Devious Little Lies (4 page)

Chapter Six

After the news that Mario delivered, Rena was in no mood to go to her boutique. No doubt her manager, Ashley, could handle whatever came up at Distinction
.
The boutique had been a wedding gift from Tony. For a fairly reasonable price, her patrons had access to vintage clothing and shoes as well as the latest in designer fashions. Distinction
had become one of the must see places to visit in Paradise and Rena was proud of it, but like everything in her life, it served a purpose. Money was laundered through every week.

Rena didn’t complain. She considered it doing her part and a small price to pay for the luxurious lifestyle she lived. No one ever made it to the top without getting down and dirty. If they said any differently then they were lying. And although she wasn’t boasting from the ceilings that her business laundered money for her husband’s illegal business, it did provide her with extra money to use towards a cause near and dear to her heart, R.O.W., short for Raising Our Women. Rena had started the foundation when Tony was first sentenced, figuring it would her keep busy.

But over the years she’d really come to love it. The foundation assisted young women from the age of fourteen to twenty-five with everything from funding for college, counseling, and the honing of extracurricular skills that could lead them to become entrepreneurs. Over the years, Rena had been able to assist some wonderful young ladies. R.O.W. was the least she could do to try to give others a better start than she had growing up. That was for damn sure.

The bedside telephone rang, drawing Rena’s attention. Before she answered she checked the caller ID. When she recognized the number she rolled her eyes. She was tempted to let it go to voicemail, but she would only be wasting her time. The caller on the other end was persistent and annoying in the most tedious of ways. Rena picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Have you talked to my dad?”

No pleasantries. No “how are you doing”. Just straight to the chase.
Bitch.
It was a good thing that there was considerable distance between them.

“Nicole, always a pleasure,” Rena said.

“Yeah, whatever. My dad?”

“As a matter of fact I visited him yesterday.”

“Well, I need to talk to him.”

“Is there something in particular you need?”

“Why the twenty questions? He’s still my dad,” Nicole said in the nasally voice of a whiney child.

“I never said he wasn’t. I’ll make sure that I tell him to call you next time I speak to him.”

“Thanks.”

The distinctness of the dial tone greeted Rena. One day she was going to have it out with her stepdaughter. She’d had her limit of Nicole treating her like the evil stepmother. From Tony’s previous marriage he had three daughters and at twenty-eight, Nicole was the oldest. She was also the one who despised Rena the most. The way Nicole told it, her stepmother was just a dirty Vegas gold-digger who’d hoodwinked her father into marriage, the complete opposite of the dearly departed Giovanna, a saint among women.

Giovanna, Tony’s first wife, had been a pure bred Italian from an influential New York family. Rena, on the other hand, had no idea who her birth father was and no real idea what racial heritage her own mother had been. A princess and a peasant. Not easy to guess which one Nicole thought was a better match for her father.

Thank goodness Tony’s other daughters didn’t take after their eldest sister. Twenty-five-year-old Audrianna was finishing up her last year in law school and didn’t have time for anyone or anything but getting prepared to take the bar. Rena had no idea if Audrianna had any interest in working for her father, but even if she didn’t, at least she was going to be self-sufficient and able to provide for herself no matter what. The same couldn’t be said for Nicole who’d graduated with a liberal arts degree and did nothing but live off her father’s money.

And then there was twenty-two-year-old Caprice, affectionately called “Capri.” Rena’s youngest stepdaughter was a seventy’s hippie trapped inside an Italian Mafia Princess’s body. A firm vegan who believed in protesting to save the earth and whatever other cause was on her heart at the moment, Capri was in a class by herself. Of Tony’s girls, Rena was closest to Capri who routinely called to see how she was doing, unlike her sisters.

Nicole’s call made Rena wish to see or hear from her own daughter, Tricia. When she’d married Tony, her daughter had not been particularly happy about the marriage. Although Rena had done her best to shield her ten-year-old daughter from what Tony did for a living, Tricia had always been exceptionally intuitive. Needless to say, between Tricia disliking her stepfather being a mob boss and the pressure she’d faced having Rena as a mother, Tricia had a tough go of things.

