Conviction (The Cassano Series Book 4) (7 page)

Zev

My lips brush across Tara’s between my ragged breaths, and I’m overcome with a sense of contentment I’ve never experienced before.

It’s not from the sex; although, it was amazing. It’s feeling like I’m where I’m supposed to be with the right person. I’m genuinely happy. It’s not a fleeting moment of joy when I find something funny, hang out with my brothers or do something I enjoy.

No, this is a feeling of total contentment and acceptance. There is no urgency to flee and no fear of trust or commitment. I’m looking forward to the future. I’m going to right my wrongs, so Tara and I can have a life together.

Adrian

Tenting my hands in front of me, I swivel right to left in my desk chair. “Dominic took two bullets when he helped Larios take out Don Esquival’s cartel.”

Theo scratches his head. “Damn, is he alright?”

“He will be. I’m tired of the bullshit and want all this over with. I want to settle down with Victoria and start a family.”

“That’s big, Adrian.”

“I’m worried we’re going to lose one of our spec ops guys, and something happened to Tara, the server Xavier likes. He won’t tell me what, but during our conversation, he sounded regretful. He said he wants all this to come to an end, too.”

“That’s even bigger news.” My brother comes over and taps my desk with some rolled up papers in his hand. “We’ve done a lot, Ace, but we can’t save the world. Dad would want us to find happiness. It’s time we close the door on revenge.”

“I can finally say I agree.”

“That’s a relief. This evening I’m going to tell Karen about the FBI’s involvement. She has a right to know.”

“I have something to show you.” I stroll over to my bookcase and open a wooden cigar box.

“It’s for Victoria.” I hold up the ring I’ve removed and show him. “Of course, I’m not going to ask her until this mess is settled.”

“Damn.” He grins as he eyes it in my hand.

“I know, but I’m more than ready. I would ask her now if I was certain we would have a future.”

“Bro, she’s not going to leave you regardless.”

Shaking my head and frowning, I turn to put the ring back in safekeeping. “I won’t let her stay with me if we go to prison. I’ll refuse to see her.”

“Adrian, you shouldn’t make that decision for her. If she knew, she’d be livid with you.”

“It’s the right thing to do.”

“Good luck with that. Victoria doesn’t let anyone stand in her way.”

I can’t help but smile. He does have a point.

“Well, hopefully it won’t come to that. I’m hopeful we can put this behind us soon.”

“Amen to that.”

Zev

My hands are sweaty as I stroll into the Royal lounge. It’s going to be the first time I’ve seen Noah since he assaulted Tara.

I practiced my speech and ran through every response I thought he could throw at me, trying to desensitize myself from the hatred I feel for him. I keep reminding myself that he’ll get what’s coming to him once he’s in a prison cell.

The evening games haven’t begun, so it’s only seconds before he’s striding toward me with a smirk on his ugly face.

“Zev, it’s been a while. What have you been up to all this time?”

“Uh, I told you I was going out of town to visit my mother.”

“I remember, but that was quite a few days ago.”

Shit, does he know I’ve been with Tara?

“She’s dying, man. What did you expect?”

“Right, sorry to hear that. So, I wanted to thank you for handing that server Tara over like I requested. Damn, she was something else.” The corner of his mouth curves up into a smile and is paired with beady eyes.

“What’s the best word to describe how she liked it? Oh, yeah … rough.”

Mother. Fucker.

“You got what you wanted, so when are we meeting outside of here?” My body tries to tremble, so I inhale a deep breath. If only I could stab him in the jugular.

“Friday night. Eleven o’clock. I’ll text you the details that evening.”

“Fine, but listen to me; you had your fun with Tara. Now, leave her the hell alone.”

“No problem. She’s used up, anyway.”

I swallow the rage bubbling to the surface and turn away from him. My hands clamp shut, so I swiftly spread my fingers open wide. Tara wishes for me not to seek revenge, but Noah’s days are numbered. Somehow, some way, he will pay with his life.

Tara

My apartment is too quiet, so I pick up the remote and begin flipping through the channels. “Ugh, there is nothing on that I want to watch.” I’ve resorted to talking to myself. Fantastic.

I miss Zev. We’ve spent almost every minute together for a week. Now, he’s at work and I’m alone. Let’s not forget I’m also jobless.

Sighing, I pick up my laptop from the table and pull up my email. This sucks. There are no replies from those I submitted resumes to. What am I going to do with myself? At least Zev will be here early in the morning.

My phone rings, so I grab it, hoping it’s him. My eyebrows cinch together when I see it’s Victoria. Shit. What am I going to tell her?

“Hello,” I say.

“Tara, it’s Victoria. How are you, and where have you been? I haven’t seen you in the lounge.”

“Uh, about that … I quit.”

“Why?”

“I want to put my degree to use.”

