For Justice

by Jeannette Winters

  “Roger.”

  Gabe said, “Choppers should be in sight any second.”

  That was their cue to be ready. As Renzo suspected, Steve and two of the other men drew their weapons and immediately shots rang out. Renzo fired, taking down the two he’d placed marks on. Clipping one in his shooting shoulder and another in the lower back. Bennett stopped his two on the left. Renzo watched as the remaining men raised their hands, dropped their weapons, and surrendered. It was over with limited bloodshed, and even though he could rejoice they’d done what they’d set out to do, he couldn’t relax yet. He wanted to know what the fuck the Pentagon were doing, because if he and Bennett hadn’t been there, those bastards could have taken out Steve. No, he wouldn’t relax until he had answers. Fuck.

  One chopper hovered above while the other two landed. He could tell they were Marines by their uniform. Once they had handcuffed each of the men, Steve gave a nod, acknowledging a job well done. There was no saying what would’ve happened if he and Bennett weren’t on sight. Would the Pentagon have placed their own snipers there? Renzo wasn’t sure, and none of them would ever know. There was one thing he was positive of right now. It’s a damn good thing we were here.

  Bennett and Renzo stayed hidden in the grass until the choppers were loaded and took off, even though they both knew the satellite had picked up their body heat. If there had been any question if they were friend of foe in the Pentagon’s mind, they’d have been arrested or eliminated on the spot.

  When the choppers were out of sight, Renzo stopped watching through the scope of his rifle. “Let’s get the hell out of here, Bennett.”

  He didn’t know what this meant for Steve’s mission, but Renzo was glad he was going home. He wasn’t sure what he was going to tell Hydria, but he knew whatever it was, he was glad it wasn’t bad news about her brother.

  Bennett said, “My chopper will be here within an hour. What do you say we collect our things from the hotel and head back to the East Coast? My anniversary is in a few days, and I’m sure my wife would like me there to celebrate.”

  He didn’t care whether it was east or west. Wherever Hydria was, was where he wanted to be. “Yeah, let’s go home.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  ‡

  “I think you’re making a mistake,” Steve said as they disembarked from Stone’s private jet.

  “Did I ask your opinion?” Renzo didn’t want any advice when it came to his personal life.

  Gabe interjected, which was a problem the entire flight, “Someone needs to help you because you’re going to blow it. You need to stop thinking about her like a cop or a team member. Hell, Renzo, for a sharpshooter, your vision seems to suck sometimes.”

  If they were alone, he’d have cussed his brother out long before they got off the plane. “Give it a rest, Gabe.” There was nothing wrong with his sight. Since the first moment he’d laid eyes on her all those years ago, every curve, every feature, had been etched permanently in his mind. That was part of the problem. She had a way of getting into his head and not leaving. Hydria is smart. Loving. Sexy as hell, and I find her utterly enchanting. Even thinking about her brought out a side of him he wasn’t used to. I almost want to smack the shit out of myself for thinking these words, never mind almost saying them.

  They made their way across the small runway to where two limos were waiting, and Bennett said, “I’m almost sorry this is where we part ways. This ride was just getting good. Hell, Renzo looks like he’s about to knock someone’s head off.” Bennett laughed. “My money is on Gabe.”

  Gabe shrugged, “Hey, he’s my brother, I’ll—”

  Bennett nodded. “Exactly. I can’t picture Renzo giving Hydria’s only brother a black eye. You on the other hand—”

  “I think you’re all pushing your luck,” Renzo said through gritted teeth.

  “We’re all trying to be supportive,” Gabe stated, jabbing Renzo on the side with his elbow.

  There’s no way in hell I’m getting in a car with these assholes. He expected some harassment from Gabe. But Bennett and Steve hadn’t seemed like the type. Lucky me.

  “Hate to break up all the fun, but we do have some unfinished business to attend to. What do you say we meet first thing tomorrow morning?” Bennett asked.

  “Sure the wife is going to let you out so soon?” Gabe teased.

  Renzo shook his head. “Make it early. I have things I need to attend to myself.” Things that none of these jerks are going to know about.