As soon as her daughter had turned eighteen she’d moved out on her own and started nursing school. Though Rena had offered to finance her daughter’s education, Tricia had turned her down. Applying for scholarships and working when she wasn’t in school, her daughter was doing things on her own and Rena couldn’t be more proud of Tricia. Though they didn’t see each other as much as Rena would’ve liked, she couldn’t have asked for a better daughter. She’d have to call Tricia soon and check on her.

Rena glanced at the clock. It should be time for her daily phone call. She counted to ten under her breath and just as she reached one, the phone rang right on schedule. She picked up the phone and listened to the all too familiar automated message. After a minute, she pressed one and then a gruff voice came on the line.

“Is it handled?”

“Nice to hear your voice too, Tony.”

“Come on, Rena. That goes without saying.”

“Whatever. It’s handled.”

“Any kickback?”

“The usual stuttering and refusal to take responsibility. But at least Victor has a valid excuse.”

“I’d like to know what the fuck that is.”

“His father’s sick. End stage cancer.”

“What kind?”

“I don’t know. Didn’t ask. But I passed along the message.”

“I can always count on you. I love you, Rena.”

She ignored her husband’s latter remark. She was not in the mood for sentimentalities today.

“Tony, a new package is coming in.”

Tony was quiet on the other end of the phone and then he exploded.

“What did you just say?”

“A new package is coming in,” Rena repeated. She needed Tony to understand exactly what she was saying.

“We got a name?”

“No, but we’re going to find out. I put the word in.”

“This is the last fucking thing I need right now. I’m already dealing with enough shit,” Tony said.

“I agree with you. That’s why I think it’s time to restack the deck.”

“How?”

“Every court needs a king and a queen, but when the king is indisposed, the queen does what needs to be done.”

“Rena, are saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes.”

Tony laughed. He full on laughed as if Rena had just told a joke. A muscle throbbed in her neck.

“I’m glad you think this is so funny.”

“Rena, baby, you know how things are. What you’re proposing is absurd. It will never fly,” Tony said.

“Don’t talk to me like a simpleton. I’ve been in this long enough to know how things work. And right now, the king is out of commission and his soldiers are not falling in line.”

“Once the face to face happens, things will get back on track or heads will roll.”

“Put up or shut up. Idle threats are no longer enough. You need to take action.”

“Rena, what the fuck can I do from in here? Huh?”

“The queen protects her king. Always.”

“They’d eat you alive.”

“Is that how little faith you have?”

“Shaking a house too much can cause it to fall.”

“And not making changes causes stagnancy.”

“I’m between a rock and a hard place, Rena.”

“Do you doubt my loyalty?”

Tony scoffed. “Of course not.”

“Then give the order. The results might surprise you.”

Rena couldn’t understand what Tony’s problem was. Their Camelot was in trouble and he had no Lancelot to ride to his rescue to save it. All he had was her, his Guinevere. She wasn’t foolish enough to think that it would be easy, but for years she’d watched from the sidelines, observing and taking notes, but never participating. But there was a time and place for everything and now was her time if her husband would allow it.

“Fine.”

She tried to keep the excitement from her voice. “Are you sure?”

“No, but what other choice do I have?”

“You won’t be sorry.”

“It’s not going to be easy like you think.”

“I’m not afraid to bust balls. You know that.”

“Indeed I do.”

“You have one minute left,” the automated voice broke in.

“Quick wrap up. Call Nicole. She asked about you.”

“What did she want?”

“I don’t know. Probably money. Oh and don’t forget to spread the word.”

“I won’t. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Rena said. And then she hung up.

It was done. He’d given her the okay. She could hardly believe how easily he gave in. Rena had thought that it would take more than one conversation, but she’d heard the weariness in her husband’s voice. Tony was tired and rapidly losing control. She was his contact to the outside and it seemed now that he realized he had no choice but to put his trust in her. With a smile on her face, Rena rose from the comfort of her white lounge chair. Crossing her bedroom, she stood in front of the painting Tony had commissioned of them. He sat in a throne of brilliant gold while she stood to his side, hand on his shoulder.

