Chapter Thirteen
Bogs spent the last hour and a half researching Dante.
He may have underestimated him; the man was no joke.
The Houston area underground fight club network wasn’t huge but it was large enough to score a profit.
Dante ran most of it having only three men above him.
It was his baby, which made Kenzie’s situation more dangerous.
He had stalled him but it was apparent Dante would not back down when he realized he was being played. Even if they were able to get Taylor and return the money, he doubted Dante would wash his hands of this. Kenzie might be in the clear but Taylor had gotten herself in a whole world of shit.
His phone rang and he answered without looking, something he rarely did.
“Yeah?”
“We got her,” Trent said.
“You did? About time, man, where’d ya get her?
Trent sighed and Bogs could hear the frustration in his voice. “It’s a long story and having lived it, I need more time before rehashing the details.”
Bogs chuckled. “She’s a handful, huh?”
Trent snorted. “I believe the phrase you’re looking for would be psychotic bat shit crazy. How this woman managed to survive twenty-four years without being strangled is one of life’s mysteries.”
“You reach out to Dante?”
“Not yet. Still,” he sighed, “getting settled here.”
“Where are you?”
“The cabin. It’s the only chance I have of keeping her from running though she is crazy enough to think she can run away.
I’m tempted to eat the twelve grand and cut my losses.
” Hearing the always even-tempered Trent thrown off his game was new for Bogs.
Taylor was doing a number on his associate.
The cabin would be the best hide out for them.
It was secluded enough to keep her safe and quiet.
The sound of a high-pitched whine and shout came from the background. Maybe not quiet.
“Listen, Bogs, let me handle Dante.”
Bogs dragged his hand over the top of his head, pulling at the strands of hair. Too late. “That’s gonna be a problem, already had words with him.”
Trent sighed. “Alright, so where we at?”
“Well, with Taylor in the wind, I was left with little options. Made a deal to help find her for Dante, which you know is bullshit, but he agreed to take the heat off Kenzie. Dante coming here is too fucking dangerous and you know he knows where we’re at.”
“Got it. I’ll take it from here, I’ll meet up and see what I can do to get her out of this.” He paused and Bogs could her the muffled ranting in the background. Trent sighed again like a man about to lose patience. “How’s Kenzie?”
Bogs chuckled. “Boss wants to know?”
“I might just kill her.”
He burst out laughing. “She’s fine, safe, and I made a call to Jonah.
He’s got a place, pretty secluded. We’ll stay there at night.
Not too concerned during the day. Got so much surveillance on the office, no surprise visits to worry about.
” With T and Stone as his back up, Dante wouldn’t get past them.
“You wanna let them talk?” By their talk earlier, he knew Kenzie was worried.
It would probably put her at ease knowing Taylor was safe.
“Not yet. Need to have leverage with Taylor, and I have the feeling Kenzie is the best I got. Let’s hold off on using her until I need it.”
“Sounds like a plan. So, does she have the money?”
Trent snorted. “It’s an interesting story, I’ll fill you in when we get together, not over the phone.”
“Got it. Later, man.”
“Later.”
He hung up and wondered if he’d ever heard Trent so unhinged before. He didn’t think so.
The phone rang before he even put it back on the desk. He glanced down. Roxanne. Well that lasted only a few hours. The girls must have been a group text. Nothing was kept secret for very long in his family when it came to his sister and all three sisters-in-law.
“What time do I need to be there?” He didn’t even bother with formalities with his little sister. He knew why she was calling.
“And hello to you too, asshole.”
Bogs smirked. “Is this a social call, Rox?’
“Can’t I call to see how you’re doing? Jeez, Bogs, wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” She giggled. “Or just alone?”
There it was. He’d bet they weren’t even past the driveway when Cassie put the family on blast about Kenzie.
“Definitely not alone.”
“When were you going to tell me? And why am I the last to know?” Roxanne was basically the hub of their family. Not much happened without her knowledge.
Bogs laughed. “I see you’ve talked to Cassie. That didn’t take long.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She seemed almost offended.
Bogs laughed. “Tell you what?”
“Oh, I don’t know…maybe you met someone. Why am I always the last to know?”
“Okay, reel in your crazy, little sister. I just met her, not planning to elope in Vegas this weekend. Although, a Vegas wedding would be epic.”
“Cassie said you’re bringing her to Dad’s. You never bring any of your women home.”
“Any of my women?” He snorted. “You’re making me sound like a fucking gigolo.”
