Masculine laughter fills the room, reminding me that I am in a place I shouldn’t be, surrounded by three very strong men. But there’s something to their laughter, like I’m a toy, a plaything for them to swat around. I glance at both the doors in this room, and know with the other guard and Tommy, there’s no way I’m getting out of this room. “What exactly do you want from me?” I ask again, gritting my teeth.
“I want my money that your brother has taken from me, Ms. Archer.” Marcus stands and moves to the bar in a corner of the room, taking out the scotch and pouring himself a glass. “I know for a fact that you don’t have the funds to pay me what your brother owes me.”
I hold my breath. “How much does he owe?”
“Fifty thousand.”
“Fifty thousand,” I repeat, exhaling, trying to let that sink in.
“Well…” Marcus smiles over his shoulder. “Forty and change, plus interest, so yes, fifty thousand.”
It feels like a hundred-pound weight is pressing against my chest. The reality is, I can’t pay that money. For the first time ever, I’m not thinking about my brother’s safety, I’m thinking of mine. Because right now, as Marcus raises his glass to his mouth and takes a sip of his top-shelf scotch, I realize I’m a pawn in a greater plan.
“You are maxed with your finances,” Marcus continues, “and therefore, unable to pay Evan’s debt. Which brings us back to your brother owing me money that won’t be paid.” His gaze rakes me from head to toe. “To be perfectly honest, Ms. Archer, even if I feel that perhaps you could work the money off at the club, it’s a large amount.”
I glare at him. “I. Am. Not. Working. For. You.”
The side of his mouth arches, eyes twinkle with dark intentions. “Ah, a pity, nonetheless but we are still at an impasse. Your brother owes me a large amount of money, and I expect it paid.”
Realizing the situation before me, I shut my eyes, trying to think, come up with a plan, anything to get Evan and myself out of this. When I open my eyes again, I say the only thing I can. “You’re going to have to give me some time to come up with the money.”
“Time is not what you need. Money is what you need,” Marcus says, returning to his seat and crossing one ankle over his knee, his glass resting on the armchair. “Believe me, I’ve had my people look at this from every angle. You won’t pay this debt. And I know you already refinanced your condo.”
I had refinanced to pay Evan’s last debt. “You looked through my private financial records?” I ask.
Marcus picks a piece of lint off his pants and flicks it onto the floor. “Your boyfriend isn’t the only one who’s connected.”
I pause and watch him then, and for all the nerves I felt earlier they’re nothing compared to what I’m feeling now. It’s there in his eyes, this plan where I’m his pawn. You need to get out of here, McKenna. Now. “If you know about my financial situation, then why did you call me here?”
“Oh, you won’t pay his debt,” Marcus says. “But you seem to keep forgetting a very important factor, Ms. Archer.”
“What’s that?”
“I will be paid by any means necessary.” His gaze falls to Tommy behind me.
There’s danger in his eyes when he nods, and it’s danger that has me on my feet and running toward the door in a split second. I glance into the door guy’s eyes, he isn’t looking bored anymore, but then there’s tug on my hair, and I’m free-falling to the ground, the weight of a man following.
Gabe
With fury burning off the liquor, I storm into the groom’s suite. The T-shirt and jeans that I’d worn here are folded on the chair in the corner near my duffle bag, with my boots resting on the hardwood floor. “Please tell me you have a way to find her,” I demand of Ryder when he enters the room and shuts the door behind him.
“While Alex could easily hack into the phone company and access the GPS coordinates for McKenna’s cellphone . . .” He hesitates, shoving his hands into his pockets, and lets out a deep breath. “Keep in mind that what I tell you next is because I’m trying to help you. That said, back when this all began, we put a tap on her cellphone.”
I arch a single eyebrow. “Say that again?”
“Calm down.” Ryder gives a measured look. “Remember, I’m not the enemy here. Tapping her phone was a necessary evil, I’m afraid.”
Determined not to pummel a close friend who’s been nothing but helpful, I snap my glare away and stare at the hardwood floor beneath my shiny black shoes. Before I would’ve had no problem bugging McKenna, but now it feels wrong. We’re doing to her what I originally had been furious at her for doing to me.
