Una Nuova Famiglia Ch. 03

Shane's eyes never left hers as Karin simply nodded. Karin knew when to back off. She nodded again, waiting for Shane to straighten up and step back. When she did, Karin slid from the chair and left the office.

At the tap on the door, Shane barked for the person to enter. She snarled at Ronnie.

"What the fuck are you doing here? I told you to stay with Raegan."

"She never left."

Shane couldn't help but smirk, "she waited anyway? She'll be dead tired in the morning."

Ronnie shrugged.

Shane shook her head. "Well then, I guess I better take my ass home."

There was laughter coming from the limousine when Shane opened the door. Damien had his hand on his gun in seconds, but Shane raised an angry brow.

"Good way to get her killed."

"Sorry. Forgot to lock it when Ron left."

"Fuck sorry Damien."

He nodded, exiting the vehicle and making his way to the driver's seat. Shane slid inside, watching her wife-to-be sitting across from her.

"You look like shit." Raegan offered.

Shane smirked, "thanks."

Raegan knelt on the seat beside Shane and began massaging her shoulders. They heard the locks click into place as the limo pulled away from the curb. Shane sighed and Raegan could feel her tense shoulders relax a little beneath her manipulations.

"You have a shitty job Shane."

Shane chuckled, "thanks again."

Raegan stopped the massage, shifting to straddle Shane. She looked into those hazel-green eyes, watching as they warmed up.

"Do we have any privacy in here?" Raegan asked huskily.

"As much as we want. Why? You got something in mind?"

Raegan smiled, "something had crossed my mind."

She quickly removed her oversized sweater, watching Shane's eyes light up at the sight of her bare breasts, the nipples already hard. Shane leaned forward to take one into her mouth and Raegan sighed, closing her eyes.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again Shanilla Miller," Raegan whispered, her voice raw with passion.

Shane nodded, switching their positions until Raegan lay beneath her. Raegan could do nothing but moan as Shane slid a hand past the waistband of her snug fitting jeans.

*******

Friday was a half day. The faculty was scheduled for training, but the training was canceled. Reese rode back to the city on the shuttle. He had a hot date with Billy. She put in a call for Damien to pick her up. Shane didn't want her riding the shuttle anymore.

She was sitting behind the desk, grading papers, when someone tapped on her door. She looked up and froze. The unwanted guest didn't wait for an invitation to enter. He opened the door, stepped inside and closed it behind him. Agent Jacobs walked to her desk and perched on the edge.

"Hello Ms. Vincent. I was hoping I would have heard from you by now."

She swallowed and forced the words from her mouth, "I have nothing to say to you."

"So, you're a member of Shane's family now?"

She could feel her stomach tighten with an increasingly familiar wave of nausea. Still, she assumed if he knew something for sure she would be on her way to his office. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"What do you think your fiancée's going to say about you chatting with me right now?"

She stood slowly, shakily, "I have another appointment Agent Jacobs. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

He stood and began to walk around the room. "I paid a visit to your mother today. She was quite shocked to hear you were seeing Shane Miller."

She swore beneath her breath. Her mother had probably flipped. "You had no right," she bit out.

"Ms. Vincent, you're affiliating with a person under our investigation. We have every right."

She slammed her red pen on the desk, "what do you want? I already told you I have nothing to say."

"I think you should make it a point to find something to say to me, otherwise I can make life for your mother and your sister quite unpleasant."

"That sounds a lot like a threat Agent Jacobs."

Raegan turned to see Shane leaning against the doorjamb. She expelled a breath of relief.

"She told you she had nothing to say. Why are you still here?"

Agent Jacob's looked Shane over for a moment and then brushed past her. Shane closed the door behind him and locked it. Raegan dropped down into the chair, combing her hands through her cloud of soft dark curls.

"Fuck." She bit out.

"Don't let him get to you. It's all bullshit until they put bracelets on your wrists."

"He told my mother. She's probably having a heart attack right now. I should have told her."

Shane was silent.

"You'll come with me, right?" Raegan insisted.

"I don't do family meetings well," Shane hedged.

Raegan smiled, "you got me into this mess. The least you can do is be there to defend yourself. Just be prepared to be pegged as the devil incarnate."

Shane rolled her eyes. "Great. Ready?"

Raegan nodded, gathering up her things. Shane carried them for her, leading the way from the building.

