Crash had met and investigated Kayla’s father, so had Tuck. The fucker was a businessman. Crash didn’t doubt he had some kind of power, he was wealthy after all, but what she was saying indicated something else entirely and none of their research indicated that shit.
“That is a bunch of bullshit if I have ever heard it. What the fuck, Tuck? Let’s just get on with this.”
“You know what, fuck you!” Braya yelled. “I’m not lying about our parents. The people they associate with are devious. If they felt they could or would be able to influence either of our families by using us, they would in a second. In my sister’s and my world, children are pawns or weaknesses, nothing more. You don’t get to judge that.”
“Princess, I can judge any fucking thing I want. You have the misconception we didn’t check out Kayla’s family thoroughly, and the shit you're saying doesn’t add up to the reports we have. The research trained professional put hours into.”
“Well, your ‘trained professionals’ didn’t find me, so how good are they?”
“Alright, you two stop it, and let’s get on with it,” Tuck chided as if he and Braya were naughty children. Asshole.
"Fine, Kayla found information her father was involved in her kidnapping and torture. It was a business deal of some sort. Her father made a bad move, and until he could fix it, he used Kayla as collateral.”
“If what you’re saying is true, the fucker sold her out, there wasn’t any collateral involved because if we hadn’t come in when we did, there is no doubt in my mind, Kayla would have been six feet under. Again, your story isn’t adding up.”
Braya exhaled a long breath, exasperated or annoyed. and “Anyway, she wanted to investigate it, and I told her not to,” she said, only looking at Tuck. “She didn’t listen, and now, I don’t know where she is, but I can get the information she gathered to find out. That’s why I’m here… period. If you aren’t the people she thought you were, fine, I’ll deal and figure out another way to get that information and find my sister, but what I’ll not do is justify my relationship with her to people I don’t know or care to know, at this moment.”
“Then why the fuck are you even here, Braya?”
This time she looked at him, and Crash liked having her full attention.
“Like I said before, she trusted you. I might be grateful for your part in saving her from those people who hurt her, but I don’t know you, and I sure as fuck don’t trust you. So, to answer your question, I’m here because my sister asked me to come. That’s it.”
Chapter Five
Braya was tempted to get up and leave the fucking office and put all this shit behind her, but her sister's letter held her back. She needed this person, Ryker “Crash” St. John, to get the information. Kayla knew she would go off on her own and had in her own way protected Braya; at least, that’s what she kept trying to convince herself of. When she first read the letter, she wanted to fly to El Paso, go to the fucking bank, and get into the safe deposit box, but without this Crash person, she couldn’t. The box had to be opened by both of them. She needed his fingerprint, just like he needed hers.
Braya briefly looked down at Tuck's desk, then at Crash’s hand, debating if the finger needed to be attached to the asshole. Her stomach turned, and she realized even if she had the balls to do something like that—which she didn’t, she doubted she would be able to get past either man or the men in the other room. Tuck smirked at her, and a small part of her thought he knew exactly what she was thinking. But it was so far out of the box for her, she doubted it. Well, maybe he looked a little too cocky not to know where her thoughts had gone.
That was when he picked up her letter and handed it to Crash. She had read it so many times, she had it memorized, but she still watched as his eyes moved to skim over each word.
Braya,
If you are getting this letter, I’m in trouble. I know you told me not to do it, but after I found out that information about my Dad, I just couldn’t let it go. He sold me out to those monsters, and he can’t get away with it. I’m sorry, but I know you will understand after what your mother did to you.
I'm not bringing that up to hurt you, just to make you understand why I had to do this. I found more information, a lot more. At first, I didn’t realize the hornet's nest I was rousing, but it’s too late for any of that now. My father and your mother are in deep with an organization called the Perez Cartel. They have been doing business with them for years. Any illegal, disgusting, and atrocious activity you can think of, they are buried in it up to their necks, and I have the proof. That’s probably why you’re receiving this letter now because they have found out. Don’t worry about me, I accept the course my life has taken, and more importantly, I accept the consequences for my actions in this. It was my choice, Bray. Don’t try to save me, it’s a lost cause, has been for a long time. I haven’t been living a full life, and after what happened, I don’t think I ever will, but you have a chance. If I could have figured out another way to do this, you know I would have. I love you sister, with all my heart.
If you don’t hear from me in two weeks, you need to get to the information. I put a slip drive in a safe deposit box at the El Paso National Bank. It’s in your name, but you need to contact Tucker Masterson. I’ve included his number in another note, which also contains all the account information as well as the bank information before you do anything. I mean it, Bray, don’t do anything until you have contacted him, this is too dangerous. He will help you. I have included another letter for Ryker St. John. He will be with Tuck. He’s a little rough around the edges, Braya, but I trust him with my life and more importantly, yours.
Our parents have messed with us enough, it’s time we take something from them and let them feel the hurt, betrayal, and torture they have put us through for so many years. Let them fall and crash to the bottom where they forced us for so many years. It’s time we took something back for ourselves. The only way we can do that is to take them and that scum cartel down.
