A Man to Trust

by Cheryl Yeko

  “I was angry with him,” Angela said, then shook her head. “I’m not anymore. But I’ve come to the realization that it would never work between us.”

  “What makes you say that? I see the way you look at each other. So what’s the problem?”

  “He doesn’t trust me, Stacey. When he looks at me, he sees a drug dealer’s wife. He’ll always be suspicious that I was a part of it.”

  Stacey took Angela’s hand between hers. “Oh, hon. I think you’re wrong. Give him a chance.”

  Tears flooded Angela’s eyes and she blinked them away. “I already did. I gave him a chance.” She shook her head and bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. “I can’t be with another man who has so little respect for me.”

  She couldn’t keep thinking about Jake. She gave Stacey a tremulous smile. “Now, wait until I tell you about what I did to Snake.”

  Jake poured a second cup of coffee and then took a seat across from J.D. at the kitchen table. “How in the hell did someone get to Slater?” He took a swig from his cup.

  “Security was tight. It had to have come from inside.” J.D. frowned. “They didn’t even try to hide the fact that it was murder. Slit his throat.”

  “That would point to some high level corruption. This thing just keeps getting deeper and deeper.”

  “Agreed,” J.D. said. “I’ve been thinking, maybe a Mexican drug cartel, or the Mafia?”

  “It’s gotta be.” Jake tensed. That would put Angela in some serious jeopardy.”

  J.D. nodded. “I checked on the boys last night and they’re having a great time.”

  “Yeah, I spoke to Nick this morning. He asked when they would be coming home.”

  J.D. shook his head and then met Jake’s gaze. “Until we wrap this thing up, they need to stay put.”

  “I agree.” He missed his son and nephews, but he’d make damn sure it was safe before bringing them back.

  “How did things go with Angela last night?”

  He glanced at his brother. “Not as good as things went with you and Stacey, I’m sure.”

  J.D. grinned. “Sorry to hear that.”

  Jake snorted. “You don’t look sorry.” Then he chuckled. “I’m happy for you, little brother. She seems real nice.”

  J.D. leaned forward, his brows drawn down into a furrowed look of concentration. “Yeah, about that. I’ve decided I’m gonna keep her.”

  Jake laughed. “She’s not a piece of property. You can’t just keep her.” He lifted his coffee cup to his mouth for another swig.

  “Yeah, I know that.” He leaned back and grinned again, his eyes filled with laughter. “I’m gonna marry her.”

  Jake choked on his coffee and coughed loudly as it tickled his throat. “What!”

  J.D. chuckled and waited for him to stop choking, then continued. “She doesn’t know yet.”

  Jake smiled and shook his head. “I’m happy for you, J.D., and good luck.”

  “Don’t give up on Angela, bro. It’s obvious she’s into you. You just need to give her some time.”

  Jake nodded, then stood and placed the coffee cup in the sink. He gripped the counter and inhaled deeply, trying to tamp down his frustration. He turned back when J.D.’s cell phone rang.

  As J.D. listen to the caller, his face hardened and his eyes shot to Jake. “Okay, Nate, thanks for calling.” He placed the cell back into his shirt pocket.

  “What?”

  “The good news is Rick’s doing fine. Besides being pissed at having been shot and giving the nurses a hard time.”

  “And?”

  J.D. stood, a dark scowl covering his face. “They found Hirschman and Snake both shot at a warehouse on the south side of Chicago.”

  “Together?”

  “Yeah. Some rent-a-cop patrolling the building heard a gunshot. He called it in and went to investigate. He heard another gunshot. By the time he arrived, Snake was dead and Hirschman seriously wounded.”

  “He’s still alive?”

  J.D. nodded. “He’s in ICU. They’re not sure he’s going to make it.”

  “Did the cop see anyone else? Did they get the shooter?”

  “It looks like they shot each other.”

  Jake quirked a brow. Something wasn’t right with this scenario. It just seemed a little too pat.

  “Their pulling the protection from Angela,” J.D. continued. “They believe the danger to her is over.”

