Maxwell, Mardi - Zane's Choice [The Doms of Club Mystique 4] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Mardi Maxwell

  “You lied to me.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I was going to tell you the truth today.”

  “You should have told me the truth weeks ago,” he said, his voice deadly. “You said you loved me and all the time you were really in love with another man.”

  Ravyn wanted to drop to her knees and tell him she loved him. She wanted to beg him to forgive her. Instead, she decided to free him. She corralled her feelings, then forced herself to meet his eyes. She knew she looked as if she didn’t care that she’d lied to him, and hoped he didn’t see that she was at the breaking point. “You can’t blame a girl for trying to save herself.”

  “You should thank god you’ve been arrested.” Zane reached for the collar around her neck. He unlocked it, jerked it off, then threw it as hard as he could. Ravyn saw a flash of light as the sun caught the pink diamonds on the medallion. She lost sight of it when it fell to the ground in the distance. When she looked back at Zane, he’d already moved away. Over his shoulder, he said, “Get her out of my sight before I hurt her, McCabe.”

  “Too late,” Ravyn whispered, then jumped when the front door slammed behind Zane. She fisted her hands and straightened her shoulders. “I’m ready to go now.”

  McCabe took her arm and escorted her toward one of the three black SUVs parked on the circular drive. The first and third vehicles had two heavily armed men in dark sunglasses standing next to them. The middle vehicle only had one man standing by it. McCabe put her in the backseat, then buckled her in and slammed the door. She looked at the house through the darkened windows of the car. A movement in an upstairs window caught her attention. The royals were crowded next to each other, blowing her kisses and waving at her. Addison stood in the middle holding up a sign that said, “Trust me” in big, black letters. A moment later, she lost sight of them as she was driven away.

  * * * *

  As soon as they cleared the gates and were on their way to the highway, McCabe twisted around and smiled at her. “Don’t look so sad, sweetheart. It will be okay.”

  Ravyn shook her head as tears dripped from her cheeks and ran down her chest. She rubbed her cheek on her shoulder to dry her tears. “Zane hates me.” She faltered on the last word and it drifted into silence. A sob left her lips and the tears she’d been holding back wouldn’t be held back any longer. She collapsed against the door and sobbed.

  The driver said, “Boss, do something or I’m bailing.”

  “Stand fast, Deuce. We knew there would be tears,” McCabe said, “and you lost the toss.”

  “Those fuckers rigged it.”

  “‘Tears are the silent language of grief.’”

  “Don’t start that, boss. Thor cleaned me out while you were inside.”

  “You can owe me.”

  “Hell, I don’t know. Shakespeare. Make her stop. Really, I can’t stand the sound of a woman crying.”

  “I don’t know who said it, but you owe me twenty for making me listen to you whine.”

  Ravyn sniffled and a hand holding a tissue appeared in front of her. She leaned forward and rubbed her face against it. McCabe pinched it around her nose and said, “Blow.”

  Ravyn shook her head.

  McCabe sighed. “Turn around, then.”

  Ravyn trembled, then sobbed. “I thought you were going to protect me. Are you going to kill me now?”

  “Why does everybody ask me that?” McCabe asked Deuce. “Do I look like a killer?”

  “Well, yeah, boss, you do. It’s the eyes, and well, let’s face, it—we’ve killed a lot of people.”

  “I’ve never killed anybody who didn’t deserve to die.”

  “I don’t deserve to die,” Ravyn said, then sniffled. “I just know too much.”

  McCabe held up the handcuff key. “Turn around and I’ll take the cuffs off, and then we’re going to talk.”

  Ravyn twisted around and felt McCabe remove the cuffs. She let her arms drop to her sides, then she rolled her shoulders a couple of times before rubbing her wrists. “Am I going to jail?”

  “Yes, for a couple days,” McCabe said. “While you’re in jail, I’m going to Colombia. Juan Rios has already gotten a man on the inside where Harper is being held. He’s going to help us free him as well as the other people being held by Mendez.”

  “How do you know about Harper?” Ravyn thought about it and decided Marisol must have told Addison about Harper. “Did Addison call you?”

