Chapter 4

Stephanie's POV

It took nearly thirty minutes for me to get Luci back to our apartment. Every time I caught a glimpse of the fragile expression on her face I wanted to get my hands on Lester Delgado and strangle the bastard. Of course, I knew that wasn't his real name so I had no hope of finding him unless we ran into him. I'd seen him once and I thought I would recognize him again if I saw him, but it wasn't a sure bet.

From what Luci had told me, the guy seemed too good to be true, so I did what I do best and I tried to find out all I could about him. I'd run into a brick wall when all channels led back to the federal government. Of course, normally that wouldn't matter to me, since I'm what was commonly referred to as a hacker. The only problem was that I'm currently involved in some rather tricky negotiations for my boss and we didn't need the Feds knocking on our door if by some chance they happened to detect my interest.

Pulling into the apartment complex, I smiled wryly as I caught sight of a parking space next to the front of the building. Shaking my head I pulled into the slot and turned off the car. Wouldn't you know it? Even when she was a passenger Luci's luck with parking spots held. Of course, that was only because it was her car—a brand new, black, Chevy Yukon—that I happened to be driving. If it was my car that we were in, the spot by the dumpster would be the only open one available.

I turned to Luci and said, "Come on. I'll help you get this stuff inside and then I have to get back to work."

She turned to look at me but I wondered if it was me she was seeing or some unknown that only she was privy to. I reached over and touched her arm and she jumped. Her gaze sharpened and she took a deep breath. "I hope this baby has blue eyes because I don't ever want to lock eyes with green ones again."

I squeezed her hand for a fraction of a second before releasing her and climbing out. Once again my thoughts went to strangling Lester whoever he was.

Grabbing the bag of goods from the doctor's office, I met Luci at the door and we made our way to the elevator that would take us up to our fifth floor penthouse apartment.

As soon as we were inside the apartment, Luci tossed her bag on the entry table and said, "I'm going to take a shower."

I didn't bother replying but instead headed into the kitchen where I set the bag on the table and reached in for the prescription of vitamins I picked up on our way home. Setting the bottle on the table, I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone to send a text to Alex letting him know that I wouldn't be able to make it back today.

I knew he wouldn't mind because he loved Luci every bit as much as I did and he'd want to know that someone was looking out for her. It was something I'd been doing for the past eight years—ever since she was fifteen and I was twenty-two.

With the text sent off, I headed into the study where I'd set up my home office. I'd no more than gotten sat down and booted up the computer when the doorbell rang. My gaze went to the clock and I groaned. I took a deep breath as I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly who was going to be on the other side of the door when I opened it. Thoughts of pretending I wasn't home entered my mind before I gave up the idea and set the password lock on my computer before making my way to the front door.

I didn't bother looking through the peephole before tumbling the lock so that I could open the door. Just as I suspected, the person on the other side was none other than Joe Morelli. Joe was a detective with the Trenton Police Department and we'd been "dating" for the past six months. Of course, I knew that the only reason he was seeing me was because he thought he could get the goods on Alexander. What he didn't know was that not only was I fully aware of his motives, but that I had my own for agreeing to see him as well.

Eight months ago I'd inadvertently hacked into the police department and found out that things weren't as they appeared. Someone inside the department was using their position to locate potential targets for their customers overseas. I took what I'd learned to Alexander and he'd made some contacts that wanted me to continue gathering as much information as I could.

Everything seemed to be going fine for a couple of months and then I'd noticed that I seemed to have more than just my usual tails. Once again I went to Alexander. He once again made some calls and found out that the police department was aware they'd been hacked, but not much more than that. They thought the breach was due to one of the bosses in the area and were investigating each of them to find the leak.

Two days later, Joe Morelli was knocking on Alexander's door. I was the one to let Joe in and I could tell from the look on his face that he was interested. When the meeting was over, he left his card with me and suggested I give him a call sometime.

I chucked the card in the trash and hadn't planned on giving him another thought until I'd run across an email that Joe sent to his boss, Chief Jerod. In the email he detailed how he believed that by getting close to me, he could find the goods to bring Alexander Ramos down.

I'd been furious at the time and had gone storming into Alexander's office. I grinned as I remembered the crafty smile that crossed Alexander's face as he said, "Feel like turning the tables on them, girlie?"

