by J. M. Walker
Angel only grunted before turning back to Henley Jinx, one of the new members of Vice-One. He was just a kid but passed through the military faster than Dale went through women. I didn’t know his story but Angel trusted him, and that was all I cared about.
“First time?” Dale asked Lian Wolfe, a large fucker who had a slashed scar across his cheek.
“First time with you,” Lian answered, his voice rough like he had gargled with broken glass.
“Touché.” Dale huffed, running his hands up and down his thighs.
“Stop trying to make small talk,” I told him. “We can do that shit when we get home.”
“Something’s wrong.” Dale shook his head. “I don’t care what you fuckers think. You know I’m right.”
He was. I felt it too. It was that familiar itch inside of my gut. It was the driving force behind my incessant need to put a bullet in the bastards’ heads who threatened everything we lived for.
“Coby,” Angel barked.
I raised an eyebrow, challenging my brother head on.
He shook his head. “You trust us?”
“With my fucking life.” I looked at each of them. I didn’t know Henley and Lian as well yet but Angel recruited them. “You trust me?”
Several grunts and nods later, a breath of relief washed over us.
“We need to say a prayer,” Stone said finally.
In a time like this, even if you didn’t believe in a higher power, hearing a prayer, any sort of prayer, gave you the courage to fight. It brought us together and forced us to work as one. We were Vice-One. Brothers. Saviors. And I would have each of their backs until this shit ended for good. Something told me that we wouldn’t make it out of this one without a fight. We brought down terrorists, but with the human trafficking shit, it all mixed as one when it was so close to home.
“I love you guys,” Angel said.
Dale smirked. “I love you fuckers too.”
While the guys were away, the girls played. We hung out at each other’s respective homes, taking turns each night. We didn’t want to be alone and even though Creena had her own apartment, we wanted her nearby. That was Stone’s orders.
“How come Stone is the only one who goes by his last name?” Creena asked one afternoon while we were doing dishes.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I call Coby by his last name sometimes.” And that usually ended up in sex. For whatever reason, Coby loved it when I called him Porter.
“Maybe I’ll just start calling him Vincent.” Creena winked. “See how he likes that.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You two go out yet?”
She scoffed. “No. He’s a nice guy but …” Her gaze took on a faraway look. “Anyway … I’m not ready to settle down.”
“I thought the same thing.” I playfully elbowed her in the side.
“You and Coby seem cozy,” she pointed out, placing a plate in the drying rack.
“Yeah … it’s weird being here without him, though.” My body buzzed just remembering our conversation from a couple nights ago. Wherever he was had just enough reception that we could video chat and we could watch each other come. It was the fastest I ever had an orgasm from my own hands. With Coby controlling everything I did just from his words, he had me wrapped right around his finger. And God, when his large hand closed around his—
“Brogan.”
I jumped, my gaze landing on Jay. “What?”
“I was talking to you.” She frowned, her eyes holding a hint of amusement.
“Sorry.” My cheeks heated. “I’m a little distracted.”
“I can understand why.” She sighed, leaning against the counter and nodded toward Max and Meeka who were sitting on the couch in the living room. “I worry about her.”
I followed her gaze.
Max laughed at something Meeka said but the smile never reached her eyes. It had been the same thing with Jay a couple months ago when her ex wouldn’t leave her alone.
“How are your brothers doing?” Jay asked, grabbing a towel.
“They’re dealing with Benny’s death the best way they know how.” I dropped a plate in the rack.
“By drinking?” Creena raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. As much as I don’t like it, I understand why. I just wish they would use something else to help them deal with it instead of alcohol.” It was too close to home. Benny might not have been shot if he didn’t get drunk and ended up at that shady bar.
“How are you doing?” Jay nudged me gently.
I shrugged. “When Coby was home, I would use him since I don’t drink much, but now that he’s not, I sleep. A lot.” His bed smelled like him, even after I washed the sheets. It also reminded me of all the times we had spent in it together. Everywhere I looked in this apartment reminded me of things we had done and where we had done it.
“You love him,” Jay pointed out. “A lot.”
My cheeks heated. Again. “Yeah. I do.”
“Aww. My bestie has fallen in love,” Meeka teased, coming up behind me. “It’s about damn time too.”
I laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that we’re happy that you are happy,” Max said softly.
“God, I love you girls,” my throat tightened. “And here I am getting all emotional and shit.”
They laughed.
“We love you too.” Jay smiled. “But we will help you get whoever killed your brother.”
My heart jumped, the light mood in the air turning dark and dangerous. “You will?”
Creena clapped a hand on my shoulder. “We’re family, and when one of ours is hurt, we fight back.”
“As one,” Meeka added.
“Right now, I can’t do shit.” Jay rubbed her swollen belly. “But after this bean is out, if nothing happens before then, I’ll rip up this fucking town with you.”
“Oh, God.”
All heads turned to Max.
Her eyes were wide, shadowed by a tremor of fear.
“Max?” Creena took a step toward. “What’s wrong?”
