by Kari Lemor
“But still….” She looked around the inside of the car. “I can’t believe you lied to me for over two years. I thought I knew you and now…now I realize I don’t know you at all.”
Those words were worse than anything he could have imagined. A viper coiled inside him, tightening and squeezing, making it difficult to breathe. But he couldn’t blame her. He had lied to her. His life the last few years had been a lie. But he still needed to live it, until they could put Moreno away for good.
“I know and I’m sorry. But the way I feel about you isn’t a lie.”
Her eyes got big. Was that a good sign?
“How do you feel about me?”
He wasn’t ready for full disclosure yet and didn’t think she was either. “I care about you a lot. I told you that. I wasn’t lying when I said it. It’s one of the reasons I actually told you I was a cop. I’m tired of lying to people. I’m ready for this assignment to be over. I never in a million years thought it would take this long to bring one man to justice.”
Her eyes softened. Had he gotten to her? Did she understand? God, he desperately hoped she did. He squeezed her hand again, wanting some reaction from her. She squeezed back. And smiled. The beautiful one she always gave him.
“Kind of a lonely job, huh?”
She had no idea. “You were the one thing that made it tolerable.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Only tolerable? Not pleasant or nice? Just tolerable?”
He chuckled and lifted her hand to his lips. “The parts where I got to see you were very pleasant.”
She rolled her eyes and grinned. “I guess I kind of enjoyed them too.”
“So, you’ll go into protective custody? Tommy is with a cop friend right now. Your brother doesn’t know he’s a cop, but I wanted him safe since I wouldn’t be with him.”
She took in a deep breath then let it out. “What does this entail, this protective custody?”
“We set you and Tommy up in a safe house with someone on duty at all times. It won’t be in Miami. That’s too close to Moreno’s territory. I can try and get someplace nice with a yard and pool.”
“Can I tell anyone?”
He shook his head. “That’s not a good idea. Who do you need to tell? I know you don’t have much in the way of family.”
“I was thinking of Katie at work. If all of a sudden I wasn’t around I know she’d worry. She already mentioned bringing me some casseroles so I wouldn’t have to cook while my arm heals.”
“I don’t think Katie will be a problem. She’s likely to be in the same situation herself soon.”
Tina looked concerned. “What do you mean?”
How much could he divulge? “Katie may be in protective custody herself soon. And away from Moreno and his reach.”
“Did you talk her into testifying? I know she’s as petrified of Moreno as I am though she did tell me I should rat on him.”
“No, I didn’t talk Katie into testifying. She doesn’t even know I’m a cop. The Feds realized she’s privy to a lot of information in the back room and could be helpful.”
“The Feds? How?”
Tina’s eyes lit up and her mouth dropped open. “Mr. Martin? Is he…? That’s why she moved in with him as fast as she did. I knew she wouldn’t shack up with a guy she’d only known a few days. He’s FBI, isn’t he?”
“You figured that out pretty quickly. I hope no one else does. But yeah, he’s an agent who recently started working on the case when Moreno started getting into bigger and badder things.”
“I only figured it out because of what you said. And I know Katie. Her story about Martin didn’t ring true to me, no matter how nice he was to her. But he is going to get her out of this mess, isn’t he?”
“Yup, with Moreno in prison, she doesn’t owe anyone anything anymore.”
“And you’ll go back to your life, right?”
“Sure.” He didn’t know what kind of life that was. He’d been away from it for a long time. If he was lucky maybe he could talk Tina into being part of it.
Her eyes lowered to her lap. “I won’t see you again.”
He started up the car then turned to her. “You’ll still see me plenty. I’ll make sure you get the best care while in protection and we’ll both have to testify. And if you want, we can both restart that life again, in a much better way than before.”
Her head turned slightly and her lips curved up on one side. “Really?”
Dave put the car in gear and patted her arm. “You can count on it.”
* * * *
“Are you sure Moreno doesn’t have people watching the police station to see where the cops go?” Meg’s nerves were frayed at the meeting they were attending today. Most of the officers and agents on the Moreno case would be there.
“It’s a public building.” Chris held the outside door open for her. “There are dozens of businesses in here. And Moreno doesn’t have any association with any of them. It’s why this place was chosen. Plus, it’s Sunday. There aren’t as many people around today.”
Her eyes still darted anxiously looking for anyone she knew from the club who might tell Moreno she’d been here. She followed Chris into the elevator to the top floor then down several hallways to the door at the end.
They walked into a suite of rooms and were led down another hallway to a large conference room. There had to be at least fifty people gathered around talking, sharing files and pointing to bulletin boards with photos on them. Wow, this many people were all working to put Moreno away? Relief washed through her that it might actually happen.
Ever since Chris had recruited her, she’d been hoping Moreno would be busted and put away, but a small part of her had been doubtful it would ever happen. Her time with Chris was great and she could hardly complain about the luxury accommodations she’d enjoyed for the past month. Still, the fear he would give up and walk away leaving her back in her dumpy room living on crackers and rusty water never left her.
