“Are you kidding me? I’ve been coming in and seeing Isla, felt the attraction immediately. I swear she feels it, too, but maybe it’s like Kane was saying to me the other day. That she needs time to heal, to get the counseling she’s getting with Charlie.”
“Makes sense. She was abducted. Who knows what those men did to her while she was held prisoner.
“I know. I don’t want to think about it, yet I understand her fears. I believe Ortley could, too, since he was held captive while serving. I swear that’s why he’s such a headstrong drill sergeant for the military.”
Finn chuckled. “Your brother Ortley is a bad ass instructor even at the dojo when he trains. I’ve seen some of the guys come out of the training session, and they are exhausted and a bit banged up.”
“All good training skills to help active duty soldiers.”
Their radios went off indicating there was a small fender bender on the outskirts of town.
“I’ll take it. Catch ya later,” Montana said, and then headed to the patrol car.
Finn looked back at the café. So badly he wanted to walk in there, sit down and talk to York, but he couldn’t be too pushy. Since that night they made out in her kitchen she had put up the walls and pretended it never happened. He wasn’t going to pretend it never happened. He wanted more, and he wanted his brothers to start engaging her more and breaking down those walls she put up. He just needed to convince them that she wasn’t too young, and that she felt the attraction, too, but something held her back.
Chapter 1
“Mo, how could you? How?” Gale Fayer asked as she leaned against the bed on the rug, holding her cheek, feeling the tears fall from her eyes and her heart ache. He lied to her. Said he would never hit her again. A month back into her home, her bed, and today he lost it. The old Mo reared his ugly head.
He was breathing through his nostrils and pacing. He ran his hand along his jaw, then pointed down at her. “The rules haven’t changed, Gale. You don’t ask me questions about my business, about where I go, who I see, what I’m involved in.”
“You said you were done. That you changed. That prison changed you.”
“It sure the fuck did. Made me see what I deserve and what I need to go after no matter what the consequences. I’ve got something big brewing, Gale. I don’t need your white trash ignorant fucking ways getting in my head, in my way.”
She was insulted. She wasn’t white trash. The tears fell. “I’m not the same woman either, Mo. I’m not. I have a good job. I paid for this house. I buy my own clothes.”
“Oh yeah, you were doing so great before I came back, and you don’t need my money? Where did you get the fucking new wardrobe, Gale? The new shoes, the jewelry?” he asked, and shoved at her shirt, pulled on it and then flicked her chin. Her cheek still throbbed from the strike to her face. Tears fell. She loved him. Always had, and it didn’t seem to matter what he did, she feared him and accepted him back. He had a hold on her.
“Now fix up. I got people coming here in an hour to talk business. You stay in your room and you don’t come out until I tell you to,” he ordered.
“I have work to get ready for,” she said, and began to get up. He grabbed her by her arm, hauled her up to her feet and then tossed her onto the bed. She gasped at his quick moves, his strength, as he yanked her to the edge of the bed and pressed over her. She lay there, legs wide, only a t shirt on. He wore only his jeans and no shirt.
He ran his palms up her thighs and touched her mound. “You quit that fucking job. Your job is to be here for me. To serve me, and be where I need you,” he said, and then stared into her eyes, then at her cheek.
“Cover that shit up good. We have someplace to go tonight,” he told her, and glided his thumb along the bruises on her cheekbone. She cringed from the ache. He paused, and then stroked her mound. “You’re a good woman, Gale. I know there haven’t been any other men. I know you’ve been faithful, and that’s why I came back to you. That’s why I’m here, baby. To take care of you, provide for you, and be a family. In no time York will be back and will be part of this family, because you’ll help her see she’s wanted and needed here, too.” Her eyes widened and she started to shake her head. He slid fingers deeper, and then gripped her throat, pressing his body harder against her to make her thighs spread wider. The tears filled her eyes. “You are mine. You just forgot about the rules, Gale, but don’t worry. I’ll remind you of all of them, and things will be like they used to be in no time at all.” He squeezed her throat a little tighter and lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, as he thrust his fingers and plunged her back into that cold, dark place she nearly died in only three short years ago. York was right. Mo would never change, only get worse, and only wanted one thing. Money.
Mo Fayer was nervous. There was a lot riding on this deal. People needed to remain anonymous, and gathering in one spot was a risk for all of them, but they each needed to know the team was on board. This new guy, whose name Mo didn’t know, had been a surprise addition to the team. A cousin of Lurk, he had some inside connections to the casino in Vegas. To certain private sporting events and closed bets with large sums of money. Those connections could bring Mo and the team to the next level. Hell, beyond that. He had to really stay focused. So far, his mathematical capabilities would bring their winnings a little further, but what was really needed were skills beyond him. Skills that only one person he knew had, and that was York.
