by Jenna Brandt
“Miss Cruz, one of our agents had an outside the box idea. If you reach out to the gang and tell them you have what they want, they’ll send someone to meet with you. When you do, we’ll have you wear a wire and will also have encrypted spyware tracking the accounts as you wire them the money back. It will give us everything we need in order to arrest and convict them.”
“That’s a really dangerous plan,” Zach pointed out. “If she agrees, she won’t be able to protect herself if they try to do something to her.”
“We’ll have eyes and ears on her. We’ll give her a code word, and if something goes wrong, she can say it and we’ll come in.”
“We both know, by the time you would get in there, she would be dead already. If she agrees to this, then I’m going in with her. It won’t raise any suspicion because they already know I was traveling with Erica as her bodyguard.”
The director tapped his fingers on the table as if contemplating the proposal. “Fine, you can go with her if she agrees to the new plan.”
Erica looked over at Zach who nodded in assurance. “We can do this,” he promised, taking her hand, “together.”
She turned her attention back to the FBI Director and said, “Alright, we are in.”
Zach could tell Erica was nervous. She was barely controlling her shaking and there was a tremor in her voice. He leaned towards her and said reaffirmingly, “We’re going to be okay. I’m going to be with you the whole time.”
He sent up a silent prayer, asking God to protect them.
Two days had passed since Erica and Zach had met with the FBI, and one day since she was approached by the Penoze Gang to meet. As they entered the abandoned meat packing plant on the outskirts of Denver, Zach was grateful for the gun on his hip as his eyes took in the half a dozen men that surrounded them.
“Miss Cruz, I’m glad you made the right decision and brought me what belongs to me,” said the tall man with slicked back dark blond hair. His arms were covered in tattoos as he gestured towards Zach and added in his Dutch accent, “Search him.”
One of the other men came over and patted Zach down. When he found the gun at his hip, he took it and placed it in his waistband. “That’s all he’s got on him.”
The boss nodded, then gestured for the underling to drift back behind Erica and Zach.
“I have to say, I’m surprised you didn’t try to stay on the run. You had enough money to keep us chasing you for a while, though eventually we would have caught up with you,” the head boss said with a wicked grin. “And it wouldn’t have ended well for you.”
“I didn’t want to live my life on the run or in a state of constant fear, especially because of stupid mistakes a father I never knew, made.”
“You made the right decision. You owe nothing to a man like that.” He looked at her bag and asked, “Are the ledgers in there?”
She nodded, handing the bag to a man next to her who carried it over to the boss.
“May I ask you something?” Erica inquired, wanting answers to questions she still had.
“I suppose,” the boss said, setting the bag down in front of him and crossing his arms. “But I warn you not to irritate me. I have little patience for stupid people who ask stupid questions.”
“Do I strike you as a stupid person?”
He narrowed his eyes and simply said, “No,” then gestured for her to continue.
“How did you know my father stole money from you?”
“I was tipped off by someone who worked for him. You could imagine how angry I was, considering how well we took care of him. I needed the ledgers to prove it, but he died never telling us where they were. I even secretly sent men to search his home, but they turned up nothing. I was beginning to think it was a lost cause, until I found out about you.”
“If everything you did was to get that ledger and the money my father stole, why did one of your men try to kill me in Amsterdam? I recognized him from following me back in Colorado.”
“That was my cousin. I tasked him to watch you and track your movement, but he began to get ideas about you; ideas that would disrupt my plans. He was obsessing about having you, so I removed him and brought him back to Amsterdam. I put one of my other men in his place. When you came to Amsterdam, he went against my wishes and started following you again. Apparently, when my cousin saw you with him,” the boss motioned towards Zach, “he lost control and decided to shoot up the place. He figured if he couldn’t have you, no one could. He’s paid highly for his insubordination. He would have lost his life if he had killed you and cost me this,” he said, unzipping the bag and pulling out both ledgers.
The boss flipped through them quickly, then set them down on the table. “Your father was a clever man; too clever for his own good. He got millions from us, yet it wasn’t enough. He had to steal more.”
The boss sat down at the table with another man in a suit, then gestured for Erica to do the same. Zach stood behind her, wanting to keep an eye on everyone. One of the boss’ other men brought a laptop over to the table and placed it in front of a man in a suit. “Now, it is time for the money transfer. This is my new accountant and believe me, he knows not to do what your father did—not unless he wants a knife in the gut like your father got for betraying us.”
The accountant’s eyes grew wide with fear as he shook his head.
“See, he knows not to be that stupid.” The boss opened a briefcase and glanced in it. “What has happened? Where is the transfer papers?” the boss yelled enraged. “She can’t sign the properties over without them.”
Slapping the table, he called one of the men over and started speaking to him in rapid Dutch. The man scurried out, leaving the boss, the accountant, and two other gang members in the room.
“I swear, my men are stupid too,” he said, letting out a string of curse words under his breath that made Erica blush. “My man will be back with the papers for you to sign.”
