Escape in Passion

by Shiela Stewart

  That was the last thing she wanted.

  She’d come to town seeking answers and had fallen in love with the mark.

  Now, what the hell was she supposed to do?

  The knock on her door startled her. It was well after midnight, who could it possibly be? Then her lips curved up in a smile. She threw the door open, fully expecting to see Vic, and was completely shocked to see Marshall instead.

  “Hello, Julia.”

  She couldn’t explain why her first instinct was to slam the door in his face and lock it. She knew it would get her nowhere.

  “Mind if I come in?” Without an invitation, Marshall entered her room. “Interesting little hole you’ve decided to call home. I would have thought with the money I gave you, you would have found something better.”

  Julia closed the door, telling herself to stay calm. “I haven’t touched the money you gave me.” “Is that so? I can’t help but wonder why that is.”

  “I have my own money.”

  “Do you now?”

  It irritated the hell out of her when he spoke with that condescending attitude. But it matched the man. Marshall Kent was a smooth talker who liked to get his way. He was tall, towering at well over six-two, and was built like a bouncer. His brown hair was always meticulously slicked back from a strong face that rarely showed emotion. And when it did, you knew to run.

  She wanted to run now in the worst way. “I used my savings and credit cards.”

  “Instead of using the money I gave you—to find the man responsible for your sister’s death—you chose to put yourself in debt. One might wonder why that is, unless, of course that one would be me, who knows why you chose not to use my money.”

  She didn’t like the way his eyes honed in on her, like he knew her deepest secrets.

  “Why are you sleeping with the enemy, Julia?”

  “I’m not!” When his eyes darkened, she took a step back.

  “I just saw you leaving his house, Julia, and that wasn’t a ‘get the hell out of my face’ kind of kiss. No more lies!” Marshall demanded.

  He’d seen her leaving Vic’s. “To get information,” Julia lied, and she knew he could see it.

  “Do your mommy and daddy know you’ve become a slut?”

  “How dare you—” She yelped when he grabbed her by the arms, his fingers digging into her flesh.

  “I dare because I don’t like my sister-in-law sleeping with the man who killed my wife. I let you go off on your little trek to find Victor because I thought you cared for your sister. But apparently I was wrong.” He gave her a hard shove, sending her stumbling backwards. “I guess you didn’t love Michelle at all.”

  Julia jumped when he slammed the door in his wake, then crumbled on the bed. She loved Michelle more than he did. She loved Michelle so much it hurt.

  And she was sleeping with the very man her sister had been involved with right before her death.

  Taking her sister’s picture from the bedside table, Julia’s heart ached for what she’d lost. Michelle was a true beauty. She had it all, looks, the body, and even…yes, even the man. Julia tucked the picture back in the drawer, closing it on the steely green eyes of her sister who she felt looked at her with shame.

  She’d been jealous of Michelle since—well—forever. Michelle was blonde and had a killer body where Julia had her father’s red hair and a stick for a body. Michelle had charm; everyone loved Michelle. Julia struggled to make friends.

  Michelle had Vic, and now Julia had him as well

  Walking to the washroom, she threw some cold water on her face. Looking up in the mirror, she hated what she saw.

  She’d wanted Vic solely because he had once been her sister’s. Part of her had thought that by being with him she would feel closer to Michelle. But that had been a line of bull. She’d wanted Vic because her sister had once had him. And she felt like hell because of it.

  He was a man, not a toy. Not a fucking Barbie or Raggedy Ann doll, her sister liked to play with when they were younger. He wasn’t clothing Julia liked to borrow from Michelle and never return.

  Michelle had been in love with Vic, and Vic had been in love with Michelle.

  Grabbing her jacket, needing some fresh air to cool down, Julia left her hotel room in a huff.

  And now, just like her sister, she’d also fallen in love with Victor Davis.

  What the hell was she supposed to do now?

  ***

  Vic liked his evening stroll through the town even more now that the weather had turned warm. He could do without the mud and slush everywhere, but that was all part of spring. The temperature still dipped down below zero some nights, making the slush and water crust over with a thin film of ice.

