My Once in a Lifetime

by Nicole Vidal

  When I’m halfway back to the house, I notice Jacob isn’t following me. Connor is still standing watch on the porch. I retreat to Jacob, take his hand in mine, and wait him out.

  “You. Are. Everything. Even though I slammed the door to ever being happy again, I let you in. I gave you the ability to crush me. Instead, you make me stronger. I don’t know when you will be free to leave here, but I want you to stay even after you are.”

  “Jacob, I—”

  His phone cuts my words short. I may not get the same words in response, but I want to say them.

  “Yeah, Blaine.” When he finishes his call, he threads his fingers in mine and takes off back to the house.

  Connor follows us inside. As we walk, my brain is spinning. What is Red Star?

  “Can Blaine access the Quinn Sterling server or safely get me access? Maybe my log-in still works.”

  “What else do you need?” Jacob asks, walking straight into the bedroom. He drops my hand long enough to grab me a hoodie, retake it, and lead me into his office. Connor is sitting on the couch waiting for us to return. Jacob may not be able to say the words, but he certainly knows what I need.

  “If I can’t access the server personally, I need a lot of information. My billings for at least the last three years.”

  “Why three?”

  “The award and the prize were from two years ago. Hopefully, it’s near the time. I also need access to Stan’s files for the last three years, specifically the Moretti Family Brand and Red Star, if there is such a file. I need to see the award; maybe William has some friends in Boston who can retrieve it from my office. I need to see at least the front of the bonus check. If Blaine needs access to the scholarship fund, let me know.”

  “C, can you call Blaine and ask for all of that data she needs?”

  “On it,” Connor replies.

  “I’m going to call William,” he states.

  I zip Jacob’s hoodie up and pad to the bathroom. I throw some water on my face and let out a harsh breath. When I return, he’s finishing his call with William.

  When I step back into his office, Jacob appraises me carefully. He asks without words if I’m okay. I nod tightly.

  “Anything else?” Jacob asks with a serious look on his face.

  “Pizza and wine. Do you have decent pizza around here, wherever here is?”

  He smiles at me, a genuine smile. Rare and breathtaking. “That depends on your definition of decent. I absolutely can pull off the wine. Go grab some wine, and I’ll order dinner.”

  Chapter 46

  Jacob

  Terrifying. I have never felt fear this deeply rooted for another person, not even my brothers-in-arms. Not even Mara. Clearly, my feelings are written on my face, at least to Connor. That isn’t accurate. Norah sees them too. She saw right through me outside. I love her completely, but I can’t bring myself to say it in words. Her astute observation and acceptance make me love her more.

  “Jake, you good?” Connor asks.

  “No.” My response is a bit harsher than I intend. “Sterling just put her deeper in jeopardy. He should have shared that information days ago, but he didn’t. I don’t see his angle for waiting. Do you?”

  “The only angle I see is within the Moretti family. Whichever Moretti is—was—holding the Sterlings clearly wants the ledger for some purpose other than protecting the family. He or she wants to either keep the profits for themselves or expose the entire family. Hopefully, your woman loves puzzles and can find the ledger while we figure out how to take down the Morettis at the same time.”

  “You too?” My woman. It sounds so simple when someone else says it.

  “You haven’t told her yet.”

  “Not in those exact words.”

  “Of all the people in your life, have I ever lied to you or not told you something straight?”

  “No, never. Neither have I.”

  “Jesus, Jake! You have been lucky enough to have two incredible women love you.”

  “What if something happens to her too?”

  “That’s what you’re afraid of?”

  “Yes. More than anything.”

  “Giving your heart to Mara didn’t cause her death, Jake. Opening your heart to Norah won’t change what happens in your life or hers. No one knows how long we have with someone. You shouldn’t deny yourself the happiness of loving her because you’re a coward.”

  “I am not a coward.”

  “Regarding her, you are.”

