Keeper

By Mia Jones

Warrick Mancini did not expect to find the love of his life at a friend's funeral. He couldn't believe she was everything and more than he ever dreamed of.

 

Elizabeth William's only concern in life was her twelve-year-old son. After her husband, his father was killed in the line of duty, she'd made the boy her priority. She never found time between raising him and running a ranch with a friend or had the inclination to want a relationship with anyone, until Warrick came into her life.

 

But something in Elizabeth's world goes very wrong. Something unexpected and dangerous that could potentially shatter her world.
Can Warrick save her in time before too much damage has been done? And can he get her and the boy through the crippling despair that follows after?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
• Release date: May 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201715564

Book preview

Keeper

By Mia Jones

Chapter One

Elizabeth squeezed her son, Jayden’s hand as they walked up the sidewalk to one of her best friends, Carla’s, house. Any other time, she loved to be there, but not that day. That day they were putting her husband, Brad, in the ground.

Brad had been a cop and died in the line of duty. Like so many other officers before him, he went on a domestic disturbance, and the husband had shot him at the door, like Elizabeth’s husband.

Domestic issues tended to be more dangerous because of the high emotional angst and raw feelings.

Elizabeth had also lost her husband, a detective in the 9th District. He’d been investigating a shooting in one of the rougher parts of the city and been gunned down. It happened five years before, when her son, Jayden, had been seven years old.

Now he was twelve and was too smart for his own good, and every year, it got a little tougher to raise him on her own. Her husband's best friend and partner on the police force, Evan, helped out when he could, but things had been awkward between them after he tried to come on to her, and she shot him down.

She’d been startled when he grabbed her and kissed her. She pushed him away from her and yelled, ‘Stop.’ They stood silently and stared at each other for a long moment before she explained that she didn’t feel like that about him, and she really wasn’t ready to date, anyway. It had been one of the most awkward times in her life.

Evan was a handsome, sweet guy, but she’d never had romantic feelings toward him. He would always be Rick’s buddy and partner in her mind.

She knew he’d been attracted to her long before Rick died, but she had always ignored it while Rick had joked about it.

Hey, Elizabeth, I’m glad you’re here.

She looked up when the door opened. What’s up?

Carla, miss drama queen.

Betty, she just lost her husband. Give her a break.

I know, and I feel bad for her, but why does she have to wail?

Elizabeth just smiled. Her friend Carla and she had known each other since grade school, and her friend had always loved drama and being the center of attention, while Beth liked to be in the background.

People had always wondered how they could be friends and be so different, but their relationship worked.

I’ll see if I can’t calm her down.

You’re the only one that could.

She handed off the casserole dish. Could you put that in her frig, please?

Sure, honey. Betty ruffled Jayden’s hair. There’s your handsome boy with the gorgeous eyes like his momma.

Elizabeth chuckled at the red tinge that covered her son’s face. People commented on their eyes a lot. They were a bright jade color that stood out against their dark Italian hair and complexions.

Mom, can I go find Charlie?

After you give your condolences to Carla.

It took the two fifteen minutes to get across the room because they were stopped every foot or so, being greeted by the people that stood between her and Carla.

Elizabeth cringed as a cry rent the air. Excuse us, Carla needs us right now. We’ll talk later.

If you can get her to stop making that damn sound, it would be much appreciated.

I’ll try my best.

Carla’s cry froze as Beth got near her.

Carla, Jayden, would like to say something.

Jayden glanced up at Beth, but then talked after she nudged him.

I am so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Parker.

Thank you, Jayden.

Jayden looked up at his mom, hopefully.

She smiled. Go find Charlie.

Thanks, Mom.

Elizabeth turned back to Carla and felt her own eyes sting. She grabbed a chair and brought it as close to Carla’s as she could and then reached for her hands. They sat like that for a long moment.

What am I going to do?

Elizabeth squeezed her hand. You’re going to take one step at a time as I did, and you’re going to have me there with you for every one of them.

It hurts so bad, she cried.

I know. All I can say is it gets less intense as time goes on.

I don’t think I’ll survive.

Elizabeth bit back a smile. You will. It might not feel like it right now, but you’re going to make it.

Maybe if we had children...

Elizabeth shook her head. It brought its own stresses to the situation and made it harder, I thought. You not only had to deal with your own grief, but your child's also.

I didn’t think of that, Carla admitted. Oh, hell.

She looked to where Carla was staring and sighed when she saw Maggie, Carla’s older sister headed their way.

Well, hello, if it isn’t our beautiful Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's stomach cramped. She didn’t like confrontations of any kind, and she especially didn’t like them with this woman. She knew she’d never done anything to deserve the sarcastic, biting attitude Maggie gave her every time she saw her.

It’s always good to see you, Maggie, how have you been?

Always wonderful. Maggie turned to her sister. How’s little Carla doing?

She squeezed Carla’s hand. Her sister liked to stir the pot and ruffle feathers.

I don’t think this is the time for that, Maggie, Beth said.

Maggie narrowed her eyes at Beth. Not your call. This is a family matter.

Elizabeth tried not to roll her eyes. This had been going on since high school, Maggie had it in for her, and she never could figure out why. Carla had told her she thought it was pure jealousy, but Beth didn’t know if that were true or not.

