I hear the man behind me gasp in shock as I step forward and ignore his outstretched hand. Instead, I clap him on the shoulder, feeling oddly choked up as I say, “You as well, Tony. It’s been too long.”
“It has.” He nods before telling his manager, “Jax, we’ll be in my office.” Anthony turns on a heel and heads toward a staircase in the far corner of the room. I follow behind him, paying little attention to my surroundings. This is his home, and it only takes me a moment to know it’s more than secure. He won’t tolerate anything less. He removes a keycard from his pocket and opens a metal door before waving me inside. The interior is clean and expensively furnished, yet not flashy. He circles around behind a large, mahogany desk, and I take a seat in front of him. It hasn’t escaped my attention that he opted to keep things formal, rather than use the more casual seating area in the corner that contains a well-worn sofa and matching armchairs. Good for you. I would do the same. He’s clearly sending me a message that although we have a history, he doesn’t consider us friends. Without preamble, he levels a direct stare at me and asks flatly, “Why now, Lee?”
I don’t insult his intelligence by pretending to misunderstand. “I have some questions about a business deal that your father was involved in almost twenty years ago. I thought you might be able to shed some light on his reason behind it.”
He quirks a brow, once again appearing amused. “You realize I was a teenager back then. Dad didn’t make a habit of running anything by me, much less his rationale for the decisions he made.”
“I realize that, Tony, but don’t play the dumb-kid card, because I know better. Your father never tried to hide anything from you, and you certainly paid attention when it suited your purposes. I’m hoping this was one of those times.”
“Touché.” He shakes his head. “Be that as it may, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s been a long time. But you’re free to ask.”
“Do you recall a company called Wrenn Wear? I instigated a successful hostile takeover for it, then signed it over when it was complete. It was owned by—
“Hunter Wrenn.”
“That’s right,” I say as I lean forward in my seat. There’s something here, I can feel it. This is no more random to him than it is to me. “What can you tell me about it?”
“Why do you want to know?” he asks instead, looking at me intently.
Honesty is the only way to go here. I’ll just alienate him further with half-truths, which will get me nowhere. “I never understood his desire for the company. No, it was more of an obsession. I took it and walked away afterward, but it puzzled me. Everything about it was out of character for him. He claimed it was revenge for a business deal, but never said what. And to my knowledge, there hadn’t been anything to warrant that kind of retaliation. In fact, I could find no evidence that there had ever been any dealings between them before.”
“I can see you being curious about this back then, but why the sudden interest now? Both Wrenn Wear and my father have been gone for years. You’re not one to get nostalgic and attempt to solve puzzles from your past just for the hell of it. So what’s fueling this curiosity?”
“I recently discovered that my assistant is Jade Wrenn, Hunter’s daughter. Apparently, he planted her at Falco two years ago to find what she could to destroy me.”
The slight widening of his eyes is the only indication that I’ve surprised him. “How is that possible?” he asks flatly. “You probably have some of the best security in the country. Are you telling me that a woman managed to infiltrate your company for that long without you knowing it?”
I grimace, feeling strangely embarrassed by the amazement in his voice. “That’s exactly what I’m fucking saying, Tony. And I really don’t need another post-mortem. Believe me, it’s already been done to death.”
He gives me an assessing look before leaning back in his chair. He’s the picture of relaxation—even though he’s anything but. He’s always been like a caged tiger, and I have no reason to think he’s any different now. “Where is Jade Wrenn now? I assume you’ve dealt with the breach accordingly.”
What he’s asking is if I’ve handled it in the way that Victor and Draco would. Handled the breach. Not at all. The question seems to have been asked more out of curiosity than a desire to see brutal justice served. It’s only natural that he wonders if I’ve followed in my mentor’s footsteps, although I must believe he’s kept tabs on me through the years as I have him. We were too close once to completely sever the connection. Who gives a fuck if he thinks I’m weak? We’re not likely to be engaged in any kind of turf war. I’m not Victor, and he’s not his father. I get to my feet and cross the room to his impressively stocked bar. I don’t bother to ask, but simply pour a hefty measure of what appears to be bourbon in a crystal glass, before tossing it back. The alcohol burns as it slides down my throat. It’s smooth, though, in a way that only the expensive shit is. I refill my glass, before turning to give him a questioning look. He nods once, and I fix him one as well. I hand him the glass and return to my seat. “Jade is staying with me. I just found out about this today.” I give him a brief overview of what I’ve learned from Luc as well as Jade.
He takes a sip of his drink before stating flatly, “You’re in a fucking mess, aren’t you? I never thought I’d see the day that the great and powerful Lee Jacks was felled by something as human as feelings.”
“Fuck you,” I snap. “What would you have me do, Tony, execute her? Maybe kill her whole fucking family in front of her before putting a bullet in her head?”
