Relentless Rhythm (Tempest #4)

by Michelle Mankin

  “Want me to show you again?” I pushed. “Show you how crazy it gets the minute I put my mouth on you?”

  “No.” She withdrew her hands and that timorous look I loathed took over her features again. “You can’t... We can’t. They’ll see. I tried to tell you from the beginning, but I was selfish. I wanted you so badly.”

  “Who’ll see, Kitten?”

  “James’ men.”

  “You mean those security guys who escorted me away at the funeral? The ones who’ve been watching you like a hawk all night.”

  “They aren’t security guards. They’re his lieutenants.”

  What the fuck? Recognition slowly sunk in, the last piece to the puzzle finally sliding into place. “He’s mafia?”

  She nodded.

  Holy fucking shit.

  “He was pretty low level when we got married, and I was too naïve then. But things changed after his partner disappeared, and he took over PTU. The kind of guys he hangs around with now.” She shook her head. “They’re the real thing.”

  Bloody hell.

  It probably literally had been bloody for James’ missing partner. The thought of April living with a dangerous guy like that made ice re-crystalize in my veins.

  “Shit, April. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “Really?” Her brows rose. “You think that would have been wise? Keeping your mouth shut is the first lesson you learn in this business. And now James hates you so much that they have instructions to kill you if they catch me with you again.”

  I ran my thumbs over the furrow between her brows, but it didn’t smooth out. This was one helluva a fucked up mess.

  “I’ve never stopped caring, Dizzy Lowell. You relentlessly pursued me until I gave in and started to dream, to hope again even. But James is smart and sadistic. He’s not afraid to use the people I love against me. He won’t hesitate. My mom. My brothers. You. You’re all at risk. I can’t ever be sure he wasn’t involved somehow in my stepfather’s accident. George had started asking a lot of questions about James’ business.”

  “Fuck.” No wonder she was scared. I pulled her into me. I was scared as shit, too, but I couldn’t let on. I kissed the top of her head, running my nose along the silk strands filling my lungs with her scent, trying to calm down so I could think. “I’ll figure this out, April. But one thing I need to know. Is this for real? Do you want to be with him or me?”

  “Being with you is impossible.” She pulled back to look deep into my eyes. “But it would be a dream come true.”

  Bang. Bang. Bang.

  Shit. We jumped apart. Someone was beating on the metal stock room door.

  “Mrs. Reynolds? Everything ok in there?”

  “Yes, yes. I’m sorry, Smith. I accidently closed the door.” Her expression turned grim. Nothing remained in her eyes now but fear and resignation. “You’ve got to hide,” she told me. “That’s one of James’ men. They can’t find you with me.”

  I would’ve said what the hell, had it just been me. I’d never been afraid to gamble, but I had to play this thing smart. For her sake and her family’s.

  So before I hid, I pushed all my chips to the center of the table. “I love you, April.”

  “I love you, too, Dizzy.”

  “Don’t give up hope. Be careful. Be safe, and trust me. I’ll figure out a way to get you away from him. I won’t let you down.”

  She nodded, but I could tell her faith was weak. I was just going to have to believe enough for both of us.

  My hands shook as I wiped down the counter at the end of my shift. Dizzy had been in earlier with War looking for Shaina. I’d relayed the things I’d seen and heard and they had set off to PTU to rescue her. Dizzy had sent a message through Tan asking me to wait for him, and I had. But I’d finished restocking an hour ago and though I’d plied Smith and Lorenzo with extra strong drinks, I could tell they were getting restless. I’d have to leave with them soon.

  “Hey, April.” Tan walked up to the bar, inclining his head. “I need you to sign some paperwork in my office.” His back was to my creepers, but his expression spoke volumes to me.

  “Yeah, sure.” I called out to my two shadows as I moved. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  I flew up the stairs and threw open the door. A welcome sight in his black jacket and jeans, no longer under the watchful eyes of my jailors, and I launched myself at him, throwing my arms around his waist, absorbing his warmth and strength.

