The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.: Box Set

by MJ Nightingale

  “Fuck yeah.” He was pacing. Once more out of the corner of his eye he could see Cat looking so small, so scared, by the door. Lisa approached her and tried to pull her in, but she just shirked her shoulders and remained rooted to the spot. “She could have been killed.”

  “I know,” Gio sighed, letting out his fear and frustration. “Fucking Angela. She is one of us. Lucky. Thank God.”

  Just then they saw the blue and red lights flashing. The police had arrived. Andreas walked right past Cat to get to the door first. He had to see Angela for himself. Had to make sure she was all right.

  She was climbing out of the back of a squad car, shirking off the policeman’s offer to assist her. She ran up the stairs. “I stabbed the fucker, Andreas, with a pencil. I got away.” Then she was crying as she launched herself into his arms. He held her, and closed his eyes, trying to give her what comfort he could. He knew Ang was tough. One of the strongest women he knew, but even she was allowed to fall apart when something like this happened. He hoped she wasn’t hurt.

  “Hush, you’re okay. You’re safe. You are safe now. We are going to get this bastard. I’m putting a security team on you, Ang. I should have done it earlier. You’ll be safe.”

  “I’m going on vacation.” She cried and laughed at the same time. “And you are paying for it.”

  “Whatever you need. Whatever you say, Boss.” That was his Angela. A spitfire. He knew she would be okay and she hadn’t been harmed if she could still break his balls. His fear for what she had been through began to subside.

  The police officer behind her, interrupted. “Sir, we brought our sketch artist, in case the photos you have are not the perp. I hate to rush, but it’s important. My superiors want this done ASAP.”

  “Of course,” he murmured breaking away from Angela who was still holding on to him. He looked down into her brown eyes. “He didn’t hurt you? Are you going to be okay?”

  She nodded, sniffled, and used her small fist to wipe back the few remaining tears. “No. I’m not hurt. And yes, I’ll be fine. Let’s do this. Let’s catch this bastard.”

  Chapter 28

  Release

  “Take your time, Angela. If it’s too much, and you need a break, just let us know.” Lucas pulled up the file Tony Alvarez created for them on the thumb drive.

  Angela nodded. She was seated behind Andreas’ desk and he stood behind her with the lead detective. Sitting next to her, Lucas began to scroll through the pictures waiting for her to shake her head yes or no. The others waited on the periphery craning to see the photos themselves to see if they recognized any of them.

  Only Cat held back. She would look at them later. Her guilt was consuming her. Her relationship with Andreas had brought Spiro into Andreas’ home once more.

  The minutes seemed like hours. They had 200+ photos to look through and Angela was taking her time. It had been dark, and she wanted to be sure, so she examined them closely. Thirty minutes passed, and they were half way through the possible suspects.

  “Do you need a break?” Lucas asked, sensing the tension in the room.

  “Another cup of coffee, if someone wants to get it. But, I’ll keep going.”

  Ronnie got her cup, and slipped out of the room, but not before asking Cat, who still held her lone vigil at the door, if she wanted something. Andreas tried to give her a smile, but she looked away too soon to see, and he wanted to focus on the photos.

  “That’s it. That’s him.” Angela gasped. Andreas’ head whipped to the computer screen. “I’m positive,” she stated before anyone could ask if she was sure.

  Lucas did it anyway. “100%?” he asked.

  “110%,” she confirmed. And Andreas knew too. It was the eyes, the slant of them. The drooping lids, the long straight nose with the upturned tip. It was Sal Mazzelli. It was him. The color was different. Sal had blue eyes when he hunted him, this man’s were brown. But colored contacts were easy to come by. The man was also very darkly tanned, his hair a light brown, instead of the black he remembered. A box of dye could do that. He was older, and had a mustache too, which would disguise his hair lip.

  “Cat?” Andreas called. She looked up, startled. This was the first time he had spoken to her since he had come in from his run over an hour ago. “Can you come here, and see if you recognize him?” She nodded, and began to walk stiffly.

