Arranged

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

C armella

We’d argued.

We’d talked.

My new husband had refused to relent on his decision. Even though I hadn’t offered my bank account number, he’d used his power to discover it by himself. I’d woken up to one hundred thousand dollars added to my account.

I’d been incensed, calling him on the carpet for it even though he was merely attempting to keep me and Gabriel safe. I continued to try to tell myself he was doing the right thing, but the other side of me still wanted to hate him.

The dichotomy of feelings was ridiculous. I knew that, yet I was an independent woman and had no intention of allowing him to take over my life.

What continued to nag at me was how different he seemed to everything I’d learned about men in his position. Plus, he knew things no soldier in my father’s army ever had. Maybe I was trying to find something, anything wrong with him. However, I was a cautious woman if nothing else.

Now we were moving into our new house. What few things I’d brought from my home in White Plains could be fit into the trunk of a vehicle. Seeing them being placed in the small compartment reminded me how much my life had been disrupted.

I’d heard Alejandro making several additional phone calls, including checking on my father as well as Don Santorelli. While I’d seen him engage with a few of his men, hearing him being oh-so politically correct and respectful to both mafia leaders had been interesting. I’d never been allowed an up close and personal look at the business side of a crime syndicate before.

I wouldn’t say I was in awe. After all, while there were several legitimate businesses my father operated, the majority of his wealth had come from illegal arms deals. Before that, he’d been involved in the sale of drugs to very wealthy clients.

That’s almost all I’d known.

With getting into real estate and casinos as well as some import-exports, he’d had a much easier time of laundering money.

Of course my summation was based on observation and small tidbits I learned here and there. Like putting crumbs of a smashed cookie back together. I sensed Alejandro had a desire to continue shifting the Santorelli business into the modern world. Obviously, he’d had some influence with the use of texts, emails, internet banking, and the hiring and use of hackers. That much I’d gleaned as they’d discussed day-to-day business operations.

The powerful men were concerned. That much had been made clear.

Alejandro had been different since his promotions, now the Underboss of two powerful forces. There was no formal name for him; I’d never heard about an Underboss leading soldiers from another organization.

I’d seen my new husband’s stress level rise in only twenty-four hours. He wasn’t the kind of man to explode in anger or violence. He handled many of his emotions inwardly. But I’d seen the change in his eyes. He’d grown harder, colder.

But not toward me or Gabriel.

Around us, he was almost doting. The change was like night and day and unnerving as hell.

We were set to move into the house in Great Neck. I wasn’t certain how I felt about that.

Three days had passed. Three days of worrying about my clinic and not being told what would happen to my former life. I knew Alejandro had been busy. Although he’d made time to spend with us both in our new house and at the stark condo, things had become somewhat different.

I sensed he was worried, more so than he’d been before.

At least Gabriel was safe and having a fun time with his aunt and uncle, who were doting on him. That gave both Alejandro and me time to adjust to the new living arrangements.

Alejandro had kept two soldiers outside the house at all times. He’d paced the floor of the office he’d taken as his, still on the phone. I’d overheard him checking on the dozens of warehouses in the combined new regime. It wasn’t that I’d felt ignored, but when I was angry and nervous, there was one thing that made me feel better.

Baking.

Maybe stupid.

Maybe silly, but that’s what had gotten me through the horrible time with Derek. So what was I doing inside my new home? I was baking fucking brownies. I didn’t even know if Alejandro liked brownies or if he was allergic to chocolate. Brownies weren’t my favorite treat, but they were Gabriel’s. At least I could soften my stupid decision by believing the dark treats would be a great homecoming.

I tossed the mixing bowl into the sink, enjoying the loud clang it made against the side. I stared down at the pan of liquid brownies, wishing I could throw a tantrum. I envisioned the dark goo plastered across the pristine walls or the gorgeous wide window highlighting the incredible flower garden outside.

When was the last time I’d had a tantrum? I laughed at myself and decided to look for sprinkles instead. What the hell? A little color on top might make me smile.

Or not.

I yanked open all the cabinets and spice drawers, laughing bitterly as I thought about the couple who’d left almost everything behind. Except their clothes. And all I’d brought had been clothes. How ironic.

