Marked for Murder

by Colleen Helme

  “How’s he doing?” Javier asked me, his voice tinged with worry. “Have you seen him today?”

  “Yes. He’s doing better. I think he’s going to make it.”

  He sighed with relief. “Good. I’ll see you soon.”

  Uncle Joey had wanted to give Javier the use of Ramos’s apartment at Thrasher, but he wasn’t sure how much Ramos would like his involvement. Ramos had kept Javier at a distance because of his ties to Uncle Joey, so it followed that Ramos wouldn’t want Javier involved with a mob boss.

  I felt bad about that, but I thought it made sense. At least until Ramos decided otherwise, we would keep Uncle Joey out of it. Of course, between Uncle Joey and me, I thought I was the bigger danger. I told Uncle Joey that, and he laughed.

  Uncle Joey dropped me off at the precinct so I could get my car. I thought about stepping inside to see how the case against Isaac was going, but I was just too tired. That trip to the hospital, along with my injury and all the emotion, had totally worn me out.

  I got home, took a pain pill, and laid down on my bed to rest. Managing to fall asleep, I woke up when Chris came home. He was happy to hear the good news about Ramos.

  “I did something that I hope won’t make him mad,” I said.

  Chris’s brows rose. “What?”

  I explained about my phone call to Javier, and that he’d be arriving at seven tonight. “I’m picking him up from the airport, and we’re going straight to the hospital.”

  Chris nodded. “I can see why you’re worried, but this is good. Ramos needs someone to watch out for him for a change.” Chris was also relieved that it wouldn’t be me. He knew I cared for Ramos and, as much as he accepted that, he didn’t want those feelings to change into something that would threaten our marriage.

  “Chris, I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”

  He pulled me against him, but didn’t hug me too tightly. “I love you too. My world would fade into shadows without you by my side.” He kissed me tenderly, branding my heart with his love. “We’ll get through this, but I have to admit, I’m looking forward to taking some time off.”

  “I know. Me too. Just think, we’re headed to New York next month. That will be a nice break.”

  Chris chuckled. “Yeah. Meeting the New York Manettos should be fun.” I caught his hint of sarcasm, mostly because we’d have to play along with the lie that we were related to them. It could get tricky. “But, from what you’ve told me,” he continued, “at least it won’t be dangerous.”

  I smiled and met Chris’s gaze. He was thinking the same thing as me, that somehow things always got complicated when I was involved. We burst out laughing. It hurt my chest, but, at the same time, it felt good, like the cares of the world had fallen from my shoulders.

  And after what I’d been through these last few days, it was nice to laugh again.

  I waved at Javier. He caught sight of me and waved back, then hurried to my car. It was a thirty-minute drive to the hospital, and I spent the time telling him how Ramos got shot. Javier took it all in, impressed that I’d taken a bullet for him.

  “Does he know that?” Javier asked.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter.”

  Javier disagreed, but he didn’t say it out loud. He asked several more questions about the incident, and I explained the whole story about Beal, including everything that had happened before the bomb incident. Of course, I left out the mind reading part, only saying that he was testing my premonitions. By the time we got to the hospital, Javier was thinking that Ramos and I were pretty close. Were we lovers too?

  “Uh… we’re just friends,” I said. “Good friends… who care about each other. I’m happily married, and Ramos… well, I guess I can tell you, but Ramos is… uh… he works for the local mob boss.” I couldn’t say he was a hitman out loud, but Javier got the idea.

  I expected him to be surprised, but he wasn’t. Because of Ramos’s past, he’d anticipated something like that. I didn’t want him to think too poorly of Ramos, so I told him I worked for the mob boss too. That surprised him. He wondered how in the world I juggled working for a mob boss and the police. No wonder I needed Ramos around. “You also have your own business?”

  “Uh… yeah. It can get a little crazy.”

  Javier just smiled, thinking that was probably an understatement. Then he thought that maybe Ramos should move back to Miami. Or he could at least come and stay with him for a few weeks to recover. I didn’t like hearing that much, but he was probably right. Maybe Ramos should get out of the business and away from me, where it wasn’t so dangerous. I mean… he’d nearly died yesterday, and it was because of me.

