Sons of Justice 6: A Painter Walks into an Irish Pub (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “Good morning.”

  “Morning, Thylane. How’s it going?”

  “Got a meeting with Soyer and my dad in about ten minutes or so.”

  “Eww, bet you’re looking forward to that,” she teased.

  “Yeah, and this potential friend of his who may have work for me or something. I don’t know. I’ll hear him out. I need more paint time, you know?”

  “I hear ya. Well, you never know what job or art piece will get you into the spotlight. I’ll make it quick why I’m calling. I heard about this new store going up in Repose around where your friends live and where you hang out. It’s supposed to be some sort of bookstore and café. “

  “Oh yes, that’s my friend Bo’s new place. They’re renovating this old historic building.”

  “So you know her then?”

  “Yup. Why? What’s up?”

  Her cousin was quiet a moment, and Thylane knew Lauren had changed so much after the abuse, the attack, her heart being broken by Logan and Connor. She didn’t trust anyone and actually had really closed up.

  “Do you know if she’s going to have a café and bakery with like fresh goods, a kitchen, or anything?”

  Thylane knew what she was getting at.

  “Oh my God, I didn’t even think about this until now. I mean she has weeks before she’ll open the place. There’s still so much to do, but a lot of people are helping her. I can ask if she’s looking to hire someone. I think she was planning on handling things solo just because she’s starting out and has a small amount of money saved and set aside to run the place until she makes money.”

  “Oh.”

  “Hey, I’m not sure. If you’re interest in baking there and selling your stuff, it could work out for both of you. Your desserts are becoming pretty famous around here.”

  “I was just thinking that if I had a spot, you know, one place where people associated my baking and getting directly from me then it could work out.”

  “It’s a great idea.” Thylane glanced at her watch. “Listen, I have this meeting. Let me handle this and then call Bo and see what she says. Maybe you can bake some different things up, and we can go visit and talk with her.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, definitely.

  “Thanks so much. I need to start getting out there more and not being so scared.”

  “You’re doing great. It takes time, honey.”

  “You’re so much stronger than I am.”

  “No, that isn’t true. We’re both strong. We’re both survivors. Listen, I’ll call you as soon as I’m done here.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Thylane, as always.”

  “No thanks. We’re family, remember?”

  “Yes. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  She ended the call and quickly texted Bo letting her know that she needed to talk to her but had a meeting. She would call her as soon as she was done. She headed out of her office and to the main greeting area before the meeting room. Sure enough there stood Charlie Soyer. It was a shame his personality couldn’t match his good looks. The man was attractive, debonair, a bit showy in his custom suit, and she swore that when he smiled his super professionally whitened teeth sparkled.

  His eyes swept over her body, and she felt nothing. Unlike Celia, the office secretary who was currently gazing at the man with lust in her eyes. He didn’t look at her twice. Instead, he greeted Thylane with a kiss to her cheek hello and a glace down the V of her dress to see her deep cleavage. He licked his lower lip, gave her a wink, and stepped back.

  “So good to see you again, Thylane. Can’t wait to talk business with my favorite artist.”

  Her father cleared his throat and motioned with his hand. “Right this way, Charlie.”

  They walked into the meeting room, Celia hurrying to ask Charlie if he would like coffee, tea, or water, and he declined. His eyes remained on Thylane, and he took the seat next to her. She turned, letting her chair roll sideways, and faced him as she crossed her legs.

  “So I understand that you would like to expand on certain aspects of advertising for your products. Are you happy with one form more than another? Like perhaps radio or print ads?”

  She was trying to keep this all business. But he glanced at her crossed legs and then into her eyes.

  “Thylane, I love what you and your father have been doing thus far. I definitely would like to expand my television ads, as the business is taking off. I would also like more Internet promotion, too. Perhaps we could discuss that a little, and then I would like to set something up for you to meet an associate of mine. He is looking for an artist, someone special to create a graphic design at his restaurant and pub about forty minutes from here.”

  She cringed, and he read her expression.

  “I won’t let you turn this down. It’s an incredible opportunity, and he is willing to pay for your time and for your travel. He will make it worth your while. He can be quite generous when he likes the people who work for him.”

  “Where is it?”

  “About five miles past Cadenville.”

  “That’s more like an hour’s drive from here.”

  “Please, take the opportunity to meet with Mitchim Foley,” he pushed.

  She glanced at her father, who gave her a nod. “Okay, Charlie. I’ll meet with him.”

  Charlie smiled and then slid her a piece of paper. “This is his name, address, and cell phone number. He’ll be expecting your visit this week. Call him today to arrange a time.”

  Then they continued their meeting.

  An hour later Thylane stared at the piece of paper and debated about calling. Once she got this Mitchim Foley on the phone and he sounded older, and then mentioned the Saggamore Gallery and his connections, she started to get excited. The Saggamore Gallery was famous and only presented the top-notch artists in the area as well as throughout the United States. When artists got their work showcased there, the majority had better chances of becoming famous and making it big time.