Yes indeed. A king and his queen. Rena removed the painting from the wall and sat it down. A black safe faced her. She remembered the numbers and quickly turned the dial until it opened. Inside were passports and everything required for a new identity, including the numbers to offshore Cayman and Swiss bank accounts. But Rena didn’t need that now. Sitting towards the very front of the safe was a silk-covered black box about the size of two men’s hands. She took it out and closed the safe. Leaving the picture down, she put the box on her bed and opened it.

Her hands caressed what the box held inside. A white pearl and diamond-studded pistol. The steel gleamed, shining perfectly. Another gift from Tony on their wedding day. She’d used it only once, but she was prepared to use it again if the situation called for it. Her days as just the beautiful wife on the sidelines were about to bite the dust. Rena was going to protect Camelot and her king. No matter what it took she would not lose.

Chapter Seven

“I’ve never seen a sight so beautiful.”

Rena turned and found him standing in front of her. There was no place for her to hide. “You aren’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”

Tony shook his head as he walked closer to her. From underneath her veil she regarded him. Today he was sin made flesh. She couldn’t remember a time he’d looked so handsome. Rena tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

“I don’t believe in that shit.”

“Why not?” she asked as his hands slipped around her waist.

“Life is what you make of it. Make your own destiny. Allow nothing to get in your way.”

“Hmm, I guess I like that approach.”

“You should. You’re marrying it.”

Rena shook her head. “No, I’m not.”

“You’re not?”

“I’m marrying a man.”

“A man you love?”

The look in his eyes was soft and entreating. She’d seen glimpses of this side of Tony before, but never the vulnerability she was seeing now. Tony was from the old school where men kept their emotions in check. Letting someone in, especially a woman, didn’t happen. But here he was before her, ten minutes from when she was supposed to walk down the aisle, seeking reassurance that she loved him. She wanted to give him that.

Her hand touched his cheek. “Very much.”

He smiled then and reached for her veil, but she slapped his hand away.

“Come on. I can’t get a peek?” A smile played across his face.

“You’ve already gotten more than a peek as it is. You’ve broken enough protocols already,” she reminded him.

He dropped his hand. “I just had to be sure you weren’t having second thoughts.”

“And why would you be worried about that?”

“There’s a few reasons.”

Rena was surprised by the line of questioning that Tony had initiated. He was one of the most confident men she’d ever met. Probably the most confident, so for him to be so vulnerable now was throwing her for a loop. Taking his hand, she lead him to the two white chairs inside her dressing room. He took a seat and Rena sat in his lap.

“Okay. Tell me what’s eating at you.”

“I just want you to be sure. I’m not an easy man to get along with sometimes. I’m hard and when it comes to certain things I’m unforgiving. There’s going to be times when you don’t agree with some of the things I do.”

She stopped him. “So far everything you’ve said could apply to me as well.”

“Fair enough, but when it comes to my professional life, things can get a little dicey to say the least.”

“Tony, I’m not some naïve girl. I know who you are. I know what you do. I know what I’m getting into.”

“Do you, Rena? Really? Giovanna, she didn’t like the lifestyle. We grew apart before she died. I don’t want that to happen to us.”

“Look, I’m not some pampered princess like your wife was. My life has been hard. I’ve been through some shit and I can handle anything that comes my way. Stop trying to scare me off because it’s not working.”

Tony shook his head. “When you talk like that, I really believe we can make it. That together you and I can have something that no one can break.”

“I would think so considering you proposed after six months of dating. I’d hope you’d have that kind of faith.”

“I just thought it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t give you one last chance to walk away.”

Wrapping her arms around Tony’s neck, Rena pressed her veiled forehead against his. “From this day forth, you are my king and I will be your queen. You have my loyalty and my love. Never doubt that.”

“I love you so much, Rena. I promise I’m going to be a good husband to you. Better than I was to Giovanna. I know things with my girls aren’t going to be easy but in time they will accept you. And I’m going to give Tricia everything. You don’t have to worry anymore, Rena. Those days are over. I promise.”

