Hart of Vengeance: The Hart Series

by Alexander, S. B.

  “You know about Jade? Of course you do. Dillon.” When I’d gotten home the night before, Dillon had been waiting up for me. I’d filled him in on every detail since he’d dropped me off at Jade’s office building, including getting shot at, the FBI, Savannah, my encounter with our brother, and Jade.

  She’d been very clear the night before. She wanted nothing to do with me. I knew now how she had felt when I broke up with her—gutted, hurt, and angry—and I didn’t like it one bit.

  “Dillon didn’t tell me everything.”

  “It’s okay. Nothing really to tell anyway.”

  Maggie knitted her pretty eyebrows. “You’re not giving up?”

  I chuckled. “That’s a big, fat no. I just need her to make the first move.”

  “The only way she’s going to do that is if you give her some signs.”

  I had a major fucking sign in my boxer briefs. But I knew what she meant.

  The topic of my love life went by the wayside when a voice I hadn’t heard in years trickled into the room, and my heart sputtered.

  “Where is he?” my sister, Grace, asked.

  Maggie smiled. “Someone has been dying to see you.”

  Footsteps pounded on the stairs, and a tornado came whirling into my room and threw herself on the bed before she wrapped her arms around me. “Denim,” Grace squealed.

  Oh my God.

  I hugged her tightly. “Grace? Is that really you?”

  The last time I’d seen my baby sister was just before she’d disappeared at sixteen. She’d been swept up in a human-trafficking ring only to escape. Thank God Dillon had been able to take down her kidnappers. Or rather Grace, some ex-military dude that Grace knew, Dillon, Duke, and Maggie had taken down her kidnappers.

  Hell, it took Maggie getting snagged by the same people before justice had been served. Our lives weren’t the average big house, pristine lawn, and white picket fences. No, the Harts rivaled the Gallagher family from the show Shameless. We were highly dysfunctional for sure. We had an alcoholic father, a nowhere-to-be-found mother, drugs, jail, crime, and each of us were just trying to find one spec of happiness wherever we could.

  “See you guys later,” Maggie said. “Oh, and Denim, don’t go anywhere near Tito. He’s more lethal than you remember.”

  Tito’s name didn’t belong in our conversation at the moment.

  Grace tightened her hold on me before she edged back. “I heard he’s trying to kill you. Need a bodyguard?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Bodyguard? Who? You?”

  She sat on her heels. “I’m tougher than you think.”

  The last thing I wanted was for her to get involved in my shit. “Let me look at you.”

  She preened. Her smile warmed my heart. Gone was her baby fat, the acne, and the innocence.

  “How old are you now, baby sister?”

  She was all woman for sure with curves, toned biceps, brown hair spilling down to her shoulders, and a tattoo of a colorful hummingbird on her neck.

  “Can you believe I’m twenty-two?”

  Fuck no. In my mind, she was still the little runt who’d bounced on my bed at five in the mornings, trying to get me up to fix her breakfast.

  I took her hand. “You’re beautiful, and you seem happy.” Fuck, I prayed she was after being sold to some fucker who’d abused her.

  “I am. I have good days and bad. And today is a great day. I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I didn’t come to visit you.”

  “No worries. Prison sucks, and after what you’ve been through, you didn’t need to see the lowlifes I lived with. On another note, I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t there for you.” I kissed the back of her hand.

  “No need to apologize. All of us had our own shit to deal with back then, especially Dad.”

  “Dare I ask about him?” Frankly, I hadn’t thought too much about him. Dillon had told me once our old man was trying to get sober.

  “He’s still drinking. I’ve only seen him a handful of times, and only because I wanted to get some of my things.”

  I had no desire to reunite with him, and I didn’t want to ruin the day reminiscing about nightmares and asshole fathers. “So, tell me what you’re up to.”

  “Later. We should eat before the big, bad brother starts yelling.” She giggled. “Dillon’s an army sergeant when he cooks.”

  “I need to get a quick shower, then.”

  She touched my hair. “I’m digging the long, badass vibe. Jade must love it.”

  I threw up my hands. “Does everyone know about Jade?”

