Strike (Gentry Generations)

by Cora Brent

  I was incredulous. “That’s the only thing you feel bad about? Jesus, Griffin, what the hell else are you and your family wrapped up in? Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about those Russian mafia investors you were entertaining around here last month. Now you’re up to your neck with a slimy politician who seems all too eager to make people disappear. What would have happened to Carmen if she hadn’t gone willingly? What could happen to the next reporter who digs up some dirt on that guy?”

  He nodded. “You’re worried about your girlfriend.”

  “And should I be worried about my girlfriend?” I asked in a low, deadly voice. My fists were clenched at my side. God help Griffin Sullivan if he gave the wrong answer. “Tell me, Griffin. Do you know a reason why I ought to be worried about my girlfriend?”

  He sighed. “Let’s just say it would be better if she kept her mouth shut.”

  A low, involuntary growl emerged from my throat. “You piece of shit, if you or any of your thugs go near her I will rip your fucking kidneys out.”

  Griffin’s head snapped up and he closed the distance between us. When he was mere inches away he looked me straight in the eye but there was no menace there, only an appeal. “For god’s sake, Dalton, I’m not evil. But you don’t imagine that I have any control over what these fucking people are capable of, do you?”

  And then I understood.

  Griffin wouldn’t hurt Cami. But he was warning me that others might.

  “You should go,” I told him.

  There were other things to talk about, such as the fact that I was leaving this entire place behind and he’d be stuck finding another manager for Aqua Room but this wasn’t the time to get into that. I needed to figure out how I was going to convince Cami to forget about going after Anders. Of course I despised the guy and his scandalous political sphere but I wasn’t going to risk Cami’s safety in order to see him ruined the way he deserved to be.

  “I’m sorry about all this, Dalton,” Griffin told me on his way out. I believed him. But I didn’t know if that would be enough to give him the courage to push back against the dangerously powerful people who inhabited his world.

  After I got out of the shower I made a call. There was no one available at the apartment leasing office yet but I left a voicemail saying I was interested in a long term lease on the first available unit.

  The spa wasn’t yet open for the day and Cami’s car wasn’t in the parking lot. I tossed around the idea of texting a warning to her because she likely wouldn’t suspect she’d already been fired. I hated the idea that she was about to be blindsided. But she deserved to hear the news in person and so I knocked on the locked glass door, figuring Eleanor would probably be there already.

  Her usually placid face was grim when she saw me and I knew she’d already been ordered to fire Cami this morning.

  “She’s not here yet,” Eleanor told me, opening the door. “But I heard corporate’s version of what happened.”

  “I figured.”

  She twisted her hands together. “This is all terrible. Such destructive karma.”

  I didn’t know much about karma. All I knew is that this whole thing sucked.

  “Can I have a few minutes alone with her?” I asked. “The blow might land a little more softly if it’s coming from me.”

  Eleanor nodded and I thought she was probably relieved to surrender this particular task. “Of course. I’ll be in the storeroom, taking inventory of the essential oils. You are free to use my office.”

  “I appreciate it,” I said.

  Eleanor gave me a wistful look. “I really did like having Cami work for me. She’s a very intelligent, kindhearted young woman.”

  “Yes, she is,” I agreed and went out front to wait for Cami’s arrival.

  She was right on time today. Even before she turned off the ignition I could see she was smiling, happy to see me in spite of last night’s tension.

  “Hey you,” she said, beaming but approaching a little shyly.

  I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, a shadow that emerged briefly and disappeared around the corner.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” I said and took her hand. “Let’s go inside.”

  Cami was confused when I steered her past her desk. One of her coworkers emerged with a cup of coffee in hand. Cami greeted her by the name Holly and the woman looked at us quizzically but said nothing as we proceeded down the hall to Eleanor’s office.

  “Am I in trouble, sir?” she asked when I closed the door and even though the question was lighthearted it was obvious she was beginning to wonder.

  I sat on the edge of Eleanor’s wide desk and started with the good news. “Carmen Carerra is fine. She’s been living it up at some resort in Mexico this entire time.”

  Cami stared. “I don’t understand.”

  “She was getting under Anders’s skin, threatening to write an article about the fact that he’d been taking bribes. So he offered her a generous financial compensation package and a ticket out of the country if she would keep quiet.”

  “How do you know this, Dalton?”

  “How do you think? Griffin told me.”

  Her expression immediately grew doubtful. I held up a hand.

  “Look, I know you think he’s sketchy and I don’t blame you but he says he’s talked to her, even offered to hand over her phone number if I wanted to do the same. I guess Ms. Carerra has a taste for mystery and she skipped town with no forwarding address because that’s the way she wanted it.”

  Cami didn’t look completely convinced but she was getting there. “And what about Anders?”

  “He’s got plenty to keep him busy, what with dodging reporters, running for governor and dealing with a suicidal mistress. Cami, you need to listen to me now. The guy can’t be trusted and there’s no telling what he’d be willing to do if his back was against the wall.”

  I must have gotten through to her because she was pale.

  “What did you say?” she whispered.

  I reached for her. “Powerful people with a lot to lose are dangerous creatures, Cami.”

