Devious Little Lies (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Her kiss tasted of champagne, fear, and sweet desperation. He couldn’t get enough. Their tongues touched and he deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue into her mouth. Rena’s moan vibrated across her lips and her fingers dug into her flesh, holding her tighter to him. He was so hard the only thing he could think about was being with her. When her hand brushed his crotch he was closer to eruption. She was a temptress and Shane didn’t know how any man would be able to resist her. He’d tried, but he didn’t have the strength.

Without taking his eyes off her, he reached for her dress and hiked it up over her thighs. Running his hands over the smoothness of her skin, he wanted more. He slipped his fingers between her thighs and found her panties wet with arousal. Shane wanted to drive her crazy with desire. His thumb brushed the sensitive bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs and she snatched her lips away from him.

“Stop. Please stop…or I won’t be able to.”

“I…don’t…want…to.”

“We have to. Please, don’t press me.”

A long silence stretched between them and then he sighed, removing his hand.

“How long are you going to keep running from me?” he asked her.

“You know why I have to,” she said in a quiet tone.

“Yeah I do, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

“Life is never easy. If you haven’t learned that lesson by now, you should have.”

“I’ve got a feeling I’ve got a lot more unpleasant lessons to learn where you’re concerned.”

It was best to put some distance between them. With as much nonchalance as he could muster, Shane moved away from her on the seat.

“Don’t be like that.”

“What do you want me to do, Rena? I can’t be near you without wanting you and I can’t keep watching you let yourself be hurt over and over again. Don’t you realize by now that what I feel for you is not going away?”

Before she could answer, the door was jerked open. Cesare stood waiting. In the heatedness of the moment, he hadn’t even realized they’d made it back to Rena’s home.

“Come on, Boss Lady. Let’s get you inside.”

Rena looked at him, waiting for him to say something but he was done talking. Sighing she took Cesare’s hand and exited the Hummer. He followed behind, slamming the door closed. Rena’s bodyguard eyed him as they stood beneath the light.

“Thanks for what you did tonight.”

Shane was taken aback by his words, but he extended his hand. Cesare took it and they shook.

“I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

“So I see.”

There was a questioning glint in his eye, but he ignored it. Shane was sure it was evident that he felt some sort of way about Rena.

“Goodnight to the both of you.”

And then he turned and walked towards his car. He needed to get out of here.

“Shane, wait.”

He didn’t stop walking. His anger was boiling and it was best if he left before he said or did something he would regret. Just as he reached his car, soft hands gripped his shoulders.

“Please don’t leave like this.”

He whirled around to face her. Even with a bloodied and torn dress and her perfect chignon ruined, she was still the most beautiful woman there was.

“Leave like what, Rena? Like an angry man continually denied what he wants? Well that’s what I am.”

“Shane, I do care about you. A lot.”

“Don’t throw me a bone to make me feel better, Rena.”

Rena stomped her foot, face clouding with fury. “That’s not what I’m doing.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“I can’t give you what you want. Not right now and very possibly not ever. Are you going to hate me because I take my vows seriously?”

Everything she was saying made perfect sense, but it did nothing to take away the sting.

“I don’t hate you. I just want to give you all the things you’ve given up on. One day you’ll be ready and I’ll be waiting.”

He cupped her chin, giving her a brief smile and then he was slipping into his car and starting the engine. He backed away and turned the car around, roaring out of the driveway and into the night.

“What’s up with you and that kid?”

Cesare’s question startled her out of her reverie as she watched Shane’s car speed away.

“Nothing,” she said walking towards the front door.

“I call bull.”

He opened the front door and stepped inside, doing a sweep before he allowed her to follow and locked the door behind them. Cesare turned on the lights as they walked through the house.

“You’re entitled to your opinion, but keep it to yourself.”

“I can’t. Something’s off with him.”

Hands on her hips, she faced her bodyguard. “Something like what? You sound paranoid.”