“Something doesn’t feel right,” Max said, her face twisting with pain.
“Okay,” Creena gripped her shoulders, guiding her to a chair at the table. “You’re almost seven months pregnant, Max. Things can start to feel a little different.”
“No,” Max said through gritted teeth. “It’s the baby. Please. God.”
“Call 911,” Creena demanded, holding Max’s hand tight in hers. “Okay, Max. Come on, girl. You got this. You’re strong. Breathe.”
“It’s too soon.” Max’s chest rose and fell, a sheen of sweat coating her brow. “It’s too soon.”
Meeka called for an ambulance.
Jay knelt at the other side of her best friend, trying to keep her as calm as possible.
Suddenly, a scream tore through Max. It was so loud, I had to cover my ears. It was a sound I never wanted to hear again.
***
(Coby)
My brothers huddled together, closing in on a bunker that held four underground terrorists that no one knew about until that morning. Except for us of course. Our new boss was nothing like Eric Vega. He went by the book most days but then there were some when he just wanted shit done and over with.
Lian leaned against the wall, holding up four fingers and indicated for one of us to go around back. Dale took that as his cue and slid around the building.
I was holed up, a few yards away and waited for any sign that they needed my help. But this team worked well together. Even with Asher no longer being in Vice-One, he had met Lian and Henley briefly. I didn’t even know we were getting new recruits until I saw them on the plane. What didn’t sit well with me was that Asher was no longer a part of this team. Even though his PTSD stemmed from a difficult childhood, I would end these mother fuckers just for him.
“Fucking fuck,” Angel growled.
Shit. “What’s going on?” I asked into the radio.
“There are mor
e than four bastards in here.”
Pop. Pop.
Gun shots rang out, sending my blood soaring through my veins. This was what I lived for. Bringing the bad guys to justice. Knowing that these fuckers were behind the women who were being taken, gave me a brief moment of hope.
“Coby, watch our backs,” Angel instructed.
He didn’t have to tell me twice.
I was ready and waiting. My fingers twitched, itching with the need to end these bastards before they took anymore innocent lives.
Jay’s sister was still holed up somewhere unknown, Jay being the only person who knew, and even then, I wasn’t sure how much they saw each other. It was a rocky relationship and also none of my damn business. What the hell was wrong with me? Focus, Coby.
Zeroing my gaze on the old ratty shack, I waited. It was one thing I loved about being the sniper. I had control. I protected and remained alone until further instructions. I was never one for surrounding myself with people until I met my brothers but I would still rather do things my way. At least then I knew it would be done right.
“Coby, get your ass in here.”
I loved Angel but sometimes he was even more demanding than me.
Picking myself up off the ground, I made my way down the stairs, staying alert and aware of my surroundings.
“In here,” Dale said, pushing open a side door.
“Did you get any information?” I asked, bending over one of the bodies and searched the jacket the man was wearing.
“We have a couple wallets.” Henley handed me one. “Nothing out of the ordinary, though. But shit got real when they fired at us first.”
“You all are all right?” I made a point to look at each and every member of the team.
“Yeah,” Stone grumbled, rubbing his jaw. “One of the fuckers hit me.”
“We’re good, brother.” Angel clapped a hand on my shoulder. “We called it in but there’s something you should see.” He handed me a business card. The address on it was embossed in red lettering but what caught my eye was the location.
“This is only a couple blocks from my apartment,” I said, handing the card back.
“All of the men have one of those cards,” Lian added. “And we found this,” he said, holding a picture in his hand.
I took it from him, letting out a string of curses when I saw who was staring up at me.
***
(Brogan)
“How long has your boyfriend been in the military for?”
My eyes popped up over the cup of coffee I had been nursing for the past half an hour and stared at the man sitting across from me. I still never got his name even though we had met several times already at the bookstore.
“Quite a while,” I answered, taking a sip of the steaming liquid.
“Good for him.” The man leaned back, crossing an ankle over the opposite knee. “It’s a respectable job. Not many can do it.”
“Well, many think they can do it but fail,” I corrected, placing the cup on the table between us. “Why do you make it a point to talk to me whenever I’m here?”
The man raised a dark eyebrow. “Can’t a man be polite?”
I scoffed. “Please. I’m not stupid. I see the way you look at me.”
“And how do I look at you, little one?”
“Don’t call me that,” I bit out.
“Why not?” A hint of amusement flashed in the man’s dark eyes.
“Because only one man is allowed to call me that, and it’s certainly not you.”
“You have some fire behind your tiny size.”
I rose to my feet, suddenly aware of how little I had on. Shorts and a t-shirt later and I still felt fucking naked. “I’m leaving.”
“Wait.” He grabbed my hand, stopping me. “Don’t go.”
I shoved out of his grip. “I have to make a phone call.” Before the guy could stop me again, I ran out of the bookstore. It was weird having coffee with another man. But it wasn’t my fault. He just sat down at my table and started talking to me. I huffed, pulling my phone from my pocket and made my way across the street. “How’s Max doing?” I asked Jay when she grumbled her hello.
