by Cara Carnes
“Understood. We’ll mic you two up, and I’ll maintain my distance. They won’t ever see me.”
A shiver ran through Kamren. She had no doubt the man could handle whatever Javier and his crew threw at them, but it didn’t mean he should have to. This was her mess.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he whispered. “This became our problem, too, the moment you blew up your truck outside our fence line. Actually, it was ours to handle the moment Riley dragged Rachelle and Cliff out here. We’ve just been busy with other things.”
Today she’d make a decision. If Dallas and the women didn’t see anything in the backpack worth the hassle, she’d pack up the investigation and figure out how to move on. With that thought in mind, Kamren headed toward the bedroom.
“There’s a duffel bag with clothes and stuff on the sofa,” Addy said.
“Thanks.” She snagged the bag. Yet another debt owed to someone. She was racking up quite the list.
8
The Marville Dogs had claimed possession of Dom’s house three days after he’d been sent to prison for murder. They’d also acquired all the other property on the small road. It was a sticky situation for Dani, one Kamren had heard about countless times. Her best friend loved her big brother fiercely, so she’d avoided asking too many questions about why he’d killed someone.
Now you’re more like him than Dani.
She severed the thought as she directed Addy down the narrow patch of caliche road, a one-vehicle-wide track locals called Devil’s Highway, more for the freaky number of vehicles—most stolen from Nomad and Resino—and ramshackle single wides. The most trusted of the Marville Dogs earned their way into the stretch of living spaces that led to what’d once been Dani’s family home.
Kamren barely remembered what the ranch house had once been like. Four street racers sat outside of the now dark blue wooden structure. Early morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Addy pulled up to a stop outside of the fence.
A couple of younger Marville Dog recruits stood. One let out a shrill whistle, the warning some unwanted idiot had wandered onto their hunting grounds. Kamren reached for the handle, but Addy grabbed her arm.
“You’re here to send a message and clear the air.”
“My best friend is tied to these assholes in a way she’ll never break free. I’m here to make sure she doesn’t suffer fallout for what I did. She and Rachelle stay clear of this mess.”
“Then we send a firmer message. Back off or suffer the consequences. You walk in and own that yard; every asshole in it is your personal bitch.” Addy’s voice was edged with a slice of danger, one thicker and more confident than she’d heard—even in Dani’s.
“You might want to go. I’ll get home from here,” Kamren said.
“I’m not leaving you here, Kamren. I’m here to watch your six. Whatever shit you’re in, I’m sensing it’s not your choice.” Addy motioned toward the mass of bodies piling out of the house. “When we’re done here, we’re going back to The Arsenal and you’re reading us in on whatever this is.”
She nodded. “Right.” And Dallas was on the outskirts of town waiting. Just in case. The knowledge kept her calmer than she should be, given the situation. She’d killed Marville Dogs.
“We all agreed long ago to weigh in on whatever was going on with Rachelle. Riley demanded it. That crew will go to the mat for her and anyone else who needs it. That includes you. Dallas has already set everything into motion. You walk in knowing you have all of us at The Arsenal at your back.”
“I shouldn’t have ever started this fight. I never stood a chance to win.”
“Then you aren’t fighting the right war. Trust us to point you in the right direction. Read us in, and my girls will figure out what’s what. Vi and Mary have never failed a mission. Ever.”
Kamren tasted the pride in the woman’s fierce proclamation. “We’ll see. It’s not going to go well out there. You should stay in here. They’ll…they’ll hurt you.”
The woman laughed. Actually laughed.
She tracked her gaze to the group of men now whistling and grabbing their crotches. A pale-faced Dani stood between Javier and his number one henchman, Ralph. Kamren vaulted from the vehicle before the redhead could stop her.
She’d faked bravado her entire life. She could confront Javier and pretend she’d snack on his balls if he messed with her again. For Rachelle. For Dani. For them she’d stare the devil himself down if necessary.
“This doesn’t concern Dani,” she spat angrily as she marched past Javier’s idiot minions and got up in his face. “You have a lot of nerve, coming after me. What the fuck?”
