Gypsy Soul: A Bad Boy Protector Romance (Lost Boys Book 3)

by Janice M. Whiteaker

  “They’re hard to weed through.” I don’t let Jeff take the fall for this. He’s a good guy and a great second. I could have done the same damn thing. Some of these guys are good talkers. I’ve been tricked a few times myself. “It’s why we do it the way we do.”

  Moon grunts. “You should start making them prove they can pick shit up during the interview.” His eyes slide to the door Jack left from. “That pecker probably can’t lift his own dick to take a piss.”

  “Where do you come up with that shit?” I never know what’s going to come out of his mouth besides the fact that the number of four letter words will always be astronomical.

  It makes Moon a threat no one sees coming. It’s pretty obvious he can physically take just about anyone down, but the man is smart as shit. Brilliant with numbers and tax laws. Strong and smart.

  Potentially the most dangerous man out of all of us.

  Moon shrugs. “It’s a gift.”

  Jeff waits until Moon is back in the office before he starts trying to apologize. “I’m sorry about that. I really thought—”

  I hold one hand up. “Nothing to be sorry for. Finding men for this place isn’t easy. I’ve hired a few myself that turned out not to be a good fit.”

  Jeff frowns at me. “That was more than him just not being a good fit.”

  I start to argue with him but a feminine voice interrupts me. “So this is the warehouse.”

  I turn and come face to face with a surprising visitor.

  Jill smiles as she looks around the space. “This place is huge.” Her smile turns to me. “And you boys are keeping it overflowing.” She steps right up to me and wraps me in a hug, her head barely reaching my chin. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “It’s not just me.” I wish I could soak up all her praise for myself, but I’m not the only one responsible for all this. Not by a long shot. I tip my head toward the man at my side. “Jeff probably works harder than I do.”

  Jill’s gaze moves to Jeff and lingers for a few seconds longer than I expect.

  “Jeff, this is Jill Wallace. She owns the place.”

  Jeff’s dark brows shoot up and he holds one hand out Jill’s direction. “It’s nice to meet you Missus Wallace.”

  “Miss.” She slides her hand into his as her brows draw together. “Or is it Ms? I never remember what a divorced woman uses.” She beams at Jeff. “How about we just go with Jill then?”

  Jeff stares at her like a man who doesn’t know what just hit him. “Kay.”

  “Good.” Jill finally lets poor Jeff’s hand go and steps deeper into the warehouse. “Can I get a tour?”

  Moon pokes his head out of the office. “Did I hear Jill?” He grins at her as she blushes. “Hey, pretty lady. What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”

  “Jill was just asking about a tour. I think she’s assessing her business holdings.” There’s nothing I like more than pointing out who owns everything King built.

  “I would also like to see the other warehouses you boys are thinking might be good options to purchase.”

  It’s been amazing to watch Jill. It’s like as soon as the cloud smothering the life from her was ripped away, she started to bloom.

  And that woman’s one hell of a flower.

  “I would be happy to show you all your options, Miss.” Moon holds his arm out to Jill who blushes a little deeper at the offer. We’ve all worked hard to show her how real men treat the women they love.

  And we all love the hell out of that one.

  Moon and Jill go to tour the current warehouse while Jeff and I get to work helping the guys unload the truck. Luckily the other two men he hired while I was gone don’t seem afraid of hard work and bust their asses with the rest of us.

  By five we’re all exhausted, but we managed to get everything done that needed done. I send Jeff home and go to check in with Moon.

  Felicity’s been texting me all day and I sit down in my office chair to scroll back through the last few I missed while I was moving a shipment of televisions to make space for an unexpected addition arriving tomorrow morning.

  Bob won’t even look at me.

  Then she sends a picture as proof. Bob is across from her at a table, one hand shielding his face.

  Then she sends a row of laughing emoji.

  Fifteen minutes later she texted letting me know she had to work late.

