“Tell me how the hell that happened? No one else knew about Carlos,” Rafe demanded.

“Obviously the guy who has been paying him did,” Josh replied, angry as hell they hadn’t gotten there in time.

“I want every single inch of his place gone through. All his files and phone logs. Nothing is slipping by this time,” Rafe ordered.

“Do you really think he left us any clues?” Gabe chimed in.

“If he thought his life was in danger, he may have,” Josh said, knowing it was a long shot. “Gabe, is there any way to track the money?”

“So far all the transfers are from offshore accounts with bogus names and companies.”

Rafe didn’t like playing hide-and-seek and neither did Josh. They were going to need to do something drastic. Flush the bastard out.

“It’s risky, but I think we need to turn Carlos’s death to our favor.”

Rafe asked, “What are you thinking?

Josh explained. “Use the media. I can do an interview stating Carlos had mailed me a package containing names, dates, and dollar amounts.”

“That would definitely put a target on your back. What do you think you’ll get out of it other than killed? Rafe asked.

“When they come, we don’t turn them over to the police. At least not immediately. Carlos can’t talk, but one of those assholes must know something,” Josh explained then waited.

“You’re fucking crazy, and I must be as well to even contemplate letting you do it.”

“Rafe, I don’t need your permission,” Josh clarified.

“Josh, you can’t do this alone. Look at the line of corpses,” Rafe snarled.

He knew the risk. Frank hadn’t been alone either, and it still cost him his life. But he didn’t believe Frank knew how big this was. They all thought Anthony Parker was the big dog in the pack. It was a mistake they couldn’t afford to make again.

“Sitting back and letting them take out people one by one isn’t working either. Whether you like it or not, eventually we’re going to be in the line of fire. Might as well make it on our terms and try taking them out before they do us.” Josh knew he wasn’t talking irrationally. His plan was high risk but so was being sitting ducks.

Rafe must’ve weighed the options because he started barking orders. “Gabe, I want you to set up a media blast. I want it on all the late night news broadcasts.”

“Damn Rafe, that doesn’t give me much time to—”

“Make it happen.” Then Rafe added, “Chris, I want you and the team covering Josh at all times. Actually I’m sending a few extra men as well.”

“No. I want them watching Ellie and Melissa. They could easily decide to use them to gain access to me.” He knew they were both safe for the moment, but when this blew up, he wasn’t sure how long they would be.

Chris said, “Renzo and David are covering them now. Rafe has his family with Gabe and Vanessa. We’re not leaving your ass unprotected.”

The guys on the team didn’t have to be family to be considered family. It was a code they followed when they were active military and one they continued now. A brotherhood bonded by honor.

“Okay. Then let’s do this. Gabe, I’ll be ready once everyone is in place.”

“And where are you going to be?” Rafe asked.

“I’m going back to Yonkers.” Sure as hell not bringing the fight to Rhode Island. I want it as far away from her as I can get it.

“Ellie’s?” Gabe asked.

“No. Frank’s old place. They already know it, so they shouldn’t have a problem finding me.”

Chris said, “You sure as hell don’t want to make this easy on us, do you?”

“Easy on you means easy on them,” Josh replied.

Rafe added, “Let’s not forget how they took out Frank and the others. We cannot assume any vehicle is what it says it is.”

“Roger that,” Chris replied. “We’ll be in place.”

In a softer tone, Rafe said, “Good luck, Josh. Don’t get yourself fucking killed. I think you have a girl who’ll be quite pissed if you do.”

“Roger,” Josh replied.

He knew Ellie cared for him. It was reciprocated. That’s why he was doing what he was. This needed to end if Ellie was ever going to have anything close to the dream she had for her future.

Once he finished finalizing the plan, he knew there was one more call he needed to make.

Dialing the number, he waited.

“Are you sure you called the right number?”

Josh had never reached out to the Hendersons himself. But he’d done enough for them in Tabiq to call in a favor or two.

“Dean, I need your help.”

Laughing, Dean said, “Now there’s a first. What it is?”

“I have this friend who could use your marketing guidance.”

“You know I’m more in the line of taking over businesses than actually marketing them.”

Josh knew Dean’s reputation. His weapon was far different from Josh’s. Dean’s was business savvy.

“She really needs you.” And I owe her at least this much.

“Okay. Send me all her information, and I’ll reach out with a plan. Anything else?” Dean asked.

“Yeah. Don’t let her know I sent you.”

“And you think she’s going to take my help, why?” Dean asked.

Josh laughed. “You can move millions, hell billions, of dollars. I’m sure you can talk a sweet woman into hearing what you have to say. Just remember, this isn’t a takeover.”

“You take all the fun out of it. Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Just get me her information.”

“Thanks.” Josh ended the call, knowing he’d done everything he could to secure Ellie’s dream.

If anything happened to him, at least he knew she’d still have Toot Sweets for a long time to come. It’s a better investment than I am anyway. I’m far from being a good catch.

He looked at his phone one last time and debated calling her. There was no doubt she was fuming mad at him. Would calling her now give her false hope that he was returning? Most likely. That was probably a bad thing. Besides, he’d lied to her enough. He would call her once this was over.

While his phone was still in his hand, the text arrived from Gabe:

GET READY. GO LIVE IN TWENTY MINUTES.

Josh headed to Frank’s house so the interview could take place right out front. It’s show time.