“In my line of work, you can never be paranoid enough. I’m just saying, the guy was in the middle of an all-out execution attempt and instead of him freaking out and hollering about us calling the cops, he snaps a guy’s neck and then kills I don’t know how many others with a machine gun. What ordinary civilian would do something like that and remain as cool as gelato about it?”

“He’s an exceptional man.”

“Yeah. I’m not buying the whole college guy with a first job bit. He handled himself tonight like he was a professional.”

“A professional what?”

“Hitman.”

Laughter escaped from her throat as she put her hand on Cesare’s shoulder. He was eyeing her as if she’d gone crazy but Rena didn’t care.

“Wow. I needed that laugh. Who knew you had a sense of humor?”

“I’m serious, Rena.”

“I know you are and I cannot fault you for being suspicious. I pay you very well to trust your instincts and you’re usually right. But in this case I think you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“I never thought you’d be blinded by how a guy looks.”

“Watch yourself. Now call Dr. Gordon and have him come over and take out that bullet. I don’t need you bleeding out all over my damn floors.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Turning away she moved towards the stairs before another thought struck her. “And as soon as you’re done with the good doctor, you need to call the guys. I don’t care how late it is. I want to know what the hell happened tonight and who’s responsible.”

“I think they were outsiders. Never seen any of them in my life.”

“Then they were contract killers. People that could be used for a job and specifically eliminated without tying them to someone within
Cosa Nostra
.”

“You’re thinking it’s the Apreas, aren’t you?”

Rena shrugged. “At this point I have no idea if either of them made it out alive or not, but you have to admit if you were making a grab for power, tonight was the perfect opportunity to take out pretty much everyone in the upper echelon.”

“If it were me I wouldn’t want to be anywhere in the vicinity of a shooting. Bullets have no names.”

“That’s true, but when you’re greedy for power, people take risks that they normally wouldn’t. Now get Dr. Gordon here. I’m going upstairs to get a shower.”

Cesare nodded and she took the stairs up to her room. Though she’d hidden it, he had voiced some very valid points. Shane was an accountant. An accountant should have panicked and gotten himself killed. Instead he’d taken charge and somehow managed to keep them all alive through a barrage of bullets that flew their way. And to top it all off, he’d killed with no qualms and not once mentioned anything about calling the police. Cesare was right. Something was off and she intended to find out what that was the next time she saw Shane.
The next time you see him?

That didn’t need to happen. They had to stay far away from one another. What had happened tonight was a one-time thing. She didn’t want to cause him anymore heartache and confusion. Shane had suddenly become an enigma at a time when she couldn’t handle anymore distractions in her already complicated life. She had enough to worry about and she had a feeling tonight would set off a whole new chain of events.

* * * * *

“What in the holy fuck happened to you?”

Shane had heard the same question since he walked through the doors and he’d ignored most of them. The others would find out soon enough if they hadn’t already. Right now he had a report to his boss.

“It was a bloodbath.”

“What happened?” Dan asked.

“You mean you haven’t picked it up yet on the scanner?”

His boss, Dan scoffed, twirling his mustache. “Of course I have and I’ve already sent out a few of our guys incognito, but I want to hear your take on it.”

Shane leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He hadn’t changed out of his bloody clothes. They would have to be burned.

“It was a professional hit. Someone had the right idea, to wait until all the big names were in one place. It’s the perfect way to kill all the birds with one stone. Some of the scum got what they deserved if you ask me.”

“No arguments with you there. Did you get a look at the shooters?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t recognize any of them. None were guys we’ve been watching.”

“Then they might not be local.”

“Probably not,” he said while scratching his chin.

“And what about your mark? Was she one of the casualties?”

Dan was watching closely, waiting for his response. Shane knew he had to tread carefully.

“Still alive. She escaped in the melee with her bodyguard.”

“Did you have anything to do with that?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. I can only say it’s prudent for us she wasn’t one of the casualties or we would’ve lost our chance to keep Rosetti behind bars forever.”

“But you and I both know he’s not the only viper we have to catch.”

“Of course. I already have a plan in motion to speed things up a bit. I’ve spent enough time on this operation.”

