Overwhelming Force Read online

  “Listen, guys...” Joe took a small step closer so they would turn their attention—and weapons—back on him and away from Laura’s side of the room. “I think we can solve a couple of problems here with one action.”

  “What are you talking about?” Bobby’s eyes narrowed.

  “Like you said, that baby is a huge headache. Plus the people outside—” Joe again was careful not to call them law enforcement or police “—would take it as a sign of good faith if you let the kids and their mom go. Works for everyone. You get rid of a screaming baby, and the people outside know you’re reasonable. Win/win. You’ve still got plenty of people left in here for whatever you need to do.”

  Bobby looked over at his older brother and Ricky finally nodded. Joe felt like a hundred-pound weight had been lifted off his chest. Now, no matter what happened, at least Laura and her kids would be safe.

  Keeping his eyes on Ricky and Bobby, Joe motioned for Laura and the kids to come over.

  “Get the manager to open the door again,” Ricky told him, so Joe turned to the man. The heavyset manager got to his feet and moved to the door.

  Joe turned back to reassure Laura as best he could but found another woman taking the baby from her. Clutching the infant in one arm and holding the hand of the little girl in the other, she made her way to Joe.

  “You’re their mom?” Joe asked. “I thought the other lady was holding the baby.”

  “She was just helping me,” the woman whispered. “Thank you for getting us out.”

  Joe squeezed her shoulder. “When the door opens, walk straight across the street. Don’t stop for anything.”

  The woman nodded.

  “Okay, are we ready?” he asked.

  Joe turned to Ricky and Bobby and fought back a shudder when he saw that Bobby now had Laura held right in front of him in a choke hold, gun pointed at her temple.

  “If anyone does anything I don’t like, I’ll put a bullet in her,” Bobby said.

  Joe ground his teeth. It took quite a lot to get him to lose his cool, but he was finding that a gun to Laura’s temple did it very quickly. He forced the anger down. He needed to stay calm.

  The manager opened the door and Joe watched as the woman sprinted across the street, the little girl doing her best to keep up. They were safe. He squeezed the shoulder of the bank manager as he relocked the door.

  “Thank you for not trying to run,” Joe said in a low voice. The man could’ve taken off when the door was open. Could’ve saved himself at the cost of other lives. Joe had seen it happen before.

  “I couldn’t let them kill someone else because of me.” The manager rubbed his hands down his pant legs. “But I can’t give them what they want. I don’t have what they need.”

  Joe’s smile suggested a calm he didn’t really feel. “We’ll work it out.”

  Joe finally felt like he could breathe again when Bobby had released Laura and she had sat back down against the wall. She didn’t seem to be hurt in any way or even too scared.

  As a matter of fact her hazel eyes were all but spitting daggers at Joe. She looked like she might grab Bobby’s gun and shoot Joe herself.

  Joe winced. Guess she hadn’t forgiven him for what he’d said to her six years ago.

  He didn’t blame her. And he had to admit, as much as he wanted Laura safely out of harm’s way, his heart had actually leaped in his chest—seriously, he’d felt the adrenaline rush through him—when he realized those children belonged to another woman. Not Laura.

  It was time to get this situation resolved so he could move on to more important things. Like talking Laura into dinner with him.

  He had a feeling that might take more negotiation skills than even he possessed.

  Chapter Three

  Joe Matarazzo working in law enforcement. Who would’ve ever figured that would happen? Certainly not Laura.

  But she had to admit, he had quite deftly handled the situation in the bank with Ricky and Bobby. They had come there to steal the last remaining copy of their father’s will.

  Evidently dear old dad had realized what jerks his sons had become and had decided to leave his “fortune” as Ricky and Bobby called it, a sum of just over twelve thousand dollars, to the local 4-H club.

  Two grown men had broken into a bank, held sixteen people—including children—hostage, and had threatened to kill them all to get a will. A will that ultimately would only get them twelve thousand dollars if they were successful.

  The perfect storm of idiocy.

  The bank manger hadn’t had the other key. Every safe-deposit box needed two keys and the manager only had one. That’s when the problem had escalated. Ricky and Bobby thought they could just come in, show some ID and have the box opened. But not without the second key.

  Demanding the manager open it by pointing a gun at his head hadn’t changed the situation. He still couldn’t open it with only his one key.

  Somehow Bobby and Ricky just hadn’t understood that. They got loud. Someone called the cops and next thing they knew they had a hostage situation on their hands.

  Laura had no idea what would’ve happened if Joe hadn’t shown up and defused the situation.

  He’d sat down with the two men and the bank manager. The manager swore he would open the safe-deposit box if he could, but that the bank had put security measures in place long ago that required two keys. It’s what kept managers from being able to walk in at any time and take anything they wanted from the boxes.

  Finally Joe was able to make Ricky and Bobby understand that. He’d then helped them figure out where their dead father’s key might be. Explained they needed to surrender so they could come back to the bank another time.

