Cut Too Deep (39 page)

T
he new lovers cuddled in bed, their legs tangled together, sated by a newly found blessedness.

Miller turned to his love and propped up on his elbow. He drew circles on her stomach with his finger, her mind a million miles away. He feared the unwelcomed demons of her past had reared their ugly heads while they’d made love. His heart ached, questioning if things had happened too soon after all.

Miller smoothed the crease between her eyebrows. “Where’d you go, Love?”

He hadn’t mentioned his conversation with Vito. Curiosity had been nudging Hadley most of the afternoon.  She didn’t know what they elected to do about her former guardian, but she had other plans.

“What did you and Vito decide?”

Miller was almost relieved with her thoughts. The alternative was much harder to stomach.

“The less you know, the better.”

Her brow creased again. “I don’t want you to do anything.”

Miller sighed and rolled to his back, his arm draped over his forehead. “I have too. He has to pay for what he did to you.”

“He will, but I want to file formal charges.”

“He’ll drag you through the mud and make you relive all of it. I don’t want that for you.”

Hadley sat up, hugging the covers close to her chest and gazed down at her lover. His protectiveness made him vulnerable. She didn’t want to hurt Miller, but this decision, she needed to make herself.

“Thank you. I know you want to protect my heart, but I will happily sit in court and share my story for the pure satisfaction of seeing shame on his face.”

Miller’s features hardened.

“That animal feels no shame.”

“His career will be ruined, his marriage over. There will be shame.”

“I doubt that, and I don’t know how you can have any faith in the justice system after what you’ve been through.”

She inhaled a deep breath.

“I have to. It’s more than shaming him. I’ve never felt like I was capable of turning him in, and now I do. I never thought anyone would believe me, and now I don’t care if they do. I feel a sense of responsibility to anyone who’s ever lived with my memories as their own. How many others are there like me? Hundreds? Thousands? Innocent girls who live in secret, afraid no one will ever love them, convinced they're filthy trash, terrified of their own shadow. More who are afraid to speak for fear no one will believe them. How can I live with myself if he hurts another young girl when I’m ready to speak, but instead I cower and hide anyway?”

Miller sat up and kissed her cheek.

“Trust me, whatever Vito has planned, that scum will never lay a finger on another person.”

Hadley smiled.

“I love that Vito thinks of me as family, and if to ease his own conscience, wants to defend me, but I need to do this. What about other little kids who are molested and raped by trusted members of their community? People they’re supposed to be safe with? I want to use him, like he used me, to show others that they too can fight back, that they have value in this world, and that they don’t have to hide.”

The possibilities made Miller frown.

“It won’t be easy on you.”

“I don’t expect it will. I have to do this. These people in positions of power, who think they can get away with such hideous crimes, need to know they can’t. People in society need a reminder not to overlook the signs of abuse they see every day. And, I need this to truly heal and close the door on my past.”

He stared at his brown-eyed beauty in complete awe. He never admired nor respected anyone more than her. Hadley may be the strongest person he’d ever known.

“If you’re sure.”

Hadley pressed her lips together and paused before she spoke, her insecurities not far away.

“Are you worried about the press? We can spend some time apart after I report it if it will help.”

“You crazy, crazy girl, so strong, yet still so full of doubt.” Miller gripped her chin and turned her face toward his. “I would never let you go through this alone, and I’ve told you before, I don’t give a fuck about publicity. My concerns lie in your well-being.”

She touched his cheek, feeling apologetic.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to doubt you. It will be difficult, but I’ll get through it.”

Miller held the back of her head and kissed her forehead.

“Then I fully support you, but if the system fails you, La Famiglia will not.”

As much as Miller wanted to roll on top of Hadley and take her again, he decided against it. Instead he went with the gentlemanly thing to do and brought her close. She cuddled into his side, her head on his chest. Within minutes, his love fell asleep in his arms.

Miller woke before Hadley and went to the kitchen to make coffee. He called Vito, telling him not to pursue Hadley’s former guardian. Vito was as disappointed as Miller that the man wouldn’t be forced to suffer as tremendously as Hadley had, but agreed to let it go, for now.

He thought about waking her, but assumed the emotions of the last few days were taking a toll on her physically and she needed the rest. He’d already phoned Paul to let him know she wouldn’t be in.

His housekeeper had left while he was in Thailand after her mother in Venezuela became ill. Miller was delighted she would be back next week, and more so when he tried to find things in his kitchen to make breakfast.

Hadley sauntered into the kitchen moments later in his t-shirt. He liked that a lot.

“Good morning, Love.”

“Good, morning.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’m late for work and my boss is an ass.”

“I called in for you.”

“You did?” She couldn’t complain. Her body was drained. “Thank you.”

