 
Heatwave

By Olivia B. Dannon

Edited by Kathy Krick
Heatwave

By Olivia B. Dannon

Edited by Kathy Krick

Copyright © Olivia B. Dannon 2015

Cover Artist: Olivia B. Dannon

Stock: http://www.bigstockphoto.com/

Published by Smashwords

ISBN:9781311951922

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher/author. Printed in the U.S.A.
Dedication

This book is dedicated to my little boy. We've been through so much this last year and you've been so brave and patient. I love you more than I can possibly express. I am so proud of you my perfect, brilliant baby boy!
This book is intended for adult readers 18 years and older and contains adult content including but not limited to: sexual content, adult language, and violence.
CHAPTER ONE

Rachel Stewart closed the empty fridge and checked her cupboards a second time.

Still empty.

Her roommate Lisa had left her in the lurch for her half of the rent again. Lisa's stuff and several articles of Rachel's clothing were missing from the apartment when Rachel returned home from work. Clearly Lisa would not be returning with her half or Rachel's clothes.

Rachel's stomach growled again.

"It's fine, I'll advertise for a new roommate on payday and before I know it the pantry will be filled with food," she said to herself.

Her stomach clenched, grasping at the emptiness. She blinked back her tears.

Things are not as bad as they seem.

She could borrow money for food from friends but she couldn't seem to bring herself to ask. After her parents had been killed in a car accident a few years back when she was in college, her friends had taken on this pity look every time they spoke with her.

The looks were finally beginning to fade. She didn't want the pity and couldn't bare the chance of them coming back.

Sitting down at the dining room table she opened her purse. Rachel fished out the card one of the patrons at the restaurant she worked at had given her. The image of the guy came to mind as she held the card in her hand.

He wasn't her type in the least with his loud voice and the way he occupied the booth he seemed to be laying instead of sitting. He'd been quite insistent about taking her out this evening. She'd said she would think about it only because he'd been sitting with an old friend of hers.

The name on the card was Gerard Marconi, but her old friend Torrey had called him Gerry. Torrey was just as scrawny as he had been a couple of years ago. He'd seemed even smaller under Gerry's domineering presence.

No, he wasn't the type she'd consider under normal circumstances.

When Rachel had seen Torrey at the restaurant, she'd hoped Angelo might be with him. Hoped wasn't a strong enough word to describe the feeling. She'd rushed right over to the table to ask about Angelo.

Angelo Donati was the one that got away.

She'd actually been about to go on a date with Angelo when her parent's accident happened. With the tragedy, Rachel lost touch with Angelo. The semester had ended and Angelo must have moved on to another college because he was nowhere to be found.

Rachel sighed. It wasn't meant to be. She would have to forget his jet black hair and those honey brown eyes of Angelo if she was going to last through a date with Gerry.

I need to eat. I'll let him buy me dinner. Maybe he'll surprise me and be better at second impressions. Yeah, right.

Rachel dialed the number on the card before she lost her nerve. It rang twice. "Hello, Gerardo Marconi."

"Uh, yes. Hello. This is Rachel. You gave me your card at C'Magnifique today."

There was a pause before he spoke and Rachel almost hung up.

"Right. Angelo's fan."

Angelo's fan? Why because I asked Torrey about Angelo? It wasn't like Torrey had been any help.

"I guess. I'm free tonight as it turns out."

"Perfect. Wear something nice. You live in the Hollands Apartments. I'll pick you up in an hour."

Her heartbeat sped up a few beats. "How do you know where I live?"

"Torrey told me. Don't worry about it. I'll see you in an hour."

Rachel set her cell phone on the table and began to chew at her thumbnail.

"Well, he knows where I live and he'll be here in no time. No getting out of it now." Rachel decided Torrey was a jerk for giving out her address without her permission and she'd tell him so if she saw him again.

Lisa took Rachel's favorite dress and left a skimpy red thing in its place.

"Oh right. A three hundred dollar gown traded for this hooker dress for five bucks at a flea market, that's fair."

Gerry Marconi had been wearing a navy suit that was beyond extravagant at the restaurant. He wasn't going to think anything in her wardrobe was nice.

Rachel winced at the jean skirt and the library Marm print dress she wore to church.

"What am I gonna do?"

The red skanky dress was all there was and she knew it.

Rachel showered and put on her makeup, dreading stepping into the hooker get up. The red lipstick matched the dress and set off her fair skin. Her skin was clear and flawless which made her all the more annoyed she wasn't going on a hot date.

Heat rollers gave her long golden blonde hair a curly bounce. She lined her blue eyes with black and used a smoky eye shadow pallet she kept light and hoped that if she did look like a hooker she'd look like an expensive one.

She misted herself with her favorite perfume and then dressed quickly into the stretchy red thing.

"My mother is rolling over in her grave," Rachel said shaking her head at her reflection. Her cleavage was more than she'd ever shown not to mention the open back of the dress. The length was mid-thigh but with how snug the material fit she still felt over exposed. "Where did you wear this dress, Lisa?"

I'm going to have a hell of a time convincing Gerardo I'm not a slut in this get-up.

Rachel looked at the clock. It was way too late to cancel. He'd be there any second.

Crap!

She slipped on gold high heels and grabbed her gold clutch before wincing at herself again in the mirror. The image looking back at her was so different than what she was used to seeing. If she was being honest with herself, it had been a while since she had gone on a date which left little opportunity to dress up.

Still the get-up she was wearing never would have entered into the equation.

This is what you get, Rachel, trading dating for food. I'm never doing this again.

A solid knock sounded on her door. "I'll be right there." She opened up the coat closet and practically squealed with delight when she saw her long black, double breasted wool coat.

Sweet! I'm keeping this baby on.

She put the coat on and quickly buttoned it up. She was smiling when she opened the door.

"You look beautiful," Gerardo said with the kind of smile a predator delivers to its prey. A chill of fear iced through her.

He took her elbow. "Shall we go?"

How do I get out of this?

Rachel locked up deciding she was going to become very ill after dinner.

"We're going to a company party at my boss's house. Do you know who Santé Grimaldi is?" He was looking at her expectantly.

Truthfully the name sounded familiar but she didn't know where from. "I'm not sure."

Gerardo laughed at her response. "You will." When he opened the car door for her, it was to the large backseat already carrying two other women. Rachel looked at him questioningly.

"My cousins, don't worry about it."

He pressed his body against hers guiding into the backseat and blocking her exit at the same time.

The backseat curved in the shape of a capital 'L'. Gerardo seated himself between the two "cousins" and signaled the driver to go.

Cousins my ass.

"I should probably tell you right now I'm not into ménage a trois or-"

Gerard's laughter cut her off. "Don't worry, little lamb. We're just going to a company party. We're gonna have a nice time and that's it."

Rachel was waiting for the part where he would ask if she agreed but it didn't come. Gerard didn't allow for anyone to disagree. She wasn't this hungry.

"Gerry, you're scaring her," the pretty brunette pouted out her pink lips. "Stick with me, honey, you'll be okay." Gerardo glared at the brunette and she shrank away from him.

Gerardo leaned forward not allowing her to escape. "Mona, did I ask for your help?"

"No. I'm sorry, baby." Her brown eyes were big and wide.

Gerardo stared at her for a few minutes until finally he gave a small nod that released Mona from the frozen state of terror. Mona let go of the breath she was holding and behind the smile she gave Gerry there was still fear in her eyes.

Okay, well I have to move. I don't want this freak knowing where I live.

"So, Torrey says you and Angelo were pretty close."

"No. Not really. We went on a few dates. I haven't seen or heard from him in years."
CHAPTER TWO

Angelo grinned as he slammed his car door. He was going to love getting Grimaldi back after all these years.

Grimaldi may have been able to control Angelo's father, Remo Donati, but he had nothing on Angelo and they both knew it. Grimaldi was scrambling to get a grip and sink his claws into Angelo but he couldn't. The only thing Angelo cared about was bringing him down.

Grimaldi's men greeted Angelo like a member of the family. That didn't surprise Angelo. They'd been around him enough as a kid and teenager to claim the familiarity.

All except Torrey. He knew to keep his distance. Seeing Torrey inflamed his anger as it always did. Angelo watched as Torrey slid like a serpent from the front room escaping Angelo's loathing gaze.

Grimaldi emerged from his office and came forward and embraced Angelo. "It's been too long, son. Remo would have wanted you here with the family." He smiled, his double chin bulging up from beneath his jawline.

"I'm not back. I'm here to remind you that I'm not Remo. My dad is dead and so is his legacy."

"So is Amelio Fabbri." Grimaldi rocked back on his heels as he continued to smile.

"Yes, he is." Angelo glanced around the room, checking for a change in the air.

Grimaldi put his hand on Angelo's shoulder. "It's in your blood. Don't fight who you are."

"You know this decision is mine and I've made it Grimaldi." Angelo met his gaze with a challenge in his eyes.

He saw the anger in Grimaldi's small cruel eyes before he pushed it aside. They both knew that if anything happened to Angelo, Grimaldi would be exposed for the murdering criminal he was with the evidence Angelo had on him.

Only Angelo knew he wasn't going to sit on it like a life insurance policy. Grimaldi was going to burn for what he'd done.

"Well, if you're sure. Maybe you want to think on it a little longer."

Angelo was about to decline the offer with great satisfaction but the overly large grin on Grimaldi's round face spoke volumes. He had something up his sleeve. At least he believed he did.

"What would make me reconsider, Grimaldi?"

Grimaldi nodded. "Maybe after we have a drink, some good food. You remember how much you love being a part of the family. Look, Gerry is here."

Gerry Marconi was trashy, reckless and a coward. All of his acts of strength were shown on women. Angelo shook his head in disgust. Apparently, two women weren't enough for dinner there was a third this time. From where Angelo was standing all he could see was long wavy golden hair and a long dark coat on the new addition to Gerry's collection.

The new trophy was no girl.

She straightened her beautiful shoulders that were lean with definition. Her back was flawless with smooth, vibrant skin arching in an incline to her small waist where the red material began and curved over a behind that was made for men to fantasize over.

Every man in the room was waiting with great anticipation for the vixen to turn around.

Angelo's heart froze mid-beat as she turned her face and looked over her shoulder at the group.

Son of a bitch.

"You know Miss Rachel Stewart don't you?" Grimaldi asked right at Angelo's ear.

Angelo didn't confirm or deny. If Rachel didn't recognize him, if she'd forgotten him she'd be safe.

Her deep blue eyes found him, widening as her full red lips parted. Rachel inhaled, her full breasts rising as she turned fully toward him.

Shit, she's beautiful.

Angelo did his best not to show any further sign of recognition. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. That dress on any other woman would have been trashy but on Rachel, it was elegant in the most sensual way.

Rachel started toward him.

No! No, no, no.

He turned away toward Joey but Joey was drooling. Too busy to help Angelo avoid what was coming.

"Angelo." There was a smile and relief in her voice.

Angelo turned toward her again knowing it was obvious to all they knew each other. "Hello, Rachel," he said keeping any emotion from his voice. "What are you doing here? This isn't really your crowd."

"Angelo, of course she'll fit in with us. Gerry's girls are always welcome here." Grimaldi slapped him on the back.

Rachel shook her head. "I am not one of Gerry's girls." She looked with pleading eyes into his. "I'm not."

"I know," Angelo acknowledged quietly.

"Aw, come on, baby, don't be like that." Gerry drew her in closer. He lifted his hand, his eyes on Rachel's naked back.

Angelo gave him a warning look but Gerry paid him no attention. He ran his hand across her shoulder blades and began to descend down her back.

The fear glistened in Rachel's eyes and Angelo did exactly as he shouldn't. He caught Gerry's wrist. "That's enough," Angelo said meeting Gerry's challenging gaze. He could feel Grimaldi watching them.

"Let's give these two a minute, Gerry. They want to catch up, I think," Grimaldi said.

Angelo moved his piercing gaze to Grimaldi, refusing to give him the leverage he knew he already had.

"Yes. Yes, we do need to catch up. Thank you for suggesting that, sir," Rachel said to Grimaldi, who laughed as he ushered the group toward the dining room.

Rachel was breathless and wide eyed as she started talking at him ninety miles an hour. "What is going on? Is Gerry a hit man or something? What are you doing here? Who are these people? Will you get me out of here?"

Angelo nodded over at Gerry, who was lingering in the doorway and Rachel followed the motion to see their audience. She hugged Angelo, her soft breasts pressing against his chest.

"Please save me from him, Angelo. He scares me."

Angelo took hold of her shoulders and backed her up so he could think straight. "Rachel, do you have family or friends you can go to that live outside the city? Perhaps friends, people who wouldn't necessarily associate you with?" he asked quietly.

Her blue eyes got bigger. "No. My parents are dead they were the only family I had."

"Friends?" he asked pushing away the guilt and anger that was rising up inside of him.

She shouldn't be here. She's here because of me.

"Yes, but they're all local. Why? You're freaking me out, Angelo."

"Okay. Just stay with me. I won't let anything happen to you. Do you trust me?"

She nodded smiling at him even though he knew she had to be afraid.
CHAPTER THREE

Get a hold of yourself, Rachel.

Her heart was giving a drum roll that only added to her unease.

Gerry was not the kind of man she wanted anything to do with. She had decided to leave and she was looking for another exit when she'd spotted Angelo.

Seeing him again felt like she'd done a belly flop into a hot tub. She was breathless, and her body tingled all over as if recovering from a slap. She was still frozen in the moment when it was registering that Angelo really was there and it wasn't her mind creating him from her fear.

His brown eyes reminded her of honey. They weren't as amber as they were, and they had grown darker over the last couple of years, or maybe it was the lighting in the room. His shoulders had filled out nicely, and his masculine jawline was just as sexy as ever.

That jet black mane of his was shorter and looking at it reminded her how it felt between her fingers when they'd kissed. She remembered loving the way he held her. His strong shielding arms around her was what she needed right then.

Angelo had so much presence in what was Grimaldi's house, but the room belonged to Angelo. If Rachel had seen him anywhere else she would have been too intimidated to approach him. He was in a very nice tailored suit and didn't act as though he felt out of place.

What is he doing here with these criminals?

Rachel had recognized Grimaldi from the news the moment she saw him and connected the name at last. He was a crime boss. He was part of the mafia.

"It's really not good that you're here, Rachel," Angelo said in a low voice.

"Well, you can thank Torrey for that. There's no way I would've gone on a date with Gerry if Torrey hadn't vouched for him." Rachel was really regretting calling Gerry. Maybe more than she'd ever regretted any choice she'd made.

Licking her lips she looked at Angelo again to reassure herself he really was there.

She had been taken with Angelo and it had added to the pain of losing her parents when he'd disappeared from her life too.

Obviously, he didn't feel the same way about her but that was okay. They had only gone on a few dates after all.

Rachel focus. You're surrounded by the mafia.

Angelo was looking her over pretty closely. She'd laugh if she wasn't so scared. He probably couldn't believe she was wearing such a slutty dress. Her clothing had been very conservative when they'd dated.

Am I going to die in this dress?

"We're waiting on you," Gerry said to Angelo.

Angelo put his arm around her with his warm palm resting on her right hip. He had a slight scowl on his face as he led her to the next room.

If Angelo was scared he wasn't showing it.

Rachel put on her poker face, she couldn't show fear to these rabid dogs. She had to be brave.

Angelo held a chair out for her and then took the seat to her left. Gerry took the seat to her right.

Crap. Don't be scared, Rachel.

She heard them talking but it was like background noise. All she could manage was to keep an eye on Gerry and eat the food placed in front of her. She didn't know what she was eating or even if she liked it. She just ate feeling like everyone could see how terrified she was.

The meal seemed to drag on for hours. Angelo squeezed her thigh leaning close he said, "Breathe, honey."

Oh yeah. Breathe, Rachel.

She let go of the breath she was holding as Angelo removed his hand. It took most of her self-control to keep herself from snatching back his hand and locking it in an iron grip.

Gerry was glaring at Mona.

That poor woman needs to get away from him. She's terrified of him. She must have a reason to be afraid.

Mona's dark chocolate brown eyes were wet with fear. Her hand trembled. The fork she was holding visibly shook.

"So, Gerry," Rachel heard herself say. "You were very sweet to reunite Angelo and me after these past couple years." She couldn't smile so her statement meant to distract him from Mona came out sounding more like an accusation.

She could feel Angelo looking at her. He probably thought she was crazy.

Gerry looked past her at Angelo and she watched as his face deepened to a red plum hue. Gerry shook his head looking across the table in front of him. "Torrey is the one you should be thanking. I was just your ride."

Rachel glanced over at Angelo, who was staring at Gerry. The intensity melted away as she watched Angelo but she hadn't missed the clear threat in his eyes meant for Gerry.

That wasn't a side of Angelo she'd ever seen. She wasn't about to complain about it right then. He was protecting.

She was very lucky Angelo remembered her. A guy like him probably went through many women. The couple dates they'd shared probably didn't rate with the ones he'd had since.

"Where is Torrey?" Angelo asked scanning the faces at the table.

"I wouldn't insult you by bringing Torrey to the dinner table. We all know there's some beef between the two of you."

*****

No wonder Torrey was skulking in the dark corners of the house. _He was_ _bringing Rachel into this mess again?_ Torrey was in the crosshairs and he was put there by Grimaldi.

"Rachel, you are a lovely young woman. Tell me, what do you think of my home?" Grimaldi asked Rachel.

She looked to Angelo with questioning wide blue eyes. "I think the house is nice, very extravagant."

"Yes, a far cry better than the life you've had to endure. I imagine Angelo is going to upgrade your living circumstances now that you are his?" Grimaldi said with his beady eyes on Angelo.

"I'm not a kept-type woman. Angelo doesn't have to upgrade anything."

A quick glance in Rachel's direction confirmed her cheeks were growing red with anger as the men at the table laughed.

Dinner continued with the conversation looping back continuously to Rachel and Angelo's questionable stake on her.

"You know, Rachel," Grimaldi said already laughing in amusement. "If Angelo doesn't want to keep you, Gerry will. Right, Gerry?"

Angelo knew there was no way out of it. He had to stake his claim on Rachel and openly confirm his vulnerability or stay invulnerable and throw Rachel to the wolves. He wasn't about to sit by and watch Gerry paw at Rachel.

Gerry nodded leaning in toward Rachel. "I could take good care of you, baby."

"Like you do with Mona or the other one? I'd rather be homeless."

Angelo laughed as Gerry's leer turned into a glare with bared teeth jutting forward showing his under bite. Putting his arm around Rachel, Angelo pressed Gerry back against his chair. "Rachel is mine." Angelo smiled when she looked at him with raised eyebrows.

He took her hand and kissed her palm. "She's very special to me. I would take offense to anyone upsetting my Rachel," Angelo said looking at her intently in her royal blue eyes.

She searched his eyes as he kissed her palm again. He gave her a wink, and she smiled nervously.

Grimaldi nodded. "Glad to hear it." He smacked the tabletop triumphantly and called for dessert. Rachel jumped at the sound so Angelo gathered her close at his side. "Don't worry," he whispered. "I'll protect you."

"Let's just get out of here," Rachel whispered back.

"You're not leaving already are you?"

Gerry asked loud enough to get Grimaldi's notice.

Angelo shook his head. "Of course not."

"Good. We need to talk first, Angelo." Grimaldi stood up. "The boys will keep Rachel company."

Rachel dug her nails into Angelo's leg and he let out a sigh of strong discomfort.

"I'll be right back," he said to Rachel patting her hand but she wasn't retracting her claws. "Then we'll go."

She nodded shakily and released his leg. "Don't be long." Her tone was more of a threat even with the forced smile she was wearing. Angelo didn't want to leave her, but he knew they weren't leaving Grimaldi's house without Grimaldi getting the word he wanted.

He followed Grimaldi into his study. The room smelled of cigar smoke and was full of books and newspapers. It was the same as when he was a boy.

"Your father trained you. You took out Amelio Fabbri after he killed your father because of loyalty. Angelo, you've got potential with the family. We'd hate to lose you like we lost Remo." His expression was sad with a deep frown but his underlying threat was clear.

"A lot of guys would love to make a name for themselves taking out Remo Donati's son. You and your loved ones need the family behind you."

"Yeah." Angelo forced himself to nod. "Thank you, Grimaldi."

"Your father always called me Santé. Please, call me Santé to honor your father."

Angelo swallowed his loathing. 'Thank you, Santé."

Grimaldi laughed triumphantly. He slapped Angelo on the back and led him over to the desk. "We gotta let the other families know you're with me, so they'll leave you alone. I think the job I have for you will let everyone know where your loyalties lie."

"I think Fabbri's death told everyone that I'm with you."

"It told everyone you wouldn't let Fabbri get away with killing your father. It let us all know you're not soft and that Remo taught you well." He nodded his fat fist over his heart. "You're a part of my family, Angelo. No more straying away."

"I don't like that you brought Rachel into this."

Grimaldi raised his bushy brows. "Torrey got Gerry to bring her. I didn't think she would have such an impact. But you know it's a gift really. Having her here helped you remember our necessary protection and it gave you Rachel. It's clear you care deeply for her."

He didn't wait for confirmation because he obviously didn't need it. Grimaldi opened the top drawer to his desk and handed Angelo a picture with a name written on the back. "That's the job, Angelo. It's the key to my trust. You want my trust, don't you?"

Angelo tucked the picture inside his jacket pocket.

A scream from the other room had Angelo reacting before he could think. Yanking the door open he went through the open doorway and out into the hallway where Rachel was frozen. She was standing at the foot of the stairs staring down with her mouth ajar.

Gerry was moving toward her with purpose in his stride. A cruel slant was on his lips, one that Angelo recognized. "Is this gonna be a problem for you, Rachel?"

For an instant, Angelo started for Gerry with a murderous instinct overwhelming him to protect Rachel. It must have been clear because when Gerry saw him he halted in his approach to Rachel.

Angelo reached Rachel and saw Gerry's girl Mona dead at the bottom of the stairs. He turned Rachel away from the horror and into his embrace.

"Damn it, Gerry!" Grimaldi said without the vehemence due to the situation in his voice.

"She had no respect. I didn't think the fall would kill her," Gerry said. "She should have had proper respect. I'm sorry, Grimaldi. I'll take care of it."

Grimaldi crooked his finger at Gerry's other girl who looked like she was up next for the electric chair. "Comfort our new friend, Rachel," he said. "Let her know how it is."

Angelo grudgingly allowed Grimaldi to guide him back a few feet as the other girl embraced Rachel, who was still stiff.

"You gonna keep her close? If she can't handle this it's your duty to put her down. Gerry as dumb-shit as he is, is family. The family comes first."

"Rachel won't say anything. I'll make sure of it." Angelo looked directly into Grimaldi's eyes. "She's mine. That puts her as part of the family."

Grimaldi gave one nod, his over large bottom lip hung forward. "You take care of Eddy like we talked about and we're family." The heavy arms at his sides barely moved with the shrug. "Till then, I'd keep sweet Rachel close."

Shit.

"If anything happens to Rachel I'm going to take it as a cancellation to your invitation, Grimaldi." Angelo lowered his chin watching his enemy.

Grimaldi's small rodent-like eyes squeezed smaller. His bowling ball sized fists pumping at his sides. "Until you take care of Eddy there is nothing I can do to protect Rachel."

"It would be in your best interest not to test me again. Remo did indeed teach me well."

Angelo took Rachel's hand and pulled her from the other girl's embrace. He led her toward the door and Grimaldi signaled his men who allowed him to pass.

"Ten hours, Angelo. That's all I'm giving you."
CHAPTER FOUR

"What the hell do you mean I can't call the cops?" Rachel yelled at him from the passenger seat of his car. "Gerry killed Mona right in front of me, Angelo." He shouldn't get off for that because he's some mafia guy." Her eyes were leaking tears. Her hands were shaking so bad she had to sit on them to make them stop.

"I've got to work something out first, okay? I promise you, Rachel, Gerry is not getting away with this."

"Oh good, I have the word of a goodfella? Are you seriously involved with the mafia, Angelo?"

Rachel looked at him waiting for him to tell her he was under cover or something. Anything that would make him innocent.

"What's important is that I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. You're going to stay with me until I take care of that thing I've gotta do. Gerry and Grimaldi will figure you for a stool pigeon if you're not with me. Do you get that?"

"Angelo, I don't want any part of this."

He shook his head. "That can't be helped now. You saw what you saw. You know what they're capable of so I don't have to tell you that."

Rachel wanted to blame Angelo for getting her into this mess but she couldn't. She was the one who had decided to date for food. Rachel knew she'd gotten herself into her own mess.

"I'm sorry. I've become an obligation to you, Angelo. Thank you for saving me back there. Gerry would have killed me for sure."

She felt Angelo look over at her as she remembered Gerry shoving Mona down the stairs.

He's a creature.

"Please don't thank me, Rachel. It's the least I can do, really." Fatigue or something else darkened his features.

"How long will this thing you need to do take?"

She watched as he pressed his lips together and tilted his head to the left.

That's not good.

"I'm not sure, a day or two. Maybe longer."

"Won't they cover up the evidence by then?"

Angelo turned onto a side street and was watching his rearview mirror. "Gerry isn't getting away with it. I promise you that."

"Are you going to whack him?"

His eyes snapped to hers.

"I mean isn't that how it works?"

His jaw was tight, his teeth clenched. "I know it's been a couple of years but I think you know me better than that, Rachel. I'm not a murderer."

Rachel was still too shook up to be polite. "I don't know you, Angelo. You are part of a mafia family. The guy I thought I knew was a sexy, hot college guy who I only got to date twice. That's not enough to say I know you."

"We were friends before we started dating and the girl I knew would have never worn a dress like that."

Rachel tugged on the neckline. "Well, I guess that goes to show we don't know each other very well anymore."

"I know based on the circumstances of this evening you think I'm some criminal, but you're wrong, Rachel."

His eyes moved over her in the passenger seat. "From what I can see you've become more beautiful and brave in the past two years. I'm sorry that this was how we met up again. I'll explain it all to you. Just not now."

When the car stopped Rachel looked around and was surprised to see they were at her apartment."

"Let's go and get the necessities."

Rachel reached across and put her hand on his chest. "I'll go. You stay here."

I'll die of humiliation if he sees my apartment.

His strong hand covered hers. "Do you have a boyfriend or fiancé you don't want me to meet?"

"I'm just a very private person. I don't want you in my apartment."

"Gerry could've phoned one of his guys to be waiting for you in your apartment. I have to go with you."

Rachel felt her face burning with heat.

Great.

*****

Angelo watched as Rachel blushed in the dimly lit car. He didn't know what it was she didn't want him to see and it only made him want to see everything, see all of her and find out just how far down her blushing could travel.

_Concentrate, Angelo._ He scolded himself.

He got out of the car and scanned the parking lot while he circled around to Rachel's door.

Opening her door, he offered her his hand. She grasped it tightly with her feminine hands which were much stronger than they appeared.

Rachel's long legs stretched out as she stepped from the car and Angelo found it impossible not to glance down and drink in their luxurious length and lean sexy muscle definition.

She was tense at his side as they walked to her apartment. "I don't think Grimaldi or Gerry want to cross me. This is just a precaution. Relax. I'm here for you."

Rachel nodded. "I would be dead now if you hadn't been there. I think I've got a guardian angel that is worn out by now." She tried to laugh. Her voice was great and her stride hurried. She was still afraid.

Who can blame her?

Gerry was a beast who fully intended on killing Mona with that fall. It was probably Grimaldi's idea to have her witness something so it would give him more reason to kill Rachel. Allowing her to live then required Angelo's allegiance.

Clever bastard.

"Ready?" Rachel asked, her blue eyes meeting his. She unlocked the door, and Angelo went in first. It was easy to clear the apartment. It was sparsely furnished leaving few places to hide.

The apartment was very tidy and homey despite the lack of furnishings. There were many pictures of Rachel's parents and the colors painted on the walls were warm and cheerful.

Each closet, room and corner was clear of any threat.

"In one bag gather up anything you couldn't bare losing. Don't worry about clothes too much we can always get you more."

"I'm not coming back here, am I?"

Angelo clenched his jaw praying his answer wouldn't further injure her. She'd been through too much already.

"Just in case."

She nodded but her eyes didn't tear up as he had expected they would. She snatched pictures off the hallway wall. "Have a seat, Angelo. I'll try to be fast."

Angelo couldn't sit still. He went to the kitchen for a glass of water and in search of a glass found the empty food cupboards. He frowned as he filled the glass he'd found at the sink.

Forgetting his thirst he opened the refrigerator. Empty. Every shelf and drawer was vacant. He shook his head with disbelief.

When Rachel had hosted study group in her apartment back in the day she had kept everything well stocked in her kitchen. Her parents had probably made sure she'd had what she needed while she'd been in school.

His stomach already in knots tightened painfully.

"I didn't get a chance to go grocery shopping," Rachel said from the hallway. "I'm almost done." Her tone sounded distant. She didn't like him snooping around her kitchen. He caught her frown before she spun on her heel, her golden blonde hair fanning out behind her as she went.

Angelo turned off the lights in the living room. He looked out the window and watched to see who Grimaldi would send to check up on him. The parking lot was moderately busy but it was easy to spot Grimaldi's pawn.

It was Torrey. Angelo laughed knowing Grimaldi had chosen Torrey to piss him off. _Well done, Grimaldi_. Every time he saw that scumbag he was in an instant fury.

"I owe you, Torrey." He smiled allowing the juices of revenge to boil and spread through his body. A familiar feeling he'd been feeling since Torrey's betrayal.

Angelo had his hand on the doorknob to the front door when he heard Rachel come in behind him. She'd already witnessed a murder. Angelo didn't want her to have to watch him beat Torrey to a bloody pulp.

His knuckles were white on the knob. Torrey deserved worse than a beating. He deserved to be under a tombstone.

"I'm finished. Where are we going next? Is there a safe house or something?"

Angelo turned back toward her. She had changed out of the dress and was wearing jeans and a black, v-neck, cable stitched sweater. It was a modest cut but still gave him a healthy peek at her smooth fair skin and delectable neck.

He remembered she'd been most sensitive in the crook of her neck. The gasping sound of pleasure she'd made when he kissed her there still made him hard every time he remembered it.

"Angelo? Are we going to a safe house?"

"I am your safe house, Rachel." He hadn't meant to say that out loud but he wasn't sorry that he had. Angelo wanted her to know that he would protect her. He wanted her trust.
CHAPTER FIVE

Rachel wasn't as confident as Angelo. Gerry looked like he had been robbed when Angelo took her out of Grimaldi's instead of allowing her death.

Gerry had been elated when he'd watched Mona fall down the stairs. He was a blood thirsty creature as far as she was concerned, and she didn't think Gerry was going to be okay with her outside of his hold when she knew what she did.

"Why did they let me leave? I can't believe they let me leave."

Angelo picked up her bag. His handsome face was serious though he still had the same warmth in his honey brown eyes that she knew. He tested the weight of the bag and raised his dark brows.

"Are you sure you don't want to take anything else?"

Rachel nodded. "I have all I need." He was still skeptical but she wasn't about to get in to why she was so ready to go with him. She didn't want to tell him how alone she'd been since her parents died or how many times she'd sobbed herself to sleep.

The apartment held nothing but loneliness and heartache for her. She would probably grasp at any reason to get out though any other way out would have been better than this one.

"Grimaldi had us tailed to make sure we didn't go to the cops. I want you to hold onto my elbow. I need to keep my right hand free."

"Followed? Oh, my gosh."

"It's just Torrey. You're not afraid of him. Right?"

Rachel shrugged. "Well, I guess I am. I would have never gone if it wasn't for him. He's involved in all that crime family crap isn't he?"

Angelo nodded. "Yeah but he's just a pion. I won't let him near you if he scares you."

She couldn't look at him when he was saying stuff like that. He was already painfully gorgeous. Rachel knew she wasn't wearing her best decision making hat at that moment either.

She grasped onto the only thing he'd said that she dared comment on. "Pee-on? You two used to be close friends."

"Things change."

"Yeah they do," she said looking Angelo over again. He'd become dangerous and even sexier than he used to be with his broad shoulders and lean muscle-sculpted body.

The image of Mona's face as she had been lying there dead surfaced in her mind. She felt sick. Angelo was with Grimaldi and Gerry in that house. She needed to remember that.

"You haven't answered me about why they let me leave. They let me leave if I was going to be with you so what does that mean? Who are you to them and who are they to you?"

"Grimaldi wants me to take my father's place in the family. I refused but when Torrey brought you in, I couldn't refuse and leave."

Rachel stepped in close to take her bag from his grasp. "No way. I don't want you to be pushed into the mafia because of me. I'll go to the FBI or something."

Angelo didn't release the bag. He was so close when she looked up at him. "This is the least I can do for you, Rachel. Please let me help you. I'm not about to do anything stupid. Trust me."

"Angelo, you don't owe me. You saved my life tonight."

"I owe you, okay."

Rachel frowned shaking her head. "No. You don't."

"You wouldn't have gone tonight at all if you didn't know me. I should've warned you about my family long ago. This is my fault."

Rachel wanted to reassure him that she didn't blame him but he opened the door and offered her his arm. She took hold of it and closed the door behind them.

The parking lot was well-lit but somehow it seemed so much darker than it ever had before.

"Is Torrey a killer?"

"No. Just a bully."

Rachel spotted him. He was smoking and the butt of his cigarette lit up the loathing expression he wore. He was lanky and not someone she would have called intimidating until right then. It didn't take great strength or cunning to pull a trigger.

There was a promise of violence in Angelo's eyes that were directed at Torrey. Something big had gone down between the two that was in addition to his current offenses.

"Why do they want you so badly?" she whispered hoping he wouldn't tell her he was a hit man. The cool calculated look Torrey was receiving didn't bode well for the answer she wanted.

He opened the door for her. "Remo Donati was my father. He trained me. Grimaldi is certain I'm the one he needs but he's wrong." Angelo closed the door once she was inside the car. She watched him approach Torrey's car.

_What is he doing?_ Rachel pressed both of her fists against her mouth as she watched.

Torrey was shrinking back in his seat. He started his car, tossing his cigarette. Angelo stretched his arm forward and Rachel heard two popping sounds as Torrey's car sagged and the two tires on the left side of his car emptied of air.

Rachel let out the breath she was holding feeling just like Torrey's tires. She'd thought for a split second Angelo was going to kill Torrey.

Angelo strode back to the car and got in. "Put your seatbelt on, Rachel."

He pulled away. Rachel watched as Torrey swore and kicked his car. Angelo chuckled making a right onto the onramp to the freeway.

"Are you sure that was a good idea?"

"Torrey got off lucky and he knows it, trust me." He laughed again. "Grimaldi will tear him a new one."

She watched him noting how in control and calm he was. What must it have been like to grow up with a father involved with the Grimaldi crime family? Angelo must have seen so much. How else could he be as calm as he was?

Maybe he sensed that she wasn't handling the evening as well as he was. They didn't talk for a while as he continued to drive. Determined to rise above her terror she focused on Angelo. "I'm sorry your father passed away," Rachel said.

"I'm sorry you lost your parents. I heard about it and didn't think you needed me getting in your way while you mourned and made funeral arrangements."

She didn't miss his side-stepping the topic of his father. "Yeah, it was a hard time." She folded her hands in her lap.

The shock was beginning to wear off. At least she hoped it was. Exhaustion was setting in, but she was still too freaked out to even close her eyes.

Angelo was exiting off the freeway. "Are you hungry?"

"No."

"Are you sure? Your kitchen was bare."

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, I was getting ready to move out."

"So you packed your kitchen first?" Angelo gave her a side glance that pricked her anger.

"Well, since I was eating at work or my boyfriend's house there was no need to keep the kitchen stocked."

He nodded smiling. "Except you already told me you don't have a boyfriend."

"I did not."

"It was more between the lines but yes, you told me you're single."

Why am I lying anyway? He's the one who hangs out with the freaking mafia.

"My roommate stiffed me on her half of the rent for the past couple months. Satisfied?"

"What's her name?" he asked with a scowl on his face.

Is he going to have her whacked?

"I don't know."

"You don't know you're roommate's name?"

Rachel had her fist in front of her mouth again. "Why?"

He pulled into a drive-thru. "Because she sounds like a bitch. What do you want to eat? You didn't eat much at Grimaldi's."

"I just witnessed Mona's murder, abandoned my apartment and watched you shoot out Torrey's tires. I'm not hungry."

Angelo was unphased by her temper flare. "I'll get you some French fries."

"Thanks I was worried you didn't hear me."

"And a shake."

Rachel shrugged. "You're a great listener, Angie."

He smiled instead of cringing at the nickname she had given him when they were dating, which he hadn't liked then and still doesn't.

Rachel watched him order way too much food and then as he pulled forward to the window he reached across her and opened the glove compartment.

He removed a white paint marker and its cap. Then he paid at the first window holding the marker out of sight.

As they pulled forward to the second window he dragged the white paint marker across the brick at an upward angle. He capped the marker and stopped at the second window.

"What was that?"

Angelo nodded at the person at the second window and thanked them for the food.

When he pulled back onto the main road and still hadn't answered her question she decided to ask again.

"Either you just had an undeniable need to graffiti the wall, or you had a reason to mark it. Are you a spy?"

He sighed. "No."

Rachel nodded. "So you're working with them?"

He nodded handing her the shake. "I am now."

"Because of me?"

"You didn't think I would actually go to work for Grimaldi did you?"

Rachel looked down at her hands in her lap. She had thought that was what he was going to do. "I always said you were smart, Angelo."

Angelo's phone rang.

He picked up before the second ring. "Hello. Yeah, I'm ready but it's not just me anymore."

Rachel watched him only faintly able to hear the speaker on the other end.

"She's an eyewitness and if you can't take us both then I'm not coming in." Angelo looked over at Rachel. He gave her a quick smile of reassurance, while he listened to the speaker on the other end of the phone line. He nodded at her after a minute.

"Okay, where is the pickup?"

He listened and then pressed end on his phone screen. "This is the only way I know how to get us out of this mess. I'm sorry it's not easier and I'm sorry you have to go through all of this," Angelo said.

"Witness protection?"

He took a hard right. "Yeah."

"But Gerry will be held accountable?"

"Yes."

Rachel leaned toward him and kissed him on the cheek. He really was a good man. "Thank you, Angelo."

He turned toward her. She thought he would kiss her. His eyes were on her lips and he looked like he wanted what she was waiting for.

"Please," he said his voice raspy. "Stop thanking me." He pulled into a parking structure and drove up four levels before parking. As soon as he turned off the engine a black sedan pulled in next to her side of the car.

"This is our ride," Angelo said. He gave her hand a squeeze. "Ready?"

Rachel didn't get to answer. Her door opened and she was ushered into the sedan. Angelo was put in the backseat with her. He was holding her bag. She hadn't even remembered to get it.

One of the agents drove away in Angelo's car and then the sedan exited the parking structure heading in a different direction. She thought she'd been ready for her life to change but as they pulled out onto the street coldness settled on her shoulders.

Everything was going to change. She realized she was leaving not just the bad behind but the good too. After everything that had happened she still couldn't cry. Her body was so tight she felt as though she was standing on the edge of the cliff in a harsh windstorm.

Angelo reached across her and buckled her seatbelt. He scooted to the middle and put his arm around her. "I know," he whispered. "Everything is going to be okay."

Everything for the next couple hours was a blur for Rachel. They were taken to a facility where they separated Rachel from Angelo and asked her what she'd witnessed.

They filmed and tape recorded her testimony asking her so many questions she felt like her brain had turned to hay. "What time is it?" She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You're doing great, Rachel. We only have a few more questions for you."

They had been saying that for a while. She couldn't fathom what else they could ask her. Most of the questioning had become repetitive.

"Are you aware of any criminal activity perpetrated by Mr. Angelo Donati?"

"No."

The agent nodded. "Are you here of your own free will?"

Rachel sipped the coffee they'd set before her. "You already asked me that. Yes, I am."

"Because if you stand behind everything you just testified to on tape things are going to change for you. You're whole life is going to change and there is no going back."

Rachel thought of Mona again and knew there was no other choice for her. "I'm sure."

"Everything in your written statement and recorded testimony regarding Gerardo Marconi and Santé Grimaldi were provided by you, Rachel Stewart, of your own free will and are one hundred percent the truth?"

"That is correct."

"You testify that Angelo Donati, son of Remo Donati did not coerce you in any way to provide this eyewitness account?"

Rachel locked eyes with the agent questioning her. "I saw what I already told you I saw and I wanted there to be justice for Mona. Angelo Donati saved my life tonight. I don't care whose son he is, he's a hero. What he's doing here with you proves that."

The agent nodded. "You don't strike me as the kind of girl who would be around the Grimaldi family."

"I'm not."

"Are you sure you have no other reason to testify against Grimaldi and Marconi?"

"Yes. I knew nothing of either man until tonight."

"That should be all the questions we have for now. Come with me and I'll show you to the conference room where you'll be meeting your handler."

Finally.

"Thank you." Rachel followed him from the room feeling dead on her feet. They passed other agents in the hallway who kept a wary eye on her. She supposed most people in witness protection probably were criminals.

When they reached the conference room she couldn't hide how good it felt to see a familiar face. Angelo stood and embraced her.

"This is your handler, Agent Peterson," the agent from questioning said. "He'll be taking care of you from here."
CHAPTER SIX

As soon as they took Rachel away for questioning, Agent Peterson was nearly crawling down Angelo's throat in search of the evidence they'd been counting on him bringing in to them.

"I don't have it on me I have to get it."

"What?" Peterson nearly shouted his question.

Angelo didn't apologize. "Rachel had to be safe first. I'll go get it."

"We'll come with you." Peterson was practically drooling.

Angelo shook his head. "You need to stay here and make sure no crooked cop gets to Rachel."

"She's safe."

"Have you checked on her personally, Peterson? Have you even seen her? No, you haven't. Let me put it this way. No Rachel, no evidence. Keep her in your sights until I get back."

Agent Peterson was shifting his weight from side to side. "I'll send a couple of agents with you then. How long will this take?"

"Not long," Angelo said. "Just give me your word you're going to keep Rachel safe."

"Who is this Rachel? You and the Grimaldi family have been under our surveillance for years. I don't know of any Rachel."

Angelo rubbed the stubble on his jawline. "You wouldn't know of Rachel. She was brought in just tonight and saw too much. She deserves your protection."

"You don't?" Peterson asked.

"We both know I'm no angel," Angelo answered. "Where is my ride? Let's get in and out of here. Grimaldi had men everywhere. I want Rachel and me out of here today."

Peterson nodded. "Get me the evidence. I'll get you out of here."

The two agents assigned to drive him, Parker and Whitt, were uncomfortable around him. They wanted to watch him. Angelo couldn't expect them to trust him, not with a hit man as father.

"We'll need shovels," Angelo said watching their shoulders rise in further unease.

"We'll get one shovel," Agent Whitt sitting next to him said. "I heard Remo Donati made Chief Morgan dig his own grave before he killed him."

Angelo cringed inwardly at the mention of one of Remo's more publicized hits. Chief Morgan had been a grandfather and a good man. He'd been good at his job and hot on Grimaldi's heels.

"I'm not Remo."

Agent Parker behind the wheel asked, "Is that what you told Amelio Fabbri before you offed him?"

Angelo turned in his seat and the agent covered his gun with his hand ready to draw. "Let's get that shovel before I change my mind."

Agent Whitt was sweating. But he was brave enough to keep eye contact with Angelo and that was something few men dared to try. Angelo smiled. "I came to you. I want this. You have nothing to fear from me."

Nothing he said eased the agents and he had to respect them for not being easily swayed. They watched him dig up the lockbox from beneath an apple tree in an orchard outside of the city.

Angelo didn't hand up the box. It wasn't leaving his hands until he was handing it over to Agent Peterson. He'd done his homework and Agent Peterson was a man that Angelo could trust to uphold the law.

He climbed out of the hole with the box under his arm. Agent Whitt was watching Angelo and didn't see Agent Parker duck down.

"Get down," Angelo commanded Whitt. Luckily he listened and hit the dirt with Angelo as a heavy spray of bullets whizzed all around them.

Whitt had his gun out and aimed at the forested area. "You have an extra gun? Or a knife?"

"I'm not giving you a weapon."

Angelo army crawled with the box still in his possession to Agent Parker. "Give me your gun, dirty cop."

"What? I'm not-"

Angelo knocked out Parker with the metal box and took the gun. "Cover me, Whitt," Angelo said as he stood and ran through the orchard at a diagonal angle toward the forest. Bullets hit trees in front of and behind him. It didn't faze him.

He heard the car doors slamming as whomever Parker had sold him out to rushed to escape him. Angelo climbed the tall oak until he had them in his sights.

They weren't going to allow him to return to the FBI, not alive. It was Julian Fabbri and two of his thugs. This was revenge for Amelio.

Angelo took aim. He would maim and keep them from pursuing.

More shots rang through the air and he heard Whitt cry out in pain.

Shit.

He didn't have time to redirect what he'd been trained to do. They were going to kill Agent Whitt if he didn't go off instinct. He had to do what he was trained to do.

Shutting down his emotion he pulled the trigger.

One, two, three, four.

He climbed down the tree. All four of the gunmen were dead when he reached them. Bending over he took their cell phones and added them to the lockbox.

Angelo trudged back across the orchard to Whitt. He was hit in the leg and had already tied off the wound. Veins were bulging in his forehead.

"You did this."

"No. I didn't and I think you know that." Angelo held out his hand. "Give me your gun."

Whitt shook his head holding his gun on Angelo. Angelo held up his hands still holding the box and the gun. "Your partner was ducking down when I was climbing out. He called in Fabbri. We turn in the cell phones with the ones I took off of Fabbri and his guys and we'll know for sure. Don't you want to be cleared?"

The agent looked over at Parker, who was still unconscious. The look on his face was one of anguish and betrayal.

"I need you to focus. I am going to need you to confirm the events that took place just now. Fabbri and his guys weren't going to leave you alive to tell what you saw after they took me out and Parker knew that."

Agent Whitt lowered his gun. He nodded jerkily and clutched at his injured leg with the movement. When he looked up again he handed over his cell phone.

"Watch me get Parker's so you can vouch for me I didn't make any calls." Angelo fished the phone out of Parker's pocket and dropped it in the lockbox. "Let's move. Fabbri could have called for help when you returned fire."