  That time was going to be after years in prison, and by then the 4-H club was going to have some pretty nice 4-Hing equipment, or whatever a 4-H club used money for, but Joe had left that part out.

  Both men had exited with Joe and had been immediately taken into custody. Everyone inside could hear Ricky and Bobby screaming at Joe, claiming he’d lied about being arrested. Joe hadn’t lied, he just hadn’t announced all the particulars of the truth. As a lawyer, Laura could appreciate the difference.

  Cops and medical workers then rushed into the bank to see who needed help. As they tended to people, Laura watched with a sort of amazed detachment as one of the large air-conditioning grates on a wall about ten feet off the ground moved and a small woman, in full combat gear and rifle, eased her way out, hung as far as her arms would allow her, then dropped to the ground.

  She’d been there, probably since not long after Joe arrived, silently ready to move in if things had gotten desperate.

  But they hadn’t, thanks to Joe.

  The woman had just made a quiet sweep of the area with her eyes then walked out the front door. Most of the people inside didn’t even notice her.

  A uniformed police officer entered and made an announcement. “People, I’m Sheriff Richardson. Right now we’re just trying to ascertain who is injured. If you have any wounds at all, or feel like you’re having any chest pains or anything like that, please let us know so we can get a medic to attend to you immediately.”

  Laura’s chest hurt a little bit, but she was pretty sure that was indigestion caused from seeing Joe again.

  “Otherwise we ask that you stay in the immediate area of the bank so we can take your statement. Certainly you are free to go outside and get some fresh air. Also to call anyone you need to let them know you’re okay. This event will make the supper-time news, for sure, and you won’t want any family worrying about you.”

  Laura doubted her parents or brother would hear about this back in Huntsville, Alabama, but she would text them anyway and let them know she was okay. She would not mention the fact that Joe Matarazzo had gotten her out of the situation safely. Her da
d and brother might catch the first flight to Denver and take Joe out themselves.

  They’d have to get in line behind her.

  The image of Joe stripped down to his boxers and smiling charmingly at the two hostage-taking morons popped into her head unbidden.

  Damn, he still looked good. Nothing about that had changed, not that she would’ve expected it to. His tall, lithe body was absolutely drool-worthy: broad shoulders, hard abs that all but begged you to run your fingers over them, trim hips that eased down into long, strong legs.

  And that face. Crystal blue eyes and strong, sharp cheekbones and a chin that gave strength to a face that would’ve otherwise been too pretty. Brown hair with natural sandy highlights, straight, a little long with a half curl that always fell over his forehead.

  And his smile. Joe Matarazzo had a quick, easy smile for everyone. The man loved to smile, and had gorgeous sensuous lips and perfect teeth to back up his propensity.

  His cheeks were clean-shaven now, but Laura knew firsthand how quickly the stubble would grow and exactly how the roughness of his cheeks would feel as he kissed her all over her body.

  She stopped the thought immediately. For six years she’d been stopping those types of thoughts immediately. Instead she fast-forwarded to the last memory she’d had of Joe. Him standing outside her apartment and telling her their relationship wasn’t going to work anymore.

  That he’d liked her and all, and the last couple of months had been great, but that, let’s face it, she just wasn’t the caliber of woman someone like Joe—with his money and connections and good looks and charm—would be in a long-term relationship with.

  Mic drop. Matarazzo out.

  Laura could make those little jokes now, almost without wincing. Six years ago she’d just wanted to crawl under a rock and die. Joe may not have used those actual words, but basically said she wasn’t attractive enough for him. Silly her, she’d thought the fact that they’d always had a delightful time together, had the same quirky sense of humor and wonderful conversations had meant something. For the six months they had dated, Joe had led her to believe that he thought it was true, too. Until he just changed his mind out of the blue and ended it.

  Not the caliber of woman...

  So no, she was not going to let the sight of Joe Matarazzo in just his skivvies get her hot and bothered.

  “Um, ma’am?”

  Laura looked over at the young police officer who had evidently been trying to get her attention for a few moments.

  “Yes?”

  “Were you hurt in any way? Perhaps a head injury?” The young officer looked confused.

  The only damage to Laura’s head was in her thoughts about Joe. “No, I’m fine. Just reliving the situation. It’s a little painful.” She didn’t state which situation.

  “Do you feel up to giving me your statement? Otherwise we can have you come down to the station tomorrow.”

  Laura shook her head. No, she didn’t want to have to come back. She gave the officer her statement, telling how Ricky and Bobby entered while she was finishing a meeting with the bank manager to get his signature on some financial paperwork for a client.

  If Laura had just beelined it for the door she wouldn’t have gotten caught in the hostage mess at all. But then she thought of Brooke and little Samantha and the baby. Laura had been glad she’d been able to help them.

  The officer took down Laura’s information and told her they’d be in touch if they needed anything else, and that she shouldn’t hesitate to contact them if she thought of something more she remembered. She was free to go.

  Now all she had to do was make it to her car and get away without having to talk to Joe at all. Not that he’d try to talk to her. After all, what was there left to say?

