Chapter 6
Endangered
ZARA
Ares’s question stops me in my tracks. “What do you mean?”
“Princess, I don’t think Morelli has any intention to ever letting you quit. He asked Chance and Lev to bring him Smith. He wanted you to race for him so badly that he promised Chance and Lev to let them off the hook. He would have probably found a way to trap you into racing even if you had won.”
“I agree.” Lev muses. “And I don’t think he would have let us go either. He wanted us all to race for him all along.”
Chance clenches his fists on the table. “He’s got us right where he wants us. And the races are getting bigger every week. Maybe we should call his bluff and not show up next week. What is he going to do, call the cops on us?”
“No, but I promise you, pissing off Mason Morelli isn’t something you want to do.” Lev warns him. “Remember last summer my parents guilted me into interning with them in the weeks before we had to report to hockey training camp?”
“Yeah,” Chance shrugs. “What does that have to do with anything?”
I’ve never seen Lev look scared before today.
“Remember, I just said that my mom is Mason’s uncle’s attorney?
I was in charge of printing out some evidence she needed for a murder trial.
Someone who owed Enzo Morelli money went missing.
He was found weeks later by a group of tourists doing a scuba diving course off the old marina.
Ever heard of concrete boots? And that was a lucky guy.
I heard two of the younger associates, who were second chairs on the case that Enzo’s nickname is the West Coast Beast. Usually his victims are found in so many pieces that it’s impossible for the police to recover more than a few scraps. ”
A shiver works its way down my spine. “Ok, then we have to race. If paying him up isn’t going to work, maybe we can find another way. We just need to bide our time and figure out what it is.”
Chance considers my words. “You’re right. Maybe there’s something Morelli wants more than the money.”
“No.” Ares decides. “You got into this mess because you started wagering with him. I don’t think Morelli is going to let you go until he wants to. My mind is made up. I’m going to speak to the sheriff and we’re going to stop this insanity once and for all.”
I don’t understand. “But what about Chance and Lev? You just said that no NHL team will touch them if they have a criminal record.”
“Sheriff Pullin has known us since we were born. I’m going to explain the situation and hopefully I can work out a deal for you guys. No charges in exchange for your testimony.”
Lev doesn’t look convinced. “Do you really think that snitching on Morelli is going to be any better than racing for him? What part of his family makes people disappear and puts them in concrete boots as a warning to anyone who feels brave and wants to go against them don’t you understand?”
“We’re the mayor’s family. We’re too well known in town. Enzo Morelli thrives on keeping a clean, legit front. If he hurts you, his cover is gone.” Ares argues.
“What about Dad?” Chance worries.
“We can find that video and destroy it once we have the Fox brothers and Mason in custody, and Dad will be none the wiser. Or we can say that you had to complete your initiation task, but then you came to me about it. Dad was a Gamma Delta Tau, he knows how hard it is to say no to whatever they ask you to do to prove your loyalty.”
Chance and Lev seem on board with Ares’s idea.
“If you think that it’ll work…”
Before I can object to the plan, my phone pings with a text message.
“Shit.” I hiss. “It’s my mom. She’s waiting for me at home to go to the Country Club for a charity event.”
“Let’s go then.” Lev rises from his chair. “I have to attend that event, and so does Chance. The hockey team has been invited, and Coach has made it clear that if we don’t show up, there’s gonna be hell to pay. I can drive you.”
I look at his old t-shirt. “It’s a fancy afternoon tea to fundraise for the protection of Star Cove’s endangered subspecies of Olive Ridley sea turtle that can only be found in this area.
My mom asked me to go early to help her hand out some information packets the volunteers had prepared.
I don’t have enough time to go home, and I can’t show up in a t-shirt or in my racing suit. ”
Lev has the perfect solution. “I’m sure my mom has something you can borrow in her closet. Come on, Zee. We’ve got you.”
Chance groans, frustrated. “You take care of Zara, Lev. I had totally forgotten about this thing, and I don’t have a suit here. I have no choice but to go home.”
“Don’t worry, brother.” Lev gives him a sympathetic slap on the back. “I’ll run interference with Coach until you show up.”
Zara
Luckily, not only does Lev’s mom wear my same size clothes but we also have the same shoe size.
When I arrive at the Star Cove Country Club in a little black dress and a pair of shiny black pumps that were still brand new, my mom gives me a pleased nod of approval.
Lev is by my side in a navy blue suit, his arm wrapped protectively around my waist.
My boyfriend is the best and sticks by my side as I help in handing out the promotional material that explains what the donations are for. The colorful bags also contain adorable stationery with a sea turtle theme, a baby turtle plushie and a turtle-shaped pin that says, “Save Star Cove’s Turtles.”
The room is crowded with the Zetas in attendance and the hockey team. The only time Lev leaves my side is to greet Coach Harrison and his team captain, Luke Harper.
Once the room is at capacity, Mom walks behind the podium set up next to a big screen and encourages everyone to find their assigned seats.
One of the waiters walks us to our table, and I’m not surprised to see Heather. What is surprising is whom she brought as her date.
“Zara,” Dave Fox’s wide smile doesn’t reach his brown eyes, a dead ringer for his older brother. “How nice to see you again. You clean up very nicely.”
“You too, Dave.” I return the compliment because we’re in a room full of people who support the mayor, and I can’t make a scene. But I can’t help but let the little dig on the tip of my tongue slip out. “At least one of the Fox brothers knows how to mix with polite company.”
The smile on his face widens, and Dave leans closer, lowering his voice.
