Chapter 12 | Bianca
Bianca
After Nick dropped me off, I jogged home quickly, anxious to get to Alexis and update her on the agreement I’d made with Michael. Closing Victor’s door behind me, I sat on the bed, my heart constricting as she peacefully slept under Victor’s ornate comforter.
“Wake up, sweet girl,” I said, stroking her hair. “We need to talk.”
She rolled over and smiled as she stretched her arms. “Hey, Mom. You okay?”
“I just met with Michael Caruso,” I whispered, holding my finger over my lips to emphasize the importance of speaking softly. “He’s going to help us.”
Alexis sat up and tilted her head. “How?”
Sighing, I pursed my lips. “I’m going to marry him.”
Alexis blinked rapidly, her eyebrows drawing together. “Excuse me...what?”
“He and I have a history from the distant past that I never told you about—”
“What type of history?”
“Not now,” I interjected, holding up my hand. “We don’t have time. I’ll explain that later. But I met with him this morning and he’s offered to help us. I’m going to marry him and he’s going to assign his cousin Nick to protect you.”
Alexis’s features drew together. “Protect me how?”
“He’s going to take you to a safehouse until Michael asserts clear control over your father’s business and his remaining loyalists.”
Her mouth fell open. “That could take months!”
“Yes,” I said with a curt nod, “but we don’t have a choice. We have no protection in a very dangerous world, sweetheart.” I squeezed her wrist. “I can’t lose you. You’re all I have.”
“Aw, Mom,” she said, her eyes filling with tears as she leaned forward and threw her arms around me. I squeezed back, wishing she could understand how much I loved her. How I would move heaven and earth to save her, no matter the cost.
“I put us both in this position with my stubborn belief that I was helping,” she said, sniffling.
“And now you’re going to have to marry another man you don’t love.
Damn it.” Drawing back, she ran her arm under her nose.
“And I’m going to have to live in a safehouse with a man I don’t even know.
Jesus. Is there any way around this? Maybe I can figure something out—”
“We ran out of options when your father left us broke and homeless, sweetheart,” I said, wishing things were different.
“And when I fucked up. Ugh,” she scoffed. “I really stepped in it.”
“We all make mistakes, and beating yourself up won’t do any good,” I said, cupping her shoulders. “I understand your intention. You’re reckless and impulsive, but you’re also brilliant and resourceful. You were trying to create leverage for us, and I won’t berate you for that.”
Her lips formed a compassionate smile. “I don’t deserve you, Mom. None of us ever did, especially Dad. And now, you’ll have to be married to that monster... I mean, he killed Dad.”
I cleared my throat, aware of the narrative Victor had painted of Michael. “Michael isn’t perfect, but he’s not the man your father painted him to be,” I said. “I knew him when I was young and he was...kind.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Knew him how, exactly?”
“I...” Swallowing thickly, I debated how much to tell her in the short time we had. “Let’s just say that this morning wasn’t the first time he proposed to me.”
“What?” Alexis shrieked, and I lifted my finger to my lips.
“Shh!”
“I mean, geez, Mom,” she said, her eyes wide. “You almost married Michael Caruso? And I never knew? What the hell?”
“It’s a long story that I’ll tell you when we have more time—”
My phone rang and I lifted it to my ear. “Michael?”
“We’re out of time, stella,” his deep voice said over the phone. “John and Simon will use your ten a.m. meeting to force Alexis into captivity until she supplies the information they want. You can’t stay there any longer, Bianca. I’m sorry.”
I sighed, resigned to my fate. “Okay. I was just updating Alexis on our conversation. I’ll...I’ll marry you, Michael. As long as you take care of Alexis, I’ll do whatever you want. Please, we have to keep her safe.”
I clicked off the phone and harshly rubbed my forehead. “Pack a small bag with essentials only. We’re going to tell your father’s men that we need some fresh air, and Nick is going to pick us up at the Stone Street Deli.”
Her curious eyes roved over my face before she whispered, “You really trust Michael Caruso?”
“I really do.”
