Twist of Fate (18 page)

His eyes bore into hers, and he continued his hold. “You must have been enjoying yourself. You apparently didn’t remember how much he hurt you.”

“I didn’t remember how much you hurt me, either.” She didn’t like the look she saw in his eyes. “Please let me go.” She relaxed when he loosened his hold. A slight glimpse of concern crossed his chiseled features.

“Tell me.”

“I woke up in the hospital believing Sam was my husband.”

“Your what?” Anger flashed once more in his dark eyes.

“He never denied it.”

“Why would he?” Dante grabbed her arm when she tried to walk away.

“You’re hurting me.” Kate glanced from his hand to his eyes. Her own eyes grew wide with fear the moment he yanked her against his solid body.

“Don’t play dumb, Trina. It’s not becoming of you.” There had been a time when she enjoyed him calling her Trina, but not now. She could see the muscles in his jaw clench, his face still full of resentment. “Did you sleep with him?”

Her eyes widened. “That’s none of your business. We’re legally separated, remember?”

“Answer me.” He shook her, and she started to cry.

“I thought he was my husband. I, I--”

She wished she could tell him she’d fallen in love with Sam. She wished she could say she was leaving to make a better life for Hope with Sam. She wished she could, but she couldn’t. Regardless of what she felt, Sam didn’t love her. There was no such thing as a one-sided relationship. He’d betrayed her trust for the second time. She’d have to find a way to let him go.

Dante’s breath was hot against here ear, snapping her back to reality, as he hissed, “I’ll kill him.”

“Don’t!” Her heartbeat quickened at the thought.

“He slept with my wife. You’ve basically admitted it.”

Kate swallowed. She knew it was pointless to argue when he was like this, but she needed to stand her ground for her sake as well as Hope’s. Her own voice sounded deadly as she ground out, “I won’t be your wife anymore.”

He released his hold but cupped her chin, which held her head up. “You will not mention his name again. Mark my words, Trina. If he dares to show his face around here or tries to contact you in any way, he will die. Is that understood?” His hand left her chin, but he stood menacingly before her.

Kate could barely nod. His next words had her bracing the wall for support.

“You may not want to be my wife now, but you will soon change your mind. You see, thinking your body had been swept away by the current and that you were dead, the judge granted me custody of our daughter. She’s safe here with me, Trina. If you want to see her and keep her safe, you’ll stay here with me too and do as I say.”

“You can’t do this.”

“I can, and I will. For all purposes we will be husband and wife. Carlo will believe we are back together. So will the paparazzi, our family and our friends, everything will be as it was before.”

“No.” The word was barely a whisper.

“You caused the family much distress by leaving me so publicly. You threatened to expose my connection to the Santini family at the custody hearing.” Dante backed her against the wall, pressing his body into hers. “A debt needs to be paid, my dear. I’ve felt the pressure of your absence for far too long. It’s time you did things my way.”

“I can’t.”

“Don’t fight me on this. You will lose. If you leave this house, if you leave me, both you and Hope will die.”

“You can’t threaten me. I’ll have you arrested.”

“Think about it, Trina. Staying married to me is a small price to pay for Hope’s life.”

“You’re talking crazy. I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

Dante wasn’t going to let her take Hope. He made it impossible for her to leave. How could she jeopardize her daughter’s life? Not wanting him to see her fear, she fled upstairs. His dark laughter followed in her wake. When she reached the guestroom, she closed the door and locked it. He’d won for now, but as soon as she figured out how to get Hope away from him, she’d have the last laugh.

Looking about the taupe and beige room, the night of passion she’d shared with Sam still burned within her soul. How was she supposed to sleep under the same roof as Dante when he’d become such a monster? Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the doorknob rattle and she wondered if he’d force it open. Time seemed to stand still as she held her breath, waiting. She knew he stood outside, listening for her sobs. Burying her face in the antique lace pillow, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Only when she heard him hit the door and walk away, did her body relax. After taking a moment to compose herself, she reached for the bedside phone and called her parents. She couldn’t believe how her hands shook as she punched the numbers on the phone.

