For Passion

by Jeannette Winters

  Vino’s eyes were black as coal. “Leave my family out of this,” he growled.

  Yes. Get angry. Lose control. Then I’ll break you. “It must be about the time she gets up to get Amber ready for school. She must be worried sick about you. Wondering why you didn’t come home last night.” He stood straight up and stepped away again. “How is she going to keep it together in front of Amber?” Shaking his head he added, “It’d be a damn shame if she didn’t make it to the bus.”

  Vino bucked and strained against the cuffs that held both his wrists and ankles to the metal chair.

  “It’s bus twenty-two, right?” Gabe was feeding him intel in his earpiece, and it was spot on by Vino’s painful expression.

  Vino pleaded, “She’s just a kid. She has nothing to do with any of this.”

  Flatly Josh responded, “That’s where you’re wrong, Vino. Her life is in danger even as we speak.”

  “What the fuck have you done?” Vino demanded.

  “You don’t think your boss has figured out you fucked up and we have all of you? You know how he handles failure. Look at Carlos Mabe. You know that wasn’t an accident. And he sure as hell didn’t take his life either. I wonder if that was your handiwork.” Vino averted eye contact. That was like saying yes as far as Josh was concerned. “And Anthony Parker, he made the mistake of getting caught.”

  “The boss doesn’t like rats,” Vino said as though that made murder an acceptable punishment.

  “But he doesn’t stop there. He goes after the innocent. Frank didn’t do anything, yet he went after his family. If that is what he did to his, what do you think he’ll do to yours?” Leaning over again and meeting Vino in the eyes, he said, “I’m sure whatever he has planned, it’ll make what we’re doing to you seem like a walk in the park. Death would be gentle compared to what that monster has in store for them.” Now give me his fucking name.

  “He . . . wouldn’t. He knows I’ll come after him.”

  “How? From where I’m standing, you’re not in any position to stop him. Me, on the other hand? I am. Now all you have to do is decide how much you love that little girl of yours.”

  Glaring at Josh, Vino said, “You’re a fucking monster.”

  No. But I need you to believe I am. “Vino, you tried hurting someone I care about. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t do the same.” Josh knew there was a major difference between them. Josh dedicated himself to protecting the innocent, even the daughter of someone as fucked up as Vino. But Vino didn’t know that.

  “What do you want from me?” Vino asked.

  “His name.”

  “Then you’ll let me go?” Vino asked.

  “No. You’re going to jail. Probably for life. If you’re lucky, you won’t get the death penalty. But face it, you’re not walking out of here.”

  “Then why should I help you?” Vino asked.

  “Because giving me the name means I make sure your wife and daughter aren’t harmed. Otherwise, their welfare cannot be guaranteed.”

  He could see Vino’s torment. He was so close. Josh needed to step it up. Pulling out his cell phone he said, “Do I make the call and get them to safety or let the dice roll and see how resilient your little Amber is?”

  Josh held up his phone so Vino could see the photo Gabe had sent. It was Amber dressed in her school uniform. She was a really cute kid, blue eyes and blonde curls. She had a smile that would melt a daddy’s heart. Too bad her father was a cold-blooded killer.

  Vino’s eyes softened as he looked at the photo, then he closed them as he confessed, “Barry Night.”

  Gabe chimed in Josh’s ear. “He’s been on the FBI radar for years. No one has been able to get anything on him.”

  “And you have what proof of this?” Josh asked.

  “I have a safe in my bedroom. You will find all the proof you need there. I kept it just in case Night ever tried to double-cross me.”

  Rafe said, “Got it. You hold things down there until we have confirmation.”

  Josh said, “I promised him we’d protect his family. We need to pick them up and put them in protective custody.”

  “Roger. If Vino is telling the truth, I’m sure the FBI will be more than happy to provide them with a new identity.”

  “All right, Vino. If you’re lying, the deal is off. If not, hopefully your family will be able to live a normal happy life.”

  “I want to see them,” Vino demanded.