Dan lifted a bushy, black brow. “Getting a little antsy, are we?”

“You know me. I’m always ready for the next adventure.”

“You are, but let’s get this wrapped and locked up tight before I send you off.”

Shane rose from his seat. “Understood.”

“Good. Now keep me posted and don’t be afraid to bring some of the others in on it if you need to.”

“Yes, sir.”

Shane exited the room. This was his investigation and he didn’t need anyone sticking their noses where they didn’t belong. He didn’t need help, but it was time to ramp things up. He had a mark that he would have to take down and once it was done he would move on. The same as he’d always done. This case was no different.
Yeah right.
This was completely different, because when the cuffs were slapped on, the charges read, and the suspect led away, his soul would be slowly ripping apart inside. Criminal or no criminal, nothing could change what he felt or the sadness that was already eating at his spirit.

Chapter Thirty

Three days.

It felt like three lifetimes.

The streets were in an uproar like they hadn’t been in a long time. You couldn’t ride down the strip without seeing men in uniform.

Things were bad.

Real bad.

Twenty-seven people died Friday night, among them Enzo Aprea. Sage was missing. The Feds were asking for any information about who might have seen her, but no one was buying that blanket statement. They thought she was a person of interest and more than likely she was their number one suspect and Rena’s too.

According to the news report, when police arrived four gunmen were found dead, among the twenty-three party victims. The whole night was a blur to her and she could think of no reason why Sage would be taken. Her husband was already dead so ransom couldn’t be the reason. Furthermore if they wanted some woman to amuse themselves with after their failed venture, Sage was hardly the cream of the crop at the party.

What happened Friday was a declaration of war and it screamed of a grab at power. Someone was behind this and her personal army had been out pounding the pavement seeking answers. Rena was confident that soon she’d know whose head she needed to put a bullet through. Someone decided that her life was expendable and getting her out of the way was a good idea. Soon they’d learn how wrong they were.

Thank heavens Simone was okay. Rena had kept calling until she’d reached her friend. Two of Simone’s guards had gotten her to safety by sneaking out of the back door as chaos ensued. She and the baby were doing well. They had plans to meet for lunch later in the week. Right now Rena was on high alert and doing her best to accede to the wishes of her worried husband.

“What the fuck do you mean somebody shot at you?”

“It’s just like it sounds, Tony. I was staring death in the face.”

“Somebody’s going to pay for that shit. Nobody shoots at my wife. Nobody. Heads are going to roll.”

“You better believe that I intend to be the one doing the head slicing.”

She could only imagine how he’d felt when she told him that. He was locked up away from his home and people were taking shots at his wife. No doubt Tony was going stark raving crazy.

The doorbell rang and she immediately reached for the pistol she’d had at her side for the past few days. If someone decided they wanted to take another shot at her, she was not going down without shelling out a few bullets of her own. Before she could get up, Cesare, Joseph, and Anthony appeared. They were taking no chances with her safety. Marching to the door, the three men took up positions. Cesare and Anthony were on either side and Joseph opened the door. All three men had their fingers wrapped around their triggers.

“Package…for—”

A man stopped speaking and Joseph grabbed something before slamming the door closed.

“Did you have to be so rude to the UPS guy?” Rena asked.

Joseph glowered at her with hooded eyes before he looked down at the white padded package in his hand.

“Better safe than sorry. The shmuck will get over it,” Cesare added.

“I’m sure civilians don’t get over it so easily when there’s a gun shoved in their face.”

“Oh fucking well. Besides, it was that same cheeky bastard that was here last time. I guess a gun in his face will put an end to his lame game,” Cesare said.

If Rena weren’t already so stressed out, she’d crack up laughing. The self-righteous smirk on Cesare’s face was nearly enough to send anyone into hysterics. She swore sometimes he acted like an overprotective brother instead of just a bodyguard. Watching Joseph lightly pressing the package before he pulled out a small wand and waved it over the envelope had her intrigued.

“What are you doing?”

