Chapter 17
“W ell, well, well. What have we here?”
Clar’s arms felt weak and limp. Jimmy stood between her and Eddie. She glanced around Jimmy and sucked in a breath. Cradled in Eddie’s arms were various items used to enhance sexual pleasure. The more dangerous ones being those used for autoerotic play. These were the type of items found near Dylan at the time of his murder. He’d been filming a simulated breath control segment for the studio. Something Clar had found a bit over the top, even for Cum Again. She’d had a long, heated argument with Evie about the concept and how keeping up with the latest trend may prove dangerous. Sadly, Clar had been correct.
“Jimmy, he means to hang me.” Clar grabbed Jimmy’s arm, pulling him closer. An image of the noose swung over a beam with a body dangling from it flashed through her mind. Her mind focused on the face, a face she’d loved for a long time—Jimmy. Blood raced through her with rapid speed, her heart started pounding. Every muscle screamed for her to flee, instead she tightened her grip around Jimmy’s arm squeezing with all she had.
His muscles twitched under the pressure. She didn’t have to look at Jimmy’s face to know he already ran all the possibilities through his mind. She felt his body tense and harden, waiting to make his move on Eddie. Her fingers flexed around his forearm before releasing her hold on him.
“My dear Clar, you are so perceptive. Of course, it’ll look like the two of you were getting off with a little self-gratification that went too far,” Eddie sang joyously, his expression hidden in the shadows. “And now I’ll have double the fun, double the pleasure. Thank you for coming to her rescue, such as it is. I’m looking forward to one of you watching the other get off. Ooh, I’m getting hard just talking about it.”
“The fuck you will!” Jimmy lunged forward, but Eddie was quicker and dodged to the right. Jimmy stumbled head first into the closed door, his hands keeping him upright from crashing to the floor.
“You have to be quicker than that my friend. I do so admire your valiant effort though. You are going to be so much fun to play with.” Eddie swung the hangman’s noose at Jimmy’s head, knocking him to the ground.
“Jimmy!” Clar bolted, toppling from the chair, her legs still bound.
Jimmy rolled, but not far enough. Eddie landed on him with a thud, punching and fighting to get the noose around his neck. “Yes, yes, keep struggling newspaper man. I’m so enjoying this. You can feel it, can’t you? My excitement rock hard against your stomach.”
I’ve got to get his attention long enough before he beats Jimmy to death. God, please don’t let him die like this. Please, I beg you. Clar sucked back the whimper threatening to surface. Any show of fear would only ignite Eddie’s sick passion. She had to play on what he initially wanted from her—her father’s list. Her arms still weak from lack of blood flow, she forced them down where her fingers clumsily worked the knots of the rope binding her legs.
“Eddie! It’s me you want, not him,” Clar yelled across the room, the knots looser than they were a few moments ago, but not enough to free herself. “What good will it do you to kill him?”
Eddie stopped wrestling Jimmy, rolled off him, and smirked at Clar. “You may be right. Killing him wouldn’t prove anything or help me get what’s mine.”
Clar winced as Jimmy sputtered and coughed, blood running from his nose. He gasped for air and Clar returned her gaze back to Eddie lurking a few feet from the door.
“That’s right, Eddie. You want the list, remember. The list my dad had.” Clar continued to wiggle her ankles, hoping the motion would work to loosen the ropes a bit more. If she could get up, she might be able to make a run for it. Eddie would chase her and it might give Jimmy enough time to escape or call for help.
“Ah yes, I almost forgot. The list that will give me power and leadership in the family.” Eddie’s eyes twinkled with excitement, his body looming above her.
“Tell me, Eddie. Before you take your pleasure with me, tell me how to please so that I know when I’ve given you all that you want.” Clar licked her lips, doing her best to bring Kandi out of hiding. If being sexual was what he wanted, then she’d give it to him the only way she knew how—by acting the part.
