Circle of Deception 2 (9 page)

“I’m on a list, I need new kidneys. I have been doing dialysis, but both of my kidneys are shutting down. If I don’t get a transplant soon, I won’t make it.”

Maddie gasped and then she felt tears burning her cheeks. “How long have you known?”

“A few months, but it’s getting critical. My last appointment showed a drastic decrease in function.”

“Can I give you one of mine? How does this all work?”

“You would have to be tested to see if you’re a match, but I can’t ask you to do this.”

“I’m getting that test. You’re my family, and I won’t let you die. I’ll make them all get tested.”

“I’ll get tested as well,” Nathan chimed in.

“I won’t let you do this. This is precisely why I didn’t tell any of you. It’s a big deal.”

“Your life is a big deal, and we’re doing it. Sit down and shut up,” Maddie hissed.

Gio chuckled at her determination and knew that it was pointless to argue. Maddie was the female equivalent of him, stubborn and unbreakable. “You know I hated your inflexibility then, and I hate it now. You’re so stubborn. I wonder where you got that from.”

“You. You were one of the biggest influences on my teenage years, you taught me to never give up, to never back down, and always look fierce when you’re doing anything.”

“Well, Baby girl you sure passed those lessons, because those heels are in!”

Maddie flopped down, and she and Gio shared stories and laughter for the next few hours. Neither of them was thinking about his illness or the tough road ahead, they were just living in the moment. For the first time in several months, he had hope. He knew the chances of either of them being a match was slim, but at least they would try. That was what he always wanted in a family. He couldn’t have found a better set of siblings.

“Maddie, I will allow you to tell everyone, but on one condition,” he took her hands in his.

“What is it?”

“I need you to keep quiet until after Allison’s party. I don’t need all the looks of pity on our niece’s birthday.”

Maddie looked as if she wanted to say no, and then she smiled brilliantly. “You got it, I’ll keep my mouth shut until then.” Gio swallowed her in an embrace and closed his eyes. He felt peace with his little sister in his arms. She had always been such a huge support to him, and now that she knew, he knew he had a fighting chance. Her determination could defy any odds, and with his other sisters on board, he knew he would be okay. They sat there quietly laughing until they heard the doorbell ring. When Marco appeared with Lexie close behind him, Gio almost broke his neck trying to vacate the couch to give her a piece of his mind.

“What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave and never return.”

Maddie looked at him confused as ever. She studied Gio and then studied the woman before them, and it didn’t take her long to see the resemblance. “Gio, is she related to you?”

Lexie huffed and walked over to stand right before Maddie. “You would be correct. I am his sister, his real sister.”

Nathan watched as Maddie’s complexion turned a bright red tint and saw her fist forming. He knew he had to reach her before she exploded, but his timing was way off. Before he could reach her, she reached out and slapped Lexie, jerking her head to the left. “How dare you come in here trying to stake your territory? You might be his sister by blood, but that’s it. You don’t know anything about him. You’re just a piece of...”

“A piece of what? Shit?” Lexie snapped. “I know more than you think. I know that Gavin is sick and he has a better chance of me helping him than you.”

Gio looked to Maddie and saw the disappointment in her eyes, and swooped over to comfort her. “She only knows because she has been following me. I would never tell her anything about my life, you have to know that.”

Maddie saw his sincerity, and felt like a heel. If he needed the help of the vile girl in front of them, then he would get it. “Gio, I’m so sorry. If she can help you, then let her, you might not like it, but she may be your best option.” Gio couldn’t believe he was in a position to be forced to accept help from his wretched sister. He was so overwhelmed, he just stormed off and retreated to his upstairs bedroom and Marco chased behind him. After Gio had departed the room, Lexie turned to Maddie and extended her hand.

“Thank you for trying to talk some sense into Gavin, he is extremely stubborn.”

Maddie crossed her arms over her chest, and Nathan saw that will to strike emerging again. This time he was able to place himself at her side before she could fire off another hit. “Let’s get one thing straight,” Maddie wagged her finger in Lexie’s face. “I don’t like you, bitch, and the only reason I’m even entertaining your presence is because it can help him. We will never be friends, and I will always want to beat your ass every time I see you.”

