Vinny: Alvarez Security Series

by Maryann Jordan

  Just then the door crashed open and Vinny appeared as an avenging angel. Sharon turned in a panic, but Annalissa moved quickly to shove the gun down.

  Vinny’s pistol appeared but with Annalissa right behind Sharon he did not have a clear shot. “Get down,” he ordered. Gordon screamed and dropped immediately to the ground.

  Annalissa tried to drop, but Sharon’s grasping claws held fast. The two women’s arm’s flailed for a second before Sharon’s rage gave her the strength to shove Annalissa backward. As Annalissa fell over the railing, Sharon’s fingers gave away and Vinny took his shot.

  He aimed for her gun arm, hitting her in the shoulder. Howling in pain, she dropped to the floor just as Gabe came rushing into the room, his pistol ready as well.

  “Annalissa!” Vinny shouted as he jumped over Sharon, then stumbled on his way to the balcony. Looking down, he stared at the broken harp, Annalissa’s blood splattered over the splintered wood. Turning, he rushed toward the balcony, peering down into the inky water. Jerking off his tux jacket and kicking off his shoes, he vaulted over the railing after her.

  *

  The cold water jolted Annalissa as she plunged into its depths. She had managed to take a deep breath before hitting, but could not see in the dark water, quickly losing her sense of direction. She felt her body moving slightly upwards and quickly began to kick. The long dress clung to her legs, making her kicks awkward and slowing down her progress.

  Her lungs began to burn just as panic set in. Vinny. Oh God, help me get back to him. She moved her arms as he had taught, feeling her body begin to rise. Her injured arm screamed in agony, but she refused to give into the pain. With one last push, her head broke the surface. Gulping in great gasps of air, she tried to dog-paddle to keep her head above the water. Her dress was weighing her down like an anchor. I’ve got to get it off, she thought. The rushing current carried her body until she slammed into a concrete pillar supporting the balcony overhang of the Concert Hall. She felt around as she grasped it and discovered there was a wire fence connecting some of the pillars. Clinging to it, she hefted herself out of the water just a bit and tried to look around. The lights of the hall above reflected on the shimmering surface of the river as it rushed by. She clung to the wire with one hand and pushed her matted hair from her face. Looking out at the exapanse of water, she saw nothing. She knew that Vinny would have seen her go over the edge and would come for her. If Sharon hadn’t killed him. Oh, Jesus. Her panic rose to a fevered pitch and she moved her free arm to the side of her bodice where the hidden side zipper lie.

  Her fingers shook with cold as she grasped at the zipper tab and moved it down, inch by inch. She glanced at her progress and saw the large fragment of wood still embedded in her arm, the sight nearly making her give up. She jerked on the zipper a few more times until she could feel the heavy, wet bodice sliding down to her waist.

  Just then she heard a cry from far off. A cry that sounded like…her name. Her eyes searched the moving water but were unable to see anything. He’s out there. I know he is. I feel it. She tried to scream out in response but was unable to do little more than croak. Over and over she tried to call his name, but the cold water she had swallowed when she fell robbed her of her voice.

  I’ve got to get to him. She began frantically trying to kick out of the dress that now hung about her waist. It was stuck on her hips and she took a deep steadying breath before struggling again. She managed to get her hand on the parted material but the zipper was lost in the wet folds of the skirt. God give me strength, she cried as she jerked as hard as she could on the offending garment. It must have ripped slightly because the rushing water began to slide the dress completely off her legs, leaving her in her bra and panties. A crazy thought ran through her head, I wish I had my old, red, flowered, one-piece swimsuit.

  Still clinging to the wire fence, she managed to reach one foot and slide her shoe off. The other one was a struggle because of the injury to her arm, but she managed it kick it off as well.

  Feeling her first sense of mobility since she plunged into the murky depths, she realized she was already exhausted. Looking to the left, the direction of river flow, she knew that was the closest way to get to the riverside where Vinny would hopefully be.

