Chapter 14

He spent the night at her place, when her mother decided she would be staying over at the friend’s house.

“Somehow, I pictured your bedroom like this.” He commented after they had worked off the very delicious and heavy Thanksgiving dinner, right in the living room where she had served brandy liqueur and pumpkin pie. He had scooped her into his arms and headed unerringly towards the lime green door that led to her room.

“Why?” She was stretched out on top of him, her slender curves flushed against his.

“You like green and antiques, “He nodded to the quaint armoire with its brass drawers and the oak dresser. Her bed was a queen sized one with ancient looking iron headboards. Green and white drapes were on the double windows. And there was a curved loveseat in front of the bed.

“I do. I found the bed in an estate sale a few miles away. Mom and I love to go to yard sales.” She propped her chin on her folded hands and stared at him dreamily. It did not matter that his chest hairs were still damp from their rather energetic bout of lovemaking in the living room.

She felt wonderful just laying on top of him. “The vase right there on the table,’ she nodded towards it. “I paid three dollars, and had it appraised, because I suspected it was worth a lot. And it is.” Her eyes danced with excitement. “It’s worth several thousand dollars.”

He examined the piece with a doubtful expression on his face. “Really?”

“Um-hmm. I was going to sell it but decided to keep it. I like looking at it.”

“It looks old.”

“Which is kind of the point.” Leaning up, she kissed him on the lips. “Tell me about that weird looking dude.”

“What weird looking dude?” He could still taste her on his tongue.

“That one who came into the shop, the one you were not pleased to see.”

His body tensed automatically, and he knew she felt it. He considered lying to her, but did not see the point. Maurice Gotti was the last person he wanted to talk about and just mentioning his name felt like it was soiling their relationship.

“He was a school mate.”

“One that you hated because he looked to me like a bully,” she intuited.

He sent her a startled look.

“I know the type.”

“He was.” Gary conceded. “Of the worst type. He would discover a person’s weakness and exploit it. He enjoyed beating up on the smaller kids.” His lips curled in distaste. “He enjoyed torturing them, getting them to do his bidding.”

“But not you.”

“No. I beat the life out of him one day when I came upon him and several others, torturing a guy in chemistry class. He has hated me ever since.”

“Even now?” Isn’t that a long time to be keeping a grudge?”

He stared into her eyes and very briefly considered telling her of the history between their families. But he couldn’t - not yet.

“It is. We have had several encounters over the years, that cemented the enmity between us.”

“And he probably envy you because of your looks. He looks like a troll.”

He laughed at that, the sound echoing around the room.

“A troll?”

“Seems like the best way to describe him.” Her impish smile made him want to devour her.

“What did he say to you when you were passing him?”

“He said he admired my shop. When he touched me, I wanted to go and scrub myself clean.”

“Not surprising,” he muttered grimly, “he’s scum. And I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”

“What would you like to do?” She asked innocently.

“Take a wild guess.’ He nudged her middle.

“Are you always ready?” She asked breathlessly.

“For you, I am.” He growled.

*****

“Mom, I am sorry, it’s been a riot here. I thought you were coming to help out?”

“Honey, can you get one of the girls to take over?”

“What’s wrong?” Sadie gestured to Terry and moved away from the cash register.

“Go to your office and turn the computer on. Please.”

“You are scaring me.” Sadie felt her heart fluttering inside her chest as she made her way from behind the counter. The shop had been closed for Thanksgiving Day and the minute she opened the doors this morning, they had been bombarded with early shoppers on their way back from Black Friday deals at the stores.

“Just do it. I am so sorry, honey.”

Her heart was pounding heavily by the time she went into the tiny office and booted up her laptop.

“What am I looking for?”

“You’ll see it.”

“If it’s some holiday deal, I am going to…” Her voice tailed off as she stared at the familiar face.

