“Ah, hell,” Ross groaned and leaped up from his chair.
Zack was already on his feet and took off across the back yard. The rest of the guys sprang up from their seats and awaited orders. Jackie and Holden remained seated and somewhat puzzled by everyone’s reaction. Bogart stood, although he still didn’t understand what was happening, and shifted looks at the remaining men.
“Did I miss something?” Bogart asked.
“Sal sent a coded message to Othello,” Ross informed Bogart. “You’re our point man. Or have you forgotten?”
Bogart maintained his clueless stare. “I’ve been out of the loop the last six weeks,” he reminded them. “Maybe you forgot to include me in on that.”
Ross considered the comment then nodded. “I guess you did miss that meeting. The coded message means Sal is on his way over, and he’s coming in hot,” he replied, then eyed the remaining men. “We need to secure the perimeter and make sure he’s not being followed.”
Holden stood and groaned. “And on that note, I’m going to bed,” he announced.
“You aren’t curious?” Jackie asked with some surprise at her husband while jumping to her feet.
Holden snorted a laugh and pulled his wife into his arms. “I’m pretty sure I know why he’s on his way over here,” he insisted. “And I already know I don’t want any ‘part in’ or ‘knowledge of’ that conversation.”
“Oh,” Jackie remarked sympathetically and patted his chest, understanding that it probably had to do with Holden’s earlier visit to Sal’s house.
“I’ve had my fill of mob bosses for today.” Holden kissed her quickly yet firmly on the lips. “Wake me if the house is under attack.”
As Holden headed inside, the rest of the men started to scatter, leaving just Jackie and Ross. She eyed Ross and appeared curious.
“I’m kind of with Bogart on this,” she remarked while rubbing her chilled arms. “I don’t remember hearing anything about this new set-up.”
“We worked on it while you and Holden were on your extended vacation,” Ross informed her. “It’s part of the new security system we implemented at the lodge.”
“Oh, when you abducted Scorpio’s boyfriend for six weeks?” Jackie teased.
“Yeah, during that timeframe,” Ross replied. “If something happens, we can send a coded message through Othello. He’s instructed to send coded messages to Bogart. Your brother is the only one of us who has no traceable past from his conman days.” Ross sank into thought and shook his head. “Something must have happened with Sal tonight that he needs to stop by unexpectedly. I wouldn’t doubt it has something to do with Giovanni sending Holden to Vinnie Scartelli’s house.”
Jackie fidgeted uncomfortably and groaned. “No wonder Holden darted out of here so fast,” she muttered.
“Insurance policy is code for ‘watch my ass, I’m coming in hot’,” Ross informed her. “Sal must be concerned someone is watching him and possibly monitoring his phone calls. I’m sure he’s been driving around for an hour or more making sure he’s not being followed, but, under the circumstances, he’d rather not take any chances.”
“If this has to do with Giovanni’s son, I can understand his concern,” Jackie remarked, then tensed as she eyed Ross. “You know what he’s going to ask, right?”
“I have a pretty good idea,” Ross replied with a look of disapproval.
They heard a car pull into the driveway. “That must be him,” Jackie remarked. She then heard the garage door electronically opening and appeared curious. “I guess one of the guys opened the garage door for him.”
Ross nodded Jackie toward the kitchen door. “Let’s just keep up our guard for the moment.”
Once Jackie and Ross entered the house, Ross positioned himself behind the island counter and removed his semiautomatic from his shoulder holster. Jackie approached the interior garage door and waited for some sort of signal. There was a light, rhythmic tap. She looked back at Ross. He nodded and straightened, appearing to relax. Jackie unlocked and opened the garage door to see Sal in the doorway. He smiled warmly when he saw Jackie.
“Sorry to disturb you at this hour,” Sal announced, then stood aside.
