by B. B. Hamel
He brought out the best self in me, even in spite of my mistakes.
I needed that in this moment. After feeling like I had destroyed everything, I needed him to tell me that it was going to be okay. I needed him to take control, to fix things. I was way in over my head, and I knew that only Travis could do this.
And I was going to do it with him. I was going to get myself together and make it happen.
He squeezed my hand and grinned at me. I felt that thrill run through my body, the same one I always felt when he looked at me.
The ride back to Knoxville melted by. We drove straight through, and I must have fallen asleep, because at one point I closed my eyes and when I opened them we were home. Travis parked the big rig in an empty parking lot a few blocks away from the dry cleaners, and then we walked back together.
As we got closer, I noticed two men standing outside the apartment door. They were both tall and broad like Travis, both with dangerous looks in their eyes. One had dark short hair and bright green eyes, and he was grinning at me. The other had close-cropped brown hair and gray eyes, and he looked more serious.
Instantly I tensed up. It surprised me that the sight of strange men would do that, but it made sense after what I had seen. Travis put a comforting hand on my arm.
“It’s okay,” he said. “Hartley, these are my friends. This is Flynn and this is Gage.”
The man with the green eyes named Flynn smiled. “Good to meet you, Hartley.”
Gage nodded. “Hartley.”
“Hi, guys,” I said.
“They’re here to help us,” Travis added. “They have a pretty important role at the end of this.”
“Anything I do is pretty important,” Flynn said.
“Now I know that isn’t true,” Gage said. “Flynn here has a very high opinion of himself, though I have no clue why.”
“It’s because I’m incredibly handsome and smart,” Flynn said.
“Enough from you two,” Travis said, cutting them off. He opened the apartment door. “Let’s get inside.”
The two men grinned at me as we walked inside. Travis took the lead and the other two fell in behind me. I realized just from watching them move that they were both SEALs just like Travis. He must have called them in for backup.
Now I had three Navy SEALs involved in this, trying to save my life. I couldn’t decide if I felt horrible or grateful. Probably a mix of both.
We got into my apartment and instantly the men looked around like they were scouting for danger. Once they were satisfied, Travis leaned up against the kitchen counter while the two guys sat down at the table.
“Can I get you anything?” I asked them.
“I’m good,” Gage said.
“Whisky might be nice.”
Travis laughed. “Might be early for that. Plus, we have work to do tonight.”
“Don’t matter,” he said. “Whisky anyway.”
I got a glass and poured him a drink. Travis got three more glasses and poured everyone else a drink. He raised his glass.
“To defeating our enemies,” he said.
“Here, here,” Gage answered.
We toasted and drank.
I had to admit, the whisky felt good. I was exhausted, but I was also stressed close to my breaking point. Just getting a little alcohol in my stomach helped to calm me down a little bit, and when I noticed Travis giving me a look, I suspected that was exactly what he had intended.
“So,” Travis said finally, “we’re here for a reason.”
“We’re not just getting hammered?” Flynn asked.
“Unfortunately,” Gage said.
“Putting us to fucking work,” Flynn joked.
“That’s the only thing you’re good for, Flynn,” Travis said.
“What, working?”
He grinned. “No. Fighting.”
Flynn laughed. “Damn right.”
“Can we get down to it?” Gage cut in.
“Plan is simple. I’m setting up a meeting with the Dixie Mafia tonight. I’m going to make sure their leader is there, a guy named Merton Digger.”
“Merton?” Flynn asked, cutting in. “What kinda name is that?”
“Southern,” Gage answered. “Now shut up.”
“Anyway,” Travis went on, “Merton is the leader of the Dixie Mob in this area. The Dixie is spread out all over the south, but the Caldwells only care about drug rights in Knoxville. So if we take him out, the Dixie will be like a snake without a head. The Caldwells won’t have much trouble taking over.”
“Seems simple enough,” Flynn said. “But how are you going to get him at this meeting?”
“You let me worry about that. You two are playing support. Basically, hang back and keep an eye on things. If shit goes south, I’ll need you guys to pull me out.”
“Easy,” Gage said. “Just a little snatch and grab. I can do that in my sleep.”
“Yeah,” Flynn complained. “Can’t we get something a little more fun?”
Travis gave him a look. “This is fun enough, man. You’re not in fucking Pakistan. You can’t go all Rambo here.”
“Sure I can,” he grumbled.
“What about me?” I cut in suddenly.
The three men looked at me.
“You don’t have to do anything,” Travis said. “You saw enough violence this morning, Hartley. You can sit this out.”
“No need for you to see anything else,” Flynn added soberly.
“No,” I said. “No. I know I messed up, but I can’t just let you guys take all the risk.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Gage said. “We’re making sure that risk is damn tiny.”
“He’s right, Hartley. You don’t need to be anywhere near this,” Travis said. “We can handle it. Believe me.”
“Travis, please. I want to help finish this.”
He glanced over at Gage, who shrugged. Travis looked back at me. “It’s going to get violent. Men are going to die again. Hell, we may get shot at. Are you sure you want to put yourself in the middle of this?”
