10. Fragile Hearts

CHAPTER 10

Fragile Hearts

NATE

R obbie called out, “Welcome home,” approaching the cabin. I stepped down off the porch and greeted him halfway with a solid handshake.

“Been a long time,” I said.

“Yep. I imagine the town looks a little different to you now.”

“Better, actually. But it’s good to know some things haven’t changed. You’re still here, the man in charge. And Aunt Minnie’s Pie Shop is still around.”

“True, although she and Uncle Jeb are looking to retire. Meadow and I are too busy to run it ourselves, what with our own careers and families, but we’re too nostalgic to sell it off. In the new year, we’ll see if we can find someone to operate it for us.”

“I see. I’m guessing Kipp told you that I needed to talk with you about something.”

“Yep. I came out first thing. Hold on.” He dipped into the back seat of his vehicle then reemerged with a white box. The fragrant scent of cinnamon hit me. “I stopped at Minnie’s first and brought cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven.”

“Oh, dude. You made our day.”

“Hello,” Tori’s voice rang out behind me. I shifted my head around to see her bounding down the steps barefoot to join us. “I’m Tori?—”

“And I’m Porsche.” Pip called, waving from the porch swing.

“Nice to meet you both.” He handed the box to Tori.

“Thank you. Would you like to come in for some coffee—” she started, only Robbie produced another item from the back seat, a cup holder with four large cups smelling of something familiar.

“Don’t tell me. You brought spiced lattes, too?” My stomach growled, taking them from him, dying to get my hands on my share of all the treats.

“Come on now. This is Kissing Springs. You know we do the neighborly thing and welcome newcomers to town,” he laughed, a hearty sound that echoed around the campsite. With not another car in sight, though, I doubted it woke anyone up. We seemed to be the only ones here.

A little while later, inside after eating and drinking and small talk, catching up on the news about some of our mutual old friends, Robbie pulled out a pocket notebook and pen.

“Now, start from the beginning. Tell me what’s going on and I’ll see how I can help you,” he said.

After a deep breath in, I launched into our story, starting with the simple truth.

“We’re not really married. You see this ring? It’s fake.” I pointed at Tori’s hand. Yeah, I’d noticed the rock on her finger before now, and assumed it was something her ex gave her. If she were mine, she’d be taking that piece of shit off and throwing it away. I wouldn’t care how much it cost. But I didn’t have a single right to demand that.

Tori nervously twirled the ring, while Porsche’s face fell like she’d cry again any minute. I shifted in my seat, hoping to brush away the hold their moods had on me.

His head jerked back. “Say what? Your sisters might tear you to shreds with their claws if they learn about this.”

“Which is why I’d appreciate it if everything you hear today is kept in the strictest confidence. You see, there’s a reason for this, and it all is intended to keep these two safe.”

Tori and I took turns sharing the details, and answering his questions. Between us, a short time later, Robbie had the full picture.

“So you think Bottesta could be after you?” To his final question, Tori nodded.

“Unfortunately. It wouldn’t surprise me if he found out I had supplied the feds with some evidence about his illegal operations. But aside from that, his obsession with me and Porsche is over the top. And the way he’d lately started looking at her… Like he owned her and would do what he wanted with her.” She grabbed her girl’s hand, her voice cracking. “I just can’t return her to that life.”

Hell, I didn’t know about that. I hid my fists in my lap, balled up so tight. Without a doubt, if he ever touched that girl, I’d find a way to rid the world of him. And that’s just me being a decent man, nothing to do with catching feelings for the two of them. Er, because I wasn’t.

“Robbie, I was hoping you’d have some contacts on the force up in Chicago or St. Louis, even in the FBI. If you could keep tabs on their search for Bottesta, or if you hear anything about Cap, it’d be helpful,” I finished.

“I won’t feel safe again, for me or Porsche, until I know Bottesta is behind bars. And I can’t trust the FBI, not when I think someone is on the inside feeding information to Bottesta. If there’s anything you can do to help us…” Tori added her final plea.

With his elbow on the table, he scrubbed through his dark beard with thick fingers, and took a long minute before speaking.

“I do know a couple of people I believe I can trust. But I’ll have to be careful. I agree with you; we don’t want anyone tipped off where you are.” He shook his head. “The last thing we need is some mob boss hell-bent on revenge visiting this town again.”

