Arranged

Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

A lejandro

“A drink?” Don Lupini asked almost immediately after I’d walked into his office.

I nodded to Dion, who left and closed the door behind him. What I had to say was for the Don’s ears only.

“A scotch.”

“Excellent choice. You can always tell a decent man by his choice of liquor.” He purposely poured a twenty-five-year-old Macallan, the bottle something I’d admired once before when in his office.

“It’s amazing what you can learn by what a man drinks and eats, the vehicle he drives, and the friends he keeps.”

He tipped his head while still pouring, narrowing his eyes. “Yes, you’re right.”

The intro was a perfect lead into the conversation that needed to occur between us.

Only he wasn’t certain what that entailed as of yet. I remained quiet as he brought the two glasses. He’d directed me to one of the leather chairs when I’d arrived instead of the stiff chair in front of his desk.

He thought this a social call.

It wasn’t.

As he sat down, for the first time I realized how much he’d aged. The last couple of months had taken a significant toll on him. While I’d heard him talk of retirement, I doubted he was ready to give up the helm with so much remaining up in the air.

Words had gotten out that the DEA was looking to arrest soldiers as well as flip them into becoming informants.

That meant business on the import-export side was slow, new customers hesitating to do business with a half dozen crime syndicates. Luckily, my former identity had yet to leak to the general population, although there were rumors. If I had to guess, likely fueled by Don Lupini himself.

I’d never believed him to be a friend or a real ally even though I was married to his daughter. The business was and always would be dog eat dog. The survival of the fittest.

“To what do I owe this pleasure? Is my daughter alright? Did you come to tell me I should expect additional grandchildren?”

I laughed. “Not yet. You know your daughter is quite independent. Besides, she’s determined to continue working in her clinic.”

“In White Plains? Surely, you’ve told her you won’t allow that.”

His old ways would never die. “As I said, she’s her own woman and I’m determined to support her.”

He sighed. “I will never understand the need for full equality in a marriage.”

“Well, it’s all about how much you care about someone and I adore your daughter. I would die for her, but I think you already know that.”

The man wasn’t stupid. He studied me with a look of caution in his eyes. “What do you need to say to me other than that you love my daughter?”

There was no easy way around the situation or the truth. I’d held back. I’d thought the scenario through. I’d lost sleep over how to handle it. In the end, I’d finally come to the conclusion that I had no desire to ruin Carmella’s family.

I pulled the file I’d brought in closer, pulling out two photographs. They were clear, shot with a wide-angle lens that had captured every nuance of the two meetings. One had been held inside a restaurant and the other in a park similar to the one where I used to meet Louis for our meetings.

Matheas picked them up and I noticed his hand was shaking. His posture immediately changed, the large man slumping in his seat.

“I assure you they haven’t been doctored.”

I hadn’t allowed Carmella an opportunity to see her father pictured with Gio long before the alliance had been entered into or with the head of operations of the DEA when he’d cut a deal to sell his soul.

And that of his alliance partner, Don Santorelli.

“As of this morning, various degrees of damning evidence were delivered to federal prosecutors. By this time tomorrow, I suspect a minimum of eight DEA agents along with the head of operations will be behind bars. Based on an anonymous tip of course. Now, I chose to keep these photographs as well as a few damning others from the box of evidence. But of course, that could change if necessary.”

He gritted his teeth. “What do you want?”

“It’s simple. Peace. Tranquility in both households. I think we can work together brilliantly to keep the Bratva from sliding into either one of our territories. I also think we can enjoy family gatherings as done by normal families. In turn, you’ll give me your promise that no one in my family, including Michael and Amber will be cornered, threatened, abducted, or hurt in any way as long as they are still breathing on this earth. In addition, when you die, I’ll be appointed the new head of the Lupini Empire. Don’t worry. I’ll make you proud of what I do with your organization.”

Oddly enough, there was no hatred in his eyes. There was admiration.

“Anything else?”

“Just one more thing.” I rose to my full height, buttoning my jacket. What a shame I wouldn’t be able to savor the coveted glass of scotch. “I demand respect.”

* * *

Two months later

Carmella

“I think the air conditioning is on the fritz.”

I laughed as Zoe wiped perspiration from her face. “You do know it’s like eighty degrees outside. Summer is here.”

“Not officially,” she whined.

“I’ll call an HVAC guy, but I think being overheated has more to do with your condition.” I grinned as I left my office.

“What condition?”