For the first time, there’s real humor behind his laugh. The bastard literally shakes with the force of his amusement. “Damn, Lee, you watch too much television,” he chokes out. “Sure, it’s a fucked-up world and shit like that happens more often than anyone can even imagine, but that’s never been what you’re about.” When I give him a sarcastic smirk, he adds, “I know you crossed the line a few times in the name of Victor and Draco. I also know you meted out justice when necessary. But you’re not a cold-blooded killer. Both my father and Victor had plenty of people more than willing to handle that end of their business. You were the brains of the operation, and everyone knew it. People were terrified to fuck with you because you could bring them to their knees without ever laying a hand on them. You were the enforcer they feared the most. And that’s why you had both the old man and Victor’s respect. I heard them talk about you more than once. You were everything they weren’t, so they not only respected you, they fucking revered you. The kid from the streets who would be king.”
It’s my turn to laugh now. “This isn’t Camelot, Tony, and I’m not royalty. That’s more your birthright than mine. I’m the son of a crack whore and who the fuck knows. I was a glorified thief and was lucky enough to be good at it. If I hadn’t been, Victor would have still fed and sheltered me, because he knew I’d have his back in any way that I could. Honor and loyalty are the two hardest things to obtain in this life, and when they’re given, they’re priceless.”
He tilts his head, reminding me so much of his father at that moment, that it’s almost surreal. Tony had always resembled Draco, but as he’s gotten older, it’s become uncanny. It makes me curious about who his mother is. She’d been out of the picture before I’d come along, and no reference was ever made of her. It was as if she didn’t exist. And in Draco’s world, that wasn’t unusual. “Say what you will. But modesty doesn’t suit you, my friend. You and I both know that you wouldn’t have been Victor’s heir had you only been some charity project for him. You were his son in every way that mattered, and neither he nor my father was advocates of free rides. Hell, I think they were a little scared of the man you’d become. They knew that should you ever turn against them, you could topple their kingdom down around their feet.”
I don’t bother to deny his statement, because it’s an unproven truth. I was privy to so many damning facets of Victor and Draco’s personal and professional lives. Even without that insider knowledge, I could
have dealt a heavy blow to their assets. But with it, I could have become the fucking grim reaper where they were concerned. But my loyalty had never been questioned, nor their faith in me shaken. Victor had told me once that he’d trusted me because he could see the integrity in my eyes the first time we met. I hadn’t known what he’d meant then, but it’s crystal clear now. A smart man knows how to read others. But it’s not learned; it’s a part of the DNA you’re born with. And Victor had that. Which is why it’s still hard for me to fathom how a junkie could have killed him. Dammit, were we all just one split second of oblivion away from meeting our maker? “Sometimes you have to take a chance in life and hope it doesn’t fuck you over. I’m not happy with the position Jade has put me in. And if I believe for one moment that she’s continuing to play me, I wouldn’t be here now. The mystery of why wouldn’t concern me as much as revenge.”
“So you’re in love with this woman.” He’s not asking a question; he’s stating a fact. And even as I open my mouth to deny it, I know it’s true. I’ve been in love with her for so long that there’s no bombshell; it’s more of a moment of clarity and acceptance. I wonder if I would have been capable of admitting it, even to myself a year ago. But when my daughter came into my life, it changed me. I’m vulnerable to those I love in a way I never was before. Opening my heart fully to Lia and Lara makes it harder to deny my feelings for Jade. I’m deeply shaken by the deception that she’s been a central part of, but in my world, things are rarely black and white. And as fate would have it, I’m in love with the daughter of a man who wants to destroy me for reasons that I’m not fully privy to—yet.
“I am,” I acknowledge. “That’s why I need to find out what’s going on. I don’t believe Wrenn Wear is the reason he’s after me, but it’s certainly an important piece of the puzzle.”
“I agree.” He nods. “The only person I know who might possibly have that kind of information is my uncle. He wasn’t involved in my father’s business, but they talked.”
“I met him a few times. You’re right; he had nothing to do with any of Draco’s companies. Hell, didn’t he sell insurance?”
“He’s a partner in the company now.” Tony laughs. “He’s nothing like my father, but they were brothers and stayed in touch through the years. Let me touch base with him and we’ll go from there. Like you, I find that I’m more than a little curious about all of this now.”
“Thanks, Tony,” I say sincerely as I get to my feet. I’ve been gone from home far longer than intended, and I’m more than ready to see Jade now.
“Congratulations, by the way,” he adds when I’m almost to the door. I turn, giving him a questioning look. “I heard about your daughter.” He looks down at his desk, before saying softly, “And if you hadn’t taken care of the problem, I would have seen it done. I owed you that much.”
Lia’s abusive stepfather. I’m moved by his words. Like me, Anthony may have distanced himself from that part of his life, but he still lives by a code. We were brothers once, and he would avenge such a wrong on my behalf if it came to that. I’d do the same for him. Where we come from, the family we make for ourselves is often stronger than the ones with a blood right. “I’m sorry it was necessary to cut ties, but it was in both of our best interests. The attention that our continued association would’ve brought was the last thing either of us needed. But be assured that should the need have ever been necessary, I would have protected your door with my life. You were never forgotten, my brother.”
“Nor were you.” He clears his throat before nodding once. “I’ll be in touch.” And with that, my first meeting with Anthony Moretti in ten years is over. I know instinctively that even though he’s no longer involved in the family business, Draco would be proud. There’s strength and integrity there. Tony is a force to be reckoned with in his own right, but he doesn’t have to resort to violence to do it. No, he rules with his head, and from the troubled look in his eyes when we were discussing love, I think that he too may have fallen victim to his heart.
