Tangled Threats on the Nomad Highway

by MariaLisa deMora

  “You call out, I’ll hear you. This house ain’t too big.” He stepped back and looped his arm around Luke’s neck. “We’ll be up in a while. Give you a little bit.”

  “Sounds good.” She shuffled forward and dropped a kiss against his temple before he could shrug away. “Love you, little brother. Love you too, Lukie.”

  With a glare at Truck over his shoulder, Thad guided Luke out of the room, and Marian relaxed a little more. Without turning around, she told him, “Mr. Truck—” That generated strained laughs, but she’d been told Myrt called him that, and the telling had sparked amusement, so any laughter meant she was on her way to successfully deflating the tension in the room. “He’s not a bad kid, just protective. Give him half a day and he’ll warm up to you.”

  “That’s something worth working towards, Maid Marian.” Gunny’s nickname for her in Truck’s thick accent made her want to laugh. “Keeping the whole of your little family safe is an even better goal. Myrt and Bane will be here in another day. He’ll loosen up then, once he knows she’s good.”

  “You’ve got a good intuition about you.” She spoke to Truck as she accepted Vanna’s extended elbow and leaned lightly on the older woman. “I think you’re a big ole softie with an even bigger heart.”

  “She’s got your number, old man.” Vanna’s pseudo whisper had the people in the room laughing, and that was such a pleasant sound Marian almost didn’t want to move away.

  The promise of an ache-easing hot shower was ample draw, though, and she followed Vanna’s guidance up the stairs. Pausing in the doorway to a large room, Marian took in the bed and other furnishings. Larger than any she’d ever seen, and she’d already thought the motel beds were huge, this bed held a novel number of pillows propped against the heavy wooden headboard. A full-sized couch sat along one wall, and a TV mounted on top of a dresser would be easily visible from either of the main pieces of furniture. Tables and plants were scattered around, and Marian thought it looked more like an apartment than a guest room.

  Noise on the stairs had her moving to the side of the door, and she watched as Vanna disappeared into a doorway across the room just as Truck walked in the entrance. Without asking, he identified the bags and dropped the duffels for the boys on the couch, carrying the trash bag that held Marian’s things to the bed.

  “There you go, girl.” As he passed her on his way back out the door, Truck lifted his hand and gently tucked a strand behind her ear, then was gone, only a spicy scent left in his wake.

  Knights in black armor.

  Vanna leaned around the doorframe and waved Marian forwards. “Shower’s running. It’ll be hot by the time we get you out of those clothes. Grab your pj’s while I get you a towel and me a chair.” She walked into the room. “Oh good, he listened.” Without asking permission, she unraveled the string holding the bag closed. “Just need panties and a big shirt to sleep in.”

  “I can do that.” Mortification unrooted Marian’s feet, and she closed the distance, jerking the bag out of Vanna’s hands. “Please. I’ve got it from here.”

  “Okay.” Passing over control of the bag, Vanna backed away a step. “I’m here if you need me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The honorific came naturally, easier than calling the woman Vanna Mom, and Marian’s shoulders loosened a tiny bit. “I’m okay. You don’t have to stay.”

  “I’m sure you are, but staying will ease my mind.”

  Marian pulled out the clothing needed and turned to the bathroom. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  “I’ll be here.” Vanna’s declaration held weight, the words hovering in the room like a profound statement.

  Marian paused and slowly turned, not sure what to do or say.

  “I will never understand a man like your father. Carelessly creating these tiny lives, little people who should be looked upon as gifts from God. But instead, a man like him sees these trusting, perfect children as assets to be used. Playing games with their well-being, with their futures, and only caring about how it impacts him in the end.” Vanna’s face twisted, features collapsing into a mask of grief. “A parent should love their children. Love and cherish them. I want you to know you aren’t alone, Marian.” Vanna’s shoulders lifted and straightened, and she stared Marian in the eyes. “I’ll always be here for you. You’re home now, girl.”