“Checking for signs of explosives.”

“You really think someone might try to bomb me in my own home?”

“Mrs. Rosetti, in these times, it’s better to be a little more cautious than dead. Personally I’d put a bullet through my own brain if something happened to you, rather than let the Boss Man get his hands on me,” Anthony said.

His dark brown eyes widened and he shook as if he was freezing to death. The man was six-foot-five, two hundred and twenty pounds and afraid of her husband. Wonders never ceased. Finally, Joseph handed the manila envelope to her.

“It’s good.”

“Thank you, bomb squad. Now I’m going upstairs, so please don’t try and shoot the next person that comes to the door.”

“They might deserve a bullet.”

She ignored Joseph’s comment and took her package upstairs. Flipping it over, she saw that it was addressed to her but there was no return address. With curiosity she opened the package and pulled out the contents. There were pictures…of her husband…and they were dated. The first two showed Tony standing in front of a door. He was looking around as if he didn’t want to be noticed. She flipped through the next pictures. The door opened and a curvaceous brunette was standing in front of him. Sweat formed on her brow. Flipping through the pictures as if it was a movie playing right in front of her, Tony took the buxom woman and kissed her hard. A gasp escaped from her mouth as she tried to reign in her suddenly crazed emotions.

He was kissing a woman that was not her. The pictures couldn’t hide the passion in the kiss and then Rena felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. The pictures were taken six years ago. Tony wasn’t in prison six years ago and the pictures weren’t Photoshopped fakes. They were real. She shuffled through the rest of the photos and the next ones nearly sent her to her knees. The woman clutched the hands of two little girls.

She wanted to cry.

To scream.

To tear her fucking heart out. She knew what she was seeing. The girls belonged to her husband. His features were evident in their faces. The picture was dated two months ago. With trembling fingers she looked through the last of the pictures. The woman and the two little girls were entering the penitentiary where Tony was imprisoned. The lying, cheating, no good bastard. She shook her head as tears flowed down her face.

“You’re a damned fool, Rena, and now you’re paying for it.”

Dropping the pictures to the ground, she threw herself across her bed and wept. He’d lied. All those years he’d lied. Tony didn’t love her. How could you love someone and continue to cheat on them? How could you love someone and continue to lie? She couldn’t understand and she didn’t think she ever would. She loved Tony with all her heart and this was what he did to her in return. Carried on a six-year affair and had children by another woman while treating her like shit because they hadn’t been able to have a baby of their own.

But what was truly sad and the real gut punch to the stomach was the fact that she knew the whore in the picture. She’d looked into her eyes before. Angelica Donato, the whore she’d shot at the first time she caught her husband cheating.

* * * * *

Another shopping trip. Another day spending her husband’s money. If only the thousands of dollars she’d just wasted could do something about filling the emptiness that her life had become. Tony and she fought all the time and she had no idea where the man she married had gone. Maybe she’d imagined him. Walking up the stairs to their bedroom with her bags, she couldn’t help but notice how unnaturally quiet the house was. It seemed her husband would rather be everyplace else but with her.

As she got closer to her bedroom, she could see that the door was shut, but a streak of light peeked out from underneath. Music reached her ears, soft and smooth. Jazz. Setting her bags down she slowly eased open the door. Bile rose up in her mouth, burning her throat. Tears blurred her vision, but she knew what she was seeing. Her husband was in their bed with another woman.

The music played, but it didn’t drown out the sounds of her moans, as he thrust into her over and over again. Her legs were wrapped around his back, holding her to him as he drove into her. Without a thought Rena opened the dresser in their room and pulled out her pistol. It was the diamond and pearl-studded shooter her philandering husband bought her as a wedding gift. Raising her arm she fired a shot into the ceiling. The woman screamed and Tony leapt from atop her and stood beside the bed. His cock was still wet with her juices.

“What the fuck are you doing, Rena?”

She didn’t answer him. Instead she aimed her pistol and shot him right in his left thigh. He dropped to the ground holding his leg. Blood spurted out and the woman in the bed screamed. Swinging her gun around Rena aimed at her.