“That is Gary. What…?” She sucked in a breath as she read the caption: ‘Son of multi-billionaire businessman with ties to the mafia is cleaning up.’ She sat around the counter and read the rest of it. ‘It seems that Gary Moretti (Moretti!) The name jumped out at her and for a few seconds she could not move.

The family had been linked with the mafia for decades and had faced several misfortunes, including the death of George Moretti, the second Moretti brother and now the rumor that Grant Moretti is now suffering from cancer.

The young heir to the fortune has been busily tearing down the old, dilapidated building downtown with the intention of building a multi-faceted community center geared towards helping the less fortunate young people. When asked for comment, Mr. Gary Moretti refused to give one, saying ‘that he was not doing it for the glory.’

“No, No. No.” She shook her head, hands trembling. “No, it’s not possible. He… Oh God!” She felt sick.

“Honey, I am coming over.”

Hanging up the phone, she continued to stare at the photo of the man who had walked into her shop a few weeks ago and captured her heart. He was the enemy. And he must have known her name.

She had confided in him about her dad and said the name Moretti. “Oh God.” She whispered. “Oh, please God.” She was whimpering. “Oh please, no,” her phone shrilled and had her jumping. She was about to ignore it when she saw his name. Grabbing it, she punched the button.

“You bastard!”

“Let me explain.”

“I would like to see you try. Your name is Gary Moretti. You son of a bitch!”

“Let me come over, please. I want to explain…”

“I never want to see you again! Is that clear? I hate you.”

“I love you…”

“Don’t you dare!” Even though her heart was splintering, just hearing him say it made her weak.

“Darling, give me a chance…”

“Go to hell!” She hung up and turned off her phone. Throwing it on the desk, she collapsed back in a fit of weeping and felt her life dissolving.

*****

“Are you going to continue prowling the length of the office?”

“She hates me.” Gary’s face was ashen, his jaw clenched tight. He had tried calling her several times, but the calls went straight to voicemail.

“I thought you were going to tell her.” Graham had instructed his assistant to hold his calls and the meetings he had lined up when his nephew barged into his office without knocking.

The look on his face told him that something was horribly wrong. “I was waiting until after the dinner on Sunday. I swear to God that I had no idea that reporters were sniffing around.”

“You should have expected that!” His uncle pointed it out patiently. “You are doing something newsworthy, bringing some respectability to the community, people are going to sit up and take notice.”

“I thought I had more time.” He resumed pacing, his shoulders hunched. “When I saw that son of a bitch come into the shop a few nights ago, I should have realized that something was up. I have to see her, to explain that I had no part of what was going on.”

“You lied to her.”

“No!” he spun around, a wild look on his face. “I started using my mother’s maiden name when I left for Europe. Technically, I did not lie.”

“She is not going to see it that way. Look, allow her some time to cool off before you confront her.”

Gary gave him an incredulous glance. “Cool off? This is not some small infraction, like forgetting to take out the trash or breaking a frigging date. The woman I am in love with just found out that my family caused her father’s death.

And that I am a member of that family. She is not going to ‘cool down’ as you so quaintly put it. She told me she hated me. I have to go to her and try to salvage this. This is a nightmare.”

“At least give her some time.”

“No!” He shook his head. “The more time I give her, is the more time she has to fester. It has to be now. I cannot spend one night without knowing where I stand with her.”

“Gary…”

“I have to see her.” Without another word, he charged out of the office.

*****

Sharon looked up from the transaction she was doing to see the man striding in. From the determined and set look on his face, she knew he would not be easy to get rid of.

Forcing a smile for the customer, she handed over the items and bade him a pleasant rest of the afternoon.

To his credit, the young man waited until the customer had left before walking to the counter. “I need to see her,” he began without preamble.

“She does not want to see you and neither do I.” She told him coldly.

“I need a chance to explain.” His face was set. “And I am not leaving until I do. Where is she?”

“She’s not here.”

