Book Review

“Fragile Angel” by Stefaunia Dhillon

One word: creepy. That’s the perfect word for “Fragile Angel.” And it’s right up my alley. Once I started this book, I was unable to put it down.

Happily—at first—to set off on an adventure with her new husband Michael, Evie discovers that life isn’t always what you make it. Instead, it is what is destined for you. And this is what Evie finds out when she moves to England.

Michael purchases a 13^th Century Gothic Church to restore as their new home. Evie is not at all happy that he did this without consulting her first. But over time, and much rebuilding, they settle in. Then she finds out they are not alone. She’s confused and battles with demons and spirits she doesn’t understand. She’s desperate to share her feelings and newfound abilities—which actually, without realizing it all these years, have always resided within her—with Michael. But he can’t deal with what she is telling him, that the church has a life of its own and is calling her.

Feeling alone, she strikes out on a journey to find out why she is so connected to Catherine, one of the spirits at the church. What she finds out is not what she expects when she began her new life in England.

If you can overlook errors commonly made by a debut author and love this side of creepy in a story, you will love this book as I did. Intriguing, suspenseful, and downright otherworldly, it’s a story I was sad to see end. Hopefully, we’ll see more from Dhillon soon.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Silencing Eve” by Iris Johansen

It’s a rush to the end. It’s a thrilling ride. It’s the breathtaking, at times heartbreaking, continuation of the Eve Duncan series. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Johansen, but “Silencing Eve” outshines them all.

Taken by Doane—an evil man and Kevin’s father, who Eve’s father Zander killed—Eve is made to recreate Kevin’s skull so that Doane can have his revenge. He wants Eve to die under the watchful, guilt-ridden eyes of Zander. Sort of a tit for tat thing. But that’s not all. Kevin was more evil than Doane could ever be and Doane wants to finish what Kevin put into motion before his death and kill thousands of innocent people.

Eve is unable to do much but subconsciously reach out to those around her. As readers, we watch while Eve’s family and friends run from Chicago to Seattle to try and stop the detonation of events that will lead to a horrific number of deaths—and try to save Eve at the same time. But they get a little help from a source that some of them are having a hard time believing even exists.

Even if you’ve not read Johansen’s other books, I implore you to pick this one up. Johansen is a master at weaving suspense and making you sit on the edge of your seat, literally picking apart the seams of the chair while urging everyone to hurry. Because there’s not much time left…for Eve or thousands of others.

Definitely 10 out of 10 stars all the way.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Apartment 16” by Adam Nevill

Creepy. Haunting. Those are two great words to describe this book. But a few other words that come to mind are superbly written.

A mother and her daughter inherited an apartment in the elite area of London from their unbalanced Aunt Lillian. The mother is afraid to fly from America to London, so her daughter Apryl is given the task of taking care of clearing it out and selling the apartment in Barrington House.

Then we have Seth, the night porter of the Barrington House. He’s artist with a drive like no other. He becomes embroiled in the troubles complained about by neighboring dwellers of Apartment 16. Noises are heard and Seth must investigate. What he finds is horrifying and—in a very weird way—inspirational to his artistic side.

When Apryl begins hearing noises and seeing things in mirrors and paintings that shouldn’t be there, she starts asking questions. She finds out that the previous owner of Apartment 16 disappeared years before and when she is able to speak to a few of her deceased aunt’s neighbors, ends up with more information than she bargained for.

Seth and Apryl finally meet and Seth is immediately smitten, but he has a job to do and unfortunately, Apryl has to go. Seth is the person elected for the job and brings her to Apartment 16—a place she has been dying to get into to find out what all the hoopla is about. There, she discovers a vortex from which evil is trying to drag her down.

This book will grab a hold of you and like the evil it portrays, won’t let go. It’s a thriller and a horror and the imagery within its pages will have you up long into the night. And when you finish the book, you’ll find you just can’t turn the lights off.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Fatal Descent” by Beth Groundwater

One of the things I’ve always wanted to do—still on my bucket list—is whitewater rafting. But after reading “Fatal Descent,” I know I will take Groundwater’s story with me on the rapids, hoping that the thrill of the fiction doesn’t come to fruition.

Mandy Tanner and Rob Juarez, engaged to be married, enjoy the outdoors and own RM Outdoor Adventures. Together, they entertain and guide clients rafting and climbing to and through some absolutely fascinating and beautiful places.

