Jesse's Brother (23 page)

“So there were witnesses?”

“That’s the bad part. Once she told him her age, he said she was too young for him. She wrote her number down on a piece of paper. They hung out awhile longer. She had gone to the bathroom and left her drink on the table.”

“So anyone could have put the drug into her drink?”

“That’s exactly what Jesse argued. As soon as the girl got back from the bathroom, the guy left. Alone.”

“So the jury believed his story?”

“Oh, everyone believed he was guilty as the devil himself. There wasn’t enough evidence.”

She didn’t blame him for turning his back on his family. It was honorable, and to let him know that was what she thought, she kissed his lips and told him to get up. “So that’s when you came to Alban?”

“It was all over in the papers. I was so ashamed he got that killer off, I had my name changed and started working for your father shortly after that,” he said, staring at the ceiling.

She crawled back into the bed, into Noah’s arms. She loved the way her face felt against his bare chest and the way his erection made a tent under the sheet.

“Look what you do to me, Sammy girl.” He grabbed her hand and pushed it onto his rock-hard penis.

She kissed him quickly again before getting up from the bed once more.

“It’s time,” she said, pulling clothes out of her dresser. She knew there were more issues to deal with. She needed to accept her mother’s death and actually grieve, but that would happen in time.

“For what?”

“To go home.”

Also from Wendy Ely:

              
Dangerous Flames

Chapter 1

 
Energy buzzed through the crowded coffee house and swirled around with the vast quantity of people. Some of the people were decked out in designer labels; others were content in touristy wear while sipping their drinks. Gabrielle had chosen to meet her father here because they wouldn’t need to worry about mixing in with the crowd. This wasn’t an issue for her, but something her father cared about.

She’d selected the coffee shop for the much needed conversation to have with her father because it was located a few doors down from her boutique. She’d be able to have the chat with her father and then get into her shop to have it opened for business in a half hour. Ordering ahead of time, she handed him the drink before taking a seat across the small wooden table from him.

  
“I could’ve ordered for myself,” he said with a twist of his mouth. “Black coffee is all I ever drink.” His sipped the chocolate-flavored liquid in the white and green colored cup while taking a quick scan of the people seated around him. His face formed into a grimace. “Gabi, I hate this poor excuse for coffee and the establishment you’ve picked.”

  
“I’m sorry, Dad. It’s been a while since we’ve had coffee together and I automatically ordered this. I’ll remember next time though.” Her hands started to shake while the realization of her screw-up sunk in. If she couldn’t get a stupid drink order correct, how could she work for him?

For Gabrielle Medini, it was simple. She wanted excitement and glamour, but her life had changed from country hopping as a teen to boring at age twenty-five and she longed to recapture that sizzle again. Everything had become clear, letting her believe that her father held the answers. She needed this discussion to be perfect, but their talk had quickly slid in the opposite direction so far.

  
“Why did you request this meeting?”

She tapped the toe of her Dior pump against the tiled floor as she glanced down at the red lipstick print on her straw. Uncertainty swirled through her as she twisted the straw around in the dark creamy liquid.
Just ask him.
But his answer would certainly be no. She slowly inhaled and then let the breath exhale slowly to calm her nerves. The trembling in her hands stopped. Yes, she could do this.

  
“Okay, Dad, since we both have a full work day, I’ll cut to the chase so we can get out of here.”

  
“Is something wrong, Gabi? Are you in trouble?” His voice softened a bit, which was rare.

“Nothing is wrong.” She took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled. “I think it’s time you tell me about the business.”

  
Her father’s jaw dropped in concert with his cup, spewing hot liquid all over. “Damn it!” He jumped up from the table, then rushed over to grab paper napkins from the counter to dab the splotches from his silk suit.

A quick glance at the long line of customers waiting for service, she decided to wipe the mess from the table herself instead of waiting on an employee to help. She sighed. With so many interruptions, she’d be lucky if the discussion ever took place, let alone they come to an agreement.
 

  
“They provide lids for those cups for a reason, you know,” she snapped as she wiped the table. She stalked over to the trash can and threw away the soggy napkins.

  
“I don’t like lids.”

