Gio headed straight to the park, and bypassed the bar all together. He needed to cool off. The last twenty four hours had been an emotional roller coaster for him. Meeting his son, working all day to clear Lisa's name, then again she hits him with the future. The hell if he knew what the future held.
Fuck it all. Why had he slept with her? It confused the hell out of him. His attraction to her was powerful, one he could not deny. His life was turned upside down. He had a son to consider, and right now he could only think of one day at a time. Clear Lisa, get to know his son. The future, well, that wasn't here yet. He hadn't thought about that in a decade. It was one job at a time. That's all.
Yes, he wanted his son in his life. And he planned on making the most of that, coming to New York to be with him on holidays, and bringing him to Florida in the summer, longer vacations, Christmas. Lisa owed him that. And if he didn't clear her name, then his son was moving to Florida. Simple. He'd need a new apartment. He rented a one bedroom in one of the not so great neighborhoods in Tampa. But, that could be easily fixed. He had the money. Hell, he could get a condo in the Trump Towers and be close to Blaze. He wasn't ready for a house, but a condo would do, and give him the time to be with his son when he had him.
But Lisa, for now it was sex. It’s all he could offer her. If she couldn't understand the whys of that, then it was her problem. He couldn't commit to anything beyond that. It was still a matter of trust. She had lied to him, and she hadn't put him first. That was the crux of it.
He loved his brothers, his cousin, his aunt, his parents before they died, and he would lay down his life for any one of them, but when you commit to someone that meant something. If he had to make a choice between her or them back then, it would have been difficult, but he would have chosen her. They never would have asked him to choose in the first place. If his folks had needed something desperately, and he couldn't do it because she needed it, they would have understood.
It was about the choice. And the lie. Not letting him know he had a son was still painful. He had missed so much. He understood her fear of losing him, but again he could have helped her fight it. Hell, the truth would have set her free.
He wandered the park aimlessly, walking down all the old paths, the concrete cracked and in need of repair. The park had been neglected these past few years. The neighborhood was looking a little run down. People weren't tending it like they used to. The park, the neighborhood, the streets, all needed fixing up. No one was communicating it to the county, and it was left to decay. And that was kind of like him and Lisa as far as he was concerned. They hadn't been able to communicate openly. Everything had been so volatile--fight, make-up, but never really talk their issues out.
He figured he needed to do that. But now wasn't the time. Right now he could only focus on two things, clearing Lisa, and establishing a relationship with his son. He could tell her that at least. Maybe that was something she could understand.
Lisa cleaned the kitchen, and then did some laundry in the basement. After a few hours of menial chores, she was at a loss for what to do. She pushed Gio too far again. It had always been that way between them. When she had something on her mind, and if he wasn't on the same page, she kept bringing it up. But that was then and she had no right to push him now; her mind told her not to, but her heart was breaking. She'd blown it. Disgusted with herself, she headed upstairs to shower and crawl into bed to wait for him to return...if he did.
But the sex confused her. She knew it was more than sex for her, and she knew it was more for Gio too. Pushing him to admit that was wrong. She was a woman, and thinking about the future was something she did constantly, while men lived more in the moment. Gio, more than any man she knew.
She was trying to find her place in the scheme of things. If she was released? If she proved her innocence? How would she fit into Gio and her son’s life?
If Gio didn't want her in his life, she planned to give him as much access to Johnny as possible. Hell, she'd even move to Florida to make it more convenient for him. She would tell him when he got back that she was sorry, again, and didn’t mean to pressure him, or place any kinds of expectations on him. She cursed herself for being so rash, and letting her emotions get the best of her. Just because she had lived without love for so long, and without any emotional connections other than with her son and sisters, it was not fair to expect him of all people, especially after she betrayed him, to commit to her. The only reason she even brought it up was because she knew it wasn’t just casual sex between them, and she felt it when they made love. But it was wrong of her to ask, and she just hoped she could make this right. He was right after all. They needed to focus on her innocence and she needed to give him time to get to know their son. That needed to come first.
