Truth and Humility

by J. A. Dennam

“You might want to hurry, he’s coming to!”

  Mac’s request lacked the deference of his original bid for attention. Danny, fully awake now, followed as Austin pulled her behind him toward the parking lot. As of now, he wasn’t about to allow distance between them, to hell with who might object.

  The person on the ground propped up on an eld up on bow and gingerly dabbed at his nose. Blood, oozing black in the colorless night, left a dark track down the lower half of his face. As soon as Danny made an identification, her blood chilled, tinting her voice with a frosty layer of loathing.

  Brett.

  “I don’t believe it.” She was beyond seething. The fact the man was even here brought to light he’d been tracking her. Then she spotted the knife on the ground, which Mac diligently retrieved with a hanky.

  “Caught him attempting to vandalize the tires.”

  Austin flexed his fists and knelt down, balancing on the balls of his feet. His intense gaze met the man’s watery glare. “I almost figured you were smarter than this, pal.” The threat of death was in those words. “But I guess discretion is a bit tricky for an arrogant halfpipe like yourself.”

  Brett shrank until his back met rubber tire. “You stay the hell away from me. I still have dental problems because of you.”

  “And now you have breathing problems because of me,” Mac interjected coolly from his other side. “But you should thank us ‘cause you aren’t gonna want to look so pretty where you’re going.”

  The man knew he was sinking fast into a deep pit of shit. “I haven’t done anything wrong,” he deflected weakly.

  Danny cut through the crap and verbalized the most devastating of his crimes. “You murdered my brother.”

  Her lifeless tone had Austin looking up. She sounded almost too detached. It was unsettling. He watched as she unfolded her arms and padded over to the back of Derek’s Challenger. Her balled fist landed strategically on a spot above the lock and the trunk lifted in response. When she emerged with a tire iron, Austin sprang to his feet, caught her just as she lunged.

  “Easy, Bennett,” he soothed as she struggled to break her raised weapon from his grasp.

  Danny twisted and faced him as she put her back into it, pulled with both hands. “He needs to die!” she snarled, hating him for holding her back from what had to be done. She should have known her strength, doubled by adrenaline and hatred, was still no match for his, injured or not. A choked moan escaped her when Austin yanked on the tire iron, spun her back around and pinned her upper body with his arms.

  His side hurt like hell now that the pain pills were wearing off, but he held her tightly from behind, used the heavy metal bar she refused to give up as a means to block her advance. This way she was forced to look at the man she wished to exact revenge upon. “Think about what you’re doing, Danny,” he advised calmly in her ear. Brett lay before them, his body tensed with a nervous edge. “You don’t want to give him anything to use against you. Just let him dig his own grave.”

  Her body quivered with unleashed fury. “You wbsp; “ere in my bedroom tonight, weren’t you?” The man’s eyes widened with faux innocence and she lunged again.

  Austin’s muscles jumped against her with the force of his own building wrath. “He was in your bedroom?”

  Brett sat up a bit, defiant. “I was not!”

  “Liar!” Danny screamed, straining against Austin’s firm hold. “And now I know it wasn’t my imagination!”

  The man was going to need to pay. “Mac, take her,” Austin growled and handed over his charge to Mac’s awaiting arms.

  “It wasn’t me, I swear!” Brett screeched, scrambling to avoid what he feared most at the moment. Austin’s fists slammed into his chest, drew him up bodily from the ground by his clothes. The load put a strain on Austin’s biceps, those muscles threatening to tear the sleeves of his white T-shirt apart.

  “One more lie,” Austin snarled, “and I’ll let her have you while I hold you down.”

  Something hard was in Brett’s breast pocket and Austin, feeling the telltale bulge beneath his grip, let go long enough to dig it out. “Well, well. What do we have here?” The cell phone woke up beneath his thumb. A text bubble appeared. The time indicated Brett had received it a while ago, but didn’t bother to clear it. Austin scanned the message and the pulse in his neck jumped with tension. “He might be telling the truth.”

