Never Give You Up

by Shady Grace

  Terry stood next to his father’s urn, staring hard at the large picture of a younger, more robust man in the gilded frame. Wanda had requested a private service two weeks after his father’s death to allow enough time to pass for things to settle and for Terry to take over. Besides, in this business having a funeral too soon after a death risked a mass murder then and there.

  He paid no mind to anyone else as he stared at the man who made him. The father who made him into the hardened man he was today.

  His last minutes must have been horrifying. Did he see his killer? Did he know him? He’d give anything to take that night away, to save his father, even if they didn’t always get along. Even if Terry hated this life he was forced into.

  It ripped his soul apart to see Colton McCoy in a container. Nothing but a black ceramic vase as proof that once a strong man had lived on this earth before they burnt his flesh and bone to ash. He didn’t even get to see him before he left, and he was ashamed. It didn’t matter how hard the old man had been on him. He was still his father, and he loved him.

  He swallowed, his jaw tight, his eyes dry. He had no tears left to cry.

  A hand touched his shoulder. Without flinching he slowly turned to find two officers out of uniform standing behind him.

  “We’re sorry for your loss, Mr. McCoy.”

  He nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  The rookie officer standing further back cleared his throat. He appeared more than a little nervous to be in a room filled with the kind of men that could end his life with a single nod. “Please let us do our job, Mr. McCoy, and solve this case. We understand what you’re going through, but let the law handle this.”

  No. You’ll never understand. “Thank you.”

  Somebody sobbed behind him. It took a moment in his dazed mind to realize it was his stepmother. She leaned back pitifully across one of the fainting couches closest to the picture. Her hands covered her face while her body shook with every haunting cry.

  “Excuse me, boys.” He took a seat on the edge of the old couch and put an arm over her trembling shoulders. “It’ll be okay. I’ll take care of you. Whoever did this is going to pay with their very lives.”

  As he patted her hair and held her to his chest, he glanced around the room to the many people who came to offer their condolences. He recognized many faces. Hardened men who knew well how to navigate this house, and how to conduct business in the McCoy fashion.

  But there were a few he’d never seen before. Was the killer here with them? Could he be watching them now and plotting his next victim? Would Wanda and Terry be next? If the enemy was among them he’d rip their throat apart with his bare hands.

  Terry’s mind raced with so many questions, it took a moment for it to dawn on him that Gabe stood at the entryway to the great room, looking out over the crowd. He watched as Gabe nodded to a few men. Terry raised his hand to wave him over, but when Gabe moved to the side, Terry’s hand paused mid lift and his eyes widened in disbelief when he saw who lingered next to him.

  What is she doing here? Why did Gabe bring her here?

  Dread consumed him. This wasn’t the place for her. She should be at home hating him, wishing she’d never laid eyes on him, safe from all the bad people in this world. But he stared at her like his whole existence meant nothing without her.

  His heart, filled with sadness for many things, thundered hard in his chest. He took her in, swallowed her up with his searching gaze. He remembered everything in great detail, and it bore a whole into his very soul.

  She wore a simple black dress with her hair piled high. No jewelry, little makeup, only her plain beautiful self. No other woman compared to her, and he felt a hard pang of regret if his sudden departure broke her heart. He was an asshole. A lowdown, dirty son of a bitch for leaving her like that. But he believed he did the right thing at the time. This place wasn’t safe, especially with her around. Nobody was safe around him and he hated himself for it.

  He felt her hold on him right in his groin, as if she’d gripped him right by the nuts and said, “You’re mine, so shut up and accept it like a man.”

  “Who’s the woman with Gabriel?” Wanda asked, suddenly more alert and sitting upright. “Is she his new girl?”

  Fuck. What the hell am I going to do with her?

  “Excuse me for a minute.” He squeezed Wanda’s shoulder and stood up. “She’s just an old friend of mine. No worries.” But he knew she didn’t believe him. He saw it in her eyes, saw the recognition, and surprise.

