Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

D enise

One day.

That’s all it had taken to see a significant change in Shephard. I wasn’t suggesting it was just because of my crazy, passionate, and amazing ability to fuck the man. Or that my compassion had blown him away. It was also because he was gloriously excited about being back in the world where dangerous men ruled.

And bloodshed was an everyday occurrence.

I knew that to be the case because both he and his brother were way too excited about challenging Cane. I couldn’t lie that after all the shit I’d gone through with the man that I wasn’t interested in watching him squirm. However, I also wasn’t prepared to lose my job at this point.

No matter how rich Shephard was, or how enjoyable it would be for him to keep me tied to his bed.

It was near dusk and for a change, both of us were officially off duty. Thankfully, the other associate had returned looking all happy from a fabulous honeymoon.

Something I could never see happening. Nor was I certain I wanted one.

Cane liked a particular dive bar. When I’d told the two giants of men the news of where he was, I’d be damned if the two of them didn’t dress like they were in a recent remake of Deliverance . I might just have fun with this.

The moment I’d met Jagger, I couldn’t help but notice the resemblance was crazy. No wonder the single women in town were falling all over themselves for a chance at one of the other two.

The rumor mills were still active, the entire town assuming I was taken. Or more to the point, the hunky man with the broad shoulders and dazzling eyes had been stolen. Women could be so catty.

We stood outside the bar for a few seconds. Jagger had ridden a Harley to the monumental event, which I’d thought hysterical. He still looked like a real mountain man, his shoulder-length hair and longer beard sexy, but adding to his dangerous persona. The brothers were very much alike.

“Just remember, don’t break his bones. A little blood is fine.”

“You heard the lady,” Shephard stated. “However, we’re here for a reason. We don’t leave until Cane tells us what we want to know.”

I nodded and walked in first. When a chick appeared with two big guys by her side, the locals inside the bar took notice. I suspected they all knew who the two burly men were. They even parted ways as if they sensed there was going to be trouble.

Cane wasn’t tough to spot. He was playing pool as badly as he did almost everything else. No, we would never be friends. He was the kind of guy that grated on my nerves.

“Cane,” I said while he still had his back turned. He was leaning over the table with a pool cue in his hand.

He shifted to a standing position, barely giving me a glance. “Why are you here? Don’t you get enough of hating on me at work?”

“I need to ask you some questions.”

“Unless you’re here to agree to go out with me, this is my time, Denise. My time,” Cane said. I noticed there was a distinct difference in his tone. He wasn’t nearly as arrogant as usual.

“Not in this lifetime,” I told him.

“Then leave me the fuck alone.”

Both Shephard and Jagger were obviously not patient men. I wasn’t shocked when Jagger had Cane by the throat, tossing him back against the wall. The thud was louder than the horrible music.

Cane at least had the good sense of throwing up his hands. “What do you want from me?”

I eyed Shephard. The big man had made it clear he wanted to be the muscle on this, but I wasn’t ready to give up the helm just yet.

“Who was the asshole you were talking to when I found you on that ridge?” I asked. I still had a plastic smile on my face. For now.

“I already told you. Family. He was asking for money.”

“You mean the guy by the name of Konstantin Obechov?”

Yes, I’d shocked him for once since the two of us had met. It wasn’t that tough to find out about him and his true family heritage. I also hadn’t been surprised when Shephard had told me.

“He’s family alright. Your cousin. I never knew you had such a colorful past.” I could feel the tension creeping up in the man. Good. If Shephard was right, he’d sold us out.

“Now, you’re going to explain exactly why your cousin, who is loyal to a man named Boris the Butcher, was really doing hassling you.” Jagger was very good at getting a man’s attention. He dug his fingers into Cane’s neck with a second’s worth of hesitation, also opening his leather jacket so the jerk could see his weapon.

Meanwhile, Shephard was entirely comfortable, standing with his arms folded just enjoying the moment.

Cane sputtered and pretended as if he was dying.

I walked closer, shaking my head. “You’re done in this town, Cane. I will make sure of it. Your days are numbered.”

“Fuck you.”

That was the wrong thing to sputter.

Shephard didn’t waste any time, getting in the man’s face. “You have ten seconds to tell me what Konstantin wanted. If you don’t, we’re going to take a long walk on the trail. Tonight.”

