Chapter Sixty-Six
The waves crashed on the beach, the sound thunderous in the quiet night. Kelley wasn't sure how to feel about the new arrangement. By the end of the week, he'd have a wife he never wanted but he'd also have the hotel shares and that meant Charles wouldn't. It was worth it, Kelley decided. His thoughts turned back to Connor and the sister he never found.
Connor sat quietly for many seconds, the time just ticking by but Kelley let him because he needed to get it out of his system, let go of his regret and his guilt. “So you became the kind of man that protects other girls?”
“I like people, Kelley. I hate it when the bad guys win and for as long as I live I’ll always fight back against them. I might not have been able to save Cece but there are plenty more like her that can be saved.”
“Is that why you sent Juan after Ernesto?”
Connor nodded his head once. “The man’s a snake. I don’t trust him and neither should you. Men like that, Ernesto and Charles, they’re pure evil.”
“I know firsthand how evil Charles is and that’s why I do what I do."
Connor leaned back on his hands and glanced over at Kelley. The man was precise, efficient, demanding and controlling but he got the job done. He was honest too, sincere and he always kept his word, good or bad. Connor felt a type of camaraderie with him like they could go to war together and return unscathed.
“My favourite movie is The Godfather.”
Kelley’s lips turned up slightly at Connor’s comment. “You like the whole mafia thing?”
“Haven’t you noticed Kelley that we are a mafia too?”
Kelley’s expression hardened and his resolve steeled. “Not the mafia Connor. We are veglia.”
“Vigils?”
“The opposite of the mafia if you will. We watch, we’re the unseen elite, Nascosto Scelto. Where they kill we save, where they corrupt we purge, where they hurt we heal.”
Connor’s smile grew and his eyes showed his enlightenment. “I like that.”
Kelley's expression softened as well. "The last year that you've known me have been quiet because we weren't here in Yorkdare Bay. All that will change, Connor, especially once Charles realizes that I got married and he's lost his power seat in the hotels."
"It's high time someone knocked him off his pedestal," Connor said.
“I’ve made it my mission to destroy Charles Alexander and all that he stands for.”
“I’m with you, Kelley. I want to be a vigil and I know Lee and Mason are right there with you.”
“They are, Connor. They’re my brothers.”
Connor stood up and offered Kelley his hand. Kelley snorted and stood up unaided. “I’m younger than you, asshole.”
Connor laughed softly as they walked back to their cars. “I’m not the only asshole in this family, asshole.”
Kelley stopped walking, turned to face Connor and then laughed loudly. “I like this Connor, more than the one calling me Sir.”
Connor followed Kelley home and when they walked into the house later on neither of them said a word about their conversation on the beach. Connor nodded his head and made his way down another hall that led to his quarters.
Kelley headed up the stairs to his study and closed the door behind him. He sank down onto the sofa and then conference called Lee and Mason. Lee had already sent about ten texts asking for details on his meeting with Ernesto.
“You took your time, I take it the meeting went well?” Lee’s voice filtered over the line first.
“Hey,” Mason said sounding slightly out of breath.
“Did we interrupt sexy time, Mason?” Kelley smiled as Mason snorted.
“No, idiot. I was washing my hair.”
Lee and Kelley both laughed as Mason mumbled something else. Static came over the phone and Kelley could hear Marella in the background as Lee fumbled with the phone. “Anyway, Ernesto Romano gave me the creeps.”
“Did you seal the deal or not?” Mason asked.
“I sealed the deal. He’ll deliver her on Friday and he wants twenty million dollars for her.”
“Just like that?” Lee sounded pissed off.
“She’s a Romano daughter but not his daughter. He made his disdain for her very clear. Connor put Juan on her.”
“What an asshole.” Kelley had to agree with Mason but he also needed to think of the long-term goals of this deal.
“Do you think she’s your type?” Lee asked.
“Lee, if she’s female she’s his type.” Mason chuckled at his own joke.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kelley’s voice had taken on an edge.
“It means, man-slut, that you use and lose and some of them weren’t actually your type, so your type is female.”
Lee laughed louder and Kelley ground his teeth together. Mason did have a point but he didn’t have to spell it out like that. “I’ll reform.”
“Not to be cynical or anything, but just watch your back. His disdain could be a ploy and this woman will have access to your house, your study, your staff. She could be a spy,” Mason said.
“I’ve already thought of that.” Lee nodded his agreement when Kelley spoke.
“I guess we’ll catch up on the other details on Monday. Don’t get arrested and don’t paralyze anyone.”
“Nice one, Lee.”
“Thanks, Mason, I try to be funnier.”
“You’re both assholes. Goodnight.”
Kelley ended the call and pulled off his tie. Something from earlier had stuck with him. The image of Ernesto Romano as a mafia don and something Jesse had said to him years earlier. The nagging thought stayed with him until he sat up with a start as realization struck him and he pulled his phone out.
“Blaire, I need a profile on Charles Alexander.”
“A profile? Dude, the guy raised you. You know him.”
“A dark profile, Blaire.”
“Shit … how deep and how dark?”
“As dark as the rabbit hole goes. If I’m right, we’re in deeper shit than I thought.”
