She hit the floor as the gunman fired.
Jasper pulled the trigger.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mark fell to the floor, with a bullet hole in his chest.
Vick curled into a ball, making herself into as small a target as possible. Through spread fingers, she watched as Jasper advanced on the man, kicked his gun away, and then put another slug into his skull. Blood welled from the wound, dripping down his face.
Vick shuddered.
Jasper ran over to her. “Are you okay, Vixen? Are you hit?” He hauled Vick to her feet, then patted her down for injuries.
“No, I’m fine.” She was still streaked with blood, but it belonged to Simon. On the wall behind her, there was another bullet hole in the plaster.
She took in the carnage surrounding them. “Oh, Jasper. What are we gonna do?”
They’d just gotten themselves into an even bigger bind. Once Byron and Dix figured out what happened, they’d be dead.
Oh, God. What if they sent Ten after them? Or Butler? Or, worse, both psycho twins?
“Come with me, Vick.” Jasper led her down the hall into the living room away from the corpses on the floor. They sat down on the leather couch together, and he hugged her.
Jasper felt warm and familiar, and she buried her head in his neck, soaking in the comfort.
“Let’s talk this out. Earlier, did Simon… hurt you?”
Vick’s skin crawled as she thought about the way he manhandled her.
“Simon tried, but then the hitman walked in and shot him.”
“Good.” He blew out a breath. “I shoulda been the one who killed that sonofabitch.”
“I’m just glad we don’t have to worry about him anymore.” Simon had been given several chances to make a different choice. He’d brought this on himself. At least she never had to worry about him again.
“We’ve got two big problems lyin’ on the floor in there. How much do you think the cartel knows?” Vick tried to calm down and think it through, but it was difficult not to panic.
“No clue.” Jasper sat back on the couch.
An idea occurred to her. “What if we make it look like Simon and Mark made a run for it? Or, hey, what if they were cooperatin’ with the FBI?”
Jasper frowned. “Can you do that?”
“Well, there won’t be any activity on their bank accounts or credit cards, because they’re dead. But what if I canceled some accounts, withdrew some cash, that sort of thing?”
“So, it’d look like somebody getting’ ready to live off the grid?”
“Or like they had brand spankin’ new identities.”
Jasper scratched his chin. “Then I’d need to get rid of these bodies and clean this place up.”
“We could pack up some of Simon’s stuff and make it look like he made a hasty exit.”
“And we’ll find out where the hitman was stayin’ and do the same with his crap.”
Vick nodded. “It might just work, but what about Rodriguez?” That was the one big snag.
“Aw, fuck. Under normal circumstances, I’d take care of it, but I won’t be able to get near him again.”
“No, but he’ll be gettin’ a new lawyer and another trial when they find out Simon’s gone missin’.”
“So, he won’t be in solitary anymore. Then I could have one of the outfit’s friend’s pay him a visit.” Jasper sighed. “Although, solvin’ the cartel problem, leaves us with a Lone Star issue.”
“It could get back to Byron and Dix.” Vick groaned. This situation was a freaking Gordian knot. For every issue they solved, another one popped up.
“You know, they might never find out. Communication with prisoners is monitored, so we don’t do it often, and whenever we talk, it's brief and in code.”
It was by no means a guarantee, but they had a better shot with the outfit than the cartel.
“What do you say, Vixen?” Jasper asked.
“Let’s do it, but we gotta have a contingency plan in place, just in case. We’ll put together go bags—throw in some cash, clothin’, and I’ll make us new identities.” In case they needed to run for it, they’d be ready.
“And I’ll figure out an escape route, grab some weapons and ammo, and stash away a vehicle.”
“Sounds good.” They’d just covered all their bases. “Together we’re a pretty good team, huh?”
“Yes, we are. I’m just glad you’re safe.” Jasper kissed the top of her head.
“We both are, for the time bein’.”
“And I’ll make sure it stays that way. I’d better take care of these guys.” Jasper hooked a thumb at the bedroom. “What are you gonna do?”
“I need to sort out a couple things with Jack and send him on his way, and then I’ll start on our plan.” Vick had hours of work ahead of her, but she’d get it all done tonight.
His face darkened. “I’ve gotta talk to Grace, too, especially now.”
“I know what you mean.”
“I’ve got a little bit of money set aside, and I’ll add it to her college fund. My folks are tryin’ to push her into hospitality, instead.”