  Wanda’s jaw unhinged as she turned her attention back to Mary. She stared hard toward the entryway, but Terry paid her no mind. Wanda only wanted the best for him, and he knew she’d accept Mary once she got to know her.

  Terry adjusted the collar of his suit, never more uncomfortable before, as he approached the duo at the doorway. It felt like he faced a judge with a death sentence as his eyes sought hers.

  “Gabe.” He stared at Mary as he said the words. “I’m glad you made it.” Best to not let anyone else realize what this woman meant to him.

  Mary stared up at him, blinking rapidly, her mesmerizing eyes boring a hole into his shattered soul. “I-I came to pay my respects.”

  “Thank y—”

  “And to give you shit for the way you left,” she whispered fiercely. “Don’t ever assume that you’re not good enough.”

  Terry blinked, completely taken back and blown away by her statement. Did she really come after him? He glanced at Gabe who shrugged and made his way over to Wanda.

  This complicates things even more.

  He blew out a deep breath and nodded at Mary, having no clue what to say. This was a funeral for his father, after all. The details of their frayed love affair would have to wait. He offered his arm, as calmly as possible, and started for the front of the room.

  Mary pulled back, her eyes wide. “I’ll just sit back here.”

  “No, you won’t.” He grabbed her hand and hooked it in his arm and gently forced her to the couch. He’ll deal with everybody else later. He knew having her next to him like this could be putting her in grave danger, but there was no way he would let her out of his sight. She was safest right next to him, her hand locked in his, and his eyes locked on her every move. Besides, as soon as he touched her, he was done.

  As Gabe took his seat on the other side of Wanda, Terry pulled Mary down beside him. The four of them filled the sofa with no room to spare.

  He felt all eyes on them, and even though it made him nervous, he wouldn’t let it get to him.

  None of his real mother’s family attended. Even though the knowledge hurt, Terry understood why. When they lost her, they lost the only innocence they’d had. The only people grieving for Colton were himself, Wanda, and business family. They all were family in one form or another. He grew up around many of the people surrounding him.

  It was a shame what his life had become, but it was what it was.

  As everyone focused their attention back to the man in the casket, Terry held Mary’s hand tight in his. He felt her tremble and couldn’t help feeling a spike of hope that she’d chased after him, even if he didn’t deserve it.

  The timid and terrified Mary Billings came after him.

  He had to force himself not to grin during the service.

  As a family friend said a few words about his father, Terry glanced over and found Wanda staring down at he and Mary’s entwined hands. When she looked up into his eyes, he saw the pain in hers, before she smiled and looked back up at the picture of her dead husband.

  Chapter 9

  Mary didn’t know what to do but stand quietly by herself as the funeral ended and only a few of them remained in the massive parlor. She wondered if they all were roughened criminals or drug dealers or gamblers, or something of the wild sort. Whatever the case, she felt like a complete outcast among them.

  A blonde woman—beautiful, probably in her mid-twenties—attended the others with sandwiches, light snacks, and drinks. S
he couldn’t help wondering if she went above and beyond to make these men comfortable, and if Terry enjoyed her as well. Mary may not be aware of what exactly went on in this sort of rich and fabulous and criminal world, but she wasn’t a fool. She’d seen enough movies to know that men of Terry’s ilk often mistreated women and used them for nothing but sex, or at least some sort of selfish gain. But she knew, deep down, Terry was the good one like Gabe had told her.

  She glanced around the room, in awe of the richness of this place, yet feeling more out of place with every passing second. She’d only seen homes like this in magazines for the wealthy and the famous, where homes were passed down generation to generation. The fuchsia-colored settee that held the four during the service must be worth more than her bronco. This wasn’t normal in her eyes. Not when she had to work like a dog to pay the bills every month.

  Everything in this room was a deep, rich wood, probably mahogany. A floral print covered the walls, along with many large paintings. So much sophistication and class packed into one room.

  Vases with beautiful flowers spilling out over the top, and numerous other arrangements attested to Terry’s family being well respected. There must be at least one-hundred floral arrangements in this room for the service. It was overwhelming.

