When He Wakes

By Alisha Jones

Sofie Harper has never found much time for love because her fast paced career as a nurse doesn't allow much time for it. However, when she finds herself falling for one of her patients, her life could be turned upside down. He's kind, sweet, and gentle, but there's a huge problem... he has amnesia. Undercover cop, Cade Cooper, will stop at nothing to bring down the master crime boss in his city. But, when he winds up in the hospital, and falls for a beautiful nurse, he'll stop at nothing to protect her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lightnin'Blue Publications
• Release date: Dec 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386674092

Book preview

One

The wind whipped, blusteringly , slapping dead and frozen leaves around her face, but Sofie Harper still managed to make it inside the hospital without windburn or a scratch from the debris. As she unwrapped her scarf from around her nose and mouth, she silently cursed the January temperatures. Coldest temps in a decade? Believable. Her hair spiked and popped with static as she tried to contain the rebellious locks. She’d always hated her hair. Its curly, kinky frizz could not be restrained. As most curly-topped girls, she’d always envied the girls with straight, perfectly tamed tresses. She’d even tried to use an iron to manage the strands of insubordination. She chuckled at the memory of her laying her head onto her mother’s ironing board and stretching her arms in unnatural ways to complete the task. These days, she’d tried to use a flat iron on the crumpled mess, but even that was no use. The poor machine only succeeded in making a frazzled mess of her kinky curls. So, she’d abandoned the idea altogether and pulled her locks into a huge bun in the back of her head. This was the fastest way to be done with the mop of hair, and she’d worn it this way nearly every day for the last four years.

What’d you do? Try to blow dry that mop?

Sofie glared at her friend, with a sneering lip curled in defiance. Lori Jackson had been her very best friend since their days in nursing school, and she considered it a blessing to get to work with the woman every day. No, she spat. I had my head covered with a scarf and it’s being rebellious. She flattened her palms against her head and attempted to tame her hair.

Girl, if I were you, I’d cut those curls completely off, Lori smiled wickedly, knowing that Sofie’s hair was the quickest way to make her mad.

Don’t you think I’ve tried that, Sofie complained. Let’s just say my ninth grade school picture is worth a million ugly words.

Lori doubled over in laughter, holding her belly. Oh, I have got to see that one. Remind me next time your mother invites me over for supper, will ya?

I certainly will not, Sofie grunted. I wouldn’t relive that year of my life if you paid me to. She threw her scarf, gloves, and purse into her locker and slammed the door with a loud metal thud. Securing the lock, she twisted the combination several times. Making her way to the sink, she wet her hands and ran her fingers, gingerly, through her tough strands. Repositioning the hair tie, she captured all the stray pieces and bundled them together in a tight knot. There, she smiled, half pleased that she had done it so efficiently, much better.

Girl, I don’t know how you manage to keep all that hair from getting in your way all day long. Lori rolled her eyes and claimed, I would sooner shave my head.

Yeah, well, I wouldn’t put it past you, Sofie grinned teasingly. She chuckled at the newest color that adorned her friend’s head. Red, this time? What happened to the pretty blond you had yesterday?

Ugh, it was getting’ old, Lori grumbled. I hate for things to stay the same all the time, you know that.

Yeah, but I thought it would at least last longer than a week.

What can I say? Lori grinned naughtily. I’m addicted to change.

You’ll get no argument from me, Sofie chuckled. Of course, I suppose the view from the window at the hair salon is a pretty good motivator, too. She turned on her heel, knowing her friend wouldn’t let her comment stand.

Now, you hold on right there, Lori warned as she chased her friend from the room. You know I am perfectly content being single. At her friend’s insistent, and judgmental gaze, she declared, It’s true! I couldn’t even tell you what the man looks like anymore.

Uh huh, Sofie grinned, and winked, unbelieving.

I’m serious, Lori protested. I simply enjoy getting my hair done. It relaxes me.

Sofie patted her friend’s shoulder, Well, you just keep telling yourself that, sweetie. Maybe someday, you’ll actually believe it.

Oh, you make me madder than a hive full of hornets, Lori said as she smacked her leg. Sometimes I just hate you.

Sofie laughed and walked away, singing I know you mean ‘love’. She chuckled as she headed toward the emergency room, where she would be working. She had absolutely adored everything about Lori from the minute they found out that they would be roommates in college. From her crazy wit, to her boy-craziness, she had been a joy to room with. The two had been on quite a few adventures, mostly due to Lori’s wild ways, but Sofie had never regretted a minute of them. Well, maybe just one. Their last adventure, before graduating college and entering the work force full time, had led her to cross paths with Dax. Her ex-boyfriend couldn’t be closer, in height and morals, to the lowest scum on earth. But, with his smooth talk and his wily ways, she’d fallen for him quickly. Too quickly, in fact. She’d ignored her parents warning, and gotten herself into a mess of trouble. But, now, her life was on the right track and she could finally put Dax Owens where he belonged... in her past.

