Page 14

13

SEVEN

“ W e found them.”

“Them?”

“The driver and one of the guards.”

“Where?”

Memphis and Goose had already checked the address on the car’s registration, but it was a dead end. The house was empty and looked to have been abandoned for quite some time. Shep had continued digging but came up empty handed. Without a real name or address, there was no way for any of us to know where this guy could be.

It was going to take some time to track him down, so I had used the opportunity to go back to the house to check in with Tallie and Ford. And I made damn good use of the opportunity. I’d missed hearing Tallie come undone and looked forward to hearing it again soon.

But now, I had to deal with this fucking driver and find out what he was up to. I was surprised when Shep answered, “He and his buddy had gone back to the hotel where Tallie was staying.”

“And?”

“Memphis and Goose just picked them up,” Shep answered. “They’re on their way to the clubhouse.”

"I’m on my way.”

As soon as I hung up, Tallie’s eyes were on me, reading me like she always did. "You’re leaving?”

“Afraid so.”

She didn’t ask why. She didn’t have to. Tallie knew me well enough to know that I was a man who kept his word. I told her we’d find the men who had been following her, and we’d done just that.

"Okay. Be careful," she murmured, her voice softer now.

I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before turning to Duggar. "Hang here until I get back.”

Duggar nodded, and they watched silently as I grabbed my Glock from the side drawer and made my way out the door. I hated leaving, especially when things were going so well, but I needed to know who these assholes were and what they wanted with Tallie.

When I got to the clubhouse, Shep was waiting for me out front. I parked, and as soon as I made my way over to him, I said, “Tell me what ya got.”

“The license plate was tied to a man named Boris Sokolov. It took some digging, but I was able to connect him to Sergei Volkov.”

“The guy Tallie’s father was working with.”

“The one and only.”

“This Boris fella is one of his drivers, and he’s as green as they come. The guard, too. Hell, Goose and Memphis just put a gun to the back of their heads and threw out a few threatening words, and the assholes both folded like a couple of cheap hookers.”

“Where are they now?”

“They got them out back in a couple of the holding rooms. Grim’s already working on the driver.”

“Good deal. I’m going to go see how it’s going.” I gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder. “Appreciate your help on this.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

I gave him a nod, then started around back. By the time I got to the holding room, Grim had already done a real number on the driver. He was standing shirtless with his hands bound over his head, and his face was already black and blue with bruises. I walked over and stood in the corner, watching as he whimpered and whined like a wounded animal. Grim stood in front of him with a cattle prod that was strong enough to jolt a fucking elephant and snarled, “I’m not a man who likes to repeat myself, Boris.”

“Zen stop asking questions I do not know ze answer to.”

I knew he was lying.

Grim knew it, too.

“I think you do,” Grim told him as he tossed his cigarette to the floor and took a step towards him. Boris wasn’t a big guy. He was about five-ten and might’ve weighed two hundred pounds if he was soaking wet. He was playing the tough guy, but it wasn’t a game he could play for long. It was written all over his face.

He grimaced when he noticed Grim getting closer. “Vat is it you want from me?”

“Haven’t you been listening?” Grim flipped the trigger on the prod, causing the current to arc. “I want to know what you wanted with the girl and her mother.”

“I vant nothing. I know not about any girl.”

“My patience is running thin, Boris.”

Grim took the prod and rammed it against the guy’s chest, sending a jolt of electricity surging through his entire body. Boris arched his back, and he grew rigid as he let out a stream of Russian curses. I’d lived in the South long enough to know a thing or two about the zing of a cattle prod. It hurt like a bitch, and that was just a regular one.

That thing Grim was using had to be lighting Boris up. It certainly looked and sounded that way. Grim removed the prod from his chest, and Boris fell completely limp. Grim’s voice was low and firm as he growled, “Best get ready, ‘cause I can do this all night long.”

He stood there staring at him for a brief second, but when Boris didn’t respond, Grim slammed it into his chest again. He removed it and waited for a moment for Boris to speak. When he didn’t, he took the end of the prod and pressed it against the dude’s balls.

Boris started thrashing side to side as he tried to break free from his restraints, but it was no use. He wasn’t going anywhere. Ignoring his little fit, Grim started after him again but stopped when Boris cried, “No, no! I tell you.” Grim lowered his hand and cocked his brow, waiting until Boris said, ““ Ve are looking for code. Must find the code .”

