Page 101 of Above ’N’ Beyond

After the raid, Jamie had held the puppy cam sim cards for ransom, forcing the FBI’s hand. The evidence on those cards was so valuable to their case against Paola Mancuso and her crew that Jamie’s father had been released from prison within days of the takedown.

Special Agent Jenkins had been royally pissed, along with the rest of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They’d all wanted to wait until they had evidence against Salvatore Palumbo.

Instead, Jenkins had to settle for charging Paola with human smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder—four counts for the men strangled in Italy, plus charges for ordering Jamie’s and Bella’s executions. The entire Mancuso crew, including Marco Ianetti, had been charged with aiding and abetting all of Paola’s crimes. Paola would never live to see the light of day outside prison walls. The others would be old and gray before they were eligible for parole.

Salvatore Palumbo and his entourage who’d attended Paola’s “big splash” that night at the Bistro had all been released. Palumbo’s only loss that night had been one of his enforcers, who’d succumbed to the shot fired by Marcus.

That, and Palumbo hadn’t walked away with the suitcase filled with two hundred grand Paola had intended to gift him as homage to the Palumbo Crime Family. Jamie had tried to secure that cash for Bella, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office wouldn’t hear of it.

The only unproven aspect of the case involved the murder of Misty Morris. It was suspected Tony had strangled his ex-girlfriend after somehow discovering she’d become an FBI informant. Jenkins had confirmed she’d done it out of spite after Tony had dumped her. Most likely, her death would never be formally solved.

While Jamie hadn’t wanted it, his CO, Captain Washington, had recommended him for the Port Authority Police Department’s highest honor, citing “service above and beyond the call of duty.”

Whitecaps crested the waves rolling onshore. Going back to work at JFK Airport had been difficult, but having Jax back at his side eased the transition. First, he’d made good on his promises and taken Steve, Artie, and Lt. Achebe out for a big steak dinner. Then he’d helped the detectives retrieve the mini-bottles of liquor stashed at the storage unit and transport them back to the Peekskill Incinerator for destruction. With no more undercover work in his future, he wouldn’t owe any more favors. Good thing that. Steak dinners in New York City were a serious drain on his wallet.

A hand rested on Jamie’s shoulder. His dad’s.

“Soon we’ll be out there fishing again,” his father said.

Jamie looked over his shoulder, and his heart filled with relief. His dad was still weak, but color had finally come back to his cheeks. “I’d like that.”

Jax snorted and rested his head on Jamie’s thigh. “You can come, too, buddy,” he said, ruffling his dog’s ears.

The doorbell rang, and Jax’s ears flicked skyward.

“I’ll get it,” his dad said.

Jax snorted, then trotted after Jamie’s father, leaving him alone in peace to stare at the fishing trawlers trudging through the rough ocean seas.

Loud barking and yipping tore through his peace and quiet. The barking came from Jax, the yipping higher pitched and sounding an awful lot like—

Jamie bolted to his feet. A larger version of the tiny puppy he hadn’t seen in six months cavorted and danced around Jax, nipping at his dog’s legs. He blinked, then shook his head. He must have been dreaming. Standing behind the dogs and holding two large shopping bags was Bella.

His heart took up a steady staccato in his chest. She’s here. She’s really here.

“Come in. Come in. It’s cold out there.” His father waved Bella inside, then closed the door and ushered her into the living room. “Carmen, Ari, we have company.”

Vaguely, Jamie registered that his sister and mother had joined them in the living room, but all he could do was stare at Bella. Stupidly, his first thoughts were that she’d lost weight and grown her hair out. It was past her ears, falling in thick blond waves. His next thoughts were: What was she doing here? And how did she find him?

His dad grinned as he made introductions. “This is Bella Bianco.”

Well, that answered his last question. Somehow, his father knew who Bella was and had told her he was staying at the shack. Jamie watched as she shook hands with his mother and sister.

She smiled hesitantly at him, then tipped her head toward the beer still in his hand. “Any chance I could get one of those?”

“I’ll get it.” Ari grinned as she disappeared into the kitchen.

As Jamie continued staring at Bella, the sound of a beer cap hitting the counter came to his ears, then Ari returned, handing Bella the bottle.

Bella set down the bags she’d been holding. Scents of herbs, garlic, and cheese wafted to his nose, making his stomach growl.

“Someone’s hungry,” Bella said. “Good thing I brought dinner.”

“Why don’t we go into the kitchen so Jamie and Bella can talk?” Jamie’s father draped an arm over his sister’s and mother’s shoulders, maneuvering them both into the kitchen.

Over her shoulder, Ari waggled her eyebrows.

Gnocchi trotted over to Jamie and whined until he reached down and scratched the dog’s ears. “He’s grown.” Wow, could he sound any dumber?