  “Although they let me fly back with you guys, I need to check in with my commanding officer tomorrow.”

  Sounds like an excuse to me,” Gabe teased.

  “Don’t let these jeans fool you. I’m still a Marine, and I need to check in at oh eight hundred. But I’m actually getting a few days’ leave. I think there’s a fishing pole with my name on it waiting for me.”

  Renzo turned to Steve. “Are you going to see your sister before you take off again?” He knew Hydria loved her brother by the lengths she’d gone to for him.

  “I’ll catch up with her eventually,” Steve replied.

  Yeah, that’s not working for me. Renzo asked, “Can we talk for a minute?” Steve nodded, and Renzo led him away from the others. He didn’t want to have this conversation, or have it overheard by anyone. Renzo didn’t feel it was his place, but Steve didn’t have any parents to direct him. Hell, I’m not that old, but I know what Hydria needs.

  “Are you going to ask my permission to marry my sister? Because the answer is yes,” Steve said once they were alone.

  Steve caught him off guard. Not that Renzo hadn’t thought what it would be like to live with Hydria, come home to her each night, but marriage? He wasn’t husband material. Hell, he didn’t know what she thought of him as a boyfriend. He’d let her down more than once, why would she want anything permanent with him? Maybe because I hope she wants me, even with all my imperfections. And fuck, I have a lot of them. “I appreciate you giving me your blessing, but that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Go on.”

  “Do you have any idea what your sister has given up? Not just now, but for all these years?” Renzo asked.

  “If there had been any way I could’ve let her know that I was okay, to stop looking for me, I would have. Hell, Renzo, I made sure she was blocked every step of the way. I thought she’d take Diaz’s promotion to the SWAT team. But when she declined that, I had Diaz give her Bennett’s number so he could feed her what information I wanted, or needed, her to believe. Hydria had no clue that Diaz’s son and I have been friends since high school. He was more than happy to assist me once he understood the importance of keeping Hydria in the dark. But damn it, she proved to be more stubborn than I anticipated. And she quit the LAPD? The Pentagon threatened to pull me from the mission if I couldn’t get her to back off.”

  “You could’ve tried telling her. Hydria would’ve supported your decision.”

  Steve laughed. “Are we talking about the same woman? My sister never wanted me in the Corps. If she knew I had accepted a mission like—”

  “You’re not giving her credit. In Tabiq, Hydria proved to be instrumental. Hell, I think your sister would’ve made one hell of a Marine. That woman is capable of more than anyone, even me, has given her credit for.” He’d meant to give Steve advice, and in turn, his own words were going to haunt him. I should be talking to Hydria, not Steve. And I should tell her how incredible she is. But he needed Steve to reach out to Hydria. Steve was everything to her. “Steve, do me a favor; reach out to her. Let her know you’re okay. You’re all she’s got, Steve.”

  “Had,” Steve said.

  “What?” Renzo asked.

  “I’m all she had, Renzo. And I believe that’s changed. She’s given up too much of her life worrying about me. It’s time someone takes care of her. Are you that person?”

  I can hope, but I don’t deserve her. “Time will tell.” Renzo knew he needed to do some serious thinking before he saw Hyd
ria. Once he laid eyes on her, all rational thought would be gone. There’s nothing rational about my feelings for her. Guess that’s what love is.

  Steve had decided to travel with Bennett back to Boston. From there he was heading to York. That left Gabe to ride with Renzo. Renzo was thankful Gabe sensed his emotional battle. Although Renzo’s typical sense of humor was somewhat lacking, it was unquestionably nonexistent now. He knew what he wanted to say. Now he needed a plan. And I don’t want anyone fucking this up for me.

  Renzo dropped Gabe off at his home and decided to make an important stop before reaching out to Hydria. He and Hydria had a lot to figure out, but one thing Renzo knew was he wanted to do it together. Most of his life, he’d functioned by controlling everything he could. It usually worked, but not when it came to Hydria. She was headstrong and would continue to challenge him. Just because he said so wasn’t going to be a good enough reason for her. I don’t want it to be either.