A man wearing a sack over his head and his hands zip-tied in front of him was forced into the kitchen. Jackie was almost glad Holden didn’t stick around to witness Sal’s little abduction. He certainly wouldn’t be pleased knowing their favorite mob boss brought a bound and hooded man into his home. The home of a federal agent. Thankfully, the bound man didn’t know where he had been taken. Sal entered behind the man with Beck bringing up the rear. He then shut the door behind them.
“This is our new friend,” Sal informed Jackie and Ross.
Sal removed the hood to reveal Jack. Jack nervously looked around, then held his hands out. Sal removed a knife from his pocket and cut the zip ties.
“Jack, say hello to my friends,” Sal announced.
Jack managed a tiny, nervous smile. “Hey,” he replied timidly.
“What’s going on?” Ross asked Sal.
“Well, Jack and his friend broke into my house tonight,” Sal replied while remaining unusually upbeat. “They were looking for Marco. Long story short, Jack came to the conclusion that he wasn’t cut out for the hitman lifestyle, and he wants to share some vital information in exchange for a clean slate.”
“Please don’t tell me you water-boarded the guy,” Ross muttered.
“No, I just shot him,” Sal casually replied, then smiled and indicated the blood soaking the man’s shirt. “Jack’s new. He decided being shot really isn’t for him.”
“I’m really afraid to ask,” Ross remarked while folding his arms across his broad chest.
Sal’s look turned serious. “Giovanni asked if you’d find his son and keep him alive until he can clear Marco’s name,” he reluctantly informed them. “Between the information Giovanni gave me on where you could probably find his son and the information Jack here has on some of his competition, I thought you might be interested in taking the job.” Sal hesitated, then raised his brows. “He’s willing to pay the bounty on his son’s head if you can keep him safe.”
“What’s the quote being floated around?” Beck asked.
“One million at last count,” Sal replied.
Beck groaned at the amount and rubbed his eyes. “If that’s what’s being offered for Marco,” he announced, then looked at Ross, “there’s going to be some pretty tough customers coming after him.”
“It’s dead or alive,” Sal added.
“Of course,” Jackie moaned while raking her fingers through her hair.
“What happened to Jack’s associate?” Ross then asked.
“Nevada is taking him for a little drive,” Sal informed him.
“Nevada?” Jackie just about gasped while shooting a look at Sal as her mind suddenly raced. “Nevada, the bounty hunter?”
“You know her?” Sal asked with surprise.
“We met,” Jackie muttered while frowning.
“She’s the least of our worries,” Sal insisted. “The bounty hunters are just a minor annoyance. That’s where Jack comes into play. He already told me that Vincent was the one who put the bounty on Marco’s head, but he also knows guys who’ve done work for Vincent in the past. Jack gives you that list, and I’ll introduce him to Othello for a new life and a clean slate.”
Ross appeared deep in thought. Beck and Jackie eyed their boss as if attempting to read his mind.
“Are you actually considering it?” Beck asked.
Ross looked back at his teammates. “Vinnie Scartelli said Marco didn’t kill his grandson,” Ross remarked. “Marco may very well be innocent. If not for that little tidbit, I would stay far away from this. There’s a bigger picture here. If Marco is killed, it could set off a very bloody mob war. But if we can keep Marco alive and prove he’s innocent, it would earn us some well-deserved bonus points with every organized crime family on the West Coast.”
“And if w
e fail, it’ll put all of us in a very bad predicament,” Beck informed him while shifting uncomfortably at the thought.
“Are you opposed?” Ross then asked Beck.
“I didn’t say that,” Beck replied a little too quickly.
“Then I assume you’re onboard,” Ross muttered, then looked at Sal. “My team and I will confer with your man in the garage; then we’ll stuff him back in the trunk for his ride to Othello’s place.” He then indicated Jackie, refusing to address any of his team by name in front of Jack. “You tell her what you know about Marco’s location.”
Sal nodded and headed across the kitchen to confer with Jackie.