“Bitch, she warned you a trip to Resino wouldn’t end well.”
“Yeah, she did. Newsflash, Javier, you don’t own me, or her. Or the Marville Dogs.” Voices rose behind her, but he held up his hand.
“I own Marville and everyone in it.” His gaze slithered down her. “I’m thinking a few nights on your knees with a Marville Dog in your mouth oughta teach you your place.”
“I’m thinking you best remember who you’re talking to. I’m not one of your little whores. I’ll gut you like a pig if you lay a hand on me or Dani.” She took a menacing step forward into his space. “You fucked up, Javier. This is your one shot. Fuck with me again, and I fuck back.”
He spewed off in Spanish. She let him have his say. Addy was right. She stood her ground now, or she’d never get another shot.
“You got a problem with me, you come to me. Don’t send your pendejo tagalongs to handle it. That’s a pussy move.” She held the glare, but felt the men closing around her. “Marville Dogs’ rules are clear. You came after me and I responded. There’s no backlash. It was me and them, and I won. Fair and square.”
“Ah-ah, step back from my girl or I step on you,” Addy warned.
Kamren turned and noted the lithe redhead’s assessing gaze as it spanned the full circle around her. Men closed the distance, but she remained steadfast in her position, gaze now locked on Javier.
“Who’s your puta friend?” Javier asked.
“This is between me and you, Javier. No one else.” Kamren’s voice rose.
“The other night was your final warning. Stop sniffing around where you don’t belong.”
“And this is your final warning, Javier. Unlike your stupid crew, I don’t need to be within spitting distance to pick you off. I’ll drop you where you stand, and you’ll never see me coming,” she warned.
“Don’t threaten me,” Javier warned.
“That’s not a threat, it’s a promise. You’ve had a hell of a ride while Dom’s been away, but don’t forget who really runs the Marville Dogs. What’s he gonna say when he hears about you messing with me?” She took another step forward until their breaths merged.
Disgust rolled through her, but she stood her ground. “I don’t need to threaten, Javier. You aren’t stupid. You know damn good and well word’s already spread like wildfire and is already whispering in Dom’s ear. Dani and I don’t get touched by your bullshit. That was the rule, one you broke last night.”
“We decide the rules, not you. Sure as fuck not Dom or his puta sister.” Javier spat on the ground.
“That wasn’t smart, Javier. You just declared war on Dom.”
“Dom don’t know shit. He knows what I say he knows.” His gaze slid down Kamren with an appreciative glint that made her shudder in revulsion. “There’s a new dog in charge, and I’m thinking it’s past time you show him some respect.”
“My respect belongs with the rightful MD leader, and that’ll never be you. Back off, Javier.”
“Or what? You’ll make me?” He laughed and slid a finger down her cheek. “If you get on your knees and work that mouth the way it was meant to be worked, perhaps I’ll forgive what you did to my crew.”
Some of the fight vacated her bravado as fear and rage fused together and clogged her throat. “We’re clear. You came after me; I responded and won. No debt owed.”<
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“We’re clear when I say we’re clear, bitch.”
“Javier,” Dani said.
“This don’t concern you, puta. Get in the house. I’ll deal with you in a minute.”
Dani’s gaze narrowed. She didn’t get in the house.
Addy tapped Kamren’s shoulder. Two black double-cab trucks pulled to a stop. So much for staying outside town until they heard the signal for help via the mics she and Addy wore. The men around them shifted, directing their attention to Dallas as he charged through them and arrived at her side. He settled an arm around her waist and feathered a kiss at her temple.
What the hell? Jesse, Nolan and Gage Sanderson exited the vehicle, but made no move to enter the yard as Dallas curled her into his side like they’d done it a thousand times.
“You okay, babe?”
Babe? She blinked. Right, he’d said something about letting people think she’d hooked up with him, but that was before.
“Dallas.” Javier shifted nervously from one foot to another as a drone appeared overhead. “Thought you warned her off, said you and your crew were done with her.”
