Tangled Lies (Web of Secrets Book 1)

by Reana Malori

  He’d talk with the doctors, make sure they understood just how much Shandra meant to her. He’d make them see that they had to bring in the best surgeons. Shandra was by her side through every event in her life, big or small.

  She took off in a run, sprinting across the bland hospital floor to reach Tristan as fast as she could. As soon as she reached him, he opened his arms, catching her as she leaped towards him.

  “I got you, Camille. I’m here now. We’re going to make this right.”

  “Help her, Tristan. They’ll listen to you. Make them fix her,” she sobbed into his neck. “She’s my best friend. My sister. She has to get better.” Releasing her stronghold on his neck, she slid her body down to place her feet on the floor.

  She heard Tristan say something to the men surrounding them as they began to walk forward. Once they came to where D stood against the wall, Tristan stopped. Camille’s hold on him never wavered.

  “You hit?”

  “Nah, I’m okay. This ain’t my blood.” His ragged voice got stronger with each word. When he spoke, Camille cried harder. Her hand reached out to D, and he grabbed hold of her.

  “It’s all right, little demon. This ain’t over. Shandra’s almost as tough as you. Plus, she has to fight. There’s no other choice. She has to get back to that little girl.” Although his voice was hard, Camille still heard the fear. Yeah, he loved them as if they were his blood.

  “I’ll have one of my men bring you some clean clothes.”

  D tried to decline, “Nah, I’m—”

  “You are my Camille’s brother. You were there, tried to get them both out of danger when I couldn’t. Her guards were too far away and couldn’t get to you in time. She said you were her brother in all ways but one. Her protector since she was a small child. Never again will my bad blood put you, Camille, or Shandra in danger again.”

  D simply nodded. Releasing Camille’s hand, he smiled at her as he tilted his head toward Tristan. “He’s good people, Camille. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here waiting for the parental units.” Looking down at his blood-caked and dirty clothes, he gave a derisive laugh. “And those clean clothes would be great.”

  Tristan nodded, “I’ll take care of it.” Pulling out his phone, he made a call and requested clothes for both her and D, as well as a dinner order. It also sounded as if he called the hospital director and demanded to speak with the Chief of Surgery, who was not in the room with Shandra.

  Well, that was unacceptable as fuck, Camille thought. Shandra would have the best this hospital had to offer, or she’d personally burn this bitch down. After removing all the patients first, of course.

  Maybe she was getting a bit too used to the power Tristan wielded. Not that it was a bad thing, but it was interesting how quickly she’d adapted.

  Tristan gathered her in his arms, whispering soft words as he stroked her back. “Don’t worry. She’ll make it. The two of you will be giving each other shit in no time and wanting to go on an extravagant vacation. Which, of course, I’ll pay for because it’ll make you smile. And when we get married, she’ll be your maid of honor and her daughter will be your flower girl. It’ll be beautiful.” Tristan paused for a moment, then leaned back down. “Sweetness, please don’t react. Your parents are here, and they brought some extra security.”

  Camille lifted her head and almost fainted.

  Her father and mother walked in, both wearing black suits. Her mother in a skirt, of course. Fanning out around them were at least twenty men. All of them looking as if they could break a man’s neck with their pinky.

  What the fuck?

  “Dad? Mom? Uncle Luther? What the—”

  “Don’t you let that word pass your lips, little girl.” Her mom walked up to her with arms open, and red eyes puffy from crying.

  Camille rushed to her mother, wrapping herself in those loving arms that had cradled her from birth. Her familiar perfume calmed her nerves, allowing her to speak with some normalcy.

  “They shot her, mom. They shot Shandra.”

  “Who, baby? Who shot Shandra? Can you recall what they look like?” Her mom peppered her with questions, but she couldn’t think right now.

  “I don’t know what they looked like. All I know is they began shooting as we left lunch.”

  “My little demon, I’m so sorry.” Her father’s deep voice was filled with sadness as he approached them. Wrapping his strong arms around the two women in his life, they stood there for a few seconds before someone broke them apart.

  “Mr. Sperry, mie scusi, Mr. Lucarelli has procured a private space for the family.” It was Orlando, one of Tristan’s guys. As they broke apart from the family hug, she saw that D was walking down the hallway with two guys trailing him. Shandra’s parents were right behind them, her father holding little Amina in his arms.

  Taking in the men standing around the waiting room, Camille looked at her parents. Who were these people and what had they done with her parents? Confusion had to be visible on her face.

  “Dad? Who are all these men you brought? I’ve never seen these people before. I mean, I’m not going to turn them away if they can protect us. But I have so many questions.”

  Her mom’s palm cupped her jaw. “I know you do, baby girl. And we’ll answer them at the right time. Right now, let’s go to this room your young man has arranged for us. All things considered, it’s probably best we stay together.”

  “But Shandra—”

  “Will be fine,” her father interjected. “You don’t think me and Tristan both have her protected. We do. And I saw him speaking with the Chief of Surgery, who left to go scrub in. Shandra is part of this family, all the families, and we take care of our own.”

  As they began walking toward the reserved space, Camille knew her father’s words were important. Her mind was so filled with worry about her friend, she couldn’t focus on peeling back all the layers. But she would.

