Vigilante

This book is dedicated to the families and friends of victims who have never gotten closure for their loved ones.

Acknowledgments

I would like to sincerely thank the members of my Velvet Vaughn Street Team who help spread the word: Cindi R., Debbie M., Gary A., Karen D., Karen J., Lisa B., and Tammy T. I’m so thankful for all of you and truly appreciate your support!

And as always, a huge thank you to my mom. I couldn’t do this without you!

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Epilogue

Notes

About the Author

Chapter One

For the first time in too many months to count, Alex Mylonas got laid.

And, wow, the woman was gorgeous. Long hair, the color of a midnight sky, draped over her shoulder in a curtain of black silk. Eyes the shade of warm cocoa gazed at him, framed by miles of sooty lashes. Her smile was a slash of white outlined by lips kissed with a pink shimmer. He smiled back. Her athletic body was curved in all the right places and tantalizingly displayed in a halter top covered in tropical flowers and a skirt that showcased long, tanned legs. She reached for him, and his eyes drifted closed, anticipating her touch.

As weight settled on his shoulders, he breathed in the intoxicating scent of beautiful woman and fresh flowers. Her breath tickled his ear. Welcome to Hawai’i.

She brushed a kiss on both his cheeks and moved on to the next passenger departing the plane. He shifted his carry-on bag and sighed. So technically, he didn’t actually get laid. He got lei’d. P-damn-thetic, Mylonas. Still, it was the most contact he’d had with a woman who wasn’t a coworker in what seemed like forever.

His mind traveled back to the last time he’d been with a woman, and as usual when he thought about the encounter, his body reacted. But this time, his heart stuttered when he remembered that he’d be seeing the object of his memories soon and in the flesh.

The first time he looked into Olivia Larrson’s eyes, he felt like he’d jumped out of a plane without a parachute. He couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. Life flashed before his eyes, but it was their future—marriage, children, growing old together. He’d never had such a visceral daydream. He didn’t believe in soulmates—at least he never had before. His ex-fiancée used to tell him they were each other’s one true love. He’d nod and agree with her, but he’d never honestly felt it—didn’t know he could feel that way. He loved Jennifer and planned to spend his life with her, but he didn’t experience the miles deep longing if she wasn’t around. He didn’t find himself thinking about her throughout the day, wondering what she was doing. He did both of those things for Olivia. And he barely knew her.

He’d been blindsided when Jennifer called off their wedding a month before the date. At first, the concept of being the wife of a cop seemed exciting and thrilling. But then reality set in. He was gone all the time. When he was around, he was frequently called away. He missed birthdays and family gatherings. Jennifer began to resent his job and insisted he quit. He’d worked hard to climb the ranks to detective, and he loved his career. It was challenging and dangerous, and there was never a dull moment. Then he missed her father’s retirement party. That had been the final straw, and she pulled the plug.

At the time, he’d been so angry with her. She knew what she was getting into, and her refusal to support him stung. But then one night, weeks later, he headed to his secluded cabin on the edge of Lake Michigan, spotted a stranger trying to break in, and in one fell swoop—or tackle as it was—his life forever changed. Had Jennifer not called off the wedding, he would’ve never had the opportunity to know Olivia. He thought about calling Jennifer to thank her, but he was pretty sure she wouldn’t appreciate the gesture.

About time you got laid, Mylonas. Dorian Demarchis slapped a hand on his shoulder, his voice laced with humor. Alex flipped him off.

Dorian chuckled. Now, now, is that any way to treat the star of the weekend?

Alex craned his neck around. Oh, is Kendall here?

Smartass, Dorian grinned. But I don’t care. I’m marrying the love of my life in a few short days.

Alex smiled back, genuinely elated for his best friend. Though the circumstances that brought Dorian and Kendall Buckley together were tragic—she witnessed the cold-blooded murder of her three college roommates—their relationship had blossomed. They were a match made in Heaven. Alex had never seen his buddy happier.

Alex stowed his bag in the small bus reserved for COBRA Securities personnel. They were in Hawaii celebrating the nuptials of not only Dorian and Kendall but Dante Costa and Taylor Hudson as well. It’d been Taylor’s idea to marry in the state where Dante’s first wife was born and where she had been laid to rest. Taylor thought it would be important to both Dante and his son, Kai, who had been young when his mother passed away. He didn’t remember her. Taylor was an incredible woman, and both her soon-to-be husband and stepson adored her.