“Things changed.”
“You’ve got shit taste in women,” one of the Marville Dogs commented. “This bitch is the last skank I’d tap if I had your last name.”
A drone whirled overhead and maneuvered to loom above the cluster of people. Red lasers danced from Javier’s head to each man around Addy and Kamren. Taunting. Warning. Kamren wasn’t sure if the drone could actually do anything, but the move was effective.
“What are you doing here?” Javier asked, his voice less confident than before.
“Not happy, Javier.” Dallas’s voice was lethally quiet with a slice of confident rage barely contained inside it. “You and me, it’s been a while, but I thought we were good.”
“We are.”
“No. We are far from good. I’m not down with you or anyone shooting at women or driving them off the road. Even less thrilled you made that play outside my ranch. Big brothers aren’t very thrilled either.” Dallas took a menacing step forward into Javier’s personal space. The man stepped back, but Dallas dragged him back with a hand fisted in his shirt. “I’m sure as fuck not good with you trying to put my woman on her knees so you can get her mouth working your worm-sized dick.”
All the men glanced about as if trying to figure out how Dallas had heard that. Idiots. Kamren almost grinned as she noted the shift in the situation. All the bravado in the men gathered around Javier fled, but that didn’t stop their leader from digging his grave deeper.
“Your bitch needs to mind her own business.”
“Call her a bitch again and you’ll be eating through a straw and shitting into a bag,” Dallas warned.
Eww. Kamren swallowed and noted the tension within the MD’s around them. Some reached for their weapons, but no one drew. Addy’s gaze prowled each one. Jesse, Nolan, and Gage had all entered the yard and formed a half-circle around the MD’s. Caging them.
“I’m gonna have a nice, long, very overdue conversation with Dom about his decision to leave you in charge of his crew. And protecting Dani. I’m thinking he’s missed a few important facts.” Dallas glanced over at Dani, who’d paled. “Daniella.”
Her best friend swallowed. “Dallas. It’s been a while.”
“Too long. You good?”
“Never better.” Dani looked over at Javier. “I’d like to go with you. To Huntsville. It’s time I chat with Dom.”
“We’ll be in touch once it’s arranged,” Nolan said.
Kamren remained quiet, unsure what her place in this was anymore. Dallas settled a possessive hand at her waist.
“Let’s go,” he said.
She let him lead her toward the truck they’d come in. He opened it and settled her into the front seat. Addy slid into the back.
“What the hell just happened?” She looked over at Javier, then back at Dallas. “We had an agreement.”
“I didn’t like what he was saying or the way he was looking at you,” he clipped. “You sent your message, then I came in and gave mine.”
The truck opened and Vi and Mary crawled in. Addy cursed when she saw the two women. “You two should’ve stayed at the compound.”
“Hi,” the blonde offered with a wave. “And you knew we wouldn’t stay. And they made us stay in the truck, it wasn’t like we did anything.”
“We came to save you, but it looks like you and Addy had it under control. You didn’t even need us or the drones,” Mary said.
Dallas shook his head and stifled a smile with his hand as he fired up the truck. “We’ve gotta jet. Climb back into the other truck before Dylan has my ass.”
“Damn it. The whole plan is blown,” Vi declared. “We were supposed to help save her so we could earn a peek.”
Mary sighed and held out the backpack like she was handing over the Holy Grail.
“A peek?” Kamren took the bag, suddenly realizing everyone’s attention was on it.
“The Arsenal just weighed in on whatever your problem is,” Dallas commented. “All of Marville figured that out when our trucks hit the city limits.”
“This,” she said holding up the bag, “doesn’t concern the Marville Dogs. They got nervous because I went to check on Rachelle. They don’t like you all much.”
“Well, I’m thinking they’re liking us even less about now,” Dallas commented. “Riley was right. She said we’d turned a blind eye to our own backyard. We won’t be doing that anymore, which means today was their notice. We’re cleaning house.”
“More like a whole town,” Vi said. “Jud’s thrilled. He’s been sharpening knives all morning.”
