REMEDY: A Mafia Romance (Return to Us Trilogy Book 3) (23 page)

Sorry, boy. My turn.

I visualize a target in the middle of his forehead. Raising my weapon over my head, I launch it into the air. Chowder watches the shaft topple over the blade and whirl toward him. He's in too much shock to move. The distinctive whoosh of slicing air tells me I've aimed it just right. As usual. The toe of the blade lodges between Chowder's panicked eyes and burrows in his skull.

"Ahh!" He screams as claret plasma spews from his head. The knob of the handle sticks out upright from his body. His hands fumble over the metal protrusion and grasp at the belly of the shaft as he staggers forward. He manages to pull it out before he collapses onto his stomach with a thud. He moans and writhes on the ground. The bloodstained axe lies dormant next to him.

Do I give him the mercy he pleaded for or watch him suffer a slow death?

I should sever his head and leave it in his mother's sink.

Nah. This is the kinder, gentler Trip.

I draw my pistol and shoot him in the back.

His body jerks then goes still.

Goodbye, old friend.

Shane approaches from behind with his weapon trained on Chowder's body.

"It's done, Shane. Get Dix out here to clean this up."

Jacade

On the drive back to the city, the panther still seethes and paces the limits of his cage. He's sore he didn't get the kill.

Ivy is silent but her questions pelt my brain.

I'll let Helen start.

"Helen. Fill us in." I look at her in the rearview mirror. She avoids my eyes.

"I was following Bernard, trying to catch him in the act. It was horrible. Chowder met with him under the ruse of a making up but pulled out a gun and shot him. I watched the whole thing. Then he hacked off his head and ran away. I didn't follow him."

"Was Chowder a hitman?" Ivy asks.

Helen looks to me to answer Ivy's question. "No. He was a low-level soldier. He was working to prove himself, but kept falling short. I kept him on because of our history."

"So, why did he kill Bernard?"

"Bernard was spinning some deals that were not popular with the Italians."

"The Mafia?"

"Yeah. In particular, the Clemente Clan, and a mean son of a bitch capo named Lucero. Chowder fed Lucero the information that Bernard planned to infringe on Clemente territory. Chowder wanted to flip sides and killed Bernard as a rite of initiation, to show his fidelity."

"Why did Chowder want to flip sides?"

"He wasn't happy with my move to take the CSA above ground. He's an addict, and his supply was threatened. Lucero promised him white mountains full of pristine blow to take Bernard out of the picture. Lucero ordered the hit to intimidate me. He was challenging me to heel or he'd declare war. I met with Lucero and made it clear Bernard's plans were not mine. The CSA is not going toe-to-toe with the Mafia, not while I'm at the helm."

"Oh. Is it over with him? Is Lucero still after you?" she asks.

"It should be resolved, but I'll meet with him again to make sure."

The sprawling fields of the Chicago suburbs give way to the concrete jungle and skyscrapers that define our city.

As we enter Helen's neighborhood, Ivy asks her, "Will you be all right alone, Aunt Helen?"

"Of course, Ivy. I'm a strong woman."

"You are and I love you."

"I love you too. I'm free to go for the first time in my life. I might make a new start somewhere."

"You're leaving?"

"My feet aren't tied here anymore, and I'm not dead yet. My future could still be waiting for me out there. Maybe even someone to love me for who I am, without the weight of my legacy overshadowing it all."

"Legacy? Why didn't Raymond ask you to run the CSA, Aunt Helen?"

"He did, but I always refused it. I don't want that kind of responsibility. Because I was his only child, the CSA constitution called for a vote to appoint the new boss."

We drop Helen at her place after a tearful hug goodbye with Ivy.

She tenses as we pull into the parking garage of my penthouse. "Rest easy. We're not going up. I just need to pick up some mail from Joe."

Her shoulders deflate with her exhale. "Okay, good."

"I have another place in the Gold Coast Historic District. It has a view of the lake too. We'll live there."

"What? Like me move in with you?"

"Yeah. Or I don't mind moving into your place, but it's less secure."

"I'm not sure. I need more time."

"More time? More time?" Fuck that. "Let me tell you something, love. Time is an evil bitch. There is never a good time. You can't spend your life waiting for the right time or it'll never come. You have to seize each day with brute force, or life will kick you in the ass and forget you. Enough goddamn wasted time. Let's fucking start living!"

She's staring at me frozen like I've thrown her cat in the bathtub. Her lips quiver, and her eyes glisten.

Oh shit.

"No. No. I'm sorry. Don't cry." I grab her head and pull her mouth to mine. "It's okay. We have time. Shh."

