“Come with me.” I led Lennox out to the front porch.
“I can help with this,” he said before the door shut behind us.
“I won’t allow it.”
“It isn’t your decision.”
My older brother became my guardian when our parents died, and he still attempted to exercise a role of authority with me. However, I’d stopped standing for it years ago.
“You haven’t officially joined the Invincibles, Lennox. Therefore, it is my decision, and I intend to enforce it. Besides, you’ve already said you’re leaving in the morning.”
He sat down on a chair and looked out at the rolling hills. “Going to Boston may prove a waste of time.”
“It may, but it could also be the best decision you make in your life.” During the mission in which I was shot, my brother had met and fallen in love with a woman who lived on the East Coast. Her name was Emerson and they’d actually met years ago. Because of me, he’d been separated from her for over three months. If I’d realized that he hadn’t communicated with her that entire time, I would’ve tossed my brother out of the rehab hospital on his ear.
“Right.”
When I went inside, Lennox didn’t follow, and I was glad of it. He had his own problems to work out.
With that settled, at least in my mind, I placed a call to Hammer, asking him to join us at the ranch. While we worked to figure out who’d killed Possum, I needed him to do whatever he could on the legal side to get the charges against Rebel dropped. I considered inviting the sheriff to join us, but fearing a conflict of interest that might compromise Rebel’s release on bail, I decided against it. Tomorrow, without Hammer present, I’d arrange to meet with Mac.
“Got a minute?” asked Grinder when I walked back inside.
“Of course.”
He led me over to the dining room table, and we both sat down.
“Talk to me about this woman. You’re arse over elbows.”
Grinder was my best friend in the world, so it made sense that he’d be the first to notice how out of character my behavior was—even before my brother.
“I met her before we left on the last mission.”
My friend nodded. “And?”
I told him everything that had happened, including that initially, I’d been certain I was the one who’d killed the tosser.
“When Hammer negotiated bail, I volunteered for custody.”
“Do you think she did it?”
I shook my head. “I know she didn’t.” I explained Decker had told me an hour ago that he and Mac had uncovered Possum’s involvement with the Aryan Brotherhood.
“Could’ve been a hit.”
I agreed. Not only could have been, more than likely, that’s exactly what it was.
“What do you see happening?”
“I sent a message to Hammer, asking him to meet me here. I was hoping I could get Decker here too, so we can put together an action plan.”
“Understood, but first, what do you see happening with this woman?” He unnecessarily emphasized the last two words. My answer had been an intentional attempt to circumvent his real question.
It took me a long time to answer, and Grinder, pain in the ass that he could be, waited patiently.
“I don’t know.”
He shook his head. “Not good, mate.”
Three words on each of our parts, and yet they communicated so much. If Rebel hadn’t worked her way under my skin, I would’ve told Grinder that once she was exonerated, we’d part ways. I wouldn’t have hesitated either. His response was right on the money too. If I didn’t know, that meant I was in over my head.
“She doesn’t have anyone else who can help her.”
Grinder nodded. “So you’re the white knight.”
Truthfully, I’d been the black knight far more often in my life. I couldn’t treat Rebel the same way I’d treated other women—walking away when I was done shagging them. For the time being anyway, she was living in my house.
“I arranged for her to work in the dining hall with Tee-Tee.” I also told Grinder that they already knew each other but left out the details of their estrangement.
“Begs the question whether you plan to stay on in the States long-term?”
It wasn’t that I didn’t love England. However, the argument could be made that even before I spent time here, I preferred the idea of the States, Texas in particular, over my motherland. Would I have felt differently if my parents hadn’t died when I was a lad? It was impossible to say since they had.
I’d never made a secret of my desire to stay on here as long as possible. It was something Grinder and Rile regularly gave me shit about. Even Lennox enjoyed taking the piss out of me from time to time. In his case, it was my fascination with the cowboy lifestyle that he enjoyed poking fun at.
Before I could respond to Grinder’s question, which I assumed to be rhetorical anyway, Rile and Decker walked in.
“We need to come up with a better place to meet,” Grinder said, noticing Shadow first walk in and then out again. “And somewhere else to stay.”
“Agreed.” Rile brushed his index finger over his lips. The two had been staying at the ranch’s main house, both thinking they’d only be here a short time.
Quint walked in and sat at the table. “There are other houses on the ranch that no one is living in.” He looked at me. “Not as nice as the one you’re in.”
“It isn’t necessary that you house our crew,” said Rile. “We aren’t with SIS any longer.”
Given Quint’s father was the chief of MI6, when we all worked under him, we’d stayed at the ranch when missions brought us to this part of the States. The place provided the type of security we’d needed to execute our ops. Rile was right. Now that we were an independent entity, we couldn’t continue relying on Quint’s hospitality.
I hated the idea I’d need to find another place to live. However, the bottom line was, the level of international intelligence work we did, didn’t leave time for me to simultaneously live out my childhood dream of being a ranch hand. Quint shouldn’t be supplying housing for me any more than for Grinder or Rile.
