“Vince?” I call out, my voice dissipating in the stillness.
I brush off the nagging feeling that something’s not quite right, and make my way to the kitchen to make coffee. On the counter, I spot several neat piles of documents. I bring my hands to my mouth, realizing what it is.
I tear into the stacks, my excitement growing as I read. Everything’s here, everything. Not only is there evidence to take down the Donovans, but the rest of the families, and the cops too. It feels like Christmas morning and I’ve gotten everything I want, pink pony and all.
I scramble for my phone to call Walter.
“He’s not going to believe this,” I say to myself, scrolling to find his number. I wonder, briefly, if Vince would mind if I invited Walter over to see this in person.
At this thought, a heavy stone drops in my stomach, and I realize a truth I can’t deny.
Vince is gone. He’s not coming back.
I lower my phone slowly to the counter, then grip the edge to keep my balance. He fled, of course. Along with the other families, the Romanos would be incriminated too. To get one thing I wanted, I had to sacrifice the other.
Vince won’t go to prison, I reason, trying to comfort myself.
I glance over the mountains of evidence. It all makes perfect sense. Of course Vince would have to leave after giving me these documents. He’d have to protect himself and his family. But I never expected him to leave just like that, without so much as a note. I have no idea where he is, or if I’ll ever see him again. After last night, I thought we were back to where we were. I guess I was wrong. Maybe when I saw a future together, what Vince saw was good enough for right now.
Snap out of it, I think, drying my eyes. I don’t have to be a slave to my emotions. I’ve finally cracked the case I’ve been working on for months. That should be my focus now. I grab my phone and dial Walter.
“Walter, I have something here.”
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I say, taken off guard. “This is good news.”
“Oh. Your voice sounded sad.”
“I’m not sad,” I say, my voice filled with gravel.
“If you say so,” Walter says. “So, what’s going on?”
I make my voice higher in a effort to appear more chipper. “I have the evidence, all of it. Everything we need is right here in front of me, Walter. Everything we need and more.”
We make plans to meet at my place. When I hang up the phone, I dress as quickly as I can. After I gather the documents, I walk out of the door, forcing myself not to look back.
————————
Once we have the evidence, we have to act. Dad sets us up with his contacts in the press. I send them everything, the complete dossier. For two weeks, we wait while editors and journalists check, analyze, and the confirm the evidence as reliable.
The waiting is agony. I’ve been actively working on this case, amid other heart pulsing activity, for months, and now all I can do is twiddle my thumbs. It’s like a high speed train slamming on the brakes. I float through the days in a numb dream, just waiting, waiting, and waiting.
One particularly lonely night, I spend hours online, trying to locate Patty. I search every Floridian Police Department I can find, large and small. I don’t know why I’m fixated on finding her. It has something to do with the fact that she was the one to show me Vince for the first time, to alert me of his existence. I daydream often of my time with Patty, when I was a bright, eager rookie convinced of my place in the world. Maybe I have an irrational desire to go back in time.
I find Patty. She’s a sergeant in tiny beach town with a forgettable name. After a bit more sleuthing, I find her email address.
It takes me hours to compose the email. It starts out long, several dense paragraphs listing every detail, graphic and otherwise, of my partnership with Vince. After I type it all out, I decide to condense it. I end up with one line.
Patty, I did it.
I click send, and it whooshes off into space. I immediately regret my decision. Patty told me not to contact her. She feared for herself and her family. She’s probably going to email me back, cursing me out every way she can think of.
I wish she would.
————————
I’m with Walter, having a late morning breakfast. He’s taken to drinking Bloody Mary’s whenever we go out before lunch. I get the sense he’s enjoying his early retirement. His drink arrives with a vegetable basket garnish, celery sticks, pickled onions, and several sprigs of parsley.
“Free salad. What a bargain,” Walter says, picking the vegetables out one by one. “They have bottomless mimosas here.” He arches his eyebrow at me.
