Ties That Bind (14 page)

“You were laying claim,” she accused. “Making sure no other man in here would come within 100 feet of me.”

“Yes.”

“At least you aren't denying it. Was this my brother's idea?”

“Your brother may try to murder me in my sleep.”

“That gives me some vindication.”

He couldn't help himself and pulled her into him again. His lips harder, more possessive. His hands grazed up the center of her back, feeling her flesh shiver with his touch.

“You know what makes this so dangerous?” she asked, her lips hovering near his ear. “Everyone fears Jimmie but you don't.”

No, Mitch thought. What makes it dangerous is that Jimmie was even allowing it in the first place. Sonny had been right. Jimmie would never tolerate his actions from someone else. “Is that what you like about me, Ash?” he hissed. “Because, I've got to be honest, continually hearing his name out of your mouth when I've got you in my arms is becoming insulting.”

“No, that's not it.”

His voice was husky, his grip tightening on her waist. “Then tell me, honestly. For once tell me the goddamn truth.”

Her fingers slipped to his cheek, tracing a line up to his eyes. Even drugged, her eyes were clear enough to let him know she was telling the truth.

“Because you call me Ash.”

It was more honest that he expected and it took him off guard. As simple as the words were, he knew exactly what she meant. He took her for who she was - the ugly, the broken parts, the parts that were responsible for murder combined with the calm, independent princess. Tears had started to trickle down her cheeks and he placed his palms over them, hiding them before the world could see.

“I have business.”

She nodded, accepting, and he could see her trying to get her emotions back in check.

“I'll be upstairs as soon as I can.”

“Mitch, Jimmie will-”

“He's my problem now,” Mitch assured her.

CHAPTER TWENTY

“You came.” Ashli frowned.

“
You doubt me quite a lot, don’t you?”

“The opposite actually. But, after that scene, I did figure that Jimmie would make a point of keeping you away.”

Mitch pulled off his jacket and tossed it to the chair beside her bed. Loosening his shirt, he dropped to stretch out onto the covers before accepting the glass of Scotch she offered.

“Everyone
seems on edge,” Ashli said. “Since your late night visit a few weeks ago. I get the impression I didn’t hear the full story of that night.”

“That would be an excellent assumption.”

“Are we in danger then?”

“Yes.”

“From whom?”

Mitch was silent, fingering the glass in his hand. He wished he had an answer but the truth was, he just didn't know. Sensing his hesitation, Ashli slid to sit beside him, her hand resting on his waist.

“You've made this place better than Fort Knox. If something happens it's not on your shoulders, Mitch.”

“Thank you, Ms. Vinetti.”

“I only meant-”

“I know what you meant,” he said, waving her off. "None of it makes sense. I feel like I'm missing some vital piece of information but Jimmie assures me that's not the case.”

“Jimmie has no reason to hide anything from you.”

“And you?” Mitch questioned, threading his fingers through hers. “What else are you hiding from us, Ashli?”

“Us,” she whispered.

Setting his glass aside, he pulled her hand toward him. Without meeting her eyes, he pressed his lips into her palm and started tracing the pale blue veins in her wrist. “It bothers you, doesn’t it? My relationship with your brother.”

“No. Yes.”

He raised an eyebrow as he continued to pepper her skin with kisses. “But it’s not the jealousy everyone suspects, is it?”

She shook her head but didn’t vocalize a response.

“No, you never did strike me as the jealous type,” he murmured. He shuffled, moving her onto the bed completely, his palm brushing from the curve of her shoulders down the length of her body.

He let his fingers run gently through her hair, feeling her defenses lessen with each stroke. He could feel the dampness of her tears as they slid down his arm and he knew, whatever had been plaguing her had finally reached its tipping point.

“Has your guilt surfaced yet?” he asked.

She nodded. “I love him. I do. He's my brother.”

“But it would make things so much less complicated without him around?” Mitch guessed.

“No. It would be so much easier if I wasn't around,” she corrected. “So much of his life, so much of the danger he faces is my fault. My responsibility. Our whole life it’s been that way."

Mitch stopped moving, his eyes focusing on her. “Dramatics don’t suit you.”

“You think I’m being dramatic?”

He watched her again, trying to decide if he’d misjudged. But she had veiled her emotions with indignation. He exhaled and moved off the bed.

“Mitch, for chrissakes, I’m trying to be honest!”

“Then stop trying and just be honest. It’s not that damn hard.”

“Mitch, please-” she was at his side, tears still streaming. “Don’t tell me you haven’t gotten in so far with something, so desperately deep, that you couldn’t even see a way out. I know you have.”

“You’re drowning.” He gave her a gentle smile. “Ash, I’ve known that from the second I met you.”

“Then you do understand.”

“This ends where it began, Ash. That's the way it always works.” His whispered voice caused her to tip her face toward him and it was impossible for him to not see the child she tried to keep buried. “Tell me where this started. Tell me and let me end it.”

It would be his way out - if she told him the truth, he could stop whatever had brought this danger into their lives. Whether it required IOC intervention or a rougher, darker hand, he could fix it and then get the hell out.  

“You could do that, couldn’t you?” she asked. “You could make us safe again.”

Mitch didn’t hesitate. “Without a doubt.”

“And you could move on with your own life?”

“Yes.”

His finger slid across her jawline, his forehead touching hers. “The truth, Ashli. That’s all I’m asking for.”

