Dangerous Game

by L. P. Dover

  Now that she was safe. It was time to finish the Cartwrights once and for all.

  I slipped out of the bedroom and down the hall. Cadoc was in the kitchen and William was passed out on the couch. Reed had disrupted the video cameras on the house to where it wouldn’t alert Cadoc to our presence. That was how I snuck in through the back door and up the stairs to Faith’s room. I wanted to be the one to go in and get her.

  I slowly made my way down the stairs and Micah and Connor met me at the bottom. Micah nodded toward William. “Go to the kitchen and I’ll bring in that tool bag.”

  Connor pointed at the other hallway. “And I’ll block off the other kitchen entrance.” He took off and I made my way to the kitchen.

  Cadoc had his back to me when I entered. “Thought you were passed out,” he said, chuckling, thinking I was William.

  I clicked the safety off my gun and pointed it at him. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  By now Micah had William in a headlock, dragging him into the kitchen. William coughed and when he tried to speak, Micah squeezed his neck harder. With a heavy sigh, Cadoc turned around and faced me. Connor came in through the side of the kitchen with his gun drawn.

  Cadoc huffed and threw his arms out wide. “What now, Corsino? You going to kill me?”

  “I am,” I said, holstering my gun. “But first, I’m going to make you watch while I kill your nephew. Then I’m going to make you suffer.” And I was going to enjoy every minute of it.

  ***

  It was over.

  Everyone was safe. Faith had been worried about her friend Sam and his pregnant girlfriend, but they were fine. The chief of police had their home monitored until the threat cleared. Now that William and Cadoc Cartwright were dead we could all breathe easier. Their blood stained my hands, but it had to be done. Now we were on my jet, headed back to New York. Not for long though. I was ready to leave it all behind.

  Fortunate it all took place in Canada. The cocky Cartwrights made it easy for clean up avoiding the authorities. My men should have it all taken care of and over with in no time at all. The unfortunate fire that will take place to burn down all of the evidence will solidify the end of an era.

  My father and Cadoc were the last of the old mafiosos. The families that are left play well together, for the most part. Or as well as families like these play…I’m happy to get out of it all without losing face. We’ll still own much of the city, what we’ve always owned. I’ll let the other families fight over Cadoc’s businesses, turns out he didn’t have much to call his anyway.

  Marco and his wife were going to stay in the city and protect what was ours after all. We don’t expect much kickback because, like I said, most of the families were happy to see the old regimes fall, including Cadoc. With William, gone there wasn’t anyone left that would step in and fight the families to get something that wasn’t theirs anyway.

  “What now?” Faith asked, laying her head on my chest. We were all exhausted. It was the first time I’d felt the lacerations and bruises on my body.

  “We’re going to start over,” I murmured. “Once I’m done tying up my loose ends, we’re hopping right back on this plane.”

  She yawned. “Sounds good to me.”

  We sat in silence for a moment, but then I tilted her chin up. “Were you scared?”

  A haunted look passed across her face. “Yes. When I found out you couldn’t track me, I was terrified. If you would’ve been a day later, I wouldn’t be the same person. William made his intent very clear.”

  That thought alone was what fueled my anger when I beat the life out of him. I knew he’d try to force himself on her at one point or another. It killed me knowing she was alone with him for all those hours we tried to find her.

  “He’s gone now, beautiful. And trust me when I say, he suffered greatly for what he’d done. Both of them did.”

  Her eyes grew sad. “Are you going to tell me what you did to them?”

  I shook my head. “Maybe one day, but not today.”

  I kissed her head and looked around at the others. Reed was on his laptop and Micah and Connor were playing cards. It was just another day on the job for them, but for me, it was the end of a war.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Dominic

  One Week Later

  It was our last day in New York. The pit had been closed down and completely gutted, but the hotel would always remain mine. Faith’s firm she shared with Philip had been sold to a reputable lawyer and his partner; it was in good hands now.

