Link_Ruthless Bastards

by Chelsea Handcock

  Shit, she’d done it, in less than twenty minutes, too. Then hightailed it out of the courtroom before he even had a chance to apologize or congratulate her. Now he was sitting in the county jail waiting for Talon to be released and thinking about what she gave the judge. How was it possible for Carrington to do what the Club lawyer couldn’t and why hadn’t Talon or anyone else told him what he’d been doing?

  Talon walked out of lock up in the same clothes he’d been wearing two days ago. He didn’t look relieved like Link had been expecting, he looked pissed.

  “What’s going on Tal?”

  “Where is Carri?”

  “I don’t have a clue, but before we find out, you and I are going to have a conversation.”

  “Not, now Link,” Talon said brushing past him. “Did you have the guys bring my bike or are we going back to the Clubhouse?”

  “Clubhouse,” Link grunted.

  When they got into the cage, Tal was brimming with tension. His leg was bouncing up and down, and his body was tight. This wasn’t the picture of a man who was just released from jail with all charges dismissed.

  “What’s going on Tal?” Link asked.

  “Shit, Link, stay out of it,” Talon barked.

  “Can’t do that, Tal, tell me what’s going on.”

  “Fuck, listen I was on a mission, a mission I didn’t need to be advertised, even if it was to get my ass out of jail,” Talon snarled.

  “What mission Tal?” Link questioned, getting more ticked by the second with his short-assed answers.

  “What do you think I was talking to Shade about? Worthington and Raimes. Carri put herself in the middle of it by giving that evidence to the Judge. The same fucking Judge who’s in Worthington’s back pocket. She was supposed to come here, get me out, and leave. That’s why I agreed to let Addy bring her in. She works out of town, lives out of town. Fuck, man, now we need to find her and stop her from taking any of this further,” Talon pleaded.

  Link didn’t respond, but he did push his foot down harder on the accelerator.

  When they got back to the Clubhouse, Talon jump out, and Link didn’t need to question where he was going; the man was going straight for his computer. Link, on the other hand, would talk to Tuck, he had some explaining to do. Then he was going to track down one tight-assed little attorney and send her on her way.

  Tuck was in his office, exactly where Link knew he would be and before he could even get a word out, the man started talking. “Sit down Link, Carri is fine, and the judge has been taken care of. That, at least, won’t be a problem going forward.”

  Link didn’t like it that Tuck could clearly see through him. He was concerned about Carrington, another feeling that didn’t sit well with him.

  “Why didn’t I know what Talon was doing? I’m the Vice President of this Club, I shouldn’t be finding this shit out after the fact. After my brother was taken into custody on trumped up charges. You’ve been holding back on me, Tuck, and I want to know why?” Link questioned.

  “I’m not holding back on you, Link.” Tuck leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “You knew we were looking into Raimes and Worthington before we could turn Reagan’s evidence over; that’s old news,” Tuck said.

  “You didn’t tell me Talon was the one doing it,” Link barked.

  “You need to cut the cord with Tal, Link. He’s a part of this club, hell, he’s an important component of this organization. Your need to keep him under your thumb isn’t helping either of you,” Tuck offered.

  “Fuck you, Tuck. My brother, my problem,” Link snarled.

  “No, fuck you. Tal is as much my brother as he is yours,” Tuck growled right back.

  “Then why the fuck did he spend even one night in jail. If you felt that way, he wouldn’t have. You knew where he was, what he was doing. We didn’t need to bring in Carrington to get him out, we could have done it our damn selves with a public defender,” Link clarified for the man in case he wasn’t getting it.

  “Watch yourself, Link. You might be my VP and my right-hand man, but you aren’t in charge of this Club or the decisions I make. Carri is here because she needs to be. She’s here because she is the best person to bring Worthington down. There are things you don’t know, things you can’t control. This train is on course, and you can’t stop it,” Tuck said, adding to Link’s already negative mood.

  “What the fuck! That girl can’t do shit, we can’t do ourselves,” Link barked.