  Blinking back a sudden wash of tears, Marian could only nod, the movement going on for what felt like hours. She accepted Vanna’s words of censure for her father and his treatment of not only her but all her siblings. Took on the knowledge that Vanna understood what it was like to be forgotten until there was value in skills or the attractiveness of a growing body. Validated Vanna’s read on how badly she and her siblings needed someone to be in their corner.

  At the end, her head buzzing from the rapid rocking up and down, Marian turned and entered the bathroom. Face wet, she placed her clean clothing on the counter and dropped everything else to the floor. Shoulders heaving, she climbed into the shower and stood directly under the pounding flow of water. Biting her lips, she cried in silence, releasing all her bitterness and rage, imagining every moment was another pound of anger flowing down the drain.

  All her life she’d wanted better. For her. For Myrt. For the boys.

  It doesn’t matter how it happened. Better is here, finally.

  She vowed to embrace this offering with both arms. Take hold of the chance they’d been given and work it until everything was in place for her loved ones. She’d accept the help, their new place in a found family, and make sure no one ever had a reason to regret what they’d done.

  They’d been past due for a change in luck, and in this house in Florida, surrounded by strangers, she and the boys had found something worth holding to.

  Lucky me.

  Chapter Six

  Einstein

  “Head out.” Einstein flicked a finger towards the door. “I got tonight.”

  Marlin stared at him for only a single beat before laughing. “I’m not going to ask you if you’re sure. Gonna head home and sleep in my own goddamned bed for a change.” Shoving off the couch, he glanced towards the kitchen, then back at Einstein. “Call me if you need anything, or if anything changes.”

  “Will do, brother. Rest well.” Einstein’s gaze followed Marlin’s, taking in Trina hovering over Retro’s boys seated at the table. “See you tomorrow.”

  Retro’s old lady had taken their presence better than Einstein had hoped, not questioning the reasoning for upping the security levels at their home. The only thing she’d really said about it had been a plea, but not one Einstein could lay a promise to. “You’d tell me if he was in danger, wouldn’t you?” His response had been a flat stare, and she’d turned away with a huff of frustration.

  She knew. They all knew. After the events of the past year, none of them were safe.

  Chatter in the kitchen pulled his attention, and he rose from the couch, making it to the door in time to watch Marlin give Jimmy a high five, followed by a low five to Saya, then a quick side-hug to Trina. Einstein lifted a hand and waited until the door closed behind Marlin before turning to Trina and gesturing towards the living room with a tilt of his head.

  Once they were out of earshot of the boys, he told her, “Just me tonight. I’ll bunk downstairs, but don’t worry if you hear me movin’ around.” He stared over her head back into the kitchen, seeing the two boys already clearing the table. “Stick to your normal routine, just like you did with Marlin. We’ve got you, Trina.”

  “I wish I knew what warranted this level of protection.” She held up a hand between them like a stop sign, shaking her head. “I’m not badgering you for info. I know Retro wouldn’t ask for this if it wasn’t necessary. I just hate being in the dark.”

  Einstein took a moment to compare what he imagined Lauren’s reaction would be to Trina’s calm acceptance and shoved that thought aside. It didn’t matter if one would have argued while another agreed. Each answer was valid, and neither was wr
ong.

  “I understand, but in this instance, the answer can only come from Retro.” Pasting a regretful expression on his face, he lifted a shoulder.

  “And he’s on the road, I know.” She flashed him a grin that didn’t reach her eyes, faking an easy response just like he had. “I’ll pester him soon as I can talk to him. That way you’re off the hook.”

  “That’d be best.” He took a step towards the front door. “I’m going to do a circuit, check things outside while you get the kiddos buttoned up and ready for bed. Then I’ll shut the house down and set the alarm. You wake up worried, just give me a call. Phone’s always on me.”

  “Okay.” She didn’t move, staring hard at him. “I worry about you, Einstein.”