She was the real reason he was even back in Texas, and here to engage Gale and win her over. She would be the way to get to York and get her back under his thumb. As they slowly began to start the meeting and discuss the small heist before the larger one, he sensed he was over his head here. Lurk had his cell phone on speaker with his cousin and everyone gathered around the table.
“We got some great contacts in Nevada. A good place to organize the team, and then return to and hide out for a few weeks while things blow over,” Grange, one of the other members of the team, told them.
Foyer remained silent, he was more like the cleanup crew, and the spotter. He let them know when something was up, someone was watching, and he also had a knack for getting through security systems of every kind.
“We seem to have all the bases covered for this test run. However, Vegas is going to be much different. That small venue has security cameras hooked into the computer system, and there’s no way through it to disarm them or temporarily suspend their capabilities,” the guy on the phone said to them.
Mo didn’t like not knowing the guy’s name, but he trusted Lurk. They’d been at this kind of thing all their lives. “We’ll work on that between now and after this other operation.”
“I’ve heard about your secret weapon, Mo, but also about how you aren’t in contact at all with them. Any particular reason why?” the guy asked.
“None of your business why. There’s no need to worry. I will get in contact soon enough. This small hit will give us the money we need to begin the next stages of that operation. For now, let’s focus on this hit. We stand to pull out three million. That’s a nice cut across five ways.”
“That it is, if we pull it off. I’m sending Lurk the newest information on security and breaching the room where the safes are. The computer systems will be down for fifteen minutes. That’s all the time you’ll have to slide in and then slide out.”
“And security guards?” Lurk asked.
“Six. Two are by that room, so they may need to be eliminated. Don’t take any chances. Dead men can’t speak or give descriptions,” he said. The men chuckled.
“Mo and I got this,” Grange said, and gave Mo a nod of his head. They watched out for one another, and this job wouldn’t be any different.
“Let’s go over your job, Mo, since you’re the computer and numbers whiz. No mistakes or we’ll all be going to jail for life,” the guy said.
Mo was nervous. He was to the point of his capacity of knowledge with the computers and hacking into systems. He knew he was runn
ing out of time to try and get York back into their lives. He would hate to have to hurt Gale more, or worse, let Vin use his power and pull. Vin was still interested in York. In making her his woman despite the difference in age. Vin was forty, had his share of women and then some. He was evil, manipulative, and he thought nothing of selling off people to the highest bidder, but he was obsessed with York. Mo thought maybe the man was over her, and how she escaped assault from him, but it seemed to just make him desire her more. Mo just needed York one last time, then Vin could have her for whatever he wanted her for. Although, Vin’s last steady lay wound up as a punching bag and eventually dead, he seemed even more obsessed with York than ever before, and talked in long terms about her. Referred to York as his future wife, and spending time with her at his house in Hawaii. Maybe that info would give Gale enough peace of mind to force her to comply and help him. He had time, but not that much.
“Sounds like a plan. Let’s meet at the hotel at seven. Scope out the club, the security, and prepare for the hit in a few days,” Lurk said to them, and they all agreed. Lurk ended the call with his cousin.
“So, when are we going to get to meet this cousin of yours and learn his name, too?” Mo asked.
“Yeah, I’m curious,” Grange added.
“Not sure he will ever allow that. He’s trustworthy and has deep connections to shit that will help us all get rich. Who cares what he looks like?” Lurk said and smiled. The others chuckled and Mo nodded. He had a lot of planning to do, and it would start with putting the pressure on Gale.
Chapter 2
“Come on darling, tell me the truth. Are you seeing someone?” Clifford Scott asked York.
She moved his hand from her hip and gave a soft smile. “Clifford, I’ve told you before that I’m not interested. Now, why don’t you go back and join your friends? The bar will be closing down in just another hour.”
He stared down into her eyes. She got that uneasy sensation and recognized that look immediately, and she hoped he didn’t cause any trouble tonight. She wasn’t in the mood at all.
He reached up and stroked her jaw, but pulled back before she needed to move it. “I’ve got my eyes on you, girl. We’d be good together, I can tell. Plan on me walking you out and us talking a bit,” he said to her as if she would just allow that. Hell, maybe swoon over him. Jesus.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him a look like he was out of his mind. “Clifford, get real, will ya? We are not an item. We are never going to happen. Now don’t make me angry.” She turned and walked away, and as she went to glance over her shoulder to make sure that Clifford wasn’t going to follow her, she saw him in a dead stare at her, licking his lips and looking at her ass in the dress she wore tonight. Once again, she got that uneasy feeling. She had no tolerance for pushy men. Men who demanded and just expected a woman to spread her legs. There were very few men like that around Cherry Hill, and Clifford came from the town over in Benter. He had been coming around more often, always striking up conversations with her and always watching her. She felt her cell phone buzz and reached for it as she came by the bar.
