Tame Me (Alpha Four, Book 2)

by Mia Dymond

  “I agree,” Carley chimed in as she returned from the kitchen.

  Kat gave them all a smile. “Thanks, girls. And thank you, Ace, for getting them home safely.”

  Chaos waited until the girls exited and Ace closed the door behind them before he spoke. “We need to talk.”

  Kat raised both eyebrows and his knees threatened to buckle. For the very first time in a very long time, her response to what he was about to say mattered. Whether she reacted positively or negatively, it made all the difference in the world that he gave her information she needed.

  “Okay,” she said finally.

  He took a seat on the sofa and then patted the cushion beside him, silently asking her to sit. Once she was positioned next to him, he took a deep breath and prepared to rock her world.

  “There’s a reason I hesitate to act on my feelings for you.”

  He paused, both wondering if she caught the fact that he admitted there were feelings and giving her time to cut and run if she decided she didn’t want to hear his explanation. He held out hope that once she heard the whole screwed–up story, she might not be so hurt.

  “Go on,” she prompted.

  “You asked if I’ve ever been in love and I told you the truth, I have. Her name was Melaina Costallenos and three years ago I was assigned to protect her.”

  “I see.” She cleared her throat. “Do you still talk to her?”

  “No. The mission was unsuccessful.”

  She gasped and immediately he damned his brutal honesty. Yet, she deserved to know and he didn’t know how else to tell her.

  “Her father was a wealthy international businessman who was targeted by the Montez crime family,” he continued. “Long story short, I fell in love with her and my feelings got in the way of common sense. They snatched her right out from underneath me and killed her.”

  He leaned forward, braced his elbows on his knees, and lowered his head. A dead silence followed and he expected to find her gone if he ever managed to look up again. Instead, her soft silky voice traveled the distance between them.

  “Chaos, you can’t convince me you were to blame for her death.”

  He lifted his head, not surprised by the compassion in her eyes. “It’s true. She wanted to go to the florist to buy flowers for her mother’s birthday.” He released a hard breath. “I didn’t tell her no.”

  “Did she go without a guard?”

  “No, but—”

  “But nothing.” She took his hand and braided their fingers. “You cannot be responsible for someone else’s decision.”

  “It was my decision not to go with her.”

  “You can’t go back.” She gave his hand a tight squeeze. “I realize it doesn’t change the outcome, but I have to believe you made the best decision you could at the time.”

  He couldn’t stop the smirk that pried apart his lips. “I’ve run that through my head every single day since it happened. Do you understand now why I want you to follow instructions?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does that mean you’ll cooperate without questioning me?”

  “No.”

  He released a genuine laugh at her response. He knew without a doubt that her answer was honest. “It was worth a shot.”

  “Let’s talk more about these feelings.”

  He groaned. “That’s all you took from this conversation?”

  “No.” She squeezed his hand again. “I’m sorry you’ve experienced so much evil. But I distinctly remember you mentioning you have feelings for me.”

  “I do.”

  “Thank you for telling me.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  His nerves tightened as he waited to hear what she’d say next. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to know the depth of his feelings, he just didn’t much like how vulnerable the admission made him.

  “How about a beer?”

  “Okay,” he agreed cautiously.

  “Relax.” She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “That’s enough talk about feelings for now. We have plenty of time.”

  ***

  He relaxed in his study, comfortably tucked in a leather wingback chair, while he reviewed the day’s events. Things were progressing quite well in the whole scheme of things. His earlier phone call with the others had given him confidence that the plan was now barreling toward a satisfactory conclusion. Taylor was not invincible and he intended to prove it.

  There was a distinct reason he had waited to make his move. He had allowed himself ample time to watch, to learn, and to plot. He found it quite humorous that no one even noticed he operated right under their noses.

  He snickered out loud in the silent room, giving himself credit where credit was due. His smooth and deceitful method had managed to convince even the skeptical victim. Yet, he wasn’t too confident to realize he mustn’t celebrate just yet. Although he would get past Taylor, he knew the other man would not make it easy. In fact, it would be downright difficult.

  He continued to wait for the phone call that would finally bring word of success, somewhat concerned by the amount of time that had passed. He had received confirmation that the deed had been done, just not from his source. The lack of communication proved worrisome.

  He stood and walked to the window, gazing into the bright blue, cloudless day. If the operation had gone as expected, the playing field was now level and the obstacles were dwindling. With the lack of resistance, he would rise to the top of his organization once again.

  Finally, his phone rang from the desktop and he rushed to answer. Although, the greeting was not one he expected.

  “We have a problem.”

  His associate’s confession made his stomach turn. “What kind of problem?”

  “I left the package like you requested, but I’m pretty sure the camera got a picture of me.”

  “I see.” Ice water ran through his veins. “How did this happen?”

  “I checked the area ahead of time, but I didn’t see the tiny eye above the door until I had already set the trap. It’s so miniscule I missed the damn thing.”