  Blaze sensing her worry, he had seen this before when a witness was asked to identify a suspect, took her arm, and helped her around the desk.

  Her eyes were fixed on Andreas though. He saw the question there. He couldn’t answer it. Are we okay? it seemed to be saying. He used his chin to indicate she should look at the screen. She did. Her hand flew up to her mouth. “It’s Spiro. It is.” She closed her eyes as reality sunk in. Spiro, the only man who had treated her kindly before Andreas. He was killing all these people because of her. Because of his obsession for her. Her heart broke. She had helped to create this monster. He had been simple, sweet, never asking for anything from her back then. To have Andreas’ suspicions confirmed that this whole nightmare started with her was too much. All those people killed because of her. Her girls. Those women in New York, she gasped. His Parents? How could he ever look at her the same way again? “It is Spiro Makas,” she confirmed turning from the photo on the computer screen and putting her mask in place. But she felt ill.

  “It’s Darryl. Honey, it’s Darryl James!” Blaze shouted and Andreas’ eyes looked to his brother who was now drawing everyone’s attention. Bella was coming forward now, her hand pressed to the small of her back.

  “Darryl James?” she questioned, and seeing her eyes go round as she looked at the screen, Andreas knew the threat against them all had been even more real than he feared if his brother and pregnant sister-in-law knew him.

  “Who the fuck is Darryl James?” he asked Blaze.

  Blaze’s face was red with rage. “He works in my fucking apartment building. He cleans the seventh and eighth floors. Bella told me he rode up with her once in the elevator and he gave her the creeps. He is not supposed to do that. He needs to use the service elevator. So I reported it to Jeff, the building manager.”

  “Fuck, that’s how he found you, Cat. He works in your building.” Andreas glared at her.

  “B-but, I’ve never seen him there. I . . . would have recognized him.” All eyes were on her. She felt them staring at her. Accusing. The moment was awkward. She wanted to flee.

  Lisa spoke up. “I’m sure he kept out of sight. He probably saw her in the garage or something, and that’s how this whole thing started up again.”

  Andreas was nodding. He looked to the officers who were already scribbling away in their little books. One was on his cell phone just finishing up a call. “I have unmarked squad cars on the way to his apartment. We already had an All Points Bulletin out on the make and model of the car. We are still getting the tapes pulled from the red light cameras and have guys looking at them. If we can get a tag number, we will put that out there too. We’re also sending some guys round to the Trump Towers. Just hang on everybody. This could be over very soon,” the detective said hopefully as he headed towards the door. “Stay put, and we will call as soon as we know anything.”

  * * *

  One by one, each of the Marinos began to filter out of the study until it was just Andreas and the security detail. Cat had been one of the first to leave. She made her excuses, wanting to shower and dress after her workout.

  Lisa left to get Johnny ready for a soccer tournament he was in later that morning; Bella was tired and wanted to lie down and Blaze accompanied her. Ronnie went to get ready for work at the habitat, and Nikko was driving her in along with her security detail. He would pick them up later.

  Andreas and Gio stayed to ensure that security was arranged for Angela, her husband, and the two children she still had living at home. They had slept through the ordeal and a police officer was escorting her home. Angela’s family had been informed earlier and were waiting on her
return. The police officer would stay with her until the new security detail was in place, and her son, Michael, was on his way.

  When Gio stepped out to take Lisa and Johnny to the soccer tournament in Zephyrhills, Andreas and Lucas finished making the arrangements for Angela’s protection. They were putting four men on it. One to stay at the house, her husband worked from home, another was assigned to be with Angela, and two to keep watch on the kids.

  He glanced at the clock when he knew the men were on their way to Angela’s home, and realized it was already eleven AM. He couldn’t stall any longer. Cat had not come down yet, and he knew she must be waiting upstairs. He needed to shower and change. He wanted to head down to the police station afterwards and follow up over there if he hadn’t heard anything by the time he was ready to leave.

