Twisted Lies 4 (Dirty Secrets)

by Sedona Venez

  Fuck my life.

  I sighed heavily.

  She grabbed my hand. “Core, stop worrying. It will be all right.” She finished with a squeeze of my fingers before releasing them.

  I growled menacingly, incensed that she was putting herself in unnecessary danger. “This is utter bullshit!” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself. “I can’t focus on this mission and you at the same time.” I was mad as hell, and it was making me act out emotionally instead of logically.

  She stopped in her tracks, turning to stand in front of me. “Then don’t.” She countered. “I can take care of myself. Focus on taking down Bigsby.”

  “That shit is easier said than done.”

  “Core”—she reached up, touching a hand to my chest—“we’re going to be all right. Everything I need is standing in front of me. Through the ups and downs, baby, I’m going to stick around.” Leaning up, she pressed her lips against mine.

  Damn, I never want to let this woman go.

  I leaned into her body, sucking her tongue into my mouth. The nagging fear of losing her like Maya threatened to drown me. Her tongue slid around the tip of mine and then rubbed under it. I gave her one last swipe of my tongue before I retreated, bit her lower lip, and then pulled my mouth away from her, keeping my hands on her face. I inhaled deeply, smelling her sweet scent lingering all over me.

  “I promise we will be all right,” she insisted. “Now let’s go.”

  I released her, reluctantly stepping back.

  She grabbed my hand, and we continued toward my war room.

  I shook my head to clear my mind. I needed to focus. The sooner we could launch our attack on Bigsby, the sooner I could get Sin back to my penthouse, safe and sound.

  We stepped into the war room, and I glanced around, taking stock of my team. Ram, Max, Rocco, and Kevin were gathered around a mini mockup of the warehouse and the surrounding area. Zuri was walking around the room with her cell pressed against her ear.

  Sin assessed the team. “Wow. You guys are not fucking around. Y’all are ready for war.”

  And we were, including Zuri. They were geared up for battle in our standard uniform—black tactical clothing with a sidearm attached to their legs and black combat boots.

  The guys’ bodies tensed with their eyes locked on Sin.

  And here we go…

  I ran a hand through my hair, hoping I didn’t look as stressed out as I was feeling.

  Before I’d left the penthouse, I’d told my team that Sin was coming with us. They weren’t happy about the idea—just like me—but we’d quickly adjusted our strategy to factor in her presence, protecting her at all costs.

  Zuri ended her call, striding over to Sin and pulling her aside. Their conversation was animated but in low tones.

  Shifting my attention, I stared at the myriad of monitors that hummed with energy. Pacing back and forth, I narrowed my eyes on the streaming aerial images of the warehouse area where we were scheduled to meet Bigsby tonight.

  In my peripheral vision, I saw Sin sway to the center of the room with Zuri trailing behind her.

  “Let’s clear the air, shall we?” Sin started.

  Everyone around her—except Zuri and me—stiffened, and an uncomfortable hush fell over the room.

  “From the look on everyone’s faces”—she glared pointedly at Kevin, Ram, Rocco, and Max—“I can tell no one is happy I’m going with you tonight.”

  “I am.” Zuri raised her hand like she was in school.

  Sin smirked. “Besides you, Zuri.”

  Zuri air-high-fived her. “I’ve got your back, girl.”

  “Now,” Sin replied.

  “What?” Zuri pouted. “But you just said that you and I were cool… and we’re starting with a clean slate as of tonight.”

  Sin pursed her lips. “We are, but I want everyone in this damn room to be absolutely clear that there will be no more lies or omitting info, and there will be no putting Baby”—she pointed to herself—“in the damn corner. I’m all in with Core and everything that shit entails.”

  She didn’t even flinch under their scrutiny; she boldly met their hard stares. And it occurred to me that it was very possible I’d found someone who could outstare all of us. Sin was a force to be reckoned with, and she was obviously not going to take any shit from my team.

  “Preach, sista,” Zuri chirped, throwing her hands up like she was in church.