  There’s no adequate response. Connor’s right. Absolutely right. A short time later, my phone indicates there is a delivery at the gate.

  “Did she come back up yet?” I ask.

  “No, I don’t think so. I’ll get her. You get the food.”

  I hesitate.

  “Go, Jake. She’s fine. Your collection is extensive. She’s a woman, probably couldn’t make up her mind.”

  He’s right. She’s fine. She wouldn’t leave. I grab my keys and drive to the road to pick up dinner.

  When I return, Norah and Connor are chatting in the kitchen, dishes out, glasses poured.

  “What took you so long?” I ask.

  “First, you have an expansive cellar downstairs; plus, I didn’t know what you ordered. So I found a red and a white.” A small smile crosses her face.

  “Fair enough. Dig in.”

  We slide pizza on our plates and sit at the dining table. Like me, Connor inhales his food. We’ve polish off three slices each while Norah is barely starting her second. My phone is pinging with emails from Blaine. Then it rings with a call from Captain Ramirez.

  “Hey, Captain. Thanks for returning my call.” I put the call on speaker.

  “What do you need in Boston? I have some connections with Chief Walker,” William says.

  “I need Norah’s office at Quinn Sterling emptied, but mainly I need the awards that are in her office, left filing cabinet, photographed and then sent to me. I need chain of custody preserved and each award fingerprinted, please.”

  “I’ll get that done as soon as possible. Anything else?”

  “No, not right now.”

  “Is Norah available? Kelsey wants to talk to her.”

  “Sure.”

  Norah takes my phone and moves away from us. I wouldn’t expect her to stay, especially with Connor here. I’m not even sure she would talk to Kelsey with me nearby considering I will likely be the topic of conversation.

  Chapter 47

  Norah

  “Hey, girl! How are you?” Kelsey asks.

  I curl up in the chair in the bedroom. It’s the room farthest away from Jacob and Connor. “I like order, Kels. My life is a mess both personally and professionally.”

  “You told him, didn’t you?”

  “I did. His reason for avoiding relationships is significant and understandable. He asked for time.” It isn’t my place to share Mara with Kelsey. If Jacob wants to share with everyone, that’s fine.

  “Your current situation with the Morettis isn’t helping matters either.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  I don’t plan on sharing anything more in depth with Kelsey. She likely knows more than anyone else. I’m sure William has shared with her. I don’t want to alarm Kelly or Joseph any more than they already are.

  “Do you need anything?”

  That’s a loaded question. I need to solve this puzzle so I’m free from the Morettis. Then I can work on everything else.

  “Nothing you can do for me, but thanks.”

  “Of course, sweets. Will you be back for the holiday?”

  “Probably not. I was hoping to have an answer today, but instead I have more questions and another puzzle to solve.”

  “You’ve got this!”

  “Thanks, Kels.”

  “You’re welcome. Figuring out what you want isn’t going to be easy, Nor. I promise, it’s worth it.”

  “I know what I want. I just may not get all of it. Love you, Kels.”

  “Love y
ou too, sweets.”

  I end the call and glance out the window. It’s dark now—the same hue hanging over this day like a storm cloud. Stan and Delores are dead. My life depends on unraveling Stan’s message and finding the ledger. Honestly, I’m sure there is more to the Moretti issue. I won’t be safe simply by finding the ledger. That is a terrifying thought. Taking a deep breath, I return to the kitchen.

  Everything from dinner is cleared and washed. I don’t see Connor anywhere. Jacob is standing in front of the French doors staring into the darkness. His crossed arms stretch his shirt across his sculpted back. Setting his phone on the ottoman, I slide my arms around his waist, gliding my hands flat on his chest before setting my temple against his back.

  “All set?”

  “Yes, thanks.”

  “How are you?” he asks, turning in my arms.

  “Angry. The thing is, even if I knew I would be in this position, I would do it all over again. I would share the discrepancies I found with Stan. I don’t know how to feel about that.”