  Recalling the conversation he was going to have with Cat earlier, he knew the talk they needed to have would be very different now. Angela’s kidnapping changed all that. God, if Romeo captured and killed Cat it would break him. He went upstairs stalling no longer and took the steps two at a time.

  When he opened the door to his bedroom he saw her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, the news station turned on, the volume on low, but she was still in her yoga wear. She hadn’t showered, nor dressed. She looked lost.

  Their eyes met and locked across the expanse of the room. The air was charged. He was at a loss. She broke the silence.

  Standing, she faced him head on. “I am . . . so incredibly sorry that I brought this . . . this monster back into your lives.” Simple apology. It was all she could think to do. Then she began to cry. Silent tears. He was rooted to the spot. This strong woman was breaking down in front of him. He crossed the room quickly and took her into his arms. It was all he could think to do.

  She allowed it briefly, but then pushed him away. “I’m sorry, but please let me go. I can’t breathe, think, when you hold me, and I know you feel the same.”

  “Cat, I . . .,” he started but could not find the words.

  “I think I should go. I can stay at a hotel, and hire some more protection.”

  “No,” he stated, but the emotion he tried to convey with that single word was not conveyed. It might be better he thought. Safer. He knew the word sounded weak even coming from his own lips.

  “You need to protect your family. Hunt this man down, and until he is found I am just a distraction.” She turned and walked to the closet. She pulled out the two overnight bags she had brought from her apartment.

  “Cat, don’t. Wait. Let me think.” He crossed the room behind her and took her bags, setting them onto the floor. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. Kept her face adverted from him.

  “You know I am right,” she clarified.

  “No, I don’t.” He sighed knowing that was a lie. She was a distraction, a distraction he was very much in love with. His heart constricted; what would he do if he lost her now? But, loving her put his entire family in jeopardy once more.

  Loving her had once again put a target on his back. Her back too. Romeo must be livid with rage knowing what he knew about them. That was why he had committed that brazen act against Angela. But he didn’t want Cat to just walk out and not be safe. He knew having her close meant that Sal/Darryl/ Spiro would never leave her alone or him. That statement he made to the press last night brought this down on him. He had that thought earlier, and the guilt ate at him. He felt the weight of it sitting in his gut like a rock.

  “Cat,” he started again, but first let out a very slow and painful breath, past the lump in his throat at what he was about to do. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it is for the best. I’ll make the arrangements.” He pressed his forehead down against hers.

  She allowed the contact briefly, before pulling back. She nodded, accepting his offer. “I’ll shower and then pack.” He let her go. Let her slip away, and turned heading for the stairs to make the necessary arrangements.

  * * *

  He made the arrangements quickly, thankful Lucas was professional about it. He gave him no indication he thought the idea was a bad one. Andreas was also grateful none of his brothers came down to question his tactics. They most assuredly wouldn’t approve of him sending Cat away. Part of him knew that, but if it meant keeping them all safe he had to do it. Her too.

  He didn’t know which way was up anymore. He just felt having Cat out of his reach might keep her safer. He wanted this madman’s revenge focused on him alone. If Romeo believed they were on the outs, Cat would be the objectification of his desire, perfect once more in his eyes, and maybe he wouldn’t go after her at all.

  He passed Blaze going back up the stairs. He was coming down to make lunch for himself and Bella. He asked if he and Cat wanted to join them. “No, I’m, um, taking her out, and then heading to the police station,” was his curt response. Blaze’s eyebrows arched subtly, but he didn’t stop his brother either.

  He needed to get her moved. He would explain later, when he returned without Cat. He had enough on his plate right now.

  When he entered his room, he found her once again sitting on the bed. She was dressed and watching the local news still. Her bags were packed and waiting by the door. He nodded, and told her he would be with her shortly. “All the arrangements have been made. I just want to grab a quick shower.” She nodded but could not meet his gaze.

