Chapter Twelve
BY FOUR O’CLOCK, when Jordan and Liesel were supposed to be arriving, Rex was exhausted. His complete lack of sleep had something to do with it. So did the jumbled mess of his thoughts. He’d been in the office for eight hours and hadn’t gotten anything done. That was because he’d come to the office to hide, not really to work, but he wasn’t admitting that to anyone but himself.
When he’d woken up with Ari draped across his chest, he’d felt the very unfamiliar sensation of fear. That had quickly spurred him out of the warm bed and away from her tempting body. He was a fucking Nardone. He’d had fear beaten out of him early and often in life, but this morning he’d felt it in his bones.
It was there because now, for the first time in his adult life, there was something he wanted that he couldn’t have. He didn’t know how to deal with that. He knew that eventually he would have to talk to Ari. Apologize and explain. Two things he’d learned he was never to do as the second in command of his family. In this instance, he would though and then he would send Ari and all the temptation she represented away. He’d set everything up for her so that he never had to see her again. Hopefully, she would understand.
The door opening interrupted his thoughts. Truss, the butler, entered, saying, “Ms. Liesel and a Mr. Caruso are here for you, sir.”
“Yes, show them in please and have coffee and cookies sent up.”
The man nodded and backed out of the room. Less than a minute later, he was back, and Liesel and Jordan followed him. Rex stood and went to Liesel, giving her a brief hug before turning to offer his hand to Jordan. Rex had to give him credit. He stood tall and gave a firm handshake, even though he had to be nervous. Growing up in the neighborhood with his uncle, then he would know being summoned by Rex’s family rarely bode well.
“Mr. Caruso, thank you for meeting with us today,” Rex said.
“Of course, Mr. Nardone, it’s my pleasure. The opportunity to build my business came directly from Ms. Nardone and I’m very grateful,” he replied. Rex studied his face just like he had the day before. His expression and tone said he was being honest, but you couldn’t be too careful.
“Please have a seat, both of you,” Rex said, pointing to the table where he had his own laptop set up.
As everyone took their seat a sharp rap on the door announced the butler returning with the coffee. Rex opened the door for him, and he entered, putting the tray on the table before exiting without a word. Rex poured himself a cup, hoping to stave off his tiredness a while longer, and then sat down.
“Help yourselves,” he told them both, and Liesel got up and poured herself a cup before rejoining them.
“Mr. Caruso, I’ve asked you here today because the transfers you’ve been setting up to this account,” Rex said pointing at a statement laid out on the table, “are leaving the correct accounts with tracking numbers, but not getting to this one.” Rex paused to let that information sink in. “You are not here because I suspect you are doing anything wrong, but I need Liesel to see this happen so she can figure out how to start tracking them to find out where they are going.”
Jordan’s eyes were wide with a hint of fear, so Rex was glad he’d said he wasn’t a suspect. The man was smart and knew this could be a massive problem for him. “Of course, Mr. Nardone. And please, call me Jordan.”
Rex gave him a hint of a smile. “I will if you’ll call me Rex. If you can help us with this… problem… I can see a good working relationship and new opportunities with us in the future if you’d like.”
Jordan’s eyes got bigger, and he nodded ever so slightly. Rex already had the websites pulled up for two banks that they used, and he logged in to both of them.
“I’d like you to set up a transfer from this one, which is my personal account, to this one. This is where the business money goes. I think my personal account is in the same one that most of the businesses you work with use, true?”
“Yes, sir. They all use Illinois State Bank.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Rex leaned in and started setting up the transfer. He stopped at the end of each step and had Liesel look over the process. When she nodded in agreement, he would move on to the next step. After he hit the last button, he then logged into the international bank they used for the business accounts. As with the other transactions, the tracking number said it had gone through, but the money wasn’t there.
“See Liesel, there’s a disconnect. The routing number is the same and the account number, but it must be mismatched somewhere because nothing is coming through.”
She tapped a finger on her lips, staring at the screen. “Yes, I see that.” She pulled the laptop toward her and started tapping away. Rex and Jordan both watched her for a few minutes, but when it became obvious that she wasn’t going to be done soon, Rex looked back at Jordan.
“Is there something you’d prefer to drink besides coffee? This might take a while. In fact, I’d like you to stay for dinner.”
Jordan paled but kept his composure. “Water would be good, Mr. Nardone. I’m not much of a coffee drinker. And thank you for the dinner invitation. It would be my pleasure.”