“You can’t do that,” Cane managed to huff out.

“Yes, we can, and we will. You have no understanding of what you likely did.”

Shephard was much calmer than I would have been or was for that matter. To think he might have shared any information on me or on Shephard was repulsive.

“I can’t talk to you. They’re watching.” Cane was obviously terrified. I could tell by the look in his eyes.

“Who’s watching?” Jagger asked.

I glanced around the bar, seeing only locals.

“A group of them.” Cane was now sweating.

“Let’s take a walk outside,” Shephard stated, already turning toward the door. He chose the back door, heading there immediately. The dive bar backed up to a bank of woods, few other businesses in close proximity.

Cane was driven against the exterior wall, Jagger finally letting go.

I wasn’t surprised when Shephard eased his weapon from his jacket, placing the barrel against Cane’s throat. As he’d done before, he crowded the man’s space. “One last time, Cane. I’m not fucking around with this. What did you tell Konstantin?”

Cane was shaking and I almost felt bad for him. “I… He’ll kill me.”

“I’ll kill you if you don’t talk. I’m not a man who has patience. I suggest you listen to what I’m saying.”

My associate was almost blubbering. “He wanted to know where you lived. I didn’t know.”

“So let me guess,” I said. “You told him where Shephard could be found. My place.”

“I had no choice. He was going to kill me.”

“You always have a choice, Cane. Why didn’t you tell me?” What in the hell was wrong with the man?

“Because they’d know. You don’t understand.”

“Is Boris in town?” Jagger asked.

I was certain Cane would drop to the ground if Shephard hadn’t been holding him.

“I… I think so. I don’t know him. I walked away from my family. Can’t you see that? I wanted nothing to do with their violence.”

Shephard growled, driving the cold steel harder against his neck. “Not good enough. You placed Denise in the line of fire. Do you understand what that means?”

“No.” Cane wasn’t the brightest guy.

“It means if I see you another time walking the streets of Danger Falls, you’re a dead man. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“Yes. Yes, sir.”

“You’re certain of that?” Shephard pressed.

All Cane had to do was nod and I’d had enough. I didn’t wait for Shephard to share his displeasure. I threw a hard punch right in the asshole’s face.

The cracking sound indicated I might have hit the bullseye. Good.

As soon as Shephard backed away, putting away his weapon, Cane raced away into the darkness.

“You let him off easy, bro,” Jagger said.

“It’s not in our best interest to start killing off the locals.” Shephard brushed his knuckles down my face. “One tough lady. Aren’t you?”

“I have to be.”

“Not always. You can let someone else be your champion.”

I leaned in, lifting my head. “Are you volunteering?”

“Please. Get a room,” Jagger huffed before walking off.

“I like your brother. He reminds me of a grumpy guy I know.”

“You’re two-timing me already.” He pulled me onto my toes.

“I doubt I could get away with it.”

He swatted me on the bottom. “You seem to forget I claimed you.”

“Is that legal?”

“In my world it is.” I sensed he was returning to business in his mind. “This is going to be dicey. You need to go stay with your friend until it’s over.”

“Why? If good ole Boris the Butcher is to come in with guns blazing, he’ll do it at my house. I’ll be safer at your place.”

“I won’t put anything past him and we don’t know what Cane told him. You’re not arguing with me.”

“And you’re going to sit in my cabin and wait?”

“I know how Boris operates. He’ll arrive at night.”

The danger suddenly dawned on me. I’d read a couple of articles on the atrocities performed by the man. He was a true butcher. “I don’t like this, Shephard. This is supposed to be a quiet little town where nothing ever happens, but tourists being stupid enough to get themselves lost.”

“And it will be again, but you’re going to need to trust me. Can you do that?”

He honestly had no idea how much I did trust him. I rose further onto my tiptoes, kissing him softly on the lips. “With all my heart and soul.”

At least we knew what we were up against.

And for the first time since almost being killed years before, I was terrified.

Shephard

I’d become good at waiting for anything over the years. Although I had to admit, since leaving my former profession, my patience level had started to wane.