I’m crazy with rage, with helplessness, with fear, as I breathe in deeply and exhale just as slowly. I want to protect her now. Hell, I want to save her from the grips of the man who has her. And it’s now, lost in these thoughts, that I realize somewhere along the line things have shifted. I can no longer deny it. It’s there staring me right in the face. I lift my head to Ryder and tell him, “You do realize that I’m in love with this woman.”
Ryder pauses. Then, his expression softens. “I do now.” Another long pause as his eyes search mine. “Regardless, Gabe, I still would have tapped her phone, whether you liked that or not. If her brother had called anyone it would have been her, and we could have tracked him from that call.”
I run a hand over my face, trying not to lose my cool. Christ, I’d been the one who approached Ryder originally, asking him to do all he could to find her brother. “Forgive me,” I say, finally dropping my hand, forcing my muscles to relax. “I’m . . .”
“Emotional.” Ryder waves me off. “You don’t need to apologize. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. This is a fucked up situation, and believe me, I take no enjoyment whatsoever spying on the woman who clearly means a lot to you.” He moves to the desk in the room, leans against the edge. “The good news is that because of that phone tap, we heard the conversation between Marcus Draken and McKenna.”
That’s an unexpected turn. “You have a recording of it?” I ask.
He nods, reaches into his pocket, and takes out his phone. Once he hits a button, he places the cell on the desk next to him, and Draken’s gravelly voice fills the air.
“Good evening, McKenna. This is Marcus Draken.”
A pause. When McKenna speaks, her voice is cool and calm. “What can I do for you, Mr. Draken?”
“I’ve had a change of heart,” he says. “I’d like to discuss this situation with your brother if you’d be willing to come and meet me.”
She pauses. “What exactly do you want to discuss?”
“I think we can come to an amicable conclusion to your brother’s situation.”
Her voice hardens. “Please do explain, because the last time we saw you, you said that you didn’t know him.”
“Oh, well, you see I have learned a thing or two about him since you came to see me,” he replies, all too careful not to implicate himself. “And I do like to help people out of sticky situations. Therefore, I think we could come to an arrangement, but I’d like to do that face-to-face.”
“I’m sure that could be arranged,” she replies. “Would you like Gabe and me to come to your club?”
It’s his turn to pause now. “I’m afraid that I would like to speak to you alone, if that’s all right. This is a private matter between you and your brother, and I don’t feel I need to tell Gabe O’Keefe my personal business.”
My body stiffens at the cold edge to Draken’s voice, a note in there warning me of a danger to come. A note that either McKenna doesn’t hear or ignores, because she finally says, “When?”
“Now,” Marcus replies. “My driver is on his way to gather you.”
One last long pause. Then, “I’ll see you soon.”
Ryder clicks the button on his phone. “The phone line goes dead after that.”
“I don’t know how I can be proud of her bravery and furious at her all at the same time.” I run my hands ov
er my face, trying to understand her position. “Why would she put herself in this situation?”
Ryder gives me a level look. “I imagine she was thinking of you, thinking of all of us, and wanting to protect us from what her brother has done.”
The second he says the words, I know he’s likely right. Through all of this, McKenna felt guilty, like somehow she was at fault for what her brother had done. Apparently, my telling her she wasn’t at fault hadn’t gotten through to her. But right now, I don’t want to her to be brave and try to fix all this on her own. I want her safe, nothing else matters above that. “So, to further protect me,” I say, trying to get it into my head to understand, “she’s put herself into the hands of a serial criminal?”
“He won’t hurt her,” Ryder says. “Believe me, Marcus Draken is a smart man. From what Alex and I have learned of him, he’s evaded the police for years. He knows how to run an underground business and not get caught. I have no doubt at all that he knows I’ve been watching him now, after you gave me his name.”
I cross my arms. “How do you know that?”
Ryder gives an unamused smile, lifts his brows. “Alex had a couple conversations with the hacker employed by Draken while she attempted to get into his security.”
