Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) Page 9

  My jaw stiffens, so I peel my eyes off of her and head to Shannon’s office.

  “Xavier, there you are. You’ve been held up in that office of yours for days.”

  “I need help. Lucille is out with breast cancer, so who the hell knows when she’s coming back? Got any ideas?”

  “I can have HR interview some people for you and get a temp hired.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “Oh, about two weeks.”

  I slip a hand along the nape of my neck and rub it. Sometimes the money and power isn’t worth all the stress that comes with this job. “That’s too long. I need someone ASAP.”

  “Sorry, but I can’t snap my fingers and have a helper appear.”

  The thought that’s been festering in the back of my mind springs its way to the front. Tara could help me. I’ll keep it strictly platonic.

  I could tell she’s all about “attention to detail” from the way she noticed my wrist brace and knew all about her perfume.

  “What are you thinking?” Shannon asks as she leans back in her chair. Crossing her arms, she inadvertently pushes her rack up for me to see. She’s too old, but I mean, they’re tits. I’m gonna notice.

  “Uh, I was thinking how that Northrup girl mentioned she had a business degree.”

  Shannon’s head starts moving from east to west.

  “No, Xavier. She’s my prettiest girl. The men love her and spend a ton on liquor to have her serve it to them.”

  “Come on, Shannon. What if we share her? Just let me have her three days a week for a few hours.”

  What if we share her? Let me have her.

  Do you even hear yourself, dickwad? Yeah, I’ll be trying to fuck her brains out, too.

  I lay on my most pitiful look, hoping Shannon will cave. Her hand finally swats my way. “Fine, fine, but first you need to see if the girl is even interested. She wasn’t hired for that, so I’m not making her do it.”

  “Uh, OK. I’ll go ask.” Leaving Shannon’s office, I scope out the lounge. Royal is about half the size of Elite. It costs a pretty penny more to be a member in here, and we like the intimate feel. The idea is for Royal members to feel like they’re special–royalty special.

  I spot Tara and see that Noah Sanders has his hand around her hips. He brings her in closer as she stands next to where he’s sitting. I want to beat that smug grin right off his face. I better not approach her now, or I’ll be accused of cock blocking again, so I wait for her to leave his table.

  She heads toward the bar, so I meet her there.

  “Tara.”

  She barely glances my way. “Good evening, Mr. Cassano. What can I do for you?”

  “It’s Zev,” I enunciate each word sharply, a little pissed that she’s being so formal, “and I need to speak with you.”

  Setting her tray on top of the bar, she sighs and turns my way. Of course, her eyes are cast downward.

  “You told me I’d be wise to run away from you,” she mutters.

  “It’s business.” Her gaze lifts to meet mine, and holy hell, I’m so fucked with this one. There is a soft glow to her flawless skin I want to blame on the dim lighting.

  I also want to place blame on our lighting for how extraordinary her blue eyes appear tonight. Round sapphires gaze back at me, but they’re no ordinary gem. No, they look as if diamonds have been set with them, incorporating a sparkle in with the deep blue. They dazzle.

  Sparkle. Dazzle. Fuck, who am I?

  “Let me deliver these drinks.”

  My hand trails over my hair as I look away to regain my bearings. “Yeah, sure.”

  Get your shit together, Zev. Own this situation. Don’t let it be the other way around.

  Tara returns and attempts to avoid eye contact. She’s nervous, and that’s exactly how I want her. “I need some administrative help. My employee is going to be out for a while, and Shannon said she wouldn’t mind if we split up your time.”

  “Will you be there while I’m working?”

  “Lucille has an office off of mine. You can work in there, so I will be close, but not on top of you.” Like I’d like to be.

  Tara blushes from my choice of words and glances around. “If you’re sure this is purely business, I’m fine with it. It will give me a break from all the unauthorized touching.” Her eyes flash to one of the tables as she scowls.

  Shit, she’s really done with me. I guess I asked for this after the incident in the elevator. I never planned on touching her then, but when she tore into me, thinking I had told Adrian to have a talk with her, it turned me on.

  “Cool, you can start tomorrow. Work for me from five till eight, and then the rest of the night you can be in Royal. I’ll let my bouncer know to escort you back.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, Zev.” Her sapphires lose a little glimmer as a touch of sadness washes over them.

  This is probably a bad idea. I’m going to hurt her. Inevitably, I’m going to take what I want from her, and like a typical me, I won’t be able to give her anything in return. There is nothing good in me to give.

  Victoria

  Tara picks me up at my apartment for a day of shopping to ensure I have the right attire to play poker in the Royal lounge.

  I feel bad. I haven’t spent much time with my closest friend, Cicely, in a long while. I wish I could take her shopping, but I need someone with first class taste who knows the designer brands, and that person is definitely Tara.

  I also wish I could take my older sister, Nicole. This would be an incredible bonding moment for us, but I don’t want her inquiring why I have the funds to buy a designer wardrobe. I can explain it to Tara without her pressing me for more information.

  “I’m so excited!” she proclaims as I slide into her fairly new, white Honda Accord. “When you said Adrian gave you the money to buy an entire wardrobe, I knew it was going to be an amazing day.”

  “OK, but I need to fill you in on a few things. I’m doing some detective work at Submission. I normally wouldn’t offer up that information, but you play a role in it since you work in the Royal lounge.”

  She takes a glimpse at me and bites her lip.

  “This gets more exciting by the minute.”

  “I’m going to be playing poker in the Royal lounge, and you cannot let on that you know me outside of there. You can’t disclose that I’ve ever worked for Submission, either. Think you can do that for me?”

  “Of course. I get to be a part of official police business. That is so cool.”

  “This is extremely important, Tara. I’m investigating a player, and he cannot find out I’m a cop.”

  “Scout’s honor. I won’t say a word.”

  I relax and set my purse in the floorboard of the car.

  “So, what’s been going on in your life?”

  “I have had an enthralling development. Zev Cassano and I have been flirting. OK, there’s been some touching, too.”

  “You and Xavier?”

  Tara blushes. “Yeah, I like him. He’s been looking out for me, which is completely unexpected, but he’s also been sending me conflicting signals. One minute he wants to be near me, but the next minute he doesn’t. I’m not sure where we stand.”

  I frown when I recall Simon’s words at Rick Jacobs’s house. “Tara, you can’t date him and work in the lounge. He wouldn’t be able to handle seeing other men flirt with you and touch you. I went through this with Adrian.”

  “I’ll cross that bridge if and when we get there. I need to start putting my business degree to work soon, anyway. Maybe Zev will be the reason it’s worth leaving Submission.”

  Her golden blonde hair is shining from the sun casting on it, but her face is lit up more. She’s flushed and giving a mammoth grin as she looks straight ahead and drives.

  I can see she’s lost right now in her fantasy of Zev. Lord, I pray he doesn’t hurt her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  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 al
l 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.”