“Fatal Descent” is set in Utah on the Colorado River where beauty lies along with some pretty dangerous rapids. But the hazardous whitewater they expect to experience is the least of Mandy and Rob’s worries. The rapids—as the reader soon finds out—pale in comparison to the murder that ensues, especially when they realize that one of their clients is the killer and they may be marked as the next to go.

To make matters worse, their radio—their only source of communication to the outside world—has been compromised and is completely useless. Mandy and Rob must figure out who killed one of their clients while curtailing further murderous attempts. But another of their customers almost dies rappelling down a cliff and the risks become greater.

Cascading down the rapids is thrilling, but when there’s a killer in the midst, it becomes horrifying.

A very entertaining read with rich depictions of the Utah area. I will be looking forward to more Groundwater escapades.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Sin” by J.M. LeDuc

I’ve read LeDuc’s previous work and was completely entertained by them. But now, with this new series he’s started, The Sinclair O’Malley series, it’s more than entertaining. It’s thrilling, it’s quickly-turn-the-page heart racing, and it’s a series that I will definitely continue to read.

FBI Agent Sinclair O’Malley—known as Sin—is someone you don’t want to mess around with. Seemingly made of stone, she really has the heart of gold, but is steadfast and brazen during her missions. She trusts few people and even those people become suspicious in "Sin."

Her father is dying and this is the time for Sin to mend fences with him. To do this, she needs to go back home and while she’s there, her superiors tell her, she can go under the radar and investigate the mass of young girls’ dead bodies that have been found in the Keys. And of course, why two FBI agents were murdered there.

Sure, she can go under the pretense of visiting her sick father. Sure, she can find out why these young girls are being found murdered. Sure, she can find out what happened to two FBI agents. Sure, she can go in alone against ruthless killers and sick and twisted individuals without any back up. Sure; why not?

And when she does, she finds there’s more to the story than just dead girls and FBI Agents. Connecting with Charlie, an old friend and previous mentor, Sin sets her sights on Prophet Heap, the new ‘god-loving’ man in town. The very one who has the entire town under his thumb and the one who ran Sin’s father out of his own church and took it over.

While balancing a reunion with her father, whom she hasn’t seen in seven years, a friendship and eventual romance with long-ago nemesis Troy, she goes into one dangerous situation after another trying to bring down a slave trade and save more young girls from dying.

What Sin and others go through is harrowing, at best, and can be fatal for Sin and others who try to help her. This is a thriller you don’t want to miss. LeDuc has shown he’s on top of his game with some of his best writing. I won’t be missing the rest of this new series!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

THE STOLEN ONES

By Richard Montanari

My first foray into Montanari’s work left me breathless. This author brought me through catacombs, surreptitious tales of old, and the psychopathic mind of a killer.

The Delaware Valley State Prison at Cold River was the home of some unfortunate—albeit mentally challenged—innocents and those who preyed upon them. Cold River was closed decades before the murder of a businessman brought Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano into an exploration of one of Philadelphia’s infamous earlier periods. Beginning in Priory Park, Kevin and Jessica rush around trying to stop further murders of people who may be connected to Cold River in one way or the other. Luther, one of Cold River’s past patients, ultimately wants one thing: the young girl that Kevin and Jessica find standing in the middle of the street in the center of night.

The girl won’t or can’t speak and the detectives do what they can to help the child. Because they have no idea who she is, they name her Violet after one of the streets she was near when they found her.

Dreams take a major role in this novel, so do The Dream Merchants, who were once dominant at Cold River, creating killers through dream manipulation. And Violet is one of Luther’s connections to the past.

Symbolic to his dreams are spoons he leaves at murder scenes, spoons that could have been found at Cold River when it was operable.

There are twists and turns in this novel and I warn you to pay attention to the small details sprinkled throughout. But the major twists are turns are at the end and you won’t see them coming.

I will never look at dreams the same after reading “The Stolen Ones.” Creepy and definitely compelling.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

SECOND WATCH

By J.A. Jance

While “under the influence” of painkillers after having double knee surgery, Investigator J.P. Beaumont (“Beau”) remembers the unresolved issues from his past. “Ghosts” visit him, prompting him to finish what he left unanswered.

A young woman, killed when Beau was a beat cop, appears and reminds him of her unsolved murder. Known among the cops as the “girl in the barrel,” Monica Wellington was found by two boys and Beau was one of the first cops on the scene. That case got him transferred to the Detectives Division, a promotion he sought for quite some time, and Wellington’s murder was his first as detective. Unsolved, all these years later.