  We entered the hospital and took the elevator to Ramos’s floor. “I think I should talk to him first, and prepare him to see you, so it’s not such a shock to his system, you know?”

  “You think he’ll be mad?” Javier asked.

  “Oh no… maybe at me, but he’d never be mad at you. So it’s all good.”

  “Okay.” Javier nodded. He could tell that I was nervous, but, if Ramos was injured, I shouldn’t worry too much. What could he do in his weakened state? Nothing. Anticipation washed over him. He could hardly wait to see him. After all these years, Ramos was alive. His brother. There were too many years to make up for, and he wouldn’t allow anger, or remorse, to ever come between them again.

  Just hearing that calmed my jittery nerves.

  We entered the intensive care unit to find Ramos’s bed empty. Fear struck my heart. I turned to the nurse, who told us that he’d been upgraded and moved to a room. Sagging with relief, I hardly heard her directions to his room.

  Somehow we made it to the right door. I looked through the glass to make sure Ramos was in there. He lay with his eyes closed, but he looked better than he had this morning. I turned to Javier. “This is it. Leave the door open a crack so you’ll know when to come in.” Javier nodded, excitement shining in his eyes.

  Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped in. Ramos’s eyes opened, and he glanced my way. “Hey,” I said, smiling. “How are you doing?”

  His lips tilted in a lop-sided smile. “You’re back.” His voice rasped. “I could get used to this.” I sat beside his bed and looked him over. His unshaven jaw seemed darker than normal, and shadows lingered under his eyes. But his dark gaze held that same intensity as before, and I knew he would get well.

  “Help me raise the bed up a little,” he asked. He pushed the button, and the back began to rise. His pillow fell to the side, so I fluffed it up a little before sliding it under his head. “That’s better. Thanks. The doctor said I’m doing well. I might even be able to go home in a few days.”

  “That’s great news. So the pain’s okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s manageable. How about you? How’s your chest?”

  “Oh… it’s bruised. I have a cracked sternum.”

  He shook his head. “I remember you stepping in front of me. My heart kind of stopped. I thought that we were both going to die.” A shadow passed over his face. He caught my gaze. “It’s kind of hazy after that, but I remember you shooting at him. Did you kill him?”

  I swallowed and nodded. “Yes. I shot him quite a few times, actually.” Our gazes met. “I don’t feel bad about it either. Is that normal?”

  Ramos’s brows rose. He understood why I’d ask him. “Answer this. Why don’t you feel bad?”

  “Because he was a terrible person, and he was going to kill you, and probably me. I don’t know if he deserved it. But I had no choice.”

  “That’s your answer. That’s why you don’t feel bad. I’d be dead if you hadn’t killed him, so I might be biased. But it’s a good enough reason for me.”

  “It’s a good reason for me too.” I smiled, drinking in this new companionship that we shared. I didn’t want this moment to end, but guilt sliced through me. I glanced toward the door, knowing I’d been a little selfish keeping Javier waiting.

  “Uh… I have a surprise fo
r you.” I moved to the foot of the bed. Ramos lost his smile, and his eyes narrowed. He didn’t like surprises. “But this is a good surprise. I hope.” Now his brows rose. What had I done? He noticed that I kept glancing at the door. Why did I do that? Was someone out there?

  “Yes, there is. Someone important to you. Uh, don’t be mad, okay?” I turned to the door and raised my voice. “You’d better come in now.”

  Javier pushed the door open and stepped into the room. “I thought you’d never say that.”

  Ramos caught his breath. Javier? He looked at me, then back at Javier. What had I done?

  “You said you were ready to see him,” I explained. “And I thought now was a good time—”

  “Javi,” Ramos said. That was all it took. Javier rushed to Ramos’s side, bent down on one knee, and buried his face in Ramos’s shoulder. Javier’s body shook as he cried. Ramos patted Javier’s head, overcome with emotion. Javier was here. His brother had come. Ramos mussed Javier’s hair, while tears glistened in his eyes.

