Devious Little Lies (5 page)

“I definitely think you’re on to something. Exclusivity is the key, but I notice you didn’t say we.”

Ashley smirked. “You know me. I prefer to be behind the scenes. You agreeing to my proposal will be enough for me. I don’t need to have my face up front.”

“And that’s what I love about you, but if we’re going to do this then it’s going to be together. You’ll get a designer credit and a portion of the kickbacks. It’s only fair.”

Ashley leaned forward in her chair. “Does this mean you’ll consider it?”

“Absolutely. Honestly, I’m sold already. I just need to see how the money works out.”

“Don’t worry about that. I had Bobby prepare a full financial report with startup costs and projections of what we could make the first year.”

“You’ve been thinking about this for a while, haven’t you?”

“Since the first time you showed me one of your sketches. Dream big. That’s what my mother always taught me.”

“She taught you well. I’m going to look over the books now and tonight I’ll look over your proposal. In the meantime, I want you to be thinking about what sort of pieces you’re envisioning for the line and a name. Names are important.”

Ashley rose with a smile on her face. “I’m already on it, Boss Lady.”

“I know. Now see if you can help smooth things out up front while I handle the books.”

“You got it.”

Ashley disappeared with a smile on her face. Rena loved Ashley, who was one of the first girls that R.O.W. helped. The woman had been with her ever since and Rena couldn’t imagine her going anywhere. She loved the store and was paid exceedingly well. Ashley or any of her other full-time employees would be a fool to leave and go elsewhere.

Knowing she couldn’t put it off any longer, Rena opened the portfolio and grabbed her calculator and notepad. It was time to double check the books because while she trusted Bobby, it was her money and she still wanted to make sure it was all accounted for. For the next half hour, she painstakingly went through the numbers checking to see how much money the store actually made compared to the total expenses and “extra profit” Distinction
was making. By the time she finished, Rena was shaking her head.

It looked like they were going to have to run full steam ahead with Ashley’s new ideas to cover all the money Bobby had laundered through or Uncle Sam was going to have a whole lot of questions. The last thing she needed was the IRS breathing down her neck. Putting the accounting and Ashley’s portfolio in her bag, Rena stood and stretched. A knock at the door interrupted her.

“Come in.”

Ashley walked in. “Boss Lady, Cesare wanted me to tell you there’s a special visitor up front.”

“Who?” Rena asked.

“He didn’t say. I’ve never seen her before, but apparently you’re supposed to know her.”

“Alright, I’ll be right out.”

Ashley nodded and left. Grabbing her Chanel bag, Rena left the office and walked down the hall leading back to the front of the boutique. It was still as busy as ever. Cesare stood leaning against the small corner wall next to the door. He saw her and jerked his head to the right. Rena followed his motion and gritted her teeth.
I’ve got enough shit going on. The last thing I’m in the mood for is dealing with this bitch.

But Rena was one woman who didn’t run from confrontations of any kind and today would be no different. Plastering a fake smile on her face, she made her way towards the aloof blonde who glanced through a rack of dresses with a disinterested look on her face.

As the woman flipped her long, blonde extensions over her shoulder and snapped her fingers at Ashley, the urge to punch her in the throat rose up stronger and stronger. Too bad for Rena, this was one woman she simply couldn’t beat down. She was in a protected class. Not only was she Tony’s ex-girlfriend, but she was also the newest wife of Enzo Aprea, a well-known crime boss. Shit had just gotten real.

Chapter Eight

“Sage, what a surprise.”

Sage turned away from Ashley and Rena motioned for her manager to assist someone else in the store. Sage Aprea had her full attention on Rena and as they stared at each other in silence, Rena studied her enemy. She’d had some work done.
Way too much of it. The bitch couldn’t smile if she wanted to.
Not that Sage would be smiling at her. They were long past that amount of civility.

Her whole face had been Botoxed to death. Rena could easily see the fillers in Sage’s lips and cheeks. The only thing on her face that hadn’t been messed with was her eye color, but who knew? That could be next. She looked like exactly what she was, a dumb-ass blow up doll.
Did I mention how much I hate this woman?

“I’m sure it is, Rena. Long time no see,” she finally said in a whispery tone.

Marilyn Monroe, Sage was not.

“Indeed. What brings you by?” Rena asked trying to maintain a semblance of cool in her establishment.