  She heard his voice cry out her name once more and finally saw a head bobbing in the water. That’s him. I know that’s him. Determination flowed through her veins as she pushed off of the fence and began to swim toward him. She kicked just as though she were clinging to the side of the pool. She moved her arms in the circular motion that she had practiced. She tried to keep her head above the water, but it slowed her down. I got this. I can do this.

  With a final prayer, she moved her head into the water, turning it back and forth to the side as he had taught her and swam toward the voice from the depths that called her name.

  *

  Gabe watched his brother dive over the railing and he immediately shouted over the radio, “Annalissa in the river. Back side. Two floors up. Vinny’s just gone in to get her. Suspect apprehended.”

  Gabe knelt down next to Sharon, rage filling him at the devastation she had caused. As a medic he checked her, but noted that Vinny had managed to wing her—a flesh wound that caused pain but no serious injury. Good shot, bro, he thought. Then, with reflection, he wondered if perhaps Vinny has been aiming for her heart and missed.

  Just then, the fire department came in along with the rescue squad and police. He looked up at Shane and nodded. “She’s the one. She and this piece of trash here,” he said, jerking his gaze down to the still cowering Gordon.

  Shane reported that the rescue was already organized for a river search. Matt called out to two patrolmen who were with him to follow her to the hospital and take her into custody. Gabe looked down for a moment seeing what had startled his twin. On the floor, near the door to the balcony, was Easnadh. Broken. Bloody.

  *

  Vinny’s plunge into the river’s current looked like any training he had endured with his years in the Special Forces, but his heart was far more impassioned than with any other mission. When he had seen Annalissa’s body fall over the railing with the broken harp covered in her blood lying at his feet…his heart stopped. It may have only been seconds before he had recovered enough to charge into action, but those few seconds would remain embedded in his memory forever.

  With powerful kicks and strokes, he moved upward quickly, his head breaking the surface. He looked about wildly for any sign of her. She was wearing that goddamn dress. Fuck! He knew it would weigh her down, possibly dragging her underneath the surface for too long.

  He did not see her anywhere on the light reflected water. He treaded water easily as he removed his tuxedo trousers to allow for easier movement. Crying out for her, he swam in a circle for a moment to see if he could make out any sign of her. He knew the current of the river would have taken her south, so he swam in that direction keeping his eyes peeled for any unusual movement.

  Not feeling the cold, he only felt fear. Choking fear that crept up his throat threatening to steal his breath. It did not matter how many times he called upon his training, nothing mattered except finding her. He kept stopping and treaded water, shouting her name, hoping she would answer back.

  He looked at his watch. It had been almost ten minutes. How long can she fuckin’ stay alive in this? He thought about their swimming lessons. I shoulda spent more time on her lessons and less on trying to fuck her. Shouting her name again, he felt desperation as he had never felt it before.

  A noise to his left captured his attention and he swung his gaze in that direction. Something was moving. Flailing. He shook his head, swinging water droplets from his face as he fought to see more clearly what was thrashing in the water. Suddenly the movement stopped and an object bobbed on the dark, swirling surface. And a voice cried out over the surface. “Vinny, Vinny. I’m here.”

  Thank God, she found me. If it were possible for a man to literally drop to his knees whil
e in the water, he would have. Instead, his breath caught in his throat making it impossible to call her name again. Jerking in response, he began swimming toward her, close enough now to see her small arms not strong enough to carry her across the current.

  Strong, sure, powerful strokes of his arms had him propelling her way. Within a minute, he was upon her. Clasping his arms around her shaking body he pulled her in tightly, his body tense with the need to feel her. Hear her breath. Feel her heartbeat against his own pounding chest.

  Her sobs were the only sound he heard, but knowing she was alive made it a sound to live for. “Baby, I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

  He realized that she was barely clothed, glad she had been able to rid herself of the dress, but also aware that she was suffering from hypothermia.

  She clung to him with one arm around his neck, the other dropped at her side.