“Still grumpy and still on bed rest,” Jay mumbled.
I sighed, heading back into Coby’s apartment building. “She needs us now.”
“I know. Listen—” Jay cleared her throat. “If you talk to Coby, you need to tell him what’s going on so he can let Dale know.”
I stopped suddenly. “Really? Wouldn’t it make more sense to wait so Dale isn’t distracted?” The doctors gave Max instructions to stay off her feet and told her that the baby was stressed. Rightfully so. The father wanted nothing to do with the situation.
“I don’t know,” Jay cursed. “Max doesn’t want me saying anything but I can’t help but wonder if it would make Dale fight harder.”
The elevator dinged, the doors opening a moment later. “I’m not sure, boss, but whatever you want, I will do.”
“I know. I haven’t been able to get a hold of Angel.” Jay’s breath hitched. “I’m worried.”
My stomach twisted. For her to be worried told me something. It said that this shit was real. I knew it was all along but when the person who was easy going was concerned, it didn’t sit well with me.
“Have you heard from Coby?”
“No.” My chest constricted. God, I missed him. His touch. His scent. His voice. I had never been in love before. If I would have been told that this was what it felt like, I would have let myself fall in love with him sooner.
We continued talking about how we missed the guys, how Max was beside herself with worry over the baby, how life was evil and liked to laugh in our faces. So much fucking fun.
An hour later, I had said goodbye to Jay and hung up the phone and sat there. So much had happened in the past couple of weeks but something was still missing. I needed to go to the basement at the club. Since the most recent explosion, I hadn’t stepped foot into that solitude I had allowed myself for the past couple of years. I wasn’t sure what it said about me but I craved the control over the men who sat in my chair.
“Don’t let it bother you,” Benny had said to me months back. “Anyone would be lucky to sit in your chair. At least then they’re still alive.”
He was the only other person outside of the club who knew what I did. Until Coby came along and I realized that he enjoyed watching me give those bastards what they deserved.
After the most recent events, we weren’t any closer to finding out where Charles was or who the head of the organization was. We only knew it was a brother and sister duo who were closer than siblings should be.
Suddenly, a loud bang on the door sounded throughout the apartment.
I jumped to my feet, a cold shiver racing down my back at the unexpected noise. “Someone there?” I mentally cursed myself. Not like the person would answer.
Giving myself a much-needed full body shake, I headed to the door and looked out the peephole. Not seeing anyone standing behind the door, I opened it and peered out into the hallway. No one was allowed on this floor without a key. Coby had reassured me of that but no matter how much security you had, it wasn’t one-hundred percent fool proof.
The bang sounded again, but this time, it came from inside the apartment.
“Listen, fucker,” I called out. “You’re playing a very dangerous game.”
No response came, except for another bang.
I sighed, not having the patience for this shit, and shut the door. “I don’t know how you got in here,” I said, following the banging. For an apartment, Coby’s was huge. I didn’t realize how many places there were to hide until this very moment. A tremor of fear mixed with the delicious taste of excitement, coursed through my blood. Pulling a chair from the dining room table, I slid it to an empty space in the foyer. If this became messy, at least it wouldn’t be close to where we ate.
The banging repeated.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Instead of sea
rching out the noise, I stood back and waited.
A couple minutes later, a large shadow appeared in the hallway, revealing the man from the bookstore.
My heart jumped. I had known all along that there was something off about the guy.
He held a baseball bat in his hand. “You don’t seem surprised to see me,” he said, leaning against the wall opposite me.
“I’m not,” I gripped the edge of the back of the chair. “I know a fucked-up person when I see one.”
“Ah,” he pointed the bat in my direction. “You waiting for me to sit?”
“Nope.” I sat in the chair. “I figured I might as well get comfortable while you tell me why you’re here and all that shit.”
The man raised an eyebrow. “You’re not scared?”
I sighed, feigning a yawn. “I’m bored.”
“Is that right.”
“Listen, clearly you know that I’m alone. I have no idea how you got in here but I can only imagine that you paid the security guard off. Or you killed him.” I shrugged. “Either way, you didn’t come here to chat. So, tell me what you want.”
The man started pacing back and forth, tapping the bat against the floor with each step. “My sister warned me that you wouldn’t budge easy.”
“Your sister?” I repeated, realization dawning on me. “So, you are the head of the organization.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Lucky me.”
The man sneered. “You know who I am.”
“I’m not dumb, Zane. I know a brooding asshole when I saw one but I have a feeling that it’s your sister who truly runs the show.”
He only stared at me, not moving, not budging, not showing any hint of emotion.
I was right. I knew how it worked. They had a sick and twisted relationship thanks to the abusive home they grew up in. This guy tried to be in control, letting everyone on the outside think that was the case when really, his sister was the true master mind.
“So, tell me. Does your sister do this shit because she’s jealous? Having an abusive father can really fuck you up.” I pretended to check out my nails. “Does it make you hard, knowing that she’s the one who is truly in control?”