  Lifting the collar on his regulation officer’s jacket, Vic wandered along the streets he called home. The sun was setting low on the horizon, and the streets were relatively quiet. He waved to the patrons heading to the local movie theater, and to people who passed him, enjoying an evening walk. Passing Cassie’s Collectables, Vic noticed that the lights were off and the store was closed. He wondered if it had been Julia who had closed it down tonight, or one of the other girls.

  His mind constantly wandered to Julia.

  What was she doing now? What was she wearing? Had she eaten by herself? He regretted it more and more when she left his home; left his bed. The night before had been no exception. Once, he’d chosen to sleep on his sofa rather than his bed simply because it was closer to the beer. But last night, he found himself lingering on the sofa, soaking up Julia’s scent and not wanting to leave it.

  God, he missed her.

  Maybe he’d stop by her room on his way back to the office before calling it a night.

  He heard the car pull up behind him, and he heard the car door close and ice crackle under the feet of the person as they exited the vehicle. When he swiveled to see who it was, his heart nearly stopped.

  “Fancy meeting you here, Victor.”

  Staring him in the eye was the very man he had run away from. Vic took a moment to gather his nerve, reminding himself he was the law here, before he spoke. “Marshall. We don’t allow drug runners in Passion.”

  “Yet apparently they allow a killer to run the place. Do your coworkers know you’re a murderer?”

  Vic narrowed his eyes but kept his cool. “We both know the truth; there’s no point in walking around it, Marshall. It was your hired gun that took her out, hitting her instead of me.”

  “Funny, my sources tell me the bullet that actually killed Michelle came from a service revolver. Yours.”

  Vic took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Marshall was just trying to goad him into a fight, and he wasn’t going to oblige the man. “I’d think about getting some new sources, then. They’ve been giving you false information.”

  “It’s funny, though, how not long after the hearing was over, you were shipped away. Isn’t that what cops are good for, covering up for fellow officers?”

  “You’ll want to leave now, Marshall. This is my town and if I don’t like the garbage that’s in it, I throw it out.”

  “Is that a threat, Staff Sergeant, Davis?”

  “That’s a promise.” Vic turned, not looking back, and walked away.

  In his pockets, his hands were tightly balled.

  ***

  Fresh out of the shower, Julia searched her drawers for some clean underwear. She either needed to do laundry more often or buy more clothes. As it was, she was washing three times a week. She really should have packed more of her things. But then again, she’d only been planning on staying a week.

  She nearly jumped out of her skin at the pounding on her door.

  Clutching a fist to her pounding heart, she walked to the door and peeked through the peep hole. She turned the doorknob with a smile. “Well, hello, handsome. You caught me at the right time. Hey!” Vic pushed her inside rather sharply. “Boy, aren’t you an eager beaver.”

  “Pack your things.”

  J
ulia tilted her head at Vic. “What?”

  “Pack your things. You’re moving in with me.”

  She blinked her eyes in sheer astonishment. “Come again?” She watched him move to her dresser and began pulling her things out of the drawer. “Vic, what the hell is going on?”

  “You’re not safe here by yourself. Where is your suitcase?”

  “What do you mean I’m not safe here? Vic, damn it, stop and talk to me.” Julia grabbed his arm, stopping him.

  Vic let out a long breath, ran a hand through his hair and began. “An old enemy of mine is in town. You know that scar on my shoulder? He’s the cause of it.”

  Her heart stopped. Marshall. “What makes you think I’m in danger?”

  “Because he wants revenge against me.”

  “You’re scaring me, Vic.”

  He came to a stop in the center of her room and let out a long breath. “Before I came here I was working on an investigation involving a vicious bastard who was running drugs and a bunch of other nasty illegal stuff I don’t want to get into right now. Long story short. I started seeing the wife of the guy I was investigating. I didn’t know who she was until well into our relationship; by then it was too late. I had finally convinced her to leave him and turn on him and take him down when…she was killed. We couldn’t prove that the hit was given by Marshall—her husband—but I know it was. Except the hit was meant for me. Don’t ask me a lot of questions now, please, Julia. Just get dressed and pack. Please, just trust me,” Vic pleaded.