  Tears filled my eyes. Soon they ran down my cheeks. This tender moment eased the pain in my heart. Ramos had his brother back. After more than ten years, they were together again.

  A few moments later, Javier lifted his head and reached for the tissues on the bedside table. He handed some to Ramos as well. Glancing at me, he passed them across the bed to my outstretched hand. Still a little weepy, he pulled the chair to Ramos’s side and sat down.

  “I forgive you for not telling me you were alive,” he said. “Can you forgive me? I was a stupid boy who didn’t listen to his older brother. All these years, I’ve blamed myself for your death. Seeing you… it’s like a miracle.”

  Ramos shook his head and let out a breath. “There is nothing to forgive. You are alive. That’s all that matters now.”

  Javier clasped Ramos’s hand and nodded. “Shelby broke the news to me this morning, so I’m still in a daze.”

  They both looked my way, their dark-eyed gazes nearly identical. I picked up gratitude, as well as annoyance, and… love.

  “She was afraid,” Javier continued, “that you might die. So she called me. I hope you’re not mad at her.”

  Ramos’s smile held affection. “No.” He glanced back at Javier. “This wasn’t the reunion I hoped for but… now that you’re here… I think this was probably much better. Thank you for coming. I’m sorry it took me so long.”

  Javier wouldn’t hear of it. “It’s in the past. Now we can begin again. We have a lot to make up for. I want to know all about you, everything that’s happened to you, and how you found out I was alive.”

  Ramos glanced my way. “It’s because of Shelby. It’s a long story, and I’m happy to tell you, but… I’m kind of tired.” Ramos’s strength was flagging, and we could both see that he needed his rest.

  “We’ll have plenty of time,” Javier promised.

  A nurse came in, took one look at Ramos, and told us that we needed to leave.

  “I’ll come back tomorrow,” Javier said. “I’m staying at the hotel across the street. I can spend the whole day with you. If you want.”

  “Of course,” Ramos said. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

  “Good. I’ll see you then.”

  The nurse held the door open for us, not about to let us stay one minute longer. I glanced at Ramos and sent him a smile.

  “Shelby, wait.”

  I raised my brows. “Yes?”

  “Come here.” With an apologetic glance at the nurse, I stepped to Ramos’s side. “Closer.” I leaned toward him, and he took my hand in his, pulling me even closer. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” I aimed a kiss for his cheek, but he turned his face, and my kiss landed on the side of his mouth.

  “You missed. Since I saved your life, don’t you owe me a better kiss than that?” He was thinking about the last time we’d kissed in the Potomac River. He’d saved my life then, right? Didn’t he deserve another one after nearly dying?

  I knew I was playing with fire, but Ramos was hurt, so it wasn’t like anything could happen. Taking a breath, I leaned down and chastely kissed him full on the lips. His hand cupped the side of my face, and the kiss deepened. Lost in the moment, it wasn’t until I heard the nurse clear her throat that I managed to pull away.

  “There,” I said breathlessly. “Thanks for saving my life. Again.”

  He smiled, thinking that kiss had made all the pain totally worth it. “Goodnight Shelby.”

  I sighed and shook my head, but I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my lips. “Goodnight Romeo.”

  I stayed close to home for the next few days, mostly because exhaustion had finally caught up to me. My chest hurt more than I cared to admit, but, in a way, it was a good excuse to take it easy. Ramos had asked Uncle Joey to meet Javier the very next day. The day after that, I met Javier and Uncle Joey for lunch with Ramos at the hospital.

  We enjoyed our time together, and Ramos continued to improve. With Uncle Joey’s considerable help, Javier made arrangements to stay until after Ramos was discharged. That way someone would be there when he got home.

  Javier even got to use Ramos’s car, and he checked out of the hotel to stay in Ramos’s house. Ramos drew the line at letting Javier use his motorcycle, and I had to stifle a smile. I offered to help as well, and it did my heart good to know that, between all of us, Ramos had a family to take care of him.

