by Amelia Shea
Taylor sighed heavily. “Not this again. I told you the guy is a complete dickwad. There’s no way I’m asking him for help. God, the thought of that asshole makes me want to hurl chunks.”
Kenzie glanced up. Trent’s calm face was now replaced with twisted lips and a scowl to match the others in the room. He mouthed, “Get her location.”
“Now, Taylor, he’s just doing his job.”
“Yeah, right.”
“He seems really nice.”
Trent sat up straight, and the others inched forward.
“He’s a jerk, end of story, now, I’m just outside the…”
Kenzie blurted. “And he’s handsome.” She missed her first clue, and Kenzie prayed she’d catch onto the second. Taylor knew Kenzie had never seen Trent before.
Bogs stepped forward as if he knew what she was about to do. He clenched his jaw and shook his head. It was a warning.
“All assholes are smoking hot. If he wasn’t such a condescending prick, I’d…” She stopped abruptly. Kenzie stared down at the phone but didn’t miss the hushed curse coming from one of the men.
“Always got my back, love you, Kenz.”
Then line went dead.
She kept her eyes down on the phone. This would keep Taylor out of their hands. Her plan had worked flawlessly. Now, if she only would have thought of the repercussions she would be left with. Protecting Taylor was the main objective, but had she thought through her plan, the best option would have been to work with Trent, not against him. Fuck me.
“Well played.”
She gazed up to see Trent staring back at her.
“I tried.” It was a lie, and he was reading right through it. It was obvious to everyone in the room what she had just done.
Trent smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “As I said, well played.” He got up from the seat, grabbing the phone from the table. “You’re very loyal, Kenzie, I admire that.” He walked toward the door and turned around. “Now, let’s see how deep Taylor’s loyalty runs.”
“What do you mean?’
“I mean, let’s see if she’s willing to give up herself for you. You didn’t think that we’d let you go without getting her, did you?”
“What?”
“Do you play chess?”
What the fuck kinda question was that? Her face must have shown her confusion.
“See, in a game of chess the winner has to outsmart their opponent, but the only way to do that is to anticipate their next move. You may have moved your king but,” he smiled then laughed, “checkmate, darlin’.”
He walked through the door, and all the men filed out after him. Bogs was the last to leave, and he turned around. He gripped the door handle, shaking his head, and staring back at her. “Self-preservation, pretty girl.” He smirked. “Gotta work on that.” He closed the door behind him.
I’m screwed.
»»•««
Bogs was the last to enter Stone’s office where the rest of the guys had gathered. That was not how everyone hoped it would play out. He, himself, had underestimated Kenzie and her loyalty to her friend. Little did she know, by not working with them, Kenzie and Taylor were putting themselves in grave danger.
Trent, who usually appeared calmer than any man in the room, was pacing around the small open space. His frustration was evident from the lines deeply embedded in his forehead. This was a new side of Trent Bogs hadn’t seen. He actually looked frustrated, and there was no denying, pissed off.
Bogs took a seat in an empty chair across from Stone’s desk. He watched as no one uttered a word. The tension was so thick he knew someone was about to lose their shit. Usually, that would be T, who lacked control of his temper. Bogs glanced over at Trent. He would bet this time it would be Trent.
Stone leaned against the door and crossed his arms. “What the hell happened? Thought you guys had her?”
Trent glared but remained silent. Declan did not.
“We did. Had her arm in my grip and she pulled away, threw some poor fucking guy into me. You saw that place, Stone. It was packed with bodies. Caught a glimpse of her by the exit, thought for sure the bouncer would grab her, but she snuck past him, too.” Most men would have their ego tarnished by being evaded by a woman. Not Declan. He almost seemed impressed that she got away.
Bogs leaned back in his chair and gripped the ends of the armrests. “So, what now? Got any idea where she’d go?”
“Not one. I was banking on Kenzie giving her up.” He raised his eyebrows. “You saw how that worked out.”
Bogs chuckled. “Yeah, we definitely underestimated these two.”
