Tangled Deception (Web of Secrets Book 2)

Chapter 1

Today should be a happy day. Her daughter, Amina, was turning five years old. Family and friends surrounded them as they celebrated. Smiles were on everyone’s faces, and laughter filled the air. The sun was shining high in the sky, with only a dusting of clouds. Everything was perfect.

Today should be a happy day.

But as Shandra lifted her gaze to the man standing off to the side, away from the crowd of people who all seemed to be enjoying themselves, her heart clenched.

Leonardo Mannetti. Leo, to his friends and family… stood by himself. The look on his face was fierce. Grumpy. Annoyed. But she wasn’t concerned. That’s just who he was. He was always around, but never put himself front and center. Even when she had been shot and laid up in the hospital, he was always around. Hovering. Making sure she was okay. That her every need was taken care of.

Those intense green eyes would stare at her, capturing her in his gaze, as if daring her to look away. Half the time, the man did not even speak to her. But whenever she opened her eyes while lying in that hospital bed, he would be there. Watching. Waiting. Sometimes, he would stand over her. Other times, he’d be sitting in the hospital chair next to her bed. During that time, he became such a presence in her life. So much so, that even now, whenever she woke in the morning, she half-expected him to be there.

But he never was.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a group of children ran past her. Amina leading the bunch. They ran towards Leo, and while Shandra wanted to intervene, she was too far away to do anything without making a scene. As the children surrounded Leo, her breath caught in her chest.

Not that she was concerned about his reaction. Amina had grown close to Leo over the past year, and her little girl looked up to the man as if he had always been a part of her young life. He was her Leo the Lion. At least that was what she called him when pleading with the big man to do something for her, or play a game, or buy her ice cream.

Part of her wished Amina hadn’t become so attached to him. Then again, it was hard not to when the man was always around. Not taking her eyes off the scene in front of her, Shandra couldn’t help the smile that came over her lips at what happened next.

Leo leaned down and grabbed Amina around the waist before settling her in his powerful arms. A smile came over his face as Amina whispered something in his ear. He then said something to the group of kids that had all of them looking up at him with shock and awe. Amina had a smirk on her lips and nodded her head as if to tell them, ‘See, I told you.’

A soft touch on Shandra’s arm had her turning to the person next to her. “Hey preggo,” she greeted her friend Camille with a large smile and a hug. “I was wondering when your greedy husband was going to let you out of his sight.”

“Leave Tristan alone. You know how he can be, especially now that I’m so close to my due date. I swear, that man acts like this is his first child.”

Rolling her eyes at her friend, Shandra sucked her teeth. “Because it is. Girl, give that man a damn break. You know he’s trying. And if he could, he’d lock you away in a room to keep you protected and safe, so let him worry if he wants to.”

“Yeah, but I’m about at my limit with him.” Camille leaned over to whisper. “He’s even gentle when we have sex. He knows I like it rough, but he’s afraid of hurting the baby. Girl, I need my damn roughneck back.”

Shandra laughed. “Camille! Now you know that’s too much damn information. Let that man be gentle with you if he needs to be. Don’t be going all buck wild with my godson in your belly. He doesn’t need to hear none of that nasty shit you and Tristan say to each other when y’all are fucking.”

“How do you know we say nasty shit?”

“You had Amina and me move in for three months when I got out of the hospital. Remember that? I know more about y’all sex life than I ever needed to.”

Camille let out a cackle. “Oh, that’s right. Well, anyway. What are you over here staring at?” She turned to look around. When her gaze landed on Leo holding Amina, she nodded and folded her arms over her chest, resting it on her large stomach. “When are you going to put that man out of his misery?”

Shandra sucked her teeth, trying to play it off. “Now, you know I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“It’s been a year, Shandra,” Camille said as she reached out to grab her hand. “You know, he never left your side when you were in the hospital. And although he would never admit it, he basically moved into the house while you and Amina were there. Tristan gave him so much shit about it at the time, but he would always say he was there to help protect the extra guests in the house—that because you and Amina meant so much to me, he didn’t want Tristan doing it on his own.”

Something inside Shandra shifted when she heard those words. Maybe she was putting more value on the way he looked at her and was always around. Could it all be in her head? Could it be that he was only being a good friend to her, but she was letting her mind get ahead of itself?

Camille continued speaking as Shandra was lost in her own thoughts. “Which we all know is bullshit because Tristan had a whole damn army protecting us. It was just an excuse for him to stay close to you.”

Finally taking her eyes off Leo and the gaggle of kids surrounding him, Shandra looked at her friend. “I’m not good for him, Camille. You know my history. The things I’ve done. Plus, I don’t need a man. Amina has my whole heart and takes up so much of my time. It’s hard enough being a single mom. I don’t want to bring someone around her just for them to leave when they get to know the real me.”

Camille circled her arm around Shandra’s and began walking them away from the larger crowd. They needed a bit more privacy for this conversation. “Girl, stop. The real you is perfect.” Shandra started to say something, but Camille stopped her. “No, don’t do that. Don’t diminish who you are and what you deserve. If you don’t deserve happiness, then neither do I, because we were together that night. Whatever you think you are, then I’m the same. It doesn’t matter what happened to you before. All that matters is that you cleansed your heart, body, and soul of the pain you went through.” A wobbly smile lifted Camille’s lips, and her eyes glistened with wetness. “You are the most beautiful, badass momma I’ve ever known. Don’t let your past continue to affect your future. Now, we’re here today celebrating your little girl. She’s in the arms of someone who would protect her with his life. And from the way he looks at you, he would do the same for you.”

She shook her head to deny the words, when Camille spoke again.

“Just think about it, okay?”

Shandra’s eyes slid back over to Leo, and a soft feeling rose up inside of her. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Now, this little boy is sitting right on my bladder. I’ll be back.”