  “That girl, as you call her, has more power around here than you know. Quit being an ass and fucking look around. She has the connections we need to bring this fucker down. She grew up watching these people and learning. She also hates them, especially him, as much as we do,” Tuck proclaimed.

  “So, you’re what, willing to throw her to the wolves? She isn’t made for this shit, man. She might be a lawyer, but she’s… Hell, you said it yourself, she’s just like the people we’re after.” Link didn’t like questioning Tuck, but this shit wasn’t making any sense to him.

  “You’re the one who doesn’t know her, Link. You think her last name or where she came from matters to her. You’re dead wrong. Carri went up against her father at sixteen and came out the victor. Maybe you’re the one who’s underestimating her. I know I sure as hell am not,” Tuck said.

  “How can I underestimate someone I don’t even fucking know?” Link wasn’t in the mood to let him get away with much more. “I haven’t seen or talked to her since I was a fucking teenager. Shit man, what I do know, I don’t like it, not even a little. You’re playing with people’s lives. Who the fuck gave you that right? This is a club, we make decisions together. You didn’t bring any of this to the table, you decided all of this on your own. What the fuck is that all about?”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” Tuck barked. “This is my Club, I was elected President, not you. If you have a problem with that, then put it up at Church. Challenge me for the position. Then you can make all the decisions you want. I did what was best for everyone involved, period,” Tuck growled.

  Link still couldn’t stop his questioning. He needed to know what measures had been taken to ensure Carrington’s safety, and he wanted Tuck to reassure him.

  “How do you know she’s safe where is she?” Link didn’t like any of this, but he did respect Tuck. He knew that Tuck would do everything in his power to keep Carrington safe. At least, he once thought he would before this moment and the shit Tuck had just said; now he wasn’t so sure. Link didn’t like the thoughts he was having about Tuck, but, hell, the thoughts he was having about Carrington scared him shitless. Why did he care so much? What made her become his first and last thought? That had never happened to him before. Women came and went in his life, and he never thought about them once they were gone. Link couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Carrington wasn’t his problem, but she was something.

  “Brass and Creed are watching her; she and Suzie went to lunch at The Grove.” Tucks posture never changed, he was still sitting at his desk, his arms crossed, watching Link assessing him.

  “The country club?” Link asked.

  “One and the same,” Tuck confirmed.

  “What’s your plan here, what do you hope to gain from any of this?” Link hated questioning Tuck’s motives, but the man wasn’t acting like the man he respected and considered his best friend.

  “My plan is to let Carri do what she does best, ruffle enough feathers to get the information we need to put her father and the man pulling the strings in jail.”

  “How is she going to do that, exactly? We don’t even know who the real boss is. Reagan hasn’t found the money trail, and last I heard, we didn’t have any new leads.”

  “That’s where Carri comes in.”

  “So, you’re okay with sacrificing her? You’re fine with putting her in the path of these sick fuckers to get what we need? Look what happened to Cath, Addy, and Reagan. Do you want the same thing to happen to Carrington? This isn’t what this
Club stands for, Tuck. We don’t put innocents in danger, we get them the fuck out of it.”

  “Really Link? What about Val or any of the other women who come here to spill their dirty little secrets? We use them all the fucking time. Why is Carri any different?”

  Tuck stood up, and Link knew he’d pushed him too far, but he couldn’t and wouldn’t let Carrington be in the middle of this. Hell, he didn’t know what she was, but he wouldn’t back down until Tuck changed his mind and Carrington was back in Lexington where she belonged. Away from this shit and her crappy family. Where she was safe.

  “They are different. Val and her crew know exactly what they’re doing and do it willingly. Carrington is different, she isn’t trying to hurt anyone or gain something from any of this. She came to help a friend. We’re the ones putting her in danger. She isn’t the type of person to let this go. Hell, she couldn’t get out of the courtroom fast enough. Even Tal knew what was up and is trying to find her ass to stop her. It’s not right.”

  “Holy shit, you have feelings for her. She’s the one you’re worried about. Not Tal and what I kept back from you, but Carri. It’s almost too perfect, hell, I couldn’t have planned this shit better if I tried. Carri will take you down brother, mark my words.”

