Targeted for Revenge

by Karen Kirst

  “That’s it,” he declared. “I’m creating an online dating profile for you.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Why not? You’re obviously not going to look for love on your own...” He sat straighter in the saddle, the hollows in his cheeks more pronounced.

  Mason looked around for signs of trouble. “What?”

  “It can’t be—” Silver snapped his mouth shut. His gloves creaked and strained over his bunched hands. Lightning nickered.

  Mason didn’t see anyone who’d indulged in too much alcohol. No physical altercations brewing. Serenity was tucked into the mountains of East Tennessee and was one of several gateway towns to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Because of that, their population swelled April through October, bringing unique challenges to local law enforcement. Millions of visitors traveled through their town each year. Some drove through, stopping for a meal or to fuel up, while others took advantage of the various campgrounds, cabin rentals and motels. Not all were law-abiding citizens.

  At the moment, he didn’t recognize any laws being broken. “I can’t read your mind, you know.”

  Muttering under his breath, Silver pointed to the cluster of blue canopies offering a range of kids’ activities. The nearest one was face-painting central. His gaze probed the occupants, eventually landing on a woman standing apart from the group. Average height and weight. Casual but neat attire. She was a woman whose appearance—black hair, olive skin and striking features—would draw second and even third glances.

  He’d recognize her anywhere. Her hair was thicker and fuller, the glossy curls sliding over her shoulders as she searched for someone or something. Sunglasses covered her eyes, but he knew the curve of her cheek, the straight line of her nose, the generous mouth almost always primed with shell pink gloss.

  He almost fell off his horse.

  What was Tessa doing here?

  She bent and hefted a little girl into her arms, a girl with matching ringlets and dark eyes.

  His skin stretched too tightly over his cheekbones. His teeth ground together. Denial spiraled inside, pulsating white-hot through his veins. Tessa was married. She had a child. She’d moved on. Suddenly, he was furious at himself for letting her steal four years of his life.

  “I can handle this,” Silver drawled. “I’d be happy to, in fact.”

  He would never admit it aloud, but he considered the offer. He didn’t want to hear about Tessa’s wonderful life, her devoted husband and child.

  The decision was taken out of his hands the moment he noticed men closing in on her. A pair of muscle-bound men in black clothing, telltale bulges at their hips hinting at firearms. Tessa noticed and tensed, gathering her daughter closer to her.

  “They’re not here to see the balloons, I gather,” Silver commented.

  When one made a grab for the little girl, Mason urged Scout into action.

  “Out of the way!”

  He alerted the people blocking his path of his intent, and they quickly accommodated him and Scout. He had to repeat the command multiple times. The last thing he wanted was for an innocent bystander to be stepped on or knocked off balance.

  Silver and Lightning were close behind. Over the radio, his partner alerted Raven and Cruz.

  Tessa’s scream unleashed a wave of alarm through the crowd. The goons noticed the horses’ rapid approach and took off. Silver thundered after them.

  Mason hauled Scout to a halt and slid to the ground.

  Tessa’s shoulders eased when she saw him. There was no flash of recognition. When they’d dated, he’d been a patrol officer. She wouldn’t know he’d accepted a position with the mounted-police unit.

  “It’s okay, Lily.” Silent tears streamed down the child’s cheeks, and her tiny shoulders shook with sobs. “You’re safe. The police officer is here. He’ll help us.”

  He took Scout’s lead with one hand and her elbow with the other. “Come with me, Tessa.”

  His voice, and that he knew her name, must’ve registered, because she whipped up her head to focus fully on him. Her lips parted. Her eyebrows descended behind her glasses. “Mason?”

  “This way.”

  Using his body as a shield, he hustled them through the curious onlookers, past the pond and to the Serenity mounted-police tent. He secured Scout to an oak tree and led Tessa inside. It was spacious enough to accommodate twenty-five people or more, and the white canvas provided much-needed privacy. A couple of tables had been set up to hold snacks and drinks. He slid out a folding chair and pointed. She complied without a word.