He placed his hand on her back guiding her to the center of the room. A tall, trim man with thick, white hair turned to look at them.
“Meg, this is Special Agent Doolittle, the coordinator for this operation. Sir, Meg O’Hara, our cute little spy.”
“Ms. O’Hara, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Doolittle said taking her hand and pumping hard. “Shaunessy here has been saying good things about you and I can tell you the information that’s been coming from your direction has been extremely helpful in filling in some blanks we had about Moreno’s associates. Thank you for your assistance.”
“You’re welcome. Anything I can do to put him away, I will.”
“And we appreciate it. We’ll be starting in about ten minutes, Shaunessy. You might want to touch base with Phil Carter before we begin. He got some interesting conversations from a public meeting Moreno had last week at an outdoor cafe.”
Chris nodded and started to walk away. Was he going to leave her here by herself in the middle of the room? He looked back and cocked his head indicating she should follow him. Had he sensed her panic? They said some people could smell fear. Had he smelled hers? She must be reeking with it right about now. Even though these people were the good guys she’d still been living for over a year under an assumed name. What was the penalty for that? Hopefully her assistance in this case would eliminate any problems with that.
Chris took her elbow and led her to a corner where a bald, heavy set man fiddled with some electronic equipment. He entered into a discussion with the man and she saw him in a different light. No teasing, playful banter just hard facts and serious talk. This was the professional FBI agent in front of her now. Too often she tried to forget that.
Soon the meeting started with Doolittle moving to the front of the room. Chris maneuvered her to a corner to lean against a desk there. She listened intently as the agent doled out information on Moreno and many of his associates. A projector showed pictures of dozens of people and she recognize
d a lot of them from the club. As Doolittle explained who they were and what business they were in, her nerves increased. These guys dealt in some heavy stuff. Who would have thought dough boy was a weapons dealer?
She kept her ears open but checked out the rest of the room and the people in it. Some were in suits but many were in casual clothes. A few looked like warehouse workers. The undercover people? She scanned the room and her breath caught at a familiar face. What? Dave? What was he doing here? He was a bartender at the club.
She quickly ducked behind Chris grabbing his arm. When he looked at her she tilted her chin in the direction of Dave and whispered, “What is he doing here?”
Chris gave her an unconcerned smile then focused back on Doolittle. “He’s Miami PD.”
Miami PD? He was a cop? How the heck did she not know he was a cop? Well obviously he was undercover. Now that she thought about it she recalled Chris saying there were people who had been undercover for a few years. Dave must be one of them. He was supposedly helping Tina while she recovered. Did Tina know?
Okay, so Dave wouldn’t have told her he was undercover but why hadn’t Chris said anything once she’d started working with him? Didn’t he trust her? She swallowed hard at the lump that suddenly threatened to choke her. They’d been living together for a month, heck they’d kissed and petted each other like lovers and he didn’t trust her? The blow sent her reeling and she gripped the edge of the desk so she wouldn’t fall.
Damn, she was stupid. Of course he wouldn’t tell her everything. She was only his informant. He’d certainly emphasized that enough. The only relationship they had was a business one. How had she fooled herself into thinking otherwise?
It couldn’t have been the lovely birthday gifts she’d been given or the romantic candlelight dinner and long walk on the beach a few days ago. Their pretend sex near the shack must have been just that for him, too, though it had rocked her to the core. What about the foot rub and comfort the day of her mom’s birthday? Heck, he even suggested they make a cake for her. Had he done it all so she’d continue this case?
But no, he’d wanted her to pack up and go home when Tina had been hurt. He’d been genuinely concerned for her welfare. Or maybe he didn’t want any guilt if anything happened to her. He’d mentioned going home when he’d seen the bruises on her arms the first week they’d been together. God, what should she think? Did he care at all, or was he merely being cautious about someone he was in charge of? He’d said she was his responsibility. Apparently that’s all she was.
She pushed away from the desk as Doolittle gave the floor up to someone else. “Is there a ladies’ room near here?”
He nodded. “In the hallway to the left.”
She made her way to the door, her head spinning. She found the bathroom and splashed water on her face. What an idiot. How could she be this stupid? She’d been told by Chris that she was his informant. He would treat her with respect. And he had.
She shouldn’t have misinterpreted his actions as more, thinking he actually cared for her. Like she cared for him. Damn it. She’d told herself she wouldn’t do this. Hadn’t she learned anything from her stupid Eddie debacle? Don’t fall for a pretty face. There was no happily ever after there. None here either.
She dried her face determined to go back in there and act professional and detached…like Chris. She stood near the door noticing most people were now clustered in groups talking. He was no longer by the desk so she took a step farther in behind a partition. She finally spotted him across the room but froze when his name was mentioned.
“Looks like Shaunessy’s got himself another stray.”
The voice belonged to a short, dark-haired man wearing a suit. He was with two others in similar attire.
“You got to admire the guy though,” the tallest of the group replied, “he sure knows how to pick them. I wouldn’t mind bringing home a stray that looks like his newest.”