  She scheduled a meeting at his restaurant three blocks away from the Saggamore for tomorrow afternoon. Suddenly she was feeling like maybe this meeting she wanted to blow off could actually open up doors for her art career and getting noticed. A smile formed on her lips, and she tapped her pen against her lower one. Things were going to change after today. She just had this feeling as enthusiasm began to simmer.

  She thought about her cousin Lauren, and that uneasy, sad feeling hit her hard. She needed to help Lauren to move on from the past, from the abuse, and the effects of the danger they’d both sustained. She wanted her to be happy, too. To chase her dreams, the one thing that encouraged Lauren to get up every day and embrace it as a gift. Her baking. She was good at it, and meticulous in her designs, her recipes, and presentation. It wasn’t like anything Thylane had seen before even in some of the upscale cafés in other parts of the country. She had to help her.

  Thylane picked up her cell phone and called Bo. As soon as she answered, Thylane could hear the noises in the background. Things banging and music playing.

  She had to be at the soon-to-be café helping with the construction.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Bo asked.

  “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No, I’m just helping on the site. We’re moving things along, and I’m hoping to start painting this week.”

  “That’s great news. They really are moving quickly.”

  “Thanks to some men, Thor and Bubba, and I know. I’m not really supposed to be here right now, but I can’t seem to stay away.”

  “I’m sure you’re super excited.”

  “And stressed. I’m trying to figure out the boards and posting up what I plan on selling, but my mind is crazy with book orders and other businesses contacting me wanting to advertise here, sell their coffee, their coffee machines, even the paper goods.”

  “Wow, that’s crazy.”

  “Crazy but good. I’ve negotiated to get a lot of things for free to t
ry them out first, and then I’ll negotiate the prices. I have to be so careful not to overspend, yet I still want the grand opening in few weeks to be perfect.”

  “Completely understandable. Hey, listen, I’m not sure about your plans for the café, for baking things or bringing them in.”

  “I’ve got so many places calling now offering to deliver out here. The guys are starting to lose it with taste-testing everything.” She laughed, and so did Thylane.

  “Oh, so do you think you’re going to order everything in then?”

  “Well, I have to focus on running things, plus the register if I actually get customers.”

  Thylane laughed. “You’ll get customers. It’s going to be awesome, and there isn’t anything like your place anywhere around. Maybe I have a potential solution to help with the baked goods, running the kitchen and things.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My cousin Lauren found out about your place opening up. She currently bakes her own desserts, cupcakes, pastries, and things from home. She went through something traumatic not too long ago and is trying to get her life back together and be more confident. She’s kind of shy, but determined, and her baking is so good and—”

  “Send her over with stuff,” Bo interrupted.

  “Bo, you didn’t even let me explain about her and an opportunity.”

  “You don’t need to. She’s your cousin, she’s looking for work, and if you say she’s a good person and that her baking is awesome, then send her over here. Give her my cell to tell me what time she’ll stop by.”

  Thylane choked on her words. The tears stung her eyes.

  “Don’t you get all emotional on me, girl. We’re family, not just friends. All of us. We, women, need to stick together. I don’t need to know what traumatic thing she went through. You say she needs work and this baking to move on, then send her here. I’ll consider her.”

  “Thank you so much, Bo. Listen, if for some strange reason you don’t like her baking or don’t feel compelled to hire her, I understand. Don’t do it just for me.”

  “Hey, are you trying to talk me out of it now that you told me about her?” And then she laughed. So did Thylane.

  “Thanks, Bo.”

  “No problem. I need to go, got a lot to accomplish right now.”

  “Okay, good luck and let me know how it works out.”

  “You got it.”

  Thylane leaned back and exhaled. Family? Bo referred to her as family. Funny, but since meeting all the women, being around all of them as they found love or went through dangerous events in their lives, she felt so close to them and did think of them as family, too. That was why she loved Repose so much. Maybe her sister could feel that love, that sense of family and friendship she could trust, too, being around Thylane’s friends in Repose. Maybe.

  She called her cousin immediately. Lauren answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Start figuring out what things you want to show off to Bo. She’s interested in meeting you and trying some of your baked goods.”

  “Seriously, Thylane?”

  “Yes, but I want you to know that competition is high. She had other places offering free products and delivery right to the place, so make sure you pick some things that would do well at a café and book store and give her a call to set something up. I can go with you if you want.”

  “Thank you so much, Thylane. I think I need to do this myself. She sounds nice from what you’ve said about her in the past. Maybe this will work out.”

  “I have a feeling you’re going to love the location, meeting Bo and the whole town of Repose. Let me know when you make the plans to meet.”

  “I will. God, what do you think I should make? I didn’t even know where to start.”

  Thylane chuckled. “I’m sure my dad and I can come up with some favorites.”

  Lauren chuckled.

  “You’re easy. Anything chocolate and you’re in heaven, Thylane.”

  “Hey, chocolate is a necessity in life.”

  Lauren laughed, and so did Thylane. Today was turning into a good day. That meant the night might not be so rough as on those bad days. She smiled and listened to Lauren ramble off one delicious idea after the next, and Thylane smiled, feeling her cousin’s excitement through the phone. Nothing in life came easy. The best things were worth fighting for indeed.

