by Terra Kelly
“She?” Vikki looked over at Preslie. “Huh, wonder who she could be?”
He pointed a finger at Vikki’s face and stood only a breath away. “Leave tonight or you may regret it.” Then he walked away.
“Well, I don’t plan to listen to him. I hope the others don’t either.”
“We need to get back upstairs and let them know what happened.”
Vikki ran into the store. “Let’s see if we can grab what we need first.”
The store had a blue permanent marker but not a purple one. The woman behind the counter called the business office and asked if they had one. After what seemed like a scavenger hunt, they quickly made their way upstairs with all the supplies.
Preslie did the special knock, and Ricky opened the door. “Well that was interesting.”
Vikki set the bag on the table. “Yeah, so it sounds like someone took over for Giano already.” The room went silent. She rolled her eyes. “Listen, we’re okay but we were followed all the way to ground level.”
“Who was it? Anyone we may recognize?” Miles asked.
“He had a deep accent.” Vikki sat down in the remaining chair at the table. “I really felt like he was just a messenger boy. He never tried to stop us; instead he just gave a warning.” She proceeded to share what he said. “So there’s a she in command.”
“It has to be Ella,” Ricky said, stepping closer to Vikki. “We can’t leave you alone again.”
“If we take the money, everything changes,” Letizia said, standing up. “Right now it’s a warning, but what about when the money is in our possession?”
“Could we have the money transferred to our bank somehow?” Finley said.
“Four million transferred to a bank?” Miles laughed.
“True. That will look worse.”
Letizia reached for Finley’s hand. “Unless we break it up and put it in several accounts.”
Vikki was creating the make-shift black light on her phone over the flash. All she had to do was put a piece of scotch tape over the flash and then use the blue permanent marker on the tape and repeat for the purple marker. She turned it on and reached for the note. “Um, hey.” They all were still talking about what they should do with the money, so she whistled. “Look.” She pointed to the note.
On the note it read, love always, Lando. In parenthesis it read, This money is divided up into six accounts with six different names. Letizia’s name is also included on all six accounts. You can access the accounts back in Toronto by using this number at this address.
“How, though?” Letizia seemed confused.
“Well, you could take a quick two-day trip from here realistically,” Miles said, reaching for the note.
“That’s true.” Finley agreed. “Five-plus hours on the plane, eight hours on the boat. You could make it a two-day trip and pretend you’re doing a job for Giano still.”
“So now what do we do?” Vikki was confused. “Why put the key in the suitcase? Why not choose a new hiding spot?”
“He was ensuring it stayed safe, I bet.” Finley shrugged his shoulders.
“What about the guy in the elevator?” Vikki asked.
“They have no clue what we know.” Miles handed Vikki’s phone back to her. “They seriously think the money is here somewhere.”
“So how do we ignore their warning?” Preslie said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
“Listen,” Ricky said, turning to face them all. “We are going to be the target of the Nesta mob forever. We just have to be two steps ahead every time.”
“And if Ella is in charge, she is taking the mob somewhere else,” Miles said. “She is not anywhere in Toronto. We’ve searched for her everywhere.”
“So, we just live our lives?” Letizia scowled. “It won’t be easy.”
“When is life ever easy?” Vikki laughed. “We need to get back to Toronto tonight.”
“What about your wedding?” Preslie said, walking over to her. “Get married and then we go back.”
Vikki reached for Ricky’s hand. “That’s last on the list right now. We need to get home. Letizia has a mystery to solve.”
“Well, more like money to find.” Zia teased.
Ricky pulled Vikki close. “Kitten, we will get married soon.”
“I know.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Let’s do it someplace safer. Like with the rest of the Emergency Task Force nearby.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Were you expecting anyone,” Ricky asked the rest of the room. He checked in the peep hole and waved over Vikki. “Is that him?” He whispered in her ear.
She looked through the hole and jumped back. “Yeah.”
All three men pulled out their guns and held them at the ready. Ricky motioned for the women to stand away from the door and out of sight. “Who is it?” he said with a stern voice.
“Housekeeping.” The man said on the other side of the door.
“You do know there is a peep hole?”
“I need to talk to you.” The man looked directly at the peep hole. “I don’t have much time.” Ricky pulled the door back and the guy put his hands up. “I’m not here to harm you.”
Ricky looked both ways down the hallway and then pulled the man into the room. “Then why did you feel it necessary to scare the two women with us?”
Ricky closed the door and secured the dead bolt. The guy kept his hands up. “I’m sorry if I scared them. You all need to leave soon.”
