“You went to make sure Moses was a hundred percent, right?” Drake knew he hit the nail on the head when Asher glared at him.
“It’s been less than a year since he was in that hell-hole and he still has flashbacks.”
“But otherwise he’s okay?” Drake hadn’t fully accepted his brother’s, Moses, answer that he was good to go. Sometimes, Moses and Asher for that matter kept things from him for some reason.
“Yeah, he is. Surprised me on that last trip. I think he’s faster or he pretends to be to keep up with Taylor. She’s deadly and a good person to have at your back. That one will smile in your face, spin around and blow you away.” Asher smiled. “Forget spinning, she’d just pull the trigger while staring you down. She’s that good.”
Last year, Moses had been captured and tortured while on a military assignment. Taylor and her team rescued the soldiers from the enemy’s camp, saving Moses’ life. A month or so after his return stateside, his driving desire to find the person responsible for betraying his team and learning the identity of the woman who whispered encouraging words in his ear, sent him back into enemy territory.
“Mom’s waiting on pins and needles for them to get married. She’s got big plans,” Drake said.
Asher groaned. “I know. She’s been talking to Mya and her mom about using the courtyard of the new house for our wedding.”
“The one she rebuilt?” Drake asked surprised. The original house had been destroyed by a bomb by a criminal named Menendez a year and a half ago. The man had been searching for Asher while Moses was overseas. Drake handled the hit that killed Menendez and his front line so Asher could concentrate on finding Moses. His mom was the only one who missed the gothic monstrosity and had vowed to rebuild it. The new mansion wasn’t as gloomy or big. In fact, it was quite pleasant with a lot of light and warmth. She hadn’t done much to the outside, and Drake didn’t know she planned on creating a courtyard.
“Yes. I told Mya to do whatever she wanted, doesn’t matter to me as long as she’s happy.” He glanced at Drake. “Be prepared to be in the wedding whenever or wherever it is.”
Pleased, Drake nodded. Mya was a wonderful person, she had to be to capture Asher. The man lived by a peculiar set of rules with little variation. Mya and her son Colin completed Asher, made him happy, content. Drake had never seen the man so at peace with the idea of having a family. Like every couple, things hadn’t been easy at first. Colin’s grandfather tried to kidnap him and started all kinds of problems. Asher had pulled out the big guns to make sure Mya and Colin were safe.
“Most definitely. Didn’t think you’d be first, though,” Drake said.
“May not be,” Asher said with a crooked grin. “Taylor’s the most unconventional woman I know. She could wake up tomorrow, decide to go to the courthouse and go back home for a nap. It’d be over and done with no fuss.”
Drake thought of Taylor’s reunited parents, sisters, grandparents, and his mom. “That would definitely be something. Although, I think mom would want a huge reception that would equal a wedding. She loves Taylor and won’t give up the idea of showing her off.”
Asher nodded and lapsed into silence as they entered the parking area for the jetport.
On the plane, headed to Versteck Valley, Asher wrote a report for Gavin and included the video Drake had taken. “We’ll send this to him when we get home along with a bill. If he wants us to do more, I’d like that. Otherwise, we’re done with this case.”
“What if you find information on the phone or bank account?” Drake and Gavin were good friends, and he wanted to give Gavin good news if possible.
“Same thing. We pass along whatever I find. Tell him the significance if any and allow him to decide what to do or go from there. I must admit, this has been an interesting case. Francesca is fascinating,” Asher said.
“Agreed,” Drake said closing his eyes as the plane lifted higher.
<<<<>>>>
When they arrived in Versteck, Asher and Drake headed to Versteck Mecca, a two-story building Asher owned situated behind Versteck Arms. The men who lived in the Arms had walked on the wrong side of the law at some point in their illustrious careers and paid high premiums to live peaceably in the Arms. Their rooms, meals, social activities and occasional work- to earn money on the side- was included. Asher managed all job inquiries and assigned them to either the residents of the Arms or men who worked in his security company.
