“The healing process is different for everyone. You will probably be overprotective for the rest of your life. If you and Jax are honest with Raven and me, then we know the risk. We won’t take stupid chances. Information is key. I never knew you sang, you have such a beautiful voice.” I change the subject to something lighter.
“I haven’t sung since my son died, at least, until last night. You’re putting me back together, one shattered piece at a time. For the first time in years, I have hope.”
“There is always hope, Max. First, you have to stop living to die and live to live. You need to realize that there are many people who love and respect you. You have been surrounded by so much love, but your heart has been closed to it all.”
We sit in silence for a while. “Max, I would like to talk to Jax about setting up the school we spoke about. I realize I’m not going back to my job, and I need to do something.”
“I have some questions for you; turnabout is fair play. What do you know about Sammy? I will admit, when Jax called me from your home, I pulled a file on him. I want to know what’s not on paper, how you feel about him, and his partner.”
“Sammy is very loyal to my family. I do know his partner, Ian, has agreed to move here. I’m very comfortable with him. He doesn’t get along with my brother, Dylan, but in his defense, no one does.”
“Are you close to your brother?”
“No. I tolerate him, at best. There is a large age difference, and he has been in love with Raven from the first day I brought her home. It’s very awkward.”
I lean in and kiss him softly. “What is it, Max, tell me what has you so twisted up inside?”
“I’m thinking of semi-retirement.”
I see something in him, something beyond fear—I see hope. “Why would you want to do that, give up control? I thought you enjoyed what you’re doing, making order out of chaos.”
“I don’t think I can go out in the field anymore. I’m not one hundred percent, and in my line of work, that could cost lives. The past six months, I’ve learned so much from you and Raven. All of this is just materialistic stuff, and if it went away tomorrow, it wouldn’t really matter. I want to take a back seat and do more behind the scenes stuff. I’m ready to come back to the land of the living, and I want to start and end my days with you.”
“Max, whatever your decision, I will support it.”
He pulls me close to him and seems to be relishing in the peace he’s newly found in life . . . with me.
THE LONG WALK ON the beach is wonderful, but my wife is tired. I scoop her up in my arms and carry her the rest of the way.
“Jax, I can walk.”
I kiss her forehead and she nuzzles into my chest. By the time we reach the house, she is out cold. I put her to bed and decide to call Max. I want to check on Rose before Raven wakes up.
“Hey, Max, how’s everything going?”
“Why are you calling me? Shouldn’t you be spending quality time with your wife?”
“Relax, mate. She’s sleeping, I wanted to check on Rose and I have questions that I want answers to before Monday.”
“Well, Jackie just went next door to visit with Rose, so ask away.”
“Okay, let’s start with this one. Do you think Vincent knows that Rose is alive?”
“No, I don’t. I think if he knew, he would do everything he could to get to her. His obsession with her was sick and twisted.”
“Do you think he will turn state’s evidence?”
“Yeah, I do. What worries me is Raven is the only living person who witnessed Vincent shoot Antonio. I’ve been trying to find the video that Raven told us about, but no luck. The statute of limitations for kidnapping in D.C. is six years, but there is no limitation on first-degree murder of a federal agent. Joseph left more questions than answers.”
“What do you mean? What kind of questions?”
“Well, like why he didn’t go after Vincent once he had Rose and Raven back. He was always preaching about following the rules and the laws, yet, he did none of it. The only thing I can figure is, Vincent’s reach is far beyond what Joseph led us to believe.”
“Max, do you think it would be better or worse if he turned state’s evidence?”
“It would depend what kind of deal he gets. The best thing would be if he turned and received maximum jail time. Both D.C. and New York do not have the death penalty. If he does turn, it could incite a mob war. We will have our hands full, for quite some time.”
“What about Duke?”
“He’ll probably get life without parole, unless they can prove mental incompetence.”
“Max, I’m worried about a trial. There will be a media circus, and rival families to think about. Who’s been running his business while he’s been in a coma?”
“From what I’ve heard, Vincent’s consigliore has been running things. Vincent also relies heavily on Annabelle, which is unusual.”
“Maybe it wasn’t the best thing that I brought Rose back here.”
“Jax, if someone were to dig hard enough, they would have found her. Joseph never even changed her name! Honestly, he was too emotionally invested to think everything through.”
“How long do you think we can keep Rose’s identity secret?”
“I honestly don’t know, but as long as everyone co-operates, we have a fighting chance.”
“How is everything going with you and Jackie?”
“Everything is good. Really good, actually. She’s willing to try and so am I. Just need to take baby steps, something you know nothing about, mate. What happened with the gifts?”
“Fuck, Max, I’m not in the doghouse. I really thought she was going to flip out and tear me a new one, but she surprised me.”
“Did you confess everything?”
“Yep, even when I purchased the island.”
“Really, and when was that?”
I’m never going to live this one down. “When I tented the building. Stop laughing. I even told her about the houses that are going up on the island and how Mrs. Osla, is overseeing the project.”
“Wow, you really did confess everything. How is she feeling?”
“She won’t say it, but I know she is scared about Monday. I would feel better if Mick also stayed with Rose, on Monday. He’s a good guy, and we all trust him. I think it would make Raven feel better, too.”
