“Wanna bet?”
Chapter Fifteen
“Fred Graves is blackmailing her,” Luke said upon entering the study.
“You think?” Rex was standing at the large window overlooking the back lawn. His left hand supported his right elbow, and he stroked his chin. God, he was mad.
Brooding, too, Luke strolled across the large area rug and stood next to him. “This isn’t good.”
Rex didn’t face him. He focused on the staff as they worked to set up card tables and makeshift buffets, scurrying here or there to set up what promised to be an impressive last-minute picnic.
Rex wanted a perfect presentation, and everyone on the staff worked to make that happen. He’d wanted Lucy to feel as if he were capable of making her drivers feel at home there, something he realized would be important to Lucy.
Through the years, Rex kept up with Lucy. He’d read news clippings and watched documentaries, searching out drivers who might mention Lucy or her grandfather. He wasn’t necessarily interested in racing, but he’d invested a lot of time following Lucy’s career, determined to stay connected to her life.
“What’s he got on her?”
Luke cleared his throat.
“Don’t play me for a fool, Luke. She always confided in you. She’ll eventually tell me, but tomorrow may be too late.”
“He has pictures.” A beat later, he said, “And they’re pretty explicit.”
Rex clucked. “Damn. I knew it was going to be something like this.”
“They’re pretty bad, enough to hurt her with the racing commission.”
“How bad?” Rex asked, finally facing him.
Luke took a deep breath. “They were lovers.”
“I got that part, okay?”
“He was the one who reintroduced her to Domination and submission. They were active in the underground clubs in some of the major cities.”
“What?”
“I know, Rex. Believe me. I wanted to scold Lucy the second she told me, but you have no idea how hurt she is. She’s devastated. He’s been threatening to put the pictures on the internet for a long time.”
“And she’s what? Been paying him for his silence?”
“In so many ways,” Luke said, looking away.
“What are you trying to say? Is he making her sleep with him? Is that what he’s doing?”
Luke slowly nodded. “Sometimes he shows up for cash. Other times he shows up for sex. Still other days, he just takes her out to the clubs, some of the hot spots in Dallas, certain to pick major events those in the lifestyle frequent.”
Rex slammed his fist against the desk. “That bastard has a lot of nerve showing up here.”
“Lucy says he wouldn’t know about us. She said she never confided in him, even when they were seeing one another on a regular basis, and they never talked about past lovers.”
“How in the hell did she end up with someone like this creep?”
“He helped her out of a financial pinch when her grandfather was sick. Evidently, she made some accounting errors and discovered her bank account was overdrawn and didn’t want to go to her grandfather.”
“She could’ve come to us.”
“You know Lucy better than that. She had too much pride to call us up and ask for money. Besides, she’s always been sitting on a small fortune. You and I both know how that would’ve played out. You would’ve questioned her. She would’ve felt like you were butting in her business, and she—”
“Wouldn’t have gone to bed with a fucking loser!” A beat later, he added, “What the hell was she thinking?”
Lucy stormed in the room. “How dare you judge me, Rex McDavid.” Her voice was low, steady. “I’ve watched you parade one cheap tramp after another through these farm gates. I’ve heard the cries of pleasure from not just one or two women, but a multitude of women. I’ve stood by while common whores came through these doors while you’ve patted me on the head and promised me that one day my place would be in your bed. Well, that day came and went. You and Luke showed me something I couldn’t have and dangled your bad habits in front of me like a carrot.”
“And because we didn’t give it to you when and how you wanted, you what? Went out and found someone who would?” A second later, he added, “Real fucking smart, Lucy. Real bright indeed.”
“I didn’t have anywhere to turn!”
“Like hell you didn’t!” Rex shouted. “Maybe we weren’t together, but you know me. I would’ve walked through hell for you, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have asked me.”
“I couldn’t.”
“Why?” Rex asked.
“I just couldn’t.”
Tears streamed down her face. She pinched her nose and gasped. “I had too much pride. Okay? I had too much false pride!” A sniffle later and she choked out, “You of all people should understand something about that.”
Rex set his jaw. “Well, let me ask you something. If these pictures surface, how much pride will you have when the whole world gets a glimpse of that hot little body and pretty, precious pussy, huh? What then? Will you hold your head high? Hmm?”
She raised her hand to smack him but dropped her arm just as quickly. “I won’t stand here and listen to this.”
“You don’t need to hear what I have to say. That’s for sure.”
Luke rubbed his forehead. “Lucy, where were the pictures made?”
“I don’t know,” she replied, trying to regain some composure. “Some were at the Tidewaters in Padre Island. Others were from one of the lifestyle clubs in San Francisco. There are a lot of private pictures and videos, too.”
Rex was furious. What the hell had he done? Why couldn’t he turn back time and start over with Lucy? If he’d stood by her in the first place, none of this would’ve happened. Why had he been such a whore dog in his youth? He turned his back to them and glared outside again, noting the arrival of a vehicle he hadn’t seen before. “Come here, Lucy.”
She walked to the window.
Rex pointed at a black sedan. “Is that Graves?”