“That’s great.” It’s quiet on the line for a few seconds. “Something is wrong.”

“Why do you think that?”

“You’re not your cheerful self.”

“I’m fine. Actually, I’m more than fine. Zev and I are officially a couple. He’s been amazing.”

“Oh, well, I’m happy for you. I’ll worry, but I know it’s what you wanted.”

“It is. I couldn’t be happier.” OK, I would be happier if I didn’t have Noah’s sinister voice burned into my brain, but she can’t know about that.

“Do you want to meet this afternoon for coffee?”

“Uh, I’m busy trying to find a job, but next week would work for me.”

Victoria laughs. “Next week. That’s a long way off.”

“I’m sorry. I’m spending a lot of time with Zev, and then the job thing… I promise I’ll see you next week.”

Geez, I’m such a liar today. I’m not one hundred percent healed yet, so she can’t see me. In her line of work, she would pick up on my injuries immediately.

She snickers again. “I get it. I know how Adrian and I are with our free time. I bet you’re not leaving the bedroom.”

“You busted me.” That’s sure not a lie. Zev and I are doing it like rabbits. I’m giggling now.

“OK, girlfriend. I will see you next week.”

We end our call, and I blow out a long breath. Bullet dodged. If she knew what Noah did to me, I truly think she would shoot his ass. My phone buzzes, and I see I have a text from Zev.

Zev:
I did it. I managed not to kill his sorry ass.

Me:
I’m proud of you, and I love you.

Zev:
I love you, too, and god, I already miss you.

Me:
I’m grinning. I love that you miss me.

Zev:
See you in the morning.

Tossing my phone onto the couch, I stare up at the ceiling and think about spooning with him once he arrives in the morning. He’s incredible. I always believed he could be if he would open up, and he’s exactly that–amazing.

Adrian

Victoria pours me a glass of scotch and sits next to me on the sofa. Her fingers glide through my hair as I take a drink.

“Ms. D’Angelo from the FBI paid me a visit this afternoon. Somehow, she already knew that Zev is making the deal with Sanders on Friday night. I don’t know how she’s getting her information.”

“Interesting. Zev just made that arrangement last night, right?”

“Yes. I’m beginning to think she has my office and penthouse bugged. I wouldn’t put it past them.”

“Are they ready to bust Noah?”

“She claims everything is in place to take him down. Zev’s a nervous wreck. He’s going to have guns pointed at him for the first time in his life. It’s going to be chaotic for a few minutes, and he’s not looking forward to it.”

“I guess not. I will talk to him. I’ll assure him that it’s all procedure. I mean, they’re not arresting him, so as soon as Sanders is in handcuffs, the smoke will settle.”

The back of my head rests against the sofa as I turn it and gaze at Victoria. “I would appreciate it. Damn, you’re beautiful today. Thank you for taking a break from the lounge tonight.”

“I could sense you needed me here.” She’s still in the black skirt she was going to wear into Royal. Lace trims the bottom of it, and she’s sexy as hell in it. Even though Noah shot down her offer, she’s still staying close to him, hoping he will leak some kind of information to her.

My hand slides over her thigh. It’s warm like somewhere else on her sensuous body.

“I’m taking you to bed. I’m also tying you to it.” Slowly leaning over, her soft lips brush across mine.

“Promise?” she whispers.

“Swear.”

Victoria

Like many other times, Adrian needs me to surrender to his cravings. He holds my hand as he pulls me behind him to the bedroom.

Grabbing the duvet, he yanks it off in one swoop, causing the throw pillows to fly off the bed. I fail at stifling my giggle.

He’s no-nonsense as he approaches and begins unbuttoning my red blouse. His gaze and expression are penetrating.

Adrian’s touch is a portal to my personal heaven. It’s the white light directing me to his love. He’s my saving grace, and I’ll cherish him until my last breath.

“I have to say that I love you. You know I would do anything to protect you and our love.”

His fingers pause on one of my buttons.

“What do you have planned?” he asks.

“I just feel I can’t express to you enough what our relationship means to me.”

The burning gaze he was delivering mellows to one of yearning. A hand slides over my hair and down to my back.

“I understand, Victoria. I feel it every moment of the day. But if we ever can’t be together, you have to move on and live your life.” His gaze averts. “You have to find love again.”

Without thought, I shove his arm away.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“If I’m incarcerated, Victoria. This is a talk we need to have; although, I didn’t plan for it to be at this moment.”

My eyes flood with tears, and it only pisses me off more.

“How could you say something like that?” He grips my shoulders, but I yank away again and storm out of the room, buttoning up my shirt as I go.

“Victoria, stop!”

“Trust me; that’s not what you want me to do right now. A groin shot is in your imminent future if you don’t let me leave!”

“This is something we have to consider, Victoria.”

