by Roze, Robyn
He made sure the black Town Car with his mother settled safely in the back was out of sight before he dealt with the smoker skulking in the shadows. He’d smelled the familiar foul odor as soon as he’d descended the steps. He scanned across the street and up and down the block. Then his attention turned to the large potted topiary behind him, and he made quick strides to reach his target.
“About damn—”
He blocked the next word with a swift, well-placed strike to the man’s throat, then shoved the trespasser into the shadows and listened with keen interest as the man gagged and choked. Parker reveled in the intruder’s bewilderment, the disorientation, and most of all, the palpable fear his next breath might not come. The only disappointment, the late hour and poor lighting partially obscured this buffoon’s contorted, oxygen-starved face.
Parker’s chest swelled with authority.
The power to end another’s life. The power to restore it, if only for a bit longer. There could be no greater thrill. No better demonstration of both courage and control. And Cameron Diamond had tested Parker’s steely resolve the past few days with his utter lack of discipline. Tonight’s risky call had interrupted dinner with his mother and family. The unseemly approach on the street not twenty-four hours ago, in broad daylight no less, with the taint of swirling tobacco fumes. And now this foolish move. The wretch had no idea his life teetered on the brink—until now.
“I told you in no uncertain terms to never come to my home. And yet, here you are.” His tone was calm and low, marked with menace. “You have no idea who I am. Your imbecilic stunts could prove hazardous to your health.” Parker swept a loathsome gaze over Cameron’s crippled form as he ever so slowly regained an upright posture. “You lack self-control and sound judgment. Your childish rampage at her apartment the other night proves my point. Your actions were sloppy and unnecessary and brought the police to my door.” The hiss of words hung in the chilly night air.
Parker pushed Cameron deeper into the dark, damp corner where he slid up against the cool concrete, finally standing at his full height. “Our alliance ended when you failed to take care of this matter on your home turf. Now you further complicate an already complex situation by arriving in my city, against my express instructions.” Parker ran simulations in his head. Could he make use of Cameron? Tie up all the loose ends ...? “If I involve you in this, it will be for my benefit, not yours. Anything you might gain from this is secondary to achieving my goals. You would be wise to remember that.”
Parker tucked his hands in his pockets and stepped back, listened for any nearby foot traffic. Satisfied with only the distant wail of sirens and rustling leaves, he rejoined Cameron under the cover of darkness.
His finger jabbed Cameron’s chest. “You will do exactly as I say from this point forward.” His nostrils flared with the fetid stench of nicotine and cheap whiskey. “You will never come to my home again, nor will you initiate contact with me again. I won’t bother to ask how you got my number; you obviously have too much time on your hands. And now thanks to you, we have a link to explain, should it become necessary.”
Parker took a step back, revulsion contorting his features. He yanked a monogrammed silk handkerchief from his pocket, inhaled the freshly laundered scent into his lungs, and wiped any trace of Cameron’s imagined slime from his hands.
Before he even had the chance to properly tuck the soiled linen away and straighten his tie, Parker found himself in a struggle with the topiary he’d been shoved into with unforeseen and unexpected force.
Cameron’s form darted past, liberated and standing in the open, safe. He basked in the warm incandescence of a streetlamp, defiance marking his stance, goading his attacker. Parker regained his footing, shored his balance, and reclaimed his dignity as he locked down the fury ready to explode inside him.
Cameron pointed an accusatory finger at Parker and punctuated his bitter soaked words. “News flash, James! I’m not your bitch!” Then he stormed off, hand cradled at his throat, expletives and threats muttered under his angry breath.
Parker, outraged, watched helplessly as the fly escaped the web—this time. A new move to ponder in the ultimate game. His lips parted in a sneer, his vow whispered, transported by the cool evening breeze.
“Four birds …”
“Have you called my guy back home yet?” Tucker asked.
