Chapter 15 #2
“The Alexander you met years ago would keep you locked in a perfect cage, but maybe Garrison did rub off on me. Besides, I have business to take care of and with you in my life in any capacity, you’d always be in danger.
That’s not what I want for you or what your brother would have wanted.
Keep in mind that I am going to make certain you’re protected. ”
“What does that mean?”
He grabbed my hand, pulling my knuckles to his lips.
“It means you will never be off my radar. If anyone dares to fuck with you, they will have me to deal with.” When he reached into his pocket, I held my breath, although I wasn’t certain what I was expecting.
When he handed me a cell phone, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.
“I want you to keep this with you at all times. My number is programmed. No one can trace it. If you need anything or if you see anyone suspicious or if anyone threatens you, then you need to promise to call me immediately.”
“My God. How can you live in this world?” I whispered, barely able to grab the cell phone.
His eyes reflected his answer. “Make that promise to me.” When he squeezed my hand, this time he used enough pressure I whimpered.
“I promise.”
“Good girl. I want you safe. I also want you happy. To that end, you’re going to live a normal life. No more games. Do you understand?”
“What if I misbehave?” I don’t know why I asked the question but to see his face brighten sent butterflies into my stomach. “Will you come discipline me?”
“You can count on that,” Alexander mused, sliding his finger down my cheek.
“I think I can also speak for Daniel that you will always have three men in your life who care about you,” Brogan added.
Only Daniel remained quiet, unable to look me in the eyes.
I unfastened my seatbelt, struggling with the decision all over again. I knew what I was doing was right. Even so, why did it ache so much?
As I was led out of the plane, I noticed Alexander had his hand on his weapon, scanning the small commuter lot as if he expected whatever had issued the threat would be waiting in the shadows. No, that wasn’t the kind of person I was. I couldn’t stand looking over my shoulder every day.
There were no promises to keep in touch and I managed to keep from crying. But as soon as I was settled in the back of the Lincoln Town Car, I lost it.
I’d fallen in love, which was supposed to be the most special moment of my life, but it was tearing me apart.
There weren’t enough years left in my life to heal the wounds that had been festering for over a decade.
* * *
Cassie
Over a week had gone by. A week of nothingness and sleepless nights. I’d gone to work and come home, but I couldn’t eat, couldn’t watch television. Nothing. I was wrapped up in thinking about a few weeks of my life that I’d lost my mind.
And about the Wild Boys.
The experience would remain locked away, my dirty little secret that no one could ever know about.
But that was eating at me more than I could say, especially what my father had done.
Whatever hatred he had for the others had to be predicated on an experience, or so I wanted to believe.
I’d lost the three men I’d fallen in love with.
Of course, I’d known a relationship would never work, but that didn’t take away the pain or the sadness.
Or the memories.
Garrison had deserved better than to be forced into that university. However, what if he hadn’t found a different family? I fisted my hand, trying to make sense of a crazy situation. What I knew in my heart was that the four boys had banded together because they had no other choice.
I stared out the window, shivering inside. This was something I needed to do. Maybe the action would make me feel better. As I got out of the car, I looked at the bright morning sky, giving a nod of reverence to Mother Nature. At least the sun was shining.
After grabbing the flowers, I closed the door, remaining by the car for a few seconds. The ache from before had returned with a vengeance.
I headed into the cemetery, no longer filled with the strangling sadness I’d felt for years.
Maybe this was my release, or a way of letting go of the past. As I knelt in front of Garrison’s grave, tugging the dead flowers away, a series of warm sensations coursed through me.
I rubbed my finger across his name then placed the daisies in the small holder. “I brought you your favorite flowers.”
The light breeze whipped across my skin, the delicate aroma of the flowers tickling my senses. “You were right about the Wild Boys. I shouldn’t have doubted your loyalty to them. I hope you can forgive me.”
I remained where I was, allowing the tranquil moment to sweep through me. For the first time, I was able to feel utter peace. “You will never be forgotten. Know that you’ll be in my heart forever.”
Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I could almost sense he was smiling down at me from above. After a few minutes, I rose to my feet. I knew what I had to do, what I should have done before.
My father was corrupt. I was no idiot, able to piece together bits and pieces of information that could implicate him in various methods of extortion.
While he did a damn good job of hiding his efforts, anyone who took the time to look into the man’s background to any degree would realize he’d used blackmail to get to where he was.
That sickened me. Maybe he’d expected Garrison to follow in his footsteps, which was why my brother had been sent to the university.
I didn’t expect my father to tell me the truth.
I honestly didn’t care about the reasons for his decisions.
All I knew was that I wanted to expunge him from my life. That wouldn’t bring Garrison back, but it would allow me to sleep easier at night.
I kissed my fingers, placing the tips against his stone. Then I headed for my car. While my heart might never heal, I accepted the fact that in time, the pain would ease.
The drive was without incident, the traffic light for this time of day. As I pulled into the parking lot, my resolve strengthened. Nothing was going to stop me from what I was about to do.
Taking long strides, I headed into the building and toward the elevator, grateful no one else was in the cold steel box beside me. When I reached the top floor, I plastered a smile on my face before exiting, wasting no time before heading through the double glass doors.
The receptionist eyed me warily before she recognized who I was. “Ms. Fields,” she said as she rose to her feet.
“No, Ms. Lark. Is my father in?”
“He is, but he has an appointment in ten minutes.”
“Oh, this won’t take long.” I didn’t wait for her response before heading toward my father’s massive wooden door. He had the poshest office in the suite, the corner view one of the best in the city. I’d driven all the way from our little hometown to Chicago, wanting to do this in person.
I didn’t bother knocking, nor did I care if he didn’t approve of my entrance. I simply walked inside.
He jerked up from his desk, only a few seconds of anger crossing his face before he smiled. His expression was even more plastic than mine.
“Hello, Father.”
“Cassie. What are you doing here?”
I walked ever so slowly toward his desk, planting my hands on the surface and leaning over. “I’m only going to ask you this once. Why did you hate your own son?”
I could tell I’d surprised him. Then his smug look was all I needed to continue.
“I didn’t hate Garrison, but he failed me.”
“Uh-huh. And you blamed the Wild Boys. Didn’t you?”
Another moment of surprise crossed his face. “How do you know about them?”
I laughed, gazing out the window for a few seconds.
“Because Garrison told me about them. He and I had a relationship. We cared about each other.” I snapped my head in his direction, exhaling as he tried to mask his emotions just like I was used to.
“I know all about the Wild Boys. I’ve met them.
I’ve spent time with them. And even better, I’m in love with all three of them.
How does that make you feel, father of mine? ”
His look of shock was just what I was going for.
“Stay away from them!” he snapped, pointing his finger at me.
“Perhaps I will, but you don’t get a say in my life. You prevented them from attending Garrison’s funeral, even though you knew they were friends. Didn’t you?”
He said nothing.
“Of course. Plausible deniability, right? I thought you had your own son killed in order to keep your secrets. Then I realized I was wrong.” My throat tightened from just issuing the statement.
“You are out of your mind, and I have business to attend to, Cassie.”
I slammed my hand on his desk, hissing loud enough he jerked backward.
“Don’t bullshit me. I’m finished with lies.
I’m curious. Why did you send threatening texts to Alexander, Daniel, and Brogan?
Were you worried since Brogan had just been released from prison that they would come after you?
” I was fishing, holding back information on purpose.
I wanted him on edge, angry enough he would admit to the truth.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
I lifted a single eyebrow, waiting.
“Those bastards turned my son into a killer. They deserved to pay for what they did, especially Alexander Durante. He is a bad seed, just like his father. And yes, one day I will bury them. I guess that means his death was just a lie.”
I ignored his last sentence.
“Fascinating. What happened to the very tight relationship you had with Bartholomew Durante?” My stomach was doing flip-flops, my heart racing, but nothing would stop me from digging out the truth, no matter how much bloodletting I had to do.
“I don’t need to hear this bullshit! The Durantes are monsters.”