The line from my favorite song swam in my head because that had been the actuality of my life. In finding sprinkles not only in rainbow colors but in gold and copper, Halloween and Christmas, I felt a tiny bit of solidarity to the previous woman who’d lived here. I tossed a good amount on the top of the brownies and stood back.

“I didn’t know you could bake,” Alejandro said quietly.

I slowly lifted my head, staring at the handsome man standing in the doorway. He was wearing his signature dark trousers and white shirt, only minus the jacket. His sleeves were also rolled up past his elbows, the shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. With his dark hair and piercing green eyes, he appeared ready for a photoshoot.

“Yeah, well, you don’t know very much about me at all.” I stood with my palms resting on the counter, staring down at the chocolate mix. Why I suddenly feel as if I was going to burst into tears?

“You don’t know much about me either.” He swaggered closer.

I eyed him carefully. “No, I don’t. Not sure I want to. But I’ll ask you this. Do you like chocolate?” As if the answer mattered in the least.

His mischievous grin, the one that had captured my attention the first time he’d smiled instead of frowned spread across his face as he advanced. When he swiped his finger through the center, I was ready to snarl at him, but the move was adorable.

So I laughed.

“Nice tats,” I told him instead, which was something I doubted I’d mentioned before.

He sucked on his finger as if licking and tasting the best lollypop in the world. My thoughts drifted back to my clinic because of that alone. “I like art.”

“I guess so. Very colorful.”

Alejandro flexed his hand before fisting it, even extending his arm so I could see the group of hearts.

“Why the daggers?” I asked.

“Why not?”

“A representation of a spirit crushed,” I said in a half whisper.

He nodded. “Yes. Before you ask, no one important. It was a long time ago.”

“We all have secrets including those of desire. What about my clinic?”

How many times had I asked the same question?

Alejandro swallowed the taste and leaned against the counter. “I tell you what. We’ll plan on heading to White Plains the end of next week and spend a couple of days. By then we’ll know what to do.”

Why did I have the feeling he was just telling me that to get me off his back? Why not accept it at this point. What choice did I have? “Fine, but I’ll hold you to it.”

“I’m sure you will and would expect no less.” He glanced out the window, waiting until I’d placed the pan in the oven, setting the timer. “I have something for you.”

“Something? Another gift.”

“Not exactly.” He pulled a handgun from behind his back. “I want you to have this. I can teach you the basics about firing a shot. I’ll spend more time training you this weekend.”

I took it from his hand, giving him a nasty look. “As I’ve told you before, you underestimate me. I was taught how to shoot years ago.”

“Have you been required to fire a weapon in the last… ten years?”

He cocked that handsome head of his. Damn the man. “Well, no, but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s like riding a bike. Right?” I turned the weapon over and a cold chill rushed down my spine. I’d never thought I’d need to fire off a weapon again.

“Yes and no. Practice keeps you and others safe.”

“I get it, Alejandro. Why give this to me? You have two men watching at all times.”

“Because two men might not be enough and I won’t be here every minute of the day. You need to have an ability to keep you and Gabriel safe.”

I felt the weight of the danger we were in more than I had before. “Understood.”

“I hope you really do understand. I don’t want you hurt.”

He acted so sincere. I wanted more than anything to believe him. I just… “I don’t plan on allowing that to happen.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He glanced toward the oven. “When will the brownies be ready?”

“Twenty minutes. You’ll need to wait. Something you’re not good at.”

He laughed. “You’re right. Maybe you do know me.”

There was a slight hitch in his voice, a strange look in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. At least nothing new. Do you have your phone?”

“Yeah, why?” I didn’t hand it to him right away.

His eyes flashed as he held out his hand. “Trust me.”

“You know that’s difficult for me.”

“I’m not your enemy.”

“And you’re not my friend.”

Sighing, he dropped his arm, but didn’t move away. “I accept that. Hopefully, that will change in the future.”

“What do you want my phone for?”

“I want to install a tracking device. Only in case something happens and you go missing.”

After everything I’d heard about the danger level continuing to increase, for some reason what he said bothered me more than before. The technique wasn’t new nor was it illegal. Just a matter of doing business in a world where I’d heard of several kidnappings occurring over the years.

While I was still reluctant, I handed him my phone.

“Thank you. I’ll only access the account if I know you’re in danger. That much I can promise you.”

