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  For Passion

  Jeannette Winters

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2018.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  About the Author

  Synchronized Series

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Also by Jeannette Winters

  By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane

  For Truth

  Turchetta’s Promise Series

  Book Four

  by

  Jeannette Winters

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  Hate to say goodbye to your favorite characters? The perfect solution is a Synchronized Series! One world. Three authors. Character cross-over. Triple the amount of books. Binge reading at its best.

  * * *

  Each author’s books are full stories you can enjoy individually! But putting them all together weaves an even more pleasurable reading experience.

  * * *

  For Passion

  Josh Turchetta left the US Marine Corps for one reason, to join his family in saving the lives of those who otherwise would’ve been lost. Work hard, play hard, is his motto and lifestyle.

  * * *

  Ellie Laroux enjoyed baking and refused to let her exotic cupcake shop fail. Her personal life was on hold as she focused on keeping her business out of the red.

  * * *

  In a flash, her life changes when she learns of her brother’s harsh, sudden death. She will not stop until his killers are brought to justice, even if it means losing her business and possibly her life.

  * * *

  Josh is assigned to watch Ellie from a distance. Ellie’s stubborn like her late brother and her tactics are drawing unwanted attention. How can he protect someone who is continuously waving a red flag calling out the enemy?

  * * *

  He finds her tenacity, determination, and passion irresistible. Is she the secret ingredient that has been missing from his life or a distraction that might get them both killed?

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to Elizabeth and Josh, Your love and passion for each other shines through on this cover, and hopefully I captured some of it in the story as well. Thank you so much for being part of this wonderful journey with me, and being part of my life.

  Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, E.L. King and Marion Arche, my editors you are all amazing!

  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  Cover design by MLDGraphics

  Chapter One

  Her hands trembled as she held the paper that had just arrived in the mail. Although it was what she expected, it didn’t make it any easier for Ellie Laroux to accept the fact that her brother, Frank, was dead.

  Tracing her finger over his name, a wave of nausea threatened to overtake her. No longer was it grief, now anger consumed her. Frank had dedicated his life to the FBI, and now they were covering up his murder. What for? He was killed in the line of duty. There wasn’t anything to hide. Or was there?

  Ellie needed answers, but the death certificate she was holding didn’t provide any. How would she know if the person or persons responsible were brought to justice if the truth wasn’t revealed?

  Getting up from the couch, Ellie walked over to the mantel and touched the nickel-plated urn containing his ashes. I’m sorry, Frank. If I’d known they were going to give me the runaround, I’d have started looking for your killer right away.

  Ellie placed the death certificate beneath the urn before picking up one of the photos resting nearby. It was taken when they’d celebrated his forty-fifth birthday a few weeks earlier. His smile tugged at her heart. Who knew this would be the last time I’d ever see him?

  When the agents told her Frank had been killed, she didn’t believe them. At the funeral, she told herself this was all just a formality, that her brother was on a secret mission and this was all taking place so no one suspected Frank was still alive. It was how she dealt with the shock. Yet deep in her heart, she knew Frank was really gone. No amount of hoping, tears, or praying was going to change that.

  That didn’t mean the tears weren’t always on the verge of flowing. Even now Ellie fought them back. She took the picture back to the couch, not ready to let it go, clinging to it as though it could somehow change things. Ellie wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but she felt . . . alone. It wasn’t something she was familiar with. She always knew Frank was there if she ever needed him. I need him now.

  Ellie had plenty of friends, and her staff at Toot Sweets were showering her with attention, trying to help her through this difficult time. Although appreciated, a new cupcake recipe wasn’t what she needed, even if her business was struggling. Frank was all the family she had, and the funeral was a clear reminder of that. She’d stood in solitude by the coffin and accepted the condolences from their friends and his colleagues. Faces and names all seemed a blur now. She didn’t know how she’d made it through the ordeal. Still, don’t know how to go on.

  Frank had practically raised her after their mother had died when Ellie was only seven. Their father, a drunk who cared only for himself, left and never was heard from again. He didn’t even show up for Frank’s funeral. That was a blessing as far as Ellie was concerned. If he had shown up, all those Federal Agents were probably going to have to pull her off him.

  Sitting here was increasing her frustration. She needed to do something, anything, that was going to make her feel better, but the one thing left to do was go to Frank’s apartment and sort through his belongings. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to go there, but she couldn’t put it off any longer. Frank’s only long-term commitment had been to the Bureau. He’d never settled down or even came close to having what most women would consider a serious relationship. Heck, even his apartment is a month-to-month lease.

