Conviction (The Cassano Series Book 4) (12 page)

Zev

Hearing Tara speaking as I stroll down the hallway, I freeze at my mother’s door.

“I love him more than anything in this world. I want to give him everything, including a family. Maybe there will be a little Xavier running around one day.”

My mother lets out a strained laugh, and I’m eager to know how this conversation came about.

“You poor woman,” she says with another laugh. “Give him a sibling. They will be there for each other.”

“I was an only child, and some days I’d give anything to have a sibling. I already love your big family.”

I step through the doorway. “I got you some iced tea.” Tara takes the glass from me and smiles.

“I think your mom has a lot of dirt on you.”

“Yeah, probably, and I’m sure she’ll have Aggie telling you all about it.”

“I’ll leave you two alone and go see if I can’t drag one of those stories out of her.”

Tara exits, so I take her spot in the chair.

“She’s beautiful and sweet.” Noticing that mother’s throat is dry again, I give her another drink.

“She is, Ma. She’s amazing in every way.”

“Marry her.”

I chuckle at her forwardness. It’s a trait with the females in this family. My grandma was the same way.

I lean over like I’m telling her a secret.

“I plan on it. Soon, actually, but let’s not tell her yet.”

This earns me a strong laugh from her, and I’m grateful I had the sense to come home. The old Zev would’ve ran as far away as possible from this upsetting situation, but I have Tara by my side. With her, I feel like I can face anything.

Adrian

“What do you mean he’s out of jail?” I ask Theo.

“I just heard it on the news. His father pulled some strings and got him out on bail. It’s messed up. He can’t avoid a heavy sentence, but it appears he gets more freedom first.”

“None of us are safe. He knows we were in on the sting since Xavier isn’t in jail, too. We need to beef up security. Get Kruse up here.”

As Theo leaves my office, I pull my phone from my pocket. “Victoria, where are you?”

“Getting ready to go into a dreaded meeting with my sergeant.”

“Noah made bail.”

“I know.”

“But these are federal charges.”

“His daddy, Adrian. It’s Noah’s first offense, and since his father is the commissioner, they don’t see him as a flight risk.”

“Thanks to this, we’re in danger. I’m glad Xavier and Tara are gone, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m calling him and getting security there, too. Let me know how your meeting goes.”

“It’s a toss-up.”

“We’ll deal with the consequences.”

“Can I throat punch Bishop if he fires me?”

I smile as I end the call with Victoria. My tough girl is my daily dose of strength.

“Xavier, have you seen the news?”

“No, why?”

“Sander is out on bond.”

“What the fuck? How did this happen?” I tell him the same story Theo told me, and he curses louder.

“I’m arranging security there. I want it in place, especially since all of us will be there soon.”

“I screwed up, Ace.”

“What do you mean?”

“With Noah… When he was busted, I told him the sting was for Tara. He knows she told me about the assault.”

“Why the hell did you say something to him?”

“I never dreamed he’d make bail, and it was all I had to get back at him.” My brother’s voice lowers. “You didn’t see her, Adrian. She was beaten to a pulp.

“All I’ve wanted since is to see him dead, so the words came out before I had time to think of the consequences.”

“Does she know?”

“No, she’s suffering enough with the memories. I can’t have her doubting her safety, too.”

“You fucked up.”

“I know. I feel like shit over it. I keep failing her, man.”

“You need to tell her, so she can look out for herself, too.”

Victoria

“Take a seat, Ms. Hart,” Sergeant Bishop says. He’s leaning back in his chair, staring me down. I’ve learned this is the worst way to find him. I much prefer when he’s distracted by his morning paper. “Explain.”

“Explain what?”

His finger goes up, and he points it straight at me.

“I’m not taking any bullshit from you today. You tell me the truth about the Cassano family, and you tell me right now.”

“It appears the FBI knew a lot more than we did about Noah Sanders.”

His hand flies down and smacks a stack of papers on his desk, causing me to flinch. “I didn’t ask you about Noah Sanders! Now goddammit, tell me about the Cassano brothers!”