He referred to Kissing Springs’ interesting history with mafia types in the past. Growing up here, you heard the stories, the rumors. Fact or fiction, being so close to St. Louis and Chicago, the small town had attracted more than its fair share of bosses trying to control criminal operations.

“Thanks, Robbie. We appreciate your help.” That was some relief to me, at least, getting everything off my chest, and having an ally here.

“Ladies, it was nice to meet you both. Nate, can I speak with you alone outside?” He rose up and nodded before stalking back out, and I followed.

At his car, I quirked an eyebrow, waiting for him to talk again.

“What’s the end goal here, Nate?” He asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you hope to keep seeing those two after this is all over?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out.

“That’s what I thought. You’re in real deep, aren’t you?”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. I wasn’t, er, was I? Thinking about the half dozen ways the women inside the cabin got into my heart over the past day of knowing each other though…

“Yep. I can see you thinking a little too hard about my question. There was a time when Prima first moved here and she had a stalker. I let myself get real close?—”

“And you two are happily married now, from what I hear.”

“We are. But I’ve been in your shoes and rode that edge of worry, man, wondering what would happen if I crossed the line and took things to a personal level. You know as well as I do, when protecting someone, you have to be able to think clear and fast on your feet, no time for emotions. While my situation with Prima turned out well for me, that’s not a guarantee for you.”

“What are you trying to say, Robbie?” I scrubbed at the back of my neck.

“Just be careful. Those hearts in there—” He yanked his head toward the cabin. “They seem pretty fragile. Anyway, it’ll take a couple of days before I have news, I hope. What’s your plan? Just to lay low out here?”

“I don’t know what else we can do. We told my family we’re only here for a visit for the week. And, uh, I guess Mom’s throwing us a wedding party in a couple of days.”

“So I heard. Meadow, your sisters, and your mom had that thing planned and everyone invited by sunrise.” He chuckled. “My advice? Don’t hole up here. Take the time each day to visit with your family and take those two with you. Keep yourselves busy or you’ll go insane out here alone with them. I’ll be in touch.”

I waited outside until he drove off. With a glance back at the cabin, more worry overcame me, combined with Cap and Robbie’s warnings. Whatever it took, I needed to keep my distance when we were alone. Full stop. This would only last another few days, maybe as long as a week, then between Robbie and I we’d get these two someplace safe, somehow, and my role as their protector would be done. My debt paid back to Cap.

Suddenly, I could hear a phone ringing inside and I ran up the steps to find Tori digging the device out from her backpack. She produced an older model flip phone. Probably a burner, knowing Cap.

“Oh. This could be him.” She glanced quickly between Porsche and I, then answered, putting the call on speaker. “Hello?”

“Tori? It’s Cap. Are you two okay? Are you there with Nate?”

“Oh my God. You’re alive. I worried so much about you,” she exclaimed, clutching her heart, her care for him loud and clear.

“Don’t worry. I’m with the FBI team working around the clock, tracking down Bottesta.”

“He’s still at large?” I called out asking, hoping for their estimation of his whereabouts. How close was Tori’s father-in-law to Kissing Springs?

“Yep. But we’re closing in on him, and closer each day.”

“We’re here in—” Porsche began, but Cap quickly cut her off.

“Don’t tell me, honey. I have a tracker on your phone and know exactly where you are at all times. I knew I could count on you, Nate, to take them somewhere safe.”

Tori’s lips twitched up at me. “Nate’s been there for us. One hundred percent. But what now? What do we do?”

“Keep posing as a family, exactly like we planned. I think you should keep hiding right where you are. Act naturally for a couple more… I’ll keep in touch with… Just stay… You…”

“The line is breaking up, Cap. Can you repeat? Cap?” Tori’s face morphed, like she was horrified.

“Bad con…” he said, then the line went dead.

Porsche ran to her mom, eyeing the phone. “What do you think he meant? Keep here for a couple more… Days? Weeks? Months?”

Questions haunted their faces, looking to me for answers, but I hadn’t a clue.

I only knew one thing. Whether days, weeks, or months, the more time the three of us spent together, the closer we could get. The more fragile our hearts could become.