Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #5

by Teresa Gabelman

  “No, not that I’ve heard. She promised to let us know.” Taz frowned, slowing for Steve to catch up. “I should have tied the fucker up.”

  “You think he went back to Kingsman?” Steve asked, but by his tone, that was what he thought.

  “Yeah,” Taz growled, taking the steps to Garrett’s two at a time. “I do.”

  After opening the door, they walked inside. Everyone stood around while Dell held up a phone. Jamie stood with Devon, her eyes wet with tears.

  “What’s going on?” Taz immediately searched for Leda. She wedged her way toward him.

  “Minor sent Jamie a video.” Dell frowned. “We now know where Malcolm disappeared to.” He hit Play, and Malcolm’s voice filled the room.

  “Jamie, I want you to show this video to everyone. I’m back at Kingsman. I know Allen will be back today, and I want to prove to everyone who I am loyal to. Even in a moment of weakness…”

  “No!” Leda whispered, her voice filled with emotion as she moved closer to the phone.

  “…deep in my heart, I knew I would never turn Leda over to Allen. Yes, I thought about it, but I know now I would never have done it. I’m going to find out their plan and let you know. Wait!”

  Malcolm stopped talking, but they could hear him walking and then a faint voice. Instantly, Leda stiffened next to Taz. He knew exactly who the voice belonged to by her actions.

  “What’s the plan?” a voice came over the phone.

  “The plan, my friends, is to kill as many motherfuckers as we can.”

  “That would be a big mistake.” Malcolm’s voice boomed throughout the room, but all they could see was the ground.

  “Malcolm! I was told you betrayed me.”

  Malcolm laughed loudly. “By who, Minor? He’s an idiot. I know where they are, how many there are, but more importantly, I can hand Sam to you. So is that your plan? Ride in and kill them?”

  Taz and Dell’s eyes met. Jared left the room with his phone to his ear.

  “You really think I’m that stupid? Minor may be an idiot, but he’s loyal. You were loyal to my brother. I’ve always known that and have never trusted you.” The phone made a loud rustling sound. “Who were you streaming this to? Jamie? A Warrior? Leda?”

  Fierce rage straightened Taz’s back as he heard the bastard say her name. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

  “You’re going to lose.” Everyone in the room could hear the hatred in Malcolm’s voice.

  “Oh no, you’re going to lose, and so are they.” The sound of struggle and curses echoed around them as they all remained quiet, listening and watching the phone in Dell’s hand. “Rough him up a little, but keep him alive.”

  Allen’s face appeared on the screen, and Leda gasped, stepping back into Taz. “Oh, Leda, you have truly fucked up. You should have stayed in your hole and not played with the big boys. See you soon. And to the bastards who killed my men—payback’s a bitch.”

  His face disappeared, but his voice still played. “Send this to your whore,” Allen ordered. “I want them to know exactly who’s coming for them.”

  The room remained quiet, and Taz could feel the tremor in Leda’s hand. “He’ll kill him,” she whispered, and they both looked at Jamie, who held onto Devon.

  “Is th-th-tha-that Uncle?” Sam’s shaking voice filled the room. Taz cursed as he spotted the boy standing in the doorway. Wide eyes in his pale face searched for a monster in the room. “Leda!” he cried out.

  “I’m here, Sam.” Leda rushed toward him and slid to her knees. “It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be fine.”

  Sam’s tear-filled eyes stared at Taz over Leda’s shoulder. His chin trembled uncontrollably, his fear evident to everyone in the room. “Don’t le-le-let him hur-hur-hur-hur—” Sam closed his mouth and swallowed hard. “—hurt us, Taz.”

  “Never, buddy,” Taz swore to the little boy who stared at him like a hero, but Taz didn’t feel like a hero at the moment.

  He glanced at Garrett, whose face was a mask of rage. “We need to get them out of here.” Leda and Sam were his only concern, and he’d be damned if he let them down.

  Leda heard Taz and stiffened. “Emily, can you take Sam to his room for a minute?” She begged Emily with her eyes. “Please.”

  “Of course.” Emily rushed over, but Sam wouldn’t let her go.

  “No!” he refused, using just that one word. Leda knew his fear was making it hard for him to talk, and that’s when he went to using one-syllable words.

