20. Chapter 20

twenty

Athena

I knew better than to have Lucas conscious if I wanted to actually make it to my interview with Carlo and Angelo Morelli. Plus, he was sleeping so peacefully I couldn’t bear to disturb him even I planned on staying in bed with him.

So I quietly gathered my clothes and tiptoed out the bedroom door, holding the knob at an angle to it wouldn’t so much as click when it closed behind me. I climbed carefully down the stairs to use the first floor bathroom without waking Lucas.

Then I hurried through a shower, keeping my hair out of the spray so I didn’t have to use a loud hair dryer, pulling on a professional looking dark gray power blazer with a matching pencil skirt, a pale green button-up tucked in underneath.

I paused at my hair. I had intended to straighten the waves back out to keep the hair style consistent with my first interview, but my flat iron was up in the second-floor bathroom. I made a face to myself, then opted for a bun, using several pins to hold the thick waves in place. Another day of windblown and wild weather and my curls would be back in full force, overly hair-sprayed bun or no.

I had a moment of doubt as I held the handle of the front door. I could just imagine what Lucas would say if he knew I was going out to meet with the Morellis: “We had plans to work this shit out together this morning” or “It’s too dangerous, Athena. Come back to bed and let me make you scream again.”

My moment of doubt briefly morphed into a moment of lust when I remembered how creative Lucas could be when he set his mind to it, tongue and fingers exploring in ways I never imagined would be a turn on.

But Imaginary Lucas was right in his other point as well, and that brought me out of the daydream. It was way too dangerous. I hadn’t cared about the danger last week. A week ago the only person left in my life was Martin the Cheating Bastard Neighbor Guy. And risking death with only one friend to my name might have been a little sad, but it wasn’t totally pathetic because I would be bringing my mom’s killers to justice.

Dying because I was doing something stupid and reckless when I had a man like Lucas lying naked in my bed was another thing entirely. Was it worth the risk?

I gave the thought a minute to percolate in my brain before closing the door firmly behind me, turning the key to lock the deadbolt behind me.

I needed to finish what I started. We needed more evidence, and there had to be physical notes, calendars, receipts, something that tied Mom’s death to the Morelli crime syndicate. I needed to be in that office unrestricted. And the only way for any evidence I found to be permitted in court was to come across it in a legal way. I couldn’t just commit a B&E if I wanted my evidence to see the light of day in trial.

I was just pulling up across the street from the office when my phone rang. I glanced up to where I had it mounted on the dash and saw it was Lucas calling. It felt like ages ago that I looked him up saved his phone number—for emergencies only, of course—but those ten numbers had only been programmed in my phone for less than a week.

In another life he’d be calling to wish me luck on my interview. It felt right to have his name splashed across my screen, but now was not the right time to get into it with him. I sent the call to voicemail.

After putting the car in park, I pulled the phone onto my lap, sending Lucas’s second and third calls to voicemail as well and feeling guilty as sin. Then I put the phone on silent because a ringing phone during an interview would be unprofessional and I needed to nail this interview.

Lucas would be pissed at first, but the sexy matching thong and pushup lingerie I was wearing under my staid business attire would go a long way in ensuring he didn’t stay mad for long. I felt warmth flood my belly at the memories from last night and how Lucas might want to punish me for being a bad girl. Instead of focusing on Lucas and his big, thick hand spanking me again, I turned on the voice recording app on the phone, stuffed it back in my purse, and stepped out of the car with one final deep breath.

I felt like a robot. Stand up. Close door. Press lock button on key fob. Take step and step and step and step until I crossed the street .

I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to smile and shake hands or make jokes with these men, but I needed to. I smoothed out my stiff motions as I stepped up onto the sidewalk in front of the office, forcing a bright smile onto my face as I pulled the front door open.

Carlo peeked his head out of his office at my entrance.

“Ah, Angelo, she is here. Welcome back, Ms. Kane,” he greeted me, coming forward. “How was your drive?”

“Uneventful,” I chirped, winking conspiratorially. “The best kind in San Francisco traffic.”

He laughed, putting a hand on the small of my back as he led me a few steps farther into the office.

My feet paused when I saw the mess at the reception desk: the computer screen smashed in, pens and other office supplies scattered everywhere. “What happened here? I know you said you were looking for a new secretary. Did you already find and scare away a new hire?” I tried to joke.

The smile stayed on Carlo’s face, but the edges looked a little strained. “Ah, yes. More like Angelo’s temper scared her away. He’s less genteel than I am, I’m afraid.”

“I’d noticed.” I pretended we were sharing an inside joke, my eyes over-wide as I feigned a grave tone of voice.

