by Regina Cole
“Who the hell do you think you are?” the bigger one spat, an ugly sneer curling his upper lip.
“I’m her brother, and I’m going to fuck you up,” Trey said, and then he lunged.
Fists flew, grunts and explosions of pain being traded among the three. Trey roared as one of them pulled a knife and got in a shallow slash on his upper thigh before he kicked the thug away.
A solid elbow to the temple took out the bigger one, who dropped like a sack of wet sand to the pavement.
Rising to his feet in a loose, easy crouch, Trey reached back to the sheath on his belt and freed his knife. The shorter one’s blade was stained with Trey’s blood, and that made him less inclined to take it easy on the bastard.
“Trey! Look out!”
The shriek came from behind him, and he ducked on instinct. A shower of gravel shot above his head, deflecting the lunge from a guy who had crept up undetected.
Yelling, the man fell backward, rubbing furiously at his eye. Sarah had good aim, apparently.
Time to end this.
With a quick movement, Trey knocked the knife from the small guy’s hand. A love tap to the skull put him on the pavement beside his friend.
Standing over the one Sarah’s well-timed throw had incapacitated, Trey looked over his shoulder at his sister.
“Good aim.”
Sarah shrugged. “I played a lot of softball when I was young.”
Just to make sure their new friend stayed down, Trey gave him a well-placed kick to the ribs. Then he grabbed Sarah’s hand, and together they hurried around to the back of the warehouse.
“Is this where your police backup is?”
Trey groaned. “Did Bethany tell you that?”
Sarah nodded. “She had to. You were threatening to walk out on us, like a moron. Why’d you hide something like that?”
“It’s complicated, and not exactly…” Trey ran an irritated hand through his hair. “We don’t have time for this. Listen. I’m going to get Bethany and Mom out of this. But you’re going to have to trust me. Things aren’t what you might have heard, but there’s no time.”
Sarah stared at him, long and hard.
“Just tell me one thing. Do you love them?”
“I swear to you, Sarah, I do.”
And he did. Not just Bethany, who’d rocked his world and made him believe he could truly be happy, but Mrs. Yelverton. His mother. The woman who’d moved heaven and earth to bring her son home.
Mom.
“I’ll do anything to keep them safe.”
She looked deep into his eyes. “Okay. You get this one chance. But if it goes wrong, understand that I might never forgive you.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to.”
When they got to the dark corner of the neighboring building where five of the Shadows were gathered, surprised looks greeted them.
“Boss! I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”
Trey nudged Sarah forward. “Vinnie’s got my cell, and he used it to lure Beth and my mom and sister here. Sarah’s okay, but I need one of you to get her away from here. Stone?”
The short, stocky guy stood and nodded. “I’ll be happy to.”
“Trey,” Sarah said.
“Yeah?”
“Keep them safe.” She gripped his hand so hard her knuckles cracked.
“I swear to you I will.”
Stone escorted Sarah away, and Trey looked at his brothers.
His family. And they’d help him rescue his other family.
He wasn’t sure what star he’d been born under, but it was turning out a lot luckier than he’d ever anticipated it would be.
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” he said.
* * *
When Bethany had first met Mama Yelverton, she’d been an introverted twelve-year-old with an acne problem who was convinced that the only person she could count on was her father.
But then she’d met Sarah. Funny, fierce, brave Sarah, who’d basically declared without any warning that she and Bethany would be best friends. And when she’d brought Bethany home to her very first sleepover?
Bethany had never imagined there could be someone like Mama Yelverton. So caring, so strong, so loving to people not even in her own family.
So, the presence of the closest person she’d had to a real mother helped her tremendously as Vincent and his friends shoved them into the back corner of the warehouse and tied them to a couple of half-broken chairs.
“Your boyfriend should be here soon,” Vincent said, smiling as he watched his underlings wind duct tape around Bethany’s and Mama Yelverton’s wrists. “I’ve been waiting for this.”
“What do you want with him?” Bethany asked angrily as she jerked ineffectively at her bonds. Her skin burned in protest.
“Vincent, this isn’t the path you want to take,” Mama Yelverton said gently, not moving against the bindings. “You’d been doing so well. And you can again. A mistake doesn’t have to cost you your future. You can stop this now. Let us go, and I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
Vincent lunged forward so fast Bethany almost missed it. The loud crack of his hand across Mama Yelverton’s face made Bethany cry out in impotent shock and anger.
“Shut up! You know, people like you don’t know shit about what it’s like to be someone like me. Now keep your mouth shut before I shut it for you. Actually…” He reached over and grabbed the roll of tape.
“No!” Bethany cried out as he slapped the length over Mama Yelverton’s mouth.
A tear ran over the silvery fabric, and she hung her head.
“I don’t understand,” Bethany said, anger pitching her voice low. “Did Trey arrest you at some point? Is that why you want revenge?”
Vincent barked a laugh. “Arrest me? What, like he’s some kind of cop?”
Bethany bit her lip. She’d really stepped in it now. Trey was working undercover, and she’d just tried to blow it.
