Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7)

by Kaylie Hunter

  “You want me to climb down there?”

  “Is that a problem?”

  I ground my teeth together to keep from saying any of the four-letter words rambling around in my head. Sitting on the ground next to the hole, I slid off the edge, trying to control the descent as much as possible. Once at the bottom, I took a moment to find solid footing before I started unrolling the guy on top. I was making progress until the body became wedged between the dirt wall and another body. Goat laughed as he watched me struggle.

  “If you think you can do better, come on down!”

  “If I come down, who’s going to pull us back out of the hole?”

  I looked up, then around the sides. “I can’t believe I didn’t figure that out.”

  “You’re tired. Which is why you haven’t realized yet that if you use the knife in your boot to cut the plastic off, it would be a lot easier. We just need enough plastic peeled away to expose them to the chemicals.”

  “Shit. Why didn’t you say something?”

  “It was too funny watching you try to unroll the fat bastard.”

  I flipped Goat off after I removed my gloves. It took some wiggling to retrieve the knife from inside my coveralls, but I managed eventually. Once I had my gloves back on, I found it much faster to cut the plastic off each man, tugging what I could away from them and leaving the rest.

  I looked up at Goat a few minutes later. “Good?”

  “Yup. Hang on. I’ll lower the bucket down to pick you up.”

  I briefly thought about the bodies having been carried in the bucket, but then looked down at myself. I was covered in dirt and other bodily substances that I didn’t want to dwell on. When the bucket of the front-end loader reached me, I didn’t hesitate to step in and sit down. Goat ran the controls above, lifting me out and onto the ground. I climbed out and walked over to help him pour the chemicals into the hole.

  “Go get the water hose by the cabin. It should reach this far, but you’ll need to make sure you don’t drag it across anything sharp.”

  “Sounds challenging,” I muttered as I went to get the hose.

  I managed to drag the hose over the top of two refrigerators, using their height to keep it from snagging on most of the yard ornaments. From there, I stretched the remaining hose to where Goat waited behind the barn. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn it on so I had to run back to the shack. By the time I returned to the hole, white fumes clouded the air above where Goat sprayed the water.

  “Don’t breathe this shit,” Goat said as he covered his face with his arm and kept his head turned away.

  “I’ll just stay back here.”

  “You’re learning.”

  Ten minutes later, curiosity got the best of me and I inched toward the hole and peeked in. It wasn’t pretty. My stomach lurched, and I hurried back to the truck to breathe in fresh air. I heard Goat laughing as I ran.

  I spotted a jug of lighter fluid in the barn and carried it out to an old burn barrel. Stripping off my coveralls and gloves, I tossed them in the barrel and covered them with fluid. I heard the front-end loader start up and what sounded like Goat moving the dirt back into the hole. I walked over to the truck, climbing up to pull Goat’s cigarettes and lighter.

  I was standing beside the burn barrel smoking my third cigarette when Goat returned. He tossed his coveralls and gloves into the flaming barrel.

  “I hate this place,” he said, looking around. “Only happy memory I have out here was the day my uncle died. Until today that is.”

  “Today was a happy day?”

  Goat chuckled. “Watching you roll a fat naked guy without touching his private bits was funny as shit.”

  I couldn’t help the laugh that barked out, nor the snort that followed.

  Goat lit a cigarette before wrapping an arm around me and walking me back to the truck. “You did good, Kel. You protected your family. I know you didn’t want it to go down like this, but you can’t always control how things turn out.”

  “I can’t wait to get my hands on the bastard who killed them. He has some explaining to do.”

  Goat helped me up into the truck. “Are you going to lose sleep over this?” he asked, nodding toward the barn.

  “No,” I answered, looking back at the barn. “It somehow fits within my rules.”

  “What rules are those?”

  “I didn’t kill them,” I said, shrugging. “I told myself a long time ago that bad guys killing other bad guys was not my problem.”

  “And burying the bodies?”

  I shrugged. “We both know I’ve done worse.”