“Please. Please,” she begged clutching the sheets to her naked body.

“Don’t you dare speak to me, you fucking whore. How dare you come into another woman’s house and screw her husband? You
puttana
!”

Tears ran down her face as she tried to inch away but Rena followed her every move with her gun.

“Leave her alone. This is my fault,” Tony said.

“You’re damned right it’s your fault and I’m going to make you suffer for it, but this bitch is responsible too.”

Still aiming her gun at the brunette crying in front of her she walked over to where her husband sat on the floor bleeding and she kicked him in the leg with all her strength. He howled like a wounded dog and she kicked him again with glee. The girl watched, horror dancing behind her eyelids.

“I’m going to give you to the count of two to get your whore ass out of my house and if I ever see you again, anywhere, I. Will. Kill. You. One…two…”

Taking aim, Rena fired at the girl as she ran past her. She wanted to kill her. She should kill her but the whore was not worth the body disposal. She turned her attention back to her no good husband. The blood continued to seep from between his fingers as he tried to staunch the bleeding. He could bleed to death on the floor and she wouldn’t care.

“You have a lot of fucking nerve, bringing some skank into this house and screwing her in our bed. I hope whatever love you had for her was worth it.”

“I don’t love her. She’s just a piece of ass.”

“Liar. You don’t bring a piece of ass home to fuck in your wife’s bed.”

She aimed her pistol at his head. Tears flooded her vision and her hand shook so badly she was afraid she’d drop the gun.

“I didn’t mean it,” he said, raising a bloody hand towards her.

“Yes you did and now you’re going to die because of it.”

“Rena, don’t do it.”

The gun was snatched out of her hand and she whirled around to see who had insinuated themselves into her business. Cesare stood holding the gun. There was pity in his eyes as he looked at her.

“Save your pity. Get your piece of shit boss out of here and don’t bring him back.”

Nodding in understanding, Cesare grabbed clothes for Tony and helped him to get dressed. When he finally stood he winced. She was as still as a statue as he limped past her with Cesare.

“I love you, Rena. I’m sorry.”

No words formed in her mouth. She didn’t even glance his way. Rena listened as their slow footsteps descended the stairs and then she marched over to the bed and flipped the mattress, sheets, and everything else on the floor before she gave in to the despair that she could no longer fight.

* * * * *

She’d never forget that day. The pain and anger she’d felt. The hot, pulsing heat of betrayal. She’d kicked Tony out and he spent the next few months doing his best to win her forgiveness. Now that she looked back, it was his pattern. He fucked up, wooed her, and then did the exact same thing over again and she stupidly fell for it because she believed in honoring the vows she’d made. And then the Feds took him down, the month she finally decided to let him come back home. She should have walked away then, but she stubbornly believed that he would realize what he had. That he would be the man he used to be. Rena couldn’t believe she was ever so naïve.

This hurt, but it was not a sharp, stinging pain that would leave her broken. No, this time it was just a cold dull ache, like a muscle that constantly hurt. You knew it was there, but it was not enough to stop you from living your life. She had to go on. She’d given him chance after chance, even though he’d made her cry more than he made her laugh. She’d been a good little mafia wife holding down the home and “doing the bit” with her husband. No more. She was finished. Fool her once, okay. Fool her twice, shame on her. Fool her three times, she needed a bullet in her head for being stupid. Tony had used up all of his grace with her.

Rena wanted him to hurt like she hurt and the best way to do that was to attack him where it hurt the most…his ego. The one thing he cared about most in the world was his business and right now she was running it. He wanted to come home and take back the reins, but she wasn’t giving them up. His betrayal was going to cost him more than a bullet to the leg this time.

Her marriage was over and it had been for a long time. She just hadn’t been able to accept the truth staring her in the face. It was time to stop denying herself a chance at happiness and a welcome distraction from the loneliness that clouded her heart. Wiping the tears from her face, she reached for the phone and dialed.