by Jen Talty
She did her best to lie still. “I’ve never seen a bear before, unless it was at the zoo.”
He laughed. “Me, neither, and while I like the outdoors, that’s one animal I hope I never come face-to-face with.”
She let out a long sigh, forcing her muscles to relax. There was something calming having another heartbeat close by. “Will you tell me something about your mom? She sounded wonderful.”
“She was the best. Strict, but very understanding. She would have liked you.”
“After what I did? I highly doubt it.”
“She was a forgiving woman,” he whispered. “She would have understood, as I do, why you would have done anything to save your brother.”
“I felt dirty, listening to what your friend said about me.”
“I don’t want you to ever feel that way.” His fingers glided up her arm. “Jake’s job right now is to protect us, and if that means he’s going to question your statements, considering every possible angle, then so be it. Like I said before about Kirk’s file, you may not think you know anything, but when we go through it tomorrow, we may uncover something that will help us.”
“I trust you. I need the same in return.” She wanted a whole lot more, but she needed to prepare for the affection to end the second this ordeal ended.
“You have it.” He kissed her shoulder. “Now let’s get some sleep, and we’ll go through things tomorrow.”
He wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling his face in her neck, but by the sound of his rhythmic breathing, she suspected he was minutes from sleep.
She settled into his arms, feeling safe. She both resented and welcomed the comfort he offered. She didn’t want to love him, but he had managed to break down all her defenses and barriers, and now she loved a man who might care, but would never love her back.
10
Josh had tossed and turned all night. Between the pending showdown and the crazy thoughts he had about Delaney, his mind wouldn’t quiet. Careful not to disturb Delaney, he slid from the bed. She’d curled herself up into a ball. Her face finally free of worry lines. He tapped his chest. Her peaceful sleep wouldn’t last.
He stepped from the bedroom, through the kitchen and head for the porch. The clouds hung low, creating an eerie fog that hugged the trees. A few raindrops tapped at the wooden roof. He unlocked his phone and called Stacey. She picked up on the first ring.
“How is everything?” she asked.
“Saw my first bear, but otherwise, not horrible. I didn’t wake you or Doug, did I?”
“Doug already left for work, and Brandon is tossing his pancakes to the floor. I really need to get a dog.”
“Didn’t I hear Doug say you could have one after you gave him another kid?”
“I keep telling him he is my other kid,” she said. “I take it you called to see what I knew.”
“I did.”
“The two goons that fired at you on the lake aren’t saying a word, and they don’t want to make a phone call or even retain a lawyer, which is weird, but my P.I. friend has them directly connected to Craypo, so at least we know that’s who we’re dealing with.”
“Like we thought it could have been anyone else. What about Kirk?”
“According to the P.I., he’s nowhere to be found. Neither is Delaney’s brother.”
“That’s not good.” Josh rubbed the back of his neck. “And Craypo?”
“Checked in with his probation officer this morning,” she said, “but our bigger problem right now is our office had a visit from the locals, looking for you.”
“So, they’re taking the missing person’s report seriously.”
“Jared knew the officer, so unless there’s any reason to suspect foul-play, they’ll wait until you come back from vacation.”
“What happened to the report you filed about the assault on Delaney?”
“It’s in the system, but once we connect the goons from yesterday to what happened at your place, it will be a non-issue.”
Josh craned his neck left and right, trying to get the kinks out. “We’ve got to do this soon, or Delaney will never be safe.”
“I’m more concerned about you.” Stacey’s voice took on that motherly ‘I know best’ tone.
“I don’t get it. You always believed she was a pawn, so why are you so hard on her?”
“We couldn’t find any tracking device on your boat.”
“Well, Delaney didn’t tip them off, and I need you to lighten up on her.” He knew if the tables were turned he’d act the same way, but it didn’t matter anymore. Delaney had wedged into his mind and soul. “What would you do if someone threatened to kill someone in your family?”
“I’d put a bullet between their eyes.”
“Of course you would, but what would your father do? Doug?”
She huffed. “Whatever it took to save my life.”
“So, be nice to her.”
“Fine.” She let out a long sigh that seemed exaggerated for his benefit. “Keep in touch. Tristan is going to bring some food up to you by ten this morning.”
“Thanks.” He tapped the phone just as the front door opened, and his nostrils filled with the rich aroma of coffee. “Is that for me?”
Delaney handed him a tall mug before settling next to him on the Adirondack bench. “Not much but oatmeal to make for breakfast.”
“As long as you make it, and not me, we’re all good.”
“I’ll make some in a bit.” She blew into the steaming mug, staring across the front yard. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my parents.”
“What about them?”
“When I was twelve, my father came home from the restaurant and said, ‘I bought a house in Fishkill. We move in three weeks.’ I was devastated. It happened so quickly. And that’s when he got really weird about the restaurant.”
“It could have been when Craypo gave him the loan.”
“How would my dad know him? Why would he even go to Craypo for help?”
