Flesh and Blood (Dixie Mafia Series Book 1)

by Cynthia Rayne

  “Well, it’s all in the past, and you turned out okay.”

  “No thanks to you. Again—what do you want?”

  As much she’d like to tell Emmett how little she thought of him, any second now, Brax would come back, and he’d turn her father in to Dix. Emmett had welshed on his debts and hurt her—judging by the way Dix handled Jim, it didn’t bode well for her father. Even after everything Emmett had pulled, she refused to have his death on her conscience.

  “I thought we’d have a coffee, shoot the breeze and catch up.” He placed his hands on his hips, oozing charm.

  Belle rolled her eyes. “No more bullshit. You shouldn’t be here right now—it’s dangerous.”

  “You mean the boy who was wanderin’ around in the parking lot? So, the Dixie Mafia’s guardin’ you, eh?”

  “Have you been keeping tabs on me?” She bit the inside of her cheek.

  “Maybe.”

  Belle sighed. “Why’d you get mixed up with the mafia in the first place?”

  “Could ask you the same question.”

  “Dixon Wolf pulled me into his office, hunting for information on your whereabouts.”

  “And what’d you tell him?” His eyes narrowed.

  “The truth. I haven’t seen you in years.”

  “Well now, you don’t need your dear old dad when you got a brand new sugar daddy.”

  Belle hadn’t gotten much from Emmett—self-loathing it’d taken years to get past, the color of her hair—and a temper which flared to life.

  She slapped him across the face.

  And Emmett pulled a gun.

  Belle stepped back, but there was nowhere to go—the only way out of the bathroom was through Emmett. The barrel was pointed at her midsection, and she couldn’t take her eyes off it. With one squeeze, she’d be a goner.

  “What the hell are you doing?” She raised her hands.

  “Gettin’ outta debt, Piggy. How much do you reckon you’re worth?” He chuckled. “I figure about fifty grand.”

  ***

  Half an hour later, Belle was duct-taped in a no-tell motel named Hades, in Hell, Texas. It was an apt name for both the town and the position she found herself in.

  After they had arrived at the hotel, Emmett secured her ankles and wrists, but he hadn’t gagged her—yet. He said if she screamed, he’d stuff a dirty sock in her mouth. So, she sat on the bed, watching him pace back and forth, trying to formulate a plan. He hadn’t contacted Dix, and Belle hoped she could talk him out of it.

  She doubted Dix would respond well to being blackmailed. More than likely, he’d beat the snot out of Emmett and demand his money, and that was a best-case scenario.

  “It’s not too late to stop this. Let me go and I’ll help you negotiate a deal.” One which wouldn’t end in a tombstone.

  Emmett snorted. “It’s way too late. I owe the Dixie boys a bundle.”

  Her father reminded Belle of a movie quote from The Big Lebowski—Emmett was a special kind of stupid. He always found a way to make a bad situation even worse.

  Emmett glanced at his phone again. A few minutes ago, he’d sent a text, and it must’ve been an urgent message.

  “They’re going to find you.” More like hunt his ass down.

  His smile was smug. “A biker gang owns this here hotel. Word on the street is, they got a grudge against the Dixie boys.”

  “And you think they’ll protect you? They can’t save you from Dix.” Not to mention the rest of the crew. She’d never want to piss them off. “Don’t do this.”

  “Dix, is it?” He whistled. “Who da thunk it? Piggy got skinny and hooked herself a rich man.”

  Her neck and cheeks felt impossibly hot. While he didn’t know the details of her arrangement with Dix, he had the gist of it.

  “You’re definitely your mother’s daughter. How much is he payin’ you to spread your legs?”

  On second thought, maybe Camp Tombstone wasn’t such a bad option.

  Time for some Southern. “First off, shut up. I ain’t gonna be slut-shamed by a manwhore. How’s Leslie, by the way? Or did you turn her in for a newer model once you got bored?”

  “Women aren’t worth much to a man, little girl. There’s always another one to be had. You’d do well to remember that.”

  “Funny, I feel the same way about men.” Most men, anyway. Somehow, Dix was in a category all his own. “You interrupted me—I ain’t finished. Second, if you blackmail Dix, he’s gonna kill you.”

