Luca, you were shot.”
“It’s a scratch,” he dismissed with the shake of his head.
Victoria turned to Tracy and asked, “When did you get here?”
“About forty-five minutes ago. Lorenzo hustled me out of the house just as I was about to take a bath. Ugh! The Russians again? Why don't they just die?”
“I know, right?” Victoria agreed. “It’s like we just can't shake their ass. Luca, how is Francis?”
“Indestructible.”
He muttered his response, but Victoria could hear the pride in his voice.
The Savellis were a close knit family. They possessed a unique Sicilian pride and a deadly loyalty to each other.
“Victoria!” she heard coming from the doorway of the family room.
Fuck!
TRACY
Victoria froze. Avoiding the wrath of Jack Storm wasn't as easy as she thought it was going to be. Tracy was actually feeling a bit sorry for her friend.
Victoria took a breath and turned to face the proverbial music. “Jack…hey, babe. I—”
“Upstairs!”
“But, Jack, I only went to the rest—”
“Victoria, upstairs!”
His voice boomed loud enough to cause baby Jack to startle. Tracy lifted him from the floor and swaddled him in her arms.
Wisely, Victoria stood without a word and walked out of the family room. Before following her out, Jack turned to Tracy and asked, “Will you put Jack to bed for me?”
“Yes, sir, Auntie Tracy will put him to bed,” she cooed down at the little spitting image of his father.
“Thanks,” he said as he left the room.
“Luca, you won't let him kill her will you?” Tracy chuckled. “You’ll save her right?”
“I don't interfere with marital conflicts. Besides, I’m more worried about Jack. Victoria is a force.”
“Um-mm, Jack is gonna shake the shit outta her,” Tammy said, shaking her head.
“That man can shake anything on me that he wants,” Beverly chimed.
Tracy’s eyes narrowed at Tammy’s mother. From the moment that Tracy arrived, Beverly had allowed the most inappropriate things to fly from her mouth. Tracy didn't like her, but it wasn't her place to like or dislike her friend’s mother.
“Oh my God. Luca, can you get someone to take her home,” Tammy grumbled.
“Unfortunately, she has to stay for a while.”
“What?!”
“There are some loose ends from the restaurant, and they saw her. She’s safer here.”
“Excuse me. I am in the room,” Beverly interjected.
“On that note…I’m gonna go put the baby to bed.” Tracy stood and left the room. That conversation had nothing to do with her.
She entered the Storm’s massive halls and headed to the nursery. Unfortunately, it was connected to Jack and Victoria’s bedroom, and Jack’s booming voice could be heard clear through the wall.
Tracy backed out of the nursery and took Jack Jr. to the guest suite that had been assigned to her. She sat on the sofa and peered down at the bundle in her arms. Little Jack Storm was a gorgeous child. His striking blue eyes were a severe, but beautiful contrast to his ink black hair. Jack and Victoria had made beautiful children.
Soon, Tracy would have a child of her own, and she wondered if he or she would look like her or Francis. It certainly didn't matter to her. All she wanted was a healthy baby. And even though a pregnancy wasn't exactly in her life plan, she already loved her child with her whole heart.
The buzz of Tracy’s cell phone broke through the silence. She fished it out of the pocket of her cardigan and was excited when she saw that Francis was calling her. Earlier, when she was rushed out of her own house with no word from Francis, she was terrified that something had happened to him or someone else in her extended family. Only when Jack had assured her that everyone was okay did she relax.
“Francis…hello,” Tracy greeted softly.
“Ciao, cara. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Francis. You know you ask me that at least ten times a day?”
“I do?”
Tracy could hear the smile in his voice. “You do,” she confirmed with her own smile. “Besides, don't pretend that you don't already know everything there is to know about me already.”
“Nonsense, donna. I’ll be back in the states before your doctor’s appointment.”
“Really? My appointment is Friday.”
“I know. I wouldn't miss a chance to see my bambino for the first time.”
Tracy shook her head. Francis was insistent on her having a boy. She was betting that the thought of having a little girl scared the hell out of him.
“That’s great,” Tracy beamed.
“I miss you, bella,” he told her in the deepest, sexiest bedroom voice.
Tracy’s entire body heated all over, and she felt the flutter of butterflies in her tummy. “I miss you too.”
“What do you miss the most, bella?”
“I… ugh…what?” Tracy stuttered.
She was getting seriously hot and bothered. Francis had the ability to make her body react instantly.
“You heard me, donna. What do you miss the most?”
The image of her sliding up and down and rocking back and forth on his fat, heavy dick popped into her head. But before she could answer, Jack tightened into a ball and released a fart that would've made Shrek cringe.
