The Corner Booth (25 page)

CHAPTER 50

“See what happens when I go away for a couple of weeks? All hell breaks loose.” Turning to the waitress who put the food in front of them, he ordered another round of drinks. They all needed it.

Cassie raised her perfect manicured eyebrows at her friend. “A month and a half, Sean. You have been gone for a month. He better be good in bed.”

“Honey, you have no idea!”

Covering her ears, she hummed to let him know she didn’t want to hear anymore as Emily chuckled. “If you had told me last month I would be laughing about this, I would have said no.”

All three friends stared at one another somberly. “So, what happens from here?” Sean finally asked. It made him sick to hear about what these two had gone through. Normally, he would have said Cassie had it worse with the beating, but to have seen someone get shot had to have been equally as traumatizing for Emily. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard from them both. It was as if they were describing a movie.

“Well, thankfully, I still have my nanny job,” Emily stated. “It is weird to think that they have no idea, but Derek thought it was best. I had considered going back to London, but life would seem incredibly dull back there and everything has gone back to normal after giving my statement. No one really cares about little ole me, thank God!”

“Miss Cassandra?”

“I am still working through some stuff. Not quite sure which direction my life will go. I guess it depends on the answers I get from Sakis and Stephan.”

Sean buttered the roll carefully as he contemplated her words. “You are dealing with the Greek Mafia, honey. I am not sure what more you need to know, or what kind of answers you are looking for.”

Emily and Cassie stared at Sean, who made a face at both of them. “Really? Like you both don’t know. Maybe I am the first person to come out and say it—doesn’t mean it hasn’t always been that.” He popped the roll into his mouth as if to punctuate his point.

Cassie stared at her plate, no longer hungry. “You are right, Sean, but I do not see it as easy as you do.”

“That’s because you are thinking about what is in his pants and not with your head. The logical Cassie would be out of there. You always want to fix the world, but some things you just can’t. This could literally be until death do us part, but if you stay, I see your death in the future.”

A couple of hours later, Cassie leaned heavily against the apartment door. Her head pounded. Her home was so quiet and peaceful. Exactly what she needed after the lunch she had. Making a cup of tea, she thought over her conversation. Sean, as usual, was quick with his wit, brutally honest and so funny.

Everything slid back to a rhythm of normalcy again. Work was perfect; she loved her job and Greg’s death seemed like a distant memory, not just for her but everyone in the office. After the initial shock, rumors flew, and several of the female employees started to talk about his bullying tactics in trying to get them to bed. The golden boy was no longer golden in the executives’ eyes. Cassie never once mentioned her own interaction with the businessman, choosing to listen and file away every piece of information she received. Knowing that she wasn’t the only one did assuage the guilt.

The doorbell’s piercing ring caused her to start. Frowning, she rose. She wasn’t expecting any visitors today. As she pressed the intercom, Cassie hesitated before she allowed him entry; and then there was Derek. Cassie hadn’t figured out the lieutenant yet, only that they were slowly becoming friends. He reached out to her several times a day, calling her at the strangest times; their conversations short: he wanted to know how she was doing—she asked how his day was going. They never delved too deep, and so far, Cassie never called him.

In the beginning, Cassie thought that he liked her on a completely different level, and now she wasn’t so sure. He never made any direct overtures towards her, and except for the one comment in the hospital when he helped her to get dressed, he was a gentleman at all times. She had wondered at one time whether his interest in her was to get more information about Sakis and his business, but the few times the conversation came up about him, Derek would change the subject. Again, she didn’t know whether that was because he was jealous or because it was a conflict of interest. She hadn’t seen him since he brought her home from the hospital.

She waited for the tap on the door before she opened it. Her smile quickly changed. It wasn’t just Derek, but another man stood next to him. They both wore the ATF jackets. Waving them in, she closed the door softly. Her head cocked to one side as she glanced at the men.

“Hi, Derek.”