She leaned back and looked at him. It had been a long time since she’d trusted a man. For so long she’d kept her guard up just like Tony had. It took a lot for her to let people in, so when she did, it was for keeps. And she was ready to let Tony in. To put down her guard and give their marriage one thousand percent because she knew at the end of the day this was the right decision for her. Her little girl would finally have a stable male figure in her life. Rena knew nothing could make up for Tricia’s biological father not being there for her, but Tony had already welcomed her child with open arms.

And besides that Rena loved him and she believed he really loved her. Maybe she was being a bit naïve considering all the crap she’d gone through with Tricia’s father and the few other men she’d dealt with. But without risk there was no reward. She was going to take a leap of faith and pledge her love and loyalty to a man who had promised to give her the world, even though he was all that she needed.

“I believe you. Now get your sexy ass out of here before you make us late and have people wondering what the hell is up.”

With a smile Rena got up from his lap and smoothed out any possible wrinkles that might have formed on the expensive Italian silk. Tony stood and looked at her. It was the look of a man who’d won the ultimate prize. She hoped that expression never left his face.

“I’m about to marry a goddess. Damn, I’m a lucky man.”

“Indeed you are. Just wait until the honeymoon.”

Tony rubbed his hands together. “It’s good being a man who always gets what he wants.”

A retort sprang to her lips, but only laughter came out. He winked at her before he departed. Alone, Rena released a breath and stared at herself in the full-length mirror. Tony was right in more ways than one. She did look like a goddess. Italian lace and crystals galore. She was a vision. A vision with no father to walk her down the aisle. She pushed the thought from her mind. Nothing was going to spoil her day.

Rena had thought Tony was crazy when he told her that she was going to be his wife when they first met, but against all odds he’d won her over. She couldn’t have fought harder against him if she tried. But she was through fighting now. It was time to put down her sword because she was about to get married.

* * * * *

It had been a long time since she thought about the day she took her vows and became Tony’s wife. Trips down memory lane weren’t something she did. Rena believed in living in the present. Looking back served no purpose other than to remind you of how badly you’d fucked up all over again. But things were different now, at least she wanted to believe that. After all, her husband was about to go against centuries of tradition and trust her to look after his business.

In their lifestyle women were either pretty housewives to hang on their husband’s arm or kept
puttanas
in case a husband got bored with his wife. But under no circumstances was a woman involved in “the business”. Rena knew what a big deal it was for Tony to admit that things were getting beyond his control. That was why she had to prove to him that she could handle things.

Who knew? Maybe this obstacle would be what it took to put their marriage back on track. It was a foolish thought, she knew. There were so many issues and past hurts that she and Tony had to work out, but as long as there remained a spark of love between them, she could always hope.

“The streets sure are busy today.”

Rena glanced at the front mirror. Cesare was chauffeuring her today in the Rolls Royce. Despite all the power and respect her last name commanded, she was usually not one for all the pomp and circumstance that came with being a mafia wife. Rena much preferred to drive herself where she needed to go. Most of the time Cesare was only with her when she went out and not all the time at that. As long as she’d been married to Tony, his rule had been relatively peaceful so she’d never felt the need to have full time protection. But maybe now with the unrest brewing it would be more prudent for her to take full advantage of the security at her disposal.

“So I see. We should’ve been to the boutique already.”

“Maybe there’s a convention in town or some of the hotels are having some new shows. You know how tourists are.”

Rena rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

Tourists were one of the worst things about living in Sin City. They were everywhere, all the time. You couldn’t even enjoy your own damn city. The only tradeoff was that they flocked to Rena’s boutique in droves, keeping Distinction
firmly in the black so she couldn’t complain too much.

Cesare shrugged. “It comes with the territory.”

“Indeed, but speaking of territory, while I’m handling things at the boutique today, there are some things I need you to do for me.”

“Name it,” he said glancing in the rearview mirror.

“I need you to set up a meeting for me. Tomorrow. As soon as possible.”

“With who, ma’am?”

“Loyal soldiers. I don’t mean loyal to their
capos
or to Victor. I mean loyal, ready to take a bullet and die for my husband and his family. I need some men hungry and ready to move up the ladder.”

