by Karen Kirst
He smiled and shrugged. “Some people are easy to manipulate.”
“She wasn’t physically sick,” Olivia surmised. “She was sick with guilt over what you’d made her do.”
The gun was pointed at Brady’s chest. One twitch of Roman’s finger, and Brady was a dead man. Olivia couldn’t bear to stand by and do nothing.
“I’m not going to make this easy for you,” she yelled, sprinting toward the walkway suspended above the tank.
Please, please let him come after me and leave Brady alone.
“You want me, Roman?” she taunted over her shoulder. “Come and get me!”
“Olivia!” Horror painted Brady’s voice.
As she pounded across the walkway, she heard a scuffle behind her. She twisted around and saw the men struggling for control of the gun. Roman landed a kick against Brady’s wounded calf. It gave the monster a couple of seconds’ headway. Roman leaped onto the bridge and shot at her.
The bullet missed by inches.
She ran faster. The distance across to the other side seemed impossibly long. The walkway vibrated and swayed. Below them, the water was an opaque abyss.
Brady recovered and raced after them. With a growl, Roman turned back and charged.
Olivia screamed a warning.
The men collided. Roman used Brady’s wound to gain the upper hand.
She made the decision to retrace her steps. Before she could reach them, Roman managed to shove Brady over the edge.
Time slowed as he hit the water and disappeared beneath the surface.
TWENTY-TWO
Olivia scrambled to the railing. “Brady!”
She started to climb over. Roman grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her back.
“He’s shark bait.”
“No,” she gasped, attempting to free herself.
“They may be fed on a regular schedule, but once they get a whiff of his blood...well, I don’t envy the employee who discovers the remains of your brave captain.”
Roman shoved the gun into her ribs and propelled her off the walkway and through the tank room. Terror enveloped her in a black haze. She couldn’t think straight. Brady couldn’t die. She couldn’t lose him. He meant too much. He meant everything.
How could she not have recognized what was happening? She’d tried to be careful with her heart. She’d failed spectacularly.
“Move it,” he growled, shoving her through the door.
Now there was a good chance they wouldn’t make it out of here alive.
* * *
Stay calm, Brady repeated in his head. Don’t panic.
The tank was an unlit abyss beneath him. He wished he’d never watched Jaws. Where were the sharks?
He forced himself to push through the water with slow precision when he was desperate to locate the diving platform and find Olivia.
Something brushed his foot. He jerked away, expecting razor-sharp teeth to sink into his already mangled calf muscle.
Where was the platform?
Where was Olivia?
I didn’t mean to, Derek, but I fell for her. She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.
The water rippled off to his right. He had to focus. No telling how much blood he’d lost. He couldn’t afford to lose consciousness in here.
He found the wall, but it was slippery. No place to grab hold.
Fighting increasing alarm, he treaded water and tried to get his bearings.
His gaze followed the walkway. The darkness swallowed up both ends. Which way to the tank entrance?
There was a sound, like a motor revving, and the lights blinked on.
Brady almost wished they hadn’t.
Only a few feet away was the largest shark in the tank. Rows of jagged teeth were clearly visible. He held his breath, stopped treading, and attempted to grip the wall and keep from sliding down.
The massive animal moved at a snail’s pace through the water.
Just when Brady thought the predator was uninterested, he turned his head and changed direction. He was coming straight for him.
* * *
“You don’t have to do this.” Olivia was getting desperate. Roman had forced her into the tunnel, and now they were in the other building, nearing the topmost landing. “You can lock me in a closet and leave. Go back to New Jersey. Your bosses will make sure you aren’t found.”
“My bosses will bury me in cement if I don’t carry out their orders. It’s either you or me.” He pushed her against the railing and put distance between them. The gun was aimed at her chest. “You’ve made a mess of things, you know that? If you’d suffocated at the bottom of the tank like I’d intended, I could’ve continued my lucrative side business.”
“What business?”
“Diamonds. Do you know how easy it is to hide them in the salt sacks?”
“That’s why you needed Merlin?”
“I also hid gems in the merchandise, but that was too unpredictable.”
“The shipment of stuffed animals that went missing. That was you.”
“This gig pays me triple what the Giordanos pay.” He scowled. “I’m going to have to abandon it, thanks to you and your boyfriend. The heat will be on once they find your bodies. Now, climb over the railing.”
Olivia glanced behind her and shuddered. The ground floor was four stories below. She’d never survive.
“Tell me something first. How did you expect to pass yourself off as an educated aquarist?”
“Easy. I am an educated aquarist. I didn’t go to college. I got hands-on training in my parents’ pet store. I was in charge of the aquatic side of things. That’s why the family chose me.”
“How did you know what to do to sabotage Brady’s plane?”
“You forget. I’m in the killing business.” He motioned with his gun. “No more stalling. Climb over.”
“Roman, please. Have you no conscience? No heart?” He’d acted genuinely concerned about her broken arm. He’d brazenly signed his name on her cast, knowing full well he’d inflicted her injuries. Sick.
