Conviction (The Cassano Series Book 4) (15 page)

“No, you need to calm down. You want to be healthy for the baby.”

“Shit, don’t say that.”

“What will you do if I get pregnant?”

Simon sighs. “Hold that question.” He cleans up his mess and takes the spot next to me on the bed. He turns on his side and puts his warm hand on my stomach.

“I’d take care of you and our baby.”

“OK, then we’ll worry about it if that day comes.”

“I need gum, and no more butterfly position, my sweet Butterfly.” I’m giggling again, and soon Simon is tickling me.

I should definitely be more worried, but I have faith we could get through whatever is thrown our way, baby included.

Victoria

“Don’t peek through my hand,” Adrian says as he helps me out of his car.

“I swear I won’t.” He begins walking me at a snail’s pace. “I had to look funny riding down the road with a blindfold on. I’m surprised you weren’t stopped for kidnapping.”

“I don’t think anyone would buy it when you’re wearing a sappy grin on your face.”

“I’m excited. I can’t help it.”

“Stand still while I do something, and if you open those eyes, I’m whipping your tight little ass.”

“That’s tempting.”

“I mean it, Victoria.”

“OK, OK. I’m only teasing.” The sound of what I believe is a garage door opening floods my ears.

“Adrian, what did you do?”

“OK, open up.”

I pull the blindfold off and gasp. “You didn’t!”

“Oh, I did, baby. And you won’t believe
when
I did it.”

I’m staring at a red 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, and it looks familiar. “This looks identical to the one I saw the day we ended up at the same car show.”

“It’s that exact one.”

My eyes dart from the car to his handsome face. Those walnut colored eyes are dancing with mischief.

“No way.”

“Yes. Do you remember when I left you alone at the end of the auction? I bought it from the men who bid on it. I gave them an even better price.”

My hand covers my heart as I try to comprehend what he did that day. “You had no way of knowing you’d get to give it to me.”

“No, but I already had a strange sense that I might.”

“I’m flabbergasted.”

“I see that.” Adrian pulls a set of keys from his pocket and tosses them to me. “Let’s check it out.”

Smiling like a kid on Christmas, I carefully take the driver’s seat, and Adrian gets into the passenger side. We’re sitting in one of the garages on Theo’s property where Adrian stores his classic cars.

“Let’s take it for a spin.”

Brushing my fingertips over the steering wheel, I think about his statement. “OK.”

“Really? I thought you’d say no.”

“I’m sure.”

“There’s something you’ve never told me.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“The day of the car show, you were gazing at that 1952 Chevrolet Belair convertible. I asked you what was so special about that car.

“You said twenty-five cent milkshakes and gave me a lame story about drive-in theaters. I couldn’t get you to tell me the true story behind your attachment to that car. What was it?”

“At that time, I had this belief that a classic car without flaws was time standing still. It didn’t grow old.” I pause for a second as the melancholy stirs.

“To me that Belair was still stuck in the fifties, where there were drive-ins and twenty-five cent milkshakes, but we couldn’t do that with humans.

“No matter what, we’re going to grow old and die, or we could die in an accident like my father. I guess I was using the idea of the car’s perfection as a way to hold onto the past. It’s why I didn’t want to touch my 57 Thunderbird, but I feel differently now.”

“How so?”

“I’ve realized since we’ve been together that not only do we need to appreciate what we have, like I thought I was doing by not driving my car, we should make the most of what we have since we never know when it could be taken from us.

“If I’m driving the car, I will have those memories to hold onto even if something happens to it. It’s the same with the people in our lives. The more time we spend with them the more memories we have to hold onto once they’re taken from us.”

A couple of tears fall to my cheek. “I miss my dad, but I have the memories we made from working on classic cars. He’d want me to enjoy them.” I conjure a smile. “It’s why we’re taking this kickass car for a drive, along with my Thunderbird later.”

“Hell, yes. Have I told you today how incredible you are?”

“You’re the incredible one. I can’t believe you bought this that day.”

“I guess I inwardly hoped there would be an ‘us,’ and now I’m hoping for much more. A lifetime more.” Adrian motions toward the glove box. “Aren’t you going to check that out, too?”

I’m sure I look puzzled as I lean over him and pop it open. I suck in a sharp breath as I spot a ring box.

“You didn’t.”

“Oh, I did, baby.”

My hand is shaking as I pick it up.

“May I?” he asks as he holds out his hand. I swallow and hand him the box.

