Hydria shrugged. “Finishing his coffee, I guess.” She slipped inside and grabbed the same seat she had on the way up from Boston. She had no idea why she was being so rude to Renzo right now. He seemed to be actually making an effort to be . . . kind. I’m biting the hand that feeds me. Very stupid.
She reached for the door and was about to head back to the restaurant when the driver opened it for her. This time Renzo climbed in, and once again he took the seat directly across from her. The scowl on his face said everything. Not sure an apology is going to mean a darn thing to him. He doesn’t care what I think, how I feel. He never has.
Hydria wished she wasn’t bitter about how he’d ended their relationship. It was years ago and should’ve been forgotten long ago. But there wasn’t anything about Ren that faded. Seeing him only rekindled the torment. Stupid hormones. That was the only explanation for her behavior.
“I’m sorry,” Hydria said sincerely but softly.
“For?”
Not going to make this easy on me, are you? “Walking out of the restaurant like that. It was—”
“Don’t sweat it.”
The expression on his face said he was serious. Great, now I feel worse. It was easier for Hydria to dislike the abrasive Renzo, than the Renzo she’d fallen for before, who’d only brought was heartache. Never again. Thankfully the drive to Steve’s cottage wasn’t far from where they’d eaten breakfast.
Hydria tried the door, but it was locked. She peeked in the windows, but it was dark inside, and she couldn’t see much through the curtains. She did notice Steve’s grey Jeep Wrangler parked in the driveway. Turning to Renzo, she said, “Ren, I have a really bad feeling about this.”
“Don’t go there, Ria.”
Ria. Only Ren called her that. Any other time it would’ve melted her heart. But she was fighting tears that were welling up. “Don’t you see it?” She pointed to the Jeep. “If I was going AWOL, I think I’d have used my only mode of transportation.” She swallowed hard. “Wherever he is, he didn’t go willingly.”
Renzo shook his head. “You’re jumping to conclusions. Think like a cop and not a sister. That isn’t going to help locate Steve.”
He walked toward the back of the cottage, and she followed him, saying, “The MP’s had already checked. It’s locked up tight.”
But Renzo never took her word for it in the past, why should she expect him to now? Renzo grabbed the doorknob for the back door. She watched him twist the knob and knew it wasn’t opening. What she hadn’t expected was for Renzo to lock-pick it to open Steve’s house. “Ren, that’s illegal.”
He turned to her and asked, “Is your brother going to call the cops on you?” She shook her head. “Then nothing to worry about.”
Renzo had entered first, but she was close behind. She’d responded to crime scenes and saw more deceased than she wanted to think about. Usually, the instant you entered the foul odor filled your nostrils, and you wanted to vomit. Thankfully nothing of the sort happened there. It was a relief not finding Steve there.
“You okay?” Renzo asked.
She nodded. “Where is he, Ren?”
“There’s no sign of a struggle and everything appears to be in order.”
“Steve never cleaned his room.”
Renzo replied, “That’s because you did it for him, Ria; he’s a Marine who would’ve been taught discipline. Hell, my brothers’ homes look just like this, like you could eat off the floor. If it were a mess, I’d be worried.”
“I get it. I need to stop thinking of him—”
“Ria, you need to stop period. Why don’t you go back outside and let me look around? If there is anything suspicious at all I’ll call for you. Okay?”
Hydria knew she was more of a hindrance than a help, so she did as Renzo suggested. Once outside, the warm breeze wrapped around her like a hug. The houses were too close to each other for her taste, but she understood why Steve would like it here. The cottage was small and looked more like a summer home than something one would live in year round. But Steve was usually deployed to all ends of the world. Why would he want to come to LA when he could sit on his back porch and smell the ocean? His house wasn’t on the beach, but it was in walking distance. A dream when you’re from the city.
Although they didn’t live in the heart of LA, they weren’t far from it, and quiet wasn’t something you got much of. She thrived on noise. Apparently, it was yet another difference between siblings. I used to think we were so much alike. Is the only thing we share our last name? How did I know so little about my brother?