He looked nervous, but not scared. Rex truly didn’t suspect the young man. He did excellent work, and Rex wanted Tommy to meet him. Rex had a file on his desk that he’d pored over this morning that told him just about every detail of Mr. Caruso’s life courtesy of Liesel. Unless he was a better hacker than Liesel, and there were only a few of those in the world, Jordan had no hidden accounts and no skill to redirect money without an obvious trail. Rex went to the mini fridge behind his desk and got a bottle of water, setting it in front of Jordan.
“Thank you,” he paused before continuing, “Rex.”
They were both startled when Liesel said, “I got it.”
“What?” Rex and Paul asked at the same time.
“The account number is a dummy,” she said.
“What does that mean?” Rex asked, his brow furrowed.
“It means that even though the correct account number is listed, a deeper layer of code is actually sending the money to a different account number.”
“Seriously?” Jordan asked.
“Yup, and I don’t know how to change the code.”
Now Rex was truly concerned. “You mean someone out there who doesn’t like us has someone better than you?”
Liesel”s face was tight, but she nodded. “It looks that way. We’ll have to open another account.”
This was getting old fast. “I guess Tommy and I need to brainstorm who we might have pissed off.”
Liesel grimaced. “Pretty much. I’ll let the bank know that they might have a bigger problem.” She stood and left, taking Rex’s laptop with her.
Rex rubbed his temples. This was too much for right now. Honestly, he and Tommy had kept things clean for the last five years since they’d taken over. They hadn’t been involved in any turf wars and anyone who had wanted out or to change allegiances had been let go. Neither of them had the heart to fight wars over money. He’d studied finance and with Liesel on computers, they had invested their money and done well enough to support them and their family until this hacker shit had started. Could there be a family, or maybe multiple, out there that didn’t want to see them get out of the business? That didn’t make sense. If they weren’t part of the picture, then there was more business to go around. He briefly contemplated if the retired family men could have concocted this scheme somehow, but quickly discarded that. They were all too computer illiterate to even start to come up with this. Plus, Liesel closely monitored their finances and phones, so if they were talking to someone, she would know.
He finally realized that, as he’d been thinking, Jordan had been silently watching him. He studied him for a long minute before he asked him. “How much do you know about us?”
Jordan opened his mouth, shut it, and then opened it again. “I know that you’ve kept our side of town safer than it has been in a decade. I know businesses are growing and not leaving. I also know that comes with a price.”
Rex grinned. “That was a very diplomatic answer.”
Jordan shrugged. “Growing up, my uncle made it clear where our allegiance lay. As far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed. If there’s anything you need from me to show you that, I’ll do it.”
Rex stood and clapped him on the shoulder. “There’s no better answer than that. For now, let’s head over to the dining room. I imagine dinner must be close to being ready and I can introduce you to the rest of the family in residence right now.”
Ari watched from the corner of the room as Rex introduced a man she hadn’t seen before. The man seemed nervous but in the way of meeting important people, not in the fearing for his life way. She hoped that by standing out of the way Rex would leave her out of it, but of course he didn’t. As he drew closer, her stomach fluttered. She hadn’t seen him all day. She was sure he’d hidden in his office where he’d told her she couldn’t go, but he’d left the door to her room unlocked. Taking advantage of that, she’d spent the day in the library and the gym. Ari had even come down on her own to lunch. Tommy had greeted her with a brief nod. Otherwise, she’d been left on her own.
“Ari, this is Jordan,” he said, avoiding her eyes. “He’s a new business associate. Jordan, this is Ari, a friend of the family.”
Ari personally thought that was stretching the truth a bit, but kept her mouth shut. She jumped when Rex took her arm and escorted her to the table. His touch was stiff, so Ari gave him a bright smile to let him know she was fine. This didn’t need to be weird. A mutual orgasm was nice, well more like mind blowing, but she wasn’t foolish enough to think there was more to it. She was all but a kid and a stray he’d picked up.
Soon enough she’d dedicate her life to raising her siblings and, if Rex was to be believed, go to school. There would be no time for men and dating, and she was fine with that. Hell, before last night, the idea that sex could be enjoyable had been part of the fiction world only. Now that she knew better she might miss it a bit, but that wasn’t a reason to lose sight of her goals.
“Hi, Jordan. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand.
“You too, Ari.”