  Heated silence crossed the line as he worked hard not to throw the phone across the room and through the pane of glass.

  “You are correct,” he managed finally, “this poses a definite problem on your behalf.”

  “I’m not entirely sure anyone can identify me. I was in and out pretty fast.”

  “Do not undermine Taylor’s ability, it will get you killed. I would suggest you run as far as you can. You might manage to stall him for a few days, anyway.”

  “I’ll need a transfer to do that.”

  “I will not pay you for failure,” he said firmly and quietly. “I have others to whom I report and I will not take the fall for your error.”

  “Then how the hell do you expect me to disappear?”

  “You’ll have to figure that out on your own.”

  “If I’m going down, I won’t go alone.”

  He smirked at the other man’s bravery. “Your fear makes you desperate. Have you forgotten you have no way to connect me?”

  “There’s always a way.”

  “Try if you must.” He sighed. “If I were you, I’d concentrate on an escape. Taylor won’t be far behind.”

  He disconnected and buried the phone in his pocket while he reached for a set of car keys on the desk. Anger colored his vision as he headed for the door. The bumbling idiot’s mistake had cost him precious time. The others would not be happy but perhaps he could soothe their disappointment with a new plan.

  And this time, he’d take matters into his own hands.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The next morning, Chaos awoke for the second time to the smell of bacon. What the hell? He had to admit he’d actually slept last night – a full–fledged good night’s sleep, complete with dreams he couldn’t remember. All he did remember though, was that when Thunder woke him at 0400 with news that Greene was in custody he wanted to punch him. He had been encouraged b
y the news, but still his REM pattern had been severely interrupted and he knew for sure they wouldn’t have finished booking him before 0600. He had fallen back to sleep thinking that Thunder really needed a woman.

  Now, however, he was fully awake and insanely curious about the smell.

  He climbed out of bed pulled his jeans on over his boxer briefs, and headed toward the kitchen. Who was cooking? As far as he knew, he and Kat were the only ones in the house – unless, one of her girlfriends had come over and so graciously agreed to cook breakfast and if so, she had his utmost respect. He quickly pushed that thought to the side. Not possible. If she had disarmed the security system, he would’ve known.

  The smell of strong, bitter coffee lured him further toward the kitchen and he finally stopped at the entry, both shocked and aroused by the sight before him. Dressed in a pair of red shorts and a navy blue t–shirt, Kat stood at the counter with her back to him, spatula in hand, while her long auburn curls rested in the center of her back. He licked his suddenly dry lips and willed the beast between his legs to behave. He may have admitted his feelings for her but that didn’t mean he should take her right there on the kitchen table. Although, damn, he was sorely tempted.

  “Don’t just stand there gawking at me.” She suddenly turned and gave him a sly smile. “Grab some mugs for the coffee. The waffles are just about done.”

  “You made waffles?”

  “You have a waffle maker,” she drawled.

  He forced himself into the kitchen and to the cabinet where he kept the cups. “I thought you couldn’t cook.”

  “I didn’t say I couldn’t cook, I said I didn’t cook. Cooking for one is a waste of time, but breakfast is easy.” She shrugged. “Your kitchen is stocked. The least I could do is cook breakfast for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He poured two cups of coffee, still awed by her domestic gestures, and then set them on the table just as she placed two plates of waffles there. He gestured with his head at her chair.

  “Ladies first.”

  He waited until she sat with a fork in hand before he shared the morning’s news.

  “Thunder called this morning.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Greene is in custody. The detectives are willing to let us talk to him.”

  “Let’s go.” She dropped her fork and stood.

  He chuckled and shook his head, still planted in his chair.

  “What? I’ve got a few things I’d like to say to him.”

  “We can finish breakfast first. Besides, you and I aren’t allowed in the interrogation room.”

  “You said us.”

  “Thunder. We can watch and listen behind the glass.”

  “Do you suppose he’ll give us any information?”

  “Depends on how eager he is to cooperate.”

  “Why would he?”

  “Would you cooperate if Thunder was on the other side of the table?”

  “Yes, but I’m not a criminal.”

  “He’s going to jail one way or the other. It’s in his best interest to provide as much information as he knows.”

  She frowned. “I don’t get it. You think there’s more than one person trying to kill me?”

  “In a roundabout way. I think someone is calling the shots and someone else is doing the dirty work.” He released a heavy sigh, wishing like crazy he didn’t have to explain this to her. “I think the one calling the shots is the one who has the motive. The other guy is simply doing a job.”

  “So the one in charge obviously has influence.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. The grunt may be in debt to him for something.”

  “Do you think I know him?”

  “Most likely not. Instinct tells me he’s not someone you’d associate with.”

  “No, the man with the motive. Do you think he’s someone I know?”

  For half a second he considered spitting out some half–assed reassurance that the perp wasn’t someone close to her. That she could rule out those she associated with on a daily basis. That their suspect was a hardened criminal that she’d never laid eyes on in her life. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. She deserved the truth.