  That only complicated matters more. If she didn’t start packing Frank’s things, she would need to pay another month on his lease. Since she was barely able to cover her own business expenses, and had stopped taking a paycheck for herself, Ellie couldn’t afford to take on anyone else’s, not even short-term.

  Though she was exhausted from a long day baking and selling her exotic cupcakes, she managed to drag herself off the couch. She laid the photo back on the mantel, took a look in the mirror, and decided this was as good as it was going to get. At this time of night, she wasn’t about to bump into anyone she knew anyw
ay. Running her fingers through her long chestnut hair, she twisted it and clipped it at the back of her head. It was warm for a fall night. She didn’t mind not needing a bulky jacket and dreaded the snow which would soon be falling. Taking full advantage of the unusual heatwave, she’d make do with the light pink sweater she had on.

  At times such as this, it was convenient to live in the back of her cupcake shop. She’d cleaned and closed up shop an hour earlier, locking up tight, thinking she’d be in for the night. The shop wasn’t open on Mondays, but she had a few new recipes she wanted to try before putting them on the shelf for the public. A group of high school kids—her volunteer food critics—were going to arrive no matter what and would expect to be amazed. I feel anything but amazing right now.

  As she started her KIA Sportage, with her Toot Sweets logo and pictures of oversized cupcakes decaled on it, Ellie made her way to Frank’s apartment. For the moment, she’d stopped procrastinating on doing the inevitable and forced herself to face what she’d been avoiding.

  It wasn’t about dealing with all of Frank’s stuff. He’d rented a fully furnished apartment because he hated decorating. Ellie had told him often she’d do it for him, but he’d tease her by saying he was afraid it’d come out looking like one of her fancy cupcakes. He was probably right. I see, or at least used to see, everything in bright, happy colors.

  Thankfully she was alone, and it was dark. There was no reason to pretend to be joyful. No one was watching as she made her way up the stairs and into Frank’s apartment. It was exactly as it had been the last time she’d seen it. Like in his work, he kept everything neat and in order. It’s one of the things that had made him such a good agent. The Bureau never had to worry about Frank missing anything. That only made her angrier. Had someone else dropped the ball and her brother paid the price?

  There was a pang of guilt within her because Frank had called her the night before he’d been killed. He’d left a voicemail. At the time it hadn’t sounded different than any other. Ellie had been tired and thought she’d call him back the next day. But that chance never came. Frank was killed before she could call, and she’d never forgive herself.

  Each item she picked up and placed in a box felt like a knife twisting in her side. There was a point when she wanted to give up and leave. Tell the landlord she didn’t want any of Frank’s personal things, but then she came across a piece of paper on the floor just under the couch when she pushed over a throw pillow. It was the one thing that was out of place. Had he intentionally left it there or did it slip from his pocket unnoticed?

  Since there wasn’t a speck of dust in his place, she had to believe this was no accident. Not that she was a detective, but she felt as though Frank had left her a clue. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but it was more than she had a moment ago.

  It definitely wasn’t his shopping list, because he didn’t eat vegetables . . . or cook. But could he have a girlfriend he hadn’t told her about and this was his pick-up list for her?

  CORN

  ASPARAGUS

  RADISH

  LETTUCE

  OKRA

  SPINICH

  MUSHROOM

  AVOCADO

  BEET

  EGGPLANT

  Granted she was a baker, but these ingredients meant absolutely nothing to her. It was like raising a red flag, but for what reason? It was a long shot, but Ellie headed to the refrigerator. Somehow she’d envisioned opening it up and finding a file containing the answers she needed. Instead, the pungent smell of spoiled food and milk practically gagged her. Before slamming it shut, she scanned it quickly to ensure none of the vegetables on the list were inside.

  Coughing from the stench, she walked back into the living room, knowing that was one thing she was leaving for the landlord to deal with. There were certain things she couldn’t handle, and foul smells were in the top five.

  She changed from packing Frank’s things to full-blown search mode. But Ellie had no idea what to look for or if the piece of paper she’d found was anything other than trash. She could call the Bureau and see if that meant anything to them, but she knew they’d never tell her if it did. Yes, they were definitely more qualified to do this, but they didn’t understand; this was personal. Whoever did this took the one person she knew would always be there for her. Frank, you promised me. What am I to do now?

