Honor Among SEALs Read online

  I’ll go through with this sham of a wedding if I have to, but if Tony thinks this will be a marriage made in heaven, he couldn’t be more wrong. He’ll need to wise up fast if he wants to hang on to his man parts.

  Two more barefoot loops on the plush almond-colored carpet and she stopped again, staring at the door. It’d been five days since she’d agreed to his least objectionable option—though it was still hard to imagine a scenario where marrying him could possibly be anything but disgusting. Five days without sleep and she was no closer to figuring a way out than when he’d voiced his vile proposition.

  The answer, of course, was to find that one shred of proof linking Tony to her sister’s disappearance, get her stepdad out of town and go to the cops. Making sure Pop was safe always tripped her up, complicated by the fact she hadn’t told him about any of this. Not her plan to find Anna. Nor her impending wedding. He would have been furious with her for taking such a risk in the first place, and he would never have stood aside and let Tony blackmail her into a phony wedding. No…Pop would have defended her, and she couldn’t let him do that—not against a man like Tony.

  Once Pop was safe, Kellie would have to lay low until Tony was arrested, convicted and locked away for the rest of his life. It was a small price to pay, but time was running out. She had forty-five minutes to locate evidence that might lead her to Anna and halt the travesty that loomed ahead of her like a black cloud. She had nothing to lose.

  Clenching her teeth, she straightened and stepped toward the room’s exit. The knob turned silently beneath her hand, and she cracked the door open before remembering her shoes. The champagne-colored creations, which matched the bodice of her gown, still littered the floor in the center of the tight serpentine she’d been pacing. Slipping into them quickly, she returned to the door and started to pull it open.

  An involuntary shudder raced down her spine as a familiar voice came from the hallway to the right, followed by one she didn’t recognize. Tony was speaking to someone in hushed tones. Instinctively, she nudged the door into the jamb until there was barely an opening and pressed her ear to the crack.

  “But, marriage, Tony? What does this bimbo have that the others don’t?”

  What a jerk. Where did he get off calling her a bimbo? Although, she’d have to agree, wholeheartedly, that Tony liked his women loose and brainless. If the wedding did take place today, he was in for a shocker…on both counts.

  Evidently, he hadn’t anticipated her listening at the door—or maybe he was so sure of himself he simply didn’t care. Their footsteps stopped in front of the room next to hers. “Relax, Uncle Rico. And, please, a little respect for my bride-to-be. Kellie is an attractive, intelligent woman. Her eyes and lips have bewitched me, I’m afraid.”

  Kellie tried to stifle a crude obscenity. Who was Tony kidding?

  Coarse laughter came from Uncle Rico. “Oh, that’s rich. You’ve been bewitched by many women, but this is the first one you’ve planned to marry. It’s not like you to mix business with pleasure. Forgiving a cheat, even a beautiful one, can have far-reaching implications. Today, this one woman. Tomorrow, every gambler in the casino thinks you’ve gone soft.”

  “Do you think I’ve gone soft, Uncle Rico?” Tony’s voice was quiet and smooth, but the steel-edged timbre of his query reminded Kellie of a tiger crouching to spring.

  “Of course not. I know you too well. I raised you, after all. There’s more to this story than you’re confiding, so have pity on an old man and fill me in.” The two of them chuckled together as though sharing an inside joke. “I understand obsession with a hot piece of ass, Tony, but why marriage? Why not have your fill of this girl and then dump her, or turn her over to the Gaming Commission?”

  “Because I’m a lot like you, Uncle. I like to own things. As my wife, everything she possesses will be mine for the taking. Everything.” His words morphed into a growl before he laughed. “Besides, she’s worth more as my wife.”

  The conversation paused while the dread in Kellie’s stomach grew. She pulled the door open farther, afraid she might miss their next words.

  “Now you’re talking. How much more?”

  “Five mil…in the event of her accidental death.”