“But she’s always loved biology.”
“I know, so my last act as big brother is helpin’ Grace achieve her dream if she wants it.” Jasper sighed. “God, I’m gonna miss her.”
“I’m sorry.” Vick squeezed his hand.
“Me, too.” Jasper shook his head. “I can’t let her get caught up in this mess. I guess it’s just you and me now, Vixen.”
“Yep. Against the world.”
Epilogue
Double Seventh Day
Once again, Jasper and Vick visited Chinatown. This time he’d taken her for a long holiday weekend.
Vick soaked it all in. They’d spent the day shopping, eating fabulous cuisine, watching the parade, and she’d even burned some paper. Though Vick wasn’t counting on gaining any new housekeeping skills.
She didn’t know if Double Seventh day was all that wonderful, or if she just felt free—no more skeletons in her closet, no stalker dogging her steps, and Jack wasn’t her responsibility anymore.
For the first time, she felt released, ready to live her life. She and Jasper were together, and nothing had ever felt so right. The outfit, as a whole, was less than thrilled with the arrangement, but they went along with it.
Jasper had also been building connections with his adopted mafia family. He’d even spent more time with Butler and Ten.
“How’s your new ink?” They’d stopped by the tattoo parlor today, too.
“A bit sore, but I love it.” Vick admired her new art.
She’d gotten a matching tattoo around her pinky finger, a red string like Jasper’s. It was an inky precursor to an engagement ring. They hadn’t been forced to fumble through the awkward “getting to know you” phase, so their relationship had gotten serious fast.
“Me too.” Jasper bent down and kissed the spot.
Vick wrapped her arms around his waist, and he held her close.
They stood on the balcony of their hotel room. Music drifted up from the streets below, a Chinese melody she didn’t recognize. Below them, couples swayed to the song, wrapped in one another’s arms.
Jasper pointed out a star overhead. “That’s Deneb, in the Cygnus constellation.” It was the fictional location of the magpie bridge. “They might’ve only had one day a year together, but I need more. I love you, Vixen.”
“I love you too, Jasper.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
“I’m sorry it took us so long to get here.”
“And here I thought the journey was supposed to be the fun part.” They’d traveled a long, winding rocky road together.
“Well, I’m enjoyin’ the destination.”
Vick smiled, but she still worried. They were living on borrowed time. Sometimes, she had nightmares about the mafia discovering what they’d done and coming after them. So far, they were in the dark about the cartel issue. Jasper had used a contact
to get rid of Rodriguez, and the murder was listed as unsolved. It hadn’t come up in those coded messages yet.
Even if the mafia didn’t find out about their deception, there was a storm brewing. Soon, Byron would start his power grab. And what about Hawthorne’s investigation? Any minute, agents could kick in their doors and cart them off to jail.
Jasper sensed her mood. “No dark thoughts, Vixen. Tonight’s about happiness. I wanna enjoy this beautiful city with the woman I love.”
She shook it off. “You’re right. They’ll be time to worry about it tomorrow.”
They kissed until she couldn’t think straight anymore, and Vick melted into him. Whatever came their way, they’d face together.
His eyes twinkled. “Our situation reminds me of an old Chinese proverb.”
“Oh yeah?” She loved the little nuggets of wisdom he pulled out for all occasions.
“The lovers are finally together, and all shall be well.”
And it was.
For now, anyway.
Thanks for readin’!
Cold Blood is next.
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Books in the Series
Flesh and Blood (Dix & Belle)
Blood in the Water (Byron & Jane)
Blood Money (Jasper & Vixen)
Cold Blood (Justice & Etta May, 11/17)
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About the Author
Cynthia Rayne is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Lone Star Mobster Series, the Let it Ride Series, and the Four Horsemen MC Series. While Cynthia was born and raised a damn Yankee in Ohio, her parents hail from Dixie, and she grew up on homemade buttermilk biscuits and southern wisdom. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, reading way too many romance novels, and drinking a truly obscene amount of coffee.
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Copyright
© Cynthia Rayne 2017
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review or book discussion, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part is forbidden without the written permission of the author.
Editing
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ICanEdit4U
Stock Photos
blueperfume via Can Stock Photo
Cover Art
Mayhem Cover Creations
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s wicked imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and frankly a bit creepy.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
Blood Money (Lone Star Mobster Book 3) Page 21