  Fifteen minutes after that she sent me a picture of her eating the snack I packed for her.

  It’s been like that all day. Messages at least every thirty minutes.

  It’s like she misses me or something.

  I fucking love it.

  I text her back, asking how long she has to stay. I don’t even manage to set my phone on the desk before a response comes.

  I don’t even freaking know. Becca has to stay too. Butch is already parked outside pouting.

  I chuckle at the last bit. I’ve spent my fair share of time pouting outside that place. Sour that the woman I wanted inside wasn’t cooperating.

  Now Butch is inside pouting.

  Moon finally comes into the office just as one more text comes in from Felicity.

  Butch wants to know if you want him to bring me home when we’re done.

  I don’t like not being the one to pick her up. I’ve been looking forward to seeing her all damn day, and knowing Butch is looking at her now makes me want to kick his ass a little.

  But I’m a grown fucking man.

  That is fine. Tell him thanks.

  I force my attention on Moon. “What did Jill think?”

  “She thinks we should buy two of them.”

  “Really?” I’m a little surprised.

  Moon leans back in his seat. “She’s not wrong.” He crosses one leg over the other, ankle to knee. “Looking at all the numbers I can’t believe you and Jeff have managed to move as much product through this place as you have.”

  “It’s not easy. There’s not any fuckin’ wiggle room.” We kill ourselves making sure everything moves on time.

  If not, we’re fucked.

  Moon shakes his foot for a few seconds, watching the toe of his dress shoe bob in the air. “How long do you think it would take you and Jeff to find enough men to work two more warehouses?”

  “Shit.” I shake my head. “You saw how it works today. We hired three men last week. Today was their first day.”

  “So you lose a third in the first two weeks?”

  “Give or take.” I glance at my phone, wondering if Felicity has left work yet.

  If Butch will keep her as safe as I would.

  “You ever think of going to the career center? Recruiting kids as they graduate?”

  The idea manages to get my attention off the fear biting at me over Felicity being taken care of by someone who’s not me. “That sounds an awful fucking lot like what King did.”

  Moon lifts his hands. “Hear me out.” He pauses long enough I know I’m not going to like what he says. “What King did wasn’t all bad.”

  I can’t believe he fucking said that.

  “Wait. Before you get your dick in a kink, look at us. Would you be here if it wasn’t for him?” Moon shakes his head. “I know I sure as fuck wouldn’t. I’d be in prison.” He sobers. “Or dead.”

  “I’m not giving that bastard credit for shit.” I grab my phone, checking to see if Felicity has sent me any more messages even though I know she hasn’t. I would have heard it.

  “I’m not saying he deserved credit. I’m saying what if we found kids who just need a fucking chance?” Moon waits until I look at him. “Then we give them that chance.”

  I stare at Moon while I mull over what he’s suggesting.

  “Just jobs.”

  He nods. “Just jobs.” A pause. “Maybe mentoring.”

  “Mentoring? You think there’s a bunch of kids out there looking for fucking big brothers to show them how to get out of where they are?”

  Moon nods. “Yeah. I fuckin’ do.”
<
br />   A loud crash in the warehouse sends us both to our feet. A second later the office door bangs open and five men shove their way inside.

  Led by Jack.

  “Hey, fuckers.” He smiles.

  “You probably shouldn’t have fired me today.”

  19

  MOON LOOKS READY to rip someone’s head off.

  We tried like hell to accomplish it. Left four out of the five men bleeding and probably broken.

  They still came out on top.

  For now.

  I test the zip ties around my wrists, checking to see if I have enough room to work with. I’ll catch hell if Kerri was able to get out of them and I can’t.

  She’ll never let me hear the end of it.

  “You look awful calm, hippie.” Jack’s lips are a little lopsided from the fist I shoved into his face.

  I shrug. I’m not telling him I’m glad he’s here. That it means he’s not near Felicity.

