by Avery Gale
“I don’t know how to tell you how much I appreciate you being here. I hope like hell it was a wasted trip.”
Nate nodded. “So do we. And if that’s the case, we’ll all go back to the ranch and watch Kyle and Kent paddle Tobi’s ass for all that colorful cursing I hear.”
“Yes, I’m sure the little minx assumes she has a free pass because she is playing a role, but I think she is pushing the boundary a bit.” Kyle frowned in the direction of the speakers as she let loose another long string of trash in an accent so thick her words were almost unintelligible.
Brandt’s sharp voice bounced off the walls, “Heads up people. Sounds like our perps have decided to try to separate the two women.” God damnit, that’s exactly what Kyle West predicted. Brandt raised a brow at Kyle. “I see you haven’t lost your touch, Major.”
“Glad to help. Honestly, I was hoping to be wrong, but I’m damned glad Sage, and Jen are on the inside.” They have people on the inside?
Phoenix laughed. “Yeah, rodeo boy, while you were playing the rest of us were working.”
“And you planned to mention this when? And who the hell’s inside that Tobi hasn’t acknowledged?”
“Sam and Jen McCall. Sage hadn’t made it back from his last mission yet, or he’d be here as well. But I assure you, if Sam can handle Jen, he’ll have no trouble with those two.” Kent laughed. “And Tobi knew they were going to be there so she will ignore them.”
“Only because she knows Jen will kick her ass in the gym if she messes up.” Kyle waved off his brother’s astonished look. “Say what you will about Jen McCall, she’s turned out to be a good operator and with a little more experience she might not even burn down buildings or shoot people by accident.” Kyle West laughed out loud, and for the first time, Colt thought the usually taciturn man actually looked his age. Taz and Kent were both laughing as well and sometime later—probably a lot later, Colt wanted to hear all about the infamous Jen McCall.
Chapter Fourteen
Josie wasn’t really surprised when Maria asked Tobi to show her where the ladies room was located, although it was sad she hadn’t been able to come up with something a little more creative. She can find her way around L.A. but can’t find the bathroom in this tiny diner? She’d assumed Todd would want to talk to her without anyone else close, but that didn’t mean she was looking forward to being alone with the man she suspected had stolen large sums of money from her. On the other hand, she was looking forward to hearing what he had to say for himself. Like the jackass can possibly explain why there have been six figure transfers out of my accounts every six weeks for the past fucking year. But it might be damned entertaining to hear him try.
“Is Maria going to behave herself? Because I have to tell you, Tobi’s husband is pretty damned protective.” She’d directed her question to Todd but hadn’t taken her eyes off Tobi as she made her way toward the back of the small diner with Maria hot on her heels. And who’s that?
A stunning young woman dressed in black leather was also heading to the back of the diner. She was eating up the distance with her long stride, black leather boots clicking loudly against the wooden slat floor. Her hair was pulled back in a French braid but still fell between her shoulder blades making Josie wonder how long it was when it was loose. Damn, she looks like some supermodel.
Josie let her gaze move to the man the blonde woman had been sitting with. He was leaning back in the chair, arms crossed over his massive chest, and watching her—intently. No, he was studying her and just before she managed to pull her gaze away from his, the corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly, and he winked. She tried to keep her expression blank as she frantically tried to figure out who he was and more importantly which side he was playing for.
As panic started bubbling in her stomach like a volcano preparing to erupt, the man tapped his ear and relief washed over her. He could hear her. And that meant he could hear Tobi. He and the woman trailing behind Tobi and Marie must be one of the Wests’ security teams. Relief washed over her. Thank God, Tobi would be safe, Josie was more than a little worried what Marie might try.
“I thought you were all hot for some cowboy you met a few months ago?” Todd’s voice had always been borderline annoying, and now it was grating on her last nerve.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I saw that guy wink at you. Christ, his bimbo isn’t gone five seconds, and he’s hitting on you. Just the kind of guy every woman dreams of, huh?” The large black boot the man had crossed over the opposite knee hit the floor with a resounding thud, and he was suddenly sitting up ramrod straight in his chair. And now he was sitting up Josie could see how tall he was.
