Divided (Elena Ronen, Private Investigator) Read online

  Thankfully, Vittorio turned away from me for a few minutes to grace his other guests with his entrancing conversation skills. It was enough to let me regain some composure yet again. I was exhausted from the emotions racing through my body. What was wrong with me?

  I studied the people around me, hoping one might be Courtney, but I saw no one with her facial structure. I sensed this was a very private crowd, and that flashing her picture around would gain me nothing but silence.

  All too soon, the waitress returned with my water, and Vittorio again directed his gaze to me.

  I couldn’t handle any more of my raging hormones, and fished my phone out of my purse to check the time. It was after midnight. “I really should get going.”

  “May I walk you to your car?”

  Oh boy. I really didn’t trust myself with him alone. Somehow, I sensed he would not take advantage of me; it was myself I didn’t trust. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine.” I stood, as did Vittorio. He was more than half a foot taller than me in my high heeled boots, putting him at about 6’6”.

  “I hope I shall see you again soon, Elena.” He reached a hand toward my face, and brushed it down my arm, gently clasping my hand in his. He kissed the back of my hand, turning my body to rubber again.

  “I expect you will,” I said breathlessly, then fled down the stairs.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Amazed I made it to the bottom of the stairs without my legs collapsing under me, I pressed my back to the cool stone wall, trying to get control of myself. The bouncer didn’t even glance at me, but forcefully stopped a young couple trying to get past him. The craving for a long pull from a bottle of whiskey seized my body stronger than it had since I started detoxing.

  The music had softened with a change of DJs. No one on the floor even glanced at me, but on the balcony Vittorio leaned on the railing, watching me, and blew a kiss. I returned a weak smile, then resumed my walk to the bar.

  I wanted to calm my racing heart before driving home. After collapsing onto an empty stool, I flagged down the bartender and asked for a glass of water.

  “What on earth did you do to him?” she asked when she handed me the glass.

  “What? Who?”

  “Vittorio. He’s completely enamored of you.” She grinned.

  “How do you know?”

  “Felicia, his waitress, told me. She’s been working the VIP area for years. His moods have become second nature to her, even though she never sees him outside the club. She said he’s never reacted to a woman the way he reacted to you.”

  Unsure of my ability to form a coherent account of the encounter, I left my reply at, “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know? How can you not? What did you say?” She wiped down the bar while we talked.

  I drained my water, desperately wishing it was something - anything - alcoholic. “I just went up and introduced myself to him, thanked him for the drink…that was really it.”

  “That’s it? You must have said or done something extraordinary.” She nodded to the balcony. I turned my head and saw Vittorio still watching me.

  “I promise you I didn’t.”

  After waiting on a few more customers, she returned with more water.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  “Bryn. And you’re Elena.”

  “Gossip travels fast here,” I said.

  Bryn nodded.

  “Alright, Bryn, I’m going to go home and try to figure out what the hell happened to me tonight.”

  “When will you be back?”

  “Who said I’ll be back?”

  “I don’t know a woman in this place who wouldn’t want to be in your shoes right now.”

  I didn’t bother trying to lie to her. “Probably sooner than I’d like. I’m not all that sure I like Vittorio’s attentions, though.”

  I walked out to my car in a daze. Somewhere in my back of my head, I knew I needed my wits about me. The Chapel was Midtown, where rent was low but so was security. A few blocks east, you’d be perfectly safe walking back to your car after seeing a musical at The Fox Theater, but stray too far, or visit on the wrong night… I shook my head, trying to figure out where the night had gone wrong. If it had gone wrong at all.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Once home, I changed into a black satin nightgown, my breasts and ribs thankful to be out of the corset. The fancy nightgown was one of the few luxuries I allowed myself. I wanted nothing more than to collapse into a deep sleep, but my best friend Kevin burst through the back door, calling my name. Maybe I could pretend to already be asleep. No, he probably saw the light on in my bedroom. “I’m upstairs,” I called.

  Kevin lived in the other half of the duplex, and had stuck by me through some less than stellar times. He was the only one who did, though I can’t figure out why. The duplex may as well have been one house since we both had keys to the other’s half.

  He stomped up the stairs and sat down at the edge of the bed. “You okay? You’re not usually out this late. In fact, you don’t usually go out at all.”

  “Peachy,” I said, while washing my face.

  “What’s wrong? You sound annoyed.”

  “I’m tired, Kevin.” I flopped down on the bed.

  “Want me to leave?” He stood and started for the door.

  “No, you can stay. I just, well, I guess I’ll just tell you. That’s the easiest way to explain my mood.” I told him about the new case and my night at the club, leaving nothing out, not even my fluttering heart.

  He let out a long whistle when I stopped. “So, did you find anything about the girl?”

  “That’s the problem. I didn’t, and I could barely even keep my mind on the reason I was there. I’m more professional than that. I don’t know what got into me tonight. Part of me wants nothing more than to lose myself in Vittorio’s eyes. The other part wants to run screaming to the other side of the planet. But I have to do this. The Chapel is the most likely place for Courtney to hang out, and the money is too good.”

