Devil's Reach Trilogy: Books 1-3

by J. L. Drake

  “Who?” I was curious about his answer.

  “Cole, but Savannah gives him shit like you do Tess, and it makes me feel better, but I wish I was back at the club.”

  “See?” Tess bumped my arm. “My defiance entertains everyone.”

  “Oh! Gotta go, guys!” The phone went black.

  “I miss them.” Tess stood and headed back out of the room.

  “I don’t miss their random punches to the balls,” I muttered.

  Tess laughed and followed me out the door. “Fin only did that because you don’t give him enough attention.”

  “There’s plenty of others to do that.”

  “But he wants yours.”

  “Mm.”

  “Trigger,” she turned to face me in the elevator, “they love you and look at you like a father now. You, of all people, know how hard it is growing up without a father. Well, one who actually loved you, so have a little empathy.” I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me. “I’m serious.”

  “I know.” I kissed the side of her neck and got drunk off her smell.

  “Don’t get me all horny before a four-hour bike ride.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” I sucked in her skin and felt her knees sag.

  She reached down and stroked my erection before she dropped to her knees. She looked up with bright green eyes, unzipped my pants, and swallowed me whole.

  “Jesus,” I hissed and leaned against the wall. She was like a goddamn Hoover. Over and over she took me to the root, her tongue curved to guide me where she wanted. Tess was a drug, one I wanted to be addicted to forever.

  Just as I felt like I could come, she pulled away with a wicked grin.

  “What?”

  She rose to her feet and wiped her mouth dry. “I can play dirty too.”

  The doors opened, and she walked out with a spring in her step.

  Game on.

  ***

  Tess

  “What’s your problem?” Brick stepped in my way. “You look annoyed or something.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Hey,” he took my arm to stop me, “what’s up?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  Oh, really? Okay.

  “I’m sexually frustrated.” I smiled as his hand fell away like a deadweight.

  “Oh, come on, Tess, no.”

  “Yeah, a game we had going got a little out of hand near Ventura. Nearly creamed my pants right there on the bike.”

  He cringed at my wording, and I smacked his arm cheerfully.

  “Aren’t you glad you asked?”

  “I think I need to go lay down.” He felt his forehead in a sickly way. “I’m feeling flushed.”

  “Feel free to spend less time with Rail.”

  He glared and walked away muttering.

  I saw Elizabeth nursing a cup of tea in the corner of the bar. I set my bag down in the hallway and headed in her direction.

  “Hi, Tess,” she greeted me kindly. “Would you like to sit?”

  “Sure.” I noticed her knuckles were white around the handle of the cup. “You all right?”

  She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Not really. Do you think you could get Trigger to talk to me?”

  Probably not, but the worry that was written across her face made me say, “I can try.” I walked to the office and knocked on the open door. “Trig?”

  “Can’t take it anymore?” He smirked.

  “I have a date with Pace, so I’m good.” I loved that he hated my toys.

  He shot me a warning not to do it, but he knew I never listen, so he could use that glare all he wanted.

  “So, you know how you love me, right?”

  He dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair. I closed the door behind me and moved to lean over his desk just enough for my shirt to hang open. On cue, his eyes moved down to my cleavage.

  “Will you do me a favor?”

  “Depends.”

  I moved around the desk and rolled his chair back enough for me to sit on his desk. He immediately ran his hands up my thighs and kissed my neck. “You have my attention.”

  I pushed my fingers through his hair and gave it a tug at the root. He groaned with a yummy hiss. “Talk to your mother.”

  He stilled.

  “Please. She’s right outside.”

  “Tess,” he sighed and leaned back.

  “She’s been hanging around a lot lately, and I’m assuming it’s because she wants to talk but didn’t know how to approach you.”

  “Don’t get involved.”

  “Too late.” I held up my finger to show him the ring. “I won’t pretend like I understand what you’re going through with her, and if you want to send her away, I won’t say another word about it, but,” I leaned forward and gently brushed my lips over his, “she came back for a reason. At least hear her out before you show her the door.”

  He growled deep in his throat and yanked me onto his lap. He roughly kissed me, and his hands held me down by my waist while he pushed his erection into my hip.

  “I want you, Tess.”

  “You can have me,” I peeled myself off his lap, “after you speak with Elizabeth.”

  I gave him a wink and hurried out the door before he decided to lock it.

  I couldn’t help but try to eavesdrop from behind the counter. Several guys strolled in and out of the bar, ordered, and hung around, but I couldn’t tell you one person’s name.

  Brick suddenly popped into view, his hands on his hips and one brow cocked.

  “You’re back for more detail?” I grinned, but he didn’t. “What?”

  “What?” he repeated, and I knew he was really mad. “Imagine my surprise when Cray checked in to tell me the body left in Mary’s Tea House was handled.”

  “Did I fail to mention that?”

  “Tess Marin, I swear to God, I will remove your eyelids and feed them to the rats if you lie to me.”

  “That’s a tad specific.”

  “Tess!”

  “Brick, it’s fine, I’m fine. I had a plan, and everything worked out fucking flawlessly.”

  Well, kinda.