Rex pulled him away to continue talking and introductions, but he gave Ari a look over his shoulder that she couldn’t read. He almost looked annoyed, but that didn’t make sense. He was the one who’d avoided her all day. Sighing to herself, she made her way across the room and fixed herself a plate of food. Tommy moved beside her and said, “He seems like a good guy. We’re looking at having him do some accounting work.”
Ari stopped and stared at him, but Tommy didn’t meet her gaze, so she turned back to her plate again. “That’s nice, he must be good at what he does if you guys think he’s worth hiring.”
“Why would you say that?”
She glanced sideways, trying to understand where this conversation was supposed to be going. “Because I can’t see you guys hiring anyone but the best to work for you. It’s smart business.”
“Why would you assume that the best would want to work for us?”
Ari pursed her lips. That was a fair question. “Well, I don’t know really, but I assume you would make it worth their time. Again, good business.”
“And what would you know about good business?”
These questions were digging for something, and Ari really didn’t know what. “Only what I learned after my father died and I was trying to figure out our household finances.”
“Why was it your job to do that?”
Ari snorted, then remembered who she was talking to. “Sorry. My mother has never been up for mother of the year, but after Dad died, she really went off the deep end. I don’t even know how she held a job. She was always absent and screwing up. Then she married Stan and quit.”
“So you had to take care of things?” he asked again.
“Could you just tell me what you want to know so I can give an appropriate answer?” Ari finally snapped.
Tommy’s lips quirked in an almost smile. “You want our help, and you know the price and have agreed to it. That’s all well and good, but how do I know you won’t just become another dependent for my cousin?”
Ari’s eyebrows lifted, and she smirked at him. “Does he collect strays often?”
Tommy studied her for a minute before answering. “You have no idea.”
A ball of ice formed in Ari’s stomach, but Tommy kept speaking. “He has a big heart. Much too big for what we do. If he thinks you can’t handle things, he’ll never truly step away.”
Fury replaced the ice. “Look, I didn’t ask any of you for help. I’m grateful, don’t get me wrong. But I didn’t ask him to help me with school or anything else. All I want is for Olivia and Owen to be safe. As soon as I have them, I’ll get a job, petition for custody, and get out of your house. I’ll be forever glad that it was Rex who bought me and that it turned out like it has.”
Tommy glanced over his shoulder where Rex was still talking with Jordan and Liesel. “And the fact that he fucked you last night?”
Ari gasped but pulled herself together. “I’d say casual sex between consenting adults is their business, wouldn’t you?”
“Not if it lands my cousin with child support,” Tommy retorted.
“Don’t worry,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “The people who sold me gave me a three-month shot of birth control and he used a condom. Though if you want details, you should really talk to him. I guess it’s easier to scare little old me, isn’t it?” she asked, fire dancing in her eyes.
Tommy gave her a hard stare before shrugging. “I just wanted things to be clear.”
“Well, let me be clear. Get me my siblings, I’ll bring those fucking sickos down and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
Ari left her plate on the buffet and spun on her heel. She needed out of here. How fucking dare he? How dare they? Ari stormed out of the dining room, not caring that she was causing a scene. If anyone had a problem with her exit, they could take it up with their fearless leader.
She made it out the door and halfway up the stairs before a hand caught her arm. “Ari, what’s wrong?” a concerned-looking Rex asked.
Ari’s eyes brimmed with angry tears. “Ask your cousin,” she spit.
“What?” Rex asked, has brow furrowed in confusion.
“I don’t know what you’ve told him, but I didn’t ask for any of this. If I had any other options, I certainly wouldn’t be asking a criminal to help me get my brother and sister, but I’m out of options. I don’t need your money or anything else. I just want my family. After that I’ll get the hell out of your life.”
Rex dropped her arm as though it had burned his hand. “Ari, I don’t understand. Of course, I want to help you. I don’t want anything to happen to your brother and sister.”
“As long as it means you get what you need,” she snapped.
His eyes shuttered. “That was Tommy’s idea. I’d still get them out even if you weren’t helping though.”
“Yes, well, I’d rather do what I can. That way when I walk away I won’t owe any of you anything.”
“You don’t owe me anything now. Ari, I’m sorry I know I should have talked to you today, but—”
“But nothing,” Ari said, cutting him off. “It’s fine, I get it. You don’t have to explain anything.” She paused to take a calming breath and force the tears back. “Please, just get Olivia and Owen to safety. I’ll help you take down the auction when the time comes. You and your cousin never have to worry about me again. Ok?”