  It was a long shot but she’d hold onto that list; if she found that it could lead to an arrest, then maybe she’d consider turning it over to the FBI. Right now, her gut was telling her to trust no one. Ellie wasn’t sure why because she usually looked at life through rose-colored glasses. Her easygoing nature had been a cause of many arguments between them over the years. What I’d give to fight about it again with you.

  Pushing past the pain, something she was trying to master, she began to carry boxes down to her car. There wasn’t much, and it might be considered junk by anyone else, but these were memories she wasn’t willing to part with. Not now and maybe never. On top was a photo of him receiving an award from the president for heroism a few years back. She almost left it behind, not wanting the constant reminder of the price he paid for doing his job. Frank, you weren’t just a badge number, you were . . . all the family I had.

  * * *

  Josh Turchetta had been following Ellie around ever since his brother Rafe had sent him to keep an eye out for her. It was a waste of time. She practically lived in her cupcake shop, and the only time she’d left had been to attend Frank’s funeral. The people who had killed Frank definitely weren’t going to look at her as any threat.

  She’s surrounded by sweets all day long for a reason.

  “I’m telling you, Rafe, I could be utilized elsewhere. I’m going crazy sitting here doing nothing.”

  Rafe snapped, “I’m trusting you to keep a close eye on her. If anything happens to her because you’re—”

  “I’m watching. But there’s nothing to see. The woman has no life outside of Toot Sweets.”

  “That’s not the woman Frank described. Remember, she’s suffered a loss, a major one. You can’t expect her to be out doing all the things she used to do.”

  Josh knew what losing a family member felt like. His baby sister Phoebe’s face still flashed before him anytime he was on a mission to protect an innocent young woman. Maybe that was what was troubling him now. Ellie sure fit that bill. Her life looked as calm as one could hope for, but was there turbulence lurking nearby?

  “Got to go.”

  “Everything okay?” Rafe asked.

  “Yeah, she’s going out.” And it’s late. Not for him, but this wasn’t Ellie’s normal MO. Josh ended the call and started the engine of the beat-up Jeep Rafe had given him to use. It blended in fine but didn’t always start on the first try.

  He wasn’t worried about Ellie disappearing into the traffic; that thing she called a car stuck out so bright he swore Gabe could track it even without satellite surveillance. But the car seemed to fit who she was. Bubbly.

  As he followed her, he thought back to the hours of looking at her through the large window in front of her shop. Customers came in, and she greeted them like she was expecting them. Half the time she even hugged them on the way out. He wished he knew if they were friends or if she was that warm and friendly to everyone.

  Josh couldn’t believe where Ellie had pulled up to. He figured she’d have to go there eventually but thought it would be during the day. He’d already been through Frank’s apartment, and the place was clean. They’d hoped there might have been a lead as to who might have put a hit out. If Frank had suspicions, that information wasn’t in his apartment. That didn’t mean Josh hadn’t planted a bug inside. If anyone went in, his brother Gabe would be listening.

  Josh pulled out his SAT phone and texted Gabe. “Ellie just entered Frank’s.”

  “Got it.”

  Even with Gabe listening, Josh wished he had eyes on her. If he’d noticed anyone lingering around or even another vehicle close by that could be
watching her, he’d have his ass up there by her side no matter what Rafe said.

  Josh knew of Frank before he’d been killed, but they weren’t personal friends like Frank and Rafe had been. Somehow you learn a lot about a person when you rummage through their belongings. The guy was meticulous with details and orderly with his personal items. From what Rafe said, that’s how he was with his investigations. It was unanimous in regards to how he was killed. The only outstanding question was, would they go after Ellie thinking she may know something?

  The entire Turchetta family was spread thin right now. Gabe was deep in hiding with Vanessa to ensure her safety, while others were watching her family back in upstate New York. Vanessa had been the one to turn the files over to the FBI in the first place. Although Rafe felt comfortable that Frank took every precaution to conceal her identity, he’d been killed, which meant there had to be a leak in the Bureau somewhere. Thankfully Ellie doesn’t seem to have the inquisitive gene her brother had. If she did, this protection detail would change quickly.

  When he saw Ellie leaving the apartment building carrying boxes, the gentleman in him started to kick in. Not that his family would’ve called him such a thing. In their eyes, he was a player. When he was in the Corps, and even now, Josh didn’t want any attachments to distract him. But he thoroughly enjoyed the company of women. Never one like Ellie. The sweet loving ones would want something he couldn’t give them. A commitment.