Erica nodded, pulling out a list of bank accounts and property. “Here’s everything,” she said, sliding the stack of papers across the table to the boss.
The movement drew the boss’ attention. A look of rage crossed his face as he reached out and yanked Erica by the arm towards him.
Zach moved to the side to see what the other man was looking at. Apparently, Erica’s secret wire must have come loose because the top of it was visible through her blouse.
“You dare to come here and try to play me for a fool,” the boss growled out. “I’m going to teach you a lesson.”
“Amsterdam,” Erica whispered, using the agreed upon safe word.
Zach could see the hope in her eyes that it would work, but Zach knew better. They would never get there in time. He reached out and quickly punched the man to the left of him in the face. He followed it by two more punches, knocking the man out. He pulled the gun out of the man’s waistband and dove behind a chair for cover.
The screams of Erica could be heard as Zach looked to locate the other thug in the room. He wanted to check to see what was wrong with Erica, but he had to concentrate on taking out the other bad guy before he lost his chance.
The other man fired his weapon at Zach but missed, and Zach returned the gunfire. A few moments both guns were empty with no one hitting their target. The thug threw his gun and ran towards Zach, trying to punch him when he got close.
Zach ducked out of the way, then countered it with a quick leg swipe, followed it by a kick to the face, making the man go unconscious.
The accountant was already under the table, clutching his head between his hands, and Zach realized he wasn’t a threat. Zach turned his attention to the boss and his blood ran cold at the sight. The other man had Erica by the throat and was holding a gun to her head. “I’m leaving and taking her with me. If you come any closer, she’s dead.”
Zach wanted to move forward, but he didn’t doubt the man would do it. All he could do was think about him pulling the trigger and Erica crumpling to the ground.
“Alright
, I’m not going to move. Just don’t hurt her,” Zach yelled at the other man.
The boss gestured with his head and said, “I want you to turn around and head towards the wall.”
Zach mouthed the words, “It’s going to be okay,” as he started to turn.
Erica whispered, “I know,” just as she picked up her foot and slammed it down on the instep of the boss’ foot.
The man yelped, stumbling backwards, releasing his hold on Erica. She turned and kicked out at him, making contact with his midsection, causing him to drop the gun.
Zach was rushing towards them just as the boss reached out and grabbed Erica by the arm. He yanked her towards him, yelling, “You’re going to regret that. I’m going to kill you just like I killed your father.”
Erica screamed out, thrashing around and trying to get away. Zach reached them just as the boss was about to hit her in the face.
Zach reached out and swung his closed fist at the man’s face, knocking him away from Erica. He shoved him, knocking him to the ground, then jumped on top of him. He swung his fists several more times until Erica reached out and stopped him.
“That’s enough, Zach, he’s unconscious.”
Zach froze, realizing the mix of rage, fear, and need to protect Erica had made him blind to anything else. The FBI were now storming into the room, taking the Penoze Gang into custody.
Some time passed, and everything started to calm down. Zach pulled Erica aside and asked, “How did you know to do that with your foot.”
“I took a self-defense class a few years back. I remembered that the instep is a sensitive spot.”
“You’re right. You kicked his rear like a textbook fighter.”
She smiled up at him. “It was nothing compared to what you did to him at the end. I honestly thought you were going to kill him.”
“I wanted to, for him putting his hands on you like that, for threatening to kill you.”
“But he didn’t and we’re both okay,” she whispered. “And all of this is finally over.”
“And we’re together,” he whispered back, claiming her mouth with his own. The kiss pushed everything else aside, reminding him that his life was just getting started with Erica.
Epilogue
One year later.
Erica took in a deep breath and waited for the doors of the Clear Mountain Assembly sanctuary to open. She gripped the bouquet of white roses tightly in her hand, and braced herself for the best day of her life.
She bent down and coaxed Mandy to go down the aisle with Harley by her side. “You can do this, sweetie. Make sure to spread those rose petals well.”
The little girl took off, her blonde curls bouncing as she skipped down to the end of the aisle with Harley wagging her tail beside the child.
The classical music ended and the Bridal March started to play. Erica stepped forward, excited to finally marry the man she loved.
The church was filled with all of their friends, co-workers, and fellow church members who were eagerly awaiting her to walk down the aisle. She put one foot in front of the other, just the way Zach had encouraged her so many times before. From the time they were in Amsterdam, to the time they worked with the FBI on the sting, to when she had to testify against the Penoze Gang to put the thugs away for the rest of their lives, Zach helped her get through all of it.
Erica looked down the center of the room to where Zach was watching her. He looked handsome in his black tuxedo, but it was his smile that made him irresistible.
He reached out his hand to her, saying, “You look gorgeous.”
Standing next to Zach were his best man and groomsmen, Aiden, Connor, Liam, and Ted. Alex and Travis had already walked down the aisle with the rings and were now sitting in the front row next to Mandy. Standing in front of them were Erica’s matron of honor and bridesmaids. She was grateful to have Lindsay, Deanna, Hayley, and Brooke with her during the most important day of her life.