“That’s fine with me. I’m going next door. Let Raven know all is well here, and I will see you soon.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I’M THINKING THAT ISLAND is sounding better by the minute. Maybe Jax isn’t completely off his rocker. Jackie and Rose are watching some mindless television show and Sammy is on the computer.
“Hey, Max, glad you’re here. There’s some stuff I want to go over with you.”
“Why don’t we go in Jax’s office; it’s quiet back there.” I lead the way.
“Okay, Sammy, what’s up?”
“Are you planning for Jackie to go to court with you on Monday?”
“As much as I want her stuck to me like glue, I know she can’t be in the room with me when I’m giving my deposition. I was thinking Rose and Jackie could stay here. I will have Mick stay with them, along with an additional security team. I would like it if you stood here with them, too. This place is secure, and the lift has a private key and code.”
“Good, I was thinking the same thing. There is no reason for them to leave here.”
“Sammy, tell me everything you know about the situation with Raven, so I can bring you up to speed.”
“Well, I know about Raven’s father. I know who Rose really is. I know how sick Vincent is. I know that Duke probably snapped, and that Vincent is throwing him under the bus. I did find out that Vincent has some pretty heavy political friends, which will probably help him with a deal. I heard through the grapevine that the Feds are talking a deal. I also found out that Annabelle had one husband and two lovers that all died under mysterious circumstances.”
“H
ow do you know about Rose?”
“Max, the Chief called and he told me that he spoke to you. So, you know I still work for MI6. He told me about Rose, he wasn’t going to let me go in here without full disclosure. You know I’ve been a guard with the Gerhard family for ten years. I can tell you that Gerhard is a hard, but fair man. He has a way of bringing people to the table. The government wants him and his family safe at all cost. I did some digging around and I heard the Feds were probably going to cut a deal with Vincent. Let’s face it, they would be crazy not to. When Raven was seven, Vincent kidnapped her. This was the catalyst for everything.”
“Sammy, what you don’t know is Vincent videotaped everything that happened in that warehouse. Somewhere, there is a video of Vincent shooting his brother, a federal agent, to death. If we can find that video, it could prove murder. Right now, all we have is Vincent, saying he shot me in self-defense. The memory, from twenty years ago, when Raven was a traumatized seven-year-old, is not going to get Vincent convicted. Raven is the only living person who witnessed the murder. Rose watched the videotape, which is why we know it exists. Vincent is claiming that Duke kidnapped Raven, and that he had no idea she was being held against her will. With out that tape it’s a he said, she said, and no evidence to back it up.”
“Max, so what you’re saying is, without that tape, he is practically a free man. How long do you think you can keep Rose under wraps?”
“I honestly don’t know. I don’t know why Joseph didn’t change her name twenty years ago. Even if Rose came forward, she only saw a tape, a tape that we can’t find.”
“If we can find it, the best thing might be to leak it to the rival families that Vincent is turning; they will do the cleanup work for us.”
“I thought of that, but then, what about Annabelle?”
“So we have until Monday morning to find that tape.”
“Yeah, and trust me when I say, I’ve been trying.”
“Well, I would bet that someone as sick as Vincent, would keep that tape pretty close to him, at all times. We need to get into his compound and find it before Monday.”
“Keep in mind, if we obtain it illegally, then it can’t be used in court.”
“Max, you know there is always a way around everything. I’m going to make some calls, if I need to leave, I will give you a heads up.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to collect Jackie, and go back next door.”
When I get back into the living room, the ladies are laughing and chatting. It’s good to see normal when we haven’t had that in such a long time. “What are you ladies watching that has you laughing so much?”
“Rose never saw Friends, so I introduced her to Netflix and live streaming.”
I keep forgetting all the simple things we take for granted that Rose doesn’t know anything about.
Rose gets up and heads towards me, taking ahold of my arm. “Maxwell, please sit. I have some questions for you.”
“I don’t know that I’ll have any answers, ma’am, but I will try.”
“I would like to know what the plan is for Monday. You want me to stay here, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am, I would like you and Jackie to stay here with Sammy and Mick. I need to know that you’re both safe. I am trying to keep your existence under wraps for as long as possible.”
“Will Vincent stand trial for any of his crimes?”
“Unless we can find the videotape that you wrote about, in the journal, then I doubt it.”
She gasp, her face registering her fear. “How do you know about the journal?”
Oh no . . . I didn’t realize she didn’t know. “When Vincent kidnapped Raven, he gave her the journal to read. I’m sorry. I thought you knew all of this.”
She begins to shake. “When d-did Vincent kidnap Raven? Oh my God, did he . . .”
I stop her before she continues. “Rose, he never touched her, I promise. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.” I pull her into my arms. Oh fuck . . . she’s shaking so bad. Oh my God, what have I done?
“Maxwell, so much is being kept from me. I’m a lot stronger than you think. I agreed to Raven’s adoption to keep her safe. I would do anything for my daughter, even if it meant giving her up. Joseph looked for that tape for years. I’m not sure if he ever found it. Did you go through his private safe? If he did find it, he would have put it in there.”