  He’d stopped at a jeweler where he remembered his father telling him he’d gotten his mother’s engagement ring. It was in northern Rhode Island in the town Chepachet. His father had told the story many times of how he’d gone out for a long drive contemplating if he should propose or not. As though fate wanted its way, his father’s car ran out of gas in front of the jewelers. The ring was still in the family as it had been passed down to Rafe who’d sworn he’d never use it. How wrong you were. Married first. All the brothers had gathered together and voted the ring should go to the Melissa. She was the only female remaining and they all knew she’d be the one who’d appreciate the sentiment the most. It didn’t hurt that they all thought she’d be the one who’d use it first. Damn, we’ve been wrong on so many counts. But I hope someday Melissa finds a man worthy of putting that ring on her finger.

  That was funny because here he was picking out an engagement ring for Hydria. There was no way in hell he was good enough for her, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. She’s known me long enough to know what an ass I am. If she considers marrying me, I’ll be fucking lucky.

  “Sir, we can have this sized for you by the end of next week. Just let us know the correct size,” Muriel said as she rang up his purchase. She was so short he could barely see her grey hair behind the cash register.

  He’d never bought jewelry for anyone before. The most he’d ever done was send flowers, and he’d never hand-delivered those. Renzo felt that was too personal, and he never got personal. It was a form of attachment he’d avoid like the plague. That wasn’t the case with Hydria. For once, I want a reason to come home. Hell, I’ll be happy if she nags me as much as Zoey does Bennett.

  “Thanks but I’ll give it to her, and if it doesn’t fit, we’ll be back.”

  Muriel held his credit card and asked, “Oh, I absolutely love hearing about romantic engagement plans. What do you have planned?”

  To ask her. “Talk and ask.”

  Muriel was about to hand him back his card and paused. “Talk? That’s it? And you want her to say yes?”

  Renzo reached for his credit card, but Muriel had dropped her hand to her side. He raised a brow and said, “I have a ring. I’m not the ask-at-a-ball-game type. I like private.” Simple.

  “There are a million things between proposing on a wide screen for thousands of people to witness and having something to make her feel special. Loved. I’m assuming you love her. Because the time you took to pick something so different says she’s the one. So tell me why this ring?”

  Renzo couldn’t believe this woman was giving him the third degree. What else did she want? She already had his business. Does everyone have to offer their opinion when I don’t want it? “She is far from the ordinary woman. I chose a black onyx heart to represent her strength and the diamonds on each side to represent our second chance at love.”

  He wanted to pull his hand away as Muriel reached out and touched it gently. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything so romantic. Surely a man like you can give her a proposal she’ll remember.”

  I ask her to marry me, she says yes, hopefully, and we get married. Simple. Renzo couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Ma’am, no one has ever mistaken me for being romantic.” Even now he stood with his long hair pulled back and wearing his camos from their mission earlier with Steve. Yeah, maybe I could use a bit of help. “Maybe I’ll grab a bottle of wine.”

  “Getting better. I tell you what. My son owns a vineyard that would be perfect. It’s almost three hundred years old.”

  “I think Napa Valley might be out of the way.”

  Muriel snickered. “Oh, you are charming, aren’t you? Misguided, but charming. The vineyard is in Chepachet. If this woman is as special as you say she is, may I suggest maybe doing it at Mulberry Vineyards? It’s perfect. I can call now, and he and my daughter-in-law will have it decorated just right. Trust me. It will be so romantic she won’t be able to resist.”

  Renzo couldn’t believe he was honestly contemplating her offer. But Muriel did have him rethinking what he’d planned. She was right; this was a huge step. He needed all the support he could get in order to get Hydria to say yes.

  “Is it available tonight for a private wine tasting?”

  “It could be. How private are we talking?” Muriel asked.

  He was about to say two, but somehow he was losing control of the whole situation, especially his self-confidence. He asked Muriel for her number. “I’ll text you in twenty minutes.”

  As he left the jewelers, Renzo climbed back into the limo that had been waiting for him.