Miles dropped his gun to his side. “Why the warning? Who are you working for?”
The guy paused for a beat. “Lando. Well, I did years ago.”
“You do know he’s dead, right?” Ricky motioned for him to sit down at the table.
“Yeah, I heard.”
“How?” Ricky asked.
“I’m a local cop here in Puerto Vallarta,” he admitted. “I was instructed to watch, and if anyone suspicious went to the island, it could be Lando’s family.”
“You’re not a part of the mob,” Ricky said, sitting down opposite the guy.
“No, but this is a stopping point for them.”
“Which is why it was easy for Lando to use this location to hide something.” Ricky turned to Miles and Finley.
“He knew he was risking everything,” the man said.
“But?” Ricky knew there was more the man wanted to say.
“He cared about his family more.” The man rested his hands on his thighs. “I saw five men last night that I believe are part of the Nesta mob.”
“Here at the hotel?”
“No, they stay at a house on the edge of town.”
“Was she with them?” Ricky didn’t want to say Ella’s name.
“No, but it’s the new topic at the police station. We know there is a new person in command, and we know it’s Giano’s daughter from all the chatter that has come through so far.”
“But she has not made her way down here yet?”
“No. We’re preparing for the visit, though.”
Miles stepped forward. “The men you mentioned, do they know we’re here?”
“It’s possible. I’m not sure yet,” the man, said standing up. “There’s a flight leaving tonight at eight.” He left without saying another word.
Ricky turned to everyone. “Let’s take that flight. We have everything we need, right?”
“Yeah.” Finley nodded.
“I think Preslie should hold the key,” Miles said, walking over to the table.
“Me? Why?” she asked.
“You are the only one who has not been harmed by the mob. If anything happens on the way back, they will not expect you to have the key.”
“Are you sure about that?” Preslie asked.
Miles squeezed her hand. “No, but we need to try.”
Ricky grabbed a small bag from his duffel bag. “Here. Do you have a long chain you can hook it to?”
“The locket.” Letizia stood up from the bed. “Here.” She rifled throu
gh her carry-on. “Hang it with this. It will look like they go together.”
Ricky handed the letter to Preslie. “Think you can put this in a safe place, too?”
He watched as Preslie hid the letter in her planner. There were so many loose pieces of paper in the planner, it was sure to get over looked. They slid the key onto the chain with the locket and hid it under her clothes. “Let’s get out of here.” They all spent the next thirty minutes packing and ensuring they had everything.
“Vikki, we will go down together. You all wait and then exit,” Ricky said, grabbing Vikki’s hand. “We won’t talk again until we get to Toronto. I think we should keep separate until we arrive at the precinct.”
“Ladies, wear some flashy sunglasses and a cute hat.” Miles added. “Let’s make sure to get home in one piece.”
“It’s time to end this chapter in our lives,” Ricky said.
“Yeah, we know this is not over.” Letizia scoffed.
“The worst of it is for now.” Ricky headed to the door.
“For now.”
Preslie handed the key on the chain with the locket to Letizia. “I thought the airport security was going to inspect it more when I placed it in the little bowl.”
“I know,” Vikki said, refilling her wine. “Thank goodness you didn’t give it to me, since I was one of the lucky ones that got the lovely pat down and extra security check.” She sat down on the couch. “How did it go at the bank?”
“The money is all separated and protected just like the note stated from Dad.”
“Can you access it?” Preslie took a drink of her water.
“Not for six months. It’s such a large sum, and I’m the only one accessing it. There are a few extra steps to take, and I need to work with a lawyer.”
“More hoops to jump through.” Vikki teased.
“How did Johnny take the news?” Preslie asked.
“He wasn’t surprised.” Letizia said. “He mentioned how Lando was always trying to do more, which is why he was killed.”
“What does that mean?” Vikki scowled.
“He got sloppy. He didn’t pay attention to the details Giano gave him.” Letizia shrugged her shoulders. “I guess he was more focused on the future and how good it could be.”
“He forgot to focus on the present and what Giano would do if he messed up.”
“Exactly.”
Vikki sighed. “Well, if we have to go into hiding, which I hope we don’t, we’ll do it together.” She looked at Letizia. “With hopefully a cupcake in my hand daily.”
“Yeah, about that.” Letizia sat up. “I think I found a place where I want to open my new bakery.
“Where?” Preslie and Vikki said in unison.
She giggled. “There’s this Italian restaurant that has been empty for several months now.”
Vikki gasped. “Johnny needs to open that place back up.”
“He can’t, but he offered to help with the bakery and maybe we sell to-go ravioli.”