Carla was pretty with long brown hair and eyes. She was curvy without looking overweight. Her sister, Maggie, had always had to deal with her weight. When the woman gained, it went to her hips, ass, and thighs. Since she was a few inches over five feet, it showed more than someone taller.

Elizabeth had been born into an Italian family with a little Irish thrown in. She was always slim, though she admitted she had to work for it. Four inches over five feet. She had the unusual green-blue eyes that stood out against her Italian skin. Add to that, her long black hair that hung to the middle of her back. She knew she was attractive, and although she never asked for it or even liked it, she always got attention even when she didn’t want it.

You’re right, Maggie. She turned to Carla. I’ll be in the kitchen.

Wait, Carla cried out.

I’m not going anywhere. I promise.

Carla nodded and mouthed the word ‘sorry’ for the way her sister treated her.

Elizabeth just smiled and made her way to the kitchen.

What can I help with? Beth asked the other three women.

One of them turned. Someone needs to start on the dishes.

Perfect, Beth said and started the water in one of the sinks and then added soap.

For the next hour, she washed dish after dish until her hands pruned. One of the women handed her a towel.

You’ve done enough, hun. Have you eaten yet? One of Carla’s aunts asked.

No.

Jayden already ate, so go take care of yourself.

Thank you. I’ll go check on Carla, first.

She has got a good friend in you.

I’m lucky to have her.

Beth walked back to Carla. Her heart lurched in her chest at the forlorn look on her friend's face. She grabbed two plates with chocolate cake and forks and made her way over.

She sat down in the chair and handed Carla one of the plates. When all else fails, eat chocolate.

Carla snorted out a laugh. You and your chocolate.

Beth rolled her eyes. Like it’s not one of your obsessions.

Carla took a bite and closed her eyes. This is one of my grandmother's old recipes. I wonder which one of my aunts made it.

Beth took another bite. Carla came from a large Italian family while she was the only child, and her parents had died right after Jayden was born. As far as she knew, there weren’t any relatives she had left. It was just her and Jayden against the world.

She wondered what it would be like to have a family like Carla’s. She cut off that line of thinking because it always made her sad, and there was nothing she could do to change it.

She had Jayden, and that’s all she needed.

Chapter Two

Warrick stood on the other side of the room from where the widow sat and wanted to keep it that way. He’d never heard a woman cry like that, and it hurt his ears.

He looked around the room of mostly strangers, but the majority cops, like himself. Unfortunately, he’d been to a few memorials in his career, and it never got easier.

His brother droned on about the different people he pointed out. Usually, he wouldn’t have cared, but now since he moved back to town, he figured he needed to meet the people he’d be involved with occasionally.

He’d applied for a Captain job in the 9th District his brother told him about. The city he had lived in had lost all appeal when his friend had died in a car accident, and so he moved closer to his family.

He’d received notice that he got the job a few months ago and had been in the process of moving there and getting to know the officers in his command.

He’d been expecting to have a tougher integration than he’d had. He knew having lived here before, it was the city he’d grown up in, and having his brother on the job but at a different precinct, helped tremendously. Add to that, he’d been a capable Captain in the city he’d left behind, and it had gotten around that he was a fair but tough boss; the people in his building already seemed to respect him, and he’d settled in fairly smoothly.

Oh, shit, here she comes, Tysen, his brother, murmured to him.

Warrick looked up and saw his brother’s ex, Maggie, headed their way. Shit, his ex-sister in law was a straight-up bitch. What in the hell did you see in her?

I’ve no idea.

Hello, Tysen, Maggie turned to Warrick and narrowed her eyes. Mingling with the underlings, are we?

Warrick sighed and then looked at his brother. Explain to me why you married the bitch?

Tysen snickered at the look on Maggie’s face.

Maggie made a screeching sound, turned abruptly, and walked away.

Thanks, man.

What are brothers for?

I’ve no idea why she keeps trying to talk to me. We’ve been divorced a few years now, and we didn’t have any kids.

Thank God, Warrick muttered.

You know it. It was the only thing I was thankful for besides the fact she makes more than me, so I didn’t have to pay her alimony.

Does she have to pay you?

I could have, but then I’d have to deal with her all the time. The money wasn’t worth it.

I agree with that.

Tysen abruptly straightened up and looked at something.

What are you looking at?

Tysen looked up at his brother. Remember Rick Williams?

Yeah, he was a class or two behind me.

Tysen turned toward Warrick. I told you he died.

Yeah, shitty deal.

Yeah, it fucking sucked. Well, his widow, Elizabeth, is here.

Warrick looked where his brother was pointing. Four women are standing there.

She’s the one with her back toward us with the really long, dark hair.

Okay, what about her?

I want to see your face when you see her.

Warrick scowled down at Tysen. Knock it off.

No, really. You’re going to like her. She’s gorgeous, sweet, has a body you’d kill for, and she’s smart.

How long has Rick been gone?

Four or five years.

Remarried?

No. Not even a boyfriend.

Why?

Tysen shrugged. She has a young son, so maybe she’s just concentrated on him and her career.

What does she do?

I know she does something with horses, but she’s also a translator for the police department. She speaks several languages. Rumor has it the CIA tried to recruit her, but she had already started to date Rick and decided to stay with him.

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