Shandra thought about her own pregnancy while she watched her friend waddle away. That entire time was filled with fear, worry, and hurt. Did she enjoy her pregnancy and feeling her daughter grow inside her? No. Not the entire time. There were moments when she felt white-hot rage at her situation and wanted to burn the world down around her. Other times, she cried tears of joy that something so beautiful had come out of something so ugly.

From the time she discovered she was pregnant until she delivered her beautiful daughter, the only people who could stand to be around her were Camille and Dwayne, their childhood friend. They were also the only two people who knew what really happened to her.

They were also the only ones who knew what happened to the people who had hurt her.

“Mommy,” she heard Amina calling out to her. Turning toward her running child, Shandra opened her arms and took the brunt of her little body crashing into her. “Mommy! Uncle Leo gots me a pony!”

“A what?” No way in hell that crazy ass man got Amina a pony for her birthday. Nope. Not happening. She spotted him standing a few feet away. He must have followed Amina over to her. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

Cocky motherfucker. “Why would you do that, Leo?” She tried to keep her voice calm and positive, but she was positive Leo knew just how pissed off she was.

“Why not? I asked her what she wanted a few weeks ago. She said a pony. I got her what she asked for. Actually, it’s not a pony because those are toy horses. I got her something even better. It will be here shortly, but we will keep it at Tristan’s house until I have a stable built on my property. A trainer will be ready to begin her lessons on Saturday. A week from today.”

Tilting her head, she listened to his words, at the same time thinking that he must be fucking with her. Shandra looked down at Amina. “Hey baby. Start gathering your friends so we can open your presents, okay?” She needed some time alone with Leo because he had her fucked up right now.

“Okay, Momma. Thank you, Uncle Leo.” She gave the large man a hug. “You’re the best. I can’t wait to tell my friends that my Leo the Lion gots me a horsey!”

They both watched Amina run off, yelling at the top of her lungs that she got a pony for her birthday.

“Now, Shandra, before you start fussing—”

She raised one hand, motioning for him to step to the side with her. “Don’t you ‘now, Shandra’ me. Why would you buy my daughter a horse? She’s not your responsibility. You’re not her father, and I didn’t ask you to step into that role. You don’t have the right to be in her life and buy her expensive gifts. If she needs something, I’ll take care of it. What happens when you’re not around for her next birthday? What about Christmas? I’m her mother, and you should have checked with me first.”

Shandra failed to notice the change in Leo’s face and body as she viciously cut him to the bone with her words. She was making it very clear what she thought of him and his role in Amina’s life. If she had been paying attention, she would have seen the hurt and resignation reflected in his eyes at her words.

Leo grew to love Amina as if she were his own daughter. He already had a college fund set up for her. No matter what school his little Amina attended when she graduated high school, it would be paid in full. If she got a scholarship, then she would have a trust fund account for her to use as she saw fit once she became twenty-five.

No, he wasn’t her biological father, but Amina had captured his heart from the first moment he laid eyes on her, just like her mother had.

Tristan warned him he was moving too slow. He told him he needed to let Shandra know how he felt about her before too much time had passed. That it was important to let Shandra know he was in it for the long run. Leo should have ensured Shandra knew there was nowhere else he wanted to be except by their side.

So, yes, he bought her a horse. In fact, it was a pure black Morgan. As soon as he saw the foal, he knew it was perfect for Amina. Nothing but the best for the little girl he considered his.

But here was her mother, in all her glory, telling him he wasn’t shit to them. That he had no right to give Amina a gift that would last for years. Whether she wanted to ride only for pure pleasure or become one of those fancy kids who took their horses to shows and shit. It was the kind of opportunity he never had.

Growing up, he always knew where he stood in life. Yes, he was friends with one of the richest kids in the country—with one of the most dangerous families—but Leo was simply a kid who grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His parents were working-class people who lived paycheck-to-paycheck. After meeting Tristan as a young teenager and seeing the type of life he lived, it opened his eyes to the possibilities of what could be.

Bringing his attention back to Shandra, he could see she was still fussing about whatever the fuck she was unhappy about today. He didn’t care if she didn’t like the gift, because he wasn’t taking it back.

“Damn, Shandra. Be quiet.” He didn’t raise his voice because of the surrounding crowd. He may not have been raised with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he learned over the years that sometimes being silent was his greatest weapon. “No, I’m not her father, but I had hoped… one day… You know what? Fuck it. Doesn’t matter anymore. I’m not taking the gift back. The trainer will be at Tristan’s on Friday, and I expect Amina to be there.” He moved to walk away, but stopped to look at her again. His top lip curled in frustration, hurt, and anger. “You’re something else. Sometimes you say the most hurtful shit, and you don’t even realize it. I will buy whatever I want for that little girl. Why? Because I can and I will. You have no idea what I would do for her. Or you. You’re always so busy pushing me away and trying to be strong that you don’t see what’s right in front of you.”

Her face was frozen in shock, but Shandra heard every word he said. And even the ones he didn’t. “Leo—”

One foot stepped back, then another, as he held up one hand. “Nah, I’m good. I think I finally get it now. I wanted more from you. For us. But I won’t keep hoping for something that’ll never happen.” Disappointment flowed under his skin. Leo nodded at someone off to the side and put up a finger.

When Shandra turned to see what had caught his attention, she saw it was Tristan and another man standing together.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, you don’t have to concern yourself with me after today. In the future, anything I do for Amina will go through Camille and Tristan. It’s time for me to remember my place and move the fuck on. You finally won.”

And with those ominous words, he walked away from her.

Shandra stared after him in shock. What the fuck just happened? Jaw slack and eyes wide, she replayed the words she said to him in her head. Closing her eyes in disbelief, she knew exactly where she’d fucked up. How would she make this right?