“Okay,” she said, tossing off the covers and glancing around the room. “I think all I need are some clothes, toiletries and my laptop.”
“Get them together quickly and meet me downstairs. Don’t arouse suspicion.”
Expelling a long breath, she nodded.
I hugged her again before heading to my bedroom to pack my purse with essentials. After stuffing the purse with my wallet and a small bag full of Victor’s valuables that Alexis had compiled, I trailed down the stairs, trying to look normal in a satiation that was anything but.
“Hey, Mom,” Alexis said, walking down the stairs with a backpack on her back. “I’m going to go work at the coffee shop by the deli.”
“I need some...uh...tampons,” I said, glancing at John as he stood guard by the front door, wearing his usual scowl. “I’ll walk with you. It’s nice outside and I could use the fresh air.”
“We’ll drive you both,” John said, his cold gaze sending a shiver down my spine. “Our meeting is at ten a.m. and several of your husband’s men will be here. It’s important that you’re prompt.”
“I think I can walk five blocks there and back,” I said sweetly. “Or do you have some extra expertise in selecting tampons?”
I took comfort in his obvious discomfort as his cheeks reddened. “No, ma’am. We’ll just have Simon follow you.”
“Absolutely not,” I said, gesturing for Alexis to follow me as I opened the door.
“Victor’s tracker app is active on my phone, and you all can monitor that if you wish.
Randy has Victor’s phone, and I assume he’s here in the study.
” John gave a brief nod. “The app will tell you which block I’m on at all times,” I continued. “Come on, Alexis. Let’s go.”
I walked briskly down the driveway, Alexis following me as we exited through the iron gate at the end. We turned onto the sidewalk, and I glanced back.
“They don’t seem to be following us...for now,” Alexis said.
“Walk quickly, dear,” I said, picking up the pace as we walked along the tree-lined street. We lived in a nice neighborhood in Brooklyn, full of large homes with manicured lawns. Blood drummed through my veins as we approached the deli.
“I don’t see a car,” Alexis said, eyeing the deli parking lot.
“Around back,” I directed, remembering there was a smaller lot in the back.
When we rounded the corner, the driver’s side door of a black SUV opened.
“Get in,” Nick said, stepping out and urging us both inside.
“There’s a tracker on both of our phones,” I said, my words rushed as I slid in the back seat.
“Give them to me.” He held out his hand.
“What? No way! I need my phone!” Alexis said from beside me in the back seat.
“Now, Alexis. We’ll get you a new one.”
She huffed and pulled it from her bag. “Thank goodness I just backed up my contacts—”
Nick tugged the phone from her hand and took mine as well.
“Hey! I wasn’t ready yet—” Alexis said.
Nick dropped both phones to the concrete and stomped them both with his heel, crushing them into multiple pieces. Then, he picked up the largest pieces and tossed them in the nearby dumpster.
After brushing his hands together to rid them of the dust, he slid behind the wheel. “Seat belts on.”
“Fuck you!” Alexis said, crossing her arms.
“Hey,” I said, encircling her forearm and squeezing. “Nick is just trying to help us.”
“Nick,” she breathed, shooting daggers at his eyes in the rear-view mirror. “Oh, great, my new captor. You seem like a fucking gem.”
“You don’t seem like a real treat yourself, princess,” he snarled as he drove.
“Don’t call me that!”
“Enough!” I said, rubbing my temples. “We’ve got enough problems without you two bickering. I’ll have Michael get you a new phone, Alexis. Remember that your actions are one of the reasons we’re here.”
Expelling a frustrated breath, she burrowed into the leather seat and gazed out the windows as we drove. When we arrived at Michael’s house, Nick led us inside as Alexis’s eyes widened.
“Wow,” she said, glancing around the huge foyer. “The mafia’s been good to the Carusos.”
“Hello, Mrs. Rossi,” a voice with a Spanish accent called. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Carmen!” I gasped, rushing toward her and hugging her. “Thank God you’re okay! I know you were in Peru with your family, so I wasn’t sure if you knew that Victor...uh...got shot.”