  He leaned his hands on the bar and stepped back to lower his head. “Christ, woman.”

  “Hey.” I rested my hand on his. He was struggling, and his eyes were squeezed shut. “Spit it out.”

  When he finally looked up at me, he seemed so young, like the first day we met.

  “You’re all I have for family that I can count on, and I feel like you keep the most shit from me.”

  That hit me right in the center of the chest. He was right. I did.

  “Truth?” I hopped up on the counter, swiveling so I was directly in front of him. “You’re right, I do, but it’s not for the reason you think. It was always you and me—”

  “And Clark,” he added bitterly.

  “No, it was always you and me. Clark was on the side.”

  “Fine.”

  “You spent how many nights protecting me when you could have been out with girls and shit?” He started to speak, but I covered his mouth. “You sacrificed a lot for me. I guess I’m trying to do the same for you.”

  He batted my hand away. “I’m lost.”

  “Hey!” Cooper looked like he might be sick. “Have you seen my cut?”

  “No,” we both said, and he flew out of the bar and down the hallway.

  “Check the boys’ room!” I called after him.

  I rested my hands on Brick’s shoulders. “I really like Minnie. She’s a feisty little shit, kinda reminds me of myself.” I winked. “I don’t bother you with all my problems ’cause you should be focusing on her.”

  “You don’t—”

  “You might not see it, Matt, but a wedge could form between you two because of me. It’s now your turn to focus your energy on protecting Minnie, because shit knows I have enough versions of Trigger protecting me.”

  He sighed and rubbed his head. “Wh
en did you get so smart?”

  “It comes in waves.”

  ***

  Allen

  My bloodstained boots dripped on the hot steps of the Catholic church. I hated Texas with a passion. It was always hot, and they had the most asshole gunslingin’ cowboys known to man.

  “Where should I put him?” Zay dragged the body of the priest who used to run the church.

  “Stuff him in the tire swing.” I waved him off and sipped my warm sweet tea.

  I grumbled as I saw a woman and her son approach me.

  “Good morning.” The lady looked past me. “I’m looking for Father Parie. Is he around?”

  “Sorry, he’s not in this morning. He called me to fill in while he dealt with a flat tire.” I laughed inside at my choice of words.

  “Perhaps we can come by tomorrow.”

  “Absolutely.” I flashed my smile and watched them leave. The little boy looked over his shoulder, and I gave him a wink. His eyebrows rose in surprise. I was sure the devil spoke to him through my grin.

  An alarm went off inside the church, and I jumped to my feet with my binoculars.

  “Zay,” I called out and pointed, “we have a runner.”

  He pulled on a rope, and a huge white flag fell from the roof with a huge blue cross on it. Christ, it was like a beacon waving down the illegals.

  “Please,” a man dressed in dirty clothes pleaded as he ran toward us. He dropped at my feet with his hands in the air. “Please, Father,” he fought to catch his breath, “I need you to protect me. They’re coming for me.”

  “Who?” I glanced at the horizon.

  “The coyotes.” His accent was thick, but he spoke English well. “We are not allowed to break off, but they took my kids, and I can’t find them.”

  Perfect.

  “The Lord will help you.” I reached down and lifted him to his feet. “Let’s get you some water.”

  “Thank you, thank you,” he sobbed.

  He ate, showered, and was given new shoes, thanks to the dead man hanging in the yard. We sat inside the church while he prayed, and I grew bored.

  After half an hour, I’d had enough and pulled his attention to me.

  “Jer, I need to understand what happened out there in order for us,” I pointed to the Jesus statue, “to protect you. What did you see?”

  “Five men took us across the border. We had to carry bricks of cocaine on our backs, and there was barely any room for water. When we started, there were thirty of us. When we arrived, there were only seven.” Tears dripped down his face.

  “Where are the drugs now?”

  He rubbed his eyes dry like he was frustrated. “We spent last night in the woods, about five miles from here. When they told us to drop the cocaine, we knew something bad was about to happen. That’s when they took my girls, told me I had to return to Mexico and bring over one more load before they would release them. You don’t understand these men. They are bad men. They don’t keep their word. They—”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I waved him off to shut him up and opened the Bible to where I had a map. “Show me where the drugs are.”

  He eyed me in fear but slowly took the map and studied it. “Here.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes.”

  I shot him in the face.

  “Whoop!” I held up the map to Zay. “Go get your customs outfit on. It’s time to go play.”

  Zay fired up the quad and raced into the desert with two men I had recently recruited.

  I watched until the dust trail disappeared then headed back inside the church. I could really use a nap.

  Chapter Twenty

  Trigger

  “I’m not proud of my choices, Nolan. If I could go back, I would, but I’m here now. I’m not expecting you to forgive me or to even see me again after this. I just wanted the chance for you to hear me out.”

  I glanced at Tess, who was with Brick at the bar, and then back to my mother. A lot of shit had happened lately, and my curiosity about who my mother really was had always gnawed at my gut.

  “Fine. You have two minutes.”

  “First,” she handed me a Post-it with an address on it, “I’m sure he’s gone, but Allen was staying there last night.”