His second visitor was Lieutenant Lennie Davis, better known as Lennie D to the guys in ‘Nam. Lennie D saved Beau’s life by giving him a book to read. That book, tucked against his chest during a battle, took the impact of the bullets and saved Beau. Lennie D wasn’t so lucky. Although Beau knew Lennie D had a fiancé, he never contacted her to tell her of his act of kindness. Unresolved, all these years later.

Beau is recuperating from double knee replacement, but has the old case of Monica Wellington reopened. The detective assigned to aid him—Delilah Ainsworth—was valuable in digging up information, but at what cost? The trail is cold, but starts to heat up when Beau finds that it’s more than a simple murder.

Through years of service, Beau developed contacts throughout the force’s network. Using a few of them, he tries to locate Lennie D’s fiancé. He has to set the score straight and tell her what Lennie D did for him. Is it too late? Will he be able to find her and if so, will she be receptive to what he has to say?

Jance shows that Beau is not perfect, but a very flawed protagonist. This in itself is refreshing. I highly recommend this novel!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

HOLLOW BONES

By CJ Lyons

Maria Alvarado is excited. At just eighteen years old, she’s on her way to an archaeological dig and a major discovery of a Mayan temple in Guatemala. But she has to lie to her parents to get there. But the temple isn’t a discovery and the dig never happens. What does, will blow your mind.

Maria is caught up in a web of murder, treachery, lies, and fatal danger in the jungles of Guatemala. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Caitlyn Tierney is brought into the case when Hector, Maria’s father, contacts the FBI regarding his missing daughter. When he finds out who has his daughter, he attempts to leave Caitlyn in the dust and handle the matter himself. But she isn’t shaken off so easy and is quickly on his tail.

FBI forensic accountant and Special Agent Jake Carver is Caitlyn’s on-again, off-again lover. Both of them profess to love the lonely life, but can’t seem to stay away from each other. He too is brought into the case and goes to Guatemala in search of answers that may bring down BioRegen, a company partially owned by Hector, for allegedly causing the deaths of others.

Caitlyn and Jake work together to save Maria and to put a halt to Hector and Carrera’s—Hector’s business partner in Guatemala—reign of terror. Carrera wants to use Maria’s heart to save his son Michael because she’s a match to Michael, which leads to other questions. Hector is trying to cover up the mass of dead bodies hidden in the jungle to save his own skin. And truths come out about Maria’s parents and their alleged business with BioRegen that leave her speechless. Could Hector be responsible for the murder of thousands of people? Will he ultimately be the cause of her death?

A great story that will have you turning the pages as quick as you can. It’s hard to put down and I recommend this one.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

DEADLY ECHOES

By Philip Donlay

I picked this book up thinking it sounded interesting. Boy, was I wrong. It was more than interesting. Fantastic comes to mind. So does gripping. Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down.

Eco-Watch is a scientific research organization founded by Donovan Nash. It took Donovan a long time and a lot of sweat to build this international institution up to being one of the most solicited in the world. Its technology has been applied to protect the environment in ways other companies could not. But now it’s being attacked by Garrick Pearce, the one person who knows Donovan’s true past. Garrick wants to not only tell the world Donovan’s real identity but to annihilate Eco-Watch and kill anyone close to Donovan. Garrick has a personal vendetta—he believes Donovan is responsible for Meredith Barnes’s death, a woman who fought for the environment and whom Garrick was in love with.

From Alaska to British Columbia to Los Angeles and many other places in between, Donovan follows leads. Garrick taunts him with past pictures of Meredith. He is forced to commit his own crimes as he tries to protect his wife Lauren, daughter Abigail, and a new woman he meets—Erica. Donovan’s marriage was already on the rocks and when Erica makes an appearance in Donovan’s life, it makes Donovan’s personal life go from upsetting to terrifying. Erica holds information that can take down Garrick and his cohorts, but Donovan must keep everyone from getting killed, himself included, in order to use that knowledge.

Not only is Donovan fighting to save Eco-Watch but he’s also racing to save his family, friends, his marriage, and his personal past from being made public. If the world finds out who he really is, not only will Eco-Watch be ruined but his world as he knows it will implode. It’s a race to the finish. From beginning to end, this is one thrill ride that I highly recommend.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“K is for Killer” by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone, private investigator, takes on a case that has more twists and turns than you can imagine; a whiplash effect. But Grafton articulately and decisively brings the reader through each turn, while leaving just a bit of room for guesswork.

Ten months pass since the murder of Lorna Kepler and her mother Janice cannot leave it alone. Lorna was killed and Janice wants the murderer to pay, so she hires Kinsey to look into it after the police come up empty-handed.

