Secret Past

by Sharee Stover

  The spotless vehicle symbolized everything Giovanni represented. He’d do whatever it took to get what he wanted and look good doing it. An idea sprouted. The truck was strong. Could plow through anything. At least she hoped so.

  Giovanni opened the passenger door. “Lorenzo, grab the duct tape and open the garage door.”

  Lorenzo hit a button on a control panel at the far wall where a row of cabinets hung. He returned with a roll of silver tape.

  “Don’t do this,” Katie pleaded, fighting the tears that choked her words.

  “Secure her,” Giovanni ordered.

  Lorenzo wrenched her arms forward, wrapping them with the tape.

  “Make sure Mr. Knight is taken care of.” Giovanni turned to Katie. “Get in.”

  The vehicle was lifted and with her bound hands, she struggled to obey. “I can’t climb with my arms tied together.”

  Giovanni gripped her upper arm. “Use the running board. Are you really that dense?” He hefted her into the seat and slammed the door shut.

  Her arm stung from his rough treatment. What would happen to Daniel? She had to get help. Giovanni spoke with Lorenzo outside the vehicle. Now. She had to move now.

  The sun cast a flicker of light off the keys dangling from the ignition. As Giovanni walked around to the driver’s side, Katie hit the door locks and slid across the seat.

  Lorenzo’s face appeared at the passenger door window. He clung to the door handle. “Open the door before I shoot you.”

  Katie’s hands trembled as she struggled to grasp the ignition key and turn it. The engine roared to life, and she tugged on the gear shift, successfully sliding into Drive. She stomped on the gas pedal, and the vehicle lurched into motion.

  Lorenzo jumped off the side, disappearing from view.

  “Stop her!” Giovanni waved his arms, running beside the vehicle.

  Lorenzo stood at the gate’s closed entrance with the MP5 aimed at her.

  A rapid succession of gunfire and a cloud of dust from the driveway flew up in front of the pickup’s grill.

  Katie accelerated and ducked down in the seat. Lorenzo stayed planted in front of the gate, directly in front of her, gun leveled.

  Giovanni ran toward Lorenzo. “Don’t shoot my truck!”

  The iron fence drew closer; she gripped the steering wheel as the engine roared.

  “She’s going through! Hit the spikes!” Giovanni screeched.

  The steady rise of iron teeth emerged from the other side of the gate.

  I can outrun them. Katie barreled through the fortress as high-pitched metal screeched mimicking a thousand fingernails on a chalkboard. The tires smashed on the spikes, resulting in a steering battle for control. She clung to the wheel, desperate to keep the vehicle from rolling as the truck swerved on the road.

  Katie kept her foot pressed on the accelerator, but the pickup slowed on the rapidly deflating tires.

  “No!” She pounded her bound wrists on the steering wheel. “Go, you stupid hunk of metal!”

  The vehicle ignored her, as the flattened tires screeched unevenly to a pathetic crawl. Katie spotted a thick tree line bordering the road. Slamming on the brakes, she leaped from the still moving vehicle, and tumbled onto the asphalt. She cringed at the stinging pain in her ankle while forcing herself to a standing position. Katie ran with wild abandon toward the vegetation cover.

  Tires squealed behind her, but she refused to look back. Wood ricocheted off a tree next to her head. Katie screamed, dodging to the side. The soft, sandy ground acted like quicksand, hindering her pace, and the sweltering humidity engulfed her lungs.

  “Get her!” Giovanni’s enraged voice commanded.

  The thick tree line filled with leafy bushes and plants scratched at her face and body. Just when she found cover it ended, feeding into an open area. She turned to see Giovanni and Lorenzo barreling after her, covering too much ground, too fast.

  She had no place to hide.

  The highway splayed wide before her with no cars traveling in either direction. Giovanni’s four-door sedan beckoned from several hundred feet away. Could she make it to the car? What other options did she have?

  Skirting through the foliage, Katie dashed toward the vehicle.

  So close. She could do this. Her feet pounded the blacktop with her desperation.

  She didn’t look back, but she had no doubt Giovanni and Lorenzo were chasing her. Let’s hope years of high school track and cross-country pay off.