  Kevin, Ram, Rocco, and Max frowned at Zuri.

  Ram snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Just what we need… another member of the I Heart Sin Club.”

  Zuri rolled her eyes at him before retorting, “Whatever.”

  Sin turned to Zuri. “I’m loving your support, but you’re stealing the thunder from my epic vagina monologue. So hit the mute button.” She ended with a smile, eyes glimmering.

  Zuri gave her a wide grin with a thumbs-up.

  Sin eyed my men. “Anyway, like I was just saying… You might not be thrilled that I’m coming along.” She jammed a hand on her curvy hip. “But I am, so just suck it up.”

  I smiled, feeling some of the tension leave me. Damn, I loved her feistiness.

  Max finally did something other than scowl; a faint smile brushed his lips. “Well, look at that… Sweet cheeks ain’t afraid of the big, bad alphas.”

  Ram quipped, “She has balls of steel for sure.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I like that.”

  Kevin tilted his head as he considered her. His expression clearly relayed his conclusion about Sin. She was a science experiment gone wrong.

  A muscle twitched beneath Rocco’s left eye. He was annoyed, but he remained silent.

  Sin continued. “Look, I’m not planning on getting in the way or doing something stupid like pretend I’m Lara Croft or some shit.” She glanced around. “But I have a right to be at that meeting, given what Bigsby has done to my family and me. I have to be there to see him get his due justice. So just tell me what you need me to do, and I’ll do it, no questions asked. But I’m going with my man.” She nodded at me.

  The corners of my lips lifted into a smile.

  Damn, how fucking lucky am I to have Sin, who is everything I need and a force to be reckoned with?

  Now all I could think about was fucking her so hard she would taste my cock in the back of her throat.

  I was proud of her for not cowering in a room full of alpha personalities. I loved it. She was the special woman in my life and here to stay, so it was important for her to assert her place, by my side as alpha female, among the team. Especially since she’d be seeing them a lot because, despite the fact that each team member had their own luxury apartment, it never failed that command central was always at my penthouse. I didn’t know how, but over the years, our living quarters had turned into a quasi fraternity house with the one elevator giving us unlimited access to each other’s space. Our living situation worked because none of us had a significant other in our lives—until me.

  Kevin replied, “We’ve already got your security covered, Sin. You’ll be with Zuri and me in the surveillance van.” His lips kinked into a smile.

  “Got it,” Sin replied. “And nice to finally put a face to the voice, Kevin.” Her lips twisted into a smirk.

  Kevin and Sin had interacted in the past when he contacted her—at my request—about taking care of all her business financial matters, including providing the money to continue her line.

  “So I’ve met the rest of you.” Sin confirmed. She turned to stare at Ram. “And we’ve met twice. The first time at Core’s office. The second when you were Core’s sidekick at the gala.”

  Ram retorted, “You forgot to add sexy before sidekick.” He gave her a salacious smile.

  “Cocky much?” Sin countered with an arched brow.

  “Just saying… the ladies love me,” Ram answered. A smile spread over his face, brightening his eyes and his voice.

  Zuri rolled her eyes heavenward. “So says the king of dirty hook-ups
.” She pointed at Ram. “He’s our resident man-whore.”

  “I’m just spreading love.” Ram countered with a suggestive pelvic thrust.

  Kevin mumbled, “I hope that’s all you’re spreading.”

  Ram punched him in the shoulder. “Shut the fuck up.”

  Sin snorted. “Anyhoo, moving on… So Max and Rocco.” Tilting her head in quiet consideration, she studied them. “We first met at Bigsby’s fundraiser gala.”

  Max answered, “Where you threatened to kick our ass… which was the single most thrilling moment of that whole damn boring night.”

  “What can I say? I’m a very bad girl.” Sin batted her eyelashes, almost comically. “But that will teach you not to fuck with a woman not afraid to street fight in a couture dress and stilettos.” Sin countered, ending with a grin at Rocco.

  Rocco scowled before his muscular forearms crossed in front of him while he stared pointedly at Sin.