  “What does Nate think?” Jake’s heart pounded a heavy drumbeat against his chest at the thought of Angela being unprotected. He wasn’t convinced of her safety.

  “He’s not happy about it, but it’s not his call. The order came directly from the Captain.”

  Angela shook her head. “No. I told you, I’ll be fine. I just want to go home. I’ve already packed my stuff.” She nodded toward the duffle bag by the couch.

  She scooped Shelby into her arms. It was over and she was no longer in danger. He was just being paranoid. “I don’t need a babysitter anymore, Jake.”

  “I don’t know, Angela,” Stacey said, her voice serious for once. “Maybe Jake’s right and he should stay with you for awhile. At least until they have a chance to talk to this Hirschman guy.”

  “No, there’s no need.”

  Jake growled his disapproval.

  Well, too damn bad.

  He wasn’t her keeper anymore and she was going home. She turned to J.D. “Will you drop me off at my house?”

  Jake glowered at her and J.D. shot him a questioning glance. But before he could respond to her request, Jake spoke. “I’ll take you home.” His voice was hard, determined.

  “Fine.” She grabbed her purse. “I’m ready.”

  Jake’s lips compressed into hard lines, his jaw tense. “J.D., call me after you drop Stacey off. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

  “You got it, bro.”

  Jake took her arm and led her toward the door, a deep scowl covered his face. He scooped up her duffle bag and opened the door, never releasing his grip on her arm. Her heart fluttered at the feel of his hand against her skin.

  Angela glanced over her shoulder to Stacey. “I’ll call you,” she managed before Jake hauled her out the door. She reached up for her necklace, peeking at him from under her lashes. She’d seriously pissed him off.

  Angela held a squirming Shelby in her lap as they drove to her house. The twenty-minute drive filled with nothing but silence, although Jake kept sending her scowling glances.

  When the car came to a stop in her driveway, she reached for the door handle.

  “Stay put,” he snapped, giving her another glower.

  Angela stiffened. He was the ass! What did he have to be so upset about? She wasn’t the one who’d betrayed his trust. The more she thought about it the angrier she became. She frowned at him when he opened her car door.

  Ignoring the hand he held out to her, she exited the car and started up her sidewalk. Without saying a word, Jake followed. Tension radiated off him.

  It felt like déjà vu, as if they’d come full circle. Jake opened the door, allowing her to step into the hall as the door shut behind them.

  “Wait here,” he said, turning to point a finger at her. “Don’t move until I check the house.”

  “Whatever,” she huffed.

  Angela placed Shelby on the floor and crossed her arms, then stood impatiently tapping her foot. She was being a bitch, but didn’t care. It helped to stop her heart from breaking at the thought of never seeing Jake again. It was easier to be angry with him. She blinked away the tears that threatened.

  A loud crash from upstairs froze her blood, then the sound of a gunshot rang out.

  Angela screamed and reached for the doorknob behind her.

  “Run, Angela. Get out of here,” Jake yelled. His voice sounded hoarse, full of pain. The sound of struggling ensued.

  Had he been shot?

  Fear knotted inside her and she froze, unable to breathe. Then another crash sounded and she cried out and with a
pounding heart, jumped into action.

  She reached into her purse and retrieved her cell phone to dial nine-one-one, even as she searched for a weapon. She had to help Jake. This was her fault. She’d led them into a trap with her hissy fit. Remorse washed over her. Terror . . . cold, stark terror gripped her at the thought of losing him.

  The operator answered. More crashing and the sound of fists hitting flesh rang out.

  “Please, I need the police.” Angela began to rattle off her address. Crying now, she reached for her pointed umbrella from the stand by the entrance, accidentally dropping her cell phone. It crashed to the floor and flew apart, sending the battery skittering across the floor.

  Oh God!

  More gunshots rang out. Angela screamed and held the umbrella like a baseball bat as she darted upstairs. When she reached the top, she slowed to a halt and listened, hands shaking. Silence. The smell of gunpowder filling her nostrils.

  Oh, please, Jake. Be okay.

