CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Only a block of concrete separated me from Judge Colby. We stood facing each other outside the bookshop. He seemed so much bigger in my memories that it surprised me he was only a few inches taller than me. Then again, he’d been a shadow that grew in the dark, making me smaller in my skin.
He was the quintessential corporate businessperson in a bespoke suit with polished leather shoes. Sporting an exuberant smile on his face like he’d met up with a friend. Yet, his eyes didn’t match. They held the condescending smug glint that he was the smartest in any room—the same look he gave me when he said no one would believe me.
I gagged, pressing a fist to my chest. “How-how are you here?”
A couple on the sidewalk brushed past him and glanced at me. His eyes darted around, and he took a step closer. “Calm down—”
“Stay back,” I barked, alarmed, stumbling back as adrenaline and rage coursed through my blood. My hands trembled as I dug into my saddle bag for a weapon. The only thing I had with me was my phone, and I imagined slamming it on the concrete and picking up shards, sinking it into his neck.
“Are you all right?” His tone infused with concern that had me looking his way to see if he was performing for an audience. But he used that moment to brush his beard with his hands, angling his face to show the scar I put there.
I clenched my jaw. Did he actually expect sympathy from me?
The corner of his mouth curled upward. “Please, give me a few minutes—”
“How did you find me?” I hissed.
His brows raised, and his mouth dropped open. “Is your home a secret? There are only a few buildings in this area that the Marinis don’t own,” he said in a sarcastic voice. He put his briefcase down and held up his hands, palms out. “See? I have nothing. I only want to talk to you for a few minutes.”
I blinked rapidly, staring at his large palms, face out. The yellow burns were gone from his fingertips. However, the vision sent me back.
It had been a hot summer day, and I opened the screen door to the house….
“Mama, you there?” I call out.
She doesn’t answer. But Judge Colby comes in wearing only shorts. He adjusts himself and grins. “It’s so damn hot today.”
I freeze. Mama warned me not to wear a tank top or shorts when he’s here, but she hadn’t told me he’d be over.
“Where’s Mama?”
“Close the door before the mosquitoes get in.”
I drag my feet through the door and shut it, keeping my back against the wood.
My eyes stare at the stairs in front of me. If I run, I could make it.
He lets out a low whistle as he walks in front of the stairs. “Where were you in that tight tank top and shorts. With a boy?”
“Gross. Just leave me alone,” I yell and huff.
But it’s too late. I’ll have to pass him.
He lifts his hands with palms out. “Why do you act so funny? I’m not going to touch you, doll. I only want to talk to you for a few minutes.”
But his eyes were already moving down my body.
They touch.
And so will he….
“Get the hell out of the way. I have nothing to say to you.” I stepped back and bumped into a table, knocking over an empty glass that the woman seated behind it had next to her book.
“I’m sorry,” I said to her cross face.
Her gaze shifted between us, and her expression softened on me. “Are you all right?”
“I’m her father,” Judge Colby explained, giving her a politician’s smile.
She narrowed her eyes at him and took her phone out of her bag, angling it like she was recording. I couldn’t tell her to stop, but I couldn’t risk it being posted online.
I walked briskly down to the end of the block.
“Please wait,” he called to my back.
My eyes darted around me. There were still cars coming down the road and people passing. We weren’t alone. Knowing him, he wanted something and believed he had the leverage to get it. I might as well find out.
I swiftly turned around, curling a hand into a tight fist. “Stay back. Say what you want and never come near me again,” I gritted between clenched teeth.
His eyes widened in shock. “Why are you behaving like this?”
I stiffened.
“Seriously, I don’t know what happened. Only that I blacked out and woke up in the hospital. Do you know?”
I ground my teeth.
He blew out his breath and hunched his shoulders. “You and Lorelei were gone, and they made me go to jail? I didn’t understand. But rehab and twelve steps taught me my addiction controlled me. I was just a puppet.”
“Then what did you apologize for?” I snapped.
He lifted his shoulders. “I don’t know. I don’t remember, but I know you hate me and I don’t want you to. It was Luca and the Belfiores feeding my addiction. The money, drugs, and gambling made me lose my family. You saw the papers. Right?”
I let out a derisive snort. Judge Colby believed the lies he’d made up. The papers. They were from him?
“Luca knew he did wrong. When I saw him in Italy, he was sorry. He gave me the papers and paperback to give you as proof ’cause he thought you wouldn’t believe me,” he said in a solemn tone like he was hurt as if I hadn’t heard his bullshit speeches before.