“I’m sure,” I said. “I’m completely sure.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “You’re with me then. No matter what, you stay by my side. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“When do we start?” Flynn asked.
“I start now. You two sit here and don’t fuck anything up.”
“Aye, aye, boss,” Gage said, smirking. He poured two more drinks.
“Stay here with them,” Travis said softly to me. “I’m going to make a call, and then we’ll head out.”
“Where?”
“We’re paying Janey one last visit.”
I nodded. “Okay.” Travis turned and left, heading downstairs.
Gage grinned at me. “Don’t worry. Travis is the best. You’re damn lucky you’re with him and not this asshole.” He gestured at Flynn.
“Hey,” Flynn said. “I’m pretty good at killing, you know.”
“Yeah. That’s pretty much it, though.”
Flynn knocked his drink back. “And drinking whisky.”
“You’re okay at that.” Gage knocked his drink back. “But I’m better.”
The two men started arguing about the finer points of drinking whisky, and I just leaned back against the counter and watched. I couldn’t help but smile at them, despite the fear growing inside me.
Travis was the best, and I knew it. He made me feel things I couldn’t explain and he took care of me, even when I didn’t deserve it. He had saved my mother and me from Culver, and he was going to save us from everyone else, too.
I didn’t deserve this, which was why I had to see it through. I couldn’t sit on the sideline and let it all happen.
I was lucky I had Travis. I knew I was lucky. I felt it every time he walked into the room.
That man sent chills down my spine and made me want to never leave his side.
24
Travis
Hartley seemed okay. For someone who had j
ust witnessed a violent and intense gun battle in their kitchen, she seemed like she was holding it together. Normal people would have fallen apart, but Hartley was clearly far from normal.
Gage and Flynn were probably a big help. She needed to see that I had this under control, and bringing them in probably helped with that.
I left the room and heard the two idiots already joking. They were playing it up pretty hard, probably trying to make Hartley forget about this morning. I couldn’t tell if it was working or not, but I was grateful. I felt bad that I couldn’t sit and just talk with her, but things were going to move fast now.
I got outside in the warm air and leaned up against the front of the building. I got my burner phone out and dialed the number I’d been saving for just this moment.
It rang three times before he answered. “Who’s this?” he grunted.
“Hoyt, it’s Travis.”
“Travis. How’d you get this number?”
“Never mind that. I have an issue.”
Short pause. “What’s wrong?”
“Culver. He stopped answering, disappeared last night.”
“We haven’t been able to get in touch with him either.”
“What the fuck are you people doing over there?”
“I don’t know, man,” he said. “Culver is a weird one. I never liked him, but the big boss brought him in to oversee this operation.”
“Yeah, well, he’s fucking gone, and I’m making a move on the shipment tonight.”
Another pause. “Seriously? Tonight?”
“Fuck, are you listening to me, Hoyt? This is serious.”
“Yeah, okay. So you’re doing it tonight. What’s the plan?”
“I’m not sure there is a fucking plan now that your boy Culver is missing. He gave me certain assurances.”
“Like what?”
“For starters, he was the only one saying you people weren’t trying to fuck us over. How can I trust you guys when your boy Culver disappears like this?”
“Nobody is fucking you over, Travis.”
“Culver seems like he is.”
“How?”
“The guy disappears on the day I let him know I’m taking the shipment. You don’t think that looks odd?”
Hoyt sounded stressed, just how I wanted him. “Yeah. It sounds strange. But I don’t know what’s happening with him.”
“Listen to me. You still want this shipment?”
“You know we do,” he said.
“I need two things from you.”
“Go ahead.”
“First, I want to deliver this to your boss personally.”
“I can’t do that,” Hoyt said immediately.
“Then you’re not getting shit.”
“Travis, man, come on. He doesn’t go for this sort of thing.”
“I don’t care what he goes for. You want this shit, he better be there.”
“Fine,” Hoyt said reluctantly. “I’ll pass that along. And second?”
“Second, I want you to be there.”
“Why?” He sounded nervous.
“Because you’re the only person I trust in your fucking scumbag organization. I want you there.”
“Okay, Travis,” he said. “I’ll be there.”
“Tell your boss. Tell him to meet me at the old shoe factory in the hills. You know that one?”
“I know it.”
“If this deal is on, meet me there tonight at two. I’ll have his shipment in a big rig truck. I’ll pass it over, you guys get your shit, and we’re off the hook. That’s it, straight up.”
“Straight up,” Hoyt agreed. “I’ll pass the message along.”
“Fine. Make it quick. This Culver shit has me real nervous.”
“Got it.” Hoyt hung up the phone.
I hung mine up and slipped it into my pocket. Normally I’d get rid of a burner, but I needed them to be able to call me back.
Once I was finished, I walked back into the apartment and headed up the stairs. I opened the door and saw Hartley sitting at the table while Gage and Flynn were arm wrestling. She looked up at me and smiled.