“I know you and Cal didn’t exactly end things amicably, but you might want to leave the bitchy comments at the door.
He’s here tonight, and he’s pretty pissed at the fact that you embarrassed him every time you raced against him.
You might want to play nice if you want to avoid a scene. ”
I instinctively look left and right, searching the room for my ex-boyfriend. I spot Cal at Mom’s table with Angela, the deputy mayor’s daughter, by his side.
One thing I have to give him is that Cal doesn’t change who he is for anyone. He might be here with Angela, but he’s the only man in the room who isn’t wearing a suit.
Cal came to this glitzy event in a pair of black slacks and a purple button-down shirt. The top three buttons are opened on his tattooed chest.
His eyes meet mine from across the room, and the corner of his lips curves in a cruel smirk.
He might be pissed that his ex-girlfriend showed him up repeatedly on the racetrack, but I’m sure he’s loving the fact that I’m being forced to race for Mason Morelli.
Speaking of the devil, Mason is here too. I spot him at another table with one of the Zeta sisters. I think her name is Fiona.
I don’t even realize that I’ve stepped closer to Lev when he whispers in my ear.
“Don’t worry, Zee. I’m here. Cal might be an idiot, but I doubt he’s going to draw attention to himself in front of half the town.”
Lev is right, and I relax, lowering myself onto the chair he chivalrously moves for me.
Dave does the same thing for Heather and I find myself sitting between my girlfriend and Lev.
Mom asks for everyone’s attention as she introduces the president of Star Cove’s Wildlife Preservation Society, who explains how the unprecedented development that our small town has seen in recent years has worsened the situation of the already endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
“It’s important to help our wildlife thrive, and this is especially true for our sea turtles.
” The woman says. “The Olive Ridley sea turtles are fairly common all over California, but here in Star Cove we have a unique subspecies. As if they wanted to give a nod to the name of our beautiful town, the sea turtles that live in our waters and beaches have a unique pattern on their shells.”
She points to the photo displayed on a giant screen on one of the walls of the dining room to draw attention to the star shape on top of the shell of the two turtles in the poster.
“Today we’re here to gather funds destined to build an oasis for these creatures.
With the outstanding support of our mayor, our society hopes to purchase a portion of the beach on the western edge of town.
While the town has come forward with a huge tax cut on the new natural reserve, we need help to come up with the sum needed to secure the purchase of the land from its current owners.
You can donate here in person or online.
Every donation you make today will be greatly appreciated.
Donations are open now.” She clicks on the small tablet in her hands, and a website address appears at the bottom of the screen.
A round of applause sounds in the dining room.
Mason Morelli stands up from his chair and hands the woman a large white envelope.
“I’m personally fairly new in town, having grown up on the East Coast,” he says loudly enough for most of the room to hear him.
“But part of my family has been in Star Cove since before I was born. Please accept my donation on behalf of the Morelli Food Group.”
“How exciting. Thank you.” The woman’s eyes widen as she opens the envelope.
“Oh my, Mr. Morelli. This is such a generous donation. Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first donation of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I hope everyone will follow the example of the Morelli family and emulate their generosity.”
Ares and Lev’s earlier conversation about the money laundering behind Morelli’s legitimate business ventures echo in my ears.
I wonder if the woman who’s still praising Mason knows where that money most likely came from.
The picture of the turtles on the screen is replaced by a list of the donations that are beginning to come through.
There are several six figure sums in there and, while the cause is definitely worthy, I’m sure these donations represent a tax write off for most of these people.
Waiters begin serving tea and bringing to the table a variety of finger sandwiches, canapés, small cakes and scones.
“Scones are my favorite,” Heather beams, spreading jam and cream on one half of her pastry. “The fresh cream is my favorite part.”
I take a cucumber sandwich and a little pot of strawberry and cream mousse, I’m still full after the big brunch Ares cooked for us. “That’s called clotted cream.” I say. “I’m surprised they have it here; I’ve never seen it outside the UK.”
“Have you been to the UK?” Heather asks.
“Yeah, I went to watch my dad race at Silverstone whenever my mom would allow me to miss school or if the race coincided with spring break. I haven’t been in a few years, though.
” I admit. After Mom sent me to boarding school, Dad’s already rare visits became even more sporadic, and I didn’t get to travel with his team like I used to.
Part of the reason is that after he retired from racing, Dad has been looking for the right sponsor to start his own MotoGP team and that meant he had less time for anything else. That included spending time with me.
Heather sighs, setting her half-eaten scone back onto her plate. “I wish I got to go, too. I was going to follow Atlas everywhere he got to race as soon as I graduated high school and we’d get married. But we all know that wasn’t meant to be.”
Heather’s sadness is like a tangible presence between us.
“I can’t even imagine how devastating it was to lose Atlas,” I say, squeezing her hand under the table. “But is he what you want?”
Her gaze follows mine to Cal’s younger brother, who has loaded his plate with sandwiches, pastries and cakes. Rather than eating, Dave is inhaling the food in front of him.
“I have to go powder my nose.” Heather says. “Come with me?”
I rise from my chair, following her out of the room toward the bathrooms in the Country Club’s foyer.
Right before we get to the heavy mahogany door with the word “Ladies” engraved on a golden plaque, we spot Chance and Ares headed to the dining room we just left.
My stepbrothers must have gone home to change and while I find Chance beyond sexy whether he’s in his hockey or riding gear, or Ares in his cop uniform, the way they look in a suit takes my breath away.
Heather looks at them too and we both wave at them when they nod in our direction.