by Tl Reeve
Mack reached around me, opened the door, and led me out with his hand on the small of my back. It was no big surprise to find Landon standing beside Hunter behind the counter. Both of them were trying to act all innocent, but I wasn’t fooled. I knew they had heard everything when Landon handed my bag.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at them as Mack took it from my older brother’s hand and ushered me out of the office.
Assholes.
As we passed by the window, my brothers smirked at me in amusement. I flipped them the bird as Mack led me to his waiting car. I’d get Hunter back for his bullshit sooner rather than later.
Chapter Twelve
Mack
* * *
The idea that Ireland would pop off to the warehouse alone infuriated me. I couldn’t even coherently explain why it bothered me so much besides the fact she could have been hurt or worse, killed. However, it went deeper than that. Ireland could have ruined any case Cobi built. Running into that building without a warrant to take pictures might not equal probable cause for the police to go back in. Her photographs might not be admissible in a court of law for trial or even useful in obtaining a warrant to do a proper search of the property.
On the other hand, there was a chance to get back into the auction and bid on one of the classics sitting in the garage waiting to be sold. I glanced over at Ireland who had an obstinate look on her face as we headed to the ranch house. She hadn’t said much to me, and to be honest, I hadn’t expected her to. Not only had I berated her for being so thoughtless to put herself at risk, but in the next breath, I told her I loved her.
Sure, I understood why she went to the warehouse. She had something to prove. She didn’t want to be the victim anymore, and fuck if I didn’t want the same for her. Her execution though, was lacking. She claimed she hadn’t been seen, but she also went in broad daylight. At least we’d gone under the cover of darkness and knew exactly what we were doing. So, I understood before we went any further, I was going to have to tell Cobi what Ireland did.
As we pulled onto the long driveway, I finally spoke. “I’m not sure your photos will help. You basically broke into the building to get them. Cobi might say they’re illegally obtained and therefore inadmissible in court.”
Ireland nodded. “It was the risk I was willing to take.”
A chance which might have cost her everything had she not been careful. “I understand.”
“You say you love me,” she started. “Yet, you’re tense.”
“I’m trying to reconcile within myself how this beautiful creature I yearn to call my wife, could disregard everything to get photos of a chop shop. The same place where the owner abused, frightened, and intimidated her. You ran for a reason.” I pulled up to the garage and waited for the door to swing open so I could drive in. “A part of me admires your sense of justice in wanting to catch that bastard, while the other half of me is still pissed.”
Her shoulders drooped. “I told you already. It was something I had to do. As much as you and Hunter didn’t like it, I had to. I know what’s in there. I realized what Edgar had been doing, and I allowed it to continue instead of sucking up my fear long enough to do the right thing.”
“So, you feel guilty then?” I stared at her. “Because you didn’t say something immediately, even though he threatened to kill your family?”
She didn’t say anything.
“Ireland, I get it,” I murmured, placing her hand in mine. “You did what you had to in order to protect your family. In your situation, I would’ve done the same. Sometimes, you can’t control the narrative.”
She snorted. “You seem to be managing it just fine.”
I chuckled softly. “Doubtful. Remember, you snuck into the auction to get photos of stolen cars. If I was in command, your ass would have been at work all day or, better yet, at home until all of this blew over.”
The corner of her mouth twitched. “Well, I am a strong independent woman.”
“Yes, you are.” I cupped her cheek and turned her face to mine before kissing her. She softened under me, our fingers threaded together as we sat there in the semi-darkness of the garage. I could have lost her today. I could have been coming home to an empty everything. My heart constricted at the thought. For a second, I wasn’t able to breathe, until that intensity ebbed. “Let’s go in, independent woman.”
She nodded. “After you.”
We exited the building and crossed to the house. After few hours alone with Ireland, then I’d call Cobi and explain what happened. Maybe there was a way to fix the whole thing, or maybe I was being too paranoid about it. The minute we stepped into the back door of the house, I had Ireland in my arms. The kiss in the car was nothing. This time, I poured everything into it. My love for her, the fear, the passion, and the rage. I wanted her to be as hot and bothered as I’d been. The inferno blazing within me swirled and churned. The single-minded desperation shoved away my thoughts and focused my attention on her and me and the fact there was a clothing barrier between us.
Stumbling to the kitchen island, I fumbled with the hem of her shirt while she undid my belt. The lust rushing between us left us clawing at each other, trying to remove the last vestiges of our garments. When we were both naked, I didn’t hesitate. I bent Ireland over the edge of the island and filled her in one stroke.
Fuck. She was perfect. So wet and warm and tight. She gripped my cock in just the right way, and my head spun in pleasure. Her pussy rippled around me, accommodating my length. I gave her scant seconds to adjust before I began to move. Each thrust sent a tingle of awareness through me. Later, I would take my time. Later, I would whisper words of love and devotion. After wrapping an arm around her waist, I captured her throat with my right hand and stood her up, changing the angle of penetration. Ireland went wild under me. Her juices coated my dick and balls while she squeezed the fuck out of me.
