Killer Romances

by Dana Delamar, Talullah Grace, Sandy Loyd, Kristine Mason, Dale Mayer, Nina Pierce Chantel Rhondeau, K. T. Roberts, H. D. Thomson, Susan Vaughan

  All her clothes were still in their places. The dresses, the slacks, the satiny blouses she liked to wear. The rows of designer shoes and handbags. He inhaled deeply, picking up the scent of finely tanned leather, and underneath it, the freesia and jasmine of her perfume. The carefully sealed hole in his chest burst open, piercing him with an ache that reached up into his throat and threatened to strangle him. Toni. He closed his eyes, reaching out and burying his hand in the deep brown fur of her sable coat. When had she worn it last? Winter, two years ago, in the garden. Before they knew she was ill. She’d kissed him in that coat, her lush body pressed against his, buried under that softness, that warmth. How he’d wanted her.

  He opened his eyes and let go of the coat, then released a shuddering breath. Clothes for Kate. He had to focus. He picked out a black flowing skirt, a pair of charcoal trousers, and a couple blouses. A swimsuit. Things he didn’t particularly remember Antonella wearing. He added a red slip, one that still had a tag on it, to the pile. Something Kate could sleep in. He opened drawers, found an unopened package of lacy black underwear to add to the stack. That was enough for now. He’d get Kate her own clothes in a few days.

  He closed the closet behind him, then marched back down the hall and knocked on her door. She opened it and looked at him bashfully. “Enrico, I didn’t mean—”

  “You did mean it.” He stared at her for a second. “And you are right, it is time to let her go. Here,” he said, thrusting the clothes at her. “We will get you something else soon.”

  She gathered the clothes from his arms. “I’m sorry.”

  “Do not be.” He rubbed his chin, letting out his breath on a sigh. “I am not a child. I cannot keep doing this.”

  “Doing what?” she asked softly.

  He took a steadying breath. “Acting like she is coming back.”

  “Oh.” Kate looked down at the clothes, then up at him. “Do you need help going through her things?”

  He wasn’t ready for that. “No. I will take care of it myself.”

  “How long were you married?”

  “Twenty-five years.”

  He could see the wheels spinning in her head as she calculated his age. He helped her. “I am forty-four.”

  “You don’t look it. I thought you were about thirty-five.”

  He smiled. “I do not smoke. That helps.”

  After a brief silence, she said, “May I ask—how long has it been since your wife died?”

  “A year ago today.” Pain stabbed through him, but he forced himself not to let it show. He didn’t want to break down in front of her. Or anyone.

  Jesus! A year ago today? She was the Queen Bitch of Bitchdom. “Oh God, I was so awful to you—”

  “You were right.”

  “But rude.” She could barely look at him. He said nothing. “Forgive me?” She raised her eyebrows in a silent plea.

  “I already have.”

  Relief flooded her body. “It’s a good thing you don’t hold a grudge.”

  “I have a long memory.” His tone softened. “But only when I want to.”

  “I’ll strive to remain on your good side then.”

  He leaned against the doorjamb and looked down at her. “I doubt you could ever fall out of my favor.” When she met his eyes, he looked away, a rush of blood darkening his cheeks.

  “Enrico, I don’t want to seem… ungrateful, but….” She let her voice trail off.

  “I expect nothing from you. Nothing at all.” He paused. “I enjoy your company. There is no harm in showing my appreciation, yes?”

  She smiled. “I enjoy yours as well.”

  “Then I hope this whole situation shall not be such an ordeal.”

  She sighed at the reminder. “What if you can’t persuade Vince to leave me be? What am I going to do?”

  He looked at her, his eyes heavy with meaning. “I will resolve this for you. If it is the last thing I do, I will see you safe.”

  The certainty on his face was heartening. “I believe you.”

  “Good. Now freshen up and we will meet for dinner in an hour, yes?”

  She nodded, feeling better than she had all day. If Vince was the villain in disguise, maybe Enrico was the knight in shining armor. Even if that armor had a touch of tarnish.

