Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7)

by Kaylie Hunter

  Alex laughed, pulled Haley into his body and kissed her. “That’s the point, luv.”

  Haley stepped away, slapping his ass as he started up the stairs with the food.

  “So… He’s not—” Anne started to ask.

  “Nope,” Haley said as she grinned.

  “Is he bi—” Lisa started to ask.

  “Not even a little,” Haley said.

  “Then, why—” I started to say.

  “Because it entertains the shit out of him,” Haley said as she started to put away the leftovers. “Get off your duffs and help clean this mess.”

  “That little shit…” I muttered as I walked into the kitchen and filled the sink with fresh dishwater.

  “Who else knows?” Lisa asked, laying Abigail in her playpen.

  “Just Hattie as far as I know,” Haley said. “She helps him find some of his more outrageous outfits.”

  “The princess dress he wore last week?” Anne asked, laughing.

  “Yeah, Hattie found that at a flea market in Texas and had it shipped to him. He spent a small fortune on the matching shoes.”

  I glanced over at Haley. “How long have you and Alex been a couple?”

  “Off and on for the last year. I told him I wouldn’t get serious about our relationship until he admitted to everyone that he’s heterosexual.”

  Anne pouted. “Is he going to start dressing normal now?”

  Haley laughed. “No. The outfits don’t bother me. In fact, I find them just as entertaining as you guys. I don’t give a shit what he wears during the day as long as he’s naked at night.”

  “Eww,” I said, turning away. “I don’t want to picture Alex naked.”

  “Why are we talking about Alex being naked?” Katie asked as she entered through the living room sliding door. “And why did he text me that he wasn’t working today? And why is everyone still at home and not at the store?”

  “Sit,” I said, motioning to the table as I walked over.

  “What’s wrong?” Katie asked, watching me closely. “I mean besides everything I already know like the cartel, Grady being an ass, and Nicholas’ meltdown.”

  “Something’s wrong with Hattie,” I said, grasping her hand. “Alex is staying at the house today with me to keep an eye on her. Doc’s with her now.”

  Katie turned her eyes to the fruit bowl on the table, focusing her attention away. “Anything I can do?”

  “Not right now. I’ll keep you posted, though.”

  Katie nodded, but her eyes stayed on the fruit. “I need to open the store. The employees will be wondering where I am.” Katie walked back through the living room, exiting through the slider.

  “Shit,” I said to myself as I stared at the back sliding door.

  I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up as Tech gently squeezed. “I’m going to work in my old office at the store today. I’ll let Kemp know you’re working from home.”

  “Take care of her, Tech.”

  “We all will,” Anne said.

  Tyler walked across the room and picked up Abigail, carrying her out to the garage. Lisa followed with the diaper bag, and Anne grabbed their purses and followed them. Tech left through the living room sliding door. I shook my head, scattering my thoughts before clearing the remaining dirty dishes from the dining room table.

  Doc left, saying he’d have more information in a few days after the lab results came back. Until then, he said to keep Hattie off her feet, resting as much as she’d allow. Haley left shortly after Doc to meet him at the clinic. Bridget arrived with our laptops and a few files. Alex returned downstairs and said Hattie was napping. He was in the kitchen flipping through Hattie’s cookbook trying to decide on something she’d like for lunch.

  Bridget tapped a pen on the table in front of me, startling me.

  “Shit, sorry. Were you saying something?”

  “No. I just saw you’d drifted somewhere else. You can dissolve later, but I need you in the present right now. What are we doing about the cartel?”

  “Damn. I forgot about them,” I said as I ran a hand through my hair.

  “I’d rather we figure out a plan before the next kidnapping.”

  I picked up my cell phone and called Kierson.

  “I’m busy,” he said as a way of answering.

  “With work or my cousin?”

  “She’s your half-sister, remember? But I’m at work. We just caught a case.”

  “Can it wait? Your case that is.”

  Kierson paused and I could hear him moving and then a door closing. “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything.”

  “Can you be more specific?”

