Brett shuffled uncomfortably next to the couple. “What guy?” he inquired loudly, still in shock after his near brush with death, followed by the kiss he did not understand.
“The guy on her chest. The one in Texas,” his loud voice dropped to a whisper as he spoke again to her with a small shake of his head, “You don’t need him.”
Hanging her hands from his forearms, Tori held onto him for a moment. Her lip trembled, and she traced the line of them up to grasp his hands, she stroked the hairs across the backs of his with her thumbs.
“Don’t you know how hard this is for me? Losing you all over again? I have to do this, baby. I have to go home.” She pulled away from him, wiping at the tears that had escaped and streaked down her cheeks. Remembering her list, she reached into her inner pocket and pulled out the piece of paper for him. “Here, take this. I don’t need it,” it feeling more like a bribe than ever.
“What is it?” He unfolded the yellow sheet, and Brett leaned over his shoulder to inspect it as well before he emitted a small gasp.
“Son of a bitch, are those the lockers?” Brett’s eyes were wide with surprise as he studied the page of addresses.
“Yeah, that’s all eleven of them that you can have. I wanna keep the one that belonged to Henry. Call me sentimental.” She managed a weak smile.
“Whaddaya want us to do with ‘em?” Enrique gave her a dubious look, not even sure what could be stored in them to begin with, as the Scorpions had never had any such things.
Giving him a small shrug, “I’ll let you decide. Brett knows what they’re for.” He nodded at her with a half-smile, surprised she had merely handed them over, but they were of no use to her. She was done with that life.
Gazing at his handsome features, Tori moved as if pulled by some unseen force. She leaned forward and kissed Enrique deeply, her heart in shreds. Catching the nape of his neck with her right hand, she briefly allowed her fingers to caress the dark waves, finding it hard to say goodbye. You should have walked when you had the chance, baby girl.
She had kept her distance from him this time, only taking him when she couldn’t resist any longer, as he was a drug to her. An addiction she had to face, and her efforts hadn’t been enough. She could scarcely breathe when she whispered, “I did love you, baby. But this is how it has to be.”
The man in Texas who waited for her would be less flashy, but definitely was the one she felt destined to be with. Reaching up to touch the spot on her left breast, the one now covered with Michael’s name, she turned her back on them, her boots clicking as she strolled down the sidewalk, leaving the two men to peer after her in stunned silence.
Enrique moved to catch her again, but Brett reached up, grasping him by the arm, “Let ‘er go, man. Ya got nothin’ she needs.” Pulling his arm free, Enrique gave him an angry glare before Brett finished, “Neither of us do.”
Not able to agree, the younger man simply turned and shook his head, watching as she reached the bike.
Tossing her leg over the seat, she kicked the lever with an angry motion, feeling exhausted and ready to be done with the chaos. Riding downtown, she found the federal building that Eli had taken her to from his apartment over a year ago, her mind clouded by the ghosts of the past.
The glass doors weren’t locked, and she made her way inside. The security guard at the counter glanced at her as she came in, and she waved. “Jim Godfry’s expecting me,” she called across the small foyer.
Having seen the agent enter a short time before, he gave her a small nod and motioned her straight over to the elevator.
Finding Godfry on the large black board with white letters, she punched the button to go up. As soon as the doors opened, she climbed onto the lift and leaned against the wall as they slid closed, her face in her hands and willing herself not to cry. Regaining her composure, she selected the floor and waited.
A moment later, the shiny metal parted, and she stepped out into the narrow hallway, making her way down to the correct number. Locating the spacious office, she found the man sitting in his oversized chair, nervously awaiting her arrival. Standing, he made his way over to close the heavy door, indicating for her to take a seat in one of the two guest spots that faced his desk.
Studying her for a moment, he finally asked, “So, it’s really done? The Scorpions are gone?” She only nodded, not trusting her own voice at the moment. “What about The Organization?” he continued. “You need help or can you take care of them on your own as well?”
She had been staring at the box of tissue in front of her, and her head snapped up to look at him. Confused, she spoke in a low tone, “What do you mean by that?”
“That’s your job isn’t it?” He stared at her gravely, “That is the purpose you were raised for, is it not? The Dragons trained you for a special task. Surely Eddie told you what he had planned for you. How he wanted to use you to eliminate key members of The Organization and take over the whole operation.” He stared at her incredulously, unsure how the smartest person he had ever met had not figured this out on her own.
Tori clenched her jaw, considering his words quietly. She had thought about this very subject many times, and had drawn the same conclusion as the man who stood before her; the purpose that Tony had alluded to all those years ago, as she sat naked on the table in the bush camp. “Smart as they come,” he had said, “That’s why you are here.”
Staring at him, she recalled the night she had lain with Brett and shared her memories, and the plan that he had confirmed. Eddie had taken her, and not by some random accident. He had searched for months before finding the perfect girl to implement his plan. He had watched her and her family, waiting until the time was right, when it was only her and her parents to make his move. He had placed the body of another girl in the car with them before he burned it to cover his tracks.