“I was out shopping and one of my girlfriends mentioned this quaint little place, so I decided to take a few moments out of my busy schedule and check out your little shop.”

Rena stared into Sage’s green eyes full on as a red haze started to swirl in front of her.
Quaint? Little? Is this woman looking to get her ass whooped today?
Rena cleared her throat and tipped her head.

“I didn’t know being a housewife was so exhausting.” She didn’t try to keep the sarcasm out of her tone.

“I’m sure with poor Tony away and all.” A smirk turned the corner of her lip.

Rena wanted to smack the hell out of Sage. Not only had the woman come into her establishment, when she never had before, but now she was making a dig at Tony’s incarceration.

“Trust me, Sage, when Tony was out being a housewife was never so exhausting…other than satisfying my husband in the bedroom. You know how much stamina he has, but then again, maybe you don’t.”

Her face turned red and her fists clenched at her sides, but she quickly recovered her composure. “On the contrary, I remember very well.”

Rena folded her arms. “I’m sure. We always remember vividly what we lost.”

“Everything happens for a reason, and in my case it was for the better.”

Sage was so full of shit it stunk to be in the same room with her. But the woman was free to bask in whatever illusions she needed to keep her going. Going from a virile, very fuckable man to a much older man who only could get it up with the help of a pump and little blue pills was definitely not for the better. Enzo was old enough to be her grandfather.
How sick.
Rena pasted another smile on her face.

“Aww yes, your marriage to Enzo. How long has it been now? Six months?”

“Yes. Six wonderful months. Enzo is everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.”

“Is that so?” Rena asked, not believing the lies she was peddling.

“Yes. It’s so wonderful to be spoiled, really spoiled. Not to mention having his undivided attention. There’s not a woman alive that could turn his head like I do.”

I’m sure lots of women turn his head, but at his age he barely has the stamina to keep up with one.
Rena kept her private thoughts to herself. Instead she said, “Good for you.”

“Thank you, Rena. That means a lot coming from you, which is why I’ve been so sad to hear everything that has befallen you and Tony. I’ve always been so fond of him, you know.”

Rena arched a brow. “And what exactly has befallen Tony and me?”

She shrugged. “Him getting locked up to begin with, not to mention those pesky rumors about his territory being in trouble. Poor Tony.”

Even though she was seething inside, Rena laughed. From the expression on Sage’s face, perhaps she was expecting Rena to be flustered or upset by her well-placed dig, but Rena was better than that. With age came wisdom.

“Oh, Sage, I appreciate your concern for Tony and I but it’s not needed. He’s being well taken care of inside and by me. As for his territory, Tony has held it for the last fifteen years. I don’t see anyone ever being able to wage a successful takeover.”

Sage sneered. “Spoken like a naïve wife. Every empire can be toppled. Look at Rome.”

“Why, Sage, I didn’t know you knew anything about history. You’re just full of surprises.”

“I sure am. You’d do well to remember that, Rena.”

“Are you stupid enough to come inside my store and threaten me, Sage?”

Sage waved her hand in a dismissing motion. “Rena. Rena. Don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions. I’m just saying I’m not some empty-headed bimbo like you think I am.”

“I don’t know. You’ve got to be pretty empty headed to chase after a man that no longer wants you.”

Sage swallowed and nothing could hide the sheen of tears in her eyes. Rena had struck a nerve. Though she was putting on the façade of all façades, Sage was still hurt that Tony hadn’t chosen her. After Giovanna died, Tony had taken time to sow his wild oats and then he’d started “dating” Sage.
If you could call it that.
According to Tony, Sage had never been the lady on his arm. She was just a distraction. For nearly four years that had been their arrangement, but when Rena came into the picture, Sage was yesterday’s
puttana.

“Can you blame me? Tony was quite a catch back in the day. Besides, I thought we were going to be married and then the next thing I know you’re in the picture. Any woman would be a tad bit territorial.”

“Tony still is a catch, Sage. But come on now, marriage? That’s stretching it a bit.”

“We were together nearly four years.”

“Four years without a ring or one public outing. That doesn’t equal marriage to me, but then again we all see things differently.”

“Despite what you may think of me, Rena, I loved Tony once. I still care what happens to him.”