  “Good enough that you can buy a new car?”

  I’d had my Toyota Corolla with torn seats and windows that wouldn’t roll down forever. “Not that good. And anyway, I like my beater. And I like helping you fix it for me when something breaks.” Kevin was a mechanic, and without him, I’d never be able to afford to keep my car running. PI work could be damned sporadic at times, making it hard to pay the bills.

  “Maybe you can at least pay me to fix it for you now.”

  “I do pay you. In beer, anyway. And food.”

  “That I have to cook for you. You’d starve without me.” He playfully pushed me.

  I pushed him back, almost making him fall off the bed. “There’s this newfangled thing called a restaurant. I’d be just fine without you, thank you very much.”

  “You’d miss me if I wasn’t around.”

  “You know I would.” I yawned.

  “Why don’t you just ask around the club for her?”

  “I don’t think anyone would answer me.”

  “You could at least try.”

  “I have a strange feeling about this case. If Courtney is there, but no one wants to talk to me, I’ll never find her. I don’t want to let her mother down.”

  “Why would they lie to you?”

  “I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Ms. Carmen’s comment about the coven put me on edge. I’ve done some research online, and can’t find anything about covens here in St. Louis. At least nothing that looks legit. If she’s right, they’re very secretive, and I can’t risk setting off alarms.”

  “If you say so,” Kevin rolled his eyes.

  “If I don’t find anything on my own in a few days, I’ll start asking around.”

  “If you need anything, just say the word. Be careful.” He hugged me tightly, catching me off guard with the emotional display.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I was back at The Chapel, but it wasn’t a club. It was the church before the renovation.
The pews overflowed with people dressed in their Gothic finest. I floated over the congregation, a detached observer.

  Back in my body, I found myself in a little room off the wing of the church. It didn’t fit the real life layout of The Chapel, but that’s how dreams are sometimes.

  Bryn was there with me, her dark tufts of tight curls in contrast to the elegant amethyst gown she wore. It was long and full at the bottom, with a corset bodice that gave her boyish figure just the right curves.

  I looked in the mirror; I wore a white gown with a corset top, and tons of tulle under the skirt to make it float out all around me. Elaborate beadwork accented the top. Bryn pinned a veil in my hair, and arranged it over my face. I looked down at my left hand to find a massive diamond on my ring finger. I was getting married, but to whom?

  “You’re breaking a lot of girls’ hearts tonight, Elena,” Bryn said.

  “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m getting out of here.” I stormed out the door, only to find myself at the back of the church, with everyone staring at me. Bryn shoved a bouquet of white roses into my sweaty hands and gave me a little push.

  Vittorio stood at the altar in a white tuxedo. I was marrying Vittorio?

  I walked as slowly as I could, hoping if I delayed reaching the altar long enough, this crazy thing would end, or someone would tell me it was all a joke. Much to my chagrin, they didn’t, and I reached the altar.

  Vittorio looked at me adoringly and held my hands in his, the bouquet having magically disappeared. I barely heard the minister until he asked me to say the vows. I was in such shock from the whole thing, I said ‘I do’ before I could stop myself.

  The next thing I knew, Vittorio pushed back my veil and kissed me. My body tingled, begging for more, and I thought I would melt right there in his arms.

  We walked back down the aisle, my arm through his, as the onlookers threw rose petals at us.

  A white carriage pulled by white horses waited outside. Vittorio helped me up into the carriage and kissed me again. “Now, mio amore, we will be together for all eternity.”

  I woke soaked in sweat. All eternity? What the hell did that mean? I had never dreamed about getting married, much less to someone I had just met. No, I didn’t like the way he affected me one bit.

  CHAPTER SIX

  I arrived at The Chapel a little after 10:00 the next night. The DJ played a softer set of music. I hoped to be able to talk to Bryn and learn something about Courtney. As I walked to the bar my spine tingled; Vittorio watched me from the balcony. I smiled, but continued to the bar. Let him come to me.

  Bryn fixed a cranberry and tonic when I sat down. “Hi, Elena. You look like you’re breathing easier than when I saw you last.”

  “I don’t know what was wrong with me last night.” I shook my head and sighed. The lack of Vittorio’s presence was why I breathed easier.

  “Uh huh. Vittorio was your problem, and you know it.” She glanced at the balcony. “He’s been here since we opened at 8:00. Usually he’s not here before ten.”

  “He seemed to have been here quite a while already last night when I went to talk to him.”

  “That’s because it was his birthday. Tonight, he’s here for you.” She finished mixing a drink and poured it into a glass.

  “Did he say that?” He didn’t strike me as the kind of guy to be open with his feelings.

  “No, but I know things.”

  “How?” Was she part of this supposed coven?

  She delivered the drink, then returned to our conversation. “I’m a woman, silly. Don’t you ever just know something by instinct?”

  “I guess so.” More often than most people did.

  “And you’re here for him.”

  “Whatever.” I hated to admit even to myself that she was partially right. I liked my life drama-free. Relationships always brought drama.

  “Don’t lie. I see it in your eyes.” She stared at me, hard, daring me to deny it.