  Nodding, Julia pulled the suitcase from the closet and set it on the bed. If what he told her was true—and she doubted very much that it wasn’t—that meant Marshall was responsible for her sister’s death. She had suspected as much, but now she had the truth.

  Julia trusted what Vic told her was fact because…she trusted Vic more than she did Marshall.

  Grabbing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, she threw them on while Vic stuffed her clothing in the suitcase. When he reached for the bedside drawer, she stopped him with a nervous laugh. “Girl things.”

  “Sure. I’ll just pull the car closer to the door.”

  “Vic.” He paused, looking back at her. “What about the town? They’ll find out about us if I’m living with you.”

  “Yep, they will.”

  “You don’t care?”

  “Only about you.”

  She stood stunned after he left the room.

  ***

  “Why are we going to Tom and Cassie’s?” Julia asked after they dropped her luggage off at Vic’s, before heading out the door.

  “I need to warn them.”

  “You think he’ll go after them?”

  “He’ll go after anyone he thinks I might care about.” Vic knocked on the back door, not waiting for a response before entering. “We have a problem.”

  “Nice to see you too, Vic. Hi, Julia.” Tom nodded to Julia.

  “Hi, Tom. Sorry for barging in like this,” she excused.

  “I’m used to Vic’s rudeness. Can I take your coat?”

  “Thank you.” She handed him her jacket. “Where are Cassie and Beth?”

  “Cassie just finished bathing and nursing Beth. She should be out as soon as she settles Beth in her crib. What’s up, Vic?”

  “I’d rather wait for Cassie. Got any beer?”

  “Do cows produce milk?” Reaching into the fridge, Tom pulled out two beers. “Julia?”

  “Sure.”

  He grabbed a third. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” Julia took the beer and instantly gulped down several swallows. She was going to need it to keep her nerves from showing.

  “Hey, Vic, Julia. Nice to see you both. Together.” Cassie winked at Vic and smiled at Julia.

  “Um, we’re kinda seeing each other,” Julia said shyly.

  “Oh, I know. I figured it out on my own.”

  “Blah blah, enough of the small talk. We have a problem,” Vic stated, taking a seat in the easy chair in the living room.

  “What’s his deal?” Cassie asked both Tom and Julia.

  “Marshall Kent is in town,” Vic stated firmly.

  “Who?” Cassie asked.

  “The guy who put the hit out on you?”

  “Yeah,” Vic responded to Tom. “And something tells me he wants to finish the job. Julia’s going to be living with me from now on. She’s a sitting duck alone in her hotel room. Which brings me to why I’m here.”

  “Our safety,” Tom said, laying a hand over Cassie’s.

  “Yeah. Pack your things and take a vacation.”

  “No.”

  Vic glared at Tom. “Marshall Kent is big time, Tom. He’ll start where I’m vulnerable. That’s the four of you.”

  “I’m not running away.”

  “Damn it, Tom.” Vic stood, furious. “You have a wife and kid to think about now.”

  “Yes, I do. And I will protect them, but you’re my family, too, and I won’t leave you.” He lifted his hand, stopping Vic. “That’s final.”

  “You’re pissing me off, Tom.”

  Tom walked to Vic, laid a hand on his shoulder. “What goes around comes around. You’ve been pissing me off for years. I’m not leaving you.”

  “Cassie, talk some sense into this fool.”

  She stood up beside her husband. “We’re family and family protects.” She held her hand out to Julia. “Everyone.”

  “Fine,” Vic said, shaking his head. “But I’m putting you all on house arrest.”

  Chapter 20

  Vic called an emergency staff meeting in what had originally been designed for an interrogation room, but was used mostly for storage now. His entire staff sat in chairs brought in from offices, and those that had no chairs leaned against the walls. Vic stood by the door, prepared to make his speech.