“Not anymore.”
He motioned with his gun. “Now do as I said.”
Her entire body trembling, she climbed over and planted her feet on the slim ledge.
“Good girl. Any last words before you jump?”
The outright evil in the man she’d worked alongside gutted her. She glanced at the closest set of stairs. If she could reach them, she could possibly scale over and around.
“Don’t even think about it.” He began to stalk over.
“Stop right there!”
Olivia’s mouth went dry. A soggy, bedraggled Brady had entered from the turtle gallery.
Roman spun and fired.
Brady returned fire, striking Roman in the hand. He yelped and, his face twisting with fury, lunged for Olivia. He repeatedly slammed his fist on her fingers where she gripped the railing.
She yanked one hand away to escape the onslaught. A scream ripped from her lips as her feet slipped from the ledge. Her body dangled above the cavernous space. She made the mistake of looking down. The cement floor would break every bone in her body if she plummeted from this height.
Brady tackled Roman from behind and ripped him off the railing.
Olivia’s hands were slick with sweat. She called on all of her strength to regain her balance and grip.
The crack of the gun butt against Roman’s skull resounded, and his knees failed. He slumped to the floor, nearly taking Brady with him.
“Hold on, sweetheart,” Brady called. Running over, he seized her around the waist and hauled her over.
Hugging her close, he walked her away from the edge. He ran his hands over her hair. “You’re okay,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. “Thank the Lord, you’re okay.”
Tears s
treaming down her cheeks, she burrowed into his chest. “Oh, Brady, I thought I’d lost you forever. And then he ordered me to jump... I thought it was the end.”
He cradled her face and kissed her hard and fast. “Let’s get him restrained before he comes to.”
Crouching down, Brady worked Roman’s leather belt free and strapped his wrists together.
“Where did you get the gun?” She picked it up and handed it over.
“Don Welch.” He tucked the weapon into his waistband and snagged Roman’s, as well. “He helped me out of the tank and gave it to me. The funny thing is, he vanished after that. I have no idea where he went.”
“That’s strange.”
“He could’ve gone to check on Becky and Tim.”
“The police may not be able to get here quickly.” She pointed to Roman’s prone form. “What will we do with him?”
“Put him in a secure holding room, preferably without makeshift weapons on the off chance he manages to get free.”
“The storage room he locked us in has nothing but papers and lost-and-found clothing.”
Brady gave her a grim smile. “I like the way you think.”
Together, they lugged him into the service elevator and got him into the storage closet. She took the master set of keys from his belt loop and locked him inside. They left him only long enough to rouse Becky and Tim—both unharmed—and contact the authorities. Part of Olivia feared he wouldn’t be where they’d left him. But they heard him pounding on the door and shouting obscenities.
“We were wrong about Bruno being involved,” she said. “And Zach.”
“Maya should still steer clear of him.”
“I’ll try to convince her of the wisdom of that, but I’m not sure she’ll listen.”
“I believe she knows she messed up. And that you care about her.”
Brady took her hand and motioned to the opposite side of the room, in sight of the closet but far enough to be spared the racket. He sat on the floor and patted the spot beside him. When she was settled, he put his arm around her and pulled her close.
She rested her head on his shoulder. “For the first time in weeks, I feel like I can breathe normally.”
“I don’t know about you, but I could use a real vacation.”
Lifting her head, she angled her face toward his. “What if the Giordanos send someone else to finish what Roman started?”
“Shaw will offer Roman a deal. He gives up enough information to put the key members of their family behind bars, he gets a lighter sentence. Besides, they’ll figure out you’re not a threat. If you had dirt on them, this would be the time to share. Your continued silence will be proof of that.” His arm tightened around her. “I will be by your side every day until I’m confident the danger has passed.”
“And after that?” she murmured, her heart racing. “We go our separate ways?”
“No.” His hand curved around her cheek. “I couldn’t bear that.”
His lips covered hers, sweet and searching. There was a reverence in the way he held her, as if afraid she’d vanish into thin air.
She caressed his jaw. “I like you, Brady.”
He tensed. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said carefully.
Sliding her other hand around his neck, she said, “I also respect and admire you.”
His blue-gray gaze delved into hers, probing and questioning. Hoping. “That, too.”
“I trust you.” The corners of his mouth turned down. She smiled. “There’s more to it, though. My heart yearns for you. Belongs to you, actually, whether you want it or not. Brady, there will never be another man for me.”
His throat worked. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I love you.”
He closed his eyes and, with a ragged sigh, buried his face in the curve of her neck and hugged her close. “I love you, Liv.”
God had blessed them both with an unlooked-for love, one that would stand the test of time. She understood now that what she’d had with Derek had been akin to fool’s gold—bright, sparkly and alluring on the outside, but cheap and false where it counted. Brady was a man of honor, a man who, because of his loss and pain, would cherish his loved ones. With God’s help, she would strive to show him unconditional love, every day they were gifted together.