Shit, someone has tipped him off. My planned award-winning performance is not going to fly with him. It’s time to come clean.

“OK, OK, I knew about the FBI working with them.”

He smirks, and it’s not the “I find you amusing like your old man” kind. No, it’s the “I finally have you right where I want you” smirk.

“And how is it that you know this information? Because I’m dying to hear if your story matches the one I’ve heard.”

Blowing out a taxing breath, I hang my head.

“I’m in a relationship with Adrian Cassano, sir.”

“You know, I really thought you would come in here and lie to my face.”

“That was the plan, but what’s the point? You already knew the truth. I only wish I knew how, and I have my suspicions.”

“We both know the FBI has something on the Cassano family, or they never would’ve been working together. The question I need an answer to is what?

“You have one chance, Hart, to tell what that is, or you can set your badge and weapon down on this desk and walk out of here for good.”

“Sarge—”

“No, Victoria. Your second chance has been long used up. Tell me why you’ve been protecting Adrian Cassano or take a walk.”

Without taking my eyes off of his, I stand. He follows my movement as I approach his desk and turn in the most sacred possessions to my career.

Bishop hangs his head and shakes it.

“Your father has to be turning over in his grave at this moment.”

“Fuck. You. My father would be proud of me. He saw in the Cassano brothers what I see every day. You aren’t even half as honorable as those men or my father.”

I leave his office and approach my desk. The tears are building up, and I sense my coworkers’ eyes on me.

“Tell me, Tucker, was it worth every minute to see me packing up my shit?” I say to him.

“What?”

“You heard me,” I repeat as I gather my belongings. “If you’re a real man, you’ll admit you’re the one who told.”

Tucker stands up from his desk. I glance to Reggie, who’s been waiting to see what happened in my meeting with Bishop.

“Alright, fine. I told. You want to fraternize with the bad guys, so be it, but I’m not keeping your secrets.”

Reggie shoves his chair away from his desk and charges toward Tucker. “I trusted you, man!” With one sucker punch, Reggie lays him out cold. His chair slides across the floor, louder than Reggie’s did, as his arm catches on it.

“I told you never to trust him, Reg, but you wouldn’t listen to me. Thanks. You’ve cost me my career.”

Reggie looks at me with remorse.

“I told you not to fall in love with him, Victoria. That’s what cost you your career.”

“You fucking hypocrite.” I shake my head with disbelief and storm out of the office. Now what the hell do I do?

Once I’m on the bus, I decide to break the news to Adrian.

Me:
I lost my job, and I need some time alone. Please respect that.

Adrian:
I’m sorry… Please don’t take too long. You know I’ll go out of my mind.

He’s going to have to get over it. I know I said we were in this together, but I need time to grieve. I feel like a part of me died today, and that can’t be fixed in an hour or with a kiss.

Zev

Aggie and Tara are fixing dinner, so I’m watching the evening news with Ma. Actually, I’m the only one watching it. We’ve been here four days, and she hasn’t awakened for the last two.

Her respirations are decreasing, and the Hospice nurse, who’s left for her dinner break, said Ma could pass at any time.

Shutting off the television, I lay my head on the bed next to her arm. I imagine her running her hand through my hair like she would when she would tuck me into bed at night.

I remember loving those moments. Mom would tuck us in when she was having good “mental health” days, and since those were few and far between, they were extra special.

A heavy weight is returning to my chest. I’m losing her when I feel like I was just getting her back. On top of that, I need to tell Tara what I said to Noah, but I can’t find the words.

Security has been out front for a few days, but Tara believes we’re being overly paranoid. She doesn’t know that revenge has her name all over it.

Having barely any sleep for days, I close my eyes to try and banish the anxiety plaguing me.

***

“Zev, wake up,” Tara says in my ear. I feel her hand on my back, so I lift my head. Ma looks different. My head whips toward Tara, and she and Aggie are standing next to me crying.

“Zev, she’s gone,” Aggie says with her weeping voice. “Mom’s gone.”

Tara’s gaze looks like one of pity and apprehension. Grabbing my mother’s hand, I feel that it’s cooler. I squeeze it and bury my face against it. I thought I had prepared myself for this, but the pain is unbearable.