That could only mean one thing. “He has good people working for him, I take it?”
Ryder nods, smiles. “Apparently so. Alex was very annoyed by him.” His smile faded. “But since Draken knows that we know about him, he won’t do anything to her. It’s too risky.”
“So, he wants something from her?”
Ryder inclines his head. “Now we simply need to find out what that is.”
“It can’t be money,” I say. “She doesn’t have any.”
“But he is a loan shark,” Ryder retorts. “I’m not sure what else he’d want from her.”
I absorb that and let the little bit of hope that he’s too smart to hurt her ease the tension in the center of my chest. Before I order us to move ahead, I reach into my pocket and grab my phone, and turn the volume back on. “Fuck, I shouldn’t have turned off my phone. I’ve got a couple texts here. The first is from McKenna.”
“You were the best man in your closest friend’s wedding,” Ryder says with a measured look. “You had no choice. Keep focused. What does the text say?”
While I know that’s true, tension floods me. “The text reads, ‘Don’t be mad. Draken asked for a private meeting. I’m on my way there now. I’ll call soon.’”
Ryder frowns. “What’s the second text?”
My muscles surge with fury and helplessness at the same time. “It’s a text from Draken. It says, I have something of yours.” I breathe deep, ensuring I don’t throw my phone against the stone wall. I can’t think. I can’t move as I take in the photo that Draken sent, because it’s the blood on her mouth, the way the masculine fingers grip her hair, the way she’s hanging limp in the photograph. “I thought you said he wouldn’t hurt her,” I barely manage.
Ryder sighs, pressing his hand on my shoulder. “What I meant was, he won’t kill her.”
“Is everything all right?”
I jerk my head up, find Darius and Micah entering the room, eyes intense. “Micah,” I say, but then I stop. How do I explain? How do I leave the wedding of my closest friend to go after the woman whose brother sold us out?
My loyalty to the men around me holds strong. I’ve never wanted to choose between them and a woman before. But . . . “I can’t stay,” I finish. “McKenna’s in trouble . . .” From meeting Marcus Draken until now, I retell the story about what’s unfolded thus far to Darius and Micah.
By the time I’m finished, Micah’s eyes are wide. “Jesus Christ, Gabe.” He steps forward, cups my shoulder, his new platinum wedding band on his finger. “You should have told me all this earlier, regardless that I got married today. And yes, this takes priority. I can explain to Allie later why you’ve left. She’ll understand.”
I glance at Darius, and he nods, shoving his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Go get her.”
When I turn to Ryder, finding his expression firm and ready, he gives a dangerous grin. “Let me tell Hadley, and then we’ll go together and get this done.”
Surrounded by friends, men that know me better than anyone else in the world, men whose secrets have been exposed and lives have been affected as much as mine from day one of this shitshow, I promise, “Tonight this will end, one way or another.”
Chapter 13
Gabe
Twenty minutes into the drive across town, I sit in the passenger seat of Ryder’s truck and fire off a text to the lawyer my father told me about, Ross Sterling at Sterling LLC. There’s a lot on my mind right now, and McKenna is number one on that list, but I can’t forget the promise I made.
Tonight, no matter what, this shit with the tabloid will end.
When the swooshing sound from my phone indicates my text is delivered, I glance next to me, at Ryder in the driver’s seat. “What should we expect from Draken?”
“He’s dirty.” Ryder keeps his eyes on the road, one hand resting on the top of the steering wheel. “He’ll play dirty, so we must meet him with equal force.”
I draw in a long breath and glance out the window, watching the city lights whiz by as we move into Pacific Heights. The truck climbs the steep hill, a streetcar matching our speed, and my mind circles back to McKenna. I need her in my arms and safe. Most things I can forgive after some time, and an honest apology, but putting McKenna into the hands of criminals is not something I can forgive her brother for. Not ever.
“Your destination is on the right,” the feminine GPS voice says, and Ryder slows his truck and then comes to a stop at the curb.