Damn, the man is a freaking giant. Does it make me a bad person to want a front row seat when Todd gets his ass handed to him by a big biker dude? No, I think not. And Big Biker Dude was seven kinds of pissed, Josie wouldn’t have been surprised to see steam come out his ears. It didn’t matter what his name was, Josie was pretty sure she’d always know him by that label.
Josie should probably steer clear of this conversation, but Todd’s arrogant attitude shredded her resolve and the anger she’d been trying to hold back morphed into something she barely recognized…pure, unfiltered sarcasm.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think he’s kind of cute. And that girl was hot. Maybe he’s into ménage?” Even from across the room she heard his snort of laughter. He covered it well with a coughing fit, but she’d definitely heard his bark of laughter.
“For fuck’s sake, Josephine, keep your voice down. Just what you need is some fugly biker thinking he has a chance to get in your pants. The media would have a field day with that, and I’ll be left fielding all the calls.” Todd’s condescending tone pissed her off, but she’d had enough fun. It was time to get down to business.
Sam McCall almost came out of his chair when the asshole in front of him referred to Jen as a bimbo. That blonde bimbo will kick your ass up around you ears any day of the week, you lousy two-bit thief. Hell, I might just turn her loose on you for the fun of it.
Josephine Alta had been trying to figure out why a man with a woman who looked like Jen would try to hit on her. The fact she hadn’t immediately cast him as a villain spoke volumes about her character. And even though he’d appreciated her reluctance to make a connection, he’d wanted her to know he had her back. The little fox could not only sing like a damned angel, but she was obvious bright as hell, too. And he was going to enjoy teasing her about that ménage remark. It was going to be fun to see the look on her face when Sage rolled in later tonight.
Brandt better keep a tight hold on his brother because if Colt Morgan was anything like Sam, he was going to kick the fucker’s ass for the way he was talking to Josie. After all, she was in fact, the woman who was funding his lavish lifestyle, and he was talking to her like she was a common street tramp. Yeah, the fucker better be careful because in Sam’s opinion he’d already earned one ass kicking. Yeah, Brandt better hold both of us back.
Jen opened the door to the small bathroom at the back of the diner just in time to hear the woman who’d followed Tobi screeching, “Do you ever shut up bitch?” Well, this is going well.
“Hey, what’s your problem lady? I’m just bein’ friendly. Who crapped in your Cheerios, anyway?” Jen bit back a smile, Tobi West could play the clueless-card better than anyone she knew.
“Do you have any idea how much money Josephine Alta makes every year? And how many people depend on her to pay their salaries? We’ve come a long way to have a come to Jesus meeting with her, and you’re poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.” Turning her attention on Jen, the woman’s eyes narrowed and her bony hand, complete with fake fingernails that looked more like talons, went to her hips. Well, aren’t you just the picture of class and sophistication? “This doesn’t concern you, Barbie, get out.” Barbie? Oh, game on.
“Listen slore, I have to pee. If you have an issue with Miss Congeniality take it outside. I
don’t want to listen to it.”
“Slore? What the fuck is a slore?”
“Well, I couldn’t decide if you were a slut or a whore, so…” Jen welcomed the woman’s attention. Let her focus on me, I need to expend some energy before Sage gets here anyway. She’d missed her other honey something fierce and the way things stood now she was going to jump him the minute he walked through the door…and she wasn’t going to care where they were.
The woman stared at her as if she was speaking a foreign language. Great, she’s a dimwitted slore. Jen was going to have to give some thought about how to combine all of those into one ingenious term. She’d always considered her ability to creatively combine curse words one of her gifts…apparently this little piece of trash didn’t agree. Yeah, I’m heartbroken.
“Just get out while I deal with Motor Mouth.”
