by J. L. Drake
Morgan closed his eyes and cursed. “At least twelve.”
“Which really means fifteen.” No one accounted for the men at the doors and the men who stayed on high ground.
“What now?” Brick crawled over and leaned against the cool wall.
I checked my ammo and flexed my neck. “Now we go in.”
“Oh, fuck,” Morgan hissed. “Your father is here.”
Really?
My phone buzzed, but I didn’t have the mind space to check it.
“Now we let them know we took the bait.”
I grabbed my radio. “You ready?”
“Yup, ten-four,” Cray responded. “Waitin’ on your word to move.”
I nodded to the guys, and we hopped to our feet, kicked in the door, and started to spray bullets.
I got almost a clip off when I saw Gus in the corner of the room. He looked close to dead.
“Morgan.” I pointed to my uncle. He raced over while I covered him.
Brick took out two men who came up behind me, and three more when they raced through the door. My gun became useless, so I tossed it and started to cage fight the men who kept coming. I punched, kicked, snapped, and popped any bone that swung my direction. Screams filled the air, and I only hoped my men were coming out on top.
“Ah.” I got the wind knocked out of me by a two-by-four. The man who held it had a chain around his neck like a dog. I grinned and waited for him to make his move. Classic beef-head went to punch me in my gut. I jumped so he’d miss and followed through with a blow right under the arm. He twisted and exposed his other side, and I kicked and ground my heel into his ribs. Once he felt the impact, I put an elbow to his nose and rammed his head into the concrete floor.
I stood and cracked my neck then caught sight of him way up high in the rafters, watching the bloodshed.
A long, powerful grin spread across his lips before he stepped back into the shadows.
“Brick!” I pointed to the stairs, and he followed me. I took three at a time, sometimes four, and made it to the top in a matter of seconds.
Back and forth I searched the rafters but found no sign of anyone.
“Shit!” My shout shook the old windows.
“We got Gus.” That was something.
I leaned over the railing, drew in a deep breath, and tried to calm myself. My hands shook in front of me. He was so close I could barely handle the rage.
“I got you.” Morgan helped Gus to his feet. He wobbled, but he was able to carry most of his own weight.
I pushed off the rail and hurried past Brick.
“Hey,” he stepped in front of me, “we came to get Gus, and we got him. That’s something positive.”
I smiled.
“He wanted us to find Gus.”
I raced down the steps and out to the van. I yanked open the door and sat next to Gus, who was propped up against the back of the driver’s seat. I placed my hand on his shoulder until he opened his eyes and focused on me.
“Should’ve left me there.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I gave him a light swat before I let him close his eyes. He looked like shit, but he could talk, so that meant something.
“Hey,” he stopped me as I turned to leave, “it’s getting worse, anyway.” He patted his chest, and I knew what he meant. Gus had stage three breast cancer. He had been through all the treatments before, and if it was back, I knew this time around he probably wasn’t going to beat it. Although the bastard would never admit it, I knew he would be scared. After all he’d been through in his life, what a shit-assed way to go.
I hit the side of the van to let them know to leave, and to let off some of my residual pressure.
My phone vibrated, and I fished it out of my pocket and saw three missed calls and five texts.
6:02 p.m.
Ryder: Problem at the club. Call me.
6:20 p.m.
Ryder: Something doesn’t feel right.
10:00 p.m.
Ryder: Tess is fine. She’s in bed.
10:30 p.m.
Big Joe: Call me.
11:00 p.m.
Big Joe: Tess had a hard night.
I tried Tess’s phone three times, but she wasn’t picking up. What the fuck was going on? I tried Ryder, but his phone went right to voicemail. I rubbed my head and tried the other phone I’d given him, but still no answer. Frustrated as hell, I punched in another number.
“Hey, man.” Rail sounded tired.
“What the fuck happened?”
“Your father thought Tess would like a souvenir of her friend.”
“Meaning?” I grew annoyed.
“Allen sent her Jace’s head in a box.”
What?
“It was all juicy and soaked right through the cardboard. Whoever dropped it off put it on your bed.”
That made my blood burn. Who the fuck would do that, and how would they get into my room? Then it hit me—the mole.
“How is she?”
“Freaked out, but she looks calm. She spent most of the night with the boys. I think she’s nervous to sleep in the room. You know Tess. She won’t show much emotion when it comes to this stuff.”
“I’m an hour away. Get the medic there in time for us.”
“You mean you found him?”
“Get a medic.”
“Yeah, boss.”
A text came through, and I yanked the phone away to look at the screen.
Cameron: 8 Stripe Backs dead, zero info. On to the next hit.
I didn’t have the head space or the desire to send the word out that Gus was found. For now, they could continue killing as many rats as they could find.
I tried Tess one more time but had no luck. Instead, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
“Here.” Gus handed me a shiny baseball bat. “Ever played before?”
I shook my head, but I knew from TV what to do. Gus grinned and started to walk backward.
“You ready?” He drew his hand back, lifted his knee, and threw the ball right to me. I waited to see its angle then swung with all my might. The ball hit the bat and soared well over Gus’s head and into the woods.
“Shit, boy!” He pulled his hat off and wiped his forehead free of sweat. “You can hit!”