Trent scoffed. “I wasn’t aware they were sharing a brain.”
Yeah, Trent was furious. Declan may not have been angered by Taylor evading him, but Trent was a different story.
Bogs shrugged. “It takes a hell of a brain for them both to outsmart us all.”
Trent glanced over. Bogs’ statement obviously struck a nerve. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Really? ’Cause from where I’m sitting, we got one on the run with no clue where she is and another whose lips are sealed. I’d say that’s damn smart. Hot girls one, us zero.”
Trent scowled. “Kenzie will talk, she just needs incentive.” He glanced up at T. “You wanna take care of that, or send in Declan?”
Bogs smirked. “I’ll go, Dec’s gotten a little soft since he got hitched.”
“Nothing soft about me, brother.”
“What if she doesn’t talk, then what?” Trent asked.
“Then we hold her until she does. She can’t go home anyway. Not until we figure what Dante knows about her. I got a friend in the underground circuit. I’ll reach out and see what we’re up against. With their security, they gotta know who she is. Wouldn’t be surprised if her place was being flipped as we speak. She’s gotta stay unseen.”
T snorted. “Let me take one fucking guess who’s gonna keep her hidden.”
Bogs smirked. “I accept your nomination.”
T shook his head muttering, “Asshole.”
“What am I missing?”
Stone stepped forward. “Bogs has a hard-on for the friend.”
Trent and Declan shifted their attention to Bogs. He wasn’t going to deny he had a small thing for the gorgeous green-eyed beauty, but he really was the only choice.
“Bogs, brother, this is some serious shit. Not trying to cock-block here, but this is business. Can’t have your dick fucking it up.” Trent smirked. “No pun intended.”
Bogs shoved his hands in his pockets, eyeing the group of men. He was the only sensible choice. “All right. Then who’s taking her?” He turned to Stone. “I’m sure Sadie wouldn’t mind, right? You could put Kenzie in the spare room right next to yours.” Bogs smiled, watching Stone sigh heavily. One down.
“Nah, that won’t work.” He paused then turned to T. “You can take her, man. I’m sure Cassie, who’s all hormonal with her baby juices and about to pop any second, wouldn’t mind you bringing home Kenzie.”
“No fucking way I’m taking her.”
That was a fact. Bogs tightened his lips from laughing. Bogs turned to Declan but didn’t get a chance to deliver his monologue for Evie. Of all the wives, Evie was the sweetest and probably wouldn’t mind helping out but still she was a woman.
“No,” Declan said.
“That leaves you or me, Trent. I’m sure Kenzie would be no problem at all while you are chasing down Taylor.”
Trent stared back at him with the corner of his lips curving. He knew there was no way he’d be able to successfully track down Taylor with Kenzie around.
Gotcha, boys!
“Then that leaves you, Bogs.” The sarcastic tone in his voice held a slight warning.
“Assholes, I appreciate the lack of confidence you have in me.” Bogs chuckled and walked out the door. Heavy footsteps followed. He strolled down the hall to the conference room but stopped when T’s hand grabbed his forearm.
“Let me
handle this. Need you to keep your mouth shut.”
Bogs snickered. “What do ya think I’m gonna do?”
T stared at him as if he was reading him. “You got something with this girl?”
“I just met her, same as you, at the apartment. She’s hot, but I won’t risk it for her if that’s what you’re asking.” He also wouldn’t allow the usual scare tactics T used. He would be merely a buffer between the two.
“Saw you in the back with her.”
“Yeah, so. She was freaked out, man. I was trying to calm her.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t need you trying to calm her when we get inside.”
“Have a little fucking faith, T. I know how this is gonna go down.”
T watched him trying to read deception. Bogs knew his brother would go hard at her and try to scare Kenzie into giving up Taylor. Of all the Garrisons, Bogs was the most sensitive, especially when it came to the women. He could be as mean as the rest of them, but it took a lot to get him there.
T pulled him away from the door and unlocked it before entering. Bogs followed.