  Of course, that would make her the damsel in distress. Kate gritted her teeth. She hated being dependent. But she was in way over her head.

  She was in so deep, she’d be lucky if she didn’t drown.

  CHAPTER 6

  Enrico and Kate had just sat down to dinner when the house phone rang. Maddalena came in and told him it was urgent. “I will be back soon,” he assured Kate.

  He walked down to his study and picked up the phone. “What the hell are you thinking?” Dom shouted.

  “Ciao to you, too.”

  “You know why I’m upset.”

  Enrico sighed. “I didn’t have any choice.”

  “You always have a choice.”

  “He was going to cut her up, maybe even kill her. I repeat, I had no choice.”

  “Basta!” Dom took a breath. “It was just an excuse to have what you wanted.”

  Enrico flushed. Where had he gotten that idea? He couldn’t let Dom’s disrespect pass unchallenged. “You dare speak to me this way. Shall I replace you?”

  “Shall I replace you? It is my right.”

  It was true. The capo di società could call for a special election at any time. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Force me, and you’ll see what I will dare to do.”

  Fuck. Why was the whole world coming down around his ears today? “We need to talk. Now.”

  “I’ll be there shortly.”

  Enrico hung up and rested his hands on the desk, his head hanging down. He’d known Dom wouldn’t like what he’d done. He hadn’t expected a direct challenge to his authority, however. What had Ruggero told Dom about the fight? Had he implied that this was all about Enrico’s libido?

  Enrico stared at the phone, his anger rising. Dom had never spoken to him that way before. True, he’d always treated Dom as his equal, but Dom’s behavior was verging on disrespect. Which Enrico could not tolerate and live long.

  He walked back to the dining room, trying to wipe his face clean of worry. But Kate saw through him. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. It is a business matter.” He took a bite of his risotto, then said, “I am going to have to take a meeting soon with my cousin Dom. I am sorry, but it will interrupt our meal.”

  “It’s about what happened today, isn’t it?”

  He was careful to keep his face neutral. “Kate, do not concern yourself.”

  She didn’t say anything. No doubt that wasn’t the end of it though. He’d have to think of something to tell her later.

  It didn’t take long for Dom to arrive. Enrico heard his car pull up and excused himself from the table, going into the front hall and opening the door.

  Dom stalked toward him, his face hard and set. Every muscle in Enrico’s body tensed.

  “Don Lucchesi,” Dom said, inclining his head in a stiff bow. His sarcasm was not lost on Enrico.

  “Buona sera.” He stepped aside to let Dom into the house.

  They proceeded to the study in silence, Enrico closing the door behind them. He walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured two glasses of sambuca. He wanted a civilized discussion, if nothing else.

  Dom took a seat on the sofa, and Enrico sat across from him in one of the chairs. He leaned forward and handed him a glass and clinked his own against it. “Salute.”

  His cousin tossed back the drink and slammed the glass down on the wooden coffee table.

  “So thirsty, Dom. Would you care for another?”

  Dom crossed his arms. “What I would care for is an explanation. What the hell is going through your mind?”

  Enrico studied his cousin. They had been through so much together, first as boys, then later as partners in the business of running the family. But Dom ha
d never understood Enrico’s decision to stick by Antonella. And he would not understand his decision to stick by Kate. Enrico took a sip from his glass. “What’s going through my mind actually, is Toni.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve never loved another woman the way I loved her.” He looked at his glass, at how the cut crystal caught and reflected the light.

  “I’m aware of that. Fool that you are.”

  Enrico cast him a sharp look. “I am your capo. Remember that when you talk to me.” His eyes held Dom’s.

  Dom inclined his head the barest bit. “I apologize—for the insult. But not for the question.”

  “And you have every right to ask it.” Enrico took another sip of the sweet liquor, then set his glass down and leaned forward, clasping his hands between his knees. “I’ve been miserable since Toni died. I’d begun to think I would never be happy again. That I would die alone. But I’ve felt more alive in the last few hours with Kate than I have in the last year. I finally want something again.”