I had no clue I was good at any sport. I had never been given the opportunity to try.
Gus raced over. “Nolan, that was…wow! I’ve never seen anyone hit like that!” He raised his hands to show me what he was going to do. They landed on my shoulders, and his face beamed down at me.
“I’m proud of you.”
Okay.
“Do you know what that means?”
I shrugged.
“It means you can do so much more than just toss a punch or a powerhouse kick. You have real talent.”
Someone was proud of me? That felt odd, but strangely, I was all right with it. I mustered up a tiny smile, and I knew he caught it.
“Proud,” he repeated then pulled out another ball from his pocket. “Let’s see what else you can do.”
The van stopped, and my eyes popped open. I turned to see out the window. We were home.
I opened the doors and jumped out. Brick and Morgan helped Gus out and into the bar.
The place went wild. Within minutes, the music was amped, the whiskey was passed around, and the celebration of one of our family being returned was in full swing.
Once the doctor took Gus out back to check him over, I rushed to my room, only to find it empty. I thought a moment then checked the boys’ room, and sure as shit, she was there tucked in between them.
“Mother of shit!” I yelped in a loud whisper. A Lego gun had fired and shot something with prongs at my leg.
Suddenly, Tess sat straight up and pointed a handgun at me. Her eyes were wild, and her hair was everywhere, but she looked gorgeous. She was there protecting the last piece of Gus she could. My woman.
“Babe, lower the gun.”
It took her a moment to register my voice, bu
t she slowly lowered the weapon then covered her face with one hand.
“Hey,” I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled a piece of her hair over her shoulder, “you all right?”
“Yeah,” she whispered, sounding completely exhausted.
“I have something to show you.”
She sniffed, and I leaned over the bed and scooped her up from between the boys. I put her on the floor and lifted her face and studied it. Her eyes were dull, and I wanted to completely check her over, but it could wait.
“You sure you’re okay?”
She nodded, but I could tell what happened had really shaken her up. Jace and Tess had been friends, and what Allen pulled was fucked up.
“Come on.” I tugged her hand for her to follow.
As soon as she felt the atmosphere of the bar, she picked up the pace.
“Oh, my God!” she cried in disbelief. “Oh, my God. Gus!”
Gus gave her a smile and tried to get up, but she ran over and forced him back into the chair. Her arms wrapped around him, and they took a moment to reconnect.
“You want me to get the boys?” she finally asked him as she eased carefully into the seat next to him, her arm still wrapped around him.
“Nah, let them sleep.” He smiled warmly. “I’m tired, anyway. I’ll just climb into bed and let them find me in the morning.”
“Yikes. Look at you,” Rail blurted but shrugged when everyone looked over. “Sorry, but he looks like a giant bruise.” He pointed his beer at Gus. “That’s where kids get nightmares.”
“What?” Tess sighed dramatically. “I have so many questions about your upbringing, but no clue where to start.”
“He’s the perfect example why cousins shouldn’t mate.” Brick laughed, which sent the club into full party mode.
I sat back with my drink in my hand and watched my club begin to mend itself. Tonight, we could party and celebrate the return of our own, but tomorrow, the hunt continued.
Most partied well into the morning. I didn’t think I could feel my hands at one point, we drank so much. Most of my men passed out in the chairs, but somehow, I peeled myself off the bar stool and made it to my bed.
The smell of peanut butter brought me out of my sleep. A strange sound found my ears, and then my eye was being pried open by sticky fingers.
“You in there?” Fin leaned right down and nearly touched his eye to mine. “Uncle T!” He shouted a little louder. “Hello.”
“He’s going to swat you,” Denton muttered from somewhere else in the room.
My eyelid was released, and I snapped it closed. I wasn’t ready to get up yet. The last time I looked at the clock, it was three, and Tess had come to bed naked, so I hadn’t shut my eyes until five. It was now seven, and someone was about to be killed.
“I know what will work.” I heard Fin run out of the room and race back in a few moments later. “Shhh,” he whispered loudly. “He’s like a lion. One wrong move, and whack!”
More footsteps came and went.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Denton warned, and I wanted to roll over to see what the fuck was going on, but I was too tired to bother, and I still hoped they would bugger off. I heard someone leave and relaxed a bit.
A warm, small hand slid over my shoulder. I froze momentarily but shook off the instant wave of hate that being touched brought as she moved to my chest. Slowly, she shifted onto the bed, and her hand found my erection. Every morning should be this way.
I rolled onto my back and let her lips travel down my chest to the waistband of my briefs. I lifted so she could pull them down. Again, her lips were on me, making their way down. My hands found her hair, and my eyes snapped open.
“What the fuck, Peggy?” I glared at Fin, who was in the doorway with Tess. They both looked confused, and Tess looked like she might murder both of us.
“What?” She smiled with wet lips and stared back at me. “You didn’t seem to mind.” She grabbed my erection and made me jump.
“You’re a ho, Peggy!” Fin screamed before he ran down the hallway and slammed the door.
Tess crossed her arms and shook her head as she kicked the door shut behind her. Peggy stayed on her knees on the bed while I fought to get up.