Angelo wanted to drag Parker's sorry ass across the ground to the trunk but he didn't think Whitt was going to let me do that. He hefted him over his shoulder and carried him over to the passenger seat.

He put his seatbelt on him and then helped Whitt into the backseat and propped his leg up across the seat.

"Thanks," Whitt said as Angelo started the car.

"Just keep your eyes peeled for Fabbri reinforcements."

Angelo doubted Fabbri had enough time to call for back up with how quickly it had all gone down. He got off the main roads and where it was quickest he made his own road through the orchard to the other side and a different road.

As soon as they were back at the FBI, the feds about lost it since he returned with two injured agents and he was whole and well.

He turned the lockbox over to Agent Peterson and was left in the conference room to mull over the blood on his hands. If only they hadn't hit Whitt he could have left them alive.

Five lives.

He'd taken five lives now and it seemed no matter how hard he tried, no matter how tirelessly he fought, he was becoming more and more like his father.

There was still dirt on his arms from digging up the lockbox. There was still blood on his shirt from helping Whitt into the car. There was still the taste of copper in his mouth from biting his tongue while he'd taken the shots that had ended the lives of those men.

He wanted to wash off the dirt and the guilt that weighed him down into the seat. Angelo hadn't been sweating when he'd taken the shots but he was sweating now.

A hot shower would clear away the grime and give him the privacy to pray for forgiveness. Killing murderers in self defense was the right thing to do but taking a life was still taking a life.

The conference room was vacant but he knew he wasn't alone. They were watching him. They would continue to watch him. He could feel their eyes, their judgments. It would be easy to hate the badges but that would be too much like Remo.

Angelo would rather be like the grandfather his mother had always told him about. He would rather be like the father Rachel had always talked about.

The door opened and Peterson came into the room. "You were right. Parker was dirty." Peterson glanced over at a framed picture on the wall that was obviously a camera. "Whitt asked me to thank you for helping him survive the scrimmage."

Angelo inclined his head.

"We've got enough to take down more than Grimaldi. Did you look in the lockbox? Are you aware of what you gave us?"

"My father said it would keep me alive. That's all I needed to know."

Peterson drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "You're taking a big chance turning it over to me. You're doing the right thing."

"I know that. Where is Rachel? It's nearly lunchtime. We've been here too long."

Peterson nodded at the frame. "She's on her way." He drummed his fingers again. "We don't need her with what you gave us."

"We had a deal." Angelo leaned forward in the chair toward Peterson.

"Yes, we do. I'm not trying to back out of it, Angelo. I assume you'd like her placed with you?"

Angelo nodded. "I don't trust anyone else to keep her safe. Where are you placing us?"

"I'll tell you that when you're in the air. She says she's not involved with you but you make it seem like-"

"We're old friends. She's not involved with anything criminal. Why? It doesn't change she's a witness."

Peterson lowered his eyes to the notepad on the table. "She's a very attractive woman. She's innocent, like you said. Rachel may be better off being placed somewhere away from you and your lifestyle."

"They brought her in to control me. They'll be looking for her as hard as they'll be looking for me. I want to make sure she is safe myself."

Peterson laughed. "You're a one man army? You can protect her better than we can?"

"Why don't you ask Whitt?"

Peterson smiled with clenched teeth. "I can see why you would have cause to doubt."

The door opened behind him and Peterson stepped aside as Rachel was shown into the room. She was pale. There were trails of tears still on her face and her wrists were so tiny he was sure she'd lost ten pounds in the last sixteen hours.

Her swollen blue eyes lit up when they met his and he rose to embrace her. Rachel clung to him as Peterson was introduced to her. Rachel still had her face hidden in their embrace so she missed Agent Peterson fixing his tie and checking his breath.

Peterson offered her his hand as she slowly released Angelo.

"Nice to meet you," she said automatically.

"I am going to take good care of you, Rachel. What you are doing is a very brave thing."

She nodded taking Angelo's hand.

With her touch, it was like she yanked him back to himself reminding him who and what he was and not what everyone thought he was.

"We're going to get you out of here in just a minute but before we get on that plane I have to know that you are committed to this." Peterson took her free hand in his. "You'll have to take on a new name and a new life. That means new likes, new hobbies, new friends. You cannot contact friends or family as it will endanger them."

Rachel nodded. "Thank you, I'm sure."

Peterson tugged on her hand pulling her forward and out of Angelo's grasp. "You're sure?"

Rachel glanced back at Angelo. "Yes. Am I going to be placed with Angelo? Or will I be by myself?"

"Yes, you'll be with me," Angelo said.

"Unless you'd rather be on your own," Peterson said with a slight nod.

Peterson, you dick.

"No, I'd rather be placed with Angelo."

"We're ready to go, Peterson," Angelo said with a dry smile.

Peterson didn't see the smile because he was caught up in Rachel's gaze. Angelo almost laughed out loud as he watched Peterson under her gaze. He fixed his dirty blond hair and adjusted his tie and leaned forward when he spoke with a smile on his face that was completely inappropriate to the current situation.

"Just come with me. We're going to take a helicopter to a military airfield where we'll fly out to your safe house."

Rachel nodded. "Thank you."

The three of them took an elevator to the roof and piled into the helicopter. Peterson jabbered the whole way about all the special secretive precautions he was taking to make sure no one knew where Rachel would be and how safe she was in his care.

Zip it up, Peterson.

Rachel put her seatbelt on and sat herself next to Angelo and Peterson sat across from her. Angelo grinned to himself when Rachel folded her arms across her chest because then Peterson wouldn't be able to hold her hands.

She leaned against Angelo's shoulder and he automatically wrapped his arm around her and held her close. They couldn't talk without yelling if they were going to be heard over the noise of the helicopter.

Holding her was like a healing balm to all the raw anguish that came with taking lives. With Rachel in his arms, he knew that he would do anything to protect her. The anguish faded to a level he could deal with. He was breathing easier by the time the helicopter touched down.
CHAPTER SEVEN

The plane was already waiting for them when they exited the helicopter so they went from one to the other. The outside of the plane appeared to be military but inside it reminded Rachel of a cross between an office building and a bachelor pad.

There was a conference room, sleeping area and two full bathrooms. Peterson was telling her there was more but Rachel was caught up on the full bathrooms.

"I'd really like to take a shower. Is there time for that?" she asked.

"Of course. We'll be in the air for a few hours at least."

She hesitated outside of the bathroom door and turned toward Angelo. Peterson got the hint. "I'll be in the conference room getting the last details checked off." He gave Angelo a pointed look that Rachel didn't miss.

The two obviously had history which made Rachel feel better. It meant that Angelo had been considering going into witness protection before she showed up and that was a relief.

"Everyone is asking me if I'm feeling forced into this and I get the feeling no one is asking you. I know we're already on this plane. I should have asked you, Angelo. Did you want to be placed in the same town or safe house as I am? I should have asked you before."

Angelo's lips went from a straight line to a smile.

"No one has asked me because they can all see that I want to be at your side, Rachel."

Her heart swelled so big it pushed out the fear. It was hard not to want to grab onto that shirt smeared in dirt and kiss him. Kiss the man she'd daydreamed about since the first time she'd seen him.

She almost did back then.

But he'd disappeared when her parents had died. She hadn't moved from the apartment she was living in when they were dating and her phone number stayed the same. He had never tried to contact her. There had to be a reason for that.

He is my friend. He is a good man. Angelo is being the great guy that he is and nothing more.

"Thank you for being such a great friend, Angelo. I really am lucky to have you."

His smile didn't budge. Angelo's knee-melting brown eyes stayed with hers. "I'm the lucky one." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. It was soft and tantalizingly sweet. Rachel didn't have time to react.

Angelo was still close but he broke the kiss. "I'll be whatever you want me to be." His voice was deep and made her body vibrate in response to him.

Holy man candy! What?

"I'll see you in the conference room," he hesitated. "I was very happy to hear you say you wanted to be with me."

Rachel felt herself nod.

She watched his stride as he walked away. His self-control of his body was so sexy. He was sleek and smooth. Every move he made was calculated. The relaxed stride she remembered was gone and so was the shyness he'd shown.

Rachel went into the bathroom before she did something stupid. This wasn't the time to be making relationship decisions. Angelo walked away hurt but she couldn't take him leaving when she trusted no one else.

Why does he have to be so delicious?

She stood under the spray of hot water as his words echoed in her mind.

'I'll be whatever you want me to be.'

Where was he with all this support the last two years? Whatever I want him to be? He said he owes me. He must feel guilty for disappearing.

Rachel tilted her face up into the flow of the hot water wishing it would wash away where her train of thought was leading her.

Pity.

She grabbed the shampoo and started scrubbing her scalp.

But he kissed me. He likes me, right?

Rachel rinsed out the soap and went for the body wash. It smelled like apple and cinnamon. It reminded her of the way her mother's kitchen had smelled every holiday or visit home from college. She held the bottle and inhaled the scent.

"Mom, what would you do?" she said aloud.

Of course there was no answer. She washed off her body and conditioned her hair. She rinsed off again and turned off the water. Leaning against the shower wall with her eyes closed she whispered, "I miss you, Mom. Tell Dad I'm sorry about the red dress." She laughed thinking of what he would've said to her if he could've. Her smile faded. He couldn't.

She straightened her shoulders. Her parents would want her to be strong. They would be proud of her for speaking up for Mona. Rachel wanted them to be proud that she didn't fall into bed with a man who felt he owed her even when she was as alone as she was.

Just friends. I can be friends.
CHAPTER EIGHT

He knew he shouldn't have kissed Rachel before he'd done it but he couldn't stop himself. After all the control he'd learned to have, the things he'd understood he couldn't have and accepted it, he couldn't apply them to Rachel.

Angelo washed and dressed quickly because he wanted to ask Peterson some questions before Rachel rejoined them in the conference room.

Peterson was lining up folders so that they were symmetrical as Angelo reached the table. "Why the push to separate me from Rachel? Your flirting is unacceptable in the vulnerable state she's in not to mention you are not allowed to have a relationship with someone to whom you're a handler to."

Agent Peterson shrugged tilting his head to the left. "I think a sweet girl like that deserves to find a guy who isn't just going to fall back into his old ways. You're going to do just that. We both know it."

It should have infuriated Angelo but it was an assumption he'd been dealing with his whole life. "Fine, think what you like but you've already asked and she's already answered." Angelo could see the surprise in Peterson's expression.

Angelo was interested to know how much Peterson knew about Rachel. He glanced over toward the bathroom where Rachel was and then back to Peterson. "Anything else you have against me? Any other information you might have that would be a good reason for Rachel and me not to be together?"

Peterson studied Angelo turning his head to the side. "Like what?"

"You just seem to be heavily against Rachel and me being in the same safe house and I was hoping it was more than just a stereotype that had you putting so much effort into changing Rachel's mind. I'm disappointed." Angelo sat down at the table.

Peterson sat at the head of the table and didn't speak while he straightened out the folders that Angelo had bumped. "I'll be very happy if you prove the stereotype wrong."

The bathroom door opened. Angelo scooted to the edge of his seat waiting for Rachel to come out of the bathroom. Now that she was away from all of the Grimaldi men, Angelo really loved that he was getting to see her again.

He'd meant what he'd said about being whatever Rachel wanted him to be. He owed her and if she wanted him to be her friend, slave, bodyguard, lover or any combination there in, he would be.

Rachel came out of the bathroom with her hair braided and smelled like something sweet he wanted to taste. The kiss dazed expression he left her with had been washed away in the shower. Rachel was clear eyed and had the same expression she'd worn when she meant business about studying.

"So do I have to dye my hair or go through plastic surgery?" she asked sitting across from Angelo.

"No, you may have to testify in court. After your testimony we can discuss if you feel it necessary to take those steps," Agent Peterson answered. "Let's just take this one day at a time. I'm going to go over the basics with you if you're both ready?"

Angelo was still watching Rachel and wondering what realization she'd come to in the shower. He had a feeling he was going to get stuck being just a friend.

Dammit.

She was wearing a navy blouse with buttons that would make a clicking noise when they bounced on the ground. He wanted to open up that blouse and show her that he wanted to be so much more than just her friend.

"Are you listening, Angelo?"

"Yes."

Peterson raised both brows at Angelo. "You cannot answer to your old names so start using your new ones. No contact with your old friends or family. You need to study your new back stories and know them like the back of your hands.

"If someone recognizes you, you tell them they are mistaken and you call in for a new location transfer. Do not do anything that will bring unwanted attention. Stay away from media. Don't post pics on any social media or blog about the witness protection program."

Peterson slid a file in front of each of them at the same time. "Rachel your new name is Eileen Rachel Simmons-Parker. Angelo you are now William Angus Parker. Read your back stories and settle into your new lives as quickly as possible. We will be landing in about two hours."

"Simmons hyphen Parker? Are we supposed to be a married couple?"

"Yes and no. You are a couple in the midst of a divorce this way your familiarity will not be strange and you won't be expected to show affection."

Great.

Peterson was smiling when he looked over at Angelo. "Any questions, William?"

"I don't look like a William."

"Go by Will then. I need to go and call the safe house so they'll be ready for you. They only know your new identities, don't share your old lives with anyone. You're old life is dead and gone." Peterson looked pointedly at Rachel. "Got it, Eileen?"

She nodded. "I understand, Agent Peterson. Thank you." She opened up the file and began to read. Angelo opened his file and began to scan the information. He couldn't gage where Rachel was at with her being so quiet he needed to get her talking again.

"So tell me about Eileen Parker." Angelo smiled at her when she raised her blue eyes up to look at him.

"Don't you mean Simmons hyphen Parker?"

"I'm hoping Eileen and William will work things out and stay together."

Rachel tried not to smile. He could see her struggling to keep a neutral expression. "Well, according to our back story, you cheated on me and I just don't see how I'm gonna get past that."

"That's stupid. I would never cheat on you. We need a different reason."

Rachel nodded turning the page. "Maybe we can say you lack passion and the fortitude to keep what you've won."

"Lack passion? Lack fortitude? That's less believable than me cheating on you." He laughed but Rachel didn't laugh with him.

Uh oh.

"How about we say you don't want children and I do."

This made Rachel smile. "I want children. Lots of children."

"Me too," he said giving her a meaningful gaze that she pretended not to catch. She was blushing again so he knew she did. "I know we'll say you aren't attracted to me anymore."

"So we're just going to make Eileen a lesbian now? No. I have to live this new persona, William."

He was smiling so big she couldn't fight back the laughter.

"You're right, who wouldn't want to ride this love train?" He laughed with her.

When their laughter died down Rachel's eyes got sad like she'd remembered something. When she blinked a few times, her emotional mask was back in place. "I think we'll just go with what I said. The lack of drive and fortitude. Okay?"

What the hell is she really saying here?

"Eileen loves jogging, that's gonna suck," she said wrinkling her nose. "She is from a family of three but is estranged from them and it says it's your fault, Will. They didn't approve of you."

"I sound like a real winner. I should thank Peterson for his generosity."

Rachel smiled. "If it's any consolation, my mom was really excited to meet you. I think she would have liked you very much."

Angelo forced a smile though and he felt sick to his stomach again. He quickly looked down at his paperwork. "It says we met running a marathon. I guess I like to run too."

Rachel shrugged. "We also play baseball. I can't hit a ball. I hate being at bat. Can I just say I love it but never actually play?"

"My interests are archeology and criminal science. I sound kind of morbid don't I?"

Rachel was laughing. "You're not an archeology type guy. What if we can't fool anyone? How are we going to be someone else? I can't be anybody but me. I'm twenty-six years old and I finally feel like I know who I am."

"I think you can do anything you put your mind to, Rach- I mean, Eileen. I don't think you should forget who you are. I think you should look at this like it's broadening your horizons. I can show you how to swing a bat, baby."

"Okay." She smiled. "I like that." She turned the page. "Have you looked at your qualifications page? It says I have a Masters Degree in Human Relations."

"Hey congratulations." He flipped pages until he got to the qualifications section. "Looks like I have a Masters in Family Therapy and I just bought a tanning salon." Angelo looked over his shoulder to see if he could catch Peterson so this could be altered.

Rachel burst out laughing again.

"I sound like a pervert buying a tanning salon. I do not own a tanning salon." Angelo shook his head. "Family therapy? I'll be sued for the advice I give."

She was holding her stomach laughing so hard tears rolled down her cheeks. Angelo had intended on going and hunting down Peterson to get his new setup fixed but he loved seeing her laugh and was soaking in every detail of the scene before him.

Nothing was permanent in his life and Rachel allowing him to flirt and hope she'd let him be part of her life wasn't going to last. Sooner or later the truth would come out and she would never want to see him again. Worse, she would hate him.

"This isn't funny, people. This is serious," Peterson said as he rejoined them.

"I can't own a tanning salon. I am no one's therapist, and I would have to be blind and have the intelligence of a bag of rice to cheat on Rachel."

"Eileen," Peterson corrected. "Fine she cheated on you. There was infidelity."

"What kind of therapist am I if I'm letting my marriage go down the drain?"

Peterson knocked on the table as he considered the question. "Many therapists are divorced. Look, you want to stay off Grimaldi's radar? You're on the Fabbri family's radar big time now too. You don't like this setup, well after you've testified you are free to move on and make William Parker whatever you'd like him to be on your own."

Peterson smiled at Rachel. "You like Eileen?"

"Yes, I can work with this but what about the degree? I don't know anything about human relations."

"It's a degree that is very flexible and will make you very easy to hire. I think you'll be great at it, Eileen." He reached into his pocket and removed a bag of plain silver rings. "Pick out your size, folks."

Angelo cringed. "I would get her a better ring than a plain silver band."

"Well, William didn't."

"This one fits." Rachel slid the plain band on her finger.

Peterson handed him the bag. "Your turn."

Angelo found a thick silver band that fit and handed the bag back to Peterson. "Where are we going?"

"We'll be landing at a military base. You will be provided with a car which has a GPS tracker on it. You will be living in Delta County, Colorado in the city of Peaches."

"Peaches, Colorado? I've never heard of it." Rachel frowned.

"No, most people haven't. It isn't a metropolis by any means but it is populated enough that people won't take too much notice at newcomers and small enough anyone you might know probably won't be passing through."

Peterson was right about that. No one Angelo knew would be stopping in a town called Peaches. Angelo smiled when he saw Rachel looking at him with the same frown still on her face.

"We'll make it work as our starting point," he said.

Peterson lifted Rachel's bag onto the table. "Now anything that will tip off anyone to who you really are can't come with you." He slid the bag toward her. "You can take your clothes but pictures or special made jewelry and the like stays with me. I'll hold it for you and when the danger passes I will return them to you."

Rachel hugged the bag to her chest. "I only have clothes in my bag."

"No. You've got your purse in there and several photo albums. I had to go through it to make sure it is clean."

"Clean?"

"I wanted to make sure there wasn't anything added to the bag that could allow someone to track us."

Rachel unzipped the bag. She handed over her purse which was already open and began to dig through the clothes for the albums. "I'd like to keep a few pictures."

"I'm sorry." Peterson shook his head.

"Let me have a look at them before you hold onto them." Angelo grabbed the book before Peterson could retrieve it from Rachel.

Peterson sighed like he was blowing out birthday candles. "Anyway, I'll be giving you your first allowance check, a cell phone and your documentation including a driver's license and birth certificate. On your cell phone I am listed as Peterson's Dry Cleaning Service."

"So where do we go when we get to Peaches, Colorado? Is someone meeting us or do we get a hotel?"

"You've rented out a duplex, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Your neighbor is one of ours and will be watching out for you. He's going to say that he and Angelo are old friends from his college days at Utah State University, where you both attended."

"He's got a tanning shop he's getting ready to run. What am I doing? Do I have a job?" Rachel asked.

Angelo leaned forward making sure Rachel heard him. "I'm not running a tanning shop."

"We thought it could be a joint effort to save your marriage kind of deal. Management is already in place so you won't have much responsibility. We want you to be available if we need you in court."

Angelo handed Peterson the album and opened up his folder. Rachel's eyes were drooping as she struggled to listen to all of his instructions. Angelo hid his smile with his folder.

Sleep won out and she had her head on her arm on the table. Angelo tapped Peterson who was still talking. "I'll take her to bed."

"To the bed."

"I know what I said." He picked up Rachel, who didn't stir. He carried her to the bedroom and tucked her in under the covers. Fatigue was catching up to him as well and he wanted to be sharp when they landed.

Rachel hadn't given him the green light on anything but friendship yet and he doubted that included sharing her bed.

He went to the bench seat outside the bedroom and tucked a pillow under his head. Closing his eyes he thought of Rachel so he wouldn't dream about becoming his father.
CHAPTER NINE

Rachel awoke to a knocking sound.

She would have sworn on any bible her eyelids had never been this heavy before. Her body was heavy and sore like she'd been in a fight or a lot of weight lifting. "Hello?" she called out only raising her head off the pillow.

"We're here," Angelo called through the door.

"Okay." She pushed back the covers. She was still fully dressed though her blouse and matching slacks were wrinkled from sleeping in them. Rachel was still too groggy to be concerned with wrinkles.

She opened the door.

Angelo looked just as tired as she was. "You know what I forgot to ask you?"

She noticed he tensed a little. "Relax I'm not a cop." She smiled. "You had dirt and wine on you before."

"I had to dig up some evidence." He winked before leading her back toward the conference room. There was her bag with a new purse sitting on top of it.

Angelo picked up his suitcase and tucked the wallet into his back pocket. Rachel followed his lead and retrieved her stuff. They filled the trunk of the car that had been brought in for them with their possessions.

Agent Peterson went into a big schpiel about how if they ran they would never get protection from the government and would be on a wanted list. Rachel was certain the lecture was for Angelo and not her.

She pretended to listen and watched Angelo to see how he was taking the warning.

"We understand," Angelo said accepting the address Peterson handed him.

"Stick to the rules and everything will be fine."

Rachel nodded. "Thank you, Agent Peterson."

"I'll be in touch. Good luck." Agent Peterson boarded the plane and with one last wave, Rachel realized they were on their own again. She'd thought they would have someone holding their hands every step of the way.

She was glad that Angelo had wanted to be placed with her or she would be all alone. She could do it all alone, that's what she'd been doing but it was less lonely with two.

Rachel got into the driver's seat and put her seatbelt on.

"Are you sure you want to drive? I'm rested so I don't mind," Angelo offered.

"I'd like to if you don't mind."

Angelo handed her the keys. He entered the address into the GPS and Rachel exited the base and got onto the freeway. The GPS said that the destination was a four hour drive.

"We're about to have to take on these new identities and before we do I just want to get something straight," Rachel said. "You and I were friends like you said before we dated. So why would you just disappear when you found out my parents died?"

Wow, I just came right out with it didn't I?

Rachel fought the urge to fidget while she waited for his response.

"I realized with whom my family was it was better for me to leave you alone. I didn't want my lot in life poisoning yours."

She had to look at him to confirm he'd really just said what he had. She'd thought he was going to apologize or blame it on his immaturity.

"I wanted to come to you and comfort you, Rachel."

Still no apology. Is it because he feels like he did the right thing?

Rachel pressed on the steering with her palms. "It was for the best I guess." She nodded rolling the explanation he'd given her around in her brain.

"Anything else?"

"Well..." _Come on, Rachel, you can't date this man. If things don't work out you'll lose him again._ "This new beginning is going to be great for you then. You can date whomever you like and not have to worry."

She could feel him smiling without even looking at him. How could she still be so in tune to him?

"I'm out of the dating game."

Rachel looked at him. "What? Why?"

"I'm a married man if you recall." He showed her his wedding band.

She heard the nervous laughter bubbling out of her mouth before she could catch it. _Rachel, you sound like an airhead,_ she scolded herself. "That's true. We'll have to get a divorce after we make a show of giving it a good try."

" _Well_ ," he said in a voice that was high pitched and had an air of disagreement to it. "I don't think we should put a time limit on this. The court dates could go on for years."

Rachel nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe we'll have to have an open marriage."

"My wife did not just say that to me."

Rachel laughed at his shocked expression. "I don't expect you to just not date while we pretend to be intimate."

He just smiled at her and that was more dangerous than anything he could have said. She could feel his gaze caressing her as it glided over her body. Dang it, she was blushing again.

"So who did you date after me? Someone said you were seeing Penny."

"Penny?" His voice sounded husky. She glanced at him and wondered just how naked she was in his mind's eye. "I don't remember, Penny. I'm more interested in finding out who you dated after me."

_Anything to change the topic._ "After you there was Miles and then Tommy-"

"Miles Sussex? As in Miles Sucks?"

"That was a stupid nickname." Rachel rolled her eyes. "He was a nice guy."

Angelo nodded. "Not so nice he's still in your life. So then Tommy, did I know him?"

"Yeah, Tommy from study group."

*****

_Tommy from study group? He was like a dog in heat. If she dated him then..._ He didn't let himself finish the thought. "How long did you date Tommy?"

Rachel pursed her pink lips. "I think it was a few months."

"Perfect." He turned his head to each side cracking it. Angelo knew it couldn't have gotten worse after Tommy. "Was Tommy a _nice guy_ too?"

Rachel shook her head. "No he was a terrible boyfriend. He was a good friend though. Too bad he couldn't be both."

"Did you finish your degree?" he asked before he blew a blood vessel.

"No. I left school after my parents passed away. Did you finish?"

Angelo sighed. "Yeah."

"That's great." She smiled at him but he couldn't smile back. "My last boyfriend," Rachel said returning to the topic he'd just escaped. "Was Justin. You didn't know him. He was a really great guy. You would have liked him I think."

"I doubt it."

She didn't seem to hear him. "He had so much confidence and he was a really great..." Rachel glanced at him as if just remembering who she was with, "a great...dancer."

" _Dancer_ huh? There's no cracking that code."

Rachel laughed blushing deeply. "Actually, I was going to say kisser but then I thought that'd be awkward. This is worse."

"I am a great kisser," Angelo said smiling again. "And I'm a great _dancer_ too."

"Aren't you so sure of yourself."

He laughed. "I'd be happy to share my skills and allow you to weigh in on the poll."

Rachel smiled. "I wouldn't want to blemish your sparkling record." She giggled. "I need to go to the bathroom, do you? I'm going to pull off at the next exit."

"Ready to be Eileen?"

"Yes. It'll be good practice. Do you want me to call you Will or William?"

"Whichever you like," Angelo said loving the idea of being her husband.

She exited the freeway and pulled into the parking lot of the Sand Oil gas station. He opened his door before the engine was off and opened the car door for her.

Rachel smiled and handed him the keys. "I'll be right back."

"I need to go too," he said following her inside. "Excuse me," he said to the clerk behind the counter as they stepped through the doorway. "My wife needs a restroom."

The clerk pointed and Rachel started to go in that direction but Angelo caught her wrist. He claimed her lips with his, no longer being gentle.

Rachel might want to resist her feelings for him but he wasn't going to let her fight what was meant to be.

Her gasp of surprise against his lips made him wonder what kind of sounds he was going to get out of her when he made love to her. Taking advantage of the fact she couldn't fight him in public, he slid his fingers into her hair and drank her in as he squeezed her behind.

She pulled back blushing deeper than she had been in the car. "What was that?"

"That was a kiss goodbye from husband to wife."

"I'll be gone less than ten minutes."

He smiled squeezing her behind again. "And I'll miss you."

She slipped out of his grasp as she shook her head. "Opportunist, that's what you are." She was raising her eyebrows at him as she backed away toward the restroom. He winked. "Shameless," Rachel said but she was smiling.

_That's a good sign,_ he thought as he twirled the key ring on his finger.

The clerk was looking at him like he was some vagrant come in to panhandle. "You got a problem?"

"No." He shook his head from side to side and lost that condemning look he had on his face.

"Good," Angelo said pointing at him. He went to straighten the lapel on his jacket and found he wasn't wearing one. He was wearing what had been provided for him since he hadn't been able to bring along his own clothes.

A cotton white, collared button up with black slacks, no coat and no tie. "Hey kid," Angelo said to the clerk who was probably the same age as he was. "Where is a good place to get some clothes in this town?"

"Good clothes?"

Angelo looked at the t-shirt with a tiny hole in the shoulder and realized he'd asked a question the guy wasn't going to know the answer to. "Sorry. Never mind."

"There's a mall on the next exit," the guy said with his hands in his pockets.

Angelo nodded. He'd rather have a nice handmade suit tailored to perfection but he wasn't in New York anymore. He would have to take the best that Colorado had to offer.

"Thanks."

He quickly used the facilities and the clerk was just staring at him when he came out. "My wife come out yet?"

"No, sir."

"You sure?"

The guy's eyes got huge as he rolled them. "Yeah, I'd have noticed."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you eyeballing my wife?"

"Naw, man, naw. I mean she's pretty."

His hands were still in his pockets. _What's that about? No. I don't want to know._ The guy got a goofy look on his face and Angelo knew Rachel had just left the bathroom.

"You didn't pick us out any snacks?" She cruised down the chip aisle. "Still go for the sour cream and onion?" Rachel asked.

"Yes, you still like spicy nacho cheddar?" he asked forgetting the clerk and going over to Rachel.

She was smiling at him with a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips in her hands. "Yes. How did you remember that?"

"How do I remember that? I wouldn't forget being on a date with this beautiful woman who offers me lava chips. I had to pretend they weren't destroying my tongue because she's watching me with these sapphire blue eyes and I couldn't wuss out. Not in front of a woman like that."

She laughed smashing up some of the chips as she did. "You're eyes were watering. I knew they were too spicy for you."

"I was very manly about it, there was no eye watering."

Rachel was still laughing as he purchased the two bags of chips and sunflower seeds she'd picked out and he forgot how annoyed he'd been at the clerk.

She asked him to drive when they got back out to the car. As soon as they were back on the highway she started in. "What was that kissing, handsy move you pulled back there?"

"We're married I am supposed to be kissing and touching you."

"We're not newlyweds."

He nodded. "But William is trying to win Eileen back and he's the kind of guy who gives it his all."

"Is he?"

"Yes. And you should also know that he intends on winning Eileen back."

Rachel opened up the spicy chips. "I thought we were improving upon ourselves not playing a part."

"It felt like you who I was kissing. Didn't it feel like me?"

"Ugh, these are spicy. I haven't had them in a long time." She rolled the top of the bag to close it and gulped down some water. "I'm still tired do you mind if I sleep?"

She was hiding from him and they both knew it but she couldn't do it forever. However, she'd just come through a lot so he would allow her a reprieve.

"Sure, Eileen."

He could still feel her lips on his and hoped he'd branded her like she had him.
CHAPTER TEN

She closed her eyes but she wasn't sleeping. _What am I gonna do? I can't keep resisting Angelo._ He genuinely seemed to want her as much if not more than she wanted him. Could she really believe he'd left her alone because of his family and their connections to the mob?

It sure hadn't stopped him from dating her in the first place. What made him suddenly decide it was too dangerous?

Angelo turned on the air conditioning and the sound of the fan lulled her into a deep sleep. When the engine turned off and she felt his warm hand caressing her face and then sliding down her back, she wondered if he knew that the sound of a fan was her weakness.

"How long was I out?" She wiped her mouth and prayed he hadn't noticed she'd drooled in her sleep.

"We're here, Eileen. You slept the whole way."

_Eileen? Oh yeah, that's me._ She straightened in the seat and looked at their surroundings. It was early evening she guessed from the low angle of the sun as it lit up the picturesque town of Peaches.

There were beautiful red brick homes with wrap around porches and big green lawns. Kids were yelling as they raced by on their bikes and a little girl with red pigtails roller skating brought up the rear of the group.

There were several women who seemed to be put on pause as they stared in Angelo's direction. Their mouths agape and their pretty summer dresses suddenly not quite nice enough for the beautiful afternoon.

Rachel looked over at Angelo who was watching her. "Your head is going to get really big here, Ang-, I mean William. You're already getting fan club."

Angelo didn't look tired or like he'd been traveling for hours on end, which only made her want to mess up his hair. However, she didn't trust herself not to want to mess up his clothes, which would probably lead to their removal.

Angelo was smiling at her like he'd heard her thoughts. "You ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

The door behind Angelo opened with a bang. Rachel saw Angelo reach for a gun she'd not realized he was carrying. The man coming down the steps was smiling at them and making a big show for the nosy neighbors.

Rachel shook her head at Angelo and his hand fell away from the butt of the gun. He turned as the guy yelled, "William, you dog! Come here," and grabbed him in a tight embrace. "Lose the gun, you're not Billy the Kid," he said loud enough for the three of them to hear.

He met Rachel's eyes over Angelo's stiff shoulder. "Ain't you got a hug for your old friend Greg Donavan?" He extended an arm out toward her and Rachel rose and embraced him.

He was wearing a loose red t-shirt with the Utah University logo on it but the embrace revealed he was very lean and strong. "Everything is going to be just fine, Eileen." He nodded with a smile when he pulled back.

"Thank you," Angelo said for the both of them.

"Your place is ready for you with the separate bedrooms all set up. You need to keep a smile on your faces. The neighbors will only give you about twenty minutes before they start knocking on the door. I'll come over and run buffer for you."

Rachel smiled nodding in an attempt to follow his directions.

"Things are relaxed around here, try to soak that in and blend. Alright? Alright. See you in twenty. I left the keys on your coffee table."

Greg went to the trunk and he and Angelo got their bags. Rachel decided she'd better get inside and try to freshen up if they were going to meet the whole neighborhood. She climbed the brick laid steps and opened the screen door first and then the red painted oak door.

The door opened up to a living room that was already decorated in black iron fixtures. The walls were white with pictures of Angelo and Rachel. She was drawn to the wedding photo next to the phone. Whoever had put together the pictures was very talented.

She heard Angelo come in behind her and turned away from the picture. This was all very strange. She felt like she had amnesia and was being reintroduced to a life she was already living.

"You okay?" Angelo asked her, his brown eyes round with concern.

"It's a little unsettling isn't it? The pictures and personal touches, like these are our things."

"They are," Greg said. "You've got to sell it that you sent all of these things in ahead. These are your things, your pictures, your clothes, your life."

Rachel looked past him at the picture on the wall of Rachel sitting on Angelo's lap. It appeared they were on a cruise. _Well, at least it looks like I have had a fun life, right?_ She attempted to assure herself.

"Of course," Angelo answered. "We've got this."

Greg was still looking at Rachel when someone knocked on the door. Twenty minutes my ass! I haven't even made it into the bathroom yet.

Rachel nodded as she headed past the kitchen entrance and down a hallway she hoped led to a bathroom and not the garage.

"Just give her a few minutes. She's got this. Eileen is the strongest woman I know," she heard Angelo tell Greg.

Rachel found the bathroom. It was full sized with drawers stocked and cherry red towels hung over the towel rack. She found a brush and ran it through her hair. The pants suit she was wearing was much too formal for travel and meeting neighbors.

Rachel remembered Greg mentioned clothes and tiptoed back out into the hallway. The first room she found was Angelo's and the closet was full of clothes so she was very hopeful she would find the same in her closet.

There was a study or office next to Angelo's room and then her room. The walls were white in this room too. Her bedding was light gray with one pink throw pillow.

The pictures on the nightstand and wall were of strangers but written on the frame was Mom and Dad 2004.

Rachel laid the frame face down on the table. She couldn't pretend those strangers were her parents. A pang of loss hit her as it often did when she thought of her parents. She couldn't believe she'd let Agent Peterson talk her out of leaving every single picture behind.

_Rachel, you've got to be stronger than this._ She scolded herself as she opened up her closet.

She could hear a woman's shrill laughter all the way in the front room and smiled knowing Angelo was charming the neighbors enough for both of them.

The closet was full of sundresses, cardigans and v-neck sweaters. Apparently t-shirts weren't to be worn in Peaches, Colorado.

Rachel put on a royal blue sundress with pink accents and a matching pink cardigan. She found pink sandals in the bottom of the closet.

Too bad I didn't have time for a pedicure. She wiggled her naked toes. Oh well.

Her makeup was in her luggage but in the bathroom she'd seen a few pieces of makeup so she left her room and went back to the bathroom. The large mirror reflected a very cheerfully dressed woman and Rachel supposed that was how she should greet the neighbors, with a cheerful disposition.

She put on some mascara and pink lip gloss and then stopped to consider the other pieces in the drawer. An eyelash curler, eyebrow pencil and body shimmer spray. _Who picked this stuff out?_ She grinned knowing it had to be a man.

There was a knock on the doorframe and Rachel turned to meet Greg. "You look great." He smiled. "Peterson said you may need to split households with William so let me know and I'll get that taken care of if need be," he said quietly.

Rachel didn't get the chance to respond because he started speaking up for the benefit of the neighbors in the living room.

"They brought apple pie and Miss Betty-Lou Pine is about to spoon feed your husband. You better get out here."

"Apple pie already? Is she magical or something? We just got here."

Greg laughed and grabbed her hand pulling her out of the bathroom and into the hallway.

It wasn't hard to spot Miss Betty-Lou Pine. She was blushing profusely and batting fake lashes at Angelo.

Looking around the room she felt like she was at a meeting for the Stepford wives. Everyone was all done up and smiling.

Greg put his arm around her. "This is Mrs. Eileen Simmons-Parker," he said to the group of neighbors. "She is the best pitcher I've ever been struck out by and it'll be her cute little hiney you see jogging down the street in the morning." He grinned at Rachel and she knew he thought he was doing her a favor by breaking the ice with volunteering her to jog every morning and talk up her non-existent baseball skills.

She tried to smile. "Thanks, Greg. Hello, nice to meet all of you."

The women rushed forward and shook her hand or embraced her as they told her their names. Rachel realized none of the names were sticking as she accepted a plate of cookies from a woman she thought might be called Penelope.

"Thank you all so much. This is by far the warmest welcome we've ever received," Rachel said clasping her hands together.

"How long have you two been married?" Betty-Lou asked with her eyes still on Angelo.

Rachel blanked. Was it four or six years?

"It's been almost six years," Angelo answered. "It feels like I married her just yesterday." The women oooh'd and awww'd as Angelo gave Rachel one of his devastatingly handsome smiles.

Angelo made his way through the crowd and stood behind Rachel. He put his hands on her shoulders and bent and pressed his lips to the curve of her neck.

Rachel fought her immediate response to close her eyes and offer Angelo more of her neck. His lips and stubble against her skin felt so good, she had to hold onto the hem of her cardigan to keep from burying her fingers in his hair and holding him where he was.

"When is your anniversary?" Betty-Lou piped up. "You two should do something special to fan those dying embers."

"I'm having a barbeque get together in about an hour, so I'd better be going," Penelope cut in. "I'd like to extend you an invitation to join us. I'm just across the street. You won't have to cook dinner after all your traveling and we'll stuff you so full you won't have to worry about cooking until tomorrow night. What do you say?"

"Of course they'll be there," Greg said slapping Angelo on the back.

Rachel nodded. "Thank you we'd be delighted."

"Oh good." Penelope beamed, her smooth mocha complexion lighting her cheeks with a pink glow. "I'll see you in a little while then."

The neighbors seemed to take her lead and they all began to leave, saying they'd be seeing them at the barbeque. All but Betty-Lou, of course.

"I hope Greg's teasing didn't make you think I was here after your man," she said to Rachel though she still couldn't take her eyes off of Angelo.

"Nope, it wasn't Greg's teasing that did it," Rachel said meeting Betty-Lou's surprised expression as she finally looked at Rachel.

She laughed a breathy nervous sound. "Of course you're joking."

Rachel just met her questioning gaze giving an "you know better than that" eyebrow raise.

"Okay, well. I'll see you at the barbeque," she said her bat winged eyes back on Angelo.

Greg closed the door behind Betty-Lou and turned back to the two of them. "That was good, not great. Eileen, I want to see you less nervous and quicker with your answers. William, don't be so quick to answer all of the questions. Women usually do the talking when it comes to personal questions."

He looked from Rachel to Angelo and then back. "You two aren't really married are you?"

"Does it matter?" Angelo asked.

"No. You'd better act like it though because that's what we're selling out there."

Rachel nodded. "What can I do to sell it better?"

"Don't react so strongly to him. You've been married six years to the guy. He's all out of surprises. You know his touch. Okay?"

"But we're on the verge of a divorce," Rachel said.

Greg nodded. "Maybe a disagreement at the barbeque would help."

"Don't worry so much. No one has a problem with our story. We'll see you at the barbeque." Angelo showed Greg out who nodded and left. Angelo turned back to Rachel. "I think he was right about your reaction to my touch. We have an hour to work on it."

Rachel laughed. "I handle your touch just fine and you need to remember what Peterson said. You're mad at me for cheating. You shouldn't be initiating all this kissing and touching stuff."

"I disagree. Obviously William wasn't giving you what you needed, I intend to fix that." He paused in his stride toward her. "Unless you can tell me you don't want me like that."

"It doesn't matter what I want, Angelo. I need you to be here for me. A relationship of a sexual nature jeopardizes all of my security with you."

There was a knock on the shared wall. "These walls are pretty thin y'all," Greg said on the other side.

Angelo drew closer. "If it didn't work out I wouldn't just abandon you."

"Well, that's not what our past has taught me. Don't push me, William."

His face wasn't angry, just solemn. "Okay. I won't push." Angelo sighed. "I'll try not to, it's hard not to when we're a married couple."

"Playing a married couple."

"I haven't loved anyone since you, so as far as I'm concerned, I'm committed to you. That's not pressure, that's a fact."

Rachel's stomach was doing cartwheels. _It's just a line, Rachel. He's an Italian playboy for crying out loud,_ she warned herself in time to keep herself from melting at his feet.

"I'll give you some space," he said and then he stopped just inside the front door. "As you can imagine I wasn't raised to sit back and let something or someone I want slip away. If you don't want me like that you're going to have to tell me, otherwise I'm going to try to win back your trust."

Rachel watched him go and then sank down onto the sofa when the door closed.

What is wrong with you, Rachel? He's the guy you're crazy about. What are you doing? She rested her face in her hands.
CHAPTER ELEVEN

He wasn't in jogging clothes so he kept his pace at a brisk walk. The air was crisp and smelled like the barbeque was firing up.

The gun he'd smuggled along was still tucked into the added loop on the inside of his waistband reminding him that the Grimaldi and Fabbri families were after him and Rachel. If he was smart he would put some emotional distance between them to keep a clear head.

_That's not going to happen,_ he laughed to himself. Rachel was hard to walk away from the first time. He was positive he wouldn't be able to do it again. Not even if she asked him to. Angelo needed to win her back because he knew existing without her left him to end up the worst possible version of himself.

You're a selfish Bastard, Angelo. He acknowledged to himself.

He wasn't going to be selfish with Rachel though. She would get everything and anything she wanted if she would just let him be her man.

"So you're a runner too?" the man introduced as Brick Struthers said leaving his porch and meeting Angelo at the sidewalk. "I thought I was going to see that wife of yours coming by after your traveling."

Brick had brown hair that was spiked up and short. He was thick in build and made a point of pushing up his sleeve to show his navy ink.

"Sorry I can't provide you with the show you've been waiting on," Angelo said noting Brick's wedding band.

Brick was measuring him up too.

This guy must think he's king of the neighborhood or something.

"Yeah well, I see you've got all the hens fussing over their feathers after your little show."

"Is that a farming analogy? Do I look like a farmer to you? I don't know what show you're talking about."

Brick laughed putting a tight grip on Angelo's shoulder as he continued to laugh. "I'm cock of this roost, okay? I keep my neighborhood just the way we like it. Don't be the fox in the hen house and we'll be just fine."

More farming analogies? Please.

"You've seen my wife. In fact you're out here waiting to see her again. Right?"

"Well, hell yeah I have. But Greg said you can't keep it buttoned up. Told me you would be shopping for a new hen."

Anger burned within him but he kept his features neutral. "Greg remembers a college kid. I'm not like that anymore."

Brick was nodding. "Good. Good then we can be friends. I was going to feel bad if I was going to have to wreck that pretty face of yours."

Angelo was about to tell him to go and screw himself but then the navy thing could be useful. "Did you serve in the last war?" Angelo asked pointing at the tattoo.

"Yeah."

"You just swim or you know how to handle a gun?"

Brick squared his shoulders. "I can handle anything coming my way. And yeah we used guns." Brick was scowling.

"Proud to be your neighbor." Angelo offered his hand. "Thanks for your service."

Brick shook his hand and Angelo began to pump him for information, like where to get quality firearms, which neighbors had basements, the quickest route to the freeway and the location of the nearest airport. Angelo didn't ask him the questions out right he fit them into their manly conversation.

By the time Angelo headed back to the house, he knew what escape route he and Rachel would take in an emergency and where to get weapons in a hurry. He'd also learned that Brick's wife, Elizabella whom he called Bella, was out of a job and hired her on at his tanning shop.

Brick was a big fan when they parted ways.

Angelo went to Greg's place when he returned and Greg welcomed him in. "You spread that I'm a womanizer?" he asked as soon as the door was closed.

"I got the backstory last night so I started helping you establish it and then Peterson calls and says the girl is the unfaithful one. So?" He threw up his hands. "Neither one of you have a sparkling reputation. Just go with it."

"No. We're both faithful. If someone wants to know why we're having marriage problems the answer is: it's complicated. Got it?" Angelo stated.

"Sounds good. You gonna hand over that pea shooter?"

"No." Angelo scowled. "I may need it."

"Yes, you are going to hand it over or you're going to find yourself without a place to live."

Angelo growled as he handed over his weapon. He'd just get another one. He wasn't going to be vulnerable and he sure as hell wasn't going to allow Rachel to be unprotected.

He was leaving Greg's as Rachel opened their door. "Ready to go?" she asked. Her lower lip was swollen from all the nervous chewing she'd put it through and it made him want to kiss her better.

"Yeah. I don't think I've ever been to a barbeque party. You wanna show me the ropes?" He offered her his hand, and she took it without hesitation.

Good sign, a very good sign.

"By the way, I heard you through the wall. I like your explanation." She smiled at him. "You shouldn't be painted the bad guy when you're really such a softie. Me on the other hand, I could play the bad guy."

Angelo was laughing as Greg joined them at the sidewalk. "Ready for a lot of invasive, nosy, and blatant questions? Good, 'cause here they come."

"Oh," Angelo said interlacing his fingers with hers. "We need a code word that means we're ready to go."

"Okay," Rachel agreed readily.

Greg was nodding too. "Here comes Brick and Bella, hurry up."

"How about sexy legs? I can work that into a conversation."