“Well don’t. He has a wife more than capable of doing that.”

“I’m well aware. You never miss a chance to throw it in my face.”

“I’m just stating a fact. No need to be angry at the truth.”

“I’m not angry, but you know sometimes your delivery could use some work.”

“I am how I am, Sage. You should know that by now.”

“I do.”

“Is there anything you’re looking for in particular?” Rena asked trying to change the subject.

Sage shook her head, offering a smile that one would give a simpleton. “No, dear. I actually just came by to see if the rumors were true. I surely didn’t expect to actually find you in here working,” she said with a small laugh.

“I don’t need to work, but I enjoy making my own money. There’s no reason in spending all of Tony’s when I’m perfectly capable of providing well for myself.”

“Entrepreneurship, huh? Boy, you must really be bored.”

“Hardly. Sitting around like a pretty little ornament, waiting to be displayed at any moment, now that’s boring.”

Sage cheeks turned red before she reigned herself in check. “I’d hardly call living in the lap of luxury and being available to my husband boring.”

Rena shrugged. “Again, different strokes for different folks.”

“So it seems. Well, Rena, I won’t hold you up. I can see you’re very busy.”

“Thanks for stopping by. Perhaps I’ll see you soon. We’re getting ready to expand.”

“Is that so? Hmm. I’ll have to be sure I’m around to see that.”

“Make sure that you do. Goodbye, Sage.”

“Rena.” She nodded stiffly and then she sashayed out the front door.

Rena walked over to the window and saw a large, muscled African American man take Sage’s hand and help her into a black Cadillac Escalade. She assumed the man was Sage’s bodyguard. As they drove away, Cesare came to Rena’s side.

“That’s the first time she’s ever been in here, you know.”

“I’m well aware and you can bet your ass that today’s little visit was not without motive.”

Cesare laughed, a dark sound. “The
puttanna’s
still bitter that the boss married you and she couldn’t even get him to take her out in public. She had to get a wrinkled up cock to even get a ring.”

Rena smiled at Cesare. “While I appreciate your sentiments it’s not just that. Her coming here was her way of showing power, Aprea’s.”

“You think this has something to do with the rumors of a takeover, don’t you?”

“I’d be a fool not to. Though Enzo’s more than over the hill that doesn’t mean his desire for power has waned any more than his desire for Botoxed whores.”

“But why now? The boss has been away for five years. He and Aprea have always respected one another. It doesn’t make sense for the old man to want to start shit now.”

“You’re right. If I were going to attempt a takeover I would’ve done it when Tony first went in or during the third year when people were likely to have started getting lax. Not now.”

“Aprea might have gotten wind that we’re having some issues in-house,” Cesare added.

“Perhaps, that’s why it’s now more important than ever for us to get all of this bullshit straightened out quickly and quietly.”

“The dossiers you asked for should be waiting for you at home.”

“Good work, Cesare.”

“Thank you, ma’am. So, what now?”

“We can’t jump to conclusions. Maybe Sage’s visit had nothing to do with Aprea. Maybe she was just stopping by to see if her rival was miserable or not.”

“Could be. She always was a classless bitch. I swear she thinks her great-grandfather’s past as a soldier during Prohibition gives her some kind of street cred.”

“She’s hardly the only person in the world coasting along on someone else’s rep and I’m sure she won’t be the last.”

“You’re right, Boss Lady, but you outrank her in so many ways. The boss dodged a heat-seeking missile with that one.”

“Maybe one day he’ll appreciate it like he should.”

“I’m sure he does. He just might not have the best way of showing it.”

“Yeah. Maybe you’re right. Alright, Cesare, I’m ready to head home.”

“I’ll bring the car around.”

“Thank you.”

Cesare nodded and disappeared outside. As Rena waited for him she looked around the boutique again. Sage Aprea had better watch out. One day she wouldn’t be in a protected class and Rena looked forward to the day that she could finally take the bitch down. Distinction
was Rena’s, the start of her empire. She’d be damned if she let Sage or anyone else besmirch what she’d built.

But that was just the beginning. Not only was she going to take her place in the fashion world, but the mafia was well. Whoever thought they were going to take down her husband’s empire was sorely mistaken. Be it the Feds or a fellow “wise guy,” they were going to find out that Rena was a queen coming with her own army. An unstoppable one.