“Believe it or not, I’m not your enemy. I love him too.”

“Sure you do. Your family hurt him so badly, he had to run away. Do you know he was homeless once? My sister found him on the street because of your family and all your love.” Lexie sank down on the couch and covered her face with her hands. She had no idea what he had gone through after leaving them. She felt responsible and all she could do is cry. “So, you see, Ms. Lexie, we will never be friends. You live with what you did, but know that I will always despise you.” Maddie grabbed Nathan’s hand and left the house with him. All they could hear on the way out were Lexie’s sobs. For some sick reason, Maddie took joy in it, and boarded her car.

Chapter Five

Melissa raced to the door after hearing the doorbell, she wasn’t sure who it could be, but she didn’t want anyone to come in and see Maria with Jordan. Margret was busy in the kitchen, so she ran up and swung the door open to find a handsome man standing on her porch. “Hello, detective,” she smiled and paused. “What are you doing here, is something wrong?”

Vanzetti smiled and placed his hand on her shaky shoulder. “Everything is fine, ma’am. I was just in the neighborhood and decided to take a chance and stop by. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”

Melissa smiled and sighed. “No, it’s not a bad time. I was just playing with my grandson, he is getting so big.”

“Little Jordan, right? I remember when he was first born, he was adorable.” Melissa studied him and admired his finer qualities. He was very tall and remarkably fit for a man of his age. He was in his late forties, but looked so much younger. His smooth tanned skin was glistening from the sweat beads that had formed, as a result, of the warm California weather. His warm brown eyes drew her in as she tried to catch her breath to make her next statement.

“Yeah, he still is, would you like...” Melissa froze when she thought about the fact that Maria was in the back. Vanzetti couldn’t possibly see her with Jordan. He would haul them all in and everything would be ruined. “You know, now that I think about it, this really is a bad time. Would you care to stop by another day?”

Vanzetti offered her one of his dazzling smiles and nodded his head. “I would love that. In fact, I was hoping to trouble you for a lunch date. I know this is probably out of order and I know we don’t really know...”

“Yes,” Melissa replied. “I would love to go to lunch with you, but if you don’t mind, I have some things to attend to. Is your number still the same?”

“It never changes,” he replied and reached out for her hand. “I’ll be waiting on your call.” When he turned to leave, Melissa put her hand on her cheek and sighed. She had been admiring him for quite a while now, but his bold offer couldn’t have come at a worse time. Now that Maria was living with her, having him so close and personal could only spell trouble. She sat pondering her new situation, when Maria came bounding around the corner with Jordan in tow.

“Now that is one handsome man. You should really take him up on his offer,” she grinned.

“I would love to, but our situation doesn’t really leave room for me to be dating the arresting officer on your supposed murder case now does it?”

“This is ridiculous,” Maria sighed. “We were the victims here, and I’m having to sneak around and be away from my children when they really need me. I almost feel like just stepping out and saying here I am Amanda, come and get me because it’s all starting to piss me off. I need my girls and I need...”

“Emilio?” Melissa questioned.

“I just miss my family. Emilio is a big part of my family, so yes, I miss him.”

“It’s more than that. Even after everything Ben did to separate the two of you, you never caved and signed the divorce papers. You want to be married to him, admit it.”

Maria tilted her head to the side and just remained silent. She knew she had been caught, and there was no way she could deny it. “Yes, Melissa, I still love Emilio. I never wanted to leave, but you have to understand, at the time it was the only option. I couldn’t let Ben do to him what he had done to Richard. I had already cost Meg her father, and I couldn’t do the same thing a second time, costing Melia and Maddie theirs too. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. I gave up love to keep them safe, even if it made them resent me for it.”

“Your girls love you, once they find out why you did what you did, they will understand. They all turned out to be amazing women, and my sons are lucky to have them. Well, at least Alex is, I’m not sure where things are headed between Matt and Melia. I wish they could come together and work things out, but she is furious and hurt by him. There may not be any coming back, but I’m not counting them out just yet. I have faith that they will remember why they fell in love in the first place.”