The door opened, and a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair stepped out. He turned toward the car, slammed the door, and stood in front of the glass adjusting his tie and slicking back his hair. When he turned around again, he fiddled with his dark sunglasses, pushing them up on the bridge of his nose.
“Never mind. I can spot an asshole a mile away. Luke, go ask the SOB if he’d like to join us for dinner.”
“Are you crazy?” Lucy screeched.
“Just a little,” Rex admitted. “Don’t worry. A little goes a long way when you’re dealing with a lunatic who needs to be taught a lesson.”
Chapter Sixteen
The courtyard was the perfect setting for such an occasion. Lucy’s employees made the most of the small area. The patio was the ideal spot for outdoor dining and spacious enough to accommodate several tables for a small group. Large barrels were placed at the four corners, each packed with an assortment of colas and beer.
Rex called in a favor and unveiled new banners for Mason Malone’s High Performance Group. Lucy was well pleased with the end result, boasting to Billy and a few other drivers about the new logo—a three-dimensional series of stock cars from the earliest models to modern-day designs.
Lucy hadn’t seen Fred yet, but felt certain, wherever he was hiding, he was a bundle of emotions. Fred didn’t like surprises, and when he wasn’t in control, his luck went to pot. She had that in her favor and reminded herself of the fact once more before stepping inside the country kitchen, alive with activity.
Rex and Luke hired two different caterers, and the teams worked well together. That alone reminded her of how her first connection with Fred Graves Racing had actually formed. She’d needed advice from one of the old timers, and the Graves family members were considered old school, well respected in the business.
What she didn’t know at the time was that Fred, the youngest of five Graves brothers, was the black sheep, the one G
raves brother rarely seen on the circuit. There was a reason for that. He had a vile temper, drank a lot, and prided himself on public scenes. He also had a lot of nasty habits, including a costly drug addiction which inevitably landed him in and out of rehab.
Lucy shivered when she thought about all the ways Fred might publicly humiliate her. She wasn’t sure she could stand the embarrassment.
“There you are,” Luke said, greeting her when she entered the kitchen. He was patting out hamburgers and lit up the kitchen with his easy smile.
“I thought you hired someone to handle the food.”
“Yes, but I make a mean hamburger. There’s a trick to this, ya know?”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. There’s only one way to make a burger.”
“Let me guess. It’s such a big family secret that you wouldn’t dream of letting one of the staff members prepare them.”
“I use a special concoction.”
Lucy eyed the seasonings on her counter—paprika, garlic, and onion powder, ground mustard, and black pepper. “Special recipe, huh?” She then noticed something peculiar—a hand of ginger.
“Shh,” he whispered, placing his finger over his lips. He grabbed a plastic bag, dropped cut bulbs of ginger slices inside, and zipped the top. “Put this in the freezer.”
“Luke McDavid, what are you up to?”
“Nothing, doll. I’m just trying to help a friend.”
“Is that what I am?” she asked, walking over to the refrigerator. Opening the top compartment, she placed the bag inside. She couldn’t help but wonder what these burgers would taste like if he planned to cover them in ginger.
He winked. “I like to think of us as buddies.”
“Uh-huh. And why is that?”
“Well, a bed friend doesn’t sound right.”
“We’re more than bed buddies, Luke.”
“You’re damn right,” he said, leaning over to kiss her lightly on the lips. “We’re lovers.”
The kitchen fell quiet with his confession. Several of the women smiled, a couple of the teenage girls giggled, and Luke proudly exclaimed, “What can I say? I want the world to know. I’m in love with this woman!”
A door slammed behind them. Lucy jerked, her gaze unable to settle on the tall man standing inches away from the chopping block. Her stomach was in knots and her palms, sweaty. She acknowledged the arrival of someone who could’ve easily been mistaken for Satan himself.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he rasped, sporting a wicked smile. He held his arms out and said, “Come here and give your man a hug.”
Luke bristled beside her. A voice in the background said, “He has some heavy balls coming in here and laying claims to Luke McDavid’s woman.”
Lucy’s eyes met Luke’s. He nodded once, apparently expecting her to embrace the sorry son of a bitch.
She took a few steps toward him, planning to hug him as instructed, but the screen door screeched open and slammed again. “Ah, Fred Graves. Just the man I was looking for,” Rex said, slapping him on the back.
“Do I know you?” Fred asked.
Rex stuck out his hand. “I’m Rex McDavid. Lucy’s fiancé.”
The house staff and caterers were thoroughly confused by his announcement. A few of the women rolled their eyes. One shook her head, and a couple placed their palms to their chest.
After Fred shook Rex’s hand, he said, “Would you mind if I’m the first to kiss your bride?”
Rex winked at Lucy. “Actually, I like to keep the kissing to a minimum. I have a germ phobia, and I’m scared to death I might catch something. I tell Lucy all the time, ‘don’t lie with dogs, because fleas are the least of your worries. You might get rabies if you find one without a collar.’”
Fred chuckled, a fake and forced laugh. “Collar, huh?”
“It’s an inside joke,” Rex told him, keeping his voice low. “We’re in the lifestyle.”
