by Carmen Faye
“No,” Logan disagreed, “No…he died. I read the reports. She wanted to come after me. He saved me. He fixed it. No one would know.”
Hudson shook his head. Melissa was confused. “He’s alive Logan. You were wrong,” Hudson inched closer. “But you did murder my father.”
Suddenly a rage of anger flashed in Logan’s face. He looked up at Fuller and focused all of the rage onto her. “He’s lying!” he screamed. “He’s lying to protect you!” She saw the gun rise towards her.
Within a fraction of a second, Hudson had reached Logan and knocked him backwards into the floor. The gun fell and Melissa dropped to grab it.
Asher had managed to flip Logan onto his stomach and was holding him with his hands behind his back.
“I’m telling the truth. You were being lied to so that you would be obedient. When that stopped working, they threatened your family and killed your girlfriend. All of it because they made you believe that you had done something wrong. But he’s fine. He’s living a full life with his high school sweetheart and four kids. His life is good. He doesn’t even remember the accident.”
Melissa was still in shock as she sat in the corner, gun in hand, shaking and trying to make sense of the conversation.
“But you,” Hudson continued. “You’ve hurt people. You’ve killed people. You had your own agent kidnapped in the hopes she’d be killed!”
“Apparently I mistook your ability to be hard when needed,” Logan smirked as he mumbled the words.
“You mistook a lot of things Logan,” Hudson spoke. “I’ve been working with the FBI since I was fourteen. They believed me. They knew who you were. All of it. The gun running, the murder. I’ve been working with them to help take down your entire operation. Because they knew about it.”
Melissa watched the sudden awareness settle into Logan’s eyes. He first flashed disbelief, then anger, then hurt and finally resignation.
“You’re a cop?” Logan asked.
Asher spat. “Fuck the police.”
“Brent Logan, you are under arrest,” a strange man walked into the room and surprised Melissa. Following him was Detective Larsen, four cops and the Director of the ATF.
She listened as Logan was read his Miranda rights and watched as they took him out. Larsen checked on both of them and then went to discuss things with his deputies.
“You did very well, Miss Fuller,” the voice stood above her. “I am very impressed.”
“Thank you, sir,” she spoke with regard to the man in charge of her entire career. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“The ATF typically takes the danger of one of their own very seriously,” he spoke. “Agent Logan was not what we prefer to be.”
“Agreed,” she said.
“We have an opening in the local field office,” the man began then paused. “Actually, we have a lot of openings. But I have been looking for someone to be director of this office for a while. Logan never could quite prove to me that he would do the right thing at all times. I think you have shown that…”
Melissa stopped him before he could even finish complimenting her.
“Sir, I appreciate that. I really do. It means a lot to be offered something like this. But to be honest, I’m tired of good guys and bad guys. I no longer know what any of it means. So I’ll not only have to decline the position, but I will be quitting mine effective immediately,” and With that, Melissa Fuller, Ex-ATF Agent, stood and walked over to Hudson.
“You knew?” she asked without even knowing why she knew that.
Asher nodded. She stood there for a moment trying to understand why he would put her in danger. She tried to make sense of everything she’d just seen and heard. Mostly of the fact that she had almost been shot.
“Thanks for saving me,” she smiled and he leaned over and kissed her.
CHAPTER 40
“Manny,” Asher smiled and shook his hand, “It’s great to see you.”
The stout Mexican nodded and smiled in return. “I hear that Miss Fuller has resigned her job and the ATF will no longer be bothering any of you,” he seemed happy to hear the news. “Good news.”
“Yes, it is,” Asher agreed. “But I’m sorry to say I will no longer be the man you are dealing with,” he finished.
Melissa watched as the conversation took place. She was surprised that such a powerful and dangerous man was so short. He barely stood over 5’5 and was a little stocky. Nothing about him looked or sounded dangerous. Nothing seemed to speak money either.
“That so?” she heard the confusion and worry slip into Guiterro’s voice.
“Yes,” Asher continued. “I will still be around from time to time,” he confided and reassured the man, “but I’m stepping down. I would like to spend some time enjoying my soon-to-be wife and maybe even making our own family.”
“Well,” Manny smiled, “A family is necessity.”
“Yes I think so too. We both need one,” Hudson relaxed. “I’m turning over the reins to someone I fully believe to be more capable than I am. My best guy, Dakota. He will make sure everything goes according to your wishes. You can put all of your faith into him. I assure you.”
“I remember him,” Manny nodded. “Good man.”
“That he is,” Asher agreed. “I will be in and out here. Still in the club. For the lifestyle, you know. But I want to go lie on a beach with this sexy lady and drink and laugh and enjoy it.”
“Might I suggest Mexico?” Manny offered and all of them laughed.
“Maybe we will go that way,” Asher smiled. “It’s been a privilege, Manny,” he reached out and shook his hand.
“It has,” he smiled. “Nice to meet you, Ex-Agent Fuller.” He offered as he turned to walk away. Just before he reached the door he turned and spoke to Hudson. “Have Dakota contact me. As for the two of you…stay out of trouble.”
Melissa and Asher looked at each other and laughed.
“We will.” they spoke in unison before laughing again.
***
“I’m surprised you left the ATF,” Hudson admitted later that night as they lie in bed.
“Why?”
“It was your life.”
“Guess that changed when I was kidnapped and taken to the dark side.”
“My world is kind of dark.”
“Sounds like you need some light then.”
“Maybe,” he agreed. “But are you sure you can handle me the way I am?”
“You mean as part of the club?”
