Stealing Time (17 page)

“Morto
?”

“Si, morto
.”

Kate’s heart stopped. She was sure it meant
dead in Italian. Nicolas could kill her father, just like that? She
clenched her fists. Not as long as she was breathing, he wouldn’t.
When did her father find the time to become such a bother to
Nicolas that he was a threat? What did he know that she didn’t?
She’d have to speak to him tomorrow at the reception, not exactly
the best time to have a private conversation about the mob. Kate
admonished herself as she crouched in the corner of the conference
room.

How could I be so stupid? I should have
noticed it last year when I was here...the men. Nicolas leaving at
odd hours. How everyone jumped when he gave an order. I never would
have come back here. I’d keep Drew far, far away from this
place.
Kate pounded her head with her fists.
Stupid, naïve
girl! Was I so blind? So thrilled to be married to the man of my
dreams that I didn’t notice?

Kate held her breath, waiting for Nicolas to
leave. It seemed like an eternity before she decided it was finally
safe to stand and make a quick exit. Her legs were wobbly from
sitting in one position for such a long time, yet she made it to
the door. Rushing to Drew’s room, she flopped on the bed, hoping he
wasn’t back yet.

“Where’ve you been?” Drew walked out of his
dressing room.

For his safety, Kate decided to lie. This was
too big of a secret. If she shared it, Drew might try to fix
things. Things could go badly for her father. “I just went out back
to get some air. It’s a beautiful fall day.”

“Yes, it is. You better get dressed. My
mother just sent me up here to get dressed for dinner. No jeans and
t-shirt tonight.”

“Wouldn’t she be appalled if she knew that’s
what you wore to dinner every night?” Kate was relieved to change
the subject and lighten the mood.

“Yes, my love, she would, but I think she’d
find it funny, too. But my father...not so much.”

If only you knew what your father’s
capable of we’d be on that train tonight headed back to the canyon,
never to return again.
Kate suddenly became distracted by a
red-haired, green-eyed boy appearing at the door of their bedroom.
Freddie! I almost forgot about him.

“Mother said I had to meet Kathryn. She
better not ask me to play this thing!” He lifted the violin case in
the air. “Death to the violin!”

Kate almost forgot those words and how truly
lovable Freddie was. She remembered running to him and saying
something about his violin and finally it came back to her. “You
can throw it out the window for all I care.”

The two laughed and talked for awhile, then
Freddie excused himself so he could change. Kate was satisfied she
kept things pretty much the same as last year. Now she needed to
get through the dreaded family dinner. Not something she looked
forward to especially since learning her father-in-law wanted to
kill her father.

“Oh, he makes me so mad!” Kate called out to
the empty room.

“Freddie? I thought you liked him.” Drew was
getting good at sneaking up on her. She thought he was in the
bathroom and would have to be more careful while they were still in
New York.

“I love him! I was just thinking ahead to
dinner.”

“It won’t be that bad. My parents will thank
us for the gift. We’ll excuse ourselves early, blaming the travel
for our fatigue, and hang out in the room until breakfast.
Deal?”

“Absolutely, let’s get this over with.” Kate
put on her best smile and headed down the stairs with Drew.

Chapter
Twelve

The phone call from Kate’s father didn’t come
until late afternoon the next day. “Finally made it. I’ll see you
in a few hours.”

“Jack, we need to talk.” Kate wasn’t taking
any chances. Someone could be listening. Last year Drew called her
father, and she innocently assumed it was safe to have a
conversation. Her father arrived earlier last year, and no one paid
attention to Kate, the newly married bride. This year was
different. Everything seemed to be on high alert. She was prepared
to protect those she loved from Nicolas.

“I’ll pencil you in for a dance, Kathryn.”
Her father seemed to sense the urgency in her voice and went along
with the facade. “See you soon.”

She hurried down the hall to help Maria get
ready for the reception. Maria was playing the piano, and her
parents wanted her in the ballroom early. They did hair and
make-up, then slipped on the dress.

“You look so beautiful!” Kate took Maria’s
hands. “You could be a model.” Seemed like she was saying that a
lot, as she thought back to her birthday and Renae.