“Yeah, he sent me everything I need. There’ve been some small purchases, sporadic, no pattern I can see—yet. Your brother’s definitely here, I just don’t know where. I’ll need more time if he’s staying with someone he knows, or if he’s paying in cash at a hotel. It looks like he’s staying under the radar as much as possible.”
“I can’t believe he’s smart enough to think ahead like that …” Tucker’s words faded away as his vision wandered over the now-tidy apartment. Not what he’d expected after the mess Kat had described.
Then his eyes landed hard, got tangled in the pillow and messy bedding on the couch. The heat from the rise in his blood pressure pricked at his skin. He wrestled with the part of himself wanting to string up Dan Walsh, put him in his place. But it wouldn’t be fair. The man had not disappointed him; he’d done exactly what Tucker knew he’d do. What he’d bet the ranch he’d do. Dan Walsh had stuck to Kat like a man who still wanted her. Anybody else would’ve set up shop outside in a car.
His lip rolled over his bottom teeth, and he clamped down. Kat’s safety was more important than his male ego, his jealousy. Most important of all, he reminded himself, he trusted her and what she’d told him about Walsh, about it being over, about it being one-sided. Kat James was a woman who said exactly what she meant, and he could take her word to the bank.
His eyes yanked away from the couch. “You’re done now. I’ll take it from here. We’ll meet you at the attorney’s office tomorrow.” Tucker noticed the break of dawn and glanced at the wall clock. “I guess that’s later today.”
“I can have you both shadowed. Nothing obtrusive or obvious. Just to see if you’re being followed by anyone. It could be our best bet for finding your brother until I can figure out where he’s at.” Tucker nodded in agreement. “You really think he’s the one who broke in here?”
“It’s a real possibility. He and Kat had a run-in back home. Plus his favorite pastime is fucking with my life and the people in it.” Tucker extended his hand. “Thanks, Walsh. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
He read the hesitation, the discomfort. With a tight expression and a strong grip, Dan shook his hand.
“Let me show you how to work the alarm before I—”
“Tucker?” Kat’s sleep-swollen eyes darted back and forth between the men as she tried to adjust to the light in the room. “Did you know he was coming?” she said to Dan, her tone accusatory.
Before Dan could answer, Tucker did.
“I told him to let you sleep, sweetheart.”
“You told him?” She clearly wanted to say more, but didn’t, her little fists parked on her hips.
Then her exasperation drained away with a sigh. She marched straight for him, threw her arms around his neck, and leaned up on tiptoes until he lifted her up level against his chest.
“Yeah, well, I’ll get out of the way. See you both later.”
The door clicked shut on their mumbled goodbyes.
“I thought he’d never leave,” Tucker said, with a grin.
They giggled, squeezed each other closer, nose to nose, then Kat planted a kiss on him that made his knees lock tight, his heart hammer something wild. God, she felt good. Like home. The home he’d never had, but had always wanted.
Against his wishes, she broke free and stepped back, now alert. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but what the hell are you doing here? Why did Dan know you were coming back and I didn’t?” She raised her hand before he could speak. “Wait. I need to back up. The way our call ended last night ... I’m sorry about the way I spoke to you, hung up on you. I just—”
“Hey.” He
grasped her hand, lifted her chin, and settled his eyes on hers. “We’re both knee-deep in shit right now, darlin’. It’s okay. You know I’ve got thicker skin than that or I wouldn’t be standin’ here right now. Hell, I never would’ve made it past drinks with you if I scared off that easy.”
That worked. The recognition on her face and in her smile of their first meeting. He circled his arm around her waist and cupped her face in his hand.
“I came back a little early because of what I found out. Cameron’s here, somewhere.” She stiffened in his arms and got real quiet.
“It was him, wasn’t it?” She gestured around the apartment.
“That’s what I think, now. But I don’t know for sure.”
She broke free from his embrace and retreated to the bedroom in quick steps. She reappeared with a bent picture frame. She held up the mangled picture and a chill streaked up his spine. Their faces had been slashed, made unrecognizable.
