by Stark, Cindy
“Yeah. Apparently, she shot and killed Castell when he tried to attack her again.”
Clark’s throat constricted. He nodded because he couldn’t speak, and Noah took his gesture as an encouragement to leave.
Clark stood in his doorway for a long-drawn out moment as images of his bleak future flashed through his mind.
Hardy would kill him. There was no doubt. Failure on Paul’s part was his death sentence.
The bureau wouldn’t protect him. With Paul dead and guilty, it would only be a matter of time before Holden followed the trail back to him. He’d already been suspicious of someone in the department. Sam would figure out who had tipped off the captain. It might take him some time, but already he would be working it out in his head.
Clark’s expiration date was up. He had his choices. Die in a shithole when Hardy’s men found him. Let Holden arrest him and take his chances in jail.
Or go out his way.
He left the pieces of the coffee mug lying on the floor as he returned to his office and shut the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The sun had long since set when Sam ushered Janie into his downtown apartment. “I’ve wanted to show you my place for a long time,” he said, tugging her inside and closing the door.
Golden walls offset the chocolate and turquoise décor, giving the place a feel of comfortable elegance. Immediate warmth engulfed her. Where the safe house had always seemed cool and spacious, this was cozy and inviting. “I love it,” she said, turning to get the full view.
Sam carried her suitcases down the hall, and she followed him into an oversized bedroom that had more of the same colors. A picture of Sam when he was younger accompanied by a girl close to his age sat on the dresser. A large seaside painting hung on the wall. His closet doors stood agape with a pile of discarded clothing on the floor in front of them.
It seemed her Sam could be a bit messy.
“Is this my room?” she asked.
“Uh…” He laid her suitcase on the bed and approached her, taking her hands. “Actually, I was hoping this could be our room. I do have another bedroom, but I told Christian he could stay in it for a while. His apartment above the bar won’t be habitable until it’s repaired, and I need to get a cleaning company in the house before anyone will want to stay there again. If you’re not willing to share, I’ll be on the couch.” He sent her a hopeful smile that warmed her from the inside out.
She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. “You talked to him, then? He’s okay?”
He tilted her chin up, lowering his lips to hers for a smoldering kiss. “Not as okay as this, but he’ll survive. I talked to him while they were questioning you. It seems someone set off a pipe bomb outside his back door. Unfortunately, there were enough cardboard boxes stacked inside the door to create a nice fire hazard.”
“Paul?” she whispered. As much as she’d tried to avoid it, he’d hurt one of her friends anyway.
“Someone working with him.”
“Do you know who?”
A troubled look crossed his face. “Probably.” He inhaled, before blowing out a tired breath. “Not long after word reached the station about what had gone down between you and Paul, one of our guys in investigations, a guy named Clark Dyer, went into his office and…killed himself.”
Janie widened her eyes in shock. “What?”
Sam nodded. “As you know, we’ve had some issues in the department for a while now. Internal Affairs has been investigating, but hasn’t been able to figure out who. Unless there’s some other reason for him to off himself, I’m guessing he figured Paul’s trail would lead to him. We’ll obviously do more investigating to determine if that’s what happened, but that’s the only thing that makes sense.” He snorted. “When my boss called me in today, he knew about you. Someone had figured out you were with me and told my captain. I think the whole thing was a well-devised plot to get Christian out of the house and keep me at the station.”
“And that bad cop of yours helped?”
“The tip my boss received was anonymous, but I’m sure, in time, we’ll be able to pinpoint where it came from, especially since Clark left a literal smoking gun.”
The thought sobered her. “Two people died today.”
“I know.” His sentiment echoed hers. “But you need to remember what I told you about it being their choices that caused this, not ours.”
She traced a finger down his cheek and across his jaw line. “I thought of that when Paul broke down the door. It’s what helped me pull the trigger.”
He seemed pleased by that. “Good, because it’s true. There are plenty of officers across the nation who have to deal with the same principle. Most cops don’t want to take a life, but they’ll do it when necessary. But it’s not their actions that cause it. There are a lot of really bad guys out there, and some of us are willing to do what it takes to protect the rest. I’m sure it’s not that different for soldiers.”
She lifted on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thanks for that. From me and all the others you protect.”
He took her soft kiss and added heat until passion ignited inside her. She laughed and pushed him back onto the bed. He growled as he grabbed for her and pulled her down with him. “You haven’t answered my question yet. Am I in here or on the couch?”
“Here,” she said with a playful laugh.
“Forever?” he asked, his gaze suddenly serious.
The laughter faded inside her, replaced by a tightening around her heart. “What are you asking? She held her breath as she waited for his response.
He rolled them over, pinning her to the bed. He pushed the hair from her face, searching her with his intense brown eyes. “I love you, Janie,” he said softly. “I want you to stay with me forever. Will you marry me?”
She couldn’t breathe. In the past, she’d always thought when she found the love of her life, the moment would be lighthearted and fun. But this powerful emotion plunged far deeper than that, cutting her to the core. She held it, tested it, and suddenly, a bright warmth bubbled from deep inside. The love she felt was good and strong, and nothing like she’d experienced before.