“I feel as if the issue they’re having is because of me. Melia took me leaving the hardest, she was the baby. I know she and Maddie are only a few minutes apart, but she was my baby girl. When I left, she couldn’t understand why her mom was abandoning her, and she blamed herself. I recall countless phone calls where I cried myself to sleep thinking about the pain in my baby’s voice. She was so affected, and I can’t help but think it’s carrying over into her adult life. She spends so much time trying to prove that she is a good mother so that Cienna never feels the way they did.”

“You had to do what you did for them, to keep them safe.”

“My head knows that, but try telling it to my heart. I damaged them. Meg had the worst trust issues, Melia has abandonment issues, and Maddie is afraid to commit. I really did a bang up job in the protection department.”

“They may have had all of that, but they are working past it. Meg and Alex are together and better than ever, Maddie and Nathan are in love, and I don’t think this is the end of Melia and Matt. They have been in love far too long to let it end this way. If I know my son, I know he is going to fight to the last breath to get his family back. This had to be an eye-opening experience for him. Matthew has the tendency to get overzealous about some things, and that may be just what he needs to do. Maybe she needs to see that he will fight for them. Maybe she just needs to know that he is not going to walk out.”

“Like I did...” Maria sighed. “Like I said, this is all my fault.”

“They are just at a rough patch. Everyone has them. I know they will make the right decision because they both love that little girl, and they will do what’s best for her.”

They had almost forgotten Jordan was present until he began to babble in his baby talk. He was smiling and moving his arms with animation. “It’s hard to believe he is only three months old, he is alert for his age, and so smart,” Maria kissed his forehead. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for making it possible for us to have this time together.”

“It’s my pleasure. I’m only hoping we can bring you together with the rest of your family soon. Ben says he has something in the works, but he is being very secretive about it. I just hope he isn’t getting my hopes up for nothing.”

“No,” Maria put her hand to her cheek. “If he says he has something, believe him. It’s Ben, he always has a scheme. Whether it’s good or bad is the question.”

“He couldn’t possibly cause any harm to anyone while in there, right?”

“Melissa, that man can make things happen that you couldn’t imagine. You know, they still haven’t found Richard’s body and they probably never will. Amanda could be six feet under, and we would never know it.”

“He wouldn’t,” Melissa gasped.

“He would.”

Meg reached for the door to Melia’s house and sighed. It was now her turn on the long list of people to try and talk some sense into her brooding sister, and she wasn’t looking forward to it. Maddie had informed her of her unsuccessful trip and thought maybe she could make more headway. Meg was grateful that Emily had agreed to join her, and with Cienna being home, she thought it would be a good idea to bring Allison to keep her company. So after she got off, she picked Allison up and they headed over.

Allison was still distant with Meg, and she thought maybe the trip out of the house together would do them some good. Honestly, she just wanted to get her away from Alex before he snapped and spanked her. As fed up as she was with Allison’s attitude, she knew there had to be more than just acting out, and she didn’t want to make matters worse.

Alex was tired of feeling like he was in the middle. Allison was treating him like everything was fine, but being really detached when it came to Meg and Jordan. Jordan had recently turned three months old, and before she had been keeping count and would give him a kiss for each month, but this month, she walked past him like it wasn’t even important.

Meg was sitting looking displaced when Melia finally came and swung the door open. To say she wasn’t excited about the visit was an understatement. She huffed and crossed her arms across her chest. “I was wondering when you were going to show up. Save your breath, the divorce is happening and there is nothing you can say to change it.”

Meg, bent down and brushed her hand over Allison’s cheek. “Sweetie, do you remember where to find Cienna’s room?”

“Yes, mommy.”

“Well, I want you to go find her and play until I come and get you. Can you handle that for me?” Allison nodded her head yes and ran towards the back, while Meg and Emily made their way into the house pushing past A fuming Melia. Meg planted herself down on the couch and crossed her legs angrily. If looks could kill, Melia would be six feet under. Meg was furious at her for reacting the way she did in front of Allison. Once they all got seated, Meg started right in.