It had been just a few hours and Gio returned to his house. He still didn't know what he planned to say, but he wanted to deal with this so they could focus on the important things.
As soon as he walked in he heard the shower running upstairs, and not wanting to run into her in a state of undress, God forbid that, it would lead to trouble, more than he was ready for, he decided to lay low. He hit the kitchen and put up a pot of coffee using bottled water from the refrigerator. Even though it was nearly ten, he decided he could read some reports, get ready for tomorrow and the meeting with Lisa's attorney, and decide what he wanted Nikko to focus on.
He went into the living room to wait for the coffee to brew, and turned the television on. They didn't have satellite, but kept the basic cable hooked up to get local stations while in town. He figured he would catch the evening news, and go through his emails.
The weather report was on, and he absently listened while double checking Nikko's flight. Next he read an email from Dan, who said the van he needed would be ready by two, and he could pick it up, or have one of his techs drop it off.
Not knowing how long the meeting with the attorney would last, he asked that the van be brought to him. Dan must have still been working because his reply was almost instantaneous. He'd send out two techs to go over all the equipment with him, then they would be able to get back to Manhattan. Dan was good. Vinnie hadn't been wrong.
Gio knew he and Nikko wouldn't have an issue with the equipment as they had a fully loaded van back home, but here in New York, there might be some new pieces inside they were not familiar with.
Gio heard the shower turn off, and assumed Lisa was done. He'd give her a few more minutes to dress, but he definitely wanted to talk. No more reacting only. It was one of the reasons they were in this situation to begin with. He headed to the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee and wait.
Lisa heard the television as soon as she stepped into the hall. Gio was back. She was glad. She went directly to her room, and finished toweling off, then used the towel to wrap around her hair as she got dressed. She wanted to get this over with. Apologizing was never her strong suit. Jumping the gun was. It's why her freedom and her life with Johnny, and possibly Gio, hung in the balance.
She grabbed one of the t-shirts her sister had loaned her for sleeping, and quickly slipped it on. She looked through the bags and then pulled out a comfy looking pair of sweats. It would have to do. She normally slept in just a comfy tee anyhow.
Yanking the towel off her head, she dried it as best she could, and quickly brushed out the tangles. She would let it air dry tonight, and do something with it in the morning before her attorney and Nikko arrived.
Just as she came down the stairs Gio was walking back into the living room carrying two cups of coffee. She smiled.
“Coffee?”
“Sure.” His tone told her he was ready to talk, and she gave him a tentative smile.
“Okay.” He set the cups down on the coffee table next to each other and sat down on the sofa pointedly looking at the seat next to him.
Lisa smiled again and sat. “So?” she started.
“All right, Lisa. I get it. Talk, right?”
“Right,” she wanted to spe
ak up first. “I’m sorry, Gio. Please let me go first.”
He lowered his head and picked up his cup, taking a sip. She found it hard not to stare at his lips.
“Okay, well . . .” she searched for the right words. “I wanted to apologize. For me . . . everything, well, it feels like everything is going on around me, and I have no control, no say. I . . . it’s just with you . . . us, I feel like we have stepped back in time, and I know I have no right to ask for more, and it is just so easy to slip back into old patterns with you.”
“I can understand that. And to be honest, I don’t want to go back there,” he watched her face for a reaction. She was looking perplexed. “When we were together it was spontaneous combustion, we just needed to be in the same room, and well, some of that has not changed, but I have.”
“Okay.” She was confused; she didn’t know where he was going with this. She waited for him to continue. “You know you hurt me, and I really don’t want to keep throwing that in your face, but I’m not sure what the future holds for me. I am not saying you won’t be in it. I’m just saying right now I have to focus on two things. One, getting to know my son. And two, proving your innocence so that I won’t be raising Johnny alone. You’re his mother, and although I don’t know much about kids, I do know it is important to have both a father and a mother in their lives.”