  “You have every right to be angry at Stan. You should be proud that you would do it again. You have integrity and a strong belief in doing the right thing, Norah. Both are downright attractive as hell.”

  I nod against his chest before lifting my eyes to his.

  “Do you want to get started tonight or wait until the morning?” he asks.

  “I should at least sort everything tonight.”

  “Okay, most of it should be finished printing.” Kissing me softly, he takes my hand as we walk into his office.

  Connor is setting stacks of paper on the floor and the couch as they come off the printer.

  “Thanks, Connor.”

  “You’re welcome. I set each file in its own pile. Otherwise, I have no idea what any of it means.”

  I chuckle softly. “No problem. It makes sense to me. Hopefully, I can figure out the clues sooner rather than later.”

  I walk past the stacks of paper on the couch. First, I grab the printouts of my billings, stacking them from newest to oldest. Chances are the clues are not from this year. Next, I set up the Moretti file from oldest to most recent for each of the six companies. Oddly, but luckily, Stan scanned my work about the discrepancies and added it to the company server. At least I don’t have to redo it. I take a seat, waiting for the printer to catch up.

  Jacob sits next to me on the couch. When I lean against his shoulder, he puts his arm around me, pulling me closer. When the printer runs out of paper, he kisses my temple and moves to refill it. He just kissed me with Connor in the room. The kiss wasn’t anything obscene, but Connor is Mara’s brother, Jacob’s brother-in-law and best friend. Connor must have said something. I’ll accept assistance from any willing party.

  When the next file finishes, Jacob’s phone rings. He listens and then ends the call.

  “That was Blaine. Any idea what Red Star could be?” he asks me.

  “You mean if it isn’t obvious like a file named Red Star?”

  Jacob nods.

  “No, never heard it before today. I gather there isn’t a file named Red Star on the server.”

  “No, Stan didn’t make it that easy.”

  I sigh. “I’ll add it to my list of puzzles to solve. The bigger question is where to start. Probably there since I don’t have the other pieces of info anyway.”

  “Makes sense if Red Star is the only part you have everything you need to start working on it,” Jacob replies.

  “If that’s all, I’ll head out for now. If you need me to come back in the morning, let me know,” Connor says after adding to the final file on the floor.

  “Bye, Connor,” I say, turning back to a piece of paper with Red Star written across the top. Jacob follows Connor out. As I hear the alarm engage, I refocus on the paper, rearranging the letters of Red Star to form different words. I get “treads” but have an extra r. “Dears” or “dares” with an extra t and r. I keep scrambling and unscrambling the letters.

  “Do you always pull your lower lip between your teeth when you’re working?”

  I look up and find Jacob watching me with a glass of wine in each hand. I didn’t even realize I was doing it.

  “Not purposely. Why?”

  “It’s hot.”

  I feel my face turning red.

  “So is that.”

  “Stop.” I have an odd feeling. The longer I’m here, the more we act like a normal couple, not where one of us needs personal security.

  “Not a chance. I believe this is the first time I’ve made you blush outside of a bedroom. I’m savoring this moment.” A genuine smile graces his lips as he approaches the couch.

  I can’t help but smile too. “You may be correct. Thanks,” I say, taking a glass. I swirl my wine before taking a healthy sip.

  “Any progress?”

  “I guess. It isn’t as if I have a desired outcome, at least not for this part. I have only found one other way to rearrange the letters to “starred.” If that is the answer, what is starred? I have no clue. There aren’t any stars on the Moretti file or my billings. But… wait . . .”

  I hop up from the couch after setting the glass on the coffee table.

  “Norah?”

  “Hold on, I need to check something.” I flip through the Moretti file, specifically through Sergio’s company file. There is an RS typed after the Quinn Sterling employee who input data into the file. I keep flipping through the pages. Almost every time there is an RS, its preceded by SS for Stanley Sterling. I keep flipping and find another entry with RS, but it has RQ before it. Robert Quinn. He’s dirty too? “Can I have that paper?”