He pops it open, and it’s the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. It’s classic, like this car, and I’m instantly in love with it. It’s composed of a large, single pearl encased in a row of diamonds. It’s dainty and elegant.

“I hope you like it.”

“It’s exquisite, Adrian. I love it.”

“My pearl, will you be mine forever?”

“I will.” Tears rush to my eyes as he slips the ring onto my finger. We hug for a while before we’re leaning our foreheads together.

“You’re my pearl because you let down all your tough walls and let me see the real you. You chose me to give your love and trust to, and for that, I’m grateful.”

“Thank you for loving me, Adrian.”

Regaining my composure, I wipe the tears from my eyes and start the amazing vehicle. I give him a broad grin and rev the engine.

“Buckle up, Ace. You’re gonna need it.”

Zev

“Hey, bro, how’s it going?” Simon asks after entering my office.

“Good. What’s up?” Leaning back in my chair, I entwine my fingers behind my head.

“Sadie and I had a run in with Noah last night. He honestly thinks he’s not going to prison.”

“He’s supposed to stay the hell away from us, and he’s an idiot if he thinks prison is not in his future. Ms. D’Angelo, or whatever the fuck her name is, assured Adrian that Noah’s getting time.”

“He was his usual cocky self, and in a roundabout way, he threatened Sadie’s safety.”

I sit up and slam my fist on my desk. “I’m sick of that fucker keeping me on edge.”

“I know, but our hands are tied.”

“I hate that man.”

“Look, I only told you so you can keep a closer eye on Tara.”

“I’m already doing that. Security is at her apartment around the clock. Do you think they need private bodyguards? I really don’t want some dude hanging with Tara every minute of the day.”

“Yeah, bro, I think they do. At least until he’s behind bars.”

“Alright, get Kruse to hire more staff. I want him personally watching out for Tara. Hey, did Sadie know that man killed at the university?”

“What are you talking about?”

“A maintenance man was found dead outside the university this morning. It was on the news. I thought they said he was found near the science building. Isn’t that where Sadie works?”

“Yeah, it is, and that’s where we ran into Noah. I better talk to her. She’s supposed to be home tonight.”

Sadie

Tara and I are out shopping. We’ve been getting together since right after Denise’s funeral. It’s been nice to have someone to talk to besides Victoria about what has happened with Zev, Simon and Noah. My sister gets too motherly, and I sure wouldn’t talk to her about sex.

Since Zev and Simon are so much alike, Tara and I can have chitchat about them and understand where the other is coming from.

My phone rings, so I pull it from my pocket.

“Hi, Simon.”

“Hey, doll. What are you doing? It sounds noisy.”

“Tara and I are at the mall shopping.”

“I thought you were staying in tonight.”

“I was going to, but this is way more fun.”

“Yeah, but it’s way less safe. You need to head home before it’s dark, and lock the door behind you. We have a bodyguard starting for each of you tomorrow.”

“Isn’t that a little extreme?”

“Sadie, a body was found outside the science building last night. The person was murdered, and you and I were right there. What if Noah is behind it? I think we should go to the police.”

I come to a stop near a store. Tara stops, too, and she’s staring at me intently. I can’t concentrate with the noise and all that Simon is saying.

“I don’t want to go to the cops. Noah’s scary. It’s only going to fuel his desire to seek revenge. Surely, he didn’t murder someone.”

“We believe he’s done it before.”

“Fine. I’ll go home, and you can take me to the station, but I still think it’s going to put us in more danger.”

“If he did it and they can prove it, it’ll mean he will be locked away even longer.”

Tara

Since I start my new position tomorrow at Submission, I want to look the part, so I went shopping with Sadie and purchased some professional looking attire.

After we finish up, she drops me off at my condo. I wave at the security guard watching my place. He’s the nightshift guy and is in his vehicle as usual.

I go to my room and hang the dress clothes in my closet. On my bed, I sort through the undergarments I bought, along with some sexy lingerie to entice Zev.

The doorbell rings, so I hurry to it. Looking into the peephole, I see it’s the security guy. Immediately worried something is wrong, I swipe the chain lock and open the door.

Oh, no.

“Noah.” He’s holding the security guy by the shoulder, and the way his hand is positioned, I believe he’s holding a gun to the man’s back.

“Let me in,” he says quietly but commandingly. Moving away from the door, Noah and the man enter.

