Vigilante

by Velvet Vaughn

  “We didn’t realize you’d be home so soon.”

  Funny, since Darla knew she was leaving for Hawaii tonight. Couldn’t they have waited to shuck their clothing until she was gone? They’d have the entire apartment to themselves for days. They could host naked orgies and Olivia would never know. She made a mental note to make sure she locked her bedroom door.

  Darla had seemed so normal when she’d interviewed her to take over Kendall Buckley’s share in the apartment. They were rarely home at the same time, but when they were, they got along. They weren’t friends and they didn’t shop together or chat for hours, but Darla paid her rent on time and she was relatively neat. Then she met Arlo, the starving musician, and her inhibitions had fled, followed by her clothes and soon after, any respect Olivia had for the woman. She planned on having a talk with Darla when she returned from Hawaii. The arrangement wasn’t working out and since their lease was up very soon, she’d have to go.

  She gathered up the mail and escaped to her room to change for the flight. She couldn’t get out of New York quick enough, though she wasn’t looking forward to the trip. Even though she left tonight, with the length of the flight and the five-hour time difference, she wouldn’t get in until tomorrow night, though it would be the afternoon in Hawaii.

  The thought of who she’d see when she landed in Honolulu caused a full-body shudder and all her girl parts tingled in anticipation. Former Chicago police detective Alexander Mylonas. Tall, muscular, dark hair. It’d been so long since she’d seen him in person. He’d just been shot and clinging to life, tubes attached to his pale, battered body. She’d sat by his bed and held his hand until he woke up. She’d been so relieved when those blue eyes blinked open that tears gathered. She wanted to stay at his side. Just because he was awake didn’t mean the danger was over. But she had a commitment to her job. She came so close to calling her executive producer and quitting. But what would she do if he didn’t want her to stay? They didn’t even really know each other. The feelings might be one-sided. Though she’d never been a coward in her life, she was that day when she walked out of the hospital, took a cab to the airport and returned to her safe life in New York.

  She talked herself into believing out of sight, out of mind, but she still thought of him every day. She’d been so relieved when she learned from Kendall that he’d resigned from the Chicago police force to take a job with Kendall’s fiancé, Dorian. His job in one of America’s deadliest cities had been dangerous—the bullet hole he’d forever wear on his chest a shining example. But then in his new job with COBRA Securities, he’d been stabbed by a shard of glass that barely missed his femoral artery. If it had been nicked, he’d have bled out in a matter of minutes. She shuddered, not even wanting to think about a world without Alex. She might not get to be with him, but the thought of never seeing him again was more than she could bear.

  She almost flew out to see him after that attack to assure herself that he was still alive, but so much time had passed and once again, she chickened out. Now she would see him tomorrow and she was both terrified and elated. How would they react when they saw each other? Would it be polite handshakes or bone-melting kisses? He made her feel things she’d never felt before and that scared her. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think of him. How was that possible when she didn’t even really know him?

  She wondered if he knew she kept in touch with his younger sister, Allie. She’d met his family during her bedside vigil and she adored them. They’d been so worried about their son and brother, but they couldn’t have been nicer to her. They didn’t ask questions about their relationship, for which she was grateful. She wouldn’t have known how to answer. She suspected Alex got the third degree when he recovered and she wondered what he told them.

  Allie desperately wanted to visit New York City and Olivia promised she’d show her around. So far, Allie hadn’t been able to talk her mom into letting her come but in her last email, she thought she was wearing her down.

  She deposited the mail on a dresser and fingered the mysterious package again. It was small…too small to do harm. She hoped. She tugged the zipped tab on the back and turned it upside down. A small black object clattered to the floor. A flash drive. She glanced around her room and found a tissue. She’d learned so much from crime reporting, so she didn’t want to smudge any potential fingerprints.

  She popped the drive in an open USB port on her computer and waited for her virus program to scan the contents. When it came up clean, she opened the folder to reveal one file named Purdy, Anthony. It was a video. When she double-clicked on the movie-projector icon, text flashed on the screen: What you are about to see is justice…justice that should have been handed down by the court system but the process failed. I’m just someone who was tired of the guilty getting away with murder. I am doing this for the victims who no longer have a voice.