*****

They only stayed an hour, enough time for Raegan to introduce her mother to her fiancée. But she could see right through her mother's civility. She knew she would have the woman screaming at her on the phone before night's end. She was silent on the ride back to Manhattan as Shane returned a number of phone calls. When they arrived at her apartment building, Shane covered her cell phone long enough to give her a quick kiss before Raegan stepped from the vehicle. She sighed as the silver limousine slid smoothly away. God she had a horrible headache.

She was ready for a bath and a hot cup of tea as she opened her apartment door. When she saw Reese sitting on her sofa, watching TV, she swore at herself for giving him a spare key. Reese shut off the set and stood to face her squarely.

"You didn't think I would give up that easily, did you?"

Raegan sighed, "no, I didn't."

She slid out of her coat and placed it neatly over the back of the sofa. He handed her a shot of vodka.

"I thought you might need this."

She nodded, thanking him silently. She downed it quickly and settled onto the sofa as he sat beside her.

"I meant it when I said I couldn't tell you."

"No, you meant you couldn't tell me everything. Tell me what you can. You need to get it off your chest Reg. You look like you've lost 10 pounds this week."

She nodded, cupping her hands over her face, trying to still the tears. Reese pulled her to him for a tight hug.

"Let it go Reg. I promise, I won't tell anyone. I swear to God."

She removed her hands, wiping at her tears. "Reese, this is serious."

Reese looked closely at his friend and nodded.

"I-I…", she swallowed, tried again, "I-I killed someone."

The weight of it, the burden, lightened just a little as the words rolled off her tongue. She watched the shock register on Reese's face, the color draining from his cheeks.

"W-what are you talking about?"

"I didn't have a choice."

"Who? When? Are you shitting me?"

She could see he was losing it. She shook her head, sorry she'd said anything.

"I can't give you details. I just…I just needed to say it out loud."

Reese stood and began pacing in front of her. "This has to be a joke. Why would you need to kill anyone?"

"I just did, okay. You wanted to know what was eating at me, well that's what it is."

"Does Shane know? Did she make you do it?"

Raegan closed her eyes, "Shane had no idea. It was not her fault."

Reese sat beside her again, "Reg, I don't understand. How could this have happened?"
"My life was in danger. Your life, my mother's…"

He said nothing as the words settled over him. She was crying silently again, trying to swallow the tears, wondering what she had done by telling him. She wondered if he would feel the same about her, "Reese, I had no choice. I swear."

Reese stared at his best friend for a moment and then pulled her to him for another hug, "girl, you don't have to tell me that. I know you. I know you Reg. You wouldn't do it unless you had to."

They hugged tightly as she cried. He stroked her hair gently, pulling away to look into her eyes when she quieted down a bit.

"Sweetheart, what are you going to do?"

Raegan smiled weakly. "There's nothing I can do."

"How about a therapist?"

"They have to report a murder, don't they?"

He shrugged, realizing he wasn't sure. He hugged her again, breathing deeply.

"God, how did this happen?" He wondered out loud, rubbing her back softly.

She realized his mouth was near her ear and he was whispering to her softly. She strained to listen.

"The FBI is listening. Don't say anything else."

She could feel herself freeze in his arms, but she had enough sense about her not to react as if something shocking had happened. She allowed him to continue holding her for a moment.

She pushed him away and stood, "I'm just fucking with you Reese! I told you nothing was wrong," she forced a laugh, "but that's probably what you were thinking, right?" She forced a laugh again, hoping it sounded more natural than it felt. "I'm just tired sweetie, like I told you at work. Maybe some fresh air will do me good, let's go for a walk."

He nodded, "ha, ha, very funny. Wait, let me get my jacket."

They gathered their belongings and left the apartment. In the corridor, as they waited for the elevator, Reese shook his head and pointed to his jacket pocket. He draped the jacket over an umbrella stand before stepping onto the elevator with her. When the doors closed, she turned to him.

"How could you?"

"Reg, you were in way over your head! I was trying to help you! I had no fucking idea!"

"Do you realize I just hung myself? Goddamn it Reese! Goddamn it!"

"You played it off!"

"I thought I could trust you! Do you know what would have happened if they arrested Shane? They'd kill me! Me, you, my mother, my sister! I'm the first one they would go after! What were you thinking!?"