  When she and Gabe pulled up to the mansion she wanted to ask him to bring her back home. Back to what she knew. A dirt road for a driveway leading to a small house—not a paved driveway circling a fountain that led to a massive mansion. The McCoy home was basically a Victorian museum overlooking the ocean.

  This is what Terry knew. He was a powerful man, could have anything he wanted. Now she had entered his element. It took every ounce of willpower and resolve she had to come here and see him, with the hope their brief fling wasn’t over yet.

  Now what? Maybe she should have planned beyond coming to his rescue. All she knew was that she couldn’t let him walk away. Not so easily.

  She dared a glance at the urn and the picture, at the face of a man she’d never met. A man she knew was dangerous when he’d walked on this tumultuous earth.

  Terry looked nothing like him. Maybe the lovely mother she’d heard about was who he truly took after. If that were true, then she did the right thing coming here.

  She tried not to tremble as she stood by herself in this strange place where the only two people she knew were Gabe and Terry, and even they were little more than strangers. She offered a brief smile and nod as the woman who sat with them on the huge sofa, approached.

  She was beautiful, with dark hair and matching eyes, and looked much younger than the man who made her a widow. At least she and Mary had something in common. But did she really love Colton McCoy, or was she with him for money and power?

  “So you’re the one.”

  Mary blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

  “You’re the one who caught my son’s heart.”

  The woman lifted her hand and Mary shook it, having no clue what to say to her. This was the woman who gave Terry the news about his father that night. It felt like Mary was speaking to royalty. During her trip here with Gabe, he’d filled her in on some of the details of Terry’s family life. Who was who, and did what for the business. Who she could trust, and who to steer clear of.

  Wanda McCoy was highly respected and her safety was guarded at all times. The men loved her like a mother figure and always bowed to her whim. Yet another thing that made Mary feel less than adequate. But she didn’t come all this way to be treated poorly, after all, she knew Terry cared about her in his own way. He wouldn’t allow anyone to mistreat her.

  Be strong. Terry needs you. And you need him.

  “I’m Wanda. Terry’s stepmother.”

  Mary felt the color deepen in her cheeks. “I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. McCoy.”

  “Thank you. Come now, my dear.” Wanda put her arm over Mary’s shoulder and led her toward an adjoining room. Mary stared back at Terry, unsure if she should go with her, but when he nodded consent, she blew out a breath of relief and gladly followed. At least some female company might make her feel more at ease.

  “Let’s have a strong drink,” Wanda added. “It’s custom in this family to celebrate the life of a loved one when they leave us.”

  “Okay.” Mary looked around the room, which seemed like another big living room but more private. This room was painted a deep burgundy with accents of white and light grey. More exquisite paintings adorned the walls, and the floor-to-ceiling windows were dressed with lush white curtains. She imagined they must have many drinks in this room celebrating another dead person. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you. Colton’s first wife—Terry’s mother—had good taste. She designed this home, you know.” She smiled as she poured their drinks. “Eliza was a dear friend of mine. I was heartbroken when she passed. Such a beautiful woman with a kind, loving heart. Colton and I grew closer as we needed each other’s support to get through such a trying time in our lives. Falling in love with him came quite naturally.”

  Mary nodded, not quite sure what to make of her statement, and accepted the drink. Wanda seemed to be overselling herself, but maybe Mary was overreacting. She tipped the glass to her lips and nearly moaned aloud by the sheer flavor of ecstasy. Whatever it was, it tasted like it probably cost a mortgage payment.

  Wanda gestured to a nearby loveseat. Mary took a seat, her posture stiff and awkward as Wanda sat right next to her, so close their thighs touched. Mary felt trapped. Her heart pounded and her palms grew sweaty. It seemed like now would be interrogation time.

  Terry’s stepmother raised her chin regally as she regarded Mary, her dark eyes as dark and as foreboding as a black hole. “Tell me. How did you and Terry meet?” She stared at her, unflinching, as solid and bright as a diamond.

