Cowboy Boots and Inexpressible Longing [Cowboy Boots 5] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Natalie Acres

  * * * *

  Drew was in the process of taking a quick liquor inventory when the phone rang. “Grab that for me, Manny. Will ya?”

  In the distance, he heard Manny’s chipper, “Underground. We open at ten. What the hell do you want?”

  Drew blew out a hard breath. The club was hours away from opening but Manny’s PR skills left a lot to be desired.

  “Yeah. It’s Manny. Who is this, Sloane?”

  Setting aside the clipboard, Drew walked away from the bar. Sloane never called the club. He couldn’t think of one incident when any of his family called him there. Noticing his cell phone on a nearby table, he rushed over to retrieve his phone.

  He picked up the device. The facing showcased numerous text notifications from Sloane, Dusty, Veronica, Logan, and Suzy. His heart stopped. Help. He stared at the damning four-letter word for a second before it registered.

  Manny yelled, “It’s about Suzy!”

  “Ah no!” Drew bellowed, beating himself up immediately. What had he been thinking? Why had he left her alone? Why had he entrusted her care with those who weren’t quite as trained as he and Manny?

  The men rushed the back steps. Running through the stairwell, Drew read through the messages. “She sent a text for help fifteen minutes ago!”

  Ah God. Ah dear God.

  Manny reached the penthouse ahead of him. Leaping over the guard in front of the elevator, two others who been posted in the hallway, and a club bouncer located in the foyer, Drew already knew what he’d find—an empty apartment with tales of a recent past too terrifying to describe.

  Chapter Ten

  “What do you have for me?” Brock answered the phone while entering his Virginia compound. He’d been on the road for far too long and now thanks to the Las Vegas situation, he’d probably have to fly right back out tonight. If the Candy brothers and the rest of the US-West division didn’t handle this Esparza issue, heads were going to roll.

  “We’ve got a problem,” Crue Candy said.

  “What else is new?” Brock spat, tossing his keys aside when he entered the kitchen.

  Riley and Sydney were on their way out. Dressed in denim and boots, Sydney looked like a country girl with a lot on her mind. Unfortunately, her devious little mind was churning with remodeling ideas rather than bedroom gymnastics. The whole damn place was upside down since she’d invited an interior decorator into their lives.

  Before she left the kitchen, he slipped a kiss on her cheek. “Wait for me and we’ll all ride down to the lower fields. Jett said there’s a fence down near one of the tunnels.”

  “I’ll keep her busy in the barn,” his brother Riley teased, grabbing her hand.

  Grunting, Brock returned to the conversation. “What’s happened now?”

  “Drew’s girl—the Matthews woman—she’s been abducted.”

  “Fuck.” Brock ran his fingers through his hair. “Is it Esparza?”

  “We’ve been on her since he snagged her,” Crue informed him.

  “How’s Drew handling this?”

  “Like a little girl who just had his new dollies stolen,” Crue replied.

  “My guess is—that’s an understatement.”

  “He’s packing down a fucking van right now.”

  “Who’s helping him?”

  “Manny…and wait…” Crue made some theatrical throaty noises before he returned. “You won’t like this. Scott Zelmore just arrived.”

  “What?” Brock bellowed. “Zelmore had surgery yesterday.”

  “I know, man. Your investment must’ve yanked out his IVs and walked his condescending bare-ass out as-is. He just arrived in his lovely open-back hospital gown. Cab dropped him off and he’s changing and packin’ now.”

  Brock groaned. “Ah hell.” A beat later, he asked, “Where’s your team?”

  “Gabe is watching Esparza’s compound. Colt and Kemper are prepared to follow your boy out of the club and Brand is with Kelly.”

  There was a little bit of reluctance in Crue’s voice when he advised of Brand’s whereabouts. “Do you mind telling me why Brand and Kelly aren’t on the job?”