“Hi Dad, it’s Kate. Yes, it’s really me.” She had to pause for a moment at her father’s sobs of joy that she hadn’t died in that car crash. “Dad? Yes, I love you too. Dad, listen to me for a moment. I’m here at the penthouse with Dante and Hope. I know, I know, he told me he got custody at the hearing because I wasn’t there. I had trauma amnesia and was in a hospital. No, I don’t want to get into this right now.” He had all sorts of questions and according to Dante’s new rules, she couldn’t be truthful. She needed to make her father believe everything was fine. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and continued with the charade hoping she’d be able to fool him.

“The hospital was finally able to contact Dante, and he brought me home. No, Dad, you don’t have to come over. I’m fine.” Her chest ached as she fell deeper into the lie. “Dante and I are working things out.”

It was then that she noticed she’d never taken Sam’s ring off. As she listened to her father, she pulled the band free and held it between her fingers. “Yes, of course I know what I’m doing.” She exhaled loudly. “Listen, Dad, it’s late and I’ve had a very long day.” She walked over to the dresser and set the ring in the top drawer. “Tell Mom I love her. Don’t worry, everything is fine. I’m where I need to be right now.”

Kate hung up the phone, opened her jewelry chest and slipped on the diamond bridal set Dan
te had given her six years ago.

**
*

Jed’s Bar echoed with music and the occasional smack of a pool cue. Sam and Rusty perched on their usual stools at the end of the bar. Sam slapped the bar with his palm as he finished the recount of his story. “And there you have it.”

“Sorry, Ace.” Rusty’s voice choked.

“What are you sorry for? It’s my fault. I’ve really ruined it this time.”

“Maybe things will be all right once she cools off. She’s had quite a shock, ya know.” Rusty pointed to the bar tender to refresh their drinks.

“Doubt it.” Sam tipped back the whiskey then tapped his glass on the worn, wood of the bar. “Make it a double, Jed.”

“Give her time. Don’t jump to conclusions,” Rusty added.

“You didn’t see the look in her eyes.” Sam drained the glass as soon as the drink was poured. “Leave the bottle,” he instructed Jed more sternly than he’d planned.

“Getting drunk isn’t going to solve anything tonight.”

“Yeah, but it sure as hell might make me forget for a while.” Sam raked his hand down his face. “What the hell did I do?”

“Nothing any other man in love wouldn’t try.” The knowing look on Rusty’s face only made Sam feel worse.

Sam tried to sound flippant. “Who said anything about love? I don’t know where you get this stuff. I did it to keep her safe, and that’s all.”

“Don’t give me that line of crap. Have you forgotten how long we’ve known each other? C’mon, I was there at the beginning. I’ve seen the two of you together. Remember?” He paused then shoved Sam’s shoulder. “It’s written all over you, Ace. Someone had to give you a push in the right direction.”

“You got it all wrong.” Sam scooped up a hand full of peanuts.

“I beg to differ.”

“I should have left well enough alone. She hates me. And I can’t blame her.”

“I’m betting she doesn’t.”

Sam tried for his best ‘I don’t really care’ attitude. “What can I give her she doesn’t already have? C’mon...she’s got her fancy cars, clothes, that big penthouse and all the opportunity in the world.”

“There’s one thing she doesn’t have.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

“The one thing she can’t seem to hold onto.” Rusty raised his rocks glass in Sam’s direction.

“Well, I blew that right out the window now, didn’t I.” Sam poured his own drink, tossing it back with a shake of his head. “I can’t blame her for leaving. I’ve never been the right guy for her. All I ever end up doing is breaking her heart.” He shoved the glass away, not liking the depressed emotions starting to take over. “I gotta go.”

“You okay to drive?”

“Yeah. I’ll call ya tomorrow. Give my love to Jill.”

“Will do, buddy.”

Sam stood in the parking lot, remembering the fateful night he’d watched Kate drive away. What would have happened to her if he hadn’t come along when he did? What was going to happen to her now? Even after all this time, maybe Kate’s old man was right. She was out of his league. He drove down the familiar road, thinking long and hard about his actions.

Forget what Rusty had said, he’d done what any friend would do. From the beginning it had been about what was best for Kate. Sam had sworn to protect her that was true. But when had that vow turned into something more?

He cranked up the music, trying to drown out the mental chastising he was giving himself. This was ridiculous. He’d also sworn not to lose her again, but his stupidity had cost him her love for a second time. What more could he do that he hadn’t already done? It didn’t matter what he might be feeling. She didn’t feel the same, and that message had come through loud and clear. Since when did he ever listen?