“Craypo goes after what he wants, and that includes owning people any way he can. He finds the weak spot and attacks. It’s subtle, nearly impossible to see it coming. If he wanted that restaurant to launder his money, he would have done anything to get it.”
“I’m still struggling with all this and how I missed it.”
He continued to study her, but she stared off into the distance, expressionless, sipping her coffee. It couldn’t be easy to for her to realize her family wasn’t what she thought they’d been her entire life.
“My father got an apartment in the city, not far from Esposito’s, which is why I always thought he was having an affair.”
“Did you ever confront him? Say something to your mom?”
“No. I didn’t even tell my brother. I didn’t want to think my dad would do such a thing. I told myself he was trying to give us a better life in suburbia, but I knew that wasn’t true. I knew something was off. I just ignored it. I did the same thing with Kirk.”
“Don’t keep beating yourself up over it.”
“If I don’t acknowledge it, I’ll continue to trust the wrong people.” She turned to face him. Her blue eyes grew dark as her brow wrinkled. “We can’t hide out forever.”
“I’m close to having a plan in place, but I need to verify a few things, one of which is where your brother and Kirk disappeared to.”
“What does that mean?” Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head.
“They fell off the P.I.’s radar. I’m concerned they’re heading this way, and since there was no tracking system in my boat—”
“Great.” She starred at her mug on the table. “If your friends didn’t believe me before, they sure won’t believe me now.”
“Don’t worry about them,” he said, even though it bothered him because he did worry, and he knew if he were on the other side of this, and one of his buddies were in his shoes, he’d think they’d lost their marbles.
“So, what’s this plan you’re concocting?” She shifted in her
chair.
“Basically, I need to put myself in front of Craypo, with a wire, and get him to admit to a bunch of shit so I can nail his ass. Jared needs to get a judge to sign off on the wire, and that’s going to be tricky. Not to mention, I don’t think Craypo will risk leaving New York, so I might have to go there.”
“What about me?”
“You’ll be safe with one of my buddies.”
“Oh, no. You’re not leaving me behind.”
“Oh, yeah, I am.”
She shook her head. “If everything you say is true, they’re going to want me as badly as they want you. You show up alone, and they might not follow through.”
Sadly, she had a valid point.
“Teach me to shoot a gun.”
“What?” He blinked a few times, trying to ignore the look of determination etched in her sweet, innocent face. “Even if you were a fast study and a good shot, no way in hell are you part of the plan.”
Her lips drew into a tight line.
He swallowed. “You’re a civilian. I can’t put you—”
“I’d be good bait, and you know it. Together, we could get all the major players, including Kirk and my brother.”
“We don’t know what role Liam plays.”
“I think the reason my brother stopped talking to my dad might have had to do with Kirk.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Liam went from job to job to get-rich-quick schemes. He blamed his lack of success on my dad, saying Dad never encouraged him. Liam begged my father to give him a job, then went behind his back and filled out an application. My dad was pissed. They screamed at each other, then Liam left, calling our dad all sorts of horrible names.”
“What did your dad do?”
“Told Liam when he learned some respect and apologized, he was welcome back, but until then, to stay away.”
“And your mom?”
“Readily agreed. Somehow Liam managed to get a decent job, working at some office in marketing sales, but he didn’t change.”
“What office?”
“I think it was called The Whitmore Agency.”
“Fuck,” Josh mumbled. “That’s Craypo’s sister’s company.”
Delaney cursed under her breath.
“Maybe teaching you a few things about weapons might be a good idea, after all.” He picked up his gun. “Let’s go around back. I’ll set up some cans for you to shoot at.” For the next ten minutes, while Josh set up a makeshift shooting range, he berated himself. There was no way he would let Delaney be a part of any plan he formulated, but the idea of leaving her alone, even with his buddies, didn’t settle well. She was his responsibility.
“Hold the gun with both hands. You’ll have better aim.” He stood behind her, placing the weapon in her palm. “Keep your legs shoulder-width apart, and look down the length of the barrel, kind of like a pool stick, at what you want to hit.” The smell of her hair sent his body down memory lane of the other night. There was so much raw passion inside her, and she had no idea., which made her sweet, shy personality all the more deadly. “Keep in mind, the chest is the largest part of the body, so it’s best to aim there.”
“That can is tiny, though.”
“Let’s see if you can hit it. But remember, it’s going to be loud, and you’re going to feel the gun jerk, so be prepared for that.”
“All right,” she said. “Here goes nothing.”
He stepped back, and…
Bang!
Pop!
“I hit it!” She turned, smiling at him like she’d just hit the jackpot.
The corners of his mouth drew upward. “That’s my girl.” Was there beginner’s luck with target practice?
“Can I try again?”
“Sure.” He nodded. “Engage the safety and never aim while someone downrange, even if you think the safety is on. That’s how accidents happen.” This time, he lined up six cans.
He leaned against a tree behind and to her left so he could study her aim, which was near-perfect. “Whenever you’re ready, babe.”
Bang!
Silence.
“You twitched as you pulled the trigger. Try again.”