“Code to wait?”

“ De account .”

“Come on, now. You know I’m gonna need more than that.”

Grim started towards him with the prod, and Boris yelped, “Da money! Must find code to get da money!”

And there it was.

Boris was just a driver. He wasn’t made for this kind of torture, so I wasn’t surprised that he folded so quickly. Grim stepped back as he asked, “Where did the money come from?”

“I’m not privy to such information.”

“What makes your boss think the girl has the code?”

“I know not. I’m just da driver. I do as I’m told.”

Grim lowered the prod, and we both watched as Boris’ shoulders sagged with relief. Knowing what would happen, he’d done his best to keep his mouth shut about his new connection with Volkov, but in the end, he was just like all the others—he sang like a canary.

Grim left him hanging from the ceiling as he walked over to me and asked, “You think Tallie knows anything about this code?”

“She hasn’t mentioned anything to me, but I’ll certainly ask about it and let you know.”

Grim gave me a nod, then started down the hall. “I’ll let you know if I get anything more from the guard.”

“Appreciate it, brother.”

It would be a couple of hours before Grim would have anything from the guard, so I decided to stop in and speak to Prez and Shep before I headed back to the house. When I got to Prez’s office, he was sitting at his desk, talking with Shep and Memphis. As soon as he spotted me in the doorway, Prez leaned back in his seat and asked, “How ya holding up, brother?”

“I’m hanging in, but barely.”

“And Tallie?”

“About the same. She and the kid are settling in at my place, but I can tell they’re on edge. This whole thing is wearing on them.”

“I can imagine. Grim making any progress with the driver?”

“Yeah, apparently Volkov is looking for some code to access some money somewhere, and he thinks Tallie or her mother has it.”

“Does she?”

“I highly doubt it, but I won’t know until I ask her.”

“Might want to ask the brother, too.”

“Why? You know something I don’t?”

“I’m not sure.” Shep’s eyes narrowed. “What do you know about his line of work?”

“Not much. Just that he travels around doing some kind of tech stuff.”

“He’s a financial software engineer.” Knowing I didn’t have a fucking clue what he was talking about, Shep went on to add, “He designs software for international banking systems.”

“Yeah, and?”

“He has the means to manipulate transaction records, and if he was so inclined, he could create hidden pathways for major money transfers.”

“Okay. Good for him. Don’t see what that has to do with…”

“There’s a possibility he was aware of his father’s business dealings, and…”

“Ah, damn. You really think he’s involved in this mess.” I shook my head. “Of course, he’s involved. He was so far up his father’s ass, dude couldn’t even take a breath without getting his approval.”

“Well, I’d say it’s time for you two to have a conversation.”

“No doubt. I’ll get with him first thing in the morning.”

“Good deal. Let us know what you find out.”

“Will do.” I started for the door. “I already told Grim, but if anything comes up, I want to know. I don’t care when or what else is going on. I want to know.”

“You got it, and you do the same.”

I walked out of Prez’s office and made my way to the parking lot. I wasted no time getting on my bike and starting towards home. I left the clubhouse with more questions than answers. It was clear that Tallie’s father had gotten in over his head, and it cost him his life. Now, Volkov and his crew had turned their sights on Tallie and her mother, but they were wasting their time.

No way in hell I was going to let them near either of them.

I needed to put an end to this shit and fast, but before I could do that, I needed to know what the hell Tallie’s father had been up to. It was nothing good, no doubt about that. The pieces I had just didn’t fit, and it frustrated the hell out of me.

It weighed on me all the way home. By the time I pulled into the driveway, the night air had done little to ease my frustration. The house was quiet. All the lights were out except for the one in the kitchen. The tightness in my chest eased at the thought of Tallie still being awake. I wanted to see her more than I realized.

I parked my bike and headed up the back steps. When I walked into the kitchen, I found her standing at the counter with a slice of cold pizza in her hand. Her hair was up, and she was wearing a pair of worn gray flannel pajamas. They were frayed at the cuffs, and a button missing near the collar, but they looked good on her—damn good.

Surprise flickered in her eyes when she looked up and saw me standing in the doorway. But the surprise quickly faded, and a soft smile crept across her face, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. And just like that, her spell had been cast.