She headed into the emergency room and spoke, first with the head nurse, then with a few more employees. There wasn’t usually a lot of time for pleasantries, so she took every opportunity to get to know her co-workers. After only a minute of talking, she heard the emergency room doors slide open, with a very discernible swish. She grabbed the information from the EMT that had just entered, pushing a gurney, and took the patient from him. Now, it was time to put her best foot forward and do what she did best... care for others.

Two

I ’m telling you, it’s not a good idea, man. Somethin’ smells fishy here.

Cade Cooper rolled his eyes, wishing the scared-y cat would just shut his mouth. For months he’d worked on solving this case, and finally, when he was ready to set them up in an ambush, the boss’s brother was getting cold feet. This would be his luck. Nothing had ever gone his way. He’d thought for a while about going into another line of work. But, he’d always been good at his job, and ‘undercover cop’ wasn’t something you could put on a résumé. Would you just get a grip? he warned before the scum could talk his brother into leaving. This is exactly what we’ve been waiting for. We won’t get another chance like this for months.

Maybe we should wait.

Again, Cade felt like ripping his hair out. Better yet, he felt like ripping out Matteo’s hair. Yes, the man was the brother of the boss, but one would think any kin to Gino Allegri would have a little more... boldness. The man seemed to be a complete coward, and as far as Cade could tell, he wasn’t exactly the smartest man in the bunch. He assumed the only reason Gino kept Matteo around was because he was family. And, Italians are very big on family. Drawing a deep breath, he tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t make him seem over anxious. His men were waiting just beyond the building’s face to pounce, and he had to be sure they had someone to pounce on. Look, if you’re worried, Matteo, why don’t you go sneak around the side of the building and check it out? He didn’t say this as a threat, or a challenge, but simply an offering to give the man something to do other than grate his already frazzled nerves.

That’s a good idea, Gino claimed.

Cade swallowed hard, hoping the man would go for the plan. His team could grab Matteo first and silence him. He almost smiled at the adjustment in his plan.

Why should I have to go check it out? Matteo shouted slightly above a whisper. That’s why we have the underlings.

Cade had hated that term from the minute he met Gino and his band of would-be-mob thugs. Gino was the leader. He kept his crew behaved, paid, and fed. Matteo was the second in command, just in case something happened to Gino. Then, the rest of the crew, all nine of them, were called the Underlings. Meaning, they didn’t contribute anything to the team except what Gino commanded. Sometimes, that was brute force. Sometimes, it was protection from other gangs. Sometimes, it was sheer intimidation to civilians. Cade thought that Matteo definitely qualified as an underling. Look, we have one shot at this, he explained. I thought you wanted to take over the rival gangs and be the top dog? He knew he was bating Gino, but he would have done anything to be out from under this case.

I do. And I will, Gino retorted in his very best Godfather voice. But, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of running this crew, it’s that Matteo’s gut is rarely wrong.

Cade glared at Matteo, who seemed to be taking his brother’s compliment with great pride. Fine, Cade growled. Let’s just call the whole thing off. I’m sure by tomorrow, the Totalis will forget all about their two men that we have in our trunk. I’m sure Santo will just forgive and forget all about it. Okay, yes, he was getting desperate, but as they say, desperate times... Oh, and let’s not forget about Carlo and his band of thugs. They don’t even have enough class to run this town. How can we just give it over to them without a fight?

We can’t, Gino said as he twisted his hands into two he knots.

Cade recognized the signal instantly. It was one of the first things he’d noticed about Gino when he went under cover. The man would never be able to play poker successfully. He always gave away his decision before even he knew it. Satisfied that the boss would go along with him, he said, We’d better go before they leave. If they come out of the building, we’ve lost our edge. The element of surprise is all we have. Cade knew the only thing he had on his side was his team. And, if he couldn’t get Gino to leave the car, his plan would be up in smoke. So? What do you say we go conquer this town? he prodded.

Gino smiled wickedly and reached for the handle of his door. I say we can’t sit here while they just stroll in and take over. We’ve endured the threat of their domination for far too long. We’ve come too far to turn back now. Let’s see this through.

Matteo wailed, Gino, I just don’t think...

Are you doubting my leadership, brother? Gino raged.

Of course not, Matteo was quick to respond.

I have never doubted your gut before. Gino continued to comfort his brother when his face paled as though he would face the firing squad for simply stating his mind. But, he is right, he nodded toward Cade. The new man on his crew had become invaluable since his initiation months ago. We have taken their abuse and rivalry too long. I inherited this business from our grandfather and our father, Matteo. We were once a strong force to be reckoned with. Now, we have become a laughing stock. We will not stand idly by and watch everything we’ve worked for come crashing down around us.

And, if I’m right? Matteo warned. What will they think of us if we are locked behind jail bars?

Don’t’ be ridiculous, Cade put in. I have never let Gino down, and I don’t intend to start now.

Gino sat for a moment, deep in thought. Should he listen to his brother’s instinct, who had never once been wrong? Or, should he listen to the new guy? His mind whirred with each possibility, but ultimately, his pride won out over his brother’s gut. We go.

