Cut Too Deep (25 page)

It was a reach, but Miller hoped to make her reconsider opening old wounds when she was so close to healing.

“Not knowing keeps me from moving forward. It’s a bit of a catch twenty-two. I feel like that night is a mystery, and if I don’t solve it, I’ll never have a future.”

Little did Hadley know, her past and her future were woven tightly and irrefutably together. How could he convince her without telling her who he was? He sat taller, and moved closer to her. Miller kept his voice calm, although he could feel the panic squeezing his lungs.

“But suppose for a moment that what you’re trying to remember could ruin your future.”

“It may, but the past eats at me.” Hadley stroked his cheek. “I can’t live like that anymore, especially now that I have this fantastic man in my life that makes me believe dreams do come true.”

She barely finished the sentence when Miller's warm lips crashed into hers. As he promised, Hadley never saw the kiss coming. He drew her body close and every nerve ending she had surged to life. The world around her exploded as she closed her eyes.

His kiss came gentle at first, smooth skin meeting soft skin. Hadley remembered his letter and parted her lips ever so slightly while clasping her hands behind his neck. She felt his mouth smile against her lips in recognition. In the way Miller described, he traced the seam of her mouth with the tip of his tongue painstakingly slow, and that’s when the kiss became heated. Hadley opened, welcoming him, and Miller wasted no time exploring her mouth while his hands caressed her spine. As if on cue, Hadley exhaled the sexiest moan he’d ever heard. Miller withdrew, pulling her lower lip between his before ending the kiss.

“Why did you stop?”

Miller wiped his mouth and then grinned.

“The little noise you made nearly undid me. But, we are in a public park. Maybe we should go back to your place, where we can finish what we started in private.”

Hadley flamed red and nodded shyly.

On the way back to the car, Miller bent down, and Hadley assumed he dropped something. He stood, holding two dandelion’s by the stem and handed one to her.

“Make a wish, Love.”

Miller watched what he thought was a hint of recognition brush across her features, but it was gone as quickly as the breeze through her hair. Hadley took the flower from his hand without breaking eye contact, an air of wistfulness filling her with warmth. Miller blew his quickly. She brought the bristly flower to her lips, wishing for the future Miller promised as she blew softly on the seeds and watched them flutter away in the sunlight.

He took her hand and kissed it.

“You’re beautiful, and whatever you wished for, I want that too.”

M
iller’s Italian sports car moved through the city streets at a rate Hadley knew exceeded the speed limit. She clutched the sides of the narrow racing seats and squeezed her eyes shut when he maneuvered quickly past a delivery truck that was double parked.

“Are we in a hurry?”

He peered over at her, noticing her stiff posture and slowed down.

“No, but I tend to feel a car such as this one should be driven like it’s stolen.”

Hadley shook her head.

“Well, perhaps you could drive it like you stole it when I’m not in the car.”

“Noted.” Miller winked. “Can we stop by my condo? I’d like to change and throw a few things in an overnight bag.”

“Are you planning on staying at my place again?”

“Yes, unless you prefer to stay at mine.”

“It’s a little presumptuous of you, don’t you think?”

“I suppose, but I’m confident you want me in your bed.”

Hadley feigned shock and reached across the seat to playfully punch him in the arm.

“I believe punching the driver is far more dangerous than speeding.”

He gave her knee a squeeze.

They turned into an underground parking structure on Fifth Avenue. As they entered the elevator, Hadley froze. Miller pressed the button for the top floor and stood behind her. He was greeted with tension and remembered her fear of confined spaces. He had a plan to tame her anxiety and brushed her long brown hair to one side. His lips skimmed a line from the base of her neck to the back of her ear, inhaling her scent.

“I’m remembering the last time we rode in an elevator together. Do you remember?”

Hadley nodded. She stared straight ahead at the crack, splitting the two steel doors, her legs trembling wildly.

Miller splayed a hand on her abdomen. He brought their bodies together, sealing her back to his chest. “I wanted you then for my pleasure.” Hadley smothered a moan and her eyes closed. “But, I want you now for yours.”

“Miller,” she exhaled.

When the car stopped, Hadley opened her eyes. Miller gripped her hand, pulling her into the hall. “That, Love, was a proper distraction.”

Hadley smiled, the vibration in her body unrelated to the confines of the elevator. She wanted him too.

Miller’s condo was gorgeous with one-hundred and eighty degree views of the city. She stood in the expansive entryway, admiring the deep teak wood floors and molding that were much warmer than the glass in his office. Miller enjoyed seeing her in his home, looking as though she belonged there. She did. Other than his housekeeper, Miller never brought a woman here, including Theresa. He owned another condo near the office that he and Theresa shared. Now, it was a place he took women, but this condo was his home. His to be alone, to unwind, and to forget. This place was special to him, and he never wanted to pollute it with someone who wasn’t.

“Your home is lovely.”

“Thank you. It’s lovelier now.” Miller swept his fingertips over her cheek where blush had formed. “It belonged to my grandfather. He left it to me when he died.”

“What about your grandmother?”

“They were separated, but they remained friends. She never wanted this place anyway. Nana is still alive and well. Would you care for something to drink?”

“Thank you. I’d love some water.”

Hadley followed Miller to the enormous kitchen.

“Have a seat.”

She sat at one of ten barstools along the kitchen island, setting her purse to the side.

“Do you entertain often?”

“No, never, but my grandfather did. Old school Italian you know, constantly cooking and hosting gatherings. This is where he entertained, and there’s a cooking kitchen at the other end of the condo.”

Miller handed her a blue bottle and a glass of ice. She laughed reading the label for Santa Vittoria Acqua Minerale, bottled in Italy.