  “Where are you hurt?” he asked, unable to ascertain her injuries in the dark water. She lifted her head from his shoulder and said, “I…I’ve…got some wood..in…in my arm.” Her teeth were chattering so hard, he could barely hear her speak.

  “Babe, I’ve got you. Relax and I’ll get you to safety.” With that, he pushed off with a powerful kick, holding her with his left arm wrapped securely around her and using his right arm to stroke through the water.

  He came. He came for me. The cold was fading away as consciousness began to slip from her. As the water flowed by, her head held up out of the water by his strong grip began to nod.

  The park next to the concert hall had a concrete wall that held the river at bay and on a warm summer day was usually filled with laughing children and their parents. Tonight, it was filled with firemen, policemen, and Tony’s group. Huge spotlights had just been turned toward the water, allowing the searchers to see the surface of the swirling waters more easily.

  Gabe had made it to the wall, ready to jump in when needed. Tony walked up and had just clamped his hand on Gabe’s shoulder when Jobe shouted. “Visual. Man in water. Two o’clock.”

  The group turned to his directions and saw Vinny swimming toward them, carrying Annalissa. He just made it to the wall when Gabe jumped in next to him. With both of them hefting her body out of the water, Jobe and Tony were able to lean down to grab hold of her.

  She was barely dressed and her body had a bluish color. The men felt the ice cold touch of her skin. Jobe immediately wrapped her in a blanket and began rubbing her limbs to aid in circulation. BJ, Terrance, and Doug had appeared beside Tony and they all hoisted Gabe and Vinny out of the river as well. Tony threw blankets at both soaked men, knowing that Vinny would not even notice. He had already rushed over to Annalissa’s side where the rescue squad had placed her on the stretcher.

  “Let me get to her, I’m a medic,” Vinny ordered.

  “Sir, you need to stay back. In fact, you need to be checked out as well.”

  “Fuck that, I’m staying with her,” he growled.

  The EMT gave up arguing and turned his attention back to Annalissa. They prepared to move her to the ambulance and did not attempt to dissuade Vinny when he got in the back with her. He looked out of the ambulance before it took off, seeing Gabe, Tony, and Jobe standing together. Always together. Friends. Brothers.

  Chapter 24

  Annalissa was sitting in the hospital room, anxious to leave. “Vinny, can’t we just sneak out?”

  “For the last time, no,” he said, pretending to be stern. If the truth were told, he would have given her anything her heart desired, but the ER had admitted her for observation overnight.

  She had been saved from hypothermia, although her body temperature was low when she was brought in. Most of her cuts from the small shards of wood had been cleaned and would heal quickly. The more concerning injury was the large, four-inch splinter of wood that had pierced her upper arm, slicing through muscle and almost severing a nerve. That injury had required extensive stitching and would take longer to heal.

  She had made the doctor save the piece that he removed. He asked her where it came from, but it hurt too much to tell him that her beloved instrument had been shattered. She shook her head and gave a weak smile. “Just from something I cared for,” was all she could manage.

  Vinny noticed that she did not speak of Easnadh so he did not bring it up in conversation either. For him, the vision of the broken harp with her blood spilled on it now replaced the other horrific memory of another harp years before.

  Gabe and Jennifer came to the door, smiling to see Annalissa sitting up on the bed. Jennifer rushed over, throwing her arms around her. Gabe walked over, kissed the top of her head and then moved to stand next to Vinny.

  Vinny held his gaze for a moment, the secret communication between twins at work. Gabe knew that Vinny wanted to know what had happened to Sharon and what the rest of the story was. He also knew by looking at his brother that Vinny did not want anything said that could possibly upset Annalissa now. With a nod of understanding, Gabe moved back over to his wife.

  “Tony said to call him as soon as she’s discharged. Shane and Matt will meet over at your house. They need her statement but had enough evidence for now,” Gabe said.

  “Babe, we don’t have to do this today,” Vinny stated emphatically, watching her carefully for signs of distress.

