Forever in My Heart Read online

  He sneered. “Yeah, well if I die, then it will be three for three, won’t it, Kate?”

  Kate didn’t respond, but Vicky saw her pale.

  “Drive me home,” Jamie said to Tristan.

  “You can lie on my bed until you feel better,” Vicky offered.

  “No!” he snapped, then lowered his voice and met her eyes. “I’ve caused enough problems here.”

  She stepped aside and let Tristan help Jamie to his feet. With Lucy trailing behind them, the trio left. When she was sure they were gone, she rounded on her sister.

  “You have some nerve barging into my home, attacking someone who clearly wasn’t hurting me,” she ground out.

  “Knowing what his family has done, how can you want to be around him let alone allow him to touch you?”

  “We’ve been friends since we were kids. He was busy risking his life defending our country while his idiot brothers were here. Or have you forgotten that?”

  Vicky stormed into the living area. Since her clothes were still wet, she yanked off her tank top, dropping it into the laundry basket on the floor. After finding a fresh shirt in her drawer, she pulled it over her head. She did the same with her shorts and underwear.

  “Are you sleeping with him?” Kate asked.

  Vicky straightened her shoulders. “Like that’s any of your business.”

  “I don’t want to see you get hurt. Not after all you’ve been through.”

  “You have a hell of a way of showing it.” Yanking the hairbrush from Kate’s hands, Vicky attempted to remove the knots from her hair.

  “I’m sorry I got angry and hit him. I saw him all over you and panicked. It was like I was seeing Mario all over again. I know how it feels to be beaten and sexually mistreated. I’d kill him if he tried that with you.”

  “Did it look as if he was hurting me?” She held up a hand when Kate opened her mouth to object. “He wouldn’t. Ever. I know him in ways you don’t.”

  Kate’s eyes widened. “You did sleep with him, then.”

  “The summer before my senior year of high school. Right before he left for boot camp.”

  “You would have been all of what, seventeen? He must have been your first.”

  Vicky hated baring her soul, but it was important for Kate to understand she knew the boy Jamie had been—and maybe wanted to know the man he was now.

  She met her eyes. “Sort of.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  The humiliation from reliving the horrible scene all those years ago stained Vicky’s cheeks pink, but she pressed on.

  “We’d been to Abby Morrison’s end of summer party. Jamie and I had messed around most of the summer. Nothing major, though, just kissing and touching.” She exhaled. “Jamie was leaving for training the next day. We snuck away from the party and into her parents’ shed. Things went further than they ever had and before I knew it, we were naked.”

  “Had you both been drinking?”

  “A little, but not much.”

  “You were seventeen. It wouldn’t have taken much to get drunk.”

  Vicky lifted her chin. “I wasn’t. I was well aware of what I was doing. I wanted to give Jamie my virginity.”

  It had been her idea, and although Jamie had at first tried to convince her to wait, he changed his mind once she’d unzipped his pants and stroked him. She still remembered the catch in his voice when she clasped her hand around his engorged shaft.

  “Something must have happened, though, right?”

  Oh yes. Only the most humiliating thing that could ever happen.

  “We were in the middle of…you know…when someone came bursting through the shed door. Before we could react or cover up, someone pulled Jamie off me.” She shifted. “It was Nick.”

  “What? Nick was there?”

  “One of the neighbors called the police because the DiMeglio boys—you remember what troublemakers they were—decided to set off fireworks. Nick arrived to investigate and break up the party. We hadn’t closed the door all the way so we’d have some light, and Nick came to check if anyone was hiding in there.”

  “Oh my God. I can’t even imagine. What did Nick do?”

  “He pulled Jamie off me and tossed me my clothes. It was completely humiliating. I was mortified to be caught by my brother, completely naked and in the middle of having sex. Jamie tried to fight Nick, but he punched Jamie in the jaw. Our jerk of a brother wouldn’t let me make sure Jamie was fine. After I was dressed, he dragged me home.”

