Beautiful Deception

by Morgan James

  My uncle’s lips flattened at his response. He was used to people bowing and scraping to him, and he didn’t like this man’s impassivity. Without having to be asked, a waiter approached and poured red wine into three glasses, then disappeared once more, quick and silent as a specter.

  Adopting a submissive pose, I bowed my head slightly and studied Fox from beneath lowered lashes. He didn’t look like the cold-blooded killer Matteo had described. Then again, they never did. Impeccably dressed in a three-piece suit and shoes polished to a high shine, he looked more like a businessman. It was an apt description, except for one little detail—instead of dealing with investments and returns, Fox’s currency of choice was drugs, illegal arms, and other incomprehensible forms of payment.

  “I’d like to propose a toast,” my uncle said with a huge smile as he lifted his glass. “To the promise of a new future.”

  Fox didn’t respond but raised his goblet in kind, then drank deeply. Niceties aside, Uncle Massimo launched into the reason for the meeting.

  “The Russians have been encroaching on our territory for years,” Massimo hissed with a sneer. “It is time for us to take back what is rightfully ours. We have tried reasoning with them, but our... arrangement”—he shot me a dark look—“fell through. Now they have aligned themselves with the Irish, and I find myself in need of an ally with which to stop them.”

  Fox studied my uncle. “I have had my own issues with them. What is your proposal?”

  “We split the profits—sixty/forty. In addition, I’ll give you the girl.” Uncle Massimo tipped his head toward me, and my heart stuttered to a stop in my chest as Fox’s cool eyes drank me in. Goosebumps swept up my arms as his gaze lingered on my breasts, the rosy tops of my nipples exposed by the low cut of the too-tight dress. My cheeks burned with mortification and fear.

  Long, lean fingers played with the stem of his glass; I could easily imagine them snapping it in two. I envisioned him wrapping those fingers around my neck and squeezing until I submitted. My chest rose and fell rapidly, unable to draw in enough oxygen as unease turned to panic.

  Fox’s eyes met mine before sliding back to my uncle. He leaned back in his chair a bit more, adopting a casual pose. “That’s quite a sacrifice for my men. I have to ensure that this will be worth my effort, you understand.”

  My uncle’s jaw worked, and my entire body trembled. I didn’t want to go with Fox, but I was terrified of what my uncle would do if Fox turned him down. “Firearms as well, then. We provide the best.”

  Fox stroked his chin. “Perhaps. And the girl...?”

  Matteo spoke, his voice tight. “She is an innocent in all of this. Surely we can come to some other agreement.”

  Uncle Massimo made a derisive sound. “She is unpure, and she deserves far worse.”

  Matteo’s face turned a mottled red, and he jumped to his feet. “Your hate controls you. There is a better—smarter—way to go about this without sacrificing her.”

  No one ever spoke back to my uncle—ever. I watched in horror as Massimo slowly pushed his chair back and stood. Fox settled back in his chair, his face a cool mask as he watched the scene unfold.

  Massimo regarded Matteo. “You would fight for her—this whore?” Matteo was silent for a long moment, and Massimo chuckled as he resumed his seat. “You are a fucking coward. Just like your mother.”

  In the blink of an eye, Matteo pulled a pistol from his shoulder holster and extended it across the table. His finger pulled back on the trigger, and a loud report filled the room as the gun went off.

  Sixteen

  Eric

  Pushing off the couch, I pocketed my phone and strode toward the front door. My stomach growled, and I tried to remember the last time I’d eaten. Yesterday, maybe? I didn’t know. Every hour, every second of the day, had been consumed by thoughts of Jules and trying to trace her whereabouts. I didn’t have time to eat; I barely had time to sleep. But I could do all of those things later. Right now, I needed to put all of my time and energy into finding her and bringing her home.

  The house was still dark, and I moved from memory as I exited into the garage and slipped into the cruiser. Though I’d questioned her coworkers and searched her desk, something kept nagging at me. I decided to go back up to Briarleigh and take another look around.

