by Ali Parker
"Oh yeah. Just lost in thought." I slid my arm into his and leaned over, pressing my cheek to his strong shoulder like I used to when I was a little girl. "I love you."
"Me too, baby girl." He cupped my face and kissed the top of my head. "You're not doing anything dangerous, right?"
I turned my face up toward him and smirked. "Define dangerous."
"I lost Darek because he was looking into some stuff for me, Jenna. I can't lose you too. Come back to the house where I can protect you. Please." His eyes begged the request, but there was no way I could give up my freedom.
"What was he looking into?" I glanced toward the front as the pastor made his way back up to the front of the church.
"We'll talk in a minute." My father turned his attention back up front as my mind went wild.
I held my tongue and waited until the service was over to pull my father aside. "Let's talk now."
"All right. We'll ride to the restaurant together." He offered me his arm. "Your mother can ride with Kayla and her boyfriend."
"You like him?" I glanced back to see my sister and her boyfriend laughing. My mother looked like an unyielding statue, but that was customary. Wealthy people didn't smile. Not all the time like commoners.
"I do. He's a techie guy. Helped me fix up my computer in my office with a new firewall last week. You'd be surprised how often someone tries to hack into my system."
Guilt ran over me. "Did they get in?"
"No, but that doesn't mean much. I just need to keep a closer eye on things. Losing Darek put a bit of a damper on everything. For all of us." He opened the door on my side of the car and I got in and buckled up.
I waited for him to start the car and pull away from the church to pepper him with questions. "Dad, what was Darek working on for you?"
"There’s an old murder case from four years ago that always haunted me." He shrugged. "It's an old friend of mine that I grew estranged with after college. One of my early clients back when I was a lawyer."
"Was he murdered?"
"Yes. In cold blood." My father's hands tightened around the wheel, as was evident by the loud cry from the leather. "They never caught the guy, but I know there was more to it. Jack was his name."
"What more was there to it, and was this what Darek was looking into?"
"Yes, your brother was doing me a favor by digging it back up." My dad reached up and turned the air conditioner on even though it was starting to get chilly outside. "His entire inheritance, some forty billion dollars went to his wife. His new wife. It was wrong. Just disgusting honestly. They'd been married two years, but the sorry bastard moved everything over to the girl."
"The girl?" My stomach soured. "A gold-digger?"
"More like a grave digger, but yes. Right after they got married, all the money moved from his former wife and his three kids to this woman. Two years later... he's dead. Strangled to death and then shot in the head."
"Why would someone do both? What about fingerprints?"
"Gloves. These guys knew what they were doing in some respects and not in others." He sighed and turned onto the freeway. "They got sloppy. Shooting Jack was the best bet, but strangling him first? Only someone in a fit of rage would do that, and people that angry aren't capable of reasoning. They're lost to their own adrenaline."
"What causes that? Why would someone kill him?"
"Love-crime? Hate-crime?" He glanced over at me. "I would assume it was for the money, but whoever killed him, it was violent."
"So you think the connection between Darek dying and him working on the case is something we should look into?"
"No, not at all. His wife was a lovely Hispanic girl. Disappeared off the face of the earth.” My father shrugged. "And your brother’s case is being ruled as a suicide. The case is closed."
"What? No. Darek wouldn't do that." I stiffened in my seat. Where the fuck was Erik with his proof? As soon as I had it in my hand, I could take it to Nate and get his help taking care of Denise. Would I really want Nate killing someone? What if he got caught? Maybe letting Erik do it was a better answer.
No. He would want something else from me. I'd do it myself. No. I wasn't that kind of woman. I'd chicken out. Without a doubt.
I got out of the car and followed my father toward the restaurant, walking just enough behind him that I could see the rolling in of his shoulders. He was at a loss as to what to do next, which wasn't him at all.
"Why did you bring up Jack today, Daddy?" I paused by the door to the restaurant as he held it open for me.
"Because baby. Much like me failing my old friend in finding his killer and bringing that bastard to justice, it looks like your brother is going to be the same. Maybe I should hang up my hat. Darek was one of the most important people in the world to me, and I've failed him." My father's voice broke.