“I’d like to see your wife’s reaction to that,” the third chuckled. “Luckily Shaunessy doesn’t have a wife to object, not that he would ever give in to desires of the flesh while on the job. The man’s a machine.”
“Yeah, you’d think he’d slip up and take a little extra. They’re all willing. He uses that charm to get as much information as possible, whether it’s informants or witnesses. They’re all enthralled with that nice-guy magnetism and give him what he wants.”
“According to him he doesn’t want anything permanent, with witnesses or anyone else. He seems happy being able to choose a new flavor whenever he wants.”
“I’ve tried a lot of flavors in the past,” the first one ruminated, “but I have to tell you once you find the right one you don’t want any other kind. Nothing tastier.”
His smile told her he wasn’t talking about ice cream. She hoped his wife knew how lucky she was. It wasn’t luck overhearing this conversation. It was more evidence that everything between them was strictly business. She wanted to throw up.
“Maybe Shaunessy should give this one a try,” the tall man said. “She looks like the kind that wouldn’t get boring if you had it over and over.”
She appreciated the comment but then they all laughed. “Shaunessy sticking with one flavor, ha. Never happen.”
They laughed again then walked off. She should go find Chris, but right now he was the last person she wanted to see. Did he think she was a fool? Could he see how much she’d grown to care for him or had she managed to hide it? Well, she’d make sure he knew from now on things were only professional between them.
She wasn’t sure how long she stood behind the partition but he eventually found her. “There you are. I thought you might have gotten lost. Ready to go?”
The smile she gave him was forced but he bought it. They entered the empty elevator and she took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me Dave was a cop?”
His sheepish grin turned charming, the one his colleagues had talked about. “I didn’t want you to react any differently to him when you were at work. I did it for you. And to protect Dave. The fewer people who know the better.”
“You didn’t trust me, I get it.”
“Meg,” he placated touching her elbow gently, “Of course I trust you. I wouldn’t have asked you to help me if I didn’t. I’m just doing my job.”
She shook off his grip forcing her smile to go wider. “I know, your job.”
He looked at her again as if he was trying to gage her mood. She merely nodded her head exiting the elevator when the doors opened on the ground floor.
The conversations of the past hour swirled though her mind. Doolittle had talked about how close they were to bringing Moreno in. All indications showed the criminal was building up his empire with some major acquisitions. They calculated everything would come to a head in the next week or so. She couldn’t wait.
To finally be free of her debt and her demeaning job, to be able to see her family and let them know she was all right. It was about time. But most importantly, she would be away from Chris and his charismatic charm. She would convince herself it was all pretend. That her heart wasn’t shattered into a million pieces. Yeah, ‘cause the power of positive thinking had worked so well for her in the past.
Chapter 17
Meg settled the tray on the small bar counter inside the back room. The people there now were extremely important to Moreno. As Chris wasn’t invited in tonight he figured Moreno must be ready to talk some deals. She hoped they allowed her to stick around to perhaps get dates and times. If she was extra friendly they might ask her to. She knew she could count on dough boy for support. He’d always been her biggest fan.
She served the drinks making it a point to lean over him so her breasts brushed against his shoulder. Letting her hand rest on his back for a second longer than normal, she whispered as seductively as she could manage with him, “Anything else I can do for you tonight, Mr. Barone?”
“Oh, honey, there are lots of things you can do for me,�
�� he drawled, his eyes travelling over her legs and up to her chest. “But for now I need to concentrate on these cards. Why don’t you sit on that stool and let me keep my eyes on you.”
She glanced at Moreno who gave a tiny nod of acceptance so she took the few steps to the counter and leaned against it. Her long legs were exposed and Barone had a clear view of her ass. Hitching one hip onto the stool, she started doodling on her napkin. The little cartoon sketch of a dough boy could easily hide some of the shorthand notes inside it.
Within ten minutes of the cards being dealt they completely ignored the fact she was there and began discussing some big shipment of guns that was coming in through the Keys in a few days and being trucked to a warehouse near the bay. They mentioned dates and times for a few other transactions and she made sure she got everything scribbled onto her napkin. But they hadn’t actually given any exact locations. She knew this was imperative or the other information would be useless.
Barone threw down his cards and sighed as he lost yet another hand. It was typical but he seemed more upset this time. “I need something a bit more stimulating to distract me while I play,” he whined gazing at Meg lustfully. “Perhaps you would sit over near me, darlin’ and keep me from thinking about how much I’m losing.”
She tucked the napkin under her tray and moved the stool right up next to Barone. Leaning her bottom against it, she smiled as sweetly as she could at the fat man. “Whatever you’d like, Mr. Barone.”
“You don’t usually give me what I’d really like, Katie darlin’,” he purred as his beefy hand reached out skimming down her leg. It slid back up. She kept smiling, knowing it could be worse. And it got worse as Barone cupped her backside squeezing a few times in between looking at his cards.
The others had started discussing business again and Moreno was explaining to his associates the precautions he’d taken at the warehouses for security. She tried to take it all in knowing she couldn’t write it down sitting where she was, but she had to seem like she wasn’t paying any attention to them.