  Goat laughed as he closed my door and walked to the driver’s side to climb in.

  I waited until he backed the truck up, giving myself time to think out my question.

  “Whatever you’re thinking so hard on, just spit it out,” Goat said.

  “Is Marcy…” I started to ask, pointing at the yard.

  “Nope. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t do it,” Goat said. “Marcy’s an evil bitch, but she’s still Amanda’s mother. She’s allowed to write to Amanda, but that’s the only contact she’s allowed. She’s living in El Paso and knows if she ever crosses the Texas border, she forfeits her life.”

  “Marcy’s not that bright. You sure she’ll stick to the rules?”

  “Dumb or not, her missing ring finger should help her remember.”

  I looked down at my hand, specifically my right hand that held the diamond and sapphire ring. “That’s one hell of a reminder.”

  “You judging?”

  “Me?” I laughed. “I nearly killed her with my bare hands, remember? I’m just happy I don’t have to worry about her filing charges.”

  “It’s all good. We held her until her bruises healed so she should couldn’t prove the assault. Then Wild Card took her to Texas and got her settled. Between me cutting off her finger and Wild Card promising to check on her every few months, she’s harmless.”

  “Wild Card? But he was shot and then went to Florida with me to take down Pasco.”

  “After the shit with Pasco, Wild Card flew back to deal with Marcy.”

  “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “I suppose for the same reason you don’t tell him a lot of things. It’s just how you two work. It’s not a matter of keeping secrets, it’s just automatic that you two have each other’s backs. Like how he stayed with Nicholas when Nola kidnapped you. Not searching for you nearly destroyed him, but Nicholas was his priority. He said he’d protect your son until his last breath because that’s what you’d want him to do. The rest of us followed every lead we could find, but Wild Card stayed on that ranch close to Nick.”

  “I thought Charlie was there?”

  “She was, but she wasn’t handling things too well. She tried, but she didn’t snap out of her despair until you called to say you were safe. Then it was like a light flipped on, and Wild Card knew it was okay to fly out to meet you and leave Nick with her.”

  “What about Grady?”

  “Grady, Jackson, and Eric fanned out in different directions as soon as we got the call you were missing. Nothing was keeping them from traveling the world to find you.”

  I looked out the side window as we passed empty fields. “Why didn’t anyone tell me any of this?”

  “Tell you what? That we all love you? That the months you were missing were hell?” Goat leaned forward, turning down the radio. “Remember how messed up you were when you came home? You didn’t need anyone adding to your burdens. By the time you healed, so had everyone else.”

  I looked down at my hand, realizing I was twisting the ring around in circles. “I’m glad Nicholas had Wild Card. I worried when we left Texas how Nicholas would handle being away from him.”

  “Wild Card calls him,” Goat said, shrugging. “Last I knew, they talk every Saturday.”

  I looked over at Goat, eyebrow raised. “That’s who Nick calls? I thought he was calling Pops.”

  “I know.” Goat laughed. “Nicho
las is a smart kid. He knows that Grady and Wild Card are friends, but that there’s tension there. He told you he was calling Pops because he didn’t want to hurt Grady’s feelings.”

  “Why are you telling me all this, Goat? Why now?”

  “I think you know why,” Goat said, looking at me sideways. “There’s no shame in being in love with two men. But ignoring it? Pretending the feelings don’t exist? That’s not healthy for anyone involved.”

  “I love Grady,” I said, shaking my head. “We’re likely over, but that doesn’t change how I feel about him.”

  “I know you love Grady. Got no problem with that. But you also love Wild Card.” Goat flicked the blinker on before turning left onto the interstate ramp.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  I snuck in through Alex’s basement, then followed the tunnels to the main house furnace room. From there, I climbed the ladder to my room, peeking out of the closet to make sure the nanny wasn’t around before I slipped into my bathroom and started the shower. Ten minutes later, I was dressed in a sports bra, shorts, and workout shoes as I walked down the hallway, pulling my wet hair into a ponytail.

  “Where’s my shirt?” I called out to the loud, packed dining room.