  “I’m good, little sister. No worries.” The pat answer rolled off his tongue as it had so many times in recent months. “Don’t gotta worry about me. Club’s got my back.”

  “I worry.” That grin reappeared, then faded. “If you ever need anything, I hope you know all you have to do is let us know. Retro would move heaven and earth to get you anything. Between him and me, we’ve got you covered.”

  “Nah. No need.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Doin’ my rounds.” His hand was on the knob, escape only a moment away. “Back in a few.”

  “I know you have to miss her. I only got to meet her the once, and we chatted for moments before she was called away, but she really seemed like a good woman. I can’t imagine not having Retro in my life, not after what we’ve shared.” Her voice cracked and broke. “And your little girl.”

  “Don’t.”

  He flattened a palm against the door, resting his forehead on the cool wood as rage swelled inside him against this woman who meant so much to his friend. The problem with her sympathy was it wasn’t her grief she was stirring up. Wasn’t her hurt she was laying bare again. Wasn’t anything other than a misdirected unspoken gladness that she still had her family, her husband, their children—while his was gone. In an instant, he was furious at her fumbling attempts to console herself.

  “For God’s sake, don’t.”

  “Jim.”

  A breeze drifted like a touch across the back of his neck, and he whirled, expecting her to have invaded his space, but Trina was clear across the room from where he stood. “Stop it.”

  “It’s okay to not be okay.” Her mouth didn’t move, and the soft words seemed to come from the air around him instead of her lips.

  Without another word, he whirled and flung open the interior door, fighting with the latch on the storm door for the space of a dozen mental curses. Then he was on the front walk, stalking away.

  “I’m sorry.” He never knew who he expected to hear his regret when he said it like this, alone, in the dark. The wetness on his face turned cold in the night air. “I’m so sorry.”

  Ignoring the ache in his chest, he made his way around the house and verified all the windows were closed, the garage locked, the pool house the same. When he reentered the house through the back door, only a nightlight remained on in the kitchen. On the countertop near the full coffeepot, he saw a plate and walked over to find a piece of cake and a note.

  I’m sorry. It’s not my place to bring up painful things. I know you’re a night owl so made you coffee, and Saya said this is your favorite cake. ~T

  “Dammit.” Why does she have to be so nice? It would be easier if he could just stay mad at her, but with a few words, she’d acknowledged the very things that had so angered him.

  Einstein filled a mug he pulled from the cabinet, taking in the scent of the dark, rich coffee with pleasure. He lifted the plate, holding the fork in place with his thumb, and turned to the table. A face hovered in the darkness outside, near enough to the window to be recognizable. “Motherfucker.” Returning the mug and plate to the countertop, he looked at the man outside again. “Son of a bitch.”

  Keying in the alarm sequence, he opened the door only wide enough that Dolph Chulpayev could grab it and keep it from slamming shut. Backing away, he reached behind him to where his gun rested in a waistband holster, releasing the strap holding it in place.

  “The fuck you want?”

  Trina’s father could be evicted from the property. That was a truth he knew, because he’d been here more than a year ago when it happened the first time. He’d heard about additional events that went down while he’d been holed up in his grief. Over the past months, however, it had become clear that Retro had an uneasy truce with his father-in-law. That meant Einstein needed to at least hear the man out before he pitched him back through the door.

  It shocked him when Dolph walked in alone, locking the door behind him and casually keying in the alarm code. That is something he should not know. Dammit. Another note to file away in his head. He would deal with it only once this man was gone from this space.

  Einstein looked through the windows, but no shadows moved. Nothing appeared out of place. Shifting around the kitchen towards the outside wall, he kept part of his attention on the door leading into the rest of the house. If Dolph had the code, he could have his men coming in the front door, ready to flank Einstein. Nerves fired along his spine, and he straightened, glancing out the windows again.

  “Yes, I am alone,” Dolph answered his unasked question. “I waited for Trina to retire. I should commend Retro on the diligence of his men. If I hadn’t been watching for you, I would never have seen you patrolling. Your other members—” The way Dolph’s mouth twisted said it all.