Kinsey is resourceful and calls upon her skills as an investigator and her desire to see the bad men of the world be brought to justice—one way or the other. She’s tough when she needs to be, especially calling out people on lies they tend to tell in order to cover their own butts.

After hunting down every clue she can unearth and talking to as many people as she can find, Kinsey is on her way to solving the murder of Lorna. But while she’s doing that, she’s digging up information about the victim that not even the police were aware of. Is it enough to get Kinsey killed? Will she find the murderer without falling victim herself?

Grafton does an incredible job taking the reader through Kinsey’s investigation, and with thrown-in bits of wit, it makes for a very entertaining read.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review

“Without Warning” by David Rosenfelt

Jake Robbins, touted as a hero and who is currently acting Chief of Police, has no idea what the opening of the town’s time capsule is going to do to him and how it’s going to turn it life upside down.

Katie Sanford is the editor of the local paper in Wilton, Maine. This small town has a tradition of burying a time capsule every fifty years. After a hurricane comes through, they fear the worst for the soundness of the capsule and it’s decided it will be opened early to make sure its contents are okay.

Jake, Katie, and many others are there when the capsule is unearthed and opened. What they find is not what they expect…well, they expect some of the items, but something else is included. It’s a list of predictions…murderous predictions. Jake needs to figure out who put it there, why, and what the predictions mean…and fast.

He’s able to figure out the first few, but before anything can be done, the ‘Predictor,’ as he is called, brings about the occurrence of the next prediction. One event after the other is supposed to happen, victim after victim. And Jake figures out quickly that it all has something to do with him. Unfortunately for Katie, it may be too late. She is taken and it’s up to Jake not only to stop further murders but to also save Katie and bring down the man responsible for all the havoc.

A tense novel, which had a grip on me that I couldn’t shake until the last page. Quick-paced, riveting, and completely thrilling. Rosenfelt just made one of my top faves list. Completely recommended!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Book Review - "Going Twice"

“Going Twice” by Sharon Sala

Death and destruction are everywhere. Tornados and storms hit with a vengeance and many lose their lives. But there are those who survive only to be pulled from the wreckage and killed by a madman. Hershel, the Stormchaser, is out to make everyone pay for the death of his wife Louise. Help didn’t come quick enough when the horrible storms hit and they were stuck on the roof of their ravaged home. Louise died. Hershel blames the government and everyone who didn’t come to their aid.

It’s not Hershel’s nor the FBI team’s first go-round. Tate, Wade, and Cameron butt heads with Hershel a year prior when he first began his lonely road of retribution. The FBI team wasn’t able to catch him then and now Hershel is back again, just as the storms are.

Only this time FBI Agent Jo Luckett is added to the team. Jo is Wade’s ex-wife and it makes for some uncomfortable situations. They lost their unborn baby years ago and guilt, anger, hurt, and betrayal tore them apart. Do they still love each other and will it be enough to mend old wounds?

Hershel is angry about Jo’s presence. It screws up his team. She wasn’t part of the hunt last year and now that she is, Hershel is thrown for a loop. He must get rid of her. Will Jo and Wade finally settle their long and hurtful animosity or will Hershel kill Jo before she and Wade can make amends?

These are a few questions I had while zooming through this book. There are tense situations throughout, as well as astonishment as I read Hershel’s dialogue with his dead wife. He’s part crazy and part intelligent. The mixture of the two makes for one hell of a thriller.

If Sala was going for a terrorizing, thrilling, hard to put down, intense novel, she hit the nail on the head. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review - "Those who Wish me Dead"

“Those who Wish me Dead” by Michael Koryta

Young Jace Wilson needs to prove his classmates wrong; he's not afraid of heights. He leaps from a tall ledge into dangerous waters to show those who made fun of him that he's not a chicken.

But what he finds is more than courage. He swims next to dead bodies then witnesses a murder. Since then, he has been on the run. The men know who he is and they need to kill him before he can testify against them. He goes into witness protection, but it's not enough. So, his parents agree to take him off the grid; into the Montana mountains where surely, no one will find him. But they do.

And the thriller is on. Jace hopes to rely on Ethan, the man in charge of teaching young boys survivor skills. Ethan finds out that the killers have burned his home and sent his wife Allison to the hospital, barely escaping death. Ethan vows to keep her safe. But safe is not what she is.

Jace realizes the men have found him on the mountain, so relying on the skills Ethan showed him, he goes solo into the mountains in order to keep Ethan and the other boys from harm.

