“You should’ve told me the man you were with in Vegas was Bennett Mazzone.”
“How did you know it was him?”
“I didn’t until I got here and I couldn’t find you. I forced one of his goons to talk. He told me Mazzone had just arrived, and I connected the dots.”
“You know who he is.”
He nods, easing the car forward when the traffic starts moving again.
“He’s part of the mafia, isn’t he? That legit businessman image he projects is just a front.”
“He is mafia royalty, Sierra.”
“How do you know that? There is nothing online that even hints at him being mafia.”
“I’m from New York originally, and there are very few people in this city who don’t know the Mazzone family is the most powerful mafia family in the US.”
“Why didn’t I find anything online?”
“Ben is smart. He has skilled IT resources in his pocket, and these people know how to control what information is put out there about him. Caltimore’s takeover of FistMine is the first of many, I predict. Ben is changing the way things are done.”
“I just watched him torture someone. So, I wouldn’t say he’s changing everything up,” I say, and it’s as if someone else is speaking the words. I gulp over the messy ball of emotion in my throat. “He was so cold, and from the expert way he inflicted pain, I know this wasn’t his first time.”
Tony pins me with a sympathetic look that makes me feel like a stupid, naïve thirteen-year-old again.
“He’s a killer. My baby’s daddy is a ruthless killer.” I place my palm on my stomach, fighting tears again.
“I can’t believe the man you slept with in Vegas is Ben.” He signals to take the next exit off the highway, toward the airport. “I knew you had a big crush on him when Saskia was dating him, but I had no idea you were still in contact with him.”
God. I never realized I was so obvious. Does everyone know I had the hots for him?
“I wasn’t.” I proceed to tell Tony everything that went down in Vegas, holding nothing back.
By the time we pull into the parking lot at JFK, he is as white as a ghost. “Sierra.” He grips my shoulders almost painfully. “Tell no one who the father is. No. One. Not Ben. Not your father or anyone in your family. Warn Esme and Pen to keep their mouths shut too.”
“Trust me, you don’t have to convince me after what I saw today.”
“Sierra.” His voice elevates a few notches, and he looks seriously rattled. “I mean it. This can’t ever come out. To do so would place you and your child in untold danger.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“You should be scared. Those men are dangerous men existing in a dark world with few rules they abide by except loyalty and honor to la famiglia. Dangerous men always have dangerous enemies. If anyone found out, they could use you against him.”
“No one will find out. I’ll carry the secret to my grave.”
“Promise me you won’t take risks.” He drills me with a look.
“I won’t. It’s not just me anymore,” I add, rubbing my tummy. “I won’t place my child in harm’s way. I will do everything in my power to keep him or her safe.”
“You know, if I had ever married, I would have wished for a daughter like you,” he says, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Your father is a bastard for the way he’s treated you. He appreciates all the wrong things. Whatever happens, don’t ever lose sight of the person you are.”
“This sounds very much like goodbye,” I say, eyeing him warily.
“I’ve never broken my word to you, Sierra, and I don’t want to break it to you now, but I know too much. Returning with you is too dangerous. This is where we will part ways.”
“What do you mean? Why do I get a sense there is a lot I don’t know?”
“There is so much you don’t know. Things I wish I could tell you, but it’s not safe. Trust me when I say you are better off not knowing.”
“Ignorance is debilitating if it means I can’t protect myself. Knowledge is power, Tony, and if it’s something I need to know, then tell me,” I plead.
“The only truth you need is Bennett Mazzone is bad news. He’s no good for you, and you need to steer clear of him.” Planes fly overhead, reminding me I have a flight to catch. “You should go. You can’t miss your flight.”
“You’re really not going to tell me?”
He shakes his head. “It’s better this way.”
I recognize defeat when I see it, and I trust Tony. I know he has my best interests at heart. Sucks to be excluded from the truth, but I have no choice. “I don’t like being kept in the dark, but I’ll drop it.” Reaching into my purse, I withdraw the bulky brown padded envelope. “This is for you.” I offer it to him. “Fifty K is all I could get at short notice, but it should keep you afloat for a while.”
“I don’t want your money.” He pushes my hand away.
I shove the envelope at his chest. “Take it, Tony. I know you’ll need it.” There is no way he can stay in New York now. It’s too risky after he just took out five men. I still can’t believe it. I’ve never seen Tony harm a fly, and he took out five men like he was a hardened killer.
Is everyone?
“I never really knew Ben, and I’m guessing I never really knew you either,” I say, memorizing his face because I’m pretty sure we’ll never see one another again. “Irrespective of who you are or aren’t, I know everything you have done has been done to protect me, so thank you. Thank you for keeping me and my unborn child safe.”
“I hope you know it’s been an honor protecting you. An honor to watch you grow up. I wish we didn’t have to part ways like this.”
“Me too,” I whisper, fighting to keep the tenuous hold on my emotions. Pregnancy hormones are riding me like a bitch, and I wonder if this is what the next few months have in store for me.
“Stay strong, Sierra.” Tony pulls me into a hug. “And stay safe.”
14
SIERRA
After rolling my yoga mat and putting it away, I wipe the light sheen of sweat from my brow as I stare out the window of my bedroom at the rear garden of our house. Rain drops from the sky in painful sheets, pummeling the ground below, coating the shrubs, flowers, and plants in a heavy layer of water. It’s beautiful. Like Chicago is taking a giant communal shower. If I didn’t have to get ready for our usual Sunday family dinner charade, I would paint this view. I might be weird, but I love the rain and snow, and I would happily vacation in a colder climate over a hot one.
I pop my vitamins before stripping out of my workout clothes and stepping into the shower. I’m calm as I go over everything in my mind while I soap my body and wash my hair.
It’s been one week since I returned from New York, and I’ve been busy putting my plans in motion. My cases are already packed and loaded in the back of my SUV. I only took the essentials from my wardrobe and my studio. I can buy anything else I need. I’ve rented a small apartment in the city, close to Loyola, that I will use in the short-term.