  Even this late at night, it was still well-lit now that operations were in full swing. I pulled into the side lot where the employees parked, then headed for the staff entrance. The office doors along the hallway were closed up for the night, and I assumed everyone had gone home. Retrieving the key Jack had given me, I strode toward Jules’s office.

  I unlocked the door, then stepped inside, once more taking in the sparse furnishings. She hadn’t had time to decorate, and the only pieces of furniture were a sturdy oak desk and two chairs—one for Jules, and one for a guest. Winding my way around the desk, I sank into her chair and glanced around.

  Everything was exactly the same as yesterday; I don’t know why I expected anything different. Her desktop computer hummed in sleep mode, and I jiggled the mouse to bring up the main screen. Though I’d searched all of the files yesterday, I did so again just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.

  Each document I opened revealed carefully researched notes regarding the new spa: licenses, restrictions, and other business-related information. There were photos of Briarleigh in a separate folder labeled “website” that I assumed Mia had taken. I casually flipped through them, looking for anything that jumped out at me.

  I stopped at one in particular, a tiny smile curving my face. In the new addition for the spa, Jules stood off to the side of the photograph, pointing at something. Only her profile was visible, and most people wouldn’t have even been able to tell it was her. Except, I knew every line of her body, every curve of her pretty face. Even from this position, I could see the smile lighting her expression, the joy in her eyes. The sight made my heart hurt. She’d been so happy here. She wouldn’t have just left—I refused to even entertain the possibility.

  I propped my elbows on the desk and looked around. The room smelled like her, and I drew the scent into my lungs, holding onto it, storing it in my memory until I saw her again. I reached out to touch the notepad sitting to the right of the computer. Her pretty, flowy script was scrawled over the lines, and I gently traced the letters.

  Goddamn, I missed her. I hadn’t been able to get a full breath since she’d been gone, the oppressive weight of depression sitting on my chest like a stone. My body physically hurt, like I was missing part of myself. I knew exactly what it was; Jules was the other half of my heart. I wouldn’t feel whole, complete again until she was home.

  I leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. I was missing something. But what?

  My phone rang, and I picked it up, more so just to give me something to do than because I actually wanted to speak with someone. “Donahue.”

  There was a brief hesitation at my gruff greeting, then a man’s voice came over the line. “Hey, Sheriff. This is Ernie from the Gas ‘N’ Go.”

  I scrubbed one hand over my face. The Gas ‘N’ Go was situated only a few miles out of town near the Fox Hole, a strip club where several of the locals convened each night. There wasn’t much crime in Pine Ridge, but it was unfortunately common for some of the younger kids to shoplift candy and other small shit.

  “Hey, Ernie. What can I do for you?”

  “I was at Rosie’s earlier,” the man began. “Word around town is you’re looking for any strangers who may have been through recently.”

  “I am,” I responded cautiously as I sat straight up in the chair. We’d questioned the owner, Lyle, but he hadn’t seen anything. How the hell had we missed Ernie?

  “Sorry I’m just now callin’. Had to visit my mama down in Kalispell in the nursing home there. She’s got dementia bad, and...”

  I made a frustrated gesture as I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming. Trying to hurry him up would do no good. It was like
pushing rope; if I interrupted, the man would likely forget where he’d left off and have to start all over again.

  “Well, anyway, two men stopped in for gas a couple mornings ago. Dressed all fancy-like, both of ’em in suits. Didn’t think nothin’ of it, just figured they was headed up to the ski resort. But now that I think on it...”

  He trailed off and irritation surged inside me. I swore I was going to fucking strangle him if he didn’t spit it out. “You see something?”

  “Not sure,” Ernie responded. “Only one came inside, bought a map and a pack of smokes. Never took his sunglasses off. You know them types? Didn’t get a good look at the other guy out pumping gas. But it seemed a little off, if ya know what I mean.”

  “Did you see the plate when they drove away?”

  “Didn’t get a number, but pretty sure it had a picture of Abraham Lincoln on it.”