  He removed his glasses and helmet, threading his fingers through his damp, rumpled hair. She watched him, her body taut and coiled, her arm curved protectively around the girl.

  “Why are you here, Tessa?”

  Her pallor became more pronounced. She, too, removed her glasses. Her hazel gaze slammed into him.

  “I came to find you.”

  TWO

  Suspicion chased disbelief across his rigid features. Surely the anger swirling in his brown eyes wasn’t directed at her? He was supposed to have greeted her with an apology, or at least a blush of shame for what he’d done to her. Tessa was light-headed from the high emotions battling for supremacy.

  He had grown more handsome with time. Slightly over six feet, he was sleek power in a deceptively trim frame. He had bronze skin, molten eyes the color of a rabbit’s pelt and rich, thick brown hair.

  After too many long, lonely years, mere inches separated her from the man who’d ripped the sun from her sky. She was supposed to despise him. She hadn’t ever learned to do what she was supposed to, though. If she had, she would’ve done her father’s bidding and married one of his Mafia associates. She’d have been like her mother, bearing children into a legacy of violence.

  His upper lip curled. “What could you possibly want with me?”

  This wasn’t the thoughtful, kind man who’d wooed her with home-cooked meals, horseback rides and random gifts of chocolate. This wasn’t the man who’d plagued her dreams, the man she’d wept buckets of tears over. Her Mason wasn’t capable of such an ugly expression. With that intense darkness enveloping him, he could have blended right into her Mafia family.

  A shudder rippled through her. “My brother wants me dead. I caught him conspiring to kill a police officer and tried to prevent it.”

  Tessa licked her dry lips, wishing she could unsee the photos Dante had shoved in her face. Despite her best efforts, she hadn’t been able to save Officer Fisk.

  Mason folded his arms over his chest, an action that pulled the crisp, blue-black uniform tight across his shoulders. “How many brothers do you have? Because the one I met didn’t strike me as a cold-blooded killer.”

  Dizziness washed over her. “You met Dante? When?”

  He gave a minuscule shrug. “Doesn’t matter. Go on.”

  “I approached Officer Fisk. He asked if I’d be willing to record evidence of their plans.”

  “Their?”

  “My father and Dante. There are things you don’t know about me, Mason.”

  He stared at her for long moments, then his gaze slid to Lily. “Clearly.”

  The possibility that Lily could be his daughter obviously hadn’t entered his mind. He must think she was married or divorced. Tessa began to question her decision to come to him. He’d left her without a word, not even a text message or email. Why would he care that she was in danger? She wasn’t even convinced he’d protect Lily. Sure, he’d mentioned having children someday. But it was clear he hadn’t wanted any with her.

  She stood up so quickly spots danced before her eyes. “This was a mistake.”

  His hand was gentle on her shoulder, steadying. “Hold on. Let me get you a drink.”

  Mason strode to the tables and made his choices. He brought back a bottle of water and orange juice
. “Does she like this kind?”

  Sinking to her seat, she took the juice from him. “Would you like some, Lily?”

  Her daughter had plastered her cheek in the curve of Tessa’s neck. Now, she lifted her head and reached out, peering shyly at Mason from beneath her curls.

  “I like horses,” Lily blurted.

  He acted surprised she was talking to him. “You do?”

  “Mommy bought me lots of horse books. Tillie’s pink. Her sister’s name is Toni, and she’s purple.”

  His wide gaze assessed Lily, and Tessa wished she could read his thoughts. Did he see anything of the Reed family in her? Most people said she resembled Tessa, but there were certain gestures that reminded her of Mason.

  “My horse’s name is Scout,” he said. “He helps me do my job.”

  Lily sat up. “Can I ride him?”

  “That depends. Scout’s particular about who rides him, but I’ll tell you a secret.” Lowering his voice, he said, “His favorite snack is peppermints.”