  “That’s not part of the deal. You really don’t want your daughter seeing you bleeding and in cuffs, do you? Let her remember you as the guy who saw her off to school and read her stories.”

  Josh turned and headed out of the room. He hoped Vino hadn’t lied to them. It was dirty and cruel, but Josh would’ve done anything outside of murder to get what they needed.

  Chris caught Josh by the arm before he made it out the door. “That was fucked up. You read him right. I don’t think we’d have the information if you hadn’t played it that way. Damn good job.”

  Josh only nodded. He didn’t need anyone to validate the mental anguish he’d just put Vino through. He needed to be very cautious not to cross the line and become what he despised, what he fought against. He’d seen others slip off the path in the name of justice. Knowing Vino and the others most likely were the same pieces of shit who killed Frank made it difficult to hold back. And knowing Ellie was next had made holding back nearly impossible. He was glad he had a team behind him, and Gabe and Rafe listened to it all. That helped keep him in check.

  Josh needed to be alone for now. His emotions were wreaking havoc with him. He’d been in some seriously fucked up situations, but this one was personal. It shouldn’t have been. Somewhere along the line Ellie had gotten to him. She was the sweetest thing in her bakery, and she sold some sweet shit. No matter how hard he’d focused on the task at hand, all he’d thought of was Ellie and how she needed him to be successful. She was a smart woman and was probably putting together the pieces, or worse, assuming what she thought she knew was true.

  He wished he could’ve answered her call last night, but she would’ve been a distraction that he couldn’t afford at that time. Now, Josh wanted to reach out to her and tell her he would be back soon, but he wasn’t sure what Rafe was going to find. Vino appeared to be broken and desperate, but then again, he might have been as good a liar as Josh had become.

  Damn, I hope he wasn’t that stupid. His family deserves better. Hell, so does Ellie.

  Josh hadn’t slept although Chris encouraged him to get a few winks. At first he was too wired, but eventually he drifted. His body needed the rest. Too many hours on edge were taking a toll on him, mentally and physically. Even though he was sitting in a metal folding chair, it felt good to stop for a while.

  A few hours later he received confirmation from Rafe. Thankfully, Rafe delivered good news; Vino wasn’t so stupid after all. The proof of Night’s guilt was exactly where Vino had stated. Rafe had already shared the information with the FBI. Josh had wanted to be there when they arrested that bastard, but the FBI took the lead on it. Even Rafe hadn’t been allowed to go. The Turchettas didn’t do any of this for glory and recognition meant nothing to them. Yet the FBI questioned their tactics for obtaining the information. That was funny because the Turchettas were well aware of the extent the FBI would go as well.

  No matter, he was glad the FBI had the bastard in their custody. Rafe was staying actively involved as he always did. And as a friend of Frank, Rafe still had good connections in the Bureau who would keep him in the loop.

  Vino’s family was in a secure location until the FBI could put them in witness protection. Once things started moving, they moved fast. Chris and the rest of the team delivered Vino and the others to the FBI. There was nothing left for Josh to do, at least not in Yonkers.

  So he hopped on a chopper and headed back to the one person he owed an explanation to. It had been one hell of a stressful twenty-four hours, but compared to having to face Ellie and answer her q
uestions truthfully, it seemed like a piece of cake.

  I hope she can find it in her heart to forgive me. “Fuck!” He could plead with Ellie to forgive him, but he wasn’t sure he could forgive himself.

  * * *

  She’d told herself he’d be back in the morning, but that came and went. Then she walked the beach with Melissa and thought for sure Josh would come jogging by at any moment and all would be okay. But as the day went on, her heart sank deeper into a pit of worry.

  Sitting on the blanket Melissa had lent her, she looked off in the distance to the lighthouse. As the light circled back around, it felt like the beats of her heart. Filled with hope but endlessly searching for . . . him to return.

  It was foolish to even think she could be falling in love with a man who she wasn’t sure had any true feelings for her. Melissa had told her Josh was doing this because he wanted her safe. But with all she’d learned, that was what he did for everyone. How was she different from anyone else?