What ensues is a treacherous race between escaping the killers and outrunning a forest fire. But Jace isn't alone. Hannah, the firefighter in the tower, comes to his aid. Ethan is forced by the killers to find Jace in the mountains.

More than outstanding, this book will have you jumping from one chapter to another as the fire races across the mountains, as Jace and Hannah try to survive, and while Ethan tries to keep both killers away from Jace.

This thriller had me glued to the words, not wanting to do anything else but finish this book. Koryta pens a novel that will leave you gasping along with the characters.

This is excellent and one I recommend. Absolutely without a doubt--5 STARS.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

Book Review - "Always Watching"

“Always Watching” by Chevy Stevens

“Heart-pounding,” (Lisa Jackson) “Harrowing,” (Linwood Barclay) and “Chilling” (William Landay) are just a few of the words others have used to describe Stevens’ newest book “Always Watching.” They are all true. Add one other: “Spellbinding” (Starr Gardinier Reina). That’s what I thought. This was one tough book to put down.

Psychiatrist Nadine Lavoie meets a patient who brings to surface Nadine’s own terrifying past, one her psyche protected her from. But now that she’s remembering, she has to face her past.

Her mother, tired of the abuse by the hands of her father, brings Nadine and Robbie, her brother to live in a commune when they were thirteen and sixteen, respectively. Aaron, the ‘leader,’ preached about living life purely and demanded his ‘residents’ follow his every rule. When they didn’t…well, they were punished. Finally, Nadine’s father comes and takes them out, away from the horror of the commune.

Nadine, in her adult years, suffers from claustrophobia and hasn’t been able to find the root of the fear. But as she digs deeper into what the commune is up to now, she finds out more than she can handle.

A violent rage bubbles just below the surface when Aaron and his brother Joseph are threatened by Nadine’s quest to bring to light the ugly side of Aaron and his ‘lifestyle.’ Torment can describe what Nadine goes through as she recalls what happened to her as a little girl and anguish when she discovers her own missing daughter is now calling the commune home.

As I said, “spellbinding” is a great descriptor of Stevens’ story. There aren't many other words to do this book justice. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” 

In the Bleak Midwinter Book Review

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
By M.R. Sellars

This book touts itself to be a paranormal thriller and that it most definitely is. Sellars
drives you forward, having you so engrossed in the story you forget where you are.

Special Agent Constance Mandalay is sent to the very rural town of Hulis, Missouri to aid
in a hunt for an annual serial killer. Every Christmas for the last seven years, a body is found in
the same exact place and no one, neither the previous seven FBI agents who were sent there
over the years nor Deputy Addison “Skip” Carmichael can catch the killer in the act.

Constance notices the lack of information and evidence in the file and begins to question just who
is covering things up. She’s almost convinced the whole town is keeping secrets. And she vows to uncover them. Then she witnesses for herself just what is going on in Hulis.

This is one paranormal ride you will want to take with Sellars. This is engrossing, engaging, and thrilling and will make your heart beat wildly in your chest. Sellars is definitely on my list of MRAs (must-read authors).

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Book Review

“Pretty Little Things” by Jilliane Hoffman

A very good book. Jilliane Hoffman is an outstanding author. I love exploring new author's works and am glad I picked up Hoffman. It's edge of your seat action. It took me a while to read only because I had so much on my plate, but if I could have, I would probably have finished this book in a few days. It's that great. Thriller is just too tame of a word.

Bobby Dees is a special agent with FDLE and is on the hunt for a serial kidnapper/murderer. With the help of his friend and coworker Zo, Dees throws himself into the case. It's more than personal for him. His own daughter Katy is missing and he's not sure if she just ran off with her boyfriend or if she is the victim in this newest case.

As a reader, I was thrown headlong into the case with him, feeling as if I was there with him trying to solve this case and find little Katy.

I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed!

Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Chapter Ten of "In the Name of Revenge"

It's now been released on Wattpad and I'm sharing it below. Enjoy!

TEN

There was no way Pavel wanted Phillip Mancini in jail. He had plans for Mancini that didn’t include his son’s arrest. If he was going to see the old man feel the pain he’s endured all these years, he needed to get his son out. There were more important uses for Phillip.

He didn’t want to involve anyone else in his revenge. He felt guilty making the telephone call to the detective’s wife, but it needed to be done. He knew the police were now forewarned that someone wanted Phillip Mancini out of jail. He realized that they would immediately think it was the family. It was…in a way. It just wasn’t a blood part of the family.