“Thanks. You’re too kind.” Maria hugged her,
and the two readied for the walk back to Drew’s room. As they
stepped into the hall, Kate noticed a man standing by the back
staircase. Last year she thought he was a butler but looking closer
saw he was wearing a suit—vest, shirt and tie. He was standing
guard, which seemed a little odd. Although, the more Kate thought
about it, the more she pictured these men around the house. They
were everywhere—one at the front door, another roaming the first
floor, and now this guy in front of the offices. Kate and Maria
parted at the front staircase, and Kate returned to her
bedroom.

“Drew, why are there so many men wandering
around the house? I never really noticed last year because I was
overwhelmed, but this year it seems like I’m bumping into them
everywhere I go.”

“Don’t ask. The less you know the better.”
Drew was straightening his tie in the mirror. “I think this will be
the last time we come. I’ll be relieved when this is over, and
we’re on our way home tomorrow.”

It was strange to hear Drew talk like that,
although he rarely discussed his life in New York. He talked about
family, of course, but not what it was like to live there. Kate
decided not to push further and wait for her father’s input.

When the two were ready, Drew extended his
hand, and they started for the stairs. “Ready? At least we won’t be
blindsided this year.”

“Ah, yes, the Gia kiss and the
mi
amore
comment.” Kate blinked innocently as she teased Drew. She
recalled how she wanted to punch Gia right there in the ballroom,
but her father rescued her. When he does show up today, they can
slip out to talk.

The guests politely clapped as they made
their grand entrance to the tune of the “Wedding March”. Nicolas
made some very nice toasts to the bride and groom. Maria continued
to play the piano until the band started. Everything was exactly as
Kate remembered. Gia and her family approached the couple, but Drew
was ready and dodged her kiss, putting his arm around Kate instead.
Her father came and whisked her away at the appropriate time.

“We have to talk,” Kate whispered. “Out
there.” The two left the ballroom and slipped into the guest
apartment across the wide hall. “What are you up to?” She glared at
her father, searching for answers.

“I’m here to support you, Pumpkin.”

“That’s not all. I heard Drew’s dad talking
about you snooping around.”

He laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “He’s
paranoid. I only talked to him a few times about my brother.”

“Then you don’t need to talk to him
again.”

“I have to tonight. This is the final time I
ask about the arrangements.”

“Well, you don’t need to. I feel everything’s
been arranged.” Kate made air quotations when she said the word
arranged.

“Did you hear...or see something?” Her
father’s voice held concern.

“I just overheard a
conversation...accidentally.”

“I find that hard to believe, knowing
you.”

“Can’t you just trust me?” Kate placed her
hands on her hips.

“It’s a short conversation between me and
Nicolas. He’s very polite, and that will be the end of it. I need
to stay consistent with history.”

Kate’s head began to spin. She wasn’t getting
through to her father. “Let’s both tell the truth here, Dad. I
know. I know what Nicolas is or should I say, does. He’s not just a
fashion designer who runs a clothing business. There’s more to it,
and you’ve been looking into it, Mr. Investigative Reporter.” Kate
didn’t want to say the words aloud, but she knew her father was
thinking the same thing. Nicolas was a mob boss. A Don. A crime
boss. The head of the Mafia. Kate had to laugh as she ticked the
names off in her head.

“I just needed to know what my daughter got
herself into because she may need my protection. I always suspected
Nicolas was affiliated with the mob. Andrew was in denial.”

“Well, you and I both know this house is
filled with gangsters, so let’s get through this evening and go
home tomorrow. Deal?”

“After I talk to Nicolas, I’ll leave.
Deal?”

“Dad, stop being so stubborn. You’re not
listening to me.”

“Yes, I am. Let’s say I have a healthy
curiosity about what’s going on here. It’s Prohibition, you know. I
have a feeling Nicolas is involved in much more than petty mob
related activities.”

“You’re so frustrating. That’s what Nicolas
doesn’t like about you. He says you’re sticking your nose where it
doesn’t belong and...” Kate couldn’t finish. How could she tell her
father Nicolas could kill him? He was that powerful.

“And what?”