He laughed, his hand urging me forward again. “But you don’t seem easily scared—”

“Nope,” I confirmed, but stayed in place. There were a few papers and notes scattered across the desk and I tried to inspect them unobtrusively. I didn’t imagine it would be this easy to find evidence, but a girl could hope.

“So I don’t see that as an impediment for you. Shall we head back?”

I heard Angelo moving around in the back office, but didn’t see him yet. Carlo was completely right: everything I’d read implied that his younger brother was impatient, quick to anger, and difficult to please. If I wanted this job I had to do as they wanted.

I allowed Carlo to lead me a few paces more. As we approached the back room I finally saw a glimpse inside. Angelo was sitting at his desk, leaning back in his chair. He had the calmest demeanor I’d ever seen on him. He looked almost pleased to see me. For some reason the friendly expression looked scarier than his usual quiet aggression.

I returned the smile, offering a small wave as we got closer. Angelo’s eyes shined brightly with anticipation and my steps faltered again. What was he expecting to happen? Carlo’s hand on my back slid tighter around me, almost gripping my waist as he urged me onward.

“Come along, Athena,” said the spider to the fly.

My eyes stared straight ahead, and I saw a flash of bright green cloth in the crack that appeared between the open door and the wall, as if Angelo had a shirt hung up behind his door.

I stopped again when I caught sight of the coat rack standing just beside his desk, a normal black blazer hanging from it. What was that green thing behind his door?

I stiffened my spine, every instinct ingrained in me telling me not to go into that office. But what excuse could I give without blowing my chances ?

Carlo could feel my reluctance, his grip on my waist tightening as he moved behind me, his other hand just touching my shoulder blades when the front door to the office burst open.

I jumped away from Carlo, eyes darting to the door. I was grateful for the disturbance until I saw who burst in.

What the fuck was Lucas doing here? I fought to keep the anger off my face, waiting for him to explain himself, but he wasn’t even looking at me.

He was staring straight at Carlo Morelli, his FBI identification already held up.

“Sorry to interrupt your morning, Mr. Morelli, but I’m Lucas Blake with the FBI.”

“I know exactly who you are, Agent Blake,” Carlo said, all traces of politeness gone from his demeanor. “How can I assist you today?”

“We have a warrant out for the arrest of your nephew, Antonio Conti, and understand you may be in contact with him. Have you spoken to him lately?”

Lucas was avoiding my gaze, and a good thing, too. How dare he barge in here! How could he ruin this for me? My mother deserved justice in the same way his mother deserved the truth. Why was it okay for him to search out information for his mom, but not me for mine?

“Not since Tuesday morning,” Carlo said. He no longer had a grip on me, but I still felt entirely too close to him.

“Are you sure about that?” Lucas asked, taking a few steps closer. I heard a noise from Angelo’s office, but didn’t dare turn my head to look .

“I’m very sure. I admit to being a little disappointed about that, as I promised his mother I’d look after him while he was in town, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint her. You know how the youth are these days: always doing their own thing.”

“Right,” Lucas said, approaching us with a business card held out. Carlo stepped forward to intercept him and accept the card. “Please give me a call if you hear from him.”

“I certainly will.”

“Ma’am?” Lucas said, finally addressing me. I snapped my eyes up to meet his. “May I ask you a few questions?”

What the hell was he playing at? Why did he feel he had to control every situation? I crossed my arms, getting ready to deny him, but his eyes…Those eyes weren’t hard. They weren’t aggressive or taunting.

His beautiful hazel eyes were begging me to trust him and I caved.

“I’m sure I know nothing of interest to you, Agent.” But I still sidestepped Carlo’s raised arm and walked toward the exit with Lucas. “And I hope you’re aware that I don’t need to answer any of your questions without counsel present.”

“I’m very aware of your rights, ma’am,” Lucas intoned, hand across my shoulders as he opened the office door allowing us to exit. “You’re not under arrest, but your cooperation is appreciated.”

I turned back to Carlo and held a finger up, mouthing that this would just take one minute.

Once we were outside, the door closed behind us, I whispered to Lucas, “What the hell are you doing? ”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he hissed back, walking me quickly across the street. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle, his hand shifting to hold my arm in a vice grip.

I glanced back at the office, wondering if they were looking and could see the change in Lucas’s demeanor. Carlo looked pissed, throwing his arms dramatically up in the air as he bemoaned my absence. Angelo came out of his office looked apoplectic, glaring straight out the window at us, even as he gestured at something in the direction he came.

And right before Lucas steered me out of sight, I saw that flash of bright green again, clearly a brightly colored shirt, an arm covered in a mish-mash of tattoos appearing out of the sleeve.

Jesus Christ. Leo Lombardi was waiting in the back room the whole time.

They didn’t call me in for an interview, I was there to be killed.