I crossed the room without a word, closing the space between us. The questions, the frustration, all of it faded as I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her like she was the only thing that mattered. She tasted like pepperoni and the comfort of home. Her hands slid up my chest, fingers curling into my shirt like she needed me just as much as I needed her.

After a few moments, she eased back and smiled, “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” I let my eyes skirt over her as I said, “Surprised you’re still up.”

“Yeah, well, Ford has been out for hours, but I couldn’t sleep.” She motioned her hand toward the half-eaten slice of pizza in her hand as she said, “Thought a bite to eat would help, but no such luck.”

“I got something that might do the trick.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“I mean, I can’t make any promises,” I cocked my brow, “but we could definitely give it a try.”

“I’m game.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

I took what was left of the slice of pizza and tossed it into the sink, then took her hand in mine and led her down the hall. Once we were in my room, I closed the door, and just like that, I forgot about the Volkovs, about her father, and all the bullshit that came with them. My focus was all on her, and the way she looked at me like I was her whole world. I was about to show her that she was mine.

Tallie stopped at the foot of the bed and watched as I kicked off my boots. “Is this really happening, or am I dreaming?”

“Oh yeah, baby. It’s really happening, and it’s been a long time coming.”

I stepped closer, gently placing my hand on the nape of her neck and pulled her mouth to mine. The touch of her lips set me on fire, and I knew there was no more holding back. I couldn’t resist a moment longer.

I needed her, and from the way she kissed me, there was no doubt she felt the same about me. I’d imagined this moment countless times over the past eight years. I’d longed for it, prayed for it, and I’d all but given up hope that it would ever happen again. And now, here she was in my arms, and I won’t deny that it terrified me.

She felt too good, too right, and I was afraid I didn’t have it in me to let her go again. I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. I trailed kisses down her neck as I whispered, “I’ve waited so long for this.”

“I’ve waited, too.” It was insane to think a beautiful, young, vibrant woman like her hadn’t been with other men, but I couldn’t help but hope. Like she knew exactly what I was thinking, she looked up at me and whispered, “It’s always been you. Only you.”

My cock stirred in response, and I slammed my mouth against hers once again. Little moans and whimpers filled the room as I kissed her long and hard. I slowly trailed kisses down her neck to her collarbone. I kissed her skin softly, teasing her, wanting her wet and aching for me. I unbuttoned her pajama shirt and slid it off her shoulders, letting it flutter to the floor.

Concern marked her face as she whispered, “We’ll have to be quiet.”

“We can try.”

“I’m serious,” she pushed. “The last thing we need to do is scar Ford with hanky-panky sounds.”

“Hanky-panky? When the hell did you start saying shit like that?”

“When I became a mother, now can you be quiet or not?”

“I can. The question is, can you?”

Goosebumps prickled her skin as I lowered my head and took her breast in my mouth, twirling her nipple with the tip of my tongue. Her hands moved to my hair, and her fingers wound themselves in the strands as I nipped and sucked at her sensitive flesh. With every move, every touch we were in sync. It was like we’d never skipped a beat.

She was mine. She always had been and always would be.

Heat filled her gaze as she reached up and released her hair, letting it fall loose around her shoulders. Her eyes remained trained on mine as she hooked her thumbs in her black lace panties and slid them seductively down her long, lean legs.

And there she was—completely bare and waiting for me.

My God, she was stunning—even more so than I remembered. She stepped towards me, running her hands along my chest and under my cut.

“Your turn,” she whispered. She looked up at me tentatively, and when I didn’t stop her, she carefully slid my cut off and laid it on the bed. I eased my t-shirt over my head and pulled her against me. Her skin was warm and soft, and a jolt of need surged to my cock.

She gazed up at me wantonly, biting her lip. That was all the restraint I could muster. I slid my hand to the nape of her neck and pulled her mouth to mine. A soft whimper escaped from her lips as they parted, allowing me to kiss her deeper.

Without breaking the kiss, I lowered my free hand to my waist and unfastened my belt and jeans, letting them drop to the floor. Her hands dropped to the waistband of my boxer briefs. She pulled back from our kiss for a moment, her eyes flashing as she wrenched the waistband of my boxers down and saw my arousal. Her mouth opened with a little gasp, and I couldn’t take it anymore.