  Kellie fell back from the door as though she’d taken a punch, throwing her hand over her mouth to quiet the gasp that hissed in the sudden silence. The next second the drone of voices began again and she rushed to resume her position.

  “Not a bad profit,” said Uncle Rico.

  “And if the old man causes any trouble, I’ll take care of him too. In any case, there’ll be enough speculation on the Strip that everyone will know it’s not healthy to cheat the house at the Dominion.”

  “What’s the timing of this accident?” Uncle Rico’s voice receded as though he’d stepped inside his room.

  “As soon as I get what I want from her, the honeymoon’s over.” Tony laughed gloatingly, obviously pleased with his double entendre.

  Uncle Rico’s reply was muffled, but his laughter joined Tony’s.

  “The ceremony starts at five sharp. Don’t be late.” Tony was still talking when Kellie closed the door silently and leaned against the cool wooden panels, the heavily varnished wood smooth beneath her fingers.

  As the seed of an idea began to grow, she lifted her head. For the first time in the past five days, a sense of purpose settled over her. While a few minutes ago, she’d had no option but to go through with the ceremony in order to protect her stepdad, now that path was a dead end. Tony was going to kill her and make it look like an accident to collect on a life insurance policy he’d no doubt taken out in the name of Mrs. Tony Palazzi.

  She should have known. If she hadn’t been so stunned by his demands and concerned for Pop, she’d have been thinking more clearly. None of it made any sense, and she’d missed the glaring inconsistencies in Tony’s behavior because she’d let her emotions rule her intellect. Damn it! Four years in the Marine Corps Lioness program, searching Iraqi women for explosives at the city gates, had taught her to read the enemy better than that.

  Kellie whipped around and hurried toward the bedroom. There was no way she was going down quietly. She was a fighter, and a damn good one, and she certainly wasn’t delivering herself to the executioner. She had to get out of the hotel. Without attracting attention. One glance at her wedding attire and she almost laughed out loud.

  No problem. It was only four twenty. There was still time to change. Her overnight bag sat open on the bed, the clothes she’d worn there strewn across the coverlet.

  As she stretched to reach the zipper at the back of her dress, the phone on the nightstand beside the bed jingled, startling her. She stopped and stared. Who was calling? Pop didn’t know where she was since she’d been too cowardly to tell him of the mess she’d gotten herself into. Besides, Pop would call her cell phone if he needed her. It had to be Tony…or someone who worked for him.

  Kellie slapped a palm to her forehead. The photographer! She was supposed to meet Tony downstairs for photographs. He was no doubt calling to tell her she was late.

  Nerves stretched to the breaking point, she couldn’t trust her voice. If she answered, he’d know something was wrong. On the other hand, if she let it ring, he might think she was on her way down. Either way, her time was up. She had only minutes to escape.

  Her heart pounding, she surveyed her belongings. She’d brought only one small bag, containing clothes and personal items, but if she was spotted in the hall with her bag packed so close to the time of the wedding, someone might become suspicious and sound the alarm. It wasn’t worth the risk. Making up her mind, she toed off her heels and slipped into a pair of soft leather sandals, grabbed her cell phone and a small clutch, opened her door and stepped into the recessed entryway.

  She peered around the corner, jerked back just in time and froze against the wall. One of Tony’s bodyguards was hea
ded for the bank of elevators. Was his name Jerry? He seemed like a decent enough guy. She’d ridden up in the elevator with him earlier. Chatting amicably, he’d made her smile when she hadn’t thought that possible. An hour ago, she might have appreciated his company as she made her way downstairs—but not after the conversation she’d just overheard.

  She eased toward the corner and peeked into the hall again. One of the elevators opened and Jerry stepped inside, the arrow indicating he was heading up. She scooted out of the alcove and dashed for the stairwell halfway down the hall. Almost there, the elevator doors swished open again, and Jerry rushed out, patting his pockets as though he’d misplaced something. He froze momentarily when he saw her.

  Kellie barely paused, sliding the last two feet until she slammed her palms against the door to the stairwell and shoved it open.