The only thing he was honest about was meeting Luca in Italy. The rest was a careful lie. Luca would never give him a paperback to give me or bring him back into my life. Judge Colby knew I’d never accept anything from him . So he must have told someone at the house in Florence that Luca gave him Lady Chatterley’s lover to give to me . That’s the only way it ended up in my room. But Luca left a similar package shaped like a book with Magda to give me before I left. Which means my father knew Luca was coming to see me that day.
“Those emails he sent to buy you.” He let out a low whistle. “They were so desperate; he was embarrassed when I showed them to him.” Judge Colby rubbed his jaw, and his mask slipped. It was clear he reveled in whatever he’d done to Luca. “I got proof in my briefcase. That’s my ace.” Ace was what he used to always say about his gambling. He had an ace up his sleeve. It also didn’t take a degree to figure out his blackmail plan. Rocco mentioned emails when we talked. However, my father was babbling on.
“I don’t need much; fifty million dollars should do it. Rocco can give me some stock and investments and buy a new house for my family, and I’ll be gone. Poof.”
I pursed my lips. “I’m supposed to believe you’ll destroy your life to ruin the Marinis’ reputation?”
He squared his shoulders. “After what you and your mother put me through, you should be so lucky I only want to sell the email. I went to jail and now have a shitty job. While you and Lorelei get to live high off the hog? Fuck that. You know, I saw her sleazing around with Max Steele. That’ll tank Glenn’s re-election.”
I narrowed my gaze at him. Who’s Max Steele? Mama never mentioned him, only that she was ‘exploring options’ because Glenn was a cheat. She called but I hadn’t listened to her message. Whatever the case, it had nothing to do with him. It only worked to prove he hadn’t changed and would use what he knew to harm her. Yet, I bet he hadn’t considered what all his threats might do to him. So I said, “That email, or whatever you have, will bring you down, too.”
His lips formed a self-satisfied grin. “Maybe. But I’ll have a book deal and a redemption arc that could land me millions.”
There was the dreaming gambler I knew all too well. He was bigging up his grandiose ideas, not bothering to see if they could fully land. He hasn’t learned a thing.
I breathed through my nose. “And if Rocco doesn’t do it?”
He lifted his head higher. “Then I’ll pen a tell-all, and it won’t just be about all the money Luca gave me over the years; I’ll tell about your grandparents trying to silence me. I’ll talk about how the drugs and gambling hurt me so much that I turned to prostitute your mom, and you had emotional problems that turned you violent. Plus, how they covered up your crime and sealed your juvenile record.”
“You have a good memory for a guy that ‘blacked out,’” I mocked. “What about the rest of the things you did to me?”
“To you? I didn’t do anything,” he said flatly, jerking his head indignantly.
I glowered at him. “You did things to me.”
He scoffed. “I did nothing to you—”
“You beat me, and you assaulted me—”
“What the hell are you talking about—”
“Damn it, you came into my room when I was only eight—”
“I did no such thing,” he cut me off, his voice rising. “Someone poisoned you and put these exaggerations in your head. I never touched you. I was an addict—”
“You were sober,” I sneered. “You needed to check…check me over—”
“I took anatomy in college. I was making sure you didn’t show signs of defects. You need to stop assassinating my character,” he hissed. His face turned bright red, and his expression turned lethal. The mask was gone. It was the monster ready to strike.
“Still lying for attention. Well you’ve just made a huge mistake,” he said and simpered, shaking his head. “All your lies will catch up with you. It’s going to be me taking you all down. You’ll see.”
“Go to hell,” I snarled.
“Adelina,” I heard Zane shout my name.
Judge Colby picked up his briefcase and power-walked in the opposite direction, waving his hands for a cab that stopped for him.
Coward. However, I couldn’t brush off what he said he’d do. He’s still a threat.
Zane rushed up to me. “I found her,” he said into a radio. “I tried calling and texting you since I didn’t have a GPS on your phone. Who was that you were talking to?”
“Eric Colby, my uh father,” I choked.
His eyes widened, and his jaw jerked. “Fuck. What the hell is he doing here? Did he hurt you?”
Sweat broke across my body, and a wave of nausea soured my stomach. I rushed to the corner and vomited. My skin prickled, and I dropped the shopping bag on the ground, rubbing my arms.