“It’s foolish for you to stay anywhere else.” Quint set the salt shaker in front of him and moved the pepper shaker to the side. “Here’s where we are.” He picked up the salt and set it down. “Here’s where Edge is.” He did the same thing with the pepper. He’d run out of seasoning to illustrate his point, so he used his finger. “There’s a house here, here, and here. All sitting vacant. I doubt any of you will stick around Texas after you’ve worked this job.” Quint looked at me again. “For lack of a better word.”
I nodded. “Job is as good a word as any.”
“Stay on the ranch for the time being. It’s no skin off my back.” He smiled at Shadow, who was standing in the kitchen, listening to our conversation. “I’ll admit it will be nice to have the main house to ourselves.”
“Can we get down to business now?” asked Decker.
When we all muttered our agreement, he continued. “We need to get someone on the inside of the Aryan Brotherhood.”
I agreed.
“What about Ink?” asked Grinder.
Both Rile and I shook our heads. I doubted he was thinking the same thing I was, but maybe.
“Jagger?”
Rile was back to stroking his finger over his lip. “I’m thinking a different approach would be best.”
“Me,” I blurted. All eyes turned to me, except for Rile’s.
Grinder opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Rile held up his hand. “Casper will go in with him.”
The woman was as badass as they came. A job this size would take two agents. It made far more sense that she and I go in as a couple than it would for another bloke to go in with me.
Rile turned to Grinder. “Please get her and Ink here as quickly as possible. I’ll see if the agency still has someone inside the Aryan Nation.”
“What are we bringing Ink in for?” I asked.
“Ms. Marks is in your custody. Have you forgotten?”
I hadn’t, but I wouldn’t necessarily choose Ink to take over for me. But who instead? Rile, Grinder, and Deck would have their hands full, monitoring the ABT while Casper and I were inside.
After I nodded at Grinder, he turned to Rile. “Roger that.”
Rile stood. “We’ll regroup in the morning.”
“At whichever house you stick me with,” Grinder said before he and I walked out.
“By the way,” I said once we were out of earshot, “the house closest to the one I’m living in is the nicest.”
“Tell Rile that I’ll take that one.” He smiled and patted me on the back before he walked away.
I checked my mobile, wondering why I hadn’t gotten a return message from Hammer. When I tapped the screen, I saw a missed call instead. It was odd that I didn’t get an alert.
He didn’t answer when I rang back, so I sent another text rather than leave a voicemail.
Noticing Lennox’s rental was still parked out front, I looked around for my brother, but didn’t see him. A few seconds later, he came out of the barn.
“Boon yakked you up?” The barn manager was known for striking up conversations that could go on for hours.
Lennox nodded. “I made the mistake of walking over to the corral.”
I laughed and put my hand on my brother’s shoulder. “Tell me you’re leaving in the morning.”
“I am.”
“I’m happy to hear it. You and Emerson are meant for each other.” I’d known it the first time I saw them together, which was also the first time I met her. I sincerely hoped they were able to work things out, particularly since I felt guilty that he’d spent so much time with me during my recovery.
“I’ve booked a room at a hotel near the airport. My flight leaves quite early.”
“Godspeed, Lennox.”
“Godspeed, Keon.”
It was something we always said whenever we were together and one or both of us were leaving. It began shortly after our parents died.
As I watched my brother walk away, I heard the dinner bell ring, and my stomach grumbled. I hadn’t had anything to eat since I grabbed one of Rebel’s cinnamon rolls this morning, and I was famished. Instead of heading back to the house where there was little food I could turn into something worth eating, I walked over to the dining hall.
The minute I walked inside, I knew that Tee-Tee was serving Texas chili and cornbread. It was one of my favorite meals. Thankfully, there weren’t many in line in front of me since I was ready to chew my arm off from the scents alone. I approached the counter and saw Rebel concentrating on whatever she was making. It looked like a cake of some kind.
I let the guy standing behind me go ahead so I could continue watching her unnoticed. If Rebel had been born into a different life, the woman could’ve been a supermodel. Her features were exquisite, and her body was smashingly lush. She said she’d noticed me at the Long Branch, but I didn’t remember seeing her before the night we met. Looking at her now, I had no idea how I could’ve missed her.
By watching her, I was making myself as randy as I was hungry. As I grabbed two pieces of cornbread after dishing my chili, Rebel looked up and her eyes met mine. My first instinct was to smile and wink. When she smiled too, I wanted to jump the counter and take her in my arms. Why was my physical reaction to this woman so intense?
I noticed Tee-Tee standing next to her, and the pride that shone on her face warmed my heart. I shook my head at my reaction. Damn good thing none of my mates were with me or I’d never hear the end of it. Grinder in particular. As he’d said, I was arse over elbows for this woman.
Rebel went back to what she was doing, and I went in search of an open seat. I was one of the first to arrive, so there were many to choose from. As I typically did, I sat in the back corner of the room, in a chair that faced in.
“Why do you always sit back here?” Tee-Tee asked when she walked up to me a few minutes later.
“No surprises,” I told her as I raised my head and scanned the room like I’d done every few seconds while I ate.