  “Yes.”

  She lifted her cup, swallowed a sip of the hot beverage, and then returned it to the table. “I’m usually a good judge of character.”

  “His motives have nothing to do with your judgment. He’s after something, we just don’t know what.”

  ***

  Kat sat behind the two–way glass and squeezed the arms of the chair to keep from bursting through the door of the interrogation room and scratching out the suspect’s eyes. Although he hadn’t said a word yet, she was angry. Absolutely, positively livid that he didn’t give a second thought to blowing up her house – or her and Chaos. She wasn’t so naive to believe the criminal possessed a conscience, but did he honestly believe he wouldn’t get caught? Obviously, he did.

  “Think he’ll lawyer up?”

  She moved her gaze from the window and onto Ace, irritated that she hadn’t thought about that unfortunate circumstance.

  “Maybe,” Chaos answered, “but my money’s on the bet that he’ll sing.”

  She turned to Chaos, fighting the urge to voice her doubt. “Do you really think so?”

  “I really do. Most of these guys think if they give up their source, we’ll go easier.”

  “And do you?”

  “Sometimes, but I don’t think that will happen this time. If he’s behind the threats, he’s screwed simply because you father is a federal judge.”

  “There’s really no way out of the hole he dug,” Ace added.

  Encouraged, she sat back in her chair and looked back into the window where Thunder and the police detective now sat at the table with the suspect. Ready or not, she hoped she was about to get answers.

  “That’s Detective Lombardo,” Chaos told her. “He’s got a pretty good record of breaking these guys.”

  Kat nodded, focused on the window.

  “Are you aware of why you’re here, Mr. Greene?”

  In her opinion, the young detective began the conversation with a rather obvious question but then again, she figured the accused probably wouldn’t provide the most obvious answer.

  “I have an idea.”

  “We’ve arrested you for the attempted murder of Kate Abbott,” he continued. “How are you acquainted with the victim?”

  “I’m not.”

  “Can you explain why you were at her residence on the night a bomb blew away the front of her house?”

  “I don’t know her or where she lives.”

  Thunder stood, folded his arms across his chest, and braced one hip against the wall in front of the table. “Sure about that?”

  “Yes.”

  Thunder’s look – a cross between a grin and a snarl – made her wonder if the goon had half an inkling of what that look insinuated.

  “Then explain why we found your picture on her security camera.”

  The other man’s face lost all color and immediately Kat braced herself for the fall–out.

  “I was only doing a job,” he insisted. “I had explicit instructions.”

  “From who?” Thunder’s booming demand nearly shook the glass.

  “You ready, Ace?” Chaos asked from beside her.

  “Got my browser open.”

  “I don’t know his name.” Greene’s left leg began to bounce. “I’ve only talked to him on the phone.”

  Chaos uttered a mumbled curse and she fought the temptation to repeat it out loud.

  “I find that hard to believe.” Thunder unfolded his arms, placed his palms on the table, and then leaned forward. “You attempted to take someone out for an unknown source? Risky, isn’t it?”

  She could almost see the sweat droplets pop from the skin of the suspect’s forehead. “I had no choice. I need the money.”

  “And he let you take the fall.”

&
nbsp; “Oh come on, man.” Greene’s whiny tone grated her nerves like nails on a chalkboard. “You can cut me some slack, can’t you?”

  “Not without a name.” The detective shrugged. “There’s absolutely nothing we can do. You planted the device and we have photographic evidence.”

  “And now that we’ve talked to you,” Thunder added, “I’ll bet we can pin you for threats made against Judge Abbott.”

  Detective Lombardo nodded. “That in itself has a hefty price tag.”

  “Sounds like you better start talking.”

  “I told you, I don’t know who hired me. I had no idea there was a bomb in that box until it blew up.”

  Kat sat in awe as Detective Lombardo and Thunder fired questions back and forth like they were playing ping pong.

  “How did he hire you?”

  “Through a mutual acquaintance.”

  “Does this acquaintance have a name?”

  “Brad Zelinski.”

  “Ace?” Chaos spat.

  “Thug.” The click of keys told her Ace was hot on Zelinski’s heels. “Same background as Greene.”

  “Anything to link them together?”

  “Not at first sight. I’ll text Rebel to dig.”

  Kat zeroed her attention back on the interrogation, amazed at how fast the interrogators could spit out questions.

  “Have you and Zelinski ever worked together?”

  “No. He has a more exclusive clientele.”

  “Like who?”

  “Businessmen with vendettas, mostly.”

  “You know any of them by name?”

  Greene shook his head. “That’s not information he shares.”

  “And he contacted you because a client of his had a score to settle.”

  “No. He didn’t say the job was for one of his contacts. He only said that the job was available if I wanted it and that all communication would be by phone.”

  “Did you save the number?”

  “There were several. I never dialed the same number twice. I’m sure they’re in the call history on my phone.”

  “Did you recognize any of them?”