  Almost on command my phone lights up and buzzes across the desk. He picks it up. “Looks like someone wants to know when you’ll be home.” He spins the screen to face me, showing the line of missed messages from Felicity stacked down my home screen. “Maybe I’ll have to tell your pretty little lady to come here for a visit.” Jack rests one cheek of his ass on my desk. “I’ve never had a fancy girl like her before.”

  If he wanted to figure out how to die today, then he’s succeeded.

  “What’s your pass code, hippie?” Jack pushes at the home button on my cell. “I’ll see if she wants to come play at the warehouse.” His smile lifts to me. “You got plenty of mattresses out there.”

  “You probably shouldn’t fuck with his girl unless you want to die.” Moon shifts around a little in the chair he’s strapped into.

  Jack snorts. “I don’t think either of you is going to be killing anyone.”

  Moon shakes his head. “I’m not talking about us. I’m talking about her. She’ll fucking kill the shit out of you.”

  The five men all look at each other for a second, stares dark, before Jack finally turns back to me. “If another of your girls kills one of us it’s fucking war, hippie.”

  Another of your girls.

  I don’t look at Moon. I don’t want to let on that Jack just confirmed what I’m sure we both suspected.

  That King has done one more thing none of us saw coming.

  “It’ll happen.” Moon doesn’t stop talking. If there was a bear in this room with us he’d be the guy poking it with a stick. He doesn’t stop.

  Because he has nothing to lose.

  “Women are vicious, and if you think they won’t hunt you down and make it look like a fucking accident then you’re a fucking idiot.”

  “No one’s coming for you, big man.” Jack goes over and lowers his eyes so they stare right into Moon’s. “You got no one gives two shits about you. Not a momma. Not a woman. Not even a fucking dog.”

  “Then you’re better off keeping me and letting him go. That way you won’t end up dead at his lady’s hands.”

  Jack shakes his head. “Only ones ending up dead tonight is you two.” He turns to the men with him. “You fucked up our plan when you fired me today, so now we got to improvise.” He jerks his chin to the door. “Go out and get started. I’ll keep watch over these two.”

  One of the men with him grumbles under his breath. “Lazy motherfucker.”

  “That’s why we fired him.” Moon leans back in his seat, making it appear he’s trying to talk to the guys behind him. “Couldn’t even pick up a fifty pound box.”

  Jack’s face turns red. “You fired me because you’re fucking dicks. I worked my ass off today.”

  “A fucking five-year-old could have moved more boxes than your fat ass did today.”

  Jack takes a step toward Moon, getting within striking distance. In a flash Moon is on his feet, spinning the chair attached to him hard and fast, catching Jack by surprise and knocking him across the room.

  I’m not as tall as Moon so my leverage is nowhere near as substantial as his, but I give it the best I have, trying to get enough movement to break the bands binding me in place.

  All the commotion must have been loud enough to be heard in the warehouse because before I can get loose, two of the bigger men in the group are back, knocking Moon to the ground with a few solid gut punches before pulling a gun and aiming it between his eyes.

  Moon doesn’t even flinch. Just stares them down.

  I remember not caring if I lived or died. It wasn’t so long ago that feeling left me.

  “King said not to shoot them.” Jack struggles to get up from the floor, wiping at the trickle of blood making its way from his busted nose. “Said to make sure they suffered.” He turns to the men that came with him. “Finish filling the truck so we can set the fire.”

  When the men leave he comes closer to me. “Maybe when you’re gone that pretty little woman you found yourself will be lonely. Want some company.”

  It takes everything I have not to react. Not to give him the satisfaction.

  No matter what happens to me, Felicity would only go near him for one reason.

  And that would be to make good on Moon’s promise.

  She would fucking kill them all. I don’t know how or when, but she would do it.

  That’s why I have to get out of here. To keep her from murdering this douche bag in front of me.

  For her sake. Not his.

  ****

  I PICK UP my phone and send another text, ignoring all the ones sitting unread.

