Chapter 5: BECKY

I love the smell of money. I ran my nose over the stack of crisp bills and felt a whole lot better than I had when the mysterious man came to pick up the car. “Mom, who was that? Where did you get that?” Shit, I forgot she was here. Victoria walked into the room and stood over the bed where I’d emptied the money bag with thirty neatly bound stacks of ten thousand brand spanking new hundred-dollar bills each.

I hurried to put it away while struggling to come up with an explanation. “Never mind that how about we go shopping? That will make you feel better, wouldn’t it?” When I saw the light in her eyes, I knew she’d forgotten all about her question.

“Let’s drive to New York; I want to shop there, not at these stupid stores around here.”

I knew why she wanted to go, she’s my daughter after all, and as long as I can keep her from asking any prying questions, I’m willing to do anything. Still, how would I explain the more than five-hour trip away from home without any warning? I know; I’ll use her expulsion as an excuse when Felix asks. I’ll say it was a way to cheer her up. Maybe we can even stay overnight.

I didn’t want to be too rash in my movements, one surprise is more than enough to deal with, but I think I can swing it. In fact, this might be just the pick-me-up. I need to get over the shock of seeing Adrienne again after all these years. I’d gotten rid of all her pictures from around the house, even the big family portrait that held center stage over the mantle in the living room.

“Get dressed; let’s leave before I change my mind.” I saw the first sign of life in her since I picked her up from the principal’s office. She left to get dressed while I put my face on, feeling better by the minute. I don’t know why I was so worried. I’ve always been able to get around Felix, and this time will be no different. Sure, he’d be put out about the tuition, but it’s not the worst thing that can happen. Besides, if Gia really is involved, I can always blame her new association with the high and mighty Russos.

By the time we were out the door, I felt all my worries evaporate. I’ve been letting that little boy get to me. Letting his family name and their considerable power scare me when there was no need. Once I get some retail therapy under my belt, I’ll put on my thinking cap and come up with a way to deal with him. I may not be her mother, but I’m still a guardian, and no one can stand in the way of that.

The more miles I put between me and home, the better I began to feel. Even Victoria looked a lot better, and I didn’t want to spoil the mood by bringing up the school situation, so I didn’t. Instead, we talked about what designer bags and clothes we were going to treat ourselves to. By the time we made it into the city, our spirits were lifted, and worrying about anything wasn’t even an afterthought.

***

DRACO

***

“Boss, we followed her all the way into the city.”

“She really went to New York. What’s she doing now?”

“Looks like they’re going shopping.”

“Okay, thanks.” I hung up the phone, surprised by the accuracy of my son’s predictions. When did the kid become this good? And what does that mean for the future?

“What’s got you looking so worried?” I looked up at my brother, who’d dropped by to pick up the stuff I brought him back from the city.

“My son.”

“Gabe? What happened to Gabe?”

“Nothing, calm down.” I forgot how overprotective he is of the boy.

“If it’s nothing, why do you look like that?”

“Garrett, have you ever noticed his intelligence?”

“Of course.”

“No, I don’t mean that medical crap you two be yapping about. I’m talking about his mind, the way it works.”

“He gets that from you.”

“No, I was never as good as he is. I’m a schemer. I can scheme with the best of them. My son is a born strategist, and his mind scares me. If he’s this good at his age, who’s going to stop him?”

“What is it that you’re trying to say? What the hell has got you spooked?”

“Not spooked, more like apprehensive. Really apprehensive.”

Gabe had called every play so far of Fontane and his family without missing a beat. I hadn’t put much thought into it when he first asked me to make an offer on the car; I figured he knew what he was doing. But the rest of it, how did he know? As far as I know, he’d only just met these people in the last week or so, so how could he so easily read this woman and her daughter and know which buttons to push?

“I wouldn’t worry too much about Gabe; the kid has a good head on his shoulders. Now, my nieces, that’s a whole other story. Have you noticed how much like our mother they are?”

“Don’t borrow trouble; they haven’t reached there yet. They’re still my little girls who care only about spending my money on the latest fashion, and I aim to keep it that way for a long time to come.”

His amused laughter didn’t faze me. I know it’s only a matter of time before their brother turns them into whatever the hell he is. All I can say is thank fuck I’ve decided to take the family business legit, or the rest of the world would have a destructive force on their hands. The three of them had sucked the blood of vengeance in their mother’s milk—my sweet Sophia, who otherwise wouldn’t harm a fly.

