Protected by Love: Witness Protection Series, #2

By Carolyn Rae

PROTECTED BY LOVE

Witness Protection Series, Book Two

Fashion designer, Elizabeth Leventhal, Lee’s sister, wants to escape her abusive ex-husband, who works for the Elites, a Texas crime ring. When he beats down her door, she calls U.S. Marshal Joe Berg, to put her in the Witness Security Program. He asks her to attend an Elite party to get enough evidence to enroll her in the program. That fills her with dread.

Handsome and muscular, Joe yearns for the plucky Elizabeth and struggles with his obstinate boss, his forbidden attraction to Elizabeth, and the crime ring’s attempts to turn her over to her ex-husband.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Williamson Press
• Release date: Sep 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516319930

Book preview

Chapter One

He’d found her.

Startled, Elizabeth Leventhal smeared her red nail polish. Perched on the edge of her leather couch, she replayed her voicemail. Just hearing Rico’s imperious tones made her shoulders hunch up and her heart pound.

Lizzy baby, you thought you’d cut me off when you changed your number. Well, think again. I’ll talk to you anytime I want. You’re mine. Taking me to court was a huge mistake.

She touched the yellowing bruise on her shoulder. He’d hit her just before they walked into the Dallas court for the final divorce hearing. It wasn’t a mistake, she muttered. How could she have been taken in by his good looks and flattery? Maybe someday she’d find someone who’d appreciate her and let her breathe. She just wanted to be free from Rico and the Elites, his mafia-like family.

His deep voice sounded cold, not charming as when they’d met. What man’s going to want you when you can’t dance worth a damn or carry on an intelligent conversation about politics?

Ouch. He sure could push her buttons.

I can find plenty of babes to satisfy me, he taunted, but I’m not through with you.

Go ahead. Find someone else. Just leave me alone! She slammed down the bottle of nail polish and then deleted the message. Elizabeth gritted her teeth. At work, with people around, she’d probably be safe. But the idea of being face-to-face with him in her apartment made her pulse race.

She glanced at her fashion drawings lying on the walnut end table. Rico had said they were good. When she mentioned her ambition to become a fashion designer, he’d said, Forget it. You’ll never be good enough. She bit her lip. She hadn’t let on how much that hurt. Some day she’d show him.

That was if Rico didn’t kill her first. She should call the U.S. Marshal who’d put her sister, Laura Lee, in the Witness Security Program.

Did Rico know where she’d moved? His brother, Tony, could ferret out anything. She caught herself taking quick breaths. Wishing for a baseball bat to hit him with, she hurried to the kitchen and pulled out an iron frying pan. She set it down with a clunk on the counter so it would be handy.

Five minutes later, Rico was calling her name and pounding on her door. That set her heart beating faster. She grabbed her phone and dialed 9-1-1. Help, my ex is trying to break in! I’ve got a protective order on file, but he’s ignoring it.

The dispatcher said, I have someone on the way now. I need you to stay on the line, though.

Elizabeth set the phone down. She tried to push the couch against the door, but it was too heavy. He might break the door before the cops could get here. Her stomach tightened with each thunderous pounding of his fist. She raced to the kitchen and gripped the frying pan until her knuckles turned pale.

Back in the living room, she glanced at the window. Her apartment was on the second floor. Her toes grabbed at the gray carpet.

He kept hammering on the door. Open up. I know you’re there.

Her neighbors would complain about the noise soon. Maybe they’d even call the police, too.

Ma’am, ma’am…. sounded from the phone.

Please, Rico said. Just let me in for a few minutes so we can talk.

He’d said please. That was unusual, but she needed to stay strong. Go away.

Aw come on, babe, open the door. I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk.

She couldn’t seem to stop trembling. About what?

Getting back together.

Rico, it’s over.

You rushed through this divorce without taking time to think about it. We could sell your late father’s house and get a good price if that shopping center goes through. Then we could take another trip to Europe. Wouldn’t you like that?

Forget it. Now go away.

He rattled the doorknob. Not until you let me in.

I called the police. They’re on the way.

He laughed. Cops can’t do much to me. I’m not armed.

He’s still here, she told the dispatcher.