This was real.
She smiled, tears gathering in her eyes. “Yes, Sam. I will marry you.”
His lips split apart in a wide grin, and then he claimed her with a passionate kiss.
An hour later, Janie lay curled against Sam’s warm, hard body, safe and cherished, an amazing feeling she’d thought she’d never experience. The doorbell rang, and Sam groaned. “It’s probably Christian. He doesn’t have a key.” Sam rolled away from her, and she missed him immediately.
He slipped into a pair of jeans and hurried to answer the door. She donned her clothes as well, wanting to see for herself that Christian was okay.
“How’s the pub,” she asked as Sam closed the door behind Christian.
Fatigue lined the corners of Christian’s eyes and mouth. “It’s all fucked up.” He sighed. “But salvageable with some money and work.”
Janie stepped forward and put her hand on his arm. “I feel terribly responsible for this, you know.”
He shook his head. “Not your fault. When I joined this group, I knew it came with risks.” He smiled then. “You’re well worth the trouble.”
Emotion curled inside her. They might not be related, but she realized she’d found her family. Nicole and Xander were part of that group as well. “I have some money I’ve saved, and I want you to have it. I can help clean the smoke and water damage, too.”
“Me, too,” Sam added. “Whatever you need, buddy.”
Christian’s shoulders sagged as though he’d been relieved of an overwhelming weight. “I don’t need the money. Insurance will cover it. But I may take you up on the hard labor part.”
Janie grinned. “Absolutely.” She wouldn’t mind working beside these two men she’d grown to love.
“Thanks. Right now, I’m taking a shower and going to bed. Today’s
been a real bitch, if you know what I mean.” He lugged a bag over his shoulder and headed for the spare bedroom.
Janie turned to Sam, and he pulled her into his arms. “What do you think about me volunteering to cook at an abused women’s shelter?” she asked.
“I like it.” He hugged her tighter. “I’m sure the shelter staff along with the women and children would love it.”
“Yeah. Nothing like a good meal to help a person feel loved.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “You’re my inspiration.”
He chuckled. “How’s that?”
“You’re willing to give so much to others. I want to do the same.”
“Hmm…” His voice teased her.
“What?”
“You could start now.”
She smiled, still getting used to the warm feeling floating inside her. “Are you looking for volunteers?”
“Absolutely. If you really want to help, you could start with this.” He framed her face, kissing her until she was breathless.
She laughed as he led her toward the bedroom. “Sam?” she whispered when she was safely tucked into his arms.
“Yes?”
“If this is as good as it gets, I’ll be happy the rest of my days.”
“Me, too.”
She held him tight and let him love her. Forever.
The End
Excerpt From Sweet Vengeance
Chapter One
She was nineteen and pregnant.
Could things get any better? Allie Jordan didn't think so. Excitement bubbled in her like the fizzy Coke she held in her hand while she waited outside the local bowling alley after finishing her shift. She watched for her boyfriend's face among the few stragglers who walked Chicago's darkened west-side streets.
Sure, her friends thought she was crazy for wanting a baby and a family right out of high school, but they didn't know lonely like she did. They had families who waited for them to come home. Allie was lucky her aunt still let her crash on the rotted couch in the basement. She desperately wanted someone she could love forever. Now, she'd found him.
Half the marquee lights above her were burned out, leaving a soft, protective glow around her. The summer temperatures had come early in May, giving warmth to the evening and coaxing the hoodlums out of their hangouts. Being out alone in that part of town was not for outsiders, but this was her small section of the city. She knew how to avoid the dangers. Besides, nobody messed with Joey Pagano's girlfriend.
She took a sip of Coke and rocked on her heels in anticipation. Once she told Joey about the baby, she knew he'd want to get married. Then she'd finally have the family she longed for. An odd kind of energy swirled around her, and Allie knew this was a night she'd remember forever.
Her heart rate jumped when Joey came in to view as he hurried toward her, his dark hair and jacket making him seem part of the night. "You're late again.” Allie wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his. His breaths were quick and deep from exertion, but he was there, and everything was perfect. The world lay at her feet, and she couldn't wait to grab it and run. "Someday—"
"Allie, stop."
The fear in his voice surprised her. Her happy mood dropped like a block of cement in the nearby Chicago River. When she looked closer, she realized he had a black eye and his beautiful lip was cut, leaving a bit of dried blood on his mouth. His injuries struck a chord of fear that had long been dormant inside her. "What's wrong?"
She'd never seen him with his dark eyes so full of anxiety. "We've got to get out of here," he said. "I'll take you home. You need to stay inside your aunt's house as much as possible. I don't think anybody will mess with you there.” He pulled her along the street into a deserted alley, tugging her harder and harder until they were nearly running.
"What do you mean, nobody will mess with me? The sound of their feet smacking the pavement echoed around them, leaving the other noises behind. "Is somebody messing with you? Is it Benny? Anything that was bad, wrong or dangerous in Joey's life was because of Benny Trasatti.
Joey didn't answer.
He slowed as the eerie darkness enveloped them, allowing her to catch her breath. A cat dashed behind one of the few parked cars on the deserted street.