She knew Renzo was right. She wasn’t impartial. She didn’t know Steve the Marine. She was looking for the boy she’d helped raise. He no longer existed. At least not the way she remembered him. From what she’d seen and learned from the Peters, he really turned out to be someone special. You remind me of Dad. He’d be so proud of you. I know I am. I just have to find you, so I can tell you that myself.
Renzo joined her on the porch. “What did you find?” Hydria blurted out.
“The report stated the MPs had checked his residence, and he wasn’t there. That’s the one thing they haven’t lied about yet. What wasn’t mentioned at all was that his fatigues were gone as well. Not even a duffel bag is lying around.”
“That makes no sense. Why would he take them with him?”
“My gut tells me someone in the Corps knows something they’re not willing to share.”
Since everything on the report seemed to be fictitious, was it possible he was on a mission so top secret Steve couldn’t even say goodbye to her? A few weeks ago she would’ve bet all she had he’d never do such a thing. Now she wasn’t so sure.
“Are you saying we should stop looking and wait to see if he comes home?”
“Hell no! We need to find someone who is willing to part with the information we need.”
She reached out and touched his arm. “You can do that?”
Renzo looked at her hand then into her eyes. “No, Ria. I’m good at a lot of things, but this is going to require a level of skill I don’t possess. My brother Gabe on the other hand, he’s what one might call, technologically savvy.”
“You mean a hacker?”
Renzo shrugged. “I think he likes to call himself a cyber genius.” He chuckled. “Translated to our lingo, yeah, a hacker.”
“Ren, we’re talking about the US military. What makes you think he can get into their records?”
“Oh, he can,” Renzo said in a boasting tone.
Hydria knew she’d do anything she had to in order to find Steve. Jeopardizing others to risk prison wasn’t something that had crossed her mind. “I can’t ask you or anyone else to break the law.”
Renzo took her hand into his and said, “I don’t remember you asking. This is why there are . . . things you shouldn’t know. It’ll make it easier for you when you go back to your life as a cop someday.”
She couldn’t think past the here and now. But he was right. If she crossed the line now, she couldn’t live with herself and stand on that side of the law without feeling like a hypocrite. I’d feel like a criminal just thinking my excuse was better than theirs.
“What do you suggest?”
“I think you should come with me to Rhode Island. My sister, Melissa, has an extra bedroom, and you can stay with her. I’ll work with my brothers and Stone to obtain what we need. You don’t need to be a part of it at all.”
His family? That was throwing even more Turchettas into the fire if something went wrong. “I can’t do that, Ren.”
“You don’t want to meet them?”
She knew that wasn’t a serious question. “This isn’t something to joke about. We’ve arrested people for less than what you’re suggesting. If anything goes wrong, they’ll blame me and be right.” I would hate myself more than they could ever hate me.
“You honestly have no idea what Turchetta’s Promise does do you?” Renzo asked. She shook her head.
“I know you
left SWAT after your sister was . . . passed away.”
His jaw tensed before he responded. “That’s why I left. Me and all my brothers. When Phoebe was taken hostage, no one did anything because of the political repercussions, and we’d had it. Doing things the right way doesn’t mean shit when there are lives on the line.”
Hydria heard the bitterness in his tone. She never knew what really happened to Phoebe. She and Renzo were barely speaking when it went down. If she didn’t think it would open up a wound best left closed, she’d ask him now. Whatever it was, the entire family seemed to feel the same effect from it. She felt horrible for the Turchettas and their loss, and she hoped she wasn’t going to be experiencing what they went through the hard way.
Hydria gave Renzo’s hand a light squeeze and said, “I’d like to meet them.” And it beats the hell out of going back to LA and waiting alone.
“Good. I’ll make some calls on the way.”
“Are you sure Melissa won’t mind?” She knew how Renzo was. He didn’t always think how the other person was going to feel about his actions. Apparently, I’m not the only person he does that to.