But... Matteo began.

We go now, Gino demanded, leaving no room for negotiation or cowardice.

Finally. In just a few short minutes, I’ll be free from this gang of thugs. Cade eased his door open, being careful not to disturb the quiet of the night. In the distance, he heard horns and the siren of an ambulance. He heard shouts from a few blocks over and laughter from a nearby apartment building. He saw nothing. Well, that wasn’t quite true. He saw the street light overhead, swarming with moths. He saw the gray, gloomy building to which he and Gino’s crew were supposed to be entering at any minute. He saw people milling around a window from the nearby apartment building. He saw stars twinkling in the dark, night sky. But, it was what he didn’t see that scared the heck out of him. Where are they? He squinted his eyes against the darkness, scanning the surrounding area for the signal.

The signal had always been the same. One member of his team would pretend to be a homeless man, pushing his grocery store buggy, filled with junk. He hadn’t seen him yet, and as he peered beyond him, he didn’t think he could see him if he tried. The clouds had rolled in suddenly and dropped a few splashes of rain on them as they tiptoed toward the building. If his team didn’t lay in wait inside the building, he would definitely have to run and hide from the wrath that he would incur from Gino. Oh, the boss would be pretty ticked off even if he was caught, but if there was no team, and no other gang, he would know he’d been double crossed.

Cade’s heart fell into his stomach, then toppled down into his feet. Or, at least that’s how it felt when he walked; like he was stepping on his own heart. His pulse thrummed in his head as he followed Gino and Matteo toward the building. Cade felt as though his life was very nearly over. He seriously considered making a u-turn and running for the hills, but he couldn’t be a hundred percent sure that his team didn’t lay beyond. If he had even a small reason for hope that he could finally be free from Gino’s crew, he had to see it through.

Slowly, they crept inside the building, watching for any signs of life. The darkness seemed to swallow them up like a big, black hole. Matteo laid his hand swiftly and harshly against his brother’s arm. Something’s wrong, Gino.

At last, Gino’s gut had caught up with his younger brother’s. The man was a good ten years younger than he, but he had good instincts. It was high time Gino started listening to them. I agree. He began to back away from the door, when it closed behind them. The heavy, metal door clanged shut with a weighty thud. Instantly, Gino felt trapped and his heart banged loudly against his ribs. Looking around for any other escape route, he vowed to kill the man who’d brought him to this place. In the pitch blackness, he searched for his new crew member. He would give him a fistful of warning, before he finally killed him. Matteo, where’s Cade?

I don’t know, he whispered. I knew there was something wrong. Fool set us up.

"Well, it looks like someone else set him up," Gino smiled within himself. They had a few friends that held positions in the police station, and he was sure that one of them had just saved his life. Finding a clear route to the car, the two men scampered to the car. As they climbed into the car, and started to pull away, they heard a voice calling from behind.

Hey, wait! Cade called from outside the car.

Matteo and Gino smiled to each other, knowing how they would make him suffer for what he’d done. Matteo stopped the car and Cade jumped in.

I can’t believe my informant got it so wrong, Cade tried, praying they would buy the lie.

It happens, Gino said forgiveness oozing from his words.

Cade knew it couldn’t be that easy. His heart beat faster and faster as they neared their hideout. He should have just run and gotten away from Gino, but he was duty bound to see this case through to the end. Believe me, Gino. I’ll make the guy pay for this.

"Believe me, Gino seethed, the man responsible for this, will pay with his life."

Cade swallowed hard as he noticed the look that passed between the brothers.

Three

Y ou three are supposed to be his closest friends! Not to mention his partners! Does someone wanna tell me how, in the blazes, this fiasco could have happened? When neither of the three men, standing like whipped puppies in his office, offered a reasonable explanation, he continued. I know you three think I can protect you, but I’m not the end of the line here. I have someone to answer to also! Just because I’m the Chief, and I’ve given you a little rope to catch Gino and his gang, doesn’t mean that I won’t let you hang yourself with it. At their solemn nods, he forged ahead, Now, someone better fess up and tell me what the heck happened, or we may just be fishing Cade’s body out of the river. His gray, cold eyes scanned the three of them. Well?!

Must have been a miscommunication, Chief, Levi Banks said without making eye contact with his superior.

Well, I don’t mean to split hairs here, but isn’t it your job to make sure that doesn’t happen!? The Chief’s hands flailed and he knocked over his coffee mug, spilling the hot liquid all the way down the legs of his desk.

Let me get that, Chief, Greg Elliot said as he jumped to retrieve some paper towels.

Forget it, Elliot, the Chief spat. Lou Hart wasn’t the first chief in this department, and he wouldn’t be the last, but his job may very well be over before he could retire, if anything happened to one of his officers. Sit back down, he ordered. He hid his grin as the man immediately obeyed.

Reclaiming his seat, Greg bowed his head in cowardice and self-loathing. How could he face the