I’d missed so much in the three plus months of being away from my home, my clinic, and my friends. Including being able to share in Zoe’s pregnancy. I hadn’t even known how serious she’d gotten with her on-again, off-again boyfriend turned fiancé.

“Very funny. At least you’re glowing,” I told her.

“This isn’t glowing. This is being fried alive.” We’d had a shorter day, one of many early summer festivities happening only blocks away. Everyone I knew planned on attending. Me included.

As long as my date arrived in time.

“What about the new nurse you promised me? I could go into labor at any time.”

“Oh, please. You have months to go,” I snipped. “And Maria is set to start on Monday. So you need to look and act sharp.”

“Ha. You find something comfortable for me to wear.”

I was thankful Maria had accepted the job. While the pay wasn’t what she was used to, I’d also offered my house for her to stay in for an undisclosed period of time. She’d been thrilled at my offer. At least Jessica would also have a lovely room of her own when she came to visit and spend time with her aunt.

“So, where is Mr. Hottie?” she asked as she grabbed her purse from her locker in the tiny employee lounge.

“He’ll be here.”

“You’ve been working two days a week for over a month and I’ve yet to see this mysterious man. I’m beginning to think he doesn’t exist.” She’d teased me relentlessly since the first day I’d popped back into town. Since then, I’d been coming down to work at my clinic on and off, only once spending the night in my little house.

It wasn’t about Alejandro forbidding me to do so, but about two important factors. One was the fact he’d insisted I have an entourage of soldiers at all times and I refused to have them sleeping on my porch. The other was that I missed him too much and the perfectly normal nuclear family we’d created.

“Trust me. He exists. And do you know how I can tell?”

She gave me a skeptical look. “I’ll bite. How?”

“Because I’m still sore from our sinful activities last night.”

“Oh, God. Don’t you do that. No fair. Jack and I haven’t had sex in four weeks. Not since I threw up on him the one time during the middle of our nookie play.”

I almost choked. “I do not want to know any other details, girl.”

“Then don’t tell me about your hot sex life.”

“Fine. I won’t. But it’s sizzling hot.”

“Bitch.” She laughed and we both headed to the door. I flipped off lights along the way, taking a minute while Zoe opened the door. I’d missed being here, but I couldn’t imagine my life without my family.

“Um, Dr. Banderas. I think you have a new patient. Actually, three of them.”

“What? Now? Oh, no.” I moved to the door, grumbling as I did. Alejandro had promised to come and if he did and I had to work, he’d be pissed. What was I saying? I’d be pissed. Yes, I’d taken an oath to help people and would do so until my dying breath, but…

“Mommy!” Gabriel exclaimed as he raced toward me. I barely had time to rush down the stairs before he threw his arms around my legs.

“You just saw me a few hours ago,” I told him, bending down to kiss the top of his head.

“Too long, Mommy.”

I lifted my head, grinning at the magnificent piece of manhood who stood against the side of his big four-wheel-drive Dodge Ram. With sunglasses on and sporting a festive shirt that I never in a million years would think he would wear, I swooned as if meeting him for the first time.

“Now, that is one hot man. If you don’t want him, I’ll kick Jack aside,” Zoe breathed. “Wowzer.”

“Not a chance.” I noticed Jessica, and that the little girl was still shy around me. Maria had continued staying with us, which had allowed Alejandro and me time to continue getting to know each other. I’d cried the first time I’d heard Jessica calling him Daddy. It had seemed so natural, so beautiful. Up to this point, she’d said my name only a couple of times.

I hadn’t pushed her. Neither had Alejandro. I only hoped the little girl would be happy.

Alejandro bent down, whispering in Jessica’s ear. She nodded twice, which prompted Alejandro to retrieve something from the back of the truck. From where we stood, I couldn’t tell what they were doing.

“Oh, my God. Is that the cutest thing in the world?” Zoe giggled when she saw Jessica striding forward with a huge bouquet of roses in her arms.

The little girl all but disappeared behind them. I walked a few steps closer.

“What are these for?” I asked, taking the beautiful flowers from her arms.

Jessica looked relieved. She made a face and I could tell she was trying to remember what had been told to her. “Daddy said it was your nan-iversary. Thwee months.” She held up three fingers, her face beaming from remembering.

“You win the prize for the most amazing family,” Zoe whispered. “Seriously, if you ever need to dump that man…” She allowed her voice to trail off, walking right up to Alejandro and introducing herself.

