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Only You [Red Hook, Texas 5] (Siren Publishing Classic)

Page 13

by Lee Rose


  Noah listened and agreed with Matt as he watched the window repairmen fix the window of the restaurant. Ray was talking to one of the men. “I want him just as bad, Tony. He had been on my shit list for some time. This gives me a good excuse to kick his ass. I am pissed he has been involved in all of this right under our noses.”

  Tony scanned the area, but he didn’t see John anywhere. Most people were going on about their business. A few were watching what was going on. Carlos Garcia was talking to George Murray, who owned the barbershop across the street. He shook the man’s hand and crossed the street. He walked up to Noah.

  “George has a camera pointing to the street. He thinks he might have footage of what happened here. He opened up at eight and he called it in.”

  “Awesome.” Noah sighed. “We know it had to be John, but having proof would be good.”

  “Why throw a brick through the window? He knew they were not open and Alicia would not be here.” Matt looked thoughtful.

  “Maybe he just wanted to scare her and let her know he was still around,” Tony guessed. He wanted to head home and be with Alicia. He had a bad feeling in his gut about this whole situation. He wanted John out of the way and he wanted to concentrate on starting his new life with her. A bad feeling was bubbling in his gut, but he didn’t know why. She was safe in his house. Maybe it was because he had never been in love before and he wanted to wrap her in bubble wrap. When he lost his mother, he had not wanted to feel the deep pain of loss again. He stayed away from anything emotional.

  Matt looked around at the crowds slowly disappearing. The excitement had died down. Ray and his father were inside cleaning up the glass. Mrs. Garcia was at home with Alana and the baby.

  “What are you thinking?” Tony asked his brother, who was standing quietly, lost in his thoughts.

  Matt sighed. “What if he was watching and waiting for a chance to get Alicia alone? He must have seen you two leave Alana’s house together. What if this was a setup to get us out of the house?”

  Tony frowned and his stomach tightened up with tension. Before he could put two thoughts together, his phone alarm let off a loud shrill. “The house alarm.”

  His brother’s eyes widened with shock and Noah looked at both of them with curiosity.

  “He is at our house with the girls,” Tony yelled out loudly. He ran for the truck with his brother. He knew Noah would catch up. His heart was thumping so loudly and his hands were shaking. Please, God, don’t take her from me.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Alicia had just closed her eyes in an effort to get herself to relax. Holly was making tea in the kitchen. Alicia was dozing off when she heard glass shatter. She quickly sat up, wincing when her side started hurting. The alarm let off a loud ring that was hurting to her ears.

  “Alicia?” Holly ran in looking pale and shaken. She looked at the broken window and gasped. “We have to hide. Let’s go to the panic room. Matt has weapons everywhere.”

  Alicia nodded and followed Holly to the back of the house as fast as she could. She could not see anyone on the porch, but she instinctively knew it had to be John.

  Holly reached a door Alicia had seen but assumed it was a closet. Holly was punching in a code when Alicia felt a hand over her mouth. She made enough noise for Holly to turn around.

  Her eyes got big when she recognized John with his mouth over Alicia’s mouth.

  “John,” Holly said in a shaky voice. Her wide blue eyes were filled with apprehension. “You don’t want to hurt Alicia.”

  He shook his head. Alicia saw the gun in his hand and her heart sank. She’d finally found the love she had always craved and now this had to happen.

  “I don’t plan on hurting her, Holly.” He sounded sincere and Alicia hoped he was. She had no desire to die. “I’m leaving the country, but I had to see Alicia one more time.”

  He let go of her mouth and she turned to look at him. Alicia knew it probably wasn’t wise to get an attitude with a man holding a gun, but she couldn’t act meek and mild.

  “Why, John? Why not just escape?” She was curious as to what his motive was. He had proved over and over he had no real feelings for her.

  “This whole clusterfuck of a situation got out of hand so fast,” he explained, looking remorseful. Alicia blocked Holly with her body. No way was she letting her friend get hurt. “When Novak approached me with his deal last summer, I jumped at the chance to make some quick money. I never signed up for violence.”

  “Violence always comes with drugs, John.” Alicia could hear the sadness in Holly’s voice and silently agreed with her. Janice had died because of drugs. Her family was in mourning.

  “Novak kidnapped me. You had to know he was a bad person,” Holly added.

  John sighed. He still had the gun in his hand, but it was pointing toward the floor. Alicia still felt nervous and just wanted him to leave. “I planned to make some quick cash, sell the bar, and disappear all along. That mess with Janice was unexpected.”

