Conviction (The Cassano Series Book 4) (16 page)

Victoria

Sadie is holding my hand as we wait on the sofa.

“How long do you think it will take?” she asks.

“I don’t know. It all depends on whether Sanders pulls any shit.”

“He better not fucking hurt her. Zev will kill him. I know it. He’s carrying tonight,” Simon says with his back to us. He’s staring out the windows that overlook the Strip.

“Tara and I have quickly become good friends. We hoped that one day we’d be sister-in-laws,” Sadie says.

Simon turns and smiles at her faintly. It’s the first smile any of us have worn today. Theo is waiting here with us, too, and Adrian.

He strides from his home office into the living room.

“Everything is in place. Now, we have to wait.”

“Adrian, this has to go exactly as planned. There’s no funds in place to do a transfer,” I say.

He squats in front of me and frames my cheeks.

“Nothing is going to go wrong. We’ve got this. I believe I can make that promise.”

Zev

Since I couldn’t relax or sleep last night, I’m going to be delirious by the time I get to Tara. Her safety was all I could think about. Well, that and how I’ve gotten her into this hellish experience. Loving me can’t be worth what she’s going through and has gone through. It can’t possibly be.

I knew from the beginning that she’d have to deal with a lot of bullshit from me, but add Noah’s assault to the list and now this… I don’t see how she could ever love me enough to move past it all.

If he lays a hand on her, I’ll kill him. I might die trying but I will try for sure. Her safety is my number one priority, but then it’s setting her free. I need to let her go once and for all to ensure she stays safe.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” I mumble to myself.

“Whatever you do, don’t let him get you inside. You have to lure him outside, even if he’s holding her,” I hear in my earpiece.

“Fuck,” I utter.

I’m tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive down the road, heading to Noah’s home. I’m surprised he wants to meet there. Adrian said he thinks it’s because Noah has no intentions of letting either of us leave there alive.

He’ll see he has the money, he’ll shoot me and Tara, and then he’ll flee to another country before anyone has time to realize what he’s done.

I near Noah’s home on the outskirts of a suburb of Vegas. His arrogant ass owns a sprawling home with an open gate at the entrance. I drive down the lengthy driveway and take an arduous breath.

We’re out of sight from the rest of the world. If this goes wrong, Tara and I are dead. This is it. Everything rides on the next five minutes. I whip out my phone to text Noah.

Me:
I’m here.

Noah
: Walk inside.

Me
: Hell no. You bring her out on the porch, and then you can check the account. Do you honestly think I trust you enough to stand inside your place?

Noah
: Fair enough.

I step outside the vehicle and tread up to his home until I’m standing close to the center of his porch. Noah steps out with Tara in front of him.

“Zev!” she utters. Noah has a gun pointed directly at her right temple, and my churning stomach feels as if it has hit the concrete. If this goes wrong, God help us.

Pressing on my phone, I pretend to make the wire transfer. “Check your account,” I instruct.

“If you move, I’ll kill you and your boyfriend,” he mutters into Tara’s ear. Removing his left hand from her, he holds his phone up with it. His thumb hits the screen and…

POP! Noah is shot and drops to the ground. Tara’s screams come out in short successive bursts, her convulsing body in time with the piercing sounds.

I run to her and attempt to pull her into my arms. She’s staring down at Noah and the puddle of blood spilling out from beneath his head. His eyes are wide open, and the phone and gun have fallen from his hands.

He’s finally dead. After only a couple of minutes, a van pulls up to the scene, and three men wearing some sort of black military style uniforms get out.

I bury Tara’s face against my chest as they pick up Noah’s body in a sheet and carry him to the van. From what I was told, they will be making sure it appears Noah fled town.

Quickly, she and I are in my vehicle and driving off. Her body is still shaking horribly, but her cries have stopped. I squeeze her hand firmly.

“Baby, it’s over. He’s gone and out of our lives for good. He can never hurt you again.”

Adrian

“Thank you.” I end the call and look to everyone I consider family. They’re waiting to hear that Tara and Zev are safe.

“Kasper said it went as planned. Tara and Zev are on their way here.”