Punching the radio knob with his knuckle, he stopped the music. He needed to do something about the situation, and the answer came to him like a bolt of lightning against a desert sky. He loved her. He always had. What kind of man was he if he gave up now?

Challenging her powerful husband and his goons was not tops on his list. He could think of better things to do. But if it meant Kate would see him in a different light and prove to her even though he didn’t have the wealth and power, he was just as good for her, then he would challenge the devil himself if he had to.

Cranking the truck sharply in a u-turn, he headed toward Philly, feeling recharged as he drove down the highway. There was no turning back, and he didn’t want to. He didn’t know exactly where he was going, but he’d iron out the details once he got there. At least now he headed in the right direction. Sam was ready to fight, and he wasn’t going to leave until Kate agreed to come back with him.

“For once I’m going to be that guy who wins your heart.”

Chapter Eleven

Kate sat in the sunny breakfast nook, her cappuccino untouched. She’d stayed awake half the night. Dante’s door had opened and closed several times, and she faintly remembered hearing the phone ring in the wee hours of the morning. She hadn’t even been back for twenty-four hours, and already “they” were calling. Absolutely nothing had changed, and she was right back where she’d started.

Dante was nowhere to be found this morning. The sound of a key in the lock had her spinning toward the door. To her surprise a matronly woman wearing a grey pressed dress walked in.

“Good morning.” Kate smiled and asked, “Who are you?”

“Oh, my.” The woman blushed. “I didn’t realize Mr. Pizzaro was having a guest.”

“I’m no guest.” Just a prisoner against my will, Kate thought and took a sip of her cappuccino. “I’m Dante’s wife.”

“My stars, I read about you in the morning paper. I didn’t realize you’d be staying here. Forgive me, ma’am.”

“That’s all right, Mrs
....
?”

“Jones. Abbey Jones. But please call me Abbey.” The woman seemed friendly enough.

“Dante hired a new maid? I find that hard to believe. We’ve always been happy with Celia.”

“No, ma’am. I’m the nanny.”

“A nanny?” The wheels turned in Kate’s mind. Dante had hired a nanny to watch over Hope, so he could continue to do the dirty work for Carlo Santini. Very clever. He’d still look like the dedicated father, watching out for his daughter’s welfare while he worked long hours in the law office. What judge wouldn’t give him full custody, seeing as she had been declared missing or dead?

“Is something wrong?” Abbey asked.

“No, no, nothing is wrong. Listen, Abbey, I’m going to be staying here for a while so we won’t need your services any longer. I’ll make sure Dante pays you appropriately, and we will provide impeccable references for you. Thank you for all you’ve done in my absence.” Slipping the key out of the nanny’s hand, Kate skillfully ushered Mrs. Jones back out the door. She didn’t need another factor in this equation. Getting Hope out of the penthouse and to safety was something she’d have to figure out on her own. Locking the door again, she walked back into the kitchen.

“Mommy, I’m glad you’re home. Did you miss me?” Hope’s voice chirped between bites of cereal. Kate shook her head, taking herself out of the bad place.

What had he told their daughter?

She smiled at her daughter’s curly head. “I missed you very much, sweetheart. Finish your breakfast.” Looking out the window as she’d done many times before, she wondered where Dante was and what he’d been doing all night or if he was even alive. Just another reason why she’d tried to get out and she wouldn’t fall back into this way of life again.

“Why didn’t you call us, Mommy?”

“W-what?” She turned back to Hope.

“If you missed us so much, how come you didn’t call?”

“Oh, angel,” Kate tucked a stray curl behind Hope’s ear, “I couldn’t call.”

“Why?” Hope tipped her bowl to finish the milk. Smiling proudly, she showed the empty bowl to her mother. “All done.”

Kate was taken off guard at Hope’s persistence, but what would she expect from a child who just wanted to understand how her mother could have left her like that. This was such a complicated matter. Kate wondered how she could explain it on five-year old terms. She took a deep breath, ready to try her best.

“Mommy was very sick for a while.” She watched as Hope’s eyes grew large.

“Were you scared?”

“Sometimes.” Not always.