  Katie’s bound arms didn’t help her momentum. She lengthened her stride, closing the distance.

  The car’s dark-tinted windows secreted the passenger until it was too late. The driver’s door flew open, and The Professor stepped out. “Hello, Isabella.”

  Katie crashed into the imaginary barrier between her and the man. Before a word escaped her lips, she was tackled from behind. An oomph escaped her lips as she skidded on her chest, forcing the air from her lungs. Her chin, knees and arms stung from where she was sure road rash covered her bare flesh. Heat radiated from the blacktop, sweltering her body. The man’s crushing weight pinned her to the ground and kept Katie from inhaling.

  Lorenzo’s voice reached like a claw around her throat. “You’re really starting to make me mad.” He stood and wrenched her upright.

  Giovanni hurried over, a murderous glare carved on his face, and Daniel’s Glock 21SF in his hand. The same gun Uncle Nick—Garrett—always carried.

  The men shoved her into the backseat of the sedan. Wasn’t it pure irony that the hoped method of escape now imprisoned her?

  The air conditioning blew hard on her face where sweat trickled from her hairline. Her arms and chest burned from the torn skin.

  Giovanni slid next to her, thrusting his cell phone into her face. “Little sister, you’re gutsy. And stupid. Must have inherited that from our mother. I hope your little heroic stunt was worth this.”

  She withered in the seat, focused on the screen. Daniel sat strapped to a chair, his face badly beaten.

  Katie gasped. “You’re a monster.”

  Giovanni grinned and slid the phone into his pocket. He leaned back as Lorenzo entered the passenger seat. The Professor climbed into the driver’s seat and they sped in the opposite direction, toward the Marino home.

  Confusion swarmed Katie. Why were they going back?

  As if sensing her question, Giovanni said, “You ruined my truck, so we’re going back for a new ride. Then we’ll be on our way. Just you and me, little sister.”

  Lorenzo tossed back a roll of duct tape.

  “You’ve delayed my plans, but you won’t stop them.” Giovanni ripped off a piece of the tape, slapping it over her mouth.

  The drive back to the estate was the longest and shortest of Katie’s life.

  * * *

  Daniel drifted back to consciousness somewhere between the beating in the garage and the musty cement storage room where he sat. He had no way of knowing how long he’d been here; based upon the aches of his muscles, he’d guess a good while.

  He was restrained in a wooden chair, alone with Lorenzo, beneath a single bulb swinging from the ceiling. Classic interrogation scene.

  “I figured for a marshal, you’d be smarter.” Lorenzo gave Daniel an open-handed smack upside his head.

  The impact sent another voltage through Daniel’s aching brain. Stress breathing kept him from displaying any outward reaction. Sarcasm helped too. “Glad to see you found new sunglasses. How’s the knee?”

  Lorenzo shot him a murderous glare and shifted. “You’ll have to do better than that to beat me.”

  Daniel licked his split lip—convinced he’d lost a tooth in the battle—and blinked the one eye that hadn’t swollen shut. “Anthony trusts you.”

  Lorenzo leaned against the cement wall, chomping on a piece of red licorice. “Anthony’s
an old fool. I heard what he said earlier. He knows no one has real devotion to him.” He laughed. “Although in this case, he was wrong. My devotion is always up for sale. Giovanni’s got control of the money, and Anthony’s got one foot in his coffin. Surprised you didn’t accept either of their offers. Would’ve saved you the beating.”

  “Guess I’m not as easily bought and paid for as you.” Maybe taunting the beast wasn’t the smartest thing, but his frustration was outweighing his intelligence.

  “Big words from the beaten man strapped to a chair.”

  Touché. Bound by flex-cuffs, Daniel’s arms were secured behind his back, and his ankles were bound to the legs of the chair. He was immobile—for the moment—but continued to work against the restraints. The burning on his wrists confirmed he’d rubbed off flesh trying to free himself. His boots provided protection for his ankles. It was time for Plan B.

  “Stop trying to be the hero. Your girlfriend’s dead or will be soon. Giovanni will return to finish you.”

  Daniel slid his fingers along the chair’s spindles. “Why don’t you do it for him? Or is he the one calling the shots? You’re the middle man? The lackey?”