  She fought for oxygen, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she cautiously made her way to the bedroom door where the noise had come from. She loved him. If he died, her life was over.

  Angela shook, disgusted that she’d allowed the painful memories of her marriage to control her actions. She’d been a fool to let her insecurity stand in the way of her happiness.

  She pushed the door open and peeked inside. A strangled sob tore from her as she stepped into the room. Halting just inside the doorway, her mind tried to absorb what it was seeing. The umbrella dropped from her grasp.

  Her dresser tipped over on its side, end tables lay in pieces as though someone had fallen on them, and glass fragments from shattered lamps littered the room. Blood stained the floor and walls. A man dressed in black lay halfway propped against a wall, blood pooled around him from a hole in his chest. His eyes open and lifeless.

  Sobs tore from her when she spotted Jake leaning against the other wall, his hand pressed against his side, trying to stem the blood flow as he slowly slid to the floor. More blood poured from his shoulder. She met his gaze and he smiled weakly.

  “Hey, Angel.” His voice was raspy.

  Her frozen limbs released and she ran to the bathroom to grab some towels, then rushed back to Jake. Sirens sounded outside. His eyes were glazed, his lids drooping.

  Tears flowed in streams down her face. Angela frantically pressed the towels to the wound on his side. “Jake, Oh my God, Jake.”

  She took his hands and placed them over the towel covering his stomach to staunch the blood loss. He held them there, but just barely. She moved to his shoulder and used the towel to stem the blood flow.

  “Don’t die, Jake. Please don’t die.” Her voice rose with panic, bordering on hysteria.

  “Shhh, Angel,” he soothed. His voice barely audible. “I’ll be fine.” His lids closed, his head drooped.

  “No, Jake,” Angela cried. “Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.”

  The sirens stopped in front of her house, then voices and footsteps sounded inside.

  Jake lifted his head and smiled at her through glassy eyes. He kept one hand on his stomach, holding the towel there, and reached up to cup her cheek with a shaky hand covered in blood.

  Angela leaned into his touch. “Please stay with me,” she begged, tears running in heavy streams down her face. She couldn’t lose him.

  “I love you, Angel.” His eyes closed and the hand at her face fell to the floor.

  Angela screamed. A vise reached into her chest and crushed her heart.

  CHAPTER 17

  Jake groaned as Angela kissed him. Her lips were soft as they pressed against his. He wanted to tease her mouth open with his tongue and drink in her sweetness.

  She whispered his name and he wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. He tried to reach for her, but couldn’t move. His limbs felt heavy and his side burned.

  “Jake,” Angela pleaded.

  Jake frowned. Her voice sounded far off, as though she was in a tunnel.

  “Jake,” she repeated. “Wake up, Jake. Please.”

  Her voice sounded distressed and he wanted to kick someone’s ass for it. He fought the numbness that surrounded him. Angela needed him.

  He slowly opened his eyes to bright lights overhead, and found his Angel by his side. He tried to lift his hand and touch her, but was too weak.

  What the hell?

  He settled for giving her a smile, or what he hoped was a smile and not a grimace because his side felt like someone shoved a hot poker in it.

  Ray Anderson stood next to her. He was in the hospital? He closed his eyes and tried to recall why he was in the hospital. Then he remembered. They’d been arguing. He’d taken Angela home and someone had been there, hiding in her room. Jake had killed him. But not before the bastard had shot him twice. Oh, yeah. Now he remembered. That amount of pain was hard to forget.

  “Jake?” Angela stroked his face.

  Jake turned his head and looked into her gorgeous eyes. She didn’t look mad anymore. She looked tired. She’d been crying. But puffy circles and a red nose did nothing to tamp down her appeal. She was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

  “Hey,” he said. It came out more a croak, barely discernable.

  “Sshh.” She placed a finger on his lips. “Don’t talk. Just rest.” Tears slid down her face, but she gave him a tremulous smile, her eyes full of joy.

  “Are you okay?” He managed to ask against her finger. The effort exhausted him.

  Shit.

