Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(55)

“Lennox,” Luca said, patting Lennox’s shoulder. “Long time. Sorry about your wife.”

Lennox stood taller. “Has it been that long? Thank you. We need to catch up. How’s Gabriella?”

“She’s good. We have a son.”

“You do?” Lennox answered as he pulled a chair closer to the grouping. “Congratulations. I am out of it. What’s his name?”

“Carmine.”

Lennox and I nodded.

“How old?” I asked.

“Only six months.”

I turned to Vincent. “You’re a grandfather. Congratulations.”

“You?” he asked me as Lennox shifted in his chair.

“No.”

Vincent leaned forward. “They’re better than having your own. You can spoil them and hand them back.”

I took a deep breath, thinking of a million responses, none of which Lennox wanted to hear. As the silence grew, I said, “This has been nice. We should do it more often.”

It was total bullshit, but the pause in conversation made me uncomfortable. I was used to being the man on the other side. I made the awkward silence—I didn’t suffer through it.

Luca sat again by his father. “You were just talking about Eva’s patient. I missed the name.”

Before Lennox could speak, I jumped in. “I didn’t offer… but I should have. Her name is Chelsea, Chelsea Moore.”

I had to give my son credit. He didn’t flinch, not a sigh, or even a blink. Maybe he did understand more than I thought.

“And what happened to this Chelsea Moore?” Vincent asked.

Lennox shook his head. “She got the shit beat out of her. She’s scared to death and has the bruises to show for it.”

Both Vincent and Luca sat forward. “And you know for sure who hurt this woman?”

Lennox nodded. “I know for sure.”





“THE SECURITY?” VINCENT questioned. “You’re concerned for this woman’s safety.” He eyed me up and down. “Surely the Lennox Demetri I remember can handle the situation?”

“I’d like nothing better.”

“As I said,” Oren interjected, “I’m the one who called. I’m the one who asked for help. The girl was employed by a company under the Demetri umbrella. If the connection were to be made public, it could affect Demetri Enterprises.” My father tilted his head toward me. “Lennox is capable. It’s the repercussions I’m trying to avoid.”

“This woman?” Luca asked. “Is she special?”

“As a friend, nothing more,” I answered truthfully.

“You see, not worth jeopardizing our good name or that of our company.”

Vincent pressed his lips together and sat back, eyeing Oren and me back and forth. “What company?”

I wasn’t sure where my father was going with this, but I hated the damn company. I was more than willing to have it implode. Fuck, I’d light the match and warm my hands over the blaze. I just didn’t want Chelsea, Patrick, or Cy to be left in the ashes. “Infidelity. I was the one who got Demetri involved. I even played a part in getting this woman the job. I should have called you for help, not Oren. It’s my doing that got us here. Thank you for your assistance.”

Though Vincent seemed to be mulling over my answer, Luca nodded. “Infidelity, the website? Was she one of their models?”

“Not exactly,” Oren replied, his eyes narrowing my direction.

“Yet,” Vincent asked, “her safety is important enough for you to bring her here, to ask for my men to help keep her secure? I’m sensing more.”

Before I could speak, my father leaned forward. “I made a promise. I keep my promises. I pay my debts and my share. Just as I have in the past.”

“My father may have asked,” I interjected, “but only because he could. Vincent, we haven’t spoken in too long. I’ve neglected my family, you, and Luca. And even so, here you are. Your men are outside my doors. My father asked and you came. Thank you. It’s time for me to take responsibility for myself and recognize the ways you’ve helped me.”

My gaze met Luca’s. There were too many unspoken acknowledgments.

“No, Lennox,” Oren protested, “I called.”

I turned back to Vincent. “May I?”

“Call?” Vincent asked. “Of course! You’re family. Angelina’s boy. Her pride and joy. We’re here for you as it should be—as you are for us.”

“No—”

Vincent’s hand rose. “Oren, let the man talk. It appears that finally he has become one.”

I couldn’t look at Oren. I knew this wasn’t what he wanted, but at the same time, he’d broken free of the Costellos. They were my blood, my family. I couldn’t let Charli’s family be the reason he was dragged back. No matter what history he had with Charli’s mother, Charli was my responsibility.

“You’re dating?” Luca asked.

“I am.”

He nodded. “I’ve seen pictures. I recall one from Central Park.”

My stomach suddenly twisted. “Wrong place, wrong time.”

“Ten millimeter. Most likely shot from a Glock 20. Automatic with a magazine that holds fifteen rounds, yet only one shot was fired.”