  “He’s welcome to try.” He cocked the gun.

  What an idiot.

  “Untie me, and I’ll help you—if only to get the fuck away from you. And then I never want to see you again.”

  “Amen to that, darlin’. I never wanted to lay eyes on you either.”

  A stab of pain made her breath hitch.

  “Did you ever love me?” The words escaped before she could pull them back.

  He said nothing…but Emmett didn’t need to. She had her answer.

  Damn him for not loving her. Belle deliberately shoved the angst down. No point in wasting more tears on the asshole.

  “Let me help you end this peacefully.” The words were harsh and raspy from suppressed emotion.

  “Don’t need your help. I got it handled. I’ve been plannin’ this for weeks.”

  “What are you talking about?” Belle had a funny feeling she’d missed a piece of a complicated puzzle.

  “You remember a man tryin’ to snatch you up?” He thrust his chest out.

  Surely he didn’t mean…?

  “Oh my God. David’s your partner.” Chills ran down her spine. Dix had mentioned the name Darrell, but said it had been an alias. Was David really Darrell?

  “That’s one of his names.” Emmett’s cell rang, and he hit the button. “Your ears must be burnin’ because I was just talkin’ about you. You’re five minutes out? Excellent.”

  As he continued the phone call, Belle tried to wrap her head around what he’d just said.

  After Emmett hung up, Belle cleared her throat. “I get that you’re trying to ransom me now, but I saw David at Lickety Split before I even met Dix.”

  “Ransom money wasn’t my first plan.”

  “Which begs the question, what was?” Belle had an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “Trust me, you don’t wanna know.” His eyes were hard.

  Was he implying…?

  Emmett started marching again, and she fell silent as she contemplated his words.

  A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, then David walked in.

  Immediately, her pulse spiked, and her mouth went dry.

  After greeting Emmett, David strolled over to her.

  Belle stared at the far wall and refused to make eye contact with him. She felt dizzy, breathless.

  “You remember me, baby? I gotta say, you look damn good in restraints.” He sat down beside her and palmed her breasts, squeezing them. “If you were mine, I’d keep you in chains.”

  Belle stifled a cry, and she was too afraid to mouth off. Oblivious, Emmett continued to pace, evidently lost in his own thoughts. A new crop of fears seeded in her mind. Would Emmett allow David to rape her? Hurt her?

  David kissed her, forcing his tongue down her throat.

  She gagged. Her stomach went hard as a rock and saliva flooded her mouth. Belle hoped she puked on him.

  “Ain’t you sweet?” David pushed a hand between her thighs. “Gimme another kiss, baby.”

  “Quit foolin’ around with her,” Emmett snapped. “Is Wolf gonna call?”

  “You and me will have some special time later, baby.” David whispered, before he released her.

  Belle sagged in relief.

  “On the way over, I called. I spoke with his associate, Vick, and he’s supposed to give us a ring.” David leaned against the wall.

  As if on cue, the phone rang, and the men shuffled out the door to answer it, presumably so they could strategize out of her earshot.


  Belle tried to pull her wrists and ankles apart, but it was no use, the tape was unbreakable. Her only hope was Dix.

  She just knew Dix was working on a rescue operation. Against all odds, she trusted him; he’d earned it. Dix might not live by the law, but he was an honorable man, in his own way. He’d come for her—and Belle prayed he’d get here in time.

  Please find me. Please, Dix.

  Minutes later, David slammed the door behind them after they’d walked back in.

  Belle jerked. She was hyperaware of her surroundings.

  “What happened?” Judging by their grim faces, the plan hadn’t worked.

  “The son of a bitch said they don’t negotiate with assholes.” Emmett placed his hands on his hips.

  Belle understood. Dix couldn’t be perceived as weak by the criminal community, and bargaining with these two jackasses would damage the Dixie Mafia’s underworld reputation.

  “If I were you, I’d run.” Belle lifted her chin, trying to appear brave.

  “Well, you ain’t me. If the man cared for you at all, he’d pay up.” Emmett scratched his chin.