“Hey.” He responded to her greeting. Derek was a big guy; standing next to her when she was barefoot, he felt even taller. She looked sweet in her gray sweatpants rolled down several times and tiny T-shirt. Her navel ring glistened in the apartment’s soft light, which also seemed to have caught Karl’s attention. Derek scowled at his partner.

“What’s going on?”

“Sorry, Cass, I should have called but I was hoping this would be a good time to come to the station for your statement now?”

Shocked, she stared at him. “Are you kidding? I told you pretty much everything I know, Derek.”

“Yes, I know, but we need an official statement from you to go on record.” His eyes begged her to understand.

Sighing, she nodded, guessing this was not going to be a day of rest as she had hoped. “Let me grab my jacket, Derek.”

The ride to the station was made in silence. Cassie’s mind raced, trying to decide whether she should call Stephan and let him know what was going on. She frowned as she stared at the back of Derek’s head. He could have called her, and the fact that he didn’t threw her more than she wanted to admit. This was unlike him, at least what she knew of him. As if he felt her eyes on him, he turned. He looked pretty miserable, she thought. Maybe this was a mandate from his boss or superior.

Once they entered the police station, Karl ushered her down a long hallway. Derek, somehow, had disappeared without her noticing. She stopped and it was several moments before Karl realized she wasn’t behind him.

“Is there a problem?” He sounded irritated.

“No. I need to make a phone call.”

“Let me get you to the room—”

Cassie had the phone pressed to her ear before he could finish. Watching his body language, he started to look nervous.

“Cassie?”

“Hey. Stephan. Look, I am at the police station where Derek works. They came and asked if I could come in for questioning, but I am not feeling comfortable anymore about this.”

“I will be there in less than twenty minutes,” Stephan responded curtly.

Cassie smiled sweetly at Karl, whose face was now beet red.

“I am ready now.” She brushed past him.

_______

Karl looked through the two-way mirror. He always seemed to be screwing up lately, but he had to let them know. “She called the bodyguard. He said that he would be here in twenty minutes.”

The captain stared at the girl on the other side of the glass.

“I thought she came willingly?” Neither men spoke. “She is smaller than I had anticipated, but looks can be deceiving, can’t they?” Pushing the door open, he entered the room where Cassie waited patiently.

The man was imposing for sure, his face unreadable. So, Derek would not be the one interviewing her. Guessing her instincts were correct, she was glad that she called Stephan.

“Young lady. Thank you for taking the time to come in.” As he pulled up a chair, he waited for a response, but didn’t get one. “Just wanted to get a bit of information, if that is okay.”

This time he waited for the nod. “You were with Emily and Lieutenant Chandler the day you were abducted.”

“Yes,” Cassie responded.

“Can you tell me about that morning?”

“We left Quincy Market—”

Shaking his head, the captain raised his hand in the air. “No, I mean take me through, step by step, when you got up that morning.”

Cassie inhaled deeply and steadied her nerves. “I got up, went to work and Emily called me. So I went to go get her. Derek came up to us and asked if everything was okay. He recognized Emily and asked us to come to the station, so we did. We stepped outside to wait for the ride and a black SUV stopped in front of us. Three men jumped out. Derek fired his gun, then got knocked down. Seconds later, I was struck.”

She waited. The captain stared at his clipboard, trying to decide whether he should play hardball with her. Derek insisted that she knew nothing at the time of Sakis Carras, but he had a feeling that was no longer true. She was smart. She answered the questions, but gave no detail.

“Okay. Let’s start from the beginning. What happened when you went to work?”

Cocking her head to one side, she smiled. “We were told that we could go home for the day, due to a death in the company family. I walked to my car, and Emily—”

“Who died?”

“One of the owners of the company.”

“How?”

“I was told that he was in a car accident.” Cassie hesitated. “Wouldn’t the police know better than me?”

“So you believe that?”

