Caleb (The Unseen Series Book 1) (16 page)

“Yeah, maybe just a little bit.” I smile back. “Want a cup of coffee flavored water?”

“I’m a homeless man, I’m not going to say no,” he replies as we get out of the car.

***

I never pull out the sofa bed but since Caleb is here, I figure we’ll be more comfortable on it rather than trying to share the sofa. Mitch and Maddie are next door with Rita so we could have slept in their room, but it just didn’t seem right somehow.

“I guess I’m going to have to arrange a funeral I suppose,” I say while thinking I could really do without this expense.

Caleb sighs and drops his head back against the pillow. “I’m so sorry,” he says.

“What?”

“You most likely won’t be having a funeral,” he begins and then halts, obviously trying to figure out how to word whatever it is he’s trying to say.

“Just spit it out,” I huff.

“Ken’s body has probably already disappeared. Jake would probably have taken him to a trusted associate who owns their own crematory.”

“What type of person owns a crematorium?”

“Not a crematorium, a crematory. It’s the machine they use to cremate the body.”

“Fine, what type of person owns a crematory?”

“Vets usually do, a private crematorium that doesn’t hold funerals, even the state has one for unclaimed dead bodies,” he says.

“That’s pretty fucked up,” I reply. “So he won’t be laid to rest by his family, he’ll just be burnt by some crazy assed vet for a quick buck and then what?”

“Don’t think about it. I’m sorry I told you,” he says sadly.

“No, I’m glad you did. I’d rather know the truth,” I say, wondering if that’s really true. “I suppose this experiment has gone out the window?”

“Well it doesn’t really matter, I’ve already made the decision to let you guys keep your home,” he tells me and it really does take a moment for me to register his words.

“Are you serious?” I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.

“I’m going to apply to the DCRA as soon as possible, but if I win the appeal, the place will need a lot of renovations to it. I will need all the tenants to move out for a couple of weeks,” he says.

“That’s not—”

“I know,” he interrupts me. “That’s not possible. That’s why I’m paying for everyone to stay in a hotel until the repairs are finished.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I reply in complete astonishment.

He shrugs and gives me a wry grin. “It’s the only way for me to get this place up to code. I told you before that I have more money than I can spend, I’m going to put it to good use.”

“You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I love you so much,” I tell him easily.

“I love you too,” he replies as he strokes his fingers down my arm. “So do you think you can give the other tenants the good news? I need to get back to the office in the morning and submit the forms for the appeal.”

“Of course I can. Everyone is going to be so happy,” I squeal.

“They will need to start packing, but only things that are really important, everything else will need to go. Mould spores have infected this place, not to mention the pests. I will refurnish every apartment so literally just the important things like keepsakes and clothes.” he instructs me.

“Okay, I can do that,” I reply, feeling a little like I’m losing my treasures. The couch and the mattress came from the thrift store, but they were things I brought with my hard earned money for me and the twins.

“Don’t feel sad, it’s going to be great,” he says, pulling me into his arms and kissing me gently. “Sleep now princess, tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

***

The following morning I’m hyped up and ready to go. The tenants we’ve managed to tell the good news to so far, are all ecstatic. There’s a buzz in the air that’s alive with positive energy. Rita and Claire asked me several times if I was serious and I don’t blame them, I understand exactly how they feel.

Rita is looking after the twins for me while Caleb drives us into the city. I’m hoping to pick up some used boxes from the stores at Penn Quarter.

“Take these, pick me up later,” he says, throwing his car keys at me. I leave a lingering kiss on his lips before demanding he get to work quickly. The time is almost up for the apartment building to be restored. I’m just keeping everything crossed that Caleb wins the appeal.

“Sarah-Jayne?” I hear someone say. It’s from a voice I’d hoped to never hear or see again, but I turn around to face them.

“What do you want?”

“SJ.” My mother smiles and I’m instantly put on guard. “I saw you and wanted to say hello. How are you?”

“Whatever—cut the crap. What do you want?”

“Can we go somewhere to talk?” she asks, hopeful.

“No, I don’t want to go anywhere with you, ever.”

