Code of Silence: Cosa Nostra #2 (7 page)

On the Run

Scenery blurred by the windows of Trey’s stolen car as Vincent and Bela sped their way to freedom. With the wind in their hair and the open road stretching out in front of them, Bela couldn’t have felt more alive. This was all she’d ever wanted: independence.

No longer bound by the morals and codes of her mafia family members, she would be free to make her own choices from here on out. It was a dream come true.

“We’ll need to ditch this car in about an hour, two if we stretch it,” Vincent said from the driver’s seat. “When we stop to do that, we’ll hit the cash machine and then head as far West as we can get. And of course, we’ll have to stop and rest—”

“Vince,” she said with a giggle. “You’re going to worry yourself sick. Take a second to absorb the beauty of this moment, will you?”

Glancing over at her, his lips spread in a smile. “You’re right,” he said. “It is beautiful.”

~~~

When Sal summoned Trey to his office, he knew what to expect. He’d prepared himself for his father’s anger and disapproval. After all, he should’ve seen the warning signs last night. He should’ve been able to tell his sister was about to run, but he’d been selfish. Too focused on getting to his bedroom to see Mandi, he’d let Bela slip through the cracks.

Now, as Sal paced back and forth across his office, a look of ravenous anger on his face, Trey searched for the words that would sooth his temper. “She’s just got cold feet,” he said. “Gio said that Rafe got Bela kicked out of NYU, so she’s rebelling by running away. So, really, when you think about it, this whole thing is Rafe’s fault.”

“I don’t care who’s at fault!” Sal spat. “Find her and bring her back here. I don’t care if she’s kicking and screaming. She’s going to go through with this wedding, like it or not!”

“Is that really the best way to do this?” he asked. “Is merging with the Marcanos really worth Bela hating us for the rest of her life?”

“Unless you want to be demoted to foot soldier, you’ll do what I say.”

Those words stung Trey like needle pricks. “Yes, sir,” he said, and then he turned toward the door.

“And one more thing. When you find them, kill Vincent.”

His entire body filling with dread, he left his father’s office. Outside in the hallway, he used his cell phone to dial Bela’s number. It rang five times and went to voicemail, so he hung up and tried again. This time, she answered.

“Bela, you have to come back,” he said. “Dad’s freaking out.”

“Good,” she said from the other end of the line.

“You don’t understand,” he said. “He gave me orders to kill Vincent. If you come back now, maybe I can talk him out of it, but if you keep running…” Closing his eyes, he silently prayed he could get through to his sister before he had to carry out the despicable order.

“If I come back now, Vincent’s as good as dead anyway.”

“No, maybe not. Like I said, if you come back now, then—”

The line went dead. Sighing in frustration, he looked down at the phone. Bela had made her choice…and now, he didn’t have one.

~~~

Vincent was shaking. Ever since she’d told him about her father’s orders, he’d barely spoken a word except for to say they needed to ditch Trey’s car and find a place to rest for the night. Bela sat next to him on the hotel bed, taking his trembling hands in hers. Cradling them between her palms, she held them still. He was quiet, so quiet she wasn’t sure if she should break the silence.

Finally, he did. “I should’ve known this was a fool’s mission,” he said. “I don’t know why I thought I could bring any of them to justice.”

“You had to try,” she said, giving his hands a squeeze. “It’s who you are.”

“We should’ve run away ages ago,” he said. “Now both families are after us, and sooner or later they’ll catch up. We can’t run forever.”

He was right. It was a fact she’d known long ago, she’d just been waiting for him to realize it. To her, it didn’t matter how long their freedom lasted. All that mattered was that for right now, they were free. And alone. “Then we can’t think about forever,” she said. “Let’s just think about tonight.”

“But how—”

She quieted his question with a kiss. Tomorrow, they could be doomed and wanted. Tonight…tonight she was just
his
.

Opening her lips to let the kiss deepen, she slipped her tongue past his lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and reclined against the bed, pulling him on top of her. He resisted, out of some honor bound motive, but not for long. Soon, his hands were roaming her body. Slipping the straps of her dress off her shoulders, he trailed his fingertips along the exposed skin as his mouth danced with hers. She ripped open his shirt, sending the buttons scattering across the room, and allowed her hands to drink in the feeling of his rock-hard muscles.

Before she even realized what had happened, her dress was in the floor and his lips were working their way toward her panty line. She drew in a shuddering breath as he slipped his fingers beneath the silk. His touch was soft, gentle and sent her soaring into a spiral of emotions. Her breath turning ragged, she felt her body burn for him. All of him. Every inch, every part. She wanted to make him hers. “Take me,” she begged, her voice hoarse. She’d waited for this for so long and she just couldn’t wait any more.

He didn’t make her ask twice. He stood, unbuttoning his pants and undressing himself the rest of the way. He laid his body over hers, looping an arm around her. Lifting her weight, he scooted them both up a foot or two until they were stretched out on the bed. His skin against hers. His body pressing against hers. His eyes locked on hers the entire time.