“Mr. Moretti…”

“I took my mother’s maiden name when I left the country five years ago. Please.” He gestured to the sofa. “If I have to become a fixture then so be it, but I am not leaving until you both hear me out.”

Sharon recognized the unshakable resolve and knew he meant every word.

“As soon I have a customer, you are out.”

“Then I had better start talking then.”

*****

Sadie’s head jerked up when she heard the sound of the door being opened.

“Mom, you didn’t have to…” Her voice tailed off when the achingly familiar figure stepped through the open doorway. Longing turned to burning anger as she watched him close the door and come towards her.

“I suppose breaking and entering is a small thing to you considering your family’s history.”

His mouth tightened at that. “Your mother gave me her code.”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“She did. Call and ask her.” He waved towards her phone that was on the table in front of the sofa. The first look of her took his breath away. She was wearing a thick terry robe, and her eyes were swollen from crying.

There was also a tub of cherry vanilla ice cream on the table. Her legs were curled beneath her, and she looked like a lost little girl. He had done that to her.

“It doesn’t matter. Go away.”

He took several steps that then placed him in front of her and took a seat.

“I need to explain.”

“It’s not going to make any difference.”

“I adore you.”

Ignoring the slow turnover of her heart, she continued to stare out the glass door and remained silent. “I left because I could not tolerate what my family was doing anymore. I was never into what they were into.

And it disgusted me. I only stayed that long because of my mother. I loved her. She and my uncle Graham made things tolerable for me.” He eased out a breath as memories flooded him.

“There are things I cannot talk about, at least not yet. Yes, I was taught to use weapons when I turned six. And I was fascinated by that lifestyle. The women, the drinking, the orgies, the violence, I relished it when I was that age. But then I grew up and noticed things.

Like the way he treated my mother, the way he treated other people. Employees, people who got in their way. And I realized that I did not want to live like that. I started to rebel, and my defiance would bring me beatings and terrible punishments. Will you look at me?”

She turned her head slowly, eyes shimmering with tears.

“I am sorry,” he whispered hoarsely.

“For what? Deceiving me in the first place? For what your family did to my dad? Do you expect me to just accept it and move on?”

“No!” His hands were clasped between his thighs, his expression pleading. “I want to be given a chance. I want you to say that you believe me. I want…” He closed his eyes briefly, before opening them to look at her.

His eyes roved over her face, the moist cheeks, the brightness of her eyes due to tears and he wanted nothing more than to crush her in his arms and never let go. “I want to marry you, build a life with you. I want to prove to you that I am not like that. I never was.”

“I can’t.”

He felt the full weight of depression crushing his chest. “I know I lied by omission…”

“I loved my dad.” The tears were trickling down her cheeks. “He was everything to me and when he died, I could not function. I was devastated. I will always look at you and be reminded of how he died and why.

Your family had tons of money and leaving that apartment building alone would have cost them nothing. They paid us off after; by putting us here!” She looked around the open plan living room with its azure, blue walls, and hardwood floor. “But I would have preferred to have my dad with me.”

“I had nothing to do with it!”

“No, but your name is Moretti, and I am going to be reminded of that every day.” She shook her head. “I can understand a child’s helplessness and the fact that you had no choice but to do what you saw them doing. But I am not going to be comfortable being with you. I am sorry.”

He heard the finality in her voice and knew that there was nothing he could do to dissuade her. He had lost her. Had lost the only woman he would ever love and nothing else mattered anymore.

Rising slowly, he moved forward and hauled her up against him. “I adore you.” He whispered harshly. “And I would do anything to erase the past, anything to make you happy. No one is ever going to love you the way I do.”

His hands cupped her face, and he lifted it to his. “No one.” His lips crushed hers and she did not resist. She couldn’t. She needed his touch, the feel of his mouth on hers. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she realized that this was goodbye.

Her heart was breaking. She had no idea how to go on without him, but she had to. She could not live with him knowing the truth. Her fingers curled into his jacket as she went on her toes and returned the passionate kiss with an ardency that shook him to the very core.