Rex nodded at her, and Ari turned and ran up the stairs. She eased the doors shut, making sure no hint of her anger showed in any of her actions. She waited until she was in pajamas tucked up under her covers before she finally let the tears fall. They were the worst kind, angry tears. Fuck Tommy Nardone and his snide comments. Fuck Rex for making her want him.
A deep, shuddering sigh passed through her. At least the man calling the shots had laid his cards on the table before she did something like fall for Rex. Just because she enjoyed being taken care of for the first time in years didn’t mean she was falling for anyone. Right?
Rex stared after Ari as she ran up the stairs. He’d only ever seen her spine that rigid when she’d been forced on stage to be auctioned off. What the hell had Tommy said to her? He ground his teeth and forced himself to take a slow breath. It wasn’t helping, but he really didn’t want to talk to Tommy angry. He shook his head to clear it. That wouldn’t change in the next few minutes, but he needed to know what he’d told Ari so he could fix it. He strode down the steps and into the dining room, where everyone was sitting down to eat. He stepped close to Tommy and leaned in. “I need to see you in the office. Now.”
Tommy gave him a bland look. “I just sat down with my dinner.”
“Now,” Rex snapped.
Tommy’s eyes narrowed, but he pushed back from the table. A nearby server approached and placed a cover over the plate. Tommy gave him a curt nod before following Rex out of the dining room and down the hall. Rex opened the door and let Tommy in first.
“What’s your problem, Rex,” Tommy asked, annoyance obvious.
“What exactly did you say to Ari?” Rex growled.
Tommy jerked. “Nothing I just told her not to get attached.”
Rex shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s it.”
Tommy stared him down, but Rex stared back. His cousin might be the boss, but that didn’t mean he was always right. Look at how fucked up things had been when their fathers had run things. Tommy finally broke eye contact and rubbed a hand over his eyes.
With a deep sigh, he explained. “I told her you make a habit of taking care of people and not to try to tie you down with a child support payment.”
Rex clenched his fists to keep himself from punching Tommy. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“No, I’m pretty sure you’re the one doing the fucking,” Tommy retorted.
Rex was across the room with his hands fisted in Tommy’s shirt in an instant. “Don’t even go there. You’re the one who told me there wasn’t a problem because she was legal.”
“Yeah, that was before you wanted to play white knight for her family and send her off to school,” Tommy said, shoving him backward.
“That changes nothing. I’ve helped all the girls I’ve rescued,” Rex reasoned.
“Yes, but you haven’t fucked any of them,” Tommy said.
“Because they were children.”
“She might as well be,” Tommy snapped.
“She’s the farthest thing from a child. She’s been caring for two kids, going to school, and working for five years.”
“So you care about her?” Tommy asked.
“What? I… I don’t even know why we’re talking about this.”
“Because I’m your boss… and your family. It’s my job to make sure you aren’t letting all your crusading put you or our family in a bad position,” Tommy said.
“That’s bullshit and you know it. What’s your real problem?”
“We don’t know that much about her. What if she’s playing with you? What if she is trying to trap you? She grew up an aspiring principessa. She would have had a contract with a Malone.”
“She didn’t know any of that until her father died,” Rex said.
“So she says, what proof do we have of that?” Tommy asked carefully.
Rex glared at him. But it was a reasonable point. Just because she hadn’t schemed to get in this position didn’t mean she wouldn’t try to take advantage of it. Her anger and her tears might be frustration at being found out. Rex grimaced. He didn’t want to think about that possibility. What he’d shared with Ari last night had felt right in a way nothing ever had. The feel of her against him had been intoxicating. Was that what she was counting on? He couldn’t make himself believe that.
“None, but I promise, she’s not interested in a ‘criminal’ like me,” he told Tommy, using her words.
Tommy flinched, and Rex knew how he felt. If Ari was what she claimed to be, and despite Tommy’s concerns, there was no evidence of lies on her part. She was an honest, hardworking woman. Of course, she wouldn’t want to be with someone like them. Rex knew it bothered Tommy almost as much as it bothered him. Tommy didn’t struggle with it as much because he’d been brought up as the head of the family and felt a responsibility for it.
Tommy studied him for a minute before nodding. “I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to Ari tomorrow,” he said and then continued, “It will probably go over better if her brother and sister are here to smooth things over. Can you be ready to go get them tonight?”
“Of course. Did you get the intel back?”
“Yes, they’re still at the house. The stepfather has been missing for the last thirty-six hours though, so be careful.”