His hope was the detective would back off and maybe go even as far as to tell the district attorney that Phillip was falsely accused. He wasn’t sure if it would work, actually he highly doubted it would, but it was worth a try. He had to find a way to show Mancini he was doing his job. He didn’t need any suspicions surrounding him as far as the family went, especially the old man.

His action was from a call he received from Carlo, requesting him to do something to get Phillip out of jail. The family thought he was performing on their behalf. Little did they know he was reaping his own reward. He was allowing them to think he was aiding the family. When he acted, it would be for his gain and his gain alone. He couldn’t seek his revenge if Phillip was in jail for murder. It was now or never.

As Pavel put on his jacket and reached to open the door, his telephone rang.

“Boss wants to see you,” was the response he got after saying hello.

“When?”

“Now.”

“I’ll be right over.”

“No, not at the house. It’s being watched.”

“Watched?” Pavel asked.

“Yes, are you that surprised? Happens all the time. You should know that. Be outside your house in five minutes.”

Pavel knew he couldn’t say he had plans and wasn’t available. That was just not something you told the boss. When he told you he needed you in five minutes, it better not be six minutes later that you show up.

“Fine,” he responded and hung up.

As he sat on his front steps, a long black limousine slid to the curb. The windows were tinted, but Pavel knew who it was. Ever since he could remember, the boss never drove himself around and he always had a black Cadillac. This time was no different. Carlo lived his life just like the crime lord depicted on television. It actually made Pavel laugh in derision.

The passenger window rolled down and a deep, gruff voice barked, “Get in.”

He did as he was told and sat down facing Carlo Mancini. To Carlo’s right sat Roberto, his personal bodyguard. Pavel didn’t know his last name and didn’t care to. He didn’t need to know because Roberto was unimportant in the scheme of things. All Pavel needed to know about Roberto was how accurate a shot he was and how much weight he could lift. All other personal details were not necessary.

For the first few miles no one spoke. Finally, Carlo broke the silence.

“I’m getting old, Pavel.”

“No, not yet, Boss,” Roberto answered.

“Was I talking to you?”

“Sorry, Boss.”

“Now, as you know my figlio is to take over after I’m gone. We all know I’m not long for this world. My upcoming surgery will be fine, that much I know. After all, it’s just a hip replacement and we all know I don’t need to walk to rule this organization with an iron fist.”

He started coughing and grabbed his handkerchief out of his breast pocket. Carlo was the sort of man who was always in a full three-piece suit, complete with a monogrammed handkerchief neatly placed in the pocket of the coat.

“My doctor told me the other day that I have liver cancer. They call it hepatocellular cancer, a name I can barely even say. Fortunately, mine is just a single tumor, or so they tell me. What does it matter? Single, multiple…whatever. It’s still going to kill me. How’s that for kickers, huh?”

Pavel tried to find something positive to say. Truth be told, he was glad the old man was suffering from liver cancer. It couldn’t have come at a better time. He was finally at the point to make the old man pay for the murder of his parents. It was reassuring to him that Carlo would still be around to feel the same heartache Pavel has lived with for many years. The only thing that bothered Pavel was that Carlo wouldn’t live enough years to really experience the destruction of his family and empire.

“I’m sorry to hear about the cancer, Sir. You still have many years left. It won’t kill you tomorrow,” Pavel told him.

“Ah, this is true,” he agreed, pointing his index finger in the air.

Carlo pressed a button on the side of the doorframe making the middle window between them and the driver quietly slide shut.

“I am not just droning on endlessly about my health, Pavel. There is something we need to discuss. We’ve already spoken about you aiding Phillip as you have helped me all these years. I want you to be his right hand man as you have been mine.”

“I know, Sir.”

“There’s more. I trust you, so I want you to become part of this family.”

“I already feel as if I am.”

“No. I mean, yes, it has been as if you are part of my family. What I mean is you will become my genero.”

“What? Your son-in-law? What in God’s name…?”

“Exactly as it suggests,” Carlo cut him off. “Are you completely stupid? You will marry Teresa.”

At this statement, Roberto whipped his head up and gave Pavel a look that could kill. It was widely known among the family that Roberto was in love with Teresa and her him, but her father forbade a relationship to transpire between the two and no one, not even a blood relation, dared to defy him.

“You want me to marry your daughter?”

“Finally you catch on! Sometimes I wonder about you, Pavel.”

“Why do you want me to marry her?”