I crouched down and Gabriel giggled as he leaned against me. “Mommy likes flowers.”

“I know, silly,” Jessica told him.

I bit back a laugh.

“Yes, it is a special day,” I told them both. “But more special because the two of you are here.” I tweaked Jessica’s nose before taking a deep breath of the roses. They were incredible.

Just like the man walking toward me. I should say swaggering toward me. He had that way about him.

I knew all about who and what he’d been. There’d been no secrets left between us after the horrific kidnapping. My father had warned me placing all my trust into a man like Alejandro could get me killed. That had been early on.

Then he’d changed his mind, relying more and more on his son-in-law with regard to his own empire.

At least for now, it seemed we were one big happy family.

Subject to change at any time.

As he approached, I waved to Zoe while she fanned her face behind Alejandro’s back. “Sorry about Zoe. She’s a bit wild.”

“No wonder you two are friends,” he said, grinning. When he didn’t remove his sunglasses, I did it for him, tucking the earpiece under the collar of his shirt.

“Very funny. At least you arrived and look, almost on time.” I checked my watch on purpose.

“Be careful, Firesong. I might need to pull you over my lap.” he whispered.

I pressed my finger against his luscious lips. “Not in front of the children. Are you ready to head to the carnival?”

“Soon. There’s someplace I need to show you first.”

“Why does that terrify me?”

He wrapped his arm around me. “You should always be terrified of me. But not today. There’s a house I’d like to take you to.”

“We already have a house.”

“Yes, but not here. With you needing to spend time at the clinic, I thought we’d purchase a second house.”

“Let me guess, complete with a caretaker’s quarters for the soldiers. Right?” I was teasing.

He wasn’t.

“You’re serious,” I said, surprised as I always was with the man.

“I am. Why not?”

“For one thing, the kids are going to be entering kindergarten in the fall. We’ll need to figure out where they go to school soon.”

“It’s the start of summer. We’ll figure it out.”

“What about business?” I pushed.

“There happens to be this thing called the internet including for emails, internet banking, and Zoom calls. Since I know my way around a computer, I doubt I’ll need a hot secretary.”

“Secretary, my ass.” I slapped my hand over my mouth, cognizant of the children a little too late.

He nuzzled his face against my neck, whispering in my ear. “Speaking of which. I plan on fucking that tight little ass of yours later tonight. Just so you know.”

As always, a shiver slid down my spine.

“Beast,” I whispered.

“Yes. I am. So what do you think about the house?”

“Well, it would be nice to stay close to Maria.”

“She’d like that. Besides, I wasn’t really asking. I was telling you what we are going to do.”

I punched him playfully as the two children ran toward us. “I’ll get you for this.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he countered.

“Mommy. Jessica and I have two questions. Two.”

“Okay, then. What are they?” I leaned against Alejandro. We never knew what to expect.

Jessica pointed at my son to go first.

Gabriel looked at us with all seriousness in his eyes. “Can we have a puppy? Pwease?”

There was no reason for tears to swim into my eyes, but they did. This was exactly what I’d wanted for my sweet little boy.

And for his mother.

“You know what, Gabe? I think we might be able to take care of that this weekend.” Alejandro nodded after making the statement.

I glanced at Alejandro. The man was serious. “Oh, brother,” I whispered. “What’s the second question?”

Jessica appeared just as shy as she always was. When Gabriel whispered in her ear, my heart fluttered. He’d done his best to turn into Jessica’s protector.

“I told her it was alwight, Mommy.”

“You did, huh?” I asked.

He nodded several times.

Finally, Jessica came forward, glancing at her father for encouragement. His face beaming, he gave it to her.

She finally walked closer, her face pinched. “Would it be otay if I called you… Mommy?”

There was nothing on this earth that could stop the tears from sliding down my face. As I lifted her into my arms, she giggled in a sound I hadn’t heard before.

“Yes, baby girl. You can. I’d love that.”

I’d spent my life chasing dreams, a young girl searching for the perfect career, the perfect man, the perfect family. While I’d lost faith I’d ever find two of the three, fate had other things in mind.

Maybe it was Mother Nature who’d finally sent the perfect man from the stormy clouds above. In turn, we’d put together the perfect life.

At least for the four of us. I rubbed my stomach. And who knows, maybe soon we’d have another little miracle to add to the beautiful, unusual, and magical family I’d been lucky enough to gain.

The End