Damn. Rico might be right, but she’d feel safer when the cops arrived. Goosebumps covered her arms. The police will be here any minute. You’d better leave. A thud sounded. Would he kick the door down?

She should have told the man on the phone Rico had hit her before, but she’d been ashamed to admit that. She hadn’t even told her sister how bad things were, although Laura Lee probably guessed.

The sound of wood splintering set her heart beating furiously. The door bowed inward. She picked up the phone again and asked the dispatcher, Are you hearing this?

Hearing what, ma’am?

My ex—he’s breaking in. She hesitated a few seconds to catch her breath. Please, you’ve got to send an officer right away.

Another voice outside said, We need to teach that bitch nobody messes with you.

Oh, no! Her stomach churned. His brother, Tony, was here too. Now she couldn’t stop shaking. Would the cops get here before they broke in?

Chapter Two

Open up, bitch! Tony shouted. The door cracked, right beside the knob, and a large piece of the door stuck out toward Elizabeth. Who’d kicked it—Rico or Tony? It didn’t matter; they were going to break through. Her whole body tensed. Earlier, she’d fastened the latch at the top of the door, but how long would it hold?

Breathing fast, she spoke into the phone, He’s breaking in. There are two of them. Hurry. I need an officer. Now.

Stay on the line. There are several on the way to your location.

Elizabeth could barely hear the man over the sounds of wood cracking. Breathlessly, she watched a smaller piece of wood break loose. It dropped onto the carpet and bounced. She snatched up the frying pan. She could hit one guy over the head, but the other could grab her.

A siren sounded. She held her breath and looked out the window. Was that the police? The siren got louder. A fire engine raced by. Damn! Where were they?

An arm reached through the gaping hole in the door. She hit it with the skillet. He cursed, but still managed to twist the knob. The bottom half of the door was shoved inward, but the top latch held. Could they pry the door open enough to get in? Her heart pounded. Only God could save her from a beating, or worse. Why hadn’t she taken Laura Lee’s advice and moved far away from Dallas?

Freeze. Dallas Police, said a woman’s voice.

Elizabeth hoped the officer had a big gun and could intimidate her two tormenters.

Up against the wall, now, the officer said.

Who are you trying to scare, bitch? asked Rico.

Better do as she says, Tony said. She’s got a gun, and at this range she can’t miss.

No whore can restrain me. I’ve got rights, Rico insisted.

If you don’t keep your mouth shut and comply, I’ll charge you with resisting arrest, said the female officer.

Elizabeth stooped and peered through the hole in the door. The officer held a gun on the two men, then moved out of sight. It sounded as if she were patting them down for weapons.

Rico cursed, but she couldn’t hear any footsteps. She guessed for once he was paying attention to the cop.

Ma’am, came the dispatcher’s voice from the phone. what’s happening? Are you okay?

Elizabeth picked up the phone. An officer is here. She seems to have them under control.

Sirens sounded again. Elizabeth hoped more cops were coming.

Sure enough, at least two sets of footsteps pounded up the steps. Walker, we’re here to assist, said one man.

Two more officers have arrived, said Elizabeth into the receiver. I’ll hang up now. Thanks for your help.

Got enough handcuffs? asked a second officer, also male.

Thank goodness, the first officer now had plenty of help. Elizabeth unlatched the door and peeked out. The clicks of handcuffs were welcome sounds. One male cop grasped Rico’s arm and the other male cop held Tony’s. They escorted them downstairs.

Rico jerked to a stop on the steps. You haven’t heard the end of this. The family will help. They’ll get a lawyer to turn me loose as soon as possible.

Officer Walker stepped to the door. You all right, ma’am? she asked.

Still shaken, Elizabeth nodded. I think so. How long can you keep them in jail?

Until they’re arraigned in the morning. If they get a lawyer to post bond, they could be free by nine a.m. or sooner. I suggest you stay somewhere else tonight.

Breathing more evenly, Elizabeth said, Thanks for everything.

You’re welcome.

After the first officer asked Elizabeth some questions and made some notes, she left too.

Elizabeth hurried down the hall to a friend’s apartment. Even though it was late, she knocked. Sally, can I talk to you?

A moment later a sleepy voice answered. Who is it?

It’s Elizabeth. I need your help.

