Hell Is Burning

by Morgan Kelley

  The woman stared at him. “I’m okay.”

  Curtis shook his head. “We’re going to listen to him because he was a soldier, and he knows what he’s doing. We’ll let him work this out, or he’ll lose his mind.”

  Katerina didn't say anything else. She simply followed the agent.

  Yeah, and checked out his really fine ass.

  Inside, Greyson found his brother.

  The man was sitting behind the large mahogany desk going over some plans.

  When he looked up, he must have seen the panic.

  “What happened?”

  Greyson told him everything.

  “Jesus! Where’s Emma?”

  He told him all about Dimitri Gideon too.

  His brother simply stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “You left Emma alone with a strange man? Are you feeling well? Do you want me to call the chef and get you some tea?”

  Greyson growled. “I’m well aware, but we couldn’t leave Curtis out in the open, and we just hired them as our personal security. I have to let him do his job.”

  Dante stood. “Wait. This has you rattled. You’re freaked out.”

  He started pacing, and then scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m three days past freaked out, Dante. I’m in full blown anxiety attack mode.”

  Dante couldn’t remember ever seeing his brother look this worried before, but then again, he wasn’t here when Emma was abducted.

  “It’ll be okay. Trust him.”

  Greyson was terrified. “I need you to call Steele and have him head here. If you have to pick him up, use the limo and make sure you’re both safe.”

  “Are we bunking here?”

  “We’re moving in. Sky Villa, while secure, isn’t safe. As Dimitri pointed out, we have the advantage point being up high, but we can’t escape if we’re trapped there. At this point, I wouldn’t be shocked if they made a move on us there. With all those windows, Emma is a sitting duck.”

  Dante hugged his brother. He knew he needed the reassurance.

  “I’m the end game,” he stated. “If he’s picking off the people around me, Emma will be next. I don’t buy that he’s trying to hurt me that way. He’s trying to keep my focus scattered. This corruptor wants me to go down. I won’t let the seedy scumbags take down Vegas. It’s the same game, and I have to focus.”

  Dante understood. “I’ll get Steele here.”

  “Is construction done?”

  “The house is completed. All that’s left is the garage and the pool. They just retiled it, and it’s going to take a few days to fill it.”

  “But everything else is complete?”

  “Yes.”

  “Cancel any additional construction.”

  Dante was surprised. “Why?”

  “We can’t guarantee that whoever is doing this won’t try and sneak in as a worker. Then we’re screwed. They’ll have access codes and a way in.”

  He got it. “I’ll cancel the work from here on out. The only thing really left is the security system in the garage, and the set up. I can handle that myself.”

  Greyson patted his brother on the shoulder. “Thank you for doing this. You’ve found your niche. You run things well.”

  Dante grinned. “Well, I am your brother.”

  Something occurred to him. “Dante, we’re adopting Curtis.”

  The man opened his mouth. “What?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about it. While he liked the man, and trusted him, this was his brother. Dante didn't want to share.

  It was selfish, but this was his circle.

  He explained why. When he was done, Dante laughed. “Wait until you tell mom you’re adopting a full grown man. Please let me be there when you do it. Reggie is going to stroke out.”

  Croft started laughing. He’d never thought about that. “Yeah, I can’t wait to drop that bomb.”

  It was time to tell Greyson what was about to happen. “You need to take a deep breath.”

  He looked at him. “Why?”

  “Just do it.”

  He did.

  “Mom called. They’ll be here in a few hours.”

  Greyson started cursing.

  Dante let him get it off his chest. When he was done, he waited for his brother to calm down.

  “This is the worst possible timing. We just had someone unload an automatic at us in a coffee shop. Having them snooping around is dangerous.”

  He got that. Only, this was Reggie.

  She didn't listen to anyone.

  While they might have a shot at talking their father into staying away, the second their mother heard guns, she’d be there. She’d want to keep her sons safe.

  It was a huge dilemma.