“Tracy, did you just—”
“Noooo,” Tracy giggled. “That was Little Jack.”
“Yeah, sure, it was the bambino,” Francis teased.
“It was!” Tracy screeched.
“It’s okay, bella. I still want you, even if you pass gas like a man,” Francis joked.
“Oh, Francis. Stop it,” Tracy laughed. “It wasn't me.”
“Donna, you’d better go and check your underpants. You may have soiled yourself,” Francis spat out through laughter.
“Oh hush!”
“No, you hush, and go clean your behind.”
They were both laughing out of control when Tracy heard a knock at the door.
“Come in,” she said as she tried to catch her breath.
Tammy stepped into the room and flopped down on the couch next to Tracy.
“Tell Francis that I said hi.”
“Baby, Tammy says hello.”
“Ciao, Tammy. Bella, I have to go. I will call you soon.”
“O-okay, honey. Goodbye.”
Tracy disconnected the call and looked over at Tammy.
“What’s up?”
“Girl,” Tammy grumbled. “That woman downstairs is getting on my last gotdamn nerve. I don't fucking know her. I don't know shit about her besides the fact that she was a junkie who wanted dope more than she wanted me. That woman crushed my dad. He loved her so much, and he searched for her for years. After a while, we just assumed that she’d been eaten by the streets of New Orleans. And now that he’s happy, that bitch suddenly falls out of the sky. No doubt to fuck everything up. Tracy, I will not let that woman hurt my papa.”
“Maybe you should just stay away from her while she’s here. I’m sure we won't be on lockdown too long.”
Tammy blew out a frustrated breath.
“That’s another thing. How the hell am I supposed to pull off this wedding trapped in the house?”
“Oh my God, Tammy,” Tracy said with a roll of her eyes. “You ain't pulling shit off. You have a wedding coordinator. She’s gonna be pulling this shit off. Stop being a bridezilla. Your wedding is gonna be perfect.”
“It has to be,” Tammy responded, reaching for Jack Jr. She propped him up on her shoulder and kissed his dark wavy hair.
“You, my dear, are marrying a man that would eat a bullet for you and your son. Not to mention…he’s tall, dark, and real easy on the eyes.”
Tammy smiled and relaxed against the sofa. “Yeah,” she responded in a dreamy whisper. “Luca is everything. You're right, Tracy. Shit as long as he shows up, everything will be perfect.”
“Yep, perfect.”
“Tracy, you're like the bride whisperer. You're the best,” Tammy grinned.
“Really? Soo…does that mean that you kinda owe me?”
“Owe you?” Tammy asked, glaring at Tracy.
“Yeah. What are my chances of getting out o
f being a bridesmaid?”
“Really, Tracy?”
“Girl, I’m getting so damn fat. That dress is not gonna fit me,” Tracy frowned.
“Hmph, the dress can be altered. Ain't no getting out.”
Tracy pursed her lips, but Tammy shook her head. “Don't get no attitude with me,” she told her. “This is what happens when you go raw dog in a public toilet.”
Tracy frowned. Tammy was starting to be just as vulgar as Victoria.
“Tammy, you have no class.”
“Maybe not,” Tammy giggled. “But I’m not the one that got knocked up in a bathroom stall.”
“It was on the sink,” Tracy mumbled under her breath.
“Mm-hm.”
Tammy handed Jack back to Tracy. “Here ya go. Get you some practice.”
As Tammy stood and walked over to the door, Tracy placed her nose to Jack’s neck and took a whiff of his sweet baby scent.
“Oh by the way,” Tammy said, leaning against the door frame, “I heard you farting before I came in.”
“Wait…wha—”
CHAPTER 20
VICTORIA
Victoria squinted as the bright sun assaulted her face. After an exhausting fight with her husband most of the night, she wasn't ready to wake up and do it all over again. In order to shield her face from the sun’s rays, she tried to roll over. She couldn't. She was paralyzed by restraints. Victoria’s eyes widened. With no time to adjust to the light, she searched her body and found that she had been bound to the bed. Her wrists and ankles were tied to each post. She struggled against the restraints, but it was no use.
“J-Jack,” she called out hoarsely, struggling to find her voice.
“I’m here,” he responded from the doorway of their en suite bath.
He was wet, wearing only a towel, and his silky black hair was slicked to the back, showcasing his breathtakingly beautiful face. But Victoria wouldn't be distracted.
“What is this, Jack?”
“Well, dear wife, it seems that I have found the only solution to making you stay put.”
“What?”
Surely he was joking.
“Yes. It appears that you not only get off on putting yourself in harm’s way, but you also get off on making me worry about you.”
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