This was night two of waiting for Boris to show. Fortunately, the thick-headed Russian wasn’t as clever as he’d once been. He’d been seen by a local, the town buzzing about the scar-faced man. That had told me all I’d needed to know.

He’d always enjoyed the anticipation of his torment, allowing his victims to learn he was near them without laying a finger on them for whatever amount of time he believed feasible. Only for a man like me and for my two brothers, waiting was part of the game of chess. We were damn good at it, including remaining in the dark.

There were no sounds other than the way the wind was blowing outside. A storm was brewing, which would have masked his arrival except for the fact I’d quickly installed several security methods so we’d know when the fucker and his crew were arriving.

While my brothers were in for the long haul, they knew this was my fight.

One to the death.

As a limb hit the back of the house, I noticed the first flash of lightning from a distance. It could be an interesting night.

And very messy.

A smile crossed my face until the blip on my phone indicated we had visitors. Right on time if you asked me.

I doubted Boris was happy with spending any time here.

I’d called in one last favor, asking the only man I trusted within the CIA to find out what he knew about the FBI’s case. The CIA would rule on this particular incident if required. It wasn’t about engineering their interference. That I didn’t want. However, ending Boris’ life could mean an international incident.

As if I cared about that either.

I remained where I was, both my brothers doing the same. The house was dark, vehicles parked as they should be outside. And there was a light on upstairs. At least I knew Denise was protected, even though I’d almost been forced to drag her to Maggie’s for a couple of nights. She wasn’t just a tough girl. She had the need to protect me as well.

I’d been trained to listen to subtle sounds. For me, it was the creaking of the single board on the deck that needed to be screwed down. I’d unscrewed it on purpose just for tonight. It wasn’t loud enough unless you were paying very close attention.

Which of course I was.

I’d forgotten how dedicated my brothers were to their training.

Nothing would get past them.

And no one.

The door was locked on purpose, but it didn’t take the person on the other side any time to pick and open.

Now they were in our lair.

The presence of four men wasn’t lost on the three of us. We’d known what to expect. I’d provided my brothers with every scrap of information I’d saved on the man. It hadn’t been protocol or allowed, but I hadn’t cared. In failing to finish the mission I’d been sent to do, no matter the circumstances, I’d known this day would occur. When, I hadn’t known. Here I hadn’t anticipated, but as with all things, I was prepared for every angle.

I relied on the training I’d been provided, waiting for the perfect moment. Boris was still outside, waiting for the all clear to enter the house and exact his torture. Either the man had lost his touch or he was too eager to continue his mission of revenge.

I was betting on a little of both, not only with my life, but those of my brothers. Although I knew both Jagger and Hunter could easily take care of themselves.

With the outside door wide open, a bolt of lightning flashing the four men’s location, we didn’t hesitate performing our duties to ask questions or pretend we gave a shit why they were here.

We simply fired our weapons.

The moment could have been considered out of an old western, their bodies jumping in the shadows from the number of bullets hitting them. I didn’t have the convenience of a typical cleanup crew that had often followed behind me on my missions, but we were perfectly capable of eliminating several bodies without questions being asked.

Part of the benefit of living in the mountains was the deep ravines where tourists weren’t allowed to venture to. The perfect killing ground in every way.

As the men slumped to the ground, I finally rose to my feet from the leather chair I’d positioned directly in center of the front door.

“Good shooting,” Hunter stated from behind me.

“Just the beginning,” I told him and slowly walked forward and over the dead men. “Hold back. You’ll know if I need assistance.”

They knew better than to challenge me.

I headed outside, allowing my eyes to get used to the different lighting. “Welcome.”

The single word I issued echoed in the night even with the continuous rumbling thunder.

“ Pora zakonchit’ to, chto my nachali ,” Boris said gruffly from a short distance.

We finish what we started.

“You’re correct, Boris. Overdue. Wouldn’t you say?”

“You know Russian.”

“I know several languages. It’s suited me well in tough times.”

He was right. It was past time. Even without the benefit of seeing exactly where he was standing, the chances of making a direct shot to the middle mass of his body was close to ninety-five percent.

However, an easy kill wasn’t what either one of us wanted. This was about finishing the fight that had nearly taken me down.

