Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series by Cate Beauman

Author:Cate Beauman [Beauman, Cate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cate Beauman
Published: 2016-10-11T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-One

Reed sat across from Vinny at the small kitchen table, much like he had forty-eight hours ago, but tonight they were listening to Alfeo’s gritty smoker’s voice as he spoke to Dino Asante or Matty Caparelli on the prison telephone. Twenty-five years of recorded conversations was far less tedious to get through than the letters had been, but they weren’t making any progress with the investigation. Vinny had identified a few minor gimmicks—some gambling and bookmaking activities—but this certainly wasn’t their big break. Reed let his head fall back and scrubbed his hands over his face as Alfeo went on and on about getting a good haircut and a decent meatball sub when he got out in June.

“You getting bored?”

Reed sat up straight. “No, I’m getting pissed. What the hell is this—”

Vinny’s phone rang at his side, interrupting the beginnings of Reed’s rant. He glanced at the readout and held up his hand. “It’s Bella.”

Reed paused the recording.

“Hello?” Vinny smiled. “I’m doing fine. Watching a little TV. What are you up to? Huh. Never heard of that. Sounds nice. Yes, I’m drinking my juice.” He scrunched up his nose. “The ones I’m drinking now are fine. We don’t have to add more kale and spinach to the mix. You don’t have to come up. Make plans with Reed.” Vinny’s gaze met his. “How about Sunday, then? Your birthday’s soon.” He looked at Reed again. “I’m going to worry about it. Twenty-six is a big deal. We’ll talk about it when I see you on Sunday. Okay. I love you too. Bye.” He hung up.

Reed stood, needing a break. “Let’s take five.”

“She’s home by herself tonight. Said she’s cooking something called a galette.”

He paced to the window and back, restless. “Yeah. It’s like a pie without a top on it.”

Vinny raised his brow at him.

“What? That’s what she told me when I asked her about it this morning. She’s using a couple of different berries.” And he wished he was with her right now, helping Bella in the kitchen.

Vinny laced his fingers on the table. “Her birthday’s right around the corner.”

“I know.”

“You’re an old man compared to her.”

He frowned. “I’m thirty-one—almost thirty-two. It’s not that big a deal.”

“Old.”

“Didn’t you have two decades on Bella’s mother?”

Vinny bobbed his head from side to side. “Touché. You want kids?”

Reed shoved a hand through his hair. He liked it better when he was asking the questions. “Yeah. Someday.”

“What are you doing for my daughter’s special day?”

He leaned against the back of the recliner, crossing his arms. “I imagine she’ll want to spend it with you.”

“Probably. It’s the last we’ll get together.”

His heart hurt for Bella as he studied the sickly man whose clothes had long since gone baggy on his fragile frame. “So we’ll make sure it’s good. I’ve already picked something out for her.”

“She needs cupcakes—vanilla with pink frosting and purple sprinkles. Her mom used to make those for her.”

Reed nodded, making a mental note to take care of Vinny’s request.

“We’ll have a party for her on Sunday.

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