  She supposed she could thank him for doing a good job today and getting them all out alive. She’d been especially impressed at how he’d immediately gotten Brooke and her girls out.

  Laura was thankful, but she wasn’t willing to actually talk to Joe to tell him that. Maybe she could send the sheriff’s office a letter with official thanks. Better. More professional.

  She stepped out into the brisk April air of Colorado, closing her eyes and breathing it deep into her lungs. She was alive. She was unhurt. She even had the signature she’d originally come to this bank for. Everything was good.

  She opened her eyes and found herself staring directly into the gaze of Joe Matarazzo.

  The Rockies in all their stark majesty framed the area behind him. The bright cobalt sky made the perfect matching backdrop for the overwhelming force of his gorgeous blue eyes.

  It was ridiculous. Like he was something out of a John Denver song or Bob Ross painting.

  “Hey, Laura.”

  And must the deep timbre of his voice match the sexiness of every other part of his being? Of course. Had God realized he’d given an abnormally large chunk of good genes all to one person? Height, charm, good looks and wealth all wrapped up in one sexy package. Seemed unfair.

  “Joe.” It was all she could manage.

  “It’s good to see you. I was thrown off guard for a minute when I spotted you in there.”

  Laura took a slight step back. He was too close. Anything under a mile was probably too close.

  “Well, thanks for getting us out.” She waved her arm like she held a wand. “For doing whatever magic you did and working out the situation so no one got hurt.”

  Joe shrugged. “Just doing my job.”

  “Wow, a job?” She tried for light laughter, but it came out tense and brittle. “That’s new, right? I didn’t think you would ever need a job.”

  Joe looked over to the side of the bank where the press and bystanders had been roped off. Laura hadn’t even realized they were there, but saw dozens of smartphones recording them. Recording everyone coming out of the bank.

  “Let’s go around to the side, so everything we say doesn’t end up online.” Joe walked away from the crowd, around a corner, leading Laura with a gentle hand at the small of her back.

  She could feel his hand through her blouse as if it seared her. That small touch stole her breath.

  And pissed her off.

  She didn’t want to react this way, didn’t want to feel anything when he touched her except maybe disgust. She stepped away from his hand, glad there was now no one else around to witness any of this.

  “How have you been? It’s been a long time,” he said when they were out of earshot of everyone else.

  She just stared at him. She wasn’t sure what to say. If this was some sort of police follow-up to make sure she was okay, then that was fine. Otherwise she didn’t want to make small talk with him as if they were old friends who had just lost touch.

  “Seeing you here, like I said, it sort of threw me,” he continued. He shifted a little nervously, but his friendly smile never wavered.

  “Well, you did great. You were amazing with Ricky and Bobby.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Wasn’t up against mastermind criminals there, that’s for sure.”

  “They still had guns and could’ve hurt a lot of people. So I’m glad you were able to get them to surrender. Although they seem pretty mad at you for it.”

  They stared at each other for long moments. Laura felt the flare of attraction she knew was only one-sided and realized she had to get out of here. All the damage repair she’d done over the last six years was crumbling down in mere minutes in Joe’s presence.

  She took another step back. “I’ve got to go. I gave my statement to one of the policemen inside the bank, so he cleared me to leave.”

  His blue eyes seemed to bore into her. She looked away.

  “Laura—”

  “It was nice talking to you. Glad you seem to have a job you like. Take care, Joe.” There. A reasonable, p
olite statement.

  Now get out.

  She took another step back and to the side. Her car was around the other corner, but she’d walk around the entire block out of her way if it meant she could make a clean getaway from Joe.

  “Laura, let me take you out to dinner tonight.”

  “No.” She knew she was too abrupt, but reasonable, polite statements seemed beyond her now.

  Joe put his large hands out, palms up, in an endearing, entreating manner. “Just to catch up. It’s been what, six years? It’s great to see you.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t.”

  “Why?” He took a step closer and she immediately took a step back. She had to keep some sort of physical distance from him. “Are you married? In a relationship?”

  “No.”

  The attraction was still there for her. She didn’t want it to be, but it was. Laura had done her best not to think about him for the last six years while also having to admit that the man had shaped her life like no one else. Because of him the whole course of her career and even her thought patterns had changed.

  One brief, cruel conversation with him six years ago had made her into the woman she was today.

  “Then why?”

  Was he really asking this? Couldn’t figure it out on his own? “I just can’t. There’s too much...” She almost said ugliness, but that reminded her too much of what he’d said to her that night. “There’s too much time and distance between us.”

  Faster than she would’ve thought possible his hands whipped out and grabbed both of her wrists. He held them gently but firmly. “There’s still a spark between us.”

  Laura’s laugh was bitter, unrecognizable to her. She wasn’t a bitter person. Even though Joe’s words six years ago had shredded her she’d never let herself become bitter, even toward him.

  “Spark was never the problem, at least not on my end.” She wrenched her arms out of his hands. “The fact that you thought I wasn’t attractive enough to be in a relationship with you, that was the problem.”