Drake and Moses were co-owners of the Arms, a childhood dream come to life, and participated in some of the work when they were available. Recently retired, Moses, Taylor and her twin, Travis, were excellent additions to their team and along with their father, Turner and Uncle Liam’s contacts expanded their job pool to the point they had as much work as they wanted.
Drake itched to do more field work, but Laura seemed bent on expanding their law firm and kept him tethered to the office more than he liked. Soon they’d have a heart to heart talk. She knew him better than most and understood his love of gunfights and blowing things up.
On the other hand, he knew she lost time in building her company when she fled from California years ago and started over in Versteck. It took time and a lot of effort to build a business, more so when you have trust issues like Laura had. He was the only person she ever considered for partner. Not that he wasn’t flattered, but his heart wasn’t into it the same way hers was. He hoped that after they reached a certain level, she’d agree to allow him to lighten his load and bring in other attorneys so he could work with Asher more.
Security at the Mecca was a beast and it took a few minutes to enter every time. The only person who could fly through the hoops necessary was Asher. Inside, they went to the second-floor command center. While Asher worked on accessing Francesca’s information, Drake made coffee and searched for something to eat.
“Grab some breakfast from the Arms. I’ll know more when you get back. Leave me some coffee,” Asher said without looking up.
Drake’s stomach growled in agreement. “Be back in a few.” He took the elevator down to the underground tunnels. An interconnecting network of corridors they owned that allowed them to move quickly below ground all over town with strategically placed entrances, including their homes.
Humming, he walked toward the underground entrance to the Arms, climbed the stairs, entered his code, scanned his palm and opened the door. Inhaling deeply, the smell of hickory bacon, sausage, and other foods teased his nose. His stomach rumbled in response as he walked in the direction of the food area. The men who lived here typically were early risers, and most were seated at tables enjoying breakfast.
“What’s up, Wesley?” Drake called to the elderly man who always had his finger on the pulse of what was going on in the Arms.
Wesley’s white hair glistened from his recent shower. His brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled and waved him over. “Come talk to me when you’ve got a moment.”
Surprised, Drake nodded. Asher was the undisputed boss who had the last word. Moses was the war hero the men sat with and told tall tales. As the third owner of the place, Drake fell into an uncertain category. The guys were still wary of him as if they couldn’t make up their minds how to handle him. Being the youngest of the three, Drake understood it would take time to be accepted as Asher and Moses had, but sometimes it sucked being an afterthought.
Drake fixed a large plate for himself and asked for a to-go box for Asher. He took his food and sat at Wesley’s table which was no longer empty.
“This is Connor and Tombs.” Wesley pointed to the two men as if Drake didn’t already know them. It was one of Wesley’s quirks to introduce everyone formally before conversations, no one took offense anymore.
Connor gave Drake a long-suffering smile. Slender, average height, he sat erect in the chair, keen hazel eyes met his and winked. Sunburned, scarred, wrinkled skin stretched over an angular face with several lines across his forehead. Thinning light brown hair combed back from a widow’s peak brushed a
gainst his shoulders. Connor was considered the top long-distance shooter in the country, until Taylor. The two competed often, and she won more than she lost to Connor who couldn’t be more pleased. The older man spent considerable time passing on information and working with her to make her better.
Tombs weather-beaten skin always seemed in need of moisturizer to Drake. The man’s craggy face, hawkish nose, thin springy gray hair, and jutting chin looked mixed-matched as if God wasn’t quite sure how to put the blue-eyed, brawny man together. His long fingertips tapped onto the table causing Drake to glance down. No one was faster or more deadly with blades than Tombs. Taylor’s father, Turner, had asked Tombs to train his son Travis in the fine art. Tombs refused. He claimed Travis skills were fine and if he practiced more he’d be just as good. A high compliment coming from this quiet man.
“Morning,” Tombs said in his signature slow southern drawl.
“Morning,” Drake said before eating a piece of bacon. It tasted so good. He cut into his pancakes, ate more sausage, eggs and finished the bacon without saying another word. When he finished, he drank two glasses of juice and one of water before feeling restored.
