Mary began to improve, slowly. Thomas had been golden. He could have easily escaped the house. He could have walked right out. They weren’t locked up or locked in. But there was another problem, the woods. Ericka had no idea what was beyond the perimeter or what the Demarcos might do to keep people from finding out.
Thomas and Ericka sat across from each other at a round table, ate breakfast, and drank coffee. No one would know that they had been taken and were being held against their will, well sort of.
Thomas looked around then leaned in close to her. “I want to know what is going on. Last I heard you lived in Tennessee and stopped being a nurse because of the stress. Then you call me to help with personal care, and you’re working privately for mobsters!” His voice had only slightly elevated, but his eyes had grown wider with every word. It didn’t look natural or safe.
He’d saved her life on more than one occasion in the Middle East, and Ericka wanted to tell him the truth, she really did. That she worked for the FBI. That she wasn’t really a nurse anymore. But she couldn’t say a word about any of that. Both their lives could depend on it.
She laid her hand over his. “You’ve got to trust me.”
He took his hand away. “It’s hard to trust a liar.”
The words stung, but they weren’t undeserved. She had lied to him. She’d lied about her career, for one.
“I need air.” He pushed his chair back and exited onto the back porch.
Ericka placed her elbows on the table and held her face in her hands. She’d gotten him into this mess, and she had no idea how to get him out. He hadn’t signed up to work for the FBI. None of this was his responsibility.
“Relationships are hard.”
Ericka lifted her head. Mary had wheeled herself into the room.
Ericka’s jaw dropped.
Mary laughed. “I’m sure with therapy I’ll be up and moving in no time. You and your friend have worked a miracle. After the stroke I didn’t know if I would ever be able to communicate my problem. You were sent at just the right time.”
Ericka didn’t know what to say. The improvement was astounding.
“Um, can I make you some breakfast?”
“Eggs would be nice.”
Ericka rose and entered the kitchen. She pulled out a pan and some eggs and got to work. She added toast with jelly and a cup of orange juice. She set the table then retook her seat.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Mary took a few bites then lowered her fork and fisted her hands on the table. “I met my husband in church, at a wedding actually. His sister had been a school friend and off-handedly, she invited me. Anthony Senior was not happy.” She leaned in and blocked her mouth with her hand as she whispered, “I wasn’t Italian.”
Ericka widened her eyes.
Mary chuckled. “I know! When he discovered I was Catholic that smoothed things over a little. Tony was the most handsome man there. Our eyes caught right as the minister began the ceremony and it was as if he was talking to us. Then Tony and I danced at the reception. It was the most magical moment of my life.”
She moved her food around on her plate before looking up. “Tony was relentless in his pursuit. There was no option of saying, no, not that I wanted to.”
“When did his father step in?” The conversation meant that something had to have happened. Ericka could feel it.
“Oh, almost immediately. But his comments about our differences only made our bond stronger.”
Ericka wasn’t sure why Mary was sharing this information with her, but she would have loved to ask if she’d known in the beginning that Tony stood to inherit a criminal empire. She couldn’t find the words, yet.
A tear slipped onto Mary’s cheek. “I miss Tony.”
Ericka took her hand. “I’m sure Joey could call him for you.” Please, please let him call.
“No, no, he can’t.”
The way she said the words sounded so final. If something had happened to Tony Demarco, their whole operation could be in jeopardy. She needed to find a phone and call Gary ASAP. The fact that his own family was afraid to call him was news they needed to know and analyze.
****
Joey heard his mother telling her story and her tearful wish for his papa. They’d been searching for him for weeks with no luck. They should have called the police, but Frankie had refused. He didn’t want the cops poking around in the family business. At this point, since they didn’t know what had happened to their father or what he might have gotten into, Joey was willing to risk the family business.
He entered the room and Ericka moved away from his mother.
Curious.
“Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning.” Only Mamma replied.
He went to the kitchen and started food so Ericka couldn’t see his face. He should let her go. The doctor and Ericka had saved his mother’s life. Her body was on the mend. He could easily check her levels and call her personal doctor about her blood. But truthfully, he didn’t want to let Ericka go. He enjoyed her smile, her voice, her companionship. All things he shouldn’t be enjoying.
And the doctor? Joey didn’t know if he could trust him. Worse than the cops poking around in the family business was them finding out that Joey had kidnapped a doctor.
“Where’s the doctor?” Joey frowned.
“Outside getting air.” Ericka finally spoke.
The doctor definitely needed to be let go. He was getting antsy. If he didn’t do something stupid, then people would surely start to miss him and report his absence.
Joey had warned Frankie they couldn’t keep the doctor, but Frankie never listened.
Joey took a seat. “Don’t stop talking on my account.”
“Joey, I don’t think we’ve been very hospitable to these two people.”
“What do you suggest?” His heart started to beat faster. Mamma had shared her love story that meant she was in matchmaking mode. He’d seen it before. That was why Frankie was married.
“Music! We need music!” She turned to Ericka. “Do you sing?”
“A little.” Heat bloomed across her cheeks.
How could that action make her more attractive?
“Joey, go play the piano.”
“Mamma—”
“Don’t ‘Mamma’ me. I listened to you bang out noise for two years and now you can play. So, when I say play, you play.”
He knew better than to argue. He went to the piano. Ericka followed. He played a classic tune, and she began to sing. Her voice was soulful and mesmerizing.
He sang with her, and her eyes widened in surprise. He stood but kept singing. He wrapped her in his arms and danced her around the room. She flung her head back, her long hair cascading over his arm.
Mamma managed to turn on the radio. Ericka began to move her hips like she was dancing salsa. He joined her. When the song ended, they burst out in laughter.
“What is going on here?” Thomas’ voice boomed across the room.
Joey and Ericka broke apart like scolded children. Thomas was by them in seconds. He grabbed Ericka by the arm.
“I need to talk to you—in private.”
Joey was the captor, but he let them go. He didn’t want to be the bad guy anymore. He was going to call Frankie as soon as he got a free moment. This had gone on long enough. It was time to change things up.