“Do you endorse anything that isn’t Italian?”

“I enjoy the finer things in life. I can’t help it if they happen to be Italian.”

“In your unbiased opinion of course, Mr. Genetti.”

“Of course.” Miller winked.

“Tell me, how does a one-hundred percent Italian male end up with a name like Miller?”

He looked offended but smiled. “What’s wrong with the name Miller?”

“Nothing, but it isn’t exactly Italian.”

“No, it isn’t.” Miller sighed. “My great-grandfather had a best friend named Miller. They were in the army together. His friend was killed in the war. The name has been given to a Genetti son since then.”

“Oh,” Hadley swallowed.

“Don’t be sad. I didn’t know him.”

Hadley gave him a small smile and poured the bottle of water into the glass. She took a drink, thinking it tasted like any other water.

“With all of the entertaining, I assume you’re from a big family.”

Miller rested his forearms on the counter and leaned forward.

“Yes, on my mother’s side, hence why I’m an only child, as was my father. His parents died young and he put himself through law school. That’s how he met my mother. As the story goes, she slapped a police officer over a speeding ticket and needed a good attorney.”

Hadley nearly spit water.

“She did?”

“As the only girl in a house full of brothers, Noemi Lorino was as feisty as they come, and still is.” Miller regarded her humorously. “She’d like you.”

“I’m not feisty!”

“No, not you, never.”

“Wait, Lorino?” Her index finger pushed into the side of her nose, pushing it sideways. “As in the Lorino crime family?”

Miller eyed her cautiously, questioning if he should tell her.

“Yes.”

Hadley tried to hide her shock. She sat silently, scolding herself for all the times she Googled pictures of Miller, but never bothered to read up on him. A warning would have been nice. Did it matter that he came from a notorious crime family? Would it change her feelings?

“Please, say something, Love.”

She glanced up at him with her mouth open.

“What’s a person supposed to say with they find out they’re dating the grandson of Don Corleone?”

“Not quite.” Miller laughed hard. “My father wouldn’t have anything to do with my mother’s family at first. He refused to take her case. When they were married, he made it clear, his business would never mingle with her family and his children would never be involved. But I do have a Godfather.”

Hadley tried not to smile. Their conversation was serious, or by standards, should be.

“So, you’re like the Mob.”

“No, I’m Miller Genetti.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“But, your family is the Mob. Jesus, Miller!”

He sighed and joined her at the island, taking the stool next to her. With his elbow on the counter, he rested his cheek on his fist.

“Technically, they’re Mafia. Mobsters are generally unorganized gangsters. Thugs if you will. There is a difference.” He smiled crookedly.

“Oh, well, that makes me feel so much better. Gee, thanks for that!”

Her dry humor usually delighted him, but her dig was personal and he tried not to let it irritate him. He spun the barstool she was in until it faced him.

“I’m not involved in the family business, but they are my family. I can’t change that.”

“They’re terrible people!”

His jaw ticked. Anyone else and Miller would be tossing them out the front door for speaking ill of his family. For all their faults, he was proud to be a Lorino. With Hadley, though, he wanted understanding. Showing his anger would only send her running.

“You don’t know my family!”

Hadley tossed her hands up, her annoyance with herself for knowing nothing about him.

“I can read! I watch the news! Their life isn’t exactly private.”

“Yet, you didn’t know we were related. Why do you think that is?” She turned her head. “I’ve worked hard to be my own man. You don’t need to be afraid. They’re just businessmen!”

“That resort to violence when their associates disagree with them and strong arm to gain compliance! They’re not businessmen, they’re bullies!”

Miller stroked his chin as he pondered how to respond without his temper flaring.

“I’m rather surprised by your judgment.” His voice remained calm. “Shall we discuss stones and glass houses, Love?”

Hadley hung her head, tears swimming in her eyes.

“That was cruel.”

He hated being the cause of her tears. When Miller tried to take her hand, Hadley refused him. He straightened, massaging the back of his neck.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that.” Miller wiped her cheek. “I’m protective of those I care about. While their hands aren’t entirely clean, my family is decent with big hearts. They’ve worked hard to legitimize their business. Please, don’t judge them based on an iconic movie or media lies. I’d very much like for the people I care about most in this world to co-exist.”

Hadley considered his words, ignoring the growing panic she felt about their situation.

“Was that an ultimatum?”

“Your past betrays you.” Miller gripped her neck below her jaw, his stare intense. “I don’t intend on making a choice between my family and the woman in my life.”

Hadley removed his hands. She felt uncertain, confused.

“Then what do you ‘intend’?”

“I simply ask that you get to know them as my father did. He loves my mother despite where she came from and he accepts her family.”

Miller targeted his words deliberately. He didn’t desire to hurt Hadley, but hoped a comparison would help her understand the hypocrisy she communicated.

Hadley took in Miller’s request with a double helping of stark reality. Being perched atop a self-righteous high horse, considering
where she came from,
bordered on comical. However, laughing while he studied her with heated intensity would only escalate the minor argument.

“Message received, Mr. Genetti.”

Hadley smiled when his features softened.

“Good.” Miller stood and planted a chaste kiss to her lips. “Can I get you anything else before I go pack?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

Her eyes stayed on him as he strolled down the hall. She was overwhelmed with happiness. They had an argument that didn’t lead to shouting angry words or physical confrontation. The dreaded cycle had been broken. Miller never raised his voice. Gentle and kind men did exist, and Hadley had found one to love, who she thought loved her in return. Miller had yet to say it, but he didn’t have to. She felt it.

Hadley heard vibration in her purse and pulled her phone out. She’d been expecting to hear from Mac.