  McCabe smiled. “Addison is the biggest meddler I know. What do you think?”

  Ravyn wrinkled her brow. “I think she told Cade and he called you.”

  “Smart girl. Now, tell me everything you know about your ex-husband and his business associates.”

  Ravyn leaned back, folded her hands on her lap, and gave him a summary of what she knew about Charles’s business dealings. They’d reached the outskirts of Dallas by the time she finished talking. McCabe handed her a bottle of water and she took a sip then hesitated for a moment before she asked, “Did Zane know what was really happening?”

  McCabe didn’t answer her. Instead, Deuce said, “Don’t tell her, boss. She’ll start crying again.”

  “Deuce, you just told her.” McCabe sighed. “Addison got Rosie and Judge Webber to swing a deal for you with the Attorney General, while Thor and Cade came up with a plan for me to take you into custody. I’m sure they’ll explain it to him now.”

  “I hope not,” Ravyn said through her tears. “I think I can convince everyone that I seduced him in order to save myself. Can you call and ask them not to tell him the truth?”

  “Damn, the only thing worse than a crying woman is a crying woman who’s trying to save the man she loves,” Deuce said as he pulled over to the side. “That’s it. I’m out of here.” A second later, he reached for the door handle and McCabe stuck a capped water bottle against the back of his head.

  “Don’t open that door,” McCabe said, his voice quiet and scary.

  “Boss, tell me that isn’t your gun,” Deuce said.

  “You’ll only know that for sure if you open the door and force me to take action.”

  “You won’t shoot me,” Deuce said. “It would really piss Maw off.”

  “I’m the oldest and her favorite. She’ll understand. Now, start the engine and let’s go.”

  Ravyn bit her lip, then couldn’t keep from asking, “You’re brothers?”

  McCabe twisted around to face her. “Two of six. The other four are here. Trey and True are at our twelve. Cin and Ace are at our six.”

  “Who are you? I mean, who do you work for?” Ravyn leaned closer when she realized McCabe’s eyes were now a light green. He caught her staring and smiled. She smiled back, then said, “Your eyes change colors.”

  “It’s a mood thing.” McCabe shrugged. “All you need to know is we’re on your side. If Johnson and Lake had gotten their hands on you today, you wouldn’t have lived long enough to be booked. They’re dirty and we’re helping the DEA prove they’re responsible for the deaths of at least two federal agents.”

  “So you’re with the DEA?”

  “You can say that—if you want to,” McCabe said, then turned around as Deuce pulled up to a checkpoint, flashed his badge, then drove into an underground area. He parked by an elevator and waited.

  Ravyn realized they were waiting for the men from the other two SUVs to take defensive positions around the vehicle. Several seconds later, McCabe got out and opened her door. He unfastened her seatbelt, then leaned in and dangled the handcuffs in front of her. She twisted around and put her arms behind her back and he snapped them into place, then helped her out of the car.

  “Don’t say anything to anybody, no matter what they ask you. Just tell them you need your attorney to be present.” McCabe slid a business card into her hand. “That’s Rosie’s card. Refer anyone who asks questions to him.”

  “Okay, thank you, Sir,” Ravyn said.

  “Sweetheart, don’t call me ‘sir’ in that breathy little voice of yours. You
’ve got the kind of lush body Deuce and I can’t resist, but touching you would get us killed.” He chuckled. “Those damn Ramseys are too lucky.” He led her toward the elevator as the doors slid open. “Game time. Try to look scared.”

  Deuce entered the elevator first. McCabe urged her to follow him then stood to her right.

  “Now’s the time for tears, baby,” Deuce said, his breath warm on the back of her neck. She shivered and he chuckled.

  Two of the other four men entered the elevator and took up positions in front of her. One of them had a short, groomed beard and the other had a mustache. They nodded in her direction, then turned their backs to her. They were as big as McCabe and Deuce and took up all the space in front of her. They didn’t speak and McCabe didn’t introduce them.

  “Aren’t they all coming?” She craned her neck, looking for the other two men.

  “Cin and Ace are staying with the vehicles,” Deuce said. “Trey is on your left and True is on your right.”

