Chapter 18
The scent of cinnamon and clove hung in the B&B kitchen like a comforting shawl, but Baily couldn’t seem to relax.
It had been forty-eight hours since they’d found the mounds of hidden paperwork.
Two days since the FBI and DEA had taken over the case.
Two days since Fletcher had told her that the end was close. However, it didn’t feel that way.
Fletcher kept reminding her that it took a while to put together a sting operation, especially one this size.
They didn’t want to risk tipping their hand, and the Barbaros were already spooked at it was, considering they’d lost the Crab Shack bid.
They hadn’t harassed her about the loan in the last twenty-four hours.
Chloe took that as something completely different. She believed the Barbaros knew something was brewing and were perhaps preparing. But the question was, did they know they were about to be arrested for crimes so massive that it would put them away forever?
Baily sat at the oversized butcher-block island. Her fingers wrapped around a mug she hadn’t sipped from in ten minutes. Across from her, Trinity rocked gently in her seat, a hand stroking the swell of her baby bump as if to calm both herself and the little life within.
Audra sat to her left, arms crossed, her eyes red but dry.
The truth about what Ken had known had cut her to the core.
No one knew what to say anymore. The quiet between them wasn’t hostile—it was thick with shared disbelief.
Days of tears, hugs, and common grief surrounded them like the fog hanging over the Glades.
“I always knew something was off about how Ken reacted to my dad disappearing,” Audra said, palming her mug while staring into it like it had answers to questions only a dead man could bring. Her voice didn’t shake, but it hit hard. “Ken’s journals, they hint that he saw something.”
“We don’t know if that was something about your dad, or more about Massey’s operation,” Trinity said.
“It doesn’t matter. Whatever it was, Massey used it to manipulate Ken.
To terrorize him into doing whatever he needed.
Ken was barely an adult. Only eighteen. I can only assume he tried to tell himself it was to protect me, but let’s be real, he did it to protect himself just as much, and damn it, the whole thing. ..it hurts, you know?”
Baily reached for her hand. “I know. I wish I had something better than that to say, but I know. I waffle between forgiveness because of the piles of evidence he collected…the risk he took to gather it…the money he put away…and wanting to beat the crap out of him for putting all of us in this situation to begin with.”
Trinity offered a sympathetic smile. “Before Ken joined the Navy, he should’ve trusted Audra to be strong enough to handle the truth. To deal with what he’d done. He should’ve gone to Tripp. He would’ve known what to do.”
Audra nodded, lips pressing together in a hard line.
“He always underestimated me. Even when we were kids. But I also don’t understand why he never told Fletcher, Dawson, or Hayes what was going on with Julie and her family.
Or why he didn’t just give his dad the money.
He bled that man dry.” She set her mug on the table, pushing it aside.
“He left Baily vulnerable for years, and he died before he could hand off the evidence.”
The three women fell quiet again. Outside, the wind rattled the porch swing against the railing. The only other sounds were the low hum of the refrigerator and an occasional thump from the upstairs rooms.
“So,” Trinity said, lifting her cell and tapping the screen. “Did Chloe give any indication of when the FBI, DEA, ATF, and whoever else is involved in this big sting operation is actually making their move?”
Baily huffed a dry laugh. “The fact that Chloe, Hayes, Keaton, and Fletcher all raced off to the station to meet Dawson, I’m guessing something either happened, or is happening as we speak.”
“Enzo couldn’t believe the crap Ken had collected.” Audra sighed.
“He’s been going through the documents for the shell corps and LLCs for the offshore accounts,” Baily said.
“Enzo said it’s like a maze, and it’s going to take a while before I’ll be able to access any of that money.
Some of it’s also tied to the boys, and Enzo’s worried about the legality of some of it, but as he follows the trail of deposits, it appears it all came from Ken’s personal accounts.
Direct deposits over the years, right from his income from the Navy. ”
“I hope for your sake it’s all legit because the laundering information was more than enough to file charges against the Barbaros and so many others that work for them.
But then you add in the detailed information about the way they bring in drugs, money, and people?
” Audra shook her head. “Dawson was mortified. He sat at his desk for hours, just staring at the mounds of documents, near tears over it all.”
“Keaton said it made Massey’s operation look like a five-and-dime shop in comparison,” Trinity said.
“Speaking of Massey,” Audra added. “Dawson went to see him yesterday with Agent Pope and Buddy.”
“I heard Massey’s still not talking much.” Baily reached across the counter and snagged a piece of cheese. She wasn’t hungry but knew her body needed fuel. “His lawyer is pushing hard for an immunity deal and federal protection. He’s worried about other cartels.”
“It’s not the cartel he’s worried about.
” Audra waved a finger. “It’s the Barbaros, and he admitted that to Dawson.
Pope told Massey that they can give him the same deal as Trevor, but he’s got to roll over and give them everything.
Turns out, Massey and his son Benson did what they could to keep the Barbaros out of Calusa Cove. ”
“That’s interesting. Why would he do that?” Trinity asked. “I’d think the cartel is way scarier.”
“Maybe in some ways.” Baily nodded. “But Fletcher told me that Massey said he’d rather deal with the devil he knew. And that the bigger the operation, the more likely it was that he’d get caught.”
“This might be a dumb question, but how’d he manage to help keep the Barbaros out?” Trinity asked.