A slight movement brought me back to the present as I took note of Joe leaning down to kiss me. I turned slightly so that his lips grazed my cheek rather than his intended target of my lips. Even that slight touch made my skin crawl. Not because Joe was a bad person, more that playing this game didn't set well with me. I didn't like using people. Even more than that, I didn't like being used, and I knew that Morelli was using me.

I forced a smile as I looked up at him. "What brings you here?"

There was a slight pause as he let his gaze run over me. "Do I need a reason to visit my girlfriend?"

Crap! Thinking fast I gave a chuckle as I said, "Of course not. But I know that you and Luci avoid each other like the plague, so there usually is a reason when you stop by the apartment."

Joe placed his hands on either side of my face so this time I was unable to turn away when he leaned in for a kiss. Just before his lips touched mine, a voice from behind him said, "Sorry about that, Steph. For some reason, the smell of bacon gives me the dry heaves."

Joe's hands release me and he turns to glare at Luci.

Her eyes widened and she said, "Don't go ape shit on me, copper." She turns slightly and winks at me so only I can see.

I had to fight to keep the smile off my face but at Joe's livid look, she broke out in laughter.

A few seconds later, Joe turned back to me and said, "There's a barbecue at the chief's house Saturday. I stopped by to see if you could accompany me."

My mind raced for several beats before I smiled and replied, "Sure. I won't be able to stay too long though because I have to pick grandma up from the VFW Senior's Dance."

Joe grimaced. "Maybe we should meet so that you'll be free to leave when you need to then."

I covered my mouth with my hand because I knew he wouldn't appreciate my grinning. If there was friction between Luci and Joe, it was magnified tenfold between Joe and Grandma Mazur.

Grandma was my mother's mother and she was—to put it nicely—a handful. Not only didn't she care for Joe, but she absolutely abhorred his Grandma Bella. That old coot scared more than half of the 'Burg and the other half were just too plain stupid to know any better.

A chuckle caught my attention and I turned to see Joe shaking his head at me. "I have to get back to work, Cupcake. I'll text you the address and see you at five on Saturday."

I nodded. "Sure. I'll see you then."

The minute the door was shut behind him, Luci made a face that had me busting out laughing. I turn to thank her and there is an 'Oh, shit!' expression on her face as she turned and ran to the bathroom.

Luci's POV:

I wasn't feeling too well by the time we got back to the apartment, I'd thought taking a shower might help to calm me but it didn't. Coming out to find that damn gorilla cop there didn't make me feel any better either. He liked me about as much as I liked him and that was not at all. He knew nothing about me other than my name…well, the name I gave people anyway, Luci Caprio. My given name was Luciana Elana Beretti and my dad was the Boss. Joe would choke if only he knew. The cops want the goods on my father every bit as much as they do Alexander. Although both men consider themselves equals, Alex is considered by the "Family" as the Underboss and Daddy is the Boss.

Seeing Ape Man with his hands on Stephanie made me want to gag. I knew the minute the words were out of my mouth that Stephanie wanted to laugh, but she held it together. How she did it was beyond me.

I watched as he left before turning to her and saying, "I don't know how you keep yourself in check around that stronzo. He could use a new pair of boots, made out of cement to make him sink."

She'd just taken a drink of water and at my words she spit the water out. After coughing for several seconds, she finally got control of herself and said, "That asshole as you refer to him is making me rich." She grins. "I have to thank you for saving me each time he gets to close."

I giggle and before I knew it we were both sitting at the table laughing so hard tears were streaming down our cheeks.

I took a deep breath and said, "I'm going into the lounge to call my dad."

Her eyes widened. "I'd like to hear his response to this."

I nodded as I stood and moved toward the lounge. Before I could even get situated I heard the ringtone that told me my dad probably already knew. The Sopranos theme fit him well. I hit the connect button and in a quick breath said, "Hi, Dad."

I heard his grunt through the phone. There was silence for a beat and then I his deep voice was saying, "Something you need to tell me?"

I shivered as cold chills raced down my spine. I knew my father would never hurt me, but I didn't like the idea of possibly disappointing him. Stalling for time I told him, "School's fine. I have some projects due in…"

The sound of a fist hitting a desk cut me off and I bit my lower lip.

"Cut it Luci. I don't catch the fucking fish, I feed them. If you have something to tell me, spill it!"