She sniffles and takes in a ragged breath.

"There's still time. Plenty of time for us. We have forever."

"Okay."

"Come with me up to the lobby?"

She nods and wipes the tears from her cheeks.

I'm such a moron. She's way too fragile for my bullshit right now.

Joe greets us as the elevator doors open to the lobby. "Dr. Jordan. Ms. Summers."

"Hi, Joe." Ivy offers him an unworried smile. She's such an ace at covering up.

"You have some packages for me?"

"Yep. One second." He walks to a locked cabinet and pulls out a mail crate full of boxes and letters.

"Thank you, Joe."

I grab the bin and return to the elevator. We drive to my Gold Coast apartment with the packages in the trunk of the car.

At the new place, she tiptoes to the windows and looks down. "We're up high."

"Yeah. Let's open these." Something to distract her.

"Okay."

She reads the first card with disinterest. "Who is Yuri Voinakov?"

"Russian Mafia."

"Oh. He sent you a bottle of vodka."

"Nice. Hard to get that stuff here."

"He says congratulations, and he's happy to help if you need anything." She puts the card down. "This one's from Tom Caruthers. The actor?"

"Yep."

"Is he into syndicated crime?"

"Not if anyone asks you."

"Oh."

That got a smile out of her.

"He sent cigars. Do you like cigars?"

"I partake on occasion." She watches my lips as I smile at her. "He says if you ever need a favor, to call him. Why are they all saying that?"

"They're letting me know they're friendly, but also reminding me of their power."

"Look. This one is addressed to me."

Shit.

"It's from Salvatore Lucero."

Fuck. "Well, open it."

She unwraps a pair of dangling teardrop diamond earrings. About one carat each. "Another threat?" she asks.

"Hopefully not. Probably more of an apology. I don't think he intended for you to find your uncle's remains. Even if he did, he might regret his actions now that he knows he was misled."

She nods and puts the earrings down.

"Oh, look at this one. It's from Rory.
Does this mean we can't boost no more cars, boss
?" The laugh from her belly breathes life into my dead soul.

"Okay, enough presents. Come sit with me." We relax on the couch, and I pull her onto my lap.

"What's next for us, Jacade?" she asks.

"First we bury Bernard. And Chowder. We say our goodbyes."

"Will you keep the practice? Do I still have a job?"

"Yes. I can find another investor in the practice, but you don't have to work."

"Yes, I do. For me. Although, it'll be sad being in the office without my uncle."

"We can add a memorial to him in the lobby. Bernard was a major part of our lives, for better or worse. We can't disregard that."

"Yes. I'd like that."

"I also have a plan."

"I figured you did. What's your plan?"

"I'm gonna tear down the trailer."

"That's good. You keep too many reminders, Jacade."

"I want to redevelop the area. Build a city center there. Guys like Rory will help run it. We'll have a gym for training fighters, a children's home for kids in the system, decent low-income housing, a rehab center. Stuff like that. Oh, and a shooting range. You need more practice."

"Sounds fantastic. I'd love to help you."

I kiss her nose. "I'm counting on it."

Jacade

My burner phone buzzes in my pocket.

Ray: Meet me at Villa Carillo at 6 pm Tuesday. Bring Ivy. We'll have dinner.

I read the text three times, and it still doesn't make any fucking sense.

Why is Ray Carillo inviting me to dinner at his house when he's on his deathbed in a nursing home?

Helen's words flash in my mind.
He's more aware of what's going on than you think
.

"Fuck."

Ivy looks up from the book she's reading on her tablet. "What?"

"Raymond wants to meet with us."

Her eyebrows rise, but she doesn't appear concerned. "Sure. Why not?"

Why not? "He could recognize you."

"He probably won't. So what if he does?"

She's right. Is there any real risk to her anymore now that Bernard's gone and Gerry's been warned?

"Okay. Tuesday. He wants to have dinner at his villa at six o'clock."

"What should I wear?"

"Fuck if I know. Heels. Not wedges."

At six pm Tuesday night, Ivy's heels click on the sidewalk up to the terra cotta villa owned by Raymond Carillo. As the doorbell plays an ostentatious song, I prepare to see him in a wheelchair with a nurse nearby.

A butler answers the door and ushers us in. He takes our coats and hangs them in the coatroom. "Please wait here. I'll tell Mr. Carillo you're here." He walks away, leaving us alone in a giant portico with vaulted ceilings and windows overlooking Mission Bay.

I take Ivy's hand and give her a reassuring squeeze. She smiles for me, and all is right with the world.