“No, I didn’t arrest him. But if he doesn’t let you go, they might have to lock me up for manslaughter.”
“Trey!” She’d never been happier to see him in her life.
There, striding through the doorway, was Trey. Behind him walked the big, black-clad, tattooed men who’d helped him with the wedding she’d seen. His friends. His…fellow cops?
But none of them had badges. She couldn’t help but see the guns tucked into waistbands, the baseball bats a couple of them held, the eager way they sized up the competition…
“About time you showed up,” Vincent said, drawing himself up to his full height. He was a good six inches shorter than Trey, but that didn’t stop him from sidling up in front of the bigger man as if he were his equal.
“You’ve been cooking in my territory,” Trey said, looking down his nose at the other man. Vincent’s friends had gathered around behind him.
Trey’s gang was outnumbered by at least four men. A shiver ran through Bethany.
“I’ve done what I had to do to keep my business afloat.”
“And I’ll do what I have to do to keep that shit out of my house,” Trey countered. “Let them go so we can settle this.”
“As if I’d hand you my best bargaining chip. Now, let’s make a deal. I’ll let your girlfriend and your mother”—he sneered the word—“go, if you agree to keep your biker assholes away from my dealers. You’re interfering in my business, and I can’t have that.”
“No.”
Vincent trembled with rage. “What do you mean, no?”
Trey hiked up an eyebrow. “Did I stutter? I said no.”
“I’m just giving the people what they want.”
“And so am I. There are plenty of other places to peddle your poison. Move on, or face the consequences.”
Vincent bared his teeth. “You think you’re such hot s
hit. You walk around like you own everything around here. I’m not the only one who’s sick of you.”
“Boss, I’m tired of conversation,” Wolf said, his dark eyes positively glinting. “Can we take care of business now?”
Trey grinned, a dark, evil expression that both scared and thrilled Bethany. “Do it.”
Fists were flying, knives flashing, grunts and curses and angry yells filling the air like a cloud of violent dust.
Bethany struggled against her bonds, but they held tight. But in the chaos, a large man with a dark complexion and a ball cap pulled low over his eyes appeared at their side.
She started to call out in fear, but he clapped a hand over her mouth.
“I’m with Trey,” he said, and she nodded. Working quickly, he slashed the duct tape that held her wrists together. Bending down, he freed her ankles. “You both need to get out of here before the cops come in to cause trouble. We won’t be able to protect you then.”
He handed Bethany the knife, handle first, and melted back into the fight.
The cops? Trouble? But weren’t they on the same side?
Adrenaline surging, Bethany searched for Trey in the fray.
There he was. Moving as fast as lightning, as swift and sure in his strikes as a jungle cat. He attacked and withdrew, dancing on his feet as his opponents rushed him.
She cried out when she saw him take a heavy fist to the ribs.
Mama Yelverton let out a muffled sound beside her, yanking her back to the present.
Trey’s friend was right. She had to get them out of there.
Bethany bent down and removed the duct tape from Mama Yelverton’s ankles as fast as she could. Behind her, the battle raged on.
She pulled the tape from Mama Yelverton’s mouth, wincing in sympathy at the red streak where the tape had affected her skin.
“Hurry,” Mama Yelverton urged in a low voice. “They’re losing.”
Heart in her throat, Bethany looked over her shoulder.
Trey’s Shadows were outnumbered, and all she could see were Vincent’s cronies and their flying fists. But were they—the Shadows—holding back?
She didn’t understand. Didn’t have the time.
Slamming her eyes shut, she turned and cut and yanked the tape free from Mama Yelverton’s wrists.
Trey could take care of himself for now. She had to get Mama Yelverton out of there. And then… And then…
She’d figure out what to do.
“Let’s go,” she said, and Mama Yelverton stood, wincing as circulation returned to her feet.
As quickly as they could, they dashed to the door.
With one last glance over her shoulder, Bethany wished Trey luck.
He had to last through this. Whoever—and whatever—he was. It didn’t matter. She didn’t know what she’d do without him.
Chapter Thirty-Two
From his position on the floor, Trey watched as Bethany and his mother left the warehouse. The door shut behind them. At Trey’s nod, Mac slipped out too.
He had a call to make.
One.
Two.
Three.
“Now!” Trey roared as he surged upward. At his call, Wolf, Flash, Doc, and Lars—who had all been on the floor playing possum too—gave their respective assailants hell.
Knowing that his precious ones were safe gave Trey the strength to push through the pain of his wounds and make Vinnie and his men pay.
He fought his way through flying fists and angry kicks to his target—
Vinnie.
“Screw this,” the drug dealer was saying and turning tail to run for the door. Once he’d realized that the Shadows wouldn’t go down easily, he wasn’t interested anymore.
“Not so fast,” Trey said, his arm going around Vinnie’s neck. “I need information from you.”
“Fuck off,” Vinnie said, clawing at Trey’s arm.
“You said that you weren’t the only one who was coming for us. Who else?”