  “No.” She backed away, wouldn’t let me hold her. “I mean, what did you say about a suicidal mistress?”

  “Anders has got a girlfriend living here at the resort. They fought and she swallowed a mouthful of pills last night.”

  “I know her,” Cami said. She held her hand over her mouth briefly and then removed it. “I know her, we went to high school together. I saw her last night. She was crying.”

  “Shit,” I said, surprised to hear that Cami would have any connection to the girl. It was unfortunate, not only because Cami was obviously upset but because it would be even harder to convince her to steer clear of Anders and his problems if there was a personal connection involved.

  “Oh, god.” Cami slumped against the wall, grief all over her face. “I should have gone after her instead of confronting Anders.” She shook her head in disgust. “That son of a bitch. Who does he think he is, playing with people’s lives like he’s a god damn king? Dammit though, I wish I’d known how much trouble Debra was in.”

  “She’s okay,” I said reassuringly. “Griffin says she’s recovering at St. Anthony’s Hospital.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “And why the hell is Griffin playing the henchman to a corrupt congressman?”

  “Family ties,” I said, “or something.”

  “Or something,” she mumbled. “So why did he bother to confide everything to you? It sounds like he hangs around with some pretty untouchable people.”

  “We had a talk early this morning. Griffin wanted me to know that he doesn’t have any influence over Anders or anyone else who has a stake in this mess. He’s worried. So am I. I’m worried about you.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me, Dalton. I’m not going to create another public spectacle.”

  “Are you going to quit investigating Anders?”

  She was astounded. “Why would I do that? He’s obviously a shady bastard a
nd he deserves to get caught. Otherwise he’s a shoo-in for governor and there’s even talk of a presidential run. I can’t just stand back and watch a guy like Anders collect more power.”

  “Camille.” I said her name sharply so she would look at me, so she would listen. “You’re not in any legal position of authority and you’re chasing around a very influential man who has a lot to hide. The threat is plain enough.”

  She was thinking. But then a mask of stubbornness settled over her face. Camille Gentry was not a woman who changed her mind easily once she was set on a course of action. “Dalton, we ought to table this discussion. I’ve got to get to my desk and start work.”

  I sighed. “Actually, you don’t.”

  “What?”

  “You’ve been let go.”

  “Fired? I’ve been fired? Why? Because of last night?”

  I nodded. “Because of last night. I wish there was something I could do to change Griffin’s mind but it’s a done deal.” I swallowed. “I’m sorry, Cami.”

  She closed her eyes for a second and then shook her head. “You and I have been saying that to each other too often in the last twenty four hours.”

  I went to her, gently tipping her chin up. “Let’s go somewhere. Right now. I don’t give a damn about this place.”

  A small smile touched her lips. “Where would we go?”

  “Anywhere. We can drive up north for a few days. It doesn’t matter. Let’s just get the hell out of here and leave all this bullshit behind to sort itself out.”

  For a hopeful second I thought she would agree. I was already picturing it, just the two of us away somewhere. But then her jaw set and she looked up at me with the stubborn resolve that I was learning to both love and loathe. “I’ve got to see this through, Dalton.”

  “What does that mean, exactly?”

  “I’m not sure. But I can’t just run off into the sunset.”

  “And why not? I’ve heard the sunset is a hell of a nice place.”

  She gave me a rueful smile. “Always able to charm the pants off me.”

  “I’m trying my best.”

  Cami kissed me quickly. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Where are you going?” I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like the answer.

  Cami probably suspected I wouldn’t like the answer either so she was vague. “I’ve got some errands to run.”

  “I’m not doing anything important right now. I’ll come with you.”

  She shook her head. “No. But you can walk me to my car.”

  The woman Cami had greeted on the way in was seated at the reception desk. She looked at us like she wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say.

  Cami waved to her. “Bye, Holly.”

  The woman looked at me and then back at Cami. “Goodbye.”

  Every instinct I had was telling me that I ought to grab Cami in full caveman fashion and carry her away until I was sure she’d be safe. She seemed to read my mind as we approached her car.

  “You’re going to have to trust me, Dalton,” she said firmly, chin jutting out, a silent warning in her eyes that she was unstoppable when she put her mind to something.

  “I do trust you. I’d just like to toss you in my truck, drive to a remote location and keep you there until all this nasty fucking garbage is over.”

  She laughed. “If only that wasn’t kidnapping.” She kissed me one last time. “I’ll call you later.”

  I seized her, lifting her off the ground so we’d be eye level. “Cami, don’t do anything stupid.”

  She pressed her forehead to mine. “I won’t.”

  My fists were clenched as I watched her drive away. I wondered if I’d made a terrible mistake by letting her go. In the real world we couldn’t force the people we cared about to do what we wanted.

  I was still in the middle of that thought when something caught my eye again, in the same place I’d noticed a shadow this morning. Only now the shadow had a face. I’d seen it before.

  “Hey!” I shouted, barreling over to the man who usually was skulking around silently as he watched over Congressman Anders. “What the fuck are you doing over here?”

  The bodyguard looked at me impassively. “Taking a walk, asshole.”