The door opened. I heard some noise. What happened?

My ex tried to break in, but the police came and took him away. Can I stay here tonight in case he gets out of jail?

Sure. Go get what you need and hurry back.

Back at her apartment, she threw a change of clothes in an overnight bag, grabbed the card she had from a U.S. Marshal, and hurried back to Sally’s place. She could sleep on the couch.

Grabbing her cell phone, she called U.S. Marshal Joe Berg. Of course, since it was night, she got his voicemail. She started to leave a message, but Joe himself came on the line.

Elizabeth, I was just about to leave the office when your call came in. You sound upset. What’s wrong? Have any of those badasses who threatened your sister last year bothered you?

Memories of being kidnapped and tied in a chair until her sister and her husband, Alex, rescued her sent shivers down her spine. She gripped the phone tighter. No, it’s not them.

She’d glimpsed the body of a man who’d insulted Rico’s boss with a face hardly recognizable as human before he’d been dragged away from an alley behind a bar. What if something she did angered Rico enough to beat her even half that bad? She had to persuade Joe to help her. "It’s my ex, Rico Hernandez. He won’t leave me alone, and he’s tied to the Elites.

I didn’t realize you’d gotten married.

It was a whirlwind courtship. I didn’t really know what he was like until we were married. We’re divorced now, but he won’t accept it. He and his brother tried to break in. I had to call the cops. Now I’m afraid they’ll come after me again.

I’m sorry to hear that. I can take you somewhere you’ll be safe. Laura Lee would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you.

She was still trembling. Can you put me in the Witness Security Program?

Sorry. I know you’re scared of your ex, but we can’t put you in the program just because your ex is bothering you. We’d be overrun with requests from battered women.

But I know things. I can tell you about the Elites and their business dealings—well, some of them.

Do you have any proof?

Rico seldom left any papers around. He was paranoid about someone seeing them. The only thing he kept at our apartment was his notary book.

Do you still have it?

He may have taken it with him, but I can look for it. Rico seldom wrote down what documents he notarized. The book only said, ‘document for Angel,’ or ‘document for Tony.’ Sometimes he just wrote ‘documents.’ She wouldn’t tell Joe that. She had to convince him to help her.

It had been a long time between talks with her sister while she was in the Witness Security Program. If Elizabeth went into the program, she’d also be cut off from all her friends and relatives, maybe even Laura Lee. What choice did she have? She had to convince Joe to get her in the program. I’m afraid Rico’s friends might kidnap me and force me to go back to him.

I won’t let that happen, Joe said. Pack what you’ll need for a month or two. I’ll be there at 7:30 in the morning.

* * *

Back at the agency, Joe set the receiver down and rubbed the back of his neck. Ramon Ruiz, a witness Joe’s boss, Will Barkley, had assigned him to protect had talked about a crime ring that mostly did money laundering and stock manipulation. According to Ruiz, the Elite crime ring was also involved with smuggling a shipment of Uzis to Iran for a big payoff. Joe’s boss ordered him to get the witness to implicate a second witness to help the Justice Department nail the ring. Joe had urged his supervisor to turn the matter over to the ATF Agency.

Barkley had refused. In determined tones, he’d said, That could be a point in our favor. It might help us obtain more money for the U.S. Marshal Agency.

If Joe had been chosen to take the place of Carl Carlson, the marshal who’d been forced to resign for shooting at a witness, Joe would have turned the matter over to the ATF immediately. However, he had to follow Barkley’s orders.

Joe yawned. Time to go home. His golden pit bull, Boston, was no doubt pacing the backyard, awaiting his return. Since Joe lived alone, he enjoyed Boston’s joyous welcome, even the slap of his wagging tail.

In the parking garage, Joe settled behind the wheel of his red Corvette, waved to the guard, and drove away. He usually drove his SUV for work, but it was in the shop.

Now he had a dilemma. Should he go over his boss’s head and report what his witness said to someone higher up or someone in the ATF? If he did, it could mean his job. He sighed. Maybe he should wait and dig a little more to see what he could find out.