  “Santiago Remirez.”

  “Not familiar with the name.”

  “The DEA knows him. He’s a Mexican cartel dealer.”

  “Not my expertise, but I can put you in touch with Sebrina. Grady and Donovan know her.”

  “Word on the street is that Sebrina betrayed Santiago.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I have no idea. Until I do, I’m not willing to make her my source of information.”

  “I swear, you walk into more shit piles than a horse.”

  “Thanks. You going to help or not?”

  “What do you already know?” Kierson growled.

  “Three names: Santiago Remirez, Miguel Remirez, and the woman known as Sebrina who I’m told by all works for the DEA.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Pretty much. Santiago’s daughter attends school at a university in Arizona, but she’s not on speaking terms with her father. I can also get you the names of the eight guys who kidnapped me last night, but they’re just hired muscle.”

  “How do you expect me to get information on a DEA agent?”

  “Beats me. Figured you’d have an angle.”

  “I’m not that high up the food chain with the DOJ.”

  “Tebbs?”

  “Special Agent in Charge, Jack Tebbs, wouldn’t stick his neck on the line for me. He might for Maggie, though. She’s going to get us all fired if she keeps acting as crazy as you.”

  “She and Tebbs are just messing with you. You make it too easy.”

  “It’s called being a professional.”

  “You’re grumpy.”

  “Your cousin... sister… or whatever she is to you, is driving me crazy. We got into a huge fight this morning about coffee creamer. And, yes, I said coffee creamer!”

  “Charlie drinks her coffee black.”

  “I know!”

  I laughed. “Hattie predicted that this little experiment of yours was a disaster.”

  “She thinks we’ll split?” Kierson asked, sighing.

  “That’s not what Hattie said. She said that Charlie can’t sit at home and play house. She’s too much like me. She needs a project. Something to keep her busy.”

  “Like a hobby?”

  “No—like a job. She’s a detective, Agent Kierson, and a damn good one. Find her work or I will.”

  “Should I send her to Michigan? Help with the security there?”

  “She’ll never try living with you again if you do. Ask her instead to work from your house running the background research on the Remirez family.”

  “It’s worth a try. Hell, I’d try anything at this point.”

  I heard my phone beep, indicating I had another call. “Someone’s calling me. Stay in touch.” I hung up, looked at the screen, and answered the call from Pops. “How’s it going?”

  Pops laughed. “Good. We just boarded the plane. Both Grady and Sebrina are sleeping. I tried to call Hattie, but she didn’t answer. Is she close by?”

  “She’s sleeping. Alex turned her ringer off.”

  “Sleeping? It’s mid-morning.”

  “Pops, I called Doc over. He’s running some tests. We won’t know anything for a few days, but Hattie has to take it easy until then.”

  “Damn it. Why didn’t she tell me she still wasn’t feeling well? She’s so damn s
tubborn.”

  “You two make a good match.”

  “Bah. I should be there.”

  “Nothing you could do if you were. Alex and I are keeping a close eye on her. She’s just going to have to adjust to being spoiled rotten for a few days.”

  Pops was quietly muttering under his breath. “I’m glad she’s home. I know she loves Texas, but if she gets bad news, she’ll handle it better with her kids there.”

  I nodded, though he couldn’t hear me. Alex walked over and held my free hand.

  “Give her a kiss for me, baby girl. I’ll be there as quick as I can.”

  “Safe travels, Pops.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  I tossed the phone on the table, causing Bridget to jump. “Sorry.” I turned to look at Alex who was still holding my hand. “Now that I know you dress like that just to fuck with us, I have to tell you the hat looks ridiculous.”

  “Only the hat?” he asked, releasing my hand to sit at the table.

  “You and Haley went public?” Bridget asked. “Damn.”

  “How’d you know?” Alex asked.

  Bridget shook her head at Alex. “Haley’s my best friend and roommate. I know everything.”

  The tea kettle whistled and Alex returned to the kitchen to fix Hattie a tray before disappearing upstairs.