“I don’t need to answer to anything or anyone. However, since you’re going to be my son-in-law, I’ll answer that…I trust you.”

“What about Roberto?”

Roberto now glared at Carlo.

“Posh,” Carlo waved his hand in the air and then looked at Roberto. “Roberto knows he is not good enough for my figlia.”

“Come on, Boss, at least I am Italiano, no? He…he is Russian.”

“Shut the fuck up, idiot!” he yelled at Roberto. “You are worthless and spineless. My Teresa needs a man who can take care of her. You cannot even properly care for your shoes. Look at them.”

Carlo pointed down at Roberto’s scuffed black shoes and with disdain written all over his face, told him, “I would be ashamed to have you as a son-in-law.”

Roberto sat there mortified, not daring to respond.

“Ah, yes, Pavel, you are the one to marry my precious, innocent Teresa. I know she will be safe with you.”

“With all due respect Sir, I don’t want to get married.”

“It will all be arranged. Teresa has already been told.”

“What does your daughter have to say about all this?” Roberto inserted.

Carlo gave him a look that would have frozen boiling water and said, “She does as I tell her to do. She doesn’t need to say anything. Why are you questioning me at all, you little vermin?”

Carlo pressed the button and the window between them and the driver rolled silently down.

“Stop here,” he demanded.

“You’re dismissed.” He waved his hand in the air, signaling Roberto to leave his presence.

“Here? How will I get back?”

“That is your problem. Now, get out.”

With a hateful backward glance at Pavel, Roberto uttered under his breath, “Stupid asshole.”

He opened the car door as it came to a halt and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

Carlo slid the dividing window shut again.

Pavel had a feeling Roberto would be trouble. It was apparent that Roberto loved Teresa and Pavel doubted he would accept this wedding without a fight. Knowing this, he needed to be on constant alert.

“Sir, with all due respect, I really don’t know your daughter. I’ve had little contact with her over the years.”

“That will all change. You will start courting her immediately. Get to know her. I’m sure you will come to love her soon enough. I have ordered her to take cooking lessons so she’ll be fit as an Italian wife should be; do not worry.”

“I don’t know…”

Carlo cut him off, “You will not question this, Pavel. It is a done thing. I should have had you marry her years ago.”

“I still don’t understand why.”

“What do I have to do draw you a picture? She needs someone to look after her. She’s a bit wild yet, but she will calm down soon enough. Her brother will be too busy filling my shoes to be there as much as she needs someone to be. She must be protected, and who better than Phillip’s soon to be right hand man?”

“Sir…”

“Are you trying to piss me off? Do not argue with me. You should know better! Now, I’m an old man and God knows what will happen to me. Maybe it will be the liver cancer which will kill me first, maybe it will be one of my many enemies. I don’t know. What I do know is you’re going to marry my Teresa and it will be before I leave this God-forsaken world.”

“Sir, I do believe Roberto loves Teresa and may cause problems where this arranged marriage is concerned.”

“Pavel, you bring me shame. I thought you were brave. Are you going to let a mindless, good-for-nothing, piece of meat like Roberto scare you? I thought you had bigger gonads. I hired you because I believed you did. Besides, Roberto knows better than to interfere with my plans. This isn’t a wish, Pavel. It’s an order.”

He knew what Carlo was referring to about Roberto knowing better. Should he dare to defy Carlo, Roberto would be lying at the bottom of the river with cement shoes on, or shot between the eyes and left for dead in a back alley somewhere. Even though Pavel was sure Roberto knew what the consequences of his actions would be should he try anything, he still didn’t trust Roberto. Not at all.

Pavel bit his tongue. It was useless to argue with Carlo any further. When he made up his mind about something, it would take Hell’s terror to change it.

There was no way he was going to marry Teresa. He loved Felice, and soon, she would be his. He didn’t need Teresa standing in the way. Pavel figured it was time to hurry his plan along.

“When are you wishing this wedding to take place?”

“Soon. However, this wedding cannot happen with Phillip in jail. How are you progressing with getting him out?”

Pavel was in a quandary. He wanted Phillip out of jail to proceed with his plan on getting revenge on Carlo, but now the situation was more entangled. He didn’t want Phillip out of jail because Carlo would insist the wedding take place as soon as Phillip was free.

“I’m getting there. I disguised my voice, called the detective’s wife and threatened her.”

“So? Exactly what do you think you will accomplish by that?”

“I am trying to get to the detective who arrested him.”

“So?” he angrily asked again.

“I’m sure he realizes we want Phillip out of jail. By threatening his family, I believe he will become afraid of the Mancini family and back down.”