"I can't say that," Rachel debated but it was too late Brick and Bella was already within ear shot. "Nice," Rachel said with one raised eyebrow and a downward slant to her pink lips.

Angelo was still smiling. "Looks like it's up to me when we go then."

Rachel couldn't fight the smile that curved her lips as she shook her head at him.

"Eileen, I'm so excited to be working for you and your husband," Bella said linking arms with Rachel. Rachel nodded and allowed Bella to lead her into the party that wrapped around from the front yard to the back.

Brick, Greg and Angelo were handed cold drinks and they started talking sports. Angelo made sure to stay within eye shot of Rachel. He wasn't going to leave anything to chance.

He watched her as she was introduced to husbands, wives, daughters and sons. She was kind to everyone she met and looked overly relieved when Penelope asked her for help.

"Quite a woman you got there," the new addition to their group said. "I'm Bill, I live next door," he said pointing to the white house to the left.

"Yes, she is," Angelo agreed. He didn't like the way Bill was watching Rachel. "Where's your wife, Bill?" Angelo asked.

Bill wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. His gaze was still trained on Rachel. "In the kitchen, I'm guessing. She's an eater. You know what I'm saying?"

Angelo by reputation alone had never really had anyone dare to show interest in the woman on his arm and he did not like the taste he was getting. Bill was openly leering at his wife.

"No threats, no violence," Greg said close to Angelo's ear but from the look on Brick's face he'd heard the warning.

"Did Greg tell you that I'm a family therapist, Bill?"

"No, no, he didn't." Bill waved his hand at Angelo like he was standing in front of the television interrupting the big game. He mumbled something about wanting to be the corn on the cob and when Angelo looked over at Rachel she was buttering the bowl of corn on the cob.

Angelo exhaled slowly. "I can tell you why your wife eats." Bill looked at him then. "She eats because you aren't man enough for her. You're not satisfying her in the bedroom or in life. You don't make her want to be the best she can be. The poor woman is probably trying to self induce a heart attack."

"William," Greg said in a "be careful" tone.

"Family Therapist Parker, if you please, Greg." Angelo brushed off Greg's grip on his arm. "You have kids don't you? That's why she's staying. It isn't because she doesn't think she can do better, she can. It's because of the kids."

Bill's face was so red the ketchup on his plate looked pink in comparison. "You don't want to lose your wife after the rest of your hair falls out do you? Step up and be her man. Don't ogle other women so blatantly it's insulting to your wife and when you ogle mine like you've been doing you're in real danger of losing your teeth."

"Okay, Will, I think all the traveling and beer you drank at home is catching up with you." Greg pulled him away from Bill, who was gulping air and still soaking in the things he'd been told.

Greg was pissed that was easy to see. "You seem to care about Eileen. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what happens if you get arrested? Your picture goes through the system. Your friends who are looking for you, they find you both. You hear what I'm saying to you, tough guy?"

Angelo nodded. "I didn't touch him and according to you I have my Masters in Family Therapy so I'm qualified to hand out some much needed therapy."

"Bill is a loser. He doesn't need you to tell him that."

"He did, actually. I think he'll make some changes."

Greg had his hands on his hips and was leaning forward as he spoke. "This is a good chance you have here and you're blowing it."

"You're saying I can't tell some pervert to stop ogling my wife?"

"It's a free country, Will."

"Well, it ain't _that_ free."

Greg shook his head. "You're gonna blow this."

Angelo patted Greg on the back. "Relax, buddy. Everything is working out just fine." Angelo smiled though he could see Greg's point. Living life off the radar was going to be a lot harder than he thought.

He could feel Rachel looking at him so he smiled and waved at her. "Yeah, okay," he said to Greg. "I'll do better."
CHAPTER TWELVE

Rachel had been asked more times than she had digits to count on about the marriage troubles she was having with William. She was buttering corn and letting the women yammer without her. Though she couldn't tune them out completely.

"Well, I just don't know what complicated means, hun, but I would forgive that man for anything. You know what I'm saying?" The brunette tossing the salad was saying.

"Is he requiring things you just can't do? You do seem awfully sweet," Betty-Lou Pine added in and Rachel rolled her eyes.

Penelope put her arm around Rachel's waist. "Now, I know you're not all over here being rude to our newest neighbor. Not at my barbeque. You know I'll kick you out, Betty-Lou, it won't be the first time."

Rachel looked with surprise at Penelope then.

"Mmmhmm I did. I kicked her out. She thinks she can shop out of everyone else's grocery cart just because hers is empty?"

Rachel shook her head not quite catching what Penelope was saying but Penelope didn't notice. "She came over here and said you called her on it. Betty, trying to catch your husband's eye on the first day here? I like that about you, honey."

"Thanks." Rachel smiled. "I'm not good at faking with people so I just come out and say it. It's just better that way."

"Amen." Penelope smiled. "I am the best cook in this state, you just ask anyone. I can't wait for you to try my barbeque chicken."

Rachel's mouth was already watering from the smell of it. "I already love it, Penelope. You've about got me drooling on this corn."

Penelope laughed triumphantly as she set a large platter of barbeque chicken on the table. It was like magic the way everyone stopped talking and rushed to line up and fill their plates.

"We're saying grace first and the Parkers get to go first," Penelope said. "Baby, who is saying grace?" she asked her husband, Dusty. He was licking his lips just like everyone else and volunteered himself to pray.

She felt Angelo come up behind her as the prayer started. He put his arms around her waist and rested his mouth on her shoulder. A hot shiver danced through her body with the contact. The rough five o'clock shadow against her sensitive skin was igniting desire within her that she was fighting to control.

She gripped both of her wrists tightening the fold of her arms. I've been married six years. This doesn't feel amazing or surprising at all. I'm so used to this.

Angelo nuzzled her neck.

He knows what he's doing to me. She realized. I see how it is. You wanna play, Angelo?

Rachel tilted her chin upward and turned her face toward him. She lifted up onto her tiptoes so her lips were against his ear and whispered, "That feels so good, Will. _Mmm_ , deeply good."

His grip on her waist tightened and she smiled triumphantly, letting her teeth graze his ear as she turned back. She bowed her head just in time as Dusty said, "Amen."

Since Penelope said that they were to go first everyone was looking at them with eager expressions on their faces. "We'd better hurry," Angelo said.

They quickly loaded up their plates with all the amazing food and the crowd was at their heels loading up right behind them. It only took one bite of Penelope's barbeque chicken to understand why everyone appeared almost cannibalistic as they waited to get to the chicken platter.

It was so tangy and sweet, moist and tender. Rachel could cry the chicken was so delicious. The meat was falling off the bone and the cornbread on her plate soaked up the juice.

"So?" Penelope asked.

"I could die happy, Penelope. This is the best food I've ever eaten." Rachel searched for the right words to express just how good the food was. "You should have a restaurant. Do you have a restaurant?"

Penelope was beaming with an "I knew it" smile. "No, not yet. We're saving up." She patted her hands on Dusty's shoulders. He nodded with his mouth full, and his eyes lit up with pure delight.

"Well, it'll be a hit," Rachel said smiling.

"Yes, it definitely will," Angelo agreed at her side.

Dusty was nodding. "Everyone will be just as in love with her food as I am with her." He smiled up at his wife and she kissed him.

"Aw they're so happy," she whispered to Angelo. Noticing then that Angelo was surrounded by women. "Wow, you're really popular here, Will." She smiled at him until she met his gaze. His eyes were so hot the intensity of them had her heart pounding. Liquid sensuality was pooling at her center.

Rachel held her breath. She was captured in his gaze. The sizzling heat she was feeling was climbing up her neck. Rachel could feel her cheeks burning and hoped it wasn't visible to everyone that one look from Angelo had her in such a hot mess.

Soaking in the heat of his eyes and feeling the swelling and tightening of her body under his gaze was intoxicating. It took all of her willpower to rip her gaze from his.

"For the love of all that is holy, don't make any more noises while you're eating."

"I'm making noises? Why didn't you say anything?" Rachel glanced around the table expecting to see everyone staring at her. Instead she found the women watching the two of them with dreamy expressions on their faces.

Rachel looked down at her food and licked her lower lip wondering how she was going to eat it in silence. She couldn't tease Angelo anymore because so far they were making a terrible show of having marital problems.

"I'll eat how I want." She did her best to sound annoyed.

Angelo grinned. "It's your gamble, little lady." The promise in his tone was unmistakable.

"Oh you're delicious aren't you?" Betty-Lou said rubbing her shoulder against his.

Betty-Lou's hitting on Angelo was really getting old.

Angelo turned toward Betty-Lou and Rachel held her breath. It was highly likely he was about to crush that desperate woman in front of everyone. He'd grown up with men that threw women down stairs.

Rachel touched Angelo's shoulder to get his attention but he didn't turn back.

Oh, my gosh, please don't make this woman cry in front of all these people.

"You know, I let myself get so caught up with my work that I feel like I haven't even seen my wife in two years. This is a new beginning for us. There isn't anything I would do to screw that up."

Betty-Lou's mouth smiled but it was clear she got the message. Rachel wanted to cheer because Angelo did such a good job. There were no tears and no big scene.

All the women at the table awed again and the men nodded their approval. After that it didn't matter where she went she had a neighbor telling her how lucky she was to have such a great husband.

Rachel thanked them and couldn't help smiling. She thought Angelo was pretty great too.

*****

Watching Rachel after all the torture she'd already put him through was icing on the cake. The sundress fit her perfectly and every time she bent forward he got another few delicious inches of her long legs to savor.

"Greg, don't you think you should find a sexy pair of legs to take home? I bet there are some single ladies here."

Greg didn't choose to catch on to his code phrase they'd agreed upon. "I'll have myself a look around. Good idea, champ."

If Greg wanted to stay that was fine but he had other plans. He started toward Rachel but got cut off by Dusty. "Were you serious about investing in my wife's restaurant? She's really working hard to achieve it and if you weren't serious I need to ask you not to get her hopes up."

"I am dead serious, Dusty. Give me a couple of months. We'll get a store front. I'll expect to be a part owner."

Dusty nodded. "I'm sure Penelope would be willing to work with that but she'll want her restaurant her way."

"Good. I'll be a silent partner. As it succeeds she can always buy me out."

This had Dusty grinning from ear to ear. "You don't know what this means to us."

"This is a solid investment, Dusty," Angelo said shaking his hand. "No thanks necessary."

As soon as he was released from the tight embrace Dusty captured him in he started for Rachel again.

"Hey, Will, come here," Greg said his focus on the phone in his hand. "Stop setting down roots. You don't get roots until the trials are over." Greg handed him the phone in his hand. "Peterson sent me this. If you really care about Eileen you'll know you need to get away from her."

Angelo scanned the report of a man and woman found during the raid on Gerry Marconi's property. They were tortured to death and the text under the article was "Keep Eileen away from the news. They are trying to draw her out."

Shit.

Angelo wasn't surprised that Gerry had done what he did and he knew it wasn't going to stop. Not unless he did something about Gerry.

"Any movement from the Grimaldi household?"

"Four of Grimaldi's heavy hitters left New York this morning."

Angelo nodded. "Let me use this for a second."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Angelo disappeared, Rachel didn't see him anywhere. Dusty and Penelope were so happy with the promise he'd given them. Bella was all smiles too. He was really handing out his word, and she wasn't sure if it was the best idea.

It felt good to have something to do and not have to talk and be on guard about her answers. Rachel hefted a stack of platters back into the kitchen.

"Can we help you, Mrs. Parker?" Rachel looked over her shoulder and saw the group of four teenage boys she'd been introduced to when she'd been led around by Bella.

She smiled to herself remembering how awkward she had been at their age. "That's so nice of you. Yes, if you could bring in the dishes and utensils for me I'd appreciate that."

The four boys with goofy smiles shot out into the yard and Rachel had to laugh to herself. "I hope they don't break anything."

It wasn't long before Penelope and Bella joined her. "Your husband handled Betty-Lou so well." Bella beamed. "That man is so in love with you. I don't know what kind of beef you have between you two but whatever it is, it isn't worth it, honey."

"Well, that's easier said than done," Rachel said trying to stay in character.

Penelope put her arm around her. "Sweetheart, I've been married for ten years and the way that man looks at you, he'd do anything for you. Mr. Parker is a man in love with his wife."

How could Rachel not smile after a statement like that?

"Now you go get yourself some sugar. We'll finish things up in here."

Rachel laughed as she began to scrub the cranberry dish. "I like to finish what I start. Besides, I think he's chatting with Greg and Dusty."

"He's on a phone call," Bella said. "Sorry, I wasn't trying to be nosy. I tend to notice things."

"Well, there you go. He's busy," Rachel said wondering if he was breaking the rules and calling someone he wasn't supposed to or if Peterson was moving them already.

"Stick around as long as you like. I haven't seen those boys so ready to help since peach picking season." Bella laughed a giddy sound.

Penelope looked out the window across the backyard. "Where has Jenny gone off to? She's usually here for cleanup."

As Rachel handed Bella the next dish to dry she caught her mouthing to Penelope, "I'll tell you later."

Usually Rachel didn't care to have to know every tidbit of gossip but the way Bella turned as red as her lipstick made Rachel curious. "Come on now. Don't hold out on me, Bella."

Bella's eyes rounded as she dried the dish. "I heard William laid into Bill early on and he took Jenny and left."

"Who's William?" Rachel asked before she caught herself. "I mean. You don't mean my Will, do you?" Rachel turned her face down toward the soapy dish water so they wouldn't recognize the panic that was probably clear on her face.

Rachel, you almost blew it!

"Yes. Bill tends to have a wandering eye. William was probably well within his rights to have a few words with him."

Penelope let out a loud snort. "Well that does it for me. William is a man to keep around. Dusty gets plenty angry at Bill for the comments he's made about me. He's never had that pervert running from one of my parties." She shook her head.

"Well, it probably wasn't fun for Jenny." Rachel handed Bella another clean dish.

"You're kidding? I bet she loved it. Someone finally smacked Bill with a correction ruler." Penelope smiled.

Bella was nodding in agreement. Rachel shrugged, she hoped they were right.

"Hey, did you hear about that double murder in New York?"

"Hey, sexy legs," Greg said from the doorway. "We'd better get going."

"Sexy legs? William let's you call his wife that?" Penelope put her hand on her hip. "I don't think so. You better watch yourself, Gregory, I may just tell him myself."

Rachel was drying off her hands trying not to laugh at Greg.

"I was just being friendly."

"A little too friendly," Bella joined in.

Wow. Angelo made some loyal friends fast.

"Thank you for having us over," Rachel said saving Greg from his stuttering. She hugged Penelope and Bella. "You have yourselves a great evening."

Greg put his hand at the small of her back and led her out the front door. "See ya, Bella and Penelope."

"Are we being moved?" Rachel asked when she wouldn't be overheard.

"No."

They were crossing the street and Angelo was pacing while on the phone. "Why the rush to leave then? Who is he talking to?"

"Will left and I thought it was right you should leave around the same time." He continued guiding her back to her house. "He's on with Peterson."

Greg opened the door and pulled her inside. "Come on, Will." He growled at Angelo, who ended the call and stomped into the house.

"All in all you are doing fine. Just don't get too attached here, okay? This may not be permanent."

It didn't take a detective to see Greg was upset. "Did we do something wrong?"

"Will, you're hiring people, promising to invest in businesses. It's not right. Those are good people. If you have to leave tomorrow they'll be left in the lurch." Greg held up his hand. "No, it's your life. I just said what I was thinking. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be showing you your tanning salon." He closed the door, and Rachel heard him enter his own residence a moment later.

"He seems really upset," Rachel said.

Angelo nodded. "Don't worry. It's his job to worry. You just get settled in. I'll go rent us a movie. Why don't you take a shower and get comfortable. Everything is just fine."

"But what did Peterson say?"

"I offered to take care of some things. You know, work for the agency? But he turned me down. I guess my only job is to be a witness in his mind." He grinned. "I guess I'll play doting husband instead."

Rachel wanted to just be Rachel and Angelo not Eileen and Will but she'd already slipped up. "Let's just take it slow, okay, Will?"

"William?"

"Yep. I need to use that name if I'm not going to slip up. You should only call me Eileen, so you are used to it too."

Angelo said, "Only if Eileen is really hot for Will. Otherwise I'd rather take my chances with Rachel. I know she's got it bad for Angelo."

"Rent us something funny okay?"

He looked relieved to go. Maybe all this fake life stuff was just as hard for him as it was for her.

After her shower she turned on the television, only it didn't work.

"Come on," she groaned. "I need to escape a little. Any mind numbing show will do."

She peeked behind the entertainment center. The thing was unplugged. "Of course it is." She tried to scoot the thing out so she could plug the TV in but it didn't budge.

"Every other detail in this house is perfect but you don't plug in the television? Please."

She sat back on her feet in a kneeling position. "Am I not supposed to watch the news? Why not? Shouldn't I know what's going on?"

Rachel heard Greg laughing through the wall.

"Well? Why is it unplugged?" she asked him through the wall.

"You talk to yourself a lot."

"I'm alone a lot. Did you have an answer for me along with that observation?"

There was a pause before Greg answered, "No. Don't watch the news. It will only stress you out. We have everything well in hand and we'll let you know if there is something you need to know."

"Mmm-hmm. Well, I like to know what's going on. Come over here and help me plug this in, will ya?"

She heard him groan and the sound of squeaky springs on his sofa as he stood up. _Seriously, are these walls made of paper?_

Rachel wrapped her robe more securely and tightened the sash. Greg knocked on the door as he opened it.

He looked surprised to see her in her robe. "Aren't you the one who picked out these clothes?"

Greg nodded, a smile twitching on his lips. "Sorry. I thought I was trying to rekindle a marriage. I think that'll have William struggling to keep to his own room."

"So this shared wall runs all the way along the rooms?" she couldn't help asking.

Greg nodded. "Except the bathroom and kitchen. It's for your own protection."

"Great."

Greg pulled out the heavy entertainment center and plugged in the television. "Maybe you should wait to watch the news. At least until William is back."

"Did you unplug the television or did Will?"

"I did. If something stresses you out or makes you want to run that makes my job a lot harder."

Rachel nodded. "Don't shield me. Just warn me and I'll be able to handle it."

He didn't appear very convinced.

"Listen, I'm sorry you were alone before. You're not anymore, okay? I'm just next door."

"Thank you."

He nodded, his eyes running over the robe again. "Sorry about all the dresses and lingerie. Like I said, I thought I was helping a struggling couple get back together."

Rachel offered a smile to convey her understanding. Greg lingered near the door like he wanted to say something else, but then he left.

When she turned on the TV, she wasn't finding much information. The weather and an idea of local restaurants was pretty much all she had access to with only a couple of local channels.

She was just about to turn it off when a news bulletin took over the screen. "This just in: Gerry Marconi, who is allegedly responsible for the grizzly murders of Tina and Paul Martinez, is now also being charged with the murder of one Monalisa Piazzo. Marconi is in federal custody at this time. We'll have more for you on our nine o'clock news."

Rachel barely made it to the bathroom before she emptied her stomach in the toilet. Tina and Paul were friends of hers. She'd introduced them to each other at the restaurant where she worked. They had invited her over for every holiday knowing she had no family.

Over the past year, Rachel had been so busy she had hardly seen them. She didn't know how Gerry could've found out she cared about them. She had left no pictures in her apartment for that very reason.

She threw up again, but it was vicious dry heaving. She had nothing left to expel. When her body finally stopped trying to empty itself, she washed her face and looked at her ghostly reflection in the mirror.

"They are going to kill anyone who has ever known me." Dizziness threatened and she splashed her face with water again. She gripped the corners of the countertop.

_I need to warn them._ But how was she going to do that? Peterson had taken her phone with all of her contacts in it. Rachel didn't know any numbers by heart. She leaned against the wall behind her and sank to the floor.

She heard the front door open and close.

"Uh... Eileen? Where are you, honey?"

Rachel fisted her hands against the shaking that started up again. Her mouth was dry and her throat still burning from the stomach acid she'd thrown up.

"Rachel?" Angelo called with concern in his tone.

"I'm here," she got out and he was in the doorway to the bathroom by the time she finished saying here.

"What is it?" He crouched down next to her on the floor.

She pressed her lips together to keep from sobbing while she fought to control her emotions. "Gerry killed two of my friends."

Angelo nodded. "I was going to tell you. He's done that to draw you out. He wants you to expose yourself. He doesn't want you to testify against him."

"Who else is going to get hurt? Tina and Paul were good people." Tears streamed down her face. "I want this to stop." She met his gaze. "Can you make it stop?"

"Yes."

"How?"

Angelo stood up and removed a wash cloth from the stack on the shelf and ran it under the faucet. He knelt down and pressed the cool cloth to her forehead and then dabbed her face and neck.

"Let me worry about that."

"But Will, I don't want anything to happen to you either. How can-"

Angelo guided her into his embrace. "You let me worry about that."

Rachel shook her head. "I'm serious, I need you. I can't lose you again."

"Have you forgotten how smart I am? Trust me, okay? Things are already being put into motion."

"On your video trip? You put things into motion on your... that's why you wanted to go?"

"And I rented a movie." He hooked his hand under the bend of her knees and the other across her back.

"Wait. Greg can't hear us in here or in the kitchen but he can hear everything we say in every other room."

Angelo lifted her as he stood. "That pervert."

"William." She couldn't believe the smile that tugged at her lips. How could he make everything okay like he did? "It can't be that easy. You make it seem like this is all going to just go away."

"It's not going to be easy but it is going to get better. I am going to make sure that it gets better. Okay?" He wagged his finger at her as she started to question him further. "Nope, you've got enough going on. Besides, it's better if you don't know the hows of this. Trust me."

Rachel closed her eyes because she couldn't keep her tears from spilling any longer. Angelo carried her to her room and tucked her into the bed. He brought her water to drink and a sedative that Greg brought over.

Apparently she was crying loud enough he knew she needed it.

Rachel stared at the pill in her hand. She could take it and escape for the night. In the morning the reality would still be there and she would not hide from it.

She swallowed the pill and nestled back down in the covers. Angelo lay down next to her and held her until she fell asleep.

*****

He closed the door to Rachel's room and Greg was waiting for him in the hallway. "How long have you been standing there? You gave me the pill an hour ago."

"I need to make sure you're not going to go do something stupid."

"I'm not."

Greg was scrutinizing him. "Your body language suggests otherwise." Angelo moved past him. "And I spoke with Peterson. He said you asked about your bank accounts and the money in them."

"Yeah."

"So what do you need that kind of money for?"

Angelo smiled. "Investing. I want Rachel to have a secure life here."

"Well, he told me he turned you down. He said the money was seized by the government as part of your agreement to go into the W.P.P. so now you don't have that money."

"I already know everything you're saying. Why are you telling me this stuff?"

Greg looked back toward the room where Rachel was sleeping. "If you try to get involved and tip them off to where you are you will blow this for her. The only one who has anything against her is Gerry. You've got Marconi, Grimaldi and the Fabbri family. You are going to get her killed."

"I'm pretty sure you've already mentioned you think I should get away from Rachel. I heard you the first time."

Greg shook his head. "If you blow this for her I'll get to you before they do."

Angelo raised his brows and crossed his arms across his broad chest. "So protective. Are you always this protective or is Eileen special?"

"She's innocent. You're not."

"Okay then. Thanks for stopping by."

Greg's nostrils were flaring. "Where did you go? It doesn't take that long to rent a movie."

"It was a tough choice."

Greg's face started turning red and he marched out. Angelo was glad that Greg was protective over Rachel. He needed someone to watch out for her if anything happened to him. He wasn't at all surprised that Greg had such a protective instinct when it came to Rachel. She had that effect on men.

Angelo showered and then went through the gun magazine he'd purchased for the personal sale ads in the back. There were some local sales. Those were the ones he planned to pursue.

He laid down on the couch and listened to the sounds of the house and the noises outside. Angelo heard the crickets and a barking dog a couple houses down. There were very few passing cars and from the sounds coming from Greg's place he was working out. Probably a nightly ritual, Angelo was guessing.

Sleeping wasn't something he could do so he rested until the sun began to peek through the blinds. Angelo stretched and went to the kitchen. He made a smoothie from what he found in the kitchen and took it to Rachel's room.

She didn't respond when he knocked.

He opened the door and she was sprawled out on the bed with her arms and legs making the shape of an X. He drank in the scene smiling to himself. Her hair was messy and her pink lips were swollen. Her dark lashes didn't flutter as he set the smoothie on the bedside table.

If she hadn't cried herself to sleep, he would have woken her in a much more intimate fashion but as vulnerable as she was he didn't want her to look back and think it was a mistake them being together.

"Good morning, sugar lips," he said bouncing the bed softly.

She groaned and rolled away from him sticking her succulent round bottom in his direction. She'd had a fight with the blankets as they'd all been kicked off the bed so every smooth inch of her that wasn't covered up by her nightgown was on display for him.

"Eileen, you'd better wake up."

"Get out of my room. I'm sleeping."

"You're going to be sleeping with me if you don't get up soon."

Rachel opened one of her blue eyes and looked at him. "If you promise to sleep you can get in. I'm tired."

"I can't make that promise."

She opened the other eye as her right hand roamed around the bed for the covers she wasn't going to find. "Stop looking at me I'm not decent yet."

"You look pretty decent to me."

Rachel sat up. Her blonde hair was in complete disarray and her gown was so twisted he got a healthy look at her white lacy panties before she put a pillow on her lap. "I'm hungover. I'm calling in sick."

"You're a jogger. You have to go jogging."

"What?"

Angelo nodded. "Your breakfast is right there and you need to get into jogging clothes. You're not Rachel, you're Eileen, remember? Leave Rachel's problems to me."

"Don't try to sweet talk me now. You woke me up to run? I'm not in a place where I can go running."

"Well, Eileen is going running because your best friend Greg told everyone to be looking for you. They'll ask you why you didn't go if you don't go. Can you handle a bunch of questions right now?"

Rachel grabbed the smoothie off the nightstand. "Okay. You win. Get out so I can change."

Angelo opened her nightstand drawer. "I put something in there for you. Maybe it'll help. See you in a few."

He left her room but paused outside the door to see what her reaction would be to the pictures he'd smuggled from the albums. He heard her gasp and smiled to himself as he went and changed into sweats and a t-shirt for their jog.

Rachel was waiting for him in the living room when he came out. She was smiling so bright he almost overlooked what she was wearing. The shorts she was wearing were like underwear, they were so short and her top was a sports bra.

"We're not going tanning, Rachel."

"Eileen." She corrected. "I know." She was still smiling and coming toward him.

Angelo held his hand up as she opened her arms to hug him. "If you hug me all naked it's not going to be just a hug."

"All naked? This is what I have to wear to run. It was in my room."

"Was it in your underwear drawer?"

Rachel laughed. "Yes, William. It was in my underwear drawer. Stop being such a daddy and hug me. I loved the pictures," she whispered the last part.

Angelo was already picturing sliding down those so called shorts and giving her lips south of the border a kiss that would have her screaming. Angelo didn't think he could handle the neighborhood lusting after her too.

"Come on." He led the way back to her room and started going through the clothes. "You've got to be kidding me. Where's the stuff you brought with you?"

"I'm trying to be in character. My clothes remind me that I just got two innocent people murdered."

He took her hand and led her into his room. Shuffling through the hangers he found a t-shirt for her and tossed it to her. "At least wear this over your bra."

Rachel put it on with no fuss. "Now can I hug you?"

"Yes."

She squeezed him tight and kissed his chin. Her soft breasts pressed against him made him realize he was going to have a hard time jogging whether she was wearing the t-shirt or not. He cupped her behind and squeezed unable to stop himself.

"William." Rachel pushed away but there was still a smile on her face. "I said slowly."

"I just wanted to see what kind of material your panties were made out of."

She blushed shaking her head. "These are jogging shorts." She gathered up the hem of the shirt and tied a knot on the right side tightening up the shirt and giving him a peek at her waistline.

"Listen, I'm trying to control myself but if you're going to be walking around here naked, I can't be held responsible for my actions."

Greg was knocking on the front door.

"I think you'll be the gentleman I knew two years ago." Greg knocked again. "I'd better go get that."

Angelo followed after her weighing how much trouble he'd be in if he carried her back to her room instead. Rachel had the door open too quickly for him to act on option two.

Greg was way too pleased to see Rachel in her tiny shorts.

"Why don't you lead the way, Greg," Angelo said deciding then that limiting Greg's alone time with Rachel might be a good idea.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jogging was just as miserable as she remembered it being but once they finished she did have to admit she felt good. The pounding jolt of the concrete under her feet must have spent some of the pain she was feeling.

"Good run." Greg smiled. "See you in an hour to take you to your shop."

"Great," Rachel said.

Angelo nodded holding the door open for her. As soon as he closed the door behind them Angelo pressed her up against the door. "You said slow, so instead of confiscating your panties and pounding into you like I need to, we'll do this instead."

He hooked a hand under each knee and opener her legs, setting them up around his waist. His hard member pressed against her through the fabric and she gasped with the surge of need and desire. Angelo moved against her as he captured her mouth.

His tongue claimed her mouth as she knew he wanted to claim her body. She was overcome with the desire she'd been suppressing and gave in forgetting why she'd fought it in the first place.

She sucked his tongue deeper into her mouth and held him against her, tightening her legs around him. His right hand pulled the knot in her shirt loose, and he slid his hand up her stomach to fondle each swollen breast that ached for his attention.

"Damn this bra," he growled against her mouth.

Rachel pulled his shirt up over his head. His stomach was hard and tan, clenching with every thrust he delivered. The lust and hot desire in his eyes was pushing her to the edge. "Angelo," she gasped his name while digging her nails into his shoulders.

Sliding his hand between them, he moved his hand inside her shorts, cupping her sensitive nub. He was massaging it and delving deeper. "Scream for me, baby. I need you."

His hot mouth was on her neck as his fingers penetrated her. She felt her body clenching around his fingers as they moved in a perfect rhythm. "Mmmm yeah, squeeze me, baby," he said in a voice thick with lust. He pulled her shirt and bra up and over her head as she yanked her arms free. His fingers helping to bear her weight were buried deep inside of her.

He sucked her right nipple deep into his mouth, swirling his tongue around before moving to the left side and suckling her.

She bucked against his hand as wave after world shattering wave crashed through her. He groaned breathing hard as he decreased the speed of the rhythm of his fingers. "You're driving me crazy. I need to be inside you."

Rachel was still breathless as he released one of her legs. "Are you ready for me, baby?" he asked gently pulsing his fingers, still inside her.

The stirring of sexual hunger he inspired in her was already building again.

A loud thundering knock shook the door behind her and Rachel leapt away nearly screaming from the surprise. "Open up, William," Greg's voice was dark.

Angelo handed Rachel the shirt he'd taken off of her. "Don't forget where we were. We're not finished."

She found herself looking up at him dumbfounded that they'd actually just done what they did. Right up against the door? She was about to orgasm again thinking about it.

She realized Angelo wasn't going to bother with his own shirt as she pulled hers on and he reached for the doorknob. "Wait." Rachel snatched up the bra from the floor and hid it under a couch cushion.

"I think he's still going to know what we were up to, Eileen."

"Shut up." She fanned her face, smiling.

Angelo opened the door and Greg stormed in. "Tell me you didn't do anything. Go ahead, deny it."

"I can't do that. I just did some wonderful things I plan to do again."

Greg didn't catch onto what he was saying, he was too mad. Rachel crossed her arms over her chest when he looked her way. "I'm sure it will come as no surprise to you that Marconi died of a heart attack this morning when he was accidentally given the wrong medication."

"Oh, no. That's.... Just going to save the taxpayers a lot of money on an expensive trial isn't it? Are we upset about this, Greg?"

"Marconi is dead?" Rachel asked.

Greg nodded. "This means that Eileen isn't useful to the government. This means they could revoke her from the program. You and I both know that Grimaldi and Fabbri won't hesitate to snatch her up."

"Eileen can still uphold her end of the bargain. She witnessed Grimaldi aiding in the cover-up of the murder of Monalisa."

Greg stared at Angelo like he was trying to find a flaw in his argument. Rachel was smiling so big her face hurt but she didn't care. This meant that Marconi wouldn't be hunting down and torturing her friends. It meant that he paid for the murders he'd committed and wouldn't be able to hurt anyone ever again.

"By the way, Greg, I haven't left the state of Colorado. How could I have given Marconi the wrong medication? I guess he finally was reaping what he'd sewn."

"Yeah, you're as clean as the driven snow, I'm sure. Murder is not upholding the law. If anyone can pin this on you, William Parker, your evidence against Grimaldi and the Fabbri family will be compromised."

Greg wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Peterson wants to talk to you. He may separate you."

Rachel shot to her feet. "What?"

"He won't do that," Angelo assured her. "I'll call him while Eileen gets ready to see our tanning salon. Don't worry about this, babe. I got it."

Since she was braless she couldn't really argue that she wanted to stay. "I'll be quick. You'd better tell me everything when I get back."

Greg nodded seeming to notice for the first time that Angelo wasn't wearing a shirt and Rachel was the picture of a sexually enchanted woman with her swollen lips and breasts, disheveled hair and backwards shirt she was wearing.

When she saw the realization darkening his expression, she trotted out of the living room and into the bathroom. She showered as quickly as she could, wanting to get back and hear what Peterson had to say.

She wrapped her hair in a turban made from one towel and then took another towel and made a dress from it, placing it around her body. Greg was watching Angelo talk on the phone when she tiptoed to her room. Angelo didn't look quite as cool tempered as he was when she'd gone into the bathroom.

Rachel dressed quickly wearing a tan shift with a red cardigan and red shoes. She wound her damp hair up into a bun and slapped on her red lipstick and some mascara.

She joined them in the living room as Greg said to Angelo, "I warned you he was pissed."

"Yeah, well. He'll have to get over it." Angelo handed the phone to Greg. He spotted her coming back into the room and said, "Why don't you give me the address and we'll go check the salon out on our own."

"No. I need to introduce you to your staff and explain how to run it if you don't want to be closed down again for another health violation. I told them I'd be there to be a go between. This is my job, William."

"Dammit," Angelo barked. "I'll go get dressed."

She blushed under his still hungry gaze as he passed by her. Rachel could see it in his eyes that if he touched her he wouldn't stop. She wasn't sure if she was strong enough to remind him that Greg wasn't going to want to witness them being together like that. When Angelo touched her, reason just went out the window.

"I can see you are happy you don't have to worry about Marconi anymore but Grimaldi and Fabbri are very real threats. Grimaldi knows about you. We still need to be safe."

Rachel nodded. "I know, Greg."

"Really? You look like you're about to run in the fields with unicorns. This guy who is not your husband is clouding your judgment."

"First of all, William said he didn't do it. Secondly, I don't care if he did because that murderer was killing my friends to get to me and you and your people weren't offering to help protect those innocent people. The only thing they ever did wrong was know me."

Greg sighed rubbing his hands together. "Now he's some kind of hero because he orchestrated a murder?"

"When it's the people you love under fire and you look the other way while they are tortured to death then come talk to me. Okay? Because I would have killed him myself if I'd had the means."

"Are you saying he did it?"

Rachel scowled at him. "I'm saying I'm glad Gerry Marconi is dead."

Greg nodded. "Okay. I agree but you can't take matters into your own hands."

"We didn't," she said knowing just as much as Greg that Angelo had Marconi taken out. She frowned wondering what her parents would think if they heard her condoning the death of Marconi.

She really didn't know what they'd think. They had never had any violence in their lives. The small town in Ohio Rachel had grown up in had been a haven. Peaches reminded her of it a little but the people in Peaches were more hands on.

"You sure you know what you're doing with William?"

"I'm a big girl, Greg. I can make my own choices in that department."

He nodded. "Yes you are but you've also been through a lot. You're vulnerable."

"Thanks for caring so much," Rachel said smiling. "I know what I'm doing."

"Let's go," Angelo said returning to the living room. "We should take separate cars."

Greg shook his head. "No. You heard Peterson. I'm your shadow until further notice."

"Lucky you," Angelo said. "You're going to see a lot of action."

"William." Rachel shook her head. "Quit it." She frowned at the purse that was nothing she would ever have picked out and then tucked it under her arm. "I want to go get a handle on the biz. I'm gonna get all tan and bronzed up." She smiled pretending she wouldn't rather lose herself in Angelo's bed sheets.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Angelo was in a foul mood.

He'd been furious when Greg had interrupted them. Then there were the threats and foaming at the mouth from Peterson on the phone. Now he was at a salon surrounded by teenage girls giving him googly eyes and the only woman in the room that he wanted attention from was squealing over the spray tan tech promising to teach her to spray tan.

Angelo didn't know what spray tan was but Rachel was excited about it so he was glad she was going to enjoy their business. Well, one of their businesses.

Using the phone he had stolen, he'd called in a favor from the Onesto family to bribe the federal prison doctor to take out Marconi. He'd also used the cell to make a few other calls. Some of his offshore money was transferred to the nearest international bank which he was informed was located in Denver. He'd have to ditch Greg before he could get to the money.

He'd also touched base with Vinchenzi, who promised to tip him off if he caught wind of where Grimaldi's heavy hitters were looking for him. Angelo wasn't stupid enough to tell him or anyone else where he was. Vinchenzi was to take out an ad in The New York Times to tip him off.

He couldn't count on Vinchenzi to know where they would go so he had to be ready if they showed up.

Greg had his arms folded. "You didn't listen to any of the procedures."

"I didn't have to. My new manager, Bella, heard everything you said. Didn't you, Bella?"

"Yes and I wrote it down too. Don't worry, Greg. I am going to make sure this place is run like a well oiled machine." She nodded at Greg as if it would give him extra assurance.

Angelo started toward the front desk and Greg and Bella followed him. "Why is the staff so young?" he asked Greg as he passed one of his employees who looked like she was twelve. "I want to re-staff this place."

"The previous owner had an internship program with the school."

Angelo nodded not minding the idea of teaching the youth of America but where was this girl's mentor? "Who is the mentor here? Who are these girls learning from?"

Greg shrugged. "Probably the manager you fired and replaced with Bella."

"Everybody gather around," Angelo called to the interns and employees since there weren't any customers. "You," he said pointing to the little girl he'd guessed was twelve. "How do you complete your internship?"

"We have to have our paperwork signed off."

"Bella, sign off the interns as complete and contact the high school, we aren't taking interns until further notice." There were two ladies left including the spray tan lady who was standing with Rachel and a just out of high school young woman.

"Eileen, why don't you tell me what you think we should do to this place to make it better," Angelo said wanting her to feel like the salon was hers.

Rachel didn't fumble or shy away she jumped right in. "We need to paint this place, put into practice a new cleaning procedure for the tanning beds, and get some updated beds. There should be bathing suits for sale in here and cute shirts with the name of our business on them." She stopped to suck in air and Angelo held up his hand, poor Bella was scribbling as fast as she could go.

"Let's let Bella catch up a little," Angelo said winking at Rachel.

Angelo stepped back and let Rachel take over the meeting. She had great ideas. Her salon was going to be a hit and he couldn't be more pleased with the way she was embracing it.

"I'm going to go introduce myself to our neighbors. Will you watch over Eileen?" he asked Greg, who scowled at him.

"I don't need you to tell me how to do my job."

Angelo went back out onto the sidewalk and picked out where he would have surveillance cameras installed. He was also going to get an alarm system with a panic button. Would it be going too far to have a panic room worked into the store?

There was a bakery to the right and a law firm to the left. It wasn't an ideal location with the tax help place across the street. The traffic in this corner of the street wasn't going to be the young clientele the salon was currently targeting.

He'd have to see if Rachel had any ideas about getting a more mature crowd to come in.

There were several newspaper vending machines lined up across the street in front of the tax place called Tax Busters. He crossed the street and was pleased to find that the yellow machine on the end carried The New York Times.

He purchased a paper and turned to the classifieds. Vinchenzi said he'd sign his ads with the name Sincity so it was easy to find the ad.

Wanted: Co-pilot for long road trip. Stops in Vegas, Arizona, and Georgia. You pay gas. Call 313-555-8181 Sincity.

There were only three locations which meant he didn't know where one of the four was. Arizona was a little too close for Angelo's comfort as it was.

He folded the paper under his arm and crossed the street. Rachel had everyone to work including Greg and herself when he returned. Bella was on the phone at the desk. Angelo scribbled a note for Bella and handed it to her while Greg was arguing with Rachel that she wasn't strong enough to help him move the tanning bed to another room.

"It doesn't make sense for this one to be in this room because it doesn't fit, Greg. Now pull. It might have wheels on it." Rachel pushed on her end.

"Yeah, Greg, stop wussing out," Angelo grinned when Greg treated him to another scowl.

"Just move out of the way and I'll push," Rachel said waving Greg to the side.

Greg shimmied around to her end. "I'll push you just get in front and direct it, okay?"

"Alright," she said and Angelo watched Greg watch Rachel shimmy around to the other end. Angelo took advantage of Greg being distracted and went back to the front desk as Bella was hanging up the phone.

"You know, Will. My husband is looking to sell his hunting rifle. I bet he'd give you a great deal."

Angelo smiled with a side glance to see if Greg overheard them. "I find that when it comes to guns it's better not to do business with friends. But if we can't make a deal with this guy maybe Brick will loan it to me for a hunt."

She nodded. "Greg said that you are terribly awkward with guns and not to sell you one or loan you one but you don't strike me as the sort that would be clumsy."

"I'm not. Greg worries too much. Let's just keep this between us so I don't have to get another gun safety lecture. Sound good?"

Bella nodded with a smile as she picked up the phone. "I know this guy. I can talk him down a little I bet," she said holding the note he'd scribbled for her.

"Great." Angelo nodded and put his finger to his lips with a head nod toward Greg.

"But Eileen's fine with guns, right?"

"She is." He nodded patting her hand holding the note. "Go ahead and buy it for me with petty cash and I'll replace it."

Bella nodded and began to dial.

"Hey, Will. Quit yapping and help with this bed," Greg called.

"Here I come," Angelo said. He scribbled another note for Bella about finding out which security company the banks in the area used and giving them a call to come in and give an estimate for their services.

Angelo joined Rachel and Greg just as Rachel was plugging the bed in inside the room they'd moved it to. "Looks like you didn't need me after all."

"We should really test out these beds," Rachel was saying pushing buttons. "What if they are faulty? I mean the last owner lost his business for a reason right?"

"It was for tax fraud and voyering."

"Voyering? That's disgusting." Rachel was giving Greg a look like he'd done it.

Angelo laughed. "Yeah, Greg, that's gross."

"Do we need to sweep this place for cameras?"

Greg shook his red face. "No. It's been swept."

Rachel nodded with a grin. "Do we have a computer here? I wanted to see if we had any wiggle room to start ordering some cute bathing suits and tanning stickers."

"Yeah there is one in the office up stairs," Angelo told her.

She took his hand. "Will you show me?" Her blue eyes had a warm and mischievous glint to them. Her red lips were moist as if she'd just run her tongue over them.

He didn't need any more encouragement. "Let's go." He led the way to the back of the store.

"Do you think it would be in budget to get those shirts I was talking about?" Rachel asked and he paused at the bottom of the stairs. Does she really just want to get on a computer?

"Yeah," he managed and motioned for her to lead the way. Greg was asking Bella questions at the front desk. Angelo hoped she wouldn't crack and confide in Greg.

Rachel started up the stairs and he enjoyed the view as he followed several steps behind her. He wanted to follow her in the office and lock the door so he could finish what they'd begun earlier but she was so happy planning for the salon. He could wait a little longer. Maybe.

The expression on her face when he'd brought her to ecstasy surfaced in his mind and he paused trying to squash the overpowering need to quench his thirst for Rachel. It was a battle he wasn't winning.

"William?" Rachel was looking at him from the top of the stairs. "Are you okay?"

He climbed the stairs and followed her into the office. It was furnished with a couch, desk and two chairs. Angelo was thinking the desk would do nicely for what he'd like to do with Rachel. He closed the door.

Rachel turned on the computer and folded her arms waiting for it to boot up as she circled around to the back side of the desk. Angelo was staying next to the door. He wanted to be the gentleman she wanted him to be but he didn't know if he was anymore.

She brought out such an animalistic hunger in him.

Rachel sat on the desk crossing her legs and smiling at him. "Excuse me, Mr. Bossman, are you busy? You look pretty deep in thought."

"No." She was sitting just where he'd planned on putting her. Was she torturing him on purpose? "I'm trying to behave."

"Really? That's not like you."

He shook his head. "You're right about that." He opened the office door and called down the stairs. "Everybody take an early lunch. We've got some planning to do." He turned the lock and started toward her. Rachel's eyes heated with clear invitation.

"Should I be your secretary, Mr. Bossman?"

"Hell no, I don't want a secretary. I want you." He watched her inhale, her eyes widening, and her full breasts rising. "I want to feel your legs wrapped around me and see your face when I fill you." He grabbed her by the waist and slid her to the edge of the desk.

He took her mouth with his, sucking her bottom lip as he unbuttoned her sweater and peeled it from her shoulders and arms. He tossed it on the floor as Rachel framed his face with her hands.

She drew him deeper into his mouth sucking his tongue as it mated with hers. He'd unzipped the dress and unhooked her bra as Rachel quickly pulled her arms out before sliding it down to her waist.

"I want to see you too. Take off your shirt for me," she said against his lips.

Angelo unbuttoned the top few buttons and pulled the shirt off over his head, only taking his eyes off of her when his shirt had gone over his head. Her breasts were so beautiful. Her cotton candy pink nipples were hard and swelling as he looked at them.

He could suckle her all day if she'd let him.

Angelo wrapped his arm around her back arching her against him as her hands ran over his arms. He kissed his way down her neck to the valley between her breasts.

Her nails bit into his triceps as she waited for him to continue.

Angelo went to the left pink tip flicking it with his tongue before suckling greedily at her breast. Rachel slid her hands up his arms onto his shoulders. "Mmmm, oh yes." She arched against his mouth, he answered by drawing her in deeper and sucking harder.

His free hand teased and pinched her right nipple. He kneaded her breast with just the right amount of pressure before going to the left side. She was sweet like sugar and the sharp inhale of breath she took as he sucked her into his mouth only made him hungry to taste more of her.

Rachel's hands were in his hair. She moaned in complaint when he released her but arched again when he returned to the left breast. "Aw you make me so hungry, baby, I can't get enough." He lapped at the pink, glistening wet nipple before sucking on her breast again.