  Marco and Marjory stopped by earlier to tell me goodbye. Now that they were staying in the city it put my mind at ease and made me feel more confident about our next steps.

  “Dominic?” Faith called. She opened up my study door, holding a glass of Francis’ chocolate mousse. It was his last day on the job and he made sure to make plenty of mousse for her. She had a cooler full of it to take on the jet tomorrow morning.

  Faith smiled at me and I smiled back. Things between us have grown stronger. There were no more lies. “Yes?” I asked her.

  She nodded toward the living room. “Isaiah and Reed are here to see you. Want me to send Isaiah back first?”

  “Please,” I said. She disappeared back down the hall and I pulled out Isaiah’s check from my desk drawer. Micah and Connor had come earlier and I’d given them hefty checks as well. They deserved it after everything they did for me. Isaiah walked in and shut the door behind him. I held out my hand and he shook it.

  “Looking much better,” he noticed.

  I laughed. “Thanks. I feel it too.”

  “I see you got everything packed up and ready to go,” he said, pointing to the door.

  “Yep. Have you figured out what you’re going to do now?”

  He shook his head. “Not yet. I’m thinking of heading south, maybe to North Carolina.”

  Picking up the check, I handed it to him. “You can always come to Wyoming. I could use a friend out there.”

  Eyes wide, Isaiah looked at the check; it was for five million dollars. “I can’t take this. It’s too much.”

  He tried to hand it back, but I refused to take it. “You earned it, Isaiah. Thank you for being loyal to my family. I hope you find your way.”

  Isaiah smiled and that wasn’t often. “You too. I might find my way to Wyoming one day. Don’t know yet. If I do, I’ll give you a call.”

  I walked around the desk and hugged him. “Take care of yourself and keep in touch.”

  It was going to be strange not having him around. Isaiah had been more than just a bodyguard. I considered him family. He walked out the door and I watched him say goodbye to Faith before leaving for good.

  “I’m coming now,” Reed called out, appearing in the hallway. I stepped out of the way so he could come inside my study. He picked up the glass paperweight on my desk and looked at it. “Thought I’d stop by and give you the good news.”

  “What is it?”

  A big smile spread across his face. “Luca doesn’t know, but I put in a good word with him. If he passes the tests, he’ll be sent to Virginia for FBI training.”

  That was some of the best news I’d heard all day. “Thanks, Reed. I was worried about him.” I didn’t want to leave New York without knowing my family was settled.

  Reed shrugged. “He’ll get in. He’d be a good candidate for the Circle of Justice.”

  That he would. I extended my hand and Reed stared at it. “I owe you my life, Chandler. I know we bumped heads a few times, but I’m hoping that’s all in the past?”

  His grin widened and he shook my hand. “Of course. We’re about to be neighbors. You’ll be seeing a lot of me.”

  “Aww … how sweet,” Faith gushed, appearing the doorway. “My best guy friend and my boyfriend are finally going to be friends.”

  Reed snorted. “Doesn’t mean I won’t kick his ass if he screws you over.”

  “I’d like to see you try, Chandler.”

  He chuckled and hugged
Faith. “See you guys tomorrow. Layla’s having a big party in your honor.”

  She squealed. “Can’t wait.”

  Once he was gone, I followed Faith into the living room and pulled her onto the couch with me. She laid her head in my lap and looked up at me. “We’re all set at Ian and Grace’s hotel tomorrow. They’re letting us stay there as long as we want.”

  “Sounds good,” I said, brushing her hair back. “We’ll find us a home soon.”

  She shrugged and sat up. “I know. Once we get settled, I’m going to find me a place to start a restaurant. When I do, I’m gonna call Francis. I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

  I pulled her onto my lap. “You do that.” We stared at each other for a moment, and even though we hadn’t been together long, I knew she was what I wanted for the rest of my life.

  Her eyes narrowed. “What’s on your mind, Dominic?”

  “You,” I murmured. “When we get to Wyoming and find a house, I was curious to know what the next step should be.”