Sam’s smiling face popped into her head, warming her chilled heart. She couldn’t help wondering if he was all right. She hoped Dante or Carlo’s other thugs hadn’t gone to hurt him.

“Mommy?” Hope poked her in the arm. “You won’t leave again, will you?”

Kate pulled her daughter close. “No, honey, I won’t leave again.” Not without you. She picked up Hope, and while balancing her on a hip, took the dishes from the table to the sink. “Hey, we’ve got to get you ready for school.”

“I don’t want to go to school.”

“All smart little girls need to go to school. Now come on and let me do your hair.” Kate set her on a chair.

“No. I don’t want to go.” Hope defiantly crossed her arms and stuck out her lip.

“But you love school.”

“I don’t want you to go away.” Hope’s bottom lip quivered.

Kate saw the tears in Hope’s eyes as she knelt before her daughter. “I’m not going away, baby. I’ll come to pick you up just like I always do.”

“Where’s Mrs. Jones? She picked me up when you were gone.”

“I told Mrs. Jones we didn’t need her anymore because Mommy was back.”

“Good.” Hope beemed. “She’s really nice, but I like it best when you pick me up.”

She hugged Hope tightly. For the first time she wished none of this had happened. She’d wanted Dante to see she was serious, to see she had a mind of her own. Somewhere along the way, he’d forgotten that fact. She hadn’t planned to be gone too long, and she certainly hadn’t planned on Sam. But it happened, and she needed to get over it.

“Do I still have to go to school?” Hope pulled away and tilted her head to the side. Kate swept her back in for another quick hug.

“March, young lady, upstairs and brush your teeth.”

Hope stomped her little feet all the way to the bathroom, with an occasional grunt of displeasure. Kate couldn’t help smiling. She’d thought about keeping her home, but she needed to think things through and figure out where she could go with Hope to make a fresh start, and she couldn’t do that with a chatty five-year-old around. She had to forget Sam Hackett as much as Dante needed to forget working for Carlo Santini.

But neither one of those things would ever happen.

Dante had always been a man of honor. What honor was there in lying to everyone? She remembered what Mrs. Jones had said about the morning paper. While Hope remained upstairs, she went to the foyer where the paper lay on the table. Her hands trembled as she stared at the front page. It hadn’t taken the paparazzi long to make headlines with the pictures from last night.

With the words “reconciliation” in big bold letters, Kate stared at the picture taken as Dante had helped her out of the car. He’d pulled her close and kept his arm around her all the way to the door. Anyone who looked at this picture would easily think the headlines were true. And according to Dante, she’d be making them believe it. Kate turned her attention back to the stairs as a very cheerful Hope hopped down each step.

“I want pigtails today.” She handed Kate a brush and two blue hair bands.

Kate made two, curly, pigtails to which Hope smiled her satisfaction. She ran to the door and slipped on her pink plaid backpack.

“Ready, Mommy.”

**
*

Hand in hand they walked the three blocks to St. Anne’s Academy, very aware of the photographer and very aware of Paulie. Kate squeezed her daughter’s hand. “How about I get your favorite meal for dinner tonight?”

“Yeah!” Hope bounced beside her.

“What would you like?”

“I want to go to the Pizza Factory.”

“Are you sure?” Kate asked, not ready to be on public display.

“Yup. They give out the neatest prizes. Please, Mommy?”

There was something in the way the sunlight sparkled through Hope’s crystal blue eyes which sent a shiver up Kate’s spine. Maybe she’d never allowed herself to notice before, but now, as Hope skipped along so unaware; Kate could see how much her daughter resembled Sam.

Kate slowed her steps in order to observe more. She felt guilty for denying herself this simple pleasure of comparing the child to the father. Then again, she’d denied the father his child. Six years ago, she’d had no choice. When Sam publicly acknowledged Robin’s baby, Kate didn’t dare come forward with her own suspicions of being pregnant. She had been hopeful all of the emotional stress was causing her to be late. She’d been too afraid to take a home test and had left for
Europe
, still not one-hundred percent sure.

Kate fisted her hands at her sides and willed herself to stop the dreaming and concentrate on the present, no matter how hard it would be. A life with Sam wasn’t in the cards. After delivering Hope safely to the hands of Sister Agnes, Kate decided to make a quick trip to the market. Maybe if she baked and made her famous meatballs, Hope would forget about going out to dinner. And maybe, if she kept busy enough, she’d convince herself to get past what happened and move on with her life. After Dante’s threats, she knew that would never happen. By forcing her into this charade Dante now called the shots, but not for long. She’d soon find a way to stand on her own, even if she had to play the game.