“This looks personal to me, Tucker. Not random. And as much as Parker hates me, I don’t think he’d do something as obvious as break in here and slice our picture up like this—and this isn’t the only one.”
He laid the broken frame on a nearby table. Then he pulled her close, her soft curves just what he needed pressed against him. They weren’t going to be apart again. He could lose everything, the business, the ranch. None of it mattered, except for her.
She was the one thing he couldn’t lose.
“Walsh is trying to track him down now. That’s why I called him. You were already asleep and I was already on my way here.” His hands skimmed her body, then came to rest around her face, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks.
“So, we both have crazy brothers. Literally certifiable.”
“Kinda looks that way.” Her hands gripped his face, her eyes determined like the first time he’d set sight on her in the rain.
“We’re going to beat both of them, Tucker. I’m not settling for less.”
He warmed from the inside out and could feel the energy surging through her, the force of nature thundering in his arms.
His hellcat.
“Never thought you would, sweetheart.”
****
Sharon Carter, a former prosecutor, listened, asked pointed questions, and then laid out the game plan going forward. Based on Kat’s evidence, Sharon predicted a grand jury indictment. No doubt there would be motions to suppress and evidentiary battles, but she remained confident her contacts in the DA’s office, and elsewhere, would see justice prevail this time.
The start of an election cycle loomed in the near future, and this was exactly the kind of high-profile case the DA would flaunt to ratchet the influence of his narrative, to demonstrate his commitment to fairness and equal justice—for all. Sharon promised to make Parker’s indictment her mission, make sure the story gained traction and momentum in the media and elsewhere. There’d been no effort on the brash attorney’s part to mask her contempt for the immunity and special favors money could buy and the corruption it could foster. Then and now.
The trio now sat in a noisy Midtown diner waiting for their sandwiches and drinks. Dan’s eyes swept around the space, always working, always looking for something or someone who didn’t belong. He’d been unusually silent since they’d left Sharon’s office. Kat hadn’t missed the shock and alarm on his face as she’d recounted the contents of the storage unit. She figured he must be digesting everything he’d heard.
Tucker patted her leg. They exchanged easy smiles, and she covered his hand with hers, giving it a squeeze.
“One down. One to go.” He winked at her, then his eyes swung to Dan. “Anything on my brother yet?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” His hand slipped inside his suit jacket to retrieve his smartphone. Then he tapped open a file and directed the screen at Kat while focusing on Tucker. “He made some purchases last night. One at a liquor store: whiskey and cigarettes.” Tucker snorted, shook his head. “Then he went to a pharmacy and bought a neck compress and a bottle of Tylenol.”
“I can only hope the son of a bitch was tryin’ to OD.” Tucker crossed his arms and shifted his attention to Kat. She’d taken the phone from Dan and now zoomed in and out, scrolling up and down the screen. Then her eyes lifted and locked onto Dan’s.
“You’re thinking the same thing I am, aren’t you?” Dan said, searching her tense expression.
Tucker leaned over to look at the screen with its circles of red and green and matching colored lines connecting them all on a city map. “What’re you thinking, Kat?”
Her attention dropped to the table in thought and then she glanced to Dan before turning to Tucker. “Parker and Cameron know each other. That’s how he knew who I was before he sat down with me outside Firetower. Parker had to have contacted him.”
She pointed at the diagram drawn on the map. “The green represents the purchases he’s made over the past few days. The red represents JAMESCO, J&P, my apartment,” her eyes flicked to Dan, “and Parker’s home. There’s no way in hell it’s a coincidence, any of it.”
Tucker grabbed the phone and scrolled across the map as she’d laid it all out for him. He chuckled like a man jaded by time, no longer susceptible to surprise. He squeezed at his forehead and passed the phone back to Dan, dragging his hand down his beleaguered face and settling back against his seat with a grunt.
“Well, your brother made the biggest mistake of his life, then,” he said, his expression serious.