  The nurse entered, interrupting their conversation, carrying the discharge papers. With everything signed, he wheeled her out of the hospital into Gabe’s waiting vehicle.

  Arriving at his parking garage, Vinny insisted on carrying her to the elevator and refused to let her walk.

  “This is ridiculous,” she protested. “My arm is hurt, not my legs.”

  “Quiet, princess,” he whispered. “It makes me feel better if you’re in my arms.” He wanted to carry her straight to the bedroom, insisting that she needed to rest, but she equally insisted that she was tired of being in bed. They compromised when he set her down on the sofa and covered her with a blanket.

  It did not take long for the apartment to fill with friends, bringing food and good wishes. Matt and Shane came over but kept their questions to a minimum. She recited her side of the events and then questioned them, wanting to know what had happened.

  “It appears that Sharon’s been a drug runner for a well-known cartel based out of California for a couple of years. She’s carried drugs in her cosmetic bags and has gotten more creative in where she hides them for transport,” Matt reported.

  Tony picked up the story. “She met Gordon at an after opening party for one of his small-time actresses and it seems that she kept him supplied with cocaine for the past year. She wasn’t his direct dealer, but as a runner she had access. She also then began to blackmail him into getting jobs for her.”

  “Is that how she became acquainted with Annalissa?” Vinny asked, his arm protectively around her.

  “He introduced her to entertainers who needed her for their various engagements and traveling around the country was perfect for her to have a chance to move the drugs. I guess one look at your harp and its case and she thought she was in heaven.”

  “But I still don’t understand how she managed to get it done,” Annalissa wondered aloud.

  Shane explained, “We don’t know the specifics yet, but what we could piece together last night with her and with Gordon, he would supply her with the dates, airlines, and travel times for you. She was with you in the hotel suites that would be booked and when everyone was asleep, she would carefully hide the drugs in your harp column. Then she made the arrangements with the airport handler in Dulles. The drug cartel used him for lots of jobs…she was just one of them.”

  “And,” Tony added, “On this trip everything went wrong for her. She has spent the past month trying to figure out how to get the harp alone so that she could remove the drugs, assuming that they were still there. The gala provided the perfect opportunity so Gordon decided to arrange for her to be there and he wanted to cover his ass as well.”

  “What will happen to he
r?” Annalissa asked.

  “Right now, she is sitting in jail and so is Gordon. We’ve got her on possession, possession with the intent to distribute, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, assault, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder. Gordon, right now, is looking at accessory charges, but more may follow.”

  “Oh, my God.” Annalissa, overwhelmed, leaned her head back on Vinny’s shoulder. “I don’t even know what to think about all of that.”

  “She’ll probably be offered a deal, ’cause she really is small potatoes in the cartel, but that makes her life worth spit about now. I’m sure they want the larger fish to catch.”

  Sherrie walked back from the kitchen with a glass of water and as she handed it to Annalissa, she also showed her the newspaper. “I know you hate crowds, honey, but you made the front page.”

  The headlines screamed about the protégé harpist who had been threatened by a crazed woman at the gala for Professor Feinstein.

  “I’ve been fielding phone calls from fans who want to wish you well and your manager who wants to capitalize on your notoriety,” Jennifer said ruefully.

  Annalissa cut her eyes over to Vinny, seeing the angry tick in his jaw. Before she could try to appease his anger, Matt and Shane walked over and kissed the top of her head as they made their way out of the apartment.

  Vinny looked back down at her and said, “You ought to know that your dad came to the hospital that first night when you were out of it.”

  Her mouth formed an “O”, but nothing came out.

  “He wanted to check on you and said he’d come by when you were feeling better. I gave him our address here and…well, we’ll see.”

  She nodded slowly, impressed with that fact that her father actually came to check on her. She wanted to say more, but Vinny stood to let the others out. As Sherrie and Jennifer walked out, he faced Gabe and Jobe.