He wasn't pleased and the tone of his voice told me I needed to level with him quickly. My voice was hoarse as I said, "I'm pregnant." I swallowed the lump in my throat and then in a more determined tone I said, "I'm keeping the baby."

His tone gentled as he said, "This much I knew, Bella." His voice was calm and that was so what I needed right now. Before I could say anything else, he asked, "Do I need to feed the fish?"

I don't make light of the offer because I knew he meant it. As much as I might like Lester to suffer the way that I was suffering, I loved him too much to let someone extinguish his life. "No. I'm not telling the father. We've gone our separate ways and I know he doesn't want anything to do with children. That might be the wrong choice, but it's my choice."

There was a resounding sigh before my father said, "As much as I want to agree with you, I don't. He needs to know about this and the sooner the better. Let him make the decision. He will find out in the end, people talk, and it will be worse if he doesn't hear it from you. If he chooses not to be a part of his child's life, then that's on him. I'll be there for you, always. I love you and won't let you fall."

I can't stop the sob from escaping. My voice was barely a whisper as I said, "I'm sorry I let you down." I paused to get control and then continued, "I have to stand by what I feel is right. Le…he said he didn't want children…ever. I don't want my baby to suffer from his anger."

My thoughts went to my own mother. I couldn't remember any good experiences that she was a party to. I did remember her animosity toward me. Just because I looked so much like her younger sister. Why would a woman dislike her own child because they looked like someone else? In my case it was my Aunt Elana—my mother's younger sister.

Dad's words broke into my thoughts as he asked, "You think he would hurt the baby?"

My eyes widened in horror. "No! No, I don't think he'd hurt the baby. It's just that he has a temper and every so often he goes off for a few days and when he gets back he's wound really tight. I…" I took a deep breath and said, "I just really don't want my baby to feel what I felt…"

This time I was unable to continue.

Dad cleared his throat and I could tell from the gruffness as he spoke that this was getting to him. "Luci, mia bellissima figlia, You never let me down. Teresa was off her rocker to say the least. If I'd had my eyes opened I would have seen it from the beginning. Don't let her have any space in that beautiful head of yours. She's not worth it. You have far too many on your side to raise you up."

He went quiet.

I knew that was my cue to change the subject and get us both on easier footing. Still, remembering the feelings that washed over me when he'd called me his beautiful daughter, I decide to rattle him a little to get both our minds off the woman who gave birth to me.

A mischievous smile crossed my face, even though I knew he couldn't see me, and I said, "I almost got sick when we got back from the doctor's office. And for once it wasn't morning, or all day sickness for that matter. That damn gorilla cop was here when I came out from taking my shower." I had to laugh because he disliked Joe even more than I did and that's saying something.

I could hear Dad laughing through the phone line. "Too many eyes to make that one disappear…however, I do know someone who could make that happen. Besides, it's too much fun messing with him. Stephanie keeps him looking in all the wrong places."

We spent the next several minutes talking about school and family matters. As much as I didn't want the conversation to end, I knew that there were a ton of other things that needed my attention. Reluctantly, I said, "Thanks for talking to me, Daddy."

There was something fierce in his tone as he said, "I love you, Luci. I'd give up anything and everything for you. Remember that. Now I have reason to do it twice over. Take care of yourself and my little grandbaby. Till next time, Bella."

Tears pooled in my eyes as I struggled not to cry. "I love you too, Dad. Till next time."

I ended the call and pressed the phone to my cheek just as I did every other time our calls ended. With my father's line of work, goodbyes were closer than you thought so that's why we said till next time.

Wiping a tear away, I lowered the phone to the end table as Stephanie joined me. Her voice was soft as she asked, "Are you all right? Do you want to talk?"

I shook my head as a yawn escaped. "I'm beat. Right now all I want to do is to go to bed and sleep for a week."

She chuckled. "All right. You have a reprieve. But I want to hear all about it tomorrow at breakfast."

Standing up, I smiled and said, "It's a date."

I padded into my bedroom and changed into my pajamas before crawling into bed. I was so tired but my brain just wouldn't shut down. Memories of the first time I met Lester raced through my mind.

It was unseasonably warm for January and I'd opted to eat at Pino's while Stephanie visited with her parents. Normally I didn't mind going with her, but Stephanie was picking her grandma up from the funeral home on her way and I'd learned the hard way not to be around Grandma Mazur when she was at a viewing. I'd told Stephanie I'd meet her at Pino's when she was done at her parents'.