Chapter 16
Despite turning in just before midnight, Jackie was wide-awake in bed alongside her peacefully sleeping husband. It was already four o’clock in the morning. The room was mostly dark, but the sun would be rising in about two hours. Based on information Giovanni provided regarding safe houses he owned, there were three places where Marco might be hiding. The team hastily threw together a plan of attack to find Marco, and they would leave around six-thirty in the morning. Since Giovanni gave three locations where he thought his son could be hiding, that meant the team needed to split up and check each one. To make that work, Gil would need to pull his helicopter from the repair shop. Hopefully, the mechanic already had the repairs completed, or it would be a short trip. Both helicopters would then take their respective teams to the two distant locations in opposite directions, while Kirk would drive the third team to the closest site.
Jackie found it difficult to sleep, burdened with having to tell Holden she’d be gone for an undetermined amount of time. Once they found Marco, she’d be committed to the assignment and forced to stay at the safe house for the duration, which could be anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Returning home would breach the safe house's location, wherever that might be, and they couldn’t risk that. Jackie lay in bed staring at the ceiling while occasionally glancing at her sleeping husband. Telling him was always the hardest part about leaving on assignments. He never had a problem with it, but she often felt it was unfair to him because it always came with a two-minute advance warning. Holden rolled over onto his side, facing her, seemed to wake, and glanced at her. His eyes again shut.
“How long will you be gone?” Holden asked in a weary tone, giving her an easy out.
“One day,” she replied, then held her breath. “Or possibly three to four weeks. I guess it depends.”
Holden rolled onto his back and peered at her, possibly surprised to hear the length of time she’d be gone. “Possibly falls under the three-day rule,” he informed her.
Jackie managed a smile and laughed softly. “Since when?” she asked coyly.
“Since always,” he insisted with a humored grin. “If you’re going to be gone three days or longer, I get ‘tide-me-over’ sex. And anything with less than six hours warning, I get to choose the position.” Holden raised a curious brow and smirked almost knowingly. “When are you leaving?”
Jackie playfully frowned. “In about two hours.”
Holden again shut his eyes and chuckled. “Oh, rookie mistake. You should have told me when you came to bed last night,” he teased, not bothering to hide his amused grin. “Climb aboard.”
Jackie hid her smile and practically leaped on top of him. Holden grunted from the surprise attack. He opened his eyes and looked at her as she smiled down at him.
“I could have told you when I came to bed,” Jackie replied while affectionately caressing his body, “but that wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”
He gave her a strange look and offered a tiny smile. “Why’s that?”
“Because I enjoy it when you take charge in the bedroom,” she cooed.
Holden suddenly groaned at the comment and flipped her over, reversing their positions. “Brace yourself,” he announced. “We’re about to wake everyone in the house.”
Jackie laughed while caressing his chest. “Give it your best shot, Agent Falcone.”
Holden grinned deviously, then kissed his wife passionately and with a sense of urgency. As his hands firmly caressed her body, Jackie’s mind seemed to stray. Normally, she’d meet his urgency while doubling down on his rising aggression. For some reason, something seemed off. Her emotions were getting the best of her, and she felt a strange need to slow down. Jackie’s heart suddenly felt heavy. She wasn’t sure why, but she was worried she’d never see Holden again. Finding and protecting Marco was just another job. There was no reason to believe she wouldn’t come home like always. So why did she feel this way? Jackie slipped back into reality as Holden aggressively kissed her neck, his breathing becoming heavier with his increasing desire. He seemed to hesitate, lifted his head, and met her gaze. His look was somewhat concerned.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his mind obviously reeling over her lack of aggressive response.
Jackie roused her best come-hither smile and brushed her concerns aside. She eagerly caressed his shoulder and chest with great affection.
“I’m wonderful,” she informed him, then warmly kissed his lips, met his gaze, and placed her arms around his neck. “I don’t deserve you; you know that?”
Holden managed a tiny, throaty laugh. “Yeah, sure,” he teased, then smirked. “We both know you should be married to some admiral or general. Let’s face it; when you married me, you settled.”
She smiled and shook her head. “No, not at all,” Jackie replied warmly. “You’re the only man I’ve ever loved, Agent Falcone.”