“Hey, there’s no reason to be ugly. I’m just outgoin’, everybody says so. I don’t want any trouble…sugar and spice and all that’s nice, and all that, ya know?” The woman Jen knew was named Maria Randall spun around and stared at Tobi as if she’d just grown a second head. Tobi shrugged before giving Jen a dazzling smile. “I don’t think she’s gettin’ enough nooky from Mr. Skinny Jeans out there. A couple of good orgasms would probably sweeten her up a lot.” With those parting words, Tobi recapped the lipstick she’d been reapplying and made a move for the door.
“What the hell? How did I end up in a dumpy bathroom with Dumb and Dumber?”
Jen had had enough of Maria’s nastiness, brushing past Maria, she let the chunky heel of her boots graze the top of the woman’s Gucci sandals. She shouldn’t be wearing those in Pine Creek, Montana anyway. When in Rome, bitch.
Josie didn’t even want to think about what was happening in the bathroom. Marie was usually straight up wicked, Tobi was a wild card, and the blonde chick didn’t look like she was in the mood to take any shit. Yes, indeed…a perfect storm.
She refocused on the man sitting across from her…a man who was supposed to be her most trusted ally. Josie hadn’t ever seen him as a friend in the traditional sense, but she’d respected his professional opinion and felt he’d respected her talent. Finding out he’d been stealing from her from the beginning was a devastating blow.
Not only was she furious with him for what he was doing, she was also disappointed in herself for not being more aware of what was happening around her. They didn’t have all the evidence yet, but Josie was convinced this man was behind all the trouble she’d experienced during the last half of the tour, what she didn’t know was why.
“Let’s cut to the chase, Todd. Why are you here? And how did you find me?” Josie tried to modulate the anger in her attitude because she wanted answers. The only piece of advice Sage Morgan had given her before this meeting was to remember it was impossible to negotiate with an adversary. Don’t make enemies if you don’t have to. Oddly enough, his words brought her back to center.
“I put a tracker in your purse.” He raised his hand to still her when she opened her mouth to protest. “After you disappeared before the second half of the tour, I was worried about you. That was totally out of character, and I didn’t want someone taking advantage of you.” Is he fucking serious? She was going to interpret that as ‘I don’t want someone horning in on my turf and getting in on the action.’ Josie dropped her hands into her lap to keep him from seeing them shake.
“I’m an adult, and I work hard…I’m entitled to a weekend off.” The man needed to remember he was her manager, not her father.
“You didn’t tell anyone where you were going or when you’d be back for Christ’s sake. What were we supposed to think?”
“Do you track everyone on the tour roster?” Taking a deep breath and trying to remember she’d catch more flies with sugar than vinegar. Josie looked at the man she’d worked with for the better part of a decade and wondered how many other people in her life were this deceptive.
“Of course not. Josephine, stop acting like a petulant child. Now, did you pack up your rental car like I told you to?” What? Pack up? Just before she blew it by letting her confusion show, Josie remembered Phoenix telling her to roll with the conversation because he’d been texting from her phone during their trip to town. As she’d watched him send a text and check his laptop without missing a beat in their conversation, Josie decided he was the most multitasking man she’d ever met.
“Sure, it’s parked down the street. Why are you so anxious for me to go back to L.A.?” Couldn’t be because you can’t get your mitts on my money, could it? “I’m writing and enjoying myself. Besides, I don’t really have a home to go back to, remember?”
“I need you to sign some new paperwork for the bank so I can pay a few last minute expenses from the tour.”
“We need to talk about the money situation. I’ve hired an accountant to review my income and expenditures for the past couple of years. Things just don’t add up, Todd. Something isn’t right, have you noticed any irregularities?” She could swear his normally pasty white complexion paled even more as he stared back at her. Shrugging she added, “I just want to be sure everything is okay before the next tour. Did you by any chance bring the bills with you? I could pass them along to the accountant and make sure they’re paid.”