Then I can forget I ever laid eyes on—

“Sam!” She turned the corner and stood toe to toe with the one man she would never forget. She needed to be strong. She needed to keep walking. She froze.

The electricity of his nearness was like a live wire zapping through her body. His ocean-blue eyes sparkled, just like Hope’s had, while he stared down at her. He looked like he needed a shave. He looked like he hadn’t slept, either. He looked wonderful. And she felt the heat rise to her cheeks.

He grabbed her elbow. “We need to talk.”

“Let go.” Jerking her arm free, she quickly glanced over her shoulder. “Paulie isn’t far behind me. There could be trouble if you’re around.” And more photos in the paper I’m not ready to explain.

“I don’t care. I’ll deal with Paulie and your husband and anyone else who tries to stand in our way.”

This time his fingertips brushed down the sleeve of her blouse. He didn’t touch her, but he might as well have by the way her arm burned beneath the silk.

“Stand in our way? What are you talking about?” She sidestepped, making a beeline for the store. She couldn’t be this close to him.

“Kate, please,” he caught up to her in two long strides, “I know you don’t totally hate me or you wouldn’t have stopped to talk to me. Ten minutes, that’s all I’m asking. There’s a lot I need to explain.”

Kate checked her watch, passing their connection off to any prying eyes as just a stranger asking the time. She knew she should go about her business and leave him, but she couldn’t. Disgusted with her weakness, she exhaled, putting her hands at her sides.

“Fine, you have your ten minutes. Don’t make me regret giving them to you.”

Instead of going into the store as planned, she entered a small coffee shop. Her nerves prickled as she didn’t think Paulie had seen them go in, but she wasn’t sure about the photographer. To play it safe, she chose a small table in the back. For as much as she knew the danger of being seen with him, she couldn’t turn him away. Being this close again thrilled her.

***

Sam hoped like hell he could get through to her. Sure, he’d asked for ten minutes but he didn’t believe he had that long. Either she’d get mad and walk away, or the big gorilla he’d noticed tailing her would storm in.

“I know what I did was wrong. I should never have kept the truth from you. I started out to protect you, but in the end I didn’t want to lose you.”

“But you ended up losing me, didn’t you.” She fiddled with a paper napkin lying in front of her on the terracotta tiled table, and he resisted the urge to hold her hands.

“Yeah, for the second time in my life.”

“The first time was your choice. You opted out.”

“You left for
Europe
.”

“I was ready to stay, until word spread Robin was pregnant with your baby. A baby you didn’t deny. What was I supposed to do, stick around and come to the wedding?”

“I didn’t marry her, Kate. I couldn’t. I wasn’t in love with her.” He reached his hand across the table to touch her fingers. She flinched slightly but didn’t pull her hand away. “I was in love with you.”

She stared at his hand on hers. “It was too complicated back then. I hurt so much, and you didn’t seem to care.”

“I cared. I told Robin I’d do whatever she needed me to do, but I was committing myself to you. I came to tell you, but your dad wouldn’t let me see you. You wouldn’t return my calls, either. Next thing I know, you’d left town.”

Kate seemed thoughtful as she kept her gaze on their hands. “Daddy gave me some extra money and told me to go early to have some fun before classes started.” She sighed and raised her head. “You still could have found a way to reach me.”

“And do what? Follow you to
Italy
? I didn’t have that kind of cash. My business was just starting out. I needed to stay here. Robin moved in, we had the baby and became a family.”

“How lovely for you.” She sounded bitter and pulled her hand from his and scanned the small room.

He couldn’t blame her. So far he’d succeeded in making her remember all the bad stuff. He found himself feeling resentful when he spoke. “Hey, it didn’t take you long to get over me, now did it?” His words forced her to look at him. “Yeah, that’s right. You found Mr. GQ to parade around
Italy
with, marry and have a baby of your own. Don’t think I didn’t see and hear about all the times you and your family made the front page of the paper, ‘Miss high-society.’ So don’t go making me out to be the bad guy in all this. You ran away.”