  “Were you going to let Novak kill me, John?” Alicia had that thought running through her head. She wanted an honest answer.

  “No, I told him he better not harm you. I saw you leave through the window and I let you. I was behind you, but I wasn’t chasing you, Alicia. I was making sure you were heading to the road. I knew cars would pass and stop,” he answered. He sounded sincere or maybe she just wanted to believe he was. Maybe it was easier for her to accept. “Novak has gotten power-hungry and overconfident in the last few months. I did not sign up for murder. I was mad when he killed Janice, but I couldn’t stop him. He is crazy,” John told them. “He has lots of money under different names. He might get a good lawyer and get out. I don’t want to be around. I wanted to warn you, Alicia. He is determined to kill you.”

  She felt a shiver of fear go through her. She felt Holly scoot closer to her in an unconscious movement. Holly was terrified of Novak.

  Alicia did not know what to say to him. She’d once thought she was in love with this man holding a gun in his hand. He had a backpack on his shoulder. She felt sad that they had reached this point. She had felt such anger when her eyes had been opened about him. She just never suspected that he was also involved with illegal things. If someone had told her, she would have argued against it.

  “He was going to kill you so I let you escape. I am no murderer, Alicia,” he swore. “He killed Janice before I could stop him. I was arguing with him about it.”

  “You have to know Tony and the guys are on their way.” She felt the tears, but she blinked them back. It seemed as if all she had done was cry lately. Her chest felt heavy with emotions. Drugs had caused so much pain for the people of Red Hook. They had dealt with kidnapping, drug overdoses, and death in the last year. She wanted her boring old town back. She wanted her normal life back.

  “I know. I just wanted to talk to you. I didn’t want you thinking I meant to kill you.” He pleaded.

  Alicia just looked at him with remorse. Such a good-looking man, but with no substance or morals inside. She felt sorry for him. “You never cared about me before, John.”

  “I did care for you Alicia,” he said, sounding regretful. “I was foolish and conceited. I wanted you, but I didn’t want to settle down, either. I am sorry I hurt you. This is good-bye for good.”

  They heard the sirens in the distant.

  “Turn yourself in, John. Get a lawyer,” Holly suggested.

  “I am in too deep for that.” He snorted. “I am not spending my life in a jail cell. I am out of this country. I won’t ever come back. Tell your brother-in-law that for me. I will never set foot in this small, crappy town again.”

  Those were the last words she heard before he took off running out the open front door.

  Alicia and Holly stood in place, stunned at the whole weird scene. For a second, she thought he had come to silence her forever. She was tempted to sink to the floor with relief.

  She looked at Holly, who had her hand over her heart. “That wa
s totally unexpected.”

  “I know,” Holly agreed. “Do you really think Novak can get off?”

  “No lawyer can do that, Holly.” Alicia rubbed Holly’s arms. She looked pale at the thought. “Noah has way too much proof of the things he did. Murder alone will put him away for life.”

  She saw Tony’s truck pulling into the driveway. He was driving so fast dirt was flying in the air, making a gray cloud. He parked and jumped out. Matt jumped out of the passenger side with his gun drawn.

  Alicia waited for Tony to reach her. Her legs felt too shaky to run to him. She knew John was gone. She didn’t know if he would ever be found, but she believed him when he said he was not coming back. She felt sorrow for the whole situation and some anger that he might get away with his part. At least Novak was in jail, she consoled herself.

  Her name being roared out brought her out of her thoughts just in time to feel her lover’s arms go around her. Her legs were lifted of the floor as he swung her around in relief. Alicia felt his big body tremble and she knew he had been scared. She rubbed his back with her hands and assured him she was unharmed.

  “He’s gone. He just wanted to tell me he allowed me to escape so Novak wouldn’t kill me,” she whispered, leaning against him.

  She heard him curse under his breath, calling John a few names that were not flattering.

  “Selfish bastard,” Matt muttered, holding Holly against him. Holly had her arms wrapped around her husband’s waist. “He just wanted to absolve himself of any guilt.”

  “He will get whatever is coming to him one day,” Alicia remarked, unconcerned. John was in the past and she wanted to concentrate on today. She had all she needed in Tony Smith.

  Tony immediately pulled her close and she knew whatever happened, she would be okay. She had the best man in the world who loved her and who would always be her lover, her best friend, and her protector. What more could a girl want?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Alicia took a bow as her family and friends cheered and lifted their glasses. Music played in the background of her family’s restaurant. Food and drink were spread out on the white-covered tables. She and Tony had gotten married this morning at the courthouse like he wanted, but her parents insisted they be allowed to throw them a party. Tony had been touched that they accepted him, and agreed. He refused to wear a suit. He was wearing one to Jasmine’s wedding and that was enough for him.