  “Kellie—wait…” Jerry’s voice faded behind her, blending into the rustle of her dress and the whisper of her leather soles on the wooden risers.

  She was nearly to the next landing when the door above shoved open again, and she heard him swear. Her heart pounding, she listened for sounds of pursuit. None came and, finally, the door clicked shut.

  That could only mean one thing. Jerry thought he could beat her to the ground floor by elevator, and he was no doubt right. Kellie flew by the exit to the twenty-eighth floor and left the stairwell at the twenty-seventh. She slowed to a fast walk in the carpeted hallway. There had to be more than one group of elevators in this monstrous forty-floor hotel.

  A sign on the ceiling at the end of the long corridor told her where they were. An arrow pointed out the stairs midway. As she debated the privacy of the latter, opposed to the ease and speed of the former, the hallway suddenly filled with people filing from one of the cars. Her mind was made up for her, and Kellie swerved into the stairwell.

  Determination spurred her on, and she raced down twelve flights of stairs before the ache in her lungs insisted she stop and rest. She thrust her cell phone and the clutch, containing her ID, a little money and a picture of Anna, into the bodice of her dress so her hands would be free.

  Street clothes would have significantly improved her odds. No chance of going unnoticed, scurrying down the Strip in a wedding dress—a Valencia original, no less. Even worse, her photo had been featured on the society page of the local newspaper. If anyone recognized her, they were sure to go straight to Tony.

  Reaching ground level, she took a moment to calm herself, smooth her hair and slow her racing heart before she shoved through the door into the hotel lobby. She swerved toward the darkness and confusion of the casino to her right…and smack into the clutches of Jerry. Dark glasses hid his eyes, but his face was a mask of disapproval.

  Kellie lashed out with fists, elbows and feet, taking full advantage of his evident surprise, driving him backward. He recovered quickly, jerking her into a quiet corner, and spun her around. Pinning her arms to her sides, he shoved her into the wall face first. The air flew from her lungs, and she had to concentrate to draw her next breath.

  “I’m a friend, Kellie. Listen to me,” Jerry whispered. “I’m going to draw them off. Go straight through the casino to the south exit and keep going toward Fremont Street. When you’re sure you’re not being followed, read this.” He released her arms and snatched her wrist, forcing a folded piece of paper into her hand. Before she could stutter a reply, he was gone.

  What just happened? He works for Tony. Why would he let me go? She wasn’t about to stick around and possibly find out he was only kidding. Whether he was lying or not, he’d given her a chance, and it would be crazy to squander the opportunity.

  Crowded as usual, the wild lights and blaring sounds of the gambling haven would be her best chance to blend in and disappear—if not for the full-body, sequined, satin and lace that set her apart from everyone else.

  People stared and some snickered as she strode through the crush of bodies. Let them have their fun. The last laugh would be hers if she could pull this off.

  The exit was a half dozen strides away when she heard Tony’s voice.

  “Kellie? Where are you going? What’s wrong?”

  Like he doesn’t know.

  She didn’t look back, barreling through the casino, all evidence of caution or tact cast aside. Adrenaline was running the show now. Reaching the west entrance, she flung the ornate wood and glass doors wide and surged onto the Strip and into the pouring rain. In thirty seconds she was drenched, her dress molding uncomfortably to her body and weighing her down. A glance over her shoulder confirmed her worst fear. Tony stood on the sidewalk in front of the casino, his cell phone to his ear, no doubt calling for security. For a moment, her fear was so great she was nearly overwhelmed, and her world seemed to stand still. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of two of Tony’s men darting through the crowd.

  Kellie lengthened her stride and sprinted across the busy avenue, her shoes soaking through from the rain-washed pavement. She veered to the right, gaining the sidewalk and threaded through the unending stream of tourists. The Palazzis lived off these people and tens of thousands more just like them.

  A lump formed in her throat. She’d been naïve to believe she could take on the king of the Dominion and beat him at his own game. How had she ever imagined she could go through with this wedding? Even to save Pop more heartache or herself from prison? Even if it meant finding Anna?