"I need you. Now," she said, her hands running down his chest to his pants.

He kneaded her breasts with both hands returning to her mouth to taste her sweet lips again. Angelo let his hands drift down her stomach. He loved the feel of her naked breasts against his chest.

Rachel's teeth grazed his lower lip before her tongue ran over it and she sucked him into her mouth. She was going to be his undoing. He groaned against her lips praying he wouldn't lose control and take her too forcefully. He'd never wanted a woman so much in his whole life.

He stepped back. Angelo watched the anticipation building in her eyes as he ran his hands up under her dress ready to remove her panties but she wasn't wearing any.

He was already so hard for her the straining of his shaft against his pants was painful. "You sexy minx."

Rachel raised her face up towards him and with her red full lips she said, "I want you, Angelo."

"Just let me kiss you," he whispered. He knelt down licking his lips. "These lips have been waiting for you and I'm so thirsty for you, baby."

"Wait, let's turn off the light."

Angelo pushed her skirt up to her waist, bunching the dress around her middle. "Shit, baby you're a centerfold," he said spreading her legs wider so he could see more of her.

His shaft was straining so he reached down and opened his pants to give himself room. His throbbing erection sprang free.

Rachel was watching him and the glazed-over lustful look in her eyes and the rounding shape of them as she took in his size urged him to proceed.

He should have kissed his way up her thighs but he wanted to taste the most intimate part of her. Angelo put her legs over his shoulders and kissed her lips before opening them up and exploring her with his tongue.

Rachel was wet and glistening with her desire for him. She was like warm honey and feminine just like he'd known she would be. He sucked on her sensitive center as her legs tightened over his shoulders. Angelo was licking and drinking her in. He groaned with pleasure against her.

She breathed his name in a desperate whisper.

Her fingers gripped the edge of the desk. Her lips clamped tight trying to stifle the sounds of ecstasy he was determined to hear. He lapped at her sensitive skin earning a gasp of frustration as he drifted further away from her center.

She wiggled trying to get him back to where she needed him. Angelo held her legs spreading her wider for him and controlling her movement.

Her voice was strained as she tried to speak quietly, "Angelo, I need you."

"Mmm, you taste too good to stop." He sank his tongue inside her and she forgot about being quiet. She cried out looking down at him as he pumped his tongue in and out of her. "Mmm, so good."

He could feel her muscles tightening and knew she was close. He slowly withdrew. Angelo wanted Rachel to remember what he'd done to her every time she came into this office and making her wait for her release was going to make it so much better for her.

Angelo stood, imprinting in his mind the picture she presented. Her long legs in red heels, her flawless fair skin and round bottom still perched on the edge of the desk. She ran her tongue over her red full lips with her blue eyes on his hard shaft.

He knew he wouldn't last with her red lips wrapped around him, sucking on him.

Swiftly, he took one of the condoms that had come with his new wallet and ripped open the package. Rachel took the condom from him with a wicked smile.

He clenched his jaw trying to stay in control as she pushed his pants to his ankles and wrapped her fingers around his massive erection. She licked her lips again as she watched her hand travel up and down his shaft, stroking him.

Angelo closed his eyes as he yanked the skirt of her dress that had drifted down her thighs as she'd stood up, back around her waist. "You'd better put that condom on now."

"You're the only one who gets to have a kiss first?"

She knelt down in front of him and he watched as her red lips sucked the head of his rod into her mouth. He almost lost it right there.

"You have to stop." He watched as her full, pink tipped breasts grazed his thigh. Her sinfully cherry red lips taking him deeper.

"Mmmm." Her tongue circled him before she took more of him into her mouth.

"If you don't stop I will lose control and fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk," he warned. He thought she understood his warning when she released him from her sensuous mouth.

She looked up at him with her blue eyes and wet red lips as her hand continued to stroke him. "You promise?" Rachel took him in her mouth again and he nearly came in her mouth.

He lifted her back up onto the desk. He groaned with need as she stroked the condom down his length, pinching the tip of the rubber with her other hand.

He lowered her onto her back on the desk knocking the keyboard out of the way in the process. Angelo spread her legs and plunged his shaft inside of her. Rachel cried out wrapping her legs around his waist as he rammed into her again.

He was straining to go slow but watching her full breasts bouncing with the impact was his undoing. He hammered his shaft into her hot wet center, over and over sinking deeper with each thrust.

Rachel was gripping the edge of the desk above her head. He held her waist as he slammed into her, thrusting without control. She felt so good. She was wet, so hot. She was gripping him, squeezing him and sending him into a frenzy of need.

"Aww, I can't stop. We're doing this all day."

She screamed his name as she came, her muscles convulsing around him as he bucked against her still not claiming her deeply enough. He pulled her against him holding her hips as he sank in his full length. He was coming as he pumped hard, loving her cries of pleasure and the sounds of his body taking hers.

Rachel was limp and breathing hard as his head began to clear, his hips grinding against her. He stilled his movements trying to catch his breath as he realized how much he'd lost control. "Baby, did I hurt you?"

"I don't think so." She smiled her eyes closing as he slowly withdrew. He grinned at the final gasp of pleasure she made when their bodies separated.

"Give me ten minutes. We'll go again." He grinned already picturing how he wanted to take her.

Rachel opened her blue eyes that were filled with disbelief. "Ten minutes?"

"I've got a million ways I want to have you, Rachel. I've been planning them out for years."

The bell on the front door downstairs jingled announcing the return of their employees. Rachel sat up and pulled down her dress. "Will you show me one when we get home?" she asked as she hooked her bra.

"Maybe."

She laughed putting her arms through the arm holes of the dress. "I think I can convince you."

"Me too." He kissed her as he zipped up her dress. She put her arms around his neck kissing him back without reservation. It nearly had him pulling away knowing he didn't deserve her but he wanted her too much to do the right thing.

Rachel picked up her sweater and put it on as she chewed her lower lip. "Do you think they all left when you told them to? What if they didn't?"

"I keep telling you, we're married. I kicked out all the kids when we began. It's fine."

"No, I mean." She was blushing and he almost laughed at the shyness that seemed to come over her. She hadn't backed down or shied away when they were making love. "I yelled your name."

He nodded. "Oh yeah, and I loved it."

"I yelled Angelo, not William."

His smile fell as he realized what she was saying. "People say all kinds of things when they are in the throws of passion. Plus, it would've been muffled when traveling through the walls."

"Okay." She nodded. "Let's go downstairs."

Angelo caught her arm. "There's something I could use your help with if you agree to it."

She kissed him again. "You are everything to me, Angelo. Just ask me."

He almost ran from the room. Her fearless trust terrified him. "I uh...." He kissed her hard, pulling her against him again he was so afraid he was going to ruin this and lose her again.

Get a grip, Angelo, dammit.

He released her from his tight hold. Her smile and swollen lips told him she didn't mind his kiss.

"This must be a big favor. What is it?"

"Well, kind of. I need you to cover for me when I sneak out tonight. I want you to invite Bella and Penelope over and get Dusty and Brick to come along too if you can. I'll say I've got a headache and then sneak out."

Rachel was tilting her head thinking over his request. "Where are you going?"

"I'm getting my money I transferred from an offshore account. I have to go to Denver. We'll be able to invest and get what we need to make this salon everything you want it to be."

"That's not worth you risking your life."

Angelo smiled. "What risk? No one knows we're here."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Rachel agreed against her better judgment.

How could she deny him when he'd just saved every friend she had from a terrible death?

She sighed again as she pushed the mop across the floor.

"Anything wrong?" Greg asked.

"I'm just dealing with some guilt." She looked pointedly at Bella and Monica, the spray tan tech. "Can't really talk about it right now."

He nodded taking the mop from her. "You've done the right thing. Okay? It's only natural to have second thoughts. Especially with your recent loss."

She nodded. "Yeah, I know. That's what William said."

"Good."

"Yeah, I'm inviting Bella and Penelope over tonight to keep busy. It's better when I keep busy." She took back the mop and began to push it around again.

Greg followed along with her. "That's a good idea. Maybe I'll stop by too."

"Okay." She smiled.

I'm going straight to Hell.

Greg was being so understanding and sweet and she was lying her ass off. She was a little sore from her lovemaking with Angelo but it was a soreness that reminded her of how passionate and hungry he was for her. She'd only fantasized about a man being that consumed with lust for her.

She felt a little heady when she thought about it.

He made her feel like the hottest woman on the planet and the way he'd kissed her and held her afterward, she'd felt so cherished.

"The floor looks brand new. You're a really hard worker, Eileen," Monica said. "I didn't know they could be this shiny. It's really cool you're willing to get your hands dirty and work. I was afraid the new owners were going to be too good to help out."

Rachel smiled. "Yeah, well. I was a waitress for two years. I'm not afraid to work, especially if it's my own place."

Monica nodded with a smile on her face. "Well, I'm happy to be working for you and William. I guess I'll see you tomorrow? Unless you want me to stay?"

"It's after six," Greg chimed in.

"Oh, yeah we should wrap up for the night, I guess." Rachel handed Angelo the broom as he came her way from the front desk with a smile on his face.

_He's got another card up his sleeve, I can tell._ She hoped it was a card that meant he wouldn't be gone for the night but she doubted it.

Greg was dusting off his pants as he said in a low voice, "I thought you should know they are pushing up the court date to help keep you safe."

Rachel nodded. "Good, I'll be glad when that's over." She realized as he was getting ready to excuse himself to wash his hands that he didn't have to help them with the salon. Greg didn't have to do anything but keep an eye on them.

He'd reassured her and had been at her side as a friend instead of treating her like a job. He was a really good man.

"Thanks, Greg, for everything." She gave him a hug which surprised him but he gave her a quick squeeze before releasing her.

"No problem. I'm going to go wash up real quick." He walked away and Rachel urged Bella to go home so she would still make it over for a movie.

Angelo massaged his temples and Monica and Bella forgot they were leaving. _You'd think he'd just broken something they way their acting,_ Rachel thought trying to hide her smile.

Bella had a cold towel on his head and Monica was trying to talk him into propping his feet up.

"It's just a headache." Angelo feigned pain. "I get them from time to time. I'll be just fine."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Rachel asked as Greg rejoined them.

"What's going on?" Greg asked his brow furrowing as he took in the scene. "What's wrong with you, Will?"

Bella and Monica both started talking at once about his horrible headache and Angelo nodded in agreement.

"I just need some ibuprofen and I'm sure I'll feel better."

"Oh. Well, let's go." Greg flipped off the lights as Bella and Monica forced Angelo to accept their help out to the car. Rachel checked the back door to make sure it was locked and met Greg at the front where he was holding the door for her.

"What a big baby," Greg said nodding toward Angelo. Rachel tried not to laugh. Angelo had his arm over his eyes, and both women were still talking to him a million miles an hour. "You want to drive home so you learn the way?"

Rachel nodded. "That's a good idea," she said. "Lucky for you I got back in practice on our way into town." Greg didn't look as pleased with his idea after she'd said that.

"Don't worry. I'm good."

Greg got in the backseat and buckled himself in right away. Bella said she'd be over in an hour and promised to invite Penelope for her.

"You're not inviting the guys after all?" Greg asked not hearing Brick or Dusty's names mentioned.

"Well, since Angelo doesn't feel well I thought I'd just make it a girl's night. You can still come over, Greg."

She glanced at him in the backseat. His scrutinizing gaze was on Angelo. "I'll be there."

"You're going to a girl's night?" Angelo asked.

"Wouldn't miss it." Greg grinned obviously pleased with himself for getting under Angelo's skin. Only Rachel knew that he wanted Greg there. It was going to keep her protected, and it was going to keep Greg busy so he could sneak out.

She felt a little nervous seeing how well Angelo played Greg.

Does he play me like that?

"You missed the turn, Eileen. You'll have to turn around and then make a right," Greg explained to her like it was her first time driving.

She said, "Woops," drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. The city of Peaches was so dark at night. It was nothing like the lights of the city. The street lights were spread out and the ground where their beams didn't touch were heavily blanketed in opaque darkness.

"I feel like I'm in a horror movie, it's so dark."

"You'll get used to it," Greg assured her.

She didn't think he was right about that. Not with Grimaldi's criminals looking for her. Rachel made the U-turn and got back on the correct route.

They arrived at the duplex and Greg got out first. "You need help getting him inside or can he walk on his own two feet with his headache?"

"I said I'd be fine and I will," Angelo snapped with a grimace of pain on his face.

"See you in an hour," Rachel said to Greg and unlocked the door.

Angelo went through it and was waiting for her on the other side no longer wincing but looking revved up instead. "Ready for round three? We've got an hour."

"No, I'm not ready. We need to get you something to drink to down that ibuprofen," Rachel said throwing her thumb toward the shared wall.

He nodded. "Okay."

She followed him to the kitchen and turned on the tap water. "You're not going to make it before they close. Why don't you leave at sunrise?"

"I arranged to buy some guns tonight and I don't think it's worth chancing two separate jail breaks in a sixteen hour period. I'll be back by lunchtime tomorrow at the latest."

"Lunchtime? What am I going to do to explain your absence? A headache that bad?" Angelo kissed her cheek when she turned her face away. "I'm serious. I can't stall that long."

Angelo sighed. "I don't have to go for the money tonight but that means we'll have to do this again in a few days." He kissed her neck, nuzzling her in a way that usually made her eyes roll back but she fought off the urge to give in to him.

"What if something happens to you? What if someone traced your transfer and they're waiting for you?"

Angelo framed her face with his hands and kissed her. His lips so soft and strong at the same time made it impossible for her to push him away to get her answers. His hands drifted down her sides and he lifted her up onto the countertop. His mouth was traveling down her neck and continuing south. "I love that you'd worry about me. You don't have to, I'll be fine." He squeezed her behind as he slid her to the edge of the counter against him. "I'm doing this for you. I have to know that you'll be taken care of no matter what happens."

She gripped his hair in her hands and pulled him from her neck so she could see his face. "What? What does that mean? What's going to happen?"

"Nothing. I promised you I'd take care of you, remember? This money will make you a part owner of a restaurant that is guaranteed to do well and to make the salon a success."

She released her hold on him. "While you're where? Dead or just gone?"

His reassuring expression hardened into a solemn, almost challenging gaze. "Understand this. I'd have to be dead to be away from you again. You're mine." An electric thrill ran through her as she met the steel, unquestionable hardness in his eyes.

"You know I'll cover for you, but I don't like this. It feels like you're preparing me to be on my own again."

"I'm making our life together comfortable. This is our chance and I'll be damned if our second chance at life is going to start at ground zero. I want to make you happy, just let me."

Rachel hugged him. "You make me happy. I don't need the money. We can make the salon a success on our own."

"Don't make me seduce you to make this happen. You're worth the risk which is incredibly minimal, remember? No one knows where we are, you're just letting yourself get scared. I wouldn't leave you if I thought someone was closing in on us."

"How could you know?"

Angelo held her tight so she couldn't pull back to see his face again. "I have my ways."

"Make you seduce me?"

He laughed and the rumbling sound vibrated through her making it impossible for her not to smile.

"Yes make me seduce you. You bat those gorgeous blue eyes at me and talk to me with those pouty lips that I know where made for me to kiss. These long legs you keep flashing at me and we both know they're supposed to be wrapped around me at all times."

Rachel laughed as he opened her legs up and wrapped them around him. He kissed her sinking his right hand in her hair. "I see you and I have to be inside you," he whispered against her lips. "I hear your voice and I want to hear you screaming my name."

She was really losing ground here, and she knew it.

"William?" she said her voice quivering because she'd much rather give in to his tantalizing seduction. "Tell me what changed your mind about me."

"What?" He drew back and she could see from the heat in his eyes he was ready for round three.

She licked her lips trying to pretend she didn't want to hear what else about her made him want her. "You said you stopped seeing me because you felt it was too dangerous for me. What made you decide that? I mean you said you grew up knowing what your father was, you knew it when you started dating me so what was it that happened that made you realize you didn't want to put me at risk?"

The heat was gone from his eyes. What took its place she didn't recognize? It wasn't anger but it wasn't good.

"Angelo?"

"My father told me I had to stop seeing you."

Rachel frowned. That wasn't so terrible. Why was he so different all of the sudden?

He swallowed. A smile that I didn't recognize curved his lips. "It's a lame reason unless you remember what my father did for a living. You don't say no to an enforcer and hit man." He backed away from her.

"I understand." Rachel slid off the countertop and onto her feet to come after him. "I was in love with you. I couldn't believe how you disappeared and I just had to understand. Now I can put it behind me."

He nodded and gave the same smile she knew wasn't genuine. He was hurting she realized. She shouldn't have made him think of his father.

"I'll cover for you," she said giving him her most confident smile. "I'll use my sexy curves that say "watch me walk" on Greg."

"The hell you will." His eyebrows almost hit his hairline. "Greg would love to get his hands on you."

"Well." She shrugged giving him a wicked grin. "You'd better hurry back."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Bella and Penelope arrived first. Angelo was relieved to have them as a distraction for Rachel.

The way she'd asked those questions in the kitchen, it was like she knew.

_She doesn't know,_ he told himself as she smiled at him.

"I know you're not up to watching movies with your headache. The girls understand if you can't stay," Rachel said kissing his cheek. Her fingers feathered down his neck, raising his pulse with only her touch.

Rachel smiled sympathetically up at him for the benefit of Greg, who had just joined them. Angelo caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "I love you," he said wanting her to know his heart.

Her blue eyes glistened with moisture as she blinked rapidly. She smiled leaning in toward him. "Why would you say that now? It's because this is dangerous, isn't it?"

Angelo wanted to laugh. He loved how much she card for him. "I just thought it was about time I told you. I do. I love you."

"Aw," Bella and Penelope said in unison.

"Did you take anything for that headache yet? Or are you just planning on milking it all night?" Greg asked.

Angelo smiled despite his annoyance. He'd considered drugging Greg but he wasn't going to leave Rachel without protection. Taking Rachel with him wasn't an option.

No. The way he was going about getting his weapons and money in one swoop was best. The longer he waited the more dangerous it became to go after his money.

He said, "I think you're right. I'm going to go lie down." He could feel Greg watching him more carefully. Angelo had to admit, Greg had good instincts. "Maybe I'll shower first. Sometimes that helps," he added hoping it would make Greg less suspicious.

Angelo gave Rachel a quick peck and said, "Have fun, everybody." He went to the bathroom and quickly shed his clothes. He hopped into the shower and washed off quickly. He toweled off and wrapped the towel around his waist.

He knew the more naked he looked the more likely Greg would be content that he was asleep in his room. Angelo folded his clothes and hooked the heels of his shoes with his pointer and middle finger.

Apparently, Betty-Lou invited herself over when he was in the shower. She was the first to spot him coming out of the bathroom. He got a few whistles as he crossed the hallway and was pleased that Greg had seen him in just the towel after the trouble he'd gone through to sell his presence in the house.

Once he was in his room he dressed in the only suit in his closet. It was a solid dark navy blue. It wasn't tailored but it would do for appearances sake at the bank in the morning.

He stuffed the bed to look like he was occupying it and used a brown feather duster to peek out at the top by the pillow to pass as his hair. It would probably work in the dark not so much in the morning if Greg cared to take a close look.

Angelo learned through Bella that the mechanic two streets over rented out a car to customers and had agreed through Bella to rent him a car.

Once Angelo made it out the window onto the side of the house he walked with purpose the next two blocks until he spotted the mechanic's place. He worked out of his own garage. There were cars all over the place.

"You the guy Bella called about? William Parker?" The mechanic stood up coming down from his porch.

"That's me." Angelo smiled and pulled the cash from his wallet. It was a good thing he was on his way to get money because after the guns and gas he was going to be broke.

The mechanic nodded and handed over the keys. "Bringing it back tomorrow right?"

"That's right. Just after lunchtime."

"It's the white one at the end of the driveway."

Angelo gave a single nod and then was on his way. He got into the sedan and then followed the directions Bella had given him to a guy who'd agreed to sell him a hunting rifle for a bargain.

He checked the address twice before he turned off the car. The house was a cabin that looked so dilapidated he was surprised it wasn't condemned.

"Who's out there?" A gruff voice asked and the sound of a shotgun being cocked demanded his immediate answer.

"Bella called on my behalf. I'm William Parker. Here to buy a gun."

The light on the front porch came on and the man standing beneath the light waved him inside. Angelo could smell the dogs before he spotted them. A trio of malamutes. They weren't barkers but they'd tear him to pieces if their owner was threatened.

"Here it is." The man stretched, struggling against the forward bend of his back kyphosis. Angelo could tell by his voice he wouldn't want Angelo's help so he waited patiently as the older man finally unhooked the weapon and turned back toward him.

"I don't usually buy guns unless I know they work. You gonna give me a guarantee on this gun?" Angelo asked.

The man nodded. "You've got my word. She works fine. I got two more just like her." He pointed over by the back door. "Sometimes I get animals coming down off the mountain in my yard."

Angelo noticed the man had blisters on his hands and there was strain in his features. "Don't need three hunting rifles," he continued. "I'd rather sell it and get the pre-cut wood. I'm too old to keep chopping it for myself." He set his shotgun down on the table next to some hand guns.

"Are you willing to sell your .22? Mister?" Angelo asked.

"Don Brown." He was eyeing Angelo. "What do you need with a .22, Mr. Parker?"

Angelo went with the truth. "I need something small for quick access to protect my wife and property."

"Ain't much burglary out where you're at is there?"

"We just bought the tanning salon. I expect burglaries come with the territory."

Mr. Brown nodded. "I'll give you both for twelve hundred. That's a good deal, son. The rifle is a bushmaster semi automatic and I'm throwing in a scope. You can't beat that."

Angelo nodded. It was a killer deal but he only had a thousand he could spend if he was going to have enough for gas. "What if we make it a thousand and I chop your wood for you?"

"I'm supposed to believe you'll be coming back to chop wood?"

"I'll do it now. If you've got some light so I can see what I'm doing."

Don was frowning, considering the offer. "If you chop me enough for this winter and haul it in here by the fireplace tonight. Then it's a deal."

Angelo offered Don his hand and they shook on it.

"You better take off those fancy clothes. It's not a desk job, son."

Angelo nodded as he followed Don out the back door. The older man flipped a switch at the back door and powerful lights lit up the backyard that was nestled at the base of a mountain. There were piles of logs as though a lumber truck had unloaded in his backyard.

"Nope, definitely not a desk job. Do you have any gloves I can borrow, Don?"

"You're still going to do it?" The smile lines on his face were deep.

Angelo patted Don on the back. "Of course I am." He couldn't return home and he had all night to get to Denver. Having a smaller piece for Rachel to train on or for an up close attack was too good a deal to pass up.

Angelo took off his jacket and shirt and put them over the railing while Don went for the gloves. Don seated himself on the back porch. "I'll make sure no wild animal gets ya." He smiled. "This is great. I appreciate this."

"I do too, Don." Angelo pulled on the well worn gloves and found the ax buried in a thick round of wood. He pulled it out and tested the blade. It was sharp.

"I've got a chainsaw up here too you can use to get the rounds before you split 'em," Don said.

Angelo waved in acknowledgement and got started chopping. It wasn't easy but felt good. All his anxiety about his situation with Rachel and the Witness Protection Program was being spent. It was like he was sucked into this mindless zone.

"You want a drink, Parker?" Don held out a glass toward him. "You been at it a couple of hours without slowing down. You're either a workhorse or you got woman problems."

Angelo laughed realizing he was breathless from the exertion. He accepted the glass of lemonade and drained the cup.

"I thought a suit wearing man like you would've given up half an hour in and I'm proud to see you didn't. I think this much is good enough," he said gesturing to the pile. "It'll do me at least three quarters of the winter."

"I'm not done holding up my end of the bargain," Angelo said. "I'll cut some more rounds and you'll have yourself a full winter's worth."

"Won't your wife be worried with you out this late?"

Angelo sighed buying time for a good answer. "You were right about the woman problems. This is helping me work it out of my system."

"Well, if you insist. I'm not going to stop you. You're saving my back and my wallet"

Angelo got the chainsaw and cut more rounds than he needed so it would be easier on Don the next time he came out to cut the wood. Though watching Don struggling with his back made Angelo think it wouldn't be a bad idea to come out and spend his energy on chopping wood again.

The last quarter didn't take long and Don had a wheelbarrow. His back deck had a ramp so bringing it inside proved to be easier than chopping it.

"You're welcome for a visit anytime, young man. I like a man who can work. We're a dying breed you know."

"That I do, sir," Angelo agreed. "I'll see you soon. Thank you." He loaded up his weapons and the bullets Don had thrown in and headed for Denver.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Angelo just had to tell me he loves me for the first time right before he's heading out on this stupid, dangerous mission for guns and money? Now I'm a mess, Rachel complained to herself as Bella and Penelope argued over which brother on the Supernatural TV series was cutest.

"Who do you like best, Eileen?" Penelope asked smiling. "I won't tell, Will."

Rachel already knew the answer to that question, who didn't make that choice during the first episode?

"I like Dean."

"That's interesting," Greg said from his spot at the window. "Dean is the more careful of the two. Less bad boy and more good guy."

Bella was shaking her head. "I don't think you've been paying attention, Greg. Dean is a total bad boy."

"What do you think?" Greg asked Rachel.

At the corner of the window she could see Angelo approaching the sidewalk and smiled in an attempt to keep the panic from her expression.

"Uh, well you've got a point, Greg, I mean Dean did stay with his father but later he gets much more wreckless. So I guess you're both right."

Greg started to turn toward the window.

"But do you know who I think is really hot?"

It worked. Greg looked at her waiting for her confession.

Who is hot besides Angelo? I can't think of anyone else. Who is a movie star guy? Anyone, Rachel! Say something.

"He's definitely my first choice when it comes to male movie stars and I've put a lot of thought into this."

Penelope and Bella were nodding in encouragement. Greg was waiting quietly with such a strong focus on her face, she was afraid she was giving something away.

"I like the martial arts actors. They're so tough, you know?" Bella said covering her mouth full of popcorn.

Penelope shook her head. "I like a good character so I only like actors depending on the role their playing."

Greg leaned back tilting his head so he could see out the window but his eyes were still on Rachel. She had to play this right. She licked her lips and shook her head. "I shouldn't say. Greg will probably rat me out to Will."

"That's not something you need to worry about," Greg said. "What's said between us stays between us. Right girls?"

Penelope and Bella laughed. "He wants to know," Penelope added.

Angelo was out of eyeshot. "Aw, why not? I think Christian Wenthum is very well put together." Rachel smiled with a small measure of relief.

Betty-Lou came out of the kitchen with the nachos she'd just taken out of the microwave. "He's a blondie like Greg. That's a coincidence," she said settling herself next to Bella.

Rachel couldn't even remember what name she'd given as the actor she liked. It had just been the first one that came to mind. "Well, I like variety."

"I can see why William wouldn't like that with a Christian look-a-like living right next door," Betty said.

"Betty, that's enough," Greg said with a clear warning in his tone.

Rachel felt the tension level triple in the room. Penelope averted her gaze and was looking down at the magazine she'd brought over. Bella had huge fish eyes looking back and forth between Greg and Betty-Lou.

Rachel noticed the way Betty challenged Greg with her eyes and the red blush rising up her neck.

She's been trying to make Greg jealous? All this annoying flirting and idiotic behavior has been for Greg? Oh, my gosh, this could work for me. Betty's got him totally distracted from Angelo. Yep, Rachel, straight to hell.

"Would anyone like a drink?" Rachel offered. She'd get a few shots into Betty and that woman would be singing like a canary.

"No thank you," Betty said right away.

Well, crap.

The next two episodes of Supernatural did very little to soothe Rachel's nerves with all the killing to be seen. Bella drained her third glass of wine and was laughing at the suspenseful moments in the last episode.

"I'd better walk her home," Penelope said. "I need to get home too. It's almost eleven. I shouldn't be out this late on a school night."

"I'm so glad you came over," Rachel told Penelope as they helped Bella onto her feet.

Bella nodded. "Me too and don't worry I'm not drunk. I'm married to a sailor for heaven's sake."

Rachel smiled. "Of course you're not, but it is getting late." She winked at Penelope, who nodded.

Penelope linked arms with Bella and they left thanking Rachel for having them over. When Rachel shut the door behind them, the tension between Betty and Greg returned.

"Should we watch The Notebook? Or something funny? What are you in the mood for?"

"It is getting late, maybe you should go, Greg," Betty said.

Greg folded his arms. "I'm a family friend. I can stay as late as I like. Besides, it's not polite to speak for the hostess."

"You know it seems to me you two have a few things to work through," Rachel said with her arms folded. "Why don't you go next door and talk it out. Communication really is the best thing for relationships."

"We're not in a relationship," Greg said.

Betty stood up. "I would like a word with you. Let's go."

Greg looked at Rachel with a sour expression, and she shrugged with a half smile on her face. He stood up and signaled for Betty to follow him. "I'm sorry about this," he said to Rachel.

"Hey, no worries."

They left, and Rachel heard Betty jump right in as soon as his door was closed. After about twenty minutes of listening, she had a pretty good idea of what had gone wrong between the two.

Greg had been too friendly with the last old friends who had stayed in the duplex and Betty knew he'd cheated on her. At least this was what Betty claimed. Rachel thought it was more likely he didn't tell her they were in the WPP and spent a lot of time helping the female who had been his job.

"It doesn't matter anymore, Betty. You cheated to get back at me and now it's over."

"But I said I was sorry, Greg. You cheated first and I'm willing to forgive you."

"Aw." Rachel frowned. "Poor Betty."

Once she'd gotten her fill of eavesdropping she went to the kitchen to clean up. The clock on the oven showed it was half past eleven.

Did he get the guns yet? What if he was waiting around the bank and one of Grimaldi's men had taken him out.

Rachel started washing dishes. She had to stop thinking so negatively. Angelo was good at being careful. He'd gotten her into the WPP with no hitches hadn't he?

There were only a few dishes so she was done too quickly to really get her mind off of worrying. She opened up the cupboards and paused taking in the selection of food that had been stocked inside.

Her eyes stung with the realization that the last time she'd had this much food her parents had been alive. The last time she had felt this kind of love, the real unconditional kind, it had been from her parents.

When they'd died and she'd realized she was no one's little girl anymore she'd had to accept she was never going to have someone care about her like they did.

Angelo was pretty close.

He was trying to secure their future, and she had no doubt it was dangerous no matter what he said. If it wasn't, then he could have persuaded Greg to agree and he wouldn't have gone for the guns first.

I shouldn't have let him do this. Rachel scolded herself.

She started scrubbing the countertops and then moved to the floor. When they were clean, she went to the table and scrubbed and polished it though they hadn't even used it yet.

A knock at the door made her jump.

Rachel stared at it frozen next to the dining room table. She looked at the clock. It was two thirty in the morning.

"It's me, Greg," he said through the door.

Uh oh.

Rachel looked through the peephole. Greg looked tired. His eyes were a little puffy and his dark blond hair was messy.

She opened the door and let him in. "What is it?" she asked afraid he was going to say he'd somehow discovered Angelo and her scheme.

"I came to ask you the same question. You should be exhausted after all the hard work you put into the salon. Why aren't you sleeping?"

"Am I keeping you up? I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I was making that much noise."

Greg waved his hand like that part didn't matter. "Is something bothering you? Are you worried about testifiying?"

"No, I think I will be when it gets closer to happening. I guess I'm just wound up. I'll take a shower and I bet that will help me settle down."

Greg looked down at his shoes and cleared his throat. "I didn't have relations with the last tenant." His blue eyes raised to meet hers.

Rachel smiled. "I didn't think you did. I'm sorry your job cost you your relationship with Betty."

"That was months ago. Anyway, if she'd cheat on me to get even then she'd cheat on me." He grinned blushing. "I guess you already heard me tell her just that."

Rachel nodded. "I hope Betty will move on then. I can see why it's hard for her to get over you. You are a very good man."

He turned his face a little and squinted an eye at her. "Are you buttering me up for something?"

"No. What would I be buttering you up for?"

"I don't know." He put his hands in the pockets of his plaid pajama pants. "Maybe you want me to allow William to buy a gun. I know he asked to buy a gun from Bella."

Rachel frowned. "Bella has guns?"

"Her husband does."

"Well, a gun would give me a little more security," Rachel said.

He nodded. "I thought so. Well, the next time you want to butter me up you should wear some of the pajamas I got for you." His cheeks blushed a deep red color as though he couldn't believe he'd said what he had. "Just kidding." He laughed.

"Mmm-hmm." Rachel shook her head. "Men. You've all got only one thing on your minds don't you?"

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

Rachel gave him a soft smile. "No harm done."

"One more thing though before I go."

"Yes?"

He took her hand gently in his. "The court date has been scheduled. It's in two weeks. I don't want you to be scared but I did want you to have time to prepare yourself."

Rachel was relieved he hadn't said what she'd been afraid he was going to say, which was that he'd discovered her lies and knew Angelo was out breaking the rules.

"Thank you for telling me. I do need time."

"I'll be here if you need me. We can practice cross-examination so when you practice with the lawyer it won't be as stressful."

She nodded. "That's very considerate of you. Thank you."

"Okay, well," he slowly released her hand, "I'd better get back and you'd better get to bed. You have to be up early in the morning since you jog and Bella said she scheduled a security company to come and give you an estimate at the store tomorrow so we'll have to be there early."

"Oh." Rachel swallowed. "That's fine."

"Goodnight, Eileen."

She inclined her head. "Goodnight."
CHAPTER NINETEEN

It was after three in the morning when he arrived in Denver. It was bigger than Peaches but it was no New York.

He found an open diner three blocks from the bank and seated himself at a quiet booth with a tall coffee. The chopping of the wood had done him good but now he was feeling tired and he couldn't afford that.

There were two exits, the front door he'd come through and one out the back door. He could see them both from where he sat with the .22 in his jacket.

If any of Grimaldi's heavy hitters were watching the bank they had to have already known about his father's offshore accounts. He'd named Angelo as an account holder before he'd been murdered by the Fabbri family.

Remo wasn't the kind of man to share that kind of information. They would have to have better connections than Remo and that would be difficult to do.

Still. He couldn't ignore his instincts. If one of them wasn't already waiting for him they were following the money trail. They had to be. He could feel it in his gut.

He ordered another coffee to go when he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. One of the hitters must have been watching the bank and saw him pass by and now they'd followed him to the dinner.

Shit.

Exhaling he accepted the refill.

The black sedan in the back corner of the parking lot with the rental tags in the corner of the windshield was vacant. Whichever hitter had tracked him down was going to try to take him out when he left the building.

Angelo took the steak knife that was bundled with the spoon and fork in the napkin, wiped his mouth with the napkin and palmed the blade.

Leaving his coffee at the table he went into the restroom. There was a guy who was cleaning the bathrooms and was about to leave. He wasn't as tall as Angelo, but if he kept his face down he would do.

"Hey, you want to make a hundred bucks?"

"No way, man. I like women." He was in a hurry and Angelo had to block the door to keep him from leaving.

He held up his hands hoping to keep the guy from freaking out. "All I want you to do is wear my jacket and go and sit at my table."

"Why?"

Angelo pulled a guilty smile. "I got a guy outside waiting to beat me up. If you wear this to my table and sit down for two minutes it'll give me the chance to surprise him like he's waiting to do to me."

"I don't know."

"Two minutes of your time for a hundred bucks?" He glanced at his name tag. "Come on, Bobby. You can't do it?"

Bobby sighed.

"Two hundred then?"

Bobby grinned. "Alright."

Angelo pulled out his shirt from his pants to cover his gun and then took off the jacket. "Give me the apron." It was black and would cover up his dress shirt. "Keep your face down when you go out and stay there two minutes.

"Give me the money first," Bobby said already wearing the jacket.

Angelo pulled the last two bills from his wallet. There went his month's allowance from the government and what had been provided as petty cash for the salon.

"Thanks, man," Angelo said smiling like he was excited about what was coming next so Bobby wouldn't back out. As soon as Bobby cleared the door Angelo pushed the cleaning cart out of the bathroom and down the hallway.

Bobby had just sat down at the booth.

Angelo grabbed the black garbage bags on the cart. With his gun in his right hand along with the top of one of the garbage bags, he put the knife in the apron pocket and went out the back door.

He kept his face down but spotted Lorenzo Gonatti standing at the south corner. Lorenzo looked at him and then dismissed him turning back to watch Bobby through the window. Lorenzo was known for his skill with a knife but it appeared he was packing heat tonight with the bulge at the left side of his chest.

Angelo was only five feet from him but he knew Lorenzo was quick. No doubt he already had a knife waiting and ready to go. Angelo tossed the garbage bag to Lorenzo's far left and closed in while Lorenzo reacted to the noise in the opposite direction.

Lorenzo brought his knife up before he turned catching Angelo across the forearm, but it didn't stop Angelo from pulling the trigger with the barrel of the gun right at Lorenzo's heart.

The body muffled the popping noise of the gun as Angelo anticipated. He lowered the body to the ground and quickly covered it with the big trash bags. He took Lorenzo's gun, keys, wallet, and cell phone. He then went back into the restaurant, washed his hands in the bathroom and ignored the tremor at his jawline.

Bobby returned with a huge goofy smile. "That was quick."

"Yeah, I'm a badass." Angelo smiled handing over the apron.

"You're bleeding," Bobby pointed out.

Angelo sighed. "Yeah the fucker wore a ring."

Bobby nodded. "Well, thanks for the cash, man." He handed back Angelo's jacket.

Angelo laid money on the table from Lorenzo's wallet to cover the coffee.

He pulled around to the back of the restaurant in Lorenzo's car and loaded the trash with the body into the trunk.

He made the drive from Denver to Cheyenne, Wyoming in an hour and a half. He stayed on the freeway until he saw signs for a rest area and pulled off. There were more mountains and wilderness beyond the rest stop.

Angelo drove up over the sidewalk and forged his own path through the rough terrain until he found a good spot to burn the car. He used some rubber tubing from the trash to siphon out gas into a disposable cup and poured it over the body and the inside of the car.

One bullet set off the gas and he started running. He made it back to the rest station quickly by running at top speed. There was a trucker who had just pulled in and two other cars.

Angelo opened up the cell phone and made two hang up calls to people in Lorenzo's contact list. He wanted the last usage of the cell phone to be outside of Colorado.

He dropped the cell phone onto the floor of a messy car with it's back window left open a few inches.

The trucker was heading back to his vehicle and Angelo caught up to him. "Are you headed south?"

"I don't pick up hitchhikers."

"What about a guy whose crazy wife kicked him out of a moving vehicle because she was sure he smelled like another woman?" Angelo gave him his best pathetic look.

"You smell bad," the trucker said not looking the least bit sympathetic.

Angelo opened up Lorenzo's wallet. "I don't have a lot of cash but I'm willing to give you what I've got for a ride."

"Did you smell like another woman?"

Angelo wasn't getting anywhere with sympathy so he went the other way. "Yeah, but. If you saw the other woman you wouldn't blame me."

The trucker laughed. "You dog."

Angelo nodded. "What do you say, man?"

"I'll take you to the next exit. That's it."

"Great."
CHAPTER TWENTY

Rachel was so on edge she didn't sleep well. She heard Greg's alarm go off and knew he would be coming over. She scrambled out of bed and dressed in a pair of hot pink running shorts and a black sports bra.

Angelo might not like her methods of distracting Greg but that was too bad.

She brushed out her hair and left it down which was something she'd never do but it seemed to work for Baywatch, so she hoped it would for her.

After applying deodorant under her arms, she tried to squeeze her foot into the jogging shoe she'd not bothered to untie the day before. Once she'd squeezed her way into both her shoes she called into Angelo's room, "Why don't you just sleep in this morning. You look awful. Love you."

The jolt of seeing brown hair sticking up out of the blanket almost made her scream.

Dammit, Angelo.

She recovered the feather duster like Angelo had left it and then shut his bedroom door. Skipping any kind of drink or food she went out the front door locking it behind her.

Greg opened his door about twelve minutes later.

"Angelo's still milking it, huh?"

"He looked pretty uncomfortable. I told him to stay in bed." She continued to make a show of stretching. Maybe if they stretched for a long time they wouldn't have to run as long.

Greg was grinning. "Isn't Angelo going to be mad when he sees you come back naked?"

"What?" Rachel was touching her toes and straightened from her bent over position.

"He freaked out about your jogging shorts and sports bra yesterday."

"Oh." Rachel nodded feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment. "You really can hear everything can't you?"

He nodded. "Close to it. Now that you heard me arguing with Betty I think it's fair for me to venture an opinion."

"Okay."

"Angelo has a dirty mouth. You don't have to put up with him talking to you like you're a piece of meat."

Rachel laughed as she stretched her triceps muscle behind her head. "He doesn't talk to me like I'm a piece of meat. He just lets me know he wants me and I like that about him."

Greg made a face as he shrugged. "I think you could do better, but you're all grown up, I know. Let's jog."

"Okay." Rachel was nervous so her body was rearing to run, but she knew herself well enough to know she wouldn't last long if she didn't pace herself.

Greg jogged along side her easily.

"It's very unlike William not to have you within eyeshot. He keeps you close at all times."

"Maybe you've gained his respect and he trusts you to look out for me," she said trying to appear as if it was easy for her to talk and keep the pace.

She was trying to lead but Greg was keeping up too easily with her. So she just suggested they go left instead of right like they had the day before instead of leading him that way.

After six blocks she was dying.

"Mercy, you win the race." She slowed to a walk.

"I'm sorry was I going too fast?"

She was still trying to catch her breath. She didn't just want to lie down on the concrete and wait for it to return. "I've got a confession for you, Greg."

"What's that?" he asked placing his hand on her back.

"I'm not a runner or a jogger."

He laughed. "I hate it when they do that." Greg shook his head, his hand falling away from her back. "I bet they guessed since you're in such good shape."

"Good shape? I can't run ten blocks. You'd think I was a chain smoker or something."

"Well, you look like you workout."

She laughed rolling her eyes. "I just had long hours and wasn't eating properly."

"Do you have one of those eating disorders?" he asked with a wrinkled nose.

"No, and it's a good thing I don't. I wouldn't get any sympathy from you." She elbowed him and took another deep breath.

Greg smiled holding his laughter in. "So why the poor eating habits?"

She was going to say she was too busy to eat but she'd been lying to him since last night so she thought he deserved some truth. "I had a hard time making ends meet after my parents died."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too," she said not ever knowing quite how to respond to people saying they were sorry about her parents. "But waitressing is like working out. I was carrying big heavy trays of food and dirty dishes. Plus I was on my feet all day."

Greg nodded again. "I see. So you swear by the waitress workout do you?"

"I swear I wasn't doing any other workout. I'll probably pile on the pounds now that I'm eating like a normal person."

"Not with all the fun jogging we're going to be doing."

Rachel frowned openly.

"This right here, what we're doing now is called strolling. We have to pick up the pace a little if we're going to consider this exercise."

Rachel laughed despite herself. "Fine, but not too fast."

Greg turned to head back and she pretended not to notice they were continuing in the direction of the salon. She was so tired. Her attempt at a sprint was pathetic.

He caught up to her before she'd gotten five feet. "Let's head back," Greg said.

"I think we should keep going. We could see if we can make it to the bakery and then we could have donuts for breakfast." She wiggled her eyebrows. "Mine's going to have chocolate icing."

"Do you understand what exercising is for?"

She smiled. "So I can have a big chocolate donut and not have it show up on my hips or on my thighs." He laughed so she kept going. "It'll be like the trophy at the finish line. I work best off the reward system."

"We could jog back and then pick up a donut for you before I drop you and Angelo off at the salon."

No, we can't go back yet you have to buy more time!

Rachel closed her eyes and frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"I just. I just need a break from Angelo. Is that mean?"

Greg shook his head. "No. But you need to tell me why. Is he harassing you or making you feel obligated to do things you don't want to do?"

"No. He's just so close all the time. He's ready to have this marriage be real and I didn't ever say any vows. It's just all moving too fast."

Greg nodded. "Well, I can understand that. You could always "renew" your vows when you want to marry him for real."

Rachel nodded smiling as she continued walking in the direction of the salon. "That's a nice idea."

"And if it doesn't work out you just get a divorce and move on. He doesn't own you and you don't owe him."

He was wrong about that. She knew she owed him. He'd saved her life at Grimaldi's. He'd gotten her into the WPP, taken care of Gerry, and now he was out trying to secure a comfortable future for them.

"That's true too," she said for his benefit. When she looked up at him she caught the look in his eyes and where he was looking at her. Nope. Angelo wouldn't like her methods at all.

She wasn't really liking them either. She wasn't really leading him on though. Greg wasn't allowed to carry on romantic relationships with the people in his care. He knew he was just looking. He knew nothing would ever happen between them.

Rachel still had to acknowledge to herself that she'd seen in him genuine interest in her and vulnerability.

"I know you probably don't want to talk about Betty but I could tell she is really messed up over your breakup."

"You're right I don't want to talk about her." His brow creased. "If we're going to make it to the bakery we'd better move. We may have to talk to the security company before we head back for Angelo and the car."

"That's fine." Rachel smiled with relief.

Greg was smiling too.

"What?"

"You're fine meeting with the security company in your jogging outfit?"

Rachel had nearly forgotten how little she was wearing. She shrugged with a small shake of her head. "I look good, why should I not be comfortable wearing this," she said though it was far from what she found acceptable.

"Really?"

"I do run a tanning salon don't I? I'll just say it's the uniform."

Greg laughed as he started jogging. "You'll get some new customers if they're guys. That's for sure."

"Not more running," Rachel whined. He didn't slow down so she had to bite the bullet and run.

Her burning lungs and screaming muscles made her think of Angelo and what he was doing right then. She hoped he'd already gotten the money and was on his way back.

She prayed he was safe.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Angelo walked from the exit where the trucker had dropped him. It was just after seven in the morning but it looked like a couple of the shops were open.

Keeping his face down to avoid video surveillance as he entered the outlet store he moved quickly. He purchased two sets of clothing and a duffle bag with Lorenzo's credit card.

He jogged to the hotel Cristoph at the end of the street and got a room, again using Lorenzo's credit card and identification. He was pretty sure he'd avoided his face being captured by any of their cameras but he knew Grimaldi's men where probably the only ones who would look this close into Lorenzo's murder. He wanted them to think he was in Wyoming so he wasn't too worried if he had missed a camera.