With tentative care and delicacy, he slipped himself inside her. She felt her body stretch to accept him and moaned. Those gorgeous eyes of his never left hers, gauging her reaction, seducing her. His thrusts were easy and delicate, as if it was enough to just be burrowed inside her. He brought his mouth to hers once again and offered her even more intimacy. With every kiss, every touch, she could tell he loved her. She could tell he would do anything for her.

Wrapping her legs around him, she drove him in deeper. He moaned her name, burying his face in her hair. She did this again, prompting him to groan. Hearing each throaty, animalistic sound pushed her closer and closer to the edge. He began to kiss her neck, each gust of hot breath and sensation of his moist lips filling her with pleasure. When he sank his teeth in, it pushed her over the edge. He suckled and nipped and licked until she wanted to scream. She wanted to scream his name and let her body shake underneath him.

Finally, he unleashed all of the passion and love he so carefully hid with honor and decency and chivalry. She was spinning from the feelings. Lost in the pleasure. Overcome with need. He was making her moan things, making her whimper and groan. The sounds of his pleasure only added to hers.

He slowed down, as if he was about to plummet off the cliff before he was ready. He ran his hands along her skin. Trailing his fingertips up the sides of her body to her breasts. He cupped them and thumbed her nipples. Then he ran his hands to her arms. Taking each wrist in each of his hands, he pinned them above her head. Then he paused, looking down at her, drinking in this sight. Her body…sprawled out and naked, anchored down by his weight.

She cried his name as another orgasm ripped through her. This one rushed up on her quick, unexpected, and made her body tremble. Grunting, he picked up his pace. He pushed into her with tender, patient thrusts until he finally exploded inside her. Gushes of hot liquid filled her, sending her into another quick, blissful orgasm. He collapsed on top of her, sweaty, panting. Planting kisses all over her, wherever his lips could reach while he stayed buried deep inside her.

He pulled himself away from her just long enough for them to slide under the covers. Curling close to her body, he held her all night.

When Bela woke the next morning, she rolled over to find Vincent gazing at her with sleepy, dreamy eyes. She smiled, touching his face. “Good morning,” she said.

“Morning beautiful,” he said, and then brought his lips to hers in a sweet kiss.

She felt so safe and warm in his arms she didn’t want to move. Staying still too long when you were on the run could be dangerous, and she knew soon they would have to pack and hit the road again.

They both showered—that took awhile since it was hard for them to keep their hands off each other. It was around eleven when they were finishing up packing. A knock at the door startled them both.

Bela’s gaze darted to Vincent’s in fear. Placing a finger over his lips, he motioned for her to be quiet. Then, taking out his gun, he crept over to the door and peeked out.

“It’s Trey,” Vincent said, lowering his gun. He began to open the door, but the second it cracked open, someone kicked it open from outside. The door flew in, knocking Vincent into the wall. His gun clattered to the floor and men swarmed the room. There were four of them including Gio. Trey entered last, carrying a gun.

Truth & Consequences

Bela made a dash for Vincent’s gun. She wasn’t sure what she would do with it, but holding it somehow made her feel safe. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice stammering.

Trey’s gaze drifted across the room, from Vincent who was just now coherent enough to stand, to gun-wielding Bela and then past her, to the rumpled bed with the luggage sitting on it. His gaze raked over the couple, taking in the wet heads and the fearful looks. With remorse in his eyes, he said, “Bela, grab your stuff. It’s time to go.”

“What?” she exclaimed. “I thought you were on my side.”

Nobody tried to stop him when Vincent moved to stand next to Bela. His hand reached out, taking the gun from hers.

“I am on your side.” Her brother’s expression was cold and numb, as if he’d turned his back on all emotion. “Now get your stuff and let’s go.”

Lifting her chin stubbornly, she looked him dead in the eyes as she said, “No.”

One nod at his henchmen was all it took; they lunged at Vincent like attack dogs. He tried to fight, but he was outnumbered and the men Trey brought were twice Vincent’s side. Each of them grabbed an arm, forcing the man to his knees. Without a word, Trey walked over to the door and locked it.

Fear crept into Bela’s heart.

“What the hell are you doing, man?” Vincent demanded as he struggled to get free.

“Dad might’ve let you go if you hadn’t taken the oath,” he said to Vincent. “But you did. You swore in and then a month later you run off with his daughter. He wants you dead, Vince.”

“No! No, you can’t.” Bela rushed forward, trying to pry Vincent free.

“Hold her back,” Trey said to Gio.

As Gio headed toward her, her eyes met his in a plea. “Gio, no, please. You have to help him.”

Ignoring her, Gio took her arm and pulled her away from Vincent. She struggled to get free, but he pulled her against him, grabbing her wrists and pressing them into her chest, his arms wound tight around her in a vice-grip. His chest pressed into her back and his arms held tight as she fought to get free. “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her ear, and he sounded genuine, but still held her firm and helpless to watch as her brother approached the love of her life with a gun.