  She beamed, but I could see the twinkle in her eyes. “Well … we could always get a horse or two?”

  “We could,” I agreed, playing along with her. “Maybe even some goats and chickens?”

  “Yes,” she squealed.

  I brushed a finger across her lips. “What about kids?”

  She looked away and smiled. “Kids would be good. I’d love to have a husband first though.” Her eyes met mine. “Think you know someone up for the job?”

  Holding her tight against me, I kissed her. “I think I do.”

  “Good,” she murmured, kissing me back. “I’ll be waiting for him.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Faith

  Two Months Later

  Wyoming was home. As much as I loved being in New York and loved growing up in Belle Haven, Virginia, nothing could compare to living amongst the majestic snow-capped mountains of Wyoming. Ian and Grace’s hotel had the best view of the mountains. I only hoped that when Dominic and I found a house that it’d have the same scenery. It was late September and the cold had already started to set in. Dominic had left to run a few errands with Reed while I took to sitting on the balcony, wrapped in my favorite Christmas blanket – even though it was still a couple months away – with my feet propped up on the balcony rail. To me, it felt great. I was glad to be away from the heat of the east coast.

  The door to the hotel room opened, and I looked back to see Dominic walk in with the biggest smile on his face. It took him a while to get used to wearing jeans and flannel, but he was sexy as hell in it. My next goal was to get him to wear a cowboy hat.

  “Hey,” I said, “did you have a good time with Reed?”

  He kissed me and sat down in the chair beside me. “I did. My mother was at Layla’s so I stopped by there as well.”

  “What?” I shrieked, smacking him on the arm. “You went there without me?” I loved visiting Layla and seeing her belly grow little by little. She was halfway through her pregnancy and she’d just found out she was having a girl. We’d already started decorating the baby’s nursery.

  His brows lifted. “Seriously, Faith? You see Layla almost every day.” When all I did was shrug, he laughed and grabbed my hand. “Come on, there’s somewhere I want to take you. You can bring the blanket.”

  We left the hotel room and there were a few snickers from some of the other hotel guests as I walked through the lobby, clutching my blanket with a pair of fuzzy boots on my feet. Once out in the parking lot, there wasn’t Dominic’s blue and black Bugatti Chiron with blue wheels waiting for us. He’d traded that in for an old green Chevy truck with peeling paint. I loved it. But don’t let that fool you, he had it updated with all of the toys and souped up engine— boys will be boys.

  Dominic opened my door and I hopped in. “Where are we going?” I asked.

  He winked. “You’ll find out soon.”

  He got in and we started on our way, in the direction of Layla and Bryce’s ranch. “Are you taking me to see Layla? I was just kidding when I smacked your arm.”

  His lips pulled back slyly. “No, we’re not going to see them.” He bypassed the road to their ranch, but with all the Chandlers combined, they owned over two hundred acres of land. Dominic turned on his right blinker and started to slow down.

  “What are you doing?” I peered around at where we were at and there wasn’t even a road to turn down. It was just a field of grass. Dominic chuckled and turned into the field. It was a bumpy ride so I braced myself against the dash. “Hopefully, you know what you’re doing,” I said, laughing.

  Once we got through the tall grass, there was an opening where the grass had been cut short. Just behind it in the distance was a beautiful view of the Grand Tetons, and right in the middle of the grass there was a blanket with a basket on top. Dominic pulled right up to it and got out of the truck while I sat there confused. He walked over to my side and opened the door. “You coming?”

  He reached in and grabbed my hand. I slowly slid out and looked around. “Isn’t this Layla and Bryce’s land?” I asked.

  Dominic pulled me over to the blanket and we sat down. “It was,” he said, opening the basket. He reached in and handed me a stack of papers. “But it’s ours now.”

  Eyes wide, I read over the contract and it was all right there, in black and white. Dominic and I now owned thirty-five acres of the Chandlers land. Tears filled my eyes. “Oh, my God. This is amazing. Layla’s going to be our neighbor.”

