by Jamie Begley
Straightening his back, Reaper placed the signal detector back in his pocket before removing the blanket from the mirror. Then, opening a prepacked toothbrush and toothpaste, he started brushing his teeth. Tearing open the plastic-wrapped cup, he filled it with water, then swirled the water around his mouth. Instead of spitting into the sink, he spat out toward the mirror.
Satisfied the message would be received the way it was meant, he turned the water off and left the bathroom.
For better or worse, he’d made his decision.
Chapter Fourteen
“He knows they’re being watched.”
“What gave you that impression? The towels and blankets being placed over most of the cameras or him spitting on the mirror?” Gabriel Allerton ridiculed the man standing next to him as they continued watching the live feed from the computer on his desk.
“Sorry, sir. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, I’ll call you when I want something.” Gabriel kept his computer screen the center of his attention as Ethan left the room.
“Do you want me to leave?”
Gabriel raised his eyes to Agent Collins, who looked as if he wanted nothing more than to leave as quickly as Ethan. “Did I tell you to?”
“No.”
“Then no, I don’t want you to leave.”
Unlike his assistant, Agent Collins turned an uncomfortable shade of puce. Gabriel didn’t care that the man took umbrage at the reprimand. “I told you not to give them their luggage.”
“Why? Your men were the ones who checked them. Everything was taken but their clothes.”
“Hmm … Then why did Mr. James go into the closet before he took his shower?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he wanted to jerk off without the wifey seeing him.”
Gabriel raised his piercing eyes from the computer. “They’ve been fucking for the last nine hours. I doubt jerking off is why he needed that form of privacy.”
Collins gave him a caustic shrug. “Then call and ask him. You should have informed me that their status as prisoners was not a secret.”
“I don’t have to do anything; that’s what I’m paying you for.”
“Mr. James wasn’t calculated into the price I quoted you. If he had been, my price would have doubled.”
“Are you raising your price? I would hate to misconstrue your meaning, considering you were recommended for the job from your previous employer, and I haven’t used you before. Increasing your rate, when Mr. James now has a signal detector and has found my hidden devices, isn’t advisable at this point.”
“I’m not asking for more money,” Collins hastily backtracked. “I’m merely saying we’ll have to be more discreet in how we handle the situation with Evangeline now that we know they’re married.”
“They aren’t any more married than I am.”
“The certificate is legit. My director approved Mr. James accompanying his wife.”
“The director of the FBI isn’t on my payroll. You are.” The undercurrent of his statement expressed his disapproval of the agent’s job performance. “I’m checking into the legality of their marriage. Until then, all you have to do is keep them contained to the area I designated for them.”
“Then what?”
“Arrangements will be made for Mr. James to be flown out, accompanied by your three trainees, if I find out the marriage certificate was fabricated.”
“What if they are married?”
“Then I will continue as I would have if her other companion had arrived. Four more casualties of the virus, while tragic, are explainable.”
“What’s the difference? Both men are highly skilled in combat and training.”
Gabriel rubbed the side of his forehead, trying to find patience. “The difference being, it would have been much easier to make Hammer disappear than Gavin James. Hammer has no close relatives, and he’s recently retired from the service. The only ones who’d miss him are his partner and the woman they share a relationship with. The pair could easily be dealt with, unlike Gavin who has several groups of men who will demand an explanation after his disappearance.”
“They won’t want an explanation; they’ll be out for blood if anything happens to him.”
“Precisely. While Mr. James’ affiliations are of no concern to me, there is no reason to become a source of their animosity unless I am given no choice. The legitimacy of their marriage is being investigated. Until then, all you have to do is keep them contained. Are you able to accomplish that task?”
“Of course.”
“Very well.”
When Collins remained unmoving, Gabriel pointedly flicked his eyes toward the door. “You may leave.”
The FBI agent sank further below the expectations Allerton already had for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Normally, he would never have hired someone as incompetent as Agent Collins. However in this situation, it worked to his advantage.
The door hadn’t even closed behind Collins before his assistant walked back inside.
“Desmond Beck is on line two.”
Gabriel waved Ethan back out as he reached for the phone, waiting for the door to close before he pushed the flashing button. “Desmond, how are you?” Gabriel deliberately infused warmth into his voice greeting one of his more generous donors.
“Doing well. How about you?”
“Depends on why you’re calling.” Leaning back casually on his highbacked leather chair, he kept monitoring the computer as he talked. “Are you ready to give me a chance to even the score? I’m getting tired of you bragging to all our friends about how you beat me at that last round of golf.”
“Cut it out, Gabriel. We hate golf, and neither of us can name one person we call a friend, even if our lives depended on it.”
Gabriel’s caution eased slightly, but not enough to chance lowering the guard he placed on every word when he talked to any of his benefactors over the phone, though he was sufficiently confident Desmond’s line wasn’t being monitored. “Too true. What can I do for you today?”