  Danny stiffened in Mac’s solid embrace. What the hell was on that phone that had him so sure?

  “It’s a text,” Austin explained, turning the phone toward Brett’s terrified face. “She just left the house in the black car. Follow her.”

  Mac exhaled, his arms loosening their grip. “He’s got an accomplice.”

  “This the person who bailed you out of jail, Lockton?” Austin inquired none too gently. The man didn’t answer, appeared to be paralyzed by indecision. “Who is it?”

  Shit. That text didn’t help his situation any, and Brett knew it. The gig was up, but he didn’t know whether to feel caught or relieved. “Someone who wants you both dead awfully bad.”

  “Who is it?”

  “I don’t know!” Brett felt his bladder weaken, a problem he’d been dealing with since his most recent encounter with a tall cliff. “I don’t ask questions, man, the bitch is one fucked up individual!”

  “A woman?” Danny breathed, oblivious to the fact Mac had released her.

  Brett’s wide eyes found her gaze. “She made me do it all, I swear on my mother’s life! I didn’t want to get anywhere near you again, Danny, not if it meant going back to lock-up, but this woman had me by the balle by thes! She knew things about me, blackmailed me, drugged me…she did things to me…” Brett swallowed hard and his eyes seemed to hollow.

  Austin recognized the signs for what they were. “You’re saying you were victimized by this woman?” There was a complete absence of pity in the question.

  Fear and humility moved through Brett’s body, caused him to sink when his shirt was finally released. “When she bailed me out I had to agree to work for her. I didn’t know the work was attempted murder. I said no at first.” A shudder ran through him and his hand subconsciously moved to his crotch. “You don’t say no. Not to this bitch. You learn fast not to cross her…or disappoint her.”

  Still kneeling, Austin looked at Danny then back at Brett, held the phone up again. “Was this woman in Danny’s room tonight?”

  “I don’t know, she doesn’t tell me much. Just what to do.”

  “And you just blindly follow orders.” Disbelief overshadowed suspicion. “I think you’re lying, Brett.”

  The man’s chest moved in a silent, paradoxical laugh. “That’s what she wants, man. For me to take the heat if I get caught. She’s good at covering her tracks, scary good. Don’t think you can outsmart her, because if you try she’ll disappear only to sneak up and fuck you from behind.”

  “Sound’s like this woman knows how you operate, Lockton.” Austin stood and moved his thumbs over the screen, scrolled through the rest of the conversation. It was vague and any other conversations had been deleted.

  “If there’s a chance she’s at my house,” Danny broke in worriedly, “we need to call the police.”

  “She’ll be gone before they get there,” Brett said, anxious for the woman to be caught in order to break her hold over him. “Best thing to do is catch her off guard. If she’s still there, she’s waiting for you. But she won’t hurt you, she’ll leave that to me so the blood is on my hands.”

  Danny still clutched the tire iron in her grip, but it hung loosely while she stepped closer. The man was a source of valuable information and wouldn’t be bludgeoned to death despite her desire to carry out the act. “So if I go home, she’ll summon you to, what…come slit my throat in my sleep?”

  “Danny…” Austin didn’t like hearing the words, especially from her mouth. When Brett attempted to stand, he killed the idea with a look.

  Brett shriveled under the virile threat in those
onyx orbs of death. “More like lure you back out of the house for a less obvious method of disposal.”

  “Like what? Another supposed ‘accident’ of some kind?”

  His gaze sliced over to hers. The look he gave was laden with warning. “A word of advice.  advice.; Don’t go near the tree house. Especially by the bed.”

  Her grip slackened and the iron rod nearly slipped from her hand. She met Austin’s shocked gaze. “My tree house?”

  “She made me rig it to go down if weight is applied near the bed. A while ago, in fact. But you haven’t been back there since then and I wouldn’t put it past her to give you a little nudge.”

  Austin filled in the blanks. She hadn’t been back there because he’d ruined it for her with bad memories. Thank God for that. “Any other traps we need to be aware of?” he growled, keeping close tabs on her emotions.