  “I promise you I’m not going anywhere.” She pried his little arms from around her neck. “Go with Emily, and I’ll be right there. I promise, Sam. Take Pepper with you.”

  Sam finally let go and called Pepper by snapping his fingers once. He looked toward Taz, and so did Leda. Taz gave Sam a nod. Leda turned to see Sam disappear up the steps with Emily.

  Once she heard the door close, she turned to look at Taz. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Leda.” Taz shook his head with a sigh. “You are not staying here. You and Sam need to—”

  “Payback’s a bitch,” her uncle’s voice said as Steve watched the video.

  “What is he, a girl?” Steve snorted, his eyes narrowed on the screen. “Seriously, no one says that anymore.”

  “What in the hell are you doing?” Jill sighed, glaring at him. “And girls don’t say that either.”

  “I’ve counted twenty guys.” Steve looked up at everyone. “I’ve watched it twice. Malcolm definitely did us a solid with this video.”

  “We can’t depend on that being the correct count.” Slade was behind Steve, also watching the video. “But at least that gives us a starting count.”

  “Everyone is on their way.” Jared walked back in. “What did I miss?”

  “The asshole warning us that payback’s a bitch.” Steve chuckled, shaking his head.

  “What? Is he a girl?” Jared frowned with no concern for the warning.

  “That’s what I said.” Steve gave Dell the phone back.

  “Marcus, go talk to the Kingsman and let them know what’s going on. Anyone who wants to leave is free to do so. We’ll make sure they have somewhere safe to go until this is over.”

  “Janna and the babies are leaving,” Garrett announced, then looked toward Ross. “I think you should also, and Emily.”

  Hunter started to open his mouth, but a scream from outside stopped him.

  “When did that video arrive?” Taz glanced at Jamie.

  “As soon as it came, we rushed over here.” Devon frowned, his eyes filled with anger. “They waited to send it until they were close.”

  “They waited,” Taz agreed. “Fuck!”

  “Smart.” Jared rushed toward the front of the house. “Soon to be dead, but smart.”

  Dell walked toward the window and looked out. Leda tried to see, but too many huge bodies blocked her way. “Warriors, spread out through the back.” Dell opened the door. “Wolves, follow me. Women, stay put.”

  Leda finally was able to see out the window but was careful to stay out of sight for now. She didn’t see anything at first, but then farther down the street, she saw a man staggering down the road. It was Malcolm.

  “Oh no!” Jamie cried, her hand going to her mouth.

  “Come on.” Ross took her arm, leading her back to the kitchen. “The guys will get him. He’ll be okay.”

  Leda and Ross shared a look. He didn’t look okay.

  Seeing movement, she watched as Mr. Watkins rushed out to help Malcolm. “No!” She knew the older man couldn’t hear her, but she also knew it was a trap.

  “Leda!” Her uncle’s voice echoed up the street as if he were on an intercom. “Answer me, bitch, or you’ll regret it!”

  A gunshot made her jump, and she waited for Mr. Watkins to hit the ground, but it was Malcolm who fell face first onto the road. “Oh God.” She panicked as she looked toward Taz. He had scattered with the others, and she couldn’t see him.

  “You have three s
econds to appear in this street, or Burt here is going to leave Mrs. Watkins a widow. Now I know you don’t want that on your pretty little head, niece. One!”

  Leda glanced behind her at Janna and Ross. “Hide Sam.”

  “Two!” His voice grew louder. “Come on, Leda. The way you came into my pack and burned my house down, I thought you had bigger balls than this.”

  She turned to look at Jill, who had stayed behind to protect the women. “Don’t do it,” she warned Leda.

  “If Taz gives chase, you stop him,” Leda ordered, but when Jill shook her head, Leda got in her face. “Stop him. Swear it. I would do it for you if it were Slade.”

  “Dammit!” Jill cursed, then gave her a dirty look. “You are going to owe me big for this one.”

  Just as she headed out the door, she saw Taz step out. Fear like she never felt before hit her and sent her out the door faster than she’d ever moved in her life.

  “Leda!” Taz yelled as he started to give chase, but was slammed back as if he’d run into an invisible wall. He glanced toward the house to see Jill staring at him with her hands out toward him. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m sorry!” was all she said.