  “Shit! Shit! Shit!”

  “We’ll just have to tell her the truth, and she’s going to have to stay on the estate until we figure something out.”

  Greyson looked around. The house was indeed almost done. It was tasteful, calming, and exactly what Emma and Greyson had wanted.

  Now his mother was going to turn that upside down.

  “You’re right. I can’t let this freak me out. I have too much on my plate.”

  He wandered over to the liquor cabinet, and was grateful his brother had stocked it for him. The bourbon was smooth, and likely very pricy.

  “Better?” Dante asked, as Greyson poured himself and his brother a glass.

  “Yes. I can do this. I mean, what could possibly happen?” he asked. “Oh, wait! Mom and dad could get killed, I could lose my wife, my brother, and the man I’m adopting. Meanwhile, the city will go to hell in a handbasket, and it’ll get out that I’ve hired Russian mercenaries to keep me safe.”

  Dante laughed, clinking his glass off his brothers. “Mo money is mo problems.”

  Greyson started laughing. He had to.

  If he didn't, he’d cry.

  Curtis led Katerina around the massive house. After a few minutes, he found the master suite. It would have to do. Leading her into the bathroom, he pointed at her shirt.

  “Strip.”

  She grinned wickedly at him. “Wow, you move fast. I’m out of my league.”

  Curtis was trying to stay calm.

  He didn't know what to do. He wanted to laugh, but he was afraid. It was this deep, bowel clenching fear. He’d just lost Brynn, and he was feeling something.

  He’d sworn off women, but here he was… getting right back on the ride.

  They all knew how it would end.

  He was a disaster.

  “I need to check your back.”

  She noticed he was tense. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. I shouldn’t have joked around. I know you’re having a hard time with losing your wife. It has to be hard on you.”

  “It is.”

  Only, not for the reasons she thought.

  After Brynn burned him by filing for divorce, and her willingness to tell the world he was abusive, that was the end for him.

  His heart closed off.

  It had to stay that way.

  “I’m sorry. I can take care of myself. You should go see if Mr. Croft needs anything, Mr. Briggs.”

  “I will, once I check your back.”

  She pulled off her shirt, standing before him in only jeans and her body armor vest.

  She was right. Theirs wasn’t as bulky, and it fit them so much better.

  When she turned around, lifting her long black ponytail, he saw the two spots where the bullets had impacted. Touching them, the bullets fell into his palm.

  “It heats to your body and molds against you,” she said. “That way you don’t have that bulky appearance.”

  He ran his fingers over the material. “It feels different.”

  “It is. It’s very pricy, but we get shot at a lot. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy you another day of life.”

  Curtis wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “I’ll have the lab test these,” he offered, placing the bullets on the counter. “Now let me see your back,” he said.
<
br />   She pulled at the Velcro and hissed in pain.

  “Let me help you.”

  When he undid it, she slipped out of the body armor. He stared at her. She was standing in front of him in nothing but a bra and jeans.

  He forced himself to think about Brynn. That pain came back, and he used it keep himself from doing anything stupid.

  Women were dangerous, and he wanted off that ride. From here on out, Curtis was going to take care of himself first, and not worry about anyone else.

  Well, maybe Emma and Greyson too. After all, they were adopting him.

  He didn't have time for women or sex.

  She watched him. “Are you okay, Mr. Briggs?”

  He nodded. “Let me see your back.”

  When she turned, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw there. Her back was a mess. Not from the bullets, but from about one hundred other scars. They crisscrossed her flesh, leaving ugly reminders of her past behind.

  “Jesus! What happened to you?”

  When he touched her, she moved away from his fingers. “Let’s just say that my childhood left a lot to be desired. It’s the reason I’m the way I am.”

  He stared at her in the mirror.

  “The way you are?”

  Katerina shrugged. “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Briggs. I’m just a thief.”

  He didn't know what to say. Someone had obviously abused her, and badly.