  Brett propped his elbows on raised knees and rubbed his eyes with indecision. Was he digging himself into a deeper hole, or digging his way out of one? “I wouldn’t drive your company truck without checking the brakes first.”

  The need to drive his fist into the man was almost debilitating. “How long ago did you tamper with my truck?”

  “Before the blender accident. You were supposed to be driving it to and from the plant, but you quit for some reason.”

  Austin almost felt like laughing. Almost. “Because the words ‘check brakes’ lit up like a Christmas tree before I put it in gear, you moron.”

  Aah. Brett closed his eyes and indeed felt like a moron. He’d forgotten to disable the dummy lights. Well, crap.

  “And that’s it? Nothing else?”

  Brett shook his head. “Nothing else. Not that I’m aware of, anyway.”

  “Austin,” Danny said, backing away, “If this woman is in my house, she’s with my family. I have to check, I can’t just let her lurk there and trust she won’t hurt them.”

  She was right, of course. He couldn’t allow her to lose anyone else. If the threat was real, he’d meet it first. And possibly find out who this mystery woman was in the process. “Then we better get moving,” he said, ignoring the doubt in her eyes. “Mac, you stay with this prick until further instructions from me.” He walked over to the truck, dug through the glove box and produced a handful of large zip-ties.

  “No cops?” Mac asked, taking several of the ties.

  “Not yet.” Using plenty of the ties, Austin bound the man’s hands behind his back while Mac took care of the ankles, then frisked him to ensure no other surprises. “If he’s telling the truth and we run into this woman tonight, we may need him for leverage.”

  Danny knelt down to peer into Brett’s face. Disappointment ate away at her. It wouldn’t be as much fun beating him to deing him ath when he was bound like a roped calf. “What does she look like?” she asked, suspicion nagging at her brain.

  Brett’s temple hit the black asphalt and he winced at his tight bonds. “I’ve only seen her in the dark, but she’s tall, blond I think. Freaky eyes. Wears scarves all the time.”

  “What do you mean by ‘freaky eyes’?”

  “You can tell she’s dangerous...just by the looks she gives you.”

  “Anyone you know?” Austin asked gently, searching her face for hints of recognition.

  Danny chewed her bottom lip. “No, you?” He shook his head as they gazed at each other while their minds raced. “It sounds like she knows our families, like she’s taking advantage of the feud to divert blame for our accidents.”

  He agreed. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Derek and I discussed that when we were kids. Vowed that we’d always be able to tell the difference between fact and feud. And if it was feud, we’d put our differences aside.”

  “But the feud won out as always. Because of Brynn.”

  Regret etched his brow, regret for the years he’d lost with Derek. No telling how far their friendship could have taken them, their families. His hand came up, slipped under the warmth of her hair to cup her neck. He pulled her in for a quick, meaningful kiss. “You’re father’s not going to like this, but I plan to do a lot more with you than just put our differences aside.” He stood, pulled her up. “Let’s go.”

  “Hey,” Mac interrupted, jerked his chin at the Challenger when Austin closed her door and headed around to the driver’s seat. “You sober enough to drive?”

  The hell if he wasn’t. “Stone cold,” he muttered under his breath and slid behind the wheel.

  Danny knew better than to question. The man exuded an alert determination that assured her he could take on any threat…including her family. The thought that he planned to face them sent a thrill through her that was part fear, part delight.

  The keys still dangled from the ignition. Austin faced the instrument pods and hesitated. “Hell. This almost feels sacrilegious.”

  His homage brought about some strong emotions that gripped Danny by the heart. “Derek was the only one who thought the details made the car,” she said wistfully. “But to the rest of us it was the man behind the wheel.”

  Austin blew out a breath, his thumbs moved over the polished spokes of the steering wheel. Derek’s worn handprint was permanently etched on the twelve o’clock. “Damn right it was.”

  Chapter 29

  “You can’t just squeal up the driveway like Bo and Luke Duke,” Danny admonished from the right. Austin was in as much of a hurry as she was.

  “I know, I know, Challenger not Charger,” Austin said absently, but his mind was on getting to the Bennett house.