“She did well today.”
“You don’t need to report to me, Tee-Tee. In fact, I’d prefer if you didn’t.”
She pulled out the chair next to me and sat down. “Did she tell you what happened?”
“Between the two of you? Yes.”
I studied her as she looked off into the distance.
“Do you still believe she stole from you?”
Tee-Tee took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No.”
“Does Rebel know that?”
She looked at me. “You care about her.”
“She’s alone in this world.”
“It’s more than that,” she said, resting her hand on my arm. “Isn’t it?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure how to define the way I feel.”
“Does Rebel know that?” she asked with a wink.
I winked back. “I’d appreciate it if you kept mum on the subject.”
She smiled, stood, and walked away. A few minutes later, Rebel came out of the kitchen carrying two plates.
“What’s this?” I asked when she got closer.
“Dessert. Tee-Tee told me to bring you some; she suggested I have some too.”
When she set the plate in front of me, more than wanting it, I wanted her. If we were alone, I’d pull her onto my lap and feast on the soft skin on her neck.
“Tell me if you like it.”
I noticed her hands folded so tightly her knuckles were white. “I can already tell you I do.”
“Taste it anyway.”
I brought the fork to my mouth, and the sweet cake melted on my tongue. “Oh my God,” I groaned. “This is brilliant.”
“Do you really like it?”
I nodded as I shoved another helping into my mouth, immediately followed by a third. “Is there more?”
When Rebel’s cheeks turned bright pink and she lowered her eyes, I was back to wanting to pull her onto my lap.
“Look at me,” I demanded.
Startled, she did.
“It’s fantastic. Is this your recipe?”
“How did you know?”
“If it were Tee-Tee’s and she’d made it before, it would be the most requested dessert the ranch hands ever had.”
“Seriously?”
I nodded as I shoved two more forkfuls into my mouth. I hoped she wouldn’t swat my hand when I ate hers as well. “What is it?”
“A simple orange cake.”
I shook my head. “There is nothing simple about this. What’s the secret ingredient?”
She laughed. “There isn’t one.”
“Sure there is, and I’ve figured out what.”
She cocked her head. “You have?”
I nodded. “You made it.”
13
Rebel
This man wasn’t only hot as fuck, he was sweet too. A lethal combination for me. There was no way I could allow myself to get used to being around him or to the life I’d been thrust into.
Tee-Tee was sweet to give me this opportunity, but it wasn’t permanent. As I reminded myself often, I was in Edge’s custody. I wasn’t his guest or his live-in girlfriend. We weren’t even lovers, not yet.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I answered, noticing he’d stopped eating.
“Don’t do that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t keep things from me.”
This wasn’t the first time Edge’s quick transition from playful to serious startled me. One minute he was smiling, and the next he looked like he wanted to take me over his knee and spank me. “I’m not keeping things from you.”
He grabbed the chair and turned it, with me in it, so I was facing him. Something told me that if I lied, he’d know it.
“I was thinking how nice this was. You, Tee-Tee…”
“And?”
/> When I shook my head, he scrunched his eyes. I bit my bottom lip, wishing he wouldn’t persist. “It’ll end.” I willed my eyes not to fill with tears. I hated self-pity.
“Why does it have to end?”
“Once this is…over and I’m not staying here anymore, I doubt that Tee-Tee will still let me work here.”
He motioned toward the kitchen with his head. “You sure about that?”
All of the dessert plates were gone, and I’d put out far more servings than there were people here. “Wow,” I mumbled.
“Wow is right. That takes care of your doubt that Tee-Tee will keep you on. Now let’s discuss the rest.”
“What rest?”
Edge leaned in closer to me and grasped my chin with his hand. “Don’t play dumb with me, little Rebel. I know you’re not. I’ll prompt you. Once this is over and you’re not staying here anymore…”
I tried to scoot back, but Edge’s other hand kept the chair where it was. “What is there to discuss? One way or another, this will be over. Either I’ll be back in jail, or someone will figure out who really killed Possum.”
“I’ve already told you that you’re not going back to jail. Tell me what you see happening once I figure out who killed him?”
Why was he pushing me so hard? I jerked the chair away, stood, and stalked back to the kitchen, knowing damn well he wouldn’t make a scene in the dining hall.
I was about to walk into the employee restroom when I felt Tee-Tee’s hand on my arm. “What happened, Mija?”
“Please, don’t,” I said, pulling away from her and rushing into the bathroom. I rested my back against the door after I’d closed and locked it.
What was it with these two? Yesterday, Tee-Tee wouldn’t have given me the time of day if we’d passed on the street. Today she was calling me her daughter. And Edge—what the hell was his problem? The minute this thing with Possum was over, we would be too. What kind of sadist was he that he wanted me to say it out loud?
“Rebel, open the door,” I heard him say from the other side of it.
I moved closer to the stalls. “Go away.”
“You have until the count of three to open this bloody door. If you don’t, I’m coming in anyway. One…two…”
Edged (The Invincibles Book 2) Page 7