  Dizzy set me back, his expression more serious than I’d ever seen it. “We’re going to get you and your family out of Vancouver to a place where we think you’ll be safe. But we don’t have much time, and I’ll be honest, I’m afraid how this might turn out.” His amber eyes drilled into me. “Because the plan involves trusting guys as bad as James. That husband of yours is a real piece of work, babe. Ran into him tonight at PTU. You were right about those dudes taking Shaina there. Made me mad as shit the way he blew us off, and the fact that she’s been an unwilling participant in their sick little game.” He yanked an irritated hand through his chocolate and vanilla strands.

  “Is she ok?”

  “We got there just in time.” He nodded. “War’s with her now.”

  “Good.” I pulled in a breath. “What do you have in mind now?” I asked acting more brave than I felt.

  “King’s got a connection with a Columbian cartel.” My eyes widened. “The head of a local unit in Seattle owes him, and he’s calling in a favor for you. They revealed some interesting information about your husband. Did James ever tell you the reason he went to New York?”

  “No, not really. Just that his boss wanted to see him.”

  “So you know who his boss is?”

  I nodded. “He’s out on bail till his trial.”

  “Yeah, well that’s a pretty weird coincidence. Ask me later, and I’ll tell you about Joe Campanella’s connection to Justin. But word on the street is that Campanella’s cleaning house. Getting rid of people he doesn’t trust. He’s been extra paranoid since the FBI infiltrated his organization. And your husband is on his radar as non-trustworthy. Turns out that his missing business partner is Campanella’s favorite nephew.”

  My jaw dropped.

  “Yeah, no kidding. This is real serious shit. The heat has gone way up for James. Seems that your husband’s mistress spilled some pretty incriminating things about him. Implicated him in the partner’s disappearance. Campanella’s sending some guys to Vancouver to check it out personally. We need to get you and your family out of harm’s way. Somewhere safe. And soon, while James is distracted.”

  “Ok.” I gulped down my fear. “Sounds like we don’t have much of a choice. What do you want me to do?”

  He grabbed my arms and hauled me in, kissing me on the lips once fast and hard. I tried to think of it as a good luck kiss and not as an I-may-never-see-you-again one. “La Raca Prima aren’t the best kind of guys, but James can’t get to you if you’re under their protection. I need you to head out to your mom’s tomorrow night. We’ll pick you up there. Don’t come to work, and don’t go anywhere near James.”

  “I won’t,” I whispered.

  “The guys and I will take care of the rest.”

  It was so hard to leave him. I had to force myself not to look back as I exited Tan’s office. I wished I’d been able to kiss him longer. I wanted to go back to him and jump into his arms again. It was the only place I wanted to be, the only place where I felt safe and sheltered.

  Now that I knew he kept his promises. That he’d meant everything he’d said and then some, I didn’t want to walk away. If it hadn’t been for my mom and my brothers, I would’ve just run away with him right now. Tonight.

  I froze on the landing. Smith was coming up the stairs. My heart slammed around in my chest as he studied me with narrowed eyes. When he glanced over my shoulder, I broke out into a cold sweat.

  “All finished,” I said breathily. “I just need to grab my jacket from my locker, and then we can
head out.” I scooted past him, praying with all I had in me that he’d follow without going into Tan’s office. I said a silent thank you when I heard his booted footfalls on the stairs behind me.

  I buttoned my coat saying goodnight to Tan on the way out the back door. I wanted to hug him, knowing that I might not see him again for a long time. But I refrained, not wanting to stir up suspicion.

  Smith and Lorenzo escorted me to the bus stop. They took their guard duties very seriously. No one wanted to piss James off. They sat on either side of me on the way home. Lorenzo distracted by a phone conversation, but Smith regarding me coldly like I was an annoying bug that he wanted to smash.

  James was waiting on the couch when we arrived. He was leaning forward, tapping into his laptop, a glass of whiskey on the coffee table beside him.

  I dropped my key in the dish, hung up my coat on the peg, and offered them something from the kitchen, trying to maintain an outward aura of calm.

  Smith and Lorenzo declined, and my husband shook his head, too.