“Oh, you think so? You tried to put the fear of the Mancini’s in him, huh? I happen to know that this detective is a hot head and has it out for the Mancini family, as do a lot of people. It won’t work.”

“I’m hoping he’ll be afraid enough for his wife that he relents.”

“Listen to me, Pavel, because I will only say this once. You better do more than that or you can kiss your own ass good-bye. Capici? Don’t fuck with me!”

He knew Carlo wasn’t kidding. If Pavel didn’t do what was requested of him, and soon, Carlo would not be a happy man. It was time he upped his ante and called in some favors, but that meant marriage.

Pavel silently grunted at his dilemma.

“I will. I’ll make it happen. Don’t worry.”

“See that you do,” Carlo gruffly replied. “This discussion is over.”

Once he arrived back home, Pavel immediately went to his safe, securely stashed under the floorboards of a hidden closet beneath the stairway. He took out a notebook and began to jot down his daily notes, adding to the ones he penned in the night before. He went to his copier that was set up in his study and copied a fresh set. He sealed them in an envelope marked ‘Felice’ on the outside and put them back in his concealed spot. He then put the original documents in an envelope, sealed it and immediately called his contact.

“We need to meet, now,” Pavel said as soon as the telephone was answered.

“Same place?”

“Yes, be there in fifteen minutes.”

* * * * *

“We need to talk.”

Pavel met his contact at the usual dinghy bar on the upper east side of the city. The only people who drank at Finnigans were local alcoholics who were usually drunk before they even arrived.

Pavel steered Nick towards the back, passing the bar on the left and an area to the right that held small round tables and chairs. At the moment, the tables were empty. The floor was littered with last night’s remnants of stale peanuts and old popcorn. The owner apparently didn’t pride himself with the cleanliness of his establishment.

The bar was almost the full length of the room. The few customers who were actually there at this time of the day—which was not quite four o’clock in the afternoon—smelled of body odor with a stench of alcohol permeating their clothing, adding to the air of disgust. They walked past the bartender who was sitting on a stool watching a program on a small television set that was stuck in the corner of the bar. He nodded at the bartender as they passed. The owner knew who they were and the bartenders and waitresses knew never to question their appearances.

Pavel positively hated this hell-hole they called a bar, but knew it was a place he wouldn’t be found. Turning left at the end of the bar, Pavel opened the door to the back room. He found it empty and plopped himself down in the old, worn, leather chair that creaked when he sat. Nick stood and looked at him.

“Well? Are you going to tell me why the hell you needed to meet on such short notice? You know it’s not protocol.”

“You and your protocol can kiss my ass,” he muttered.

He was getting tired of playing the game. It has been many years of the same façade and he wanted it to end. He was so close, and now too much was at risk. It was more than his revenge, it was Felice and the baby, too.

“Spit it out, man. I’ve got things to do.”

He took out the envelope that contained his latest notes and slid it across the desk to Nick. Pavel told him of his latest meeting with Mancini and what was now expected of him.

“So, marry the girl. What’s it going to hurt?”

“Are you crazy? I’m not marrying Teresa. You better find a way out of this for me!”

“Look, you can always get a divorce if you later feel you don’t want to be married to her. Frankly, I’ve seen the girl, she’s hot. Nice body. I wouldn’t mind bedding her,” he chuckled.

“Then you marry her. Hot or not, it’s not happening.”

“Well, what do you suggest?”

“That’s your job. I’m doing mine, start doing yours.”

“What’s the big deal? What’s really going on here, Pavel?”

“You know damn well what’s going on. I am not getting married. How many times do I need to say it?”

“I’ll talk to the others and try to figure something out. In the meantime, I suggest you do what Mancini wants you to do. How’s it going with Phillip?”

“Same. He’s in jail. Can you get him out? Don’t you know anyone who can help?”

“I’m trying. It’s not that easy. Let’s just say my friends are not cooperating. We are after all, talking about the Mancini family and no one wants to get involved.”

“Get them involved. As much as I don’t want it to happen, we need Phillip out of jail.”

“What’s your hurry?”

“My hurry? I have Mancini breathing down my neck. If I don’t get Phillip out and soon, you’ll find me and some heavy ankle weights some sixty feet under those murky waters we call our lake.”

“I’m doing what I can. In the meantime, hang loose. I’ll get back to you.”

Nick picked up the envelope from the desk and turned to leave.

“You do that. I’ll expect to hear from you soon,” Pavel said.