“They’re in the car. As soon as Maria gets back, we’ll walk down, and I’ll get them for you. Make sure your new accountant gets them paid right away because it’s my reputation that’s on the line.” His reputation? The man is delusional.
It was getting harder and harder to pretend nothing had changed between them when in fact everything had changed. The door to the bathroom slammed shut, and Maria stomped back to the table muttering about hicks and cretins. “Let’s go. I’m not staying in this town any longer. Between Chatty Fucking Cathy and Bimbo Barbie, I’ve had enough.” She turned to Josie glowering. “I was going to drive your rental back to the airport, but you can pay some banjo playing inbreeder to do it. I said, let’s fucking go.” Her last words were said between clenched teeth and sounded almost demonic. Josie wondered for a minute if the woman wasn’t going to sprout horns and a tail.
Todd scooted out and held out his hand to Josie. “I’m going to the restroom before we go anywhere. I want to check on my friend.” She was out of her seat and down the hall before they had a chance to protest or alert anyone…or so she thought.
Taz Ledek hit the front door of the small sheriff’s office with so much force he heard the wood splinter behind him. He’d always been very in tune with his surroundings—almost to the point of being able to anticipate what was about to happen. He heard Josephine Alta say she was heading to the can and knew instinctively she was walking into a trap. None of them had stopped to consider there might be a third player. It made perfect sense—Todd Richland would have suspected his cash cow had gotten wise when she kicked him off from the money train.
He could hear shouting behind him as the others followed him out of the door. Taz knew Nate was right on his heels as he pointed to his right and hoped like hell his brother would head to the other end of the block. He veered to the left making his way into the alley behind the diner just in time to dodge the van speeding toward him. The mirror clipped his shoulder sending him sprawling on the ground. By the time he rolled over the damned thing was long gone.
Nate appeared in front of him seconds later, extending a hand he pulled Taz to his feet. “The plate was covered so don’t beat yourself up about missing it. How’s your shoulder?”
“I’m going to kick that fucker’s ass.” Taz rolled his shoulder making sure the van’s oversized mirror hadn’t done any real damage. He was going to be sore as hell, but he didn’t think anything was broken.
“There’s probably going to be a line. Colt gets first dibs, and I get whatever’s left.” Sam McCall was brushing the dirt from his pants and had a goose egg forming above his left temple.
“Jesus, McCall, I’ve never known anybody to get the drop on you.” And it was true, Sa
m McCall was almost a legend in Navy SEAL lore. He’d never lost a man on a mission and had walked away with a mission success rate that topped ninety-eight percent.
“I’m getting too old for this shit. Tasers and baseball bats are for the young and foolish.” They made their way through the backdoor of the diner just as Brandt Morgan led Todd Richland and Marie Randall out of the front.
The diner was complete and utter chaos. Tobi was crying because she felt like she’d failed to protect her friend. Kyle and Kent were trying to get her to go back to the ranch with Phoenix, who looked a half second away from leaving without her. He wanted access to his computers, he’d need his home network to track the secondary unit she was wearing. Nobody doubted the men who’d taken Josie would find the wire in her purse. Their best hope was to track her with the bracelet Tobi had lent her and for that, Phoenix needed to be home.
Chapter Fifteen
Colt tried to tune out everything but Josie’s voice coming through the speakers. She didn’t sound frightened which he found both reassuming and worrisome. He was thankful she wasn’t afraid, but he didn’t want her over-confident either because that could get her hurt. “What do you guys want? Why rush me out of the back of the diner? If you really were there to give me a ride back to my rental car, why not let me walk out the front?”
“Shut up, Ms. Alta. We aren’t being paid to answer your questions.”
“Well aren’t you Prince Fucking Charming? Did my manager hire you?” There was a long silence before he heard her sigh. “I need to pee. If you’ll pull over up ahead a ways, there’s a small lake just a little way off the road. That way no one will see me, and you won’t have to stop at a convenience store.”