  She pushed out a shoulder. “We’re family. We talk.”

  I was living in an alternate universe. In what era did the word “family” come into our vocabulary?

  The smell of bacon drifted in again. My sister was happy and bubbly and ready to fight my battles, a stark contrast to what I remembered. I was in a room that felt like heaven, with fluffy pillows, a cushy mattress, and a bathroom. If I didn’t know I was at Dillon’s house, I would’ve assumed I was at a hotel.

  She batted her big brown eyes. “Hurry up. You know how Dillon likes to eat all the bacon.”

  On that note, my stomach growled. I’d only gotten a chance to eat a measly sandwich after returning from Duke’s the night before.

  She bounced to the door like she was a teenager again. “I think we should take you shopping to get you some new clothes. Maybe a haircut too.”

  I laughed loudly. “Shopping, huh? Why not? Haircut, no way.”

  After the previous day, I could use a day—or hell, a year or more—to relax and shed six years of that disgusting prison from my skin and out of my veins. Still, I wanted nothing more than to enjoy a day with my sister.

  Thirty minutes later, after a hot shower in which the water didn’t run cold after two minutes, a good, solid shave, and clean clothes that Dillon had lent me, I was walking into a modest kitchen. It was small, warm, bright, and lived in, unlike Duke’s cold atmosphere.

  Dillon was reading on his phone at the table by the window. The morning sun sprayed in through the slats in the blinds, and some disk-like contraption moved along the edge of the tiled floor.

  “What’s that?” I asked. I suspected it was a vacuum, which was odd to me.

  “Welcome to the new age of housecleaning,” Dillon said, not looking up from his phone.

  I got myself a cup of coffee then joined him. Plates of bacon, eggs, and toast were scattered about the picnic-style table.

  I plucked a strip of bacon. “Where’s Grace?” I hadn’t taken that long in the shower.

  He set his phone down. “One of my employees called in sick. I asked Grace if she could fill in.”

  “Darn. No shopping?” It wasn’t the shopping I’d anticipated—I just wanted to spend time with my baby sister.

  He chuckled. “Is that how you want to spend your second day of freedom?”

  “I would shovel shit to hang with her. I feel like I owe her too. I was a terrible brother.” I’d never been home to protect her from our old man. If I had been, maybe she wouldn’t have taken off, and then she wouldn’t have ended up in a sex-trafficking ring.

  Dillon made himself a plate. “We all were.

  I followed suit. I was famished.

  “I think it’s best if you stay in today,” Dillon said. “Tito might try again.”

  I shoveled eggs into my mouth. “About Tito, I’m going to head down to see him.”

  Dillon dropped his fork. “Do you have a death wish?”

  “I want to know why he has a contract on my head. Best way to get answers is to confront him.”

  “You killed his brother, or allegedly anyway.”

  “Then why wait six years to try and take his revenge? Call me crazy, but I think Duke fits into the scheme somewhere.”

  Dillon buttered his toast. “Are you saying Duke wants you dead?”

  “I’m saying my release from prison has the real killer nervous, and I’m going to get to the bottom of who set me up.”
>
  “You’re not going to rest until you get answers. Are you?”

  “Would you?” I asked through a mouthful of food. “The Harts might be assholes, but we’re persistent fucks who will do whatever it takes to get answers. Isn’t that what you did to find Grace? You didn’t give up. I’m not either.” I swallowed a swig of coffee. “This is my life, bro. I’m not going to have a murder charge on my record. Now that I’m out, I can take matters into my own hands.”

  “Not by walking into the lion’s den.”

  “Sometimes that’s the only way to uncover the truth.” Although I didn’t expect Tito to tell me squat. But I knew his mannerisms. I might be able to read between the lines.

  Dillon rose. “Then I’m going with.”

  “No, you’re not. I don’t want you involved. You got your shit together. You don’t need the hassle of whatever is about to happen.”

  He laughed, dumping his cup into the sink. “Sorry, bro. Too late. I’m already involved. I have my head of security at the shelter checking on Tito’s whereabouts. I’ve got your back.”