  Jacob hands it to me.

  “Norah?”

  I ignore him as I scribble down the names of the Moretti family members. Gustavo and Maria are the parents. Their children are Sergio, Mario, Rosalie, Vincenzo, Giovanni, and Rosita.

  “There’s an RS after entries on some of the Moretti family files. If the RS corresponds to family members, I have narrowed it down to Sergio and one of his sisters. The other interesting part is a few entries were signed by Mr. Quinn.”

  “You’re amazing!” He leans forward, kissing me hard.

  I could really get used to him kissing me whenever he feels the urge. Honestly, though, I don’t know where he and I stand. True, he asked me to stay, but what happens in six months or a year and he still isn’t ready? It would be a lie to say I don’t want a commitment, especially if he decides he wants a family.

  “Mr. Quinn too?”

  “Is it possible he did the work without knowing it was to launder money?” Jacob asks, likely to assuage my concerns that both named partners at my firm were dirty… are dirty.

  “I suppose. I found his initials only a few times.”

  “Come on, let’s go finish this glass away from work. You’re pretty much stuck at this point, right?”

  “Yes, I’m as far as I can go right now.” I rock up to my feet and follow Jacob into the living room.

  He’s likely concerned that I’m not okay.

  I set my glass on the ottoman and curl into him on the couch.

  “Do you need anything?” he asks.

  “Nothing other than the information William is working on.”

  “Want to try again?”

  I lower my head into his lap, looking up at him while balancing my head between his muscular thighs. “How?”

  “I’m exceptionally good at reading people. You… are a whole different book, one I’m getting more skilled at reading each day.”

  “I’m angry. Now it’s more like a simmering pot that won’t relax until removed from heat. In my case, until I figure out where the ledger is. Even when I find it, then what? I still won’t be free. The Morettis aren’t going to forget I know their deepest, darkest accounting secrets.”

  “I’ve never met anyone like you who sees where the pieces fit so far in advance, especially a client. You’re correct. That won’t be the end. Connor and I are working on that aspect of thi
s. From what we can gather, there are two factions in the family. One working to maintain the status quo and one attempting to go legit.”

  “How do we figure out which is which, and how do I trust that whoever doesn’t go down will truly leave me be?”

  He leans down, brushing his lips across mine. My hand slides up to cup his jaw. He deepens the kiss before hauling me up onto his lap, staring into my flecked hazel eyes.

  “You’ll be safe when this is over, I promise,” he murmurs. I nod before pulling his lower lip between my teeth. A low groan escapes his throat.

  I release his lip and say, “Now you know.”

  “Yes, I do. Do it again.”

  I comply. He rises from the couch, carrying me to the bedroom. I continue to kiss and tease him until he’s hovering over me on the bed.

  “Your turn.”

  He pulls my lower lip between his teeth before thoroughly searching my body for other spots to make me scream.

  Chapter 48

  Jacob

  Near six in the morning, I turn to find Norah missing from the bed. Setting my feet on the floor, I start to look for her, ignoring the panic that’s building in my body. She won’t leave the compound. She probably won’t leave the house. She’s fine. I walk to the kitchen. I don’t see her, but the coffee maker is warm and Tank’s food bowl is wet. The living room and porch are empty. I hurry downstairs and come up empty. My concern level increases exponentially the longer it takes to find her. I take a deep breath outside my office door.

  “Jacob?” she calls from inside. No wonder I didn’t see her. She’s sitting on the floor near the corner of my desk. Just the top of her head is barely visible. Tank’s head is resting on her thigh.

  “How long have you been up?”

  “About an hour. Come check this out.”

  I settle behind her, pulling her against me so I can read over her shoulder.

  “I went through Sergio’s company paperwork and found these ten companies mentioned. Rosalie’s paperwork only mentions two companies in common with Sergio. Rosita’s company mentioned twelve companies overall, but ten in common with Sergio.”