Wesley chuckled. “I swear that didn’t take more than two minutes. You sucked that plate clean, Son.”
“The young man appreciates a good meal after a long night of work. You’re taking Asher a plate?” Connor asked.
Drake nodded.
“Have Mercer take it with him,” Wesley said. “He’s headed over there now.” He waved Mercer over. Taller than the others, pale and thin, Mercer shuffled to the table mumbling beneath his breath. Balding with patches of white hair, and blue eyes that seemed dull from a distance he looked aggravated. “I don’t have time to talk to you this morning. Got places to go, people to see,” he said. Wearing a wrinkled light blue dress shirt and gray pants that hung sloppily from his waist, with dirty, dusty black shoes that needed cleaning, Mercer looked like an absent-minded retired professor. Looks were deceiving. Mercer was a computer genius who helped Asher design several of his gadgets and was in high demand with several of their clients.
“I know you’re going to meet with Asher. Take him his breakfast, no doubt he’s as hungry as Drake was before he licked his plate clean,” Wesley said in good humor.
Mercer frowned as he leaned forward staring at Drake. “Hello, young man, good to see you. Alright. Yes, I’ll take his plate.” He looked around. “Where is it?”
“The server fixed him a to-go container, just ask her for it,” Drake said preparing for a lengthy conversation or grilling, with this bunch he was never sure.
Mercer’s head bobbed a few times as he turned and headed toward the buffet table.
“What’s up?” Drake asked. They had worked through the night, and he planned to catch up on his rest today. He’d give Wesley an hour, no more than two, then he’d check back in with Asher and Gavin and head home.
“How’ve you been?” Wesley asked, again surprising Drake.
He frowned. “I’m good. You?”
Wesley and the others smiled.
“I’ve lived my life the way I wanted, didn’t always have the desired results but, all in all, I’m content with the way things have turned out.” He eyed Drake. “Now, how’re you doing?”
Drake sat back in his chair and stared at Wesley. What was the man after? Did he expect Drake to spill his guts and tell him secrets he’d kept locked away for years?
Wasn’t happening. “I’m doing alright,” he said slowly as his gaze darted to the other men and back to Wesley. The thought of an intervention flashed across his mind and disappeared. They didn’t know him well enough to care or get into his personal business.
“Is that enough? Is your heart into what you’re doing?” Wesley asked cutting to the chase.
Drake jerked and stared at him. “What?”
“You heard me. Everybody knows I’m an old busybody who pokes his nose into the business of those I care for, so don’t bother being offended. I’m old and not about to change,” Wesley said.
“That’s for sure,” Connor said mocking Wesley.
“I’ve been trying to teach him manners for years, hasn’t helped,” Tombs added with a shrug.
Yet they sat here listening, Drake thought uncharitably.
“Well?” Wesley pressed.
“My heart’s in what I’m doing, for now,” he answered honestly while holding Wesley’s penetrating gaze.
“Good. I’ve known you for a while and see the predator in your eyes, just like these two.” Wesley tipped his head toward his friends. “You’re doubly dangerous because you’ve got a handsome face that smiles in public places, which we need to complete several jobs.” He nodded as if granting Drake a concession. “But there’s a wildness lashed deep inside you that needs to come out and play from time to time. Allow that to happen. Don’t keep it tied down or it’ll break free when you least expect it.” Wesley clapped him on the shoulder and sighed. “Oh, to be young and dangerous as you. I never had that killer instinct and did most of my damage in court. You can do both, and I envy you for that. It’s a hard line to walk no doubt, but you’ve found a remarkable balance.”
Connor and Tombs nodded, yet again surprising Drake that they noticed him at all and were aware of the behind the scenes jobs he handled. What was the appropriate response? He wasn’t sure and remained silent.
“If you ever need to let off steam, we can hit the range sometimes,” Connor offered to Drake’s amazement. Did the man know of Drakes love of weapons? He had a serious assortment. His collector’s items were valued in the millions and he kept them in a safe deposit box at the local bank.
