Page 9 of Nick
The mechanical sounding voice on the other end of the line wasn’t a machine. It was the way he spoke after an accident caused irreparable damage to his throat. The automated cadence still sent shivers down their spine, but failing in the mission scared them even more.
“You were right. He’s in Shiloh Springs, Texas, with those Boudreaus he seems to fancy.”
“Can you get to him? Eliminate the problem?”
A bead of sweat trickled down their brow and dripped into their eye, causing it to burn. They hated Texas and everything about it, and wanted to come home. This job was ruining their life, and not for the first time, they wished they’d never agreed to this terrible folly.
“He’s never alone. We can’t afford to make another mistake. That’s a sure way to get caught.”
The silence on the other end stretched interminably long. Finally, there was a sigh.
“I agree, no more mistakes. Grant Calvin has already been sniffing around, digging through the computer files of all Vincent’s old cases. Sooner or later he might get lucky and put two and two together. Very well, keep watch on Vincent. Make him suffer. A little psychological torment never hurt anybody.” Laughing at the joke, they again wished they’d never taken this assignment. But the money had been too big a temptation, with the freedom it would bring.
“I’ll figure out a way to surveil him. I doubt he’s going anywhere. He’s too enamored of the older Boudreaus. That may be our in. Take out the parental figures and cause misdirection. In the ensuing chaos, Nick Vincent should be an easy target.”
“Keep me posted. I expect to hear good news soon.”
The abrupt disconnection had them gritting their teeth, and banging their fists against the wall of the hotel room. A tiny place with dingy walls, a bathroom that should require a Haz-Mat suit to enter, and a bed they were almost afraid to sleep in. Picking a place outside of Shiloh Springs might have been the wisest choice, but lying down and out of sight still rankled. They might not be able to afford five-star luxury—yet—but finishing this job had moved up to priority one.
Nick Vincent had to die.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gracie parked hercar in the visitor parking space at the apartment complex and slammed her car door. She was getting bloody tired of having to go to the manager’s office every other week because some yahoo kept taking her assigned spot. Was it asking too much to have one lousy thing go right for a change? She was a decent tenant, paid her rent on time and in full every month. Didn’t play her music too loud. And it seemed like every time she came home from work, somebody had the gall to take her space.
Was she overreacting? Sure. But after her conversation with Rafe, she’d been on edge. Antsy. The urge to grab her go-bag and run almost won. The feeling of security, of finally having found a place she could call home without the shadow of Jeremy Brewster hanging over her had come crashing down around her with one simple phone call.
Joaquim Alvarez was a Texas Ranger, one of the good guys and someone she considered a friend. Older than her by a good ten years, he’d become like the older brother she never had. With his non-nonsense attitude and rigid demeanor, at first, he’d scared her. Having a cop, especially a Texas Ranger, interrogate her? The thought had scared her spit-less. Yet the first time he’d smiled at her, it seemed like they’d made a connection. Nothing sexual or even romantic. No, he had instantly felt like family.
He’d helped her after the whole fiasco with Jeremy, stood by her side when she’d testified. He’d even helped her obtain the documents giving her a new identity. Heck, he’d been the one who’d pointed her in the direction of Shiloh Springs. At the time, it had seemed like a godsend. Now, with his phone call to Rafe, the bubble of her safety exploded like a water balloon, leaving her soaking wet and shivering.
Drawing in a deep breath, she slid her key into the lock on the front door and stepped inside. Then she went through the motions of what she did every single day. Walked the entire apartment, opening closet doors, and even checking inside the shower, pulling the curtain aside. No matter how much time had passed since Jeremy was incarcerated, it was a ritual, because she never felt safe until she was sure nobody was in her space.
I wonder if I’ll ever feel safe again?
Flopping down in her favorite chair, she kicked off her shoes and drew her knees up against her chest, closing her eyes. She needed to breathe, do her meditation, get herself centered and calm. But the thought of Jeremy getting out of prison had her wanting to sit in the corner, rocking and sucking her thumb like she used to do as a little kid.
She thought she’d finally managed to put her past behind her, turned around all the ugliness of what her life had been like. Choices she’d made that almost landed her in prison, just like Jeremy. The sole difference between them—she came from a middle-class background—was a second-generation Texan, and Jeremy Brewster came from one of the most prestigious families in San Antonio with loads of money and clout. And parents who didn’t mind using their influence to protect their baby boy.
Blind to everything but his good looks, his charisma, and his money, she’d fallen under his spell. Head over heels for the first time in her life. She’d been young and foolish and thought she was in love. And like a besotted fool, she blindly believed he’d felt the same.
No, she wasn’t going to lie to herself and call what they’d had love. Obsession was a more appropriate word for what he’d felt for her, along with a jealous streak a mile wide. She’d never understood exactly why Jeremy had been attracted to her. From what she’d seen and read about him, back before she’d realized he wasn’t the man she’d thought, he’d seemed perfect. Tall, blond hair and blue eyes, he’d been Prince Charming and, like a fool, she’d allowed herself to be swept off her feet.
“I was an idiot.” There, she’d said the words out loud, acknowledging their truth. She’d been such a fool. Didn’t matter that she’d just turned eighteen, fresh out of high school with stars in her eyes, about to begin her big adventure of attending college. She’d been the first person in her family to attend university, and her parents were so proud. The scholarships she’d received would pay for everything except food and books, and Gracie didn’t have a problem working part-time to cover those costs. She was used to picking up extra shifts at the fast food place she worked at during her senior year. It would be tough, because she’d have to manage it around classes and studying, but the end goal made it all worthwhile.
Until Jeremy Brewster walked into her life, literally sweeping her off her feet. She’d been carrying a tray loaded with food and soft drinks to a group of kids from her school, and had looked down to make sure she wasn’t spilling anything when she’d collided with a hard body, knocking her off her feet. Although she hadn’t hit the ground; she’d been rescued by the man who’d crashed into her.
It wasn’t until much later she realized it had been a set up. The whole thing had been arranged, a manufactured meeting because he needed her. Planned to use her from before they’d even spoken their first words.
A shiver raced across her spine, remembering the promise Jeremy made as they led him from the courtroom. The words rang in her ears over and over for months afterwards. She’d wake up in a cold sweat from nightmares, hearing his whispered promise.
“I can’t keep living like this,” she whispered, wrapping her arms tighter around her pulled-up knees.
Jumping at the loud knock on her door, her hand flew to her chest, and she drew in a shaky breath. Great, now she was freaking out at somebody showing up at her door. She knew it couldn’t be Jeremy. Chance had checked and he was still behind bars, at least for the moment.
Opening the door, she found Tessa, Camilla, and Jill standing outside. In her hands, Jill held a big pink box from her bakery, the name and logo emblazoned across the front. From their expressions, she realized Tessa and Camilla must’ve heard everything at the coffee shop earlier and had put their own spin on it. They’d likely decided she needed a babysitter or something. Awesome.
“Ladies, nice to see you again.”