I reached out and pulled him into a hug, tucking myself under his chin. "It will work out, Dad. The light will find its way into the darkness. I promise."
"I sure hope so. I'm losing faith in all of it, especially in myself." He kissed my head and patted my back. "Come on. Denise is waiting inside already. Be nice to her. I know you don't particularly like her, but-"
"What? No. I can't, Dad. She's got something to do with-"
"Hi, Paul. Jenna." Denise stepped out of the open hallway beside us and brushed her blond hair back.
"Denise. Good to see you, dear." My father offered her a hug as I turned and walked back toward the center of the restaurant.
I was almost lightheaded as anger pumped through me.
"It's right over here." She smiled as she sat down across from me at the table. "Sit, Jenna. It's good to see you. Been busy much?"
"Always. I've got a lot on my to-do list." I sat down and locked eyes with her. "We're still in the throes of looking for my brother's killer. Got any ideas?"
"Jenna. Come on, now." My father sat down beside me and touched the top of my back. "Denise, how is your friend you brought with you the other day? What's his name again?"
She briefly looked away from me. "It's Nate."
Chills ran down my back, but I played them off. "Gotta picture of this friend? I'm actually on the market."
"Jenna? Jeez." My father pulled his phone from his pocket and he stood. "Denise, I'm sorry. She's just hurting from losing Darek. We all are. I'm sure you understand."
"Absolutely. I haven't slept in weeks." She gave my father a sweet smile and turned her attention back to me as he walked off. "You're playing a dangerous game, little girl."
"Am I? What game would that be?" Nate. Did she know about me and Nate? Surely not. Things couldn't end up that twisted, right? No way. Not in a million years.
"I'm not doing this with you, Jenna. I didn't kill your brother. I loved him."
"Lying bitch." I took the basket of chips in between us and tossed them at her. "I'm going to find out every detail of what you've been up to and when I do, I swear to God it's the cops you'll be calling to help protect you from me."
"Such a strong promise for such a weak girl." She pulled out her phone and pressed a few buttons, ignoring the chips all in her lap. She turned the phone to face me. "Here’s Nate. Look familiar?"
I grabbed her phone as bile rose up my throat. Nathaniel. My Nate. No fucking way. Was he involved too? Had she sent him after me? To seduce me? To snuff me out too?
"Never seen him in my life." I shrugged and handed her the phone back. "He's pretty to look at, but probably has a small cock. Most bad boy types do." I stood up. "I'm not sharing a meal with the whore that killed my brother."
"You have no proof, little girl."
"Not yet, but the weekend’s not over." I grabbed my purse and walked toward the door. When I was out of her line of sight, I turned and ran to the bathroom, barely making it into a stall before I hit my knees and lost my lunch.
The picture of Nate didn't have her in it too. Maybe he was innocent. Maybe she found out about the two of us and was trying to implicate him so I would have
no one to turn to.
"Or maybe he's her lover and they're all playing you." I leaned back on my heels and pulled out my phone to text Grace. I needed to know where Erik was. I didn't get an answer right away, but I could grab a cab and get to the library. Grace would help me find him, and I'd go back to square one.
I couldn't trust Nate until I knew the truth. I could trust Grace and Erik. I had something the gangster wanted. Something he coveted. “Where are you, Erik?”
The sound of the door locking caused my heart to almost stop in my chest. I jerked up and opened the door, ready to beat back anyone I needed to.
Erik stood with his back against the door, a sexy smile on his lips.
"You looking for me?"
"Did you tap my phone?" I glanced down at it.
"Of course I did. I'm in the mafia, Jenna Webb. It's what we do." He walked toward me, and I stiffened. "If I wanted to hurt you, you'd already be bloody."
"Comforting. Really." I reached out and grabbed the bag from him. "Is this the computer?"
"Of course it is." He nodded toward the door. "Denise killed your brother. It's all there. You want me to take her out? Promise number two?"