“I think I’ll stick with coffee,” I say.
I search the menu for something that appeals to me. Nothing does. Every morning, I wake up with a dull ache in my stomach that doesn’t go away until late afternoon. I shove the menu away from me.
Walter is happily munching on his vodka soaked celery stick when a text comes through on my phone. I pull it languidly from my purse, expecting it to be Dad, the only person besides Walter that texts me.
It’s from the chief editor at a major national newspaper.
“Walter,” I gasp, my spine jerking straight up.
Walter drops the pearl onion with a wet plunk into his glass. We both stare at the screen.
Evidence confirmed. Breaking now.
It’s hard to describe the rush of exhilaration that overcomes me. It’s an exciting, tingling sensation, but it also comes with a serene peace.
After that initial text, my phone texts and vibrates so much I can barely hold on to it. It’s editor after editor, letting me know they’re breaking the news now. There’s gushing messages from my Dad, telling me how proud he is of me, and that he’s sorry he’s ever doubted me.
I open my internet browser. There it is, on every major news site, splashed across the front page, the dirty secret of this town. No detail is spared. Names are listed, both police and mob. Every corruption and collusion is exposed, dark corners aired out, cobwebs brushed away.
Walter and I delight in going through every news story, reading aloud the lurid details. It’s announced that Chief Rodel will hold a press conference, where he’s expected to tender his resignation.
“We did it, Redding,” Walter says, planting a friendly kiss on my cheek.
I raise my hand, signaling the waitress over. “I think it’s time for a mimosa. I’m suddenly thirsty.”
A few nights later, Walter and I have a celebration at my place while we watch the news that night. There’s footage of every crime family boss, and ninety percent of the local police force, being led away in handcuffs. The feds have moved in, cleaned up the place. Walter and I clink our champagne glasses together, and virtually toast my parents who are on video chat. I look away when they show photos of Vince and his brothers with the words still at large scrawled underneath. Walter is kind enough not to mention it either.
The broadcast we’re watching does a report on Unit A. It’s a short piece that chronicles how the women’s lives are upturned now that their boss is in prison. There are interviews with the women. Some have families they can go to, others don’t. They’ll have to pick up the pieces of their lives and rearrange them. Several of them look directly into the camera, and personally thank the anonymous person who sent in the evidence. Walter pats me heartily on the back.
I lean my head back on the couch, sighing with relief. It’s all over. Everything is right again. I went up against a formidable force, and came out victorious. Still, I can’t help wishing Vince was here, that we were congratulating each other on what we did together.
“I’m so proud of you, Butterbean,” Dad says over video chat. “I can’t wait to see what’s next for you.”
I tip my champagne glass to my lips and swallow the bubbles. “Wish I knew.”
————————
A few days later, I get an email from
Patty. My heart flutters with excitement when I see it on my screen. It’s a welcome break from my long, languid days that are void of purpose. I excitedly click it open.
You did it, girl, and I couldn’t be prouder of you.
Didn’t I tell you not to contact me? I knew you wouldn’t listen.
Fancy coming down for a visit?
-P
A visit? Hell yeah. A beach getaway is exactly what I need right now, and I’m dying to talk to Patty about all this. She will literally shit her pants when I tell her what went down with Vince. She’ll be so excited by the juicy gossip, she might even let me cry on her shoulder. Maybe she’ll have some advice to give.
I respond to Patty, telling her I’d love to come. She gets back to me right away. After a few more exchanges, we have the plans ironed out. Patty even insists on buying my plane ticket. I leave in a few days.
On the day of my flight, I unearth a few bathing suits from the deepest corners of my closet and throw them into my bag. I even find a half used bottle of sunscreen under the sink in the bathroom. I realize it’s been too long since I’ve done something fun, something just for me.
I’m shocked when I print out my boarding pass, and see Patty has sprung for first class. I’ve never known Patty to be generous. I’d call her stingy, even.