Oh boy.
Kamren was down for cleaning house. She’d been gathering the ammunition to burn the entire fucking town down for months now, sixteen of them to be precise.
None of what she’d done so far had resulted in answers, which was odd within itself. Surely she would’ve gotten at least one decent discovery by now. Right? Maybe her dad really did just have an accident.
“Kam.” Dallas settled a thumb on her chin. “We need to get back to The Arsenal and figure out a real plan, one that doesn’t end with you going rogue.”
She winced. The ringing was still a subtle but obnoxious presence, and her head throbbed. She’d read his full lips, become somewhat enthralled by the cadence, the rhythm of movement.
Idiot. Answer him already.
“I just have to say, Mary and I have run hundreds of ops, and that move where you tumbled out of the car in a perfect roll, lifted your rifle and shot the puddle of gas? No hesitation at all? Wow! Utter brilliance.” Vi waved her hands around. “Do you have any training? Like, military or anything? I started looking around into your records last night, and I didn’t find anything. Weird, huh?”
Kamren processed the words for a couple beats. Tension coiled through her muscles. Heat crawled up her cheeks. She’d looked into her background and found nothing. Eventually she’d figure it out, the hideous shame she kept to herself.
Only Dani and Rachelle knew. Well, and Cliff, but he’d have to be sober long enough to remember. She swallowed back any smart-ass reply.
“Yeah, totally weird,” she replied.
“Your girl’s tapping on the glass.” Dallas motioned toward the side window.
“I need a moment.” Kamren stepped out of the truck. Dani glared into it and at Dallas. Dani was a hell of a fighter, the kind of person who came up swinging when they got knocked down.
“You okay? Maybe you should come with us,” Kamren stated.
“That’s not happening, Kam. I love you, but I’m not stepping on Mason property.” Dani spat the name like it was a toxin. Kamren cringed knowing Dallas heard. “I’m standing my ground on this one. I appreciate the assist, whoever the hell you are, but I’ve got it from here.”
Kamren jumped, startled that Addy had exited the vehicle and come around.
“The name’s Addy.” The redhead held
out a card. “Here’s my number. Call if there’s any trouble. I’ll come alone, nary a Mason with me. Gotta admit, you’ve got me curious since you’re the first woman with a pulse who can’t stand them.”
“I have my reasons, and they aren’t your business.”
“Are they ours?” Nolan asked.
“No.” Dani hugged Kamren close. “I need a moment alone with my girl. Get gone.”
Addy and Nolan left; the woman climbed into the truck Kamren had exited, while Nolan went to another.
“Careful what you trust them with, girl. They did you a solid today, but that doesn’t mean they’ll believe you.” The words were muffled, but somewhat discernible.
“I have to try, Dani. I’m close.”
“I hope so.” Dani pulled away. “You okay out there with Rachelle and Cliff?”
“It’s a big compound. Brant was called out to check on me. He told them to keep me away from her.”
“Like you’re an evil leper? Bastard. I swear I’m gonna pee in his beer the next time he comes in.”
“Don’t you dare.” It was the sort of thing Dani would totally do. “I deserve his distrust. He was there and saw the aftermath of what I did.”
“He didn’t know shit.” Dani’s raised voice made Kamren cringe. “None of them do. That piece of shit brother knows. That simpering little sister knows. I don’t see either one of them speaking up.”
“Dani, that’s not fair. You know it’s not.”
“No. What’s not fair is a good woman cutting herself down and chewing herself up looking into the death of a man who deserves to rot in hell.”
Kamren gasped. Dani hadn’t ever been that blunt, not about her father.
“I’m not saying this to hurt you; I’m saying it to wake you up. He is not worth dying over. He never was. Let it go.”
“I’m close,” she argued. She squeezed her friend’s hand. “I can’t cover shifts, not until this dies down. And Rachelle got hired out at The Arsenal, apparently.”
“I’ll let Ronnie know to replace her.”
“Love you,” Kamren whispered.
“Back atcha. Watch your back out there.”