Once Taylor announced their intentions, Kendall jumped on them. She’d always wanted to get married on the beach. Soon, plans for an end-of-the-summer wedding bash were in full swing. Schedules had to be arranged so most of the COBRA Securities staff—including the grooms—were available. Luke Colton and Logan Bradley, the co-owners, had practically shut down the entire office for the event, but then Logan wasn’t able to attend because his movie star wife was hugely pregnant, and her doctors advised against a long flight. The same with Jake Kincaid and his wife Violet, Luke’s brother Ben and his wife Rachel, and Nick and Maya Turner. Apparently, there was something in the water at the COBRA Securities headquarters with the spate of pregnancies. Soon the compound would be overrun with little rug rats.

Hey, Mylonas, good to see you finally got laid.

Dan Bradley chucked him on the shoulder, knocking him back a couple of steps. Alex kicked out his foot and whipped Dan’s legs out from under him. Soon they were rolling around on the grass, grappling like a couple of street fighters.

Fight, fight, Kai Costa chanted, jumping up and down.

Oh, for the love of…break it up, you two, Dante ordered. Not the time or place.

Dan was smiling when Alex released him. Alex couldn’t contain his grin, either. Dante held out his hands and helped them both to their feet.

Aw, Dad, it was just getting good, Kai complained. They didn’t even draw blood yet.

Oh, good grief. Kaitlyn Colton stomped over. Can’t you boys give it a rest? You’re more immature than Kai.

Hey!

Sorry. She waved a hand at the kid. I should’ve said Kai was more mature than you two.

Kai looked confused. What’s the difference?

He started it, Dan whined. I think he bruised my lips. He pointed to said lips. Kiss and make it better, honey?

Kaitlyn punched him in the stomach, and he doubled over, oof-ing out a breath. Idiot. And you’re doing your laundry. Grass stains are a nightmare to get out.

Dan glanced down at his loud Hawaiian print shirt. Alex did the same. There were a few green spots here and there. Alex chuckled and fist-bumped Dan. Their fighting was all in fun. They’d become good friends in the months he’d been working for COBRA Securities. They even had the same sense of humor, so Alex found himself laughing more than he had in years.

When he’d hired on after Dorian’s recommendation, he was still recovering from a bullet to the chest that damaged his lung and damned near took his life. From almost the first day, Dan challenged him. Alex’s stamina and endurance weren’t the greatest, so he spent extra time on conditioning, with Dan pushing him to his limits. They even trained together for the ninja warrior competition that Dan eventually won. He’d been injured when he helped save Dan’s fiancée from a stalker. A shard of glass jammed into his thigh prevented him from competing, but he didn’t think he’d have been able to beat Dan—not that he’d ever admit that to the other man.

He slipped on his sunglasses and inhaled deeply as he took in the tropical surroundings. The scents of the ocean and something grilling nearby filled the air. Good friends, good food. The only thing missing was a beautiful woman to share it with, and she was on her way. He almost rubbed his hands together in glee. He could hardly wait.

Chapter Two

Olivia Larrson bolted inside the open door to her apartment building in Chelsea and stood on the carpet to shake off the rain. Thank you, Carl, she said to the older African American man as she closed her umbrella. The building required a key to enter, but the doorman always waited for her. He was sweet and kind, and Olivia absolutely adored him. The rain’s hard on your arthritis, she told him as he shuffled back to his desk. You didn’t have to get up for me.

You’re welcome, Ms. Larrson, and no problem, Carl responded. No matter how many times she asked him to call her Olivia, he always refused, saying he did it out of respect. He’d been the doorman of the building since she moved in with Kendall Buckley, soon-to-be Kendall Demarchis. Her best friend was set to marry the love of her life in a few days. Olivia couldn’t wait to see her. It’d been too long.

Actually, Carl had been the doorman for almost forty years. Few buildings had them anymore with the advance of technology. She was thankful the owners kept Carl. It gave him a purpose and a reason to get out of bed every day. How is Mary? she asked over her shoulder as she slid her key in the slot of her mailbox.

