Page 5 of Witness Protection

I feel all the breath leave my lungs. Until I heard him say the words, I was convinced that I was going to go down with Craig for all of his wrongdoings. It was good to hear that they knew I had nothing to do with the things that he was doing.

“What we need from you is your help, Miss Stuart. You lived in the house with him. I am sure you overheard things. As you know your stepfather is a very bad man and needs to be off the streets and away from people that he can hurt.

I look over at Jason who gives me a warm smile.

“I don’t mean to sound crude, but what’s in it for me? I imagine you will seize all of Craig’s assets as they were bought with money from his illegal ventures. I have no family, no money, and Craig barely allowed me to leave the house and when I did it was with two bodyguards. I went to high school online. I am going to need help to establish a new life.”

The agent nodded, “We agree. Witness protection is going to be imperative for you. Even from prison Craig’s reach will be long and there will be nowhere safe for you if you keep your real identity. We will set you up somewhere far from him and allow you to keep the money in your bank accounts. We are aware that it has come from illegal means, but it is a small consolation for what you have gone through.”

I sit back on the couch, my mind whirling. There are millions of dollars in my bank accounts it was one way that Craig used to launder his money. I can buy a house and just write books or go to college or do whatever I want. All I have to do is roll over on one of the most dangerous men in the country.

“How will you keep me safe? Craig as you say will have a long reach from prison, what happens when he finds out I have disappeared into witness protection and with his money? He isn’t going to take that lying down.”

“For the first year you will have a protection detail after that you will be on your own. Believe or not the less of us around the safer you will be as we won’t be drawing attention to you.”

“If I don’t give information on Craig?” I ask, wanting to know all of my options.

“Then you can walk out of this safe house and off the base with what you have brought in with you and take your own chances.”

I just looked at him. We both knew that Craig would assume I talked, and I would be dead within hours of leaving.

“I want it in writing this deal and then I have something for you that is better than whispered secrets that I overheard walking down hallways or at dinner parties.”

The agent gives me a hard look, “Give us what you have now. I promise that we will keep our bargain.”

A cold smile crosses my face. “I lived with a notorious drug runner and I learned a few things. I want it in writing and then I will give you what you want.”

The agent stands and gives me a firm nod before exiting the room.

I look over at Jason hoping I don’t see the disgust in his face but all I see is pride.

“Where has this girl been hiding?” He asks, and I see the desire for me in his eyes.

“She has been here all along, I just had to hide her so that I could survive.”

He just nods and stands opening the door and I slide past him rubbing my body against his just slightly as I walk by. I feel him shudder at my touch and smile. I am starting to think this witness protection thing might not be too bad.

Chapter Six- Jason

Two weeks later

She is driving me crazy if I don’t have her soon, I think I will explode. We have been dancing around our attraction for the last few weeks. She is going to be mine and only mine even if I have to quit my job and follow her into witness protection.

When I watched her drive a hard bargain with the agents for her information, I was so proud. There was not one sign of the meek woman in distress she had been previously. A strong and independent woman was there instead, and I found it so amazing.

She took the signed agreement for witness protection and the deal discussed with Agent Grant handing over a flash drive full of documents and audio recordings of conversations that are going to put Craig Fortini away for life.

It still shocks me how a girl who was barely out of her teens managed to get one over on a gangster-like Fortini. The meek girl routine that she portrays really worked on him and while he thought she was under his complete control she was gathering insurance.

“Jason, do you know when I am going to be able to move off base?” She asks me as I come into the living room. It’s late, and all the others have gone home. I volunteered to stay, resulting in many snickers and knowing looks as I moved into the safe house and took the night shift.

It has been torture to know that she is sleeping right down the hall and I can’t crawl into bed with her and do all of the things that I have been thinking about.

“No, they haven’t said. Tired of me already?”

She looks me boldly in the eye. “No, not at all just ready to move on with the next phase of my life.”

“As soon as they transfer Craig to the federal prison where he will await trial we can discuss where you are going.” A lump forms in my throat at the thought of not being with her.

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