“We need to get back inside to keep him from
becoming more suspicious of you.” Kate left the apartment and
headed straight to Grandmother Lilly’s table. “Grandmother,” she
whispered in her ear.

“Oh, Kathryn, it’s such a delight to see you
again. Please sit down. I have something I want to talk to you
about.”

“So do I.”

“Well, you go first, my dear. You look
troubled.”

Kate proceeded to tell Lilly about her
adventure in the back offices of the Martin home. Leaving out none
of the details, she expressed concern for her father’s safety. “So
you have to make sure he goes home with you and leaves tomorrow.
Promise me.”

“My, this is a turn of events. I had no idea
Nicolas was involved with the criminal element. I always had my
suspicions he was up to something but nothing dangerous.” Lilly
glanced over her shoulder as if she thought someone was listening.
She lowered her voice and said, “Something doesn’t seem right in
this house. Someone’s always lurking about. It’s wonderful that
Andrew has been able to break away before it was too late.”

“Too late?”

Lilly took Kate’s hand. “You know exactly
what I mean.” The two women locked eyes. Kate saw the love and
support, knowing she had nothing to fear, and her secrets were
safe. “Now let’s talk about you. When you get back to Ohio there’s
something I want you to do. Jack assured me Woods and Associates is
still thriving so I’ll be leaving something there for you. Go to
New York when you return home. All you have to do is tell the
receptionist that Kathryn Roberts is here to see Lillian Woods, and
the rest will be taken care of. Do you think you can do that?”

Kate looked at her grandmother carefully. She
was younger than first thought, maybe in her early fifties, but no
way could she still be alive in the 21st century. “I’m confused.
You’re not planning on still being...”

“Oh, my goodness, no. I won’t be alive. Think
of it as a codeword.” Lilly chuckled. “Wouldn’t that be something
if I was there to greet you?”

Not as strange as you think.
Kate knew
she didn’t have time to tell Anna’s story. “Alright, I’ll do as you
ask.”

“If for some reason this doesn’t work out,
please laugh it off as the ramblings of an old woman.” Lilly patted
the hand she still held. “Now, go, dance with your young man. I
think you need to show that girl a thing or two.” Lilly pointed at
the dance floor where Gia and Drew were slowly shuffling around it,
not spinning together in time as last year.

When she reached the dance floor, Kate’s
father stepped in to stop her and had them cut in on the dancing
couple. Her dad winked as he spun off with the shocked Gia.

“Shall we dance to the door and down the
stairs to our room?” Drew waltzed toward the exit. Just as they
were about to make their getaway, a voice called out to them. Kate
didn’t remember that, but so many things were different she stopped
the comparisons.

“Son, may I speak with you a moment?” It was
Nicolas.

Drew whispered for Kate to go ahead. “I’ll be
there in a minute.” A shiver went through her. Suddenly she felt
sick, and all she could do was nod. This wasn’t a happy ending to
their night. Running down the steps and flying into the room, she
slammed the door behind her. Something didn’t feel right, but she
couldn’t put her finger on what it was. She only had to wait a few
minutes until Drew appeared.

“Well?” Kate hoped it was nothing.

“Father asked if we’d extend our stay a day
or two.”

“And?” Her fingers were crossed.

“I said we’d leave on Tuesday.”

“Is that a good idea? To change everything?
We should leave tomorrow...Sunday.”

“It’s the last time we’ll see them. And
remember, it’s the final memories they’ll have of me.”

“Fine, but we leave Tuesday. No matter
what.”

“Deal.”

Now where did she hear that before? Kate knew
her father wasn’t following her wishes, and now Drew seemed to be
coming under the spell of Nicolas. If anyone was going to break any
spell... make that curse, it would have to be her.

* * * *

Tuesday morning couldn’t come soon enough.
Nicolas did his best to keep Drew and Kate apart during the rest of
their stay. He insisted on taking Drew to the store on Sunday. They
had to view the latest designs, and his father insisted he try on
suits to take back to school. Maria and Ilene distracted Kate at
the house although the time seemed to drag. She went to bed early,
hoping the time would pass more quickly and never knew when Drew
came home.