Her arthritis is acting up, too, but she’s doing alright. She wanted me to thank you for the buttercream cake. It didn’t last very long. Carl grinned and patted his stomach, and Olivia smiled. Carl’s wife hadn’t been out of the apartment since their granddaughter had been killed almost three years ago. She’d been caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs while waiting for a school bus. A stray bullet pierced the frontal lobe of her brain, killing her instantly. The police arrested members of both crews but couldn’t locate the weapon that killed Brandy, nor could they pinpoint the shooter. Neither group would rat out the other in some kind of twisted gang code. Enough doubt was cast on the man suspected of pulling the trigger, and the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt. The men strolled out of the courthouse with matching smirks, and Mary hadn’t left her apartment since.

Brandy’s dad, Carl Junior, or CJ, had gone berserk when the verdict was announced. He had to be restrained and eventually tased. He was arrested but later released without being charged. CJ had been raising Brandy by himself after his wife took off, and Brandy’s death crushed him.

Olivia didn’t live in New York at the time, so she wasn’t around when Carl and his family had to deal with the unimaginable tragedy. They were so lovely. She couldn’t fathom the pain they lived with daily. They treated her like a family member, and she made a point of stopping by and visiting Mary every few days. She liked to bring treats whenever possible as well.

I arranged for a car to pick you up and take you to the airport, Carl told her. It’ll be here in an hour.

Excitement skittered down her spine. She’d packed days ago in anticipation. Thanks, Carl. I need to change and add some last-minute items to my bag. I’ll be back down soon.

Olivia flipped through the stack of letters as she headed for the elevator. She smiled at the colorful picture and pulled out the postcard that proclaimed, Greetings from Missouri. She flipped it over to read the note from her mentor and friend, Ernest Walters. Ernie had retired last month and purchased a recreational vehicle. He and his wife of fifty years, Linda, had big plans to travel the country when he retired, but tragically, an accident left Linda in a coma. She held on for two years, finally passing away three months ago. Soon after, Ernie submitted his resignation, said goodbye to New Yorkers as their beloved evening news host, and packed all of his belongings in the RV. His cocker spaniel Roci, named after Don Quixote’s horse Rocinante, served as his co-pilot. He planned on writing about his travels, much like John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley, and, coincidently, Steinbeck had named his travel truck/camper combo Rocinante.

Olivia was enjoying wandering the country with Ernie. He promised her a postcard from every state. She would add a pin to Missouri on the map to follow his journey.

A wave of nostalgia wrapped around her, and she pulled out her cell. She wanted to hear his voice, his booming laugh. She punched his number and held the phone to her ear. His greeting came on instantly: "Greetings from the road. I’m currently meandering down the highway like a band of gypsies and can’t answer the phone right now." She smiled at his Willie Nelson reference. Ernie loved Willie. Leave a message, and I’ll call you back when I reach my next destination.

Olivia clicked off without leaving a voice mail. She was happy Ernie was enjoying life. He deserved it. He’d taken her under his wing and taught her so much about the business. He’d been like a second father to her. She wished Linda was by his side for his grand adventure.

The elevator dinged, and the doors swished open. She started to enter but stepped back when a golden retriever loped out. His owner held onto his harness with one hand and a white cane in the other. He wore a sweatshirt with the hood up and pulled tight over a baseball cap. Dark glasses took up the rest of his face.

The dog’s tail wagged when he spotted her, and his nails scratched on the tiles as he scrambled over. His muzzle nudged her hand. Olivia ran her fingers across his head once and jerked them away. She’d done a piece on service dogs a few years ago and remembered that you were never supposed to engage them. No petting, no calling their name, no talking to them. If the dog was distracted, he wasn’t paying attention to his job, and his human could be hurt. She didn’t want to be responsible for the blind man being injured. She knew nothing about him except that his name was Mr. Dawson and he moved in last month. Even if she spoke to him, he never returned the greeting. She wasn’t sure, but she thought he might also be deaf. She couldn’t even imagine the bravery it took to walk the streets of New York City without sight or hearing. The guide dog needed to be completely focused.