I pulled her to me, walking her backward until we reached the wall.

My tongue caressed her soft lips and tongue, teasing and tasting her. She was absolutely incredible. I wanted every fucking inch of her. I knelt in front of her and lifted one of her long legs to hook over my shoulder. I heard her breath catch in anticipation as she leaned back and waited for me to touch her.

Tallie squirmed and groaned as I slowly touched my lips to her ribcage and trailed kisses down her stomach. I pulled back, appreciating her soft, smooth skin before lowering my head between her legs. A hiss escaped through her teeth as I raked my tongue against her inner thighs. Each lick, each kiss, each tiny taste made me hungry for more.

Her hips jerked forward as I pressed the palm of my hand firmly against her center, rhythmically rubbing her clit. With two fingers, I slid through her folds and delved deep inside her. I smiled when I felt that she was already soaking wet. The anticipation of what I was going to do to Tallie was getting to her just as much as it was getting to me. As much as I wanted to be inside her, my dick was going to have to wait.

I started slow and steady, teasing her clit with my mouth. Her little moans and whimpers filled the room, and I reveled in the effect I was having on her. As I sucked on her tender flesh, I moved my fingers in and out in a punishing rhythm, curving them forward to hit her most sensitive spot.

“Yes!” she cried as her hands wound in my hair, pulling me more tightly against her. I considered telling her to be quiet, but I couldn’t help myself. She was too close to stop. After just a few more flicks of my tongue, her orgasm took hold, causing her entire body to quiver and shake uncontrollably.

I slowly stood up, brushing my chest against hers. She gazed at me with lust-filled eyes as my mouth came down on hers. I pressed my bare flesh against hers, pinning her to the wall before sliding my hands underneath her firm ass and lifting her to my waist.

Her legs immediately wrapped around my hips as her arms wound around my neck, holding my mouth to hers. I could feel her heart hammering against mine as I carried her over to the bed and lowered her onto the mattress.

She looked up at me, so trusting and full of desire, and I couldn’t imagine wanting anything more. Without saying a word, I grabbed a condom from the pocket of my jeans, then pulled off my boxers and positioned myself between her legs. We had both thought about whether we’d be together again, and now that it was happening, it felt too good to be true.

Her eyes were full of desire as I brushed my throbbing cock along her center, driving us both wild with need.

“Holt,” she pleaded as she wrapped her legs around me, pulling me forward. A deep growl vibrated through my chest as I thrust deep inside her. She felt so damn good, and I couldn’t resist driving into her again and again. My pace became hard and demanding, but she tightened her legs around my waist and rocked against me, encouraging me to give her more.

I buried my face in her neck as I growled, “You feel so fucking incredible.”

I thrust deeply, again and again, each move more intense than the last. Her head fell back as my cock grazed against her G spot, causing her to tense around me. I raked myteeth over her breast as I took her nipple in my mouth.

Every nerve in her body seemed to explode with my touch, and while I was enjoying every single moment of watching her come undone, my resistance was faltering. Her breath quickened as she clamped down around my cock, making it damn near impossible not to come.

“Oh, God! Holt!”

She reached for a pillow and pulled it over her mouth, crossing her arms to secure it as I continued to drive deep inside her. I could feel her imminent release, so I thrust harder, deeper, forcing her over the edge. Her back arched, and she released the pillow and dropped her hands to her side, fisting the sheets in her fingers.

She came and I tried to fight it, but it was futile. With her body spasming around me, she wrapped her arms around my neck, and I felt her breath against my chest as I drove deeper inside her once more, finally giving into my own release.

Overcome with exhaustion, I collapsed on the bed next to her.

Once we’d had a chance to catch our breath, I rolled over and removed the condom, quickly tossing into the trash. I’d just laid my head on the pillow when she inched closer and placed her head on my chest. I started to toy with her hair as I told her, “Damn, I’m going to enjoy making up for lost time with you.”

“You’ll hear no complaining from me.” A sated smile crossed her face as she sighed and said, “That was amazing. Even better than I remembered.”

“Well, get ready. I was just warming up.”

I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers, and we spent the rest of the night tangled in each other’s arms. There were things that I needed to discuss with her, and I would. But after all we’d been through, we deserved this night together. And consequences be damned, I was going to take it.

And there would be consequences.

Like neither of us could’ve imagined.