I take in the mansion before me, unsurprised at its extravagance. Draken seemed the type to want to show off his money, but I’m unaffected. I grew up with this sort of wealth, only old money is relatively clean money—relatively.
Determined to right so many wrongs, I say to Ryder, “You do not need to get caught up in this with me. I can go in there alone.”
“And miss out on the fun?” Ryder snorts, turning off the ignition and removing his keys. “Not a fucking chance, buddy.”
I pause, considering, but I know I can’t talk him out of this. Besides, having two of us there shows a stronger solid front, and I assume Ryder knows that. “All right,” I say, reaching for the door handle. “Let’s finish this.”
Ryder nods and follows me out of the truck, and by the time we’re climbing the steps, the front door is already opening, Tommy standing on the other side. By his smug expression, I have no doubt that he’s the one who caused McKenna’s injury. I bite back my rage. No matter what, her safety is my priority, my revenge will come later.
“Follow me,” is all Tommy says, opening the door wider.
Once inside, he leads us through the grand house and into a sitting room, where Draken waits in a leather chair, like a king being waited upon by his servants. First, I take note of the two men standing next to Draken, and Tommy, who’s moving a little closer to Ryder and me. Second, I get to the reason I’m here. “I received your text,” I tell Draken. “And I’m here. Where is McKenna?”
Draken glances at Tommy, who’s just over my shoulder, and nods.
“For now, she’s safe,” Tommy says, lifting his cellphone.
The second my eyes hit the screen, my fists clench, muscles quiver to act, showing the others what happens when they hurt what’s mine. McKenna’s locked in an obvious cell with a single hanging lightbulb, dried blood on the side of her face, the bruise by her eye now darker. She’s sitting on the dusty and dirty floor, knees up, arms wrapped around them.
Ryder takes a step closer to me, the warning clear. Calm down.
Reminded that I don’t want Marcus Draken as an enemy, I blow out the breath I’m holding. I shove my hands into my pockets, the desire to kill burning through me. Slowly, I glance at Draken and ask, “What. Do. You. Want?”
Dra
ken is poised, relaxed there in his seat with his hands on his lap, dark eyes regarding me. “I feel that we can do business together you and I, Mr. O’Keefe.”
I can’t hide the fury in my voice, and it comes out in a low growl, “You think kidnapping McKenna is a strategic business move?”
Draken’s smile is swift and equally dangerous. “You are here, are you not?”
I stiffen, done being played with.
It appears Ryder’s right there with me, since he interjects, “I’m growing tired of this exchange.” His voice is much calmer than mine. “You got our attention, and we’re here, get the point of what you want so we can conclude our business.”
Draken doesn’t look at Ryder, his gaze is right on me. “I want Evan’s debt paid.”
It’s then, in the coldness of his words, in the calculated way he’s watching me, that I realize not only is he playing me now, but he’s been playing us right from the very beginning. Because clearly, I wasn’t the only one watching the tabloids and what they were printing about me, so was Draken. I can only guess now that once he realized my connection to McKenna, his plan slowly fell into place.
But how deep this plan goes, I don’t know.
“I take it that you want me to pay Evan’s debt,” is all I say.
A cruel smile creases the corners of Draken’s mouth. “I told you I’m a businessman. Like you, I imagine you will use any advantageous situation to increase your wealth.”
“I highly doubt we use the same principles when it comes to business,” I tell him sharply, but now that I know what he wants, I stay focused there. “But I want you to leave McKenna alone. Will paying this debt make that happen?”
Draken nods, lacing his fingers together. “Receiving my money will end our transaction, yes.”
Everything about this feels wrong. The last thing I want to do is pay some shithead’s debt, considering when this all began with the tabloid, my plan was to ruin the person responsible, not bail them out, but the weight of all this still rests on my shoulders. I need this to all go away neatly, not only for my friends, or for McKenna, but for myself. I want life to go back to nights at the pub and lazy days. And I need McKenna back in my arms and safe. “I take it you want the payment first and then you’ll release them,” I say.
Cuffed by His Charm: A Dirty Little Secrets Novel Page 15