Deadly Target

by Misty Evans

  The day he’d been discharged, he kept thinking she was going to show up to help take him home. Instead, it was Thomas and Ronni who picked him up and made sure he had his prescriptions filled. His sisters had taken turns visiting every day, bringing food and fussing over him, until he finally insisted he was okay and could handle normal life again. It was hard having them constantly checking on him and hanging around when he knew they were so busy with their own lives, but in many ways, he’d enjoyed spending time with each of them. He only wished Olivia had been around to do the same.

  A few days after he left the hospital, he’d received a call from his boss in DC telling Victor he had been under investigation. The previous fall, someone in the Justice Department had received an anonymous tip claiming Victor had ties to the Fifty-seven Gang and Gino DeStefano, conducting criminal activity with them the entire time he’d been with the FBI. The conversation with Olivia that night in the dining room had all come back to him.

  She’d been the one covertly investigating him.

  No wonder she hadn’t returned his texts and phone calls. The whole time they’d had a relationship, she’d been pretending she cared.

  He’d spent every minute of the last two weeks going over their relationship in his mind, and maybe he was being an idiot, but he truly believed that she did care. Maybe it was his sad ego, needing to feel like he hadn’t been tricked, but he remembered what Felix had said to him the night everything went down, as well as some of the things Liv herself had said that sounded cryptic then and now made total sense.

  So, against all hope, he’d invited her to the picnic.

  As the last of the food was set out and Brenda began calling everybody to grab their plates, Victor went to look out the dining room window. Cars lined the driveway and down the street but there was no Olivia.

  His heart sunk, and he dropped his chin to his chest, wondering how he could’ve been such a fool. His relationship with Tracee had been a disaster, and it had gotten her killed. The one with Olivia had held promise, but apparently, had been based on lies. If his right arm hadn’t been in a sling, he probably would’ve punched the wall. Instead he turned, heading back for the kitchen.

  The doorbell rang, stopping him in his tracks. Slowly, he pivoted and stared at the closed door for a moment.

  A funny feeling invaded his chest—hope. You’re a fool. It was probably Roman or one of the other taskforce agents he’d invited.

  That reasoning didn’t stop him from rushing to the door and throwing it open.

  Olivia stood there, in red shorts and a flowery blouse, raising a paintbrush. “Figured you had plenty of food and booze, so I came bearing a promise instead.”

  He couldn’t stop the crazy grin that spread across his face. His heart beat rapid-fire, banging against his ribcage. “A promise?”

  “Seems I owe you for getting my dad a deal with the federal government. Because there were extenuating circumstances—he was, quote, assisting with a deep cover investigation, per your report to the Justice Department—he’s been allowed to return to Chicago and stay on parole. My mom is beside herself with happiness. No charges will be brought against him.”

  Power was a good thing sometimes. “He did assist, and if it weren’t for him, who knows what would’ve happened to you.”

  Her eyes softened along with her voice. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you did that. In return, I’d like to offer my painting services.”

  His heart whacked against his ribcage like it was going to beat out of his chest. He moved back, motioning her across the threshold. “As it so happens, I’ve decided on a color for the living room with the help of my mother and sisters. It’s called Dragon Fire. I think you’ll like it.”

  She entered the foyer and glanced around as people filed in and out of the kitchen near the back door. Celina saw them and waved. “You’re late!” she called.

  Olivia waved back. “How’s Cooper?”

  “Come outside and ask him yourself.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Great idea,” Victor said. “You probably need sustenance before you start working, so why don’t you join the picnic?”

  She stared at the back door, seeming to contemplate it. One of the kids ran in, Taz giving chase. When the dog saw Liv, he let out a happy yelp, his legs spinning as he tried to get traction to run to see her. A second later, he barreled into her open arms and began licking her face as she greeted him. “I missed you, buddy. Don’t tell your owner, but you’re the real reason I came over.”

  “He’s missed you too.”

  She finished hugging the dog and rose. “Is he the only one?”

  Victor reached out and grabbed her hand, dragging her closer so they were chest to chest, nose to nose. “You better eat a lot, because you’re not going to need sustenance just for painting.”

  She chuckled low and sexy. “I’m really sorry about what happened. I was going to tell you everything, but the timing was always off. I fell totally head over heels for you, Director, our first night together. I didn’t trust myself or my feelings and by the time I realized I was in love with you, I’d dug one hell of a hole. Nothing about our relationship was fake on my end. I want you to know that.”

  He smiled down at her, a sense of completeness enveloping him. Liv was here in his arms. In the background, he heard the sounds of his family and friends having a good time. Everybody was okay. Everybody was happy.

  Now he could relax, at least for a little while. Maybe it’s my turn to be happy.

  Olivia too.

  “I have no doubts you’re the real deal, Olivia Fiorelli, and I’m hoping you’re going to spend a lot of time in this house with me and the dog.”

  She grinned. “I don’t work for free, you know.”

  “God, I hope not, but you may have to take it easy on me for a while.” He lifted his bum arm an inch.

  “Excuses, excuses. You’re not going to be a wimp about it, are you? I mean, I get that you can’t paint right now, but as for the other stuff”—she raised her eyes toward the bedroom—“I need to know you can hold your own.”

