Cookie and Charlie came in a few seconds behind them. They rushed over and gave Lauren side hugs—awkwardly, because I still had her in my arms. Lauren beamed at them and I felt a pang of guilt for keeping her away from her friends while she was chasing after me.
“What’s happening? We’re so glad you’re back and we want to help with whatever you need.” Cookie moved over and wrapped her arms around Vince. “We missed you.”
Charlie groaned. “It’s not the same without you around. The guys are all busy and it’s boring at the office. I took your place at yoga until you get back, though. One of those skinny Starbucks bitches was trying to hone in on your spot.”
“Man, we need you back as soon as we can get you back. Shit is busy. Turns out having an employee charged with murder doesn’t slow down business.” Tucker grunted when Charlie hit him. “What?”
I looked down at Lauren and raised an eyebrow. She had that sexy little furrow between her brows and looked confused.
Vince snorted. “Did you think we would be surprised to see this shit?”
Tucker laughed. “Fuck. We’ve been waiting to walk in on this for years. All I can say is that it’s about damn time.”
The front door sounded again and Cooper came in with Sonnie. They both looked at us and shrugged. Cooper went to the fridge and poked his head in. He came out with a beer and snapped the top off. “I need a vacation. How are so many people’s lives in danger around here? I’m about to the point where I say just let them all kill each other and we’ll just take a long trip down to the Bahamas.”
Sonnie smacked his arm. “Be nice.”
Cookie stretched. “No, he’s right.”
The door opened again and in came Branson and Elizabeth. She looked twice as big as she had before I left and I felt my stomach tighten. Branson was almost as fucked up as me and he was still going to be a dad. I was happy for him and surprised to find a flicker of jealousy in myself.
Lauren pulled away from me and hurried to Elizabeth. “Oh, my God. You’re showing! I haven’t been gone that long! What happened?”
Elizabeth smacked her hands away and pointed at me. “How about you tell me! You two look cozy.”
Lauren cast me a shy look and shrugged. “You’re the only one who thinks it’s weird, apparently.”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all. I’m glad it happened and I’m wondering how hot the sex was since you’ve been just foreplaying each other all over the place for years.”
“I don’t want to think about this.” Vince held up his hands. “Just because I’m not surprised by it doesn’t mean I want to ponder over it. You’re like my little sister. You’re not supposed to have sex.”
Lauren inched her way back over to me, unsure of whether or not she should come closer. “We’re not…”
I caught her arm and tugged her into me. “We are.”
Vince shook his head. “Don’t want to know.”
“I want to know.” Cookie slapped Vince’s ass and laughed. “Elizabeth is right. I bet the sex is fucking fantastic.”
“I solved the murder!” Lauren sounded breathless, and when she looked back at me, she was blushing intensely. “Let’s talk about that.”
I wrapped my arm around her waist and brushed my lips over her neck. I was glad to see everyone, but I wanted them out. I wanted desperately to be buried inside of her again. “How about everyone leaves instead?”
“Oh, no. You’re stuck with us for a while. You disappeared on us, man. We got it, of course, but we were worried.” Branson moved towards the couch. “I need to sit down, though. I’m dead on my feet right now.”
Lauren turned to face me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Want to tell them who did it?”
“You go for it. It’s your case.”
She beamed and looked around at everyone. “I did some research and interviewed some people. You’re never going to believe who killed Jessica and Jade.”
Cookie pushed Vince away and perked up. “Who?”
“Judge Williams.”
Finally, we got a shocked reaction from the whole lot of them. Charlie shook her head. “No way! I decorated their home!”
“What? Murderers don’t believe in interior designers or something?” Tucker rolled his eyes. “I buy it. That asshole has mysteriously been gone every time Mercer needed anything.”
Cooper frowned. “The judge.”