Holden stared into her eyes a moment and seemed to tense slightly as if seeing something that now concerned him too. Perhaps he was sensing her worries.
“If you’re having second thoughts about this mission, you don’t have to do it,” Holden boldly announced. “Even if Marco isn’t a serial killer, he’s still the son of a mob boss and comes with his own tainted past. You don’t need to put your life on the line for someone like that.”
Jackie smiled then kissed Holden warmly but passionately on the lips. She met his gaze and maintained her smile. “Are you planning on making me scream or not?” she teased.
Holden held his breath a moment, then groaned and kissed her with renewed aggression.
§
Around five o’clock that morning, Jackie walked onto the dimly lit back patio with her cup of tea and a cup of coffee. Zack sat reclined on the oversized, padded wicker chair with his feet propped on the coffee table. When he saw Jackie, he placed his feet on the concrete floor and sat forward. He managed a tiny smile while accepting the cup of coffee. Jackie squeezed into the small, empty spot alongside Zack and casually placed her legs over his lap. She sipped her tea and stared into the mostly dark morning. She loved the early morning, particularly before sunrise. It was always so peaceful. Even the chilly morning air didn’t bother her.
“Did you get any sleep?” Jackie asked without looking at Zack.
“Stupid question,” he replied with little emotion and sipped his coffee while staring across the yard. “How did Holden take the news about our new assignment? Did he demand plausible deniability?”
“Stupid question,” she teased back. “When dealing with mob bosses, the fewer the details, the better.” Jackie studied Zack as he stared off at the horizon beyond the neighborhood. “Everything okay?”
“No better; no worse than usual,” he replied and placed his filled mug on the coffee table without moving her legs off his lap. Zack then partially turned and nestled his head against Jackie’s chest.
“Oh, no,” she announced in a firm tone while attempting to stop him from making himself comfortable against her. “We’re leaving in an hour or so. You aren’t napping against me now.”
Zack shut his eyes. “Your thoughts on the subject are irrelevant,” he muttered while nestling in as he clung to her with a vice-like grip.
Jackie groaned, gave in, and sipped her tea. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me,” she insisted.
“Yo
u help me without talking to me,” he countered in a weary tone. “Right now, I just need you to be a soft, warm, vanilla-scented pillow.”
She drew a deep breath and sighed with defeat. There was no point arguing. “Fine, I’ll be your pillow for the next hour,” Jackie groaned in response.
There was a lengthy pause.
“I got a text from Kane yesterday,” Zack muttered from his relaxed position against Jackie.
Jackie hesitated while attempting to gauge Zack’s mood. “Something bad?”
“Depends on perspective,” he remarked.
“Meaning?”
Zack sighed with defeat. “Scorpio broke up with Rayner shortly after we left,” he informed her.
Jackie tensed with some surprise. “She did?” That was not what she was expecting to hear. She thought for sure his daughter and her boyfriend would be too busy in the bedroom to fight about anything. Jackie shook her head, feeling bad. “I’m sorry to hear.”
“I know it makes me a bad person,” Zack remarked, “but I’m a bit relieved.”
“Spoken like a true father,” Jackie muttered.
Zack tensed slightly but didn’t lift his head. “Do you think so?”
“Fathers never think any man is good enough for their daughters,” she informed him, then groaned while sinking into her own thoughts. “Look at mine.”
Zack suddenly chuckled. “If memory serves me, he beat the crap out of Monroe,” he teased. “Not that I understood why at the time.” He then shifted and nuzzled her almost insecurely. “I shouldn’t be happy about her breakup. Rayner was good for her. She needed someone like him to keep her grounded.” He held his breath. “To keep her from turning into me.”
“You’re not as bad as you think you are, Zack,” Jackie informed him.
“No, I’m worse.”
“The parts of you that you don’t like came from your military days,” Jackie informed him. “Scorpio may have a few demons rattling around in her head, but she’s not going down some dark path.”
Witness Protection 9: S.N.A.F.U. Page 12