  He hurried, and regretted not bringing a change of clothes with him the moment he stepped out of the shower. As soon as he opened the door, with only a towel wrapped around him, she was waiting for him. Her cool grey eyes appraising him. She walked towards him, and his heart pounded in his chest as she approached. She reached her hands up towards his face and pulled it down for a kiss. Her lips and tongue demanded a response. And try as he might, he could not deny her this. This final time. But he vowed this would be it. One last time. No more distractions. He needed to keep his focus, to keep them all safe. No one else would be killed.

  Cat needed him. She tried to remain stone, but she had already given her heart to this man. She wanted one more time to feel what it was like to be cherished. He may not love her, but he was kind.

  He wasn’t able to return the kiss right away, but she persisted, and soon he was returning it with equal vigor. She felt her body begin to warm, and the pain in her heart begin to fade. A bit.

  He began to walk her backwards towards the bed, and he broke the kiss long enough to pull her shirt off over her head. She helped him and hastily unhooked her bra. When she felt the bed behind her, he was already tugging down her pants, the panties with them. He had already dropped his towel, and he pushed her slightly and together they fell. He on top, bracing himself on his elbows, and his lips were on hers already claiming them.

  “Oh Andreas,” her voice came out rough, breathless after he broke the kiss and sought out her breasts. He worshipped each one frantically wanting to remember them, and this.

  “Th-that . . . Feels . . . Yes,” her hands gripped the sheets twisting them as she gazed down at him suckling her. His body was so amazing in the lamplight.

  She felt the urge to please him in a way she had never done before. “Andy, please let me . . .,” her words lost on a gasp of pleasure. He glanced up at her, his mouth still clamped onto one breast. She heard the pop when he let go. “I want to please you,” she whispered and began to push him off of her.

  Confused, Andreas backed up as she kept pushing. He got off the bed standing before her. But when she scooted to the edge of the bed and grasped his cock, he understood her plea.

  She touched his cock gently at first, and then she set her mouth upon it, glancing up at the man she loved more than her own life. She had never thought it possible, but she did. She loved him beyond measure, and although she could never say those words to him again, she wanted to show him. She watched as his blue eyes became bluer when she sucked more of his cock into her mouth, his pupils getting smaller.

  She began to move her head back and forth on his shaft, taking him in and then lettin
g his cock slide out. She swirled her tongue and tasted his precum at his opening. One of her hands gripped the bottom of his shaft and she stroked his silken member as she swirled her tongue over and around the very sensitive ridge and head. She felt the blood pumping and heard his first guttural moan telling her that she was pleasing him. His hand reached out to her head as she began to suck once more. Suck and release, Suck and release. He grasped her hair and pulled it away from her face so he could watch her. “Oh, baby, I’m getting close already,” he murmured. The sound of his voice heightened her arousal. She needed, wanted to do this for him.

  Cat grabbed ahold of his cock with both her hands and pressing her chest forward, she took the head of it and rubbed it on her nipples. His groan was fierce, and next she rubbed it up and down the crevice between her breasts and then back to her nipples before returning his cock to her mouth and picking up the tempo.

  Again Andreas reached for her hair and held on tight helping her with the rhythm. But his other hand reached to grasp one breast until he found the nipple. Pinching it between is thumb and forefinger he pulled and tugged on it until she cried out her own surprising delight.

  He switched hands and did the same to her other breast. “Suck me, Cat. Harder.” He was so close. He wanted to come so badly. He felt his balls tightening.

  Cat darted her tongue to touch the tip one more time, and when she heard Andreas’ sharp intake of breath she pulled him in, clamping her lips tightly around his shaft and did what he asked of her. He was gyrating his hips to her movements and with his next thrust she sucked hard, her pussy clenching of its own accord with each moan of his pleasure.

  Andreas was still tugging her nipple, pinching it, and he was so goddammed close as she swirled her tongue around the massive head of his cock. His thrusts became deeper, and faster, and she took more of him into her mouth. She wanted more and took him as far as she could into the back of her throat.