  “Katerina,” he began.

  “Can I borrow one of Mrs. Croft’s shirts? I don’t think my brother will like me walking around shirtless.”

  “Sure. I’ll get you one.”

  She watched him walk away, refusing to flinch. She hated when men saw her back. It was her secret shame. They always thought the same thing, and it made her feel helpless.

  There was no way she was going back to that.

  When he returned, he was holding a black t-shirt. “This should fit you. You’re about the same size as Emma.”

  “Thanks,” she said, pulling it on. When she grabbed her body armor and her destroyed shirt, he stopped her. “Thank you for today, Katerina.”

  She didn't say anything. Instead, she headed through the room. “Keep your ass inside, Mr. Briggs. You have a bull’s-eye on your back.”

  “I can take care of myself!” he called.

  She stopped at the door and pulled something from her pocket. “No offense, Mr. Briggs, but you’re distracted.” She held up his badge to prove a point.

  “You picked my pocket?”

  She laughed as she tossed the badge back to him. “I told you. I’m nothing more than a thief.”

  He didn't know what to say.

  “That’s the problem with killers. You don’t spot them until they’re right up on you. Then it’s too late. Like I said, Mr. Briggs, stay inside.”

  As she left, he couldn’t help but think about her. She was wrong. Katerina was more than just a thief. She was part of something that could break him.

  It could break them all.

  In that moment, Curtis knew she was going to be trouble.

  He could see it coming.

  He was doomed.

  * * * Croft & Croft * * *

  This was one hell of a giant mess. As Emma Croft wandered around the scene, her badge clearly present around her neck, she knew she had eyes on her.

  Many sets.

  Dimitri Gideon was following not far behind, sunglasses on, as he looked lethal in his expensive suit. Every cop there was giving him, and her, the look.

  It was hard to miss their distaste for Emma and her ‘bodyguard’.

  At that moment, Emma Croft was digging the hole, and she knew it. Impressions were being made, and she was helpless to stop them. They all thought she was dirty.

  She knew it.

  The cops were already judging her. If this was the company she was keeping, then the rumors had to be true. She was burning her bridge as a cop. Once word spread, or someone got her companion’s name, she was screwed.

  It was funny how just a year ago, her life had been so much simpler. She had been sheriff, there was no death, and no one was trying to make her family look like Swiss cheese.

  This really sucked.

  Then again, over a year ago, there was no Greyson Croft. Would she really rather go back to that time?

  Screw that.

  If the killer was trying to screw with them, he’d pulled it off. Right now, the media was shouting multiple questions, cops were giving her dirty looks, and to top it off, an unmarked police car was tearing into the parking lot.

  Well, shit!

  Here came her boss.

  Captain Ford, while their ally and friend, he still had a job to do in the city. It was apparent that someone had told him about the shootout.

  When he raced toward her, she braced for his barrage. This man wasn’t known for his calm head when the shit was hitting the fan. Before she could say a word, he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her back into the building.

  He was met with a little opposition until Dimitri Gideon blocked his path. “I suggest you set Mrs. Croft free, Captain Ford.”

  Chris lifted a brow. “Who the hell is that, and why is he on this crime scene?”

  Now Emma had to smooth this over too. “It’s okay, Dimitri. This is my boss, and he’s Greyson’s and my friend. He’s not hurting me.”

  They both looked down at her arm, which was still being held firmly in his grasp.

  “This is Dimitri Gideon, and he’s part of our security detail.”

  Had anyone else said that to them, Chris Ford would have been cracking skulls left and right. Because it was Emma Croft, he wasn’t surprised.

  With an exasperated sigh, Chris let her go before he got down to business. “Emma, what’s going on? I was in my office, and the detectives had the news on. They were reporting that there was a drive by, and you were shot!”

  Dimitri took a step back to give her some space. He could tell that the captain wasn’t going to hurt her. Besides, he’d done his intel. The man was safe.