  “He’s going to find you—mark my words.”

  “Oh yeah? He don’t even know where we are, Piggy.”

  “I said never call me that.”

  “Enough of this horseshit. Let’s go with the first option, Emmett. I done told you this was a waste of time. A man like Dixon Wolf ain’t gonna pay for no bitch.” The gleam in David’s eyes made her stomach clench again. An erection strained in his jeans, and she forced down the urge to vomit.

  “You’re right. Wolf don’t give a flying fuck about her. And why would he? There’s plenty of pussy to go around. He’ll be happy to get his money back.”

  “Damn straight.” David clapped Emmett on the shoulder. “Let me handle her, then we’ll pay the bastard back, and move on with our lives.”

  How would hurting her—or whatever sick thing David had in mind—give Emmett a payday?

  And then it hit her.

  Belle suddenly realized she was being held hostage by two murderers. Insurance money—Emmett must’ve taken out an insurance policy on Belle. Dix had been right about her father all along. Something was fishy about his ex-wife’s demise.

  God, I’m an idiot.

  “You killed your first wife for the money.”

  Emmett smirked.

  “Were you going to do the same thing to Carolina—before she beat you to the punch?”

  He didn’t say a word.

  “You bastard.” She stared at Emmett, daring him to look her in the eye, but she couldn’t shame someone without a conscience.

  “Worry about your own neck, little girl.” Emmett’s eyes were cold. He turned to his partner. “Do it.”

  Belle started to shake in earnest. Her fingers and toes had gone icy.

  “How could you? I’m your own flesh and blood.”

  “I ain’t gonna do a damn thing.” Her father turned away. “Besides, your momma and I used to swing back in the day. I doubt you’re mine anyway.”

  Meanwhile, David had gotten closer. He stroked her cheek, and she trembled.

  “Call me when you’re…finished, David.” Emmett shuffled to the door.

  Belle doubted Dix would make it in time. Her only hope was Emmett and any shred of humanity he had left.

  “Daddy, please don’t leave me.” This time, she said the words aloud.

  He froze.

  And she sucked in a breath, hoping that once—just once—he’d do the right thing by her and act like a father.

  “It’ll be fast and painless. I promise.” Emmett squared his shoulders and opened the door.

  Then he was gone, tossing her away like so much garbage. Again.

  “And I promise it won’t be.” David grabbed her by the throat.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You and me are gonna have some fun.”

  Belle didn’t want to know what David considered fun.

  He brandished the fillet knife—it was long, sharp, and glinted in the light. David stroked her thigh.

  “Be a good girl and you get to live longer. Scream and I’ll slit your throat right quick.”

  Quivering, Belle dipped her head in acknowledgment.

  “Good, if you die too fast, it won’t be any fun.”

  Psychopathology was one of the most interesting and frightening aspects of her counseling training, and she’d learned what makes rapists and murderers tick. David was clearly a sexual sadist—he got off on hurting women. Showing fear would get her killed. It’d only excite him, egg him on.

  And pleading with David would be useless. He didn’t possess a conscience she could reach. He wanted to hurt her.

  Belle closed her eyes, sucked in a deep breath and held it, then exhaled through her nose. She needed to slow her heartbeat and calm the adrenaline surging through her blood, urging her to kick, fight, and scream. Her response had to be the antithesis of her instincts. She had to get him talking and pretend it was any other session with a new client. Somehow, Belle had to buy some time.

  Get it together.

  “How many women have you killed?”

  He frowned.

  Belle raised a brow. “Come on. Tell me.”

  “Plenty. Mostly hookers and such.” A crafty smile seeped over his face. “That scare you?”

  “I’m curious.” Prostitutes and other high-risk populations like drug users and runaways were easy prey for someone like him.

  “Or stalling.” David dragged the knife blade up the length of her leg, slicing through the jeans, but not touching the skin—yet. “You tryin’ to shrink me? Your daddy mentioned you studied psychology.”

  “Maybe. I know all about your kind.”

  “My kind?” He stroked the bared skin, and her flesh crawled.