“It’s not what you can do for me, but what I can do for you,” Desmond replied curtly. “Whatever spill you’re trying to clean up, let it go. You’re just going to make it worse and get the rest of us buried next to you.” Desmond was a man of few words and got right to the point.
“And exactly how are you aware of my endeavors?” Gabriel replied just as brusquely.
“One of my men is married to the sister of a Last Rider.”
“Which man?”
“Jackal.”
“I meant which Last Rider is her brother?”
“Gabriel …” Desmond’s voice took on a cutting edge. “We’ve never played games with each other; don’t start now. You don’t make moves unless you know exactly who you’re up against. That’s why our business together has been so profitable, which is the only reason I’m giving you this suggestion. Send Ginny and Gavin home, plain and simple.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. Nothing about this situation is plain or simple. I’m rather busy at this moment, Desmond. We can talk later.”
“If your time is so precious, then I’m coming there. I am not going to be caught up in this without having a safe way out.”
“Forgive me if I doubt your motives for coming for a visit. I won’t tolerate any interference from you, Desmond.”
“When have I ever interfered? I prefer a safe place to stay, where I don’t have to worry about getting my throat slit while I’m sleeping.”
“You have several estates to choose from that can offer you the same protection.”
“That just shows me how much you’re underestimating The Last Riders and the Predators.”
Being on the other end of the icy disdain, which Desmond was famous for in their elite circle, irked him. Nevertheless, Gabriel took into account the profitable arrangements Beck Industries had at their disposal. Profitable arrangements that Gabriel had been working unscrupulously to have under his own control.
“Very well. Can you arrange for your own transportation, or do you need me to send my private jet?”
“Send yours. I don’t want my men to know I’m leaving. Text me when I need to be at the airport.”
“I will. And Desmond, please remember what I said about interference. You’re really one of the few who doesn’t bore me to tears. However, I won’t take that into consideration if I have to end our association.”
“I understand.”
“I hope you do. Good-bye.”
Desmond disconnected the call, placing his cell phone on his desk. “Satisfied? Allerton agreed to let me come, but it wasn’t without him giving me a stern warning about any interference.”
Waving away the curling cigar smoke, Desmond poured himself a glass of brandy before taking the chair next to his former partner. “Must you smoke in my office? The smell will linger in my books.”
King pulled his cigar away from his mouth to stare at the glowing tip. “Do you know how long it has been since I have been able to enjoy a good glass of brandy and cigar at the same time?”
“Being a father and being married do have their pitfalls.”
“Yes, they do.”
“Any regrets?” Desmond asked him curiously.
“No, not one.”
“I would count the lack of cigars and brandy as two.”
“Evie doesn’t make me give them up; it was my decision to make. It doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy them when the mood strikes me.”
“My phone call didn’t lighten your mood?”
“Not unless I misunderstood and Allerton is sending Reaper and Ginny back?” King’s keen gaze cut through the curling smoke.
“You didn’t misunderstand.” Desmond gently swirled the brandy in his glass. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but whatever he has in store for Ginny and Gavin won’t be swayed with my presence on the island, which is what I told you when showed up on my doorstep.”
“Gabriel Allerton was raised with a golden spoon in his mouth. He’s never had to be afraid of his own protection a day in his life. You’re going to send a message that, if anything happens to Gavin and Ginny, there won’t be a rock he can hide under.”
“Allerton only hires the best. Those who fail to live up to his expectations are never heard from again,” Desmond countered. “He is welcome around the globe.” He took a sip of his brandy before getting up to refill King’s glass. “Allerton only hires the best for his security personnel and has a jet at his disposal. Whatever threat comes his way will be met with force from whichever country he flees to.”
“No rock will be able to hide him,” King reiterated his words, glancing up as his glass was refilled. “Or you.”
Desmond placed the brandy bottle back on the mahogany sideboard. “Are you threatening me, King?”
King placed the cigar between his teeth to gently cup the brandy glass. “We go back a long way, Desmond. But if anything happens to Ginny and Reaper, I won’t protect you. I walked away from having a family once, and it nearly destroyed my most precious possession. A Last Rider saved her, made her whole again. So, no, I won’t step in. I will be right with them, seeking revenge. Unlike Allerton, I wasn’t raised with a golden spoon in my mouth. I can go back to using plastic—they both accomplish the same end.”
Desmond stiffened, turning back to him. “Using plastic …? That wasn’t just a figure of speech, was it?”
“I know where you’ve buried the bodies on the road to your success. I would hate to use that knowledge against you, but I will if I have to.”
“The Predators would never turn against me—”
“Look out the window.”
Desmond went to the window beside the sideboard.
“The Predators might work for you, but they are loyal to me,” King stated implicitly.
“I’m aware. I should have replaced them with those who wouldn’t have divided loyalties,” Desmond ruminated out loud.
“Ice and Jackal would have slit your throat if you tried to replace the Predators with new blood.”
“What’s the difference between then and now? My neck is still on the chopping block.”
“The difference is you can help Reaper and Ginny. You will also have both the Predators’ and The Last Riders’ gratitude. That, my old buddy, is worth more gold than Allerton will ever give you.”