  Dom raked a hand through his hair. “Dio, Rico. You’ve jeopardized everything for a woman. A woman you cannot have.”

  “How could I stand by and let Andretti kill her?”

  Dom sighed. “You must make this right. Carlo already wants your head. Now that you’ve insulted Vincenzo, I’m not sure there’s any way out of a war with the Andrettis.”

  “Carlo cares about money more than he cares about Vincenzo’s pride. We can fix this.”

  “At what cost?”

  Enrico shrugged. “Perhaps we give him the meat-packing business in Milan.”

  “You will give him millions over this woman?”

  “If I have to.”

  Dom went red, his voice taking on an ugly tone. “You say that like it’s nothing. And maybe it’s not to you. But that’s taking food off my table.”

  Enrico snorted. “Your family is hardly starving.”

  “I have four children, and I’ll soon have grandchildren. Not to mention my staff, my men. All of that costs money.”

  “You mean my staff, my men.”

  Dom uncrossed his arms, pointing a thumb at his own chest as he spoke. “I give them their orders, don’t I? I run the business day to day, while you fritter away your time mooning over your dead wife. And now this American.” He threw his hands up in the air. “You are out of control. Your father would never be so cavalier about chopping up the business. And all of this just to satisfy your lust.”

  Enrico’s face flamed. “That’s not true.”

  “It is true. And it’s my job to make you see sense. Or take over.” He held Enrico’s eyes, his jaw set like a pit bull’s.

  A cool tingle of adrenaline ran down Enrico’s back, cranking up his pulse. The threat was real. Although Enrico’s father had been the capo di famiglia of the Lucchesi cosca, Dom was a Lucchesi too, and he had several sons to carry on, a clear line of succession. He had proved himself a strong and competent capo di società, and his management of daily operations was unquestioned.

  Time to switch tacks. “Dom, do you love me, as your cousin, as your brother?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then why deny me my happiness?”

  Dom stared at him. “You can be happy with Delfina Andretti or some other girl of your choosing. Perhaps my Bianca. You haven’t even tried to find another.”

  “And if I do try and I am not happy?”

  Dom crossed his arms again. “This is foolishness. So much sentiment over a woman.”

  “I’ve never understood, cousin, how your heart can be so cold on the matter.”

  “Remember how you felt when Antonella died? Why go through that again?”A strained note ran through Dom’s voice.

  “Because I have no choice. You have no choice. You think you have hardened your heart. But it will break just the same.” Dom’s first wife had died in childbirth; the baby, a boy, had been stillborn.

  Dom stared at the dark window that looked over the garden and the lake, even though he could see only his own reflection. “It won’t.”

  “For your sake, I hope it does.”

  “You would wish that on me again?”

  Enrico softened his voice. “I’ve learned life is not worth living without love.”

  Dom snorted. “You’re being melodramatic.”

  “I’m being honest.” He waited a moment, then continued. “Do you love your children any less because Angelo died?”

  Dom avoided Enrico’s gaze, then shook his head, his voice hoarse when he answered. “No. But I do not love Francesca the same as Vanda.”

  “That is your choice.”

  “I learned my lesson. When will you learn yours?”

  “That is a lesson I don’t care to learn.”

  “I can’t allow you to continue to put our family at risk over this woman.”

  “I’ll fix this.”

  “I wish I could believe you.”

  “So, what if I romanced Delfina? And what if I decided I still wanted Kate? What then?”

  Kate pressed her ear against the door of Enrico’s study. She could make out some of what Enrico and his cousin were saying, but most of it puzzled her. They were speaking in dialect—she supposed it was Calabrian—and most of the words were unfamiliar. But she picked out a number of names, Carlo’s, Vince’s, and Antonella’s among them, and she was sure she’d been mentioned—she’d heard Enrico say her name and then she’d heard “questa Americana” quite clearly, and Dom didn’t sound the slightest bit happy when he’d said it either. But why were they talking about Carlo’s granddaughter Delfina? There was a long silence, then she heard Dom’s voice again.