Sadie bursts into tears, so Simon takes the spot next to her on the sofa.

“Thank God,” Victoria says with a sigh as she covers her chest. I pull her in for a hug, and I notice Theo’s hands are dragging down his face as he takes in a loud breath.

“Sadie, they’re OK. Sanders is dead. You’ll never have to see him again,” Simon says. He’s stroking Sadie’s hair as she swipes the tears from her cheeks.

“I can’t believe he’s really gone. Thank you,” Victoria says. Her gaze is sincere but still desperate from the fear and stress of the night.

Zev

“I need help!” I shout from the foyer. Adrian and Victoria show up just before I reach the living room. I’m carrying Tara in my arms, and she’s lifeless. Her eyes are staring up at the ceiling, and she won’t respond to me. Her clothes are spattered in blood.

“What the fuck do you do for someone in shock?” I ask.

“Let’s take her back to the bedroom, so we can get those clothes off of her. We need blankets, too,” Victoria says. I follow her to one of the guest bedrooms. I begin pulling off Tara’s shoes and shorts while Victoria digs through a closet.

“Once she’s stripped down, we need to wrap her in these blankets.”

“I’ll get her some water,” I say.

“No, she could choke. She needs time, Zev. She just needs some time.” Victoria finds a t-shirt in a drawer and pulls it over Tara’s head.

I stride to the bathroom and wet a washcloth, so I can at least wipe the blood away from Tara’s skin. “Let’s lay her body back and prop up her head. You can lie with her and hold her.”

She helps me get Tara wrapped up, and then she leaves us alone. I feel helpless as my girl stares off and trembles. I pull her against my chest while ensuring she can still get her breath.

“Daisy, it’s OK. You’re safe now. He can never hurt you again.” I hold her close and rock her, attempting to soothe her any way I know how. She closes her eyes, and her breathing slows a little.

Now that I have time to think, I struggle for my own breaths. I thought I was going to lose her. How am I ever going to let her go?

Tara

I wake up and flinch before I realize I’m safely in Zev’s arms. The room is dark, and I have no idea where I am.

“Tara, it’s OK. We’re at Adrian and Victoria’s. You were in shock.” I glance to the clock, and it’s three in the morning. Zev clicks on a lamp next to him.

“Do you want a drink of water?”

“Yes, and I have to use the bathroom.” While I make my way to the one off of the bedroom, Zev leaves to get me some water.

“Here, baby. Drink up.” I take the glass from him, and swallow it all down.

“I feel better now. What happened? I was so scared.” Tears burn my eyes as I recall the memory of seeing Noah dead.

“Adrian has a spec ops team that helps him fight the terrorists. He had four of them drive up here. They took out Noah, and they’re disposing of his body.

“It was the only way, Tara. You can never tell a soul.”

Nervously, I nod. “I wouldn’t. Thank you.” I begin to weep as I hug Zev hard. “I was so scared, but he didn’t hurt me.”

“Thank the Lord. I prayed and prayed that he wouldn’t.”

“He wanted the money too badly. I heard him on the phone with someone, and he didn’t know I was listening. He was arguing with them, swearing that he didn’t snitch. There is someone else out there, Zev. What if he told them about us? What if someone else comes after us?”

“I won’t let them. I’m not going to make another mistake. We’ll have a bodyguard with you at all times until we’re certain you’re safe.”

“Thank you.”

Zev’s finger lightly strokes my cheek, and his expression is pained. His scrunched brow and heavy eyes give it away.

“Let’s get more rest. You need it.”

Adrian

The ring of the doorbell sends me out of the bed. I throw on some pajama pants and hurry to the door.

“Agatha.”

“Hi, twin brother.” She’s smiling, but her smile soon fades. “You look like you just woke up. It’s noon.”

“I did. We had a late night.” I glide a hand over my black hair, smoothing it out. “Come in. When did you get into town? I thought you weren’t moving here for another week. I would’ve picked you up.”

“I got in late last night. It’s fine. I got a room here. I figured you could reimburse me.” She laughs as she follows me through the foyer. “I don’t know why, but I felt like I needed to be here. I had a sense someone was in trouble.”