And then there was Elizabeth. Joe ran his fingers through his blond hair. He didn’t want to refuse to help Laura Lee’s little sister. Her voice sounded even sweeter than he’d remembered. There wasn’t much to go on to put her in Wit-Sec. He’d help her relocate, but what if the Elites, her ex’s crime ring with ties to Mexico, was involved in that gun smuggling deal as well as money laundering? He’d have to question her again.

* * *

Inside Sally’s apartment, Elizabeth knocked on her bedroom door. When her friend opened it, Elizabeth said, Someone’s coming for me in the morning. I may not be able to contact you for a while, but I want to thank you for being my friend and letting me stay here tonight.

I’ll worry about you.

I’m counting on Joe to keep me safe. We’d better get some sleep. I need to be up by six to pack my things.

By ten after seven the next morning, Elizabeth was rushing around her apartment, hoping she’d packed everything in her suitcase and two boxes.

Someone knocked on her door. Joe, you’re early, she said, opening the door a crack.  A strange man stood there. Well over six feet, with a bushy black beard, he was built like a linebacker. Her stomach tightening, she braced her foot and hip against the door to keep him from coming in. Who are you and what do you want?

He shoved his way inside and grasped her hand. I’m Angel. His voice was gravelly.

If anyone looked less angelic, it was this man.

He looked her over. Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing? I didn’t make the wedding, but Rico never told me you looked this great. No wonder he kept you all to himself. He slid his hand up her arm as if to caress her.

She shook his hand off and backed away. Her heart kept up a frantic pace. She might be shorter and not as strong, but she wasn’t going to be pawed over or worse. She should knee him in the groin and run, but what if she missed?

He grasped her wrist and held tight. I’m here to tell you not to mess with my brothers, he growled. We’re family. We stand up for each other.

She tried wrenching her arm away, but he was too strong. She screamed.

The man clapped a hand over her mouth. Shut up.

Her heart beat a mile a minute. She had to stall until Joe arrived. She struggled and finally wrenched his hand from her mouth. Let go of me.

Promise you won’t scream again.

She nodded, wondering if that was a good idea. Most of the people who lived here were women. Would they be able to help her?

She backed toward the table where she’d left her phone. What are you going to do? She probably didn’t want to hear the answer, but letting him talk might keep him from hitting her.

He grinned. For starters, I could nail you. Bet Rico wasn’t man enough for you—or you wouldn’t have divorced him. I like it rough. You would too—with the right man.

That did it. She slammed her knee up between his legs, but he grabbed her leg and shoved her against the wall. No bitch gets the best of me!

The door flew open. I’m a U.S. Marshal and no bastard gets the best of me! shouted Joe. He punched Angel so hard she could hear bone crack.

If Joe had broken his jaw, the guy deserved it.

The next thing she knew, Joe had the man flat on the floor and was straddling him. She hadn’t known Joe was such a good fighter. With his broad shoulders, his bulging muscles and his fast moves, Joe was a force to be reckoned with. She had never been so glad to see him. Thank goodness he’d come early.

Joe rolled the man over and snapped handcuffs on him. Then he made a call to the police and explained the situation. Come and get this SOB. He was trying to harm my witness.

Joe pulled out a gun and pointed it toward Angel. Now roll over and sit up, but don’t make any other moves. He kept his eyes on Angel, but took her hand. Are you all right?

Still trying to catch her breath, she grasped his hand in hers. The strong hand that had dealt those harsh blows to Angel now held hers gently. I don’t know how to thank you. I don’t know what he might have done to me if you hadn’t come.

His blue eyes and the slight pressure of his hand reassured her. I’m so sorry you had to be threatened by him.

Angel glared at her. She hoped she’d never see him again. He hadn’t pulled a gun, so the charges for assault might not keep him locked up for long. By then she’d better be long gone from here.

Finally, two uniformed officers arrived. Angel cursed and demanded a lawyer, but they dragged him away. Only then did she feel composed enough to finish packing. Finally, she stashed the last item in a box and collapsed on the couch.

Joe looked out the door and picked up her boxes. I’ll take these out to my car. Lock the door behind me.

She hurried to lock it. Still shaking, she waited for his knock. This time she called out, Who is it?

After he answered, she opened the door, grabbed the handle of her suitcase, and pointed to her computer. He took it from her, his brief touch warming her hand. Just knowing he’d take care of her made her