by Jenna Jacob
The drive to Reed’s office was quiet. I glanced at the commanding man beside me concentrating on the road. Tony was lost in thought, no doubt mulling over the same billion what if’s I did. But once inside Reed’s masculine office, I felt a shift in Tony’s demeanor. He seemed more relaxed – or at least I’d hoped so. But when Reed’s secretary opened the door and a tall man with greying temples wearing a dark blue suit stepped inside, there was enough electricity in the air to light all of Las Vegas.
Reed stood and rounded his big ornately carved desk, and just as he extended his hand to the man in the blue suit, Matt entered behind him and shut the door.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Blinking twice, my eyes grew wide. I launched from my chair and raced to the corner behind Reed’s desk. Shrinking into the crook between the wall and his book shelf, erratic bursts of air vibrated from the back of my throat as my heart slammed against my ribs.
Tony jumped from his chair, rushing toward me as Reed turned with a confused expression.
“What the hell?” Tony barked, jerking a glance over his shoulder before turning a concerned look at me. Worry filled his eyes. “Leagh, what’s wrong?”
“M… M… Matt,” I stuttered, peering over Tony’s wide shoulder at the man I thought was dead. A pained expression wrinkled his face at my reaction to him.
Tony spun around and stormed toward Matt. “Matthew Price? You son of a bitch! How dare you come in here and scare the living shit out of her like that? What the hell are you up to now, mother fucker?”
“What the fuck?” Reed thundered, sidling up next to Tony. “Get the hell out of my office!”
“Easy, you two.” The man in the blue suit held up his palms in surrender. “If you’ll all just take a seat, I can explain.”
“Explain what?” Tony shouted to the man before turning his full fury toward Matt. “Is he some hired thug posing as FBI so you can get to Leagh? If you think I’m going to let you take her out of this office, you’re fucking crazy! The only way you’ll get to her is through me. So if you’re here for her, asshole; bring it.”
“Wait,” Matt sighed and shook his head. “No, that’s not why I’m here.”
“Mister, what is your name?” The man in the blue suit asked as he stepped in front of Matt, trying like hell to calm the wild animal who looked ready to rip both their heads off, Tony.
“Tony Delvaggio.”
“Delvaggio?” The FBI agent repeated with an inquisitive stare. “I know of an Enzo Delvaggio out on the west coast. You’re not related to him by any chance are you?”
“I’m his nephew. Who the hell are you?”
“Huh,” the man in the blue suit grunted. “Interesting. I’m Special Agent Jonathan Rizzo.”
“Special agent for what division?” Tony pressed.
“WITSEC,” the agent replied. “Now if we can all just sit down, calm down, I’ll explain why we’re here.”
A string of obscenities rolled off Tony’s tongue as he returned to me and pulled me in his arms. “What’s WIT..whatever?” I whispered.
“Witness protection,” he murmured.
“I’m not going into witness protection for you or anyone else,” I snapped at Matt. “I’ve spent the last six years looking over my shoulder. I won’t do it anymore. I finally got a taste of what my life could be like over the past few days when I thought you were dead.”
Tears burned my eyes as I looked at Tony. “They were the best damn days of my entire life.” Pinning Matt with a taunting glare, I sucked in a deep breath. “So if you’re here to kill me, then just do it now and get it over with.
“Relax, Miss Bennett. No one is here to hurt you. Mr. Price requested this meeting. I’ll let him explain. But first, I’d like to thank you, Judge Landes for allowing us your and Miss Bennett’s time. I’m sure once Mr. Price has explained everything; all the misunderstandings will be cleared up.”
Reed begrudgingly shook Special Agent Rizzo’s hand as Tony led me to a chair far away from Matt. Once seated, Tony wrapped a protective arm around me. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest, keeping time with mine own. The whole damn thing seemed so surreal I wondered if it were just a bad dream and I’d wake up any second.