But then he ended the kiss and pushed her away from him. He stood there staring at her for a minute, before turning on his heels and walking out of her life.

Collapsing back in the sofa, she buried her face in the cushion and sobbed as if her heart was breaking.

*****

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes.” He clipped.

“When?”

“In a few days.” Gary turned to face his uncle. After he left her home, he had gone straight to the site where construction was already underway. And then he had come back to his place.

“The community center…”

“We have an exceptionally good crew dealing with and I can monitor it while I am away. There is nothing here for me anymore.” Walking over to the cabinet, he poured two glasses of scotch and handed one to him. “I will tell the old man goodbye before I leave.”

“You are running away again.”

Gary sent him a sardonic glance. “Damn right.”

“Give her time…”

“To do what exactly? To hate me more? To find someone else?” He shook his head. “She hates the name and unfortunately I cannot change who I am.” He shrugged and took a sip of his drink. “It was not meant to be. I loved and lost, eventually I will get over it.”

“Will you?” A smile ghosted His uncle’s lips. “If you manage to do that, let me know the remedy. I have been in love with one woman all my life and not even death has been able to cure me of it.”

“Thanks for the encouragement.” He walked over to the hearth and stood there staring into the fireplace. “I tried. I went down frigging memory lane where I never wanted to go and tried to explain everything.

She still would not believe me. Still told me no and that she wanted me out of her life. I tried. I would have gone down on my knees and begged, but I was not given that chance.” He took another sip. “So, I am leaving, because being in the same county, the same state, the same country as her is going to be too painful.

I guess it is my just dessert. I have been with so many women that I lost track of all of them. I thought I was damn invincible when it comes to affairs of the heart. And one look at her and I was down.” He smiled grimly. “Poetic justice, I suppose.”

“Gary…”

“No.” He shot his drink and relished the burning sensation first in his throat and then his belly. Maybe he would get drunk enough to sleep. “My mind is made up. Lock up when you leave.”

*****

She somehow managed to function, barely. Her mother had accepted his explanations and chided her for not doing the same.

“Honey, he loves you. And he is suffering. You both are.”

“I can’t be with him.”

But as the days dragged on, she felt as if he had taken her heart with him. She had to force herself to carry on. The shop that had brought so much joy to her was like an albatross around her neck. It took effort for her to get out of bed and going through the day, felt like she was wading through quicksand.

The nights were the worst. She could not sleep and felt him inside her at odd times. He had not called her, and she was telling herself that she was grateful. But it was a lie.

December crept in slowly and it was a few days after he had confronted her at home that she looked up when the bell chimed and felt her heart drumming inside her chest.

For a second, she thought it was him, the resemblance was there, the same shade of hair and eyes, but Gary was more handsome. They were of the same lofty height and the intense way of looking at a person.

The shop was empty, and she was curled on the sofa, trying to concentrate on some paperwork.

“My name is Graham Moretti. No, please don’t get up.” He moved over to sit on the sofa facing her. “He was right, you are exquisite.” A gentle smile touched his lips.

“Mr. Moretti…”

“Please call me, Graham, I understand you don’t have a liking for the name.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s leaving.”

“Leaving?”

“Yes.” The man stared at her closely. “You have made quite an impression on him, I’m afraid.”

“He’s going back to Italy.”

“Yes. Look, he is not aware that I am here. I have seen him suffer as a child and I cannot bear to see him go through hell again. This is even worse. He needs you.”

She looked away and fought the tears.

“You don’t understand.”

“I am afraid I do. He might not have told you the entire story.” He waited until she was looking at him again. “I was in love with his mother. We all were. All three brothers. But I was the one who loved her the most.

She was promised to my brother because he was the eldest and it was more of a business transaction. A combination of mutual interests.” His mouth twisted slightly as he began to tell her the sordid details.