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“No, Ma.We’ll be done in a few minutes.”
“I’m sorry, you two.I didn’t mean…I heard the water running downstairs, and I came up to jiggle the handle on the…well, it’s been leaking and…”
“It’s okay.Don’t worry about it,” Tony reassured.“Just close the door when you leave.I don’t want Leagh getting cold.”
“Right.”His mom issued a nervous nod before backing out of the room and closing the door.
Tony started to laugh.I shot him an irritated scowl and smacked him on the shoulder.“It’s not funny.”
“Yes, it is,” he chortled.
“You’re just lucky she didn’t walk in on us last night.There’d been no way you could have wiggled out of that one, mister.”
“That’s no lie,” he grinned.“I still wouldn’t have stopped.If she walks in on us tonight, I’m still not stopping.”
Tony’s promise sent a shiver of anticipation snaking down my spine.
Thirty minutes later, we were both clean and dressed and sitting at the kitchen table.Alisa barely made eye contact with either Tony or me as she served up a scrumptious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, and toast.Tony and Vito did their best to fill the awkward silence, but I could tell Alisa was still embarrassed about walking in on us earlier.
I relaxed back in my chair, sipping my second cup of coffee, when Tony’s cell phone rang.Glancing up at him, I worried it might be more bad news.
“Hey, Mika,” Tony greeted.“How’s that little man of yours?”
I smiled, remembering the feel of Tristan in my arms and the smell of his sweet baby fresh skin.
“No,” he replied as I watched his brows furrow.“Yeah, I’ll turn it on right now.Thanks.”
Tony hung up, jumped from his chair, and hastily carried me into the family room.Setting me on the couch, he turned on the television and turned up the volume of a nationally syndicated morning news show.A female reporter prattled on about something, but I wasn’t listening.My attention was riveted to the image of George’s house, fully engulfed in flames, filling the screen.Firefighters and police officers bustled in the artificially lit background like ants.
“What the hell…” I whispered.
The next image that flashed on the screen was a professional family photograph of George, Sloane, and Hayden.As Tony sat next to me, I grabbed his hand.My heart hammered in my chest.Glancing from the TV as Vito and Alisa entered the room, I quickly turned my attention back to the anchorwoman, focusing on her words.
“Officials have still not determined the cause of the fire, but sources close to the investigation say explosives were involved.And with the blast claiming the lives of both his ex-wife, Sloane, and daughter, Hayden, questions about Judge Marston’s multi-billion-dollar estate are being raised.For that, we take you live to Chicago and our on-scene reporter, Sasha Clevenger.Sasha, what can you tell us?”
The blue-eyed, blond newscaster stood in front of George’s burned-out house.Black soot stained the once red brick, and the broken-out windows reminded me of a cold, dead skeleton.A handful of firefighters traipsed in and out of the opening where the front door once stood.
“Unfortunately, officials are being tightlipped about this mysterious explosion, Bianca.Through court records we’ve obtained, we know that Judge Marston’s ex-wife, Sloane, had filed an injunction contesting his will.Some of our sources speculate it might have something to do with his longtime, live-in companion, Leagh Bennett.So far, we’ve been unsuccessful in reaching Ms.Bennett for comment.We do know, however, that she is not a suspect in the explosion at this time.”
My stomach pitched and threatened to purge as I watched a montage of photos spool over the screen.Photos of George and me, together, at several high-dollar political dinners.Pictures I didn’t even know existed were being broadcasted for the whole world to see.
“No.No.No,” I repeated under my breath in horror.
Tony turned and looked at me.His dark eyes filled with fear.The same fear that was crawling through my veins and choking the air from my lungs.Suddenly, a loud knock came from the front door.
“Tony?”I cried.Fear gripped me in a chokehold as I whipped my head toward the door.
“It’s okay,” Vito assured, walking toward the entryway.“The boys are back out there keeping an eye on things, Leagh.They won’t let anyone suspicious near the house.”
“That was anationalnews channel, Tony,” I murmured.“Matt’s going to be able to find me now.”
“Even if he does, I won’t let him hurt you, I swear.”Tony wrapped his arm around my shoulder as I fought the urge to vomit.
James walked into the room, looking first at me, then at the television.“Fuck,” he muttered.“I wanted to get to you before you heard about all this.”
“I’ll make some more coffee,” Alisa announced before darting toward the kitchen.
James and Vito sat across from us as Tony held me close.