I can’t say it enough, Bray, don’t try to do this by yourself. I have no idea who is watching me or you, at this point. This is dangerous. These guys might be rough around the edges, but they are good men. Trust them, and more importantly, trust yourself. Don’t let her win. Crash has the skills you’ll need. Get the information and hand it over to him. He and the RBMC will know what to do with it.
If I could have found another way to do this without involving you, I would have, please know that.
Love you with all my heart, Kayla.
Braya glanced at Tuck, but her main focus was on Crash. His face had started to turn an angry red while he read the letter. She could see his jaw tighten, and there was a vein in his forehead she could have sworn started to bulge. She and Tuck had given him enough time to read the letter twice, completely quiet, but the quiet was getting to her. It was one of the reasons she chose to be a preschool teacher; there was always noise and organized chaos when dealing with little kids. Braya didn’t do well with quiet, one of the disciplinary tactics her Mother often applied when she was a child—the quiet before the storm as she liked to call it. Her mother would go days without speaking to her, not allowing anyone else to speak to her either. Of course, that was one of the milder forms of punishment her mother had implemented but very effective one for a young, lonely, hyperactive child. It was also one of the triggers she couldn’t shake, no matter how much therapy she had. Braya just hated the quiet.
“Explain!” Crash demanded, throwing the letter down on Tuck's desk.
That was it, just one word, and Braya didn’t have the first clue on how to do that without ripping herself apart. She knew Kayla would understand this part was coming because of the letter, and for some reason, her sister felt it was a necessary evil to put Braya’s past out there. She didn’t like it, sure as fuck didn’t want to do it but knew she was going to. Taking a deep breath, well several, and steeling herself, she started.
“My mother is Daicota Aideen McLoughlin.
” She paused for a second to see if either man would recognize the name. Tuck’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say a word. Crash, on the other hand, started cursing rapidly and stood from his seat, walking toward the door, fists clenched before whirling around on her.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me! We have a fucking Mexican Cartel after us and obviously, your sister, and now, you're adding in the Irish Mafia!”
“That isn’t even the worst of it,” Braya laughed, but not in humor. These men had no idea what else she was bringing to the table or specifically, what Kayla had brought to the table. “Kayla’s father is Duncan Stewart, which I’m sure you already know. What I don’t think you are aware of—because it’s a highly kept family secret—is his brother-in-law is Oscar Giovanni.”
Crash just looked at her, but this time, Tuck swore under his breath. Yeah, she was aware, had always been aware, of the implications of her family and Kay’s. The Irish and Italian mobs were nothing to mess with, but she still had another little piece to the puzzle she hated but needed to add. Crash moved back to the seat and threw himself into it, none too gently.
“Let me guess, Russian Mob? Has to be,” Crash said, throwing his hands in the air.
“Ding, ding, ding got it in one,” Braya sarcastically and somewhat sadly said. “I don’t know if you win a prize exactly, but at least you now kind of know what we are dealing with here.”
“No, that explanation, your family or family ties gives us no idea what we’re dealing with or how you and Kayla are involved,” Crash said, just as sarcastically.
“True, so let me break it down for you. Our parents are not good people. They were raised in a life they like very much and will do anything to keep it—including selling their daughters to do it. Hell, half the time, I think that they only had children in the first place to serve that purpose. Another bargaining chip to add to their arsenals. But hey, that’s just my theory. Kayla has others.” Braya held up her hand when she noticed that Crash was going to ask a question. “I will not get into that. What I’ll tell you is both of us, Kay and me, were raised a certain way, and until we were able to find our way out, we obeyed the rules. For me, it was when my mother finally went too far and put me in a situation that damaged the ‘family’s’ reputation, making my grandfather step in. He gave her a choice—cut all ties with me or suffer the consequences. My mother didn’t even blink an eye. She gave me a couple hundred bucks,put me on the first plane she could find going to the states, and sent me on my way.
“For Kayla, it wasn’t that easy. Her father, for all intents and purposes, to the outside world seems on the up and up. I’m sure your organization, from what Kayla has told me, would never have dealt with him in the first place if you found otherwise,” Braya challenged.
“Seems like Kayla has been talking about things she shouldn’t have,” Tuck grumbled, but the look he gave Crash was one of promised retribution and censure. Braya wasn’t overly fond of the man, but she also wouldn’t let him suffer for something that wasn’t his fault.
“My sister and I were taught at a very young age to watch, learn, and protect ourselves from the people we were close to; your organization wasn’t exempt from that. Kayla told me she felt safe with you guys around. That meant, at least to me, she checked you out as thoroughly as I’m sure you all thought you checked out the two of us. Unfortunately for you, our lives are hidden between layers of bullshit so thick, even your best detectives or hackers couldn’t wade their way through it. Our families, and even us, made sure of it.”
Braya knew her family connections would be a surprise, but she had left another bomb to throw at them. Even though she wanted to keep it to herself because the consequences of her knowing this shit were catastrophic, she felt it was necessary.