  “Did you see Jamie after that?”

  “Jamie came to the house the next day, but Nick refused to let me see him. Then Jamie left for boot camp. He apologized in a text and told me he’d email.”

  “Did he?”

  “Once to tell me he was no good for me and to move on with my life.”

  “Ouch, that must have hurt.”

  “I was crushed, especially when I finally saw him over Christmas and he ignored me. I caught him at the movies making out with a girl from high school.”

  Kate blew out a breath. “See, I told you he was a jerk.”

  Vicky waved her hand. “It was a long time ago.” It felt like a lifetime ago.

  “Yeah, well less than fifteen minutes ago you were going at each other like there was no tomorrow.”

  “For the first time in nine years.”

  “So now what?”

  Vicky picked up her phone and dropped it into her bag. “I’m going to see how he is and hope he doesn’t press charges against my temporarily insane sister.”

  ****

  Jamie lay on his bed, wearing only a pair of running shorts, an ice pack against his head to ease the mother of all headaches. He’d expected to run into Kate at some point, but no way did he expect to get clocked over the head by her.

  Normally, he’d have sensed her presence. But all his attention had been centered on Vicky. Delicious and seductive Vicky, who had kissed him with abandon while rubbing against him. The pressure of her hand against the outside of his jeans was confident, not filled with the uncertainty of the innocent girl he’d partially made love to all those years ago. No, she was all woman now—one who wanted him as much as he wanted her. And he would have had her, too, if it hadn’t been for her lunatic sister.

  Logically, he knew it was a mistake—going after her. Her family would never accept him, due to their inaccurate perceptions of his character. The Pope, himself, could proclaim him a living saint, and it wouldn’t be good enough for the DiFrancesco family.

  If the anger in Kate was anything like her mother’s, then he understood part of what had driven his mother to drink. Carmen DiFrancesco had been his mother’s best friend. Without her support, all his mother’s friends had abandoned her rather than help her deal with her grief. Not exactly what he’d called friends.

  A sound outside his room caused him to raise his head. He couldn’t make out the words, but the voice sounded like Vicky’s. She’d probably stopped by to justify Kate’s behavior. He wanted no part of it.

  He shifted onto his side, his back to the door, hoping Tristan would get rid of her. When he heard the handle rattle, he knew she managed to get by his friend. He shut his eyes and attempted to steady his breathing. Maybe if she thought he was asleep, she’d leave.

  She moved to the bed and he felt her shadow over him. “I know you’re not asleep.”

  Figures.

  “What?”

  The mattress dipped as she sat beside him.

  “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I have a nasty bump and a headache. Otherwise I’m fine.”

  She removed the makeshift ice pack and gingerly probed the bruise. “The swelling’s gone down.”

  But not the throbbing of his head or his body at her touch.

  “You can tell Kate she doesn’t have to worry about me pressing charges.”

  “She had no right to attack you. I laid into her after you left.”

  He would have liked to see that. Vi
cky didn’t generally stand up to her sister. He rolled to face her. “You did?”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry for what Kate did.” She licked her lips, her pink tongue a distraction and huge turn on. “What happened today between us can never happen again.”

  “Because of your sister?”

  “Because of my entire family. Kate isn’t the only member with a grudge against the DiSilva family.”

  Just his bad luck.

  “My parents and I have never done anything to warrant being shunned by them. Our parents were best friends.”

  “That doesn’t change what your brothers did or how it’s impacted my family. It’s one thing to deal with you living in the same town. It’s another for them to accept what just happened between us.”

  “What happens between us has nothing to do with your family,” he snapped. He was tired of being judged. It wasn’t like she didn’t feel something for him. He lowered his voice and cupped her cheek. “Things can be good between us, Vick. You know it.”

  She held his gaze, and he felt her tremble. He leaned forward, determined to convince her to give them a chance.