  “You’re sexy in jeans, and this white dress shirt shows off your sexy bod,” she had assured him. She wore a pretty white dress her sister had bought her. It wasn’t frilly or lacy, but it made her feel like a bride. She wore a white rose in her hair from the flowers Jasmine and Holly had bought for her. Tony had bought her a gold band and she insisted he wear one, too.

  “So all those hussies like Dee know you belong to me,” she had huffed. He had chuckled and twirled her in a circle, lifting her off of her feet, making her giggle.

  “You’re the only woman I want and need. Only you,” he promised, and she believed him.

  He had been pissed that John got away. So had Noah. Alicia didn’t care as long as he never came back again. She planned to live her life to the fullest and be happy. She had dreams and hopes for a family of her own someday.

  She met with Janice’s parents and told them she remembered. They had been upset, but at least they knew what had happened to their daughter. Mrs. Sands had put the blame on the drugs. They had done their best to help Janice live a clean life. Janice had not wanted their help. They started an organization in Janice’s name to help those hooked on drugs. Alicia promised to volunteer her time and so did Alana and the girls.

  “Best wishes, baby sister.” Ray had shaken Tony’s hand after he hugged his sister.

  “She has my heart, Ray,” Tony said solemnly. “I will take care of her.”

  Carlos Garcia had walked up to them. He looked happy. He patted Tony’s back. “She needs a strong man to rein her in at times. She is my wild one, but I love her so much.”

  “I love you, too, Papa.” Alicia had hugged her father.

  “Now we only need Ray to find himself a wife,” Alicia teased.

  Ray look horrified. “That is a horrible thing to say. I need a drink now.”

  They all laughed as he walked away.

  “He’ll change his mind when he finds the right woman. I did,” Tony said, giving Alicia a wink. Holly and Matt walked up to them next. “Faith is sorry she missed the party.”

  “I’m glad she is okay. I can’t wait to meet the newest Blake member.”

  Holly grinned happily. Her sister Faith had a son in the early morning hours. “David Adam Blake is what they named him. I held him earlier. He is so adorable. He has Adam’s hair and eyes.”

  Matt hugged his brother after kissing Alicia’s cheek. “I look forward to helping you build your new home. If Noah ever fires us, I think I will build houses for a living.”

  Tony had decided to build them their own house on the same property. He wanted Alicia to have her own space and make it her own. He still had no desire to live in town and she didn’t mind. She dealt with people all day at work. It would be nice to come home to a quiet, peaceful house. Plus, she had Holly as a neighbor.

  “My brother-in-law would never fire you two.” Alicia laughed.

  After Matt and Holly went to dance, Tony bent down and placed a soft and tender kiss on her lips.

  “What was that for?”

  “You have given me hope for the future, Alicia. I love you and I want children someday. I can wait if you feel like you’re not ready yet, but let me remind you I am not getting any younger.”

  She laughed aloud with joy. She was going to bring that subject up when they were alone. “I am ready, babe. You’re an old man, after all. I threw my pills away this morning.”

  He picked her up and swung her around. “Yes. I will show you how old I am when we are alone tonight.”

  “Why wait?” she asked cheekily. “Let’s get out of here and let them drink and be merry. I want to see if my husband has another challenge for me. I believe I won the last one.”

  He let out a booming laugh, causing people to look their way. Tony ignored them all and focused on her. “You did win, but I have a few more up my sleeve.”

  He looked at the crowd. “We’re tired. Goodnight. Enjoy.”

  People gave them knowing looks but waved them off. They walked down the sidewalk in the cold November air. Alicia looked up at the stars. She had no need to look for a shooting star. All her dreams had already come true, and the future looked bright and hopeful. She grabbed Tony’s hand and dragged him to his truck. He laughed and picked her up. He ran with her over his shoulder and she laughed loudly. Yes, her dreams had come true. She had found love in a retired soldier who had been afraid to take a risk. She planned to give him so much love he would never feel insecure again.

  THE END

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I have always loved reading, especially romances. I believe in a happy ending and that love does indeed conquer all. Now I love writing romance stories just as much. When not writing I spend my time with family and friends. I enjoy hearing from my fans and can look me up on Facebook.

  For all titles by Lee Rose, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/lee-rose

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

 

 

 


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