Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) (11 page)

Simon

Entwining my hand with Sadie’s, I pull it up to my mouth and kiss it.

“Thank you for doing this on such short notice.”

“I’m happy to go with you.” Her irises are the sexiest blue and luminous as she grins at me. “You never know what can happen from day to day. I thought I’d be working at the university today, but instead, I’m on a plane to meet your mother and sister, and first class, no less.”

“Adrian wanted Zev to go, but he wouldn’t, so I jumped at the chance to get away, especially if I could take you with me. I was relieved you were able to take off work.”

“Since we’re on summer break, Professor Edward didn’t mind if I changed my schedule. As long as I get things done, he’s fine with it. Speaking of my work, that Noah guy was leaving the science building when I was walking in last Sunday.”

My breath hitches, and I feel like alarms are going off around me. “Did he speak to you?”

“Yes, but he claims he wasn’t there for me. I questioned why he would be in the science building, and he got defensive, saying he has to take science for his degree, but he should’ve just graduated. It creeped me out to be there working by myself afterward.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sadie, please call me when shit like this happens. I would’ve come there to keep an eye on things.”

“You have a life to live, too.”

I lean in close to her to stare into her sincere eyes.

“Doll, my life now revolves around you, and I welcome it wholeheartedly.”

“You’re so sweet and honest.”

Honesty, right. I wince, knowing the conversation I need to have with her before we land in Jersey. My fingers glide over hers as our hands rest between us. “Sadie, my mom doesn’t only have brain cancer.”

“Oh, what else is wrong?”

Her tone is one of concern, and her compassion is one of the many things I love about her.

“She suffers from schizophrenia.”

“That’s so sad.” Her eyes water, and she glances away from me. Shit, she’s going to make me cry.

“She’s been sick for as long as I can remember. My siblings did a lot of the caretaking growing up.”

“Is there anything else I should know before meeting her?”

“There are a handful of things that will make our visit go smoother. One, don’t get out your cell phone. She hates them, and it will set her off. Go outside if you need to check it or make a call. Two, don’t mention current events or the government. Honestly, don’t bring up any controversial topics.”

Sadie’s head is nodding, and I see her glance to her purse under the seat in front of us. Knowing her, she wants to take notes. “Third …” I pinch the bridge of my nose again. “I hate to say this.”

“It’s OK. What is it?”

“You can tell my mother you’re a science major, but can you please not mention the word scientist?”

“OK.” Sadie giggles, and I’m beyond relieved.

Leaning over, I kiss her temple. “I can’t get over how understanding you are. Of course, I’m not ashamed of you, sweetheart, in any way, but my mom will become paranoid if she hears that word. She’ll think we’ve brought you there to do something to her.”

She squeezes my hand. “Simon, I get it. You don’t have to explain. Is there anything your mom likes to talk about?”

“Her flowers. She loves working in the yard. She also likes cooking.”

I’m distracted by the sudden appearance of my sister-in-law, Karen.

“Simon,” she says, holding my one-year-old nephew, Elijah, “please take him for me while I go to the restroom.”

“Where’s my brother?”

“Asleep. I’ll only be a few minutes. The restroom is too small for me to take him inside with me.”

Sadie smiles up at Elijah, but I want to crawl under the seat. The last time I held the kid, he shit his pants. I don’t need that happening while I’m sitting next to my new girlfriend. The girlfriend who I sprung a trip on yesterday. One where she has to meet my mentally ill mother.

“Simon,” Sadie says, nudging me.

“Oh, right. Yeah, give him to me.” Karen hands the chubby kid over, and I awkwardly sit him on my lap, facing Sadie.

“Hi, there,” she promptly says to him. “You are adorable. Isn’t he adorable, Simon?”

“Wait until he shits on you, and then tell me he’s adorable.”

Sadie chuckles, and Elijah giggles right along with her. He’s gazing at her, likely taking in her beauty. Like any male could resist.

His fingers reach out and latch onto one of her dark curls. He pulls pretty hard, but Sadie lets him and moves in the direction of his hand. After he’s yanked on it a few times, I pry it out of his little fist.

“No, Elijah. Only I get to pull Sadie’s hair.”

“Simon,” she says drawn out as she flushes pink.

“Hey, doll, I’m just waiting for the chance.” I wink at her, causing her to turn a bit rosier.

“My sister is having a baby later this year. I’m really excited about it. It will be my first niece or nephew.”

“Uh, do you want kids one day?” I ask.

She plays with Elijah’s hand and grins at him.

“I think so. I can’t imagine having them now, but I would like a family one day. How about you?”

Why did I ask her? I should’ve known that question would come back around.

“I can’t see myself making a good father. It’s awkward for me to even hold a kid. Of course, I never thought I’d have a girlfriend before the age of thirty, yet here I am, twenty-seven and with the hottest woman ever.” I flash her a grin and another wink, hoping that answer will satisfy her biological clock.

“You look like a natural holding him. I think you would do just fine.”

“OK, Mommy’s back,” Karen says as she exhales a breath of relief.

Elijah scowls and shakes his head no at my sister-in-law’s open arms. He stretches forward, almost coming out of my lap, and rests his head on Sadie’s chest, right where I’d like to rest my own. Her blue, snug t-shirt pulls downward, showing the perfect amount of cleavage.

Karen’s eyes widen and she laughs. “He likes you, Sadie. You two are welcome to hold onto him a while. I could use a break.” Before I can protest, Karen is marching away.

“Well, alright then,” I utter.

Sadie giggles and snatches Elijah from my lap, placing him into her own. He shoves his fingers into her mouth, and she pretends to bite on them. He giggles, and she gives a radiant smile before they repeat the whole process.