  That last bit of information brought me straight up in my chair, immediately alert. “You catch the make or model?”

  “One of them expensive, big ol’ Cadillac Escalades, looked like to me. All black, even the windows. They paid in cash, so I don’t have any names for you.”

  “That’s fine,” I replied. “This is great. Thanks, Ernie.”

  I felt like a thousand pounds had been lifted from my shoulders as I hung up. Abraham Lincoln. The car was plated in Illinois. I had a lead—fucking finally.

  A noise from the doorway through my attention, and my gaze collided with a pair of bright blue eyes as Mia stumbled into the office.

  “Oh.” Her face fell as she drew up short. “I thought...”

  Sadness creased her pretty features, tugging at my heartstrings. “Just me,” I said softly.

  Mia’s gaze dropped to the floor, but not before I saw the glittering of tears hovering just above her lashes. Pushing from my chair, I rounded the desk and approached her.

  Mia lifted her head as I rested one hand on her shoulder. “I’m worried about her.”

  I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to admit my fear of the same thing. It was literally as if she had disappeared into thin air, not even a trail of breadcrumbs to follow. “We’ll find her.”

  My words lacked conviction, but I had to say them. I had to keep believing that she was out there somewhere, that I could bring her home to me.

  Without warning, Mia threw her arms around my waist and buried her head against my chest. I let out a small grunt at the impact, then gently wrapped my arms around her shoulders in an awkward embrace. Sobs wracked her tiny body, and my strength leached away as her sympathy tore at my heart.

  It never ceased to amaze me how many people loved Jules, despite the fact that she’d only been here for a few months. But she was sweet and lovable, and she had touched the lives of so many people, myself included. What would we ever do without her? I stood there feeling helpless, and I clutched Mia more tightly to me. Lowering my head, I closed my eyes against the now familiar burning sensation and fought to wrestle my emotions under control.

  I had to find her—I would. We’d been through too much together, and I’d be damned if I let someone take her away from me.

  Seventeen

  Giuliana

  I screamed as the back of my uncle’s head exploded, and maroon droplets of blood splattered every surface. Suddenly, every man in the room was at attention, guns drawn and pointed toward Matteo. My body numb with shock, I watched on helplessly. Though I stared at my uncle’s lifeless body slumped backwards in his seat, head dropped back limply, I couldn’t quite comprehend that it was real.

  My eyes darted between Uncle Massimo and Matteo, who looked wholly unfazed. Calmly, he set the pistol on the table and pushed it away a few inches, then laced his fingers together in front of him. He stared across the table at Fox, whose expression was faintly bemused.

  Why was everyone being so calm? I wanted to yell, to scream, to sprint for the door and leave this nightmare behind. Part of me was glad that my uncle was gone, but my mind couldn’t quite reconcile it. After the years of hell he put me through, I’d come to think of him as indestructible. I glanced around the room. The familiar faces of men who had worked for my uncle registered shock and surprise. They seemed frozen in place, unsure how to react, and I sympathized with them.

  Matteo’s voice drew my attention back to him. “Now that the unpleasant part of the evening has been taken care of, we may speak.”

  I’d never been privy to the details of the work my father and Uncle Massimo, but now it hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew men had died—probably a lot of them—but this was the first murder I’d personally witnessed, the only dead body I’d ever seen outside of a funeral, and it was jarring. My stomach heaved, and I made a gagging noise as I tore my gaze away from the gruesome sight. I slapped one hand over my mouth as if that could contain the bile creeping up my throat. My whole body shook as I pressed my palm to my mouth, terrified that the meager contents of my stomach would expel themselves all over the floor.

  To Fox’s credit, he didn’t even blink. I wondered how often something like this had happened, and it sent a shudder through me. Fox lifted one eyebrow before directing his next words to Matteo. “She should not be present for this.”

  “She stays.” Matteo’s voice was hard and impassable.