“She’d be pissed if I didn’t bring you.”
That eased her mind a bit. As they walked back to the limo, she asked, “And Gabe?”
“He just got off an assignment helping Stone. If we don’t keep him busy, he might get bored and start prying into our personal lives.”
Hydria hadn’t noticed they were still holding hands until he let go to open the door. Even through all this mess, she was shocked to learn there were still some normalcies on the other side. As Hydria slid onto her seat, she looked at Steve’s cottage. I hope we can find ours. You just have to come home first.
Renzo was thankful that Hydria was fast asleep, or he’d need to worry she could overhear Rafe chewing his ass out. It wasn’t for him bringing her to Rhode Island. “You never should’ve taken her with you to York. She’s a client.”
“No. She’s a . . . friend,” Renzo said through gritted teeth. If they were having this conversation in person, it might actually have gotten out of hand. Since Renzo didn’t want to wake Hydria, he had no choice but to keep his voice down. That didn’t mean he was going to let Rafe take over. “This is a Turchetta assignment.”
“Funny, from what you told me, we’re going to be all in. If we’re doing this, care to tell me why? Who is she?” Rafe asked.
“I used to work with her on the force.”
“She was SWAT?”
She would’ve been if I hadn’t stood in her way at every opportunity. “Worked patrol.”
“And?”
Fuck that. Renzo wasn’t going to get into any more history with any of them. It wasn’t their business. And he also wasn’t very proud of how he’d handled shit back then. He’d had options. Plenty of them. First would’ve been to have an adult conversation with Hydria about how he felt. Instead, he handled it as he handled everything in his life. Like a bulldozer.
“Since when do we question each other’s judgment? Unless, for some reason you’re opposed to helping. Then I’ll do this myself.” Renzo shouldn’t have snapped at Rafe because it caused Hydria’s eyes to snap open.
“Do what yourself?” Hydria asked.
“No opposition, just need to make sure you knew what you were getting into. Apparently, you do,” Rafe said.
“I do. We’ll be there shortly.” Renzo ended the call, as he didn’t want the discussion with Hydria overheard either.
“Ren, what are you going to handle yourself?” He could hear concern in her voice.
“Reach out to Gabe.” He normally didn’t lie, but if he’d told her the truth, Hydria would refuse to stay with his family. Hell, I wouldn’t have accepted to stay in the first place. Guess she needs me more than she realizes.
“Oh, I thought maybe they had refused to get involved.”
“We’re not like that.” That didn’t mean they followed along blindly. There was power in knowledge. Hiding shit in their line of work could get them arrested or worse, killed. He knew they’d talk at length, once they were all in one spot. Just not in front of Ria. The less she knows about what we’re doing, the better.
It wasn’t that he thought she’d try to stop them. Renzo was going to do what he wanted either way. He was more concerned she’d try going along. He knew she was capable of handling herself in most situations. This was different. Her judgment would be compromised. For all their sakes, she needed to stay out of it.
A few minutes later they pulled into Melissa’s driveway. They didn’t have to wait long before she came running out of the house, grinning. Renzo barely had the limo door open before Melissa pulled it wider.
“You must be, Hydria. It’s so nice to meet you.” Then her mouth gaped, and she added, “Sorry, that’s so insensitive of me. I wish we were meeting under different circumstances.”
Hydria shot Renzo a brief look before responding. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay with you. I honestly appreciate it.”
“Well come on in, and let me show you the place. It’s not much, but I’m not here very often.”
“I’m not going to be intruding, am I?” Hydria asked.
Melissa grabbed Hydria’s hand and said, “Are you kidding me? I’m surrounded by men all day long. It’ll be nice to have someone to come home and talk to who isn’t belching.”
“No guarantee,” Renzo teased as he followed the two of them into the house. Both women turned back in his direction, and he knew neither of them appreciated his attempt at humor. Great. Already outnumbered. “Okay, I get it. I’ll be quiet.”