  Dinner is almost done. I busted my ass to get home and make this happen, hoping I could manage to have it at least most of the way done by the time Cody walked in from a long day.

  Is everything okay?

  It’s the first time I’ve been able to put what I’m feeling out there. I didn’t want to consider it for the first hour. The second hour I couldn’t ignore the nagging unease digging into my flesh, burrowing deep. Turning to the bite of worry.

  Now I’m almost into full-blown panic.

  Trust me.

  He’s said it to me a million times.

  That’s an exaggeration. But close enough.

  I do trust him.

  Which is why I’m freaking the fuck out.

  Cody wouldn’t do this to me.

  I check the timer on the meatloaf and make a decision.

  I shut off the oven, leaving the meat and baked potatoes to finish cooking from what heat is left, then grab the keys to my car. I pop the lid and almost take a step back when the battery is in place.

  I’d smile if I wasn’t going a little crazy.

  After letting the hood drop into place I snag the spare opener from the workbench and stick it on my visor, pressing the button and waiting as it slowly lifts.

  As I back out of the garage I call Shelly. When the door is back in place I take off, wishing I had the kind of car I could peel out a little in. It might blow off some of the energy zipping across my skin.

  “Hello.”

  “Something’s wrong.” I don’t waste any time. I need to either have someone talk me off the ledge—

  Or back me up.

  Maybe literally.

  All this time Cody was worried King would come for me.

  What if that was all wrong?

  The thought of King trying to take Cody from me sits like lead in my already upset stomach. “Cody hasn’t come home.”

  “Who?”

  Fuck. “Gypsy.”

  “Holy shit. His name’s Cody?”

  “Fucking listen to me, Shelly. Something is wrong. He hasn’t come home from work and isn’t answering my texts.” He’s been answering me all day. Maybe not instantly, but definitely within an hour.

  And now it’s been almost two.

  “Maybe he’s still at work? They get busy at the warehouse. Maybe he stayed late to get some extra work done.” She’s trying to make me feel better, but I can hear the concern creeping into Shelly’s voice.

&nbs
p; I’m doing the right thing. Cody might be pissed at me for leaving the safety of the firehouse later, and once I know he’s safe I will gladly take all the guilt he lays on me, but I can’t stay there anymore. Can’t sit and wait to see if he’s okay.

  “Shaun just walked out the door.” Shelly is talking faster. “He’s on his way to the warehouse to check on him. I’ll call you back as soon as I know something.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” I push my foot farther to the floor. “I gotta go.”

  “Felicity. You aren’t doing anything crazy are you?”

  “Nope.” I drop the phone into the seat beside me and push the car faster. The race of adrenaline is different this time. Not the high I used to always chase trying to show what I was capable of. What I could accomplish.

  The high might be different this time, but I’m still doing something to prove myself.

  I told Cody I didn’t deserve him and I meant it.

  But maybe I will after tonight.

  I take a corner and start to skid. Instead of slowing down I race faster, the toe of my pump touching the floor as I close in on the warehouse I’ve only been to once. Cody’s El Camino is still in the lot, along with a sleek BMW and a row of motorcycles.

  The bikes parked outside would look completely normal to anyone passing.

  But I know they should not be there.

  I don’t think the older box truck parked in the loading dock should be there either. All the deliveries come during the day, so unless Cody worked in a special shipment, and he would have texted me back if that was the case, then something is definitely going on.

  Something that also involves men who ride bikes, and not the men I know who ride bikes.

  It’s got to be The Horsemen.

  I park on the street, careful not to let my lights flash at the building. I switch off my interior lights before opening my door and sliding silently out into the night. The lot in front of the warehouse has a fair bit of light illuminating it, which is good for safety, bad for me.

  It means I have to do something and do it fast, before anyone looks outside.

  I pop the trunk before carefully bumping my door closed. I dig through the bag of tools in the back, mentally thanking my father and brothers for raising me like one of them.