I moved off the porch, inching toward him slowly. “Then we fight like men.” I purposely crouched down, another lightning bolt highlighting the fact I was placing my weapon on the ground.

He laughed. “You’re so sure of yourself.”

“I’m not certain of anything with one exception. You deserve to die.”

“We shall see,” Boris hissed. I sensed he’d lowered to the ground, placing his weapon on the dense terrain as I’d done. But he wasn’t in the mood for hand-to-hand combat.

Of course unless it included the bullshit that was his signature weapon.

The single whoosh told me the strike was coming.

I was quicker to react than I’d been years before, shifting to the right and able to advance by a few feet. When I managed to catch the middle of the strap before he recoiled it, his slight grunt highlighted his surprise. I used that to my advantage, jerking him forward. Yet he managed to yank it free, issuing a brutal strike across my back before I was able to lunge away.

The pain was blinding and I stumbled forward, but I’d never allowed anguish to get in the way of my mission. My training was so deeply ingrained I spun around, immediately attacking. After issuing several brutal punches to the man’s jaw, I noticed my two brothers were on the porch, watching the brutal game. I could imagine the enjoyment they were experiencing.

Being a wrestler in high school added various moves that had nothing to do with military training.

But Boris was no pushover, rearing back as he’d done before, almost catching me with the tip of the bullwhip for a second time.

Only this time, I was quicker in my footwork, not only managing to catch the whip in mid action, but lurching forward until I was able to wrap the thin piece of leather around his neck several times. With rage fueling me, I yanked him to the ground, immediately throwing my leg over his in a typical wrestling move.

“It’s time for you to meet your maker,” I hissed.

He was stronger as a broken old man than I’d given him credit for, able to shove me aside while his fingers dug into the strap.

At least my agility was still well honed, able to smash his face with my fist and resume the strangling hold. Now I had both legs wrapped around him, tightening the whip with every brutal tug. He was going nowhere.

His choking sounds were music to my ears, my mind returning to the horrible day when I’d almost lost my life.

And to the day I’d destroyed so many lives. The haunting images were right there burning in the forefront of my mind, but as his life began to fade, so did they. This wasn’t justification or a method of salvation.

Just a moment where I wanted to move on with my life.

I now had so much to live for.

Including a beautiful, bratty woman that had sparked every concept of electricity deep within me.

I uttered a primal roar as I felt his life ebbing. When he slumped, only one hand twitching in the throes of death, I issued a deep sigh.

“May you rest in hell,” I muttered a few seconds later.

“Fascinating technique,” Jagger said as he issued a round of applause.

“We could both learn something, brother,” Hunter told him.

I jerked on the whip last time before tossing Boris’ body to the side. The pain across my back was a reminder of why I’d just taken a life.

My last mission.

One that should have ended years before.

In finding out Russ had sold his soul to a dangerous organization from overseas, I’d realized that I was considered expendable. Plus, I knew too many secrets. They’d capture and torture me for whatever I could provide before dumping my body into the ocean.

Exhaling, I struggled to stand given the pain, spitting on the man before walking away.

“What now?” Jagger asked as I lumbered closer to them.

“Now, I run a resort.” It was crazy that I was almost looking forward to it, eager to live what most would call a normal, if not boring life. That suited me just fine.

“Can you do that?” Hunter asked.

I laughed and rubbed sweat from my face. “I’m going to try.”

“You do have a reason to settle down,” he suggested.

“Yes, I do. Speaking of which, if there’s one thing you need to know about our illustrious park ranger, it’s that she doesn’t follow rules.”

“In other words,” Jagger said as the rain began to fall, “you better get your ass home.”

Home. Anywhere she was living could be considered home. Even if I’d suck at being a partner. But I was willing to learn new things. A grin crossed my face from the thought.

Remembering my weapon, I turned around to retrieve it from the ground.

Almost two decades before I’d had a sergeant in the Marines who’d drilled into his recruits that the one thing you never did was turn your back on your enemy under any circumstances.

I’d made a mistake.

The electricity skirting through the air told me it could be my last one.

As Boris reared up from the ground and the dead, his actions were immediate, the man securing his weapon. There was no time to dive for mine.

It would seem fate had decided the rest of my life for me.

Just when I knew I could finally be happy.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!