  “Carrington isn’t taking me anywhere, Tuck. She is, however, going to take her happy ass back to Lexington where she belongs.”

  “Whatever you say, Link,” Tuck laughed. “Damn, the two of you together, this will be fun to watch. One piece of advice, don’t underestimate her. Carri is about to rock your world, and you can’t even see it.”

  The ass was still laughing it up when Link left. There wouldn’t be any rocking of any kind because Carrington would do what she was told, end of fucking story.

  Chapter 6

  “You hate it here as much as I do, Carri. I always feel like I’m not dressed nice enough or that I need to check my makeup, like fifty times. I hate this place.”

  Carri watched Suzie squirming in her seat. She felt the same way, but stopped herself from squirming. A lesson learned long ago; never let them see you uncomfortable or unsure because these people were like vultures and would expose and exploit any weakness.

  The Grove was a country club where everyone who was anyone, in Defiance and surrounding cities, was a member. Carri had purchased her membership out of spite and paid her dues every year, so she could do what she was doing now. Sitting down in the overly ostentatious restaurant and ordering an overpriced, watered-down drink. It was her own form of a fuck you and she knew within fifteen minutes, someone would be walking up to their table to express their distaste for her. To some it might seem weird or childish. She shouldn’t lower herself, but Carri knew this was the only way to get what she wanted; information.

  “It’s no big deal, Suzie. Come on, where else can you go to get crappy drinks and have people stare at you with disdain. I think it adds character.”

  “Character, my ass. You’re up to something, like you always are.”

  “Me?” Carri questioned trying to look innocent. “What could I possibly be up to other than taking my good friend to lunch?” Carri said fluffing her hair and batting her eyelashes.

  “Yeah, a lunch neither one of us will eat,” Suzie grunted.

  “Okay, come on, you know tofu is good for you, Suzie.”

  “Tofu is disgusting,” Suzie grumbled.

  “Yeah,” Carri laughed, “don’t worry, I think we’ll be out of here way before any tofu hits the table. You know the rank and file will only tolerate interlopers for so long before they pounce.”

  “Speaking of pouncing,” Suzie smiled, “I noticed some sexy looks happening between you and Link at the courthouse. Anything you care to share?”

  “Ah, no.” Carri could feel the heat from the blush creeping up on her cheeks. Damn, that man made her panties wet, but she wasn’t ready to admit it to anyone; there wasn’t really a reason to.

  “Ah no, that’s all you’re going to say? He couldn’t keep his eyes off of you the entire time. Well, at least, off of your assets.” This time Suzie did laugh as she waved her hand toward Carri’s boobs. “Come on, live a little, Carri, take a walk on the wild side. A broody, hot-as-hell biker might do the trick to end that dry spell you’ve been on lately.”

  It was Carri’s turn to laugh, and she did loudly, not caring when everyone in the Grove turned to look at her.

  “Hot-as-hell, maybe, but when I think about Lincoln Frost, the only word that comes to mind is asshole. The man hates me, and I can say I feel pretty much the same about him.”

  Suzie coughed into her hand and said, “Bullshit.”

  Not wanting to talk about her feelings toward Link, Carri changed the subject, knowing full well it would shut her friend down in an instant.

  “I heard you had become quite close to a particular biker. Care to share the details, dear friend? Heard you were the kind of ‘quality’ he was looking for in a woman.” Carri watched as Suzie’s face lit up to a fire engine red. “It isn’t much fun when the shoe is on the other foot, now is it?” Carri questioned Suzie.

  “Bitch.”

  “Right back atcha, sister,” Carri winked. “Let’s make a deal, I won’t talk about your biker if you don’t talk about mine. Lincoln Frost might get my motor running, but that’s a trip I’m not ready or willing to take anytime soon if ever. Get what I’m saying?”

  “Yeah, but you have to admit, the ride might be worth it, even if it’s only a one-time deal. He has that bad boy, I know exactly what I’m doing in the bedroom, vibe down.”