  “If your American would have you—if she would have the family—I would agree. But only if you try with Delfina first.”

  A worm of unease crawled through Enrico’s gut. “You’ve already spoken to Dario.”

  “I have. And he agreed to consider it.”

  “I’ve made no promises. Carlo will never forgive me if he thinks I’ve broken a betrothal to his granddaughter on top of everything else.”

  “I’m perfectly aware of that.” The pit bull was back, and now Enrico knew why.

  “You already arranged it. It’s done, yes?” He held his breath, hoping he was wrong.

  “It’s all but done. Or at least it was.”

  Anger frothed up in him, hot and thick. Enrico jumped up and paced away from Dom. “How could you do that without speaking to me?”

  “We had spoken. You seemed amenable to it. Unless, of course, you were lying to me.”

  “You did this on purpose.”

  The challenge in Dom’s gaze was clear. “Someone had to make you see sense. Someone had to save this family.”

  “How am I going to get out of this?”

  Dom smiled without mirth. “So you were lying to me.”

  “It is a good idea. I just—I don’t want to do it. Unless I can’t have Kate.”

  “Make her your mistress if you have to.”

  “No.” His tone was final. “You have overstepped your bounds.”

  “My job is to watch over you and advise you, and to take action if you do something unwise. That’s what I’m doing. No one would disagree.”

  Blood thundered in Enrico’s ears and a pressure rose in his chest. “Do you really want to be capo? Do you really want the weight of all this, the scrutiny, the target on your back?” He paused, eyeing his cousin. “Do you think you can steer this family better than I have? Do you think you have the long-term vision to strengthen us in the twenty-first century?”

  “It’s an enormous responsibility. I’m aware of that.”

  Enrico spoke slowly, enunciating every word to keep a leash on his fury. “Do you think you can do it better than me? Because if you do, I will give you the job.”

  Dom looked up at him. “You’ve always known what to do. You’ve led us well, I can’t deny that. And I do lack your foresight. But I can’t let you put this family at unnecessary risk.”


  “What are you saying? Do you want it?” He held his cousin’s eyes, the rushing of blood in his ears the only sound he could hear.

  “Not yet,” Dom finally said, his eyes not leaving Enrico’s. The pit bull would not back down so easily.

  Enrico’s stomach filled with acid. “I don’t like your tone.”

  “And I don’t like your recklessness. Are you trying to get us all killed?”

  “Since you are not willing to call for an election, this conversation is over. You will respect my authority.”

  “And you will respect my position as your second. You must marry Delfina Andretti. It’s the only way to resolve this.” When Enrico started to speak, Dom held up a hand to silence him. “It’s the only solution the cosca will accept. You’ve taken an enormous risk. I can’t support you with any other solution.” He paused. “Would you have us both lose our heads over this?”

  Dom was right, damn it all. But Enrico, not Dom, was still the best choice as capo. The family needed him, more than it ever had. The entire world was changing, and the ’Ndrangheta had struggled to change with it. Enrico was one of the few capi among his colleagues who had the education and foresight to guide the clans in the right direction. Without him, the ’Ndrangheta would never return to the old codes. They would be men of honor no more.

  “No.” Enrico swallowed hard. His future with Kate, his hopes for revenge against Carlo were slipping away. He felt sick, his insides corroding, but he was damned if he’d let it show. “I will marry Delfina Andretti, if there is no other way.”

  Had she heard correctly? The words were different, but it sounded like Enrico was getting married to Delfina. Kate’s brow wrinkled. Why would he marry the granddaughter of the man who hated him? And why didn’t he act like a man in love? If he still couldn’t take off his wedding ring, he was in no condition to marry someone else. And he seemed to be… interested in her. Had she entirely misread him? Did he really want to marry a girl half his age?

  Unless… this was his solution, how he was going to solve his problem and hers. If he married into Carlo’s family again, he’d have to give in to Carlo. And it would be to Carlo’s advantage to go back to business as usual.