  A lump formed in my throat. Hardly any of my family stuck up for me except Dillon. He’d been gone for a couple of years in the merchant marines, but ever since he’d returned, he had been visiting me in jail.

  I swallowed a mouthful of eggs. “I’m assuming Tito lives in the same neighborhood as he always has.”

  “He’s not. Rafe checked.”

  If I wasn’t feeling loved before, I was now. “You’re one step ahead of me.”

  “I know you, bro. Like you said, we’re persistent fucks.”

  We both laughed.

  I finished filling my stomach. “I need to tell Kelton about my encounter with the Feds.” I also needed to see if Travers had sent the contract over to Kelton. I doubted the Feds worked that quickly since it had only been twelve hours or so since they whisked me away from the hospital.

  Dillon returned to the table. “Do that.” He slid the cell phone over to me. “This is yours. You’ll need a way to communicate.” He pulled out his wallet and produced a credit card and cash. “I added your name to one of my personal bank accounts. You only have a small amount to play with, but take the rest of the day and buy some clothes. Use the cash for whatever. We probably won’t hear from Rafe until later this afternoon anyway. Then we’ll need a game plan.”

  My mouth parted as my eyes went wide. “You don’t have to do all this.”

  “I know,” he said. “I have a small stash of cash I’ve made from the stock market, and you’re family.”

  In that moment, the word “family” had a little more meaning to me. “I owe you big time, bro.”

  “The only thing you owe me is to not go off half-cocked to Tito until I hear from Rafe. Cool?”

  That lump in my throat grew bigger, and all I could do was nod.

  “Good. I need to use the head.”

  He left me dazed. I felt warm and fuzzy, which was odd. Definitely new emotions for me.

  As my mind sliced and diced the events of the morning since I’d opened my eyes, I got stuck on something Maggie had said about Jade. “Give her some signs.”

  I knew the perfect sign.

  18

  Jade

  Mallory and I left the coffee shop that Denim and I had visited the day before. We’d taken an early lunch. Kelton wasn’t due in until noon, and Mallory’s boss was in court most of the day.

  We strolled back to the office amid businesspeople hailing cabs, window-shoppers lingering to admire the latest fashion, and buses picking up passengers on each corner block. I’d been tempted to walk two blocks in the opposite direction just to see if any cops were still hanging around after the prior day’s shooting. But it wouldn’t matter. It was too depressing to think about anyway, and I didn’t need more grief to pull me down.

  The cool fall air was a welcome relief. I’d been sweating for the last few hours. I didn’t have a fever, but I felt worn down and spent from crying most of the night. I couldn’t shake the image of Savannah laid out in that hospital bed, not breathing.

  Mallory closed the top of her coat. “You shouldn’t be working today.”

  “I told you for the tenth time, I need to keep my mind occupied.”

  I’d stayed at her place, not wanting to be alone. She hadn’t either. Mallory had been beside herself after seeing Cara cozied up to Duke. She and Cara hadn’t talked much lately. Cara was in college, and Mallory worked long hours. The only time they did see each other was at a family gathering.

  “Have you heard from Cara?” I asked.

  “She won’t return my calls,” Mallory said.

  I couldn’t blame Cara. I knew firsthand how getting dumped felt—like a punch so hard to the stomach, I couldn’t breathe. Denim hadn’t been mean like Duke, but a breakup was a breakup.

  I hiked my purse higher on my shoulder. “I want to tell Kelton what happened to Savannah and understand what happens next. I want to know if the person who beat her will be charged with her murder.” I wasn’t sure how the system worked. But I wanted whoever had beaten Savannah to pay.

  Wisps of Mallory’s auburn hair ruffled in the light wind. “For sure. Maybe we can somehow fit Duke into that scenario.” Derision laced her tone.

  “You know, what we need is a night out dancing. We haven’t been in a long time, and I really need an escape.”

  Mallory and I had frequented many clubs in our early twenties. It was one of the ways to blow off steam and forget our troubles.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “I should check on Cara, and you should get some rest.”