  The note faded away and a man’s face appeared on the screen. He was wild-eyed and sweating. The background was pitch black but a bright light harshly lit his face. She increased the sound.

  “M-my name is Anthony Eugene Purdy. I-I k-killed Lamont Jefferson. I-I didn’t mean to. We got into an a-argument. H-he hit me first. He did! It was self-defense.” He looked away and then shook. The clip went black for a moment and when his face appeared again, his eyes were huge. “I killed Lamont Jefferson. I-I panicked and got rid of him. Buried his body.”

  She hit pause as the names registered. She remembered the case. It was about a year ago and Purdy and Jefferson had been drinking together at a local bar and they’d been kicked out for disorderly conduct. It was the last time anyone saw Jefferson alive. When he failed to show up at his job as maintenance worker at the Empire State Building, cops deduced that Purdy had been the last to see Jefferson alive and witnesses confirmed that they’d been arguing that night. He was arrested for the crime and tried but found innocent. The case against him fell apart when the prosecution could provide no physical evidence linking Purdy to the crime. Plus, they couldn’t locate the body to prove that Jefferson was dead.

  She clicked play again and more text flashed up on the screen: This confession must be played at seven pm Eastern Time this Sunday, introduced by Olivia Larrson and no one else. As soon as the video airs you will receive instructions on where to find Anthony Purdy and where he buried Lamont Jefferson’s body. If anyone other than Olivia Larrson announces the video, you will never find either and their families will have no closure. It was signed, Vigilante.

  Olivia’s back slammed against the chair, breath whooshing from her lungs. A video confession from a killer originally found innocent. This was explosive. It would be major news. And the opening note made it sound like Anthony Purdy wouldn’t be the only confessor. The perpetrator had even named himself the Vigilante.

  She went over the instructions in her head and gasped. The Vigilante wanted the video played this Sunday…the day after Kendall’s wedding. If she had to announce this on air, she wouldn’t be able to make the trip to Hawaii. Her heart skipped a beat. She would miss Kendall’s wedding. And Alex.

  Chapter Three

  Alex couldn’t stand still. He hadn’t slept much last night and the few times he did manage to drift off, his dreams were filled with visions of a certain blue-eyed blonde. In a few short hours, he’d be seeing her in the flesh. His heart pounded in anticipation. He practically punched a hole in Dorian and Kendall’s bungalow door. Dorian whipped it open, pinning Alex with an evil eye. He didn’t care. Olivia was coming today!

  “You’re early, Mylonas,” Dorian grumbled as he turned from the door, leaving Alex to close it in his wake.

  He shrugged with as much nonchalance as he could manage. “Might run into traffic headed to the airport.”

  Kendall walked out of the bedroom and kissed his cheek. “Good morning, Alex. Umm, you smell amazing.”

  His ears heated. He’d picked up a bottle of some trendy aftershave last week at a department store. The saleswoman assured him women w
ould swoon. She’d even slipped him her phone number. He didn’t care about other women. He only wanted to be swoon-worthy for one woman.

  Dorian threw his arm over Kendall’s shoulder and pulled her to him. “Babe, what are you doing smelling my best friend?”

  “I’m sorry, honey.” She patted his chest. “You smell amazing, too.”

  Dorian smiled and bent down to kiss her. Alex rolled his eyes. When the kiss didn’t seem like it would end anytime soon, he grumbled, “Get a room.”

  Dorian broke the kiss and glared at him. “We have one. You’re currently invading it.”

  So they did. And he was encroaching on their couple-time. He didn’t care. Olivia was coming today.

  Kendall glanced at her watch. “We should get going. I’ll grab my shoes.” She headed to the bedroom as a cell rang.

  “I’ll get it.” Dorian picked it up. “Hello? Oh, hey. Thanks. Yeah, I can’t wait. She sure is.” He held up the phone. “It’s Olivia.”

  Alex’s heart took off at a full gallop. Maybe her flight arrived early and she was waiting at the airport for them. He almost dashed out the door.