  Lily clapped her hands together. “I like peppermints, too.”

  His lips curved into a semblance of a smile. Tessa’s heart flip-flopped.

  There was movement at the tent entrance, and Mason’s hand instinctively reached for the gun at his waist. Another officer entered, and Mason relaxed. “Well?”

  “They jumped into a waiting SUV. We lost them. The sheriff’s department will be on the lookout.”

  He removed his helmet. Sweat dampened his gray hair. The color should’ve been odd on a man in his late twenties, but combined with his fair complexion, angular features and vivid violet eyes, it gave him a unique look.

  She’d met Mason’s friend several times and liked him, despite his seize-the-moment, live-for-today approach to life.

  “Hello, Tessa.” His smile was more feral than charming. “What brings you to Tennessee?”

  His tone conveyed he wished that she’d stayed away. She dismissed the objection forming on her lips. She wasn’t here for answers or apologies. Lily’s future was at stake.

  “Lily, would you like to watch a video on my phone?”

  She nodded and accepted the juice bottle. After settling her at the table in the corner, Tessa rejoined the men in the middle of the tent.

  “I’m in trouble. My last name isn’t Elliott. It’s Vitale. You may have heard of my father, Antonio. His nickname is Bloody Tony.”

  Silver grunted and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Who hasn’t heard of him?”

  Mason’s hands slipped from his hips. “You didn’t think it was necessary to tell me this before? Did they know you were dating a cop?”

  “No! Not until the very end. I wouldn’t have put you in danger, not for anything in the world.” His eyes darkened, and his jaw twitched. “I didn’t know what my family was until I was thirteen. I would’ve run away then if I could have. When it was time for college, I convinced my father to let me come to Tennessee. I adopted the surname Elliott and didn’t share many details of my past. I was supposed to go home every summer, but after the first one, I made sure I had an internship to keep me in Knoxville. I defied my father again after graduation when I got an apartment and job here. He and Dante had decided I should marry the son of another powerful family. The marriage would’ve cemented our families’ alliance.” She grimaced. “Dante would’ve come immediately to fetch me, but he was tied up with pressing business. That’s why you and I had almost a year together.”

  He passed a weary hand over his face.

  Silver paced closer. “Is Dante’s goal the same as it was back then?”

  “Dante wants me dead. He will take her to New Jersey once he’s dealt with me.”

  Mason’s watchful gaze fell on Lily. “How long have you been on the run?”

  “Since the early days of my pregnancy.” He actually winced. “At the police’s request, I agreed to wear a listening device and try to gain a confession. My father’s health was ailing, and he’s always had a soft spot for me. I thought I could get him to talk about the plans for Officer Fisk, something that would hold up in court. Dante was tipped off by my sister, Francesca, and burst into the room. He would’ve killed me right then and there if Father hadn’t intervened. I was locked in my bedroom for days. Dante showed me the photographs of Fisk’s body, and he promised to do the same to me. By that time, I knew I was expecting. I had to escape. I wound up in small-town Georgia, and that’s where we’ve been until yesterday.”

  Tessa could see the puzzle pieces start to fit together, could see him go ghostly pale beneath his tan. His eyes flashed to hers, as sharp as a rapier.

  “How old is she, Tessa?”

  “She turned three last month.”

  Silver bowed his head, squeezed his friend’s shoulder and left the tent. The air became stifling, the cheery cartoon voices of Lily’s video at odds with the anger and shock rippling through Mason.

  “Is she mine?” he growled. “Or the other guy’s?”

  * * *

  “What other guy?” she whispered, her brow puckering. “You were the only one.”

  Mason felt as if he might rip apart. Tessa may have been unfaithful, but she wouldn’t keep his child from him.

  “Look, I know the truth. Dante came to me and explained everything. He showed me the photos of you and your part-time boyfriend.” His police-issue boots were uncomfortably tight, the bulletproof vest digging into his ribs. “Or was I the part-time one?”

