Page 57 of Mine to Protect

“How?” Rhett asked.

“The orchestrated the first loan I got to prove their reach. That made me look bad and as if I had ties to the Mortellis,” Joe said. “They have always made me look over my shoulder, which was why I had to lie to my beautiful niece about her parents, and my brother and his wife have been living in Pensacola, unable to be reunited with their family.”

“There had to be a trigger for the Gorgas to come after you,” Rhett said. “They had to know about Albert and Melissa or—”

“That’s the only thing we can think of,” Chris said. “Melissa’s sister passed away three months ago. She and Albert went up to New Jersey. They didn’t go to the funeral, it was a month later, but someone must have seen them.”

“That’s when weird things like that police report started showing up at Joe’s place,” Melissa said. “We’re sorry we dragged you into this, but that counterfeit money is a statement.”

“They sent me a bundle with some of the dye that we used to make it,” Joe said.

“Basically, you do what they say, Joe doesn’t go to jail, and Albert and Melissa get to stay dead,” Rhett said.

“Only you know that’s not what would have happened.” Chris folded his arms across his chest.

“Oh, trust me. I get that the Gorgas would have set up Joe to go to jail for murder, among other things, and they would have put Albert and Melissa six feet under for real.” Rhett saw no reason to sugarcoat things at this point. These people had been living with one foot out the front door and eyes in the backs of their head for long enough.

That was no way to spend your life.

“This certainly sheds some light on what’s been happening. I’m not sure what we do or where we go from here. But hiding out in an RV at a state park isn’t safe. I need to talk to my mom, and we need to come up with a plan.”

“The Mortellis and the Gorgas have a lot of people in their pockets,” Albert said.

“Not my mother. Or my brothers or anyone in that office.” Rhett puffed out his chest. “Before you say that everyone has a price, I’m going to tell you that’s where you’re wrong. Sometimes, it’s not a price, because you couldn’t buy any of us. Not with money.”

“But you’re admitting to a weak point,” Joe said. “Because we all have one.”

“Of course.” Rhett reached out and squeezed Chris’s shoulder. “That’s why this one brought his sister to me. And he’s with all of you. He’d do whatever they asked to protect you all—within reason because we all have a moral compass. The bad guys know that because, believe it or not, so do they. Of course, they call it a code. They know Chris here isn’t going to kill anyone for them, but he might give them information to save his sister.” Rhett tapped his chest. “But here’s the thing. I was born and raised to defend and protect what’s mine. And what’s right. It’s a very different mentality when you’ve been brought up in that environment. And while I get that there are power-hungry cops and bad people everywhere, my mom’s house is clean.”

“If Chris trusts you, then so do we.” Albert stretched out his hand. “But we want to hear the plan before we commit.”

“I’ll give you the respect of that discussion. However, you need to know that once my mom is brought in, this is out of my hands,” Rhett said. “Let me talk with Chris outside for a minute.” He had no idea what to do with all the information that had been tossed at him in less than twenty minutes. His mother and brothers would be able to put their heads together and come up with a plan quickly. This was more their expertise than his.

He walked outside with Chris following. When he’d taken about ten steps from the RV, he turned to face Shelby’s brother. “The second I call my mother, she’s going to either have one of my brothers come here and escort you in, or she’ll do it herself. You need protection.” Rhett pointed at the RV. “Everyone inside is in danger, and you’re putting this entire campground in a bad situation.”

“They’re terrified they’ll be arrested. And there are people on the inside that will kill them in a second.” Chris lifted his hand. “You and your family may be Mary Fucking Poppins, but let’s face it, when the state of New Jersey finds out that you have a dead couple and that police report surfaces, they will be looking for extradition. They will make a stink, and you know the federal government will get involved.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself. All that takes time, and before that, my mom would have to file reports. And she’s not going to do that right away,” Rhett said.

“What if the media finds out?”

Rhett had to admit that could be a problem. And it was one he couldn’t control. But he could minimize the probability. “If you stroll into the station without being escorted and do it at a time where they aren’t busy, which we can all be in contact about, the media won’t know shit. Or we take you to a safe house and deal with it there—whatever my mom thinks is best. Because the bigger problem is that you can’t keep running, and my brother Miles and I can’t protect all of you and your sister from an entire mob family.” Rhett raised his hand and wiggled two fingers. “Two mob families, actually.”

“I believe the Mortellis have people working at the limo company. I’m sure there is an all-out manhunt for us at this point. We need to move. I feel like I’ve stayed here too long.”

“You can’t,” Rhett said. “They will catch you, and they will kill you. You’ve got to work with me on this. And trust me.”

“We both know that your mom can only keep a lid on this for so long before the feds get involved. The Gorgas have people in high places.”

“I’m sure that’s true. But this isn’t our first rodeo. Give me a few minutes to chat with my mom.”

“All right,” Chris said as he glanced at the sky. “How’s my sister?”

“Pretty fucking pissed off at you. Otherwise, she’s good.”

“Do you care about her as much as she does you?” Chris asked, shifting his gaze.

“Head over heels,” Rhett admitted.

---