“I was not in Peru, Mrs. Rossi,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she held my hands. “Mr. Caruso removed me from your home two weeks ago and paid me to wait until he was ready. He called me today, and I will be working here from now on.”
Confusion laced my features as I digested the information.
“I wanted you to start over here with some familiarity,” Michael said, stepping into the room. “I thought you might come to me after Victor...”
“After you killed my father?” Alexis said, accusation in her tone.
“Yes,” Michael continued. “Carmen will live and work with us now, isn’t that right, Carmen?”
She nodded, and leaned closer to whisper, “He’s a good man, querida. One day, you will know everything.”
“I...” I glanced at Michael and then back to Carmen. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“That makes two of us,” Alexis said, her tone annoyed.
“She’s got a mouth on her,” Nick said to Michael.
Alexis blinked rapidly, her tone sarcastic. “Yes, where I come from, women are allowed to make choices before a huge tattooed goon destroys their personal property!”
Michael lifted his eyebrows as Nick cleared his throat.
“Their phones both had trackers,” Nick grumbled.
“Ah, yes,” Michael said with a nod. “We’ll have Burns get you both new phones immediately.” Closing the distance between them, he extended his hand to Alexis. “It’s a pleasure to formally meet you, Alexis. I’m sorry it’s under such...intense circumstances.”
Alexis glowered at his outstretched hand. “You killed my father.”
Michael lowered his hand and slowly nodded. “Yes.”
Alexis’s eyes darted between his. “And you want to know where my flash drive is. Well, spoiler alert, it’s encrypted, and I’m not giving the information to anyone.”
The corner of Michael’s lips curved. “Knowing that information would help me work with our FBI informants to shut down your father’s sex trafficking ring for good.”
Her chin lifted. “I do want the trafficking to stop, but I don’t trust you.
I don’t trust anyone right now. If I give you that info, what use do you have for either of us?
” she gestured between us with her hand.
“And the encryption is state of the art, so don’t even think about hiring a hacker to do it. No one but me can do that.”
“Yes, that makes you indispensable, which is very smart. But indispensable doesn’t mean invulnerable, Alexis. Torture is a very effective way of extricating information from someone.”
Alexis shivered at his words.
“This is why we need to hide you for a while. Nick will ensure you remain safe while I marry your mother and solidify her allegiance to me. In the meantime, I’m hoping my protection of her will help...soften your stance on giving me the information.”
Alexis crossed her arms. “Not likely.”
Michael’s lips curved into a slow grin before he looked at me. “She’s so much like you were back then. Full of fire, and stubborn as hell.”
“Um, hi, please don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Alexis said, waving her hand in front of his face.
“Alexis,” I scolded, shooting her a glare before lifting my gaze to Michael’s. “When is the wedding?”
His gaze softened as his tone turned more serious. “The officiant will be here shortly. I’m sorry it’s not a Catholic priest, but we don’t have time to get permission to have a priest marry us outside of a church. Leticia has a dress on the way for you both. Carmen knew your sizes.”
I nodded and walked toward Alexis, taking her hand as I addressed Michael and Nick. “And when will you take Alexis to the safehouse?”
“We’ll be heading there after the wedding,” Nick said, his expression indicating that he was less than thrilled about the situation. “I’ve given Michael my vow to protect her.”
Alexis opened her mouth to give a retort, and I sent her a silencing glare.
“Thank you,” I continued. “We both appreciate your protection. This is all very disconcerting, as I’m sure you can understand.”
“Of course,” Michael said, his voice conciliatory. “Carmen, please take Bianca and Alexis to the kitchen and make them some breakfast. Then show Bianca her room. You both can freshen up there if you like,” he finished, his gaze meeting mine.
“Thanks,” I said softly, wondering what having my own room meant.
Michael had indicated earlier that he wanted to be with me as much as possible, but what did that mean?
Did we sleep separately but make love in his room?
Was I allowed in there if he wasn’t home?
Questions swirled in my mind at all of the unknowns.
Pushing the thoughts aside, I took Alexis’s hand and followed Carmen to the kitchen.