I wonder if she knows that this little game he’s playing with the Fontanes is just the preface to what’s to come? Because of what she’d set in motion all those years ago. I haven’t told her yet that I know what she’d done, but that conversation is fast approaching. It’s time I call in the reinforcements I’d been keeping in the wings for just such a time as this.

***

GABRIEL

***

When have I ever been this excited before? Pop had texted a while ago that he’d come through on the car, and I’d received confirmation that the rest of the stuff I’d ordered her had been delivered. Now I’m sitting here in the truck waiting for her and my sisters to exit the building.

I hadn’t gone to pick her up from class after the last bell because there was no need to. With Victoria out of the picture, here at least, there was no one left to bother her. Those two friends of hers that were still here wouldn’t have the guts. I’d had to fight the urge to, though, and that scared me more than anything.

Ever since our lunchtime walk, she’s been heavy on my mind. Today was just the beginning, and really, in the scheme of things, there was still a long way to go. A few new clothes, no matter the price tag, are not enough to get her to where she needs to be, where I want her to be.

I saw a bit of fire in her earlier when I mentioned her friends, but she’s still too shy yet. Still way too innocent to face the world when I leave her, and there’s no doubt that I’ll have to at some point. The thought left me saddened, but it couldn’t be helped. I have a duty, an obligation if you will, to right the wrong my mother suffered to bring me into this world.

There was a fleeting thought in the back of my mind as I watched her walk towards me that maybe I can take a little bit of happiness for myself before I depart that maybe as a being who spent time here, I deserve that much. But that was just my selfishness talking. I felt a sorrow so deep it took my breath, and I was hard-pressed to find a smile when I unlocked the door to let her in.

She squinted at me as if sensing the stress in me, and the way she studied my eyes as if she already knew me well enough to gauge my mind, read my inner thoughts, something I know is damn near impossible even for those who know me well. “What’re you looking at?” She was startled, as if my voice woke her from a daze.

“Nothing, you look… different, somehow, I can’t. Were you sad?” Words got stuck in my lungs as I stared back at her in surprise. How could she…? The twins showed up just in time to save me from blundering to find an answer. All the way home, her question burned a hole in my gut. How could she know what I was feeling? I’m not so easily read—something to think about.

By the time we pulled through the gate, I’d put it aside in favor of enjoying her reaction to her gifts. “Wait!” I stopped her before she could open the door to let herself out then walked around to help her down. “There’s something I need to show you.” I grabbed her hand and led her to the garage where Pop had stored the car. “Funny!” He’d put one of those big red bows on the thing.

“How did you… Did my dad leave this here?”

“Not quite. I just figured you’d like to learn to drive in your mom’s car, so I made it happen.” She looked confused by my explanation but had the good sense not to question me further. I have no idea what I would’ve said to her had she done so. The repercussions of what went down today have yet to be felt by all involved. The least she knows about that, the better.

She walked around the car, running her fingers gingerly along the rim with a smile on her face so wide it rivaled the sun. Merciful fuck, that smile. My heart squeezed with something I realized was longing, and when she ran to hug me, wrapping her arms around me in her excitement, her body pressed close to mine, I closed my eyes in awe, allowing myself just those precious few seconds of bliss.

***

BECKY

***

“Counterfeit, what do you mean counterfeit? My money isn’t fake.”

“Ma’am, I’m afraid it is, and since you tried to pass more than ten grand, we’re going to have to wait for the authorities before you can leave.” I looked at Victoria in shocked horror as the saleswoman’s words echoed in my ears. What in the world is going on?

“Mom, what did you do?” My legs started to tremble, and I needed to sit before I fell. This can’t be happening. There’s no way this is happening to me. How am I going to get out of this? What will I say to Felix? How will I explain?

“There-there-there-there must be some mistake.” I stuttered the words out through suddenly dry lips as my mind struggled to hold on.

Victoria’s screaming accusations were of no help, and I finally slapped her to get her to shut up. “Ma’am, I’m afraid you’re not allowed to abuse your child in the store. We’re obligated to report such behavior….”

“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not abusing anyone.” I stepped toward the middle-aged woman as if to strike, but the sound of sirens filled the air outside, followed by the sound of slamming car doors.

I felt warm liquid run down my inner thigh down my leg to pool in my shoes beneath my stockinged feet, as my bladder gave in to fear. It was the final straw after a day filled with one disaster after another. Victoria was busy trying to convince the plainclothes officers that she had nothing to do with the money and didn’t want to be involved, while I felt a scream begin in my head.

It’s Adrienne; she’s come to take revenge. It was the last thought I had before the pressure in my head became too much, and I released the screams held trapped in my lungs.