  “Ok. Well, I’ll see you in the morning then. It’s late. I’m really beat.” I started to head to the back, but Jame’ voice stopped me cold.

  “Stay.”

  I turned around noticing things about his demeanor and appearance that I hadn’t before. His perfectly styled hair was messy as if he’d been running irritated fingers repeatedly through it. His eyes were bloodshot whether from alcohol or from exhaustion I couldn’t say. But his gaze was dark and unwavering on mine.

  “Come here.” He crooked his finger, and I forced my feet to move searching his face but unable to gauge his mood. He lifted the remote and flicked off the television. “I want to talk to you. Find out how things are going at work.”

  Shit. My pulse kicked up, but I kept my eyes on him. Don’t show weakness. I didn’t even glance at Smith or Lorenzo. What had they seen? What had they told him?

  I started to sit beside James, but he pulled me down so I was sitting sideways on his lap. Smith and Lorenzo unbuttoned their jackets and settled into the chairs opposite us.

  I caught a gleam of excitement in Smith’s eyes that made me even more nervous than I already was. James squeezed my knee, and that’s when I noticed what else was set up on the coffee table. Lines of cocaine ready to be snorted. James rarely did drugs, but when he did they made him extremely agitated and jumpy for hours.

  “Want some, baby?” he asked obviously noting the direction of my gaze.

  I shook my head. “I just want to take a shower and go to bed. Honestly, James I…”

  “Honesty. Interesting word choice.” His hand on my knee tightened. “That’s a good place to start. Why don’t you be honest and tell me why you were in the stock room the other night with the door locked, and then came out empty handed?

  My heart started to go into palpitations. My gaze flew to Smith, and he flashed me a wicked smile. “I just needed a moment to myself.” I thought quickly. “It was my first night back. I forgot how bad the crush could get.”

  “Hmm.” I hated that noncommittal sound. I couldn’t tell what he meant by it, and I couldn’t tell from his dilated eyes what he was thinking, either.

  “Smith says you were in Tan’s office for a long time tonight. What was up with that sweet wife of mine?”

  I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, buying time to try to remember what had been said, hoping I wouldn’t get caught in a lie. “Just filling out paperwork.” Keep it simple. Keep your expression neutral. “Just work stuff? You’ve never been interested in that before, James.”

  “You’re right. I haven’t.” His fingers dug into my knee so hard I gasped. “Didn’t have a reason to doubt you before, though, did I?”

  I didn’t blink. My eyes burned. My pulse was going completely haywire.

  “The guys say Lowell’s been around. Do I need to remind you what happens if I catch you two together?”

  I shook my head.

  “I didn’t think so. I’ve got enough shit to deal with right now. From here on out Smith and Lorenzo are going to stick to you like glue. You ditch them again, you give me any reason to doubt you, and I’m telling you straight out I’m not going to show any more restraint. You understand me?”

  “Yes, James,” I replied obediently just as his cell rang. He picked it up, checking the caller. He glanced over at Smith, a serious look passing back and forth between them.

  “I need to take this. Go onto bed,” he ordered gruffly.

  “Ok.”

  “And shut the door.”

  I slid off his lap, legs so shaky I could barely stand, and quickly made my way to the bedroom. I sank down on the mattress feeling frightened and scared, alone on my island with dangerous currents swirling around me.

  I’d dodged a major bullet getting only a grilling and a warning tonight instead of something much worse. Dizzy was right about the heat. I’d never seen James so on edge. I’d never been so afraid of him, so afraid for my family, for Dizzy. I needed to be extremely careful. The thin margin for error was gone now.

  “What’s going on?” my mom asked, reading the concern on my face. She shut off the water and dried her hands on a dish towel.

  “I’d tell you to sit down.” I cast a wistful glance at the kitchen table where we’d had so many heart to heart talks over the years. “But there’s not enough time for me to explain things properly.”

  She reached for me, capturing my fluttering hands and grasping them firmly in her warm damp ones. “I’m here. Take a deep breath and then tell me what I need to know.”