  Sin quirked a brow in his direction. “Well… ain’t you the chatty one?”

  Rocco grunted before running a hand over his blond five-o’clock shadow.

  “Lovely… another one who loves to grunt like a caveman.” She shot me a look.

  I felt my mouth twitch into a smile. “Yep. And for fun, my team and I like to knock stones together to make fire.”

  Sighing in exasperation, Sin perked her lips into a half smile. “Smartass.”

  “I don’t have time for this shit,” Rocco muttered before making his way over to the monitors.

  Zuri jabbed a finger at Rocco. “See? He talks.”

  “Uh-huh,” Sin replied with an eye roll. “Anyway, now that we’re all cool with shit, I’ll let you all do your mission prep thingy.” She took a seat next to Kevin, who seemed to considerably warm up to her when she pointed at his screen, saying, “Wow! Cool graphics.”

  With eyes spanning the team, I asked, “What’s been done so far?”

  Ram responded first. “I’ve done the radio communications in and around the warehouse perimeter, and snipers, Max and Rocco, will be positioned in the vulnerable areas.”

  “We’re ready,” Rocco and Max replied in unison before opening their arsenal supply, a weapons closet. High-tech weapons were anchored to the walls, and shelves were full of stacked cash.

  Rocco smiled like a kid in a candy shop as he pulled out the weapons and quickly checked them before handing one to Zuri.

  Sin stared, slack-jawed, as Zuri proficiently checked the gun.

  Zuri was a gun expert even though you’d never know it by looking at her. She was graceful, beautiful, and feminine. People outside our circle thought she was just my pretty eye candy personal assistant, but she was way more. Zuri was an integral part of my team. She was tough as nails and could hang with the boys with ease. Once she’d joined the team, knowing how to handle a weapon was mandatory—as it would be for Sin after I warmed her up to the idea—because of the enemies we’d made over the years. So being ready to protect ourselves was top priority.

  Kevin glanced up from his laptop. “I checked the perimeter with the drone,” he disclosed. “We’re good to go.”

  “I want this mission tight and everyone on their game,” I added gruffly. “When Ram and I step into the warehouse to meet Bigsby, I’m expecting an ambush, but we’ll be ready to handle it. But just in case something goes wrong, our body cameras will record everything.”

  This wasn’t our first mission; my team was professional and specialists, and we all knew the drill. We might not make it out alive. But I’d never had something so precious at stake… Sin.

  “Knowing Bigsby, there’ll be plenty of firepower on both sides. Does anyone have any questions before we head out?”

  Everyone responded in unison, “No.”

  Max and Rocco barked, “Hooah!”

  I saw Sin’s flushed expression. She was worried. I could see right through her anxieties.

  We all marched out of the war room, silently getting into the elevator. Quiet prevailed on the ride down as we mentally prepared for our dangerous battle. Without pause, we quickly slid out of the elevator—private garage level—moving toward the waiting military-style vehicles.

  I pulled Sin aside, brushing a few stray strands of hair off her forehead. “Don’t leave Kevin’s and Zuri’s side, no matter what you see or hear on the live video feed to the surveillance van. Okay?” My chest constricted at the thought of ever losing her.

  She nodded. “Got it. And you be safe, McKay. I need you back alive.”

  Lifting up on her toes, she kissed me hard on the lips. My fingers pushed through her hair as I devoured her mouth with sweeping strokes of my tongue, slow and deep, needing the comfort of her taste and touch. I kissed her neck, her chin, and her cheek as the recollections of Mom’s and Maya’s deaths echoed through my mind. Memories of fire engulfing my SUV, taking Maya with it… the moments frozen in time of the gun being pressed against Mom’s head. Tragic events that had shattered my world into a million pieces, leaving me emotionally vacant until Sin came into my life, making me want to move on from the past and build a future with her.

  My family—Max, Ram, Rocco, Zuri, and Kevin—and business gave me direction. But Sin… she gave me purpose. And I would fight tooth and nail to protect her and our future together.

