by Laina Turner
“See ya.”
“What was that all about, Pres?” Jesse said. “You acted like you couldn’t wait to get out of there. I thought you liked Sweetie.”
“I do. I did. I need to explain but not right now.” I started to walk faster to the car. “Just let’s get out of here first.” We reached the car, and Jesse started to unlock it.
“You know I can’t let you leave.”
I froze and slowly turned around.
“What are you talking about, man?” Jesse said to Sweetie.
“You’ll have to ask your sister, but I can’t let you leave. Not right now.”
“Sweetie, I don’t know what you think we know, but it’s nothing. Michelle wouldn’t talk. Now stop being silly.” I reached my hand to the door handle again, and that’s the last thing I remembered before everything went black.
Chapter 25
When I came to, I was in a dark room of decent size. My head was pounding. I reached up to feel the back of my head and could feel a big goose egg had formed on the back of my skull. I touched it gingerly. It was as painful as hell, and I was wishing desperately for a couple of aspirin and a Diet Coke. As my eyes began to focus, I noticed I wasn’t alone. I was in a room with Jesse, Michelle, and Ashley. Jesse was still lying on the floor with Ashley by his side.
“What happened?” I asked no one in particular.
“Sweetie decided you guys shouldn’t leave and knocked you out in the parking lot and brought us all here,” Michelle replied.
“But I thought…” I trailed off. I was so confused.
“Sweetie’s a rogue agent,” Ashley replied.
I was trying to process all this when I heard my brother groan. “Is he okay?” I asked Ashley, who was hovering over him like the doting girlfriend I had assumed she was upon first meeting her.
“He will be. He’s got a hard head,” she said affectionately.
I looked around the room. It was windowless, and while there were double doors at one end of the room, I assumed they would be locked. “So forgive me for asking the obvious, but how do we get out of here?”
“We don’t,” Ashley said flatly. “We wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“Benigni still doesn’t have what he wants. He will be here soon to try and get it.”
“That doesn’t exactly fill me with hope of getting out of here.” Not alive, anyways. I was finally starting to wish I had listened to Cooper and stayed out of things.
“Don’t worry.”
“Easy for you to say. I’m not an undercover DEA agent,” I said to Ashley a little more biting than I probably should have. But I was scared.
“Where are the pictures? I assume you found them?” she said, my tone not fazing her in the least.
“We did, and Cooper and Simon have them. I know you don’t know either of them, but trust me, those pictures couldn’t be in better hands.”
“She’s right, Ashley,” Jesse said finally coming to and wincing with the effort of speaking. “These guys are the best.”
“I certainly hope so because—” she broke off and cocked her head toward the door. “I hear someone coming. Listen to me; let me do the talking. Michelle, you ready?”
Michelle nodded, and we fell silent just as we heard the tumbler of the deadbolt move. The door swung open. Three people walked into the dim shadows of the room. Then the figures took a few more steps forward, and I could see it was Benigni, some guy I had seen with Benigni before—and Sweetie. I was so disappointed; I had read him all wrong.
“Dear sweet Presley. We meet again.”
“I must say, Benigni, your accommodations leave a lot to be desired. I would have expected more from you.” I saw Ashley shake her head of out the corner of my eye. I knew this wasn’t leaving the talking to her, but I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me no matter how scared I was on the inside.
He chuckled. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you wouldn’t be in this predicament had you stayed with waitressing and away from my business. Now speaking of business,” he said, turning to Ashley, his voice growing cold and hard, “where are the pictures? I’m tired of your games.”
“I told you, I don’t have them,” Ashley said defiantly.
“That answer is getting old, and the more you say it the less I believe you. Eugene.” He nodded at Eugene/Sweetie, who walked over to where Jesse was still sitting on the floor.
Sweetie pulled a gun from his shoulder holster and pointed it at the back of Jesse’s head. I heard Ashley take in a sharp breath, but still, she didn’t say anything. I held back a scream, my palms sweating.
“Would you like to answer my question truthfully this time?” Benigni said.
Ashley just stared him down. Benigni nodded at Sweetie who cocked the trigger back. Ashley was just standing there and I couldn’t take it.
“Cooper and Simon have them,” I blurted.
Ashley gave me a dirty look, and Benigni a surprised one.
“Simon Palazzo?” he said.
“Yes.”
Benigni didn’t know Cooper, but he definitely knew Simon, and I hoped he knew enough about Simon to know it was in his best interest to not kill us.
“Hmmm. That makes things interesting. Come on, boys,” he said to Sweetie and the other guys, and they abruptly walked out. I could hear the door lock behind them.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Ashley hissed at me. “I told you to stay quiet. You’re jeopardizing what I’ve worked hard for this last year.” She was pissed, but I didn’t care. I cared more about keeping my brother’s head bullet free.
“Calm down, Ashley,” Jesse said. “What did you expect her to do when the guy had a guy pointed to my head?”
We all fell silent as we heard the lock click again, and Benigni came back into the room. “Tie them up, boys,” he said. “We’re going for a ride.”