“I guess there was this weird honor among thieves between the Mendoza Cartel and the Barbaros regarding certain territories.” Audra leaned back and placed a hand on her growing belly.
“The Barbaros respected the small towns that Mendoza’s had a strong foothold in, but if property came up for sale, and the Mendoza’s or their people didn’t buy it, the Barbaros could. ”
“Did Paul know about the loan?” Trinity crinkled her forehead.
Audra nodded. “But not until after Ray signed it, which meant it was too late to do anything except make sure the marina stayed open and in business under its current ownership. Paul dumped as much money into the marina as he could.”
“But his son didn’t,” Trinity added.
“His son had a side deal with the Barbaros.” Audra let out a long breath. “One Paul didn’t know about until just the other day.”
“This is worse than a bad mafia movie.” Trinity lifted her tea and sipped. “I can’t wait for it to be over so we can go back to planning baby showers.”
Baily glanced toward Audra. “How are you feeling? Still dealing with the morning sickness?”
Audra rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah. This kid is a relentless little sucker. I swear, I throw up more now than I did after the night we all did tequila shots.”
“Oh, that night was the worst.” Trinity groaned. “But I can’t wait until I can have tequila again. I kind of miss it.”
“I miss my independence. Dawson keeps fussing over me like I’m made of glass. And now, with this whole thing about Ken and the Barbaros, I swear he’s about to duct-tape me to the couch.”
Baily smirked. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Like you don’t want daddy to tie you up.”
Everyone burst out laughing—full on belly laughs—and it felt damn good, even though they all knew the lightness of it wouldn’t last.
And seconds later, their giggle fit was cut short.
The front door creaked open, followed by the sound of boots scuffing the new wood floor, and a second later, Dawson, Fletcher, Keaton, Hayes, and Chloe filed into the room. One look at their expressions and Baily felt her stomach knot.
“You’re all wearing that look,” Trinity said. “The one that says you’ve got news and we’re not gonna like it.”
Dawson nodded. “We do, and it’s both good and bad.”
Baily stiffened. “Well, don’t leave us hanging.”
Hayes leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “We’ll start with the good. The FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security raided Barbaro Manufacturing in every city. It was a clean raid, well thought out. All the warrants were perfectly executed. It’s done. Shut down.”
“They found more than enough to put them away for life,” Chloe added. “Drugs, weapons, illegal offshore accounts. And yes—evidence of human trafficking.”
Audra choked on a gasp. “Good. I hope those fucking assholes rot in hell.”
“The charges are massive,” Dawson said. “It’ll be a while before the case comes to trial, or even a possible plea deal, but there will be a reckoning, and there is no way out for them.”
“And the bad news?” Baily asked. “Because that part sounded like it’s all wrapped up in a nice, neat bow.”
Keaton stepped forward. “Julie, Damen, and Valenia Barbaro have vanished. No one knows where they are. They weren’t at any of the plants, offices, or their homes. It’s like they saw this coming, and they ran.”
“Of course, they did,” Trinity muttered.
“The Feds believe they had outside help,” Chloe added. “Which means they could be anywhere. But they’ll surface. People like that always do.”
Baily rubbed her hands together. Panic gripped her heart. “What about Chad and Todd? Where are they? What happened to them? They’re just little boys, only eight and six.”
Fletcher came to her side, taking her hand. “They were found safe. The Barbaros had a house in Naples. The boys were there with a nanny. CPS has them now, but I made it clear that you want to file for temporary custody.”
Baily’s eyes filled. “Thank God they’re safe.”
“It’ll take a little time,” Fletcher said gently. “But we’ll bring them home—to us. It’s where they belong.”
“They’re going to hate—”
Fletcher pressed his finger over her lips. “We’ll deal with that one day at a time. For now, we need to focus on preparing to fight for them, for their arrival, and staying safe until the cops can find the Barbaros.”
Audra stood, walking to the window. “So, what now? We just wait for the Barbaros to make their next move? To show up and start slinging bullets at us?” She turned.
“They had pictures of me.” She pounded her chest. “Dawson showed me, and I know exactly when they were taken. They’ve been watching me, which means they’ve been watching all of you.
” Her chest rose and fell, hard, with every breath.
“I had no idea I wasn’t safe all these years, but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna sit around and wait for someone to start taking pot shots at me or anyone I love. ”
“And that’s my wife,” Dawson said with a sarcastic tone as he stepped beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist. “We kinda have no choice but to wait this out. However, we’re not alone in this.
Logan and Dylan Sarich are sticking around.
They’ll watch the town and keep their ears to the ground.
Their organization is searching for them.
So are the feds. It’s an all-out manhunt.
Not to mention that every news station is plastering their faces on the screen across the country. They won’t be able to hide.”
“We’re not taking any chances,” Hayes added. “Everyone needs to stay alert. Don’t go anywhere alone. Check locks. Carry protection. Whatever it takes.”
Trinity sighed. “Just once, I’d like to be part of a girls' night that doesn’t end with a safety briefing—unless I can have a tequila shot.”
Baily managed a small laugh, but her heart was still heavy. As everyone began to scatter—Hayes pulling Chloe into the den, Keaton checking Trinity’s blood pressure, Dawson raiding the fridge like nothing had changed—Fletcher leaned close and whispered, “You ready to head out?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go home.”
Because whatever came next, they were facing it together.