  Hatred curled icy fingers around her heart, and she used her anger to propel her faster. At the end of the block, she crossed the intersection against the light, ignoring the bleating horns and the drivers’ expletives. Focused on the end of the next block, then the next and the one after that, she kept moving. Each time she peered back, she saw people turning to stare after her—but no men in black suits with bulges under their jackets.

  Could she have lost them that easily? Even if she had left them behind for now, Tony wouldn’t give up. He wasn’t a forgiving man, and he wouldn’t like his plan being disrupted, especially by a woman. She had to get off the street, somewhere he’d never think to look for her. Someplace dry and quiet, where she could figure out what came next.

  With one last look behind her, she darted into the closest casino and scurried through the crowd at a half run until she found an exit on the opposite side of the building. In the rain again, she slowed to a walk, casting an anxious glance toward each stranger she met.

  She hiked a half dozen blocks or more, leaving the bustling activity of the Strip behind. Finally, convinced she wasn’t being followed, she stopped in a covered doorway, where she could see both sides of the street, pulled out her cell phone and made the only call more important than her own safety.

  First ring…Come on.

  Second ring…Please pick up, Pop.

  Third ring…Could Tony have gotten to him already?

  Fourth ring…“Hi, sweetheart.”

  Tears of relief stung her eyes, love making her weak in the knees. She swallowed hard and struggled to steady her voice. “Where are you, Pop?” There was nothing she could do about her trembling lips or the angst that made her bite off each word.

  “I was just about to call you. I’m fixing your mom’s spaghetti and meatball recipe. I know you said not to expect you home for dinner, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to really talk.” Pop’s voice was upbeat and hopeful, but she heard the underlying sadness that seemed to always be present since her mother died.

  “Please listen to me, Pop. There’s no time to explain, but I need you to pack a few things, take Chip and get in the car.” At least he had Chip. The faithful border collie would sound the alarm if anyone tried to break into Pop’s house.

  “Meet me at the place we used to spend our summers when Mom was alive. Remember?” The crystal-clear lake, the grandeur of rugged mountains and the sigh of the wind through the tree tops—Kellie remembered as though it were yesterday. She ha
dn’t been there since her mother passed away, but now her family’s cottage on Lake Coeur d’Alene called to her. No one would find them there.

  “What are you talking about, Kellie? What’s wrong?” Concern colored his voice, which no doubt meant he’d detected the anxiety in hers. That was okay—she had to warn him.

  “I’ve done something stupid, Pop. I promise I’ll explain everything when I see you. Please trust me. We’re both in danger if we don’t disappear right now—today.”

  If Tony or his henchmen got there first, Pop wouldn’t go down without a fight. A shiver of trepidation coursed through her body.

  “I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that, honey.”

  An exasperated sigh escaped. “Listen to me, Pop! It is bad, and I need you to get in the car and drive…now. And take that mangy dog because you won’t be coming home for a while.” Kellie hadn’t intended to raise her voice, but she had to make him take her seriously.

  Her stepfather’s silence shamed her. He’d obviously heard the disrespect and frustration in her words.

  God, please let him do this one thing. She should have gotten him out of town the second Tony threatened to incriminate him. Instead, she’d tried to fix things. Her specialty. Except, this time she’d made it worse, and now even Chip would be lucky to escape Tony’s wrath.

  Kellie resisted the overwhelming urge to apologize. Pop deserved an apology, but not now, when he’d likely take it as a sign of her weakening. Neither of them had time to argue.

  “Please. Just meet me. Don’t say where you’re going—not to anyone and especially not over the phone. Okay, Pop?”

  The only sound she heard through her cell phone was a disdainful harrumph, and she hated herself for not telling him—for keeping her plan a secret. But that didn’t change what had to happen next. “Do this for me, Pop. Please? I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. You know that, right? Leave in the next five minutes.” She issued a silent prayer that he really had five minutes.