Lauren wiggled against me, her excitement at solving the case palpable. “Yeah. He was the ADA back then. He was having an affair with Jessica and she threatened to tell his wife about them. He threatened her and she tried to get away, but he caught up to her. I’m assuming he buried her, or had someone help him bury her, deep enough and far away enough that she wouldn’t be found. When she was found, he had an easy enough time pointing the finger at Mercer, whom he knew she’d been dating at the time. Sheriff Hayes helped. Somehow, they’re in on it together.”
Everyone just kind of stood around, looking at each other in silence. I felt pride swell up in me at how amazing Lauren had been.
“The only problem is that we don’t have proof. I have to get some so I can prove that it was them and not Mercer.”
“That’s not the only problem.” I cleared my throat and sighed. “Little Miss Detective here decided to let Judge Williams and Sheriff Hayes know that she was onto them.”
Lauren scoffed. “I let Sheriff Hayes know that I was onto him. I made him think I thought he’d done it. Then he ran straight to Judge Williams for comfort, or whatever sick shit it is that they share, and I happened to bump into them.”
Cookie grinned. “You bumped into them?”
“That part wasn’t exactly part of the plan. I turned a corner and there they were.”
“You turned a corner in the courthouse,” I added.
The tension broke and everyone spoke at once. I could tell they were shocked and horrified. It wasn’t great. Having to go up against the judge and the law didn’t bode well for me getting out of it unscathed.
“Hey! It’s fine.” Lauren raised her voice to get everyone’s attention. “We’ve been through worse. We’ll figure it out. I’ll think of something.”
“You’ve done enough.” I held her closer. “Let’s just take the night off and come up with something tomorrow.”
The guys nodded. “Clearer heads will make it easier.”
I agreed with Vince. “You guys really do all have to leave, though. I need some time with Lauren.”
Elizabeth fanned herself. “I bet they do kinky shit.”
Branson pushed her out of the room. “Keep it in your pants, would you?”
Chapter 21
Lauren
It was late by the time Mercer and I fell into bed. I was in heaven, living the good life. I knew things couldn’t just go that well forever, but for the night, we were living it up. Sex, real food that I cooked naked while Mercer watched, soft, clean surfaces. It was the stuff of dreams. I never wanted it to end. I knew that I was in dangerous waters in feeling like maybe it didn’t have to end, but I couldn’t help myself. Being in that kind of place with Mercer was intoxicating.
In bed, I stared at Mercer’s chest and thought about all the time I’d wanted just what I was finally getting. I traced different scars on his stomach and grinned when a tent started to form under the sheet. “Really?”
He grabbed me and pulled me on top of him. “Really.”
“I was thinking about how long I’ve wanted to do this. To be here with you, curled up in my bed. It’s silly.” I traced his jaw with the tip of my finger. “You know I never called that guy Adam back for a date, right?”
He growled. “Can you not bring that up right now?”
“I just wanted you to know.”
“But you did make out with him.” He sat up and brought my legs around his back so we were sitting face to face. “I know it’s my fault, but I still kind of want to kill him.”
“You’re the one who got a blowjob in the back of The View.�
��
“I didn’t.”
“Oh, come on, Mercer.” I rolled my eyes and blew out a rough breath. “You really expect me to believe that?”
He tugged at my bottom lip with his finger. “Yes.”
I nipped at his finger and narrowed my eyes. “Tell me what happened.”
“Nothing happened.”
“Mercer.”
“Lauren.” He made a face. “Fine. I’ll tell you.”
“I knew it.”
“She looked like you. I let her pull me into the back and get as far as unzipping my pants before I threw up on the ground beside her.”
“What?”
He scowled. “I threw up. I was shitfaced. I’d been drinking too much whiskey, trying to keep up with Vince, and she wasn’t you. I couldn’t handle it. I threw up beside her and she freaked out.”
I laughed. “No.”
“Yeah. I’m glad you find it so funny.”
“Well. I was much more graceful in my pursuit of your lookalike. We had a romantic kiss in the middle of the street before I pushed him away.”
“Lauren.”
I bit my lip. “Mercer.”
“Turn over. Put your ass over my knees.” His voice got all low and dangerous and I felt a shiver go down my spine.
“Make me.”