Chapter 26
Presley, are you okay?” asked Cooper as Benigni and his men walked us all into the backroom of The Pink Pony. We were meeting him and Simon there to exchange the pictures for us. I wasn’t stupid; I didn’t have some pie in the sky hope that this was going to go smoothly. My arms hurt from having my hands tied behind my back, and I could tell by the look on Cooper's face he was trying to control his anger.
“I’m fine,” I replied.
“Let’s cut the bullshit,” Benigni said. “You have the pictures?”
“Right here, Benigni,” Simon said, showing the SD card. “Our deal was you release the girls and Jesse, and then you get your card back.”
“Simon, my boy, you should know it’s not going to be that simple. All of you know what’s on that card. I can’t have that.”
“Unless you are planning on killing us all, and that wouldn’t be good for you, you’re going to have to trust us.”
“Then what do you propose we do?”
“We give you the card and agree not to go to the police, and you agree to stay away from everyone in this room.”
“Oh, Simon, you were always were an optimistic boy. There are three federal agents in here and only one is on my side. I know there isn’t a chance in hell if I let them walk out of here alive that they will keep their mouths shut. Now give me that card or watch them die.” Benigni pulled out a gun and his thugs followed suit. Within seconds, Simon and Cooper were in a standoff with Benigni and his guys.
“You’re making a big mistake, Benigni. This isn’t going to end in your favor.”
“Simon, look around. You’re outnumbered. You may shoot me, but you and your friends will surely die, and I will still end up with what I want.”
For what seemed like hours but was only a few seconds, we all stood there, no one saying anything. My heart raced. This couldn’t possibly end well. I had to agree with Benigni. I didn’t see an easy way out of this without anyone dying, and I didn’t like that thought at all.
Then I heard a crash and looked toward it.
“DEA, put your weapons down!” a voice shouted, as sever
al men burst through the door. I heard a gunshot then another. There was screaming and commotion. I put my head down as if that was going to save me, waiting for the chaos to subside. After a few minutes, it became quiet, and I felt an arm around my shoulder.
“Are you okay, Pres?” Cooper said gently.
“I’m fine,” I said, looking up at him. Two of Benigni’s guys were dead on the floor, and Benigni and Sweetie were being led away in handcuffs. Cooper reached behind me and untied my hands, allowing the circulation back in them. “Is Jesse okay?”
“Yes, he’s over there with Ashley.” Cooper pointed to my right, and I looked over to see Jesse and Ashley hugging. Thank goodness.
Chapter 27
We had spent all night, it seemed, at the police station talking with the detectives and the FBI, who weren’t all that thrilled the DEA and the ATF had been running undercover operations without their knowledge. Luckily that pissing match had nothing to do with me. We gave our statements, and the law enforcement parties involved asked us to stay one more day courtesy of them, which wasn’t a hardship to us. We were all ready to have a relaxing day by the pool with no worries.
“I still can’t get over that my sweet Ashley is a DEA agent,” Jesse said. “I’m so confused. I think that blow to the head has impaired my thinking ability.”
“I doubt that, Jesse. Just a lot to take in.”
Sweetie and Michele had been investigating Benigni, but when Sweetie was suspected of being a rogue agent, Ashley was brought in. She was a plant from the DEA to work on a joint task force with the ATF. Ashley killed one of Benigni’s guys, who was trying to get the pictures from her. That’s when Benigni took her, hoping to get his hands on the pictures she’d captured for evidence for her investigation. Because of Sweetie, he knew she was DEA and trouble. Our snooping was probably the only thing that kept her alive as long as it did. Plus, one of Benigni’s guys liked her, so she was able to sweet talk him into letting her use his phone. Unfortunately, Benigni found out, and this guy would be another murder rap that Benigni would go to prison for.
“I’m just glad you guys are safe,” Anna said, shuddering. “When I think of what could have happened …”
“No kidding,” Jared chimed in. “I can’t believe you left us sleeping at the hotel when you were putting your life in danger.
“I had to leave someone behind to rescue us,” I joked, just happy we were all okay.
“That’s my job,” said Cooper, his shadow falling over me as he walked up to my chair.
“Hey, you’re blocking the sun,” I said.
“See what I put up with? I save her life, and she worries about not catching enough rays.” He stepped to the left so the full sun was once again upon me. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Pres?”
“Sure,” I said, sitting up. “Have a seat.” I patted the space next to me.
He lowered his voice. “I need to leave tonight, and I was hoping you had a chance to think about my offer.”
I could hear everyone go silent behind me in an attempt to eavesdrop. I had so many mixed emotions, but I did know my life seemed much more right with him…
But to give up my job… and I would have to sublet my condo and be away from my friends for something that may not work…and if it didn’t where would I be? I looked up into his eyes, and they were so clear and honest. I knew he really cared. “Okay.”
“What?”
“Okay. What the hell. When do we leave and where are we going?” I knew I had made the right decision when I saw the huge smile on his face. I could hear my friends behind me clapping. Cooper put his arms around me and hugged me.
“You won’t be sorry?” he said.
“I’d better not be or you will.” I melted into his arms and looked forward to whatever the future had to bring.