"You're not talking to me. Why won't you tell me what's happened? Couldn't he see she was freaking out?
"I can't right now. Just—don't worry. Everything's cool."
They reached the end of the alley, and she wanted answers. She dug in her heels and forced him to a stop in front of Newman's Jewelry store, the place she'd intended to tell him about the baby. She'd dreamed about it all day. On their way home, she'd tell him her news. He'd propose. They'd look at rings, and her future would be set.
"Joey, please. I love you. Tell me what's wrong. Who hit you? Are you in danger? She gestured with her hands, her fingers spread wide in frustration. "Please, I can't stand this."
Joey glanced in both directions before pulling her into his warm embrace. "It's fine. Just a little misunderstanding with the boys."
The boys. The term he'd given to Benny and his delinquent friends. The same boys who had deep family connections to the mob. Benny, himself, was the grandson of a notorious mob boss. And this was supposed to reassure her? "You know those boys are trouble. I wish you'd stay away from them."
He pressed his warm, firm lips to hers. "It's no big deal. As soon as I give 'em what they want, they'll be happy."
His words sobered her. "What do they want? She recognized the threat to her future happiness. Benny dealt in drugs and guns, so it was pretty obvious he wasn't asking for Joey's lunch money.
"Nothing you need to worry about.” He tried to kiss her again, but she refused to be distracted.
"You need to stay away from them, Joey. You're going to get hurt."
"Don't go losing sleep over this. Nobody's going to get hurt.” He seemed to relax. "I've got everything under control.” He touched the top of her breast where a fresh tattoo lay hidden beneath her bra. "Remember this.” He put his palm over his own chest where he had an almost identical tattoo. "This means we love each other, and we'll always be together."
She let him pull her close this time, needing to feel the strength and security he offered. Maybe she should tell him about the baby now. It wasn't exactly the romantic declaration she'd dreamed of, but it might be enough to convince him to leave the life of crime he seemed determined to claim.
Allie snuggled next to his warm body as a passing car's headlights illuminated them against the jewelry store. Beyond Joey's shoulder lay the cutest gold band. The ring she hoped he'd buy her once she told him about the baby. "Joey, I think we should move away from Chicago. Let's pack up and go. Forget about what your boys want. We could leave tonight. My aunt's pissed at me, anyway."
She glanced up at his face, ignoring the stab of hurt she felt because he wasn't focused on her. She placed a hand on his cheek, trying to turn his face. "You can go to school, and I can get a job anywhere."
Joey's gaze followed the car before he returned his attention to her. "Easier said than done, Allie. You know things aren't that simple. Besides, if this works out the way I want it to, I won't have to worry about an education. We'll be set for life."
Allie's defenses went on high alert. It scared her to think about what he might be involved in. If it would take care of them for life, it had to be big, which also meant dangerous. "But—"
He sighed and looped his arm around her neck, pulling her head close to his. "I've told you before, Al. I'm not the college type.” He kissed her, sending shivers to her core. "You don't need to worry about this thing with Benny's family. It's all good. I can handle myself."
Joey, handling a mob boss? A small breeze rustled down the sidewalk, sending her long hair skittering across her cheek. Now was her chance. It was time to tilt the world on its axis and make it spin in her direction. "Joey.” She pulled back so she could catch his expression. "I have something wonderful to tell y
ou. I—"
"Shit.” Joey shoved her against the jewelry store, the rough brick scraping her jacket as he turned away.
"Hey.” His actions caught her off guard, and it took her a moment to realize he'd positioned himself between her and another set of oncoming headlights. "Joey?" she whispered, her voice stumbling over the syllables as she watched him pull a gun from the back of his waistband. Oh God. No.
"Get down.” The force of his words was meant to set her in motion, but she froze as someone in an old green sedan lowered its passenger window and two shots exploded.
Everything became distorted. Time sped up, and yet moved at a snail's pace.
Before she could react, pain ripped across her arm as Joey knocked her down. She grunted as they landed hard on the sidewalk, Joey covering her for protection. Tires squealed away from them, and then all was quiet again.
"Oh my God, Joey!” Her heartbeat went from zero to ninety in the space of a second. "We need to get out of here.” She waited for him to move, to take her to safety, but he seemed as frozen from terror as she was. "Come on. They might come back."
Fear sluiced through her as Allie tried to move from beneath him. "Joey, come on.” Hot tears puddled in her eyes. She pushed against his arm. Something wasn't right. He was too heavy, too lifeless. If she didn't get help soon, he would die.
With a panic-filled shove, she managed to free herself. Joey's beautiful face lay against the cold sidewalk, his features relaxed. She lifted a hand to clear her eyes, but the action only made things worse. She swiped and swiped with shaky fingers, but couldn't get a grip on reality.
"Joey? Her lips trembled as she put a hand to his face. "Please, Joey.” She leaned her head close to his, hoping to hear a breath or a whispered word. "We're going to have a baby. We need you.” If anything would wake him up, that would. "I would have told you yesterday.” Her words broke off on a sob. "I wanted this to be special."