  Ravyn looked at Deuce over her shoulder, then gasped. He’d taken off his sunglasses and she realized he was an exact replica of Clint McCabe. “You—you’re twins.”

  The two men in front of her chuckled. She turned around and looked at them. They twisted around, pulled their sunglasses down, and smiled when she gasped.

  “There’s four of you.” She shook her head, then swung her gaze around to all of them. “Four.”

  “Six,” McCabe said. “We’re sextuplets. I’m the original. They’re the copies. Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.”

  Ravyn could only nod.

  “Maw says we’re not copies,” Deuce said. “You gotta quit saying that. You’re damaging my self-esteem, boss.”

  His words were echoed by Trey and True.

  “Stop whining or I’m going to punch you,” McCabe said.

  She almost smiled until she tried to reach out and pat Deuce. The cuffs on her wrists reminded her where she was and without any effort on her part, tears glazed her eyes and a she began trembling.

  Chapter Nine

  Zane slammed the door behind him, then stalked toward the stairs. Luc and Jackson were coming down them as he put his foot on the bottom step. They carried their field gear and sniper rifles.

  “Where the hell are you going?” he asked as he climbed a few steps.

  “We’re going with McCabe to Colombia,” Luc said.

  “You’re my fucking brothers and you’re going after that son of a bitch Harper?” Zane asked.

  “You’re welcome to join us,” Luc said.

  Before Zane could say anything, Cade stepped out of the den. “Zane, I want to talk to you for a moment.”

  “If it’s about Ravyn then forget it,” Zane said.

  “It’s about Ravyn and Harper,” Cade said.

  “You, too, huh?” Zane asked. He turned back to Luc and Jackson. “You know, I think I will go with you. Maybe it’s time I met this guy.”

  Cade walked over to the stairs and stared up at him. “Stop being a hardheaded idiot and come into the den and talk to me.”

  Zane snorted. “That’s the kettle calling the pot black, isn’t it, big brother?”

  Cade nodded, then without another word he went back into his den. The door shut behind him with a soft snick.

  “What’s his fucking problem?” Zane asked.

  “Addison,” Jackson and Luc said, then high-fived each other.

  Zane nodded his head, then pushed between them and took the stairs two at a time. “Wait for me,” he told them over his shoulder.

  Once in his room, he changed his clothes, then grabbed the bag he kept packed and ready to go. He left his room and took the steps down in leaps and bounds. Jackson and Luc leaned against the walls in the hallway. Jenna was kissing Jackson and Cassie was squeezed up to Luc, begging him to let her go with them. He heard her say something about Harper and it pissed him off. What the hell was it with his family and their concerns for this guy?

  Cassie turned to him. “Zane, tell Luc and Logan to let me go. Harper might need a woman to be there.”

  “Fu—” Zane stopped himself before he could finish the curse in front of Cassie. “You, too.” When she started to say something more, he held up his hand. “Not another word about this guy. You understand? All of you?”

  Fan lines of amusement appeared beside Luc’s eyes. “Three things cannot be long hidden, the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

  “Fuck off, Luc,” Zane said and saw Luc frown.

  “Buddha,” Addison said from behind him.

  Zane turned around and was shocked at her appearance. It was easy to see that she’d been crying. Without hesitation, he reached out and hugged her. “You okay, baby sister?”

  Addison nodded, then shook her head. “No, but it’s my own fault.”

  Zane hugged her again, then lifted her up and carried her down the stairs. At the bottom, he set her on her feet. “He’ll get over it.”

  A tiny sob left Addison’s lips. “Not anytime soon, he won’t.”

  Zane hugged her again, then released her. “We’re all here for you, Addy.”

  Addison’s lips curved up in a tiny smile. “You haven’t called me that in years.” She glanced at the den door. “Time to face the music.”

  “If he gives you a hard time, let us know and we’ll set him straight,” Zane said.

  “You’ve got problems of your own to deal with first,” Luc said.

  “I plan to do just that,” Zane said, his voice deadly.

  “You planning on beating this guy up?” Logan asked, then grinned as he pulled Cassie away from Luc.