“Flynn is winning,” she called out.
“Fuck that,” Gage grunted.
I shook my head. “Are you two fucking kidding me?”
“This. Is. No. Fucking. Joke,” Flynn managed to grunt.
I sighed and stood next to the table, watching the two fools. They were evenly matched, both straining as hard as they could. Hartley couldn’t help but laugh as the two men grunted and cursed at each other.
Finally, Flynn’s elbow slipped on what looked like spilled whisky. As soon as it gave out, Gage pounded his arm down to the table.
“Fuck!” he yelled, standing up. “Fuck that!”
Gage laughed wickedly. “Weak loser,” he said.
“You cheated!”
“You slipped,” Hartley observed.
He glared at her and then burst out laughing. The three of them laughed together as Flynn sat back down in his chair.
I shook my head. “Seriously you two. Don’t get too drunk. I need you guys ready for tonight.”
“We’ll be good to go, boss,” Gage said. “Don’t you worry.”
“Yeah, boss,” Flynn added.
I smirked at Hartley. “You’re not falling for this crap, are you? These fools aren’t always such clowns.”
“I think they’re just trying to show off for me,” she said.
“Damn right we are,” Flynn said.
“Pretty southern girl like you? Hard not to show off, just a little bit,” Gage added.
“Careful,” I said, grinning at them. “Come on, Hartley. We have to go make a little visit.”
She nodded and stood. “Thanks, boys. Don’t kill each other while we’re gone.”
Flynn saluted and Gage just grinned.
“See you later, Hart,” Gage said.
Hartley walked over to me and we went together over to the front door. I opened it up and we left just as the two idiot started laughing again.
“Fun guys,” she said.
“Yeah. They can be.”
“You’re sure they’re SEALs?” she asked.
“Very sure,” I said. “They’re just trying to make you feel comfortable is all.”
“You have good friends.”
“They’re good people,” I agreed, “but they can be idiots sometimes.”
She laughed and followed me down the stairs.
“Where to now?” she asked.
“Caldwells. This is the last stop before the main show. After tonight, we’ll be finished.”
“Yeah,” she said. “After tonight this is all over.”
“No more debt. No more danger.”
She nodded, resolute. “No more danger.”
I grinned at her. “Come on, girl. Let’s get the fuck out of here before the two idiots decide they want to tag along.”
We headed out of the building, walking close to each other.
25
Hartley
We made the familiar drive out to the Caldwell place. It was getting late in the day, and the sun was threatening to disappear down behind the hills. The area was bathed in a pink sunset, which was actually pretty beautiful.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the hills were a pretty gorgeous place to live. If I didn’t know what was lurking out there hidden in the mines, at least.
We pulled up front. The parking lot was mostly empty as we climbed out and headed up to the main building. I followed Travis inside.
King was standing behind the counter, and as soon as he saw Travis he reached for something.
“Stop,” Travis said. “You grab that gun and I’ll fucking kill you, King.”
“You have some nerve showing up here like this,” he said.
“I’m here for Janey, not you.”
“Motherfucker. I should gun you down.”
“I still have business with her. You really want to do this?”
T
ravis stared King down for a second, and slowly King brought his hands up to the top of the counter. “She’s around back,” he said. “Working with a group. Go make yourself known.”
“Thanks,” Travis grunted.
I smiled at King as we walked by. He just stared at us, a blank expression on his face.
We went out the back door and onto the back porch. Brock and Janey were working with a little ATV tour group, probably the last group of the day. They were giving them the quick safety rundown. We stood and watched, waiting for them to finish.
Once the speech was over and the group was heading out, Janey slowly walked over to us, smiling.
“There you are,” Janey said. “I was wondering when I’d see you again.”
“I need to steal from you tonight, Janey,” Travis said.
She laughed. “Uh oh. Not sure I like the sound of that.”
Travis grinned. “Listen, it’s on. We need to do it tonight.”
“That’s too soon,” she said. “We’re not ready.”
“It’s now or never. Something happened and now we need to rush.”
“Killed one of their boys? Fucked something up?”
“Something like that,” Travis said.
Janey looked at me. “What did you do?” she asked.
“Nothing,” I said, surprised.
Janey narrowed her eyes and then laughed again. “I’m just teasing.” She looked back at Travis. “Okay then. What’s the deal?”
“I have a big rig. You hide some men in the back. I made a deal with the mafia that I’ll only meet with their head guy. You all come out, kill the mafia people, and pay us our money. That’s it.”
She nodded slowly. “So you’re giving me the infamous Merton.”
“Best I can do.”
“You said you’d give me the whole Dixie Mafia.”
Travis clenched his jaw. “This is short notice, Janey. Without Merton, they’ll be disorganized, ready for the taking. Can you get some men together?”
“I can,” she admitted.
“Merton is worth fifty grand, plus whoever else he brings.”
She stared at Travis for a second, thinking hard. Slowly she nodded. “All right then, Travis. Fifty grand, but only if Merton is there and dead.”