Zane quickly collected it. “Fuck. Let’s get you out of here.” He glared down the street. “I should’ve been here. And we…we have to leave.” He handed me a handkerchief from his inside pocket.
My eyes were blurry, and I hadn’t even realized I was crying. “What…what’s going on?”
He reached for me to guide me like he’d done many times, but I flinched.
He dropped his hand. “We have an urgent flight to take to Italy. The plane’s waiting for us at the airport.”
“Why so sudden?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I was told to bring you there now—”
“But I have nothing with me,” I said, staring at my tracksuit and saddle bag.
“Isla’s packing up everything with a team right now. You’ll have whatever you need when you get there. Okay? But we must hurry.” He lifted the radio and spoke into it again. “Is he close?”
A voice came through, and I recognized it as Rick’s. “He’s here now.”
A Mercedes pulled up with the older man I’d seen in London with Paul, Nadia, and Miles. He promptly opened the car door for us.
“Laurence is coming along with us on Paul Crane’s plane,” Zane explained.
I quickly climbed into the car, and he followed me. A horn blared behind us, and then Laurence sat behind the wheel and drove down the road.
“Fancy meeting you on a sidewalk in the Village?” Laurence called back, cheery. “I hear you’re a big fan of Rocco’s pasta; however, you haven’t had Chef Renault’s latest Cassoulet. We will feast on the plane.”
I didn’t answer, but he kept talking.
“We’ll chat and talk about movies, overeat, and become good friends. I even have a few funny stories about Rocco as a teenager running around Italy with Paul. D’accord ?”
I knew Laurence was being kind but all I could hear were Judge Colby’s words.
“Then I’ll pen a tell-all, and it won’t just be about all the money Luca gave me over the years; I’ll talk about how the drugs and gambling hurt me so much…and you had emotional problems that turned you violent. Plus, how they covered up your crime and sealed your juvenile record.”
“Ah…uhm thanks,” I muttered. Could Judge Colby extort that money from Rocco?
“So, have you seen any films or television shows worth watching?” Laurence asked me.
He chatted away and had something to say about every movie or film I’d seen streaming recently. But at the back of my mind, there was the vitriol Judge Colby spewed and the anger I felt from him coming after me.
Zane had switched to talking on his phone. My ear pricked, hoping he’d share why the trip was so urgent, but he was so calm and only mentioned that we were on our way and would arrive in twenty-five minutes.
We reached the airport in twenty.
I took out my phone and tried Rocco again. It rang this time, but the messages said his phone was full. Hmm. Rocco never had a full voicemail. Maybe there’s a scandal breaking?
I glanced at Laurence and Zane; they were completely calm. Then again, we traveled all the time. It was my new normal. Seeing Rocco was all that mattered to me. I needed him.
We pulled up, and there were many police, TV cameras, and paparazzi.
Zane got out of the car, and Laurence leaned over the seat. “Please wait until we have the all-clear.”
The police forced the people back from the plane and allowed us to move close to the stairs. Laurence got out quickly and opened my door. Then he motioned for us to get on the plane fast.
“Adelina, are you flying to Rocco?”
“Adelina, what have you heard about the group?”
I tried to stop to listen, but Zane followed right behind me, and I was inside the plane.
“Why are they asking about Rocco? Did something happen?”
The pilot came over the loudspeaker. “Please take your seats for takeoff.”
Paul Crane appeared and walked down the aisle from the back. He gestured for me to sit in one of the two open leather seats.
I reluctantly sat down, belted in, and Paul did the same. He looked pale and wasn’t smiling like he usually did.
“I thought you were with Rocco?”
“I went for the first few days but had a concert back here. Rocco stayed with George, and a few others joined him.”
I cleared my throat. “Why am I flying with you to Italy? Is Rocco okay?”
“I’m sure he’s fine, but I’m also sure Rocco wants you with him.” His answer was vague and downright careful. I wanted to know more, but the lights went out, and we taxied down the runway to take flight.
When the plane evened, and the seatbelt light went out, Paul stood and focused on someone coming down the aisle. To my surprise, it was…Olivia?
Her face was puffy with tears, and my heart contracted, fearing something else had happened. Whatever it was, I wasn’t prepared to hear it and didn’t know if I could bear it.
I lowered my hand, and Paul patted it. “I’m going to give Olivia my seat.”
Paul left for the back of the plane, and Olivia sat down. I hugged her, and she sobbed on my shoulder.
