Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1)

by Nikki Belaire

  “You think I’m going to let anything fucking happen to her? Nick trusts me.”

  The irony burns her face like a match. Nick did trust him, and his reward is a gunshot wound and kidnapped girlfriend. Tears fill her eyes at the thought of Nick lying helpless on the floor. She bites her lip to keep from screaming at Oscar for help. All she can hope is that Nick knows how much she loves and believes in him.

  Oscar shrugs his shoulders, recognizing the danger of arguing with the second in command. “Okay. Mr. James. See you in a few.”

  They drive down the street, passing four black SUVs parked nose to end in front of her house. An obvious indication of the security protecting her, for any enemy who may doubt it. Never dreaming a traitor would emerge from within Nick’s inner circle, she can’t make sense of Carter’s betrayal. After a lifetime of proving his loyalty to Nick and the business, what would make him suddenly turn against everything he’s ever known?

  Metal scrapes against metal as he sideswipes his own white SUV parked around the corner, as if he abandoned it before racing into her house. Without reacting to the collision, he punches the accelerator, speeding down the main corridor and bursting through the gates guarding the entrance to her subdivision. The car swerves as he glances from the road to his phone. He slides off the case and removes a thin black wire.

  Her heart sinks as he tosses the tracking device out the window. The last way for Nick and Max to know where they are. With shaky hands, she releases her grip on the door handle and arm rest and buckles her seat belt. “Please slow down.” Her voice reveals the terror she tries to hide. “You’re going to kill us.”

  “I said I wouldn’t hurt you, and I meant it.”

  The rocky start to their relationship, after his cruel comment about the reason for Nick’s interest in her, improved over time, making her believe they were actually friends. Apparently, she was wrong. “Then why did you take me?”

  “I’ve got a plane to catch, and you’re my boarding pass. Then, I’ll let you go. I promise.”

  Usually the opposite of Nick, Carter’s the one with the smart mouth but even temper. Now his irrational behavior hurts Nick and puts her and their baby in danger. “I don’t understand. Why are you leaving?”

  “It’s either that, or me in a box six feet under if Nick gets ahold of me.”

  “If you give me a chance, we can fix whatever’s wrong.” Her heart pounds in her ears as she presses her hands against her legs, willing them to stop trembling, forcing her voice to convey a calmness she doesn’t feel. “But first, you have to take me back to help him. Please, Carter? He needs me.”

  Staring straight ahead, he doesn’t react to her plea. “He’s okay.”

  His confidence creates hope she can’t help but latch onto. “How do you know?”

  “If I wanted him dead, he would be. I just grazed him in the shoulder to slow him down.”

  A matter-of-fact reminder of their brutal world. They shoot to kill, or are gracious enough to only wound the ones they claim to care about. “That just proves how you really feel. You don’t want to hurt him or me. Take me back. Then, we can figure it out together. Nick, Max, me. We’ll all help you.”

  A smirk crosses his mouth, but the humor doesn’t touch the flatness in his eyes. “Sorry, Shae, but I won’t fold as easy as Evan did.”

  “No matter what’s happened, Nick will forgive you. He loves you. He’s closer to you than anyone else in the world. I know you can work this out.”

  He shakes his head and glances in the rear view mirror. “Not anymore. What I’ve done can’t be fixed.”

  Never allowing herself to think too much about what Nick is capable of, Carter’s panic forces her to confront the consequences of his disloyalty. “What is it? What’s so bad he’d want you dead?”

  The vibrating phone provides the only answer she receives. He glances at the screen before tossing it onto the console. “I told you he’s okay.”

  She grabs the cell, needing to prove to herself he’s alive. Her body sags against the seat at Nick’s number flashing, yet her relief’s short-lived at his furious message.

  You’ll wish you’d killed me when I find you.

  Carter slides the phone out of her hand and shoves it in his pocket, stealing her last opportunity to connect with Nick. She rubs her temples, a futile attempt to quell her anxiety. He’s just as stubborn as Nick. There has to be a way to repair the damage Carter has caused. She’ll convince Carter and then Nick. They’re the only family they have, and it can't end like this.