She leaned back in the chair. She didn’t like his tone and she knew that her stalling was only going to last for so long. Making a split-second decision, she rose to her feet, catching the captain off guard.

“What are you doing?”

“I came because I was asked to by someone I trusted. I don’t want to be here anymore,” Cassie responded sharply.

“Sit back down, Miss Oliver.” The captain’s tone was strong and intimidating.

God, if that wasn’t a flash from the past, she didn’t know what was.
She was so past that. If Sakis or Stephan didn’t frighten her, this guy certainly wasn’t going to.

Smiling down at him, she replied softly, “Thank you, but no. I am going to leave now.”

A knock sounded at the door, and both turned. A man she didn’t recognize entered the room. Keeping her face impassive, she took in the expensive business suit, perfectly manicured nails, and leather briefcase.
This must be the cavalry
, she thought to herself.

“Miss Oliver, I am so sorry I am late.” As he handed a business card to the captain, he smiled at her. “Did I miss anything?”

“No, actually. I believe I am done here. Thank you. Would you mind giving me a ride home?”

Nodding, the lawyer looked at the captain before he took Cassie by the arm. “Absolutely! If you need my client to come in in the future, she would be more than happy to do that. You can schedule a time with my office. Good day!”

CHAPTER 51

Settled on the couch, Cassie watched the three men curiously. So intent in their conversation, it was obvious that they had completely forgotten about her again. Her eyes turned to Sakis. With the blinders completely off, he looked so different to her. She could no longer pretend what he was not, only what he was, and she couldn’t for the life of her figure out how she, Cassie Oliver from a small town in Vermont, became the mistress of probably one of the most powerful men in New England, if not the East Coast. That had to have come at a great cost, not only to him, but to other lives.

She leaned her head back on the couch; she closed her eyes, unsure what to do now that she knew. Thinking back to the first night that she met them both, if she were honest, she knew even then. Instinct told her he was dangerous and unlike anyone she had ever known. Yet, she chose to ignore everything she felt to have whatever time she could with him. Even now, the familiar flutter in her stomach began just at the thought of him. Cassie had a deep need to talk to Tony. She missed the corner booth, his big round face greeting her, followed by hours of talking and laughing.

“Cassandra, are you okay?”

Sakis’s voice reached out to her. Opening her eyes, she stared deep into his dark ones.
God, he was beautiful.
Sakis had taken a seat next to her, Stephanous was in his usual spot opposite them, and the lawyer was nowhere in sight.

“I need to know, Sakis,” she whispered. “I need to know everything. You don’t even have to go back before I entered the picture. I need to know how many died because of me.”

He reached for the cigar box; she waited for him to go through the ritual of rolling it with his fingers, inhaling the scent of the tobacco, before he clipped the end. Another moment where he lit it, puffing gently as the smoke spiraled around them. This was him stalling. Contemplating her words. Yes, she knew him and Stephan well.

“Does the answer mean so much?” he asked.

Without hesitation, she replied. “It does.”

He put his arm on the back of the couch and crossed his legs. “If it makes a difference to you, then we talk. Ask your questions.”

Shaking her head, no longer able to play their games, her voice was strong. “No. No questions.”

Stephanous leaned forward in his chair, but Sakis raised his hand to stop him as his heart beat quicker in his chest. Cassie was smart. He would play her game this time.

“Great. Let’s start with Julian Karwowski.” Sakis watched as all the color washed from Cassie’s face.
Good, he definitely had her attention.
“First, you have to understand, none of what I am about to tell you is because of who you are. With Julian, I did not like what he stole. His death came, not because of you, Cassandra, but you and many others. He even admitted to this.”

“But why? Why was it necessary? I had dealt with him already. I had let him go.”

Sakis looked uncertain. “But I told you…it was not just because of not only you, but my sister Victoria. Men like that are not men. They rob the innocent, without any second thought to their actions. You dealt with it. Victoria said the same thing…before she killed herself.”