  Mary tried to pick the right words. “Well, we met by accident, literally. When Gabe crashed near Silver Creek where I live, I happened to be there when Terry . . . picked him up.”

  “I see.” Wanda chuckled under her breath. “There’s no need to hide anything from me, my dear. I know everything.” She patted Mary’s knee, her long fingernails gripping her flesh. “Don’t be afraid, child. You’re quite safe here with me.”

  Mary smiled despite the fear of this overwhelming place and the people within it. Terry’s father wasn’t safe, how could they protect her? “Thank you.”

  The guys strolled in at that moment, and Mary breathed in relief to see Terry’s face. When he took a long, thorough look over her, it felt like she would be all right. He would make sure she was safe.

  “Mary, this is John Covington, he handles the books, and this is Buck Johnson, the estate manager.” Both men came forward, all smiles, and she gladly shook their hands. Another gentleman walked in behind Terry and he commanded attention unlike the others. “Mary, this is Sammy Hayes, a dear friend of the family. Sam, meet Mary. She’s the one with the ace shot I told you about.”

  Mary blushed under the intent stare of Sammy’s dark eyes, as well as his contagious smile. He had mocha skin and short black, curly hair. She guessed he was of mixed race, and he was gorgeous. He walked over, leaned forward, and took her hand, flipped it over and kissed it. “It’s a pleasure. Always nice to meet another shooter.”

  Trying not to laugh, Mary cleared her throat and took another sip of her drink. “Thanks. I’m not really a shooter, I just do what needs to be done.”

  Sam grinned, displaying a single gold tooth that gleamed in the light. He reminded her of a pirate. “So do I.”

  He sure knew how to make a woman feel like she was the brightest light in the room. She caught herself staring at him and quickly averted her gaze.

  “Terry, sweetheart, you must show your girl one of the spare bedrooms. She might as well get comfortable after coming all this way,” Wanda said as she stood up from the loveseat. “I too feel like I need to rest. Gentlemen…” Wanda nodded and gracefully swept toward the doorway, her black silk dress billowing behind her.


  “I’m taking Mary to my place,” Terry added before she left the room.

  Wanda turned in the doorway, frowning. “Nonsense. I want to get to know her. We should all stay here. It’s safer that way.”

  Terry gave his stepmother a stark glance, daring her to challenge him. “Mary and I need to talk. You’ll be safe with the guys here. Can our visit not wait till tomorrow?”

  Wanda sighed loudly. Mary guessed the woman wasn’t used to not getting her way. “Fine. Tomorrow it is.” She turned her attention to Mary. “We’ll do lunch as a family and then we’ll go shopping in the afternoon. It will be wonderful. I’ve always wanted a daughter.” And she blew out of the room before anyone could argue.

  Mary sat there in quiet misery, staring at the hallway where Wanda disappeared, wishing Mima could be there to offer support. She felt so out of place maybe this was the wrong time to come here, especially during his father’s funeral. Now she was being forced to have lunch and go shopping with a woman she didn’t even know. She may seem nice but Wanda made her feel beneath her, as though Mary should be washing her feet not looking for a new wardrobe.

  Thank God for Terry. She felt his eyes on her even though he spoke quietly to the guys. She felt his intensity and his strength right across the room.

  Then she saw it. A painting of a beautiful blonde woman who looked exactly like Terry. Mary stood up and wandered over, hands clasped behind her back. The blue eyes were as beautiful as they were haunting. The artist perfectly captured the sadness behind all her beauty. No matter where you stood in the room, those eyes followed your every move. She wondered if his mother had ever been happy in her marriage. Was she a victim long before she saw Colton’s pigs eat a man?

  Mary shuddered and ripped herself away from the painting and stared hard at Terry, unable to hide her trepidation.

  When his eyes met hers he immediately ended the conversation. “Okay guys, let’s talk about this another time. Mary needs to rest.” He stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay?”