  She would like to think his kisses, his care, had been something special, but right now Ellie wasn’t sure. She laughed to herself. It was like asking a customer if they liked the cupcake while they stood in front of you. They’d say yes, but the only way to know for sure was if they bought that one again. She’d have her answer if she was sent back to Yonkers alone.

  “That’s a cute dress, and it’s a beautiful day to wear it,” Melissa said as she walked toward her.

  Ellie had packed the white sundress in case Josh decided to show her any place in Newport that required something other than jeans. “A bit overdressed for the beach, but I figured I could get a little sun while . . . waiting.”

  “You would think I’d have a tan living by the beach, but I work so much I hardly make it home while the sun is out. It seems the only time I get to do this is when the guys send a woman here for . . . a visit.”

  Ellie knew Melissa really meant watching but was too sweet to put it so bluntly. Ellie, on the other hand, wasn’t so sweet.

  “They bring women here often?”

  Melissa said, “No. Rafe had me watch Deanna before they got married. Oh, I think I may have gone and spent some time with her after as well. Renzo sent me Hydria, which is funny because she is so tough she really should’ve been watching me.” In a soft voice she said, “In case you didn’t know, they are watching out for us now.”

  Ellie looked around and didn’t see anyone except people way off in the distance by the lighthouse, walking on rocks. That surely couldn’t be them. If so, that wasn’t much protection.

  “You won’t see them, just know they are here. No different than the others were when you were in Yonkers. My brothers have enlisted a team of highly trained veterans with wide skill sets. Together, they form one heck of an elite force. One I wouldn’t want to cross, that’s for sure.” Laughing, Melissa added, “I wonder if that’s why I don’t get many second dates.”

  “Five older brothers might really cut down on guys coming around.”

  “And you’ve only met Josh. He’s the one closest in age to me, and we are very close. I guess we all are in different ways.”

  Talking about brothers made Ellie think of how she’d never see Frank again. He was much older than she was, just like Rafe was to Melissa, so she understood the difference. Hearing about Rafe showed why he and Frank were friends. They had similar personalities. Good people, but darn hard to love. Serious. Focused. Josh . . . he didn’t seem like them. At least he presented himself differently. Josh had seemed so easy to relate to. Since she knew his reason for being in Yonkers, would he be the same the next time she saw him?

  “You haven’t heard from any of them?” Ellie asked, longing to have something to cling to.

  Melissa shook her head. “No matter how close we are, there are things they don’t tell me.”

  “Because they don’t trust you?”

  Melissa grinned. “Not at all. If for one minute they didn’t, you wouldn’t be here.”

  “How do you do it? I mean your brothers are out there and you have no idea if they are dead or alive.” Immediately, Ellie felt horrible for saying such a thing. She knew what Melissa was going through. She’d faced it every day Frank went to the office. Ellie had told herself he had a desk job and nothing would happen, but she knew that wasn’t the truth. He had told her several times he was on vacation without any cell service. She’d known damn well he was deep undercover somewhere. It was understood between them: she didn’t ask because he wouldn’t tell. I know exactly how you feel, and I know the pain when things go wrong. She wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone.

  Melissa got up off the blanket and responded as she stood staring off in the distance, “I would say you get used to it, but that’s not true. You don’t get immune to it either. But my experiences are different from yours. My younger sister wasn’t risking her life. Instead Phoebe had been volunteering to help others learn how to read, giving to the less fortunate. My brothers had thought by not letting her join the military she’d be safe. But in reality, we learned the hard way there is no keeping anyone truly safe, not if you want them to have any kind of life. Phoebe was living her life as she wanted to. And she was killed.” Melissa became quiet for a few seconds, and Ellie knew she was thinking back of that horrific time.

  “I’m sorry. Your family has been through so much. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.”