  Her hand shot out and stopped him from doing more than graze her lips.

  “Stop. Nothing good will come of this.” She rolled off the bed and kept her back to him.

  “You’re choosing them over your own happiness?”

  She wiped at her face before turning to him. Despite the tears that dampened her eyes, her answer was clear from the stubborn set of her chin. “What choice do I have?”

  “There’s always a choice.”

  “And a price to pay. They’re my family. I pick them. I’ll always pick them.” She backed toward the door. “I’m sorry.”

  She turned and fled.

  “If only you’d pick yourself,” he spoke to the empty doorway.

  ****

  Begrudgingly, Vicky sat at the dinner table at her parents’ house. Although her siblings and she were all grown, her mother insisted on gathering as a family each Sunday afternoon. Vicky didn’t mind the weekly tradition. When they were younger, it was the one day everyone made a concentrated effort to be home. However, in light of what transpired yesterday between Kate and Jamie, the last place Vicky wanted to be was staring across the table at her sister.

  As usual, her mother made a feast for twenty people, although there were only six of them here tonight. Vicky bit into a forkful of baked ziti and reveled in the divine combination of garlic, basil, tomatoes, ricotta, and mozzarella cheeses along with the slight bite of red pepper. Vicky may not want to be here today, but at least she had leftovers to look forward to.

  “Aunt Vicky, what kind of birthday cake are you going to make for me?” her nephew, Lucas, asked.

  She smiled and indulged the question she’d explained at least half a dozen times. “I’m going to make it in the shape of the Millennium Falcon, like you asked me to.”

  “With chocolate cake, right?”

  “The chocolate cake you love with vanilla frosting.”

  It would take hours to cut and assemble, but Vicky was excited for the challenge. Lucas’s expression when he saw it would be worth the pain in her back from all the intricate details she planned. Though she generally wasn’t a patient person, something about baking soothed her.

  Pushing away her chair, she stood and began to gather the plates. “I’ll clean up. Why don’t you all go sit in the family room, and I’ll call you when coffee and dessert is ready.”

  “Thanks, sweetie,” her mother said.

  Vicky brought the first stack into the kitchen and was followed by Edward carrying more.

  “I’ll help you,” he said.

  She raised her eyebrow. “Thanks.” She wondered how long would it take for him to say whatever was on his mind.

  They worked together to clean up and put away the leftovers.

  “My sister has you trained pretty well,” Vicky said.

  “Since Kate does the cooking, I usually clean up while she oversees Lucas’s bath.”

  “I’m impressed. You’ve taken to being married to Kate rather well. I’m sure it’s not always pleasant.”

  “Actually, married life is fantastic. And so is your sister.”

  Vicky snorted as she filled the coffee pot with water.

  “She told me what happened yesterday at your flat,” he said in his matter-of-fact way.

  “About how she almost seriously hurt an innocent man?” She measured out the coffee, waiting to hear him defend his wife.

  “She was upset when she returned. She went too far and knows it.”

  “Enough to apologize to Jamie?”

  “She’s still angry that he came onto you.”

  Vicky whirled and narrowed her eyes at him. “Did she ever think maybe I threw myself at him?”

  Edward gave her an amused smile. “I don’t believe she considered that possibility.”

  “All I’m asking is for her not to judge Jamie based on what his brothers did. He defended our country, for God’s sake. What kind of man goes through that and returns home to be a criminal? I bet he’s seen enough death over the past nine years to last him several lifetimes.”

  Edward draped the towel he’d been using to dry pots across the drain board. “I’m sure you’re right, and I agree with you. I have many acquaintances who’ve served in the war, and they’re haunted by their experiences.”

  She should have known Edward would understand both sides. He had a way of objectively evaluating all angles of a problem. And because he’d been compared to his twin brother his entire life, he wasn’t quick to judge people.

  “What do I do? My being lovers or even friends with him is going to cause a rift in the family.”