"No. Yes." I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair. "I don't know."
"What's going on, Jenna. You look a little rattled."
"She just showed me a picture of Nate."
"Who?"
"Her old friend. My lover. My... my boyfriend."
He smiled. "You're letting this cunt run circles around you. Grow up and stop bowing down to every line she casts. Check out the evidence and I'll be in touch. We do the hit on Wednesday night."
"We?" My voice was nothing more than a whisper.
"Or would you rather I do it for you?"
"No." I shook my head as relief flooded my system. "Are you imply that she doesn't know Nate?"
"Oh, she knows Nathaniel well, but it’s not what you’re thinking."
"Then who is he?"
"No one you need to worry about. Just keep this to yourself. The less he knows... the better." Erik turned and walked out as I tried to catch my breath, to process my thoughts.
Was Nate one of her lovers? Her partner? What was I missing here, and even more so, how could I find out?
No. He wasn't involved. He couldn't be.
Chapter 23
Nate
Not seeing Jenna all day Sunday almost killed me, but I knew she was going to spend some time with her family. I had to pray that her visit wouldn't put her in proximity with Ashley. Surely Ash wouldn't be hanging out with the Webbs after what she did to Darek. Surely not.
I slept most of the day away and woke up Monday morning on the couch, covered in sweat from a nightmare I had.
Jenna had been in my face, screaming at the top of her lungs, losing her shit. She uncovered everything and wouldn't let me explain why or how I was involved. She wouldn't hear me out.
"What the fuck do you expect, man?" I ran my hands over the top of my head and closed my eyes as I sat on the couch, leaned over, dripping sweat. "Your time is almost up with this girl. Love can't save you from what the fuck you are."
"Nate. You up, man?" Mikey. "I lost my fucking key."
"Lost it or gave it to the highest bidder?" I reached for the door and paused. Mikey didn't lose shit. Not ever. "You stop by the bakery this morning for me? I'm not letting your fat-ass in unless-"
"Blueberry, dude. They were out of your favorite." His voice was tight.
Fuck. Our code word was blueberries.
"I'm naked, man, cock hanging out and all. Let me grab my pants." I jogged to the bedroom and pulled a shirt over my head before getting my gun. I walked back toward the living room as my heart raced. Was Ashley really coming over to my place to threaten me? Fucking bitch. "I'm coming. I-"
"We're already inside, Nate." Erik stood behind Mikey, who sat in his favorite chair. The gun pointed at the back of my best friend’s head lifted and Erik motioned for me to sit down. "Have a seat. Let's chat."
"All right, man. Just let Mikey go. You know that fat fucker ain't got nothing to do with all of this."
"Naw... but it's sweet of you to suggest." He smiled, the devil's spawn standing in my goddamn living room. "He should hear this, you know, in case you need a witness."
"All right. Sure." I sat down and put my gun on the table in front of me. Getting in a quick draw fight with Erik Bertinelli was a no-win situation. There was no way I would come out on top.
"Tell me what your plans are for the Webb girl." He moved around Mikey and sat down on the other chair in the living room before leaning back. Seeing him relaxed and comfortable while pointing a gun at me had my blood boiling. Sorry piece of shit.
"Why do you care?" I crossed my arms and leaned back.
"Because she's growing on me. I kinda like her. She's got this naughty side that someone needs to-"
I came up off the couch. "You sorry fucker. You know I'm in love with her. Say one more goddamn thing and we'll both be dead on this floor."
Mikey was on his feet, and Erik stood and lifted his gun toward my face.
"In love with the girl whose brother you killed in cold blood for money? What a conundrum. Seems to be your MO, doesn't it? Hurt those closest to you."
"Is this about us, Erik? You got involved in this shit because you're still bent over by me not joining you? This has nothing to do with you. Stay the fuck out of it." I growled loudly and took a step toward him as he calmly clicked his safety off.
Mikey moved in between me and the gun, facing me. "Stop it. I care too much about you to see you get your brain splattered all over a fucking wall for a girl. Stop it."