The waitress, Betty stopped by the table and I smiled up at her as I said, "I'll take a Pino's spaghetti with breadsticks and salad."

Betty smiled. "I'll tell Pino it's you he's fixing it for."

"Grazie."

I handed her the menu and she sashayed off to turn my order into the kitchen.

The sound of a bell ringing had me glancing to the door in time to see the most beautiful creature I'd ever laid eyes on. Although most men would be affronted at being called beautiful, no other description did justice to the vision that had just entered. At a guess I'd say that he was around six foot three or four inches in height and had a lean build packed with muscle. His dark brown hair was done in a buzz cut and he had the most incredible green eyes I'd ever seen. One look from him and I was lost.

My heart raced as our gazes met and I nearly swooned when he smiled at me.

My palms felt sweaty as he moved in my direction and I had to rub them on my jeans several times to get rid of the dampness.

He stopped beside me and asked, "Is this seat taken?"

I couldn't take my eyes off his sexy mouth and it took a few seconds for his question to register. I found myself stuttering when I tried to answer, something I'd never done before, as I said, "No." Then, worried he'd take what I said the wrong way I said, "The seat's empty."

His smile widened and his voice went huskier as he asked, "Mind if we join you?"

His voice was pure sex and I felt myself growing damp. I squirmed a bit in the seat and one of his eyebrows went up as if he knew what effect he was having on me.

For the first time I noticed the lightly complexed black man beside him. He was handsome in his own right but had nowhere near the same result as the green-eyed sex God.

I motioned with my hand as I squeaked out, "Please, join me."

The black man sat down first and scooted over so that the other one could sit beside him.

As my vision took his seat, he held out his hand and I placed my much smaller hand in his. The zing that went through me had me wondering what it would be like to ride the thunder with him. It seemed like forever before I noticed he was still holding my hand but in actual fact was only a few seconds.

I finally pulled my hand from his and folded them in my lap.

He winked at me and I felt myself blush—something I didn't remember ever doing.

He laughed. "What's your name?"

"Luci B…uhm Caprio."

He nodded. "I'm Lester. Lester Delgado."

I felt myself smiling as I said, "It's nice to meet you, Lester Delgado." From the corner of my eye I saw the odd glance that the other man gave him but I was too enthralled to pay it much mind.

Lester indicated his friend with his thumb and said, "This is Bobby."

I nodded shyly. "Hi, Bobby."

The other man nodded in my direction but didn't say much as Lester and I spent the next two hours talking. I didn't even register that my food had been brought to the table and I'd eaten every morsel until Lester had said goodbye after promising to pick me up the following Saturday for a date. I looked down at my empty plate and asked, "How'd that happen?"

Betty stopped by the table and laughed. "Girl, I don't blame you. That was one hot dish."

She took my plate and winked. "Don't worry. I'll make you up a to-go container."

The bell tinkled and she looked to the door. Her smile widened as she said, "And I'll add two pieces of tiramisu."

Stephanie joined me and while we waited for Betty to bring our food I told her all about Lester. She was a bit reserved in her response but I was used to that. Stephanie had sort of been big sister, best friend, and protector all rolled into one for the past eight years and I knew she wouldn't let down her guard until she knew more about Lester.

A yawn brought me back to the present and I maneuvered so that I was more comfortable in the bed. I remembered Lester coming to the apartment the next Saturday and the two of us going to a movie and then out for a late meal at Olive Garden. He'd told me he had to be out of town for a while but asked if he could see me when he got back. I was thrilled I'd be seeing him again and sad that we'd have to wait for an unspecified amount of time. When he took me home, he'd kissed me like it was the last thing he would ever do.

I'd moped around the apartment for several days and then there was a knock on the door. I'd opened it and there'd stood Lester. We fell into each other's arms and he kissed one cheek and then the other before he went in for the kill. How long we remained locked in each other's arms as passion took over I couldn't say, but when we finally came up for air I admitted to myself the reason I'd been so miserable the past several days was that I'd fallen in love with him. He took me back to Olive Garden and afterward we went to his place where we both got what we wanted.

I reached up and wiped away a tear, wondering when I'd started crying. I turned so I was on my side with my face turned to the pillow and let the tears fall. Right now, all I could do was feel. The rest would have to wait till tomorrow.