  “You can still check on Cara after work. Clubs don’t get hopping until later tonight anyway. Let’s at least go for a drink.” The last thing I wanted to do was be alone in my grungy apartment. I had to stay busy. “Besides, I don’t think Duke will take Cara back. Savannah told me once Duke makes a decision, he always sticks to his guns.” I hoped I was making her feel better.

  My phone rang as we entered the busy lobby of our office building. A crowd was leaving for lunch since it was noon. I plucked my phone out of my jacket pocket and saw Todd’s name on the screen.

  Mallory glanced down. “Who’s Todd?”

  Oh my. I’d forgotten about him. We’d agreed to chat that day. I lifted my finger to Mallory, signaling for her to wait a second. “Hey, Todd.”

  “Hey, yourself.” He sounded nasally. “Want to get drinks after work?”

  “It’s not a good day.” My heart wasn’t into seeing any man at that moment.

  The line grew silent as Mallory stabbed the button to the elevator.

  “Too bad,” Todd said. “I was going to offer to take you to a new club in the city.”

  “New club?” I prodded Mallory with my eyes. Then something hit me. Todd was more her type, and she wasn’t dating anyone. I wasn’t a matchmaker, but I could let things fall where they may. “Is there dancing involved?” Not waiting for him to answer, I continued. “Tell you what—text me the name and address of the club. My girlfriend and I might meet you there.”

  “Cool. I’ve got to run. Hope to see you tonight.” Then Todd hung up.

  On the ride up to our office, Mallory said, “You don’t need me to tag along. Go and have a good time.”

  “Oh, no. We’re going out, and we’re going to take our mind off our troubles.” If I had to spend one more moment in my depressing apartment, I would shoot myself. I couldn’t let my mind wander either. Otherwise, I would be one big ball of snot.

  Mallory crammed herself into a corner of the elevator while others piled in.

  I pushed my shoulder into hers. “You might like Todd.” I kept my voice low. “He’s your type.” She liked dark-haired men over blonds and gingers.

  “I guess I need to shake off seeing Cara with Duke. It’s just been too… I don’t know. I saw how he treated Savannah and how she changed because of him.”

  I hooked my arm in hers. “She won’t. Cara’s in college. She’s not the rebell
ious type like Savannah. More importantly, Cara isn’t going to rob a store or do drugs or any of the other wild and crazy things Savannah did. She’s hurt, Mal. She’ll be okay.” As long as Duke doesn’t take her back.

  “Says the girl who still has a thing for the guy who broke her heart years ago.” Mallory’s tone was light, but doubt hung in her words.

  I was ready to tell her I was over Denim when the elevator doors whooshed open. It was as if they were signaling me to keep my mouth shut. You will only stick your foot in your mouth. You and Denim are not over.

  Mallory’s heels clicked as she left the elevator. “Jade.”

  “I’m coming.” I followed her onto our floor.

  Dina lifted her head. “Mallory, your boss is looking for you. He sounds like he’s in a bad mood too.”

  “Oh crap. I thought he was in court all day.” Mallory took off like the Flash.

  I pressed my hands on the edge of the glass top of Dina’s desk. “Is Kelton in yet?”

  Her brown eyes lit up. “He is, and he’s with some hot new client.”

  “Please tell me he has brown hair and not blond.” I held my breath. The last person I wanted to see was Denim. Maybe I needed to rethink my strategy or employment.

  Dina let out a dreamy sigh. “Blond hair down to here.” She touched her neck between her collarbone and her ear. “Blue eyes the color of his name, Denim. What a cool name, huh?”

  I’d always thought the same thing. According to Denim, his parents had been ready to name him Richard until he came out of the womb with eyes the color of faded blue jeans. His mom was spot-on too.

  Dina snapped her fingers. “Jade, are you in there?”

  I blinked. “Sorry. I need to get to my desk.” Or maybe I could make up some excuse to leave until Denim was gone.

  You can’t. Be strong, professional, and cordial. Show him you’re not interested in him anymore. The latter wasn’t true. But a relationship with Denim would only end in heartbreak and a river of tears.

  Kelton’s door was ajar as I set my purse on my chair and blew out a breath.

  I can do this.

  The tap, tap, tap of legal assistants banging on their keyboards kept time with my pulse.