"Move Mikey. This isn't just about Jenna. It's about my fucking freedom." I shoved my friend to the side. "Pull that trigger or get the fuck out of my house."
He moved the gun an inch to the left and pulled the trigger, hitting my ear with the bullet. I didn't flinch. It grazed me if even that. Mikey dropped to the ground, curled into a ball and started screaming like a little girl.
"Don't tell me what the fuck to do. You are nothing to me anymore, Nate."
"I was like a brother once." I reached up and wiped the blood off my ear. "Those days all long gone now? One ‘no’ and all the shit we went through is part of the past? Locked up in the space where your black heart used to beat?"
"What are you going to do with Jenna? Answer the question."
"I don't know. I'm not going to hurt her." I pulled my t-shirt up and pressed it to my ear as I ignored the stinging. "I can't hurt Ash either. She's been beside me since you walked away."
He nodded and pulled the gun down. "I like her."
"Jenna?" I tilted my head, assessing the fucker for what his definition of 'like' might be.
"Yeah. She's got spunk."
"You touch her and I'll cut your balls off. Understand me?" I narrowed my eyes. "Don't go to her again. She doesn't need you. She has me."
"She came to me, Nate." He tucked his gun in the back of his pants. "Namely because she didn't have you. She doesn't have anyone to help her out. So I decided to."
"What's she doing in return?" My stomach tightened. No fucking way he'd offered help to my girl for servicing his cock.
"Nothing that would offend or upset you." He walked toward the door. "Be prepared for what's coming your way. It's gonna get pretty fucking ugly before it gets better."
"How so?" I turned slowly, not wanting to set things off again. I'd almost forgotten that Mikey was on the ground save for the whimpering.
"She knows that you and Ash are connected."
"How is that?" I dropped down to the couch, incredibly tired all of a sudden. Money didn't mean shit to me other than its ability to save me from poverty, but I didn't need much. Wealth could suck a nut. I just wanted enough to cover the bills, drive a decent bike and take my girl out to dinner from time to time. Never had I meant to get filthy rich by taking lives and stripping away families of their inheritance. But step by step, shitty
decision by shitty decision, and I was here now.
In a place where someone had to die. Jenna or Ash.
"Ashley has always been a vindictive bitch with a jealous streak that makes her unstable. She told the girl yesterday." He opened the door. "I'm going to put a hit on Ashley."
"Jenna asked you to do that?"
"Are you wanting to take me up on the offer instead?"
"To kill one of my best friends?" I snorted and covered my face as a maniacal laugh bubbled up inside of me. "Is this shit really happening? How did it get this fucked up?"
"Cause you're sloppy and you trusted the wrong people." He pulled the door open. "You want the hit, Nate? Take her out and remind yourself that some things are worth dying and killing for."
"Like what, Erik? What things, and how would an asshole like you know about them?"
"I watch movies." He smiled. "Love. If you love the girl, you'll do what's right by her."
"And kill Ash." I sat up and groaned. "Can I pay you to do it?"
"Nope. Jenna's already paying me to do it."
"With?" My tone dropped again.
"None of your business." He stepped through the door and left it open. "One of us has to take her out. Me? You? Jenna?"
"Jenna's not killing anyone. It would ruin her." I narrowed my eyes. “Erik, hear me. Don’t let my girl kill anyone. She’s a good girl. I’ll do anything to keep her that way.”
“Ahhh… the man has decided that even though he dances in the dark, he much prefers the warmth of the light?” Erik spoke to me about me, as if he were capable of being cheeky. Bastard.
“I’m serious.”
“Give me an offer I can’t refuse.”
“What do you want from me?” I tried hard not to let him see the fear racing across the center of my soul. I knew what he wanted.
“I want you. With me. In the syndicate. Make it happen, Nate.”
“I’ll think about it.” I dropped back on the couch and tried to ignore the deep laughter that resounded from the open hallway as he walked out and left me standing in a cold sweat. I was a cold-blooded killer, but the syndicate required the pledge of forever. I wasn’t sure I could go there.