  I picked up my phone again, calling Mitch this time, Grady’s brother.

  “Is this a save the date phone call?” Mitch asked when he answered.

  “More like save your brother from getting his ass kicked phone call. Your brother has lost his marbles.”

  Mitch was silent for a few seconds. “How crazy are we talking?”

  “Does the name Sebrina mean anything to you?”

  “Yeah, unfortunately,” Mitch said, sighing. “Where is he?”

  “I had him drugged and kidnapped. He’s on his way back to Michigan, but he’s going to be pissed when he wakes.”

  “And Sebrina?”

  “She’s on the plane too.”

  “Shit! Why? Why is she being shipped to Michigan?”

  “Long story, but she needs our protection at the moment. Someone’s trying to kill her.”

  “Let them,” Mitch growled.

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “The hell I don’t.” Mitch made a growling noise that reminded me of Grady. “You’re in over your head on this one, Kelsey, and I can’t get there until sometime next week. There’s a joint task force with the customs office that is gearing up for a takedown. I can’t get away until the big arrest day, but I’ll try to get Michigan as soon as my schedule clears. And, Kelsey?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t trust Sebrina.”

  “Wasn’t planning on it.”

  “I mean… Don’t let her in your house. Don’t let her get close to the family. Don’t take your eyes off her.”

  “I just invited the wolf into the hen house, didn’t I?” I said, looking up at Bridget as I talked to Mitch.

  “More like you just dropped the python into the mouse house. She’s dangerous, and Grady can’t see that side of her.”

  “Lovely. I’ll handle it.” I disconnected the call and called Tyler.

  “Yo,” Tyler answered.

  “We need to move the nursery and schoolroom to the house while Sebrina’s in town. Mitch says she’s dangerous.”

  Bridget was watching me and picked up her phone to make a call.

  “That means you’ll have to explain to the kids what’s wrong with Hattie,” Tyler said.

  “It will be fine. I’m one hell of a liar,” I said before hanging up.

  I went to the basement and asked a couple of guys who were working out to help me move boxes out of the old war room. The room was big enough to serve as the new classroom temporarily. Half an hour later, Beth, Sara, Nicholas, and Wild Card started moving books and other supplies into the room.

  “Why are we moving?” Sara asked.

  “I talked to Grady’s brother, Mitch. He doesn’t want the family around Sebrina. He’s worried she’s dangerous,” I answered.

  “Dangerous like Penny?”

  “Might be. He didn’t explain.”

  “Who’s Penny?” Nicholas asked as he emptied a box of books onto a shelf.

  “Bones’ ex-wife,” Sara said. “She used to work for Nola.”

  Nicholas turned to stare at Sara with large eyes.

  “It’s okay,” Sara said, patting his arm. “Nola shot Penny in the head. She thought Penny was working with the FBI, but really Aunt Kelsey bugged her purse at a party.”

  Nicholas sighed. “Cool.” He turned to finish moving the books.

  “I hope they both get good paying jobs when they’re adults,” I said to Beth as we moved one of the eight-foot tables. “They’re likely to spend a fortune on therapy.”

  Beth dropped her end of the table, laughing.

  “Where are we putting the nursery?” Tyler asked, carrying Abigail into the room. “Also, does Lisa know we just moved her daughter?”

  “I’ll call Lisa. Was Dave’s daughter in the nursery, too?”

  “Nope. Dave’s keeping Juliette away until the cartel stuff passes. He didn’t want to make his family a target if someone followed him home after picking her up.”

  “Smart. If it’s just Abby, then we can put her in my room.”

  “Got it. You think it’s safe enough with all the windows?”

  “I had bulletproof glass installed in the atrium when we installed it on the sliding doors.”

  “Always one step ahead of me,” Tyler grumbled.

  “I trust you to catch the things I miss, Tyler, and you excel at it. That’s why we make a good team. Now, if you’re not too busy with your pity party, can you help convert the atrium into a nursery?”

  Abigail squealed, delighted. Tyler smirked and walked out with her.