  “Don’t mind at all,” Crue said, chipper as a woodpecker. “We’re adopting. Brand and Kelly are at the agency right now and—”

  “What the ever-lovin’ hell are you thinking?” Brock was enraged. “Why am I just hearing about this? Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

  “Yeah, Brock,” Crue replied. “It’s called living. We have lives outside the Underground Unit and we have a right to the things other people have as well—children, family, and peace of mind. Gotta go, buddy. Drew and company are on the move.”

  “Get back to me.” Brock disconnected the call and stared out at the barn. Watching Sydney, he wondered then. Had he robbed her of what she wanted most in the world? Had she wanted a family and children? He knew his brothers had wanted them, but he’d always discouraged them.

  The Underground Unit didn’t have room for kids. Veronica and Sloane were starting to see it was difficult to maneuver their lives around their little ones.

  “Was that Crue?” Luke asked, joining him.

  “Yeah, little brother. We’ve got a big problem. Drew’s woman is in Vegas and Esparza has her.”

  “You’re right. That’s a big problem.” Luke frowned. “Drew loves Suzy. You know that. Right?”

  “Hell, I knew that when he walked away from her in Missouri.”

  “After everything Drew’s been through, if Sloane and the others get wind of this, they’ll be on the first flight out.”

  “If they walk off their job right now, I’ll fire every damn one of them.”

  Luke selected an apple from the fruit bowl and took a hearty bite. Between crunches, he said, “Be sure to tell them that. After a dozen threats, I’m sure they’ll take every damn one of them to heart.”

  Chapter Eleven

  A door slammed and jolted her to an upright position. A moment later, Suzy realized who stood before her.

  “You must be Esparza’s son.” With coal-black hair and eyes the same color, the Esparza men had dark evil down to a refined game. They looked like natural-born killers.

  “You must be Drew Remington’s woman.”

  “I’m Suzy,” she said, not at all confirming or denying the sweetest accusation she’d ever heard.

  She was Drew’s woman in every way that mattered and because she belonged to him, she knew with absolute certainty that he was out there somewhere. He was fighting for her, trying to find her, and determined to bring her home.

  For once, Suzy knew where she could find home. She knew where she belonged. And even if she died during this ordeal, she was positive of one thing if nothing else—her home was with Drew.

  “You look like him,” she said, thinking she would start a conversation with the younger Esparza. “I mean, you can tell you’re his son.”

  “Miss Matthews, don’t try to befriend me. I’m here to insure you have everything you need, but I am not here for companionship.”

  “I understand,” she said, sitting. She noticed a bruise on her wrist and that’s when everything came rolling back. Her abduction had been brutal. There were bodies everywhere when Esparza dragged her away from Drew’s apartment.

  Esparza must’ve wanted her at any cost because he’d knocked out all obstacles in order to abduct her. That could only mean one thing. He planned to use her and lure Drew to his compound. Then, he would try to kill him.

  “Why did your father bring me here?”

  “You’re here for a purpose.”

  “I’m sure.” Suzy cleared her throat. “Men in your business don’t involve women unless there’s an advantage somewhere. What helping hand do I offer? Do you really think Drew will come for me? I haven’t seen him in over a year.”

  The younger Esparza smirked. “For a man who doesn’t care about you, he went to extraordinary lengths to make a move in our direction just minutes after he discovered you were gone.”

&
nbsp; Suzy cocked her head, intent on listening. Her heart fluttered as Esparza’s son confirmed her suspicions. Drew would fight anyone who stood in his way and when he found those holding her, there would be hell to pay. More than anything else, Esparza’s son put her mind at ease.

  Drew was alive. He was okay. And he was headed her way.

  Esparza’s son pointed to a breakfast tray. “If you don’t find any of the foods appetizing, let me know. Father wants you to eat well while you’re here.” He shot her an evil smile. “He says you’ll need your strength.”

  The devil’s son disappeared seconds later, leaving Suzy with nothing but her breakfast and her fear. If he wanted her to conserve her energy, then he planned to take her to his bed.

  In some weird way, she found solace in the fact. Drew would undoubtedly kill Esparza. And after everything Esparza had seized from his family, he would enjoy taking the man’s life and she wasn’t worried. She’d never have to lie down beside the Remingtons’ evil enemy.