Kenzie was sitting in the same seat as when they left. Her head was resting on her arm on the table. She immediately sat back, and her eyes widened as they entered the room. Fear. Her chest rose quickly, and she pulled her hands into her lap. It was a faint move, not visible to someone who wasn’t watching but her body sank into the chair as she eyed T.
“Two choices. I suggest you make the right one and save your own ass. You either call that bitch up and get her location, or we take you back to the club and hand your ass over to Dante.” T leaned his fists on the table getting into her space. “Choose.”
Bogs slowly moved around the table, staying close to the wall. He needed to gauge her face and see where she was at with her mindset. T would push harder if needed. Her stare shifted to Bogs. She was beyond scared. If ever someone pleaded with their eyes, she was doing it. Bogs clenched his jaw, tightened his face into a stern glare. If she sensed he’d have her back, she’d stay quiet.
T’s hand slammed on the table making her jump in her seat. “Gimme a fucking answer before I make one for you.”
Kenzie was visibly shaken, licking her lips as her eyes twitched. Her lips quivered, and her mouth opened and closed as if she was going to answer and then decided not to. T got her exactly where he wanted her. She'd make the call to Taylor.
“Bitch, I got no patience.”
“Okay,” she muttered, so low he barely heard her, but he read her lips. She swallowed and slowly moved forward, rising from her chair.
What the hell was she doing? Was she seriously going to give herself up instead of her friend? Bogs looked over at T. His face remained a stone mask, but Bogs knew his brother was thinking the same as him. What the fuck?
“You can take me back to the club.”
Bogs could feel him mouth fall open in shock. She was really going to give herself up over Taylor. Either, she had no idea what kind of man Dante was, or she had a death wish. Whatever her reason, Bogs felt the anger rise inside him. She was willing to put herself in danger for a friend and situation that had nothing to do with her. His fury was set on Taylor. What kind of shit person put a girl like Kenzie, someone who had her back, in this spot?
“You’re fucking kidding me, right?” T shouted.
Kenzie froze. She looked over at Bogs and seemed to cower back into her seat. He knew what she was seeing. Rage. It may not be directed at her, but he wasn’t masking his anger.
T released a nasty laugh. “I thought the other one was fucking stupid, but you got her beat. You have to be the dumbest fucking bitch I’ve ever set on eyes on. You want to go back to Dante?” He snorted. “Fine, get up. I’ll take you back. Hope you like it rough.”
Bogs knew what T was doing and knew it was necessary, but the fear in Kenzie’s eyes was hitting him hard. He stepped forward, and T jerked his head. He was warning him to back off. Bogs wasn’t listening. He could feel her stare locked on him as he came around the table virtually blocking her in.
“I don’t have a choice,” she whispered.
“Stupid twat, I just gave you one.” T’s words were not only harsh but nasty. Bogs had the feeling she was not used to being talked to that way. Although Bogs knew it was for show, his rising temper was now aimed at T.
Kenzie tightened her mouth and shook her head. She wasn’t giving in.
T reached for her wrist and jerked her forward as she tried to scramble back into her seat. Bogs didn’t even think. He rushed forward, around the desk, and pushed T away from Kenzie.
“Back off, man.” Bogs pushed his hands against T’s chest making him step back and thankfully, release her wrist. It was a risky move had T not let go.
“Bogs.” He seethed. “What did I fucking tell you?”
“Not this way.”
“Move.”
“T.” Bogs gave his own warning. He almost didn’t feel her behind him until his shirt was tugged at his waist, then he felt her presence. He glanced down to see the sides of his shirt bunched in her fists. If he took a step back, he would have trampled her.
The room instantly filled with the guys. He could imagine what they were seeing and from their confused looks, it was obvious. He stood, facing off with T with Kenzie hiding behind him.
“What’s going on?”
“Bogs is thinking with the wrong head,” T said.
“Fuck you, man. Not this way.”
T smirked cruelly. “Fucking weak man. Stick to computers.” T was goading him. Usually, Bogs would make a smart comeback, and it would be done. He was about to let it go when he heard T mutter, “All for a piece of ass.”