They'd know he would move on and far on. That was the protocol for a hit man. He hoped after Lorenzo's body was found they would peg him as the hitman his father had trained him to be and not as the man he was.

He bathed to remove the stench of gasoline on his body and cleaned the wound on his arm. The front desk gave him a first aid kit when he'd asked for one. It didn't have anything he could use to give himself stitches so he then had to call the front desk for a sewing kit.

Angelo wiped the needle with an alcohol wipe and then stitched himself up quickly. He used gauze, band-aids and a shortened ace bandage to wrap the cut. Angelo changed into the new suit and packed the change of clothes in the duffle bag. He tied the clothes he'd been wearing in the plastic bag from the waist bin and tucked it under his arm as he exited the room.

He rented out the room for two days and was hoping it would take longer than that before Lorenzo's car and body were discovered. With the smoke he might not be that lucky.

Angelo went to the business center and wired the money from the bank in Denver to the Bank in Cheyenne.

It was a quarter till eight and the bank would open at eight. Angelo got a cab from the hotel to the train station and booked a ride on a private shuttle as one Miguel Bennett. Since he didn't have a car, he was forced to rent a locker and stow his weapons there.

Another cab to the bank. "Can you call in a cab to pick me up in an hour?" he asked the cab driver handing him an extra twenty bucks.

"Sure. For what name, sir?"

"Lorenzo Gonatti."

Angelo went into the bank and asked to be helped by a manager knowing a clerk couldn't withdraw the amount of cash he was there to collect.

The manager was a young man with wire glasses and a friendly smile. "How can I help you today, sir?"

"I'm going to be making a large withdrawl. How much are qualified to help me with? You may need to get the branch president. I'm not in a rush but I don't want this to take long."

"I can help you with up to four hundred thousand dollars," the manager said as though this would assure Angelo that he was more than qualified to assist him.

Angelo nodded. "You'll need to fetch your branch president then."

The young man's eyes widened. "Oh. Of course. Would you like to wait in my office? It's just this way." The manager showed him to the office which was more private. "I'll call him in. He doesn't usually come in until after ten."

"Thank you. I do have a meeting in an hour. Will I be waiting longer than that?"

"No, sir, he lives close by."

The manager left and Angelo picked up his desk phone and dialed Vinchenzi's cell phone. "Who is this?" Vinchenzi asked how he always answered numbers he didn't recognize.

"Who is in Arizona?"

Vinchenzi paused before answering. "Augustine. Is that too close?"

"Not anymore. I'm leaving."

"Hey, Angelo. You can't run forever."

"See you in the NY Times." Angelo hung up the phone.

A few minutes later the manager returned with a cup of coffee. "He's on his way in, he said ten minutes max."

"Fine."

"Coffee?" He offered. "I can add milk and sugar if you like."

Angelo accepted the offering. "I'll take it black, thank you."

Twelve minutes later Angelo provided the fingerprint required to make the withdrawal. The money was put through a currency counting machine in front of Angelo. It was then packaged by the branch president who also packed Angelo's duffle bag and provided him with a second duffle bag when the first wasn't big enough.

"Do you need to call for someone to escort you? This is a lot of money to be walking around with."

"No, thank you. I'd like to make another transfer with the remaining hundred thousand. I'd also like to attach a message to it if that's possible?"

The president nodded. "Of course."

"The name on the account is Torrey Marconi," Angelo said letting the hunger for revenge against his friend that had betrayed him surface. "I want the message to say _Thanks for the heads up on Lorenzo_."

Angelo signed the transfer sheet and thanked the bank president. He checked his watch. It was still twenty minutes before the cab he'd ordered was due but when he looked out the front window the same cab was still parked.

He waved to Angelo.

Finally, a little luck.

He returned to the train station and retrieved his weapons and changed into the khaki pants and polo shirt he picked up in the restroom and topped it off with a Denver Broncos baseball cap.

Knowing the duffle bags would be recognizable on any surveillance camera the train station might have, he pulled out the heavy black trash bag from the garbage can and dumped the bag into the can.

He went into the only stall with a door on it and dumped the duffle bags into the garbage bag. When he exited the stall, he emptied the other garbage can and took the black bag to double bag his new luggage.

With his hat pulled just low enough to hide his features he left the bathroom and caught the shuttle for Denver. The clock on the dash showed it was after nine in the morning which put him back at two thirty instead of twelve thirty.

Shit.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Rachel took tiny bites of the donut trying to make it last but just didn't do the job. Greg was being "Mr. Healthy" so he got an orange juice to go and that was it.

"I'm really hungry still, I need more food." Rachel returned to the counter when Greg looked like he was about to suggest they go.

"Let's get a dozen and take them to work. The ladies will love that I'm sure."

Rachel nodded hoping she'd stalled long enough for the security guys to show up. They ordered a dozen more donuts and Rachel had to go with it or Greg would know she was stalling if he hadn't already figured that out.

Bella and Monica were already inside and running the business.

"Hey, way to go, Bella." Rachel beamed at her new friend. "How are you this morning?"

"A little head throbbing happening but otherwise I'm good. Where have you been?"

Rachel turned toward Greg, who had the donuts.

Monica squealed taking the box from Greg and setting it on the table. She opened it up and picked out a pink donut with sprinkles. "Yum! You're the best boss ever."

Rachel picked out one too since she'd just told Greg she was still hungry. She stuck with chocolate.

"Safest Colorado Security is here. They are looking the place over to give us an estimate. William left notes with the specifications he wanted so it shouldn't take them long."

"Oh good," Rachel said trying not to show her disappointment. "What time is it? It feels so early still."

Bella checked her watch. "It's a quarter to ten."

Two more hours of this?

"Are you okay?" Bella asked tilting her head to the left.

"Yeah." Rachel felt the breeze across her naked stomach when the door opened and the security tech who was doing some measuring outside came in.

He took off his sunglasses and looked Rachel over as thoroughly as one might a new model Ferrari.

"Can I help you?" Greg asked.

"Are you the one having us install the security system, sir?"

Rachel knew she wasn't going to enjoy this stalling tactic. "Actually my husband and I own the place."

The guy smiled taking off his gray hat and tucking it under his arm. "Are you the one who wrote out the specifications? I'm guessing it was your husband."

"Yes, it was."

"Yeah, they were pretty extensive. At first I was thinking it was way over the top." He looked her over again. "I can understand why he'd be so careful now."

Rachel smiled pretending she was oblivious to his lack of manners. "Do you think you'll be able to meet the specs or do we need to call in someone else?"

"We can meet them. I do need to go over the price with you and show you what we'll be installing. Is there somewhere we can sit down?"

"Of course." Rachel signaled for him to follow her and led the way toward the office. Greg walked between her and the tech and was feeling grateful since she's pretty sure she was showing even more skin than she had already going up the stairs in the tiny shorts.

The two filed in the office behind her.

"It would be easier if we sat side by side to go over everything."

"Across from each other will be fine," Greg said pointing to one of the two chairs in front of the desk.

Rachel went behind the desk and sat down in the computer chair. She was so happy to have her lower half covered by the desk she couldn't help smiling.

The tech spread out a quick sketch he'd done of the building and began to go over where he would be installing what thing and went into a schpiel about how safe she was going to be with such a state of the art system.

She was just enjoying him doing all the stalling. She wasn't really listening all that well either. She was trying to plan out what she could do to stall them returning for Angelo too early.

Rachel nodded as the tech continued to talk.

She noticed Greg was getting pretty red in the face which was what he did when he was upset. The source of his anger seemed to be the tech so Rachel started paying attention to what he was saying.

"You'll also have two separate panic buttons. One on the first floor and one on the second."

"Are we going to be going over where everything is once it's all set up because I'm not going to remember this?"

"Yes, no problem." He nodded. "Now here," he said leaning forward and pointing to the front door on the map as he looked down her sports bra.

"You don't have to point. Just say where you're talking about," Greg snapped.

"Sure." The tech nodded averting his eyes. "The front doors...."

Rachel would've gotten angry with the tech but she was barely dressed. What was the poor guy supposed to do? Close his eyes?

Greg pulled out his cell phone and started dialing. Rachel tried not to stare at him but she had a pretty good idea who he was calling.

"William, this is Greg. Get down to the salon and bring Eileen some clothes. You're wife is basically naked at work." He pressed end.

"Thanks a lot," Rachel scowled at him.

He shook his head. "I speak the truth. Ask this guy."

"I wanted to test out my tanning beds. This is suitable for this job," Rachel argued though she didn't believe her own argument.

"William should've picked up his phone."

Rachel shrugged. "Maybe he turned it off or forgot to charge it."

"I'd better go check on him."

"You're going to leave me here alone?"

Greg looked at the tech and then Rachel. "You can come with me if you feel too nervous to be left alone."

"We've pretty much covered everything anyway. I'll leave the map with you to go over with your husband."

The tech scurried out of there like he'd been accused of something. He probably thought she was afraid of him.

"You might as well come along."

"What time is it?" she asked. Slowly standing.

He looked at his watch. "It's eleven thirty. Why?"

"It just felt like two hours don't you think? He went on forever."

"You asked him a lot of questions," Greg said opening the office door.

Crap, crap, crap!

"Greg, don't you think we should get some more work done before we break for lunch?"

"He might need me," Greg stated.

He was doing his job protecting Angelo, she couldn't stop him. Rachel followed after him and tried to wave Bella down to help her stall but Bella was on the phone.

"Listen, I think it would be better if you stayed here. Just in case," Greg was saying as he passed Bella's desk. "If there is an issue, my friend Tony will probably come by."

"But you said there weren't any issues arising. Remember?"

He pushed the door open as Bella hung up the phone. "That was William. He said to tell you, Eileen, that he'll be in around one thirty."

"Where is he going?" Greg asked. "Did he say?"

Bella shook her head. "That was all he said."

"Thank heaven." Rachel leaned against Bella's desk.

Greg came back toward her. "Thank heaven for what?"

Her heartbeat sped up as she met his scrutinizing gaze. "Thank heaven all is well. No issues. You know? You were getting me worried."

"Sorry." Greg put his hands in his pockets.

"The paint arrived," Bella said pointing to the stack of cans against the far wall.

"Great. Hey, Greg, I hate to ask but would you mind moving the paint to the back room. It's an eyesore where it's at."

Greg looked at the pile of cans. "Are you gonna help me."

"Sure I'll help you." Rachel picked up two cans and handed them to Greg. He carried them to the back and when he returned she handed him two more.

"This is you helping?"

Rachel nodded. "You're welcome," she said trying to give him a smile that was airheaded. He didn't say anything else until the paint was all transported to the back.

"You know Will should be the one doing this. One thirty is too late. I'm going to go get him now."

"But we left the car," Rachel said. "It's nearly twelve thirty now. What's one more hour?"

Greg shook his head. "I'll just walk it. I'd like to see Will."

"I'll come with you," Rachel said. "Bella, watch the shop." She hurried after him and caught up with him at the corner. He was really moving.

"What's wrong?"

"This is his business not mine and not yours. He should be here busting his ass. He's taking a half day on the second day? No."

"Okay, we'll go get him but you're giving me shin splints can we slow down?"

Greg didn't want to slow down it was clear on his face but he did. Rachel moved as slowly as she could without sending Greg into a fit. His face was getting pretty red with unvented frustration at how slow she was moving.

"I heard if you stop and tap your foot it pumps blood up into your shins and eases the pain." Rachel stopped and pumped each foot four times the recommended number.

It did actually make her shins feel less tight. "Thanks for waiting for me. I'm such a bother today."

"No, you're fine." He tried to hasten their pace but she was stubborn in keeping it slow. It was actually hard work to keep a pace that slow.

"Eileen, it's been almost a half hour since we left the salon. At this rate he'll be at the salon by the time we get to the house."

"Are you saying you'd rather leave me behind?"

He bit his fist looking heavenward. "No, I'm not saying that."

"Oh good."

"Here." He turned around. "Jump on my back. I'll give you a piggyback ride."

Rachel chewed her lip. She needed to stall another thirty minutes at least. "Oh goodie." She leapt up onto his back and as soon as he hooked her legs with his arms she stopped holding on and made herself deadweight.

"Just hold on," he said leaning forward in an attempt to keep a hold of her.

"I am. This is fun. Good idea, Greg."

"Have you ever done this before?"

He was moving with her being nothing but deadweight on his back. "Yeah, I'm good at it, huh."

Greg grunted as he picked up the pace. "You're really not good at this, Eileen."

He turned the corner onto their street ten minutes later.

"Wait, I think I can walk."

"No, your shins will slow you down." He was moving down the street pretty quickly considering all he was carrying. Did he realize something was up or was he really that mad?

There was no way it was one thirty yet they were busted for sure.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Angelo wanted to call and warn Rachel he'd be late but he had to wait until he was back in Denver to call so the caller id would show he was in the state of Colorado and not Wyoming.

His car was where he'd left it the night before outside the diner. He loaded his huge trash bag in the car and got behind the wheel.

Speeding wasn't an option because he couldn't afford to get a ticket that put him in Denver. He traveled as fast as he could.

At one p.m. he'd returned the car and was walking back to the duplex with his over stuffed duffle bag in hand. He would have run but it would have brought too much attention to him.

When he reached his street, he saw Dusty leaving his house and he hurried to catch up to him before he left. Dusty had already gotten into his car when Angelo reached him. "Hi neighbor," he said when Dusty rolled down the window.

"You look like you're getting sick, Will. You see a doctor yet?"

"Actually that's what I came over to talk to you about," Angelo said. "They want to charge me a new patient fee and have me pay for the visit. They said it was going to be a hundred bucks and I don't get paid until tomorrow. Who is your doctor by the way? Maybe I can call him." Angelo sighed more to slow down the pounding of his heart than anything else.

"Dr. Jameson on Fifth Street."

"Oh that's the same doctor I was going to. I hate to ask," Angelo added as Dusty reached for his wallet.

Dusty handed him five twenty dollar bills. "I do need it back." He smiled with a look that let Angelo know he meant it.

"First thing tomorrow."

He put the money in his pocket and headed to cross the street to the duplex. When he looked up the street he saw someone with a really red face coming down the street.

Looking closer it was Greg with the red face and Rachel on his back. They were too close to cross without being seen, and Angelo didn't want Greg going through his bag.

"Dusty, can I get in a minute and talk to you?"

"Sure."

Angelo tossed the bag into the backseat and got in the passenger side. "I was able to liquidate some things and it is looking really good about getting that storefront."

"Really?"

"Yes, absolutely. Have you picked out a location yet?"

"Yeah there's a place downtown that needs some fixing up but it's in a great location. You're not pulling my leg are you?"

Angelo was watching Rachel and Greg in the side mirror.

What in the hell is she wearing?

He tried not to laugh when he saw the expression on Greg's face. Rachel's arms were hanging limp off Greg's shoulders and from the way he was bent over it was obvious Rachel wasn't doing anything to assist with the piggyback ride she was receiving.

Angelo was looking forward to hearing her explanation the next time they were alone together.

"No. I don't play games when it comes to business."

"Why don't you take me around the block while we talk? I don't want Greg getting in my business. He thinks it's a mistake to do business with neighbors."

Dusty scowled at Greg, who was breathless and oblivious to Dusty. Greg was trying to unlock the front door to the house. He got the door open and Rachel raced inside the house.

Dusty backed down the driveway. "You know, that's enough of a ride. Thanks for the loan and the ride today. You check on the building, let me know what they're asking for it."

Angelo got out of the car with a wave in Dusty's direction and headed for the house.

*****

Rachel ran to his room with Greg hot on her heels. She threw the door open and pushed all the blankets off the bed as she dove across the mattress.

"What are you doing?"

"I was going to wake him up. You were right he should be working with me."

Greg was leaning on the door frame out of breath. "Do you always wake him up by shoving him off the bed? He'd be on the floor now if he'd actually been in the bed. Where is he?"

"Where is he?" Rachel repeated.

The front door closed a little too loudly and Rachel tried not to show her relief. "That's probably him right?"

Greg stomped down the hallway toward the front room. Rachel crawled across the bed and hurried after him. Angelo sat down on the couch. He was pale and sweaty looking but Rachel was pretty sure she looked pretty similar at the moment.

"Where were you?" Greg asked.

"I went to see Dr. Jameson. He said I have a cold or virus coming on."

Greg shook his head. "The car was here when we got here."

"Dusty gave me a ride. Why are you acting like I've done something wrong?"

"You should have told me if you were going to the doctor."

Angelo laughed. "I don't think so, man. You're taking this job way too seriously."

"I'm going to ask Dusty about this."

"Okay, but he's not home now."

Rachel chewed her nails as she watched the two at their game of chess.

"I've got his number." Greg grinned pulling out his phone. Rachel let her head fall forward hoping to hide the worry on her face from Greg. "Hey, Dusty. Did you give Will a ride today?"

Rachel closed her eyes.

"You did?" Greg looked over at Angelo, who raised his left hand in a "told ya" gesture. "Who is the doctor?" Greg nodded. "That was nice of you to give him a ride." He nodded. "What do you mean I'm too into my neighbor's business? Will and I are friends."

Rachel couldn't believe her ears. How had Angelo pulled that off? Was he magic or what?

"Okay, well I was just concerned since he's been ill. Sorry to bother you while you're trying to get things done." Greg hung up the phone.

He tapped the phone with his fingers shaking his head. "Something feels off."

"I'll tell you what's off. You have to have a fever for three days before doctors will give you anything. Look at me. I need something."

"Dr. Jameson is smart. He probably saw through your faking."

Angelo rolled his eyes. "Well are we going to the salon, Eileen? I thought I was meeting you there. I hope you came home to change clothes."

"I did."

"I'll meet you at the car," Greg said to Rachel and left. As soon as the door was closed Angelo raced past her to her room. He opened the window and leaned out. He came back in with a long black duffle bag in his hands.

He closed the window. "Have you been wearing that all day?" he asked.

"You were late." Rachel pointed at him.

He shoved the bag under the bed and grabbed her pulling her into his arms. "I got the money and the guns," he whispered into her ear. "We did it."

"And everything went off on your end without a hitch?" Rachel had to ask. He was awfully pale.

He took her hand. "Let's find something to eat," he said leading her toward the kitchen. His hands were rough. When she examined the palm of Angelo's hand it was blistered, and as she pushed up the long sleeve of his polo to get a better look at his palm she saw some bandaging before he pulled down his sleeve.

She was wide-eyed and anxious by the time they got to the kitchen.

Angelo sat on the floor leaning against the cupboard. "Come here and let me hold my naked wife."

"I'm not naked," she said weakly and knelt down next to him. "Are you wounded really badly?"

"Naw, it's just a cut."

Rachel pushed up his sleeve. The bandage wrapped around his arm was stained with blood. "It looks bad." Rachel began to remove the bandages and the stitching was not good. "I think I know a few people who could do a worse job than this."

"It was left handed, with sewing thread. I was wounded and in a hurry. You wanna try your hand at it?"

"Well, do I have a choice? Is something else going to come up from this cut? Is it on a murder weapon that's going to be found with your blood on it?"

Angelo shook his head. "No. If you're going to cut and pull out the stitches I put in and add some new ones, we need some alcohol and a first aid stitching kit." He took the bandaging from her and began to put it back.

"Hey, let me just look and see if we have a first aid kit."

She found a kit that was pretty extensive and tried not to consider why such a heavy duty first aid kit would be on hand.

Rachel curled her finger at him. "I found a kit but I didn't find alcohol for you to drink. We need to go to your room so it sounds like we're together when I do this."

"The woman is the one who yells during lovemaking," Angelo said.

"I guess not the way I do it. Let's go." She offered him her hand to help him up. He looked so tired and pale. He'd probably ripped the crappy stitches he'd put in right after he'd done them and lost too much blood.

"Do you want me to knock you out?" she asked.

"What? No. How would you even do that?"

Rachel shrugged. "I'm sure you could tell me how."

"Let's just keep me conscious. Greg will be back in no time when we don't show up at the car."

"He was pretty mad." Rachel pointed out with a head tilt.

"Just cut out the thread and pull it out. We've got to get moving. Trust me he'll be coming back through that door fighting mad."

Rachel nodded and knelt down next to him again. She used the scissors to snip the thread in several places and then did her best to remove it quickly without further tearing the wound. "I should have gone to nursing school to qualify to be your pretend wife."

"You're doing fine," Angelo said through clenched teeth. He was sweating and not making much noise. Rachel wondered what he could have gone through to get his pain tolerance up so high. A man who could return with a duffle bag the size of a body full of guns and cash, a deep gash on his arm he'd sewn shut himself and still not open up to what he'd gone through had a hardness to him. So why hadn't she seen this other side of Angelo?

"Ready?" she asked meeting his eyes. They were comforting instead of scared. Rachel cleansed the wound with hydrogen peroxide and then rinsed it with a bottle marked sterile water. She listened to his explanation of spacing the stitching and even his direction of a surgeons knot.

Rachel had to pretend at least to herself that she wasn't actually sewing skin together, skin that belonged to Angelo. No she was in a class- a first aid class.

That plan flew out the window once she pulled the first stitch through but she made herself focus. The slower she was the longer Angelo had to suffer.

Only five more stitches and you're done.

"You're doing great," Angelo encouraged.

"Yeah, well you've got a lot of explaining to do when we finish this." She only had two more stitches and it was going a little bit easier. "Like, what makes you so sure Greg is coming back? What aren't you telling me?"

Angelo closed his eyes as she pulled the last stitch through. "He's going to get a phone call. Probably any second. He's going to come back and want to know where I've been. All you need to say is that I was here all night."

He took the needle and thread from her and tied the knot. "Go get dressed, love."

She watched him as he rose up onto his feet and washed his face at the sink. He stripped off his shirt and in the light she could see scarring on his back.

"Grab me a new shirt will ya? This one is soiled." He took the hydrogen peroxide from the first aid kit and poured it on the bloody sleeve of the shirt, removing the blood from the material. "Hurry, babe." He hadn't turned to see she was still there. He just knew, she realized.

Rachel got him a new long sleeved shirt from the closet and tossed it to him. She went to her room to find an outfit and saw the blood from Angelo's wound on her stomach.

Just do what he says and ask questions tonight.

She found a dress and took it with her to the bathroom. She rinsed off in the shower and then dressed into the pale pink dress. The bathroom vibrated with the bang of the front door closing.

_Here we go,_ she told her wide eyed reflection.

Greg gave her a look that would have knocked her out if it had been a fist. "I trusted you." Greg glared at Rachel.

"What are you talking about?" she asked knowing she was being an awful person in that moment.

"Watch your tone with my wife, Greg," Angelo said coming out of the kitchen. His mouth was a straight line. "Say what you've come to say to me."

"You tracked down Lorenzo Gonatti. I told you not to take things into your own hands."

Angelo shook his head. "I haven't done anything. I've been sick and your yelling isn't helping." His mouth turned down into a deep frown at the corners. "Are you telling me you idiots allowed Lorenzo Gonatti to get close enough for me to kill him?"

"No. He was killed in Wyoming."

Angelo scowled. "That's too close to us. And still too far for me to get to Wyoming and kill him and be back. I think you can figure that much out can't you?"

"Not if you left last night." Greg looked directly at Rachel.

"You saw me last night." Angelo thrust his finger in Greg's direction. "You looked in on me in the middle of the night."

Greg's nostrils flared as Rachel wondered how Angelo had known he'd done that when she hadn't even known Greg had done that.

"You went this morning then."

Angelo closed his eyes. "You just got off the phone with Dusty who confirmed where I was this morning."

"You called someone to help you then."

"Prove it," Angelo challenged.

Greg turned to Rachel. "If he called someone he's endangered you, Eileen. You have to tell me the truth."

"He's been here. He hasn't done anything wrong."

Greg nodded with anger and betrayal in his eyes. "I'll check in on you two later at the salon." He left not looking at Rachel or Angelo again.

Rachel looked over at Angelo.

He killed Lorenzo Gonatti?

Angelo wrapped her in his arms kissing her temple. "It was self-defense. He followed the money," Angelo whispered. "I fixed it. They won't be looking for us here again."

He tilted her chin up so she was looking him in the eye. "I made sure we're safe here. You're safe with me."

"I know." Rachel kissed him holding nothing back because she knew that he didn't feel safe with her. He wouldn't let her see all of him. "I love you too," she said framing his face with her hands. "Don't hide yourself from me."

"Oh, I won't," he said. "You're going to be paying for that outfit you wore today." He nibbled playfully at her neck.

He was evading, and she knew it.

She knew she should probably push and ask about the marks on his back or how he'd pulled off getting Lorenzo to Wyoming and getting the money and guns.

She should ask why his hands were blistered. She should ask so many things but with him wrapped around her and his lips at her neck, she couldn't.

He could have been killed by Lorenzo, and she would have lost him forever. Rachel couldn't worry about whatever dark side he had. It had saved him and brought him back to her.

"I'm so happy you're back," she said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Angelo called in a paint crew to paint the salon and took Rachel with him to meet with Dusty and Penelope at the site of their soon to be restaurant.

Rachel stayed quiet as they discussed the business arrangement. She listened, and Angelo could feel the questions she wasn't asking lingering between them. He was glad she wasn't asking because he did not plan on telling her the answers to her questions. He didn't want Rachel to see the monster that lived inside of him. The beast that emerged to take care of the ugliness that seemed to be magnetized to Angelo.

Penelope embraced him with happy tears trailing down her cheeks. "Thank you, William. I am going to work my butt off to make this place a success. It's my dream."

"It's going to be a great success, Penelope. Eileen and I believe in you, and we're addicted to your barbeque chicken. When are you making some more of that?"

Rachel laughed easing the tension building in his shoulders. "That's right. Regular chicken makes my tastebuds cry now," Rachel said earning a hug from Penelope.

"Let's go out and celebrate," Dusty said. "It's on me." They left the building, and Angelo spotted Greg sitting in his car a few cars back, watching them. He got out and came toward them. Angelo watched him reading his body language.

They hadn't seen him except for quick check-ins for the past week and a half. He'd made himself scarce since that morning he'd tried to get Angelo to confess to killing or having someone else kill Lorenzo.

Greg didn't appear to be any less upset than he had been that morning.

"Can I talk to you," Greg said stabbing his finger in Angelo's direction.

"Sure." Angelo smiled. He met Greg halfway. "Yes?"

"I'm told you put money down on this building. Where did you get it?"

Angelo patted Greg on the back which Greg did not appear to appreciate. "I used everything the government gave me and I borrowed the rest from Dusty."

"You borrowed money from Dusty?"

"Yeah."

"I'm supposed to believe Dusty lent you money when he just met you?"

Angelo nodded. "It's for his family business. Why wouldn't he?"

Greg looked over at Dusty. "Hey, did you loan William money?"

Dusty glanced at his wife nervously. "Yeah."

Greg looked incredulous. "How do you do it?"

"What?"

"You get good people to stain themselves with your evil. You're going to kill everything that's good in Eileen and you know it. You're just too selfish to care."

He got back in his car and left.

"What's wrong now?" Rachel asked coming to stand at his right side.

"Greg's got it bad for you, babe. I told you not to wear that man-crack outfit."

Rachel frowned killing the joking smile that had been curving his lips. "You don't feel bad for him do you?" Angelo kissed her to remind her who her man was. "We're his job. That's it."

She nodded. "I don't like lying to him."

Angelo squashed down his jealousy at her comment and recognized instead he loved that she was an honest person. "I'll do my best not to put you in that position again."

Rachel smiled at him. Her blue eyes looked like sparkling diamonds in the moonlight. The lavender dress she was wearing was such a soft feminine shade, it just made him want to touch her. He wanted to hear the feminine sounds she made when he made love to her and to taste the pink shine on her lips.

"Ready?" Dusty called to them.

Angelo shook his head. "This should be a private celebration between you and your wife."

"Nonsense. We're partners. Let's go." He waved them forward. "You follow me."

"Okay," Rachel agreed before Angelo could decline politely.

He couldn't stop thinking about the look of sympathy Rachel had on her face for Greg. Angelo knew he shouldn't have left them alone together. Now, Greg had wedged his way in enough that she cared if he was hurt.

Angelo held the door open for her. "Okay, right behind you," he told Dusty. He pulled away from the curb and followed Dusty's car.

"How is your arm? Are you in pain? I can get us out of dinner after we have a few drinks if you want."

His arm hurt but not like it had before she'd fixed his stitches. He'd been so proud of Rachel- the way she'd held herself together and gotten him all stitched up.

"That's not why I want you to get us out of dinner."

Rachel looked at him and must have recognized the heat in his eyes because she blushed. "I don't think either of us is up for that. We didn't get much rest last night, or the night before that."

"No, I didn't but that doesn't make me want you any less."

She raised her eyebrows at him.

"You're addictive. It's not my fault. I'm just a red-blooded man who can see, smell and taste you." He squeezed her thigh as the car slowed to a stop at the red light. "I'll let you rest if you need to though."

Rachel wrapped her fingers around his at her thigh. "Right now everything is kind of crazy. I know you don't want to talk about the trip and honestly, I don't either. But I need to know that we will eventually talk about it."

"Sure," he said.

When you're old and lose your hearing, I'll tell you all about it. He thought.

Angelo glanced in her direction. She was smiling a mischievous grin. "What's going on in that brain of yours? You look like you're concocting something."

"I think I want to mend things between Betty and Greg. She just needs some guidance. She's not too crazy, right?"

"What? Why are you thinking about that?"

"I owe him. I lied a lot."

Angelo nodded. "Give Betty a makeover if you like. But as long as we're tallying up the score, you lied to me too."

"What?"

"You said you wouldn't wear that bikini when you were stalling our babysitter a couple weeks ago and you did. So I think a spirited lap dance will even out the score. You can pay up when we get home."

Rachel laughed. "Yeah, that's happening. I never said I wasn't wearing my jogging outfit."

"You know I just thought of something. That pervert probably had your picture when he was picking out all of your clothes."

"Oh boy," Rachel said squeezing his hand. "Don't turn into a jealous boyfriend. I don't like those."

Angelo looked in her direction trying to hide the jealousy he felt. "No problem. I'll just be your jealous husband instead." He pulled in next to Dusty in the parking lot.

Rachel shook her head with one perfectly arched dark blonde brow raised at him.

"Don't worry, you'll like me jealous. You're going to scream so loud tonight Greg will know he can't compete with me."

"You think so, huh?" She raised both brows at him and then got out of the car.

"Oh it's on now!"
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Rachel was completely dazzled by his promise to have her screaming but she wasn't about to let him know that. He was a strong, confident man and a battle so easily won with no challenges on the way wasn't any fun.

He was holding the door for her as she linked arms with Penelope.

"Our women are fine," Rachel heard Dusty tell Angelo and Penelope and Rachel grinned at each other.

"You know being around William is so good for Dusty," Penelope said nodding. "He's so much more attentive and," she blushed, "fired up."

Angelo went with Dusty to the hostess. She watched him smile and ask if there was anyway they wouldn't have to wait. The cute young blonde smiled showing deep gorgeous dimples.

"I think that has more to do with you than with William." Rachel pretended not to be watching as the young beauty handed him a card. Angelo pointed over at Rachel and shook his head smiling as he declined the card. She couldn't hear what he'd said but like usual he was smooth. The young beauty didn't look like she'd just been turned down.

She showed them to their seats as Penelope hurriedly continued, "No, I'm serious. We see the way he looks at you and the way you react to him and it's contagious." The two new friends smiled at each other. "Dusty has a fire under him now. He is pumped up about the business. He was afraid to try before. I just can't thank you enough."

"We all need a push to get going. Besides, we got our push to get going on this business from you, Penelope. That barbeque chicken had us at first bite. So, I think it's you who is contagious with the motivation."

Penelope smiled so big Rachel had to smile with her. "You know I am pretty great at getting people fired up."

"Yeah, you are."

Angelo pulled out the chair for Rachel and Dusty did the same for Penelope. They were all seated and looking over their menus. Rachel was trying to pretend she couldn't feel Angelo undressing her with his eyes.

"We'd like to start with some champagne," Dusty said. He took his wife's hand and kissed her fingers.

"Right away," the waiter said.

Angelo was still sizzling her with his gaze so she gave in and met his eyes with hers.

Big mistake.

The message in them was clear. I want you, and I will have you. Tonight, you are mine.

She licked her lips and gave him an eyebrow raise that she hoped said, " _Oh really?"_

His smile in answer had her body reacting to him. Her stomach was clenching, ready for what he was promising. She could feel her breasts swelling against the fabric of her dress.

Angelo's brown eyes slid down hesitating on her lips and then dropped further to her breasts, where they stayed until her nipples were hard and begging for his mouth.

"Shall I pour the champagne for you, sir?" Their server asked reminding Rachel where they were.

Mercy. How can he get me this hot this fast?

"Yes, thank you," Penelope answered. "You know I realize we're new friends as well as business partners but I've got such a great feeling about all of this." Penelope beamed.

"Me too," Rachel agreed.

Dusty raised his glass. "To my beautiful wife, the best cook in the state of Colorado. I'm so happy I convinced you to be my wife."

"Aw." Rachel grinned as they clinked glasses.

Rachel sipped the champagne watching the two who were obviously very much in love. She was willing to bet they knew just about everything there was to know about each other.

Angelo's hand slid over her outer thigh and into her lap. She expected him to keep heading between her thighs and turned to give him a warning look but he held her hand instead.

She looked at him seeing he could sense her melancholy thoughts and shook her head wondering how he could know her so well after such a long separation.

"I met my Penelope in college," Dusty said. "She was smart and classy. Just about every guy tried to catch her eye but she was all about her education." He grinned. "I was terrified to approach her but I knew I'd regret it if I didn't."

"You were shaking in your boots." Penelope laughed interlacing her fingers with his.

He nodded. "I was sure you'd tell me to hit the bricks."

"You said, 'Miss Penelope. I been liking you from afar too long. Please let me take you out to dinner.'"

Rachel and Angelo laughed with the couple. "You said that? I love it." Rachel smiled.

"I did too," Penelope said. "So I said I would."

"No, you said maybe next week, you'd have to think about it," Dusty corrected, his brown eyes widening.

Rachel and Angelo laughed with Penelope as she nodded. "I sure did. You have to earn it, sweetie."

They stopped to order dinner and then Penelope asked, "How did you two get together?"

"Do you mind if I tell them the story?" Angelo asked.

Rachel was happy to let him tell a story, she couldn't just invent something like that, well, not easily. She nodded. "Please."

"Greg said you met in college at a marathon," Dusty put in.

"Let him tell it," Penelope said waving her hand at Dusty. He grinned sheepishly with a deep blush that was adorable as he apologized.

"Well, that's only partly true. That's when we met but I spotted her long before that."

Penelope wiggled her shoulders like she was getting comfortable. "This is gonna be good I can tell," she said with a smile.

Rachel chewed her lip trying not to smile. There were expectations of a great story now and Angelo was the one who had to come up with it.

"Eileen was in my sociology class," Angelo began and Rachel perked up because she really had been in his sociology class. "There was this guy in our class who everyone bowed down to because of who his father was and she didn't.

"I watched her meet him and waited for her to realize who she was shaking hands with and she just accepted him as another person. He wasn't better or less because of whom his father was. I was captivated."

"Who was the guy's father?" Dusty asked.

"He was some kind of criminal," Angelo answered offhandedly. "Anyway, the more I watched this dazzling beauty the more I couldn't get enough of her. I joined her study groups and she didn't notice. I even joined the marathon to get her attention."

Angelo leaned forward and kissed her blushing cheek. "I knew, if a woman like that, good on the inside and that jaw dropping beautiful on the outside existed, no one would ever be good enough for her. I figured that maybe since I recognized how special and amazing she is I could show her. Maybe she'd overlook my shortcomings."

"Wow," Penelope said fanning herself. "I knew it was going to be good. But you didn't say what you said when you finally got her attention."

Rachel laughed and Dusty and Penelope both looked at her with surprise. "Sorry." She stifled her smile.

"It wasn't that bad," Angelo said laughing too.

"He said, 'You need private tutoring in sociology. I can help you with that.'"

Penelope shook her head in disbelief. "This confident, daring, fearless man right here said you needed tutoring?"

Rachel and Penelope were laughing so hard they had tears pouring down their cheeks.

"Don't worry," Penelope said patting his hand. "It's still a great story."

"We were friends for a while and then one day he said...."

Angelo held up his hand. "You've done enough damage let me tell the rest."

Rachel gestured for him to take over as the food was set before them. "I waited until study group was over and then I walked up to her and took the books out of her hand and I kissed her."

"Mmm-hmm that's much better."

Rachel stared at Angelo remembering that kiss. It was a kiss that she remembered each time she'd tried to date someone new and they had fallen so short compared to Angelo.

"It was the best kiss I've ever had," Rachel confessed to Angelo and their new business partners.

"I bet I can top it," Angelo said and Rachel blushed as Penelope and Dusty nodded their approval.

"Let's eat now and I'll give you a chance later."

They talked about many things through dinner but Rachel was remembering that kiss. Angelo had failed to mention how he'd scared off Bradford, a guy from their study group who had asked her out. She wondered if he didn't know that she knew about what he'd done.

Bradford had been easy to scare away. Angelo had said a few words to him on the side and Bradford had suddenly felt ill and left. Then just as study group had been coming to a close he'd kissed her like he'd needed her more than air.

With that kiss, he had branded her, and she'd belonged to him ever since.

Music was playing and Dusty asked Penelope to dance. The couple was so sweet to watch.

"Let's dance. I need to hold you." Angelo led her out onto the dance floor and held her close as they swayed to the music. His hand at her lower back and the other held her hand over his heart. She could feel it pounding steadily beneath her hand.

"I didn't know who your father was," Rachel whispered to him.

"I know. But you knew everyone else was afraid of me and you never cared to find out why. You took me as I was."

Rachel closed her eyes as his lips moved against her ear. "I love how strong you are." He kissed her behind her ear. "I love what a good heart you have and how loyal you are."

He dipped her making her laugh and then brought her in close. "I love how you make me crazy, and I think it's time to go home so I can show you just how much I need you."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Before they left the restaurant Rachel saw Angelo give Dusty a hundred dollar bill. She figured it must be the money he owed from what he'd borrowed.

"Sorry I'm so late getting it back to you. With the money I gathered for the restaurant it slipped my mind."

"Hey, no worries," Dusty said pocketing the bill. "After all the money you put down on our new business I'd called it part of our part of the down payment."

Angelo shook his head. "No, the business is business. This right here is our friendship and I always pay my debts."

"You borrowed money from Dusty just so that if Greg asked he would say yes?" Rachel asked as soon as they were in their car.

"It took him long enough to ask. I put the money down on the building last week."

Rachel shook her head. "What if he'd asked him how much?"

"I may have given Dusty the impression that Greg is too nosy for his own good. Dusty would have told him it was none of his business."

"You really know how to play people, don't you?"

Angelo sighed. "I wouldn't play you."

"Mmm-hmm. Sure you wouldn't."

"It would be too much work. I don't want to live a lie everyday of the rest of my life. You get the truth. Do I try and butter you up sometimes to get a little extra sugar? Of course. I've got a sweet tooth for you."

The tanning salon was well underway. The place was painted and the machines upgraded. Rachel was waiting for just a few more things to arrive to really set the place off before the grand re-opening.

Of course that wouldn't happen until after the trial which was in only two days.

Rachel looked at Angelo and reminded herself as stabs of fear pierced through the bubble of protection they'd been living in the past two weeks- she would be coming back to this place. They would be returning to what had been like a honeymoon of lovemaking and teasing.

In less than two weeks Angelo had become her everything, her lover, best friend and protector.

"You're looking tense over there," Angelo said. "I don't know what you're thinking about but stop it. The only thing you should be thinking about is the many things I'm going to be doing with you when we get home."

Angelo's right hand pushed up her skirt as it dipped beneath and ran up her thigh. "Angelo, you're driving. Just wait until we get home."

"I can't wait," his voice was so demanding and dark. It sent shivers through her body. "Let's pull over."

"Dusty's following us," she said knowing he would pull over too to make sure they were okay.

Angelo was cupping her, massaging her through the material of her panties. She gripped his wrist trying to keep a smidgen of her wits about her.

Angelo turned onto their street. She felt him tensing up as his hands slowly withdrew. Angelo pulled over in front of Bella's house.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone is in our house."

Rachel sat forward and tried to get a better look at their place that was still three houses down. "How do you know?"

"The curtain was moved," he said waving to Dusty and his wife as they passed.

Rachel's cell phone rang. She jumped at the sound and cursed it as she dug through her purse to find it. "Hello?"

"Why are you guys parked up the street?" Greg asked his voice gruff.

"Someone is in our house."

"Yeah, it's me."

Rachel hung up. "It's Greg in the house," she said sagging against the seat.

"Dammit, Greg." Angelo pulled down the street and parked in their driveway. "He is really getting on my nerves."

"I'm sure he has a good reason," Rachel said trying to get the breathy sound of her voice to relax.

Angelo got out and came around to open the door for Rachel. "Let's not be chatty with him okay? I'm not in the mood for company."

Rachel nodded her agreement. They entered the house and found Greg sitting on their couch. "You both need to pack. Peterson will be here in one hour. You need to pack acceptable clothes for being on the stand and anything else you will need during your stay away. It is expected you'll only be gone one day but it could be as many as four."

Angelo nodded. "Thanks for the update."

Greg continued as though Angelo had not spoken at all. "Since you are so heavily involved with the neighbors you need to make the necessary calls to let them know you will be out of town. Any questions or concerns?"

"Thank you for your help," Rachel said.

Greg gave a curt nod and got up from the couch. "Good luck, Eileen." He left closing the door soundly behind him.

"He has impeccable timing. You know I think there must be a bug in the car," Angelo said glaring at the shared wall. "Pack as fast as you can. I'll make the calls."

Rachel did pack quickly but it wasn't fast enough. Peterson arrived ahead of schedule. He and Greg were waiting in the front room when Rachel brought her bag out to set by the door.

"Make your necessary calls?" Greg asked.

"William made them," Rachel said. "Hello again, Agent Peterson."

"Hello, Mrs. Simmons-Parker. It's good to see you. Do you think your husband will be ready to depart soon?"

"I'll go check." Rachel went to Angelo's room and opened the door slipping inside. Angelo had nothing but jeans on. He glanced up from his kneeling position on the floor and then studied the floor beneath the bed again.

It was where he'd hidden the money. He insisted it was only temporary saying that Greg would find it but the floor was seamless. If Greg found it then he was better at his job than Angelo was at collecting loyal friends.

His muscular back and arms were a thing of beauty to look at. He wasn't bulky like he'd spent hours pumping iron. His defined muscles appeared to be from hard work. Every move he made was controlled and silent as he moved the bed back in place.

She probably should have helped him, but he was so mouth watering to watch. He always had a light tan going with his olive complexion but with his assistance in trying out the tanning beds he had such a sexy summer tan.

He pulled a button up shirt off the hanger and slipped it on in the closet. He noticed she was staring at him. He looked like a fantasy come to life with his hair messed up just enough and the way the shirt hung open revealing his washboard abs.

Angelo came toward her and she felt her body vibrating with anticipation to his touch.

"When we get back I'm going to buy us a house of our own. We'll cut out all these interruptions. What do you say?"

"I say, yes."

"Any house you want, honey. I want you to think about what you'd like and what color flowers you're going to want at our wedding."

Rachel's stomach flip flopped. "I would have to be asked and answer yes before I started picking out flowers."

He grinned picking her up and throwing her onto the bed. Angelo climbed on after her, moving up her body. He kissed her lips as his hands squeezed her behind and he groaned against her lips. She was aching for him already and nibbled at his lip for teasing her.

"I can't be without you. There is no question to ask."

Rachel laughed. "Nope, there definitely is a question."

A knock sounded on the door. "We're waiting," Peterson called through the door. "We're taking a commercial flight which means it's not waiting for us."

Angelo sighed. "I will ask after I buy the biggest ring in New York and then you will say, 'Angelo only if you make love to me every night and only if I can be yours alone. You've ruined me for any other man.'"

Rachel laughed as he nuzzled her neck.

"I will come in there," Peterson said.

"You'll leave without your eyeballs if that doorknob even turns, Peterson," Angelo said.

"We're coming," Rachel said wiggling out from beneath him. "Maybe I'll say yes, maybe I'll say no. I guess you'll just have to have the guts to ask and then you'll see."

"You can say no, but I won't accept it," he said coming off the bed. "How about I make you scream yes right now."

Rachel grabbed his wrists as they shot toward the hem of her dress. "Ask me," she whispered and kissed him. His lips were hot and demanding. His hands rose up over her head bringing hers with them.

He pressed them against the wall pinning both her wrists under his left hand as his right hand slid down her arms. He massaged her breast through the dress, teasing the aching tip with his thumb. "You will marry me," he said a smile on his lips.

"Do you know what a question is?"

The doorknob turned and Rachel watched as Angelo looked over as the door opened. The look of incredulity tightened his jaw. The look in his eyes was deadly.

Greg was on the other side of the door. "Let's go, Your Lordship."

Rachel kissed his cheek. "I'll meet you in the front room so you can finish packing up."

"Are you looking for tips, Greg? You don't have to barge in I'll give you a few."

Rachel gave Angelo a scolding head shake. "What my husband William meant to say was, 'Thank you for the reminder. We got carried away. Sorry.'"

Angelo shook his head still staring at Greg.

Rachel stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door shut. "Come on, Greg," she said waving him forward.

"I'm not afraid of him," Greg said.

Angelo started laughing in his room and Greg's face got really red. "Listen, Greg, I know you're mad at me. You have been for weeks now and I just wondered what I could do to change that?"

Greg blew hot air from his mouth like he was a balloon that'd just sprung a leak. "I forgave you already. Anyway we're not really supposed to be friends. I should have kept things professional in the first place."

"When were they unprofessional?" Angelo asked yanking open his door.

"Now him on the other hand. He doesn't deserve another chance."

"Oh no, Greg doesn't like me." Angelo grinned. He brushed past Greg snatching Rachel's hand as he went.

Peterson opened the front door. "Thanks, Greg," he said not looking at Angelo as he continued through the open door.

Rachel grabbed her bag as she was led through the open door. The drive to the airport was quick since they were using a commercial airport.

Angelo kissed the sweet spot of her neck while they waited at the gate. "How's my baby?" he asked.

"Tired. What did you tell the neighbors?"

