Caroselli's Accidental Heir

by Michelle Celmer

  “Can’t hurt to look.” That would give them a couple of months to make it habitable before the baby was born.

  The house was an old Victorian with five bedrooms and a huge wraparound porch, and unlike the newer, cookie-cutter homes they had seen so far. The street was slightly run-down, but reasonably safe, and yes, up-and-coming. But the structure itself looked as if a strong breeze were all it would take to knock it over.

  “It’s perfect,” Lucy said.

  Perfect? Was she was nuts? “It’s falling apart.”

  “But it could be so beautiful.”

  “Well, let’s look.” He could only imagine what horrors lay ahead for them inside. But honestly, it wasn’t as bad as he expected. Every room needed renovations, but the foundation looked sound. The cost wasn’t an issue, but the amount of time it might take to complete them could be.

  “I love it,” she said when they stepped outside with the Realtor. “It’s everything I could ever want in a house. It has the space we need, and look how huge the yard is. It just needs a little TLC.”

  It needed way more than that, but the excitement in her eyes, the flush of her cheeks, said she had made up her mind. And if this was really what she wanted, she would have it. “It could take months to finish the renovations,” he told her.

  “Meaning the three of us will have to live in the apartment until it’s done. It’s going to be cramped”

  “That’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

  “So have we made a decision?” the real estate agent asked.

  Lucy looked up at Tony hopefully, her eyes pleading with him. He turned to the Realtor and said, “If this is the house she wants, this is the house we’ll get.”

  Lucy threw her arms around Tony and squeezed hard. “Thank you!”

  The agent looked pretty pleased as well. “Great! Why don’t we go back to my office and draw up the offer.”

  They put in a cash offer for ten percent over the asking price. Within an hour it was accepted by the owner, and the following Tuesday, the contractor started the renovations.

  On the one month anniversary of Lucy being back, Tony surprised her with a brand-new, top of the line mini-van with all the bells and whistles. Built-in car seats, a premium sound system with a DVD player and navigation system. And more importantly, a stellar safety rating.

  With wedding plans also underway, things were a little hectic, but Tony felt as if everything was falling perfectly into place.

  He should have realized that was only the calm before the storm.

  Eleven

  The week after Easter, which was a crazy-hectic holiday for a chocolate maker, Tony was finally enjoying a quiet day at work, when Rob burst into his office, wired and short of breath.

  “Grab your jacket. We have to go.”

  “Where?”

  “No time to explain. Nick is meeting us in the garage.”

  Tony grabbed his jacket and followed Rob, who was sprinting toward the elevator.

  “Could you at least tell me where we’re going?” Tony asked as they rode down to the parking garage.

  “Nonno’s house.”

  Tony’s knees nearly buckled. “What happened? Is he okay?”

  “He’s fine. Everyone is fine.”

  He wasn’t acting that way, and what did he mean by everyone?

  Nick was in his car waiting for them. Rob hopped in the front and Tony got in back—which was not exactly a comfortable place to sit for a guy over six feet tall.

  “Could someone please tell me what’s going on?” Tony said as Nick peeled out onto the street.

  Rob turned in his seat. “It would seem we were right about Rose.”

  Oh, hell. “What did she do?”

  “She showed up at Nonno’s this morning, asking to see him. Claimed to be a friend of the family.”

  “William didn’t let her in, did he?”

  “William didn’t answer the door. And now that she’s there, she won’t leave. She wants an audience with Nonno.”

  “Why?”

  “Good question.”

  “I’m confused,” Tony said. “If William didn’t let her in, who did?”

  Looking pained, Rob glanced over to Nick, who nodded. “Dude, it was Lucy.”

  His seven-and-a-half-months pregnant fiancée was stuck in Nonno’s house with a crazy person? Lucy had never met Rose, so she wouldn’t have known not to let her in. “I thought you were supposed to be looking into this,” he told Rob.

  “I looked. There was nothing to find. She is who she says she is. She just happens to be nuts, too.”

  Fantastic.

  The drive to Nonno’s never felt so long. His uncle Demitrio’s car was already there, parked behind a late model sedan in the driveway. He half expected to see police cars with their lights flashing. Wouldn’t someone have called the police by now?

  Tony was the first one out of the car, and the first to bust through the door into the foyer where William met him. “Where are they?”

  “The great room,” William said.

  His dad and both his uncles stood by the bar, talking quietly amongst themselves.

  And sitting on the couch, holding Rose’s hand, was Lucy.

  Huh?

  When she saw Tony, Lucy smiled. A smile that said, It’s okay, stay calm, everything is under control. She whispered something to Rose, who nodded and let go of Lucy’s hand. Lucy stood, gesturing for Tony and his cousins to follow her. She led them out of earshot, to the hallway outside the kitchen.

  “What the hell is going on?” Tony asked. “Why hasn’t someone called the police?”

  “Because other than being stubborn about talking to Nonno, she really hasn’t done anything wrong,” Lucy said. “I don’t believe that she’s dangerous, or wants to physically hurt anyone.”