Hadley sat on a stool at the island. Miller filled her in on his conversation with Vito while throwing together two breakfast sandwiches with prosciutto and cheese. He added some fruit to their plates and sat down next to her.

He leaned over, kissed her on the cheek, and whispered, “Best night of my life.”

Hadley flushed, feeling bashful. “Me, too,” she admitted, popping a grape into her mouth.

Over breakfast she told him about Don McAllister and how she planned on calling him to out her former guardian. Miller agreed it was a good idea and would rearrange some of his afternoon appointments to stay with her.

While clearing the dishes, Miller remembered he wanted to invite her somewhere before everything happened.

“I have a charity polo match this weekend at Meadowbrook.  I would very much like it if you’d accompany me.”

“You play polo?”

Hadley thought it was an old English sport played more by royals than New Yorkers.

“It’s the game of kings.” His head tilted. “Does that surprise you?”

She bowed mockingly. “I guess it does, Your Majesty.”

Miller shook his head and ignored her joke even though she was adorable.

“Some kids grow up playing baseball or soccer. My dad was a member. I spent my weekends at the club, learning the sport.”

“Does your entire family play?”

“No, my dad’s too old now. Otto does, and he’ll be there. He’s much better at it that I am. Don’t tell him that. His ego is much too large already.”

“Must run in the family.”

His hands flew up to cover his chest. “You wound me.”

“I highly doubt that.”

He brought her close and kissed her fiercely.

Miller called Antonio to stay with Hadley. He told her he needed to do a few things at the office before they met with Detective McAllister. When Miller left the condo, he called his assistant, Renee to let her know he wouldn’t be in today and to cancel his appointments.  Then he drove to the law firm of Harold Duwatski.

Miller towered over the man who greeted him, although Duwatski was large enough to overpower Hadley easily. As images filled his head, Miller resisted the urge to wrap his hand around Harold’s neck and choke the life out of him. Harold held his hand out. Miller stared at it in disgust and moved through the door into Harold’s office.

Harold closed the door and said, “Mr. Genetti, I must say I was surprised when my secretary said you were here. I assume you’d like to discuss your estate. This is usually done by appointment, but I’m willing to make an exception in your case. Please, have a seat, and we can get started.”

Listening to the snobbish babble of a man Miller detested made him snap. Miller extended his arm and squeezed Harold’s throat with his hand. He felt the fright in the man’s quickening pulse against his fingers. He backed Duwatski up against the wall. Harold’s eyes were wide with trepidation, his efforts to remove Miller’s hands useless. Miller was significantly stronger.

Harold’s skin turned red, and then purple, before Miller said, “Let me get one thing clear, nothing that belongs to me will ever be in your care, not my estate and not my girlfriend!”

Harold clawed at his hand, out of breath and panicked. “I don’t understand.” He strained to get the words out, sure Mr. Genetti was going to kill him.

“If you ever come near Hadley Walker again, I will hunt you down and personally see to it that you suffer for days, and that mine is the last face you see before you take your last breath. Do you understand now?”

Harold tried to nod. Miller released him and he fell to his knees, gasping for air. Miller straightened his suit coat and walked out of Harold’s office. He nodded politely at the secretary, who was too busy batting her lashes at Miller to bother with her coughing boss.

Don McAllister entered the apartment of a now very grown-up Hadley Walker. Though they’d kept in touch over the phone, he hadn’t seen her since she was sixteen and attempted suicide. She called him several years ago concerned that she was depressed enough to consider it again, and that was when he recommended she see Dr. LeClair. Ironically, he’d used Dr. LeClair himself to get over the night he discovered Hadley. When she called, sounding urgent and requested to meet with him at her apartment, he came right over.

“Thank you so much for coming.”

Don wrapped the young lady in a hug, and then loosened his tie.

“Anytime, little one. I was worried when you wanted to meet in person.” The detective recognized the man next to her, and although confused as to his presence, extended his hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Genetti.”

“Good to see you too, Detective.”

They shook hands.

Taken by surprise, Hadley glanced between the two of them. “Wait. You know each other?”

“Yes,” Don answered. “Mr. Genetti’s company is very generous. We have several stations already using his donated armor.”

Hmm…in case someone in ‘The family’ needs a departmental favor, no doubt
. Hadley mused silently.

“Small world.” She shrugged.

“And how do you two know each other?” Don inquired.

“She’s my girlfriend.” Miller’s answer thrilled Hadley.

Don involuntarily swelled with pride and relief all at once. She chose well. He knew Mr. Genetti was related to the Lorinos, but he was a decent man who certainly had the means to care for her. The girl surprised him at every turn. Throughout her life, she refused to cave. No matter how much had been thrown at her, she made smart choices. Then he thought about her boyfriend’s reputation as a playboy and considered if it wasn’t one of her more foolish choices. Regardless of how rich and powerful, Mr. Genetti would answer to him if he hurt her.