  “Bullshit.” I glanced at the parking spot where Cami’s car had been. “Were you following her?”

  He tilted his head like a dog that was trying to understand a spoken question. “Who?”

  The guy didn’t have much of a poker face. My fists tightened.

  “You stay the fuck away from her. And tell your employer that if he keeps this up then he’ll have a much bigger problem on his hands because I’m no five foot two college girl.”

  The bodyguard looked bored. “I’m sure he’ll be very concerned to hear that.”

  I grabbed the guy by his blazer and shoved him hard into the wall. Surprise skated across his face as he stumbled, but anger swiftly replaced it. A second later I was thankful for great reflexes because if I hadn’t ducked away from the meaty right hook that swung in my direction it would have done some damage. Quickly assessing the fact that the big man was briefly off balance I swept his leg out from underneath him. He was down on one knee but red-faced with fury. Despite the fact that in recent years I hadn’t kept up with my teenage martial arts phase I was still able to deliver a roundhouse kick right to his jaw.

  I circled warily as he sat up, wiping the blood from his face. If he was game to keep this going then so was I. But he suddenly flashed a terrible bloody grin and reached for his waistband. I felt like an absolute fucking idiot for failing to see the gun he openly carried in a holster. Fists and feet would never prevail in a gunfight.

  “What’s going on out here?” Eleanor was suddenly there, having come outside to see what all the commotion was about.

  “Nothing,” I said, watching the man slowly replace his firearm in the holster and get to his feet. “I thought this guy was up to something shady but he has assured me he’s leaving now.”

  “I am leaving now,” the man agreed, swiping the back of his hand across his bleeding mouth. “But I’m sure we’ll run into each other again, Dalton. And you can pass the message along to Camille that she might be seeing me around.”

  He whistled as he walked away.

  “Motherfucker,” I muttered.

  Eleanor stared at me. “Dalton?”

  “Everything’s fine,” I said before I started walking in the direction opposite to the one Anders’ personal thug had taken.

  If I had any doubts that he’d been trailing Cami his last statement eliminated them. She was in over her head here. Sure, Cami was strong and independent. I had admired those qualities in her from the beginning. But this dogged resolve to chase after the truth might put her danger. There was no way in hell I could stand by and let that happen, no matter how pissed off she got. I didn’t know how to convince her. I’d already tried.

  I stopped in my tracks.

  No, I wouldn’t be able to convince her on my own.

  But with some help I might.

  Because fortunately I knew I wasn’t the only man around who would do anything to protect Camille Gentry.

  I searched through the list of contacts on my phone and found the number I needed. He answered on the second ring.

  “Hey, Teacher,” I said. “We need to have a talk.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Dalton

  Chase told me to meet him at Scratch, the tattoo parlor owned by Cami’s father. I took that to mean he planned on calling Cord Gentry as soon as he got off the phone with me. I was right.

  The two brothers were standing outside the building when I pulled up. I hadn’t told Chase much on the phone, just that there was a problem and Cami was involved.

  Chase smiled and shook my hand when I approached. Cord nodded coolly.

  “Hello, Dalton,” said Cami’s father. “Let’s go around back. That way we don’t have to parade through the place and leave everyone to wonder what the he
ll is going on.” He nudged Chase. “Did you call the monster already?”

  I wondered who or what ‘the monster’ was.

  “I called him,” Chase replied. “He’ll be here.”

  As if on cue a silver Ford pickup rolled into the parking lot. Chase and Cord paused while the man exited the driver’s side. I hadn’t met him before but I could see the resemblance immediately. Between all the colorful tales Chase used to entertain his students with in class and the stories Cami had told me about her family, I would bet my left hand that the tall, powerfully built man glaring at me as he crossed the parking lot was the brother I’d heard so much about. He was Creed Gentry.

  “Who the hell is this guy?” he demanded before he said hello.

  Chase ignored his brother’s rudeness. “Dalton, this delightful individual is my brother, Creed. Dalton is a former student of mine and now he coaches kids’ baseball. Thomas attends the baseball summer camp he runs. He’s also Cami’s boyfriend.”

  Creed offered a barely perceptible nod but his blue eyes became a trifle less menacing. It probably helped to hear that his brother had known me for years.

  Cord was getting impatient so we followed him around to the back door and straight to the office. He closed the door immediately and stood in front of it with his arms crossed.

  “Sit down,” he ordered, pointing to a chair.

  I didn’t want to argue with a worried father.

  Especially not the father of a girl I was in love with.

  I sat.

  “Now what the fuck is going on and what the hell has it got to do with my daughter?”

  “Take it easy, Cord,” Chase said. “Dalton’s here because he cares about Cami.”

  “Where is Cami anyway?” Creed wanted to know.

  “She’s at work,” Cord replied.

  I sighed. “Actually she’s not.”

  Cami’s father was surprised. “I saw her leave this morning. She was wearing her work uniform.”

  “She was let go.”

  “You mean fired?”

  “Yes.”

  He frowned. “When?”

  “Today?”

  “Why?”

  “Because she pissed off a man who’s very well connected and doesn’t appreciate being confronted in public.”