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If you loved this book, I know you’ll want to share it with all of your friends. Just click here to send out a tweet. You’ll also enjoy the rest of my novels. Scroll through the titles below, or check out my website at Laina Turner. If you sign up for my mailing list, you will receive a free book! Thank you for reading!
A little about me…
As a child I thought I would either be a truck driver (thanks to Jerry Reed in Smokey and the Bandit) or work at Taco Bell (my favorite restaurant as a child). As I grew older I realized my talents lay in academics and business and for the last several years have been a business consultant and college professor where I use the analytical side of my brain and not the side that makes up stories.
Through all my career choices I continued to have a passion for writing. This stemmed from childhood where as an only child I developed a vivid imagination spending most of my time making things up and thinking the Incredible Hulk lived in my closet.
Proud of my vast experiences in life from barrel racing to being on the dance team for a semi pro basketball team to being a mom of 2 amazing kids, I tell my family and friends that no one is safe from their escapades slipping in to my books.
Taking the plunge to write books (cozy mysteries and chick lit) that I actually let people read in 2010, I have worked my way up to being a real author, having 5 fans (maybe 6 now). My blog, The Art Of Living Fabulously, was launched to share the daily fun in the life of a Real Housewife of the Midwest along with the musing of other fabulous ladies.
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Read some more fabulous books.
Stilettos & Scoundrels Presley tells her boss what he can do with her job in HR and embarks on a new career as a freelance journalist. What seems like a simple interview with a Senator turns to murder when the day after her interview the Senator turns up dead. Does the fact that Presley was one of the last people to see him alive make her a suspect? Her ex-boyfriend Cooper, who was in charge of the Senators security, might think so. Presley is determined to clear her name but can she do it and resist Cooper’s charms?
Purchase here.
Necklaces & Nooses After getting fired from her HR job, Presley now works at high-end fashion boutique Silk. She loves her job until one day when she finds her boss dead in a fitting room! She thinks its suicide; Solange was going through a messy divorce. Until the handsome detective, Willie Landon, discovers its homicide. Who would want to kill a storeowner? Presley’s not sure, but she’s determined to find out. Especially, if it means spending more time with the cute detective.
Purchase here.
Handbags & Hooligans
Presley went to Vegas to watch her friend Anna get married and the event turned into solving the mystery of her brother’s girlfriend disappearance. But Ashley wasn't exactly the schoolteacher she appeared to be. Who was she and was she kidnapped?
Purchase here.
And the holiday short…Mistletoe & Murder
Presley heads home to celebrate Christmas with her family expecting it to be a relaxing holiday until her old boyfriend, Brian, unexpectedly shows up at her parents’ house on Christmas Eve. He is desperate for her help finding out who has been stealing from his business and Presley is happy to help. However, things turn more serious when Brian calls her Christmas morning to tell her, Tommy, the guy he thought might have been stealing from him was found dead at his shop. The more Presley investigates, the more things don’t add up. Even if Tommy was the thief who killed him and why? Secrets don’t last long in small towns.
Purchase here.
Gems & Gunshots
In this cozy mystery, Presley heads to San Diego to hang out with Cooper and enjoy the great west coast weather. She didn’t expect that while hanging out at the local coffee shop she would be a witness to a robbery and murder at Gemstone’s Unlimited. Much to Cooper’s dismay Presley feels compelled to investigate. She discovers that not only was the store owner a womanizer but also was filing false insurance claims for diamonds that
weren’t really stolen. Was that why he was being blackmailed? Was that why someone robbed his store? Presley’s determined to find out!
Purchase here.
Get the first 5 Presley Books PLUS the short story A Day in the Life of Trixie Pristine in the Presley Thurman boxed set.
Tiaras & Texans
Presley wins a bet and thinks she finally is going to get a chance to work with Cooper and show her she’s got the potential to be a good security detail for his company. She is miffed when she finds out her first assignment is to protect a bunch of self-absorbed beauty queens at a Texas pageant. It soon becomes a more interesting gig than she thought, much to her delight and Cooper’s dismay, when one of the beauty queens turns up dead and the fierce competition leave the door wide open to suspects.
Purchase here.
Cupids & Crooks A trip to an all-inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas. No work and all play was all that was on her mind until well renowned Mexican soap opera star, Lucia Vegas, turned up dead in the hotel pool. Accident it was not and Presley couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. Then she met reporter, Belinda, who told her the theory that Lucia was just one of a string of murders targeting young actresses. Vacation or not, Presley had to find the murderer!
Purchase here.
Vows & Victims Back in Alkon for her best friends wedding, Presley shaded her eyes with her hands and leaned against the front window to eliminate glare so she could see in better. She looked around and could see Katy had replaced the tile colors with a softer blue, which gave the salon a much lighter feel than it had before. As she looked around she saw a mannequin sitting, or rather slumped over in one of the hair styling chairs. Why would Katy have a mannequin in there? Or was it a mannequin? She squinted to see better and almost wished She hadn’t. Holy crap, that was most certainly not a mannequin. Presley reached for her phone thinking where were the odds this would happen to her twice. She had just found a dead body.
