by Piper Stone
“There’s more,” he struggled to say, clenching his jaw. “My friend at the FBI has agents searching for Ashley and Emily. They will be found. A trust fund has been established for Emily in your name. I left the phone number of my family’s attorney taped under the lamp on the dresser at the motel, which is paid for until the end of the week. Grandis will help you with everything you need.”
A trust fund? Dylan had told me Crockett’s family was wealthy, but I was in shock. Why would he do something like that? Wait. No. He was afraid of the outcome.
“What are you trying to tell me? Please don’t talk like that.” I threw my hand into the front, struggling to reach his.
Crockett exhaled before intertwining his fingers with mine. “I will take care of you one way or the other. That is my promise to you.”
“Why? Why do you feel you have to? I’m nobody, but trouble will always find me.”
He kissed my knuckles as he squeezed my hand. “Because I love you.”
As he let go, immediately making the turn, I knew in my heart that he was prepared to die in order to protect me.
Sadly, I believed he was planning on it.
Everything seemed to go in slow motion as Crockett drove to within thirty feet of the other vehicle. There was one light in close proximity, allowing me to see the silhouette of the driver. I’d recognize one of Michael’s cars almost anywhere, the sleek black design of Italian make and model.
Just another one of his prized possessions.
As soon as Crockett was within view, Michael stepped out of the car, immediately rubbing his hands down the lapels of his suit jacket. He slipped his hands into his trouser pockets as he walked close to the rear of his car, leaning against the trunk in a nonchalant way.
I waited the obligatory full minute before exiting the SUV, taking my sweet time as I walked to just in front of the bumper, providing Crockett with a full view of the transaction. I was aware the driver’s window was open and had no doubt Crockett was prepared to shoot if necessary, even if that wasn’t the plan.
I’d attempted to prepare myself for laying eyes on Michael again, but as my legs began to shake, my heart thudding, I began to doubt I could go through with this.
Michael seemed surprised at my attire, a sneer curling on his lip. “Where is my daughter?”
That was enough to break the hold he had on me, the uncertainty falling away, only resolve remaining. I held my head high, even managing to place my hand on my hip.
“You don’t really think I’m that stupid, do you? If you sign the paperwork, then I’ll take you to her.”
“You seem different, my beautiful Kelly. Is that because of the company you were keeping? Some vagrant bikers taking advantage of my sweet, innocent fiancée?”
“I was never your fiancée, Michael, just another toy to play with when you grew bored.” Did he really know about the others or was he bluffing? Or was he working with Salizare after all? I couldn’t let it bother me. I held up the folded papers, allowing him to see I had the ‘contract’ in my hand.
He laughed, his eyes flitting toward Crockett. “And who’s your driver?”
“Someone I trust.” I was buying time as well as attempting to get him to admit his role in heroin dealing. “Which is certainly more than I can say for you. You are not the man you pretended to be, Michael. In fact, you’re a criminal.”
Another laugh pushed past his lips even as he shifted from one foot to the other, a sign that my words troubled him. “You know nothing about my business or my world, Kelly, but you certainly enjoyed the trips and jewelry, the flowers and expensive wines that I was able to provide.”
“You mean because of selling heroin.” I tilted my head, offering him a huge smile, enjoying the surprise on his face. “You seem shocked that I know.”
He took a decided step toward me until I threw out my hand. That was the only cue Crockett needed, immediately throwing open the door, climbing out with the bag of what had been called party favors.
“What the fuck is this?” Michael demanded, his hand sliding into his jacket.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Mr. Capatelli,” Crockett hissed, his weapon pointed at Michael’s head. “In fact, we’re here to do business with you.”
“Business?” Michael shifted his hateful gaze in my direction. “What are you trying to do here, Kelly?”
“Provide incentive, Michael, for you to leave me the fuck alone,” I said, then laughed.