This position limited both of our movement, but the tradeoff was the pleasure. She felt so good in my arms, her delicate skin under my fingertips. She swallowed hard, and her breath hitched. She trembled and whimpered, so close to the edge. I wanted her to come just so I could too. I pressed kisses to shoulder and back, fucking her in short, hard pumps of my hips. I groaned at the way she continued clamp down around me.
“So fucking pretty,” I whispered across her skin. “So fucking hot and tight.” Lowering my left hand, I found her hard clit and pressed down. She jerked in my arms, and her cry of need was music to my ears. “Tell me you want it, Ireland. Beg me for it.”
She trembled in my arms. “Please...” She sobbed, bracing herself against the marble counter while I continued to fuck her from behind. “I ache.”
“So do I.” I circled her clit, adding a bit of pressure to that slick bead. “Do it, cupcake.” With each rub and roll of her nub, she tensed more. She had a stranglehold on my cock. I rode the line between pleasure and pain, enjoying that extra bite. “Fuck, yeah.”
“Mack, oh fuck.” A whine slipped between her lips, and the tension snapped.
The cry ripped from her as her orgasm crashed over her, sending me tumbling with her. I snarled, burying my face in her neck while I throbbed deep within her. The only sound filling the house was our mingled breaths as we came down together. “I love you, Ireland. I’ll say it every day as a reminder that you’re not in this alone.”
She turned her head, the corner of her mouth lifting in a smirk while her emerald eyes sparkled with intention. “I love you too, Mack.”
Hours later, after Ireland and I christened every surface and room of the house, I sat in my office, waiting for Cobi to answer his phone. When he finally picked up, he sounded tired, which gave me pause for a second. “Did I interrupt anything?”
“Nope, same shit, different day is all,” Cobi replied. “What can I do for you, Mack?”
“Well, I’m not sure you can do anything for me, however, I think Ireland did something that might gum up the works.” I blew out a breath and braced for whateve
r tirade would follow, because anything Cobi said now would be the truth.
“Out with it.” Frustration laced his tone.
“Ireland went to the auction earlier today. She snuck in and took pictures of all the stolen cars.” I waited for the coming onslaught of curses.
“She did what?” His calm voice had me on edge.
“You heard what I said,” I replied.
“Oh, I heard you, I just wanted to be sure I understood you,” Cobi snapped. “Of all the reckless, stupid ass shit she could pull. Does she understand what could’ve happened to her?”
“She does. She believed she was helping all of us. I don’t dispute the point, but she could’ve been hurt.”
“Or kidnapped,” Cobi muttered. “Do you have the photos?”
“I do.” I’d made her send me a set so I could pass them along. “Give me a second and I’ll forward them to you.”
“How many cars are there?” Cobi’s chair creaked.
“At least fifteen. They’re either on lifts inside the bays or parked, waiting to be sold,” I replied.
“We should be able to use the photos,” Cobi said. “An officer didn’t break in to take them. Plus, they were captured during regular business hours.”
“How do you explain them though?” I scratched my cheek. “If anyone finds out about Ireland being there after everything...”
“We’ll say a confidential informant delivered the photos to me,” Cobi said. “It’ll keep Ireland’s name out of the case.”
Relief filled me. “So, what do we do next?”
Cobi didn’t say anything for a minute. The silent tension slithered down my spine and settled low within me.
“How do you feel about buying another car?”
Dumbstruck, I sat there for a second then laughed. “I’ll do it, but it better not be my money you’re playing with.”
Cobi chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.”
“Then, let’s go.” If it meant closing Lux for good and making sure Edgar was brought to justice, I’d help any way I could.
“Excellent. I’ll put the team together and run it up the chain. The photos, along with your case and all the shit Ireland has been dealing with since she left Edgar should be enough to convince the chief we need to end this now,” Cobi stated.
“Just give me the heads up when you’re ready, and I’ll be there.” When the conversation was over with, I went in search of Ireland. She’d said something about fixing dinner, but it was late, and I had a feeling she’d want to get to work early. I called out to her and waited for a response. When I didn’t get one, I went to our room and found her curled up in the blankets, sound asleep.
A small grin tugged at my mouth as I crossed to her then climbed in beside her. In the morning, I’d take her to breakfast then I’d explain what would be happening next. Tucking her close to me, I inhaled the scent of her favorite peach shampoo and relaxed. I could have lost her today. Thank fuck I didn’t.
Placing a kiss to her neck, I contemplated everything we’d been through. What seemed like years had only been months. With all the tension and drama, I hoped when all of this was said and done, we’d have a quiet life together. She deserved peace. I could give her that bit of happiness, and I planned to prove as much every day of our lives.
The next morning, we were up and dressed as the sun crested the horizon, early for both of us, but then again, the stressfulness of the day before had us crashing earlier than I would’ve liked. I woke her with lazy caresses of my fingertips, and when she finally roused, I made love to the woman who would become my wife, sooner than not if I had my way. Grabbing the box out of the bedside table, I palmed it before heading downstairs where Ireland waited. I explained in the shower I was taking her out, and I meant it. But first...
I opened the box and placed it on the counter next to her before getting down on one knee. The sparkling two carat princess cut diamond was wrapped in a retro-style platinum band anchored by two emeralds on either side of the diamond. It was simple and elegant.