“That’s all good and fine, Special Agent Rizzo, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to see your ID. Considering the history of my client in regard to Mr. Price, I’m sure you understand.” Leave it to Reed, suave and sophisticated even when shoving a condescending knife in a guy’s gut.
A bitter smile played over Special Agent Rizzo’s lips as he pulled out his badge and handed it to Reed.
“Thank you. You may take a seat.” Reed extended his hand at the vacant chairs and flashed me a wary look before he sat down behind his big desk.
All eyes turned to Matt, who seemed suddenly nervous, his face ashen white. He opened his mouth only to close it again, swallowing what seemed a basketball lodged in his throat.
“First of all… kill you? I never want any harm to come to you, honey. You’re like a daughter to me. Why did you think…Never mind. I know why you thought I’d come after you. I’m sorry. I came here to tell you I’m so sorry for what I put you through.”
My panic ebbed, but my temper spiked. I tried to bolt from the chair, but Tony’s sturdy arm held me in my seat.
“You’re sorry? You’re sorry?” I screeched. “You son of a bitch! I’ve been waiting for you to find me since I was twenty years old. My head filled with visions of you stepping out from some dark alley and putting a bullet in my heads or breaking in while I was asleep and putting a pillow over my face to suffocating me to death.”
“No. No. No.” Matt shook adamantly shook his head. “Honey, I could never do that to you. Please, let me explain.”
My body shook and I sucked in a deep breath. Tony held me tighter, and I issued a curt nod toward Matt.
“I came here to ask for your forgiveness, so I need to start at the beginning. Some of this you’re not going to want to hear, and I’m sorry, but you need to know. It might make some sense to you when I’m done.” Matt scrubbed a hand over his face, and as he lowered his hand to the table, I noticed he was shaking.
“I can handle it. Go ahead.”
Matt chuckled softly and looked up at me. Funny, he didn’t look like a monster, just a troubled old man whose eyes still reflected love when he gazed at me. “I know you can. You’re a strong young woman.”
I made a noise in the back of my throat. He was the one who had forced me to grow the rigid backbone, but I bit back that snarky retort.
“Twenty-eight years ago, your dad was out of town on a business trip. I dropped by to check in on your mom. This was long before they became so immersed in the church. She was wild and carefree, happy and full of life.”
The woman he described was in no way, shape, or form the woman that had raised me, but I let him go on.
“There’d always been this underlying current between us that we tried to ignore, but that day…” Matt exhaled loudly. “It was a one-time thing, and she was so overwrought with guilt she threw herself into the church, hoping that God would forgive what she couldn’t. I’ve always blamed myself for stealing her zest for life. I tried to apologize to her once, but she told me if I ever mentioned the affair to her again, I wouldn’t be welcome in her home. So I didn’t. When you were born, she said it was a sign from God that he’d forgiven her sins. Unfortunately, she never was able to forgive herself or me.”
“You had an affair with my mom, and she turned into a pseudocult member of the church, dragging my dad along with her? I get that you feel responsible for that, but none of that explains… why are you here with an agent from witness protection, Matt?” My tone was arctic. It was the only defense I could pluck from within that wasn’t suffused in rage, hurt, and betrayal. Just the thought of my mother being a loving, happy woman at one time made tears sting my eyes.
“I couldn’t handle the guilt much better, Leagh. Not long after you were born, I started usin
g cocaine, but I soon realized I could make a hell of a lot of money distributing the stuff rather than using it. That’s when I started building my empire,” Matt snorted sarcastically. “After nearly twenty years, I’d amassed billions of dollars and was among the ranks of the biggest drug lords in the world. Guns, drugs, sex slaves, I had my hands in it all.”
I closed my eyes and swallowed the urge to vomit.
“When I came home and found that you’d left me, the silence drove me insane. I missed your laughter and your vibrant spirit…you were gone and so was my chance at redemption. I knew then what I needed to do, but still I couldn’t find the guts to do it. So I continued to deal with the devils in hopes that I could fill the void inside me. But it didn’t work, so a year later, I picked up the phone, met with the FBI, and cut a deal. I handed over names, locations, quantities, and a list of murders I’d committed. In return, they granted me immunity and witness protection. With my videotaped testimony from numerous safe houses, they were able to bring down most of the bigger players and corrupted government officials I’d been associated with.”