  He was part of Greyson’s inner circle.

  “Well, you heard right. We were having lunch and that’s exactly what happened. I took one to the back of my vest.” When she turned around, he saw the bullet hole in her blazer.

  “Are you okay? Maybe you should get checked out.”

  While her back hurt, the sting of impact was lessening. “I’ll be fine. My concern is this mess.”

  He looked around. “Jesus! Where’s Greyson?”

  Emma lowered her voice. “He took Agent Briggs back to the house. I wasn’t the target, Chris. Curtis was.”

  The man didn't look surprised. “This is getting ugly. Someone’s turning our city into a Wild West shootout. I hate that.”

  “Yeah, since we’re the targets, I’m not really happy. We’ve been forced to take extreme measures.”

  Chris glanced over at the man not far away. He was scanning the crowd of cops like a soldier would in the middle of a war. There was no doubt that the Crofts had hired some big time muscle.

  “If I run him, he’s not coming back illegal, is he?” Chris asked. He didn't even lower his voice.

  Screw it.

  They weren’t going to beat around the bush.

  Before Emma could say a word, Dimitri replied. “You won’t find anything on me, Captain Ford. You can relax. I’m not going to pillage the boss’s wife or shoot up the city. I get it. Hands off.”

  Chris lifted a brow. Well, at least the man was astute.

  “We don’t have any choice, Chris,” Emma said, keeping her voice low. “Someone just tried to put ten bullets in Curtis. If Mr. Gideon’s associate wasn’t as fast as she was, he’d be dead. My one hit was because I was in the way.”

  He understood.

  “Okay. I get it, Emma, and I support your choices, but this isn't going to play well for you. The cops in this city already think you’re three days past dirty. You inherited Mason’s cash, plus you stayed on the force. That’s not sittin
g well with them. This city has seen it before.”

  “I don’t care what they think or say,” she admitted. “I know I’m not dirty. Hell, Chris! You know I’m as straight as they come. Greyson is too.”

  Well, unless you counted hiring a killer to play bodyguard. Dimitri was all kinds of trouble, and they knew it.

  It came down to the devil you know.

  Chris sighed. “What can I do to help?”

  “First, ignore that I have security. We’ll play it off in the media when they ask. Unless someone is dirty, they’re not going to know about his…reputation.”

  Chris closed his eyes. “Emma, you’re killing me.”

  She pointed at Dimitri before he could say a word. She knew what was coming out of his mouth next, and while she could blow it off, she doubted her captain could.

  “We need to find that car. It’s been tailing me for two weeks. Dimitri caught it in his photos.”

  He pulled out his phone to make notes.

  “What do you have?”

  Dimitri moved close. “It was a nineteen sixty Caddy, black with silver rims, and tinted out windows. It was sporting a classic car plate, and the first three letters were NVD. That’s all I got before I hit the ground.”

  He made notes. “I’ll run it, and it shouldn’t be too hard to locate the owner, but I think we all know it’s likely been stolen. No one is going to be riding around in their Caddy as they shoot at a cop.”

  She was well aware.

  “We just need to find it if they dump it. Who knows what they’ll leave inside? We might get lucky.”

  “I’ll take care of it. When I get back to the office, I’ll run it through the DMV. As soon as I hear, you’ll hear. Anything else?”

  “Yeah, do you want to sleep over, Chris?”

  He shushed her. “Are you insane? First, that sounded very wrong and inappropriate for a married woman. Secondly, your husband is a man on the edge. Let’s not plant the wrong idea in his head. I have no doubt I’ll be buried in the desert.”

  “You will be,” added Dimitri.

  Emma gave him a dirty look.

  “Not that I don’t appreciate that offer,” Chris said, babbling. “Jesus! Emma!”

  She started laughing when he flushed red.

  “I didn't mean in my bed, Chris. I meant pack a bag and crash at our place for a while. If this killer is going for our core, then he’s going to take more pot shots at the people we care about.”