Vinnie’s teeth sank into Trey’s arm. With a curse, he shoved the bastard away.
Straight into a concrete column.
Knocked cold, Vinnie slumped to the floor.
“Boss! We’ve got company,” Rocco yelled into the warehouse. They could just make out the sounds of sirens in the distance. Mac had done his job well.
“Let’s go,” Trey said. He knelt down and removed his phone from Vinnie’s pocket and beat feet for the door. The rest of the Shadows scattered.
Outside, Trey looked over to where Bethany’s car had been parked. It was gone, thank God.
He slung his leg over his bike and peeled away. Behind him, the rest of the Shadows fell in line.
It was over. They were going home. And now… And now…
He wasn’t sure what. There might not be a home to go back to.
Because without her, his former existence felt empty.
* * *
They pulled off the road at Ruby’s and took stock of their injuries. Minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises marred the crew, nothing too serious. Stone had reported back after dropping Sarah at the Yelverton place. The police scanner was abuzz with the news of the big bust that had taken place downtown. A large amount of meth had been taken into custody, along with Vinnie, Hampton, and most of the network of dealers.
It was a clean sweep. So why did Trey still feel so awful?
“You off to see her?”
Trey looked up at Wolf’s question. He’d been heading for the door when his second-in-command had stopped him.
“Yeah.”
Wolf nodded. “She’s a good woman.”
“Too good for me.”
“Probably. Doesn’t mean she doesn’t want you too.”
Trey cleared his throat. “I’m going to apologize for dragging her into that shit and lying to her, then I’m out of her life for good.”
Wolf hiked a brow at him and gave a cryptic smile. “Good luck with that.”
Without bothering to reply, Trey headed out the door into the late-spring night.
The weather was warm, ideal for riding his bike into the darkness, but he couldn’t enjoy it. Not really. Not with his future in such doubt.
By the time his tires touched the drive that led to the Yelvertons’ house, to her, he’d convinced himself that it was a waste of time. She’d never forgive him for leading her into that danger. And his mother, and his sister…
Trey winced as he cut the engine in their driveway.
He was exactly the kind of person he didn’t want any of them around. But he didn’t know any other way to be.
“Better get this over with,” he muttered to himself. Hefting himself off his bike, he walked quickly to the front door before he could change his mind.
Before he could knock, the door was flung open.
“Trey.” His name left his mother’s lips on a choked sob, and suddenly he was in her arms.
Too surprised to move for a moment, he swayed a little. She clung to him, desperate devotion in every shuddering breath she took.
He closed his eyes and hugged her back.
His mother. Not Mrs. Yelverton anymore. This was his mother.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered to the top of her head. “I’m so sorry.”
“Hush,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I’m just relieved you’re okay.” She ran her hands down his arms and gripped his palms. “Come in.”
Holding his mother’s hand, he walked into the living room.
And there, with a carefully blank expression on her face, stood Bethany.
His heart.
The love of his life.
She raised her arms to him, and he crossed the room at a dead run.
Cradling her close, he didn’t realize he was speaking until long moments later. “I’m sorry. I
love you. I’m sorry. I love you. I’m sorry.”
Over and over, the words left his lips. He’d wanted to say so much to her, but when it came down to it, the only important things to convey were the depth of his regret and the breadth of his love for her.
“I love you too,” she whispered and then kissed him.
With all the feeling inside him, he returned the gesture. Deep, passionate, with every bit of the longing and fear he’d felt in the last few days, he kissed her.
It wasn’t enough. He could kiss her like that all day, every day, and it wouldn’t be enough.
He was desperately in love with her, and if she’d let him, he planned to spend the rest of his life trying to show her.
When she finally pulled away, she wiped at her tears.
“I love you, but there’s so much. So many things, the lies…”
“I know,” he said, the hole in his chest aching as if he’d been shot point-blank. “I know.” But then he noticed someone else in the room.
“Hey,” Sarah said, looking a little hesitant.
“Hey,” he said back, his arm around Bethany’s shoulders. There’d be time to explain himself to her. If she’d forgive him? Who knew.
“So, you’re not a wedding planner.”
Trey shook his head. “No, I’m not.”
“And you’re not a cop.”
He glanced down at Bethany guiltily before answering. “No, not a cop either.”
“So, what exactly are you?”
He swallowed hard. “Maybe we all should sit down.”
So they did, and he told them. About the Shadows and the jobs they did, the way they skirted the law. And through it all, he watched for Bethany’s reactions.
She was clearly surprised, but there was no hatred or disgust on her face. And through it all, she never let go of his hand.
He was grateful for that. Maybe there was hope.
“Wow.” Sarah sat back against the cushions of the couch once he’d finished. “That’s… Wow.”
“I’m sorry I lied to you. To you all.” Trey rubbed a thumb over the n tattooed on his knuckle.
“Trey, I have to tell you the truth.” His mother looked over at him with a slightly guilty expression. “I knew you weren’t a wedding planner.”