Fred froze next to him. “Lifestyle.”
“Alternative living,” Rex explained. “We can talk about that later. Right now, I’m more interested in discussing business. I’m taking over MMHPG this fall and trying to get acquainted with Lucy’s drivers and business partners. Lucy told me all about you, and I’m anxious to discuss some ideas. Maybe you and I can have a drink after dinner. I’ll show you around the property.”
Fred immediately turned to Lucy. “She’s told you all about me?”
“Everything I thought was relevant,” she said, implying she’d only shared what she must.
“That’s wonderful, darling,” Fred crooned, acting as if he’d never heard Rex’s mention of an engagement. “You and I still have some unfinished business as well.”
Rex slapped him squarely between the shoulder blades. “Leave the pretty woman alone, Graves. She has guests to entertain. You and I can get to know one another. Here,” he said, pushing open the door and waving his arm in front of it, “let’s wait outside and see if we can’t find you something cool to choke on.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Just a phrase us countryfolk use out here in the sticks,” Rex taunted him, reaching for the man’s tie. Giving the knot a quick tug, he said, “Loosen up, killer. The party is just beginning. We have a long night ahead.”
* * * *
“What the hell does he think he’s doing?” Lucy asked, rushing Luke the second Rex disappeared.
“He’s introducing Graves to the way we do things here in Tennessee.”
“By acting like he’s initiating him into the good old boys club?”
“Looks like it’s working,” Luke said, rinsing off a spatula and then waving the utensil off to the left.
Lucy peered over his shoulder, trying to see what was going on between the man she loved and the enemy she loathed. “Rex doesn’t know what he’s up against. Fred is cunning. He’s a rattlesnake waiting to strike.”
“Look at it this way,” Luke pointed out. “Rex will watch for him, and he’ll hear him coming. Fred, on the other hand, won’t know what hit him. Relax, Lucy. Rex has this covered. Some of the biggest crooks in the world are in the cattle business. We’ve gone up against the world’s worst. Fred is no match for Rex.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Luke hugged her. “Trust me.”
“Trust me, he says,” she muttered.
Luke stroked her back for a moment before releasing her. Then, he said, “Did your grandfather ever tell you about helping us out of a mess with some Wheeler feedlots right after our parents died?”
“I know he advised you a lot.”
“He was a trooper, your granddad,” Luke began. “And he worked his tail off to protect our assets after Mom and Dad were killed. Rex and I were just kids. We didn’t know anything about the cattle business or Texas feedlots. All we knew is that we lived in a big house, had more cattle and horses than anyone around, and that we were extremely rich. If your grandfather hadn’t stepped in, we’d be working at the carwash, scraping up pennies for scraps.”
“What happened?” Lucy asked, watching Luke situate the burgers on a large tray.
“Dad had about twenty thousand head of cattle in Wheeler. He was dealing with a crook, and he knew it. Mr. Malone was aware of the situation. Dad had gone to him for advice numerous times. Anyway, after my parents were killed, we received a letter from the feedlot owner detailing some made-up complications. The corn-fed cattle were dying off, at rapid speed.
“Needless to say, after the third letter came, Rex and Mrs. Carpenter were alarmed. They took the letters to Mr. Malone, and he flew to Texas with Rex. The facility housed about thirty-two thousand head, and it was at capacity. The bunks were read several times a day, so there were records supporting Mr. Malone’s suspicions. The majority of the cattle there belonged to my father. Mr. Malone obtained a court order, and when the cattle sold, we were paid. If it hadn’t been for your grandfather, we would’ve lost millions.”
“I never knew about that.”
Chapter Seventeen
Rex took a seat at the head table and looked out over the small group. The aroma of a good old-fashioned Southern cookout filled the courtyard, and while Rex was hungry, after he’d talked to Fred Graves, he’d lost his appetite.
After this was all over, Rex planned to spank Lucy’s ass raw for getting involved with such a common thug.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You doing okay, lover?”
“Yes,” she replied, smiling up at him.
His heart skipped a few beats, and he relaxed then, certain Lucy was strong enough to make it through the night. Rex nodded toward Luke, and Luke reached under the table. The little shit was probably fingering her while he ate.
Rex snickered. If so, he hoped Graves had a bird’s-eye view of what he was missing.
Taking a sip of his cola, he stood, deciding he could eat later. He might as well get this show on the road. They had a lot of tracks to cover.
“May I have your attention?” he asked, clanging a fork against his glass.
A rumble washed over the crowd and all eyes turned toward him. Rex had the floor.
“Please, make yourself right at home tonight. Our caterers prepared a wonderful meal on short notice. Let’s give them a hand.”
Everyone clapped.
Rex waited for the praise to end and then said, “Tonight, we have a lot of business to discuss. First and foremost, I want to talk to you about Lucy’s dream for MMHPG. Mason Malone’s High Performance Group is dedicated to its drivers and staff. Those of you who’ve been in the pits or behind the wheels of MMHPG cars understand Lucy’s goals. Most of you share her competitive nature which is why you’re here.
Acres, Natalie - Sex Drive [Country Roads 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 10