Bile rose in Cassie’s throat. She could see the pain etched in every line of his face. It was bad enough what she went through, alone, with no family. She could only imagine a family that was close, like Sakis’s, how that impacted not only his sister but everyone. This was unexpected.

“Greg Cunningham?”

“He was an unfortunate accident that should never have happened due to drugs, alcohol, and high speed.”

The gravity of what he was telling her started to make its impact on her nerves. Sakis could see her hands shake slightly as she took a sip of her drink. He had an urge to make her something stronger.

“And Andre, was he an unfortunate accident also?” she inquired.

Shaking his head, Sakis turned to glance at Stephanous before he spoke. “We still don’t understand Andre’s assassination. We have our suspicions, but that is all we have.”

“Because of business.” Her comment was a statement more than a question.

“You have wanted to know my business, Cassandra. I will hold nothing back. I provide security for those who need it. I sell particular items to those who have a difficult time buying those items. It has taken many years to get to where I am today. I have no regrets.”

“But will the cost be more than you can afford to pay in the end, Sakis? There is a chance that someday, someone could try to kill you?”

Sakis stared down his lover. It was an honest question, one that he had asked himself a thousand times since meeting her. No longer was she the young twenty-year-old he met. In the short four months they had been together, her maturity and sophistication had grown. Her accent was completely gone; shoulders no longer hunched over from lack of confidence. Instead, she spoke eloquently, moved with a grace that came with the weight loss and in knowing who she was becoming. She was a chameleon. Today a young woman in sweatpants and T-shirt, but at a moment’s notice, she could hold her own at any high society event. To him she was the perfect woman, and he felt he was losing her.

“There is more, Cassandra, that you need to know.”

He watched with sadness as her shoulders squared, bracing for the impact of what he had to say next.

“I am betrothed to another,” he stated softly.

Cassie’s face went blank as she looked first to Sakis, who hadn’t moved, and then to Stephanous, who was in the process of lighting another cigarette.

“I am sorry—did you say betrothed?” She was confused. “As in promised to marry someone else?” At Sakis’s nod, she sat stunned for a moment. Her face turned beet red as her eyes filled with tears. Knowing that they would be having this conversation at some point, she had thought long and hard about what she would be told during that conversation. Not once, in any of the scenarios that she had come up with, did she ever anticipate this. “Are you still expected to marry this person, even after you and I—” She couldn’t finish.

Nodding again, he exhaled as she jumped from the couch and ran out of the room.

“Sakis, you must go after her.”

“No, Stephanous, I cannot. She will need time.” His whole world felt as if it crumbled around him.

Stephanous couldn’t believe Sakis wouldn’t go after her. “It is Cassie you love, not Alejandra!”

“I cannot break my promise to her family, Stephanous. You above anyone know this.”

Unable to hear anymore, Stephanous hurried out of the room to find and console Cassie. His heart stopped; the door in the front foyer was open and her solitary figure walked down the long driveway.

“Cassie, wait!”

When she heard her name, Cassie started to run but it was too late. He grabbed her around the waist; she struggled as he hauled her to his chest and held her tightly. She couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face.

“Come back to the house, Cass. Let’s talk,” he begged.

Shaking her head wildly, she fought to get free.

“Cassie! You need to calm down. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

All the fight seemed to go out of her; her body went limp as she sobbed. Stephanous’s heart broke for her. She was hurting. Slowly letting go, he spun her around. Her eyes were red and swollen as rivers of tears flowed down her cheeks.

“God, please don’t cry. Sakis loves you. No one else but you.” Stephanous’s voice cracked.

“Please, let me go, Stephan. Please!” she begged when she felt him grip her tighter. “You have to let me go.”

“Let me give you a ride home.”

Shaking her head, she stepped away slowly. “I know where I live. Thanks anyway.”

She walked through the large gates and ignored the stares of the security guards.

Stephan watched her leave and continued to stand in place for a long time, hoping, waiting, and praying that she would come back around the corner.

She never did.