“SJ please, it’s important.”

“More important than your children? Because to be honest with you, I can’t see what could be more important.”

“You always were a selfish little girl,” she sneers.

“There’s my mother. I knew she wouldn’t stay hidden for long,” I goad her. I’m in too much of a good mood for it to be ruined by this whore.

“I’ve arranged your marriage to a fine young gentleman, a pillar of his community.”

I laugh, I mean like can’t breathe and doubled over laugh. “You’re out of your mind. Do you really think you have a right to arrange a marriage for me?”

“It’s not a question of rights. Your father knows you’re alive and he is forcing this. You can go willingly into this, but the more resistance you put up, the harder it will be for you to adjust.”

“Go fuck yourself and my father too. Neither of you cared about me before, and I doubt either of you do now. I don’t have to marry anybody and you can’t make me, it’s called free will,” I yell at her, shake my head and saunter off, pleased with how well I handled myself.

“Simple and plain, Sarah-Jayne,” she taunts me. “No one will ever want you. This is your only chance at marriage.”

I ignore her and carry on walking.
She’s wrong, Caleb wants me. Doesn’t he?

Chapter 14

“
Caleb
!” my name is called down the hall after me. I turn to see my brother Logan and step-brother Aiden running up behind me. “I need to talk to you, it’s important.”

“I’m in a little bit of a rush, I need to get to City Hall. Can I find you in about an hour?” I call back.

Logan looks at Aiden, who nods reluctantly. “Yeah, make sure you do, it’s really important,” Logan reiterates.

“I’ll be an hour at most,” I tell him. “I’ll meet you in my office.”

I only have this one shot to convince the board of appeal that I can get this building up to code. I won’t be trying too hard though since that building is a death trap and needs to be torn down. I’m here for another reason really, but I’m going to have to lie to SJ or she’ll never leave the building.

I pull out my phone and give her a quick call.

“Hello Mr. Slate. How may I help you?” she answers in a posh British voice.

“And now my dick is standing at half mast,” I tell her and listen to her laugh. “I was just calling to let you know I’m at City Hall.”

“Good luck, I know you can do it,” she encourages me, but there’s something in her voice.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“How do you know?” she asks, her question makes me smile.

“I know your voice, SJ. Now tell me,” I command.

“I bumped into my mother on Penn Quarter,” she tells me.

“Oh, what happened?” I ask.

“Apparently she’s arranged my marriage. Can you believe that?” she says. “She hasn’t been around for five years and turns up in the street telling me that my father is forcing it and I have no say in the matter. I told her to fuck off basically.”

“SJ,” I say, trying to keep any emotion from my voice. “I need you to go home now please. Your mother’s threat is a little worrying to me. Your father is a capo, which means you’ll be married off to another family member’s offspring.”

“You mean my father can really do this?” she asks.

“Not legally, but it’s tradition and he will want to keep with it,” I say, hoping not to scare her too much.

“Okay,” she replies and I can tell she’s trying to fight her emotions just as much as I am. “I’ll take the car and come back for you later.”

“It’s okay, I’ll get Grayson to drop me at your place when we finish,” I say.

“You’re not telling me something,” she accuses.

“Only because I don’t know what it is. It’s a hunch and I really don’t want to scare you,” I tell her honestly. “I will tell you anything and everything SJ, but only when I’m certain I have it all right.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” she chuckles nervously. “That means you might know something.”

“And it could very well be nothing, SJ, but I won’t let you worry about something that is completely circumstantial,” I say, even if I have this funny feeling Logan will confirm my theory when I see him soon. “I’ve got to go or I’ll miss my appointment. I’ll speak to you later.”

“Okay, good luck,” she replies.

“And go straight home,” I say just as she clicks off. Damn, I really don’t need this extra pressure.

***

As I thought, the DCRA declined our restoration permit and the demolition is still going ahead, but I did get the other thing I went in there for. I decide to call SJ after I’ve spoken to my brothers—I don’t want to keep feeding her tidbits of information.

I’m back in my office only a matter of minutes before there’s a knock at the door. “Come in,” I call out. Logan and Aiden walk in together, followed closely behind by Grayson. “Take a seat and fill me in.”