But I’m not complaining. I settle into my seat on the plane, stretching my legs straight out in front of me. Before the other passengers board, the flight attendant takes my drink order, and informs me that alcoholic beverages are free. I enthusiastically order a pina colada, ready to ease into beach vacation mode.
Patty lives in the middle of the state, away from any major tourists beaches. The plane lands at a small airport. In addition to the ticket, Patty also hired a car to drive me to her place.
I text her as soon as I land, and ask her if she’s called the car yet.
It’s already there. Walk outside.
There’s not much at activity going on out here, not like at larger airports where cars and cabs whizz past, and confused passengers trying to make their way out. I spot a single car. It’s sleek and black, with darkly tinted windows.
Found it, I text as I make my way over with my baggage. Patty texts back quickly.
He’s even hotter in person. Have fun.
I stop, squinting at my phone in confusion. I assume she’d meant to text that to someone else. While responding with a WTF, I sense the driver get out and start walking towards me. I shoot off the message, and lift my head to greet him.
The first thing I see are his hands, hands I’d know from anywhere. I shake my head, not believing this could be true. I run my gaze up his chest, and my eyes land on his.
I stand there stunned for a moment, wondering if I’ve lost my mind. I barely notice the strap falling from my shoulder, and my bag dropping to my feet. Vince rubs the back of his neck, and gives me a cautious look.
I can barely register everything I’m feeling. I’m still trying to decide if this is a dream or not. I’m considering pinching myself, when Vince advances quickly towards me. He picks me up in his arms and spins me around. His smile is different. The dimples are still there, but not the tumult in his eyes. His aura is calmer, more carefree. I cling to his neck, studying every line of his face.
“Vince,” I choke out. His name feels foreign in my mouth.
Vince buries his face his my hair. His arms tighten around me. “Harley,” he says, his voice thick. “Welcome home.”
“Home?” I ask, with a laugh.
“I didn’t buy you a return ticket. Did you notice?”
I nod slowly as it all comes together. “Thanks for first class ticket, by the way. How did you get to Patty?”
Vince smiles cockily. “I kept an eye on your email account. Patty helped me get you here. She was a big help, though I did scare the hell out of her when I first showed up at her house.”
I inch closer towards him, eyeing the lips that I’ve missed for so long. I stop while I’m still able to do so. I look towards the car.
“Where are we going?”
“Plan B,” Vince says with a growl.
He tangles his hand in my hair, and our lips meet. It feels like taking that first breath after coming out of the water. It’s an instant relief, and profoundly nourishing.
Vince forces himself to pull away. “There will be time for that later. Come on, everyone is waiting to meet you.” He pats my bottom, then turns towards the car.
My smile falters slightly. “Everyone?” I ask with a croak.
Epilogue
From the airport, Vince drives six hours down the coast, to a dock where he’s parked a small speedboat. Vince loads up my luggage and helps me climb inside. We race across the water, straight into the open abyss of the sea. Vince still hasn’t told me exactly where we’re going. With the engine and wind roaring in my ears, it’s too loud to talk, so I can’t ask any more questions.
I have no choice but to exist in the moment. While surrounded by the beauty of the glassy water, every one of my sensations is amplified. The sun is burning my shoulders, and my lips taste of salt. Vince guides the boat with one hand, and the other planted firmly on my thigh. He smiles at me, then out at the ocean ahead. His skin is deep brown and tinged with red, signaling long hours in the sun. His hair is longer and curls slightly at the end. His hand is large and warm on my thigh. I close my eyes and breath in the salty air. Could this really be my life?
Mountains form across the horizon, hazy at first, but gradually grow larger and cleaner. I realize it’s an island chain, flung out here in the middle of the ocean.
No one would ever find this place, I think, staring in awe.