  “Brick,” I called. He looked up and headed over as I held up the Post-it. “Allen’s last location.”

  “On it.” He grabbed Rail by the cut and pulled him away from some chick.

  “How did you find him?” My men couldn’t seem to track him, but she could? What was I missing?

  She looked away for a moment and studied the club. “Well, that’s part of the reason I’m here.”

  I glanced at my phone, annoyed. I didn’t have time for mind games.

  “The truth is, Nolan, I’m sick.” She waited for a reaction, but I didn’t have one I cared to share. “Turns out I have bad kidneys.” She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. “Serves me right, all those years treating my body like a garbage can. Stripping wasn’t something I wanted to do, but one wrong move can define your life. I know that now, and I want to fix it. I made many mistakes, but the biggest was leaving you behind.”

  “I won’t argue with you there.”

  “I’m sorry.” I could tell by the way her body slumped forward she meant it. “I’ve been seeing a doctor here in town, and he’s one of the best. When I left the office, I saw Zay. I know he’s Allen’s hired killer. I followed him back to that hotel, and that’s where I found Allen. I knew he would still be after you. I wanted to talk to him.”

  “Did you find out anything that would tell you what he’s up to?”

  She licked her lips like she wanted to say something but stopped herself. “No,” she paused. “But my guess would be that he won’t go far from wherever you are. He’s a horrible man. I know that now.”

  “Horrible wouldn’t be the word I’d use.”

  “True, but I’m here now and can help.”

  “I am not interested in your help.”

  “I get it.” She held up her hand and didn’t push it any further.

  “Okay.” I grabbed my phone and stood. I had waited three decades to know and understand my mother, and now she was here and sick, and all I really cared about was killing my father. How fucked up was that? I turned and headed for the door, but Nolan suddenly appeared and stopped me in my tracks.

  Fucking head.

  I turned to look over my shoulder. “Get your shit from your motel and come stay here. The rest can be handled later.”

  “I wasn’t asking to stay here. I just wanted you to—”

  “I know.”

  The club door swung open, and Mud held up his arms. “I’m here with a package.” He twisted and pointed to Wes, my former cellmate, who squinted at the change in light. “Found him hitchhiking up on the 210 freeway. Never thought I’d ever hear your name as a drop-off location.”

  “Thanks.” I nodded and signaled for Tess to bring us two beers. “Sit.”

  He sat and dropped his bag at his feet. I noticed Mud had found his way over to my mother.

  “How are ya, Wes?”

  “Confused.” He laughed at me. “And now, by your lack of surprise at seeing me, I think I may have my answer to why I was released early.”

  “I’ve come into some leverage.” I ran my hand up Tess’s leg when she set the drinks on the table. “Tess, this is Tray.” I gave him a look, and he knew what the nickname meant. He earned a place at the club. “He’s from the Tennessee chapter, but he’ll be joining ours now.”

  She held out her hand, and he respectfully shook it.

  “Nice to put a face to the name, Tess. You’re pretty famous, you know?”

  “Am I, now?” She grinned at me, knowing that most of the men still couldn’t believe I gave her a ring. Rail spread that shit like a crack in the ice. “Well, I’ll leave you two be, and I’ll find you later.” She gave me a sexy smile as she walked away.

  “Can’t thank you enough for what you did. I am in
your debt.”

  “No,” I corrected him, “now we’re even.”

  We finished our beers, and I brought him up to speed on what I expected from him. For now, he would stay with Rail until we got Gus’s room cleaned out. I hated that it still made my neck tick thinking of my uncle.

  “Trigger!” Morgan shouted from the back room and stormed into the bar with his phone to his ear. “We may have a problem.”

  I heard a noise at the door before it flew open. One of my doormen looked shook up and pointed over his shoulder.

  “Trigger, there’s some men here to see you.”

  I pulled out my phone and checked the cameras.

  “Let ’em in.”

  “You sure, boss?” He waited a beat before he hurried back out.

  In walked five Hispanic men with their guns at their sides.

  “Trigger,” the man with all the flashy rings pointed at me, “I thought maybe I should come and kill you, but I hesitate. Given our history, I thought a chat might be in order first.”

  “After years of working together, I’m pleased you chose that route,” I muttered sarcastically.

  “Who’s that?” I heard Tess whisper to Rail.

  “That would be the cartel.”

  “Holy shit.”

  “Yeah…” He trailed off. “So, curb your inner tiger around these guys.”

  “Where can we talk?” He glanced around and spotted Tess. “She will serve us drinks.”

  It was the one and only time I wished fuckin’ Peggy was back. Her fake tits would have been more his speed.

  I nodded at Tess, and for once, she didn’t argue. She just headed back to the bar and started to load up her tray with booze.

  “This way.” I waved him to head into the meeting room. I glanced at Morgan, who tucked an extra gun into the back of his pants before he hurried inside and joined Brick and Rail. “Hey,” I met Tess at the bar, “don’t linger within their reach, don’t speak to them, and don’t get lippy. Serve and get the hell out.”

  She nodded. “Why are they here?”

  “No clue.”

  I waited for her to enter the room before I shut the doors and sat at the head of the table.