  The SUV comes to a stop on the tarmac. Nick’s plane sits about a hundred feet away. “Let’s go.”

  “Whatever’s wrong, you’re only making it worse. Please let us help you.”

  His bitter laugh fills the car. “The only help Nick’s going to give me is a bullet to the head if I don’t get the fuck out of here.”

  Carter climbs out and comes around to open her door. She shakes her head, disappointment added to the stream of emotions flowing through her. “I thought you were letting me go.”

  “Soon. I need to get one flight between Nick and me. Then, you’ll be free, and I’ll be gone.” He grabs her hand and leads her to the aircraft.

  One pilot stands by the steps, his forehead wrinkling as they approach. “Good afternoon, Miss Armstrong.” He nods toward Carter. “Mr. James, the itinerary shows only you—”

  “Last-minute change of plans.” Carter jerks his head toward the descended staircase. “We’re ready.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. We’re having problems with one of our gauges and can’t take off until it’s repaired.”

  Carter motions toward the cockpit, where the other pilot sits with his head bent toward the instrument panel. His grip tightens around her arm as his voice rises. “We’re going now.”

  The pilot shakes his head. “But Mr. James, it could be dangerous. It’s against regulations to fly with malfunctioning equipment.”

  Carter pulls the gun from his back waistband and points it at her. Their friendship reduced to her serving as a pawn for the success of his escape plan. “You just got cleared for takeoff.”

  The man’s wide eyes lock with hers, sharing her fear. He nods before turning and walking up the stairs. After they enter the cabin, the pilot in the cockpit steps in their direction. Before he can say anything, Carter points the gun at him. “Let’s go.”

  The pilots glance at each other before making their way to the front of the plane. After a few minutes, the engines come to life while they go through their checklist and talk to each other through the microphones attached to their headpieces.

  She curls in her seat and faces him, trying to meet his gaze, hoping to reach him before it’s too late. “You can stop all of this.”

  “No, I can’t.” His voice is low and flat as he rubs his face. “There’s no turning back now.”

  Their bodies strain forward as the plane picks up speed, rolling down the runway before lifting up. The sky slowly fades from blue to white as he stares out the window, seemingly oblivious to her panic around the chaos of the last sixty minutes. Of what could be so bad to drive him to do this.

  Quiet when he dropped her off at her house, he was probably uncertain how to handle her silent tears after the confrontation with Jessica. Then, his abrupt return and pleas to convince Nick not to take the paternity test were made even more perplexing by his refusal to explain why. He’ll listen to you. You can make him do anything you want. Don’t let him take it. It’ll ruin everything.

  A chill runs through her at the realization of the reason for his desperation. “You’re Emme’s father.”

  He looks at the ceiling, the only sign of his guilt the flaring of his nostrils as he sighs.

  “That’s why she looks like Nick—the same blue eyes as you. Jessica cheated on him with you.”

  His head drops forward, and he drives his hands through his hair. “I thought he would never find out. Then, she showed up with a baby, and I knew I was fucked. That’s
why she’s so against the test. She knows Nick isn’t the father.”

  Her heart aches for the littlest victim of Jessica’s schemes. With an out-of-control mother and uncertainty about her father, Emme needs them regardless of what the test proves. “How can you be sure?”

  “She and I screwed around for a few more months after they broke up. She was definitely not pregnant, at least not at first. When Kevin asked her to move in, she dumped me without a second thought. He could take care of her like she wanted. All I could do was sneak around behind Nick’s back.”

  “So, she let Kevin think Emme was his daughter until they broke up. Then, she came to Nick.”

  “God, what a fucking bitch!” He shakes his head and shoves his foot against the seat in front of them. “I loved her. I know it’s fucked up, but I did. She acts like a hard-ass, but deep down, all she wants is to be loved. No one ever has. Except me.”