  “That’s why you left without a word?” Her fingers dug into the spot over her heart, leaving imprints in her hunter green shirt. “Dante showed up at my apartment and demanded I go with him. When he saw a photograph of us on my mantel, he started asking questions. He was livid when he found out you were a cop. He threatened to hurt you, Mason. I tried to buy some time so I could tell you everything. Before I could, you’d left town.”

  “You were kissing another man in that photo.”

  “Are you sure it was me?” she challenged. “Give me your phone.”

  “What?”

  “Take out your phone and search Francesca Vitale.”

  Mason did as she said and stared at the brunette on his screen. “Your sister?”

  “She and I were close as children. Not anymore. She ratted me out when I was trying to help Fisk. You don’t think she could’ve curled her hair and kissed someone just to serve Dante’s purposes? He wanted me home, and he employs unusual methods to get what he wants.”

  And now, according to her, he wanted her dead.

  He thrust his fingers through his hair and closed his eyes. He hadn’t seen the woman’s face, only a side view. Francesca looked enough like Tessa that it would’ve been easy to mistake the two. Since Tessa hadn’t told him the truth about her family, he’d had no reason to doubt Dante’s account.

  But you’re a police officer. Aren’t you supposed to sniff out the bad guys?

  “You didn’t cheat?”

  “No,” she choked out.

  He closed his eyes and prayed he wouldn’t embarrass himself and fall to the ground in a dead faint. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked at the little girl perched on the folding chair. His daughter.

  “Did you know? When you left?” he murmured, his voice sounding like sandpaper.

  “It wasn’t until I was in New Jersey. When I finally figured it out, I tried to think how I could tell you. Keep in mind, I had no idea why you left or why you refused to talk to me.”

  “That’s no excuse,” he countered, swiping the air with his hand. “I missed her birth, her first words, steps, everything.”

  “I’m sorry, Mason.” Her eyes begged him to understand. “Try and consider it from my point of view. My father, Antonio, and Dante don’t think twice about killing someone they view as a threat to their plans. You were better off not being involved. Safer.”

  “Then why
come to me now?”

  “Because, if Dante succeeds in killing me, you can take her somewhere safe and raise her to be a decent human being.”

  THREE

  Tessa was a bundle of nerves as Mason navigated the congested streets. Her most treasured memories of Tennessee were rooted in this town. Nestled in a picturesque valley amid lush, forested mountains, Serenity was magazine-worthy. They passed the central, parklike square framed with shops, cafés and the early twentieth-century courthouse.

  Pangs of nostalgia were swallowed whole by Dante’s vendetta. Was he watching them even now?

  Silver had retrieved their belongings and Lily’s car seat from Tessa’s vehicle. The Serenity PD was working in conjunction with the sheriff’s department in the search for her brother. Silver and the other mounted police officers would stay and manage the event while Mason got them to a safe place.

  “Are you still living in the riverside duplex?” she asked.

  “I bought a house last year.”

  Tessa glanced over, taking in his profile and marble-cast body. She could’ve bounced a nickel off his forearm—he was clenching the wheel with that much force. He wasn’t happy with her. All this time, he’d believed she’d betrayed him. That he’d doubted her loyalty, that he’d accepted without question her flawed character, made her want to shake him. But part of the blame rested on her shoulders. He hadn’t known her brother’s true nature because she hadn’t been forthcoming about her past.

  Now he had another reason to despise her—keeping their child a secret.

  Lily hummed a popular church hymn in the double cab’s second row, clutching her ponies to her and staring at the passing scenery. Her lids were growing heavy.

  “Does she do that a lot?” he asked quietly.

  “Hum when she’s sleepy? Yeah.”

  He sighed. “My mom has said I used to do that when I was little.”

  “Oh.”

  The hurt in his voice brought tears to her eyes. Sliding lower in the seat, she stared out the passenger window. She couldn’t wish away his hurt, couldn’t undo her decisions.