  I stepped back and then escorted her over to the van where Kevin and Zuri were waiting. Once she was safely inside, I slipped into killer mode. Ram, Rocco, Max, and I loaded the vehicles with black crates filled with weapons. When we were done, I pulled on my body armor, black baseball cap, and mirrored sunglasses.

  I nodded as we all piled into the vehicles with grim faces.

  “Let’s roll,” I snapped.

  I POWERED THE MILITARY-STYLE VEHICLE around the corner, gathering speed toward the warehouse. Rocco and Max had already driven off to secure their sniper positions. Kevin, Zuri, and Sin were parked on the perimeter of the warehouse but out of sight.

  I dropped a gear and floored it right inside the large warehouse filled with forklifts, cranes, and various forms of heavy machinery.

  After sharply hitting the brakes and throwing the truck into park, I grabbed the ledger and the thumb drive with the recording of Bigsby’s confession and jumped out of the vehicle. With Ram following, I stalked toward the black SUV parked in the middle of the warehouse. We stopped midway, assessing as much as we could of the vehicle with tinted windows. We then panned the area with our eyes for any of Bigsby’s people hiding in the wings.

  “You seeing this, Kevin?” I asked, just checking that Ram’s and my body cameras were sending the video and audio feed as they should.

  “Yes.” Kevin’s answer echoed in the hidden earpiece receiver I was wearing. “Scanning for body heat signatures in the warehouse. I only see two at this time, and they’re in that black vehicle in front of you.”

  I replied, “I need you to keep it tight and stay alert. This could be an ambush.”

  “I’ll be scanning for any other radio transmissions or heat signatures,” Kevin announced.

  “You’re on it,” I answered. “Out.”

  The driver’s door to the parked vehicle opened, and Bigsby hopped out, followed by what looked like his bodyguard.

  “McKay,” Bigsby greeted.

  I deliberately said nothing, letting the cooling sound of silence speak volumes.

  The chunky gold ring on Bigsby’s middle finger glinted as he nervously adjusted his cuff. The ring was the stark reminder that this man standing before me was a cold-blooded killer… the man who had murdered my mother. I shoved down the rage that threatened to surge through my body. I needed to stay calm… collected… keep my emotions from spurring me to make fucked-up decisions that could jeopardize this mission and my team’s lives.

  “You’re late,” Bigsby snapped.

  “I’m here.” I countered, walking toward him and his bodyguard with Ram at my side. “So let’s make this quick. I’ve got things to do.” My lips flattened when we stopped mere inches from
him.

  Ram crossed his arms, widening his stance, as both he and the bodyguard silently sized each other up. Ram could easily take him—with or without having to use his weapon.

  I studied Bigsby for a few minutes.

  Bigsby shifted uneasily. “Before you pulled up, my men informed me that a van just parked on the edge of this property.” He tilted his head. “More backup?” His eyes flicked to Ram.

  I kept my face neutral, but I knew from his statement that he had eyes outside, watching our moves. Hopefully, the guys had picked up that detail on the audio.

  “Are we going to do this exchange or what, Bigsby?” I replied in a sharp tone.

  “You’re one impatient fucker.” Bigsby’s jaw tightened.

  “I’m just cutting to the chase.” I countered tonelessly.

  The vein along Bigsby’s jaw pulsed rapidly. “Fine. Let’s get this business done. Once I have what I came for, my dealings with you and Sin are finished.”

  I handed him the ledger and thumb drive. Bigsby accepted the items and then turned to walk away.

  He skidded to a stop, turning to glare at me. “Did you make any copies of these items, McKay?”

  “I won’t need it,” I replied. “Because our business is not finished.” I pulled out the trophy gun I’d retrieved from Bigsby’s safe after ransacking his home, looking for anything and everything to bring him down.

  Bigsby’s mouth flopped open and then closed. “What the hell are you doing with my gun?”

  The bodyguard reached behind him, pulling out a 9mm handgun from his waistband, but Ram drew his weapon first, aiming at the man.

  “Drop the gun or make my day,” Ram hissed.