“First Tammy, now Peggy.” Fire blazed across her eyes. “She leaves, or I do.”
“The fuck you say, bitch.” Peggy wiggled to her feet and made her way over to Tess. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
I should have seen it coming. Tess had on her look.
She hauled back and drove the palm of her hand hard upward into Peggy’s nose and broke it.
The impact was powerful, and Peggy flew backward.
I allowed Tess to get a few kicks in, but when she grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled Peggy’s head back, I grabbed her around the waist and turned her away.
“Enough,” I hissed in her ear. “No more.”
“Let me go!” She bucked out of my arms and stuck a finger in my face. “I told you I don’t share.”
“Tess,” I sighed, annoyed at the situation, “I thought it was you.”
“If you can’t tell that tramp’s kiss from mine—”
“Excuse me?” Peggy stood, blood pouring from her nose. “I’ve been here for a shit longer than you, and you need to watch your back, little girl. No one does this to me and gets away with it.”
Tess went for her in a full-on charge. I held up a hand, but Tess ignored it. “Leave, Peggy.” I grabbed Tess before she could do more damage. “That’s enough, Tess.”
“Like you wouldn’t shoot someone if you found us in bed and someone was going down on me?”
It was like someone slugged me right in the center of my chest. I had to focus hard to keep a lid on my anger.
“Maybe we should test that theory.” Her eyes blazed.
“I’ll flip, and you won’t like it this time.” My chest heaved with the effort I was making to hold myself in.
She rushed toward me and shoved my shoulder, and it hit the wall. Her hand clamped down on my erection, and she glared into my eyes.
“Open your goddamn eyes, Trigger. It’s not like this was the first time.”
My head jolted back. I wasn’t aware she knew about the other times Peggy broke into my room.
“Yeah,” she paused, “there’s a lot I know.” She squeezed me harder, and I fucking liked it. “I will not be one of your fuck and chucks. If I find you in bed with another chick, I’m done. Last warning.”
I couldn’t help but grin as I grabbed her hand, twisted her arm, and pushed her up against the wall, pinning her with my hips. I cupped her neck, and my thumbs held her chin in place to look at me.
“You think I would let you leave?” I lowered my head and drank in her scent. My dick begged for a dip, but I knew I needed her to see she wasn’t like one of them.
“Then don’t give me a reason to.”
Something shifted inside. I dropped my hands and stepped back, confused by the feeling.
Her brows drew together, confused as well, then she looked down at herself and pretended to brush something off her shirt.
“I need to see Fin,” she muttered and headed for the door.
“Tess.” I struggled to find the right words.
“Don’t bother, Trigger.”
***
Tess
“As ordered.” Big Joe set a box on the bar top with a huff. “Shit’s heavy.”
“Tess,” Morgan tossed me his pocketknife, “stock the shelf.”
I felt sick. The knife slipped around my sweaty palm, and my mouth felt dry.
“You okay, Tiger?” Morgan came into my view.
“Yeah, sorry.” I shook off the haunted feeling.
Morgan waited a beat before he ripped the box open for me. “Just whiskey.”
I nodded and let out long breath as the thought of the rest of Jace’s body, possibly squashed into the box, faded from my head.
“You’ll get past that feeling,” Morgan muttered quietly.
>
“That’s what I hear.”
Trigger appeared, looking a little uneasy. His hands were at his sides, and his gaze shifted around the room.
“Morgan,” his head was down, looking at his phone, “let the guys know about Gus, but that they have the green light to keep killing.”
“Yeah, boss.”
“Tess,” he glanced up, “let’s go.”
“Where?” I pulled a bottle free and placed it on the top shelf, label out.
“I didn’t say.”
“Why not?” I pulled another from the box.
“Tess,” he warned, and I knew not to push. I shrugged at Morgan, who nodded for me to go.
To my surprise, we drove to the pier, parked in the normal spot with the bike hidden from view, and like once before, he took my shoes and tucked them into his saddlebag.
“Come,” he ordered and threaded a leather messenger bag over his shoulder. His huge hand engulfed mine, and I had to hurry to keep up with his strides.
I loved this place, especially at night when the sky was riddled with stars. Countless little flickers of light twinkled down on us, and the ocean reflected the moon’s bright belly. It wasn’t this clear very often, especially since we’d had so many storms lately. The clouds normally ruled the sky at night.
My eyes lit up when I saw the Ferris wheel was working again. I kind of hoped we were headed there, but he tugged me along underneath the pier and continued walking. The cool sand wedged its way between my toes and brushed over my ankles. I was enjoying the sensation when we came to a stop.
The lifeguard hut.
“What are we doing here?”
He tossed the bag then climbed up and reached down for me. He pulled me up effortlessly. My hands landed on his broad shoulders to stabilize my balance when he set me on my feet. I hopped up on the ledge to sit comfortably.
“This was where I knew.”
“Knew what?” I shifted back when he hopped up and joined me on the ledge. For someone so massive, he was shockingly agile.
He reached into his bag, lit a joint, and offered it to me to take the first hit. It hit hard, but it was more of a body high versus a head high. My muscles soon turned into goo, and I felt completely at ease.