  Thursday was Ethan’s memorial service. I went to the cemetery with Chris and listened to the heartfelt memories that his friends and family shared. By then it was known that Isaac had confessed to killing Ethan, and the reverberations of his crime brought a wave of shock to Ethan’s family and friends.

  How does one ever get over something like that? I didn’t have any answers, but I did know that Ethan had helped me, and I hoped he could rest in peace.

  Chris’s firm created a scholarship fund in Ethan’s name to help assist law students in need, ensuring that Ethan’s legacy would live on for years to come.

  Strickland was another matter. Although he had been accused by Isaac as the instigator of Ethan’s death, he denied all knowledge and claimed he had nothing to do with it. I knew Isaac’s trial would take many months before coming to an end. For Ethan’s sake, I’d do what I could to make sure that justice was served.

  In the meantime, the allegations against Strickland were enough to warrant an investigation, and I hoped he’d lose his position as the prosecuting attorney. At the least he should lose his license to practice law. But it didn’t seem like enough to compensate for Ethan’s death.

  On the upside, it looked like Strickland’s recording of Chris had become worthless. With criminal accusations against him, he’d lost all credibility, which was a win in any book.

  Claire’s day in court came a week later. Even though she’d been released from jail, social services had refused to give Riley back to her. Chris had taken her case, and we met in court on a beautiful sunny morning.

  To my surprise, Billie and a cameraman joined us just before it began. Her face shone with happiness, and she couldn’t wait to tell me all about her honeymoon. She also wanted to hear everything that had happened to me after they’d left.

  “Can you go to lunch after this?” she asked.

  “Sure. That would be great.”

  The judge entered the courtroom, and we all stood. The charges were read against Claire. Chris defended her with the new DNA tests from her family, showing scientific proof that, due to chimerism, Claire was indeed Riley’s mother.

  After the judge examined the evidence, all charges against Claire were dropped, and Riley was ordered to be returned to her mother. Chris had been working with the social worker involved, so it was only moments later that the woman brought Riley into the courtroom, and we witnessed the happy reunion.

  Billie’s cameraman got plenty of photos of the event, ensuring Billie’s success at having a winning article in the newspaper. With a happy ending all around,
Billie and I spent an hour at lunch, catching up. She’d heard about the bomb, of course, but didn’t know that I’d shot Beal.

  “You killed Beal?” she asked. “I thought it was Ramos.”

  I sighed, still uncomfortable about that part. “It was probably a combination… I mean… Ramos shot him first, but yeah, I shot him too, and I would do it again. He was going to kill Ramos… and me.”

  Billie nodded, thinking I lived an exciting life, and this little detail was the stuff of legends. Her gaze caught mine with excitement at the possibilities of the interview and subsequent article she could write about me… if she could get me to agree. From the look of wariness on my face, she knew better than to ask me about it today, but maybe later. If nothing else, she was tenacious, and she had no trouble waiting me out.

  Oh great! Now I had to worry about that. At least she wasn’t going to go behind my back and write it anyway, so that was a plus. We spoke some more, then she had to get back to work and finish her article.

  A week later, I was at Thrasher Development, helping Uncle Joey with his involvement in Olivia Beal’s company. After holding a conference with the investors, she announced that BioTech was finally in production of the supplement to enhance brain function in older adults. She went into detail about the tests, making it sound like a miracle drug.

  We sat in Uncle Joey’s office, and I filled him in on what I’d picked up from the meeting. “As you know, since it’s a supplement, they’ve bypassed the FDA. They’ve still done a lot of testing, and they aren’t lying about their claim that it helps brain function, but the percentage of success is kind of low. I think it was just over fifty percent of test subjects who saw any improvement.”

  Uncle Joey nodded. “As long as it won’t harm anyone, I’m good with that.” He was thinking of taking it himself. Not that he needed it, but, maybe in ten years when he was in his seventies.

  I smiled. He’d added that last part for me. “Sure, why not?”

  I gathered my things and stepped into the hall to find a familiar figure coming toward me. “Ramos. What are you doing here?” He’d lost a little weight, but, other than that, he looked great.