  He just hoped by the end of the meeting he still had all of his staff’s respect.

  He cleared his throat and held up the photo he’d printed out. “Marshall Kent,” he began, walking from officer to officer so they could get a look at the photo. “He’s a drug runner with ties to the mob. His main base is out of Ontario, but he travels, not just in Canada, but the U.S. as well, making deals. He is suspected of murdering several informants, but no proof has ever been accumulated to hold him. He’s as slippery as an eel.”

  Vic stopped, looking back at his officers. “He’s here, in Passion.”

  “Is he here on a drug run?”

  Vic shook his head at Officer Jenkins. “No. Well, not that I’m aware of. He’s here for me.” He took a breath. “Nearly a year ago, I was the victim of a drive-by shooting which killed one civilian. The kill was intended for me. A hit had been placed on me by Marshall Kent, after he found out about my involvement with his wife.” He waited, looking from officer to officer, expecting to see disappointment.

  He got nothing.

  “I believe he’s come to Passion to finish the job.”

  “Not on our watch.”

  Vic turned to Max, one of the youngest on his team but also one of his staunchest supporters, and nodded. “I want a round the clock watch on him and his place of residence.”

  “Where is he staying?” Constable Harvey asked.

  “I suspect the hotel. But we’ll find out for sure. How hard can it be to find out where a newcomer is staying in a town where everyone knows everyone else’s business?”

  “We’re good at keeping secrets too,” Millie said with a wink.

  Vic cleared his throat and continued. “We’ll do more patrols of the town, focusing on my block. He’ll want to take out my friends.”

  “The Healy’s will be protected,” Constable Archibald stated.

  Vic nodded at her, relieved to hear the support from his crew. “Julia Wilson will be another target. For the time being, she’ll be staying at my house.”

  “About damn time,” Millie coughed into her hand.

  Vic narrowed his eyes. “What was that, Millie?”

  “Sore throat, Vic. Don’
t mind me.” But she had the rest of the room laughing.

  “Okay, so apparently the joke’s on me. How long have you all known about Julia and me?”

  “How long’s she been in town again?” Millie inquired with a smile.

  Vic shook his head. He should have known better, living in a small town, that his private life wouldn’t stay private. “Now that you’ve all had a good laugh at my expense, let’s get back to business. I want Mr. Kent to know we’re watching him. I want it made known that he isn’t welcome in our town. Pass the word around to the service station, restaurants, bars, everywhere. Let’s make his stay here very unpleasant, but remember,” Vic said more seriously, “he is dangerous. So watch your backs. Now, if anyone wants to talk to me, personally, I’ll be in my office.” Vic left the room, and the instant he was in his office he pulled out a cigarette. He could actually feel the sweat sliding down his back.

  It went better then he’d expected.

  “Finished your little group meeting?”

  Vic froze at the entrance of his office, cigarette dangling from his lips still unlit, glaring at the man sitting on his desk. “Get out of my office, Kent.”

  “Now, Victor, is that any way to treat a tourist?”

  Sliding his jacket to the side, Vic revealed his weapon. “I asked you to leave.”

  Standing, Marshall clucked his tongue. “Such poor hospitality. See you around, Victor. Morning, ma’am.” Marshall winked at Millie when he walked past the front desk.

  “Sir—”

  “Let him go,” Vic said to the officers standing in the hallway. “Archibald, Cunningham, follow him.” Vic stepped into his office, lit his cigarette, and drew in a breath of relief.

  The fucker was not going to get to him this time.

  ***

  “Grip it in both hands.”

  “I have it in both hands.”

  “Grip it harder.”

  “I’ve got it, Vic. Now what?”

  “Do you feel the power?”

  “No, I feel cold steel.”

  Vic let out a long sigh. “You’re holding a deadly weapon, Julia. This isn’t a toy; it’s a gun, and one slip of the finger can do major damage or take a life. Do you feel the power?”