“How dare you say that in front of my child? We are already having enough issues without you sucking her into your drama.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Princess Meg. I can’t help it if everyone doesn’t stay in your little boundary box, but this is my house. You came here unannounced so excuse me if I don’t give a rat’s ass about your brat hearing how I feel.” Emily could see the situation escalating into something more, and began to get nervous. She tried to interject herself into the conversation, but neither sister was listening.

“Just because you’re ignorant enough to throw away your five year marriage over something so irrelevant doesn’t mean you need to take the shit out on everyone. You claim to be doing this for Cienna, but she’s the one you’re hurting. Your daughter cries every time she has to leave my house and say goodbye to her dad.”

“She’s four, she will get over it. I did.”

“You did? This isn’t about you and Matt, this is about mom. You can’t punish Matt for the issues you have with mom. He didn’t leave you, she did. He made a mistake, but he has been trying, which is more than I can say for you.”

“That’s right, Meg, take his side,” she snarled. “I forgot, as long as things are perfect between you and Alex, nothing else matters to you. Why did you even come here? Did your precious husband ask you to?”

Meg sat up and stared her down. “Be as nasty as you want, but I know the truth. You’re hurting and you want us all to hurt too. Well, I’ve been there, and I’ll tell you, being alone is no picnic, and if you do go through with this and you see Matt moving on with someone else you’re going to feel like shit. He is your man, get over your silly pride and get him back.”

“Read my lips, I don’t want him back, and I could never be as stupid as you. I’m not going to settle for anything just to have a man. You’re so desperate to be with Alex, that you’re willing to raise a child that’s not even yours, and news flash, Meg, she hates you.”

Emily gasped and looked to Meg, who now had tears in her eyes. Melia never meant for it to get that ugly, but she was so upset, that she didn’t think before speaking. When she saw the distraught look on Meg’s face, she swooped to her side. Meg was still and completely silent as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Melia reached to touch her, but Emily blocked her hands. “That’s enough. You went too far, Melia. Now I’m not choosing sides, but you were out of line. Meg has always gone out of her way to be there for all of you, and this is how you repay her? You should be on your hands and knees thanking her for stepping in for you when your mother left, but instead, you’re treating her like she is the one who hurt you.”

“I’m so sorry...”

Melia reached for her, but Meg swung her hand out slapping Melia across her face and sending her flying back on the floor. “Don’t you touch me. Don’t you think I have enough going on without your bullshit too? Here I am taking in your husband because you’re being a child about things, and you comment on my life and my family. I’m doing the best I can to show that little girl that I love her, and it’s not working. She doesn’t understand what we’ve gone through, but you do. I expected better from you.”

Melia sat there stunned because Meg had never hit her. She knew Meg’s problems must be wearing on her because she hardly ever resulted to violence. Moving closer, Melia placed her hands in Meg’s lap. She was afraid she might get hit again, but that was a chance she was willing to take. She had been so wrapped up in her own drama that she didn’t think about what Meg must be going through. When she didn’t swing again, Melia took a chance and threw her head in Meg’s lap and cried. “I’m sorry,” she repeated until Meg silenced her.

“I know you’re going through a lot and I know you’re mad at the world, but if you ever bring up my children or my husband the way you did again, I’ll drag your ass up and down your own house. I came here to help you, but now you’re on your own. I have enough to deal with without adding your drama.” She pushed her out of her lap and stood. “Emily, you can stay if you want, but I have nothing more to say to her.” Emily stood and walked closely behind her as she called for Allison.

Melia stood in the doorway with tears streaming down her face, and when Cienna and Allison appeared, Cienna rushed to hug her. “Mommy, what’s wrong?”

“Mommy just had a grown up conversation with Aunt Meg that made her sad.”

“You made her cry?” Allison huffed. “Meg is evil,” she screamed and ran towards Melia.

Meg put her hand over her chest and gasped for air. She couldn’t believe what was happening, it was all too much to take in. Melia watched and sniffled louder when she saw Meg’s face. She knew this was all her fault, and she felt awful. She walked over and knelt before Allison and grabbed her hands.