The room was silent. Tony’s thumb circled my shoulder in constant reminder that I wasn’t alone. I knew in my heart he would always be by my side, supporting me. My rock. A sense of renewed strength filled me.
“I can’t take back the things I’ve done or the lives I’ve destroyed. When I saw you on the news, I called Special Agent Rizzo and begged him to set up this meeting. I had to see you and tell you how very sorry I am. Not only for what I subjected you to but for taking away the woman your mom used to be. Don’t worry, Leagh. I’m not holding onto the pipe dream that you’ll ever forgive me, but I hope you understand how important it was for me to apologize to you. I never meant to fuck up your life.”
When Matt was done, I didn’t know what to say. Part of my heart was breaking in two for the pain and guilt enveloping him. But my mind was screaming that he’d done it all this to himself, and I was nothing more than collateral damage over the bad choices he’d made. Could I forgive him? I didn’t know.
Tony cleared his throat. “Coming here to confess everything was very difficult for you.”
“Yes,” Matt whispered.
“I think Leagh understands that. But I also think she’s going to need some time to digest it all. Don’t you agree?” Tony asked.
“Without a doubt. I didn’t come here today expecting a heartfelt reunion,” Matt explained, looking at me once again. “Hell, I honestly didn’t expect you’d even listen to me. I’m relieved and very happy that you did. I understand why you thought I’d hurt you, but as god is my witness, I’d never physically harm you, Leagh. It breaks my heart that my stupid choices have caused you so much pain.”
His tortured expression almost made me weep. By confessing his deeds, Matt tore down the walls I’d erected blocking childhood memories of the man. Not only had he bought me my first bike, but he ran alongside me to make sure I didn’t fall and scrape my knee, teaching me to ride it. When I got invited to my first high school dance, he snuck me out of the house and took me dress shopping. When I tried on the coral colored formal, Matt’s eyes sparkled, and he’d kept telling me how beautiful I looked, over and over. He’d even insisted on buying the dress for me and showed up at the house the night of the dance to take pictures, like a preening father.
Tony had been right. I’d built Matt up to be a horrific monster in my mind. And I let the image feed my fears, so thoroughly, convincing myself that I’d lived with a maniacal Jekyll and Hyde that I’d erased all the happy times and unconditional love he’d showered upon me.
“I appreciate you arranging this meeting and telling me the things you did today, Matt,” I hesitantly began. “Maybe, in time, I can forgive you. Over the years, I let my imagination run wild, but I still have nightmares of blood on my hands, and… hopefully, they’ll go away now.”
“Oh, god, honey, I’m sorry. I never meant for that to happen… I panicked. Never in a million years did I want you exposed to the shit I was involved in. But when I saw you come around the corner with that bucket, I took that as a sign of acceptance. That you were committed to me, even the dark, ugly parts I never wanted you to see. I’m sorry I’ve ruined your life the way I have. I’m so fucking sorry.” Tears brimmed in his eyes
“Please, stop saying you’re sorry, Matt. I feel your remorse. I do. But I’m so overwhelmed right now. I…I do want to thank you for taking me in and standing by me when I lost Nathan. I loved you more than I did my own parents.”
Matt closed his eyes and hung his head. Tears dripped from his cheeks and his shoulders shook in silent sobs. After several long moments, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his face, and lifted his head.
“I know I have no right to ask anything of you, Leagh, but would you please make an appointment to talk to someone… a professional who can help you past the damage I’ve caused you?”
I chuckled softly and darted a glance at Tony. “I’m already seeing someone.”
“Good. Good.” Matt nodded. “I am, too, and it’s helping. He’s the catalyst behind me coming here to see you.”
“I think, in time, you’re both going to be just fine,” Tony announced with a soft smile.