“We have the party favors you made a significant deposit on. While we’re certain you’d like to finish your transaction, you will be dealing with my organization alone. And we will be reasonable given your loss of money.” Crockett smiled and lifted the bag. “This is only a small taste of what I have in a very secure location. This is what you’ve been looking for. Isn’t it?” He unzipped the bag, pulling out a brick to show, then tossing the entire duffle into Michael’s hands.
Michael pulled out one of the bundles, easing the bag to the ground. He slid the brick under his nose before slowly taking out a pocketknife. “You don’t mind if I check the product, do you?”
“Not at all.” Crockett seemed far more relaxed than he had before, but I was still able to see the veins in his neck popping.
We waited as he cut a slit in the top, wetting then sliding his finger inside. When he pulled the sample to his mouth, I was sick that I’d never noticed his actions before. How could I not have known?
I could almost see Michael’s mouth watering as he murmured his approval. Disgusted, I did everything I could to keep the plastic smile plastered on my face.
“While I’ve yet to learn your name, you must have balls of steel to go against Mr. Salizare,” he said then carefully placed the bundle into the bag, keeping it by his feet. He’d taken the bait.
Crockett grinned. “Somehow, I have a feeling that you already know exactly who I am. Incidentally, I think you’re the one who has balls of steel. I have my reasons. Do you?”
“How does this affect the contract? Emily is still my daughter,” Michael huffed, ignoring Crockett’s snide comment.
“You can see your daughter, but you will never leave the country with her or even the state without my permission. I will always be listed as her primary caretaker. In addition, you will pay a hefty child support on a regular basis as well as pay her way through college. And don’t forget about the trust fund. Half your wealth should do it.”
He sneered and shook his head. “I must have misjudged you, Kelly. You’re a conniving bitch.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, especially coming from you,” I said, laughing softly. There was something off about Michael, his actions not nearly as aggressive as I was used to. I gave Crockett a quick look, hoping he could see my concern and praying he wouldn’t let down his guard.
The roar of engines was deafening, headlights from dozens of vehicles blinding as they rolled into the area.
Crockett’s reaction was instant, wrapping his hand around my arm, his grip firm as he yanked me behind the vehicle.
“Stay right here,” he hissed. “Salizare has arrived.”
From what little I could see, Michael seemed surprised, his own weapon planted firmly in both hands.
Within seconds, several armed men jumped out of the various trucks and souped-up cars, forming a semi-circle around us. The man approaching held no weapon in his hand, his smile one of knowing.
Salizare.
“I’m surprised to find you here,” Michael said as the man approached.
“I’m certain you are,” Salizare stated, adjusting the sleeves on his white dinner jacket before approaching. “Imagine my surprise when I learned that you had betrayed me. Now, since you and I have been doing business together for several years, you are completely aware of what happens to fucking assholes who betray me!” Salizare’s voice had risen.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Michael asked between clenched teeth. He turned his head in our direction.
�
��I’m not in the game playing mood, Michael.”
Michael huffed. “And I’m not playing any games.”
Salizare lowered his head very slowly, obviously staring at the bag by Michael’s feet. “I wonder how much you were prepared to pay to some shit for brains biker club. For my heroin. Mine.”
As Crockett started to walk out of the shadows, I bit back a cry.
“That no longer matters,” Salizare added.
“You’re right,” Crockett said, taking longer strides.
I couldn’t help myself, creeping around the passenger side of the SUV. Salizare’s soldiers reacted immediately, prepared to gun down both Michael and Crockett.
“Do you recognize me, Salizare?” Crockett asked, laughing. As he walked closer, the barrel pointed at Salizare’s head, he offered the impish grin I loved on him.
The one that was going to get him killed.
“Should I?” Salizare retorted.
I heard the roar of motorcycles as Wade and Dylan flew around the corner. But it was too late. They wouldn’t be able to save him. Crockett. No. No. No! I knew exactly what he was going to do, could tell by the expression on his face.
He was getting his revenge.