“I can’t.” It was quiet, barely a whisper but with a determination he hadn’t expected. The strong-willed business Ashli was back.

He sighed. “Then you are not the Vinetti I’ll have at my side.” He dug his hands into his pockets, his eyes darkening. “Get out.”

He was still standing in the same position when Jimmie entered his suite moments later. They eyed each other, neither saying anything, neither moving. Mitch was prepared for a battle, an argument or even a gunshot but none came.

“Terenari has invited us out to his place for a meeting. If you think it’s safe then we can leave tonight.”

“Ask me, Jimmie.” Mitch waved off the denial he knew was coming. He was only half dressed, the bed was a disaster, and there was no way he had missed Ashli leaving the room totally disheveled.  “Just fucking ask me.”

“Did you sleep with my sister?”

“No.” Mitch shook his head. “But if I had-”

“I’d be justifiably incensed.” Jimmie let out a long, drawn breath. “But, she could make a far more dangerous choice.”

“Then never, ever, ask me again.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Shares of Vinetti Industries and you are on the front page of every newspaper from here to California. What the hell, Mitch? What the fucking hell?”

“I told you it was coming.”

“Not at this level of publicity!  Do you know how far we are having to bury your record? By the time this is over, only the freaking President is going to have access.”

“Good.”

“Good? Mitch, you cannot have a personal stake in his business.”

“I have a personal stake in every case I’ve ever been a part of, Mike. Jimmie’s just happens to be a financial one. I’ve already signed it back anyway.”

“Truth?”

“Yes, that’s the truth. I’ll have a copy sent to you to prove it if you like.”

He scowled. “Don’t send me anything.”

“The President then? Maybe he’d like a copy?”

“Fuck you, Mitch.”

Mitch snickered. “Anything else?”

“The publicity?”

“That I could do without it,” Mitch agreed. “We needed Terenari’s notice but, yeah, they won’t seem to let the story go.”

“They say you and he are a force that could take on Palermo. How am I supposed to explain that?”

“Who’s asking for an explanation?”

“Everyone!”

Mitch frowned at the non-response. If possible, Mike was even more put out than he was. He offered a half smile. “I’ll try and keep out of the papers.”

“Thank you. That would be just a grand help.”

Mitch nodded.

“And Terenari?”

“Heading to the plane once I leave you.”

“He’s not...he’s dangerous, Mitch.”

“They all are.”

“Just watch yourself, okay? I don’t want the papers reporting on your death either.”

“Duly noted,” Mitch grinned and squeezed his shoulder. “And thanks.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Mitch froze, his mind unwilling to believe what his eyes were telling him were true. But there was she was, standing paces behind one of Nicolai's security guards, her piercing carbon black eyes watching him with the mischievous glint that transported him back to his childhood. Tendrils of coffee colored hair were piled haphazardly on her head, at odds with the rest of her polished look, her one act of defiance at having to dress up for her father's business associates. His eyes left hers momentarily, long enough to let them roam across the curves that she had acquired in the decade since he'd last seen her. Had she not spoken, he could have easily believed her to be a drunken mirage.

“Mr. Kerlin,” she gave him a curtsy and offered her hand in greeting since he seemed unable to pull himself together. “Welcome. We're honored with your visit.”

Mitch kissed her hand, his eyes still not breaking the gaze. “Antoinette-” his voice broke in disbelief and he tried to shake himself but too many memories were flooding through him for him to regain his composure.

Conscious of the men around them, Toni pulled him into a warm embrace, her lips grazing his ear. “Don't let my presence distract you,” she murmured, “that's what he wants.”

She broke away from him and sent him a winning smile. “It's been awhile, hasn't it?  Life seems to have treated you well.” She fingered his suit, her slender hands traveling down the lapels and tugging gently on his Italian leather belt. “Is it Brioni?”

“Haven't a clue,” he returned, managing a shrug. “Some guy fits me, I wear what appears in my closet.”

Her words had their intended effect- he had shaken clear of the shock of seeing her. Why she would choose to betray her father's intentions was a mystery to him and he slid his arm around her waist as they moved down the hallway as the guards closed at their feet.

“You look quite phenomenal yourself,” he appraised hoping his voice was returning to its normal steady state. “How is boarding school treating you?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Exactly how fucking old do you think I am?” she growled under her breath, causing him to laugh.

“Yeah, you're not a mirage,” he chuckled again.

She hesitated at a doorway, turning face him. “We allow no weapons beyond this point. Safety, of course. Are you packing, Mr. Kerlin?”

“No.”

“No?” she queried, eying him with disbelief.

“No,” he chuckled, smiling down at her. He undid the button on his jacket and opened it wide. “However, it would be my pleasure if you feel the need to check.”

“You are still such an ass,” she managed under her breath, watching as he stepped into the room and the door closed behind him.

“You've come alone?” Terenari asked, hugging Mitch as he stepped into the conference room. “I thought Jimmie was to chaperone us.”

“He is arriving later,” Mitch nodded. “I just needed a few minutes alone with you.”

“Of course, of course!” Terenari's white teeth flashed a grin, his arms waving to the men around the room. “Please, leave us, won't you?  My old friend,” Terenari hugged him again, leading him to chairs in the corner as the men filtered out of the room.

One remained, standing with his hand perched on his gun. Mitch inclined his head toward him.

“You do not trust me, Nicolai?  Have we come to this already?”

“Certainly not, my boy.” He shook a pudgy finger at the man. “I said leave us, must I say it twice?”