Speak Easy (Speak Easy 1)

I looked down at the money in his hand. “Why are you doing this? You think you can buy me?” Straightening my shoulders, I stood a little taller. “I’m not for sale.”

He picked up my hand, smashed the money into my palm, and curled my fingers around it. “Sweetheart, everyone’s for sale.”

As he stormed out, I took off one shoe and hurled it at him, but it hit the door just as it slammed shut.

#

I got home in time to see Daddy before he left for his meeting with the DiFiores. Although I was desperate to clean up, I needed him to know how important it was that he co-operate with them and not say anything rash or foolish. I found him in the kitchen, heating up the iron on the stove. His best shirt and trousers were draped over the kitchen table.

He was thrilled to see me, but I didn’t feel as if he understood there was still danger ahead, even though he was free. “Just agree to what they say,” I begged him. “If they ask for a percentage, don’t argue.”

He nodded, but his face darkened. “I’ll say what I have to, but I hate them for what they did to us. You can bet if I find a way to pay them back, I’ll take it.”

My head, which had been aching for days, threatened to split wide open. “Please, Daddy. You have no idea what I went through to get you released, to keep the girls safe. I need you to avoid the mistakes you made before. If you want to be in the bootlegging business, you pay up. Either that or find something else to do.”

I thought he might argue but he didn’t. Instead, he turned from the stove and took me in his arms, kissing my head. “You’re so like your mother,” he said. “She was no bigger than a minute, but she was smart and feisty and brave, just like you. Thank you for everything you did. I’ll make things right, I promise.”

Given his temper and his proclivity for gambling, I wondered if that was possible. My throat closed and I took deep breaths to keep the tears at bay. He smelled like himself now—soap and shaving cream and maybe a hint of gasoline. He patted my back. “Don’t worry about anything.”

Before he left, he told me that Bridget had phoned this morning, frantic with worry. He’d assured her everything was fine and that it was safe to come home.

I really hoped that was true.

Once Daddy was gone, I ate two pieces of toast and phoned Evelyn’s house, but her father said she was working. I thanked him and hung up, thinking maybe I’d head over to the bakery after I bathed and dressed. What a story I had for her. I wasn’t even sure what I should tell her, or what would be safe for her to know. After trudging wearily up the stairs, I undressed and ran a bath.

Slipping all the way under the water, I held myself there until my lungs felt like they might burst before surfacing again and rubbing the water from my eyes. After washing my hair and scrubbing myself with a bar of Ivory soap, I dried off and dressed in a white blouse and black skirt. When my hair was combed and dry, I put on a little makeup. Checking my reflection in the mirror, I noticed something on my bed that hadn’t been there before. I turned around to look more closely, and saw that it was the blue Tiffany box.

I sat down and stared at it. The necklace? Had I missed it earlier? I lifted off the top, and there it was. Underneath it was a note.

You made it yours the other night.

I scowled.

How dare he give me this after the way he treated me this morning? Who does he think he is? He bought this for another woman!

But within seconds, my blood settled a bit. Hold on. You got what you wanted this morning, didn’t you? He let you go. And he gave you the money to pay Joey back.

Except I couldn’t let it go. Enzo had told me what ultimately mattered to him—power, wealth, control. I’m just one more cog in the machine he’s building to get everything he wants. What about what I want?

I held up the necklace, watching the diamonds catch the sunlight through my open window. Never in a million years had I thought I’d own a piece of jewelry like this.

I went to the mirror over my dresser, draping the necklace around my neck. Then I frowned. Where the hell would I ever wear it? My life was no different than before, was it? I was a still just a struggling nursing student with one short leg, living at home, working for and answering to Daddy. Wasn’t I?

Not exactly—you answer to Enzo now too, said a voice inside me. And he’d promised to pay me not only enough for tuition, but more. What would that mean?

Stomach jumping, I clasped the necklace, lowered my arms, and stared at myself. The truth was, I wasn’t the same girl at all. And when I was with Enzo, that way, I felt as if I could have anything I wanted.

So what did I want now?

Before I could articulate an answer, I heard knocking on the front door. Quickly I ran into Daddy’s room to look out the front window. A shiny red Buick Touring was parked on the street, glinting in the sunshine. Clapping a hand to my mouth, I recalled where I’d seen it before—at the boathouse, being driven by Sam Scarfone. Why was Sam here to see me? Should I open the door? What if he knew what I was planning to do?

A voice from below floated through the screen. “Tiny, are you there?”

Joey.

I ran down the stairs and yanked the front door open.

My heart went ka-whump. The car wasn’t the only surprise.