Something in Eddie’s face changed. It became crazed, sex crazed. She’d seen that look on men before when she’d done promo events. With any luck, she had him right where she wanted him. Thirsting for her to distraction.
“My dear Kandi, you’ve given me an abundance of pleasure through the years.” Eddie knelt down beside her, his fingers a whisper across her cheek. “If there was any other way to get the list other than killing you, believe me, I would. I’d take you back home and make you my personal sex toy.”
“Why can’t you still do that, Eddie?” Clar purred, leaning into his touch. “You could have it all. The list. The family business. And exclusive access to me, twenty-four seven.”
“Believe me, it’s a tempting concept.” Eddie continued to stroke her hair, the short strands sliding through his fingertips. “Big problem though.”
“A problem too big for a man like you to handle?” Clar coaxed, snuggling against his knee.
“Maybe not a problem, really. Just an obstacle that needs to be removed.” Eddie’s hand floated over her breast, sending shivers of disgust through her.
“There is no obstacle too big that Eddie DeLuca can’t handle. That’s what I’ve always heard.” Clar complimented in hopes of playing on his vanity.
“Hmm, I’m not sure how you’d feel giving yourself to me after all that has happened. Hell, I know I don’t want to share the family wealth with my sister. And I certainly wouldn’t want to share you with the SOB laying across the room.” Eddie smiled, kissing her forehead with a tender kiss. “But I think big sister needs to die in order for me to have everything. She’s the entire puzzle while you, Dylan, Levi, Cameron, and even Father have merely been the pieces.”
A shadow rose from near the door, and Clar sucked in a breath. Her gaze quickly returned to Eddie, raking over his face. He hadn’t noticed Jimmy struggling to reach the door.
***
L IFTING HIS HEAD JIMMY moaned, an eye felt swollen and a hint of blood lingered in the corner of his mouth. Somewhere in the dull yellow light, he heard Clar talking as Eddie knelt over her. What were they talking about? Was DeLuca starting his dirty work on Clar? Jimmy’s vision began to clear a bit as his mind swam through the faint swirling in his head.
He had to get the world to stop spinning. He had to get up and over to Clar. Focusing again on her, his vision began to clear.
Somehow Clar had gotten to the floor, her legs trapped against the chair. If that son of a bitch hurts her in any way, I’ll kill him if it takes my last dying breath.
Rolling onto his side, Jimmy groped for anything that would give him leverage to get on his feet. His fingers grabbed the edge of a toppled table and he struggled to pull himself upright. A pain shot through his ribs knocking him back to his knees. He sucked in a breath and pulled his body up again. Everything around him spinning slightly, he barely made out the floor beneath his feet.
“There’s no obstacle...” Clar’s voice cooed through the fog in Jimmy’s head. What the hell was she trying to do, seduce the asshole? Surely not, unless she felt there was no other way. Clar had to be stalling to give him time to maneuver.
Jimmy gradually shuffled toward them, catching Clar’s attention for a brief moment. She hastily smiled than leaned into Eddie. “You are a master, Mr. DeLuca. So talented at deception, it’s incredible how you managed to trick us all. This kind of talent must run in your family for you to be so amazingly clever.”
“I think the best was at the hospital.” Eddie’s voice emulated pride, his body stance upright with confidence. “Or maybe it was in your place when I bought some candy. They all were so much fun and scripted to a tee.”
“The hospital?” Clar’s gaze met Jimmy’s as he moved in closer.
“Yes, the day you and your friends were visiting Levi. Remember that little old lady you helped as she leaned into the wall on her cane?” Eddie straightened his spine like a peacock showing off his tail feathers. “I almost laughed out loud. Even in my mind I’d hoped you may have thought it was Evie, making things easier for me to get rid of her. After all, I imagine how she must despise you and your sexual flare with the men. Your beauty outshines her plainness ten-fold even with changes in your appearance. You are an exceptionally sexy full-figured woman.”