She nodded, raising the gun again with both hands, adjusting her stance. He wondered if there was anything she wasn’t capable of, if she her mind to it, letting her insecurities go.
Bang!
Pop!
“This is so empowering, yet utterly terrifying.” She lowered her weapon and rolled her neck.
“It’s important to respect weapons and how dangerous they are.”
“That’s why I said ‘terrifying.’ The power in my hands scares me as much, if not more than, the excitement when I pull the trigger.”
“Give it another go.”
She raised the gun with steady hands.
Bang!
Pop!
“Remind me to never piss you off again.”
She laughed.
Bang!
Silence.
He watched in awe as she adjusted her aim to the next tin can.
Bang!
Silence.
Bang!
Pop!
She secured the weapon the way he’d shown her before handing it back to him.
“I think it’s safe to say you can handle a weapon.”
“I can’t believe I hit as many targets as I did.” She shook out her hands. “But I’m not sure I could aim at anything with a heartbeat and pull the trigger.”
“You could, if someone was about to hurt a person you loved.” He waggled his forefinger in a come-hither motion.
“What?”
“Might be completely inappropriate, but I’m so turned-on right now, it’s painful.”
She chomped down on her lower lip as her eyes lowered. “I can see that,” she whispered as she took a few tentative steps him.
He groaned as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, drew her against his chest, and pressed his lips hard against hers. Their tongues met with force, swirling around, exploring, devouring each other. Her hand roamed his shoulders and arms before he felt her fingers against his skin just above his pants.
Beep, beep.
They both jumped.
“Who’s here?” she asked, wide-eyed.
“I don’t know.” He grabbed his gun. “You stay back here. If I whistle, we’re in trouble. If I call your name, we’re fine.”
“What should I do if you whistle?”
“Run.” He kissed her forehead before racing around the side of the cabin, doing his best to hide behind a large bush. The sound of tires rolling across mud and gravel echoed in the foggy air.
Narrowing his eyes, he raised his weapon as a familiar convertible rolled into the clearing. “Delaney,” he shouted. “It’s Tristan.” Josh frowned as he put the weapon in the back of his pants, noticing Tristan had brought Viv.
Tristan held up a couple of bags of groceries. “We come bearing gifts.” He handed them to Viv. “Why don’t you and Delaney take these into the cabin?”
“Sure thing,” Viv said holding up a couple of plastic bags. “We brought some prime stuff.”
“Follow me.” Delaney nodded, but gave Josh a cross-eyed glance.
He wasn’t sure what that was all about, but he needed to deal with Tristan and his lack of judgment. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Tristan held his up. “I know, but she was in bed with me when Stacey called.”
“So?”
“She saw the name and got pissy. I explained who Stacey was, but she was still mad and you know my track record with women. I’d like to keep this one around for more than a month.”
“Still not a valid reason for you to bring her here.” Josh wanted to throttle him.
“She overheard the conversation with Stacey.”
Josh arched a brow.
“I went into my family room and started a pot of coffee when I called Stacey back. I didn’t know Viv was on the sofa.” Tristan held his hand out. “B
efore you ask, I didn’t say anything about Craypo or anyone in his organization. All she heard was me saying I’d bring you and Delaney some supplies. She wanted to come along and say hello to Delaney. They seemed to have hit it off.”
“And what about when the news breaks that Delaney is considered a missing person, and she tells everyone you brought us supplies?”
“This will be over by then.”
“You don’t know that.” Josh fisted his hands. “I have a feeling Kirk and Liam are on their way, and they will be using that missing persons case to get the attention of police, and probably the news.”
“Then we need to pull the trigger on whatever plan you have, in the next twenty-four hours or less.”
Josh nodded, knowing he was going to do the one thing he swore he wouldn’t. “We’re going to have to have Delaney as part of the plan.”
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Tristan shook his head as he leaned against the car. “She’s a civilian, and Jared isn’t going to go for it.”
“I’m not going to tell him,” Josh said. “At least, not until after it’s done.”
“You’ll be dead by then.”
“I’m dead if I do nothing. Delaney, too. So, I’d rather deal with the wrath of Jared than wait for approval.” Josh leaned against the car, crossing his arms. “I’m going to need some help getting Craypo up here, because I’m not bringing this fight to his territory. I also need a few more weapons and a wire.”
“We haven’t gotten permission—”
“I’m not waiting any longer.”
“It won’t be admissible,” Tristan said.
“It will, if I tell him I’m recording him.”
“Now I know you’re crazy, but I can get you those things by tonight. If I can’t, I’ll have someone else drive them up.”
“I appreciate it.”
“You better let us all know before you set this in motion so we can be ready, and if you change anything in this cockamamie plan, you need to inform us.”
“Only thing that might change is location. Other than that, I need to get Craypo, Kirk, and Liam in one place at the same time, get them to confess something, and then get them to take a couple of shots at me.”
“You’ve got a bigger death wish than anyone I’ve ever met.” Tristan nodded toward the house. “How are things going with her?”