Lisa felt her throat closing up. It’s what she wanted, even though she wanted more. Again, she couldn’t ask for that. But she could tell him her thoughts from earlier. “Gio, I was thinking about that. I won’t pressure you for anything anymore, and I just want you to know when I asked earlier, I was coming from an emotional place. I’m terrified.”
“I get that, Lisa. I just want to slow down a bit, put on the brakes.” He sighed not knowing if he was getting his message across to her clearly. When her shoulders slumped slightly, he added. “We were never good about that. Taking things slow.”
“That’s for sure.” She agreed. “Well, I was thinking, if I am found innocent. . .”
“When,” he interrupted and reached over to take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
“When,” she corrected. “I want you to have as much access to Johnny as possible. And, I'd really like you to have him weekends, holidays, vacations, as much as you want. I want you and your brothers to get to know him. I want him to have your family in his life. You were all so amazing to me."
Gio’s expression showed how pleased he was to hear her say that, but he was perplexed too. His eyes narrowed in on her words, and she quickly continued. "I was thinking I'd move to Florida, that way he'd be near you. Not like I'm expecting anything, but it's the least I can do."
Gio nodded. This was something to think about. He loved the idea of having Johnny growing up near him, but he was still cautious about Lisa. Could he be friends with her? Could he forgive her? He still wasn't sure. Was it a way to get back into his life?
"Lisa," he sighed. "The idea is appealing, don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Johnny close by, and I plan on being there, but again this is you jumping the gun, making all the decisions, I'm . . ."
"Honestly, Gio, this is about you and Johnny. I want him in your life permanently. Please don't take it the wrong way . . ." She was at a loss, she hadn't expected that kind of a reaction, and she felt herself ready to react, but forced herself to stop and see it his way. "I'm just confused," she admitted.
“Okay, let me lay it out for you. I just can’t think that far in advance now.” He emphasized the last word. “I want Johnny in my life too, I want to help you clear your name. Those things I am sure of.”
Lisa’s heart plummeted. He didn’t want her. At all.
He saw the frown. “Lisa, one thing at a time. No jumping the gun. No making decisions on your own. No making assumptions either. You got me?”
She nodded dumbly. She felt sick.
“Good, I’m glad we are clear on this. These two things need to be done now, and then we can talk . . .”
Lisa’s head whipped towards the television screen. A news reporter was speaking and Lisa’s picture was displayed in the background. Gio reached for the remote control and turned up the volume.
“This just in. Socialite Lisa Rasmussen, who is out on bond for the attempted murder of her husband Albert Rasmussen, has a trial date. It has been scheduled for the end of August.” The screen flashed behind the reporter showing the burnt shell of a car outside of Luxury Classic Cars & Autos. “Today, our crime reporter was able to speak with Mr. Rasmussen and he told Jackie Forbes why the date was moved up.” The screen widened to show Jackie Forbes, the WGN news reporter standing next to Albert outside his apartment building. “Mr. Rasmussen, the announcement of the court date just came in. How do you feel about such a quick trial?”
Albert’s reply came with a concerned smile. “Frankly, I’m relieved. The woman tried to kill me. I have had a horrendous day. I found out through my attorneys today that not only did the woman I loved attempt to murder me, but I just found out, that my son,” he began to choke up, and Lisa’s eyes widened in surprise. She’d never seen Albert show this kind of emotion. Ever. “Was never my son.” The reporter gasped in surprise. Albert nodded and went on, eyes narrowing as he looked directly into the camera. His eyes were black and cold, “She has lied to me for ten years. My marriage was a sham. Not only did she conceive another man’s child, but that man has bailed her out, and now she walks about a free woman. I am appalled. I can only think this was their plan all along, her and Giovanni Marino, that’s his name, they were lovers a long time ago. She and he masterminded this plot to kill me, and I’m sure it was for my family’s money.” Gio sat forward on the couch. He wanted to reach into the television and strangle Albert.
“Mr. Rasmussen, Giovanni Marino, are you sure?”