As we get closer to land, Vince decreases his speed. It’s quiet enough to talk now, but I don’t. I just absorb my surroundings, watching in awe as we navigate around rocky shore lines. After passing through a narrow grotto, flanked on both sides by boulders rising from the crystal blue of the ocean, we come to a beach. Vince gently guides our boat to the dock where several other boats are lined up. He helps me step out of the wavering craft, and onto the wood of the pier. Vince takes my hand as I stare out at the ocean. I watch the waves, and my head swims like I’m still out there.
“You’re so quiet,” Vince says against my ear.
I blink rapidly, realizing I’m utterly speechless. I can’t think of one word that would accurately reflect my thoughts or impressions. Out here on the edge of the world, my voice has been snatched from me.
Vince, reading the the awe in my eyes, squeezes my hand. He reaches into his pocket and produces a whistle. When he blows, a high pitched shriek pierces the air. We walk to the edge of the jungle, and wait. After about twenty minutes, an ATV appears on the path between the trees. As it gets closer, I see two men with dark features and insanely muscular bodies. Vince’s brothers.
Sudden anxiety draws me back into my head. I’ve never met Vince’s brothers before, and I have no idea what they think of me. After all, I’m the reason they had to abandon the family legacy that’s spanned generations, and made them all immensely wealthy. They’re tanned like Vince, and wear only sandals and shorts. I hope that maybe they’re grateful that I’ve exiled them to this island paradise.
I grip Vince’s hand tightly as the brothers step off of the ATV. They walk towards us with a cocky swagger, eyeing me intensely. I go cold with fear. These guys are mobsters, killers, and I’m stranded with them here.
The taller one steps close to me, and eyes me up and down.
“So this is her. Wow. I can’t believe I’m meeting the famous Harley. Your pussy lined with gold or something?”
“Leo,” Vince yells, gruffly. “Stop being an asshole.”
Leo shrugs and looks at his brother appealingly. “Come on, she destroyed our business. Don’t I have a right to give her a little shit?”
Vince shakes his head. His stern lips are edged with a smile. “No.”
The brother behind Leo steps up. I assume he’s Mateo. “You can�
��t blame us, Vinny. This is the very chick that melted that ice cold exterior of yours.” He bends down until his face is inches from mine. “How’d you do it?”
I gulp, feeling on edge. I haven’t spoken since we left land. I struggle to find my voice as the large, domineering men stare me down.
“It’s the, um,” I start, shakily. “It’s my gold lined pussy, like Leo said.”
Mateo stares at me, scrunching his handsome features. His mouth spreads slowly, then he throws back his head, letting out a boisterous laugh. Leo starts laughing too, patting Vince heartily on the back. I breathe deeply, relieved that I’ve passed the initial test.
We hop on the back of the ATV, and take the path deep into the jungle. The air gets humid, and the sunlight is blotted out by the thick tree canopy overhead. I’m hungry, thirsty, tired, and dirty. I lay my head on Vince’s shoulder, letting my eyelids grow heavy.
Vince’s nudges my side, and points in the distance.
Plan B. This isn’t any reasonable person’s Plan B. This place is more amazing than anything I could ever imagine.
The jungle opens up before us into a massive clearing. The sun throttles down through the opening in the canopy, making everything shimmer. There are three log cabins, big enough to be considered mansions, arranged in a semicircle around the clearing. The flower scented air is cool and refreshing here. I assume that has to do with the waterfall I hear cascading in the distance.
“Pop set this place up,” Vince explains as we step out of the ATV. “An insurance policy of sorts, in case everything goes south.”
“Which it did,” I say, feeling a tinge of guilt.
Vince clasps his hands on the sides of my waist. “It was time, Harley.”
Vince gives me a tour around the compound. In addition to the cabins, there are several smaller buildings, all packed with enough supplies to last for years. There’s fresh water, dry goods, toiletries, clothing, cleaning supplies, and anything else you could think of, all stacked neatly in the buildings.
Accomplice: A Dark Mafia Romance (Romano Brothers Book 3) Page 15