“Trey,” she screamed in desperation, trying to break through to him. “Trey, you can’t do this. Please!”

“Do you think I want to?” he shouted as he spun to face her. “I
have
to. Don’t you get that? Dad gave the order.”

“You don’t have to listen to him,” she said, a tear running down her cheek. “You could tell him you couldn’t find us. Just let us go.”

“I know I told you to run,” Trey said, locking gazes with her. “I know I said you should but it wasn’t my place.”

“That’s dad talking,” she said. “I can practically hear his voice. He got to you somehow. That’s what’s happening here, isn’t it?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He turned back to Vincent. “Your family already knows about this. If we don’t punish you, it’ll offend them even more. You know that.”

Bela silently pleaded for Vincent to say something, anything. He should be begging for his life right now, trying to bargain. Hell, he could pull the cop card and at least try to arrest them all right now. But he said nothing. Stubborn and stoic, he remained still and looked Trey right in the eyes. She didn’t see the first hint of fear—there was nothing in his eyes but pure bravery and it infuriated her. Even now, he wouldn’t do anything to save his own life and this time, he could very well end up dead.

“Trey, please,” Bela begged him. “You don’t know what you’re doing. You can’t trust dad.”

“He’s the only one I
can
trust,” he said.

Bela stared at her brother as if he was a stranger. “How can you even think that?” she asked. “This ‘peace treaty’ is just a front! It’s not even real. Dad’s planning on using it to get revenge on Dante.”

“Revenge?” Trey repeated, like it was ridiculous. “For what?”

“You don’t know, do you?” she asked, gazing at him with pity and disbelief. “You have no idea. You never even suspected?”

He stepped away from Vincent and walked up to her. “Bela, you better tell me what you’re talking about. Right now.”

“Mom had an affair with Dante,” she blurted out. Then, before she could chicken out, she spilled the other half of the secret. “And Dad killed her for it.”

Trey just stared at her, his eyes moving back and forth as if he was piecing something together. “No,” he whispered, a sound of utter disbelief. “No way.”

Gio’s hands released Bela, allowing her to face her brother unrestrained. “It’s true,” she said. “I confronted him about it. He said she asked for it.”

He lifted his gaze to look at her; to
really
look at her. Using those people-analyzing skills that made him such a good gangster, he knew she was telling him the truth. She could see the realization dawn in his eyes.

“He’s not who you think he is,” she whispered. A part of her hated to do this; to shatter her brother’s reality this way, but the other half knew it needed to be done. If Trey was going to kill for her father, he deserved to know what kind of man Sal DeLuca was. “He betrayed you years ago. Why are you still loyal to him?”

Trey fell back a step. With his newly awakened eyes, he looked around the room—at his sister in the cheap motel with the rumpled bed, at his thugs holding Vincent to his death. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. Trey holstered his gun and gave a nod to his crew. Upon command, the men released Vincent.

Filled with relief, Bela rushed to take Vincent into her arms. She’d thought he was a goner for sure this time.

“You don’t have much time,” Trey said. “I’m sure Rafe’s men are on their way. Go catch a plane. Once you land, find an ATM and draw out all the cash you can, then take a bus. Cash only. Got it?”

She nodded gratefully. “Yes,” she stammered, helping Vincent to his feet.

“Go,” he said.

They didn’t make him ask twice and she didn’t linger long enough to say goodbye. They grabbed the bags—already packed and waiting on the bed—and fled for their lives.

~~~

As Vincent pulled onto the highway doing 70, Bela turned to him, enraged. She gave him a hard, solid punch in the arm. He jumped in surprise and glanced at her. “What?”

“What the hell was that?” she demanded. “You were going to let him kill you. You didn’t try to fight or talk your way out of it or anything!”

“What’d you expect me to do? Beg for my life?”

“It would’ve been a start.”

“It wouldn’t have done any good.”

“Really? Because I talked him out of it.”

He glanced away from the road for a moment to look at her. “You
were
pretty amazing back there,” he said, reaching one arm out to cup her cheek with his hand. His eyes glimmered with pride. “You saved me.”

She felt her anger melt with his touch. As much as she wanted to hold onto it, she couldn’t. Sliding over to him, she curled up under his arm as he drove. “Let’s just get the hell out of here.”

The nearest airport was thirty miles away. They made it before the sun reached its peak in the sky. They bought tickets for the first flight out—to Chicago. There would be plenty of busses they could choose from there.

As Bela was leaving the bathroom, a cold hand covered her mouth. Bela’s body went stiff with fear and dread as Rafe’s smooth, threatening voice said into her ear, “If you try to scream or signal for help, Vincent dies. Understand?”

She nodded.

Slowly, Rafe removed his hand from her mouth and grabbed her arm instead. “Sorry, princess,” he said as he began to lead her way. “Everyone wants happily ever after, but we had a deal. No one breaks a deal with me.”