As soon as the man lumbered away, she entered the elevator and punched the button for her floor. Her brows swished down as she fingered a small padded envelope in the stack of mail. Her name was written on the front, but it was missing her address and a return one. She flipped it over. No postmark either. Olivia stepped out of the elevator and stopped in front of her apartment door, holding the package to her ear. No ticking sounds. She fingered it again. Something was small and hard inside, but it didn’t feel threatening.

Inserting the key in the lock, she opened the door, took one step inside, and shrieked. Mail sailed through the air.

Hey, Olivia. How’s it going?

Olivia slammed her eyes shut and spun around. Hi, Arlo. The irrational thought flashed through her mind that she didn’t need to ask crudely, how’s it hanging? since she could see that for herself. He was strutting around the apartment as naked as the day he was born. Arlo didn’t believe in things like clothes. Or personal boundaries.

She’d asked her roommate Darla numerous times to make sure Arlo was dressed whenever he visited, but he never got the message. Olivia refused to sit on the sofa in the living room after she walked in on Arlo stretched out on the buttery-soft velvet, scratching himself. The image was burned into her retinas, and she shuddered at the memory.

I found it—oh! Hi, Liv.

Olivia glanced over her shoulder and slammed her eyes shut again. Yep, Darla was also sans apparel.

We didn’t realize you’d be home so soon.

Funny, since Darla knew she was leaving for Hawaii tonight. Couldn’t they have waited to shuck their clothing until she was gone? They’d have the entire apartment to themselves for days. They could host naked orgies, and Olivia would never know. She made a mental note to make sure she locked her bedroom door.

Darla had seemed so normal when she’d interviewed her to take over Kendall Buckley’s share in the apartment. They were rarely home simultaneously, but when they were, they got along. They weren’t friends, and they didn’t shop together or chat for hours, but Darla paid her rent on time, and she was relatively neat. Then she met Arlo, the starving musician, and her inhibitions had fled, followed by her clothes and, soon after, any respect Olivia had for the woman. She planned on talking with Darla when she returned from Hawaii. The arrangement wasn’t working out, and since their lease was up soon, she’d have to go.

She gathered up the mail and escaped to her room to change for the flight. Olivia couldn’t get out of New York quick enough, though she wasn’t looking forward to the trip. Even though she left tonight, with the flight’s length and the five-hour time difference, she wouldn’t get in until tomorrow night, though it would be the afternoon in Hawaii.

The thought of who she’d see when she landed in Honolulu caused a full-body shudder, and all her girl parts tingled in anticipation. Former Chicago police detective Alexandros Mylonas. Tall, muscular, dark hair. It’d been so long since she’d seen him in person. He’d just been shot and clinging to life, tubes attached to his pale, battered body. Olivia had sat by his bed and held his hand until he woke up. She’d been so relieved when those baby blue eyes blinked open that tears gathered. Just because he was awake didn’t mean the danger was over, and she’d wanted to stay by his side. But she had job commitments she couldn’t abandon. She came close to calling her executive producer and quitting. But what would she do if Alex didn’t want her to stay? They didn’t even know each other. The feelings might be one-sided. Though Olivia had never been a coward in her life, she was that day when she walked out of the hospital, took a cab to the airport, and returned to her safe life in New York.

She talked herself into believing out of sight, out of mind, but she still thought of him every day. She’d been so relieved when she learned from Kendall that he’d resigned from the Chicago police force to work with Kendall’s fiancé, Dorian. Alex’s job in one of America’s deadliest cities had been dangerous—the bullet hole he’d forever wear in his chest, a shining example. But then, with his new COBRA Securities job, he’d been stabbed by a shard of glass that barely missed his femoral artery. If it had been nicked, he’d have bled out in a matter of minutes. She shuddered, not even wanting to think about a world without Alex. She might not get to be with him, but the thought of never seeing him again was more than she could bear.

After that attack, Olivia had almost flown out to see him to assure herself that he was still alive, but so much time had passed, and once again, she chickened out. Now she would see him tomorrow, and she was both terrified and elated. How would they react when they saw each other? Would it be polite handshakes or bone-melting kisses? He made her feel things she’d never felt before, and that scared her. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think of him. How was that possible when she