  Plus, how the fuck did her dad stroll up in here with a mini-army of twenty fucking men?

  CHAPTER 12

  Tristan walked into his uncle Roberto’s study, his face hard and unforgiving. It had now been twenty-four hours since Marco had gone after Camille. Shandra made it through her surgery but was still in the hospital recovering. Camille refused to leave her side, as had Shandra’s mother.

  What hurt Tristan the most was knowing it could have been Camille in that bed, or something much worse.

  Tristan had finally come to a decision, and it would change his life forever. He was ready. It was time for a new era. His uncle had earned his retirement.

  “Tristan,” his uncle rose from behind his desk. A little slower, a little grayer, but still in prime condition. “How is your Camille today?”

  “Still adjusting to what happened. She’s still at the hospital with her friend.”

  Nodding, his uncle came around and sat down the in the seat next to Tristan. “And how is her friend doing?”

  “Recovering. Not out of the woods yet, but getting better each hour.”

  Nodding again, his uncle went silent as he sipped his whiskey. “When you were a small boy, your father always said you were destined for great things. Even at such a young age, you were keenly aware of everything around you. Smarter than most kids your age. You were the apple of your father’s eye.”

  He knew there was nothing to be said, so he stayed quiet.

  “I’m an old man, Tristan. It feels like I’ve lived more lives than I should. I’ve asked my Sofia to accept a life of danger, a life where I may not come home one night. It was all I knew. All your father knew.” Looking into Tristan’s eyes, he smiled. “She stood by my side for forty-years in a world that told her she was a second-class citizen. Yet, she loved me for all these years, through all the tears I caused her. The deaths, the blood, the betrayals.”

  Looking over at the man sitting next to him, Tristan knew he wasn’t perfect. They were both flawed human beings. None of them were perfec
t, and never would be. He knew about some of the things his uncle referred to but chose to stay quiet. Death and blood were par for the course. The betrayals to his marriage were none of his business, and would remain so. If his aunt chose to still love him and stayed by his side in spite of the nights she’d spent alone waiting for her husband to come home, that was her call.

  One thing he knew was that Camille would never have to deal with that. There was no one else he wanted more than her. She was his light, his beacon home when the night became too dark.

  His lifestyle had already put her in danger. Her best friend was in the hospital fighting for her life. Her friend D was gathering resources to help Tristan hunt down Marco. The darkness in that young man’s gaze had changed, deepened over the past twenty-four hours. He’d never been the same person he was before he’d seen his friend gunned down.

  For that, Tristan would have to atone.

  Camille’s father had come out of retirement and burned down the door he’d walked through to get to the other side. Shaking his head at the conversation he’d been privy to; he was disappointed that his family drama had caused a rift between father and daughter. She wasn’t as upset with her mother, but she wasn’t pleased with her either. He’d never wanted her father’s history to come out this way. He hadn’t been ready to tell, and Camille had been in no position to listen.

  Another thing Tristan would have to atone for.

  Turning his attention back to his uncle, he waited as the old man gathered his thoughts. Tristan was ready to move forward but knew he needed to do this the right way. He loved his uncle. Would not push him out. But it was time.

  “I love my son, Tristan. But this, what he has done… what he planned to do… I cannot forgive. He’s hiding like a coward. He broke his mother’s heart. He tore through our family bond, leaving heartache in his wake.”

  Tristan knew exactly where Marco was. His call to Conall O’Shea a few weeks ago had borne fruit. His friend across the river kept his side of the bargain. Tristan would make sure their partnership stayed in place.

  “Don Roberto,” Tristan called out to his uncle using the honorific he was entitled to.

  “No, Tristan. Uncle Roberto to you from now on. It is time that I retire. It is time to spend time with my Sofia. Martina, although independent and living on her own, will still need her cousin. Will you care for her as you should?”

  “Yes.”

  Nodding, he stood from the chair. He placed his empty glass on the table. “I have a few things to finish up to close out some business, but you and I will discuss everything soon. Once you finish what must be done, we will complete the transition. Until then, I will keep things running for you. Unless you disagree?”

  “No. I don’t disagree. Uncle, it did not have to go down this way.”

  Waving his hand at Tristan, he nodded. “Yes, I think it did. You were always meant to be the heir. If your father had lived, he would have been head of the family. I would have been happy to be the carefree brother, supporting as needed. When he was ripped from our lives, everything changed. But everything remained the same.”

  Tristan had heard these words before, so he was not shocked by what his uncle said.

  “You were always meant for this world, even as you fought to be different. Your father’s blood flows through your veins. In fact, you are not the first to own the name Death Bringer.” Looking at Tristan with a smile on his face, his eyes took a soft glow, as if remembering something grand. “Your father was the second Death Bringer, and your grandfather was the first. This has always been your path.”

  Tristan stood. A warm feeling flowed through his body, and he knew it was his acceptance of the mantle he’d been given. Yes, he’d tried to fight his legacy for too long. Now it was time to walk in the footsteps of his uncle, father, and grandfather.