I sit back and watch the two of them, thinking maybe I could one day have this with Sadie. I’m shocked the thought even crossed my mind, but there is something comforting about seeing her with him. I can’t put it into better words.

Victoria

“So, how long are you going to give me the cold shoulder?” I ask Reggie after I step into his silver Lexus. Yes, we’re already working together again. I let him pick me up at Submission, but that has to stop soon.

“I’m fine.”

“Bullshit.”

“OK, I’m still pissed about what you’re planning on doing.”

“It’s going to be fine. I always find a way to work through situations. This will be no different.”

“You’re going to run out of luck, Victoria. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Look, Adrian is setting things up for me to stay in a condo. I’ll be able to play the part. It’s not like I’ve never been undercover before, and I’ll have Megan’s back in the lounge in the unlikely event I need it.”

“Can you even trust her? She’s been jealous of you for years.”

“I don’t know. I guess I will find out when we get to the station. I’m supposed to meet with her and Bishop to go over how this is all going down.” I stare out the window.

“Of course, I will fail to mention the part about the Cassano brothers being in on it … and you.” I jerk my head toward Reg. “So, keep your mouth shut about all this if you don’t want to be dragged into it.”

“I won’t say anything to anyone. Unlike you, I plan on keeping my job until retirement.”

I glare at him and turn back to stare out the window. I’m trying not to think about the day I’ll have to give up my job. It will come, and I don’t think Adrian has figured that out yet. Or, he knows and doesn’t want to face it, either.

Once the FBI nails Sanders, instead of the police department, I will have to resign. I won’t be able to publically be with Adrian otherwise, and our relationship is not something I’m willing to hide for a lifetime. We deserve a real shot at a normal life together.

Adrian

“Adrian,” Blanca says into the intercom.

“Yes, Blanca.”

“Ms. D’Angelo is here to see you, but she doesn’t have an appointment.”

Damn.
“It’s OK, Blanca. Bring her back.”

It’s Theo’s first day gone, and I have to deal with the FBI. I rise from my chair, ready to face this head-on.

Ms. D’Angelo enters my office and smiles. She’s all business in her navy suit and white blouse.

“Good morning, Mr. Cassano.”

“Good morning. I wasn’t expecting you today.” I shake her hand.

“It seems you want to leave me out of the loop, so I had to come investigate myself.”

I furrow my brow. “I’m not sure I understand. Here, have a seat.” I point to a chair that’s in more of a sitting area away from my desk, and I take one across from her. “Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you.”

I conjure up a smile and look to her.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Who is the woman you’re spending so much time with?”

“Why do you care? And do the Feds have eyes and ears everywhere?”

“We know she’s a cop, Adrian. Now, are you going to tell me your plans with her, or do I need to question her myself?”

“No, don’t speak to her. She’s my girlfriend.”

“Poor timing, Mr. Cassano, and I’m a little disappointed that you’ve set our trust in you back a bit. I thought we had a good thing going here.”

She smirks at me, and if I didn’t already know this “matter-of-fact, take no shit” woman, I’d think she was flirting.

She’s in her late thirties, cunning and attractive. Not unforgettable like my pearl, though. Her chestnut hair is short and so is her fuse.

“I was going to tell you about Victoria once I had a set plan in place, which will be soon.”

Her hands go out in front of her. “Here I am. Fill me in on all the juicy details.”

“Victoria was investigating the lounges. I knew it, so I kept her close, but I let my heart get involved.” I divert my gaze. “We fell for each other against our better judgment.”

“Obviously.”

“She knows about the case. She wants to help, and I believe there is a way she can.”

Ms. D’Angelo, Kim is her first name, smirks at me again.

“So, you believe you can trust her not to turn you in?”

“I know I can. She wants to help the FBI, which in turn will give us a better chance at a future together.”

“Wow, that’s devotion for such a short amount of time together.”

“What can I say? We have no control over our hearts.”

“I beg to differ, and you allowed yours to feel at an inopportune time in your life, Adrian. Do you realize she won’t be able to do her job after this? The cops want to bust you right along with Sanders. Do you really think they’re going to let you two be together?”

I look away. She sure knows how to play dirty.

“You obviously haven’t met Ms. Hart. She’s tough and thinks for herself. I’m sure she’s aware of the consequences of her actions. She reminds me a little bit of you actually, Kim.”

She glowers. “What is your plan?”

“One of her hobbies happens to be poker. She’s going to immerse herself in our lounge to get close to Mr. Sanders. We will then have two possible ways to bust him. Either one of my brothers will make a deal with him that suits the FBI, or Victoria will get the info out of him.”

“You realize we have little to lose here. If we can’t get Mr. Sanders yet, we get you and all your egotistical clients. Then, we’ll still get Sanders later.”

I grind my teeth, my jaw clenching tightly.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve made that point clear.”

“Yes, but see, there is a little more at stake for you now. We wouldn’t want dirty cops in this city, would we? I’ll be sure your friend Reggie and your girlfriend go down with you if this doesn’t work out. You’re putting a lot on the line; your newly found heart included.”

“Your agency isn’t having to fund a damn thing for this. I have it under control and will keep you informed. I think it’s best you leave.”

D’Angelo stands, her smirk vacating the premises like I wish she would.

“This was a warning visit, Adrian. Keep me informed when changes occur. You weren’t going to get this girlfriend of yours past me, so don’t pull something like this again. I always know what’s happening.”

“Like I said, I was going to tell you once I had all the details.”

“Yes, well, time is critical, and yours is running out. Make something happen soon.”

She struts to the door, knowing she has the upper hand. She probably has cobwebs between her legs, too, with that attitude.

What I’d like to say is “Fuck you, Ms. D’Angelo.” I’d pay top dollar to see her and Victoria have a verbal power exchange. My girl would win by a long shot.