“Yes, paternity tests were run today, and I have just received the news. I am devastated to the say the least. To plot this for over decade, well, I just can’t imagine.” Albert covered his face with his hands.
Lisa gasped in outrage. “Oh my God, that bastard!” She stood abruptly bumping the coffee table, tipping her cup over and Gio caught it before it completely ruined the carpet using the doily to mop up the mess. “He is now going after you? Who does he think he is?” She began to pace.
“Well, he can’t get away with this. He is one sick bastard to try to spin the story this way. He must have been notified of the test results. The results must have come in pretty quick, and somehow he was notified before us. Or he is just saying the results are in because he already knew what they would prove. Albert’s just attempting to put a spin on what would be leaked out eventually and put it in his favor. And him speaking to the reporter like this is contrived. Slick. They are tainting the jury pool, and they very well know it. They want to get the public on their side by insinuating this plot has gone on for years.” Gio scooped up the wet doily and with his hand underneath carried it to the kitchen sink. Lisa was right behind him.
“I just don’t get this, Gio. He is trying to bring you down with me. This is not right. He wants to destroy me, you, and Johnny, what will he be left with?” she cried near panic. Gio saw the tears of frustration begin to fall.
“Listen, Lisa,” he grabbed ahold of her arms. “It’s not happening. I’m not going down for this. What kind of evidence does he have? Whatever he plans, he will have to fabricate it, and if and when he does that then there will be a trail. There is always a trail.”
“Gio, I don’t know, I don’t know,” her breathing was erratic, and she was about to enter full blown panic mode. He’d seen this before.
He pulled her to him. “Lisa, when are you going to trust me? I promise you.”
“I just don’t know,” she cried into his shoulder.
“Know it. The pieces of the puzzle are there. We just have to put them all together.”
It took her a few minutes to gain control of herself. She felt like Albert had in her another one of his nooses, and he kept tightening it further an
d further until she couldn’t breathe.
“Slow breaths, baby,” he encouraged as he heard her jagged breathing begin to return to normal.
Lisa sat at the table suddenly fatigued. “Coffee?” he indicated the pot still half full on the counter.
She shook her head in the negative.
He went into the living room to get their cups, and refilled his after placing hers in the sink. Then he sat across from her. “Lisa. Tomorrow your attorney will be here. My attorney, and Nikko. We have the van, and we have six weeks. We will figure this out.”
Her face looked pained as she spoke, “Oh, I hope so, Gio. I hope so. It’s the waiting, the not knowing, and the uncertainty. I feel like I’m going to break.”
“I’m here with you now, and you can lean on me. One day at a time.” She sighed and just a bit of the tension left her.
“Why don’t you head up?” he indicated upstairs with the tilt of his chin. “Lie down, try to relax. I’ve got a few reports I’m waiting on and a bit more research I want to do, and then I’ll be up.” He glanced at the clock. He had the report coming in from the tech who was tracking the cell phone calls, and was curious to see who Albert called today. One of those calls might be a lead. From the news report, and Albert’s sudden speaking to the reporters, the man was panicking if he wanted to rope him into this mess. He also needed the lawyers to do their part and get access to his emails. They might get a lead there too. His mind was working overtime on all that needed to be done.
Lisa just nodded, and got up, and even though she was emotionally drained she knew she wouldn’t sleep. Her mind was trying to stay one step ahead of Albert, trying to figure out what his next move might be. She felt she was failing miserably. She climbed the stairs and absent mindedly rubbed her neck.
Gio once again went through all his mail, and at precisely midnight he received another report from the tech, Tiny, following the phone records. Again Connie’s name appeared twice. Once at five-thirty, and the conversation lasted 23 minutes. Then a second call at eight-forty five, and the call lasted 4 minutes. She was definitely a lead in his mind. It was just a hunch, but his hunches had often hit pay dirt. He was going to find this Connie Wheeler while Nikko tailed Albert. He liked having a plan, and with that in mind, he decided to head up to bed.
Beautiful Regret Page 14