  Lorenzo chuckled. “Save your cop talk for someone else. I’ll be whatever Giovanni needs so long as I’m kept on the payroll. And it’s a good payroll.”

  “Now see, I would’ve thought you were smarter than to trust someone willing to betray his own blood. What makes you think Giovanni won’t kill you once he’s gotten what he wants?” Daniel watched as his words sorted through Lorenzo’s oversize empty noggin.

  His smile faded, replaced by the downward turn of his lips.

  Score. Daniel had struck a chord.

  Lorenzo snorted. “Whatever, Marshal Man.” He set the MP5 on the ground and shoved his meaty paw into the licorice package, pulling out another piece. He dropped one and squatted to pick it up.

  Daniel seized the opportunity. He rocked forward, lifting the chair an inch off the ground. With a jerk, he swung the chair around, splintering the wood on Lorenzo’s unsuspecting body. The flex-cuffs on his ankles broke off the demolished seat. Daniel yanked his right arm free, ripping the rest of the flex-cuffs and snatched the gun. Lorenzo stumbled upright as Daniel delivered a roundhouse kick to his head, knocking him unconscious.

  The door opened and Daniel tensed, prepared to take on another of Marino’s minions.

  No. It couldn’t be.

  Priscilla’s gentle eyes and softened features peeked into the room. She glanced down where Lorenzo lay sprawled on the cement floor and grinned. Stepping inside, she pushed the door closed, and clasped her hands in front of her traditional uniform.

  “Ah, Mr. Knight. Good to see the Marshals Service gave you adequate training.”

  Daniel gaped. “Priscilla, you’re in on this?”

  She leaned against the door and crossed her ankles, drawing attention to her sensible shoes. “You’ve no doubt learned this place is filled with one backstabber after another. Few can be trusted. The funny thing is, young ones always underestimate the old ones.”

  “You’ve been Anthony’s trusted servant for years.”

  Priscilla nodded. “More than that. I’ve loved him all those years. I thought for sure he’d return my love. Especially after he learned of Evangelina’s betrayal. Do you have any idea how many nights I comforted him as he wept wasted tears over her? I’ve never left his side. Never asked for anything. Never been given anything but empty promises. Even when he was behind prison bars.” She sighed. “I took care of Giovanni, while Anthony longed for little Bella. She was a sweet baby. The only sunshine in this dark place. I, too, missed her and I owe you my gratitude for bringing her home. This is where she belongs.”

  Daniel watched Priscilla as she removed a combat knife from her apron pocket.

  “Then help me get to her. Giovanni’s going to kill her if I don’t.” He weighed the downturn of Priscilla’s mouth. The wistful way she spoke about Anthony. Was she reminiscing? Or was she preparing to kill Daniel herself?

  “You’re correct. Giovanni will kill Bella. It’s a good thing I was right about you. You love Bella.”

  “I’m just her handler,” Daniel began, his heart drumming harder as the realization settled into his mind. He met her piercing blue eyes. “Yes, I do love Katie.”

  She smiled widely. “Yes, you do and that’s why I’m here. Giovanni has taken her to their privately owned marina. He’ll dump her body into the ocean and let nature take care of the evidence. Just as he did with his girlfriend.”

  “Giovanni said Anthony killed his girlfriend.” Daniel gripped the gun, prepared to use it.

  Priscilla slowly shook her head. Whose side was she on? “No, Giovanni grew tired of the commitment and realized she’d have access to his money—he doesn’t share well—so he rid himself of her. Anyone who is a witness to his dealings is a liability.” She held out her hand with the knife in her palm. “It’s nothing like that thing.” She gestured toward the MP5. “But good to have on hand anyway.”

  Daniel took the knife and slid it into his boot. “Do you have anything to tie up Lorenzo before he comes to?”

  “Yes! I’ll be right back.” She scurried out the door and returned seconds later with a pair of handcuffs.

  Questions battled for position in Daniel’s brain but he pushed them aside. He slapped the cuffs around Lorenzo’s wrists, then turned to face the maid.

  Unfazed, she produced a small piece of paper. “I’m no Rand McNally, but here’s a crude map to get you to the marina.”