Dress shoes approach us on the marble floor, and Ivy's hand tenses in mine. Raymond walks around the corner.

He's dressed in a nice suit, a big smile on his face. He's healthy!

What the hell?

"Trip." He gives me a firm handshake. "Ivy." He pulls her into a bear hug.

When he releases her, he keeps his hands on her shoulders and examines her face. He's grinning like he knows her, and she's beaming like she just hugged her grandfather for the first time.

Which she did.

Holy hell.

"Come. Let's have drinks before dinner." Raymond points to a room off the foyer.

"All right," I say with disbelief peppering my tone.

Ivy and I follow him into a sitting room with a bar.

"What would you like to drink?" he asks me.

"Chivas neat for me, if you have it. Chardonnay for Ivy."

He nods and pours our drinks in crystal glasses.

He holds up a snifter of brandy. "To our family reunion."

Ivy's back stiffens, and I pause with my drink at my lips. "I'm sorry?"

"I'm meeting my granddaughter today. This is cause to celebrate."

Ivy's head snaps my direction, but I keep my gaze fixed on Raymond. My hand on the small of her back should be enough to stave off her panic. Nothing in his words or actions hints at menace, but you never know with these guys.

Raymond points to the sofa. "Sit. Sit. You look perplexed."

I grab Ivy's hand and lead her to the couch next to me. "Okay, boss, what's going on here? Why are you up and around when you're supposed to be convalescent?"

"I'm not sick, Trip. I faked it. Bernard was up to something, and I had to feign illness to see what he'd do. Helen kept me informed. She told me the whole damn story."

"What did she tell you?"

"Ivy is Vera's daughter. She's my granddaughter. Who could doubt it? Vera was stunning just like Ivy." He beams at Ivy with adoring eyes.

Ivy blushes and smiles back. "Thank you."

Oh please. These two are bonding already and they just met.

"You fabricated this whole illness? Why?" Seems pretty elaborate just to catch Bernard in the act. He could've made a trip to the track and found out the same info.

"When Viktor went after Ivy three years ago, I had a hunch Bernard had something to do with it. So I faked a stroke and took myself out of the picture. Sure enough, Bernard showed his true colors in my absence."

"So Helen's been feeding you info on the council?"

"Yes. And you have too, through her. Thank you." He tips his chin toward me and sips his brandy. "She made me aware Bernard tried to blackmail Gerry to sway the vote. Helen will be joining us for dinner, by the way."

Well, I'm fine with that. I've got some questions for her.

"Did she tell you who killed Vera?"

"Yes. Just recently, in fact. I'll take care of him."

Ivy speaks up. "Well, uh. I mean… He has a family. Kids that are my half-siblings. I don't want to hurt them by taking away their father. I wouldn't wish the same grief I'm feeling now over the loss of Uncle Bernie on anyone, particularly my sort-of family."

He looks Ivy up and down for a long time. "All right, little one. I'll consider it."

Little one? She's thirty-six years old. But hey, I'm not gonna fight the boss on nicknames for his granddaughter.

"Trip, are you in agreement with Ivy's request to spare Boothby?"

"Yeah. I agree. He's been warned. I don't think he's a threat. Especially now that Bernard's dead."

Ivy winces at my words, but it's true. Bernard's death cleared up a lot of roadblocks for her and paved the way for us to be together.

Ray nods and smiles.

So Gerry is the lucky one who gets to live? His weasel ways get him off the hook again and again. It's an unfair way to play this game, but it's working for him.

"And you've sorted the issues with Lucero?" Ray asks me.

"Yes. He's been made aware of the situation and the direction the CSA is headed."

"Ahh," he replies. "I like Ivy with you, Trip. You're a good man."

"Thank you, sir. I'm glad you approve." As if it matters.

"She belongs with you. I'm done trying to force my children into my designs for them. I've learned from the torment I caused Helen by arranging her marriage to Bernard. It worked out fine in the beginning, but he went rotten somewhere in the middle. Anyway, c'est la vie. If you love her, you should have her. Let destiny prevail." He waves his hand from Ivy to me.

"Yes, well. Thank you," I say, wrapping my arm over Ivy's shoulders and pulling her back against my front.

I don't need your permission, Ray. I'm the boss. Bernard is dead. Your blessing is moot. But I'm not gonna shove that in his face.

"It's fine, Trip. Set your mind at rest. I won't hurt her, and I will never take her from you."

His body language says he's being completely honest.

"Are you coming back to lead the council?" This could change everything.