  “Got it,” Katie answered, tossing me a t-shirt.

  Haley and Tyler were both watching me.

  I nodded slightly as I pulled the shirt over my head. “Is everything ready for the relay?”

  Before anyone could answer, Hattie laughed from the top of the stairs. Whiskey carried her down while she gripped him tightly, both of them wearing their Kelsey’s Crew t-shirts. Pops carried Hattie’s favorite rocking chair down the stairs behind them.

  “Let’s do this,” Wild Card said as he walked up behind me, carrying an afghan and a cooler. He had cut the sleeves off his shirt and added another slit in the collar for his sunglasses to hang from. The lettering on the front of the men’s shirts was the simple black lettering, not glittered like the women’s shirts. It wasn’t until everyone shuffled toward the door that I read the back of the shirts: Kelsey’s Bitches.

  I laughed, reaching over to cover the kids’ eyes.

  “We already saw it, Mom. We made everyone do pushups.”

  “Except Hattie. Wild Card did her pushups for her,” Sara said.

  Walking outside with the kids, I admired the decorations on the flatbed trailer which served as a spectator’s stage. The trailer was surrounded with white Christmas lights and red garland and had Team Kelsey handmade signs attached all the way around it. Hattie was carried onto the trailer and settled in her rocking chair. The kids and the other spectators unfolded lawn chairs, setting them on the trailer or around it.

  “You sure you’re up to this?” Bridget asked. “Haley says you might not be able to run because of the chloroform.”

  I led the way across the street. “I can’t take the lead position like we planned, but I can run.” I turned as our group circled up. “Running order is as follows: Bridget, Katie, Kelsey, Wild Card, Trigger, Anne, and Tech takes the tail. Bridget, remember to tag the next person before you grab the next flag.” Bridget nodded, so I continued. “All of us need to cross the finish line before they call time. We’ll need to finish in at least second place to have any chance of snagging the trophy.”

  “Why second place?” Tech asked.

  “She’s expecting a loss of one of the competitions,” Katie said, crossing her arms. “You think we can’t win the tournament?”

  “Look around,” I said, nodding toward the other teams that consisted of mostly oversized men. “Now look at us. Who honestly thinks we can beat any of these teams in the rope pulling competition?”

  “You have a point,” Bridget said as she admired Bones’ body in the group beside us.

  “Maybe we could win if we bent the rules a little,” Wild Card said, scratching his chin.

  “What are you thinking?” Bridget asked.

  “I have an idea, but it depends on what the rules say.”

  “You and Bridget can scheme later. Let’s still shoot for at least second place tonight, though. Understood, Tech?”

  “It’s not my fault if we lose. I told you Tyler would be better at this,” Tech said.

  “Tyler’s busy protecting the family. Besides, who’s more Team Kelsey than you?”

  “If I get hurt, I’ll never forgive you.”

  Katie wrapped her arms around Tech and whispered something in his ear. He smiled wildly down at her as she playfully bit his chin.

  “All right,” Tech said as he released Katie and started jogging in place. “Let’s do this.”

  “Kelsey,” Wild Card said, pulling me to the side. “If you take third spot, that’s still four laps in the woods. I know you’re faster than the rest of us, but Doc warned for you not to overdo it.”

  “On a good day, I can run fifteen laps, so yeah, I think I’ve got it.”

  “Ladies and Gents,” Donovan called out. “Remember the rules. Each runner has a designated number of flags at their table. The first runner will tag the next runner in, but all runners have to complete their laps, returning their flags to their team’s basket. Everyone on your team must be at the table and have all flags accounted for in order for your team to have completed the relay. Pops, Jerry, and Whiskey have agreed to be judges and will disqualify anyone caught cheating. Any questions?”

  “Is this full contact?” Ryan asked.

  “No. You’d know that if you read the rules. The trails are not wide enough for six people, let alone forty-some of us. Runners can pass by cutting to the outside perimeter of the trail only.”

  “Simple enough,” Ryan said, crossing his arms and appearing impatient.