“I appreciate that and will definitely take you up on it when we’re both in town. Asher keeps you guys busy—”
“And Laura keeps you busy,” Tombs said. “She has a dream, and you’re helping her make it come true. Mighty nice of you to do that.”
Drake laughed as the coiled tension in his belly relaxed. “True but I’m well paid, and I’m a partner. So, her dream of wanting a large, profitable firm benefits me in the end. Believe me, I’m no saint. I want this too.”
“But not like she does,” Wesley said cutting into Drake’s happy mood and bringing him down.
“Maybe not,” Drake conceded. “But I enjoy the challenge and working with a woman I consider a sister ... I’d walk across fire for and she knows that. This is a season in my life, a part of my journey and I’m enjoying it. The fact it’s making someone I love and hold in high esteem happy is an added bonus,” he said seriously.
Wesley squeezed his shoulder and sat back in his chair. “Is your mother looking for love in all the wrong places?”
Drake’s eyes widened as he jerked back.
Connor barked out a laugh that sounded like a hyena. Tombs laughter boomed across the table. Wesley grinned so hard while laughing and pointing at Drake that his face had to hurt.
Realizing the old man had been joking Drake saw the humor and grinned. It occurred to him that he had passed some sort of test or ritual and was now accepted. The more he thought of his prissy mother with any of the men in the Arms, the funnier it became. “I think I’ll bring her by tomorrow for breakfast, will you be here?”
Wesley’s face sobered.
Tombs and Connor laughed harder at Wesley’s horrified expression.
CHAPTER SEVEN
When Drake returned to the Mecca a few hours later, Asher greeted him with a concerned gaze that didn’t bode well. Mercer worked in another room, hopefully on a different project since Gavin insisted Asher and Drake handled this case personally.
“Come in and close the door,” Asher said staring at the monitor before looking up at Drake.
“You found something?” Drake asked moving closer after closing the door.
Asher nodded. “I understand why she went through so much to keep his name a secret.”
Eager to know more, Drake stood behind Asher and looked at the monitor. There wasn’t anything
there. “What’d you learn?” He sat at the table and waited.
“Senator Bloom. The minority leader of the Senate Judiciary committee.”
Surprised, Drake whistled low and sat back in his seat.
“It was hidden deep, and I’m sure few people are aware. Francesca’s good, she went through a lot to keep their long, and I do mean long, affair a secret,” Asher said, his eyes glimmering with respect.
“How long?” Drake asked.
“Ten, possibly over 15 years, maybe longer. He’s only 57 and in decent shape. Rumor is he’s being considered for Minority Leader when Macdonald retires next term. It’s incredible this has never come out before.” Asher shook his head. “There’s more.” He shared Francesca’s previous ownership of Déesse Noire, a popular five-star restaurant in Maryland and Virginia.
“I’ve eaten there several times. When was it sold?”
“Several years ago, they kept the name, why wouldn’t they? And the menu remained the same. The business was a success, no need to make a lot of changes. The sale was buried deep along with the names of the new owners. Hard to find them through all the layers. If Gavin insists, I’ll put Mercer on tracking that information,” Asher said.
“I don’t see why the new owners would be important unless there are problems with the restaurant,” Drake said.
“I found this.” Asher slid a slip of paper across the table. “At one time, Déesse Noire came under suspicion for money laundering for some heavy hitters. One of the cartels, I think. It didn’t go far, but she sold the business six months after the Feds started sniffing around.”
Drake read the data and nodded. “Looks suspicious, especially with the Senator’s position and influence.”
“None of that tells us where she is. Bloom is out of town at the moment.” Asher met Drake’s gaze.
“Out of town?” Drake asked.
“I called his office, and checked his schedule, he’s on some fact-finding trip overseas. Could be with Francesca somewhere.” Asher shrugged.
Drake (Men of Versteck Valley Book 3) Page 6