“Hey, all good or is he going to be a problem tonight?” Ade asked her.
She glanced at the cell phone and saw it was her mom. “I think it will be fine. He hit the tequila tonight with his buddies.”
“Well, I’ll keep a watch and walk you out, although I know you’ll have escorts already,” he said, and her cell phone buzzed again.
She ignored Ade’s teasing about Finn and Lotus showing up to make sure she got out of work and home safely. She hated to believe she was getting used to it and liking it, and then her thoughts went to her mom’s third text. She stood in the hallway by the entrance to the bar and read the texts.
Everything is good. Your father made me quit my job.
When can I see you?
Lunch tomorrow?
York stared at the text messages. She barely spoke to her mom after everything that happened with her dad. Her mom was weak, easily manipulated, and although she had nothing to do with York’s assault and near rape by Vin, she knew the man wanted her, and that her father was willing to sell her to Vin to cover his debt. Her heart began to race, and it wasn’t with fear, but with anger and disgust. She texted back.
Why would you quit your job? You worked hard for that position.
She pressed send, but she wanted to add was that she would regret that when Mo left her again or got locked up. How could her mom be so stupid? Did she think she didn’t deserve better? With that thought came the guilt York had for helping her dad in that robbery in order to save her mom’s life. Was that the game, the angle her dad was playing now once again? She wasn’t sure because this time he wasn’t broke, but had money. How? Where did he get it? What was he planning?
Let’s talk in person. It isn’t like I planned to quit, but you know Mo. Please say you’ll meet me for lunch.
Yeah, I do know Mo and he’s no good. Shit. She ran her fingers through her hair and leaned against the wall. Suddenly, she felt the headache coming on. Then came the thoughts from the past, the assault, and how she was nearly raped, her virginity nearly stolen from her just like her youth, her innocence. She slammed her fist against the wall lightly.
“Hey, what’s going on?” She heard Isla’s voice and turned to look at her.
“Nothing, just a headache coming on.”
“Well, there’s some stuff in the back office. You can take it and then rest until it kicks in. The place is dying down.”
York gave a soft smile and then nodded. She looked at her cell phone and texted while she walked.
Got too much going on right now. Another time, maybe.
Deputy Lotus McCuen had been caught up on a call and nearly missed following York home. He caught sight of her blue jeep as she rounded the corner a block away from Harper’s. He glanced at the clock. Three a.m. He thought about her long, blonde hair, those deep blue eyes of hers, and how sexy of a body she had. He wondered if she would go to the dojo tomorrow for that class with Culter. Lotus planned on attending his class with Ortley, Marco, Cab, and Finn, unless they were stuck at work. As he followed her home, he caught sight of her pulling into her driveway by the small cottage. Then she got out and looked right at him. He parked the car, got out and headed toward her.
“I’m fine Lotus. You didn’t need to follow me,” she snapped at him.
“We do every night you work. I would have been there sooner, but we had a call we were on.”
“I’m fine,” she said, and held her fingertip to her temple.
“Are you okay, baby?” he asked her, and she stared up at him and he could see she was tired, but also appeared emotional. He reached out and caressed her arm. “You feeling all right?” he asked.
“Bad headache, and a long night.” She unlocked her door. He followed her inside. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
He stepped closer and reached up and caressed her jaw. “I do though,” he said, and gazed over her breasts in the tight, navy blue dress she wore tonight. Even in high heels she was a bit shorter than him.
“Lotus.”
He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She gasped, placing one hand on his forearm and the other palm forward against his chest. He felt the heat of her palm, the femininity of embracing her. “I don’t mind looking after you, baby. You got to know that by now.” He held her gaze.
“Lotus, I’m tired and this headache is getting worse.”
“Did you take anything for it?”
“A couple of hours ago,” she whispered, and stared right up at him. He moved his palm from her cheek and jaw to her lip, then brushed his thumb over the bottom one.
As he lowered down, she turned away and his lips hit her neck. He pulled her snugger against him and kissed her skin, wishing she let him kiss her lips.
“Lotus, what happened between Finn and me was a mistake.” He pulled back and shook his head.
Love Will Find You Page 2