Please, God. Please.
“Crockett!” I called.
In a surreal moment as Crockett noticed my approach, he twisted his head long enough to lock eyes with mine.
In them, I could see love.
I could also see death.
“Allow me to refresh your memory. My name is Jace Brackett, former special prosecutor for the Commonwealth of Virginia. And you are one piece. Of. Shit.”
“Ah, yes. How could I forget? Shame my soldiers hadn’t been able to find you at the cabin. You and I would have enjoyed talking about old times.” Salizare laughed.
A cold chill seemed to rush from Crockett in my direction. He seemed utterly calm, as if he’d made peace with his demons, but I knew better. He couldn’t do this. I wouldn’t allow him to risk his life.
“Yes, I suppose we could have,” Crockett said quietly. “Let’s just say, this one’s for my fiancée.”
Some people said that if you were able to see only two seconds into your future, you could alter the outcome. While I’d never been a believer, I was determined to test the theory.
And so, I lunged forward.
Chapter Sixteen
Crockett
Sirens.
Flashing lights.
The roar of Harleys.
Dozens of law enforcement officers.
Chaos.
What I didn’t hear were gunshots as the swarm of both police and plain-clothed FBI agents descended on the small area.
My hand was firmly wrapped around Salizare’s neck, the barrel of my Glock planted against his temple. The fucker was grinning at me. Laughing. I’d seen Kelly’s face the moment she knew what I was going to do. Even the way she’d tried to get to me would forever remain in my mind, adding to the guilt.
“Why don’t you go ahead and pull the trigger? You didn’t have the guts then so why do you want me to believe you do now?” Salizare hissed even as I smashed his face against the hard metal.
Fuck you. Fuck you!
Lights flashed in front of my eyes, my focus destroyed as beads of sweat ran down both sides of my face. I had to do this. I should do this. I’d had a single opportunity all those years before to put a bullet in his brain. There’d been no one around and I could have easily gotten away with it.
But I’d failed.
I’d believed in the oath I’d taken for my office to uphold the law.
And he’d walked.
“A coward just like you were before,” Salizare jabbed.
I rammed his head against the windshield, struggling with my emotions. “Not this time.”
“Don’t do it, buddy. Don’t. That piece of crap isn’t worth it.” Steve approached, an imploring look on his face.
“I have to. He killed Vanessa,” I managed.
Where the hell was Kelly? Everything was a freaking blur. I searched through the crowd, struggling to find a single glimpse of her.
“No,” Steve said softly, still moving closer. “You don’t have to do this. If you do, then your life is going to be destroyed. Let me take him into custody. I assure you this fucking scum won’t see the light of day again.”
As Salizare continued to laugh, I jerked back, the gun still pointed in his direction. I was able to see several police officers had surrounded the car. Goddamn. They were all prepared to shoot me down if necessary.
“Don’t. Just don’t!” Steve called.
I closed my eyes, able to see Vanessa’s face. I was also able to see the image of Kelly’s. No. No. This wasn’t what either one of them would want. Jesus. What was I thinking? Sick inside, I knew Wade had been right. I was no longer the man who’d been hiding from himself as well as the rest of the world.
I’m sorry, Vanessa. I can’t. I just... can’t.
As I slowly lowered the weapon, Steve moved closer, shaking his head. “Get that piece of crap out of here,” he barked at the group of officers.
Two of them wrestled with Salizare, attempting to drag him further away.
“You scared the fuck out of me. Goddamn, you’re more of a hothead than you were.” Steve squeezed my shoulder.
“Where is Kelly?” I managed, pushing him aside. Something was terribly wrong. “Where the fuck is Kelly?”
As a scream pierced the night sky, in my gut I knew.
Michael had her.
When Wade, Dylan, and Hawk pushed their way through several of the officers, I threw my head back and roared.
Michael laughed as he dragged her closer.
“Fuck,” Wade snarled, immediately moving toward the asshole.