  “Uncle.” As the man caught his eyes, he continued, “You were good to me. Raised me well. I always felt loved in this home. I know my father is proud of the man I’ve become, and we owe that to you. For as long as you and Aunt Sofia live, I will honor you.”

  He could tell his uncle’s emotions were coming to the surface, so this meeting had to end.

  “Go. Take care of your future Donna and her extended family.”

  “Ciao, zio Roberto.”

  “Ciao, Tristan.”

  Walking out the door, Tristan knew the next time he entered, he’d not only be leading the family, but he’d also be the killer of his own cousin.

  He could live with that.

  *****

  Tristan walked into the hospital room to see a group gathered around Shandra’s bed. Camille saw him first and came over to him for a hug. Wrapping her in his arms, he knew he was making the right decision.

  “I love you, Camille. Never forget that. No matter what happens, know that my purpose is to protect you, and your family. You mean everything to me.”

  She raised her gaze to his, her smile huge on her beautiful face. “I know you do. You were just afraid to say it, and that’s okay.”

  “How did you know?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, she dipped her head, then lifted her gaze to look around the large private room.

  He looked around as well. Everyone was in their own world. Shandra’s mother sat next to her bed reading a book. Leo was on the other side of the bed. His green eyes focused intently on Shandra’s face. D wasn’t in the room at the moment, but he’d seem him outside talking on the phone.

  “Did your mother stop by yet?”

  She shook her head, “Not yet. She’s planning to arrive sometime after two. Shandra’s mother has to pick up Amina from daycare. She’s gonna bring her here for a few minutes before taking her home.” Tears welled in Camille’s eyes.

  Tristan placed one finger under her chin to turn her face in his direction. “I will fix this. He will atone for this. Just have faith in me to make this right for you, and for Shandra.”

  “This is just so hard. I knew something like this was a possibility to me, but not to my friends. I wasn’t thinking straight. I should have thought this through.”

  It sounded a lot like she was beginning to regret their time together. “Walk with me?” Grabbing her hand, he pulled her behind him until they exited the patient room area. He headed for the room that had been designated for him, and his “guests” while Shandra was here.

  Once inside and the doors were closed, he grabbed her face softly in both palms. “Do you regret us?”

  Shaking her head, she stood on her toes to get closer to eye-level with him. “Never. I just feel so helpless. I should be out there doing something. Sitting here in the hospital feels like I’ve just given up. Allowed him to win. I can’t do that.”

  Tristan knew his stubborn woman was going to try something like this. “No, Camille. I need to know you’re safe, and you need to know that your friend is recovering. The best way to do that is for you to be here. Behind these hospital doors.”

  A flash sparked in her eyes, and he knew her fight had come back. “I will not sit in the background like some weak ass female. I mean, you heard the conversation yesterday. If nothing else, I’m my father’s daughter. Which is still going to take some time for me to come to grips with. I mean, my father has a fucking army behind him. I wish I’d known that when that shit went down with Shandra.”

  “What shit went down with Shandra?” This was the second time he’d heard something like this from her. He’d have to figure out the secret they were keeping from him.

  “Nothing. It was nothing. Anyway,” Camille said, changing the subject, “I don’t want you to think I regret meeting you. Or our relationship. I just need to adjust my thinking.”

  “You’re mine, Camille. Don’t try to leave me,” he ordered, pleaded, begged. He didn’t care how he sounded, as long as she knew he meant every word. “I need you in my life. You calm my soul. You make me want to live.” He began pressing kisses all over her face as he backed her u
p against the wall.

  “And you’re mine right back. But what now?”

  He began undoing her pants as their lips stayed connected.

  “Engagement. A short one. Wedding. A huge one. Children. Lots of them. I want our boys to have friends within their own home. Siblings that will protect each other as fiercely as you, Shandra and D protect each other.”

  “Well, if it’s anything to go by, the way Leo looks at Shandra, our kids may have some cousins near their age.”

  Tristan stopped his motions and looked down at her. “Sweetheart, did you just agree to marry me?”

  Tilting her head, she smiled at him before nipping his chin with her teeth. “Did you expect any other answer?”

  “Hell, with you, I never know what I’m going to get. Plus, I would have kept you in this room, fucking this sweet pussy until you gave in.” He pushed her pants down her legs. As soon as the material was fully removed, he cupped her pussy in his hand. “This fat, juicy pussy is all mine. You know that, right? It’s been mine since the first day I saw you.”

  Her head tilted back against the wall as he used one finger to penetrate her. A low moan escaped her mouth as he increased the rhythm. He could feel her liquids begin to flow. He needed a taste but knew that would have to come later. His baby was a screamer, and he didn’t need any hospital staff rushing in here.

  “Now that I’ve said yes, can I still have your dick inside me?”

  “Baby, you can have it every fucking day, and twice on Saturday.” Removing his finger from her hot channel, he licked the juices from his digit before sealing his lips to hers. Giving her a taste of her essence. Undoing his own pants, they fell to his ankles freeing his member. It stood up red, angry, and seeking his woman.

  Hoisting her legs over the crook of his arms, he positioned his cock to her entrance. “Hold on baby. This is gonna be a bumpy ride.”