Asher nodded. Melissa spent a good deal of time thinking over his question. Could she handle the fact that he had a side that wasn’t good? A side that made different choices than she would have? A side that would put her in danger for a moment to satisfy a goal?
He was also the guy that came in and saved her. The one that sat while she was captive in his home and made her comfortable. The one that looked at her as though he would stop breathing if she were to be gone.
She nodded. “I think I can handle all of you,” she teased.
“Is that so?”
She simply nodded and bit her bottom lip and waited on him to kiss her.
“So…” Melissa began as they lie still and breathless after another round of hot and steamy sex. “Is this beach fantasy going to happen?”
“Fantasy? That’s the factual part. I haven’t even gotten to the fantasy yet.”
“Oh I hope it’s fun.”
“Always,” he smiled. “When did you know? That you felt something…and why? Why me? Why did you fall for me?”
“The way you looked at me mostly. The sound of your voice. And then the guy you were. The way you cared. The way you took care of things.”
“I see…”
“And I think I was waiting my entire life just to meet you.” she thought out loud. “But first I had to let go. I had to learn that life isn’t black and white and my brother was a tragedy, but that isn’t what my life was about. I had to learn that I couldn’t die with him that day. So I ne
eded to live.”
“I’m glad you decided to do that living with me,” Hudson kissed her forehead.
“Can we go somewhere before the beach?” she asked hesitantly.
“Where’s that?”
“I’d like to see my family,” she spoke and he just nodded and held her. Both of them knew in that moment that whatever they’d been through was worth it.
They were free. They were happy. They were together.
THE END
OTHER WORKS BY CARMEN FAYE
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ASH
I DIDN’T ASK HIM TO SAVE ME.
DANI
At least, that’s what I thought.
But Ash taught me what it’s like to be owned. And consumed.
His chiseled, tattooed body is matched only by his ruthlessness and loyalty.
And when he stares at me…
He’s like a volcano about to erupt.
I feel his rough hands heating my curves.
His scarred, battle-tested body pinned against my own.
And even if I could forget those words he growled at me—”You’re mine, forever”—I don't think I would.
ASH
A lifetime of riding with the Devil’s Crucifix is about to come to an end and I’m looking to get out before it all comes crashing down.
I didn’t expect her to come along for a ride.
Innocent but tough, women like her are always drawn to the flames.
She’s getting too closed and we both risk getting burned.
She brings out the animal in me.
The locked up monster about to explode.
She may have lit the match.
But I’m going to blow her world apart.
PLAYER
MONEY TALKS, AND WHEN RIP PETERSON TALKS IT, I’M HYPNOTIZED.
ALEX
I had a good thing going… until he showed up, six feet of leather and steel, a tempting smile, and a downright dangerous offer that left me breathless and ready.
But once ours fingers were in the honeypot, we got a taste of the adrenaline and wanted more. He wanted more.
Me.
RIP
My only rule in life?
Don’t get caught.
Call it what you like, I’m the one who walks away on top every single time, and I f*cking love it that way.
But Alex is something else: smart and sexy--a spitfire and one hell of a natural for cheating a card table.
I knew I could take her and make her into something great. And when we walk out with our first winnings, I know we’ve got a good thing going.
There’s just one flaw in this plan… my lies are about to catch up with me.
And just maybe my stupid f*cking heart, too.
DARE
I’ve spent my whole life fighting: from the mountains of Afghanistan to the bloodied octagon
DARE
Backing down is never an option. I bury my opponents, no matter who they are.
I’ve had my share of women, broke more hearts than I can count. But that’s life when every day could be my last.
Then Holly came into my life, and everything changed.
I can’t get her out of my head.
I want her in my bed.
I need to hear her scream my name.
I’ve spent my entire life winning fights.
I’m not about to lose this one.
HOLLY
I’m fragile. I’ve been hurt. But I’m not made of glass.
I want to be loved, I want to be touched, I want to be made love to. Hard.
I never thought it’d be from him.
He made me cry. He made me scream.
He made me forget everything that I’d been.
But now he wants more…
He wants to make me HIS.
SEAL
HE TAKES WHAT HE WANTS. NO MATTER WHAT.
Six-foot-five, tatted, tough, and unstoppable. Matt Perrier was the perfect hunter who spent the last six years in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Even though I know those strong hands of his are stained with blood.
When they rest on my curves—take me from one leg-quivering climax to another, I forget who he is. I forget what he’s done.
I forget that I can run from all my problems, but I can’t run from him.
Because those hands of his will find me, catch me…
… hold me tight and never let go.
OWNED BY THE BAD BOY
I DON’T PLAN ON STOPPING UNTIL SHE’S CARRYING MY KID.
SCOTT
I swore to protect her. Keep her safe from the demons of her past. I didn’t expect to pull her into my bed.
One night was all it took. To break her walls, to make her feel alive again.
But once wasn’t enough, and all I wanted was more.
The President made her off limits. Said he’d put a bullet in anyone who laid a hand on her.
Too bad for him, I did more than that.
Until she’s carrying my kid.
Until she’s wearing my ring.
Until I make her mine.
JESSICA
I swore off outlaws—after the last one left me nearly dead—I swore never again.
Until I came face-to-face with Scott: the sexy bastard who’d knock down all my walls and set my world on fire.
I wanted to fight him, to push him away while hiding how hard it was to keep my hands off him.
It wasn’t a battle I could win.
And when he stares me in the eye, promising that he’ll make me his and that he’s not taking no for an answer.
I can’t help think that there’s no way he could be wrong.