  Kendall reached for the phone but Dorian held it away.

  “Ah, ah, ah,” he chided, his finger ticking like the swinging pendulum on a metronome. “You have to pay the phone toll first.”

  Kendall smiled and placed a palm on his chest as she stood on tiptoes to kiss her fiancé.

  Alex rolled his eyes and tried not to puke. Yes, he was happy for his best friend but the woman Alex lo…liked was on the line. Priorities, people.

  He was just about to leap over the couch to grab the phone when Kendall ended the kiss and put the cell to her ear. “Hi Olivia. I can’t wait to see you.” Alex hung on every word like a dog starved for a bone. “We were just about to leave for the airport. Are you here already?” Kendall’s smile froze and then fell…right along with Alex’s stomach.

  At the look of distress on Kendall’s face, he felt like someone had punched him in the solar plexus. He suddenly couldn’t breathe.

  “What’s wrong, Livvy?” Kendall’s brows scrunched in distress and her hand covered her mouth. “Oh, no.”

  At the crestfallen look on her face, Alex’s stomach landed at his feet.

  Kendall listened to whatever Olivia was saying. “I understand.” She looked at him, tears swimming in her eyes. Something was wrong. Kendall spoke for a few more minutes but all Alex heard was blood roaring in his ears. Kendall disconnected and managed a watery smile. “Olivia had a work emergency and she can’t make it. She’s not coming.”

  “Aw, honey.” Dorian pulled her into his arms and she sagged against him. “It’s your wedding. Can’t she get someone else to do it?”

  Kendall shook her head against Dorian’s chest. “It sounds serious.” She told them what Olivia said about a video and it having to be her who read the statement on the air.

  Alex tried to listen but all he could hear was, “not coming, not coming, not coming” chanting in tune with the rapid beat of his breaking heart.

  Chapter Four

  The setting sun painted the sky in vibrant shades of pinks and purples and oranges and reds. Waves crashed against the sand and palm trees swayed as a light breeze drifted off the ocean. It was the perfect backdrop as Kendall and Dorian and Dante and Taylor recited their vows. The joint wedding was informal, with a group of family and friends perched on folding chairs draped in white. The area was roped off with an array of fairy lights and tiki torches decorated with flowers. The couples stood under a trellis covered with white netting and more florae.

  Taylor’s parents walked her down the aisle first, followed by both Kendall and Dorian’s moms escorting Kendall. Taylor’s adopted daughter Gracie served as her mom’s maid of honor and Dorian’s sister Daphne had been called into action when Olivia had to back out as Kendall’s maid of honor. Daphne beamed with pride. Kai Costa stood with his dad and Alex took his place beside Dorian.

  The wedding was romantic and beautiful. Both brides wore sleeveless white dresses. Taylor’s was long with a small train. Kendall’s was shorter with a skirt made of lace. The grooms, both former Navy SEALs, wore their dress whites. Alex’s Hawaiian print shirt and khaki linen pants were straight from the Tommy Bahama catalogue. They all wore leis.

  The service drew to a close as the sun continued to set over the water. Soft music played in the background and the scent of flowers carried on the breeze. It was a perfect day…almost perfect.

  When all four had said “I do”, the minister pronounced them husband and wife. Dante kissed Taylor, Dorian kissed Kendall and the crowd cheered their approval. Both brides beamed in happiness. Their grooms smiled with pride.

  The reception was held a few steps away beneath a huge, open-sided tent that had been erected in the sand. Banquet tables overflowed with an authentic Hawaiian Luau feast featuring all kinds of exotic dishes and fruits. A pig roasted slowly on a spit dug into the ground. A group of musicians played island music and women dressed in grass skirts swayed to the beat. The tent was filled with laughter and dancing.

  Arms wrapped around him and he glanced over his shoulder to see light brown hair that belonged to his younger sister. His family and Dorian’s had been friends for years. His parents had been invited but his dad was recovering from knee replacement surgery and unable to fly. Allie had talked their parents into letting her come along with her best friend Daphne, Dorian’s sister. His overprotective mother let him know it was because he was here that she allowed her to make the long flight without them.