“If we are going to go tit for tat, I also feel like I must tell you I know that your organization, the RBMC, is a very elaborate cover.” Braya hurried to finish because she could already see the anger in each of the men's faces, “That although you fit into this lifestyle as outlaw bikers and enjoy it, you are really working for—and have since your inception—the government, along with several alphabet agencies.”
“What the Fuck!” This time it was Tuck who stood up, only he didn’t move from behind his desk, just pounded on it once and braced his fists down after leaning forward so he was as close to her face as the desk would allow. “I think you better expand on that, Braya Collins, or whoever the fuck you are. No one in the civilian world should have that information or anything close to it.”
Braya was a little taken back and kind of surprised the stoic man had allowed himself to become frazzled. Even though she knew what she said was accurate information, Braya had expected him or both of them to deny it. He was admitting the correctness of her statement without confirming the words, and that didn’t compute with what she knew about these men, these highly trained disciplined soldiers.
Braya had been scared and uncomfortable since she walked into the RBMC Clubhouse, but this was the first time she actually felt threatened. Hell, who wouldn’t be in her position? A clearly dangerous man—who was over a foot taller and outweighed her in pure muscle by at least a hundred and fifty pounds if not more—was in her face, glaring, complete with a menacing scowl. She knew this was going to be a touchy subject but figured it was better to lay all her cards on the table, instead of holding them close to the vest. Maybe that was a mistake. Braya pulled back a little but hopefully, not enough to show her fear or that he was freaking her out.
“I’m sorry, but because of the way we grew up, Kay and I have a tendency to research anyone and everyone we’re around.” Braya held up her hands as if she could hold off the man or placate him in some way, pleading with him to understand and not react in a more violent way.
“It has saved us more than once. The information we find isn’t shared with anyone besides the two of us and in ways it would be impossible for someone to decipher. Plus, if it makes you feel any better, we’ve had this information for a long time... years. Your club or members have never been in danger because of Kayla or me.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better,” Tuck spat, but he sat down, making Braya feel a hell of a lot better. Taking that as her cue, she went on.
“Like I said, my family was in your face, and Kay was back door sneaky. I’ve already told you I was overseas when Kayla was taken. I didn’t find out until months afterward. But once we reconnected, we discussed it at length, and Kay and I both believed her father or possibly my Mother had something to do with her being taken. Kayla wasn’t a party girl, she had moments, but she was never all out. There was no reason for those men to single her out, take her, and do what they did.”
Crash hadn’t been wrong. Braya hadn’t been there for Kayla, but she had seen the damaged caused by her sister's tormentors, and it was horrific. The memory of seeing the photos gave her nightmares to this very day. Braya cleared her throat; she didn’t like this part, but just like the rest, she needed to say it.
“She’d been out with a group of friends, all affluent and dare I say it, some of the girls were knockout beautiful. Kayla is my sister, and I think she’s gorgeous, but in that group, she was mid to back of the line pretty or cute.”
Tuck brought his hands up to his chest and linked them, leaning back in his chair.
“Looks are subjective to men like that when they see something they like. Maybe she looked at one of them a little too long, hell, who knows. Your observations on this don’t link up to any major conspiracy to get your sister.”
“I will give you that one,” Braya said, holding up a finger. “But Kayla also wasn’t trusting or naïve though she may play that role on occasion; I know better. We were taught better—had it beaten into us from a young age to watch your surroundings and never trust another living soul.”
“Again,” Tuck said, “doesn’t prove or disprove anything. You’re dealing with outlaws, some of them don’t give a shit if the chick is willing or not. Hell, her p
aying attention or being drunk off her ass, neither would matter.”
“I know that, so does Kayla. For a long time, she convinced herself it was something she had done or provoked, but it never made sense, especially when at the same time, I was also taken.”
“WHAT?” Crash bellowed after being surprisingly quiet for so long, startling Braya.
She had the urge to comfort him, which threw her off because she really didn’t like the man. But she couldn’t help patting the grumpy man on his arm, offering some reassurance, maybe. Hell, she didn’t know, she just felt like she had to do it. The moment passed, and she removed her hand. Really, if she thought too hard about it, she would realize how stupid her action really was. This tatted up, gorgeous, muscle-bound man didn’t care about her in any way. She mentally shoo herself from her thoughts.
“Anyway, like I said, Kayla was taken, and your team rescued her, yet her father, a multimillionaire, never once contacted the officials, you, or anyone for that matter about her disappearance. He never pulled out any money for a ransom, and to our knowledge, a ransom call or demand was never received. We were able to find out your organization actually stumbled upon her by mistake.”
“Ms. Collins, you have an awful lot of information you should not have. I’m wondering if maybe you’re the naive one here. You must realize the cost of telling us all of this,”
Damn, she was Ms. Collins again which meant that she was quickly losing favor, and the threat Tuck just delivered wasn’t as in her face as the other, but it somehow cut deeper with promise.
Crash: Ruthless Bastards (RBMC Book 9) Page 4