  Melissa turned to her. “Ellie, I miss my sister every day. Just like I’m sure you do Frank. But somehow we go on and live, and that is what they’d want us to do. Losing my sister taught me, taught all of us, that every moment is a gift. You need to treasure each one. And because of that, we don’t sweat the small things any longer. Yesterday is gone and if you’re not careful, so is your tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” That didn’t make any sense. That was the future, the hope for something better.

  “Yes. If you hold on to the small things, like what brought you and Josh together in the first place, then you ruin any chance for happiness tomorrow. You’re stuck in yesterdays and that can be a very lonely place to be. Hold on to your dreams and hold on to tomorrow.”

  She was right. She’d spent so much time thinking of what was lost instead of enjoying each person who’d entered her life. What had Josh done that was so wrong? Kept the truth from her so she didn’t freak out and get them both killed? Was it more important that she found out who had killed her brother than it was to learn that someone had? Ellie knew she wasn’t meant to be a private investigator. Heck, something could stare her square in the face and she’d miss it. I like looking at life through my rose-colored glasses. I just wish I didn’t need them and the world actually was that beautiful. That gentle.

  She was glad Melissa had come to sit with her. She’d reminded her that Frank would want her to continue driving hard and not give up as though her future had ended with his death. He’d actually be disappointed in her if she did. “Frank would be so upset with me if I let my shop go.” Or Josh. Frank would want to see her happy. But she wasn’t sure if she and Josh had a today, never mind a tomorrow. Don’t think that. He’s okay. I know he is. He has to be.

  Melissa turned back to her and said, “Josh told me what you do. How you turn one strange ingredient into something fabulous.”

  Ellie laughed. She couldn’t help but think back to the Broccolicous. There was no way he’d share that tidbit with anyone, would he? Then again, Josh didn’t need to say a word to anyone. Ellie had forgotten all about the video Katia-Lynn had put up on the internet. The whole world could see it. And it still didn’t help my business.

  “I’ve tried to be unique. It hasn’t paid off like I thought it would. Maybe it’s time I do something more conventional.”

  “Really? That surprises me. You don’t seem like a ‘do as everyone else does’ type.”

  Ellie looked puzzled. “I’m not sure how to take that.”

  “It’s a compliment. I love your creativity, and I think if you started baking only choco
late and vanilla, you’d be bored.”

  Still sitting on the blanket, Ellie looked up at Melissa, “You haven’t tried my baking. How do you know you’d like it?”

  Melissa’s eyes widened. “That’s easily solved. Right now we both need something to keep our minds off . . . what we can’t control. Why don’t you show me how you do it?”

  “Make cupcakes? Now?”

  “Why not? I haven’t planned anything for dinner and if you can sneak a veggie or two in there, maybe I won’t feel so guilty having a couple tonight. What do you say?”

  A kitchen was the one place Ellie always felt comfortable. “We don’t have what I need.”

  “That’s easily solved. We have enough people watching us; I’m sure one of them would enjoy a break and go to the store for us. Heck, maybe Hydria would like to come inside and see you create a masterpiece in person. You’d really like her, by the way. I mean, she has to be wonderful to put up with one of my brothers.” Melissa snickered. “Not that I’m trying to scare you, but we come as a package deal. You love one of us, you get all of us.”

  Love? She and Josh were far from declaring an undying love. Or at least she believed so. What the hell do I know? I’ve never really been in love. But Ellie wasn’t about to let Melissa’s little comment get into her head. She had enough to think about right now. She’d already made huge progress coming to terms with how Josh misled her. One step at a time. If it’s meant to be, it’ll work itself out.

  Ignoring Melissa’s comment she said, “I guess I should get a list ready.”

  Melissa pulled out her cell phone and said, “I’m ready.”

  Ellie couldn’t believe how excited Melissa seemed. She really must be bored. So she rattled off all the ingredients while Melissa jotted them down.

  “Okay, you stay here and enjoy; I’m going shopping with Hydria.”

  “I thought we couldn’t go out?”

  Melissa was already heading back to the beach house and said, “No, you can’t go anywhere. I won’t be long.”