“That was you?” Clar looked at Jimmy over Eddie’s shoulder. Jimmy nodded then rushed forward, tripping over the forgotten noose, and landed on Eddie’s back.
“You asshole!” Jimmy hissed, rolling the two of them away from Clar. “You’ll not be so lucky this time to have a weapon at your disposal.”
Eddie bucked then scampered out from under Jimmy. He scurried to his feet, stumbling behind the counter.
“Come out from behind there,” Jimmy ordered, helping Clar to her feet. “You’ve got nowhere to hide any more. We’ve seen everything. All the pictures. Your plans to kill Clar and then Evie. Maybe even Cameron is on your death list.”
“You are so wrong. You don’t understand who I am. What power I have,” Eddie spat, his crazed gaze darted around the room.
Jimmy watched Eddie sway back and forth behind the counter like a lion in the zoo waiting for dinner. The man was losing it quickly now that his plans had been disrupted.
“Clar, are you okay?” Jimmy glanced over his shoulder. He wanted to hear her voice, making sure she was fine.
“Yes,” Clar said, her voice strong and clear. “He didn’t hurt me.”
Jimmy turned his attention back to Eddie, seemingly trapped behind the counter. The only way he’d be able to reach the door was if he jumped over the counter and made a run for it. Jimmy wasn’t sure if Eddie actually had the brains, or the strength after their tussle, to make it that far. Hell, Jimmy wasn’t sure he had the ability to get to him before the jerk made it out the door.
“What is so important that you had to kill for it? A piece of paper saying you would own property? Is it worth going to prison for?” Jimmy taunted, looking for an opportunity to lunge across the counter.
In the yellowed light Eddie continued to pace nervously behind the bar like a caged animal. “Power. All that property. All the bank accounts. And that fucking list Turner had. They will give me power to run the DeLuca empire as I see fit. Not the way my father has run it into the ground. But to bring it back to its glory days. Then I’ll have California once Evie...” Eddie stopped abruptly; his mouth snapping shut. Jimmy followed Eddie’s startled look to the shadow figure standing just outside the door.
“Are you referring to the list of officials on daddy’s payroll locked up in my safe?” Evie stood in the doorway, walking slowly toward her twin, her hands raised in surrender. “The old ways are gone, Eddie.”
“Evie, when...” Jimmy swung his arm out, keeping Clar from stepping out from behind him. If this was going to be a showdown of the twins, he didn’t want Clar in the line of fire.
“What’s Evie doing here? How did she get daddy’s list?” Clar asked.
“I don’t know, Clar. I thought I was the only one to have it.” Jimmy took a step forward then halted when he caught the look on Evie’s face. If she could keep Eddie busy, he might be able to get in behind him and take him out of commission.
“You have that list?” Clar stiffened, moving away from him.
“It’s sealed and in a safety deposit box.” Jimmy reached for Clar, his heart sinking when she pushed his hand away. “Obviously, I’m not the only one with a copy.”
Evie shook her head, focused on Eddie. “This is why daddy split up the family properties, Eddie. He knew I loved being in California. He also believed you loved living in Chicago, where you have always belonged.” Evie smiled sweetly, her eyes lighting up with love. She cared about her brother despite all that he’d done to her. Despite the deaths he had been responsible for. Despite everything, he was her brother.
Eddie’s focus shifted to Evie. “I thought I’d take care of you later today, but you’ve saved me the trip, sister dear. And since I know you have Turner’s list, I’ll have no use for any of you.”
“Eddie, do you think mother would have liked to see us this way? Fighting over the very thing that kept her from the love of her life?” Evie kept moving closer, stepping over the sex paraphernalia scattered on the floor. “The life of a mobster’s lover is a hard one. Momma lost her entire family because of that love. Her bitterness towards her family soured me as well for years.”
Jimmy edged toward the wall behind the bar. Inch by inch he crept his way closer.