  “Lucy, this kind of behavior is not normal.”

  “Oh, I never said she’s normal. The cheese definitely slid off her cracker, but she doesn’t seem violent.”

  “Why is she here?” Nick asked.

  “Well, the gist of it is, she believes that she’s Nonno’s illegitimate daughter.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Rob said.

  Tony would have to agree. She didn’t look a thing like any of the Carosellis. She may have had similar coloring, but that was where any resemblance ended. Besides, it would have meant that Nonno had an affair with his secretary, and he would never do something like that. He loved their Nonna, practically kissed the ground she walked on. He would never cheat on her.

  “She tells a very convincing story,” Lucy said. “For a crazy person, I mean. Personally, I think she’s just a very lonely, confused individual who needs professional help.”

  “Why didn’t William answer the door?” Nick asked.

  “He was upstairs helping Nonno into bed. I opened the door and she just sort of marched in like she belonged here. She told me that she was family, but she seemed kind of nervous and twitchy, like she was waiting for a SWAT team to crash through the window. It took a few minutes but I finally got her to tell me her name. I excused myself to the bathroom and called Sarah. She called your dad. He and his brothers have been trying to talk to her since they got here, but she only wants to talk to Nonno.”

  “Then talk to me she shall.”

  Everyone turned to see Nonno shuffling toward them, William at his side. Nonno looked so old and frail. So vulnerable.

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Rob asked. “She’s clearly not stable.”

  Instead of relying on one of his grandsons to help him, he gestured to Lucy. “Take me to her.”

  Without question Lucy slipped an arm through his to lead him there. When had they become such close pals?

  “I’m still no
t convinced this is a good idea,” Rob said.

  Neither was Tony, but he trusted Lucy’s judgment. More than a few times he had seen her deal with unruly bar patrons. She had a way with people.

  When Rose saw Nonno, she sprang to her feet and demanded, “Tell them the truth.”

  “And what truth would that be, young lady?” Nonno asked, wincing as Lucy helped him into a chair close to the couch. Too close, as far as Tony was concerned. He stepped up beside Lucy, laying a hand on her shoulder. Just in case.

  “That I’m your daughter,” Rose said, her voice trembling, her movements jittery.

  Nonno’s sons all moved a few steps closer.

  “I assure you that you are not,” Nonno told her.

  “I found the letters after she died. I know what you did.” She turned to his sons. “I know all about this family and their secrets.”

  What the hell was that supposed to mean? Tony started to take a step forward but Lucy grabbed his arm.

  “Do you deny writing love letters to my mother? Do you deny having an affair with her?”

  Looking totally unfazed by the accusation, Nonno said, “I deny nothing. But that doesn’t mean you’re my daughter.”

  Did he really just admit to having an affair?

  Tony waited for a collective gasp from everyone in the room, but he, his cousins and Lucy were the only ones who looked surprised. Could their parents have known about this all along?

  “I want a paternity test,” Rose said.

  “That won’t be necessary.” Nonno leaned forward in his chair. “If you knew so much about my family, young woman, I wouldn’t have to tell you that I had a vasectomy almost fifty years ago. How old are you Rose?”

  Rose blinked several times, clearly confused. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “That can’t be right. You’re lying.”

  She looked more devastated than dangerous, but Demitrio had apparently had enough, and stepped between them. “I know for a fact that he’s not lying, and it will be easy enough to prove with medical records. Which you will be able to obtain through our lawyer. Until then I have to insist that you stay away from my family. And that includes my daughter Megan. I’ll see that your things are packed and sent wherever you desire.”

  Rose’s chin tipped up a fraction, and she smiled vaguely, looking slightly maniacal, as if someone had flipped a switch in her brain, and let the crazy out. “You’re very confident, Demitrio, for someone with so much to hide.” Her voice eerily calm, she turned to Rob, Tony and Nick. “Wouldn’t you agree, boys?”

  Demitrio didn’t even flinch. “William, will you show our guest out please? And if she comes back, call the authorities.”

  Tony pulled his cell phone out, ready to dial 911 if she refused to leave again. But this time she went without argument.

  For several minutes everyone just stood there in uncomfortable silence. There was something up. Tony could feel it.

  “Wow,” Nick finally said. “She must have had an extra helping of crazy with her breakfast.”

  “What did she mean when she said she knows the family’s secrets?” Tony asked his dad. “What secrets?”

  Everyone exchanged looks, but no one spoke, and he had the uncomfortable feeling that everyone knew what was going on except him. That theory solidified when he realized that no one would look him in the eye.

  “Isn’t anyone else curious?” he asked the room in general.

  “She’s a loon,” Nick said. “I don’t think she even knew what she was saying.”

  “It’s over,” Nonno said, ruling out further discussion. “I’m tired. I need to rest.”

  He gestured to Lucy instead of William to help him, and she took his arm.

  Tony could have stopped him, insisted that someone tell him what the hell was going on. He didn’t. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted to know.

  “Am I correct in assuming you three already knew about Nonno’s affair?” Tony said, turning to his dad and uncles.