Turning back, I hug her.

“Zev was in danger last night, but he’s safe. He’s here actually. Everyone crashed here last night since they were worried about him and Tara. Let me make us some coffee, and I’ll tell you about it.”

***

After I’ve told Aggie the story about Noah and Tara, she blows out a breath. “You all need to stay the hell out of trouble. I can’t go from one big stressor to another.”

“I’m hoping things are going to settle down now.”

“Aggie, you’re early!” Victoria exclaims as she enters the dining room.

“Hi, Victoria. How are you?”

“Better today.”

“Adrian brought me up to speed. I’ve missed a lot.” Victoria gives her a hug and then a sympathetic look.

“How are you doing?”

“I’m hanging in there. With the house almost empty and up for sale, I felt like I needed to be with my family, so here I am.”

“I’m thrilled. We’re going to have fun together.”

“Oh, my word, there’s a ring on your left finger!” Victoria blushes and grins at me. She’s damn cute.

“Yes, Adrian proposed a couple of days ago. With all that’s going on, we haven’t told anyone yet. You’re the first to spot it.”

Aggie stands to hug Victoria again.

“We have a wedding to plan,” she says.

“We might have a few of them. We’re not the only ones getting serious around here,” I utter.

“Hey, I’ll go fix a big lunch for everyone,” Victoria says excitedly.

“You might want to check in with Tara first. She might not be up for that much socializing.”

“Oh, true.”

“I heard my name.” Our heads turn toward the doorway, and Tara is staring at us. She’s in my t-shirt and my pajama pants, which are way too big for her. Victoria immediately goes to her and hugs her.

“How are you this morning?”

Zev passes by and goes to the kitchen, likely for coffee.

“I’m much better. Zev said you helped me out last night. And Adrian, I can’t thank you enough for what you and your guys did. Please thank them for me.”

“Please don’t thank me. All this never would’ve happened had we not gotten involved with Noah. I’m glad it’s over.”

“I hope it is.”

“Here’s some coffee,” Zev says, handing Tara a mug. “Good to see you, big sister.” He leans down to hug Aggie. We’re like one huge, happy family, and it is still hard to digest.

“Tara, are you up for a late lunch with the whole gang?”

“Sure. That would be nice, but can I borrow some of your clothes?” she asks Victoria, blushing.

“Of course. Let’s go find you something, and you can take a shower.” The girls head off as Theo, Simon and Sadie make their way to the dining room.

“What’s all the commotion?” Theo asks. “Aggie.”

“The one and only,” she replies. Each of them give her hugs and make their way to the kitchen. As they file back in one by one, I stare at them and soak in the feel of family and contentment.

“Adrian, can I speak to you in private?” Zev asks.

“Sure.” He follows me to my office and shuts the door behind us. I turn around and he’s biting the corner of his lip. “What’s the problem?”

“Tara mentioned this morning that Noah was talking to someone he deals with on the phone. She believes it is someone higher up the ladder. I’m thinking it could be John Ferrera. You know, it’s likely Noah told him about our involvement with the sting. What if he comes after us next?”

“The main goal of getting Noah busted was to lead the FBI to Ferrera. This was a risk we knew we were taking.”

“Yeah, well, when we made the lounges illegal, I didn’t know it was going to lead us to drug lords and all this other shit. We have women in our lives now, and Theo has kids.”

“Our only option is to beef up security in case Ferrera comes after us. Once inside Noah’s home, my guys were able to find his bank account information. They hacked his accounts and emptied them.

“They left a trail, so it will look like Sanders fled. Maybe Ferrera will only want revenge on him. Maybe he’ll believe Noah is the one he should be after.”

“It’s not enough for me, Ace. I can’t keep putting Tara’s life in jeopardy. I need to get her away from me.”

“Even if you do that, it doesn’t mean Ferrera will know. He could still go after her. You can’t give up everything, Zev. We’re almost to the finish line.”

“That doesn’t mean we get to cross it with everyone we love. It’s a risk I don’t know if I can take.”