“What do you mean?” The words were uttered in unison by Kat and Dan.
Tucker’s eyes swept between them.
“Cameron’s a loose cannon. He doesn’t take orders well, and I bet Parker just loves givin’ ’em, with no pushback.” His eyes tilted to Kat, and she nodded. “They’re a match made in hell. They’ll probably do each other in before they get around to whatever they’ve got cooked up for us.” He gave her leg a reassuring squeeze.
“I’m not banking on that,” she said.
Dan’s arms folded onto the table and he leaned forward. “Why would they do that? Join forces? What’s the payoff?”
His question hung in the air as his eyes volleyed from Kat to Tucker, waiting for one of them to provide the missing link. The couple stared at one another, wordless.
She shook her head. “I’m not sure, but it doesn’t matter. Because I’m not waiting around to find out.”
“What do you mean?” Dan asked.
“We need to confront them. Screw up whatever brilliant plan Parker thinks he’s come up with to get me out of the way.”
She scoffed and glanced at nearby tables with people in conversation, laughing and stuffing their faces with waffle fries and thick burgers. Her focus skipped back to Dan, then Tucker. “That asshole has always overestimated himself. I will not sit around and play his game.” She faced Tucker. “Does your brother know you’re here?”
“Not from me. Both times I tried callin’, his voicemail was full. His girlfriend may have told him, though.”
She nodded, gears grinding in her head. “Even if he does know, neither one of them would have any idea we’ve made a connection between them. We just need to disrupt them, throw them off course. Let them know we know they’re up to no good. That alone might take the wind out of their sails. Then once subpoenas are served, Parker’s going to be distracted with the bad press and his defense team. I’ll be the least of his worries.”
“I don’t think you should confront him again. I don’t think it’s smart, Kat—”
Tucker cut him off. “I think it’s a great idea.” His testy eyes flicked to Dan. “Run at him head-on. I like it. I’m sure your brother’s the mastermind, because it sure as hell isn’t mine. Whatever Parker has planned, Cameron will fuck up six ways to Sunday.”
“I can’t believe you’d go along with this! Her brother is a fucking psychopath!”
Diners’ heads jerked in the direction of the outburst. Dan stared down the gawkers until they returned to their own conver
sations.
His eyes drilled into Kat’s. “I know you well enough to know you’re going to do whatever the hell you want. I guess some things really will never change.”
“I already told you that,” she said, her rebuff quick.
Tucker’s body stiffened in response to the intimate history self-evident in their body language and familiar tones.
“Your brother doesn’t need any encouragement. There is no reason for you to dare him to come after you.”
Tucker angled across the table. “She’s not going to dare him. And you don’t need to worry about it. I’ve got this now.” His focus was aimed like a laser at Dan.
Before Dan could counter, Kat raised her hands. “Okay, boys, you can stop trying to piss on the same spot.”
Her words fell on deaf ears.
“Just do your job, Walsh, and find my brother.”
Dan snorted with a patronizing expression, then he edged across the table to meet Tucker in the middle. “I am doing my job. But in case you haven’t noticed, New York City has a few more people in it than no-fucking-where, Montana. We have more than two motels to check here—”
Kat’s hand slammed against the table. “I know which hotel to check.” Her lips raised up at the corners. “I can even tell you the room number.”
****
Kat chucked her keys and bag on the entry table and rubbed at the ache behind her eyes. She’d never felt more unfocused in her life, unable to direct and hold any one thought for more than a minute or two. So much noise in her head, so many feelings to organize and control. Lack of sleep and restless nights certainly hadn’t helped the situation, either. And because of all the upheaval, she now commended herself for not laying into Tucker after Dan’s hasty exit from the diner earlier. She hadn’t even laid him out during the cab ride home.
She pressed her hip against the edge of the counter, folded her arms, and eyeballed him from head to toe. Where to start, where to strike first.
His lids narrowed in some sort of recognition. “Uh-oh. I’ve seen that look before. What’d I do now?”