  “What do you want?” He ignored the slight against his brothers’ stealth abilities.

  “I have information Retro will want.” The pause was pregnant with tension, but Einstein opted to wait him out and force Dolph to continue. “It concerns the group responsible for your…” This pause was filled with Dolph’s heavy sigh. “Trouble.” The man’s accent gave the word a guttural tonality that resonated throughout Einstein.

  “The club’s trouble?” He had an intuition of what Dolph meant but wanted it spelled out. No guessing games, old man.

  “Your trouble.”

  Nail on the head. That’s what he’d expected, but it still caused his stomach to lurch. Einstein cleared his throat, suddenly unsteady. “Which group? There were a couple of parties involved in my…trouble.”

  “Old money backing Dominic and his men. The dons are not happy he failed to pick up the reins.”

  “If you’re talking about the info dump on Luciano, we already got that flagged and are pursuing.” The way Dolph’s eyes widened was gratifying. “Is there more?”

  “Yes. They have upped the ante in the past day. Franco is missing. His associates assume the worst, so they are dictating the son step in and step up. If he declines, they will pursue Dominic. If Dominic fails to satisfy, they will search for the brother.”

  “Old news, old man. Already got that too.” Folding his arms loosely over his chest, Einstein leaned back against the wall. From this position, he kept up his surveillance outside, through the door to the living room, and continued to observe Dolph closely. “You’re keeping me from my cake. If you don’t have anything new to offer, then kindly hie your ass back out the door.”

  “Did you ever meet Scar’s parents? Luciano and Pearl?”

  Einstein didn’t react, keeping his gaze flicking between the window, door, and man in front of him.

  “She is Native American. Luc met her in school and somehow convinced her to leave her family and move to the East Coast.”

  “What tribe?” This was new information, and Einstein could kick himself for not having anyone look deeper at the mother. They’d focused on the male-dominated relationships because of the Italian connection, and that now felt like a mistake. “She still with her old man?” The ease and familiarity with which Dolph spoke of Luciano didn’t escape Einstein, which was another note to keep and follow up on later. Calling him by a nickname wouldn’t be a mistake, so it’s something Dolph is expecting me to catch. “What about the brother? Are you saying he’s
going to be found with family?”

  “Your questions are many.” One corner of Dolph’s mouth pulled back. Not a smile, but not a disappointed grimace either. “Unfortunately, I only have a few answers. She’s Crow, the only one to have moved away from the Montana family home. As far as her relationship with Luc—”

  There’s that diminutive again.

  “—that is and always has been tumultuous. William—”

  Ohh, got me a name, keep talkin’ old man.

  “—was seen there a few years ago, but apparently dropped off the face of the earth afterwards. He had a bad experience with a club—”

  “Club?” Einstein could have kicked himself for interrupting, but all of this was brand-new information.

  “Yes, a motorcycle club. Seems he and Scar are somewhat more alike than they’d like people to know, in that one way. The clubs—”

  Clubs, as in plural. If they lost him in Big Sky Country, that means he has more than one organization in his background prior to the disappearance. More ground to cover. Maybe it’s tied to that Michigan connection in the transcript.

  “—William has been in are nothing like the Monster Devils, however. Which means he’s yet unlike his brother. I’ve known Luc—”

  Knew they were tight. He fought a smile at the blooming sense of satisfaction in his chest.

  “—for years, and by all accounts William is a good man, much like his father.”

  “Tell me about his bad experience.”

  A grimace flickered into and out of existence on Dolph’s features with the admission, “I do not have all the details.”

  Damn, that had to hurt to admit. Dolph’s nearly as anal as Retro is about getting all the dirt.

  Expression smooth again, Dolph continued, “But it surrounded a woman.”

  “You think the Italians factor into that situation at all?” A memory flashed through Einstein’s head. There and gone in an instant, but Lauren’s face was clear as day, closed eyes, ruby lips, chest still.