“Did something else happen?” I asked when I let her go.
“I need to discuss something important with you.” She took one of my hands. “Please listen to what I’m trying to tell you. Rocco’s fighting a losing battle.” She dabbed the corners of her eyes and dipped her head. “No one will give him money for his studio.”
Oliva was grieving Luca but shouldn’t lose her faith in her son. “He’ll get the money. Please don’t stop believing in him—”
“Listen, George called me,” she spoke over me and cleared her throat. “He’s the richest and most frivolous with his money. He told me they all love Rocco and met with him out of respect for him and Luca. But he’ll not give him another dime unless he’s made partner.”
Rocco had suspected as much but was sure he could sway them after the rewards season.
I huffed in frustration for Rocco. He’d been with them for almost two weeks, and they never intended to give him the money. Unbelievable. “They shouldn’t have wasted his time. Why is he still trying?”
She scoffed. “Don’t you know? He’s doing it for you.”
My brows raised. “For me?”
“Yes, for you. Rocco’s got a big heart, and he falls in love fast. He’s so in love with you, but I’m not sure where you stand. I know you care for him—”
“I do, Olivia. Rocco is an amazing man, and I care for him deeply.” I didn’t want to tell Olivia I loved him without first telling him.
“Did Paul explain why we’re going now? I bet he didn’t.”
I frowned but didn’t say a word.
She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. “Paul hasn’t heard from Rocco today. He was supposed to give him an update. My Rocco never misses a meeting or call. I also called him several times, but he didn’t answer.”
My pulse increased, but I had to remind myself that Olivia still grieved Luca and probably felt anxious about death. So, I assured her, “I spoke with him yesterday. Please don’t worry. Rocco’s fine. He’ll talk to us after we land. Okay?”
She let me go, and I pressed the call button, and a flight attendant came.
“Water, please,” I asked for her. He left returning quickly and handing a bottle to her. I thanked him.
She gulped it down. “Our family’s on the verge of losing our fortune. The trust is winning their case on the will—”
“But Rocco said it’s fine—”
“He doesn’t want to worry you. If Rocco goes missing or anything happens to him, the board will meet and use the current will. They’ll remove the Marinis from power. The first time in history. And you, Adelina. Only you can help us.”
My stomach knotted. “How can I?”
“You pregnant would mean he’d get the two billion he needs now. Once the other investors know he has the money, they will give him the rest. Then the board members will back him, and he could take full command as successor.”
She made it all sound simple, but Rocco told me he didn’t want to be like his father, using children as pawns. He resented and hated it, and it would completely undermine his leadership.
I crossed my arms. “I’m sorry, Olivia, but I won’t go against Rocco’s wishes.”
She jerked her head back and turned away. “Money and legacy don’t matter to you, but they do to us. I…preferred getting you to help us by consent, but I will enforce our agreement regarding children.”
I stiffened. “What are you talking about?”
She lifted her chin. “There’s a provision in your marriage contract should anything happen to Rocco—”
“Nothing has happened to him, Olivia,” I interrupted.
“If he’s unavailable to answer to the board and succession hasn’t been sealed, it goes to his heir. You need to go off your contraceptives, get pregnant, and if you don’t—”
“I most certainly will not,” I snapped at her.
“And if you don’t, we will find a woman willing to carry his child.”
I glared at her. What the hell? “I’m Rocco’s wife, Olivia. How dare you.” Surely, Rocco wouldn’t be okay with that.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Adelina. But if you refuse, you give me little choice. I know you want Jacob to keep his new home. If everything turns over to Mr. Sears and the board of trustees, they can overturn all recent changes. You and Rocco would have to apply for consent once they take power. Do you want Jacob to have a board of people deciding each quarter about his care?”
I swallowed hard and turned my head away, unwilling to tell her how much her news affected me. Jacob finally had more autonomy in his home, job, and life. There was no way I’d let him lose, but what she asked was too much. Rocco would never trust me, and he would be right not to. “A child’s not a pawn. I’m not one, either. I can’t believe you’d be so cruel.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Adelina. I had to make hard choices, too, at your age. Things change, but they’re always the same. Your decisions were never yours. It’s our fate, our destiny. The burden always falls on us women. You’ll do it or lose everything you have. I’m sorry.”
I turned away from her.
Rocco, where are you? I need you.
End of Part Two: Love and Destiny Trilogy final Book 3 coming soon.