Devious Little Lies (11 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Almost two weeks had passed and Rena had all but thrown herself into work to try and keep her mind from treacherous thoughts, like putting a bullet into the head of all the men she’d met with who had yet to report back to her. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d overestimated them. Maybe they weren’t hungry enough to take down the old guard and seize the day. Maybe she’d given them too much credit. She didn’t like being wrong and she hated failing more than anything.

Cesare was doing his best to put her mind at ease and on more than one occasion he’d reminded her that empires were not built quickly. Rena realized that what she’d asked probably went against most of the things men in organized crime were taught, but there came a time when every man needed to branch out on his own.

If not for Cesare talking her down, no doubt that she would have already put a bullet in Alfonso’s head herself and maybe Giorgio’s. The jury was still out on him, but as much as she didn’t want to, she was going to wait a little longer. Perhaps it took more time than she thought to compile solid evidence against someone sneaky and stupid enough to steal from a boss. For now they had a reprieve as she waited for proof to come.

Besides, her takeover of Tony’s business wouldn’t be off to a prosperous start if she murdered his two
capos
without good reason. She had enough enemies without having to watch her back among her own people. It seemed the life of a boss’ wife and future mob queen was not going to be easy.

Curled up on the couch, sketchbook in hand, she couldn’t help looking at the white roses that filled the living room. She was still refusing to take Tony’s calls, but that hadn’t stopped him from sending a dozen roses every day. She’d taken them because she loved white roses, but it didn’t change anything. She was not ready to forgive him for the latest hurt he’d heaped on her or the others she’d thought she’d made peace with.

Rena had been thinking a lot about the things her daughter said to her. She wasn’t on the shelf and what one man wouldn’t treasure another would. It was a lesson Tony failed to realize. The house phone rang and she picked it up without glancing at the caller ID.

“This is Rena.”

“Long time, no hear, Step-mommy dearest. Have you forgotten about me?”

“As if anyone could ever do that, Caprice. How are you?”

“I’m good. Doing my part to save the world.”

“Aren’t you always?”

“Not all the time. A girl has to have time for fun too. All work and no play makes life very dull.”

“Indeed it does. So what do I owe the pleasure of your call? It’s been a while since I heard from you.”

Leaning back on the couch, Rena smiled and listened for the next half hour as Caprice filled her in on the latest in her life. Her brain was on autopilot as she listened, adding in a comment here and there. It was nice to hear her stepdaughter’s voice and Rena was glad Caprice had taken the time to call her. It was a welcome distraction from the loneliness she’d been fighting lately. But all too soon Caprice was telling her goodbye and the empty silence of the house was her companion once again.

Stretching, she rose and walked to the front of the house and looked out the windows. It was a beautiful day outside and no doubt she should be lounging by the pool. But she hadn’t been in the pool since the night she and Shane kissed. She’d tried not to replay that night over in her mind, but she had been unable to stop herself. It was like his kiss was in her blood.
You sound like a naïve twit, Rena. You’re forty damn years old.
She turned away from the window, folding her arms as she walked back to into the living room.

She was being stupid, but why did it feel like there was something deeper than just a kiss at work? Like somehow in the midst of all the craziness there was a real, unexplained connection between them. Maybe she was crazy, but she’d never felt something like that before. With Tricia’s father and even Tony, it had taken time before she’d warmed up to either of them. She hadn’t had that problem with Shane, but he belonged to Tricia and Rena knew despite what he claimed to feel for her, he cared for her daughter too.

But caring wasn’t enough. His desire, his eyes should be for Tricia only and since that wasn’t the case, she couldn’t help but fear what the coming days would bring. She’d talked to her daughter a couple of times since their visit and things seemed to be fine between Tricia and Shane from the little she’d said, but that hadn’t stopped the strange feeling burning in Rena’s gut. Something was about to happen, but she wasn’t sure what.