  “Hey, Allie.”

  “Just wanted to give my big brother a hug. Bye!” She disappeared as quickly as she appeared. She rushed over to Daphne and their friend Lauren Dianetti. Lauren’s dad, former NFL quarterback, Matt Dianetti, was an old friend of Luke’s and one of COBRA Securities first cases. Lauren had forever won the loyalty of the entire COBRA Securities family when she saved Logan’s young daughter Isabella from a kidnapper, getting shot in the process.

  The three teens were huddled together giggling and sneaking glances at a shirtless young man playing with his dog on the beach. As long as they just looked, he was fine. His sister was beautiful and it was probably a good thing she lived in a different city. Otherwise, he’d have to beat the crap out of any guy who even looked at her.

  Alex filled a plate and requested a Longboard Lager from the bartender. He was developing a fondness for the locally brewed beer. He’d imbibed quite a few the night he found out Olivia wouldn’t be coming for the wedding. He turned to find a seat and almost crashed into Kai Costa.

  “I’m really thirsty. Can I have a drink?” Kai reached for the bottle.

  “Sure.”

  “I can?” Kai’s eyes were hopeful.

  Alex handed the bottle to him and jerked it away at the last moment to take a swig. “In twelve years.”

  Kai scrunched up his face and growled at him. “You’re a big meanie. Save me a spot.” The kid skipped off to fill a plate.

  Alex took a seat at one of the picnic tables lining the side of the tent. It truly was beautiful here. The lap of the surf. The soft breeze. Maybe it was a good thing Olivia couldn’t attend. He was getting sucked in to the romantic atmosphere. He’d probably have done something really stupid like declared his undying love. Or dropping to one knee and proposing.

  A plate appeared at his side, followed by a glass filled with orange liquid and a sprig of pineapple and cherries. “It’s so beautiful here,” Kaitlyn Colton sighed as she eased down beside him. Dan plopped down across from her. Alex raised a brow at the amount of food on Dan’s plate. The guy could really put it away. It was a good thing he was marrying a chef.

  Kai skidded over and dropped a plate on the table. “Be right back,” he said, sprinting off to fill another.

  “I’m sorry Olivia couldn’t make it,” Dan said in a rare show of sincerity. “I know you were looking forward to seeing her.”

  Alex shrugged with feigned indifference. �
�Probably for the best since we live so far apart.”

  “So what happened between you two?” Kait asked.

  Alex glanced at Dan who shook his head. “Didn’t say a word, bud.”

  One night when he was feeling particularly melancholy, he’d blurted out the entire story to Dan, who tried to encourage Alex to at least call her, but he’d resisted. He was totally over Jennifer, but he didn’t think his heart could take another blow if Olivia rejected him.

  Kait pointed her plastic fork at Dan. “You have secrets you’re keeping from me? We’re getting married. We’re supposed to tell each other everything.”

  “Honey, it’s not a secret, it’s the confidence of a friend.”

  She scrunched her nose, clearly not happy that her husband-to-be wasn’t sharing gossip. Alex decided to let his buddy off the hook. “We met when she flew to Chicago to be with Kendall after her friends were killed. There was a spark there.” Understatement. Try out-of-control four-alarm inferno. “But she lives in New York and I live in Indiana.” No way was he telling her about the passionate encounter in the back of his city-issued sedan.

  “So? If you really care about her, what’s wrong with trying a long distance relationship? With social media these days, you could text or Skype all the time.”

  Kai returned carrying two more plates, saving him from having to answer Kait. If Olivia had given him any sign that she wanted to explore their relationship further, he’d have tried. But he was once bitten, twice shy.

  “Kid, there is no way you can eat all that food,” Dan said.

  Kai looked down at his plates. “I wanted to try everything. Though I know it won’t be as good as anything Kait cooks.” He smiled sweetly at her.

  Great. The kid was nine years old and he was a better flirt than Alex.

  Kait predictably fawned all over him and Dan just shook his head fondly.