  “How can it be so obvious when I won’t even admit it to myself?”

  “Don’t worry, he won’t know. Unless you tell him. Again, I’m a woman.”

  “Well, he can come to me. I’m not chasing him. I can wait all night.” As I said that, the air energized.

  “Looks like you won’t have to,” Julia said. She lowered her voice. “You really did a number on him. He never approaches a woman. He doesn’t have to.” She turned away to wash some glasses that looked already clean.

  “Elena.” My body tightened at that voice. “I am pleased to see you again so soon. I hope you are well?”

  I had been until his voice turned my bones to rubber again. But I would be strong, unattainable. “I am. And you?” There. My voice didn’t shake at all.

  He caressed my skin from neck to hand, ending with a gentle kiss on the back of my hand as he had the night before, sending shivers through my body. From the corner of my eye I saw Bryn watching us.

  “I am splendid.” His gaze held mine, unwavering.

  I took a sip of my drink. “Glad to hear it.” Again, voice even. Points for me.

  “Would you give me the pleasure of your company upstairs?”

  “Well, I was in the middle of a conversation with Bryn, but I’d be happy to join you in a while.”

  I caught a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but it was gone an instant later. “I hope you are not too long, but I wouldn’t dream of tearing you away from girl talk.” He smiled, and any part of me that wasn’t yet rubber melted. He nodded to Bryn, who nodded back curtly, and walked towards the stairs.

  I watched him walk away. The crowed parted for him. No joke. I forced my gaze back to Bryn when he disappeared up the stairs. “Ho-ly shit,” I muttered.

  “You can say that again,” Bryn agreed, then left me to my thoughts while she helped other customers.

  I didn’t want to be left with my X-rated thoughts just then.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The bouncer barely even looked at me as I passed him. I stopped at the top of the stairs to ensure my composure was firmly in place and found Vittorio deep in conversation with another man. I glanced at the crowd; the way they drooled over Vittorio, male and female alike, made me sick. He was only human, after all. Right, I’d have to remember that. Only human. I had to remember why I was here - to find a woman’s runaway daughter, not to lust after some Italian hot-body. My gaze drifted back to Vittorio and stopped there. I realized I was no better than anyone else besotted by him.

  As if he heard my thoughts, Vittorio looked over to me. He stood in one liquid movement and glided toward me.

  My heart raced. Crap.

  “Elena. How long have you been standing there?”

  “Only a minute.” I shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable with my fluttering heart.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting. Samuel and I were talking business.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt,” I said.

  “Please do. He’s a dreadful bore. Please, come sit with me.” He took my hand and led me back to the love seat. Samuel stood, nodded toward me, and left.

  “Bryn said you were here early tonight.”

  “Yes, business. It’s a convenient meeting place for Samuel and me, as we have a shared office up here.” He gestured to the room in the back. “But he doesn’t know when to stop. He’s all work, no play.”

  “Why do you have an office here?”

  “I co-own this establishment, along with Samuel. I mainly provide the finances; he handles the business side of things.”

  “Oh,” I said, picking at the skin around my nails, then mentally kicking myself for being so unintelligible.

  “You look radiant tonight, Elena,” Vittorio said, changing the subject. Again he kissed the back of my hand, but thankfully without the rest of the touch on my arm this time. “Did you sleep well last night?”

  “Well enough, aside from some interesting dreams.” Now why did I say that?

  Vittorio raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
>
  “I don’t really remember them,” I lied. “They were very active dreams, though. The kind that leave you more tired when you wake up than when you went to sleep.”

  “Ah yes, I know exactly the type. I am sorry you did not sleep well.” His brow furrowed.

  “It’s not your fault.” At least not directly. Or so I thought. “I slept well enough, it just wasn’t restful. But I had nothing to do today anyway, so it’s alright.”

  “What do you do with your time?”

  “Read, mostly. I jog a couple miles every day.” That much was true. “I suppose I should get a job eventually.”

  “What do you want to do?” He took a sip of wine.

  I shrugged. “Maybe apply at a bookstore. I do love books.”

  “And hanging out at Goth clubs alone. Surely you have a boyfriend who could escort you?” The words were casual, but his carefully neutral face showed he worried the answer would be yes.

  “No. I don’t date much. What about you? Tell me about yourself.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Anything. Do you work outside of The Chapel? What do you like to do besides come here?” I was surprised to find myself genuinely interested in him.

  “I work with Samuel at Porter Enterprises. I am the Vice President of Human Resources. His father owns the company. When I’m not here or working, I, too, like to read. You should come see my library sometime.”

  “Maybe when I know you a little better.” If I rarely dated, I went to strange men’s homes even less. “What else?”

  “I also enjoy bird watching.”

  “Bird watching?”

  “Yes, is that so unbelievable?” He leaned toward me.

  “No, it’s just not a common hobby. At least not with anyone I know.” Unthinking, I leaned slightly toward him.

  “But you know me.” He took my hand in his.

  “Well, now I do, but I don’t, really. I’m merely acquainted with you.” I stumbled over my words, trying to maintain my composure.