  “Home, sir?” The driver asked before he closed the door.

  Renzo shook his head. “I’m in need of a dress shirt.”

  “I know the perfect place.”

  Perfect. I think no matter how much I plan it’s going to be far from perfect.

  Hydria woke with an entirely different attitude. She was done sitting in the house for no reason. She was going to walk out that front door and confront the guys who’d been wasting their time watching her for the past week. Then she was going for a long run until every muscle in her body hurt.

  It honestly wasn’t the ideal way to start her day, but she needed to work out all the frustration built up within her. As usual, Melissa had left for work before Hydria had wakened. That was funny because Hydria was an earlier riser, but with all the different time zone changes lately, her inner clock was off. Even as she put on her sneakers, she fought the urge to head back to bed.

  She grabbed the keys and was about to leave when her cell phone rang. Hydria had almost forgotten it on the nightstand. She rushed over and saw it was a blocked-caller ID.

  “Hello.” Hydria held her breath, afraid of what she’d be told to do this time. She’d followed the instructions and would continue to do so. If I can’t be with Renzo, this is where I’d like to be. But I’ll do whatever I have to do in order to keep Steve safe.

  “Sis, it’s me. I’m okay. It’s over.”

  Steve. She almost dropped the phone as she plopped onto the bed. “Steve, it’s really you?” She trusted nothing anymore, and for good reason. Whoever he’d been working for had gone through a lot of trouble to make her think the worst. Would they now do the opposite and give her false hope?

  “It is. Ask me anything, and I’ll prove it.”

  Hydria had no idea what to ask. It needed to be something no one else would know, but also something Steve would never think she knew. Then she thought about the photos Jim Peters had given her. She pulled them out and found one with Steve holding a fish.

  “What is the biggest striped bass you ever caught?” She knew it was a trick question because Jim told her they fished for cod, not bass.

  Steve laughed, “First, I’m impressed. Jim and Jane really must’ve taken to you if they told you about my fishing adventures. But they were pulling your leg if they told you we did anything but cod fishing.”

  Her eyes welled up. “It really is you. I was so worried. When are you coming back? I want to see you. There’s s
o much we need to talk about.”

  “I have some things that still need to be addressed before I return to York.”

  “What kind of things? You’re not hurt, are you?” She didn’t want him disappearing again without them actually having some time together. She had been so focused on driving her career she’d lost track of her only family. Being around the Turchettas, she’d come to realize how precious time was. Although they didn’t see each other all the time, when they did, they made the most of it. I need to learn to do that, we both do.

  “Things I still can’t talk to you about. But don’t worry. I have a feeling I’ll see you soon. I didn’t want you to worry about me.”

  “Okay. Steve, I love you. I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Love you too, Sis. See you soon.”

  “How soon?” No response. Hydria couldn’t let the phone go, even though Steve had ended the call. She was elated to hear from him, but knowing it was over, and not hearing from Renzo hurt. Even if he was unable to call, he could’ve at least sent a quick text. A week had gone by before she’d initiated contact. He had answered her, although it was brief. That meant he had his phone. But since that short texting exchange two days ago, there has been nothing. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe what we shared meant more to me. I probably misread him again. Had it just been adrenaline between us? Need caused by the tension of a mission? Perhaps that’s what I was to him. A release. Her sorrow weighed heavy on her heart. No fairy-tale ending for me. It’s not who Ren and I are.

  Was it foolish or hopeful? Or magical, because nothing on this earth should feel so good, so right. She’d opened up to him, not just her body, but her fears, hopes, dreams, and most of all, her heart. Although she hadn’t articulated her feelings to him in actual words, he was very intuitive, and surely he’d picked up on her growing affection. Was it more than he’d wanted? Neither had spoken about what tomorrow would bring. Sheer passion had overcome her like she’d never experienced before. Sex was sex, or so she’d thought. Add her heart to the mix, and it transcended into something more beautiful than she could imagine. Never would she find what she had with Renzo with another person. Even with all their differences, she knew what they had was worth fighting for. How can I make him understand if we don’t talk?