Pastor Steve started the ceremony, talking about love and the union of marriage. He quoted 1 Corinthians 13, Erica’s favorite chapter of the Bible, explaining how love is an action, not just a feeling.
How many times did Zach prove that to her, from helping her when she was in need; to protecting her when she was in danger. She couldn’t ask for a man who could show greater love.
“May we have the rings?” the pastor asked, prompting Alex to step forward with them.
“Thank you, Alex,” Zach whispered as both Erica and Zach took theirs. They slipped them on each other’s fingers, reciting the vows they planned to keep for the rest of their lives.
Erica glanced down at her gold band sitting next to her solitaire diamond engagement ring, and couldn’t help but feel complete. She looked up into Zach’s eyes just as Pastor Steve said, “It’s my great pleasure, by the power vested in me by God and the state of Colorado, to announce Zach and Erica as husband and wife.”
They turned to face their assembled guests who were cheering and clapping for them.
“You may kiss your bride,” she heard Pastor Steve say behind them.
Zach leaned over and placed a kiss upon her lips; a kiss filled with promise for a beautiful life together.
They exited through the church, both laughing as they made their way into the waiting limo.
“You ready to head over to the reception?” Zach inquired, “Though I’m tempted to ask the driver to take the long way there.” He pulled her close, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck. “All I want to do is be alone with you.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for that later,” she teased, batting his hands away from the back of her dress. “I even packed a special surprise for our honeymoon.”
“Please tell me it’s your cheerleading outfit from high school,” Zach whispered in her ear. “You still owe me a modeling show in it.”
The memory of the promise Erica made the night they first kissed in Amsterdam came flooding back into his mind. He hoped she planned to finally make his wish come true.
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” she whispered, letting her breath linger on his cheek.
“Don’t tease me like that. I have to know,” he said, pulling her towards him.
“Nope, you’ll just have to wait and see.” Pushing back a bit, she added, “I spent six months planning all of this. I don’t want to ruin it by not showing up.”
Zach nodded. “I know you always wanted a Cinderella wedding. Your inheritance would have given you everything you wanted. You don’t miss your billions too much, do you?”
“You know, I didn’t even have it long enough for it to really sink in,” Erica said with a shrug. “The money came from bad people who did a lot of bad things to get it. I wouldn’t want to be tied to that the rest of my life. Besides, I did get some killer clothes, accessories and even a car out of the whole experience. The truth is, I would give it all up again if it meant I ended up with you.”
“Wow, I never thought I would hear you say that,” Zach stated with a lopsided smile, the endearing words filling his heart with joy. “I thought I would never win you over.”
“I guess that’s what perseverance gets you. I’ve never seen a more determined man.”
“Part of me knew the moment I saw you, you were the one,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I just had to convince you.”
His mouth came down on hers, claiming her with all the love she helped him find hiding beneath the surface. Never did he think he would be so lucky as to gain this woman’s devotion.
Erica pulled back for a moment, shaking her head. “I can’t believe even a year later, your kiss still makes me swoon.”
Glancing outside the limo’s window, she gestured with her head towards the reception hall. “We should probably get in there before Lindsay calls in a missing person’s report.”
Zach let out a chuckle. “You’re right on that. Aiden said all she’s been doing is talking about the reception you two cooked up.”
“Don’t be like tha
t. You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will, since you’ve been planning your wedding since you were a little girl.”
“Don’t use my speech from Lindsay’s wedding against me. Can I help it that I’ve had big dreams?”
“No, I’m just glad I’ve been a part of making them come true.”
The limo came to a stop and Zach helped Erica out of the limo. They made their way inside where everyone was gathered to congratulate them.
The evening passed by with all the traditional wedding activities. Erica’s favorite moment was when Cooper caught the garter belt rather than one of the men, and then promptly took it over to Harley. Both dogs loved being a part of the festivities.
Before the night wrapped up, Zach had one request. “We need to get a candid picture with our family.”
Erica tilted her head to the side and scrunched her face up in confusion. “We don’t have any family.”
“Oh yes, we do. We have a family that was built here in Clear Mountain,” he said gesturing towards their friends.
Erica realized he wasn’t mistaken. They had a family built with their friends that was closer than any blood family could ever be.
“Can all of you gather around. We want a picture with all of you,” Erica requested.
As she looked at the newly married Bishops, engaged Davis’, rock-solid O’Connells, and the smitten Deanna and Ted, Erica couldn’t be happier to join their ranks as a tried and true Clear Mountain Police couple.
The photographer snapped the picture along with several other people. Someone from church came rushing up to show Erica the picture. As she looked at it, she felt blessed to know she would never be alone again. Not only did she have the best friends a girl could want, but a man who loved her more than life itself, and would spend the rest of his life making her happy.
Zach came up beside her, looked at the photo with approval before gathering her into his arms.
“I love you, Mrs. Turner,” he declared with a grin.