  * * * *

  “How is this a job for Sons of Justice?” Finlin asked Spartan.

  Spartan glanced at Cesar. “The men involved in this organization aren’t exactly typical. In fact, the last two undercover investigators who were spying on them suddenly disappeared. No bodies. No indication that they were taken. They vanished, and all the feds had them doing was some surveillance. Just watching who was coming and going or who was meeting who. These agents in charge didn’t really seem to think too much of the fact they lost two men, which makes all of us, and this special unit, who lost two of their own, to be distrustful. We figured the only way to feel like the right things were being done to bring justice to these men’s families was to send in one of our own. But a regular undercover detective or even typical soldier isn’t good enough. We needed the best. Someone who could handle any given situation and know was how to blend in, overcome, and adapt to any given scenario.”

  “Sounds like risky business,” Finlin said, but he knew this was what he did. The dangerous shit. The jobs no one else wanted because pretty much from the start it was apparent that he could die. He thought of his team, and of all of them, he was the most experienced and daring for this particular job. Unlike some of the other men, he and his team were single, not attached to anyone, and they lived to serve their country and to take down terrorists and other evil assholes.

  “I know it’s risky, but you’re military, hell, beyond military, Finlin. You’ll know how to remain undetected, and if for some reason your cover is blown, then you know how to get the hell out of there or, if need be, take out anyone trying to kill you. You’ll also be in disguise, so no one will be able to tell who you really are. Once you identify the man we’re looking for, you call it in and then disappear. We take care of the rest, and get in there, raid the place, and get this scum bag into custody,” Cesar told him.

  “Nothing ever goes that smoothly. I want every detail you’ve got on this. I’m not going in as a shadow unless I have everything. What exactly is this guy wanted for?” Finlin asked.

  “The list is long, but at the top would be the murder of seven federal agents, four undercover state police investigators, and one deputy who was part of my team. This particular individual is heartless and would think nothing of wiping out anyone around him to evade capture. That’s why we’re hoping to catch him in a more private setting, perhaps with a few friends or associates around or even in bed with some woman. Like I said, though, the agents get identified quickly. This is not going to be easy, Finlin, and it is high risk. I’ll understand if you don’t want to do it. The feds are backing down for a spell and haven’t decided about sending someone else in. They agree they need someone with military experience.”

  “Finlin is the most qualified. Finlin has always been able to slip in and out of areas like a ghost. One second he’s there and the next, gone,” Spartan said to Cesar.

  “It’s completely your call,” John said to Finlin.

  “I want everything you have on this guy, this case, and what you’re looking to get from him. Where he was last seen and what damage he is capable of doing. Any associates or friends, anyone he trusts, or any woman he sees on a regular basis. I’ll need to know how much power I have, like if I can take him out, do I do it in case the feds can’t get there to sweep him up? I will take a shot if it means my life or his.”

  Cesar’s cell phone went off. He glanced at it as he handed over a folder with information. “I need to take this.”

  Cesar answered the call. Finlin glanced at the file and what the man looked like. His target. Not what he expected. He was attractive, well groomed, look
ed wealthy and capable, but then he was drawn to his eyes. Dark, evil, squinting, and his gut reacted.

  “He has multiple passports and can get in and out of the country. The man does disguises well, Finlin,” Spartan said to him.

  “Send me what you got. I can’t believe this. How the hell does this monster stay undetected like this and commit this type of crime?” Cesar said with one hand on his holster and the other holding the phone as he paced.

  “Okay. Send it.” He ended the call and looked at Spartan.

  “Bring up the email London just sent us. This fucking guy just took out four businessmen and left a bloody mess behind him,” Cesar said.

  “How do you know it was him?” John asked as he pulled up the email. Finlin stood up as John widened his eyes and then looked at Finlin showing him some pictures of the crime scene.

  “His signature method of killing,” Cesar said as they saw the bloody machete lying on the rug next to the massacred bodies.

  Chapter One

  Thylane Mosely was a little bit nervous as she pulled into the side parking lot of Foley’s Restaurant and Pub. It appeared as an upscale establishment with glorified woodwork and wrought-iron bars along the windows as well as the double door entrance. Upscale, yet pub like. She didn’t know what to expect as she entered through the front doors pre-lunchtime. Irish music filled the air, adding to the authenticity of the pub and making her feel like she entered a whole new world. There were three men at the bar. Otherwise, the place was empty but gave her a clear feel for the place. The Irish music provided an instant setting for the pub and restaurant. Add in the custom wood, authentic memorabilia on the walls, and the one bartender with shamrocks on his vest, and, yeah, this was an Irish bar and then some.

  There was upscale art throughout the main area, which surprised her. The intricate gold detailing around the edges of the art work was unique and added old world charm, while the feel of the pub was real masculine and inviting. This was no hole-in-the-wall bar. It was nice, and she liked it. She was drawn to the various memorabilia from Ireland, including an authentic set of bagpipes on the wall and weaponry of centuries past. One particular wall that led to a hallway was bare aside from one lone picture of a robust man in a suit with a very intense facial expression.