9
Jade
The buzzing of the doorbell jars me from where I drifted off to sleep on the sofa. I stagger to my feet, once again disoriented at my unfamiliar surroundings, before I realize I’m still at Lee’s home. When the bell sounds again, I smooth my clothing and attempt to tame my hair before looking through the peephole to see Lia in the hallway, holding Lara in her arms. I feel a wave of relief, like a prisoner being granted a temporary furlough. Lee is not likely to cause a scene in front of her daughter and granddaughter if he comes home while they’re here. I turn the deadbolt and give her a bright smile. She blinks rapidly in surprise before recovering enough to say, “Liza… it’s good to see you. Is, um, Dad here?”
I shake my head. “No, he had some… errands to run, I believe. I’m not sure when he’ll be back.” I reach out and take her arm, ushering her inside. “But I’d love some company, so please come in.”
She looks a bit taken aback at the speed with which I get her into the living room. “If you’re sure. Luc has a dinner meeting tonight, so I thought I’d come by and see Dad. Lara was a bit cranky, so I figured I could share the joy.” She glances over her shoulder, before lowering her voice, “So does this mean what I think it does?”
My face flushes, and I know that I’m practically holding a sign that says, “I had sex with Lee Jacks.” From the look in her eyes, she’s come to the same conclusion. “It’s um—well… really, complicated. That’s an understatement,” I add glumly. “It’s more of a big, fat mess.”
She lowers herself into an armchair before opening her purse and handing Lara a bag with crackers in it. Then she pulls out a sippy cup and sets it before her now beaming daughter. Sometimes a good snack can make all the difference. She waves me to a nearby seat as she curls legs up under her. “All right, spill it”—she nods to her daughter— “and don’t waste time protesting. You never know when a teething toddler will explode, so time is of the essence.” Even though Lia didn’t grow up with Lee as her father, she shares his ability to talk frankly and not mince words. I’ve felt agitated all day, wondering when Lee would come home—and what mood he’ll be in—so Lia’s enthusiasm and kindness breaches my defenses. Lee may toss me out the minute he returns, but regardless, I’ve missed him so much today. I’ve felt… alone.
I’m horrified as the floodgates open, and I’m sobbing. She presses tissues in my hand and waits until I’m through the worst. “To start with,” I gasp out, “my name is Jade Wrenn, not Liza Malone.” I give her credit. She doesn’t show a lot of surprise even though she clearly wasn’t expecting that revelation. Hell, I’ve come this far, so why hold back? If Lee knows, there’s no purpose in lying anymore. I take a shuddering breath, attempting to compose myself. “My father wanted revenge on Lee for something that happened a long time ago. So I was planted at Falco to find anything that he could use to take your father down.”
And still, her expression is impassive. Her poker face is nothing short of impressive. Even Lee showed more emotion than she has. Then I remember all that she’s been through in her life, and it hurts my heart knowing that her ability to hide her feelings is more than likely a coping mechanism that she learned long ago to survive. She confirms my suspicions when I pause. “So… I’m guessing you didn’t really want to participate from the start. And then when you fell in love with Dad, you damn sure weren’t on board. That’s why you left so abruptly, wasn’t it?”
She is so much like her father. Relief rushes through me at the understanding I hear so plainly in her voice. She’s not judging me. She understands all too well that life can be anything but predictable and that we must adjust in any way we can. “Yes, it was.” I take a deep breath, still trying to get myself together. “My father started pressuring me in the months prior to that. He was so angry and obsessed with Lee that it was scary. I felt like I was in a no-win situation. I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to, so I ran.”
“And eventually, my father got his head
out of his ass and came after you.” She gives me a probing look before asking, “Why exactly is your father so hell-bent on ruining Dad? You said it was business. When did this occur?”
“It was almost twenty years ago.” For the first time, I see her face register surprise. “I have no idea why he waited this long. According to him, Lee’s acquisition of a company called Wrenn Wear is the reason for his hatred. My mother ran the company, and when Lee took it over, all management was terminated, including her. Afterward, she started drinking heavily and eventually slammed her car into a tree one night while intoxicated. My father blames Lee for her death.”
Lia sits back heavily in her chair. “Wow,” she murmurs. “I didn’t see that coming. I can understand how he would be upset, but I still don’t get this kind of delayed need for revenge. Have you attempted to confirm his account of what happened?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I never had any reason to question his version of the truth until I got to know Lee. By then, I was in so far over my head that it was hard to think straight.” Shrugging, I add, “But now that Lee knows everything, he won’t rest until he gets all the facts.”
“How did he find out?” she asks sympathetically.
“I’m not sure really. Apparently, someone finally stumbled upon the truth about me. I wanted to be the one to tell him—I would have. But I shouldn’t have waited so long.” Looking at my hands, I admit, “I knew I’d lose him, and I couldn’t bear that. Not that I ever really had him, but at least he was in my life in some form, you know?”
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