EPILOGUE
Brady was conversing with Olivia’s uncle when she approached from behind and looped her arms around him.
“Come with me to the waterfall?” She kissed the side of his neck.
He latched onto her hands and pulled her more firmly against him.
“Is there a specific reason you want me all to yourself?” he teased.
“Do I need one?”
He chuckled. “You already know the answer to that.”
Making his excuses to her uncle, he left the picnic table and threaded his fingers through hers. They picked their way through the crowd of relatives and friends, sidestepping blankets thrown over the grass and dodging the ball being kicked among a group of kids. A light breeze tweaked the tree leaves, relieving the late August heat.
“Where do you think you’re off to?” Julian teased. He and Audrey sat in matching lawn chairs, their hands linked midair between them. After more than a year of marriage, they still acted like newlyweds.
“None of your business,” Brady shot back, unable to keep from grinning.
Olivia’s laughter further buoyed his spirits. She’d been tired lately and distracted, which wasn’t like her. He’d worried something was wrong at the aquarium. Immediately after Roman’s arrest, Ruth had confessed that he’d coerced her to summon Olivia to the aquarium that night. Although she’d done it to protect her family, she’d resigned. It had taken months to hire a new director, and Olivia had indicated it had been a rocky transition. Erin had returned to work eventually, and she’d even asked Olivia to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Maya had gotten wise and cut Bruno and his buddies out of her life. She was taking her job seriously and had even come to church with Brady and Olivia on several occasions.
Don Welch was in prison for his role in the attacks. He’d taken bribes from Roman but, in the end, hadn’t had the stomach for murder. He’d given Brady a weapon that final night and taken off. The police had found him at his ex-wife’s house. Roman’s trial was over, and he’d be spending a significant portion of his life behind bars. His testimony helped put away key members of the Giordano family, which meant he and Olivia didn’t have to worry about further threats. She’d even exchanged letters with Derek’s mother and sister. Both women were sorry for Olivia’s troubles and grateful to learn about Derek’s life after he left them.
Today there was no sign of fatigue. She was radiant. The feminine pink blouse accentuated her tan skin, dark eyes and jet-black hair.
“Did I thank you yet for organizing this surprise?” he said.
“Only a dozen times.” Her eyes shone with affection.
“I’ll thank you a dozen more.”
He paused to observe the festivities. The pavilions were decorated with balloons and streamers. People sampled the vast array of dishes, cooked up by Olivia’s aunts and grandmothers. Games of cornhole and horseshoes were set up in the shade of giant oaks.
They’d come to the Qualla Boundary, the land trust owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, ostensibly for a casual family visit. He’d grown fond of her family, especially her mom and sisters. They’d been cautious in the beginning, after what had happened with Derek, and had appreciated that he hadn’t rushed things. He and Olivia had waited a year to tie the knot in a sentimental, beautiful Christmas ceremony.
“Seriously, Olivia. This is the best birthday celebration I’ve ever had. I don’t believe you’ll be able to top it.”
Her slow smile challenged him. “We’ll see.”
She’d even managed to
arrange for his other friends, Cade and Tori, to fly in from California. He could see the couple strolling side by side on the periphery, their toddler son riding on Cade’s shoulders. Cat had been invited, but work obligations had prevented her.
Together, they climbed the trail along the tree line. The sound of splashing water reached them before they emerged into a clearing.
“It’s stunning,” he said, admiring nature’s beauty.
“This was one of my favorite places to come as a kid.”
“I’m glad you brought me here.”
“I have one last present for you.” She produced a small package.
“You’ve already given me so much,” he said, his chest growing tight.
“Go ahead, open it.”
He unwrapped the fragile paper. Inside, there was a small white roll of fabric. “What is it? Handkerchiefs? A special cloth to polish my new airplane?”
“Unroll it.”
He unfurled the soft material and stared. “It’s a T-shirt. An impossibly tiny T-shirt with snaps.”
Shaking her head, she took it from him and flipped it over. World’s Greatest Dad. The printed words didn’t register, at first. “Wait,” he said, his heart thundering against his ribs. “Wait.”
“Brady, you’re going to be a father.” Her eyes were soft with love and dreams fulfilled. “We’re going to have a baby.”
He could hardly speak. “When?”
“I’m three months along. Don’t worry, I’ve been to see the doctor. Everything is normal. You can come with me for the first ultrasound, if you want.”
Brady leaned against a nearby tree and ran his fingers over the outfit. He imagined a living, breathing infant wearing it. His and Olivia’s child. Moisture filled his eyes.
“I’ve shocked you,” she said, her hands twisting at her waist.
“Yes, you have.”
She frowned.
He held out his hand and, when she’d grasped it, eased her close. He settled his other hand low on her stomach. Wonder filled him.
“I thought you couldn’t make me happier. I was mistaken.”