  Dominic snorted. “We paid for it too. Those Chandlers didn’t make it easy on me.”

  I flung my arms around his neck. “Thank you. This place is absolutely beautiful.” Taking a deep breath, I let him go and took in the scenery. “Is getting this ready what you were doing this morning?”

  He nodded. “Reed helped me clear off the land.” Then his eyes twinkled. “But that’s not all. I have a couple more surprises for you.” Reaching into the basket, he pulled out a container of chocolate mousse with a card on top.

  I snatched it out of his hands. “Is this what I think it is?”

  Dominic burst out laughing. “Francis sent it to Reed’s house for me.” We hadn’t seen Francis since we left New York, but I’d kept in touch with him. Dominic nodded toward the envelope. “Open it, Faith.”

  Turning the envelope over, I slid my hand under the flap and pulled out the card.

  My dearest Faith,

  You and Layla got what you wished for. I’m making my move to Wyoming. I hope you’re ready to start up that restaurant of yours.

  Love,

  Francis

  Slapping a hand over my mouth, I couldn’t believe it. My dreams were finally coming true. “This is seriously about to happen, isn’t it?”

  Dominic took the card and set it aside. “It is, and I’m going to be right there to help you.”

  “I will never forget this day as long as I live,” I cried. “There’s nothing that could make it better.”

  Dominic reached into the basket again. “Sure about that?” He pulled out a set of rolled papers and flattened them out in front of me.

  “Are those blueprints?” I asked excitedly.

  “Yep. I had some drawn up. We can change whatever you want.”

  My hands shook with excitement. All I wanted was a moderately sized home that’d be perfect for a family. I didn’t want anything extravagant and judging by the blueprints Dominic had done exactly what I wanted.

  I pointed to a section of the house where there were extra rooms. “What would we use those for?”

  Dominic studied the prints and smiled. “I don’t know,” he said, grinning wider, “play rooms for the kids, maybe? I didn’t know how many you wanted to have.”

  That made me laugh. “A dozen.” When his eyes widened in horror, I laughed even harder and he tackled me to the ground.

  “Very funny,” he replied, tickling me. I tried to get out of his hold, but he held me down with his body. “If we’re going to have a dozen,
we might want to get started now.”

  Wrapping my legs around his waist, I clutched him tight. “Right here?”

  He shrugged. “Why not? There’s one more surprise I have for you first though.” I loosened my hold, and he pulled me up to my knees. “Close your eyes.” I did as he said and waited. “All right, you can open them now.” When I did, he was in front of me, holding out a beautiful diamond ring. I gasped and slapped a hand over my mouth, completely at a loss for words. “I was ready to ask you this a couple months ago, but I didn’t think it was the right time. I wanted it to be perfect.” Tears fell down my cheeks. He wiped them away and smiled. “I love you, Faith. I’ve been doing everything I can the past two months to show you that I’m worthy of being your husband.” He slid the ring onto my finger. “We’ve started a new life here and I’m ready to take the next step. What I want to know is if you’re ready to take it with me. I want you to be my wife, Faith. I’ll wait for as long as I have to.”

  “I was wrong,” I said, crying and laughing at the same time. “This day just got infinitely better.”

  Dominic smiled. “Does that mean you say yes?”

  “Yes,” I shouted, jumping into his arms. He lost his balance and we fell to the blanket in a tangled mess. I kissed him so hard my lips started to go numb. “I love you so much. You literally made this the best day of my life.”

  He kissed me again. “I plan on giving you plenty more. Our time is just beginning.”

  And I looked forward to it all.

  THE END

  (Look for more Armed & Dangerous/Circle of Justice Crossover Novels coming soon! Keep reading for a sneak peek at Dangerous Betrayals – Reed’s story.)

  Sneak Peek of Dangerous Betrayals

  Reed’s Story

  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L.P. Dover comes the crossover fans having been waiting for! Beloved characters from her Armed & Dangerous and Circle of Justice novels come together in this tantalizing new series!