Furthermore, he had sent Michael to watch her brother, in case he ever needed to play that card to ensure she would do as instructed. There had only been one thing he had not counted on when he made his plans: her.
He had discovered later how head strong she could be; the stubbornness of her spirit. Even the day he had taken her and told her she would be called Tori, he had had to beat her to make her stop insisting her name was Nikki, Nichole Peters and nothing else. And in the end, it had been Henry who convinced her to obey.
Over the years, Eddie had continued to push her, the group and himself teaching her everything they knew. They had poured themselves into her empty vessel, and relished in the wonderfully horrible creation she had become. Heartless, cold and unfeeling, capable of such brutality, smart and cunning enough to manipulate the people around her with ease.
He had done his best to make her perfect for her intended purpose, but there had been one thing he could not change about her, and that was where loyalty lies.
Inside, Tori never gave up on the good in the world. She never wanted the role she had been given, and even in the darkness with the Scorpions, when she had chosen to drink and give herself to them of her own free will, she knew she would never have walked that path if she had not been pushed down it by necessity. She would never have raised a hand against them if she had not been forced to by their own actions.
“I’m not going after The Organization,” she told him in a monotone voice. “They’re no threat to me, and I’m going home.” She said the words as if she meant them, but deep down, she knew she could be sent to prison for what she had done that night. Somehow, she didn’t think that would happen; she could make things ugly in a very public way if they pushed her.
Standing, Tori made her way over to the door. “I want my freedom,” she stated as she reached for the handle. “You make that happen.” Her eyes laid the threat on him coolly, and she did not need to elaborate. Leaving the luxurious office, she headed down the hall and stepped onto the elevator.
Leaving the building, she rode Geek’s motorcycle to the bus station and bought a ticket to Dallas. From there she would make her way
to Abilene, and south on the highway until she arrived in a small town that lay out of the way, in the middle of nowhere, filled with people she loved.
Business at Hand
Three weeks later, Godfry stood at his desk, shuffling through the stack of papers and arranging them into the proper folders. Hearing a firm rap on the open portal, he looked up long enough to wave the dark haired man into the room, “Close the door, please.”
Obediently, Eli swung the cover to the wide frame and moved to stand across the flat surface from his superior.
“Welcome back, by the way,” Jim extended the pleasantry with a half-smile. “How was life in the field?”
“Interesting,” Founder chuckled, “And thank you for your understanding in the situation. I realize I behaved quite foolishly and was happy to accept my punishment for it.”
Godfry only grunted his reply, ready to get down to the business at hand. “So, we have here an unfinished case. Still.” Eli silently nodded his agreement as he went on, “But, we are closer than we have ever been. The girl is gone, at least for the time being. And she did eliminate the Scorpions, ten men all together.”
“Ten?” Eli’s head popped up from the folder he had been inspecting. “There were twelve of them. She confirmed that herself, with her whole flower story,” he wafted his hand in the air, indicating her illustration from a year ago. “Each group is made of twelve men. Did she hide their bodies, you think?”
Dropping the sheet that held their pictures on the desk, Godfry shook his head. “Unlikely. The unaccounted for are Brett Spears, leader of the pack, and your guy, Enrique Dominguez. Both former SF.” He paused, allowing his counterpart to soak in the information.
Eli fingered the page. Tapping Enrique’s picture, he recalled the last time the two of them had spoken. I gave him one fucking job, and he didn’t even get that right, still angry that Michael had not been eliminated. “You think she’s up to something…”
“Maybe. Either way, she said she wanted her freedom. We’re working on that now. We’ll send La Buff to deliver the news when we’re ready.” A sneer crossed his face at the thought of it.
“Oh, Warren’ll love that,” Eli’s laugh genuine, “You know how badly he wants to put her away.”
“I know,” Jim’s voice held disdain for the most unpopular member of their group. “He never has been much of a team player.”
“What about Bennet? Is he squared away?” Eli shifted his stance, considering their accomplice.
“Yes, his pardon was approved. He did his part, played it quite nicely in fact. It was damn unfortunate that her identity was discovered. Otherwise, his plan would have worked perfectly. Of course, there is another problem we need to discuss.” Jim picked up another file they hadn’t touched upon yet and handed it to the other man.
“Who’s this?” Eli eyed the picture of the kid inside, tall and skinny, with wire framed glasses.
“His prints were all over the bike Tori was riding the night of the deed; and the computer she was using. I figure he was with the group as well. And no, she didn’t kill him, either. I already confirmed, he’s in Kansas. A real mystery there, perhaps.” He grinned knowingly, as if he held an ace in the hole.
“So what’s the plan?” Eli dropped the folder back onto the stack, growing bored with the proceedings and ready to take some action.