  “First runners, line up!” Donovan called before he moved over to the starting line.

  Jerry passed out the first round of flags and then stepped aside. Pops lifted a shotgun, aiming away from the group. When the loud boom sounded, the first runners took off into the woods. Bridget immediately moved to the outside and ran parallel to the men in the woods.

  Bones laughed. “If she wins this damn thing, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  “Just be glad she put on ivy protection,” Katie said, holding up a green and white bottle. “The woods are ripe with poison ivy and poison oak this time of year.”

  “Shit. Can I have some of that?” Bones asked.

  Katie tossed him the bottle, and he smothered it on his legs, arms, and face. Someone else asked for the bottle and it was quickly passed around. Katie tossed another two bottles out to those who were asking for some.

  I stepped over to Katie and turned my back to the crowd. “Weren’t you the one who asked Nicholas to have a pail of soapy water ready for us to wash off with after the race?”

  “I have to get ready,” Katie said, grinning back at me. “Bridget will be here any minute.”

  I moved over between Tech and Wild Card who were silently laughing. “What’s in the bottles?”

  “Lilac, itching powder, and honey,” Tech said. “She’s going to get our asses kicked.”

  “Crap. They’re going to be pissed when they get eaten alive by mosquitoes.”

  “What the fuck, Katie?” Bones yelled as he started scratching his legs.

  Just then Bridget and Donovan came out of the woods and tagged their next runners. Katie shot out ahead of Bones like her life depended on it. Bridget and Donovan both looked surprised but ran over for their next flags and back into the woods as more runners came out.

  “What the hell is this crap?” Jackson yelled as he scratched his arms.

  “I’m innocent!” I said, holding up my hands. “I had nothing to do with it, but she didn’t break a single rule.”

  “This is bullshit, Kelsey,” Wayne said, slapping at a mosquito. “This is a competition to see who’s the best at Aces.”

  “Best what, Wayne? Strongest? Most manly? Does intelligence not fit into your line of work?”

  “She has a point,” Casey said, slapping at hi
s arm.

  “Quit kissing her ass,” another guy yelled. “She and her misfits shouldn’t even be allowed to compete.”

  “Misfits, huh?” I moved over to the starting line. “We’ll see about that, asshole.”

  Katie came flying out of the woods, tossed her flag in the basket and grabbed the next. Bridget came tearing out seconds later and tapped my shoulder to tag me in. I was off, flag in hand. I focused on my breathing and watching the trail ahead. I knew these woods better than anyone else, having run my frustrations out under the giant trees’ canopies on nearly a daily basis. Seeing Katie ahead, I called to her that I was approaching on her right. She moved inward without slowing down. As I caught up with her, we rounded the bend and three men were ahead of us. “Follow my lead,” I said as I turned to the outside trail, jumping over two fallen trees until my feet hit a deer trail I knew well.

  “Sweet,” Katie said as she ran hard behind me.

  “You’re three runners deep but the boys are coming,” Bridget called from behind us.

  I kicked it up another notch, giving it everything I had as we passed parallel to six runners before I veered hard to the left and back on the main trail.

  “Donovan and Bones will have to power around the others, but we need to make this lead count,” Bridget said as she passed us and ran faster than I knew was possible.

  “Shit,” Katie heaved behind me. “Go. Go. She’s making us look bad.”

  “You’re just worried Bones will catch you. He’s pissed.”

  Katie passed me on the left and kept going, glancing behind her quickly before leaving me behind. I didn’t blame her. I could already feel my lungs burning as I made the last turn before exiting the woods and exchanging my flag.

  “You okay, boss?” Trigger called out.

  I didn’t have the lung capacity to answer him as I looped back into the woods. By now there were too many runners on the trails and I jumped off the path again. Weaving around trees and over fallen branches, I kept going. When I made it to the deer trail on the back stretch, I wasn’t surprised to hear Bones and Donovan coming up behind me, following the same trail.

  “You okay?” Donovan called out. “Trigger said you didn’t look good.”