  Zane slung his pack over his shoulder. “He’ll get what he deserves. But don’t worry, I’ll leave enough of him for you to bring home to Ravyn.”

  Jackson shrugged. “You’re digging your own grave, but that’s your choice. Let’s go.” He gave Jenna a quick kiss, then patted her on the bottom. “Be good, angel.”

  Zane patted Jenna’s shoulder as he moved by her. Next to him, Luc paused then frowned at Logan. “No groveling while I’m gone, Logan. Understand?”

  Logan shrugged and Cassie smiled. “Sometimes I make Logan pretend to be you when he grovels. I find it very satisfying.”

  “I’m going to use my belt on your ass when I get home, Cassandra,” Luc said and Cassie laughed, then ran up the stairs with Logan on her heels.

  Zane laughed. “You guys are a bunch of fuck-ups when it comes to your women.”

  Jackson laughed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to a hunt as much as this one.” He shook his head, then waved his hand, indicating Zane should take the lead.

  * * * *

  Seven hours later, they landed on a small airfield owned by Juan Rios. Zane stood up and grabbed his field gear. Next to him, McCabe’s brothers Deuce and True slung their packs over their shoulders.

  “Did you ever think we’d be working with Rios?” Deuce asked.

  “We’re not working with him,” McCabe said. “He’s facilitating our mission.”

  “Same thing,” Zane said.

  “You a Marine or a lawyer?” McCabe asked.

  “Both,” Zane said.

  “Nope, once a Marine, always a Marine,” Deuce said. “Lawyering comes second.”

  “Both of you, shut up,” McCabe said. “We got a job to do. We’re going to do it, then get back home.”

  Zane followed McCabe off the plane. Several Jeeps were parked on the tarmac waiting for them. A tall, slender man approached them, his hand out. McCabe took it and Zane heard the man introduce himself as Javier Vega. He and McCabe had a short conversation in Spanish and then they headed for the first Jeep. They gathered around it and Javier spread a map out on the hood.

  He pointed to their location, then to a location several hours away before he unfolded what looked like the ground plans of a large estate.

  “This is the house. It’s surrounded by a ten-foot wall with razor wire at the top. There’s one gate”—he pointed to an area�
�“here on the east side. It’s guarded by two men at all times.”

  “What about the walls?” McCabe asked. “Are they guarded?”

  “Yes, but my brother Mateo is the guard here”—he pointed to the map—“and he is going to take care of the guard here. We should be able to get over the wall and into the compound without their knowledge. The prisoners are locked up in this shed in the back corner of the garden.” He folded the maps, then gestured toward the Jeeps and they tossed their gear into them and took off.

  Three hours later, they parked in a small clearing in the jungle.

  “We walk from here,” Javier said. “It’s about a thirty-minute hike, but I’m familiar with the trail and my brother Mateo is waiting for us.” He held out a small radio. “He will warn us if anything changes.”

  After several minutes of preparation, they moved out, rifles ready and faces camouflaged. Javier led the way with McCabe behind him. Jackson brought up the rear. Zane had Luc in front of him with Deuce and True behind him.

  They passed through the jungle without making a sound. Several times, McCabe would hold up his fist and they would stop and listen, then move on. Ahead of them, they saw lights shining through the trees and Zane knew they were nearing the house. It wouldn’t be long now and he could confront Harper. He was tempted to tell him what Ravyn had been up to while he’d been locked up, but just thinking her name made his heart ache.

  Knowing she was in jail and probably scared sickened him, and he realized he should have stayed in Dallas and tried to help her. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice they’d stopped until he bumped into Luc.

  “Get your head out of your ass,” Luc said, his voice quiet.

  “I should have stayed in Dallas,” Zane said. “Ravyn needs me.”

  “Fine time to decide that now,” Luc said. “You can be her hero when you take Harper to her.”

  Zane nodded. “As long as she’s happy, then I’ll be happy.”

  Luc made a gagging sound. “God, you’re worse than Logan.” He turned away and headed down the trail.

  Zane smiled and followed him. He decided he’d never recover if he lost Ravyn so he wasn’t letting her go. Not to Harper or any other man.