“I can’t even believe those words came out of your mouth. It sounds like our love doesn’t mean as much to you as it means to me.”

Hurrying to the living room, I slip my heels back on and grab my purse from the couch. I feel his presence behind me, so once I reach the elevator, I spin around to face him. My finger goes out toward him, and he’s lucky it’s not my fist.

“Don’t you dare call me until you come to your senses. I mean it, Adrian.” Turning, I press the button to the elevator several times. He shoves his front against my back and plasters his palm to the elevator door above my head.

“Juice Box, I’m sorry, but it’s something we have to face,” he says softly in my ear.

My head falls as the doors begin to open.

“I thought we were forever. You just broke my whole heart.”

Adrian

Needing to take my mind off the fight I had with Victoria, I take the elevator to my office to do some work.

What have I done? I don’t know if she will forgive me for this fuck up.

I should’ve had the foresight to her response. It was classic Victoria behavior, and I’m beginning to think it was appropriate.

Lights are on in the hallway, and I’m surprised since it’s past seven in the evening. I ease my pace once I hear Blanca speaking in her office. Her door is barely ajar, and her voice is low.

Quietly, I step up to it and stop to listen.

“I’m certain, Ms. D’Angelo, but he won’t tell me what he’s upset about. Maybe it’s something personal.”

Holy fuck.

“I know. I tried, but Theo won’t confide in me.”

I sling her door open, causing her to jump. Without another word, she places her palm over her heart and lowers the receiver of the phone, hanging up on Ms. D’Angelo.

“How long has this been going on?”

“Adrian, I’m sorry.”

“How long?!”

“Since I became an employee.” Blanca’s round eyes express her shock, and it instantly reminds me of Victoria. I pull out my phone and call security.

“This is Adrian. I need someone escorted off the premises. They’re by my office.” Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I glower at Blanca.

“That was four years ago. Four years that we trusted you with our most private information. Pack up your things, and don’t ever step foot in this building again.”

“Adrian, please let me explain. I started here as an informant, but you’ve become my friend. All of you have.”

“We trusted you, Blanca. Get the fuck out, and you can tell Ms. D’Angelo to kiss my ass.”

Slamming her door shut behind me, I march toward my office, and Theo steps out from his.

“What’s with all the yelling?”

“Our trusted friend Blanca is an FBI informant. She’s been leaking everything to them since she began working here. She’s the reason all this bullshit is happening.”

Theo darts past me, and like I had done, he slings open her door. “You bitch. You’re likely the reason my marriage is over!”

“Theo, I’m so sorry. I truly am.”

“We trusted you all these years.”

I hear Blanca sobbing. Hell, I need a drink. Figuring that Theo will handle her, I stride to my office and pour me a glass of scotch.

This day has been one from hell. I’m over it. Taking a seat in my chair, I swivel around until I can see over the city. The lights from the Strip are beginning to beam brighter as the sun makes its descent.

My personal assistant has been betraying me for years, and I believe Victoria left me tonight. Nothing is worth losing her over.

My father would be proud of what my brothers and I have accomplished, but deep down I have always known he wouldn’t want us engaging in illegal practices. It’s time for all of this to come to an end.

“I can’t believe it,” Theo says behind me. I swivel back around and hold up my glass.

“Have a drink.”

“I’ve already had a few.”

“I overheard Blanca say you were upset about something. What happened?” Exhaling a sharp breath, he takes the seat in front of me.

“Last night I told Karen about the Feds and what could happen. She was furious with me. When I got home today, she had her bags packed and said she was leaving me and taking Miranda and Elijah with her.”

My brother strips off his already loosened tie. “She revealed that she’s been having an affair with a parent at the school. I guess he’s a divorced dad who makes his children more of a priority than I do.

“She claims she was going to end things with the guy until I told her about the FBI. She said I don’t have my family’s best interest in mind if I could risk going to prison. She’d rather spend her nights with some candy-ass who bakes cookies for snack day.

“You know, I’m home almost every evening and make all the kids extra-curricular activities, and she knew all along about what goes on in the lounges. I think she just wants to be with this man, and this is her way out.”

My brother buries his face in his hands. Damn, I thought I had it bad today. “Bro, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to be the weekend dad. Our parents had a great marriage, and I chose Karen because I thought our love was the forever kind.”

My brows cinch together as I recall Victoria’s last words.

“Theo, is there anything I can do? Would you like me to speak with Karen?”

“No.” He finally looks up, and his defeat is etched around his eyes in dark circles. “I can’t forgive her for the affair, and I don’t think she wants me to.”

His hand waves toward the door. “And now Blanca’s deceit. I was going to need her help now more than ever as I try to work out the divorce and visitation.”

I go to my brother and place my hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll get us someone we can trust. Let me handle it.” He’s robotic as he nods and stands. He walks out of my office, and I’m in need of another drink.