  “Standard psychopath stuff. I bet you peed the bed as a child. And you probably started fires too.” Belle shrugged, feigning a nonchalance she didn’t feel. Most serial killers had those two things in common.

  “Okay, smart ass, tell me more.” David sat beside her, cocking his head to the side.

  And he’s a narcissist too. Useful.

  “Let me guess, you started with small animals—frogs, insects. Then you moved on to something larger—stray cats. Maybe a neighbor’s dog?”

  “Yeah. A cat screams, but dogs get real scared. You ever heard a dog cry?” He chuckled as though recalling a fond memory.

  “No.” Belle didn’t let the disgust show.

  “You and me got somethin’ in common, you know.”

  “Oh?”

  “My daddy left my momma too. She said it was my fault, said I was a demon.”

  Belle doubted his mother had been wrong. She probably saw the insanity lurking within.

  “Momma used to give me bleach baths.” He gripped the knife. “She prayed for my immortal soul while she held me under the water.”

  Belle wasn’t surprised. No one knew what created a serial killer, exactly, but abuse was often a factor.

  “You killed your mother.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Yeah.” David closed his eyes, his face rapturous. “I never felt more powerful, more alive. The knife sticking in her belly. Her blood on my skin, warm and sticky wet—like melted chocolate.”

  Dear God, he got off on murdering his own mother. Come on, Dix. Find me.

  “Enough jawin’.” David grasped her thigh, positioning it. “I’ve wanted you for weeks.”

  She gulped. Time slowed, and every single second felt like an eternity.

  “Can’t say I feel the same.” Keep him talking. “Every kill afterward was a bit less satisfying, right?”

  “Yours might be fun. Whatcha say we find out?” He slashed her thigh—exposing pink, raw flesh, and blood gushed from the wound.

  Belle stifled a cry.

  “Come on, let it out. You’ve been a brave soldier long enough. I wanna hear you scream, bitch. I’m gonna make you cry for me.”

  “No.” Bell
e glared, gritting her teeth.

  David licked the blood on his hand. “Damn, you taste sweet.”

  And the room spun like she stood on the deck of a ship in stormy weather.

  David sliced her other leg open.

  Belle couldn’t hold it back any longer—she screamed.

  ***

  “This is takin’ fuckin’ forever.”

  “I got a twitchy trigger finger, and you’re gettin’ on my very last nerve.” Byron turned the wheel. “Why don’t you shut your hole? Or better yet, we could pass the time talkin’ about your shitty business plans. Why are we financin’ psychos?”

  Dix ignored him.

  What if I’m too late?

  Vick had tracked down the cell signal by hacking nearby towers. After Byron had beaten the shit out of Brax for dereliction of duty, Dix formed another posse with Ten, Byron, and Brax as back-up.

  Emmett had holed up in Hell—Four Horsemen MC territory. It made sense. The Horsemen hated the Dixie Mafia, but the biker boys wouldn’t save his sorry ass.

  Dix sat back in the seat, gripping the gun. He didn’t know if he could survive the death of another woman he cared for. Maybe even….

  He couldn’t think about it.

  As soon as they surged into Hades’ parking lot, two men sidled up with guns drawn. Ace and a tall African American man dressed in leather pants with dreadlocks and a scowl on his face. Dix recognized him from the intel—Voodoo.

  Between them, Emmett stood with his wrists zip-tied together. Voodoo had a gun jammed into his ribs.

  Dix jumped out of the SUV with Byron, Brax, and Ten right behind him.

  “I’ll take it from here.” Dix nodded to Ace.

  “The hell you will.” Ace clapped Emmett on the back, making him grunt in pain. “He’s our problem—caught him makin’ a run for it.”

  “What you be doin’ here?” Voodoo asked Byron.

  “This bastard holed up in your hotel because he thought you’d protect him.” Byron pointed to Emmett.

  “Where’s Belle?” Dix cocked the pistol and raised it, ready to shoot Emmett in the parking lot. Right now, he didn’t give a damn if Texas gave him the death penalty.

  Voodoo raised his weapon too.

  Ace’s eyes rounded. “Woah, this ain’t the OK Corral. Let’s take it down a notch or two.”