Mercer’s face suddenly went serious and he shoved me off of his lap. He was already on his feet and moving towards the doorway. “Get in the bathroom and stay there until I come and get you.”
“What is it?” My stomach dropped and I scrambled to find something to throw on.
“In the bathroom! Now!” His whispered words were fleeting as he vanished from the room, moving like a ghost through the night.
Like hell I was hiding in the bathroom and waiting to see what happened. I ducked under my bed and slid my gun case out. Unlocking it and grabbing my gun, I crept down the hallway, listening for anything to tell me where Mercer had gone.
A grunt came from the front of the house, followed by a crash. I rushed towards the sound and flipped the light switch on in time to see Mercer snap a man’s neck and drop him to the ground. I gasped and turned away, not wanting to see the wide-eyed stare of the dead man.
“I told you to go to the bathroom and stay.”
“I brought my gun… in case you needed it.” I glanced back over my shoulder. “You didn’t.”
“Fuck, Lauren. Go to the room and get dressed. Call Vince and Tucker. We’ve got to get this piece of shit out of your house.”
“Who is he?”
“Dead. That’s who he is. Go, Lauren.”
I rushed to do as he said and then hurried back to his side with clothes for him, too. “They’re coming. What do I do now?”
“Just stay away from him.”
“He’s dead. I think I’m safe.”
Mercer dressed quickly and moved in front of me, blocking my view. “I don’t want you looking at it. I’m sorry I had to do it in your house.”
I shrugged like it was nothing. “You protected me.”
“I would kill a million more men to keep you safe, Lauren. Know that.” He sighed. “Also know that I’m not going to let this happen again.”
“What are you going to do?”
He looked away and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to end all of this, for good.”
“What does that mean?” Dread filled my entire being. “Mercer, what are you planning?”
“Nothing you’re going to like.” He pushed me away gently and forced a smile. “Will you make some coffee? The guys are going to be here soon. They’ll need some encouragement to deal with this shit.”
“Mercer…”
“I’m going to wait outside for them and keep an eye out. Just make the coffee and stay in the kitchen, okay?”
I caught his hand and pulled him closer. Pressing my face against his chest, I breathed in his scent. “Don’t do anything stupid, Mercer. Please.”
He pushed me away again. “Go.”
Every step I took towards the kitchen felt like I was walking through quicksand. My stomach clenched and unclenched, nausea taking over. I felt like whatever was happening was going to be bad. But Mercer wasn’t crazy. He wouldn’t jeopardize himself.
I stood in the kitchen, making coffee with shaking hands. Each drop of coffee into the pot felt like it took a million years and by the time it was half full, I was too keyed up to stand around and wait. I hurried back to the front of the house, just to find Mercer and the dead guy gone. I opened the door and looked out, catching Vince and Tucker loading a large black bag into the back of Vince’s truck. There was no sign of Mercer.
“Uh, hey.” Tucker nodded to me and dropped his end of the bag into the truck. “What are you doing?”
“Where’s Mercer?”
Vince cleared his throat and wiped his hands down his pants. “Why don’t you go back inside, Lauren?”
My heart stopped. “Where is he?”
“Go back inside and we’ll come in and talk.”
I looked around wildly and shook my head. “Mercer! Mercer, where are you?”
Tucker hurried up to me and grabbed me around the waist. “Come on. Inside. You can’t be out here yelling his name like that.”
I fought against him, fearing the worst. “Where is he? Is he okay? What’s going on?”
Vince opened the door and they pushed and pulled me into the living room. Dropping me on the couch, Tucker groaned. “She’s going to kill us.”
“What? Why am I going to kill you? Tell me, Goddammit!”
“He went to turn himself in, Lauren.” Vince sighed and rubbed at his neck. “We didn’t like it either, but he did it to keep you safe.”
My head spun. “What?”
“He thought that if he was in jail, they’d leave you alone. We’re staying to make sure. Charlie and Cookie will be here tomorrow. For tonight, you get us.”