---

Ellie couldn’t sleep and decided staying in the bedroom was useless. She dragged herself into the living room and found Melissa watching television. Walking over she asked, “Would you mind if I joined you?”

Melissa looked up at her and slid over, making room on the couch for Ellie. “Not much on tonight, I’m afraid.”

“There never is. That’s why I usually watch food channels.”

“Would you like to now? I can change the channel,” Melissa offered sweetly.

Right now all it would do was remind her of home, where she wished she was. And you’re not the Turchetta I want to be sitting with either.

“No, this is fine.” She wasn’t aware of what was on.

“I should’ve asked if you were hungry. I hope Josh fed you.”

Ellie shook her head. “We kind of parted ways quickly.”

“How about I make you something to eat. Options are very limited. How does a grilled cheese sandwich sound?”

“Thank you, Melissa. It sounds wonderful.”

Melissa got up saying, “I’ll be just a few minutes.”

Ellie sat as one show ended and the late night news broadcast began. They spoke of local events, which meant nothing to her. She didn’t pay attention to the ones in Yonkers either. She looked around for the remote to change the channel. It was across the room, and she wasn’t in the mood to move to get it. She was comfortable with her legs curled up beneath her and a soft fur lap throw keeping her snuggly warm. So she sank farther into the couch and closed her eyes.

Chatter on the TV became black noise as she half-drifted to sleep. What played and what she dreamt blended into one. They were talking about Yonkers. And a man who’d died. Frank? But it wasn’t. They spoke about another man. One she didn’t know. Carlos Mabe.

The news reporter said, “He had worked for the FBI and was found dead in his home yesterday.”

Ellie’s eyes flew open. Not another one.

“We have a man here who says he has been given the name of the person responsible. Mr. Turchetta, would you care to elaborate on this?”

Her heart raced as she saw Josh in front of Frank’s building. What did he know about all of this?

“Agent Mabe sent me a package that contained the information regarding not just his death but one of another FBI agent as well.”

“And are you turning this information over to the authorities?”

Josh shook his head and she held her breath. “I have a meeting with them tomorrow. At that time, all my information will be shared.”

Josh, what are you doing? “Don’t do this!” Ellie screamed at the television.

Melissa came rushing back into the room and sat beside her. Together they watched as Josh turned and walked into the building, holding a large manila envelope. The camera zoomed in on Josh’s hand. The reporter was speaking, but Ellie couldn’t hear. All she could think about was this must be a dream. No way had Josh done something so . . . dangerous.

“He . . . Josh . . .” Turning to Melissa she asked, “Why did he do that?”

Melissa took Ellie’s hand and said, “My guess is to protect you.”

Tears poured down Ellie’s face. “I’m not in danger.”

Melissa handed her a tissue and said, “Yes, you are. You just didn’t know it. All this time Josh has been making sure you weren’t harmed.”

“What do you mean, ‘all this time’?” She thought back to when they first met. He’d jumped in front of a speeding vehicle, which she’d thought had been either a stolen car or a drunk driver. “You mean he was in Yonkers because”—choking on the words, she tried again—“because of me?”

Melissa nodded.

Ellie felt sick and pulled away from Melissa. Rushing to the bathroom, she kneeled in front of the toilet. She was dizzy, her head spinning before uncontrollable vomiting began. She felt a cool wet towel being placed at the base of her neck.

“It’s okay. He’s going to make this all stop. They all are.”

When the nausea ceased she sat back on the cold tiles and looked up at Melissa. “I don’t understand any of this.”

“I know. Why don’t you take a nice hot shower, and after that you and I can have a long talk.”

Right now all she wanted was to speak to Josh. She was torn between being angry and being scared to death for him. But she nodded because, though Melissa was willing to share with her, what she needed to know Melissa couldn’t tell her.

Was it all a lie? The encouragement, the kisses, and the caring. Was it all just part of the job?

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Ellie got up and headed for her room where she’d left her phone. Once inside she shut the door and dialed Josh’s number. It went to voicemail. She wasn’t going to give up. So she tried texting him. It was possible he was in a place where he couldn’t speak out loud. At least not to her.

I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU.

She waited and almost gave up, but finally a response came.

YOU WILL. TRUST ME. JUST STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND I’LL COME TO YOU.

Ellie was thankful he was okay, but she was also so angry she could strangle him herself.

TRUST? YOU LIED TO ME!

She wasn’t sure where the lies started and stopped. Apparently they’re still going on.

THAT ENDS WHEN I SEE YOU NEXT. I PROMISE.

Ellie wanted to believe him. She had so many questions, some Melissa might be able to answer and others she couldn’t. She didn’t want to hear answers from anyone but Josh. Not that she didn’t want to hear them now; it mattered to her that Josh was the one who told her.

Putting the phone back on the bed, she headed for the shower. All she had with her was a small overnight bag with the one nightgown she owned without a crazy saying on it. Not going to need it now. What she’d been worried about—the connection, about going too fast—was all in the past. What remained was a shell of what she’d hoped for. The flame that had burned for him had become an ember.

Still she prayed that he’d return safely. His family loved him, and she, even though she didn’t want to, cared deeply. Please, Josh. Don’t do anything stupid. Even as she thought it, she knew it was too late. The moment he started this façade, it could only be described as stupid.