Dead Wrong (4 page)

Dark eyes slanted in my direction in disbelief. He knew I heard what he said, and that it was unlikely that I'd listen to his advice.

“If your brother was here, he'd straighten that leg out without any problem. You wouldn't need therapy either,” my mother interjected.

Raised eyebrows from Marcus matched the grin on his face. He appeared to be having a great time at my expense. We'd see about that.

“Yeah, I'm sure. Saint Giovanni. Huh,” I said and mumbled under my breath.

“He's a wonderful doctor, Lavinia. You know he is,” Mom said.

“Indeed, he is. At least we haven't heard of any malpractice suits, so he must be doing okay,” I uttered, my hand cupping my chin, elbow on the table.

“Well,” Dad said, “we'll find out how good he is. He called earlier to say he's arriving tomorrow.”

That tidbit of news just finished off my day. Not only had I been tortured by the therapist, I'd had to put up with the snot-faced nurse, and now I find out Saint Giovanni would return to Rhode Island. Well, shit.

Marcus watched my face – his expression bland and uncompromising. His cop face, as I called it, remained impenetrable. I could never read his thoughts when that face took over. I stared at him, my eyes rolling and a sigh on my lips, when my mother turned around to stare at my father.

“Just when were you going to tell me, Gino? I need to get some groceries in this house and freshen up his bedroom.”

At any given moment my mother had enough food in the house to feed all the troops on a military base. Cooking food was a comfort measure for her. When things went awry, she cooked and fed anyone who walked through the door.

With mixed feelings, I rose from the table and hobbled to get my jacket. It had been forever since I'd seen Giovanni, and part of me wanted to see him. The other part of me dreaded the visit – my father would be sure to point out the fact the Gio was married and settled and stuff. Mom watched as I struggled across the room while my father waited to see what would happen next. From the look on his face, he seemed prepared for the worst.

“I have an early day tomorrow and need to get going. It's mid-term time, and I want to get to the university early. I'll call you tomorrow, Mom. Thanks for dinner.” I kissed both my parents after juggling my jacket and crutches. Marcus stepped forward and helped me with the jacket sleeves.

He donned his sweatshirt and thanked my parents for dinner. We'd no sooner gotten out the door when he grasped my arm and pulled me to a stop.

“What's going on, Vin? Why the quick exit?” His face lay in shadow, but I heard concern in his voice.

I blew out a sigh and leaned into him a bit. “My brother hasn't been home in God knows how long. I don't know why he's coming here now, but I can almost promise you it won't be fun for me.”

“Why?”

“He shits ice cream, that's why.” The crutches crashed onto the ground and I hopped down the steps on my good leg. Marcus stood on the deck and stared in silence at me in my hissy fit.

Chapter 5

Within minutes, I'd backed my Altima from the driveway and headed to Scituate. Home beckoned. I could hardly wait to get there and burrow into my haven. My glance darted to the rear view mirror. I realized Marcus was behind me all the way. It wasn't a long ride, but it was more than ten minutes.

In Rhode Island we have an unwritten ten-minute rule. If you live more than ten minutes from someone, it's more than likely they won't ever visit you. I consider that a perk and only have a select group of people who stop in.

I hadn't exactly lied about having to prepare for exams. I'd only omitted that they were all set but needed to be packed in my valise. Lying by omission is a technique that I have down to a science. A gift of sorts – from birth.

When I turned into the driveway of the monstrous colonial and parked next to Aaron's Yukon, Marcus pulled in behind me. He cut the truck motor and strode forward as I struggled from the car with my crutches.

“Would you like to talk about what's bothering you?” he asked, eyebrows knit together in concern.

“No, I wouldn't.”

We headed toward the back door as it swung wide. Aaron met us with a nod and stood aside so I could enter the hallway. I hobbled past and unlocked the apartment.

Both men followed me inside. I turned to stare at them.

“What?” I asked, when nobody uttered a sound.

“You know what. It's not like you to be so bitchy, Vin. What the hell is going on?” Leaning back against the kitchen counter Marcus crossed his arms over his muscled chest.

My glance darted from man to man. I realized this was an ambush. Marcus had probably called Aaron and, together, they'd harass me until I spilled my guts. Well, that wasn't going to happen tonight.