“I may cry. That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” Vikki held her glass up. “Cheers to new beginnings.
Forty-One
“Do you take Ricky to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward?” The minister looked at Vikki.
“So, any word on Ella yet?” Miles whispered to Finley.
“Nothing. There was a kidnapping in Detroit, Michigan, though,” Finley said, rolling his eyes. “I’m waiting to see when the bodies turn up.”
“You think Ella and Erickson went to Detroit?”
“I really don’t know, but timing for the kidnapping matches perfectly with their disappearance. Everything points in their direction.”
“Yeah, if she is the head of the mob ring now. The associates would have followed her to the new location.”
“Which answers why things are so quiet here in Toronto.”
“Hey,” Vikki said a little too loud. “Think you can turn it off for maybe an hour? This rehearsal won’t last forever.”
“Sorry,” Miles said, turning and facing forward.
“Wait, did I hear you both say Ella and Erickson are in Detroit?” Ricky stepped closer to Finley and Miles.
“Yeah, I talked to Detective Annie Forester yesterday from the Detroit precinct about the kidnapping.” Finley sat down on a bench outside. “All signs point to Ella and Erickson. They are nowhere to be seen, though, so I filled her in and let her know we will help in any way possible.”
“Jesus, this is crazy.” Ricky sat down next Finley. “That’s it then.”
“Well, I’m waiting for bodies to start turning up here from Ella’s new mob ring. It won’t stay quiet for long,” Miles said, taking a swig of his beer. “That’s what happened years ago with Giano. He took the place of his father.”
“The difference is, Giano continued to build the empire his father created,” Ricky said. “Ella on the other hand is young and doesn’t want to be locked down to one place.”
“Which is going to be a problem.” Miles shook his head.
“We could have a Bonnie and Clyde story evolving,” Finley teased.
“The difference is, Ella and Erickson want to torture and maim for their own sexual pleasure.” Ricky shivered.
“True, so the new Bonnie and Clyde of the twenty-first century.” Finley stood up. “I need a stiff drink, maybe even two.”
“There they are.” Vikki pointed at Ricky. “Already hiding out from your wife?”
“What? Me? Never.” He stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Just police talk. You know, the boring stuff.”
Letizia and Preslie stepped closer to Finley and Miles. Ricky thought about all they had been through. He couldn’t figure out how they’d survived. Things were going to be different for sure.
“You okay?” Vikki whispered.
“Yeah, I am.” He leaned forward and brushed his nose back and forth on hers.
Vikki gasped and turned to everyone. “I forgot to tell you, the house across the street just went on the market, and the house on the corner is still available.”
“You sure you want us that close to you?” Preslie teased.
“I would have you stay at my place if I could.”
“Let’s not go that far.” Ricky laughed.
Vikki placed her hand over his mouth. “Don’t listen to him.” He spun her in a circle and enjoyed her laughter. When he stopped, she reached up and touched the side of his face. “My music man.”
“And?”
“And finally, my handsome husband.”
Wow, what an ending, right? Ella and Erickson’s storyline took me by surprise. I’m just as excited as you are to read their books.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the trilogy! If you want to leave a review they are so helpful for other readers to decide if they want to dive into the Falling Deep Into you Trilogy!
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Dear Reader,
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I love writing romantic suspense, but for a nice palette cleanser I also write romantic comedy that includes recipes. Curious?
While you wait for Ella and Erickson’s duet–you can enjoy The Winters Family, a small town romance series.
Plus, want to be notified when the first part to the Ella and Erickson duet releases the beginning of 2019? Just click here.
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Sending love,
Terra
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About the Author
Terra Kelly writes Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.
She loves walking her dog, snuggling with her two cats, and relaxing with her amazing hubby. A steamy romance book is never far from her grasp, and 2:00 a.m. seems to be the sweet spot to finally put a book down and sleep. She laughs loudly, smiles often, is a bit of a klutz, and tries to always find the positive in everything.
Writing was not on the list of must-do’s for her career, but she always had stories swirling around her mind. Now, today she couldn’t imagine her life without writing. She enjoys writing when the mood strikes, and will stay up late to get all her thoughts out.
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Also by Terra Kelly
The Winters Family Series:
Catch Me (Book One)
Need You (Book Two)
You’re Mine (Book Three)
Let’s Dance (Book Four)
Hope’s Gift (Christmas Novella)
Falling Deep Into You Trilogy:
Falling Deep Into You (Book One)
Take This Pain Away (Book Two)
Rescue This Aching Heart (Book Three)
Stand Alone Book:
Hannah’s Story
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