  His dad nodded. “We knew. But it’s not the sort of thing you bring up at family dinner. He was not a perfect man. None of us are.”

  He looked at Tony when he said it, but Tony had a feeling those words were meant for someone else. Not that he considered himself perfect. Far from it. But when it came to secrets, his life was pretty much an open book. He’d done nothing he felt the need to hide.

  Well, almost nothing.

  “Everyone should go,” Demitrio said. “Let Nonno rest.”

  He and Lucy were the last to leave, and when he finally had her alone, he pulled her into his arms and held her. “When Rob told me you were trapped here with Rose, I expected the worst. The idea that you might have been hurt...” He squeezed her tighter. “I don’t know what I would have done.”

  She pushed up on her toes and kissed him. “I’m tougher than I look.”

  And braver than even he realized.

  Lucy gave Tony a ride back to the office to get his car, and since she had never seen it, and it was still business hours. Tony took her on a tour of the building. Nick even gave his permission to visit the top floor, the kitchen where he oversaw the creation of all new products. An honor bestowed upon a scarce few.

  He saved his office for last.

  He introduced her to his secretary. Though they had never met in person, Lucy had talked on the phone with Faedra numerous times in the past couple of weeks and they greeted one another like old friends. By the time he managed to drag Lucy away they were planning to meet for lunch so Faedra could give her a box of baby stuff. As if she couldn’t give the stuff to Tony, who could then take it home. More likely they were just looking for an excuse to get together and eat. Tony never understood why an excuse was even necessary. If he wanted to go to lunch, he went to lunch. Being hungry was reason enough.

  It was definitely a chick thing.

  “Wow, it’s big,” she said, when they stepped into his office, then turned to him and grinned. “Not the first time I’ve said that to you, huh?”

  Oh, no, she was getting that look in her eyes, the one that said he should probably lock the door. He and Lucy had always had a very enthusiastic sex life. But lately she had been insatiable. Some days she would chase him down two, and sometimes three times, not that he was complaining. She was already at the window closing the blinds, and though they had made love that morning, she was obviously ready for more.

  He locked the door and tugged his tie loose, watching as Lucy pulled her dress over her head and dropped it to the floor. Her bra went next, and damn...he could swear that she looked sexier and more beautiful every time he laid eyes on her.

  He unbuttoned his shirt, and was about to take it off when she stopped him.

  “Keep it on,” she said, unfastening his pants, sliding a hand inside. She kissed him, nibbling his lip. She knew just what to do to make him crazy. “It’s sexy when I’m naked and you’re dressed. It feels like we’re doing something naughty.”

  There was one particular part of him that seemed to think so, too; it pulsed in her hand. But her expanding belly and his height were forcing them to get creative with positions. “Where to? In the chair, on the desk?”

  With a hungry grin she slid her panties down, turned away from him and leaned across the surface of his desk, looking back at him over her shoulder. “Come and get it.”

  * * *

  With a sigh of satisfaction, Lucy stretched out beside Tony in bed. From the looks of it, the way he was draped across the mattress half-conscious, she had worn him out again. He was so whipped he’d texted his secretary and told her he would be in late, and to reschedule any meetings.

  “I don’t know why you’re so tired,” she said. “I did all the work that time.”

  And her thighs would pay the price tomorrow.

  “I’m tired,” he sai
d. “Because I’m old.”

  “What are you? Thirty-eight? Thirty-nine? That’s not very old.”

  He glared at her. “You know I’m thirty-five.”

  She grinned back. “Thirty-five isn’t old. I don’t even consider your parents to be old old. Old is Nonno’s age.”

  “What’s with you and him, by the way? You’re like buds now.”

  Lucy smiled. “I like being around him. I love to listen to his stories. He’s had such an interesting life.”

  “If that isn’t the understatement of the century.”

  “It was kind of a shock about the affair. When I was helping him to his room he asked if I was disappointed in him.”

  “Are you?”

  “Without knowing the circumstances? Who am I to judge? There are a million reasons why it could have happened.” She pushed up on her elbow. “Are you?”

  “I’m not sure what to think. I’d like to feel outraged on Nonna’s behalf, but you’re right, I don’t know the circumstances. Maybe she knew and didn’t care.”

  “Or participated,” Lucy said.

  “Please,” he said, looking pained. “Let’s not go there.”

  The baby started to kick so she took Tony’s hand and laid it on her belly. She swore she could actually feel the baby growing. In the past month, her stomach had swelled to what seemed like gigantic proportions on her small frame. At her appointment yesterday the doctor estimated that the baby had grown a third in size since her first visit.

  Tony was quiet for several minutes, but she could feel him building up to something, and she was pretty sure she knew what.

  “Today, at Nonno’s, I got the impression that they all knew something I didn’t,” he said. “Would you know anything about that?”

  She thought the same thing, and of course, she had a theory....

  Oh, no you don’t. She had no right to go stirring up trouble for him. Of course, it was just a theory, and anything she told him would be pure speculation.

  “Lucy?”

  She was probably going to regret this. “I do have an idea.”