  
“They prevent drinks from spilling and now I don’t have time to grab you another coffee.”

  
She pulled her chair closer to the table as she sat down and eyed her father’s posture. His crossed arms and the deepened frown told her he wasn’t happy but she couldn’t let this go. “I’ve noticed some things about our family and it’s time for you to be honest with me.”

“Why are you wasting my time?” He shot back and glanced at the people nearby. Why did he have to be so paranoid? It wasn’t like anyone would recognize him. Her father looked like an ordinary man with his glasses, sun-induced wrinkly skin, and thinning hair.
 

  
“Thanks, Dad. So having coffee with your daughter is a waste of time?” She tapped her foot again, and glanced down at her watch, her impatience growing with each second. Even though she had only been back in town for a year, knowing her father didn’t trust her created pinpricks of hurt in her heart. Sending her away for several years didn’t erase the fact that she was his daughter.

  
“You’re wasting my time by talking about stuff you shouldn’t be. You should learn to let sleeping dogs lie.” He took his ringing cell phone out of his jacket pocket and instead of answering, set it on the table.

  
“You can answer the call.” She didn’t have the time to wait while he had a conversation over the phone but curiosity voided that fact.

  
“I can handle the matter later. Let’s finish so I can get on with my day.”

  
“Please stop hiding things from me, Daddy.”

  
The frown on his face deepened. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not the princess you think I am. I’ve grown up and can face the truth now.” She sipped her drink.

  
He shook his head again. “There’s nothing for you to know.”

“Do you think I’m stupid? Tell me how your rental warehouse and cabin in the mountains brings in enough money to finance a million dollar home? Or the expense of sending me overseas to an exclusive boarding school.” She took a long drink, savoring the taste of her caramel-chocolate coffee mixed with the satisfaction of being right. She’d overheard him talking to her mother about sending her away when she had been younger to keep her away from the
mess
. At the time she hadn’t understood what he had been referring to, but she had grown up. Even having dinner each Friday with the members of the business rang warning bells for her, but the men kept it all hush-hush while in her company. Up until now, she hadn’t asked questions. The passive part of Gabrielle had left and she would be demanding answers until she got them.

  
“This isn’t the place to talk about it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Shaking his head as if she’d failed a test, he said, “Besides, Gabrielle Felice Medini, you need to learn the meaning of trust instead of worrying about my private affairs.”

  
Her chest tightened, but did her best to force the sensation away. She must accomplish what she’d set out to do. Looking around the coffee shop, she forced out a laugh. “Do you actually think these people care what we’re talking about? Everyone has their nose pressed to their laptop screens, listening to IPODs, or chatting with friends about last night’s date. Nobody is listening to us, Enrico Medini.”

  
He kept his eyes on her as if he contemplated telling her the truth. “Stop pressing the issue.”

  
Anger welled up in her and she did nothing to hold it back. She knew how far she could push her father to get her way and intended on doing it now. “I want to know.” She pointed at her father. “You talk about trust? Try trusting your daughter for a minute. I have never given you a reason to not have faith in me. I never questioned a single decision you’ve made for me which includes sending me away.”

  
“That’s enough.” He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed into slits focused on her face, but he didn’t scare her.

Refusing to turn away from the burning glare of her father, she asked, “And you say there’s nothing to know? Do you actually think I wouldn’t read the papers? Or see your face under the headlines? Don’t underestimate my intelligence, Father.”

  
He looked around as if checking to see if she’d been right about the people not caring. Leaning forward, he whispered, “Fine.”
 

Her heart stopped in her chest as she waited for him to say the words. She’d finally convinced him to tell her. Things would now change in her life. The spark of excitement would burn out of control once he exposed the truth.

Just as her dad opened his mouth to speak, Gabrielle heard someone at a nearby table whispered to his friend, “See that guy behind me? I swear its Enrico Medini.”

  
“Yeah? So?” the guy’s companion asked, not even trying to keep his voice down. “I don’t know him.”

  
“The Mafia boss? My dad follows all that shit.” The guy had to be only a few years younger than Gabriel and wore a University of Nevada T-shirt. “When we get up, take his picture with your phone. I gotta show my dad.”