"I told them I had a meeting and I took you with me." He took her hand and led her over the row of plastic seats. "Let's rest. I need to hold you anyway."

She knew he probably didn't. They'd been around each other night and day for weeks. He probably was just nervous because they were in an airport.

They sat down and Peterson joined them as Rachel rested her head on Angelo's shoulder. She felt nervous too and so she thought of the house they would buy or have built when they got back. She thought of what she would say if he did ask her to marry him.

She thought of how she was going to feel when Grimaldi stared her down on the stand. Rachel thought of his beady eyes and how little regard he'd had for Mona's death. He sent people out to kill her and Angelo.

Rachel refused to cower from him and promised herself she wouldn't.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

They separated Angelo and Rachel for cross examination practice and it was strange being away from him. She felt vulnerable in a room filled with agents and lawyers and safe with him in an airport filled with strangers and possible hit men.

_You've got it bad, Rachel,_ she admitted to herself.

"Let's break for lunch."

"Good idea." Rachel stood up from the chair they were pretending was the witness stand. "I'm going to go lie down in my room. What time are we beginning again?"

"We'll send someone with you."

Rachel was led back to her room and the agent with her came inside and stood next to the door. She wasn't going to be able to forget where she was or what was happening with him just standing at the door.

"Do you want a chair?"

"Your husband will be along soon. When he arrives I'll step out. I'll be just next door if you need me," the agent said.

Angelo arrived some ten minutes later looking tired until he looked at her. He turned toward the agent probably to ask him to leave but the agent was already in the process of making his exit.

"How are you, sexy legs?" he said standing at the end of the bed. "I'm being prepared in the room just on the other side of yours so if you need me when you're practicing you just call me okay?"

"It was fine." She smiled watching him remove his jacket and toss it onto the back of a chair. He was wearing a black fitted t-shirt beneath and Rachel tried to hide from her expression that she was in awe of him. His muscle definition made the shirt look like it came with the muscles in it.

He was wearing the jeans from the other day and she got wet thinking about the way he'd pinned her against the wall. He was just so savagely sexy at times.

She started daydreaming about how that would have played out if Greg hadn't interrupted.

Angelo would have unbuttoned his jeans and pushed up her dress and taken her. Or more likely he would have teased her longer and more thoroughly.

He probably would have tossed the jeans away and she would have been able to run her hands and lips all over his tight, Greek God statue like body. Only the statues would be so jealous of how well endowed he was.

She grinned at the thought.

"Is practice going well?" he asked and she looked up at him brought back to the moment. Angelo was coming toward the bed where she was sitting. He had that stride that was masterful and powerful. It made her want to shed her dress and beg him to finish what he'd started back in Peaches.

"I think so."

He continued standing and started pacing as he nodded with a smile he'd put on his face just for her, she was sure.

Rachel stood up and ran her hands over his stomach and up onto his shoulders. "How was your practice? Was it harder than you thought?"

"I didn't like being separated from you. We're in New York and it's just harder to be separated when we're here."

"Don't worry," she said. "I'm just next door." She could see he was stressed and released her hold on him. He started pacing again. Perhaps it wasn't the time to finish what they'd started in Peaches.

Rachel lay down on the bed and noticed that his gaze followed her. She stretched so that the hem of her dress rode higher on her thighs. She could see the desire in his eyes.

Yes, Angelo. Come and get me.

*****

It was back, that foreboding feeling in his stomach.

Something was going to happen. The feeling was centered around Rachel. _Am I going to lose her?_ He shoved the thought aside and paced at the side of the bed.

You're just freaked out because we're in New York.

Rachel stretched out on the bed, and he watched as her breasts rose with her movement and her dress hiked up her legs. He needed to spend all this nervous energy, and he needed Rachel.

Angelo went to the end of the bed and took hold of her ankles. He slid her down the bed watching as the skirt of her dress climbed higher and higher until he was seeing pink, lacy panties.

His rod hardened painfully. He'd needed her since Peaches. Who was he kidding? He always wanted her. Her long blonde hair was all fanned out above her head on the pillow.

He watched her bite her lower lip and drank in the desire in her eyes. "You make me want you so much, Rachel."

"I want you too."

Angelo raised her leg up and began to kiss his way north, beginning at her ankle. Rachel tried to tug her leg away from his hold.

"I'm already so wet for you, Angelo."

He continued his slow journey up her leg. He was at the inside of her knee when he switched to the other leg beginning at the same place he'd left off on the other leg.

Her skin was so smooth and creamy. He ran his tongue up her inner thigh, the pink silk brushing against his cheek. Rachel started backing away and he held her in place. "Where are you going?"

"I want you to take off your clothes."

He knew his back had old scars. He knew she'd seen them but there was no need to remind her of them. Sooner or later Rachel would ask questions about them. He wasn't ready yet.

She sat up and her nails bit into his back just enough to make him forget his reasoning for keeping it on as she pulled it up his back. Rachel grinned at him as he raised his arms up to let her pull it off.

"Now you lose something," he said pulling her dress up and over her head. Her hands were still in the dress above her head when he unhooked her matching pink, lacy bra and slid it up her arms.

Angelo groaned as his erection pressed mercilessly against the restraint of his jeans. He couldn't strip down completely or he knew he'd be inside Rachel too soon. He wanted to savor her.

Her breasts was so round and her nipples so pink. He could suckle at her breasts all day and still not get enough. Angelo ran his tongue over one raised peak.

Rachel wiggled trying to untangle her hands from the bra and dress. He circled the pink bud with his tongue and then sucked her breast gently at first, gradually increasing the pressure.

She arched against his mouth and he took her deep. "Mmm sweet candy." He took the second peak in his mouth. She got one of her hands free and pushed at his shoulder. "I want you inside me."

Angelo pinned her hands with his left hand. "I'm not done here." Her breasts were swollen and the wet pink tips just made him thirsty to suckle her more.

Rachel arched again as he took her into his mouth. She was so sexy, she had no idea. "Are you going to scream the answer I want?" he asked as he moved to the other swollen peak.

She opened her mouth to argue but as soon as he was suckling her again she closed her eyes and lips to keep from giving him what he wanted.

"Do you need another kiss?" he asked sliding her panties down her thighs.

"Angelo, please. I want you."

He released her hands to fondle her breasts as he descended kissing his way down her stomach. Rachel slid down the bed with him keeping him from the kiss he was after.

She opened his pants and grabbed his throbbing shaft. "You want to hear me scream yes, you need to take off your pants."

"Not yet, baby, I want you too much."

Rachel pushed his pants down to his knees and would have gone further if he wasn't kneeling. She met his gaze as she stroked him. "Uh oh," she said in a voice full of desire. He clenched his teeth together trying to keep in control.

"Rachel," he said in a warning tone.

She leaned forward pressing her soft full breasts against his chest as she kissed him. He made love to her mouth sinking his fingers in her hair. Her challenging his direction was making him much too pumped up, he needed to try to bring it down a notch.

Rachel slid the head of his cock along the slippery wet seam of her womanhood.

Fuck.

Raising one of her legs over his hip he pushed inside of her. Rachel gasped, her nails dragging down his back. "Mmm more," she urged pushing him onto his back.

She had him at a disadvantage with his legs still trapped inside his jeans. Rachel was straddling him, rubbing her hot wet folds against his cock.

Looking at her she was beautiful sitting up there with her eyes glazed over in heat, her swollen breasts still moist from his mouth. He had to close his eyes or he was going to come right then.

Holding her by her hips, he raised her up and pulled her down onto his shaft. Rachel cried out as he raised her up again and pulled her down hard.

This was too slow.

Rachel guided his hands upward and he cupped her breasts as she began to ride him. She arched her back as he plucked and teased her soft peaks.

He dropped his right hand down to the juncture of their bodies and began to massage her clit. Watching her ride him, he tried to memorize every erotic gasp and cry from her pink lips. He drank in the sweet rhythm of her hips and the way her breasts fit in his hand.

Angelo felt her tighten around him. She closed her eyes as her nails dug into his sides and she came. Her cries were gasoline on an already raging fire.

He rolled her onto her stomach and kissed the sweet spot on her neck. "Mmm, Angelo that feels so good."

Angelo couldn't talk he was bursting with desire for her. He guided her up onto her hands and knees and cupped her breasts as he bucked against her soft round bottom. She was so wet when he entered her. He could hear the moisture and feel it at the base of his shaft when he sank all the way inside of her.

Rachel made a feminine groan as she looked over her shoulder at him. He ran his hands down her back as he bucked against her. He saw her turn to gaze in the mirror across from them and he met her gaze in the mirror.

He pulled out and thrust into her watching her mouth fall open as she made that sound of desire that only she could make. She was watching him drive into her.

Angelo reminded himself that he needed to hear her say yes. She'd carefully avoided it thus far. He started pumping, going slowly surprising himself when he thought he had no control left.

"You want to see me pumping into you, baby?"

He pulled slowly out and leaned slowly forward knowing as soon as he allowed himself to thrust his hips forward he would be lost and riding her like she was the last woman he was going to see for twenty years.

"Show me," she said avoiding the answer he wanted again.

He leaned forward burying himself deeper. He spread her legs a little wider, sinking even deeper. "Mmm, this is where I want to live. Deep inside you." His hips bucked against her without his permission, and he closed his eyes barely holding himself back.

Running his hand over her hip he followed the V shaped dip of her hip to her womanly mound. He cupped her before delving between the folds.

Rachel gasped pushing against him. "Please, Angelo."

"You know what I want to hear."

He circled the sensitive, slippery nub with his fingers. "You're making me so thirsty, baby. Maybe I should flip you over and drink from you."

She ground against him. "Angelo," she said his name like a plea. He knew he could get the answer he wanted from her. He drew out slowly.

"You want me to move slowly?"

She glared at him in the mirror.

"You want me to pound into you, baby? Is that what you need?"

There was that challenge in her eyes again. She licked her lips and said, "I want you to fuck me so hard I can't walk tomorrow."

He was pumping before he could tell himself not to. He thrust hard and fast. She couldn't hold herself up with how fast and hard he was pumping. She screamed yes as her orgasm exploded taking him with her.

His seed shot out so hard and there was so much. He kept pumping lost in the bliss of coming inside of her.

"That didn't count," Rachel said breathless when he withdrew and laid down next to her on the bed.

He gathered her into his arms. "I'm going to ask you, baby. Now I know how to get a yes out of you."

Rachel smiled, her arms still hot from their lovemaking. "You know how to get many yes's out of me. Just thinking about what you did to me has me close to yelling yes again." She blushed with the confession.

"Sounds like a plan. How about that kiss?" He rolled her onto her back and lowered himself between her legs as she gave a weak protest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Angelo insisted on being in the courtroom while Rachel was on the stand and she was grateful. Sure, it was marginally comforting to see the attorney she'd been practicing with for the past two days but with Angelo in the room she knew she was safe.

She swore to tell the truth with her hand on the bible and then turned to sit down. It was the first time she'd seen Grimaldi since the night she and Angelo had escaped his home.

He had a dumb look on his fat face. It was like a bulldog in a constant frown. His eyes, those tiny rodent eyes were sharp and jabbing into her with the hatred he felt for her and probably what he felt for Angelo too.

The prosecuting attorney asked her to tell in her own words what had happened that night. She recounted the events and told them how aggressive Gerry was with Mona.

"Grimaldi and Angelo went into another room and I was afraid of Gerry. He put his arm around me and said he was going to teach me how to put my big mouth to better use." Angelo's face was red, his chin lowering as he fought to control his rage.

"I told him if he knew what was good for him he wouldn't touch me." Rachel returned her gaze to the prosecuting attorney. "He stood up and pulled back the chair I was sitting in. Mona spoke up for me saying that I didn't understand.

"Gerry turned on her. He grabbed her by the hair saying that things just kept falling out of her mouth. He said he was going to help her get rid of that habit. I was so scared it took me a minute before I followed after them."

Rachel remembered her knees were weak when she'd gotten up but the more she heard him threatening Mona and the more Mona cried the stronger she'd felt because she'd been so filled with anger.

"I rounded the corner just as they got to the top of the stairs. Gerry told her to tell her dead sister she was a whore and threw her down the stairs." Rachel's heart was pounding as she saw in her mind's eye the horror in Mona's eyes as she was airborne before she landed on the marble staircase.

Rachel could feel the scream building in her chest as it had that night. She'd felt so helpless.

"I screamed when Mona hit the stairs. She was dead by the time she reached the bottom. Angelo and Grimaldi returned at the sound of my screaming. Gerry told Grimaldi it was an accident and he'd take care of it. He said she had to learn respect that he didn't think she'd die.

"Grimaldi told Gerry's other girl to tell me how it was and took Angelo to the side. I could still hear him though. He said Angelo would have to keep me close and make sure I didn't talk. He said Angelo would have to put me down if I did."

Rachel looked over at the jurors. "If it hadn't been for Angelo getting me out of there, Grimaldi would have killed me to keep me quiet."

"Objection, cause for speculation."

"Objection sustained," the judge said.

Rachel tried not to let it rattle her. "Grimaldi said he would have me killed if Angelo didn't do what he'd asked of him."

"At anytime did Mr. Grimaldi attempt to notify the proper authorities?"

"No."

"Is it your sworn testimony, Miss Stewart, that you witnessed Santé Grimaldi aid in covering up the murder of Monalisa Piazzo?"

"Yes it is."

The prosecuting attorney gave her a little nod. "No further questions at this time."

Judge Merrium said it was time for the defense attorney to ask questions. Rachel did her best not to tense up. He was going to try to trip her up.

"Miss Stewart, did you have any dealings with or any preconceived notions about Mr. Santé Grimaldi before your dealings with him on the night in question?"

"No."

"So you're saying you had no idea who Santé Grimaldi was? You'd never heard any of the media slander my client has had to endure over the years?"

"I heard his name before but I didn't know any of the details."

The prosecuting attorney continued, "Miss Stewart, isn't it true that you lost your parents to an automobile accident a little over two years ago?"

Where is he going with this?

"Yes that is correct." Rachel glanced over at Angelo. He was no longer red. He actually looked a little sickly. He was clearly nervous for her.

"There were rumors swirling around at that time that Grimaldi had asked his hit man, Remo Donatti, who is also the father of Angelo Donatti to take out your parents. Isn't it true that you were played a recording when you were taken into the witness protection program to coerce you to give this false testimony?"

"No. I wasn't played any recording and I've never heard that ridiculous rumor-"

"Your honor, with your permission I would like to play this recording we subpoenaed from the FBI and received just this morning." He dropped something into her lap as he spoke.

Rachel looked down at a flash drive in her lap- a foreboding feeling was building in her chest as she closed her hand around it.

Judge Merrium scowled at the defense attorney. "What do you hope to prove with this recording?"

"In this recording of Remo Donatti and Angelo, it is discussed that Angelo stop seeing Miss Stewart with threat of violence to Miss Stewart and her family as repercussion if Angelo continues to see her. In the recording, it also states that Remo Donatti intended to kill Miss Stewart's parents as Grimaldi's hit man. Thereby showing that Miss Stewart was led to believe it was Grimaldi who asked for the hit. Thus, coercing her into bearing false testimony."

"We object," the prosecuting attorney said coming up almost over the table. "The witness has already testified she was played no such recording during her interview when she was taken into the witness protection program. It is clearly hearsay and therefore should be inadmissible."

Judge Merrium said, "I agree with the prosecution. The recording is inadmissible."

Rachel barely heard what the judge had to say because she was looking at Angelo. He was white as a ghost and his eyes were large and frightened.

She gripped the flash drive in her palm and did her best not to show on the outside that her entire world had just exploded again.

"Is it your sworn testimony, Miss Stewart, that you had no knowledge of the rumor surrounding your own parent's death and of Grimaldi's involvement through Remo and Angelo Donatti?"

"Yes."

"Do you deny that you were seeing Angelo Donatti at the time of your parent's demise?"

Rachel shook her head. She swallowed looking over at the prosecuting attorney knowing she'd lose it if she looked at Angelo again. "No."

"So you were seeing him?"

"Yes."

He nodded pacing in front of the witness box. "Did Angelo tell you at any time that his father had threatened your life and the life of your family if he didn't stop seeing you?"

"Objection, the witness has already stated she had no knowledge of any rumor connecting Santé Grimaldi to the death of her parents."

"Sustained."

"I have no further questions for this witness." The defense attorney turned and went back to his seat next to Grimaldi, who was looking at her.

His lips curved into a wicked smile.

"You are excused," Judge Merrium repeated. Rachel couldn't let herself break. If she looked like she believed the rumor the jury might discount her testimony, and it was more necessary than before that Grimaldi be put behind bars or hopefully executed.

_It's not true,_ Rachel lied to herself as she exited the witness stand. Peterson stood and escorted her from the courtroom.

"Are you okay?"

"Take me to a computer."

Peterson shook his head. "We need to leave now." She let him lead her down the hallway.

"Rachel!" Angelo called after them.

"I can't see him right now," Rachel pleaded with Peterson.

He nodded. "It's okay we have to take you in separate cars anyway." Peterson loaded her into the car and Angelo got in on the other side.

"It's not true, Rachel," he said grabbing her and holding her even as she pushed him away. "I swear it isn't true."

The car started moving with Peterson swearing in the passenger seat.

"What isn't true, Angelo?" Rachel demanded.

Angelo exhaled, still as pale as he was before only up close she could see him sweating and tears in his eyes. "I didn't know my dad was going to take out your parents."

Rachel covered her face as the tears and sobs poured out of her.

"I'm so sorry, Rachel. I didn't know until after it happened. I didn't want them to hurt you anymore so I stayed away from you when you were the only person I wanted to be with. I never would have let him do it if I had known."

Rachel felt like she should be dying it hurt so badly. She wanted to climb outside of herself and escape the agony that was now eating her alive.

"Rachel, I never would have dated you if I had known they would come after you. Please, can you forgive me?"

"Just get away from me."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

They separated Rachel and Angelo once they boarded the private plane.

She was trying to pull herself together enough to listen to whatever was on the flash drive. She knew she couldn't trust Angelo to tell her the truth. He'd known all this time that his father had murdered her parents and hadn't said a word.

The layout of the plane was similar to the plane they had taken to the military base in Colorado. She went towards the conference area and found a laptop.

It was already open so she plugged in the flash drive and opened it up. There was a media file. She opened it and turned up the volume so she could hear it.

"You can't love anyone, Angelo. You see where that got me. They own me. Grimaldi knows all he has to do to keep me in line is threaten you. We've already had your mother taken from us."

"I'm not going to be you." She recognized Angelo's voice. "I'm in school. I'm going to make something of myself. I'm not a fucking gangster."

"Not as long as you don't have anything or anyone for Grimaldi to hold over you. Not as long as you keep your nose clean. Don't you see what will happen if Grimaldi finds out about this girl Rachel? She's not the kind that will keep her mouth shut, son."

There was a slamming noise. "I don't belong to Grimaldi. You do. Rachel is the best thing that ever happened to me. She looks at me and she sees me."

"She sees power."

"She doesn't know anything about you. She doesn't see power. I love her, Dad, and you aren't going to stop me from having my own life."

"I'm trying to give you your life."

"I won't stop seeing her."

The distinct sound of flesh hitting flesh over and over again had Rachel hugging herself. "What about now?" Remo roared. More hitting, things crashing and grunts of pain sounded from the recording.

"Now what?" Remo yelled breathlessly.

"You'll have to use that gun to stop me, Dad. I'm not giving her up."

Two shots sounded making Rachel jump. Remo roared angrily making Rachel shiver. "You fuckin' idiot. She's already dead. Her parents are going to be dead if you don't stop seeing her. If you love her leave her now."

"No."

"Angelo, I'll kill her parents myself. Do I have to do that to get through to you?"

"I won't...." The sound of Angelo spitting what was probably a mouth full of blood and a very wet sounding pouring noise interrupted his answer. "I won't give her up."

The recording stopped. When Rachel raised her head she saw Angelo standing in the entryway. Peterson stood between them.

"You said you didn't know," Rachel heard herself say.

"I was too stupid to believe he would do that to his own son. I'm so sorry." He started toward her and Peterson put his hand on his chest. "Tell me what to do and I'll do it, Rachel." Tears ran down his face. She'd never seen him cry before, not even when she'd been stitching him up.

She swallowed hard meeting his gaze. "Give me back my parents."
CHAPTER THIRTY

He reached for her again but this time several agents along with Peterson held him back. "I would if I could, Rachel." Seeing her in pain made him feel like he was dying. He lost his strength to resist the agents pushing and pulling.

They drug him away even as he fought to get back to her.

Peterson got off the plane with him. "It's over for you and Rachel, Angelo. You've got to let her go."

"No. When it comes to Rachel it's never over."

Peterson nodded. "Well, we're taking separate planes. You can hear it for yourself from her when we land."

"Put me on the same plane, I won't make her talk to me," Angelo said still pushing his way back up the stairs.

"No."

Angelo wasn't about to let her out of his sight. He had to protect her. His strength returned and he picked up Peterson, who was nearly the same size and set him aside. Peterson held on and Angelo drug him up the stairs and back onto the plane.

"Tranq him!" Peterson yelled.

Angelo felt a stinging sensation in his neck as the agents crowded around him. He fought his way through to the other side before his legs fell out from under him.

"Tell her I'm not asking," he said as he fell under the effects of the tranquilizer they'd used on him.

*****

Agent Petersen returned to the conference room alone. His shirt was soaked in sweat and his hair was sticking to his wet forehead. "Well, he's sedated for now."

Rachel held onto her anger refusing to break.

"What do you want to do?"

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked still thinking over the conversations she and Angelo had and the many times he could have told her.

"I mean we can separate you and hide you from Angelo and Grimaldi and forsake the setup in Peaches or you and "William" can get a divorce," he said his name with quotation bunny fingers. "He'd still be in the same town, which would be the best option if you ask me. He's determined to protect you and very capable to do so."

"Greg isn't?"

Peterson shook his head. "I didn't say that. I am saying that he saved your life from Grimaldi before and we're pretty sure he took out a hit man who was tracking you down before he got anywhere near you."

Rachel glared at him.

"He says he wants to make it up to you. He's racked with guilt. You don't have to be around him just let him be in the same town so he can be an extra set of eyes."

"He lied to me."

Peterson nodded. "Yes, but it wasn't really him that hurt you. It was his father."

The statement threatened her wall of armor and she stood up. "I'll have to think about it."

"Sure," Peterson said holding up his hands. "You did very well in court today."

"I need to be alone." Rachel left the conference room and found the bedroom she hoped would be at the other end of the hallway. Climbing onto the bed she buried her face in a pillow and let out the pain that was destroying her from the inside out.

If she had looked into Angelo's father she wouldn't have continued to see him. She should have been more careful. It was her fault too.

The guilt washed over her and she cried from so deep it had to be coming from her soul. How could she be in love with the son of the man who murdered her parents?

She couldn't.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

When Angelo woke up he was told that Rachel had already left for Peaches. "How long ago?"

"Listen, she said she doesn't want to have to start all over again. She said she's staying in Peaches. You two are getting that divorce after all."

"I'm sorry is this high school? Are you her best friend filling me in here? Give me the keys to whatever car I'm driving 'cause I am going to hear what Rachel thinks and wants from Rachel."

Peterson pointed to a white four door sedan. "If you were even a little bit smart you'd give her a few days to calm down and think it through."

Angelo picked up his bag and threw it into the passenger seat from the driver's side.

"Learn from your mistakes, man," Peterson called after him.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Peterson looked a little afraid to answer. "It means do what's best for her if you love her. Not what's best for you."

"Get that from a fortune cookie, Peterson?" Angelo got in the car and fired up the engine. He hated it when people threw out wisdom at him. He didn't want to take the slow road. Angelo wasn't a wait in line kind of person. He went for what he wanted.

Just like Remo. Dammit!

He punched the passenger seat. It was going to take everything he had to do what Rachel asked him to do. If Peterson was right and she wanted him to leave her alone he didn't know how he could do it.

He was just supposed to leave her in the hands of the feds, as if he could trust them to take a bullet for her.

Dammit, why did he have to be born the son of a killer? Why had he been stupid enough to believe his father wouldn't kill her parents? After all the fighting they did after his mom was killed, why did he believe the father he loved still existed inside the cold killer who had emerged after his mother's death?

What could he do to make Rachel forget he was his father's son?

He pulled onto their street and drove slowly up to the house. Peterson must have called ahead to warn Greg. He was sitting outside on his steps and stood when Angelo parked the car.

Angelo got out of the car and met Greg by the hood. "How is she?" he asked knowing that Greg really did care about Rachel.

"She's.... in a lot of pain."

"Will you ask her if she'll see me?"

Greg shook his head. "I knocked on the door and told her you were on your way. She said to tell you she's not ready to see you right now."

Angelo fought the need to break down the door and make her see him and make her forgive and forget. "I want to be close by in case someone catches up to her. Can I stay with you?"

"For a couple of nights, I guess it'll be alright," Greg said. "I'll kick you out though if you don't respect her space."

Angelo bit back his threatening retort. "I understand."

Greg led the way into his place. "You know, I was talking to one of my friends back at the agency about you."

"Yeah?" Angelo set his bag down next to the door.

"He said you saved his life."

Angelo nodded. "Whitt?"

"Yeah. He's a really great guy. A great dad to his kids. You did a really good thing."

Angelo looked at him wondering why he was still babbling when if he'd just shut up Angelo would be able to hear Rachel. "Good."

Greg watched him for a moment and then grinned. "She's in the kitchen. You won't hear much while she's in there."

"So what'd you do anyway?" Greg asked sitting on the couch. "She left here thinking you smiled rainbows and shit shooting stars. She comes back like a switch has been thrown and you're now an unlucky black cat."

"She's not superstitious."

"Was that what I asked you? Is that what you got from what I just said?" Greg shook his head with an annoyed expression deepening the slight lines of his face. "You know, you don't make it easy to like you."

Angelo went over to Greg, who was still sitting comfortably on the couch. "If you have any influence with Eileen you should use it. If she tries to get rid of me your job is going to get a whole lot harder."

"Threats don't motivate me. You wanna ask and stop acting like I'm afraid of you? I'm not."

"Fine. Please use your influence with Eileen because if she tries to push me out of her life I'm going to refuse to leave. I am my father if I'm not with her. Do you know who my father is?"

Greg shook his head. "I get it. She brings out the best in you but she isn't who you are."

"No she reminds me who I am. Who I am was beaten out of me and poisoned by the need for revenge. She reminds me who I am. You don't want to know me without her, Greg."

"She deserves better so you'd better get that under control. She shouldn't have to sign on to be your babysitter and keep you in line."

"Are you her father now?"

Greg laughed. "No. You're not great with constructive criticism. Are you?"

Angelo laughed because it was either that or punch Greg and the rational part of himself knew Greg didn't deserve the fight Angelo wanted to have.

"You know you're a selfish bastard right?" Greg asked

"You know, I have to ask, what makes you unafraid of me? You're really sticking your neck out right now."

Greg grinned. "You trust me to protect Eileen. You need to stay in my place while she makes her decision and," he raised his pointer finger up in the air, "I think you know I won't go down easily."

"Well, the first two are true."

"Ha, ha, ha," Greg said scrunching up the bridge of his nose. "Since you're not ready to open up to your new best friend maybe we should discuss where you'll go if she decides she wants her own space."

Angelo shrugged. "I won't have any trouble finding my own place."

"You just blew all your money investing in the restaurant which wasn't a bad idea but it'll take time to make money. You get that right?"

"I'm good at landing on my feet. What I won't do is leave Eileen. Mad at me or not I can't bear for anything to happen to her."

Greg pointed to himself. "I looked after her just fine while you were off getting Lorenzo." He glared at Angelo. "I still don't know how you pulled that off. It's eating me alive."

"Why don't you make yourself useful and go over and talk to Eileen. Tell her my good points."

"I'd have to know what you did wrong to know how to talk you up."

Angelo shook his head. "I was born into the wrong family. I lied to protect her but she resents it. That's all you need to know. Just get her to forgive me or at least see me."

"Give her time."

He couldn't just stand still. Angelo walked through Greg's duplex to his workout room. Greg followed after him. "Hey how did you know this was here?" he asked.

Angelo punched the punching bag. "I could hear you through the wall. Do you mind if I use it?"

"No. Go ahead. Wear yourself out and then take a nap that'd make my job a lot easier."

Greg left and Angelo stripped out of his shirt. He found some kick boxing gloves on a shelf and put them on. Angelo rotated his arms, swinging them to get the blood moving through them to warm them up.

The wound on his arm had healed enough he'd taken out the stitches and used surgical glue to reinforce it. He let all the pain he was feeling surface and punched the bag. It swung with the impact, and he continued hammering into the bag.

He spent the fury he felt at his dad for ruining his life when he'd taken out Rachel's parents. Angelo tried to spend the guilt he had over his mistake. He should have realized a hit man would kill if he said he would. It didn't matter the hit man was his father.

Angelo remembered what he'd felt when he'd learned a member of the Fabbri family had taken out his mom to get at Remo. After that the whole Fabbri family was worth less than a bullet in his mind. How could he expect Rachel to feel any different?
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Three days of listening to Angelo beat the punching bag was more than enough. She had to stop hiding and be strong for herself. No more leaning on others. Or turning to Angelo to make sense of her life and decide it all for her. This was her life and it was time she lived it.

Rachel found the jeans she'd packed back in New York and a t-shirt that was a light purple hue. Her dad used to say it brought out her eyes.

She picked up the cell phone and called Greg.

"Hello?" he answered on the first ring. "Shut up, it's Eileen," she heard him say to Angelo.

"Please send William over. I'm ready to talk to him."

"You want me to come and make sure you're okay?"

Rachel stood a little taller even though he couldn't see her. "That won't be necessary but thank you."

She pressed the end button and Angelo was already coming through her front door. He looked awful. Huge bags were under his dark brown eyes. His skin was sallow and his cheeks sunken in a little.

His hair looked wet, and he was still pulling down the shirt he'd thrown on. "I'm glad you're ready to talk," he said coming toward her and Rachel gestured for him to sit down. He didn't sit but he stopped moving toward her.

"I realize you felt you couldn't tell me what your father did," she said holding up her hand when he took a step toward her. "I know that you're not your father and you shouldn't be held responsible for what he did. But...."

She swallowed and made herself keep eye contact with him. Tears spilled down her cheeks when she thought there was no way she could possibly have any more.

"I can't be in a relationship with the son of the man who killed my parents. This is my fault too," she said and he shook his head. "I should have found out who your father was before I started dating you."

"No. It wasn't your fault," he said his bloodshot eyes glistening. "I want you so much it hurts to breathe, Rachel. I know you love me too."

"You once promised me you'd be anything I wanted you to be."

Angelo closed his eyes fisting his hands at his sides. "You've already made that choice."

"I want you to be my friend." She pretended her voice didn't shake, and her heart didn't break at the sound of her own words. "You've saved my life and I can't forget that. I care what happens to you but I just can't be with you."

"You just can't be with me right now. I will wait."

Rachel shook her head. "I would never ask that of you. I may never be able to be with you like that again."

"I'll wait," he said again this time when he closed the distance it was before she could protest. He hugged her tightly against him. And she cried on his shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere." His lips rested on the top of her head.

If she closed her eyes she could pretend she didn't know he lied, or that his father murdered her parents. She didn't close her eyes. No more pretending.

Her eyes were open for the intense heartbreak she was feeling. Angelo was softening the blow by offering to be her friend. She was selfish to let him do it because she knew he believed it would lead to more when she knew it never would.

Angelo held her until she got her emotions under control. He slowly released her. The pain in his eyes was so intense she couldn't stand to look directly into them.

"Listen, I know that setting me up at the salon and adding me as a partner for the restaurant had a lot more to do with guilt than love. I'd like to repay you for what money you put into the salon and remove my name from the restaurant partnership."

"No."

"Okay, so I am going to be doing that. You can't expect us to be working hand in hand that will be too difficult."

She could actually see his determination rising as he zeroed in on her face. "We went into this together and we're adult enough to continue. When I say I'll be your friend I'm not talking about an acquaintance you wave to on occasion."

"I am," Rachel said trying to be strong. "Anything more than that will be too much."

"Too bad."

"Angelo," Rachel said taken aback.

"You don't get to cut me out of your life. You don't want to let me show you how much I love you in our bedroom in the house we talked about buying together fine. But I do love you and if being your friend is the closest I can get, I'm going to be a very good friend."

"It's never going to be anything more."

Angelo's mouth smiled but his eyes remained intense. "We'll see about that."

"Don't you understand? When I look at you I think of Remo and what he did. My parents were very young still when they had me. They gave me the perfect place to grow up in and once I was in college they were going to travel the world. They were going to get the dream they put on hold for me.

"My dad was going to walk me down the aisle and my mom was going to always be just a phone call away for every heartbreak or achievement I needed to share with her."

"I get it, but I am not my father." He looked angry she realized. Angelo walked toward her until her back was against the wall. He stopped when he was only a breath away from her lips.

"When you look at me you should remember that I'm the man who gave you up when you were the only person in the world alive who could help me to be me just by loving me. I'm the man who loves every inch of you, inside and out."

She waited for him to mention the money, or the fact that he'd saved her life on several occasions. He didn't.

"What kind of person would I be if I could just forget what you and me being together has brought to my parents?"

"You can't punish yourself for what my father did. I refuse to bear his cross and I'll be damned if you're going to take it over."

He was looking at her mouth and she hated herself for wanting him to kiss her. She wanted him to do so much more than that.

"I'm sorry," she said turning her face away. "Friends is all I can do."

*****

Angelo closed his eyes at the agonizing pain he felt inside as she turned her face away from him.

This isn't over.

"I'm going to the salon today, I still need to pick a name for the place," she said stepping past him and away from the wall. "It would be a good time for you to remove your things. Including your duffle bag."

Angelo nodded. "You will be taking Greg with you to the salon then?"

"Okay." She nodded looking relieved he hadn't argued.

He would let her think she had the upper hand here because he intended to have the upper hand everywhere else.

"I'll see you at the salon when I've finished, partner."
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Three weeks since their "divorce" had passed and Rachel was still standing her ground. Angelo watched Rachel through the window of the tanning salon she'd named Heatwave Salon and Spa. Apparently, the spa part of the name attracted more mature clientele.

At least she hadn't made that ridiculous jogging suit the uniform for the staff. They wore t-shirts or tank tops with the business logo and coordinating bottoms.

Today Rachel had her golden blonde hair in long curling waves. Her t-shirt was violet and too tight if you asked him. He could see the curve of her perfect breasts from across the street. She wore a jean skirt that hit her mid-thigh and her long tan legs seemed to stretch on forever with the nude heels she was wearing.

An idiot with a law degree whose name he found out was Carter J. Prince was at the counter talking to Rachel. He'd tanned a dozen times in the past week and hadn't gained an ounce of color. Angelo doubted the fragile shyster was even getting into the tanning beds.

He watched as Carter handed Rachel his card.

"Bad move, Carter," Angelo said through his teeth. He bought The New York Times newspaper and flipped to the classifieds while he watched Rachel slide the card into her pocket.

"What are you blushing at the idiot for?" Angelo shook his head. "He's not even hit puberty yet. After I talk to him he won't be taking you anywhere."

He looked down at the paper in his hand and scanned the classifieds for the sign off name Sincity. He found it.

Wanted: Five stop road trip co-pilot. Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. You pay gas. Call 313-555-8181 Sincity.

They were circling Colorado.

Angelo folded the paper and tucked it under his arm. He crossed the street just as Carter was exiting the shop. "Did I just see you give my wife your card?"

"Your wife? I was told you're divorced."

"No. Look it up there is no record of any divorce. It's called a spat and I don't appreciate you hitting on my wife."

Carter shook his head. "I wasn't. I just gave her my card."

"Good. Maybe you can warn some of the other lawyers she's off limits too."

He nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Angelo shook his head. "She says drastic things whenever she's mad at me. But hey, I really appreciate your business." Angelo smiled. "Do you practice corporate law?"

"Yes." He smiled.

"Maybe I'll take a card too, then."

Carter opened his wallet and handed Angelo a card. "Thanks for understanding. I'd be happy to represent you, sir."

"Thank you." Angelo watched him leave with an expression that let him know he'd better not see him hitting on Rachel again and then went into the salon.

Rachel raised her eyebrows at him. "He gave you a card? Why is that?"

"Gay guys like me. I would have refused the card but I didn't want to scare away your customers." He handed her a coffee. "Man, I'm great at being your rock."

He watched her fighting back a smile. "Bella, don't you think Eileen is doing a great job with the salon? Its profit margin has really gone up."

Rachel sipped the coffee he'd given her and smiled at the customer who came through the door. The customer was a real beefcake.

"Are you ready for your spray tan, Mr. Hawking?" Rachel asked and came around the counter like she was going to help him. Angelo watched as she led Mr. Hawking to one of the rooms. "Go ahead and get undressed and I'll be right back to give you your spray tan."

"What did she just say? Did she tell him to get undressed?" he asked Bella.

"Uh.... No. Not undressed per say he might keep something on."

"What the hell do you mean, might?"

Bella was shrinking away from him. "Mr. Hawking is going to be in a weight lifting competition. They wear very little and he's probably not going to want any tan lines."

"Monica!" Angelo boomed making everyone jump in surprise.

"She's on her break," Bella squeaked.

Angelo smiled at the customers who looked alarmed as he bent in close to Bella. "I will give you a big bonus if you make sure Eileen doesn't ever help any of the men wanting spray tans."

Her cheeks burned red. "They ask for her, William."

"Son of a...." He caught himself since he was being watched by wide eyed customers. "Where does Monica take her breaks?"

"Out back."

Angelo walked swiftly down the hallway and caught Rachel as she was reaching for the doorknob, ushering her out the back door where Monica was smoking.

"There is a Mr. Hawking waiting for you, Monica. Put that out and quit slacking."

"Sorry." She stomped the cigarette as Rachel stared at him with her mouth open.

As soon as the door shut behind Monica, Rachel jumped in. "How dare you come in here and undermine me like that. This is my livelihood now."

"Spraying naked men with tanning paint is your livelihood?"

"Are you belittling what I do now?"

Angelo tossed the paper into the dumpster. "I am saying that as the owner of this shop it is your job to delegate. Monica should be doing the spray tanning."

"Is this my rock talking or my jealous ex?"

"It's me."

She shook her head. "You don't get to come into my salon and tell me how to run it. You said it was my baby."

"If you want to spray tan a naked man I'll strip down for you right now but my wife is not going to be painting any naked men."

"I already have."

"And what are their names?"

Rachel laughed. "William, you said you could do the friend thing. Can you or can you not?"

"You need to give me more time to get used to the leash you've tied me with, okay?"

"There is no leash. This is your choice. You're free to go."

"This was not my choice. This is my punishment for being Remo's son."

Rachel looked around the alley wide eyed. "Watch it, William." She surprised him by wrapping her arms around him. "This isn't easy for me either. I wouldn't be putting us through this if I didn't have to."

"You could forgive me for lying and then let me make it up to you every day of the rest of my life, I would, Eileen."

"I have forgiven you. You're trying to pay for your guilt, William. I don't want that from you. I just can't be with you and we can't keep going over this. Just accept it." She pulled away and went back inside.

He really wanted to leave her knowing that they belonged together but it appeared she wasn't ready to accept it yet. He wasn't willing to consider that he needed to accept anything except that he needed to learn patience.

Angelo dialed Greg.

"Are you calling to harass me? I just checked on Eileen and you were already in there."

"No. I wanted to tell you I'm going out of town for a few days."

"That's funny. When you say out of town do you mean like tied up in my basement because you aren't going anywhere.... I'm responsible for you."

Greg had grown on Angelo. He smiled since Greg couldn't see him. "It's important."

"I'm coming to you. You're at Heatwave, right?"

Angelo considered just going without discussing anything with Greg but after all Greg had done for him he couldn't just blow him off. "I'm in the alley behind Heatwave."

Angelo ducked his head inside the back door. "Monica," he called her back out since he'd heard Rachel run up to the office. Monica came sheepishly into the alley. "I know Eileen performing the spray tanning is cutting into your income with tips and whatnot. You need to tell her that. She'll understand."

"This is because you don't want her spraying naked guys, huh?"

"Yes."

She grinned. "Okay, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. She loves you. Whatever is going on between you two it's going to blow over."

"I like you, Monica. Tell her that will you, about how you know we love each other?"

"Sure." She went back into the salon and Greg arrived soon after her exit.

Greg looked around the alley for anyone or open windows. "What has you wanting to leave? And don't bullshit me."

"I need to give Eileen some room."

"I said don't bullshit me."

Angelo grinned. "I just got word there are five hitters circling the state. I need to get them away from here."

"Five?"

"I have angered a lot of people."

Greg looked over toward the salon. "I didn't hear this from you. You're on a drinking binge as far as I'm concerned."

"Is that what you'll tell her?"

"Yeah."

Angelo frowned. "I'd rather not sound like any more of a loser than she already sees me."

"She'll think you're heartbroken."

"I am."

"Get a drink then."

Angelo closed his eyes and gave a head shake. "Tell her I had to do some business for the restaurant."

Greg shrugged. "Alright."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Rachel stood in her office leaning against her door. She could remember vividly what she'd done with Angelo in this room and she remembered how she felt when she was with him. She'd been so happy.

Why can't this be easy? It should be easy to just not feel anything for him anymore. You know what, Rachel? You're at work and you're supposed to be working. She sat down at the desk and crunched the numbers.

Her mind drifted back to the flabbergasted look he'd had on his face when Bella had told him that she was about to give a naked man a spray tan.

Too bad she wasn't trying to make him jealous. She smiled a little, acknowledging to herself that she might be a little meaner than she thought.

When she came down at lunchtime, she found Greg instead of Angelo, stopping by for the every few hours checkup. "Would you like to book a tan, Greg?" Rachel asked knowing he wouldn't.

"Not today." He looked preoccupied instead of his usual good humored reply.

"Why is Will so protective of you?" Bella asked. "I mean, he's got Greg here checking on you and this elaborate alarm system installed."

"He knows I scare easily," Rachel said.

"That's awfully thoughtful of the man you divorced. I still don't get that, by the way." She threw in while she was on a roll. "You two are crazy in love then you go on a business trip and come back ready to split up. What happened?"

Rachel sighed tapping the countertop. "I've already told you, I don't want to talk about it, Bella."

"Obviously, it was something he did because he's the one coming around all sad and apologetic. He looks really sorry."

"I'm pretty sure I just said I don't want to talk about it. This isn't gab hour. We're still open aren't we?"

Greg patted her hand that was still tapping on the countertop. "It's alright, hon," he said and came around the counter to give her a hug.

"I'm sorry," Bella said. "That was inconsiderate of me. I'm too nosy for my own good."

"She is," Greg agreed. "You want to go for a walk? No piggyback rides though."

Rachel laughed wiping her eyes. "No, I'm fine now."

"Let's take a little walk," he said and started leading her out which cleared up any fogginess she would have had before.

"What's up?" she asked once they were walking.

Greg shrugged. "I just wanted to let you know that you don't have to worry about Angelo bothering you for a few days. He's out of town."

Rachel stopped walking remembering that the last time he'd gone out of town he'd come back with his arm cut open. "He told you that? Where is he going?"

"He had some loose ends with the restaurant biz to tie up that's all." Greg waved his hand. "So, I'll be checking in on you."

"Where is he really going?"

"Are you saying he lied to me?" Greg asked doing a terrible job of appearing offended. "We're going to have a talk when he gets back."

Rachel stretched her neck on each side. "I can tell you know where he is, Greg."

"I know he is off doing business. Or maybe he wanted to get shit-faced after you dumped him."

"He doesn't do the pity pot thing."

"Every guy does the pity pot thing. It's in our DNA."

She did not like what was going on. "We're still friends. Friends are supposed to tell each other stuff. Where is he going?"

"I happen to remember a certain someone not telling me certain stuff. Sometimes we don't get to know everything." He wagged his finger at her and she was tempted to bite it to get him to talk.

He wasn't going to tell her which meant it was dangerous. "Why is he doing it? For me?"

"He's doing it for both of you. You're in business together right?"

His evasive answers were pissing her off. "I'm going back to work. I'm not happy with you," she said walking back up the street to Heatwave.

"Hey, Bella. Sorry I got so upset with you."

"You were right to get upset. No worries."

Rachel sighed knowing she needed to do something to keep herself occupied otherwise she'd worry all night. "You wanna invite Penelope over tonight to try out the new sauna?" Rachel asked Bella.

"Will there be wine?"

Rachel laughed. "Maybe."

"Penelope is pretty tied up with the new restaurant. I don't know if she'll pull away but I'll ask."

Rachel restocked the logo t-shirt rack, swept, wiped down the countertops and then started in on cleaning the beds. She kept going over in her mind what she'd last said to Angelo. She'd been right though, he was doing so much out of guilt.

He may not even love her. It was very likely he was driven by guilt. What kind of relationship would that be if she just let him serve up to her every little thing she wanted? They'd both lose respect for each other eventually, right?

"Would you like some help?" Monica asked.

"Sure."

They wiped down two of the six rooms in silence by the third room Monica started talking. "So, I was hoping that maybe the spray tanning could just be my thing? I'm losing clients to you like crazy."

"Sure," Rachel said. "I'll just back you up when you need help."

Monica nodded with a smile of relief on her face. "Will said you'd be cool about it if I asked you."

"I bet he brought it up to you as well."

Monica blushed. "Sort of, but I was already thinking it. I didn't know if you'd get mad and fire me though so I wasn't going to say anything."

"Okay," Rachel said imagining Angelo with that huge gun trying to hunt down some crazed hit man and being ambushed. _How could Greg let him go like that? What were they thinking?_

"Bella said we're trying out the sauna tonight. That's cool."

"Yeah."

"So, I can come?"

Rachel nodded. "Of course."

I am going to kill Angelo when he gets back. Let's be best friends but not tell each other anything. Idiot!

"You okay?"

"Yeah why?"

Monica held her hands up. "You're kind of breaking that lamp with how hard you're wiping it down."

Rachel looked at the lamp in her hands. The piece that held the light bulb was bent at a seventy-five degree angle. "I guess it was cheap. I'll buy another one."

Filling the day with cleaning and running errands made it go by a little faster but Rachel was ready for a few days to have passed by already.

It was just after nine o'clock. She'd tested out the sauna with her friends and listened to their list of reasons why she should get back together with Angelo and now she was parked outside of her house not wanting to go inside.