  I nodded slowly inhaling and exhaling. “Dizzy was right. About James, I mean.”

  “I can’t believe it.” She shook her head, eyes filling, heart wanting to deny the truth no mother ever wants to hear about her daughter’s husband.

  “It’s worse than that. He’s a bad man, Mom. A really bad one. He’s involved in organized crime. I think George suspected as much.”

  I could see the dots connecting behind her eyes, her face becoming pale as realization dawned. “Do you think George’s injury might not have been an accident?” she whispered.

  “Maybe. I’m not sure, I want to hope otherwise, but the kind of people James calls family, are capable of anything. That’s why I’ve tried to protect you and the boys from the truth about him.”

  “Hey Mom,” John yelled. “Have you seen my Spiderman comic?” We both jumped apart, hands to our chests as he entered the kitchen. His eyes widened. “What’s wrong?” he asked, noting our pallid expressions.

  “Something’s happened.” It was time for me to take charge and keep my promise to George to look out for them. “We’re in danger. We don’t have much time. We need to get ready to leave right away as soon as Dizzy gets here. Go get Michael. Tell him to grab his bear, but don’t bother with anything else.” When he didn’t move, I added more insistently, “Go! Now! Hurry!”

  His eyes even wider, he spun around and dashed around the corner.

  I turned back to my mom. “Dizzy is tying up some loose ends. Then he’s going to take us to a safe place. If we’re lucky we’ll be there before James notices we’re gone.”

  “Ok.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’ll go get my purse.”

  While everyone scrambled around preparing for flight, I went to the front door, praying Dizzy would come soon and wanting to make sure the door was secure in the meantime. Before I could set the deadbolt, a loud thump rattled the door on its hinges. I took a step back, my heart slamming against my ribs. A second blow immediately followed, splintering the wood off the hinges.

  We hadn’t been fast enough.

  Time had just run out.

  King’s white grin flashed in the rearview mirror of his Hummer.

  “Stop smiling,” Sager complained. “You’re freaking me out. In the dark with your brown skin all I can see is your teeth. It’s spooky, man.” Sager grunted. Our drummer had probably just elbowed his best friend in the ribs. King was pretty sensitive about his heritage. Sage
r was the only one who could get away with teasing him about it.

  “Those pendejos didn’t know who they were dealing with. We took them out faster than those biker rednecks in Dallas.” Kings’ dark eyes met mine in the mirror. “It was a toda madre.”

  I dipped my head in agreement. It had been totally awesome. We’d caught April’s two mob shadows off guard and taken them out of commission for a while. Hopefully they wouldn’t be missed any time soon, and we’d have enough time to get April and her family across the US border and to a La Raca Prima safe house in Southside.

  “Those rings of yours are more than just a fashion statement, esa?” King was talking to War. He was squished between Bryan and me in the backseat. “You left a hell of a mark on that one vatos face, worked him over good. Not too bad for a scrawny front man.”

  “Fuck you,” War replied without any real heat.

  “What’d you say to him when he was on the floor?” King asked.

  War grinned. “I told him his mom begged me for it.”

  “Orale,” King said nodding his head approvingly while steering his H1 Alpha Wagon through the intersection just before the light turned red. “Isn’t that the same thing you said when Jorge got all up in your face about you sleeping with his sister Leticia.”

  “Yeah, but it’s always classic,” War deadpanned.

  “As I recall, Jorge busted your lip, but that didn’t stop you from popping off again. Told him his padre begged you for it, but…’”

  “Cock only goes with pussy,” they finished together, eyes meeting in the mirror.

  “You’re a crazy motherfucker, War.” King chuckled.

  “That was totally badass,” Bryan added.

  If I hadn’t been so freaking tense, it would’ve made me smile hearing them all reminiscing and getting along. A common purpose had united us. It felt like old times. The way we used to have each other’s backs before all the fame and War’s bullshit ego had ruined everything.

  “He used to be a baddass rocker,” Sager swiveled around, raking his inky hair out of his eyes and smirking. “Now he’s got Hollywood friends and is pussy whipped like the rest of you backseat losers.”