  I turned to move one of the boxes when Storm started barking. I stepped into the hallway to find Storm frantically scratching at the furnace room door.

  “Get the kids upstairs! Lockdown!”

  Several of the Devil’s Players grabbed Beth and the kids, running for the stairs. Wild Card ran into the gym and activated the security alarm. Bridget or Alex would protect Hattie. I glanced back at Wild Card, confirming he’d also pulled his gun.

  The second I opened the furnace room door, Storm took off at full speed down the tunnel leading to Donovan’s house. I glanced briefly in the tunnel, seeing it was empty except for the dog, before following.

  “If someone shoots, we’re trapped with nowhere to duck and hide.”

  “No worries. I plan on shooting first,” I called back as I neared the end of the tunnel.

  “Let me go first,” Wild Card said when I slowed to peek out.

  He didn’t give me much of an option as he stepped in front of me and into Donovan’s basement family room. I stepped out behind him. Storm had run to the back corner of the room and stood with his thick fur hiked and teeth snarled in front of the closed closet door.

  “Storm, release,” I ordered, remembering some commands Beth had taught me. Storm took two steps back and stopped growing. “Heel.”

  The German Shepherd made a one-eighty turn and ran over to my side. His fur was still hackled, but he was silent, waiting for his next command.

  “Stay.”

  Storm whined but stayed in place as I moved beside the door and raised my gun.

  Wild Card moved in front of the closet; his gun aimed at chest height toward the door.

  “We have three options,” I called out. “One, I open the door and let Storm attack.”

  Storm barked twice.

  “Two,” Wild Card said, grinning at Storm, “I empty my entire clip through that cheap ass hollow closet door.”

  Storm growled.

  I looked at Wild Card, and we shared a grin. “Or three, you surrender and come out with your hands in the air.”

  Storm whined and sat.

  “I’m coming out,” a man c
alled. “Don’t shoot.”

  One of the cartel men who’d kidnapped me the night before came out of the closet with his hands on his heads. One of the handcuffs swung freely from his wrist.

  “Are you the only one in there?” I asked, holding a gun to his head.

  “Si. Si. I left the others in the storage room.”

  “Move forward three steps and then right two steps,” Wild Card ordered.

  The man complied and while Wild Card secured his other handcuff, I swept the closet. It was empty except for some of Donovan’s camo gear.

  “Did Donovan store any weapons in here?” I asked.

  “No. He has a safe. Lisa had a fit the last time he left a knife out.”

  “Abigail can’t even crawl yet.”

  “Yes, she can.” Wild Card said, laughing. “They just don’t put her down long enough to let her.”

  “Seriously? She can crawl?” I grabbed the guy and jerked him toward the tunnel that led to Alex’s house, nudging him with the barrel of my gun to move.

  “She’s pretty good at it too,” Wild Card said as he followed us down the tunnel.

  I heard a noise ahead and grabbed the guy in front of me to stop him.

  “Who’s out there?” I yelled down the tunnel.

  “Shipwreck!” a voice called from Alex’s house. “All clear on this end.”

  I nudged my guy again, and we exited the tunnel a minute later.

  Shipwreck grabbed my guy and manhandled him into the storage room. “I heard the alarm and decided to check on the prisoners. How’d this one escape?”

  “Don’t know. You can ask him while I get a garbage bag.” I walked down the hall and into the small basement kitchenette. Under the sink, I found a box of garbage bags. I grabbed two before returning to the storage room. “Strip,” I said to the prisoners. “All of you.”

  “What?” one of the guys said.

  “You heard her!” Shipwreck yelled. “Strip! Now!”

  The men started to remove their shoes and socks, and I turned to Wild Card. “Can you call Tyler with the all clear?”

  “Gladly,” Wild Card said, looking at the prisoners as they started unbuttoning their pants. “I have no interest in watching to see what comes next.”

  The men in the room had removed their jeans and socks, but still had their shirts and undershorts on. “Naked, boys. Nothing but your birthday suits.”