“That can be easily arranged. I know plenty of guys ready to prove themselves to the boss, and between you and I, I’ve heard some grumbling about how some of the
capos
have been handling things.”

Rena smiled. Seeds of discontent had already been sown. All she had to do now was pick the seed most eager to reach the sunlight.

“Well then this is the perfect time for a meeting. Have ten of the guys meet me at the house at ten in the morning. Don’t tell them why I want to see them, just make sure they are there. Oh, and before this afternoon is over with, I want the details on all of the ones you’re inviting. I need to know how long they’ve been working for Tony, who they’re under, and just how ruthless they really are. It’s going to be important for what I have in mind.”

“Consider it done, Boss Lady. Mind telling me what you’ve got planned?”

“No, not yet. You’ll find out at the meeting like the rest of them, although I think you’ve been around me long enough to know something big is brewing.”

“I figured as much.” Cesare laughed and pulled the car into the parking garage behind the boutique. He parked in Rena’s reserved spot and quickly came to open her door. Grabbing her large Chanel satchel, she exited the car and walked behind Cesare as he did a quick scan of the area. Staring at the wide breadth of his shoulders, Rena couldn’t resist teasing him.

“You know one of these days we are going to have to get you married off.”

He nearly faltered a step before he continued walking until they reached the front glass door. As he opened the door and Rena stepped inside she was greeted with instant pandemonium. Patrons were everywhere. Every single register was open and there were lines behind each of them. Rena spotted her manager, Ashley, helping a patron select a dress. When she saw Rena, she quickly excused herself.

“Mrs. Rosetti, I’m so glad you came in today. I have some new ideas I wanted to bounce off you.”

Rena couldn’t help smiling. Competent, intelligent, creative, and a fashionista, Ashley was all the things Rena thought her own daughter would turn out to be. With an M.B.A. in Business and a minor in Fashion Design, Ashley was the perfect person to run Distinction
on a day-to-day basis. Twenty-seven with beautiful brown skin, honey-colored eyes, a blunt bob, and a model’s build, Rena couldn’t understand why the girl was still single.

“You always have ideas. Let’s head to the office and talk.”

“I called in some extra help since we seem to be super busy this morning. Alexa and Janelle should be here in about ten minutes,” she said.

“Not likely with traffic like it is today. It took me forever to get here.”

“I wonder what’s going on in Sin City.”

“Cesare and I were wondering the exact same thing.”

Rena took a seat behind her white desk and Ashley grabbed a large clipboard and portfolio from atop the tall white armoire that was used for storage. Items in hand, her manager took a seat across from her.

“So, what do you have for me today?” Rena asked.

“First on the agenda, your accountant came by and looked over the books. He did his thing and then he left you with a bottom line.”

Ashley slid the black portfolio across the desk to Rena. The true meaning of her words had been received. Bobby Guerico, her accountant had been by to balance the books and launder more money. Ashley was no fool. She knew what went on, but her loyalty was supreme.

“I’ll look over this in a bit. What else did you want to talk about?”

“I know that you said you didn’t want to open boutiques anywhere else, so I was thinking that we make Distinction so exclusive it will be the most talked about boutique out there.”

“Okay, I’m listening. What do you have in mind?”

Ashley put a large three-ring punched stack of papers in front of her. Glancing down, it looked like a business proposal. Another thing for Rena to look over.

“We should start having professional makeovers and hair styling in the boutique. You come in. You pick out some hot new outfits and before you leave you get dolled up and you’re ready for a night on the town in Vegas. Now, there is only one other place doing this within a fifty mile radius of us, so I figure to completely overshadow the competition, each patron that chooses to receive our beauty treatment gets a one-of-a-kind, limited edition dress from your new clothing line.”

“I should’ve known you weren’t giving up on this idea for a fashion line.”

“Boss Lady, I’ve seen some of your sketches. Your ideas are sexy, but not slutty. It’s the type of clothing that can be versatile. With your creativeness and my knowledge of fabrics and the whole business end I really think you can create something that will have everyone talking. And besides, the more exclusive it is, the more people will want it. You know how folks are.”