  “Cut the engine here and coast to a stop at that recess in the trees. I’d rather my parents sleep through this if at all possible.”

  Austin’s eyes sparkled in the muted glow of the dash as he did just that. “You don’t think they’d take too kindly to a Cahill sneaking through the house at all hours?” Her raised brow made him smile. “Wouldn’t be my first time.” Then her jaw dropped. “Thirteen. Derek snuck me into his room to look at some porn magazines. Everyone was asleep.”

  “You sound proud of that,” she chided with a tisk. “And I was just in the next room.”

  Something about that made him go hard, though she had to be, what…eight at the time?

  The car coasted to a silent stop. Tension mounted. Danny began to chew the inside of her lip again. “I just hope this woman who wants us dead isn’t still in there.”

  When she reached for the door handle, Austin took her by the wrist. “Remember, I go in first while you hide outside.”

  “I know, I know. Wait for the all-clear, got it.” Then she mumbled as she exited, “It’s disturbing enough that you know your way around without my help.”

  Once to the house, Danny pulled him around to the back entrance and put her key in the lock. He entered first, then pointed to the shadows of the garage where she’d agreed to wait. The house was silent, asleep, save the subdued ticking of the kitchen wall clock.

  Outside, Danny waited a few seconds by the garage, just long enough for Austin to move far enough into the house to miss her rebellious move. No way in hell was she waiting around like some weak-kneed victim in a horror film.

  In her jammies, she stealthily made her way around the front of the house, highly alert of all sounds, all movement around her. Rubbing her hands together, she leveled up with Derek’s dormered window and took the front of the house in three long strides. On the roof now, she worked his bedroom window open and slipped silently inside.

  This was something she and her brother had done countless times as children. In fact, the wear-and-tear on the windowsill and rooftop overhang required constant maintenance in order for their midnight excursions to remain a secret. Derek’s room wasn’t above their parent’s bedroom like hers, therefore was the safer route.

  But at the moment, Danny didn’t feel safe. A quick, jerky sweep under the bed produced no results other than a pounding heart. Her eyes flew to the closet. Could someone be lurking inside? Dside?&nbefiling the sanctity of this room with their mu
rderous intent? The thought made her angry and she turned the knob, stepped back quickly as the narrow door swung open. There was no room for a person. Derek’s clothes hung on two rows of rods, shoes and climbing gear piled underneath.

  A hand snaked over her mouth from behind. For a split second, she thought she would be taken down on the spot. But the bulge of the arm around her middle, the solid muscle at her back, was unmistakably Austin’s.

  Holy Mary Mother of God. She’d nearly peed her pants. When he released her, she twisted, glared at him. But he was the one with murder in his eyes as he silently indicated they retreat to her room.

  Once there, he closed the door behind him as she glided to the window, checked the front yard for intruders. His big hand curled around her upper arm and yanked. She careened into his chest and was suddenly involved in a searing mouth-to-mouth.

  When he’d had a good taste of her, Austin eased up on the pressure as his jeans tightened painfully beneath the fly. The woman frustrated him beyond measure for a variety of reasons. “I have a mind to turn you over my knee,” he whispered hotly against her mouth.

  At that point, she’d agree to anything. “Okay,” she answered dumbly and was rewarded with a pained groan as he put his forehead to hers.

  This was wrong in so many ways. Him, a Cahill, molesting a Bennett as her parents slept ignorantly in the bed directly below them. Which is why it felt so damned hot, he deduced as he released her, stepped back. He had to get a hold of himself. But it was damned hard when she looked so stirred up, like a woman who’d just been brought to the brink then left to simmer. “Keep looking at me like that, Bennett” he warned dangerously, “and I’ll throw you down right here.”

  Would he now? Danny licked her lips in anticipation. “You started it, Cahill.”

  His hand came out when she took a step toward him, warning her to keep her distance while his other reached down to adjust his painful erection. Shit, but it was uncomfortable. “You started it when I watched you climb this damned house after I told you to stay put.”