  He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I won’t tell you what to do—that’s for you to decide. I agree pursuing a relationship with him now will cause tension with your family.”

  The polite yet frank way in which he spoke, despite his own somewhat scandalous background, amused her.

  “I’ll say. I’d be as welcome here as the plague.”

  “Is he worth it?”

  This older Jamie was different in many ways from his younger self, yet the more she was around him the more she realized he was fundamentally the same boy she remembered. And based on their encounter yesterday, the chemistry between them was as strong as ever.

  “How will I know if I push him away?”

  “Fair enough. Maybe if there’s an opportunity to see Jamie’s finer qualities, they won’t judge him as harshly.”

  That’s when it came to her—the drawings. Jamie had left her with the folder of drawings for what he and Tristan proposed for the café. Maybe if she allowed him to fix up her place, she’d show her family and the town that he changed and show her support for him. It could work—hopefully.

  She smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss her brother-in-law on the cheek. “You gave me an idea. Thanks for being the voice of reason in the family. You must drive my sister crazy if you use logic when you fight. She’s used to yelling and screaming.”

  He laughed. “I’m glad to have helped. And yes, she gets spitting mad when I don’t take the bait and get angry. It’s one of the perks of having been taught to suppress my feelings, I suppose.”

  “Bet it makes for amazing make-up sex.”

  “Explosive.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll tell the lot we’re ready for dessert.”

  Later that night, as she walked home, she thought about their conversation. Edward’s suggestion may work, presuming Jamie was still willing to fix up her place after what’d happened earlier. She wouldn’t blame him if he wanted nothing to do with her. She shifted the cake carrier into one hand as she reached into her bag for the keys to the rear entrance to the café.

  She stepped into the kitchen and placed her purse on the counter. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a blur of movement before someone grabbed her and shoved her face down on the table.
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br />   “Don’t move or you’re dead,” a raspy voice whispered in her ear.

  The point of what felt like a gun pressed into her back and caused a moment of flashback to the time she’d been at gunpoint only months ago. This was starting to become a habit. One she didn’t like.

  “I don’t keep much cash in the store. Take what you want from the register and get out. My boyfriend will be here in five minutes,” she said.

  Her captor snorted out a laugh. “You lying bitch. You don’t have a boyfriend, sweetheart, but I can be if you want me to be.” He ran his free hand along her side until he reached her breast, then squeezed.

  Surprised, she cried out and acted on pure instinct—or stupidity. She elbowed him in the gut. He grunted a moment before the gun clanked to the floor. She attempted to step aside, but her assailant grabbed her arm and punched her in the jaw. It wasn’t a strong punch, but it caused her to gasp for breath. Grabbing the cake carrier, she swiveled and smashed him in the head. He yelped and fell, swearing when he hit the hard ground. Before she could run, he grabbed her feet and she came crashing down. They struggled, each trying to stretch to reach the gun.

  Then she saw his face. Jimmy Parente. What the hell was he doing robbing her place? She reached for the cake carrier that had fallen and was lying slightly opened. Removing the lid, she smashed the leftover piece of Italian cream cake her mother insisted she take home into his face.

  “You crazy bitch. What the fuck was that?” he yelled.

  “Get out, Jimmy. My brother’s a cop, you dirtbag. You show your face around town and he’ll find you. And it won’t be pretty when he does.”

  It took one last kick in the stomach before he scrambled to his feet and out the door. She tried to stand but fell. A trickle of blood slid down her face, and her jaw throbbed. Seeing the handles of her purse on the counter, she managed to reach it and pull it to the floor. Finding her cell phone, she pressed a contact number. It was time she got some answers.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jamie trailed behind Tristan and Lucy as they entered the café from the back entrance.

  “Oh my God. Are you all right?” Lucy cried, running to Vicky’s side.

  Vicky removed the ice pack from her jaw. “I’ve had better moments, but I’m okay. Thanks for coming.”