Melissa said snarky, “We’re going to hold you to that.” As they disappeared into the house, he heard Melissa ask, “Do you like movies? I have this love story I’ve been dying to see.”
Renzo stopped dead in his tracks. No way in hell was he going to hang around while they watched chick flicks. I don’t want to hear them talk about them, never mind watch them.
“Mr. Turchetta, what would you like me to do with Miss Vose’s luggage?”
Renzo saw the limo driver standing in the doorway, holding her bags. He was glad they’d stopped at her hotel in Boston and retrieved them before heading to Melissa’s. It looked as though she was going to be settled in for the night. That was good because he needed to meet with Gabe and Rafe.
“I’ll take them. If you can hang for a few, I’ll go with you back to Stone’s. My vehicle is still parked at his office.”
“Of course, Mr. Turchetta, whenever you’re ready.”
He had to admit it was nice having Stone’s limo at his disposal while running around with Hydria. It gave him time to appreciate the view. Although at times, the view he appreciated hadn’t been outside the car. A red bra and a white tank top? Had she been trying to distract me? Despite the years, despite her grief, she was still so goddamned beautiful. He knew he needed space from her to get his head back into gear though, so now that she was staying with Melissa, he could do that. First step: get his own wheels back.
Renzo dropped the bags in the spare room and searched for the women. He found them sitting on Melissa’s deck, sipping wine and laughing about something. It was a refreshing sound. One he hadn’t heard in ages. Maybe it’s only me she doesn’t laugh with.
“Should I bother asking if you need anything before I leave?”
Hydria turned and said, “You’re leaving so soon? I thought you’d want to sit and—”
“Giggle with the two of you? Umm, no.”
Melissa and Hydria started laughing all over again.
“You ladies have my number if you need me.”
Hydria became serious for a moment and asked, “When will you be back?”
Her dark eyes held concern. Was it for his sake or that he might not keep her up to date? “As soon as I have information. If you don’t hear from me, you’ll hear from one of my brothers.”
“But I want to—”
“Let us do our job, and you stay here
.” Out of trouble. He watched Melissa reach out and place a hand on Hydria’s shoulder. Thanks, sis.
“Go already,” Melissa ordered.
Renzo gave Hydria a wink and headed to the limo. Having her out of the way and safe was what he wanted, but he had to admit having her by his side, even though they weren’t together, was . . . agreeable. Good. Right. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her. It had been easy to keep the lines drawn when they were on the force together. There were rules about fraternization in the department. Here there weren’t any such rules. And the lines weren’t as defined as before. He was leaving her with his family. Now he needed to fight the urge to kiss her before he left. And I’ll keep fighting it cause no way can either of us afford a distraction.
If he allowed that to happen and then had to deliver bad news, she’d never forgive him. And I’d always question if I was off my game.
Chapter Four
‡
Hydria hadn’t thought she’d sleep so well after napping in the limo on the way back from York, but she was out like a light before the movie ended. She felt bad because Melissa had seemed to be enjoying it. She had too, but between the company and the wine, she’d become too relaxed. It had been the middle of the night when she woke up and dragged herself to the spare room Melissa had made up for her. Even that morning, she was having trouble getting out of bed. There really wasn’t a reason to. Melissa had informed her she’d be leaving for work before the sun rose and wouldn’t be home until suppertime.
Rolling over, she pulled the sheet over her head to block out the sunlight. No matter what she did, she couldn’t fall back asleep. Having nothing to do all day wasn’t going to work for her either. She was always on the go. If she had a key, she could at least take off for a while and go for a walk or run. Now she had no idea what to do to fill her time. I don’t want to lie here worrying about Steve.
That was nearly impossible. The only thing that gave her any comfort was Renzo was searching for him too. Renzo did more than SWAT on the LAPD. He assisted the detectives and at times had gone undercover. Renzo had a reputation for not stopping until he got his man. She didn’t doubt for a second that Renzo was going to find Steve. It was what else he might find that scared the shit out of her. Don’t think about it. Think of something else, anything but that.
For Justice Page 5