  “Damn you!” Taz fought to free himself, but it was no use. He watched as Leda ran as fast as she could, putting herself in front of the older man. “No! Let me go!”

  Leda heard Taz cursing and fighting to get free, but she would deal with that later, if she survived.

  “I’m here, you son of a bitch!” Leda yelled, then moved back as a truck came barreling toward them with more than twenty men running behind it. Her uncle stood in the back of the pickup with a bullhorn.

  He gave her a sinister smile. “Yes, there you are.” He pointed his gun at her. “You know how easy it would be to end you right now?”

  “A coward’s way is usually pretty easy,” she shot back. “Let Mr. Watkins go.”

  “You aren’t giving the orders now,” he sneered, then pulled the trigger. The shot went wide, but she felt the breeze of the bullet. She could hear Taz’s bellow and cursing behind her.

  “Someone you know, I take it.” Her uncle aimed the gun toward Taz, who was totally out in the open and just standing there staring at her.

  “What do you want, you bastard?” Leda hissed as she walked straight up to the truck, slamming her hand on it. “You want me? Here I am.” She spread her arms wide.

  “You have more fight than your father ever did.” Allen lowered the gun. “I have to respect that about you, at least. I think you have more of your mother in you.”

  Leda didn’t say anything to that. She just stood at the front of the truck, glaring up at her uncle.

  “Where’s Sam?” His face completely turned, and she witnessed the evil intent in his eyes.

  “He’s not here,” Leda lied, then gave him a sinister grin. “I’m not stupid either, Uncle.” She mimicked his words from the recording.

  “Yes, actually, you are.” He aimed the gun at her. “I don’t need you to find my son. Now that you’re dead, there is nothing keeping him from me. I will tear this town apart, and I will find him. Goodbye, Leda. Tell your mother I said hello.”

  Sadness filled her soul as she slowly closed her eyes. The last thing she heard was Taz screaming her name in the distance.

  Chapter 23

  Taz watched the bastard pull the trigger, but nothing happened. Only a loud click reverberated through the street.

  “Ah, damn!” Allen sighed dramatically, then pulled out another gun. “Wrong one.” He looked around the seemingly empty town. “This is for the Warriors and wolves hiding among us. Oh, I know you’re there,” Allen said through the bullhorn. “I’m going to take Leda with me. If anyone does anything to me or my men, I will kill her, for real this time. I want Sam.”

  Taz tried to take a step forward, but it was no use. He glared at Jill, but she refused to look his way.

  “I was going to kill you all for killing my men, but honestly, I don’t give a fuck.” Allen’s crazed laugh echoed through the bullhorn. “Count yourselves lucky, because next time, you won’t be. I will kill you and then come after your family, your friends. Hell, I’ll come after your fucking dogs. I’m a Kingsman.”

  Taz watched as each and every Warrior and wolf made themselves known. Dell came forward, followed by Garrett, Hunter, and Marcus. He fell in step with them, doing everything in his power not to run toward Leda to shield her from this man. Her uncle was on edge, and it wouldn’t take much to send him over.

  Allen looked around at the large group of vamps and wolves surrounding him and his men. “Oh, what a scary-looking crew,” Allen mocked before laughing for a long moment. His manic laughter cut off abruptly as his face morphed into anger. “Get in the truck, Leda.”

  “No,” she whispered, but Taz heard her.

  Dammit, Leda. He tried to break into her thoughts, but she was shut off.

  “Why don’t you climb off that truck with your men and do this the shifter way?” Dell called out, his voice strong and sure.

  “Oh, okay.” Allen smiled and acted like he was going to do just that, but stopped. “Only one problem with that. I don’t want to do it that way, and I’m in control here.”

  Originally outnumbered by the Kingsman pack, Taz held back his smile at the sound of motorcycles. The rest of the Warriors had arrived.

  “You sure about that?” Leda tilted her head up at him. “At least they’re giving you a fighting chance. It was more than you gave your own brother and my mother. She hated you. You know that, don’t you? I’ve read her journal. I know everything, and as soon as you get your ass handed to you, I’m going to the elders with all the information I have.”