“La Buff will deliver our package in a few days. You stay on top of your end. We still need that information you’ve been gathering.” He pointed his finger at him, “You’re a damned fool, you know. Ever thinking you’ll have her to yourself.”
Eyes wide as his face shot up to glare at his heavy set superior. Where the hell did that come from? Stammering to cover himself, “Honestly, sir; I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His heart hammered in his ears as he waited, knowing this could be a dangerous conversation for him.
“I think you do. She’s not the only genius involved in this catastrophe.” His head bobbing, Jim folded his arms around his wide mid-section. “She’s a collector of men, Eli. The one in Texas. These three here. You. Don’t get caught up in this emotionally. She’s up to something, even if she claims all she wants is out.”
Godfry smiled knowingly at the younger man, shaking his head, “She’s not the kind of woman who could ever settle. Not for just one man, not for a normal life. That’s why our offer is perfect for her. She’ll figure that out, at some point. And you will, too.” At least, I hope you do, he added silently under his breath.
Indelible
Book 5 of A New Life Series
Samantha Jacobey
Lavish Publishing, LLC ~ Houston
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
INDELIBLE. Copyright 2014 ©
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Lavish Publishing, LLC.
First Edition
2015 Lavish Publishing, LLC
Book 5 of A New Life Series
All Rights Reserved
Published in the United States by Lavish Publishing, LLC, Houston
Cover Design by: Nicolene Lorette Design
Cover Images: SHUTTERSTOCK
Paperback ISBN
ISBN: 0692277471
ISBN-13: 978-0692277478
www.LavishPublishing.com
.
Table of Contents
Prologue
All That Glitters
Another Mistake
No Rest for the Weary
Finding Yesterday
Real Family
True Desire
What Rivalry?
Painful Truth
Brotherly Love
Ashes to Ashes
What We Can
Doctor’s Orders
Last Days
Life of a Star
Settled
Twist of Fate
Faith
Holding On
Everyone Wants
Lap of Luxury
Rest and Regroup
Soul Searching
Rock and Roll
Family Always Wins
Outlaw Days
To Have and To Hold
Not So Fast
Out in the Open
Prologue
Running his finger down the list, Enrique leaned against a wall, waiting for Brett and trying to avoid the wind driven snow. Folding the ragged sheet, he tucked it back into his pocket, cupping his hands to blow into them for warmth. I needs to rewrite it, I guess. It’s gettin’ pretty worn out. Needed to, but more than likely wouldn’t. It had been written by her hand, and that made the article special, and not for the information it contained.
“Cold enough for ya?” Brett teased as he came around the corner.
“Fuck yeah, le’s get some place warm!” he grinned at his friend.
Making it to a coffee shop and finding seats inside, Brett pulled out his own copy of the list, along with the other that he’d been creating. “That’s the last ‘ne, so we’re all set.”
The pair had been taking inventory of the lockers for months. Inventory and transfer of the names so that they had clear possession with access to the contents, rent paid on all for five years. “That last stash put us over four mil. I still don’ see how those guys put together that kinda cash. An’ the weapons. Sons o’ bitches coulda started a damned war if they was of a mind to.”
Enrique only nodded, fingers wrapped around his mug and gulping the hot liquid eagerly. I wonder how she’s doing. Pushing the thought out of the way, he struggled to return to the present and focus on the business at hand. “So, what’s our next move?” He still followed Brett’s lead, even if it was only the two of them left. Guess that makes me second, he chuckled inwardly at the irony.
“First off, I say we head some place warm,” Brett grinned, tossing his red curls. “Then, we pick us up a couple o’ good lookin’ girls, an’ we settle down for a bit. Play house, if ya get what I mean. Wait an’ see, more or less. Hell, we’re rich fuckers now, no need o’ us doin’ anything stupid that’d draw attention to us, jus’ in case anyone’s lookin’.”
Enrique shook his head, “We can’t do that. She might need us, ya know?” He didn’t say her name, but Brett knew who he meant.
“Man, you gotta get over that,” his green eyes flashed with concern, “You said she has your number. If she ever calls, ya know I’d be right there with ya. But she ain’t called, an’ there ain’t no use hangin’ around here waitin’.” I loved her too, damn it. But she don’ belong to us. He stared at his friend for a short pause, “It’s all we can do, buddy.”
The younger man only nodded. Fuck me. An’ fuck her, angry at his pain. He ran his fingers through his freshly washed waves. “I can’t do anything without thinking about her, though. Really sucks when a man can’t even takes a shower without rememberin’ holding a girl against the wall and pounding the fuck outta her.”
“Jesus, man,” Brett threw up his hands, “You think you’re the only one who ever los’ someone? ‘sides, she ain’t gone forever. If we go have some fun, maybe she’ll turn up again.” He grinned, “Ya know how she is. She’ll get tired o’ that life soon enough, an’ when she does, we’ll be ready.”
A New Life Series - Finisher Set Page 16