“I knew there was something familiar about your girl when I saw her—her name and appearance triggered something in me. I dug around a bit. She’s the daughter of Mary-Jay Tanner, aka MJ,” Logan says.

“Do you know her mother?” I ask and watch a haunted look cross Logan’s face. Aiden must see it too because he place’s his hand on Logan’s thigh.

“Yes, we know her,” Aiden answers.

“How?” Grayson asks.

Logan and Aiden exchange another look before Logan lightly shakes his head. “That doesn’t matter,” Logan replies. “MJ was Vitale’s mistress.”

“SJ’s father is Vitale,” I voice my assumption and both Logan and Aiden nod. Suddenly everything I’ve learned in the last few days falls into place. Vitale is going to use SJ to get his promotion. “Shit!”

“Yep and it’s all about to hit the fan,” Logan comments, not really helping. I glare at him and he holds his hands up in surrender.

“Chill Caleb, we’ll figure this out,” Aiden says as Logan places his hand on top of Aiden’s and entwines their fingers, Grayson notices too.

“Are you back together?” Grayson asks in his usual not so subtle way.

Logan looks down at their hands while Aiden lifts his chin. “We’re seeing how it goes,” Aiden answers. Logan and Aiden got together a little while after Aiden’s wife Eliza died. I suspect they were seeing each other before that, even though I originally thought Logan was sleeping with Eliza, but they’ve never confirmed it. I know Eliza’s death was hard on both of them and it took its toll on their relationship.

“SJ is the daughter Vitale intends to use to get his promotion to underboss,” Logan says, confirming the conclusion I’d just come to.

“SJ said her mother approached her earlier about an arranged marriage,” I tell the group.

“Obviously Vitale has threatened Mary in some way,” Grayson injects.

“Or maybe she’s getting paid a large retirement fund.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. “She never cared about SJ before, why would she now?”

“Obviously you’re aware of what this means and who she’ll be forced into marriage with?” Aiden says.

“Louis
Buccieri,” I gasp. “Shit, I need to get to SJ.”

“Caleb, just wait,” Logan says, halting me in my progress toward the door. “We need to think about this.”

“What is there to think about? The woman I love is going to be forced into a marriage with a man who will more than likely kill her!” I reply, my voice rising.

“We need to kill Buccieri,” Logan suggests like it’s the easiest thing to do.

“Or we could do what we do best?” Aiden says to Logan.

“What would that be?” I ask, but neither men answer as they stare at each other. “Hello?”

“You don’t need to worry, we’ll cover all other avenues first and that’ll be our last resort,” Logan says and proceeds to stand. “We’ll deal with it, you just get SJ and her children somewhere safe.”

“How did you know she has children?” I ask.

“It’s what we do,” Aiden replies. “We also know they aren’t her children, but that really isn’t an issue here—she’s still their legal guardian.”

“What do you do?” I ask, more curious than ever about my brothers’ secret business.

“I’d tell you, but I’d have to kill you,” Aiden answer causing me to chuckle. “I’m being serious, no one can ever know what we do.”

“Logan?” I question.

“Don’t look so worried Caleb, we got this,” he replies, clapping me on the shoulder.

After Logan and Aiden leave, I turn my attention to Grayson. “What do you think I should do?” I ask.

“I think you need to get SJ away from here,” he says. “While she’s this close to the danger, you’re not going to be thinking clearly.”

“You’re right,” I resign. “What do you suggest?”

“Didn’t you plan on putting all the residents up in a hotel while you did the renovation on the building?”

“The proposal was declined, the demolition still has to go ahead,” I tell him.

“What are you going to do about all your tenants?”

“I have an idea, but I’m not sure how it will work,” I reply, saddened by the thought of telling these people they won’t be keeping their homes.

“Don’t tell them anything then,” Grayson suggests.

“What?” I ask incredulously.

“You send them away, the demolition goes ahead and they won’t find out until it’s too late.”

“It’ll give me enough time to deal with both situations and to see if my idea works out I suppose,” I answer. “Okay, let’s do that.”