“I only met Joseph right after Raven was kidnapped. I don’t know anything about his personal belongings, or where they would be.”
“He had a cabin that belonged to his great-grandfather. Antonio and Joseph would go fishing there one weekend a month. I don’t think they ever caught any fish. It was more to unwind. Before you even ask the question, yes, I know where it is. Raven owns the place. Joseph had no family, and when Antonio made him godfather, he put the cabin in Raven’s name.”
I’m shocked, “When I pulled a report on Raven, it didn’t show that she owned anything.”
“It’s under Josephina Giaconna, not Cara Giaconna, or Raven Anderson. He probably never switched it. Maybe the answers you seek are there.”
Sammy comes in the room, “Rose, where is the cabin?”
“It’s in a small Virginia town called, Old Rag. It’s about an hour and a half from DC.”
I grab my phone and call Tony, “Hey, I need you to access all records for a Josephina Giaconna. I’m looking for real estate in Virginia. Send me the coordinates now, and get the jet ready. When we land, have a chopper ready to go. Tony, be on standby, I need to call Jax.”
Sammy is about to grab my arm, but Jackie stops him. “He’s in Max mode, let him be.”
I hang up with Tony, and quickly call Jax. “Jax, I need to talk to Raven. We might have a lead on the tape, and only God knows what else.”
“Slow down, mate. Tell me everything.” I bring him up to speed on everything that we found out.
“Max, I will call the attorney and make sure it still legally belongs to Raven. I will have Tony coordinate anything that Raven needs to sign for the state, and have it sent it here. Physically, are you one-hundred percent able to do this?”
“Yes, and I will have Sammy with me.”
“Double up security on Rose and Jackie. I will call Mick and have him head over there now. Max, am I on speaker?”
“No, what’s wrong?”
“Head into my office and close the door.”
Fuck, what else . . . “Okay, what do you want to tell me that you don’t want anyone else to hear?”
He’s quiet for a second. “When Raven and I went to Switzerland, I had the walk-in closet converted into a panic room. I didn’t tell Raven yet, because she’s been so emotional. Flip the light switch, next to the closet, and the door unlocks. Open the door and you’ll see a number pad. The code is violet. You need to show this to Jackie and Rose. Everything they need to survive, for two weeks, is in there. Max, are you there?”
“I’m here. Just shocked and proud of you.”
“Really, why?”
“Shocked that you pulled this off without anyone knowing, and proud that you did it. I’m taking Sammy with me. He knows who Rose is, Jax. It has to do with Gerhard, he’s a powerful man, and his safety is priority one. I’ve got to run, I’ll get the girls set up and call you when we land.”
I head back into the living room and instantly see the fear in Jackie’s eyes. I know what she’s thinking, and I have to reassure her. She fights her tears back as I walk up to her. “Hush, baby, none of that. I’ll be okay. It’s nothing like the last time.”
“Max, the last time I let you walk out that door, it nearly killed both of us.”
“I’m not alone, baby. Sammy’s got my back. I promise, I’ll come back to you. I need you to be strong for my sake and for Rose’s.”
She walks up to Sammy, and grabs his shirt. “So help me, Sammy, you better bring him back to me in one piece, or there will be hell to pay!”
I pull her away from Sammy, and kiss her hard. With that, we’re ou
t the door.
I SIT ON THE deck watching the waves, wondering if this will ever end. That island is looking better and better. A text comes through from Tony, letting me know there are papers that Raven needs to sign, and that he’s faxing them now. I turn around and she’s standing in the doorway, watching me.
“What’s going on, Jax?”
I open my arms and she crawls into my lap. “Apparently, you own a cabin in Virginia. Your mum said Joseph put it in your name when your parent’s made him your godfather. The reason we didn’t know about it is because it was in the name of Josephina Giaconna. Legally, you still own it, and I have some papers you need to sign. Max and Sammy are on their way down there to see what they can find before court on Monday.”
“What are they trying to find?”
“The videotape that your mum spoke of. It could be the key to putting Vincent away for life. You’re the only living witness to your father’s murder. That puts you in a world of danger, sweetheart. ” I hold her closer. I’m so worried for her safety and our baby’s. A few minutes go by and I suddenly remember another tape that Tony had transferred for Raven and her mum. “Sweetheart, why haven’t you watched the tape that Joseph left you?”
“I don’t know if I’m emotionally ready.”
“Have you told your mum yet that your dad left her a tape?”
“No, I was afraid to give her too much all at once. I was going to ask her therapist about it.”
“I think, when we get back, you should at least tell her about it. It might be helpful for her.
I better tell her about the panic room before she finds out on her own. “I have a confession to make.” Her eyes grow large, and she’s tugging that ear.
“Go on, I’m ready.”
“I had the closet in the office removed and a panic room installed. Jackie and your mum have been instructed on how to use it. I had it installed when we were in Switzerland. I needed some peace of mind,” I admit. “Please don’t be mad. I like order and organization. I never had to deal with so much crazy shit all at once. I felt better knowing it was there, in case we ever needed it.”
Darkness into Dawn (The Unraveled Trilogy Book 2) Page 22