He hadn't thought of that. She was right of course. And she had a right to be angry with him. He remained silent, a first for him.

"Goddamn it!"

She was pacing in the tiny space, counting down as the elevator descended. Damien or Ronnie would be parked outside. Would they sense something was wrong? How could she get Reese to his apartment safely?

She wasn't incredibly shocked when Ronnie was waiting for them in the lobby."I just followed a couple of feds in. What the fuck is going on?"

Raegan sighed, "Reese was bugged. I just confessed to murder for the FBI."

With one fluid movement Ronnie removed her gun from her holster.

"No!" Raegan stood in front of him, ignoring the look of utter shock on Reese's face. "No. You just said there were cops here. Let's just get out of here."

"Fuck that. How do I know they didn't put some shit on him? They'll follow us right to Shane."

Raegan swore softly. Ronnie was right. She slipped out of her coat.

"Strip Reese. Everything off. Put this on."

"Reg, it's fucking 20 degrees outside! That's thin as shit!"

"Do it!"

He followed her orders considering the circumstances. Raegan looked over at Ronnie.
"Not a hair on his head, understand? Not 'til we get to Shane."

Ronnie nodded and led the way to a black Cadillac SUV. The three of them climbed in. They were on the highway within minutes. Raegan grabbed Ronnie's cell phone and dialed Shane's cell. Shane answered on the first ring.

"Speak."

"Shane?" Her voice was shaking. She swallowed to calm herself.

"Baby? What's wrong?"

She took a deep breath and plunged in, telling her what happened quickly. She wasn't comforted by the chilly silence on the other end of the line.

"Give me Ronnie." Shane snapped.

Ronnie didn't say a word as Shane barked something into her ear and then ended the call.

"What?" Raegan urged.

"I'm a dead woman if I let them get their hands on you."

Raegan swore under her breath. She turned to glance at Reese who was sitting in the back seat, tears streaming down his cheeks. Raegan reached back for his hand and gave it a squeeze. God, how would she talk Shane out of killing him? She shook her head and stared out of the window as Ronnie dodged cars on the highway.

They pulled into the private garage of a high-rise apartment complex on the lower east side of Manhattan. No one said a word as they followed Ronnie to a bank of elevators. Once inside the elevator, Ronnie removed a key from her jacket pocket and slipped it into the slot beside the top button. They rode up in silence. The doors opened into a massive sunken living room. They followed her down four plush carpeted steps, taking in the exquisite gold, burgundy and forest green colors. The furniture was luxurious, the paintings vibrant, and the room spoke of nothing but wealth and excellent taste.

"Jesus, who lives here?" Reese asked breathlessly.

"I do." The small framed, absolutely gorgeous, caramel colored woman emerged from a doorway seconds after their arrival. Raegan recognized her from the movie screen almost immediately. She was one of her favorite actresses and had recently been nominated for an Oscar. She watched the two women kiss deeply, Ronnie caressing the woman's back tenderly.

"Hi." The woman smiled sexily up at Ronnie. Ronnie stood at least six inches above her.

"Sorry. Needed to get them off the street."

The woman simply nodded, extending a hand, "hi, I'm—"

"Jessica Blair," Reese gawked. "God, I've seen every movie you've ever been in!"

Jessica smiled, "thanks. You're sweet. You are?"

"Reese. Reese Campbell. And this is Raegan."

Raegan shook the woman's outstretched hand. "We're sorry to intrude."

"No problem." She turned back to Ronnie, "Where's Shane?"

"On her way. Can I speak to you?"

Jessica nodded, turning to lead the way to the bedroom and calling over her shoulder, "make yourselves at home. The bar's on the far right wall."

They watched the couple until the bedroom door closed. Then Reese turned to her with shock. "Jessica Blair and Ronnie? I didn't even know she was gay!" Reese gushed.

Reagan shook her head, "I need a drink."

She located the bar and poured herself some vodka. She handed Reese a tumbler filled with what she could only imagine was expensive Scotch. She ignored the sounds of pure delight he uttered as he drank.

They sat across from one another, sipping at their drinks. Raegan knew the silence would drive Reese nuts, but she refused to pretend that everything was fine. He had betrayed her.

"Reg—"

"You realize I have to convince her not to kill you, right? You're a threat. Shane eliminates threats."