That set him off. Bogs lunged forward, shoving T’s back sending him stumbling into Stone, who looked surprised. Declan rushed forward setting himself between T and Bogs as he looked over his shoulder.
Declan pushed on Bogs’ chest and held his hand out restraining T from coming forward.
“Motherfucker,” T spewed as he moved forward. Beyond the anger he saw in his face, there was something else. A mocking tilt of his lips. T shook his head. “Gonna fight me over pussy. Really, brother?”
Bogs smirked in challenge. “Come at me and find out, asshole.”
“Oh God.” Kenzie’s trembling whisper had him sobering up to the scene playing out in front of her. Bogs could feel her at his back. She must have moved closer. He reached down, keeping his eyes on T and covered her hands with his. It was meant to calm her. He didn’t know if it was working.
“What’s going on?” Stone asked.
“She made a choice, wants to go back to Dante.”
Trent stepped forward and stood in front of Bogs. He trusted Trent and knew his scare tactics weren’t anything like T, but still, he refused to budge from blocking Kenzie. Trent sighed and leaned around his side.
“Is that true? That’s your decision?”
Bogs couldn’t see her, but he felt her head move against his back.
“Okay, take her back, Bogs.” He left the room, and the rest of the guys filed out after him. T glanced over his shoulder glaring at him. It seemed to register with him that it wasn’t a show for Kenzie. Bogs was protecting her. T shook his head and walked through the door leaving Kenzie and Bogs alone.
His last-ditch effort to get her to give up Taylor would be to let her think he was actually taking her back to the club. Hopefully, she’d reconsider, and they could close this case, get Taylor. It was worth a shot. He stepped forward, releasing her hands and faced her.
“Last chance.”
Kenzie peeked up through her lashes. They were moist from her eyes welling up. She shook her head.
Bogs reached out grabbing her hand. He expected her to retreat, or at the very least flinch away from him. She didn’t. She held his hand and followed him out the door, through the hallway to the parking lot. His truck was parked next to T’s. He scooted her in and walked around the hood.
When he got in, he started the engine and glan
ced over at Kenzie. She looked tiny in his truck with her sulking frame. He’d done his research on her. She came from a decent, normal, average family. This was most likely the first time her path had crossed with people like those at the club. Maybe even Bogs himself. This situation was far beyond the norm in Kenzie Sutton’s life. Why would she let herself get dragged into this, especially for someone who didn’t seem to care about what happened to her? It wasn’t lost on Bogs that Taylor never asked where she was or if she was safe. She apologized, but when she realized Kenzie was with them, she hung up. Taylor looked out for Taylor, a thought that irritated Bogs to the point of fury.
Was Taylor even the least bit concerned with what was happening to Kenzie? Bogs knew Trent well, and knew he’d never do anything to hurt her, but did Taylor know that? Probably not.
“Would she do this for you?”
Kenzie jerked her head in his direction. She almost looked offended that he’d ask. She raised her hand to her mouth, holding his stare. She nibbled on the corner of her pinky. She seemed to do it without realizing until she dropped her hand quickly. Nervous tick of biting her nails, he noted.
“Would she?” he asked again.
She nodded. “Yes.” He could hear the doubt in her tone.
Bogs smiled. “You sure about that?”
She looked down at her feet in the dark cab of the truck. “Yeah.”
Bogs headed out of the driveway. He wouldn’t be returning her to Dante. He would hide her out at his place at least until morning, and they could figure out their next move.
Chapter Six
“Where are we?” Kenzie jolted forward, frantically scanning the parking lot filled with cars at the complex.
They had been driving for about twenty minutes in silence. The quiet was good. It gave her time to think. The night had turned out to be everything she expected—a complete nightmare. So many regrets. She should have been more persistent with Taylor. The minute Taylor told her of the plan, she should have shut her down. Hell, she should have tied her down. She should have pushed harder for Taylor to contact Trent or even reached out to him, herself. Taylor would have lost her shit, but it would have been better than the mess they were in now.