What I hadn’t made peace with was my regret. I ignored her for so many years. Tears come, and it pisses me off. Tara rubs my back, and that angers me even more.

I’m on my feet and dashing from the room. I grab my keys off a table in the living room and flee the house. I’m in the rental car and peeling out in seconds.

I don’t know where I will go, but I can’t let Tara know this part of me. Since we arrived here, self-loathing has been feeding on my hope and self-worth, depleting me of all the good Tara instilled. How can she love me when I don’t love myself?

Tara

“Adrian, I don’t know what to do. Zev’s still not home,” I say into the phone. It’s one in the morning, and he hasn’t returned since he stormed from the house.

“Did he tell you what he said to Noah at the bust?”

“No, what was it?”

“Shit, he was supposed to discuss it with you. He’s been beating himself up over it for days. Basically, he told Noah the sting was to get back at him for what he did to you.”

I throw a hand over my mouth.

“Why would he do that?”

“He didn’t think, Tara. The rage had been eating him up. He lashed out at Noah without considering the consequences. I’m sure he’ll be home soon, but if he’s not back by morning, call me.”

“OK. Thanks, Adrian.”

“Wait … listen, Zev’s notorious for self-destructing and numbing himself when things get tough. He’s fearing what you will do once you know, and I’m sure he’s hurt over Mom’s death. Now that he’s with you, he probably doesn’t know what to do with those emotions.”

“I get it, Adrian, but we’re supposed to be a team.”

Hanging up with him, I bite my lip and stare at Aggie. We’re on our third cup of coffee, and although I’ve done little the last several days, I’m exhausted.

“So, I hear you’re moving to Vegas soon.”

“Yep. As soon as we get the house emptied and listed to sell.” Her face droops, but it’s only momentarily before a smile resurfaces. It reminds me of how strong and brave the Cassano family is, minus Zev’s childish behavior this evening.

“I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my brothers and making new memories with them. You know, Zev is only worried his emotions are going to disappoint you.

“He’s not fearful of getting close to you because he thinks you’ll be like Denise. He’s afraid he’ll end up like her and let you down.”

“I wish he could see in himself what I see.”

“In time I believe he will. Please, don’t give up on him.”

“I don’t think I could find the will to do that even if I wanted to. I love him.”

The creak of the front door has Aggie and me on our feet. Zev steps in and takes a glimpse at each of us.

“Thank God,” Aggie says. “Be good to her, Xavier. I’ll leave you two alone.” She exits the room, and Zev doesn’t look at me. His keys drop onto the table by the door, and he stands there. I’m furious as I go to him.

“Look at me, you coward.” Zev’s eyes immediately flit to mine, and he’s stunned by my words. “Your mother died today, so I get why you’re angry, but how dare you leave me here alone to deal with it.”

“Tara, I’m sorry.”

“Adrian told me about what you said to Noah, and I’m not pissed about it.”

“You seem pretty angry to me.”

“I’m angry because you left me here to deal with serious shit like a funeral home, a body and a grieving sister. Also, because you didn’t tell me about Noah, not because of what you said to him.”

“I know I should’ve told you, but I didn’t know how.”

“Zev, we’re a couple now. You can’t retreat or storm off when things get rough. That’s when we need to stick together the most.”

“But why aren’t you pissed over what I said to Noah?”

“It was a critical mistake, but we all make them. You should’ve told me, so we could work through it together.”

Grabbing hold of me, Zev brings me to his chest.

“I’m sorry. It was wrong for me to leave. I didn’t want you to see my weaknesses. I keep letting you down, and because I don’t know how to be in a relationship, I’m certain I’ll fuck it up again.”

“I’m on your side, Zev.” I cup his cheek. “I already love you and your flaws, and I think what disappointed me the most tonight is I thought I already proved that.”

His forehead wrinkles as my last words sink in.

“Jesus, you have, and I’m sorry.”

“I just need you to need me, remember?”

“I do need you. More than you realize, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe from Noah Sanders.”