  Enough to risk Nick’s wrath, yet his love couldn’t protect him from a broken heart. “I’m sorry she hurt you. She didn’t realize what she had.”

  He squares his shoulders, shrugging off her sympathy. “When the test proves Emme isn’t his, it will be my death sentence.”

  “It doesn’t have to be. I know Nick will be hurt, but he’ll forgive you.”

  Carter rolls his eyes. “You’re so naïve. He’ll think he can’t trust me. He won’t let me work in the business anymore, but he can’t kick me out either. What choice does that leave him?”

  “Don’t assume anything. You don’t know until you talk to him.”

  “I’m not willing to take the chance.”

  She plays her last card, her only opportunity to convince him of what his escape really means. “What about Emme? Are you really going to do that to her? You just found out about your beautiful little girl, and you’re going to leave? She needs you. She needs her father.”

  “Stop it. You can’t guilt me into going back. She doesn’t need me.”

  “I know what it’s like to grow up without your father, wondering what he looks like, what he acts like.” She lightly touches the back of his hand, trying to forgive him as well as help him. “Or why he left. Please don’t do that to her. Don’t make Emme wonder what happened to her daddy.”

  Before he can respond, the plane free-falls for a few seconds and alarms shriek from the cockpit. The pilots’ fingers fly across the dashboard, pushing buttons and flipping levers. One turns back to them, pulling his headphones off one ear. “We’ve lost an engine and have to land, whether you like it or not.”

  New but strong, her mother’s instinct kicks in. With trembling hands, she buckles her seatbelt and braces herself against the seat. She prays for the second time in the last hour—first for Nick, and now for their baby.

  Carter takes her hand. “Everything’s going to be okay. They’re good pilots and have gotten us through worse.”

  All she can do is nod and squeeze his fingers back. Deep breaths in and out have little impact on her racing heart. After flying for years for her concert tours, experiencing plane trouble isn't new, but it still doesn't make it any easier. Especially when she worries for two.

  “I’m sorry for all of this.” His voice full of regret, he puts his arm around her shoulders. “I know I scared you, but I swear I was never going to hurt you.”

  After a few more shakes and shudders, the plane lands and rolls to a stop back at the abandoned air strip. Unable to stop trembling, she sits quietly as the pilots turn off the remaining engine and finish their landing protocol. They climb out of the cockpit and walk down the narrow aisle. The first one nods at her when he reaches her seat, but she waves for them to go first. Her legs are too shaky to carry her out, overwhelmed with the thought of how close they came to almost losing everything they love.

  Carter nods to her. “It’s your turn.”

  “What about you?”

  He shakes his head and stares at his hands in his lap.

  She squeezes his shoulder before climbing down the steps, assisted by the pilot waiting outside. “Thank you.”

  “Mr. DeMarco’s on the phone. He wants to speak to you.”

  Her heart strains against her chest as she presses it to her ear, eager to hear for herself he’s okay. “Nick?”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  Rage she must try to douse burns through his voice. “No, I’m fine.”

  “Where is he?”

  Defeated and broken-hearted, she couldn’t convince him everything would be okay. “He’s still in the plane. He wouldn’t come out with us.”

  “I’ll be there in two minutes. Stay on the phone with me.”

  “At the house, I heard everything you said. I believe you…” Her voice cracks at the memory of his plea for her to confirm his love. All she wants to do is remove any of his doubts. “And I know how much you love me.”

  “More than you know.”

  She swallows through the sob building in her throat. As much as they’ve hurt each other, it hasn’t been enough to destroy the connection between them. “No, because I feel the same way. I hope you know how much I love you.”

  Headlights flash across the concrete before Max stops the car about fifteen feet in front of her. Nick jumps out, flinging off the bloody towel wrapped around his arm, and engulfs her. She lets the tears and the cell fall as he cups her face.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes.” She wraps her fingers around his, needing to confirm he’s real, craving his tender touch to prove he’s here with her. “I was so scared he—”

  “I know.” He kisses her forehead. “Stay with Max.”