  I couldn’t believe he was talking about me like a fucking dog. I directed a glare his way, but Matteo ignored me completely, his focus lasered on his future ally—or adversary. It could go either way, tonight.

  With a slight inclination of his head, Fox accepted Matteo’s declaration. Matteo inhaled deeply before speaking. “I’d like to propose a new offer in lieu of the one Massimo suggested.”

  Fox arched one eyebrow, but Matteo continued, undaunted. “I think we can both agree that the Russians need to be stopped. They’ve pushed the boundaries for years, and it is time to bring their reign to an end. They’ve started a war, but I plan to finish it. To do so, I will need help. I would like your support.”

  Fox tipped his head. “I’m inclined to agree with you about the Bratva. Nikolai is reckless. I’ve heard rumblings about a plan to overthrow him.”

  “I have heard the same, and I would like to join forces. We will supply you with whatever you need.”

  Though I’d never been present for one of these meetings before, I wasn’t stupid. It was what every criminal wanted—guns. I knew my family had access to weapons the likes of which I couldn’t even begin to conceive.

  My gaze jumped to Fox as he gestured toward me. “And the girl?”

  “Off the table.”

  Fox pondered that for a moment. He was a strong negotiator, and he would make an excellent ally for my cousin. The thought was terrifying. “I want the west side, everything from the bridge over.”

  Matteo seemed to think it over. Over the years, dozens of different crime groups had sprouted up around Chicago, but the Bratva and la cosa nostra had gradually pushed them out, one by one. There were a few exceptions to this, and Fox was a living testimony to his will. There were a dozen different rumors about how the man had risen so quickly to power in just a few years, and I couldn’t begin to contemplate it.

  Finally, Matteo answered. “West side is yours, but I want 15% of the profits.”

  Fox shook his head. “Five.”

  Matteo’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Ten, and that’s my final offer.”

  Fox waited a beat before stretching out his hand. Matteo slipped his palm into it, and they shook. A handshake in our world was the measure of a man, the rock upon which all foundations were built. A simple handshake meant that the men would be forced to uphold their end of the bargain or face the consequences. I forced myself not to look at my uncle, but I couldn’t help the relief that had settled over me. He was gone. Truly gone. Matteo had saved me, just as he promised he would.

  Excitement and anticipation bubbled up inside me, and my body fairly vibrated with it. The men concluded their business, and Matteo extended one hand to help me up. His hand slipped aro
und my bicep and gently tugged me to my feet, then anchored me against his side. Through it all, he never said a word. I took my cue from him and stayed silent as well. I didn’t want Fox to change his mind before we were well away from here.

  Fox and his men preceded us out of the restaurant, and silence hung heavily in the air as we followed. Matteo remained quiet as we made our way outside to the cars. Johnny held open the door, and my cousin helped me in first, then slid in behind me. The door closed with a soft thunk, and a few moments later, Johnny started the car and pulled away from the curb.

  A soft yellow glow strobed the interior of the car as street lamps whizzed past in a blur. Elation filled me as we exited onto the highway and headed away from the city. Now I could finally return to my real life. I could visit my friends and family without Uncle Massimo’s censure. And Eric. I would no longer have to lie to him about who I was. As soon as I got out of here, I was going to tell him everything. I prayed that he would still want me. A mafia princess and an ex-cop didn’t mix, but if a love could ever overcome anything... it was ours.

  Eighteen

  Eric

  Doyle’s name lit up my screen, and I eagerly took the call. “What do you have for me?”

  “I’ve got a couple girls here who might fit the profile.”

  I exhaled in relief, my heart threatening to beat right out of my chest. “Thank God.”

  Doyle’s next words doused my excitement. “Don’t get ahead of yourself just yet. I limited my results to a hundred-mile radius of Chicago and checked every possible variation of the name. The search came back with seventy-two results.”

  “Jesus.” I swiped a hand down my face. “So, what now?”

  “I filtered them by age since you seem to be fairly certain of her birthdate. There are seventeen women with that name between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.”

  That was doable, at least. I let him continue.