Deception (Infidelity #3)

She was beyond pretty, and hearing the words from his lips made them sound inadequate. I fought the urge to tell him that Charli wasn’t just pretty. She was ravishing, a spitfire with a mind of her own, who could tear him and any other condescending man to shreds. I’d warn him to approach with caution, because though she may appear tame, in reality she was almost too hot to handle. In her eyes she held her essence. They glistened with joy and love even when danger and pain surrounded her. Her beauty went further than her gorgeous exterior. She was enthralling and alluring.

Pretty was a disservice to my girlfriend. She was way beyond that, and most importantly, she was mine.

“Should you be here?” Doyle Carroll asked.

“Yes. I don’t have proof that the attempted shooting had any connection to this hearing. I’m scheduled to testify tomorrow. Davis not only acted like he was surprised to see me, but also surprised I’d be returning for the next few days.”

“He’s baiting you. That man knows the schedule backwards and forwards.”

“Well, I didn’t bite, but I admit he’s on my list of suspects.”

“He’s on many people’s lists, and I don’t think any of them have him listed as ‘good.’”

“I’m reading today’s testimony. Tell me what I’m not reading.”

“What you’re not reading?” Doyle Carroll asked.

“Tell me what I missed that didn’t make the transcripts,” I clarified.

“Higgins seemed pretty confident. It’s as if he knows he has the votes, but that isn’t possible by my count. I’m not confident we have them either. It’s close, very close.”

“Who’s on the line?”

“Two minority, Hatchett from Oregon and Kelley from Tennessee and three majority, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin.”

“New York? I thought she was on our side?” I asked.

“She was. Now she’s not sure.”

“It was the seals, wasn’t it?”

“Lennox, I’d like to think the committee is smarter than that, but to the extent possible, you need to emphasize that the appropriations have already been earmarked, that it won’t be a pork-barrel sm?rg?sbord, and that this will cost jobs. Give specifics. Talk about how the increase in tax will cause companies not only to cut employees but quite possibly take business elsewhere.”

I sighed. “I have that all planned. I was just wondering if I should mention the obvious whale omission?”

Doyle laughed. “I do appreciate your sense of humor. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad that son-of-a-bitch missed.”

“Thanks. I’m happy about that, too.”

A call beeped into my phone and I looked at the screen.

“Doyle,” I said, “I have a call. I don’t recognize the number, but with the way my day’s gone, I’d better answer.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

I swiped the screen, hanging up one call and connecting to the next. “Hello.”

“Demetri, it’s Severus Davis.”

“Severus, nice to hear from you.”

“Join me for a drink?”

I looked around my suite and down at my comfortable jeans. I would rather stay where I was, but this was the shit that got things done. This was what I did, what Oren had done. “Where?”

“The bar in your hotel.”

“My hotel?” He knew where I was staying?

“Yes. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

“See you there.”

I hung up and called Deloris.





“THE PARTY FOR my granddaughter, it was nice?” Carmine Costello asked as he settled against the large chair in his office.

I was back in his home, back in Brooklyn. It didn’t matter that I had businesses to run and a wife constantly complaining that I wasn’t around. I was replying to a summons that had me trekking from Westchester to New York City, and from the city to Brooklyn. I needed a fucking helicopter to cut down on travel time, or maybe a clone. Then I could be in two places at once.

“Yes, sir,” I answered. My face set in its customary expression of full attention and respect, as if saying anything negative about his granddaughter’s first communion celebration was an option. “It was lovely, but not as lovely as Luisa. She beamed.”

Carmine smiled, his full cheeks lifting in approval, just before he looked about the room at his men and his features changed. “Enough. Tell us about the jewelry stores.”

I leaned back casually, attempting to show both my wife’s uncle and his minions that I wasn’t intimidated. After all, I was family. “There are three,” I explained. “I’ve done my research. They have potential. Their current inventory is valued at nearly as much as the asking price. That doesn’t include the property, which as you know is invaluable. Acquiring a storefront on the island is like striking oil.”

Carmine leaned back and nodded.

“Of course you’re familiar with the one near here. The other two—”

“I know where they’re located,” Carmine interrupted. “I also know that you’ve been talking to the other families.”

I fought the urge to sit taller. “Yes. I’ve been in negotiation.”

“Have I missed our negotiation?” Carmine asked.

“Sir, I’ve spoken with Vincent multiple times. He’s been aware of everything. He told me to wait before I brought it to you.”

Carmine leaned forward, placed his elbows on his desk as his fingertips met, one at a time, until both hands came together. I was most certain he wasn’t about to pray. If he was, I was the one who needed divine intervention. “I see. So it’s Vincent’s approval you seek?”

“No, sir.”

“You don’t seek my son’s approval?”

Over the years, everyone knew that Vincent had become Carmine’s second-in-command. He was a made man, had been for nearly ten years, back when the families wielded more power than they did today.

That said, I was quickly discovering that their loss of power could be more myth than reality.

“I do seek Vincent’s approval, but yours is the most vital. Even the other dons are waiting…” My words trailed away as Carmine’s hand came up indicating my silence.

When the room was silent, he nodded to Jimmy, the man on his right. The burly hulk was more than a bodyguard: he was known as the enforcer. The last thing anyone wanted to see was Jimmy’s mug at his door in the middle of the night. If that ever happened, it would be the last thing that person ever saw, as well as the only warning that morning wouldn’t come.

Without speaking, Jimmy stepped back and led the parade as the room cleared, leaving Carmine and me alone.

“Oren, you’re family. My Angelina, she loves you. Lennox, he’s family.”

My chest constricted as I tried to breathe. Lennox was only ten years old. He was the real reason I’d moved Angelina to Westchester County and the reason I wanted to make Demetri Enterprises legitimate. I didn’t want him to be sitting in the same position as me. If I had my way, he’d never know the truth behind the business. That was why I worked countless hours. I secretly hoped that with time, the families’ powers would be whittled away. By the time my son was old enough, he could truly run legitimate operations.

“Yes, family,” I confirmed.

Carmine nodded. “Trust, Oren. I’ve trusted you with Angelina, but you see, I’m not convinced that you’ve made her happy. Will you make me happy?”

“Sir, our marriage is healthy. I love Angelina, and her happiness is my goal. Sometimes she is… feisty.”

Carmine’s laugh filled the room, echoing from the bookshelves to the walls. Being an interior room, it lacked windows. I’d never thought that was by accident. “Feisty… good word. She’s a Costello. We’ve been called worse.” He lowered his voice. “She confided in my Rosa that she wants a daughter.”

I couldn’t hide the surprise from my face. “We—we talked about it.”

“Sometimes women, they say one thing, they mean another.”

“You want me to give my wife a daughter? I-I can’t promise a daughter. Even if we were to have another child, it could be a boy.”

Carmine nodded. “But you’re willing… to try?”

What the fuck?

“Angelina and I should talk.”

“Yes, you should.” His forehead wrinkled. “But I’m sure I don’t have to tell you… talking won’t give my girl her daughter.”

I was at a loss for words as I simply nodded my head.

“Oren, I have a job for you. You do want me to be happy, don’t you?”

He has a job? Impregnating my wife is a job? Or is it more?

“Sir?”

“I want you to accompany Vincent to California.”

I clenched my jaw and immediately regretted the knee-jerk reaction. Perhaps if I relaxed it, my tension would go unnoticed.