Deadly Vows

by Shirlee McCoy

  “Don’t be. I wish I could have had my mother in my life for all these years, but we both survived, and I’ve had a good life raised by people who love me. But when I saw your story, it brought up a lot of things. I’m so glad you’re going to be able to keep your baby.”

  “Maybe one day you’ll find your mother again,” Olivia said, grief for the young woman and the mother who’d left her a hard knot in her stomach. Kristin’s mother must have been incredibly strong to leave her daughter behind, to sacrifice years spent with a child she loved so that that child could be safe.

  “I hope so, but if I don’t, at least I’ll know your child has you. That the Martinos couldn’t break your family apart like they did mine.” She smiled, but Olivia knew she must long desperately to be reunited with her mother.

  And what of her mother?

  Did she grieve for the child she’d left behind? Did she celebrate each birthday with cake and tears?

  Just the thought made Olivia’s eyes well. She blinked hard, not wanting to cry in front of Kristin. “I want you to know that Ford and I will be praying that you and your mother will be reunited one day.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me. And I want you to know—” Before she could finish, Jackson’s cell phone rang. He frowned, lifting it to his ear, his scowl deepening as he listened, his muscles visibly tensing.

  “How is that possible?” His gaze rested on Olivia, and she knew whatever he was hearing wasn’t good. “Get every available man on it. Now!” He hung up, shoving the phone away, his movements sharp and rigid.

  “I’m afraid we’re going to have to cut this meeting short. Something has come up.”

  “I don’t like the look on your face, McGraw. What, exactly, has come up?” Ford asked, scowling at the other man.

  “We’ve got a problem.”

  “What kind of problem?”

  “Vincent Martino has escaped custody.”

  “What? How?” Olivia and Ford asked in unison.

  “I don’t have all the details, but it sounds like he escaped from the hospital.”

  “What was he doing at the hospital? He didn’t seem sick at the trial today.” As a matter of fact, Olivia had thought he’d seemed almost smug as the jury found him guilty of murder in the first degree.

  “His father is dying. His lawyer fought hard to get him a visit with the old don before Vincent went back to maximum security. Said the don was on his deathbed and that it was cruel and unusual punishment to keep the eldest child from his father’s side.”

  “And the judge bought that?” Kristin asked, clearly disgusted.

  “Every judge is a son or daughter, and most have at least a small measure of compassion,” Jackson responded. “Besides, if everyone had been on the ball and doing their job, a visit to the hospital wouldn’t have resulted in an escaped prisoner.”

  “Then how did it?” Ford pressed, and Jackson sighed, running a hand over his hair.

  “A nurse was found dead in a supply closet in the basement of the hospital. There was a smudge of black on her palm.”

  “A smudge of black on her palm? What is that? A calling card?” Kristin asked, her brow furrowed with the same confusion Olivia felt.

  “I’m afraid so,” Jackson said. “We’ve seen it twice before on two victims that testified against the Martinos.”

  “You mean the women who were murdered in Montana?” Olivia asked.

  “Yes. One of Martino’s hired help murdered the nurse, probably soon after she arrived for her shift, shoved her body in the closet and took her ID. Once Vincent arrived to visit the old don, the ‘nurse’ pulled a gun and held a civilian hostage. Fortunately, that woman wasn’t hurt.”

  “But Martino escaped.”

  “Right. Kristin, if you’ll wait here, I’ll be back soon to escort you out. Ford. Olivia. Let’s head up to the roof. It’s time to start your new lives.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t argue with a good thing, Livy.” Ford interrupted, gently squeezing her shoulder. “Besides, there’s nothing we can do to help them find Martino. You’ve testified. The judge will pass sentence. Leave the rest for the FBI and police.”

  He was right. Of course he was, and Olivia nodded as Jackson led them into stairwell and up a flight of stairs.