  He tilted his chin down to place his forehead against hers. “What do you say after the party, we do a test run?”

  She kissed him, softly, gently, but with promise. As she broke away, she whispered, “I love you, Victor, and I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”

  As Taz leaned against both their legs, watching them intently, Victor knew this was the future he’d been waiting for. While the two of them still had demons to put to rest about her brother and his father, they had new leads. More members of the Suarez Kings had been picked up and questioned, and with the testimony Olivia had gotten out of Alfie, the Fifty-seven Gang was already being torn apart, Gino and Frankie were both under arrest and facing life in prison. Alfie was in jail too, his daughter now living with his mother in Sacramento.

  It was time for a fresh start, a new beginning. Time to let the ghosts of the past rest and build a future with this woman. “I love you too, Liv, and you don’t need to prove anything to me. I know you, and what a good heart you have. I’ve never doubted that for a moment.”

  “Are you two going to stand there and jabber all day, or can we get this party started?”

  Victor looked over to see Cooper standing in the hallway, two beers in hand.

  “Good to see you up and about,” Olivia said.

  Cooper gave a wry smile. “Can’t keep The Beast down, Fiorelli. You know that.”

  “We’ll be there in a minute,” Victor said. “Go ahead and start without us.”

  Olivia stepped back as Cooper headed outside once more. “Let’s go join the party. I’m dying to meet your mom and sisters. You and I can save our deep conversations for later.”

  “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” He grabbed her by the hand and guided her toward the stairs. “I need to show you a couple paint samples.”

  Olivia laughed softly under her breath. �
��Paint samples, huh?”

  They jogged up the stairs, eager to be in each other’s arms. Taz chased them, sure of the game. “There are way too many shades of blue. I definitely need help picking the right one for the bedroom.”

  “And this decision needs to be made at this exact moment?”

  He propelled her into the room and to the bed, now officially set up and ready for plenty of conversations. “Oh yeah. National emergency. How fast can you get out of those shorts?”

  She hugged him, and they fell onto the bed together, Victor ignoring his injured shoulder and stripping off the sling before he began removing her clothes. As he sank into her soft, inviting heat, he felt no pain, no regrets. He was a stronger man because of her and he wanted nothing more than to make her happy for the rest of her life.

  There was no time like the present to begin.

  Romantic Suspense & Mysteries by Misty Evans

  Spies of Shadow Force (Coming 2019)

  Man Hunt

  Man Down

  Man Killer

  Shadow Force International Series

  * * *

  Fatal Truth

  Fatal Honor

  Fatal Courage

  Fatal Love

  Fatal Vision

  Fatal Thrill

  Risk

  The SCVC Taskforce Series

  * * *

  Deadly Pursuit

  Deadly Deception

  Deadly Force

  Deadly Intent

  Deadly Affair, A SCVC Taskforce novella

  Deadly Attraction

  Deadly Secrets

  Deadly Holiday, A SCVC Taskforce novella

  Deadly Target

  Deadly Rescue (coming November 2018)

  The Super Agent Series

  * * *

  Operation Sheba

  Operation Paris

  Operation Proof of Life

  The Blood Code

  The Perfect Hostage, A Super Agent Novella

  The Justice Team Series (with Adrienne Giordano)

  * * *

  Stealing Justice

  Cheating Justice

  Holiday Justice

  Exposing Justice

  Undercover Justice

  Protecting Justice

  Missing Justice

  Defending Justice

  The Secret Ingredient Culinary Mystery Series

  The Secret Ingredient, A Culinary Romantic Mystery with Bonus Recipes

  The Secret Life of Cranberry Sauce, A Secret Ingredient Holiday Novella

  About the Author

  USA TODAY Bestselling Author Misty Evans has published fifty novels and writes romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance. She got her start writing in 4th grade when she won second place in a school writing contest with an essay about her dad. Since then, she’s written nonfiction magazine articles, started her own coaching business, become a yoga teacher, and raised twin boys on top of enjoying her fiction career.

  When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, movies, and hanging out with her husband, twin sons, and two spoiled puppies. A registered yoga teacher and Master Reiki Practitioner, she shares her love of chakra yoga and energy healing, but still hasn’t mastered levitating.

  Get free reads, all the latest news, and alerts about sales when you sign up for her newsletter at www.readmistyevans.com. To find out more about her holistic healing practice, please visit www.crystalswithmisty.com.

  Letter from Misty

  Hello Beautiful Reader!

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Deadly Target! This is my 50th published book and one that is very special to me. I never dreamed I’d be a storyteller when I grew up, but maybe I really never did grow up! Anyway, it is an honor and a privilege to write stories for you.

  I hope you enjoyed this book, and I’d like to ask a favor – would you mind leaving a review at your favorite retailer? I’d really appreciate it, and reviews help other readers find books they will love too.

  If you’d like to learn about my other books, sales, and special promotions, please sign up for my newsletter at www.readmistyevans.com.

  I also have a holistic business, Crystals With Misty, and invite you to check out my website www.crystalswithmisty.com for information on my services.

  Thank you and happy reading!

  Misty