“Mother would be proud to see I’d taken over the business, Evie.” Eddie leaned into the counter, his body losing some of its tension.
“No, no she wouldn’t. Not like this.” Evie stood a few feet from her brother, her body relaxed, posing no threat whatsoever. “She would have wanted us to embrace our family. That’s why her brother kept copies of the list. She wouldn’t have wanted to see us hurt the people she loved deep in her heart.”
“Yes, she would have!” Eddie yelled, his fists banging against the countertop. “She would have been happy to see Sal die at the hands—humph.”
Jimmy had leapt, his arms wrapping around Eddie’s shoulders, pulling him to the ground. Bottles crashed to the floor as Eddie thrashed out with his arms. Jimmy held on, pinning Eddie’s back against the floor, holding his arms down. Evie jumped over the counter, pulled her brother from Jimmy’s grasp and into her arms, rocking him softly.
“It’s all over now, little brother.” Evie said, soothing her whimpering brother. “You’re safe. No one will hurt you again.”
“Police! Come out and no one will get hurt!”
***
A SPOTLIGHT FLASHED across the room. Clar put a hand up to shield her eyes from the blinding brightness. “It’s Clar Turner. Everyone is okay. Can you please put down that light, you’re blinding me.” She glared at Cameron, her heart working its way out of her stomach.
“Would someone mind telling me what the hell is going on here?” Cameron demanded, gun drawn, waving the light around the disheveled room until it reached Jimmy with his arms around Clar.
Clar kneeled on the floor next to Evie. “The road will be rough, and long, but worth it,” she promised Evie, stroking her back in small circles like a mother soothing her troubled child. “I won’t leave you until it’s all over.”
“It’s a long bazaar story about family, lust, power, and money,” Clar said to Cameron, watching Evie rock Eddie in her arms. “I’m not sure you’d fully understand, or even believe it.”
“Well, hell. Why not give me a try then so I can put this SOB in prison for life.” Cameron walked across the threshold into the building. Jacki and Clint close behind, revolvers in their hands. “Eddie DeLuca’s got to pay for what he did to Dylan. What he’d planned to do to you and Evie, not to mention the assault on Levi and the murders.”
“Go easy on Clar, Cameron, she’s had one hell of a night here,” Jimmy strongly suggested, pulling Clar back into his arms. “You’ll get the facts, but first let’s get everyone out of this hell hole.”
The strength and security of his arm around her had Clar thinking of forever . This man would have done anything to find her when he could have left it to the law. Instead, he’d put himself in danger. If that wasn’t a form of love then Clar didn’t know what was. She wished she’d realized it before it had become a life-or-death situation to open her eyes, and heart, to Jimmy’s love.
The distant wail of sirens echoed through the canyon. The cavalry was arriving. It would only be a matter of minutes before they’d rip Eddie from Evie’s arms. Even now, after everything that had happened over the past several hours, Clar wasn’t sure she’d be able to watch that materialize. There was obviously a bond between the twins that even the mob couldn’t break, and she wasn’t so sure that’s what Sal DeLuca had intended anyway. Once they got back to the precinct, opened those sealed documents belonging to her dad, they might have a better understanding of the connection between Evie, Eddie, and herself.
She could speculate why her dad chose Jimmy and Evie to receive copies of a list she knew nothing about. Hell, they would all be speculating now as Eddie DeLuca was cuffed and put into the back of a squad. Evie Dagmyer, quiet as a mouse, climbed into Clint’s truck with Jacki. Cameron jumped into his vehicle and led the pack back to LA, unaware of the full extent of events that had taken place.
Jimmy’s arms went around Clar’s waist, pulling her against him. Her feet left the ground and she snuggled into the cradle of his shoulder. “James O’Brien, don’t you ever let me go again, you hear me?”
Jimmy welcomed her lips and his heat rushed through her. “Not on my plan for the future, Clarice Turner.”