  A helicopter waited in the center of the flat roof, and a man got out as Ford and Olivia approached. Dark-haired and tall, U.S. Marshal Micah McGraw looked younger and less hardened than his FBI brother. “We’ve got your belongings in route to the airport. Should arrive before the flight takes off. Here are your new identification cards. Passports are included.” He handed Olivia a brown envelope, and she clutched it tight. There future lay inside. Hers. The baby’s. Ford’s. She wouldn’t let that be marred by worries about Vincent Martino’s escape.

  “Thank you, Micah.”

  “No need to thank me. This is what I do.” He flashed a smile, but his gaze was on Jackson. “I heard the news.”

  “I don’t think there’s anyone in federal law enforcement who hasn’t,” Jackson replied, his tone grim.

  “We’ll get him, bro.”

  “We’d better. Now, get these two to the airport and out of here. I won’t rest easy until I know Olivia is far from Vincent Martino’s grasp.”

  “Will do,” Micah replied. “Come on. Let’s go. You two have a new life to begin.”

  He gestured for Olivia and Ford to climb into the helicopter. Ford went first, then turned, to grab Olivia’s hand, smiling encouragement as she clambered in after him.

  “Ready?” he asked as Olivia pulled a seat belt over her burgeoning belly.

  “I’m more than ready.”

  “Me, too, Liv. Me, too.” And he leaned in to offer a kiss filled with all the promise and hope Olivia had almost stopped believing in.

  She smiled, squeezing his hand, peace replacing fear. Faith replacing doubt. God had brought them this far. He wouldn’t abandon them now. Soon, they’d have the new life they both craved, and the joy of that resounded through Olivia as the helicopter lifted off, speeding away from the FBI headquarters, speeding away from the past, speeding toward the only thing Olivia had ever wanted—a life filled with love.

  EPILOGUE

  France

  Two weeks later

  Olivia Jeffries scowled as she eyed her reflection in the mirror. She’d selected a pale yellow dress with an empire waist for the occasion, but it may not have been the best choice. Not only did the high waistline not camouflage Olivia’s burgeoning belly, the loose flow of the skirt seemed to emphasize the baby’s presence. She turned from side to side, flattening the material against her stomach and sighing, At least her hair looked good. She’d left it loose and curly the way Ford liked it, and the pastor’s wife had helped her fashion a crown of tiny white and yellow flowers.

  She looked like a flower child. A very pregnant one.

  She scowled again. Maybe she should scoop her hair up into a loose bun, lose the flower crown…

  A soft knock sounded at the door of the changing room and it swung open, a pretty dark-haired woman hovering in the threshold. A few years older than Olivia, Julia Pothier had met her French husband on a mission trip to Africa. They’d married a few years later and settled in his home country, planting a church an hour outside of Paris. It was a mile from the little town where Olivia and Ford had settled after they’d fled Chicago. There was no doubt Micah McGraw had known of the couple when he’d chosen where Olivia and Ford would begin their new lives. Having an American close by had made Olivia’s transition easier than she’d thought it would be.

  She smiled at her new friend, motioning for her to enter the room. “I think I may need to ditch these flowers.”

  “Why? They’re beautiful, and so are you. Besides, your husband is waiting.”

  “Impatiently?”

  “Only a little,” Julia responded, smiling.

  “All right. I guess I can’t put it off any longer.”

  “Would you want to?�
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  “No.”

  “Good, because I made this just for you.” Julia handed Olivia a bouquet of white and yellow roses tied with a pale yellow ribbon.

  “They’re beautiful. Thank you, Julia.”

  “Every bride needs a bouquet.”

  “Every bride isn’t five and a half months pregnant,” Olivia muttered, following Julia to heavy wood doors that opened into the nearly empty sanctuary.

  Large and dimly lit, the building had been erected in the eighteenth century, abandoned in the 1970s and was now being brought back to life by the Pothiers. Over the past ten years, the couple had polished old wooden pews and wide-planked flooring. They’d replaced cracked and broken stained glass windows, and they’d filled the silent church with noise again. Their congregation was small, but growing, and Olivia knew that the future would only be brighter for the little country church.