  Her body shudders at the coldness of his expression. Just like with Juan, but this time even more personal. She squeezes his hands tighter. “Please, Nick. Don’t do it. You don’t understand. He panicked—”

  Nick ignores her explanation and glances at Max. “Put her in the car.”

  She grabs for Nick’s hand, but Max holds her back, wrapping his arms around her waist. Useless to struggle against his strength, she turns to face him, fisting his shirt. “Please, Max, don’t let him do it. You’ve got to stop him.”

  “Not this time.” Max shakes his head, his voice as hard as his expression. “Not after what he did to you.”

  Fear throbs in her chest. They have to listen. This can’t be the end. “Nick!”

  Her scream blows past him, unable to pierce the fury consuming him. He races up the stairs and disappears inside the darkened cabin.

  “Max, please?”

  “No.”

  She slumps against him. Adrenaline drains from her body, stealing all her energy. Nothing else for her to give.

  A pop shrieks across the open space, and his head flies up. “What the fuck?”

  Max’s grip tightens around her, shielding her from the glass exploding behind them.

  * * * *

  Nick pulses with rage, unable to think about anything but destroying the man sitting in front of him, no matter how much he loves him. Carter remains motionless, staring at the gun lying on his right leg. He traces the shallow crevice along the handle with his fingertip before curling his finger around the trigger. “Don’t let Shae get into the car. I tried to call it off, but it’s too late. I can’t stop it.”

  A fucking hit. His own cousin hates him enough to want him dead, yet doesn’t have the balls to kill him himself. At least he protects the person who deserves it the most. “You fucking son of a bitch! You put her through hell just to set me up. Why did you pull her into it?”

  “Didn’t plan it that way. She was an easy answer to an unexpected complication. Funny thing is…her…all this…” He waves the Glock through the air before tapping the edge of the barrel on his thigh, never lifting his gaze. “Reminds me why you rule the empire, and I should have been satisfied as number two.”

  Even funnier, if Carter would’ve only asked for it, he would have gladly relinquished his power. No revolution required. Too late to dream about the freedom his abdication wou
ld have meant for him with Shae, he focuses on the immediate danger. “Who’s the target?”

  “You and Max.”

  “When?”

  Carter glances at his watch. “Now.” He blows out a deep breath before pressing the metal tip to his temple. “Whoever said revenge is sweet, fucking lied.”

  The last words Carter speaks before pulling the trigger. His head explodes onto the window before his body slumps forward and his cell slides to the floor. Nick swipes the phone from the carpet and shoves it in his pocket as gunfire erupts outside the plane.

  Outside the window, two men stand in front of the crumbling, white brick building that used to serve as the airport office, blasting his car. Glass and metal shards rain across Max’s back as he covers Shae with his body. After a few crackles and sparks, flames shoot out from under the hood. Max wraps one arm around the top of Shae’s head and props the other across the ground, aiming at the closest shooter.

  Sweat engulfs his body as he sprints down the plane aisle. Once Max hits the man, he exposes their position on the other side of the car, leaving them open to the second shooter. Nick pushes out the rear emergency door, dropping down to the cracked asphalt below. Ignoring the pain radiating up his heels from the impact, he crouches behind the wheel mechanism. He must time his shot with Max’s so they bring them down together.

  Nick extends his arm and drops the farthest hit man with a shot to the head. Max’s bullet drives through the shoe of the other man, who unleashes one last round before he slams backward onto the concrete.

  Red circles puddle at both the head and almost severed foot of the dying shooter as Nick leans over him. “Who do you work for?”

  His mouth opens and closes like a fish struggling to breathe. With a jerky hand, he reaches for his gun before Nick kicks it out of his reach.

  “Come on, motherfucker. You know it’s over. You might as well give it up.”

  Pink-tinged bubbles gather in the corners of his mouth before his lips form the shape of an “o.” His voice is barely audible as he lifts up his chin. “Juan.”