  Drew would be there soon.

  * * * *

  “I’ll enjoy killing that motherfucker,” Drew said, gripping his sniper rifle as Manny raced toward Henderson. Located about twenty-five minutes from the Vegas Strip, Esparza’s compound was heavily guarded and surrounded by barbed wire fencing. They would meet opposition as soon as they arrived there, if not before.

  “He won’t just hand her over.”

  “Did I ask you, Zelmore?” Drew snapped, adjusting the sights on his weapon.

  “Remind me to beat the hell out of him when I’m feeling up to it again,” Scott said, glancing at Manny. Returning his focus to Drew, he added, “Show some appreciation. I disposed of a much-needed IV just to spend some quality time with you.”

  Drew snorted at that. He had a feeling if anything went wrong, the authority wouldn’t see it that way. Brock and Riley, like the rest of the Underground Unit, realized what they had in Scott. He wasn’t just an operative in one of their divisions. He was a weapon in and of himself.

  The man was practically immortal. Then again, so was Manny. He’d been involved in numerous situations where he had barely escaped with his life.

  “Step on it,” Drew bit out.

  Manny took a hard left then and they raced over a dusty back road. “How do you want to do this?”

  “I don’t want to knock lightly, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Manny laid his foot to the pedal. “Me either.”

  Drew’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Snatching the device away from his dark slacks, he acknowledged the caller ID. “It’s Crue Candy.”

  Manny and Scott swapped a knowing glance before Manny said, “You’d better get that.”

  The buzz-buzz resounded.

  “Damn it, man. Answer it.” Scott placed his big hands on the bucket seat headrests and jolted forward as Manny kept a wide-open speed, traveling over rough terrain. “If he’s calling with a warning, I’d like to hear about it before we barrel through those gates up ahead.”

  Biting back curse words, Drew answered. “Talk to me.”

  “I need you to stand down,” Crue said. Given Crue’s timing, the US-West division was already in position at Esparza’s compound.

  “Not a chance in hell.”

  “We’ve got this,” Crue assured him.

  “Then you’ll have my back,” Drew said. “You’re much appreciated.”

  “Then show some.”

  “Sorry, Candy. I might appreciate you, but I’m not willing to give up what’s important to me so you can meet Donovan’s end goals. You get me?”

  “Damn it, listen to me! They have enough ammunition behind those gates to cause the next world war.”

  Manny rolled his eyes.

  “Then I’ll assume they know how to use what they have. Thanks for the warning.” He disconnected the call.

  “You heard the man.” Drew looked out the window. “They’re prepared.”

  “Wouldn’t have ’em any other way,” Manny said, whipping the van onto an off-road trail, a shortcut they’d discovered when they’d been casing the property.

  “So are we,” Scott reminded him.

  The phone rang right back. Drew flipped his wrist and snapped, “Daddy Donovan is calling now.”

  Scott leaned forward. “You’d definitely better grab that.”

  “Why?” Manny asked, glancing over his shoulder. “I’d rather rebel than please the parents. Wouldn’t you?”

  They all enjoyed a good laugh as they sped toward the compound. Donovan would be mad as hell, but this was one operation he wasn’t controlling.

  Drew’s woman was behind Esparza’s gates. And Drew understood what Esparza was capable of and what extreme measures he’d take to make an impression upon a Remington.

  The war was on.

  Chapter Twelve

  Suzy had been permitted to shower. She’d been instructed, actually. A few minutes after she stepped under the hot water, she had suspected someone had been watching her. She hadn’t seen or heard anything in particular, but she had known.

  She reentered the bedroom and her suspicions were confirmed. Someone had been there.

  Glaring at the outfit on the bed as if the material were a curse, she wandered around the room, pacing back and forth on a burgundy-and-black floor runner. She contemplated what to do. As if she had a choice in the matter.