“My relationship with Allerton goes beyond money.”
“Are the connections he provides worth your life?”
Desmond leaned a hand on the side of the windowsill, staring out at Ice and Jackal standing on his front lawn with twenty or so men sitting on their bikes in the private driveway behind them. The high, imposing gates blocking the entrance had a guard station with two men at all times. Desmond was disgusted with his men.
“Allerton has a wide circle of influence. The Predators may slit my throat, but Allerton can make me wish I was dead before he pulls the plug. Like I said before, if my neck is on the chopping block, does it really matter who is responsible?”
“You know as well as I do,” King said uncompromisingly from his chair, “that when it comes down to a life or death situation, the only option left is to choose the side that will fight dirtier.”
“Are The Last Riders prepared for the havoc Allerton can wreck on their lives?”
“They are.”
Desmond went to the cigar box on his desk, opening it to choose one. Taking a cuter inside the box, he snipped one end, then reached for an oversized lighter to hold the cigar over the flame. “And you’re willing to sacrifice your new family for them?”
“They are a part of my family.”
The silent man who had been monitoring the conversation between King and him spoke for the first time. “Take this. Keep it with you the entire time.”
Desmond placed the cigar between his lips to take what looked like a stubby cell phone. Having worked with dog-eat-dog thugs for more years than he wanted to count, the man who accompanied King chilled him to the bone.
“Allerton will have my suitcases and me searched when I arrive at the plane. How am I supposed to get this by his security?”
King grinned. “Be inventive.”
Desmond didn’t find anything amusing with the situation. Visions of the amount of money he imagined raking in from Allerton’s greedy manipulations would no longer be possible unless he was able to convince him to return Ginny and Reaper. Desmond didn’t hold out hope. However, he had been in dicey situations before and managed to turn the cards over in his favor.
“Seeing the Predators are no longer following my orders, send them away. They’ve made their point.” Leaning back on his desk, he crossed one foot over the other. “Gabriel will send someone on his payroll to make sure I arrive at the airport alone and to ensure no one will be able to sneak on board.”
King rose from the chair to go to the window. Moving the curtain aside, he gave Ice a flick of his hand.
Soon, loud motorcycles could be heard leaving from inside the room.
“Feel free to leave with them,” he encouraged.
“Wanting to get rid of us so you can disappear? Allerton isn’t the only one who has several places to hide.”
King’s laconic reply had Desmond grinning at him. “I admit I thought about it,” he conceded. “Then I decided it didn’t benefit me.”
“Why not?”
“Because of you, King. You’ve never been on the losing side.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ginny watched Gavin leave the room, her bravado deserting her without his presence.
Feeling alone even with him in the next room, she folded her arms over her chest. Trudy had been right; Gavin was never going to love her the way he had Taylor. Her sister tried to spare her that pain, but Ginny held both arms open for him to walk inside and she gave him her heart.
“He never asked for your love.” Ginny inwardly defended Gavin from her rising disappointment at his failure to admit any feelings for her.
At first
, it was like a needle, or like a splinter trapped under her skin, but each day, his lack of giving any positive feedback when she shared her feelings with him grew worse until she felt as if a knife was being plunged into her heart. She thought any emotion he gave her would be enough; however, making love with him had changed her. She wanted more.
“He never promised you more,” she reproached herself.
The first night they made love had been miraculous. It was a springboard to her burgeoning hopes. The next morning, she’d gone through a setback when he hadn’t discussed Taylor. Then, when he showed up at the airport with proof of a marriage that didn’t exist, her hopes rose again, and they had risen even higher yesterday. But having sex with Gavin last night had been different than the first time. What little piece of himself he gave her the last night he retrenched in the bright light of today. Considering her deception, she should have expected it, but it still hurt that he thought she might be playing him to suit her own needs.
Her chaotic thoughts had her uncrossing her arms to link her hands together as if to pray. Then she rubbed her knuckles back and forth over her forehead.
Whereas Trudy had to live with the ghost of Dalton’s previous wife, Oceane wasn’t coming back to take Dalton away. Taylor would always be one step away, anytime she wanted to place herself back in Gavin’s life. His determined presence here could be solely a simple act of gratitude for taking the heat off The Last Riders. She risked her life for Gavin’s freedom, and he knew it. If they were lucky enough to return to their normal lives, his gratitude would eventually wane, leaving her in a one-sided relationship—that Gavin could end without warning. Or even worse, he could continue being with her while secretly wishing she was Taylor. Did she love him enough to stay with him even though his heart would never be hers?
She pressed her knuckles harder against her forehead. She honestly didn’t know, which is why she told him you can only shake a fruit tree so long before it would quit giving fruit. Ginny considered herself a strong person, but she didn’t know if she was strong enough to keep telling Gavin she loved him without even getting an “I like you” in response! She had told him he was chasing after fool’s gold with Taylor, and she believed that with her whole heart. If she hung on long enough, maybe Gavin would see it too.