The doorbell rang startling her. She wasn’t expecting anyone and she’d given Cesare the day off. Walking quickly to the front door, Rena looked through the peephole. All she saw was white roses. Sighing she opened the door. Another delivery from Tony. If he kept this up it was going to start looking like a funeral parlor instead of a home.

“Surprise.”

From behind the large bouquet peeked Mario. Rena rolled her eyes.

“So Tony has you delivering flowers now?”

She opened the door further to let him in.

“You can’t blame the guy for trying, Rena.”

Mario stepped into the house and she stifled the urge to deliver a swift kick to his shin for the sympathetic comment about Tony.

“Yes I can. I suppose that although he has you delivering flowers for him, he didn’t tell you the reason he and I are on the outs, did he?”

Mario placed the bouquet on the table before he sat across from her in the living room.

“As a matter of fact he did.”

Flopping down on the couch, she drew her legs up and leaned on a pillow. “Oh really? Exactly what did my wonderful husband say?” Her words dripped with sarcasm.

“He said that you and he had words about Reno and things got heated. He admitted to saying some things he shouldn’t have.”

“I’m not surprised he gave you the whitewashed version. Leave it to Tony to try to make himself out not to be the bad guy.”

Tony was a mastermind at manipulation. No matter how many arguments or confrontations he got in, he was always the one who came out on top. Meanwhile the other party was left like a dog chasing its tail.

“Talk to me, Rena. You know you’re like a daughter to me. What’s got you two estranged?” Mario asked.

“You mean besides the fact that he’s in prison and I’m out here alone?”

“We’re beefing things up on that end. Calling in some favors so to speak.”

The news caught her by surprise and she sat up a little bit straighter.

“I thought you’d exhausted all of Tony’s appeals.”

“In theory we have, and that’s why we’re pursuing other avenues to get him out. After whatever happened between you two, he called me and told me he didn’t care what it took or how much it cost, he’d give up his whole damn business to be back home with his wife. He doesn’t want to lose you, Rena.”

Mario’s eyes were sympathetic and she could appreciate what he’d come over to try and do but she wasn’t in the mood to play the happy little wife excited about the prospect of her husband coming home. It was too little and too damn late. Tony had fucked up one too many times, but she wasn’t going to share that with Mario. Some things were better kept to oneself.

“I wish he’d thought like that a long time ago. Maybe things wouldn’t be the way they are now.”

“Rena, what happened?”

“He didn’t bother to call on Reno’s birthday and then when I said something to him about it, he basically told me to forget about our son because he was dead.”

Mario rubbed a hand over his neatly trimmed beard. “I can’t believe he would say something like that. He was being intentionally cruel. That’s not the man I know.”

“Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think, Mario. Nobody does.”

“He had to be lashing out. The stress of everything must really be getting to him.”

“Mario, I don’t give a fuck what his reasons are. There’s nothing in the world that gives him the right to say the things he said to me. It’s going to take a lot more than roses to try and start to make up for what he did.”

“Knowing everything now, I can’t say I blame you in the least. You’re a mother and no matter how much time passes, some wounds never heal. He should’ve remembered that.”

The softness in Mario’s voice was enough to make her want to break down again. She sniffled in an effort to keep back her tears.

“Yes, he should have, so you can tell him that he can stop wasting time and money with the roses. I don’t forgive him.”

“I saw him, Rena. He’s miserable without you. Tony looked the worse I’ve ever seen him since he’s been in. There’s a haunted look in his eyes.”

Rena laughed. “Tony, haunted? Come on, Mario. Tony has done a lot of shit in his life and none of it has ever bothered him. Now I’m supposed to believe that one argument with me has him not sleeping and looking a hot ass mess. Hardly.”

“I’m just telling you what I saw. I know he puts on this tough guy act and believe me Tony Rosetti is one of the toughest men I’ve ever met, but when it comes to you, Rena, he’s always had a soft spot. You get to him like no one else does.”

Mario was a good man. A loyal man. She’d never heard a hint or hair of him stepping out on his wife, Graziella. But Mario was blind when it came to Tony like most people were. He saw what Tony wanted him to see, a man broken at the thought of losing his wife. Too bad it was a load of shit.