"No. I'm retired, Trip. I've made it this far without serving time. I'm gonna cut my losses. Old men like me don't fare well in the slammer."

That's wise, but it's not that simple. He could still do time for his past sins. As could I. Definitely not bringing that up now either.

"I like the ideas you have for the council. Time for a new dynasty to lead the way. Your brother has great potential too. He and the woman he marries will reign beside you and Ivy."

Hold up. "My brother takes my back, but he's not a leader." Don't get any ideas about Jett. "And there's no woman in his future."

"Understood." He puts his drink on a side table and leans forward with his elbows on his knees, pinning Ivy with his gaze. "This is very emotional for me. Seeing Ivy up close. She looks so much like Vera. It's like having my daughter back again. Whaddya say, Ivy? Would you give this aging wiseguy a chance to be your grandfather? I won't ask for much. Just a dinner here and there. An invitation to your wedding."

Ivy's heart is thumping so hard, I can feel it in my chest. She looks to me, questioning how to respond. I nod to her. "Speak your mind. It's okay." She should tell him what she wants.

"I- I mean, I'd like you to be part of my life—our lives."

She exhales her relief after spitting out what must have been difficult for her to say. I wrap my arm around her stomach and give her a supportive squeeze. Breathe, Ivy.

"Good. Good." Raymond gives her a genuine smile. He's smart enough to know Ivy's light will brighten his world. He wants it, and he'll be lucky if she lets him in.

The ridiculous doorbell clangs a chorus of chimes through the house.

"Ahh, that's my Helen. Let's share a meal together. As a family. For the first time." He gets up and walks through the corridor to welcome Helen.

When we're alone, I take Ivy's face in my palms. In her eyes, the grief I've seen the last few weeks is overlaid with unaffected hope. Despite the wounds she carries, the yearning for her illusive pipedream persists. Her ingenuous heart covets the love only a father can give.

Bernard smashed her confidence. I let her down along with so many other men, and yet she still hungers for this castle on a cloud that doesn't exist.

Or does it? Who is the gullible one here? Her or me?

Something clicks inside my thick skull. In this moment, my new purpose has been demarcated in the sand. I'll do nothing else in this life except nourish that glimmer of doe-eyed optimism until it grows into a shining light of contentment. If Raymond is the panacea for the blisters on her heart, then she will have him, and anything else that brings my innocent Ivy back to me.

"Do you want Raymond in your life?"

Her forehead crinkles and her eyes gloss over. "Yes." Her voice cracks with longing.

"Okay. My gut tells me we can trust him. I believe his intentions are pure. I think it's safe for you to love him."

She drops her head to my chest and heaves out a sob. Yes. She wants this more than anything else. And I'm honored to give it to her.

"Something deep in your soul is being healed, Ivy. New skin is being grafted onto the burns forged in your childhood."

She looks up at me, and I wipe her tears from her cheeks with my thumbs. "Raymond is giving you your deepest desire. The lost girl in you will be found through knowing him. I'm happy for you."

Her current tears are the kind I can handle. These tears I will kiss and love and collect in a jar to remember the day her faith was renewed.

"It's not Raymond. It's not him. It's you. You're the man who came back and stayed. You won't leave. You'll be good to me."

"Babe. I'm not leaving. I'm here. I love you."

"I love you too. Kiss me." She arches her neck and closes her eyes.

With a glance at the doorway, I pull my woman to me. I crush her lips to mine, and she whimpers. I'm branding her. She's mine. I've filled her soul and she loves me. I never thought it would happen, but in her kiss, I have found absolution.

My church, my remedy, my Ivy.

I end the kiss and stare into her eyes. "Let's adopt."

"What?"

"Let's adopt a child. Two. Three. As many as you want."

Shock flashes across her teary eyes, and she sniffles as the mood shifts. "But you said?"

"I've changed my mind. I want to give that to you, to our child, to our family. I will rectify this. I'll be a great father. I'll show you. Piece by piece."

A smile breaks through her ruddy cheeks, and the glint of hope in her eyes flickers stronger. "All right. Why the change of heart?"

"The look in your eyes. I'll take great pleasure in seeing that every day for the rest of our lives. We'll make things right. Give our children the stability we never had. You crave it, and there's so many forgotten kids out there who need it too. I can't deny one of them a chance to be loved by you."

"Wow, Jacade. You see all that in my eyes?"

"Yes, and in your tears. Your body. Your heart. That's my job as king. I sense my queen's needs and grant her wishes." With my arm around her waist, I smash her tits into my abs and kiss her again. "Let's expedite dinner. I wanna get you home and riding my face."

She laughs. "Okay."