Every time she went in she remembered Angelo pinning her up against the door, or a wall, or that time he'd joined her in the shower. They'd been together in every room in the house.

The living room was the worst though because that was where he held her and laughed with her. It was where he told her the things he loved about her and where she'd first wished he'd ask her to marry him for real.

Greg knocked on the window scaring her to death. She got out slamming the car door. "You scared me."

"Sorry. I got worried you've been sitting in there for a half hour."

"Has he called and checked in?"

"No." She looked at him with wide eyes. "He didn't say he would so it's not like he missed doing it."

Rachel marched with him toward the house. "Who is in charge here, him or you?"

"Technically, I don't know he's out of town. Okay? So I can't really do anything about it."

"I see he's won you over too."

Greg sighed. "He had a good reason for his business trip and from where I'm standing it was what I would have done in his shoes. He's an okay guy once you get to know him. He saved my best friend's life. I just found out so that swayed me."

Like I need another reason to swoon over Angelo.

"Look, I wanted to let you know I'm going to be looking for a new place."

"Not until I say it's time, Eileen."

Rachel went ahead and let the tears she was always holding back spill free. Maybe it would sway him into allowing her to get a new place. "I see him everywhere I go and I can't move on."

"Maybe you're not supposed to," he said.

"What?"

Am I losing my mind here?

"When I first heard you two going at it like bunnies over here I thought it would burn out quick. Now that I am the one living with William, I can see it's just him making up for lost time. He's been in love with you for a long time and I think you feel the same way about him."

Rachel shook her head. "It doesn't matter. And how do you know he's in love? He played you very well over this past month."

"I'm not deaf or blind, Eileen. Everything he does, he does with you in mind. If it's not about you or for you than he is like an angry, sad Rottweiler."

"Greg-"

He cut in. "Listen to me. He's already had you in every way he possibly could have you. He's also set you up so that you're going to have a very comfortable life. So it isn't sex or guilt driving him. I think you've noticed he hasn't given up on you two."

"I've noticed you haven't either. Are you going to keep harassing me with this now that you're team William?"

"I won't if you can tell me one good reason why you two can't be together."

Rachel was actually happy to tell him because she couldn't tell anyone else in her life. She turned toward him. "His father murdered my parents because he didn't want William to stray from the family business by dating me. William practically dared him to do it thinking he wouldn't. And he lied to me about it."

"You don't know that's how it went down," Greg said weakly.

Rachel went to the kitchen and took out the flash drive from the drawer. "Have yourself a listen if you like. It has his real name in here though."

"No, I can't listen to it then." Greg sighed heavily his shoulders sinking. "I'm not saying it's easy but somehow I think you should find a way to forgive him."

Greg saw the tears filling her eyes again and hugged her. He let her cry until she had nothing left. It was a lot for him, she could tell when she finally peeled herself off of him, and he was wincing at his wet shirt.

"Sorry."

"It's.... fine. Why don't you get some sleep?"
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

As much as Angelo played the invincible hero to Rachel he wasn't a fool. Most of the hit men that the Grimaldi and Fabbri family sent after him including Lorenzo were much more experienced in their work than Angelo.

Every time he went head to head with one of these five killers looking for him it was at most a fifty, fifty chance he would win or lose. He couldn't keep taking those odds.

Sooner or later he was going to get the short end of the stick. He just needed to keep the upper hand. Just leading them away wasn't going to fix the problem. They'd still be looking for him and for Rachel.

The used black Jetta with tinted windows he'd purchased in Utah still had California plates and was going to make for an inconspicuous ride. The heavy hitters coming for him were used to comfort and luxury and they would expect the same standards of Angelo.

After a week of hunting for the killer who was hunting him and still coming up with nothing he thought he'd better check in again with Greg. Two days ago he'd said that Rachel was really steamed that he hadn't stopped to say goodbye before he left.

That was because he knew Rachel wouldn't want him to go and he couldn't say no to her, not with those full lips and big imploring blue eyes of hers.

It was too dangerous to keep calling Vinchenzi. He had to wait for an emergency before he'd reach out to him again.

Angelo used his pay and go cell he'd purchased that day from a gas station. It rang twice before Greg picked up. "Hello?"

"How is she?" Angelo asked.

"She's past mad. She's hurt now. You should really call her," Greg said. "Plus she's standing right here glaring at me."

Angelo grinned at the picture that popped into his head. Rachel would be taking the phone from Greg soon. "Listen, I'm going to be gone longer than first anticipated."

"Why? You're supposed to be leading them away. That doesn't take too long just be seen boarding a plane to Greece."

"Let me worry about that."

"You can't go after them. If you do I'll have to report you're gone. You'll be kicked out of the program."

Rachel was arguing with him in the background. There was some grunting on the line as Greg resisted Rachel taking the phone and then he heard her voice. "Come home right now. I mean it." He could hear the emotion in her voice.

"I'll be home soon," Angelo said. "I love you, Rachel." He hung up before she could talk him into making the wrong choice. Greg laid it on the line for him and now Angelo had to decide which path to take. Should he lead a false trail and hope it kept them busy for a few years?

Or should he hunt down the hit men and win Rachel's and his freedom? Wouldn't Grimaldi and Fabbri just send more?

*****

It had been three full weeks since Rachel had butted in on that call and demanded Angelo to come back. So where was he?

Rachel realized after two weeks with him gone that she cared too much about him just to forget him. It hadn't worked two years ago, and it didn't work now. He had to come back and at least be her friend.

"How are you, honey?" Bella asked patting Rachel's back.

"I'm fine." Rachel straightened at the counter. I think I'll go do inventory in the back," she said as Greg entered.

Greg looked pale. His eyes were full of dread and the way he wouldn't quite look Rachel in the eye terrified her. She froze where she stood.

He approached the counter. "Eileen, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"No, I'm working." Rachel backed up into the wall and turned to run to her office but Greg caught her arm and took her out into the alley behind the store. "Don't you dare say what I think you're about to say, Greg. I won't forgive you."

He inhaled through his nose a shaky sound. His mouth a grim frown as his eyes met hers. "I'm sorry, Eileen."

"You don't have to be sorry because he's not dead."

"His body was recovered this morning. The dental impressions taken of what teeth remained confirmed that it was him."

Rachel shook her head. "He's just outsmarted you, is all. He's not dead. I know he's not. He would never die on me."

Greg tried to hug her and she fought him off. "It's going to be okay," he said. "With him gone they won't be looking for you anymore."

"You think that's what I care about? That's why he faked his death. He _isn't_ dead."

*****

ONE WEEK LATER

Rachel glared at Greg when he handed her The New York Times with Angelo Donatti's obituary printed. It was more an announcement of death than an obituary. It was an insult.

"Who wrote this?"

"We needed to print it to make sure the crime families all knew to stop looking for him. His picture is being kept out of the media to protect you but it's been on the news too so they should all know by now."

She found herself looking longingly at the fake picture of Angelo sitting on a white sand beach that had come with the new life. Rachel hadn't seen Angelo in a month and her heart ached for him like it ached for her parents.

Rachel tossed the paper back in Greg's direction. "They should all be falling for the same trick you have. He is alive."

"Then why hasn't he found a way to get word to you by now? He loved you. He wouldn't have let you be in pain this long."

"He must have a good reason." She folded her arms and pretended he didn't know that she'd cried every single night since he'd told her.

Greg sighed. "I've told people that William ended it with you and you've won his share in the divorce for the restaurant and full ownership of the salon."

"When he comes back it's going to look like he and I can't make up our minds."

Greg didn't respond to her remark. He wasn't going to entertain her attempts at keeping Angelo alive. "You weren't going to be able to stay with him even if he did come back remember? Maybe it's time you take off that ring and start accepting some of the date offers you've been getting."

Rachel looked down at her hands. Now that he was possibly dead, it knocked things into perspective for her and she wished for the millionth time she hadn't ended things with Angelo.

He wasn't his father. He wasn't responsible for her parents' death. Remo was and possibly Grimaldi too.

She looked at the plain band on her finger remembering how he'd promised he was going to get her the biggest ring he could find in New York. Was that what he'd been doing when they'd found him? How could he have gone to New York? That was the lion's den for them.

He isn't stupid. He wouldn't have gone back without a fool proof plan. He is alive. He is alive. He is, she argued with herself.

"Don't throw that in my face again, Greg. I was upset. We would have worked it out." She hissed a loud sound. "We _will_ figure things out."

Greg didn't stop her when she got up from the dining room table. "His funeral is today. I'm sorry we can't take you to it," he said as she started for her bedroom.

Funeral?

She felt her knees get weak beneath her and put her hands on the back of the lounge chair for support. "I bet it's closed casket."

"Yes."

"Because he's not in it." She rushed down the hallway before he reminded her that the body was burned beyond recognition. Rachel could not hear that again.

Angelo should have found a way to contact her by now. There had to be a good reason he wasn't.

Rachel hugged the pillow on her bed and prayed again for him to return. If she knew anything about tracking someone down she would be out looking for him but the way Angelo knew how to stay under the radar she wouldn't find him.

She couldn't sleep.

I'm supposed to be some kind of jogging fanatic aren't I?

Rachel dressed into the sweats and tank top she'd purchased and stepped out into the brisk night. Summer was coming to an end and this autumn was going to be a cold one.

The street was lit up but still seemed pretty dark in Rachel's estimation. She hoped Angelo would come out of the shadows and tell her why he'd let her think he was dead. What this plan was and what it meant for them.

An orange butt burned on the dark porch at the end of the street. Brick was sneaking the nightly cigar he thought his wife knew nothing about but she did of course.

"You should be wearing reflectors if you're going to be out jogging at night," Brick told her.

"I'll have to buy some," she said.

He left the porch and came toward her. He offered her the cigar and she took a pull off it, immediately regretting it. "That's awful." She wrinkled her nose.

He nodded. "It is at first. So where is he?"

"Who?"

"William. He was in love with you he wouldn't have left you. So where is he?"

Rachel shook her head. He wasn't dead, and he wasn't in touch with her. Maybe he realized his love wasn't love at all just guilt. Whatever his reasons he'd left her behind. Again.

"I guess he fooled us both."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

The room was dark but the strong scent of dog reminded him where he was. Angelo slowly sat up and tried to see in the opaque darkness.

A dog barked twice and a few moments later the hallway light came on. A man's bent over silhouette filled the entrance before the light came on, blinding Angelo. Don.

"Good you're awake." He came forward squinting at Angelo. "You look like you're lucid this time too."

Angelo looked down at the cut that ran down his right side. The stitches he'd put in were gone and a new better set were in their place.

"You're lucky I served as a nurse during the war. You had a pretty nasty infection. You've been in and out for a good week."

Angelo quickly tried to calculate how long it'd been since he had spoken with Rachel. _Too long._

Faking his death had taken time. He'd found two of the hit men and offered them a deal. Alecsi had been smart enough to take the deal. Capello wasn't and had cut into Angelo before he'd taken him down.

Angelo made sure Alecsi understood what would happen to his brother if he tried to back out. He'd used Capello's body and a dentist who should have been an extortionist to match the few teeth they left in Capello's mouth with Angelo's.

They burnt the body with Angelo's phone and the car he'd rented. Angelo knew Capello was hot on his trail when he'd been in Utah and so he'd had to go radio silent so no trail he left led to Rachel.

By this time Alecsi should have taken credit for the kill. If he had done like he was supposed to do than Rachel and Angelo wouldn't have the heavy hitters circling anymore.

He remembered thinking he needed a safe place to hide. Angelo tried to remember arriving at Don's house but he couldn't.

"I found you passed out on my lawn. I was going to call an ambulance but when I found two sets of ID's, well.... I figured maybe you needed a favor."

"Thank you," Angelo said his voice raspy.

"I'm surprised you're still alive, son. The scars you have on your body were clearly stitched up by the same hand as the one on your side and it was a sad show of workmanship."

Angelo nodded. "I was in a hurry when I stitched it up. Had someone breathing down my neck wanting to put a cut like the one in my side across my throat."

Don Brown nodded with a deep frown on his face. "Tell ya what. You tell me your story, the true version and I'll see what I want to do about you. If I like it, you can finish healing up. If I don't, you'll have to see if you can outrun my dog."

Angelo's side was tight and painful. He looked down at the swollen red and purple skin. He wasn't fit to outrun Don much less his dog. "It all started two years ago...."

Don listened intently to his story, never interrupting or showing any indication as to whether he believed him or not. Angelo didn't know if he was drugged up or too exhausted to lie but he told him the truth and as he finished he thought maybe it wasn't the smartest thing he'd done.

"I think you're telling me the truth."

"Yes, sir."

Don nodded. "I'll let you stay."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

As soon as he was strong enough to drive without fear of passing out he drove to Heatwave. After his death being announced he didn't think it would be right to tell Rachel over the phone that he was alive.

From what Don said he was supposed to have been dead now for two weeks or so. That was too long if Rachel believed he was dead.

He parked Don's car across from the salon. The sun was setting and in his mind he could already see the sun showing off the silhouette of her beautiful body through one of her sundresses. He would give her the ring he'd gotten in New York and she would say yes when he asked her to be his.

She had to say yes.

He got out of the car squinting at the sun reflecting off the window of Heatwave. Angelo was just about to cross the street when the door opened and Greg rushed at him.

"Get back in the car."

Angelo didn't want to get back in the car but he figured since Greg put himself on the line for him he owed him, plus he might have info on Rachel that Angelo might need to get that yes.

"Where have you been?" Greg boomed as he slammed the passenger side door. "I thought you were dead."

"That was the idea."

Greg looked up and down the street. "What are you doing here?"

"Why wouldn't I be here? I'm here for Eileen."

"Listen, Angelo. You can't be here."

Angelo closed his eyes. Clearly Greg was spazzing again. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I didn't tell you this but when they went to move you to the other plane when you and Eileen were leaving New York, the word went out to get the other plane ready for you and Peterson failed to cancel it. The plane was blown up in an attempt on your life." Greg shook his head. "We've got a leak."

"So I'll get Eileen and leave." Angelo reached for his doorknob.

"With you dead, Eileen is no longer in danger. They're watching her though, Angelo. They are waiting to see if you're going to show up."

Angelo stretched his mouth, feeling the lines of his lips with his thumb and pointer finger. "You're saying, stay dead. That's what you're saying?"

"Just for now."

"I can't do that to her."

"Then do it for her. If she looks for you any more than she already is they won't believe you're dead and they'll keep coming after you both. You get that right?"

Angelo gripped the steering wheel. "How could there be a leak to this location? We're supposed to be safe here. Peterson was supposed to take care of this."

"Peterson is dead. Two agents were put in his place."

"How?"

"Same day they announced your death his body was discovered in a dumpster. He was shot in the back of the head." Greg hit the dash. "He was a good man."

Angelo spotted Rachel in the salon window. She was gathering up her belongings. She looked thinner and her movements slow and sad.

"What you did, faking your death when you did, it probably saved Eileen's life. You've got to wait until we find the leak."

"Tell her I'm alive and I will lay low. I can't have her believing I'm dead."

Greg sighed. "I can't do that. Her erratic behavior is what is selling your death the most. If she knows for certain you're alive she will blow it. They'll know."

"No deal, then."

"Angelo, if you just wait a little longer you could win freedom for you and Eileen forever. No more running. Don't you want that for her?" Greg nodded, leaning toward Angelo like he was going to get him to agree with his body language. "The leak is being hunted. Whoever it is killed one of our own. We want him."

Rachel came out of the shop with a tote over her shoulder that said Heatwave on it. She sighed, her slim shoulders descending with the rush of air.

"You've put Grimaldi away. He's there because of the evidence you brought in, not because of Eileen. He wants you and so do the Fabbri family. Everyone under the sun knows you want her but what I know better than that is that you live and breathe this woman. You love her. So prove it. Do what's best for her."

*****

THREE MONTHS LATER

"He's not dead," she told herself in the mirror that morning.

She was supposed to believe by this point that he was but she didn't. When her parents had died she'd felt that they were gone. With Angelo, she didn't feel it and she knew that she would if he really were dead.

Right?

"He isn't dead," she confirmed to herself. "But you are letting go anyway. He's not coming back." Three months with no word and he hadn't even bothered to tell her goodbye, so why was she feeling guilty going on this date? It wasn't like they were married. Plus, even if he was around she wasn't sure they'd be back together.

"Yeah right, Rach. You'd be on him like a second skin if he was here," she said as she returned to her bedroom. She heard Greg mutter something on the other side of the wall.

She knew he didn't like her talking about Angelo being alive. At least he no longer shoved it down her throat that Angelo was dead. He just continuously reminded her that she wasn't supposed to talk about him being alive or dead because William had left her and Angelo did not exist in Eileen's world.

Penelope had set her up on this date to help Rachel get back out there and Rachel had promised to give it a real try.

Heatwave was doing very well with the new spa treatments she'd implemented and the profit margin was good. She'd gone to Denver with Greg and Bella and done some shopping. Now her closet held articles of clothing that were more to her taste.

She dressed into the pink lace top dress with a pink pleated tulle skirt that ended mid-thigh. Her dark brown cowgirl style boots were her new favorite shoes and the jean jacket was girly and gave her the extra layer she needed for the chill outside.

Rachel looked the outfit over in the long mirrored doors of her closet. _Angelo would love this dress,_ she thought and then shook her head at herself. _Just get over him already._

Someone knocked on the front door and she assumed it would be the blind date or Greg. Probably Greg, even though he knew the guy she was being set up with. He said it was never smart for someone in her position to agree to go on a blind date.

It was Greg.

"Why are you dating so soon anyway?" he asked as soon as he stepped through the doorway. "You're newly heartbroken and you talk to yourself. This guy is going to hang out with you for two minutes and think 'wow what a whacko.'"

"You really know how to talk a lady up don't you, Greg?"

He closed the door. "I'm serious. Don't date. Just don't date anyone. You don't need a man. You're an independent woman."

"Thanks.... I think." Rachel retrieved her purse from the couch. "I already agreed to go so...."

"It's not like you signed a contract." He scratched behind his ear. "Why are you wearing that? You should be in a pant suit. Men respect women who wear pant suits."

Rachel raised her brows at him. "What? You're being weird. What's going on?"

"I just don't want you falling for this guy. You're vulnerable and naïve. He's got family out of Colorado and you really don't need to be leaving this state right now. Your face is too familiar to lots of people."

"You're jumping the gun don't you think? It's one date." She narrowed her gaze on him. "Weren't you the one who told me to start accepting some of the date offers I was getting?"

He shrugged. "That was two months ago. I don't know why you want to start listening to me now."

"Are you okay, Greg? You're sweating, a lot."

"I'm not sweating. You know on second thought you two should stay in. Get to know each other here. You shouldn't go flaunting yourselves all over Peaches, that's just waving a red flag in front of all the other bulls in town."

"You're all over the place." Rachel shook her head at him.

The doorbell sounded and Greg swore.

"Give me a good reason to call this off and I will," she said starting for the door. _Tell me Angelo is alive. Please, tell me I'm right._

She reached for the door handle praying he'd stop her with the confession she so desperately wanted. He didn't.

"Hi, I'm Carben Woodruff." He smiled as he looked her over. He was tall and had dark black hair. He was tan, had dimples and blue eyes. He was not heavy or skinny. Carben wasn't defined, or maybe he was but he couldn't compare to Angelo's marble statue-like physique.

Carben entered as she stepped aside for him. "Penny told me you were beautiful, but wow."

"Aw, get a hold of yourself man," Greg snapped. "She's getting over a recent break up so keep your damn hands to yourself."

"Greg, why don't you get a hold of yourself," Rachel said giving him a push toward the door.

Greg crooked a finger at Carben. "Can I talk to you for just a sec?"

"No, he's not here to see you, Greg. He's here for me. You'll have to schedule your own date with Carben, okay?" Rachel opened the door. "Lock up for me, won't you neighbor?"

Carben followed her out and then raced ahead of her to open the door to his Mercedes Benz. The doors opened upward like wings. She was glad he opened it for her since she probably would've fought with it.

"It's an SLR McLaren," he said smiling.

"It's really nice," she said hoping he didn't expect her to know cars, she didn't.

Carben joined her in the car behind the steering wheel. He ran his hand over the red interior smiling to himself. "Sorry it's new. I'm still excited about it."

Rachel smiled doing her best not to compare him to Angelo. "Sorry about Greg. He's like a big brother."

"That's okay. I was already warned by Penny to be very respectful so you've got quite few a people looking after you." He grinned. "Are you hungry? I thought we could go to dinner and maybe do some dancing...."

Rachel knew he was still talking but his voice seemed to fade away as she spotted Agent Wilks getting into his black sedan at the end of the street.

Well looked after indeed. He was following them. There had been no reported danger or threat to her whereabouts and as far as she could tell him tailing her was going to raise suspicion in the common civilians.

It occurred to her maybe the feds didn't quite buy Angelo being dead either.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Angelo drove to Don's house. The place looked much nicer than when he'd first arrived. Angelo had restored the cabin the past two months. With nothing else to do besides spy on Rachel from afar he'd managed to repair the walls.

Angelo had ordered in new flooring and had been in town to pick it up. On his way back he thought he'd swing by Penelope's place and see how the restaurant was going.

Rachel had been leaving in a Mercedes sports car on the arm of some puffed up peacock when Angelo had driven by. It had taken everything he'd had not to circle the block. The only reason he hadn't was because of the tail on Rachel.

Angelo eyed the new suit wondering if he was a man to be trusted. Greg should be the one with her. What was Greg doing that was so important he wasn't the one with her?

He wanted to go into the restaurant, grab Rachel and kiss her. Angelo needed to go to her. He couldn't stand back and just allow this rich guy to swoop in and steal all he'd ever wanted.

A stolen kiss from Rachel would be worth any repercussion wouldn't it? He didn't care if she slapped him afterward or even if she punched him. Angelo needed to touch her warm skin and see himself in her eyes again.

He dialed Greg on one of his burner phones. "Yes, she's on a date," Greg started talking immediately on the burner Angelo had mailed to him. "But she still loves you."

"Wreck the date or I will. You have five minutes."

"Five minutes?"

"Now you have four and a half."

"Alright, alright! Don't do anything, I'll call Dusty. He'll wreck it. We can count on him."

Angelo gripped the steering wheel watching in his rearview mirror the Mercedes still parked a block and a half back.

Four minutes passed before Greg called him back. "He's wrecking it right now. Don't do anything."

"Why aren't they leaving then?"

"You know it would sell it better that you're gone if we let her have this date."

Angelo ground his teeth together. "No."

"Fine. Let's do everything your way."

"It's been six minutes. The car is still there."

Greg made an exasperated sound into the mouth piece on his end. "I'm sorry are we not crushing the guys hopes fast enough for you? Was I supposed to shoot his car with a rocket launcher?"

Angelo didn't answer.

"Just go back to your hiding place. This is being taken care of. You're going to be seen."

"You better get this date over then."

"We are," Greg yelled slamming something down. "You're like a spoiled child, you know that?"

The guy exited the restaurant alone. He got into his overpriced toy car and Angelo sighed sagging into the seat. "Good job, Greg." Angelo ended the call before Greg could get into a tangent about all he went through for the good of Angelo and Rachel.

He pulled away and headed back, careful to watch for tails as he took apart the burner so it couldn't be tracked.

The visor mirror reflection showed how bad off he was without Rachel. His eyes were cold like Remo's and the shaggy beard he'd grown made him look like he'd been lost in the mountains for decades.

Plaid shirts, wife beaters and worn out t-shirts had become what his wardrobe was made up of. Worn out boots and hardened well-worn gloves were his only accessories besides the plain band he wore on his ring finger.

Pulling in front of Don's place he tried to relax the muscles in his back and neck. It had been physically painful to keep driving past when he'd seen Rachel with that guy.

They had to find the leak soon. He couldn't go on this way.

"You gonna build another cabin out here, son?" Don asked as he approached with one of his three dogs. "You've fixed all there is to fix."

"I thought you might like a fence to keep those wild animals out of your backyard."

"And it looks like you've got floor boarding too."

Angelo nodded. "Your floors do need to be replaced in the front room."

"You ain't gotta fix up my house to stay. You've already done too much."

"I can't sit still. If you don't want me to do your floors or put up a fence, I'd be happy to work on chopping more wood."

Don shook his head. "I've got enough chopped wood to last me the next five winters. If you chop anymore there won't be anywhere to keep it." He patted Angelo on the back when he got out. "You see her today?"

"Yeah."

"She see you?"

Angelo shook his head.

"That's too bad." He sighed. "You build or chop whatever you like. I know you need it."

Angelo worked until his watch read ten thirty. Sometimes Rachel would run when she couldn't sleep and he liked to watch and make sure no one bothered her.

Sometimes he could swear she felt him watching her. She never saw him though.

He parked near the mechanic's house so no one would question the vehicle and cut through backyards until he reached their street where he stood in the shadow between the two houses that gave him the best view.

"You look like a mountain man. Either that or a homeless one," Brick said coming around the house from the backyard. "It's not an inconspicuous look in this neighborhood."

"Without the beard, I'm too easily recognized." Angelo nodded to Brick. "Anything new in the last couple days?"

Brick shook his head. "No new suits. Just the same two that drop by Greg's place." Brick stepped back. "What have you been up to? You've gotten big. I don't know if they would recognize you without the beard."

Angelo trusted Brick but he wasn't about to tell anyone where he was staying. He couldn't put Don at risk like that.

"They might."

"Eileen may take up cigars. She's taken a puff off mine the last three nights."

Angelo knew Rachel wasn't stopping by to try out his cigars. Rachel was smart. She knew that Brick would spot Angelo if he was poking around.

He wanted to go to her and tell her himself that he was alive and where he'd been and why but with the heavy surveillance in and out of her house, phones, salon, on her street and even the restaurant, he was finding it difficult to reach out to her.

Greg's whiny voice in his head telling him to stop being selfish didn't help with any thought process he began in finding a way to talk with her.

Her door opened.

"I'd better get back to my porch."

Angelo handed Brick his payment for helping him to watch over Rachel. "Thank you," he said absently as he watched Rachel stretch. She was wearing a white t-shirt and shorts that actually looked like shorts instead of underwear.

It wouldn't change the level of desire she'd inspire in any male that looked at her. Her legs were gaining definition with all the running she was doing.

She stopped stretching and looked in his direction unnerving him with how accurate her gaze was. There was no way she could see him in the black shadow in which he stood.

He closed his eyes. Another moment and he would have to go to her and let her know she was right. He was alive. His arms ached to hold her. His body ached to be joined with hers, and his heart and soul demanded he regain the pieces she held.

When he opened his eyes he spotted her jogging up the street in Brick's direction.

"I'm here," he whispered watching her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Rachel shook her head scolding herself. Angelo wouldn't just stand in the shadow and watch her. He wouldn't. Even if it did feel like his gaze on her body, it wasn't.

Angelo would make his presence known if he was close by.

She jogged up the street and Brick came out to the sidewalk. "You'd better start bundling up better than shorts. It's getting cold."

Rachel nodded with a shrug. What did she care if it was cold, it was worse than cold inside of herself. She was alone and hurting. She was mad and full of regret.

He handed her the cigar and she pretended to smoke it. "Have you seen William? I keep getting the feeling he's in town."

"No."

Brick had said the same thing two nights ago. Would he tell her if he had seen him? "Are you sure? My instincts are really good and you seem to have a hobby of watching the neighborhood. You've got a military background so I'm betting you have a sharp eye."

He smiled. "If William is in town, maybe he's got a reason for staying away."

"Like what?" Rachel grabbed his wrist in a death grip. "Are you telling me he can't come to me?"

"No. I'm saying you two are divorced and he probably won't come around. Not with the dates and all these business types you keep company with," he said nodding toward the yellow house where the two agents that were shadowing her stayed.

"Dating? I got set up with a married man. His wife called right in the middle of dinner. It was.... awkward. He kept denying it to Penelope, who was livid. I finally just told him to go. She was going to tear him to shreds. If Dusty hadn't been there to hold her back I think she would have."

Rachel watched Brick as she spoke and saw the uptick in the right corner of his mouth. He was trying not to laugh. _Hmmmm, what does he know that I don't know?_ She thought.

"Yeah, I guess you can't really call it a date," he said.

"Greg was acting really weird about me going on a date. Do you know why that would be, Brick?"

He frowned with effort, against the smile trying to upturn the corners of him mouth. "Maybe he likes you."

Rachel narrowed her eyes. Brick knew more than he was saying and that was fine because Rachel was sure Bella could find out what it was. As far as the business men who were actually agents went, she was pretty sure she wasn't being told everything by them either.

"I doubt Greg likes me. He's still got a thing for Betty. I'm going to go and get my heart rate up. See ya." She jogged away letting her mind mull over her situation.

If the new agents were in town to keep an extra set of eyes on her for safety why didn't they sweep for gunmen or clear the places she was going before she got there?

They weren't doing anything differently than what Greg was already doing. They were babysitting. Why were they babysitting instead of guarding?

Because Angelo is still alive! I freakin' knew it! She thought with a grin.

So why wasn't Angelo coming to her then? Because the agents were watching?

The memory of Greg acting strangely before her date surfaced in her mind. He hadn't just been acting weird he'd been acting panicked. Panicked like he was afraid she was going to be seen not by the other bulls in town, like he'd put it but by Angelo.

I bet Carben isn't even married. Poor guy.

Rachel was about to turn back to go and make Greg admit her suspicions were right when she saw one of the two agents casually following along behind her.

He thinks I'm going to try and meet with Angelo. But why should Angelo have to hide from these guys? She wondered. Aren't these supposed to be the good guys?

Greg must not trust them or he would have told her Angelo was still alive. And if he didn't trust them, than she wasn't going to trust them either.

Rachel jogged back down the street on the opposite side pausing as she passed Penelope's house. She wanted to go inside and ask if Carben was really married because if he wasn't, someone ruined her date on purpose and she was willing to bet Angelo was behind it all.

The lights were out at her place. She was probably still at the restaurant. Penelope really loved it and was making money hand over fist. Rachel would have to wait to ask her about Carben.

She paused with a long sigh pushing past her lips outside of Penelope's place.

"Excuse me, Eileen?"

Rachel was startled out of her thoughts by Bill, the neighbor Angelo had chased out of the barbeque the day they'd moved in. "Yes?"

"I heard you and your husband split. I wanted to thank him for what he said to me the day of the barbeque. He gave me some really good advice. My wife and I are doing really well now. I would have told him myself today at the home supply store but he didn't look like he wanted to be bothered." Bill paused as Rachel turned toward him breaking his bubble of personal space.

"You saw him?"

"Uh.... I thought it was him. He looked so different but I thought with the divorce maybe he'd let himself go."

"When?"

"This afternoon."

She knew her shadow was probably getting closer. "Listen, don't tell anyone you saw him okay? I hate the questions. You know, everyone wanting to know if we're going to get back together and stuff?"

He nodded. "I understand. I hope you two can work it out."

"Thanks." She made her body relax. "You have yourself a good night," Rachel said with a nod and then looked up and down the street like she was checking for cars instead of what she was really doing, which was trying to gauge if the shadow had been close enough to listen in on the conversation.

He hadn't been.

She crossed the street. Rachel wanted to go inside of her house and jump for joy that Angelo was alive but she couldn't. She was certain they were watching the house for Angelo or he would have snuck in already.

Instead she did as she often did. She went to the couch and curled up in a blanket and cried, only this time she was crying with relief.
CHAPTER FORTY

Penelope knocked on her door at seven in the morning and Rachel went out into the front yard and away from her house even though she was still in her pajamas. "Oh my place is a mess let's talk out here."

Her friend was too eager to share her news to notice the peculiar way Rachel was acting, leading Penelope all the way back to the sidewalk at the street.

"I don't know who called last night but Carben isn't married. He was telling the truth. I spoke to his mother last night. She told me he's single. I would have never set you up with a married man."

"That's okay. I don't think it was meant to be anyway."

Penelope nodded. "That's good because he's too embarrassed to try for another date." Penelope smiled. "I have another guy in mind for you."

"What are we chatting about?" Agent Larson asked breathless from jogging up the street.

_He certainly doesn't want to miss a word does he?_ Rachel was more certain than before that they were watching for Angelo. No, the look on Larson's face was one of desperation. He was scouring for Angelo.

Rachel jumped in before Penelope volunteered too much. "We were talking about the next guy I'm going to date. Penelope said she's got some bachelors for me to choose from."

"Yeah, your date last night was a bust wasn't it?"

"I like men who don't measure their worth by their wallets but still make a decent living," Rachel said to Penelope to keep her from sharing the cause of the bust.

Penelope nodded. "Yes, I know what you mean."

Larson stayed with them so Rachel knew she had to get rid of Penelope. He wasn't wearing a black suit but his behavior had to be making Penelope suspicious.

"I'll call you about that guy later. I'd better get dressed and go jogging."

"Okay, talk to you later then."

Rachel crooked her finger at Larson and then led the way into Greg's place. Greg opened the door as she approached so she knew he'd been watching too.

"Is this guy new? He's so obvious. Yesterday I was asked if I was being investigated by the IRS."

"Yeah, what are you doing?" Greg demanded.

"I'm wondering why you had to leave your house to chat about some guy. Your house isn't a mess."

Rachel looked at Greg and then back to Larson. "Do you think I'm hiding something? I'm not. If you have a question, ask it."

"Are you in contact with Angelo Donatti?" Larson asked.

"You guys have been telling me he's dead. Are you saying he's alive now?"

Greg shook his head. "No. Some guys," he glared at Larson, "are being over thorough in making sure he's dead."

"Why? And why would I hide it from you?"

"I'm just doing my job," Larson said pointing at Greg. "If he's alive we have to keep up his new identity to protect him."

Rachel didn't buy that for a second. As far as the feds were concerned Angelo had done his part. They didn't need him anymore which meant they wouldn't worry about protecting him. They'd already said if he went off on his own he was out.

"He would have contacted me by now if he was alive," Rachel said letting all the raw emotion she'd been cramming down the last few months surface. Her eyes teared up and her chin trembled. "He's gone."

Greg turned his face away from her, his own eyes looking a little moist in her opinion.

"If that's all you're doing here, you're done," Rachel said to Larson. "Leave me alone."

"Satisfied?" Greg asked.

"Not yet. Wilks said Nelson wants us to stick around another week."

"Who is Nelson? Where is Peterson?" Rachel asked.

Greg ignored the headshake Larson was giving him. "Peterson is dead. That is why extra precaution is being taken with your safety."

Rachel nodded because she realized what he was really saying. Someone was trying to hunt down Angelo. "I see." She folded her arms across her chest remembering she was in pajamas. "Well, I refuse to stand stationary waiting around for someone who is dead."

Larson caught her arm. "Why do you now accept he's dead when all this time you've been fighting it?"

"Because he was a jealous man. I've been dating, doing spray tans on body builders and he hasn't shown up. If he is alive, he's over me which means he's as good as dead to me. You get that, don't you, smart guy?" she said.

She reached for the handle and then turned around. "Don't approach me in front of my friends. You're making me look like some kind of criminal who is being investigated. Tell that to your partner Wilks and your boss Nelson."

"I don't think they'll care."

"Awesome." Rachel opened the door and crossed the shared porch over to her door. She definitely didn't like Larson.

She dressed with the plan she was forming in her mind and then knocked on Greg's door when she was ready to go. He answered with a mug of coffee in his hand. "I thought you'd be back with questions."

"I'm not. He's dead. I meant what I said." She dusted off her shoulder. "I have a job to get to. Will you come with me? I'd rather not be tailed by tweedle dee and dum if you don't mind."

Greg snorted setting down the mug on the table next to the door. "Okay." He grabbed a jacket and Rachel snatched the keys out of his hands when he took them off the hook.

"I'll drive."

"You look all erratic with the grieving process. I'd better drive," he said holding his hand out for the keys.

She did feel a little crazed now that he brought it up. The way she figured it, these guys were watching her and Angelo was never going to be able to get close to her again. This wasn't an option for how things were to end up between her and Angelo.

If it had to end it couldn't be without her getting to say the things she needed to.

"I'm driving." She went out to the car and got into the driver's seat. He got into the passenger seat but was wide eyed as he looked at her. She was looking him over too. Rachel had read books where bugs had been planted on people and they didn't even know they were there.

One character she'd read of had one built into the belt buckle and he hadn't even known it.

She drove to a spot a guy at the salon had told her about. Dippers Delight he said the locals called it. He said it was almost always private.

"How do you know about this place? Did you come here with somebody?" Greg asked his eyes wide and round.

"I am crawling with anger and guilt and covered in the filth of being used. He left me here in this place. Now he's dead."

"You're talking crazy." Greg backed into his door.

Rachel reached across the space and grabbed his shirt. "We're going to shed these filthy clothes and swim."

"It's October. This isn't swimming weather."

"Take off your clothes, Greg." She pinched him hard giving him a pointed look. "You know you want to." He screamed a girly sound with the hard twisting pinch. "You like that, huh?" She waved her hand at him and mouthed, "Get rid of your bugs."

His mouth made the shape of the letter 'o'. "If you think swimming will help I'll swim with you."

Rachel opened her door and stripped down to her underwear. She was wearing one of her bras that had no padding because she wanted to make sure that she picked one without a bug.

Greg stripped down too and was shivering and trying not to look weak as he followed her into the icy water. "This isn't one of your best ideas," he said through chattering teeth.

"They do it in Alaska all the time. It's therapeutic."

She dove in before she lost her nerve and swam out to the middle of the lake.

Greg swam out but never put his head under the water. "Well?" he asked his teeth chattering.

"Put your head under."

"I'm clean."

"Just do it." Rachel dunked him and he came up swearing. "Sorry."

He was making high pitched noises between his cursing. Maybe with the discomfort he'd be honest.

"He's alive and he's here isn't he?" she asked.

"What?"

"There's a leak too isn't there?"

Greg's skin was pink with cold and on its way to purple. "Did he tell you that?"

"I knew it." She punched the water splashing him.

"This is dangerous. You have to act as though he's dead."

Rachel nodded. "Because of the leak, right?"

He inclined his head.

"Where is he?"

"He won't tell me and you shouldn't look for him. It'll get you both killed."

"Will you tell him I'm sorry about the way I reacted when I found out about his dad?"

Greg splashed her back with a punch to the water of his own. "No. Stop right there. You have to believe he's dead. That's it. No messages and no secret meetings. Dead."

"Okay," she said hearing the shiver in her voice.

"We're going to get pneumonia out here," Greg growled watching her shiver.

"How long is this going to take, Greg?"

He shook his head and swam back to shore.

It had already been going on for months. What if it went on for another three months? A half year of pretending? How was she supposed to be okay with that?

How am I going to keep myself from looking for him? Rachel, he's alive. He's alive!

She paddled back to the shore and dressed with a smile on her face. Greg was muttering an unintelligible murmur and what she did pick up on she was pretty sure was in German.

"Problem?"

"Stop smiling," he snapped. "Just keep mourning and acting spastic."

"Well, you'd better get me a beard. I can't just not date."

He mouthed the word beard before he nodded. Then he put his finger against his lips to silence her.

So he believed there were bugs too, which confirmed there were. She'd really like to know where they were so she could avoid them. If Larson or Wilks were the mole then Greg wouldn't know for certain where all the bugs would be would he?

She got in and let Greg drive them both to Heatwave, this way she could plan her next move without having to worry over traffic.

Three months was long enough.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Rachel laced her shoes sitting on the front steps outside her house that evening. Her gaze was on the house up the street, the one with the agents. She wasn't supposed to go to the house but if she didn't spend some time with Larson and Wilks, how was she supposed to figure out who the mole was?

What if it wasn't either agent but a superior that was giving them the orders?

Greg is right, dammit, she thought. Believing he's dead is the only way out of this.

She walked slowly up the street. She didn't feel his gaze tonight. It was a letdown to be sure. She wanted to signal him somehow that she knew he was there. Rachel wanted him to know she understood he had to wait.

Brick was at the head of the street with his cigar. She felt like he was her best chance of passing information on to Angelo. Rachel knew Brick was working with him. His once a week cigar had become a nightly ritual and she knew it wasn't for the one puff she took.

Sending a message could be tricky. The feds across the street could have listening devices strong enough to pick up her conversation with Brick and she didn't want to tip them off. Maybe that was why Brick never gave her any signals either.

As she stopped at the end of the walk she saw Brick's gaze was past her and heard the footfalls from across the street.

"It's a great night isn't it?" Agent Wilks asked. His red hair was combed, and the only thing missing from his black suit was the jacket. Apparently no jacket meant he was dressed in his casual apparel.

"I've got twenty bucks for you. I want to buy one of your cigars," Wilks continued.

"Sure." Brick fished out a cigar from the box he kept hidden in the bench seat on his front porch. "It's on the house."

Wilks grinned accepting the cigar. "That's nice of you." He bit off the end and Brick lit it for him. "I haven't had a cigar in years."

Rachel would have just kept going but every night she stopped and chatted a bit with Brick. If she left now, Wilks would suspect something was up.

She took a pull off Brick's cigar and listened to them talk sports. Larson had said it was just one more week hadn't he? She'd heard them give similar time lines to Greg before but they'd stuck around.

Sighing she gazed across the street at the house where Larson sat and hoped this time he would keep the departure date he'd set.

At the salon the next day Rachel was trying to think of the best way to sell Angelo's death when Carben came into the shop.

_What a lovely beard you'd make._ She thought with a wicked grin. "Carben, I'm so glad you came in."

"You are? So Penny told you I'm not married?" He smiled showing white teeth. "I couldn't believe someone called in pretending like that."

Rachel nodded. "I'm glad to see you again. Are you here for a tan or something else?" She chewed her bottom lip.

"I would like a second chance at a first date, if you'd allow me?"

"Of course," Rachel said touching the hand that he rested on the countertop.

Bella came in then with boxes the UPS guy handed her outside. She grinned when she spotted Carben and nodded giving Rachel a thumbs up.

"You know," Carben said covering her hand with his. "I have this hot date later and I'd love to have an even all over tan for the occasion."

Bella raised her brows at him.

_He is definitely forward when he wants to be,_ Rachel thought trying not to show on her face how tacky she thought it was that he was offering to strip for her in that moment.

"Oh yeah, that sounds good," Rachel said.

Bella sat down, her eyes wide as she watched the two.

"Why don't you go to room three and take off what you'd like and I'll be in there to give you that spray tan."

He nodded with the grin that belonged on the face of a cartoon wolf. "Alrighty," Carben said as he shot down the hallway in search of room three.

"He's kind of a tramp, don't you think?" Bella asked. "Penelope was just trying to get your feet wet with this guy. Don't go getting attached to him, okay?"

"Don't worry about me," Rachel said.

Bella shook her head averting her eyes. "I just had a moment of déjà vu the other day, you know? It was like-"

Rachel didn't know if she'd seen Angelo and knew there were ears in the salon. "I hate déjà vu moments. It's distracting from the now don't you think? I mean I know I don't want to spend time talking about the past and past relationships. It's poison to the present, do you know what I'm saying?"

Bella nodded. "I get it but don't you think you're rushing with room three?"

"Don't judge me," Rachel said leaving the front desk and heading down the hallway.

*****

He saw the rich prick go into the salon and he left before he lost control and killed the guy. Greg and Dusty killing the date obviously hadn't been enough to dissuade Rich Prick from Rachel. He was going in to get another date.

Angelo forgot Don was with him and nearly jumped out of his skin when Don cleared his throat. "I don't think she'll go for that puffed up fella, son. Wait until she sees what you have in the works." Don patted him on the back.

"Yeah," Angelo said. It was all he could say. He was so tightly wound he felt like he could reach the moon if he knew how to harness that energy to propel himself skyward. "Thank you for going to the bank for me," Angelo said.

"I can see she's pretty, but it isn't just the looks is it? She's your other half. I think destiny will take a hand here. You can relax a bit. It's going to work out."

Angelo nodded not agreeing with Don's advice one bit. His life had taught him if nothing else that if he wanted something or someone he had to do the work himself. Destiny had never thrown him a freebie and that bitch never would.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Rachel closed the door to room three behind her and was relieved that he'd at least kept on his tightie whities. "Wow, you have a great body," she said picking up the lotion that would keep the tan light in key places.

"Let me put this on for you." She rubbed the stuff on the insides of his arms and then over his fingernails. "Where do you see this going? Us, I mean."

"Look, you're still wearing your wedding band. I think you just need to get under me and I'm too rich to tie myself to any one girl. We're at the same place, aren't we?"

He really is a tramp isn't he?

Rachel gave him her sexiest smile. "I like where your head's at." She backed up to the door. "I think it would be so hot if Monica gives you this spray tan. I'll be thinking about you." She left the room and Carben with his raised brow expression.

All she had to do was lead him on for a week. She would have felt badly about it but Carben had come here with the intention of using her hadn't he?

"Monica," she said finding her restocking the towels for the sauna. "There is a spray tan for you in room three."

Bella was watching from the front desk and she gave her friend a wink. Bella giggled. Rachel was glad that Bella was sharp enough to know she was playing with Carben.

He came out of the tanning room a quarter of an hour later with a big dumb grin on his face. Before he said something stupid Rachel jumped in. "That was really good for me. How did you like it?"

Carben glanced over at Bella blushing deeply. "Yeah, I think the tan will turn out well."

"So what time are you picking me up tonight?"

"Six?"

Rachel didn't want to spend that much time with him. "Let's make it eight."

Rachel and Bella watched him leave and then Bella turned to Rachel. "You are bad, Eileen. I think you're about to make Carben, the playboy of Colorado, your boy toy."

Why couldn't she have said that in front of the tweedle brothers, Rachel thought. Nevermind, they're probably listening.

"He's into it," Rachel said.

She busied herself cleaning and restocking. Rachel was determined to make this next week fly by. She was worried about Angelo. The dental impression and DNA sample taken from the dead body they'd found had matched Angelo that meant that he was missing at least one tooth. Didn't it?

How else was he hurt? Did he stitch himself up again? He can't perform first aid on himself. He had already proven that. What if he was horribly scarred or wounded and that was why he'd listened when Greg had told him to stay away?

_Stop worrying. He's alive._ She smiled to herself as she fixed the display in the window.

"Are you good if we go to lunch?" Bella asked. "We can bring you something back if you like."

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, bring me back a sandwich will ya?"

