Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(54)

I doubted I’d be afforded the same concession.

“Eva,” I said, nodding toward her, “has been a tremendous help as I’m sure you understand.”

Vincent shook his head. “No, Oren, I don’t. We spoke, you and I, but I don’t really know what’s happening. When Luca here told me that Eva was staying with you, well, for her father’s sake, I offered to learn why.”

Eva huffed at the mention of her father. “My father could have called me.”

I smiled her direction. This wasn’t about her. She was his excuse. “Thank you, Eva. We seem good. Are you staying longer?”

“I want to check—”

“The patient,” I interjected, keeping Adelaide’s name out of the equation.

“Yes. And then I’ll decide.”

“Is someone ill?” Vincent asked. “Tell me it isn’t Lennox or Silvia.”

I shook my head. “It isn’t.” I extended my arm toward the long living room that separated the front door from the back hallway. “Please, come with me to the office. We can talk.”

Each step resonated in the silence as we crossed the floor. As we neared the door to the office, Luca spoke. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. It hasn’t changed.”

Though the sun had set, the lights near the pool deck were on. Beyond the pool and lawn, the sound appeared as black as ink, a span of nothingness bordered by a horizon of lights as across the water Long Island shone in all of its glory.

“It hasn’t changed, not much,” I agreed. “Not since Angelina left us… and then Jocelyn,” I added, realizing as I spoke that I rarely said or heard her name since her death. “As you know, I’m not here often.”

“Lennox?” Vincent asked.

My skin crawled at the sound of my son’s name on his lips.

“Memories. You understand. He spends most of his time in the city.”

“Brooklyn,” Vincent said. “That’s where he belongs.”

His words twisted my already-knotted stomach.

I opened the door to the office and motioned for them to enter. “He belongs with Demetri Enterprises. It requires most of his time.”

Near the windows overlooking the pool were a leather sofa and chair. It didn’t surprise me that they both sat on the sofa. The windows were behind them with another wall of windows to their side. The door was in front of them. They knew enough about this house to know that the windows were bulletproof. Besides, ninety percent of the security on the grounds was Vincent’s men. They were as safe as babies in a cradle with their back to the window. Watching the door for whomever I had in the house was more of their concern.

“And yet there have been reports of him with a new woman. His time appears divided.”

I shrugged. “My son doesn’t share much with me.”

Vincent leaned forward. “Shame. That’s what families should do—share.” His round head rolled on his wide neck. “It’s what I did when you asked.”

I took the chair opposite them. “Thank you.”

“You were in a hurry during our call,” Vincent said, “but for family, I was happy to help. How long do you think you’ll need my men?”

The air burned my lungs with each inhale.

Quid pro quo. Did a day equal a year?

I sat tall and met his gaze. “Vincent, as I said on the phone, this is between us. Lennox isn’t involved. He’ll be here in a minute, but the debt is mine.”

Luca stood and walked to the windows facing the pool. With his back to us, he said, “I haven’t seen my cousin in years and he couldn’t meet us at the door?”

“I asked him to do me a favor.”

“You seem to be in the asking mood a lot lately.” Vincent leaned back against the sofa and unbuttoned his jacket. “Which is interesting, considering we haven’t spoken in what…? Help me remember, Oren. My memory isn’t what it was.”

“It’s been a few years.”

“A few?”

“It was after Angelina’s passing.” Hell, I couldn’t give him the exact date. Did he think I had it circled in red on a calendar in my drawer?

He nodded. “How is business? Is there a problem, a concern? Is that the reason for the added security?”

Before I could answer, Luca turned. “Who’s ill?”

Shit!

“Excuse me?”

“Eva is an excellent doctor with a sharp tongue,” Vincent said. “She has patients of her own and yet here she is in your home.”

The door opened and just as quickly shut.

“My home and welcome.”

I didn’t need to turn to know Lennox was the latest addition to our family gathering. I hadn’t had the chance to brief him about not saying the name Montague or Collins. I should have, but I didn’t expect the personal visit. I didn’t brief Lennox because if I had, he would have asked questions. Explaining the Collins connection that Vincent and I shared wasn’t on my list of things to do.

Lennox came forward, offering his hand. With a hardy shake, he greeted his family. “Vincent. Luca.”

He and Luca exchanged a prolonged stare as they shook. No matter what had happened or would in the future, having both of these young men healthy and strong and shaking hands was a blessing, one that I hoped Vincent recognized. It could have all changed one night, long ago, in Jersey.