  Just as it would be for her little family.

  The trial was over. Vincent Martino had been convicted, and Olivia trusted the FBI to find him and put him in prison where he belonged. The past was behind her. The future ahead. All she had to do was embrace it.

  She took a deep breath, stepping into the room.

  Marcus Pothier stood at the front of the church, holding a Bible and speaking quietly to Ford. He stopped talking as he caught sight of Olivia and Julia, a soft smile easing the hard lines of his face.

  Ford turned, his eyes widening as he met Olivia’s gaze. Her heart leaped in acknowledgment, her pulse racing with love. With joy.

  He took a step toward her, might have walked the rest of the way up the aisle, but Marcus put a hand on his arm, holding him in place.

  Music filled the room, soaring to the vaulted ceiling, echoing through the empty space. Not a traditional wedding march, but this wasn’t a traditional wedding. It was a renewal of promises. A fresh start with the only man Olivia had ever loved.

  She walked down the aisle, met her husband there. Looked into his eyes as Marcus began to speak about love, about faith, about two people coming together as one. The ceremony was simple and short, the promises she and Ford exchanged heartfelt and straightforward. To put God first and then each other. To raise their child with faith and prayer. To support each other. To be there for each other. One promise built on another, the foundation solid and sure.

  When it was over, Ford pulled Olivia into his arms, kissed her deeply.

  “I love you, Liv.”

  “I love you, too,” she said, meaning it more than she’d ever imagined she could.

  Faith. Love. They went hand in hand, feeding off each other until one was the same as the other. The knowledge whispered through Olivia’s mind as Ford took her hand, led her from the sanctuary, out into the warm spring day and into their future together.

  Dear Reader,

  When Olivia Jarrod sees Vincent Martino murder his rival, she’s terrified but agrees to testify against him. Federal marshals assure her she’s safe, but Olivia has more than herself to worry about. She’s pregnant with her estranged husband, Ford Jensen’s, child. Protecting their baby is her priority.

  Protecting Olivia is Ford’s.

  He’s made a lot of mistakes during their marriage, but he’s determined to make things right. When he finds Olivia hiding in a small Montana town, he’ll risk everything to keep her safe.

  Deadly Vows is a story of peril and intrigue, but it is also a story of second chances. Like all of us, Olivia and Ford have regrets. As they face danger, they must let go of the past, forgive each other and step with faith into the future.

  I hope you enjoy their story, and I pray that, like them, you will know the mercy of God’s grace and the joy of the second chances He offers.

  Blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Olivia has always dreamed of having children, yet she married a man who had no desire to be a father. What drew her to Ford? Would you ever give up one of your dreams for love?

  How strong was Olivia’s faith when she met Ford?

  Was it strengthened or weakened by their marriage?

  As a witness under federal protection, Olivia must give up every part of her old life. That includes Ford. How does she feel about this? How would you feel if you were in her situation?

  Does learning that she’s pregnant change the way she feels about leaving her past behind her?

  In what way does Olivia’s situation make her more dependent on God?

  Ford is attacked by Martino’s henchmen, and being close to death makes him reevaluate his priorities. What does he realize about his relationship with Olivia?

  How does his desperation lead him closer to God?

  Ford is shocked to learn that Olivia is pregnant. What are his reasons for not wanting to be a father? Do you think they’re valid?

  How do his feelings about fatherhood change?

  An underlying theme of this story is forgiveness. At what point is Olivia truly able to forgive Ford for the hurt he’s caused her? Have you had a hard time forgiving someone in your life? How did you overcome that?

  The Bible tells us that we are to forgive others in the same way that God forgives us. What does this mean?

  Why is that kind of forgiveness such a difficult thing to give?

  What do you think will happen in the next books in the series?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-5272-5

  DEADLY VOWS

  Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

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