Like Ireland.
“What’s this?” Ireland stared at the ring, her eyes round with confusion. “Mack, is this what I think it is?”
“Tell me what you think it is, cupcake,” I murmured. Pride filled me.
“Are you proposing to me?” She grabbed the box and turned to me. “Mack, I—”
“You haven’t heard the best part yet,” I teased.
She gave me a skeptical look while popping her hip. “The best part?”
I nodded. “This is the part where I tell you how much I love you. How much I need you in my life, good or bad. And how ecstatic it would make me if you said yes to being my wife.”
“You’re not very good at proposals,” she muttered.
I laughed. “Marry me, Ireland. I don’t have to make some silly speech about our life together. We’re it for each other. Period.”
“You captured my style.” She furrowed her brows. “I also pictured being proposed to on a beach at sunset...”
“Overrated,” I whispered.
“You have a point.” She stared at that ring for so long she had me in knots.
“Woman...” I warned.
When Ireland finally laughed, holy fuck, it was like she ripped open my chest and shoved rainbows and unicorns inside of me. The bubbly excitement was almost too much to bear. “Yes. I’ll marry you, Mackinley Redman. However, we need to work on your panache. For being so suave, you suck at proposals.”
Ouch. My wounded pride. “Noted.” I snatched the ring from the bed of the box then took her hand in mine to slip the jewel onto her finger.
“Holy shit,” she murmured. “I’m getting married.”
I chuckled softly at her stunned reaction. Her gaze stayed on the ring encircling her finger, her eyes still round with surprise, and her lips parted. By saying yes, she’d made me the luckiest man in the world. I’d spend the rest of my life proving as much too.
“Yes, we are.”
A couple of weeks went by before the call came in from Cobi. They were ready to infiltrate the auto auction. In the interim, Ireland and her brothers had celebrated our engagement by themselves and with my family. This was a big deal for them, hell for all of us, but most especially the Banks family, since they were all each other had. Since I knew this phone call would be coming, I wanted our families to spend as much time together as they could. Once the day arrived when we’d be taking down the theft ring, anything could happen. I should’ve been afraid or nervous, but all I felt was resolve. I wanted to put this in the past so we could move on with our future.
I knew going into this that Ireland wouldn’t let me do it alone, but I didn’t want her there. However, after we talked about it, she had a point. She knew where everything was located. If we wanted to gather as much evidence as possible, we’d need her. Not that the idea didn’t grate my ass, because it did. Trust me.
So, the plan was simple. While I was waiting to bid on one of the stolen vehicles, she and two detectives Cobi brought in to help out would be going through the cars, finding those that were stolen. It wasn’t the best strategy, but it would work in a pinch, because once I bid on the vehicle and paid for it, the business would be surrounded, and Edgar would be off to jail.
A part of me wished we could have done this sting sooner. Unfortunately, we couldn’t. Cobi wanted to make sure Edgar was there when we went in. Without catching him, all we’d have were his lackeys and his business. A man like Edgar had ties and ways of hiding his money. In a couple of months, he’d pop up somewhere else and start all over again like nothing ever happened.
As I pulled up to the shop, I noticed a few new arrivals, along with the Aston Martin. I was grateful Cobi was able to get the vehicle processed and photographed so quickly. I’d talked to Marcus a few times while we’d been waiting, along with my client who’d wanted the car. Thankfully, there’d been no hard feelings all around.
Officially, I was back on the lookout for a 1965
DB5 Aston Martin while also arranging transportation for Marcus’ vehicle back to the East Coast. As much as the old man wanted to fly out and drive it back, his doctor had other plans for him. Getting old was hard as fuck for active people.
Sliding out of the car, I spotted Ireland under the hood of an old Oldsmobile. The Cutlass had its wheels off as well. I glanced at the ground and found the same drop cloth she’d used for the Aston was now covered in parts from the beast she’d been taming. She reached deeper under the hood, giving me the perfect view of her round ass, and I bit my knuckle to keep from groaning out loud. Didn’t need her hitting her head. When she eased back, she had a part in her hand, grease and burned bits hanging from it.
“I’ve got you now, you stubborn son of a bitch,” she muttered, placing the piece on the ground.
“Looks like you caught a big one,” I teased.
She glanced up and grinned. “This is the water pump. The stupid owner drove it until it melted to the block. They’re lucky I can fix this, or else all new motors would be coming up.”
“How bad?” I stepped closer to her now that I’d gotten her attention.
“Half the block needs to be rebored. New water pump, new hoses, new gaskets and pullies. It’ll take a little bit of time to fix, but when she’s done, she’ll purr again.” Grease marks streaked across her cheeks, and her hands were covered in gunk. The whole front of her bibs were blackened from the motor as well. She was, in a word, perfect.
“Sounds like a pain in the ass,” I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You got a second to talk?”
“I do. With the pump out, I can do the rest of the heavy lifting later.” She started for the office. “Let me get cleaned up. Have you had lunch yet?”
“That’s my line,” I replied. “And, no. It’s on my list of things to do though.”