"Jesus, listen to you. Eliminate threats? You didn't even know what those words meant just weeks ago! That's why I agreed to work with the FBI. You've changed."

"And you thought locking up the woman I love, the woman I plan to marry, was a way to get me back on track?" She demanded incredulously. "Look, I'm okay with who I am."

"Are you Reg? Are you really? Is that why there are shadows under your eyes? Is that why you look gaunt and exhausted? Do you realize you were reading about this woman in the newspaper just a few months ago?! And now you're talking about eliminating threats?!"

"It's my choice Reese! I'm not a fucking child!" She was on her feet, yelling at him.

He stood to face her, "you're not acting like an adult! You're like some fucking star-struck teenager!"

"Oh please!"

"You killed someone Raegan! You're a fucking murderer, just like her! I don't even know who you are anymore!"

The words hit her…hard. She took a step back, her face registering pain and shock.

Reese paused, taking a deep breath. He reached for her, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

She stepped back, "yes, you did." Her voice was tight.

"Well, aren't you? What makes you any better than her?" He bit out.

"Shut up! Just shut up! Shane was right! I can't trust anyone else anymore!"

"Spoken like a true mobster's wife."

She slapped him. It was the first time she'd ever struck another human being. She could feel the sting in her hand as she lowered it to her side.

"God damn you." She hissed. Reese said nothing as she continued to stare at him confused…hurt. A movement caught her attention and she spotted Shane leaning against the elevator doors, watching them. Shane stood and made her way down the carpeted steps toward Raegan. She carelessly tossed a gym bag to Reese.
"You okay?" Shane directed the question to her.

Raegan nodded, even as the tears spilled from her eyes. Shane leaned forward to kiss her and she felt the blood rush to her head as their lips met. Reese left them, making his way to a bathroom with the gym bag. Raegan relished the taste of Shane, enjoying the feel of her as Shane pulled her close. She felt lightheaded when Shane pulled away, looking down at her as she seized her chin in a harsh grip.

"I told you not to tell anyone."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." Raegan apologized.

Shane shook her head, sighing at the flame Raegan ignited within her. She was going to lose everything over this woman if she wasn't careful. She pulled Raegan close, holding onto her tightly for a moment before stepping back.

"Campbell, move your fuckin' ass!"

Raegan watched her closely, realizing she was seething with anger. But there was something beneath the anger. It took Raegan a moment to figure it out. It wasn't an emotion she was used to seeing on Shane. Fear.

"You're worried."

"No."

"Yes you are."

Shane was about to say something but shook her head instead, "not here, not now," she said instead.

Raegan was silent a moment, then nodded. She probably shouldn't push her luck, but she couldn't help but ask the question, "and Reese?"

"He dug his own hole."

Raegan sighed, "he already knows about the murder, Shane. Can't we—"

"No." Shane cut her off, anticipating Raegan's desire to bring him in.

"Shane—"

Shane turned abruptly, her eyes dangerously cold. Raegan's breath caught in her chest. "Do you think I won't kill him because I love you? Especially after what he just said to you? He's fuckin' lucky he's still breathing."

Shane walked away from her and Raegan realized that her blood had run cold. It was the first time she'd seen that side of Shane, the killer, up close. She closed her eyes for a moment, squeezing her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

"The FBI will push him to come after me again."

"He does, he's dead."

"There's only one way to make sure he doesn't do it again Shane. Why —" She tried again, but the plea was cut short as Reese, dressed in an oversized navy blue jogging suit, rejoined them. She closed her eyes for a moment once more, combing worried fingers through her soft cloud of curls. She could see the logic of Shane's refusal although she was absolutely annoyed by it. Not to mention Shane had basically promised to kill him if Reese betrayed her again. She looked at Reese again for a moment, her heart aching with concern for her friend. She then turned to take in the angry, impatient movements of her future wife. She could see the rage simmering beneath the surface. Shane was risking her life, her business, everything, by simply allowing Reese to live. She had no right to ask for any more.

"Okay, okay."

Shane didn't say a word. The decision had been made whether Reagan agreed or not. Seconds later the door Ronnie had disappeared through opened and Ronnie emerged alone. Shane went to her and they talked quietly. Raegan turned to Reese as he finished tying the other sneaker. She sat on the carpet beside him, grabbing his hand and squeezing it for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"You get one mistake because she loves me. She won't hesitate next time Reese."