The two women left and the door dinged as it opened and then swung closed. She began to sweep again when the door dinged announcing someone had entered.

It was a man dressed in a long gray coat and matching hat. He smiled at her as he waited at the counter. He looked to be in his mid-fifties. His hair was short and brown with white streaks at his temple.

"How can I help you today sir?" she asked.

"I was looking to buy a gift card for my niece. She says all the girls want to come here. It's the new "it" place."

Rachel opened the drawer and pulled out the three different styles of gift certificates they offered. She set them on the countertop feeling his gaze on her face.

She raised her gaze to meet his. His was friendly but she was getting a weird vibe off of him. He didn't look at the certificates. He picked the one in the center and scooted it toward her. "Let's make it for a hundred. How many tans will that buy her?"

"Quite a few. Or she can use it to buy other services or clothing as well. What's her name? I'll write it on the certificate."

"Her name is Rachel."

She did her best not to react to her own name. "Is that 'el' or 'ael'? I'm going to need a last name too."

"It's 'el' and her last name is Jenkins." He leaned forward a little. "You look a little pale."

"So it's Rachel Jenkins for a hundred dollars?"

He handed her a hundred dollar bill and she noticed he wore several rings.

She put the money in the register and then tapped the from line on the certificate. "Who should I say it's from?"

"Just write, your favorite uncle."

He watched her write what he'd said. She tucked the certificate into an envelope and handed it to him. "Thank you."

"Thank you," he said and turned and left.

Rachel stood looking at the door after he'd left. She was just being skittish. He hadn't said anything to her or acted aggressive. It was just being alone that freaked her out. She had someone with her at all times and this hour of being alone was just rare.

"It's not like Rachel is an uncommon name, right?" She picked up the broom and completed the job she'd begun.

By the time Monica and Bella returned with her sandwich she had already returned to mulling over the upcoming week with Carben.

She needed to give the illusion of intimacy without actually being intimate with him. Since Carben hadn't stripped completely down she had to assume he had some boundaries. She just needed to find out what they were.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Angelo waited just inside the woods behind the home supply store. Greg had asked for a face to face meeting which meant he had bad news. Angelo had already driven by Heatwave and seen Rachel inside the salon with Monica and Bella so he was sure she was alright.

Still he knew he wasn't going to like what was coming.

Greg parked his car and made a show of having to relieve himself before jogging into the woods.

"What is it, Greg?" Angelo asked meeting him.

"Eileen knows the other agents are around trying to see if you're alive. She's decided to date to get rid of them."

Angelo flexed his jaw. "That Rich Prick?"

"I'm sure he won't be the only one."

"Does she know I'm alive?"

Greg seemed to gauge his answer before he fired it. "She's never believed completely that you were dead."

Angelo knew that Greg didn't want him rushing in to announce he was alive so he didn't know for certain if what he'd said about Rachel was true. He hoped it was.

"You and I both know you can't stand to see her with anyone else, so...."

"So, what?"

Greg pressed his closed fist against his mouth. "So, you need to stay out of town and away for a week."

"No."

"Do you remember how you handled her last date?"

Angelo cracked his knuckles. "That was when I thought she believed I was dead."

"I don't think that was why you demanded I wreck the date. It raised suspicion. No guy starts a date with a lady that looks like Eileen and then ends it within a half hour. We can't wreck another date."

Angelo nodded though he disagreed. "I won't."

"Just stay out of town for a week. Just one week."

"If I can't take it I will. Okay?"

Greg pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is the home stretch. I was in touch with the supervisor in DC and he said this is their last week. He's calling them back on Sunday. Don't throw up any flags when we're this close."

He was right. "Okay. I'll try to stay out of town."

Greg nodded with a smile. "I have to get back. I'm proud of you. You're really growing up."

"Shut up." Angelo folded his arms. "Don't let him get too close to Eileen, Greg," he said. "I'm holding you responsible."

"No worries. I have this covered."

Greg left and Angelo returned to the truck and picked up Don from his doctor's appointment. "Well?" he asked when Don got in.

"I'm old." Don shrugged. "Same as always. A new pill, a pat on my crooked back. Let's go see how the house is coming along."

Angelo nodded. "My girl has a pretend boyfriend this week."

Don shook his head. "Is she trying to kill you?"

"I only told you because I know I'm not going to be fun to be around this week."

"Naw, you're a good man. I'm blessed to have you hanging around." Don looked out the window as he spoke. He cleared his throat. "I bet she'll swoon when she sees what you've been up to. I've never seen so much work get done so fast. Money motivates doesn't it?"

"It does," Angelo agreed thinking of the Mercedes SLR the Rich Prick drove.

Don't you dare care about that prick, Rachel.

*****

"You don't have to put out just because it's the fourth date," Greg told Rachel and she choked on the bite of pizza she'd been swallowing.

"Greg!" They were eating at a kid's pizza and arcade because it was so loud there was no way the bugs could pick up their conversations but still, there were kids all around them. "I know what I'm doing, okay?"

He raised his brows at her and his nose wrinkled. "You let him kiss you and feel your ass last night at your door."

"Watch your mouth." Rachel pointed at the table next to them that was filled with children.

"They can't hear me. I can hardly hear me."

"He has fast hands," Rachel said scowling at him. Larson had come into the salon asking about Carben before their date. He'd asked her why she was dating him if she wasn't into him. Larson was certainly Rachel's guess as the leak.

So, she'd let Carben get a little handsy to sell it a little better. It was Friday, and Carben had set a date with her almost every day that week. Tonight would be date four and apparently Greg was feeling the pressure too.

"Where are you two going?"

Rachel answered, "Paintballing."

"Shoot him in the groin, that'll buy you another night right?" The mother at the next table glanced in their direction.

"That's too obvious."

Greg shook his head. "It isn't. I can come along-"

"No."

The doors opened and Larson and Wilks came through them. Clearly they didn't like missing out on the conversation. Wilks sat next to her and Larson sat across from her next to Greg.

Larson grimaced at the greasy pizza. "Come for the food do you?"

"No. I like to look at the kids and pretend one of them is mine. I need to fill this womb. I have really bad baby fever." Rachel rubbed her full stomach as though it held a tiny growing baby.

Larson watched her with an uncomfortable expression twisted in his features. She would have laughed but she was enjoying his discomfort too much.

"Which one have you chosen?" Wilks asked. "I have a little girl."

"Is Carben getting a chance at being your baby daddy?"

"Not with you watching," Rachel answered Larson. "It's really putting a damper on my sex life knowing you two are watching."

Larson leaned forward. "What makes you think we're watching?"

"You said you're watching. You said you're looking for the dead man who landed me here."

Larson squinted at her with a slight headshake.

"I'm under a magnifying glass. It's uncomfortable." Rachel picked up the crust and chewed on the corner.

"Everyone should have kids," Wilks said with a sigh.

"Stop whining about missing your kid," Larson snapped grabbing a piece of the pizza he'd just deemed disgusting a moment earlier.

Wilks sighed again. "Whatever, just because you have nothing but the job doesn't mean you have to be an ass."

"Yes it does."

Rachel smiled pretending she was buying in to the good cop, bad cop routine. Even if it wasn't an act she wasn't going to trust anyone except Greg when it came to dealing with the feds.

"You know if you really are looking to get a baby bump, you're doing a poor job," Larson said pulling her from her thoughts.

"Oh yeah?"

He nodded. "You're still wearing your wedding band."

Rachel laughed. "Do you know how many times I get asked out a day when I don't wear one? I take it off for guys I like."

Larson leaned forward. "So why are you dating Carben if you don't like him?"

"I like him. He likes the ring, makes him feel like he doesn't have to commit."

"That's not what you want in a baby daddy," Wilks chimed in.

"My last relationship wasn't the best choice I've ever made either." She shook her head in mock offense. "You know the next time you three want to throw me on the therapist couch, don't." She got up and left so she wouldn't have to continue the conversation with them.

That night, Rachel dressed in khaki pants and an army green tank top. She couldn't shoot Carben in the groin as Greg had suggested but she was going to have to do something to make him back off.

He was ready to take things to the next level and Rachel had no intention of going there with him. His limitations had disappeared when she'd pushed them on date two. He had one goal in mind and was willing to sell his soul to get it.

Carben was wearing a black muscle shirt and camo pants. "Are you ready to complete this mission, agent bunny?"

Bunny?

"You know it, Carbo the kid."

His smile fell. "No, I hate that name."

"You hate it? That's a strong word." She shook her head. "I guess we won't be doing any warming up at my place." She pulled the door shut.

"I don't hate it. I just don't want you calling me a kid. I'm ready to show you how much of a man I am." He pulled her close kissing her in what was a lukewarm and needy caress.

Rachel trotted down the steps before he begged to go inside her place again. "So you think you're man enough to be my man? I don't know. I like them tough. Really, tough."

"I am all about being tough." He laughed like it was a given.

She paused at the curb. "No Mercedes today?"

Carben shook his head as he opened the door to the red Jeep for her. "I rented this one for today. I don't want my baby getting dirty."

Rachel climbed in. He liked to sing along to the radio which meant she didn't have to come up with things to talk about. When they got to the paintball place, there were lots of women there who recognized Carben, and he really enjoyed their attention.

A leggy brunette had his attention while Rachel signed them up to join one of the teams. When she returned to his side she gagged at the conversation the two were having.

"I know Eileen would be down for a threesome."

"No. She really wouldn't be." Rachel watched his face get red.

Carben looked at the brunette. "Listen can you excuse us for a second?"

He walked away and crooked his finger at Rachel as a signal to follow. Rachel knew this was it. She couldn't keep him as her beard he was too self-important and disgusting.

"That guy is such a wang. What are you doing with a guy like that?" She turned to the voice questioning her. It was a guy standing in a group of his friends. They looked like Marine forces in their camo gear. She grinned.

"Yeah, he's mean. I wish someone would teach him a lesson." She shrugged with a frown and then followed after Carben.

"Listen, Eileen. You're very pretty and quirky but I think unless we test out our chemistry tonight and take this to the next level I'm going to have to call it quits."

"Okay." Rachel nodded. "If you can leave the paintball battle arena with less than ten hits I will be your love slave. If you get more than ten you will take me home and kiss me at the door like the gentleman your mother thinks you are."

He nodded. "Easy."

The Marine squad was waiting for them.

She and Carben were put on team made up of odd couples. Rachel winked at the guy who'd called Carben a wang and he nodded with a smile along with his team.

The gate opened up and the teams filed in. Rachel hid trying not to bust up laughing. They were going to shoot Carben up so good she wouldn't have to worry about him making moves for days.

A horn sounded and the games were on. Rachel watched the team rush in, honed on Carben. She almost felt bad for him but it was too funny and well deserved.

He came out so covered in paint, only his hair that had been covered by a helmet was without color.

"Good game," Rachel said and they high fived her as Carben cursed.

"That wasn't fair," he said to her as they headed toward the paintball shop. "They were all against me."

"They don't even know you. I think you're just mad because you definitely got more than ten shots."

He hissed out an angry noise. "It was impossible not to get shot more than ten times."

"I only got shot once."

Carben glared at her. "It's a real mystery why you prefer one-nighters, Carbo. Any longer than one night and she'll see you're an ass."

"Oh yeah?"

Rachel nodded. "Pretty much."

"Find your own way home." He stomped off and Rachel laughed. "What a child."

Scanning the parking lot she spotted Larson. Well, at least she wouldn't have to pay for a taxi. She waved to the team that shot up Carben and went over to Larson. "You're here, I'm here. How about a ride home?"

"Get dumped did ya?"

Rachel nodded.

"First time ever, right?"

She laughed. "No, it's not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last."

Larson opened the door for her and she got into his black sedan. Once he was behind the wheel he said, "We're going to head back to DC in the morning."

"That's earlier than you said before," she said trying to keep her voice bland.

"I was watching you date this nasty guy who was such a loser and thinking you were too smart a woman to be putting up with him for nothing. I saw you set him up and laugh when he stomped off. If you'd kept him around then I would know he was being kept for appearances sake. Since you initiated the break up before my leaving I'm inclined to believe you are just slow at recognizing the poor qualities in men."

"And apparently the good ones too. Sorry I misjudged you, Larson."

"What do you mean?"

She laughed. "I thought you were a jerk but it turns out you're just paranoid."

He smiled. "Anyway, Wilks won't shut up about how much he misses his family."

"Can I ask you a question?" Rachel asked.

"Which one of your new supervisors is insisting you be so thorough here?"

"Rickshaw more than Nelson but they both want to be sure. Angelo Donatti killed three members of the Fabbri family not to mention two other members of different crime families and I know you can justify that, but he's not authorized to take down people like that.

"If he's alive, he's dangerous and needs to be watched over. I've known trained killers who get bored and justify keeping their skills sharpened, if you know what I mean."

Rachel cringed. "That's terrible."

"It is." He shrugged as he pulled in the drive-thru. "Let's eat something and forget I said that."

Rachel was sure he was trying to plant some doubt in her mind about Angelo but she knew Angelo wasn't like the men he described. At least he was revealing what drove him to be so careful about making sure Angelo was dead.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

"Just stay calm," Greg said.

"But you said they did it. They flew out this morning that means that-"

"I just think we should be sure that you're not still being watched. They may watch out of sight."

Rachel's nostrils flared. "What? How long am I supposed to put my life on hold? This is ridiculous. Have you said this to him? Is he okay with waiting?"

"Two more days couldn't hurt."

Rachel wanted to throw a fit. A huge tantrum right there in the café but she knew he was right. Two more days wouldn't kill her.

"Plus, you're cleared to move into your own place. I'll get you some listings to get your mind off of waiting."

"Great." Rachel stood up. "I'm going to walk to work." She didn't walk though she ran, like a woman who goes running. Anticipation was the fuel that took her the three blocks to her store without slowing down.

Bella and Monica stopped what they were doing when she came in and just stared. "What?" she asked.

"You're....happy."

"Yeah, the FBI guys are gone and I'm free." She was ready to explode with crazed excitement but couldn't. "I need spa treatments," she said. _I am going to be tan and baby's butt smooth everywhere!_

*****

Angelo only accepted the additional two days Greg pinned on because he wanted to finish the addition to the home he'd purchased for Rachel. It was a Victorian style home, like the ones she'd admired in upstate New York.

This one was much bigger.

He wanted her to love the house so much she'd forget their problems. Angelo knew that in time he would prove to her he wasn't his father and she was such a good person, she would forgive him for his mistakes.

All he had to do was get that yes. Then they could begin their life together. He hoped she was serious about wanting kids because ever since he'd lost his mom at fifteen he'd craved family.

"Are you set, Don?"

"You bet." Don grinned, the smile lines in his face deep and his eyes alight. "I'll do my part."

The house was finished. Technically, he was supposed to wait until the next day instead of this evening before seeing Rachel, but it would only be a few hours early.

Three and a half months had passed since he'd spoken with her on the phone, longer than that since he'd seen her. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been nervous to talk to a woman.

"You'll do just fine." Don chuckled. "You can't fight what's meant to be." He hesitated by the door. "It's been an honor knowing you, son."

"Knowing me? You know my kids are going to be calling you Uncle Don, right?"

His smile deepened and he nodded. "I'd like that."

After he left, Angelo went back to work, finishing the room that would be her dressing room. It was over the top with a chandelier, mirrors and the kind of closet space that would make any woman's knees get weak.

He was excited for her to see this room of course but what he was most excited to show her were the bedrooms their children would have.

Lost in thought he missed a call from Greg.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Rachel was just about to close up shop when a kind looking older man entered. "Hello," he said. "My name is Don Brown." Rachel shook his hand. It was warm and strong.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Eileen. Are you getting ready to take your sweetheart on a cruise?"

"No, ma'am, I'm here because I heard you were looking to buy a house."

Rachel laughed. "Word travels fast."

"Sure does." He smiled and she noticed a tremor in his hands as he took the hat he was wearing from his head. "I thought you might like to come see the Victorian house I'm putting up for sale."

"I love Victorian homes." Rachel smiled. "Where is it located?"

Don fished a piece of paper out of his pocket. It was a flyer with a picture of a beautiful Victorian mansion. It was blue and brown, with two spires and a double porch. The picture of the back of the home took her breath away. It was three stories tall with a deck on each level. The bottom level led out to a pier and a gorgeous blue lake.

"This is such a beautiful home, Don. I don't know if it's within my price range." She tried to find a price for what looked like a Victorian castle. "What are you asking for it?"

"I haven't settled on a price. But you know, even if you don't buy it, I'd really like if you'd come and see it. I'm an old man and some of the things the interior designer set up seem strange to me. Staging she called it. I'd like your opinion. Maybe you could bring along that young gruffy fella you keep company with. Greggory, right?"

Greg had actually phoned her and told her he had been ordered to fly out to DC. He'd asked Brick to check in on her but that wouldn't be until later when she got home.

"Do you know, Greg?"

"No, not personally. I don't want you to be uncomfortable coming to my home with a just me. I realize I'm a stranger. Would you like to bring along one of the ladies you work with?"

Rachel glanced around the shop as he was. She was alone, and he seemed to be taking issue with that fact.

"Maybe tomorrow. I think my girlfriends are booked up for the night. I'm actually closing up now."

He nodded. "You keep the flyer. If you could come anytime this evening, I'd appreciate your opinion, before the open house. Even if the hour is late, I'm a night owl."

"Okay, I'll see if I can swing by." Rachel smiled with a nod but he wasn't leaving. "Is there something else?"

"I don't think a young woman should be left alone in this day and time. Would it be alright with you if I waited outside and made sure you got home okay?"

Rachel was arguing with herself. He seemed like a nice person but what if he wasn't? Greg wasn't around and neither was anybody else. She couldn't discount he'd shown up out of nowhere, wanting her to come see a house that was off the beaten path.

"I'd rather you didn't. I'm fine."

He nodded. "Alright then." He waved. "Take care." She watched Don go and get into his red truck, where three dogs greeted him. He got on his cell phone and dialed.

"Wow, you're being weary of a little old man," Rachel scolded herself out loud. "I'm really screwed up."

She locked up the store and drove her car home. Thinking of how she'd be seeing Angelo in the morning she was singing to herself and didn't notice until she pulled into her driveway that the old man in the red truck had followed her home.

Don Brown, what are you doing?

She got out of the car and approached his truck. "I'm sorry I just had a bad feeling. I wanted to make sure you got home safe. Where is Greg?"

"I'm home and I'm safe. If you don't leave now, Don, you're going to make me uncomfortable."

"Can I leave one of my dogs with you?"

Rachel looked at the face of a blue eyed, white faced dog, with its intense expression. "No."

"She's no trouble. I'll just go and be back to pick her up in about twenty minutes." He opened his door and the dog jumped down onto the sidewalk next to Rachel. "Stay, Darla. Watch," he commanded and Rachel watched with an open mouth as he drove away.

Darla sat next to Rachel, and she tried not to be afraid of her. Darla was a large dog, who had the face of a wolf though her tail curled like some kind of husky.

"Does he do this to you often, Darla?" Rachel asked looking at the dog. Darla looked at her when Rachel used her name. "This is the strangest thing I've had happen in a long time."

Darla followed Rachel as she went to her front door. "I don't know if you should come inside with me, Darla. I don't want to invite Don inside when he comes to pick you up." Rachel unlocked her door. "Stay," she said and stepped inside. Darla started growling so Rachel quickly closed the door, afraid she was about to be bitten.

Heart pounding she backed up a few steps still listening to the growling dog outside her door.

"You're about ten minutes late."

Rachel whirled in surprise at the sound of Wilks voice. He came out of the kitchen. His expression nonchalant as he came toward her. "I missed my flight."

"Yesterday?"

She backed toward the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm supposed to watch over you, Eileen." He closed the distance before she could reach the doorknob and laid his hand flat on the door. He was wearing gloves, the disposable kind doctors wore.

Holy crap, the leak.

"There are cameras in here. You're not going to get away with whatever you're here to do," she said. She punched the bend in his arm and tried to yank the door open to let Darla in but he slammed it shut before Darla could get through.

Rachel screamed as loud as she could before his hand clamped over her mouth. "Where the hell did that damn dog come from?"

She started struggling in his arms until she felt the barrel of a gun dig into the base of her skull. "I don't want to hurt you, Rachel. All you have to do is tell me he's alive and how you know."

"He's dead," she said though it came out muffled under the pressure of his gloved hand.

He's going to kill you, Rachel. That's why he's wearing gloves.

"Tell me where to find him or how you stay in contact with him and I'll let you go. I know he's alive, Rachel, so don't lie to me." He shoved her onto the couch face first. When she came up the gun was in her face, armed with a silencer.

"I know you're going to kill me so go ahead and shoot because you're not going to get a word out of me."

He nodded. "Yes, I am. Fabbri has threatened my family, Rachel. Remember that little girl I told you about? She's worth a million of you, so is my wife. That makes you as valuable to me as a fly. I _will_ rip your wings off to get what I need."
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Angelo was hanging the last mirror in the dressing room and turned off the electric screwdriver. His phone was ringing. Several strides across the room took him to the makeup desk where he set the phone.

He saw the text and was leaving the room as he answered Don's call. "No one is watching her. I left Darla with her. I think she thinks I'm either crazy or a bad guy."

"Anything weird?"

"Not sure I was headed back your way. I would have stayed but she didn't trust me and you weren't picking up the phone."

"She's home?"

"Yes she is."

Angelo snatched the keys off the marble kitchen counter and called on his training. Panicking would only push him to make mistakes. Rachel was fine. Darla was the smartest dog he'd ever seen and Rachel was a tough cookie.

*****

"Wilks was supposed to board a plane to California. He never showed," Nelson told Greg. "Did you notice any strange behavior on his part besides his insistence on staying an extra five weeks?"

"Five weeks? You didn't see anything wrong with that. We're supposed to be finding the leak. He's looking pretty dirty."

Nelson nodded. "We need to be sure before we take any action, Greg."

Greg stood up from the table. "I was told my presence here was necessary. I could have told you this over the phone."

"Sit down."

Greg sneered at Nelson. It seemed there was more than one leak and Greg's gut confirmed as much. Of course he'd need evidence. "He said you insisted he stay."

Nelson snorted. "I doubt that. Maybe we'll call in Larson and see what he has to say."

"That's fine but I need to get back." He set his phone to microphone under the table and held it on his thigh. "If we are concerned that Wilks is the leak that puts the witness at risk."

"She's done her part. Now it's time to focus. What about Wilks has you questioning his loyalty to his country?"

"Are you saying we're not going to protect the witness?"

"I get the feeling you don't trust me, Greg."

*****

Wilks pulled the kitchen towel that had absorbed her scream, out of her mouth. She gasped for air holding her hand with her broken finger to her chest as tears poured down her face.

"Tell me something, Rachel. You don't want me to break another finger do you? Maybe if I knock out a tooth with a hammer like you see in the cartoons. What do you think?"

"You've been with me night and day for months. You know what I know."

Wilks shook his head. "You're still wearing the ring and you didn't mourn him. His room, you didn't change anything or maintain it. You don't pause at his door. You stand in the mirror and say to yourself that he isn't dead.

"That is until that crazy swim you took with Greg. He told you something. You stopped talking to yourself, Rachel. You smiled. You asked Larson all those questions about who was keeping us here and he got curious. He called and asked who was keeping us on the job. He got suspicious."

Wilks grabbed her hand and pressed the butt of the gun down on her already broken finger. Rachel whimpered as he held his pointer finger over his lips. "Larson cried like bitch before I killed him. That was your fault, stirring his curiosity like you did."

He leaned forward. "You think you're God's gift don't you, Rachel? Walking around ruining lives everywhere you go. Carben was just a toy, my time following you around, just someone else's time, right?"

Grabbing her ear, Wilks leaned in closer so his nose was against hers. "I keep asking you where he is, or for some shred of evidence that he's still alive but you won't help me. Why do you have ears if you're not going to listen?" He ripped the earring through the flesh of her ear.

Rachel screamed clutching her ear.

He held up the bloody earring for her to see and then threw it over his shoulder. "It's been months since I've seen my wife. Maybe we'll take a break and you can show me what makes you so special to Angelo."

He closed his hands on her breasts squeezing painfully. Rachel kneed him, shoving him off. He crashed against the coffee table. She leapt over him racing to the door but he met her there slamming her into it before tossing her back onto the couch.

Wilks grabbed her by the hair to hold her there. "What, I'm not good enough for you?"

Rachel spit in his face.

He grabbed hair and yanked. She gasped in pain but she concentrated on getting to the hammer on the table. He must have spotted her trying for it and Wilks got to it first.

"Time for another finger. No, let's get more personal. You don't use your front teeth do you, Rachel?"

A knock sounded on the door. "Eileen? Is this your dog out here?" That was Brick's voice.

Wilks swore. "I'll shoot him if you don't get rid of him. Bella won't thank you for that will she?" He pulled her up onto her feet. "Wipe your face, bitch."

She used her shirt to wipe her cheeks and eyes with her left hand. Her right hand hurt too much to use. Brick knew her pretty well. He'd know she was in trouble without her saying anything to tip him off.

Still what if he didn't?

"Open the door," he said in a hushed tone. "I will kill him, Rach. You know I've got nothing to lose." His face was sweaty and the desperation in his eyes told her he was ready to take out the neighborhood if he had to.

Rachel watched him angle the gun at the door so he would hit Brick if she signaled him in some way. "Your daughter would be so proud," Rachel growled.

He signaled for her to open the door, his jaw clenched.

She opened the door. "Hi, Brick."

"Is this dog yours?" he asked. "You look like you've been crying."

"I had a hard day. Yeah, I'm watching her for a guy named Don. She must be done relieving herself." Rachel was going to move to let Darla in but Wilks held her in place and didn't allow the door to open any further.

Brick nodded. "I'm sorry you had a bad day. You want me to send Bella over? She's like sunshine."

"No, that's okay."

"Aren't you going to let the dog in?" Brick kicked the door hard and it smashed Wilks in between the door and wall. He didn't release his hold on Rachel and pressed the gun to her temple as Brick came in.

Wilks kicked the door shut and pulled Rachel against him keeping her between him, the dog and Brick.

"Drop your weapon," Wilks said.

"He's going to kill us anyway," Rachel said noticing Brick looking past her. Brick dropped to the floor and Rachel dropped her bodyweight following his lead. Darla jumped up biting Wilks in the wrist of his gun hand.

Two gunshots sounded and Wilks hit the ground next to Rachel. He was yelling and Rachel rolled away from him. Darla backed him into the corner as Brick trained his gun on Wilks and a strong arm encircled her waist pulling her to her feet.

"Did he hurt you?" It was Angelo's voice. She forgot her pain and fear. She turned to him and hugged him fiercely. "You're shaking. Did he hurt you?" The steel-like cold matter of fact tone in his voice was a sound she'd never heard him make.

Wilks was crying in the corner, with his leg and shoulder bleeding. "Did you use that hammer on her?" Angelo pointed to the hammer next to the couch.

"He killed, Larson," Rachel said. "He's the leak."

"It's not just me!" Wilks screamed. "It's Nelson too. You need me."

Angelo was looking at her bruised hand. "Brick, take Eileen to the hospital and take care of her hand." Angelo's jaw was tight. "I'll meet you at the hospital." The look he gave Rachel told her that Wilks was going to pay for what he'd done to her.

"Shoot me. You have to," Wilks yelled at Angelo. "I'll tell them you're alive. I'll tell them where you are, where she is." He pounded his chest with his fist. "Do it," he yelled making Darla bark ferociously.

Rachel let Brick lead her out hearing Angelo say to Wilks, "You owe me ten fingers and ten toes, Wilks. Oh, and I think I heard you ask her something about her front teeth when I climbed in the back window. What was it you said? Oh that's right. You don't need teeth, do you, Wilks?"

Don Brown, the guy with the house was outside.

"Thanks for lending me Darla," Rachel said as they passed him.

"I'll look after William," Don said with a nod. "I'm relieved to see you're alright."
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The hospital took a while. They had to call in a specialist to look at her hand. After it was splinted, which was almost four hours later, Angelo arrived. He was wearing different clothes and the beard was gone.

Greg was with him.

"How are you, Eileen?" Greg asked kissing her cheek. "We got them. There were two. I caught Nelson in DC and you guys got Wilks here."

Rachel smiled. "It's over?"

"It's over," Angelo said kissing her left hand. "Wilks won't bother you ever again." He didn't look her in the eyes she noticed. Angelo's shoulders were so wide. His muscles were even larger than before. His hands were rough, especially when they slid over her hand and his jaw was still tight.

"You're cleared to go," the nurse said. She gave Angelo the paperwork because he told her he was Rachel's husband. Rachel smiled to herself allowing Greg to help her out of the bed.

Greg put his arm around her. "I hate to do this to you but there are some people that have come in to talk with you about what happened. They are at the house. Angelo isn't allowed to be there. The less people that know about him, the better."

Rachel groaned. "How long are they staying for?"

"Just long enough to get your statement. Which I can't lie, it'll take a few hours but they'll be gone by morning."

Angelo was gritting his teeth looking at her splinted hand. "It's over," Rachel said grabbing his hand with her left and pulling herself up onto her feet.

"Tell me when I'll see you again. I know when you left we were going to try to just be friends but I want to talk with you about that."

Angelo's calloused hand cradled her face and then slid down her neck and over her shoulder. "I want to talk with you about that too."

He walked her out of the hospital with his arm around her and he was standing so close she could feel his body warmth at her back. She wanted to turn around and rip off his clothes and relearn his body with its new muscular bulk. She wanted to tell him she was miserable without him and that she was wrong when she'd said she couldn't work past what had happened with her parents.

But they were in a parking lot, surrounded by friends with balloons and Angelo hadn't kissed her. Maybe he realized it was guilt that had him loving her before and all that time apart gave him a clearer picture.

"I'll see you soon," he said tucking her into the passenger seat of Greg's car. He watched her buckle up and then closed the door.

No kiss.

Rachel looked down at her hand. It was achy but it hurt less than her heart as she wondered what she would do if Angelo wanted to just remain friends.

"I promise I'll keep things moving so you can get this next step over with," Greg said. "I'm sorry you got hurt, Eileen. Are you alright now?"

"Yes," she said. "Where is Angelo staying?"

"It's William again, no one in this town needs to figure out who he really is, and I don't know. He never told me."

How am I supposed to find him?

Greg gave a detailed explanation of how he'd gotten his supervisor to entrap himself on the record and she tried to listen but her heart was hurting too immensely to hear much of what he was saying.

When they got home the place was crawling with agents and law enforcement types. She was led to her living room and to the couch she'd been sitting on when Wilks had used a hammer to break her finger.

Greg stayed at her side, and Brick was there to fill in the pieces she left out. Even with all the help it still took hours, she had to write down what happened in as much detail as she could, which was a lot since it'd just happened.

She told them about how Wilks had confessed to killing Larson and included every detail she could find. Greg jumped in at the end saying that Wilks escaped capture even after Brick shot him.

Rachel knew Wilks had not escaped Angelo.

It was after three in the morning by the time they all cleared out. Greg made her tea and tried to get her to sleep. She didn't think she could but she must have. She didn't remember falling asleep but she woke up tucked snugly in Angelo's bed.

Someone was knocking at the front door.

Rachel looked at the clock next to the bed. It was ten thirty. She stumbled out of bed and ran to the door. She hoped it was Angelo. When she opened the door she found Bella and Penelope on the other side.

"Hi, sweetie, how are you?" Penelope asked.

"Fine."

"Listen, a man named Don Brown just called me," Bella said. "He said he is coming in an hour to show you his house. He told me to tell you he's a friend of William's."

Penelope nodded. "We thought it would do you good to go and look."

"I just had someone break into my house and break my finger I don't want to go looking at houses."

"Just one house not houses. He said he's a friend of William's. What if William is there?" Bella said raising her eyebrows and nodding her head.

Rachel nodded with Bella. "Okay, I'll get dressed."

"I'll make you some coffee," Penelope said following her inside. "Bella, you pick her out something to wear and Eileen, you jump in that shower."

No one questioned Penelope and by the time the hour was up Rachel's friends had her looking pretty great. Her hair was curled. She was wearing a pink v neck, sleeveless, filmy dress she'd bought with Angelo in mind. Her heels were navy, matching her purse.

Don knocked on her door and nodded approvingly at her outfit. "You look very beautiful."

"Thank you."

He offered her his arm and stood a little taller as he walked her to his red truck. Penelope and Bella waved as they locked the house up behind her. "Have fun," they called.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Rachel knew that she should wait and be surprised but she was too anxious. "Is William at the house?" she asked Don.

"Well, I don't know. He did help build it though. I bought it and it was only a four bedroom Victorian with one deck. Now it's a six bedroom, not counting the master bedroom or the library, or two offices, or playroom."

"Wow, that's a big addition. So, he's not there?"

Don smiled. "I'm not sure, dear. I do know he wants you to see the house."

Rachel sighed. "How do you know him?"

Don laughed. "He bought some guns off me and chopped wood for me." He glanced over at Rachel and found she was very interested in what he was saying. He continued, "Then not a few weeks later he shows up bleeding on my lawn. He's passed out and it's not looking good."

"Oh no." Rachel leaned toward him.

"Lucky, I'm a war nurse. I fixed him up and cured that nasty infection. He was unconscious for a good week or more. When he comes to, I get him to tell me what happened. I think with a story like his he's due a break and I let him stay with me.

"He fixed up my rickety old house and reminded me I've got a lot left to do and I couldn't just hole up and wither away. He's a good man."

"He is," Rachel agreed.

Don turned onto a private road that was lined with trees that were filled with dark red, bright yellow and pumpkin orange leaves. The Victorian home at the end of the street was enough to take her breath away.

"Wow," she said smiling and seeing Don watching her with excitement from the corner of her eye.

He opened his door and got out. "Wait till you see the inside."

The interior was beautiful with dark wood floors, crown molding, polished banisters and marble countertops. "My knees aren't so good," Don said. "Do you mind if I let you see the second floor on your own? I'll be seeing to my dogs and the like."

"Sure." Rachel admired the wide staircase with its smooth dark wood banister. There was a hallway at the top of the stairs with high ceilings and were wide enough for three people to walk side by side.

The first room to the right was a playroom and was filled with toys. Her favorites were the doll house that was almost as tall as Rachel, a pair of rocking horses and a reading nook with a plush window seat.

She was just about to go to the next room when she noticed the door across from the playroom was open.

Rachel crossed the hall and peeked inside the open doorway. It was the master suite. The bed was large on the four poster frame. She noticed high windows but didn't take the time to study them because she spotted rose petals on the floor leading toward another door.

Her heart pounded as she considered who was waiting for her at the end of the path and what it could mean. Traditionally, she was expected to walk meekly along the path and let the butterflies in her stomach work themselves into a frenzy but she couldn't.

She hurried to the next room and then slowed to give the impression she'd taken the traditional slow stroll when she reached the door frame. The room was large with a chandelier and a chaise lounge chair beneath it. Angelo was holding an arm full of white lilies. His eyes searching to see how she was taking what she was seeing.

"I've been racing around this room waiting for you to get here," Angelo said. "These are for you. Are they still your favorite?" He sounded breathless, which was another new sound she didn't know he could make.

"Yes." She watched as he set them on the chair and brought her one as he approached. He was wearing a fine suit, the white collar of his shirt accenting how tan he'd gotten. Probably from all the work he'd done on Don's house and this one.

"First of all, this house is yours. I bought it and built onto it with you in mind. Do you like it?"

He's saying goodbye?

"I love it," her voice shook with fear.

Angelo nodded with a smile. "That makes me happy." He swallowed. "I know yesterday, you saw a side of me that was probably very scary. I'm sorry you had to see that."

"I wasn't afraid," Rachel said.

"I'm so sorry I didn't get there earlier. He shouldn't have been able to hurt you like he did."

"I saw who he had to face for what he did before I left. I saw that part of you that you always hide from me."

Angelo's jaw clenched. "I know."

"I saw the man who faces down devils for me and makes them flinch." She took a step toward him. "It was the same man who has kept me safe. It wasn't your father." He sucked in air, his eyes widening at her words. "You don't have to hide from me. I do see you, and I love you."

Angelo blinked back the moisture she saw glisten in his dark brown eyes. He got down on one knee and she held her breath.

"I will always protect you. I will always find you and I will always love you, Rachel. I want to fill this house with our family. The one I want to make with you. I want a million things and experiences but I only want them with you."

He took her left hand in his and smiling up at her she noticed a beat of sweat at his brow. "I want to tell you there is only one answer for this question but that's not true. For me it's always been you. I want you to be happy, Rachel. If you say no I will understand but if you say yes I promise to make you as happy as you make me."

Angelo opened the red velvet box, and Rachel couldn't help but gasp. It was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. It was a vintage cut with a huge diamond in the middle and one large diamond on each side. It was white gold.

"Will you marry me, Rachel?"

She was smiling and couldn't stop even to say what she needed to say, "Yes and not because you just built me a castle or presented a diamond that you probably pried off the Queen's crown but because I'm miserable without you, Angelo. I love you, without the house or money. I love you."

Angelo took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger.

Holy stars in the sky, it's gorgeous.

He tilted her face upward and kissed her lips with the heat and passion only he could show her. His lips were full and strong. She was already anticipating what they were going to feel like on the more intimate places of her body. He held her close and she began to undo his tie.

Angelo swept her into his arms and carried her back into the master bedroom. He set her on the bed never taking his mouth from hers. His tongue was already making love to her as his erection pressed against her lower stomach.

His tie fell to the ground and she struggled with the buttons of his shirt as he ran his hands up her thighs. "Wait, take off your clothes, I can't do it one handed."

He straightened shedding his jacket. His fingers were nimble undoing his buttons quickly. The white shirt slid from his shoulders and she licked her lips at the strong tanned torso and muscular stomach on display.

Angelo drank in her hungry gaze and the fire in his eyes burned hotter. He watched her as he unfastened his belt and slid his pants to the floor. The tent in his underpants was massive and had her aching for him deep.

She was wet and ready to have him inside her. Filling her and branding her with his touch. Needing to be close to him she reached for him.

Rachel stroked him through his boxers watching his face as his eyes closed and his jaw clenched. "Woman, where have you been for the last few months? I've needed you."

"I've needed you too," she continued to stroke him, enjoying the feel of him in her hand and the need building inside him. It was a need for her, and it was making her so hot.

"Your turn to lose your clothing," he said, his voice husky and deep. He guided her onto her feet and unzipped her dress as he kissed her neck. Her skin was smooth like satin, sexy and warm. She stepped out of the dress once it pooled on the floor.

His gaze was greedy as it ran over her. She unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. Angelo's eyes grew wider, his erection stretching the fabric of his boxers.

"You're so beautiful, so sexy." He held her breasts in his hands groaning as he squeezed and massaged them. He caught the wrist of her injured hand as she reached for him. "Let me love you." He lowered her onto the bed following her onto the plush mattress.

His hands were calloused and the texture felt so good on her body, especially the sensitive tips of her breasts. They slid down her stomach as Angelo's hot mouth took one of her pink peaks into his hot mouth sucking her. It was gentle at first and then he suckled her harder and exquisitely deeper.

Rachel bit her lower lip as she moaned with pleasure. Watching his full lips working her breast was shooting her sexual charge through the ceiling.

His thumbs hooked the sides of her panties and he slid them down. "Mmm your legs are like silk. I can't wait to have them wrapped around me," he said as he moved to the other breast. His big hands cupped her ass and he groaned, his mouth vibrating around her erect nipple.

Rachel couldn't bear not to touch him. She ran her fingers over his tight stomach and she tingled thinking of the new strength he would have as he pounded into her.

She slipped her fingers inside his shorts and wrapped her fingers around his thick rod. It was velvety smooth and iron hard. Desire and need swirled together creating a burn of need.

Angelo released her to shed the last article giving her free access to his shaft.

He watched her as she bent and took the tip of him in her mouth. She swirled her tongue around him as she pumped the base with her good hand. The hitch in his breathing and the heat in his voice as he groaned had her so wet she thought she might come right then.

Angelo's hands sank into her hair as she continued to suck on him. "Enough, you're torturing me. I need you." He guided onto her feet and then he sat down in front of her on the bed. His hands cupped her ass as he suckled at her breasts.

"Mmm, so good," he groaned squeezing her cheeks as he lifted her onto his lap. His shaft pressed against her stomach. Angelo pulled her closer grinding the shaft against her sensitive bud and slick folds.

Rachel held onto his shoulders, delirious with the sensations rocketing through her body and climbing. "Angelo, take me, I want you inside me," she gasped.

"Are you ready for me?" he asked his lips against her ear.

"Yes." Came out in a plea.

His teeth grazed the inside of her neck. "I'm not convinced." He lifted her straight up so she was standing on the bed. She gasped, grabbing hold of one of the four columns making up the four poster bed.

Angelo lifted her right leg over his shoulder gripping her thigh to hold her in place as his tongue ran over her slick folds. His free hand slid up her stomach, fondling her breast. He pinched the sensitive nipple and sucked on the sensitive nub.

Rachel was losing the ability to hold herself up with her left leg, her knees were so weak. She gripped the post pleading again as his tongue swirled and pumped. "Angelo, please."

She let go and slid down into his lap. He guided her down so his tip was pressing at her entrance. He was thick and the warm burn as she began to stretch for him felt good. The tip was inside her and slowly he sank another delicious inch.

His hands were on her ass and he raised her weight up and down over the head and down the first inch and almost out again. Rachel didn't realize she was digging her nails into his shoulders until the nagging pain in her broken pinky finger brought her to that awareness.

"More," she pleaded.

His jaw clenched. His eyes so hot she felt her muscles begin to spasm. He lowered her all the way down as he thrust upward with his hard cock.

She came apart around him as he lifted her enough so he could thrust into her over and over. Her head fell back as she cried out. She was lost in the oblivion of ecstasy.

As she slowly came back down she realized he'd at some point moved her onto her back and was moving slowly in and out of her. The vein in his neck told her how hard it was for him to move so slowly.

He was standing off the bed holding one of her legs over his hip and letting the other hang off the bed. His hand was over her mound and his thumb had slid between the folds and circled the nub that was somehow ready to take another climb to ecstasy.

Angelo's hot gaze was on their bodies where he was sinking inside of her. His jaw pulsed, clenching and tightening. "You were made for me, baby. Your pussy is squeezing me so good."

He sank deeper his eyes on her face.

Her mouth fell open and she fought to keep her eyes open. She saw in his eyes the moment he couldn't hold back any longer. He thrust in to the hilt.

"Yes," Rachel cried. As she neared the top of the climb.

"You want me to fuck you, baby?" He didn't wait for an answer he pumped hard. Each stroke shoving her toward the precipice.

Rachel held onto the edge of the bed as he rammed in again and again. She cried out as the speed increased and he moved the bed frame with the power behind his thrusts. "I'm never going to be without you again." He thrust deep. "You're mine, baby."

Angelo's words washed away the loneliness that had been with her. She wanted to belong to him. Angelo belonged to her. He felt so good, so hot. She was coming.

She screamed his name as the hot mindless wave of ecstasy carried her away as he bucked against her filling her with his hot seed.

*****

He'd come so hard he'd had blurred stars in his vision and as he'd come back down to earth he'd laid on top of her not ready to disconnect from her.

Angelo loved her so much.

Seeing her blue eyes glazed over from their lovemaking. Her full lips were swollen from his kissing and her full breast filling his hand had him on his way to readying for another round.

No. He needed to let her recover from the pummeling he'd just delivered. A half hour should do it. He disconnected only because he thought his weight might be too much for her. He moved behind her smiling as he recognized his hand prints on her sweet ass.

Spooning Rachel was so good, her body fit perfectly with his and the feel of her smooth skin against his was magical.

Her stomach growled and he nuzzled her neck. "Is my wife hungry?"

"Yes." She grinned. "Is there food in that gorgeous marble countered kitchen?"

"Of course." He kissed her ringed finger, the one she was smiling at. "I'll never let you go without."

He saw the tears she blinked away at the memory of her parents and kissed her swollen pink lips when she smiled at him. "Don't move. I'll get you some food. You relax. After you eat you can just lie back while I take you on another ride."

Angelo grinned when her eyes widened at him. "You're insatiable."

She was so beautiful lying there wearing nothing but the tangled bed sheet and the ring that said she was his.

Please let me have a handful of daughters that take after my Rachel, he prayed and stole another kiss.

"Be right back," he said pulling on his pants, just in case he ran into Don. He jogged down the stairs and crossed down the large hallway to the kitchen. He smiled to himself thinking of Rachel chasing their children as they rode their bikes down the large hallways.

No matter what, or who came along, Angelo was determined to protect their new life.

Here they would have their happily ever after.

The doorbell rang as he entered the kitchen. It was probably Bella or Penelope but he put a kitchen knife in the waistband of his pants at his back anyway.

Angelo crossed into the hallway and passed through the entryway before opening the front door. There was a red headed teen with a vase of flowers.

"Delivery for Mr. and Mrs. Parker," the guy said smiling. Angelo accepted the flowers, they were red roses. He nodded to the kid and closed the door.

Setting the vase down on the entryway table he opened the card.

Congratulations on your newfound happiness, Parkers. While it lasts.

Love,

Your favorite uncle.

THE END

Look for the next book in the Heatwave series coming this year.
About the Author

Olivia B. Dannon was raised in a big, happy, rowdy family where imagination and love were nourished. She is happily married with two lovely children and rambunctious dog. Romance and Happily Ever Afters filled with adventure and sometimes suspense is what she loves to write most. She loves to hear from her readers so drop her a line on Facebook.

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Acknowledgements

I want to take this chance to thank my Heavenly Father for my many blessings, for my family, and for my love of writing and pray he will always be in my life.

My Inner Circle Beta Readers!

These three women, on my Beta team are such a great support to me. Not only do they help me to spread the word about my books but they share with me and have become like an extended family to me. I adore these women and I want to thank them for reading my work and providing excellent feedback not to mention support! You make such a difference for me and I just wanted you to know. I love you my Betas!

Also I need to recognize Suzie Cairney for naming the tanning salon and the book, Heatwave! You're brilliant Suzie!

I would also like to thank and acknowledge Lucy Wright for naming the friend of the main character, Elizabella or as we called her, Bella! It's perfect for you to name a good friend as you are a great one!

My Editor Kathy Krick

Thank you Kathy for doing an amazing job in helping me to get my book into a pristine condition. You work really hard and I appreciate you so much!