I shifted to face the man who’d nearly destroyed Kelly, my hand shaking as I pointed my weapon.
“Whoa, Crockett. Take it easy,” Steve said under his breath. “He’s got a gun on her. Let’s take this nice and easy.”
Michael had his arm wrapped around her neck, the barrel positioned at her temple as he dragged her closer.
I studied the man’s face. He was suddenly desperate, obviously aware that with his supposed betrayal of Salizare’s operation, he was now the one who wouldn’t be able to find a secure hole to hide in. “Let her go, Michael. She means nothing to you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. My fiancée means the world to me.”
As several agents moved into place, prepared to fire a kill shot, I took a step closer, shifting my gaze into her face. God, how I wanted to tell her it was going to be all right. While her face was pinched, her fingers digging into Michael’s arm, I’d never seen such defiance in her eyes. “Think of your little girl.”
He laughed, nuzzling against Kelly’s face. “She’s already with me, you fool.”
“No. No!” Kelly moaned, struggling to get out of his grasp.
Yanking her hard against him, he moved closer to his vehicle.
“You have no way out of here, Mr. Capatelli,” Steve told him. “This entire harbor is blocked off.”
“You’re going to allow me a safe passage or I assure you, one phone call and that little girl is dead.”
“You monster. Where is my sister? What have you done with them?” Kelly twisted her body, managing to elbow him in the stomach.
Michael pressed the barrel against her cheek. “I’d stop that, you bitch, or that child of ours will never see her mother again. As far as your sister, you should have heard her squeal just before the gun went off.”
“Asshole. I will kill you!” she screeched.
Inhaling, I kept the gun positioned toward Michael’s temple, trying to keep sweat from running into my eyes. “Let her go.”
“That’s not going to happen. I’m going to enjoy getting to know her all over again.”
Dylan and Wade had flanked my side, their heavy breathing matching my own.
The sudden crack coming from behind us managed to dr
aw Michael’s attention, an anguished grunt coming from another male. In the periphery of my vision, I could tell Salizare had managed to free himself, both officers down on the ground.
In the next few seconds, the world slowed down. There were no sounds, no evidence of movement.
Except for Kelly’s lips, her words I was able to read with ease.
I love you...
With one solid blink, my nerves steadied.
And I pulled the trigger.
* * *
Broken.
I knew a part of all four of us was cracked, unable to accept any additional pain. I stood on the sand, watching her, my heart heavy. She’d been standing in the same place for almost twenty minutes.
Never moving.
As Wade and Dylan walked closer, they allowed me some space, doing what we’d all done more than once.
Wishing.
Hoping.
Praying.
While I knew there would be additional questions all four of us would be forced to answer as the FBI continued to build their case, we’d been ‘released’ for now. The single bullet I’d shot had killed Michael instantly. Two inches lower and I would have shot the woman I loved.
I hadn’t been shocked when at the same moment Salizare had managed to get away from the two police officers holding him. To Hawk’s credit, he’d been a crack shot, finally getting his revenge. After that, almost everything had been a blur as the various Salizare soldiers were taken away, other rounded up in a full-scale operation that encompassed a good portion of Florida.
Fortunately, neither Hawk nor I had been indicted. I knew damn good and well the majority of agents, officers, and everyone else up the law enforcement food chain had been thrilled we’d taken them off the streets.
The heroin had been exactly where I’d told them. Given the street value and my diligent work in an undercover position, there would be no charges for my original theft. I’d laughed hearing that. Who knew stealing from a criminal was still a crime?
We’d come back to the little motel seeking solace away from the hundreds of reporters, the thousands of questions. And we’d remained numb in our attempt at accepting the outcome.
Now there was little left to talk about between us, the awkwardness worse than either one of us would have expected. We were an unlikely foursome. Three men with chips on their shoulders and somewhat dubious pasts. A woman who’d lost everything because she’d made the mistake of loving the wrong man.