  “Goddammit!” Taz hissed trying to move closer. “Stop taunting him,” he said to Leda, as if she could hear him. If he made any moves, she could be shot. No way would he chance that. Maybe it was a good thing Jill was holding him back.

  “Wrong information to share,” Allen growled as he jumped out of the truck, strode up to her and hit her across the face. “Get in the fucking truck.” Grabbing her arm, he dragged her with his free hand, the gun in the other.

  “Now!” Dell yelled, and all hell broke loose.

  Suddenly Taz was free from Jill’s power as he ran toward Leda while Allen was trying to haul her to the truck. Seizing the bastard by the back of the neck, Taz slammed his face into the truck as he pulled Leda free. “Get to the house!”

  Leda fell backward but screamed out a warning when someone appeared behind Taz. Turning, Taz started fighting him off, giving Allen a chance to go after Leda. Steve stepped in to take the guy down, giving Taz freedom to grab Allen.

  “Don’t think so, motherfucker.” Taz hit him with an elbow across the face. “Doesn’t feel good, does it?”

  Allen roared with rage, slamming himself into Taz. He was bigger, but Taz was faster. He took Allen down with him but rolled, flipping Allen over his head. They both stood at the same time.

  “So, you and my niece, huh?” Allen wiped blood from his nose and looked at his hand with a frown. “I don’t like to bleed, you little shit.”

  Taz spun, his foot connecting with Allen’s face. He didn’t even respond to the bastard. All he could think of was the son of a bitch hitting Leda. Nothing could stop Taz from unleashing his rage. Allen didn’t stand a chance; blow after blow, Taz was a man possessed.

  “Stop, or I’ll kill her.” Those words penetrated Taz’s brain when nothing else did. He stopped, his head turning slowly as his eyes focused on Minor with a gun under Jamie’s chin.

  An inhuman snarl escaped Taz’s throat.

  “Let him up.” Minor jammed the gun hard, making Jamie cry out.

  Slowly, Taz stood and moved away from Allen, who lay moaning on the ground. Glancing around, Taz saw the Warriors had things under control as well as the wolves, even some of the new pack members from Kingsman. These worthless motherfuckers were no match for them. He saw Leda staring wide-eyed at Minor and Jam
ie. No one moved other than Allen, who tried to stand.

  “You bastard.” Allen spat out blood and broken teeth. “I’ll kill you.”

  Minor glanced toward Leda. “Get in the truck,” he ordered her. When Leda didn’t move, he screamed, “Do it, or I swear to God, I will blow her head off.”

  “Then what are you going to do, genius?” Jared called out as the Warriors and wolves moved closer. “You kill her, we kill you.”

  Taz glanced at Allen, who was still having trouble trying to stand. He’d fucked him up good. The satisfaction with that knowledge just wasn’t there, though. He was far from finished with the son of a bitch. While Minor was busy looking toward Jared, Taz moved closer to Leda, but stopped when Minor snapped his attention back toward him.

  “Stop moving!” he bellowed, then looked at Allen. “Get up, Allen.”

  “He’s having a little trouble there, Minus,” Hunter replied, then glanced at a grinning Sid.

  “Good one.” Sid gave him a thumbs-up, then looked toward Minor. “Hey, let me give you a little advice. I’ve seen this situation before, many times. You listening?”

  Minor’s gaze was going everywhere at once. “You’re just trying to confuse me.”

  “Don’t think you need help there, buddy.” Jared snorted before clearing his throat. “Sorry. You need to listen to Sid here. He’s seen a lot of shit, and he’s trying to help you.”

  Sid snapped his fingers, getting Minor’s attention from looking at all his comrades lying lifeless on the ground. “Hey, focus.” Sid waited for Minor to look his way. “Now, as I was saying, I’ve seen this situation before. You aren’t getting out of here with her or Leda. Let’s just get that straight. Not happening. But you can get out of here alive.”

  “How?” Minor frowned, his eyes looking hopeful.

  “Don’t listen to him,” Allen slurred as he finally sat up. “They’re lyin—”

  Taz lifted his leg and kicked Allen in the face, effectively shutting him up. Taz glanced back at Sid. “Continue.” One thing was for sure—these Warriors could talk anyone out of anything by confusing the shit out of them.