“Okay. With this I will trust you.” As I washed the mixing bowl, he installed the app, connecting it to his phone. I should feel as if the action was invasive, but I took comfort in it. Maybe his doing so would help protect Gabriel.

Almost as soon as he was finished, his phone rang.

I’d studied his expressions before. I knew when he was angry or annoyed, but the look on his face was entirely different.

“I need to take this,” he told me without glancing into my eyes as he usually did.

“Of course.” I watched as he walked from the kitchen, realizing he’d barely made it two feet from the entranceway before answering.

My instinct told me whoever was calling was about to rock our world. I’d never been one to follow every rule, at least those created in the regime I’d grown up in.

So I shifted around the backside of the island, taking careful steps to the door. While Alejandro attempted to keep the call hush-hush, I was able to hear one small aspect of the conversation.

“You weren’t supposed to call me on this fucking line.”

That meant he had a second phone.

“No, you fucking asshole. Unacceptable.”

He was even angrier than before. Who the hell was he talking to?

A slight fog rushed into my mind. Something was off.

I returned to where I was standing, washing the spatula and measuring cups.

When he returned, his face was filled with anger, but he attempted to hide behind his smile.

“I have a short meeting I need to oversee.” He walked closer, holding up his index finger. “Gio and Bronco will be right outside the door. If you need anything or you have a bad feeling, let them know. Otherwise, I’ll instruct them not to bother you. Fair enough?”

“I wish you didn’t have your meeting. I thought we were going to spend the afternoon together.”

“I won’t be long. I promise.”

He leaned forward, dropping his head so he could kiss my forehead. Even that was unusual, nothing like he would have done even that morning.

Something was very wrong.

I remained where I was, fighting another chill. I’d wanted to trust the man, to believe that there was some crazy chance we could actually become a family. Maybe I was still just as na?ve as I’d allowed myself to be most of my life.

That would end here.

No longer would I be taken advantage of by anyone.

Including my husband.

I waited until he’d left, watching as he gave instructions to the two men still sitting in the dark SUV.

When Alejandro pulled the car down the driveway, I took a deep breath and headed into our bedroom to where the bags brought from the condo had been placed. Crouching down, I opened one, pulling out a makeshift medical bag I’d put together a couple of years before. I hadn’t needed to use the contents, but I’d prepared for almost any situation. Before I’d left White Plains, another side of the woman I’d become had taken over. I’d taken steps of my own to ensure my safety.

Only I’d had no idea I’d be inclined to use the items I’d stored inside this way.

Every step was methodical, every breath labored as I thought about what I was prepared to do. Maybe I was overthinking the phone call, overreacting to the events over the course of several days. Or maybe I had a killer’s instinct of survival.

Whatever the case, my father had taught me well.

Only I’d ignored his tutelage for most of my life.

No longer.

Once a mafia princess, always a mafia princess.

I grabbed what I needed, heading back into the kitchen to wait, glancing at the timer every few seconds. By the time it finally went off, I was perfectly calm.

After allowing the brownies to cool, I cut them into perfect rectangles, pulling out two plates. I heaped one with the majority, adding four to a smaller plate.

Exhaling, I glanced toward the kitchen’s entrance, ensuring I was still alone before pulling out everything I needed.

Barely two minutes later, I was satisfied.

With a smile plastered on my face, I headed to the front door, taking my time going outside. The early afternoon was lovely, sun bright in the sky. I even heard a few birds singing, happy about the nearly cloudless day. The men saw me coming and Gio rolled down the driver’s side window, acting as if he was prepared to jump out at a moment’s notice.

“Mrs. Banderas. What’s wrong?”

“No worries, Gio. Everything is fine. I just baked some fresh brownies. They’re my son’s favorite dessert and I thought you guys might like to have one.” I held up the plate, allowing the rich scent of a freshly baked item to waft into the SUV’s cab.

Bronco almost clobbered Gio in his attempt to grab one off the plate.

Gio laughed. “You don’t need to fatten us up. We don’t need any additional padding. I’m on a diet.”

“Oh, come on. One brownie isn’t going to hurt.” I kept my smile as I waited for Gio to stop debating. It didn’t take him long to shove aside his attempt at losing weight.

Within seconds, the four large brownies were consumed.

Now it was only a matter of time.

That I had, along with a way to locate my husband.

Maybe I’d finally learn what the fuck was going on.