“I'm just tired and the pain is making me cranky, guys. Sorry about that.” I hitched onto a chair and stared at the two men, my lips zipped.

“Are you sure you don't want to tell us what the problem is with your brother?” Marcus asked as Aaron nodded in silence.

“There's nothing to tell.” I lied. “I'm just tired.”

It's not that I don't adore my twin, I just dislike having to live up to life on a pedestal, as he lives it. My father was certain Giovanni could do no wrong, while I on the other hand could do no right.

Yeah, I admit I'm unable to mind my own business, which often ends up with me in a jam of some sort. I also know that as a capable person, I can make decisions, good decisions. It's just that not all of them are the best decisions. Nobody's perfect, right?

Coffee brewed as Marcus set out three mugs and the jug of milk. He slid the bowl of sugar and some spoons across the counter. Aaron sidled onto the seat next to me and put his hand over mine.

His warm brown eyes gazed into my own. He smiled a bit and I was dead certain that Marcus had indeed, called ahead and filled him in.

“So, your brother is coming here? I've always wanted to meet this guy. Maybe you should invite him to dinner.” Aaron's smile warned me. I knew his game.

“Oh yeah. Great idea,” I snapped.

Marcus poured the coffee and watched while I slopped it across the counter. He smirked and wiped up the puddle.

“It's been a while since you've seen him, right?” Aaron asked.

“True, but I could do without his visit at the moment.”

“Why is that?” asked Marcus, a speculative gleam in his stare. “Because you're planning to investigate the therapy clinic and don't want his or your father's interference?”

Marcus's eyes bore into mine, in search of an answer.

“Yes, all right,” I said. “That's exactly why I don't want him here. Can't I have a private thought without you two bugging the shit out of me?”

“No, you can't,” Marcus muttered. “Not when it means there'll be hell to pay afterwards.” His eyebrows knit together as he continued to stare at me. “Do not, and I mean that, do not start poking into this clinic. I'll check around and see what I can find out, Vinnie. Just don't do anything rash.”

Aaron nodded in agreement. He drank the hot brew and toyed with the spoon.

“If you think there's something shady about it, then I'll run a check for you through my office in the morning,” Aaron offered. “Let's get together tomorrow night, the three of us, and compare notes. What's got you so hell bent on an investigation, anyway?”

Within moments, I had explained the clinic, the help and how weird Gristle had acted at my appointment.

With a nod, Aaron glanced at Marcus and then back at me. “If you're certain there's something amiss, then we'll look into it. You need to stay out of it and concentrate on making your brother welcome. I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think.”

My eyes rolled, but I nodded and tried to get a grip on myself. I'd just stay out of it, relax, and heal. If I felt physically better, then I'd be happier about Gio. That's all it was. Yeah, right.

These two men had me nailed. I would wait for them to check out the clinic and let me know what they found. Then I'd investigate on my own, if necessary.

“Thanks for this guys. I appreciate it. I'll be here tomorrow after classes end. Let's meet for dinner around six. I'll have Lola whip up something delicious, okay?” I smiled when the two men nodded with enthusiasm.

Lola Trapezi owned the deli on the corner down the street. She and I had learned to cook from my father, but Lola had taken the education and run with it. Her very first cookbook for a New York publisher was underway. She used me as the guinea pig for her recipes. Life has its rewards.

After Aaron left, Marcus rounded the counter. He slid his hands around my waist, pulling me toward him. Warm lips nuzzled my neck, and I grinned.

“I suppose you're waiting for dessert now aren't you?” I asked.

“Yeah, second dessert. The pie at your mother's was great, but this is non-fattening so I can have all I want,” he mumbled against my lips.

“Well, what are you waiting for then?” I smiled between kisses.

He swept me into his arms and strode toward the bedroom as the phone rang. I sighed and glanced at the caller ID. My brother's phone number glared bright in the darkness of the bedroom.

“Marcus, it's my brother. I should take the call.”

“Sure, I'll wait.”

I plucked the phone off the charger.

My brother's tense voice echoed across the line. “Vin, how are you? Mom says you had an accident and your therapy isn't going well.”