My heart rate instantly skyrockets, and my mind goes into survival mode, trying to think of anything that could get me out of this situation.

“I need something to tie up his hands.” I stare at the man, who appears to be in his thirties. His dark hair is disheveled, and I wonder how Noah snuck up on him.

“And I can’t trust you to get me something,” Noah adds. The next thing I know, he’s pistol whipping the guy on the back of the head.

“Noah!” The man drops instantly as I scream, “Holy shit!” He rolls the limp man to his stomach.

“Do you have any rope?”

“No.”

“Let’s go to your room. I need a scarf or sheet.”

“Please don’t hurt me. I’m begging.”

“I don’t plan on it. You’re too fucking valuable now, but if you try anything at all, I won’t have a choice. Let’s go!”

Jumping, I hurry to my bedroom, and Noah grips my arm tightly the entire way.

“I have scarves,” I say, handing him a black one from my closet.

“Grab two more.” I do as I’m told, and Noah drags me back to my small living room. “Turn around.” He ties my wrists securely with the thin, silky material and shoves me onto my sofa.

Next, he goes to the man on the floor and ties his wrists and ankles together. I’m sobbing, terrified of what’s to come. “Shut the fuck up, or I’ll gag you.”

Noah repositions the unconscious man and glances around the room. He’s instantly calmer as he picks up my shoes by the door and approaches me. My head turns away from him as he slips them onto my feet. My body is shaking from my fear.

“You and your boyfriend just couldn’t keep your fucking mouths shut, could you? You told him what I did to you, and he told me he knew. You two aren’t the brightest.”

“Noah, I’m sorry. Please, please don’t harm me or Zev.”

“Shut up. You’re leaving with me.”

Zev

I’m busy working at Caged, trying to play catch up. I’ve taken way too much time off lately, and my assistant isn’t returning due to her cancer.

I considered offering Tara the job, but I figured neither of us would get any work done if we were always in each other’s space. I also fear she could grow tired of me or see more of my negative traits. I tend to get grumpy in the office.

My phone rings and it’s Noah. What the fuck is he doing calling me? Feeling my body tense more with every ring, I let it go to voicemail.

A minute goes by, and it rings again.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“I have something of yours. How badly do you want it?”

“I’m not playing games with you, Sanders. What the fuck do you want?”

“Five million dollars. I don’t think your little slut is worth it, but I imagine you do.”

“What the fuck?!”

“Yes, I have her, and if you want her back, you’re going to get me the money. It’s likely I’ll get a lot of years in prison, and I refuse to accept that.

“Bring me the money, so I can get the fuck out of Vegas. If you don’t, I guess the prosecutors will be adding a murder charge to my already lengthy list. I swear, Zev, I’ll kill her if you pull anything.”

“Fuck! I’ll break your neck with my bare hands if you lay a hand on her.”

“You don’t get to make demands, Xavier. You have twenty-four hours to get the money ready. I’ll then text you an offshore account to wire it to and a location to meet. You better show up alone.

“I’ll check the account, and we’ll trade. No harm done. Oh, and your inept security guard is tied up at Tara’s condo. You might want to set him free and bribe his mouth shut.”

“I want to speak to her to know she’s OK.”

“Fine.”

“Zev!”

“Fuck, Tara, I’m going to get you out of this.”

“Please hurry.”

“Has he hurt you?”

“No.”

“I promise. Tomorrow. I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too,” she whispers, with a crackle in her voice.

Feeling as if my heart has cracked in two, I end the call. My hand grips my chest, and I have to bend over from the dizziness I feel. I take in a few sharp breaths and tear from my office. The first thing I have to do is get to Tara’s condo.

***

It’s late once I’m pounding on Adrian’s door.

“Zev. What’s up?”

“Get Victoria. Noah has Tara.”

“What?”

“He kidnapped her from her condo. I just went and untied the fucking security guard.”

“What does he want?”

“Five million dollars, Adrian. What are we going to do? He’s giving us twenty-four hours to wire the money to an offshore account. Once he sees the transfer, he claims he’ll hand over Tara.”

“Let me get Victoria.” I pace the floor a few times before I go to Adrian’s bar.

“Zev, Adrian told me,” she says as she enters the living room, pulling a cream silk robe tighter.

“Please tell me you know something we can do?”

“I’m not sure. I need a little time to think.”

“I have a plan,” Adrian says, “but I definitely need twenty-four hours to pull it off.”