I snapped up and charged for the front door. I could stop him. He couldn’t be that far away. It was a terrible plan. He couldn’t be in jail. He had panic attacks and it messed with him. He couldn’t do it. I’d done so much to make sure he didn’t go. I had to stop him.
Vince caught me and pulled me back. “It’s what he wants, Lauren.”
“I don’t give a fuck! Let me go!” I fought against him hard. “Let me go—now! I can stop him. This is crazy! It’s crazy! He doesn’t have to do this. I can save him!”
“He made up his mind. He’s doing it to protect you, Lauren. Let him do it.”
I landed a solid kick to Tucker and an elbow to Vince. “Let me fucking go! How could you let him do this? How could you think that this was okay? You should’ve stopped him!”
“Jesus, Lauren! Stop! He did it to protect you. If he hadn’t been here tonight, you could’ve been killed. That man was coming to butcher you.”
I didn’t care. I didn’t care about anything else. “Stop him. Please. I’m begging you. Don’t let him do this. It’s torture. He doesn’t have to do it.”
Vince held me tight. “I’m sorry, Lauren. I’m sorry.”
“Why is he doing this? I could’ve figured it out. I could’ve saved him.” I was sobbing, breaking down into a mess of tears and snot. I couldn’t stop picturing him behind bars, locked in a tiny room, going crazy. I wouldn’t be able to help him. I wouldn’t be able to do anything for him. I’d lose him.
“Get Charlie and Cookie over here. She’s crying.” Vince said it like he was dealing with a wild animal.
I felt like a wild animal. I felt like scratching and biting them, hurting them until they brought Mercer back. They should’ve stopped him. They could’ve stopped him. I jerked away from them and went to my room. Slamming the door shut, I locked it and crawled into bed. The bed where Mercer and I had just been together.
I pulled the blankets over me and I sobbed into the pillow he’d been using. I knew it was dramatic, but I felt like a piece of me was dying. Everything hurt. Knowing that he was going to be in
jail and that he would be miserable killed me.
“Lauren. Are you okay?” Vince sighed through the door. “I’m sorry. He wouldn’t listen to us. You know how he is.”
“Go away.” I pulled the pillow on top of my head and cried more.
I knew I had to do something, but I couldn’t think of anything right then. Anything besides Mercer suffering, that was. That, I could think of plenty, apparently.
Vince and Tucker tried to get me out of my room, but I just ignored them. I didn’t feel like I’d ever come out again. I just wanted to stay in bed and cry. I couldn’t believe that Mercer had turned himself in. He’d known when he sent me to make coffee. He’d been saying goodbye to me. Knowing that just made me cry harder.
I spent the rest of the night in my bed, sobbing and sleeping, sleeping and sobbing. I couldn’t think of anything I could do to help. I needed to help, but I was blank.
I dreamt of Mercer, like I usually did, but this time he was in jail and he was crying. I woke up screaming.
Chapter 22
Lauren
I walked into the kitchen the next morning, glanced at that fucking coffee pot, and immediately threw it into the trash. I would just grab an energy drink on the way to meet my old boss. I’d woken up from one last nightmare before the sun came up and I’d given up on sleep. Instead, I forced myself to start thinking. Putting aside the fear and hurt, I came up with some decent plans. I had a meeting with the PI I’d learned everything from at a local park and then I planned on dropping by the courthouse.
“Hey. You okay?” Cookie walked in from the living room and frowned. “Vince told me what happened.”
I pushed my shoulders back and rolled my neck. “I’m fine. I’m going to kick his ass when I get him out, but I’m fucking fine.”
“Where are you going?” She watched me grab my purse and instantly grabbed hers. “I’m your shadow today. I know you hate it, but apparently two of us would be harder for someone to kill than one of us?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Yeah. The guys are supposed to be the ones watching you, but they’re so swamped with BDS shit that they gave me a gun and told me to do it.” She grinned at my horrified expression. “Don’t worry. I’ve been taking lots of lessons from Vince.”
Black Dog Security- Complete 5-Part Series Page 75