  Gnawing on her thumbnail, she narrowed her gaze on the clothing. There wasn’t a lot there. A hot red leather thong matched the black patent-and-mesh dress which laced up the front and left quite an impression.

  Since she could assume they weren’t headed out for a night on the town, she could only guess the motives behind Esparza’s selection. He planned to send Drew a message.

  Glancing around the room, she wished for a pair of scissors. She’d like to cut the damned material to shreds.

  Esparza’s son entered then. “It’s time. You have five minutes.”

  “But I don’t have any makeup.” And she really didn’t care. She was trying to stall.

  “Father likes the natural look.” His gaze zipped over her. He moistened his lips and added, “Shame you’ll be in his bed. I would’ve much preferred to find you in mine.”

  Noting the true heat in his gaze, Suzy approached him. In the back of her head, she remembered a conversation Drew once had with his sister-in-law, Veronica. He’d said, “You do what you need to do to survive. Those who love you, forgive you.”

  “Talk to your father,” she suggested, splaying her fingers and running them through his thick hair. “Why don’t you tell him we’re more suited for one another?”

  He grabbed her wrist and glared at her. He could snap her neck and it would be like crossing off another simple task on daddy dearest’s to-do list. “Don’t.”

  “Why not?” she asked, breathing against his chin, leaving pecks upon his cheek. Oh God, she didn’t know if she could go through with this. Each time her mouth met his flesh, she wanted to vomit.

  There was a reason why she wrote about true crimes rather than tried to solve them. Veronica must’ve been some kind of woman if she could seduce her way out of situations like these.

  He stilled underneath her touch and her mouth went to his ear. “Don’t you know what to do with a woman like me, Mr. Esparza?”

  Snatching her shoulders, the young Esparza thrust her away from him. “Are you out of your mind?” Fear settled in his eyes. He shook her so hard her teeth clattered. “Do you want to die today, Miss Matthews?”

  Moistening her lips, she tried to continue playing her role, but she already knew her effort was in vain. This man feared his father. “If I’m about to die anyway, I’d rather go out of this world having a good time with you.”

  “Stop,” he told her firmly, tossing her to the bed. “Get dressed. He’ll be here in three minutes.”

  Ajar from the unexpected jolt, Suzy placed her palms on the bed and rose to a crouched position. Glaring at him, she spat, “Do you think Drew will let your fat
her have me? Do you?”

  The young man sneered. “Apparently, you haven’t heard about the history my father shares with the Remington family.” A beat later, he added, “Yes, he’ll let you go, Miss Matthews. See, by the time we’re through with him, he won’t have any other choice. And in case you didn’t know, my father toys with the Remingtons. Then, when he’s tired of the game, he kills them.”

  “You won’t hurt Drew!” she promised him, slinging her body forward and pummeling him with her fists. “I won’t let you! Do you hear me? I will not let you have him!”

  “Ha! You?” He pushed her aside as if she were beneath him. “You won’t stop me. You certainly won’t stand in my father’s way.”

  Still, she went after him. She swung around and pounded her fists against his back, but as quickly as the fight had begun, it was practically over. As she battled with the younger Esparza, the towel around her body loosened and fell to the floor. The young man cursed aloud, calling for the guards. Esparza himself entered the suite seconds later, ordering his men to secure her.

  Scowling, Esparza grated out, “A simple task! You can’t even carry out one simple assignment!”

  “Forgive me, Father.”

  Esparza struck his son with his fist. “I am tired of excusing your behavior when you fail me on a daily basis!”

  While Esparza condemned his son, Suzy screamed out in rage as a heavy arm bracketed around her middle. Trying to hide herself behind her own arms as well, she screamed, “I don’t care what you do to me, but if you hurt him, if you harm Drew in any way, I’ll help the Unit track you down and I’ll kill you myself!”

  Apparently amused, Esparza’s gaze rushed over her as his men restrained her. When he was finished gaze-groping, he grabbed her face with both hands and forced her to look at him. “You won’t have to ‘hunt’ me down, my love. From this night forward, you will sleep in my bed, resting only when I give you permission to lie down beside me.”