***

Grayson and I spent the following few hours trying to figure out a way for me to have my cake and eat it too. SJ has tried calling several times, but I’ve let it go to voicemail.

“The next time you want to start giving your car keys to anyone all willy-nilly, make sure you have a lift before assuming,” Grayson grumbles as we sit in rush hour traffic back to Fort Lincoln.

“Willy-nilly?” I question with a grin.

“And now you’re laughing at me. Get out and walk!” he says, leaning across me to open the passenger door.

“Stop being such an idiot,” I laugh and I swear I see the corners of his lip twitch slightly when he straightens back up.

“Laughing is good for you, it lightens your mood,” Grayson observes.

“It’s just a shame it will be dampened soon,” I reply quietly.

“Just stick to the plan and don’t tell SJ anything,” he says, knowing how much I hate lying.

“I should at least warn her,” I say.

“No, because that will just panic her,” Grayson says firmly. “Send her away for a couple of weeks. We’ll deal with Vitale and SJ will be out of danger. Why panic her when there’s no need?”

“Are you sure?” I ask. “I don’t like the idea of lying to her.”

“Tell her then.” He shrugs.

“But?” I know what’s coming.

“You’ll be putting her in more danger. If she knows someone is looking for her, she’ll become paranoid and probably end up drawing attention to herself.”

“So send her away as if nothing is wrong?” I say.

“Yes, we can deal with the downfall when she gets back.”

I don’t like it, not one bit, but Grayson might be right. I’m just not sure how I’m going to get around telling her about the demolition.

“She’ll forgive me, right?” I ask, feeling suddenly vulnerable.

“Probably not, but she’ll get over it,” he says in his usual emotionless tone.

“Any luck finding Evangeline?” I ask, more to change the subject.

“We have a lead,” he informs me.

“Are you going to share?”

“No,” he answers and I take it that our conversation is over.

We pull up outside SJ’s and I thank Grayson for the lift. “Like I said, next time check with me first,” he grumbles.

“I love you too,” I chuckle and step out of the car.

I take a few deep breaths and plaster on a smile, ready to fake my way through the next few hours.

“Caleb, where have you been? I’ve been going out of my mind with worry,” SJ starts shouting almost instantly.

“I’m sorry, my phone was on silent—I completely forgot.”

“Well?” she asks. “How did it go?”

“We get the go ahead to start next week,” I tell her and can’t stop the guilt that’s eating me when her smile broadens. “I’m sending you, Rita, Claire and the children on vacation for two to three weeks. I’m putting the other residents up in a hotel, and the contractors are going to get straight on it.”

“You’re amazing. I can’t believe you’re doing this for us.”

“I’d do anything for you, SJ,” I mumble into her hair as she wraps her arms around my waist.

“What about the marriage thing, did you find anything out?” she asks.

“You have nothing to worry about. Your mother was most likely getting a large paycheck to convince you to agree to an arranged marriage.”

“Thank you so much, Caleb, that’s a huge weight off my shoulders.” She sighs, giving me a gentle kiss on my lips that I reciprocate without any hesitation. This is all I’ve wanted to do all day, have SJ in my arms safe and sound. “So where are we going?”

“Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. I’ve booked you into beautiful hotel, it’s an amazing resort and it’s right on the beach,” I tell her.

“I can’t believe we’re going on vacation! The twins are going to be climbing up the walls till we leave,” she laughs. I just hope I can keep her safe until she leaves.

***

It’s been a long week since all the new revelations came to light. The day has finally come to send SJ and the children on their vacation. I’ve spent every night with them to keep an eye out and Logan has kept me updated on his end. It’s been confirmed that they’re coming after SJ, but Logan seems to think it won’t be for a little while now that they know I’m her bodyguard.

All the residents are staying in a hotel in Brentwood except SJ, Rita, and the children. I hoped to send Claire with her children too, but she was just too frightened to be in an unknown place with her ex husband still looking for her, so she is now staying in one of my condos. It’s a high security complex, no one will get in that building and all the staff are to say they don’t know her if someone should ask for her.