“I’m still not going to see him. The conjugal visit is off. He’ll be lucky if he ever sees my face again inside that penitentiary.”

“I know you’re angry and hurt, but think about that hard, Rena. Tony needs you now more than ever and I think he’s finally realizing that. He met with Victor a few days ago and he told him you were in charge.”

“He did what?”

“Yes. We all know Victor has been distracted with the way the cancer is destroying his father. Tony told him he understood and respected him as a man for taking care of his old man, but the business was suffering. He let Victor know that for all intents and purposes you are the one running the show until he says otherwise. For now Victor is just a figurehead.”

It was one thing for Tony to give her his seal of approval to run a covert operation within his organization. It was something different entirely to tell his underboss that she now ran the show. But then again, how did she know if any of this was true? Mario was only delivering second-hand information from Tony. This could simply be an elaborate lie, designed to make her let down her guard and settle back into the role of happy little wife.

“Is he going to make an announcement?”

“Tony said he would leave that up to you since you were already working on some things.”

“I see.”

“You know it’s unprecedented, Rena. Tony has effectively made you the first woman to run a major Italian crime family.”

“I’m well aware of the implications, Mario. So tell me, how did Victor take the news?”

“From what I hear he was a bit perturbed about having his power taken away.”

“Great. I’m already starting with pissed off people. Just great.”

“No. Victor understands that he wasn’t doing his job and honestly he should just be grateful that Tony didn’t put a bullet in his head for letting things get so fucked up, personal life or not. He is not going to be a problem for you.”

“I sincerely hope not.”

“He won’t. So what will you do?”

“I think for now I’m going to keep this change in leadership low key. I have a few irons in the fire and until everything is sorted out I want to keep the element of surprise. I hope I can count on your discretion.”

“Absolutely. I’m just glad to be a part of this new regime. I know you’re going to change things for the better.”

“I’m glad you have such faith in me because honestly I have no idea where to start.”

“I don’t believe that. Tell that lie to someone who doesn’t know you, Rena. You’re already planning something. Just make sure I get my invite for when the fireworks explode.”

“You’ll be the first.”

Glancing at the clock on the wall she turned on the TV. It was almost time for
General Hospital
, the last standing ABC soap and her personal guilty pleasure. Sonny Corinthos was everything.

“Is that a sketchbook I see?” Mario asked.

“Yes. My store manager has finally talked me into expanding the store and starting a clothing line so I’ve been sketching some new designs.”

“About time. Glad you finally came to your senses. Now let me see.”

She handed the sketchpad to Mario before she settled back down on the couch. She smiled as the show opened with Sonny on the phone at his home.

“This is ABC World News with breaking news.”

“What the fuck? Why do they always have to do this when it’s time to watch my soap opera?” Rena complained.

“In breaking news, Hector Guerico, head of the Guerico Crime Family has been arrested by federal agents. He’s facing a litany of charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, prostitution, racketeering, narcotics, and weapons trafficking just to name a few. These are multiple counts and from what we’ve gathered, there are more to come.”

“Hector? I can’t believe this shit,” Mario said.

The newscaster continued on. “Hector Guerico has been on the radar of the FBI for the past few years but they were never able to catch him. From the information we’ve received from our sources, the mob kingpin’s downfall is due in part to information provided by a confidential informant.”

“A rat took down Hector. That just makes this worse,” Rena said.

Since she’d married Tony, Rena had come to know a lot of men in the life and Hector Guerico was by far one of the best. An immaculately groomed man with two sons and a small daughter, every time she saw him he seemed to have eyes only for his wife, Simone. She’d always been a tad bit jealous of the couple. They had what she’d foolishly thought she would have with Tony, but she had no hard feelings toward Simone. She actually liked the younger woman a lot.

“Simone has to be devastated and their poor children.”

“He’s not locked up yet, Rena, but he has a fight on his hands, a big one.”