  “No doubt, but he also has that, I think you are a spoilt little rich girl without a brain of your own, vibe down, too. Don’t think I can get over that for a couple of minutes of orgasmic bliss.”

  “What? Did he say that to you?”

  “Yeah, I believe his exact words were over-privileged, sorority girl, wannabe lawyer. On another note, he did seem to have a rather large infatuation with my boobs. Maybe he has sorority girl fantasies.”

  “What an ass,” Suzie exclaimed. “Does he know you went to college on scholarships, never even attempted to join a sorority, graduated at the top of your class, and have become one of the youngest partners your firm has ever hired?”

  “None of that matters to a man like Link. He hears my last name, and instantly, I’m a pariah.” Carri waved it off. “It’s no big deal, hell, I put up with the assumption all the time. Let’s drop it, okay?”

  “You got it.”

  “Heads up, the games are about to start,” Carri cleared her throat and sat up straighter in her chair. Out of the corner of her eye, Carri caught the woman she was waiting for make her way toward them. She hadn’t changed in all the years Carri had been gone. Well, that wasn’t true, she’d changed in a whole plastic surgery gone wrong kind of way. “I don’t think you have to worry about tofu or lunch. Show time.”

  “Hello, Mother.” Carri didn’t wait for the woman to speak, instead prompting the attack which was sure to come.

  “Carrington, I see your choice in friends hasn’t changed with your new position. What was it again, legal secretary or are you still a clerk?”

  “Oh, Mother, you know very well I’m a lawyer and partner in my law firm. As a matter of fact, the youngest associate to become a partner, not that I’m bragging. It always amazes me how the little details seem to slip your mind. I see you’re having your standard liquid lunch, today is Wednesday, after all.”

  “How clever of you, Carrington, always the one with the jokes. I wonder if your father will find your impromptu visit funny. Or the rumors that you came all this way to lower yourself into the ditches with the likes of that biker gang.”

  “Hmm, I doubt my little visit will even be noticed by dear old Dad, that is, of course, if he isn’t wading in the same pools. As you stated, my friends are a little low on the totem pole to keep Daddy’s attention. What has the old man been up to lately?”

  Carri watched her mother. There wasn’t any mo
vement on her face. Hell, she was amazed the woman could even blink with the amount of stretching, collagen, and Botox she used. But there was one sign, a light peppering of perspiration decorating her temples, making her bleached blonde hair a little darker than normal.

  “Your Father has been fantastic. We just got back from our annual Aspen trip, and his business is flourishing. But you are right, he doesn’t bother himself with others who are not up to his standing. Even if they are related by blood.”

  “Aspen? Hmm, I thought I heard someone say you and Father stayed in Defiance for the season. I could be wrong, but no let me think.” Carri made a big deal about tapping her lip and squinting her eyes. “No, I don’t think I’m wrong, it was Mr. Cromwell’s lovely wife. We had lunch just the other day, and she told me you had become ill. Have you been sick, Mother?”

  The Cromwell’s were her mother’s version of the Jones; she wanted and did everything she could to compete with them. The truth was she never could because the Cromwell’s didn’t give a crap about propriety or status. They started out dirt poor and worked their way to what they had now. “Jed even mentioned Father might be in a bit of trouble in the business arena. I wonder why he would say that?”

  Her mother was getting flustered. Carri had to resist the urge to smile. Now she was getting somewhere, she only needed to push a little harder. Her mother would never allow anyone to talk down about the Worthington name or more accurately, her father. When Sallie Mae downed her drink and slammed the glass on table, Carri wanted to scream, Gotcha.

  “Listen to me, little girl, if you are spreading those lies around, I’ll have your job and every pathetic little thing you hold dear. Your father is fine. As a matter of fact, only this morning, I heard him say he had a deal in the works which would bring him millions by the end of the month.”

  “Really, that’s wonderful, so happy for you both. He must be branching out to make that type of money because everyone knows there isn’t a cent to be scraped off the streets here in Defiance. Father must have finally realized that for such a tremendous payday. I’m sure the two of you’ll be back in Aspen before you know it.”