  He was as weak as a fricken baby. He tried to sit up, wanting to touch her, hold her. Make sure for himself she hadn’t been hurt.

  “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Just lay still.”

  “Try not to move, Jake,” Dr. Anderson said. He moved to his bedside. “You were shot, but you’re going to be fine. You just need to take it easy for a while.”

  Jake nodded, but kept his gaze glued to Angela, who was watching him with what looked like love in her eyes. Or was he imagining it? He gulped as hope filled him.

  He felt himself sinking back into oblivion and shook his head, trying to ward it off. Even as it claimed him.

  The next time Jake woke, Angela sat in the chair next to his bed. Asleep, her head rested atop her folded arms, on the mattress by his shoulder.

  He smiled and reached over to stroke her hair. He lifted a handful of her long silken strands and let them slide through his fingers. Glad to be alive and able to touch her. He felt much better and wondered how long he’d been out.

  “Well, it’s about time you woke up, bro.”

  Jake glanced toward J.D.’s voice to find him standing at the door. Although his words were cocky, his eyes appeared watery.

  “Hey, little brother.”

  Angela lifted her head, then squealed with delight. “Jake.” She leapt to her feet, grabbed his face and planted kisses all over it. The sound of her laughter warmed his heart. Her kisses gave him encouragement.

  Hell, if this is what it took for her to forgive me, it was totally worth getting shot.

  When she finally stopped kissing him and stood beaming at the side of his bed, he chuckled a scratchy sound and looked at his brother, who still stood at the door grinning.

  Jake cocked an eyebrow. “What can I say, chicks dig me.” The words may have held more effect if they hadn’t come out sounding like a frog. He cleared his throat.

  J.D. snickered and strode over to the bed. “If you say so.” He held out his fist and Jake brought his hand up for a fist bump.

  “How are you feeling?” Angela asked.

  “Pretty good, considering. How long have I been out?”

  J.D. answered. “Three days.”

  “Damn. Three days?” Jake touched the shoulder that ached.

  Angela brushed his hair off his forehead. “You were shot, but Dr. Anderson said you’re going to be fine.”

  He felt like someone had kicked him in the teeth. “Who shot me?”

  “
It was a Mafia hit.”

  Jake’s body jerked, his heart jumped against his chest. His pain-filled groan filled the room as he gripped his side. “What?”

  “Shit, Jake.” J.D. gently pushed him back onto the bed, his eyes filled with concern. “Angela’s safe. Don’t get all excited.”

  “How can she be safe if the Mafia has a hit on her?” His mind raced with thoughts of safe houses and quitting the force to follow her into witness protection.

  “They don’t have a hit on her, not any longer.” J.D. grinned. “They have a hit on Hirschman.”

  “Hirschman?” Jake’s heart slowed to normal, although his side was hurting like a bitch.

  “Yeah,” J.D. said. “He lived through the assassination attempt and cut a deal with the Feds. He’s spilling his guts about a particularly nasty corruption scheme involving a local crime Family and judges throughout Chicago’s tri-State area, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. They took bribes to rule in the Mafia’s favor. Dozens of arrests have already been made.”

  “Damn, all that happened in three days?” Jake’s mind tried to wrap around the information.

  “Yep. He has documentation that will bring them all down. Angela’s in the clear. She has nothing they want.”

  “You’re sure.”

  “We’re sure.”

  Jake’s relief was so great a wave of dizziness hit him. He leaned back against the pillow and closed his eyes with a sigh.

  “Are you okay?” Angela brought him some water, and he took a long sip through the straw. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

  “I am now,” he said with a grin.

  Stacey came into the room holding two Styrofoam cups and the aroma of coffee filled the room. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw him. “Hey, our hero’s awake.” She handed J.D. a cup of coffee.

  “Are you sure you’re okay? Should I get the doctor for you?” Angela asked. She took his hand into hers, holding it tight.

  He glanced at his brother and Stacey, then turned his attention back to Angela. He had a lot more questions, but they could wait. There was only one question that really mattered. He lifted his hand to her face and stroked her velvet skin.