Special Agent Rizzo turned to Matt. “Is there anything else you need to say?”
“No,” Matt replied somberly. “I’m sorry doesn’t come close to what I carry in my heart, but hopefully you know that now, Leagh.”
“I do.” I nodded.
“Judge Landes, thank you for allowing us this visit,” Special Agent Rizzo announced as he stood and shook Reed’s hand once more.
“It’s been my pleasure to facilitate this for both Leagh and Matt,” Reed replied.
When Matt stood, I gave Tony’s leg a slight squeeze and rose from my chair. On trembling legs, I walked up to Matt and wrapped my arms around him. A mournful wail gurgled from the back of his throat as he pulled me to his chest. Openly sobbing, he hugged me tight for a long time as tears spilled down my face.
Pulling back, Matt wiped his eyes and sniffed. “Good-bye, my little munchkin.”
“Wait. When will I see you again?” I asked, my voice trembling as I brushed at my tears.
He flashed a beseeching look toward Special Agent Rizzo.
“Never, I’m afraid, Miss Bennett. Mr. Price is a dead man. In fact, neither of us were ever here.”
“But…” The finality of his words pelted me. “No.”
“Mr. Price is in the witness protection program now. He has a new name and a new city,” the FBI agent explained. “All ties to anyone in his past must be severed to protect him and those he loves.”
I felt Tony move in close behind me, his body heat felt like a blanket of reassurance, one that I desperately needed. As he placed his hands on my arms, I knew he was there to help me say good-bye to Matt.
To help me heal the scars that marred my heart.
To catch me and never let me fall.
“Please, take good care of her for me,” Matt murmured to Tony.
“It will be an honor, sir,” Tony replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Matt pulled back, his eyes red rimmed and filled with tears, then bent and pressed a gentle kiss upon my cheek. As he and Special Agent Rizzo turned and walked to the door, Matt paused and looked back at me.
“I love you, munchkin. Always remember that.”
“I love you, too,” I sobbed.
When the door closed behind him, I broke down.
“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Reed whispered and left the room.
Tony held me in his arms as I cried uncontrollably.
“Let it out, angel. You’ve held so much inside you for so long. Just let it out. It’s time to unburden all the fear and pain and misery.”
“How could I think that he would ever have tried to hurt me?” I wailed.
“Because you were young and what he’d done was opposite of the man you believed him to be. None of us are perfect.
We all make mistakes. Matt made some huge ones, but I don’t want you blaming yourself for how his actions affected you or how you responded to what he’d done. You did the right thing by going into self-preservation mode.” Tony verified, wiping my tears with the pads of his thumb. “Besides, running away ultimately brought you to me.”
He captured my lips, inundating me with passion and so much love more tears spilled down my cheeks.
“Come on, angel; let’s go home.”
Snuggled up tight against Tony’s side, he drove to the club. Once back in our room, we laid in bed, my head on his chest and his arms wrapped around me.
“I know today was an emotional rollercoaster ride for you, sweetheart. Tell me how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking?”
“Really? You already want to pull your scalpel out?”
“No time like the present.” I could hear the smile he undoubtedly wore in his voice.
“Alright, but if you think I’m going to pay you for this visit, you’re crazy.” I grinned.
“You’ll pay alright but not with money,” he rumbled.
In an instant, my nipples drew tight, and I ground my pussy against his thigh. “I’d rather play doctor, patient in other ways.”
“I’m sure you would, and maybe we’ll have to investigate your desire for medical play…later. Right now, it’s time to talk.”
I swallowed tightly, thinking about stirrups and speculums. “Okay, I really don’t have any medical fantasies; it was just a metaphor.”
Tony chuckled as he tugged a strand of hair clinging to my shoulder. “You’re stalling, angel. Talk to me.”
“The relief I feel now is totally different from what I felt when I thought Matt was dead.”
“Explain that statement to me.”
A small smile curled on my lips. Tony had three distinct modes; doctor, Dominant, and lover. And damn if I didn’t thoroughly love them all.