“I would have used the term ‘man whore’ but that’s in the past. So? What’s she like? Don’t bother with the basics, Cassie’s already filled me in.” If he had to guess, Rox was pacing around the room with a grin on her face.
He scrunched his brows. “Filled you in?”
“Yeah, she said she’s beautiful and really sweet. Aww…and you call her pretty girl. I don’t think I can wait, I’m gonna pop over tonight and meet her. How’s seven work for you?”
“It doesn’t. Jeez, Rox, slow down. Finally get a keeper and you and the rest of the girls are gonna scare her away.”
Roxanne gasped and then did a girly whine like she just saw a puppy. “Aw…she’s a keeper? That’s so sweet.” She paused. “Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my asshole brother?”
Bogs shook his head, laughing. “That was a joke, Rox. Damn, settle down. I. Just. Met. Her.”
She scoffed. “Yeah whatever, I talked to Stone earlier. You can’t fool me.”
“What did he say?”
“Like I’d tell you.” She snorted. “You wouldn’t even tell me about Kenzie.”
He rolled his shoulders trying to relieve the tension in his neck.
He loved Roxanne but she could be a pain in the ass.
“Did Stone happen to mention she was a job?” He would be having a word with Stone after he hung up.
Kenzie was definitely something more than just a job but he didn’t need his family involved. Not yet at least.
Roxanne giggled. “So was Cassie.”
She had him there and he had no snarky comeback. It was useless trying to cover it, and why should he? The thing he had with Kenzie was different. Were they going to elope? No. But the connection they had went beyond a job.
“Listen, I gotta run, but I’ll see ya on Sunday.”
“Bye.” She hung up and Bogs got up from his desk, just as Stone passed by his door. He trailed behind his brother, passing by the closed conference door where Kenzie was working. He was tempted to go in and see how she was doing but he didn’t.
He walked into T’s office. They were both sitting down, T at his desk, Stone across from him.
“What did you tell Rox about Kenzie? Got her thinking I’m getting hitched.”
Stone shrugged. “Told her you got a girl.”
“What else, ‘cause that can’t be it.”
Stone looked over. “Told her you reminded me of T when he met Cassie.” He smirked across the desk at T then looked back. “And me when I met Sadie.”
There was no denying it, he was showing the same signs his brothers had when they fell for their women. Bogs scoffed as he sat down. “No way, man. You two acted like a couple of pussies.”
“Fuck you, Bogs. No bigger pussy than the one I’m looking at. That girl has got your balls in her pocket.” T scowled.
They continued with their meeting, all talk of testicles in the past. There were a few small jobs in the area, a surveillance on an alleged cheating wife, a jumper who had taken up residency at his own mother’s house, and a corporate investigation.
For the next few weeks, it would be quiet.
Bogs gave the guys the rundown on the call with Trent.
As long as he was dealing with Dante, they were off the hook, though hanging out of sight was still the plan until the matter was settled.
For now, he’d finish off his day. They still had a few hours, and Bogs was not the most patient man. He smiled as he left T’s office and set his sights on the conference room.
Break time, pretty girl.
****
Kenzie was just typing up an email when Bogs came into the office. She held up a finger and he nodded. His gaze travelled down her body making her squirm until she looked away. She could feel the weight of his stare on her as she finished up. She hit send.
“Hey.”
“What’s going on?”
“Just thought I’d check on you. And let you know I talked to Trent.”
That got her attention and she sat up. “Did he find her?”
“Yeah, he’s got her, she’s safe and giving him shit.”
Kenzie took a deep breath and sat back in the chair sending him a sympathetic smile. “I bet. Taylor doesn’t like not being in control, but as long as she’s safe... Can I talk to her or maybe see her?”
“Soon.”
She fidgeted with the papers on the table. If Taylor was found, then there was no reason she shouldn’t head back to her place. She should have been relieved and happy, finally life would go back to normal. Then why was she disappointed?
“So, I guess, you’ll be taking me home, then, right?” She peeked up through her lashes hoping to see a bit of disappointment in his eyes to. The corner of his mouth curled and he slowly shook his head.
“Trent’s got her but nothing with Dante has changed. Until everything is squared away, you’re stuck with me.” He leaned forward resting his elbows on the table. “That’s not such a bad thing, is it?”
“No,” she whispered.
“Come with me. I’m starving.” He got up from his seat and held the door open for her. She was walking to the lobby when he grabbed her hand and pulled her near the back door. Right next to the bathroom.