“I'm really fine, Gio. It's taking longer than I want to get better. You know how I get,” I said, watching Marcus nod and roll his eyes. He knew how I could get, too. He'd had firsthand experience on more than one occasion.

“Patience never has been your forte.” Gio chuckled. “I just wanted to call and let you know that I'll be coming to Rhode Island tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I know. Dad told me at dinner. What's going on? Why are you coming home?” My mind was on a roll, and I couldn't keep my curiosity in check.

“It's for a series of medical lectures. I figured I'd stay with Mom and Dad. Get a chance to visit with them for a bit.” His voice remained tense.

Something in his voice was off. My twin sense kicked into overdrive. We had the twin bond, not like identical twins the way Gina and Cara did, but a strong bond nonetheless. Could this trip be something more personal? Surely a set of lectures wouldn't cause the angst I heard in his voice.

“Is Jill coming with you?” I asked and held my breath for the answer. Could his wife be cheating? Maybe he was for that matter.

“No, she isn't,” Gio said in a faint and distracted voice. “My plane lands late in the afternoon. I'll rent a car at the airport and head to the hospital first, then to Mom's. You'll be around?”

“Not tomorrow, but I'll catch up with you, okay? Call me when you're settled. Are you sure everything is fine?”

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Gio laughed. “You know the definition of fine, don't you?”

“Indeed, I do. Don't make me worry about you, Giovanni. It isn't a pretty sight,” I said with a laugh.

“Don't worry about me and I won't worry about you.” He lied. “Don't tell Mom you're concerned, okay?”

My brother's mysterious behavior caused a wave of anxiety to settle over my twin senses. I knew better than to badger the man, though. It had never worked when we were kids and wouldn't work now.

Warm hands ran over my back, nestling into the curls of my heavy mane. Marcus awaited my attention, but not patiently. Guess he was more than horny at this point.

“It's a deal,” I said to Giovanni. “I have exams to get through with my students tomorrow and then dinner with friends. I'll catch up to you somehow. I promise, Gio.”

The line went silent, and I set the phone in its cradle. Marcus kissed my neck as I turned into his embrace. He tugged the heavy sweater over my head. I undid the buttons on his shirt. We'd no sooner finished that when his khaki denim pants started to vibrate. He stopped and sighed. I watched him read the text message on the small-screened phone clipped to his waistband.

Marcus re-buttoned his shirt while I waited for him to explain. It was a useless wait since the State Police are tight-lipped and never share anything.

“I have to leave and probably won't be back tonight. I'll see you at dinner tomorrow night, right?” He kissed me with intensity, holding me in a tight embrace for a few seconds.

“Sure thing. I'll see you then.”

We walked to the door. I watched him pull away from the driveway and roar up the street. I bolted both the outer and inner doors before making rounds of the apartment rooms to douse the lights. Reaching the office, I saw the exams sitting on top of my valise. I stuffed the papers into the leather case then took them to the kitchen.

Quickly, I changed into sweatpants and a sweatshirt – my usual sexy nightwear – and slipped under the covers where I lay in the dark thinking. Questions spun across my mind like clouds swirling past the late harvest moon outside my bedroom window.

Why was Gio really coming to Rhode Island? How long would he stay, and why did he sound so odd on the phone? As opposite-sex twins we shared closeness, but I couldn't read his mind like Gina and Cara did with one another.

They thought alike, shared everything and enjoyed time in the company of each other. They'd managed to spend every Christmas, holiday, and birthday together. They never let anyone or anything stand in the way of their relationship. That's just how it is with identical twins, I thought. Fraternal twins have a bond as well, but the percentage of connection between fraternal twins didn't compare to that of identical twins.

My mind went back to Gio and the mixed feelings I'd exhibited earlier in the evening. Marcus and Aaron had no idea how difficult my life's decisions were when my father compared me to Gio. The ‘good ole boy' Italian macho attitude had been alive and well during my childhood.

In fairness to my father, he'd been made aware of this difficulty. Aunt Livvy had apprised him, on more than one occasion, of the fact that he rarely gave me a break. Now that she was dead, I had to rely on my mother to step in when my father and I clashed. My father is a good man, but there are moments I could do without.

I considered my family. Though I'd had misgivings about Giovanni's return, I knew deep inside that I'd really be glad to see him. Our separation had been way too long.