  He glanced at the paper committing as much as possible to memory before shoving it into his pocket. “What about Lorenzo?” Daniel jerked his head toward the unconscious man.

  “I’ll lock the door. It won’t hold him for long, but should buy you time. Go up the stairs and turn right. The door to the garage is at the end of the hall. Take the sedan. It’s parked out front, keys are inside and the gate is open.”

  “Thank you.”

  “One last thing,” Priscilla placed her hand on his shoulder. “When you get to Bella, confess your heart to her. I have a feeling she’ll be receptive.”

  Daniel nodded.

  “Now go!”

  Hand pressed to his side, he bounded down the hallway, hoping Priscilla hadn’t given him a death sentence. Her words lingered in his mind. He wouldn’t let Katie go without telling her his growing feelings for her. Even if it meant leaving the Marshals. If she’d have him, he’d find another law enforcement career. The excitement and urgency blasted adrenaline through him.

  Daniel readied the gun, cracking open the door. Only the warmth of the sun greeted him. Grateful, he ran toward the garage, target locked on the car. He noted the two missing vehicles—the pickup and the sports car. Using the buildings and other vehicles as cover, he bolted for the sedan and slid inside. In one fluid motion, he dropped the gun onto the passenger seat and started the engine.

  Daniel slammed into Reverse and swung into a J-turn. The iron gate stood open as Priscilla had advised. He floored the pedal, speeding off the property.

  He gripped the MP5 as he drew closer to the familiar truck on the side of the road. Daniel reduced his speed and glanced around. Tires shredded, the vehicle appeared abandoned.

  Had Katie escaped? He floored the pedal, glancing once more in his rearview mirror. No one followed. Was that too easy? Where were the other guards? No time for second-guessing.

  Daniel accelerated, racing down the vacant road. Rescue scenarios bounced in his head as he searched for the private marina, praying he wasn’t too late. Praying he had time to rescue the woman he loved.

  SEVENTEEN

  The duct tape cut into Katie’s skin and the adhesive covering her mouth made breathing difficult. Anger kept her from succumbing to fear. She wanted to pummel Giovanni with her bound fists. If only he hadn’t seat belted her in
and taped her wrists to the door handle.

  His loud music gave her a headache, adding to the blend of emotions twisting her stomach into knots. The gun was on his left side, and the two-seat sports car’s interior was spotless except for the roll of duct tape at her feet.

  Katie considered bumping the gearshift, but Giovanni drove at an excessive rate of speed. If she miscalculated and slid the transmission into Reverse, they’d end up rolling the car. The fiberglass body wouldn’t hold up well on impact.

  The rural land spanned endlessly. Too much open property, no other travelers and plenty of space to hide a body.

  Her body.

  Goose bumps covered her skin from the air conditioner blowing at full blast. The clock on the dashboard showed they’d been driving for thirty minutes. Thirty minutes away from Daniel. Her throat tightened at the last images of him in the garage. She had to get free. Had to get back to help Daniel.

  Giovanni finally turned, stopping a football field’s distance from the dark gray building surrounded by twenty-foot razor wire fence. He parked on the side of the road and turned down the music. “Don’t want to get too close and attract the guards.”

  Katie scanned the area, and her gaze landed on the large identifying sign. This place was a prison. Hope abounded. Prisons had guards. Guards had guns. She scooted back in the seat and brought her feet up, slamming down on the dashboard. When that didn’t prove effective, she reared back and kicked the windshield.

  “Stop that!” Giovanni screeched, elbowing her in the nose.

  The pain shocked Katie motionless, and she blinked hard against the stinging sensation.

  Giovanni jerked her upright. “I thought you’d like to see where I got to spend most of my childhood.” He motioned to the prison. “While other children played, went to the beach, and amusement parks, I sat inside that horrible place unable to even touch my father. All because of you.”

  Katie glared at him; her eyes watered from the throbbing in her nose.

  “If you’d never been born, I wouldn’t have had my childhood stolen. I wouldn’t have been forced to know my father through a window!” Giovanni’s hands shook as he tightly gripped the steering wheel. His expression darkened, and his square jaw flexed. The muscles in his neck were visible beneath the cotton shirt he wore.