Chapter 26
Sinclair
There were various stages of a man’s life.
From relinquishing his childish ways to learning the ropes in life and that nothing came easily. They learned, as long as they were of some intelligence, that going alone in acts of business or even pleasure was ineffective and lonely. Friends, family, and lovers were vital to health and success.
And if the man was very lucky, he would find the one person in his life that made everything worthwhile. All the hard work. All the endless hours spent. All the sleepless nights. Tragedies. Heartache. Failures. Successes.
He would learn that by sharing all those with someone important, someone who pushed when needed and listened when no one else would, then he could truly call himself successful.
That’s exactly the way I felt around Josette.
She was the single person in my life that had reminded me in a way I truly understood that life was not only worth living, but excelling in.
Strong.
Beautiful.
Formidable.
Not just to everyone else but also to the shit I tossed out.
I’d adored Callista. I’d believed I would spend the rest of my life with her. Her death would always haunt me. Yet now that I knew Josette, I knew I could move forward.
In the little over a week since we’d met, the woman had made me challenge everything about myself, including whatever goodness I had inside. Her continued insistence it was there given I adored Indiana had sounded ridiculous at first.
Implausible.
But not only had I insisted the pup be allowed two pup cups, my treat of course, I’d also steered us into a pet store where I’d purchased several new toys. Who the hell knew I could so easily fawn over a furry beast?
Thoughts of Sadie and Callista had filtered into my mind as the final plans had been laid in place. The bait had been taken.
Several members of the Brotherhood were on their way including Walter Emmett, his son, and two others.
And so was Dejandro Santos.
All headed to Greg’s office for the final signatures on the bogus contract and to celebrate their victory. Marcus would be there, gloating as well. All one big happy celebration.
Meanwhile, Alexander had secured the contract with the Johnsons a day before. The new project would break ground in weeks.
Everything was in place.
Including disposal of Jacques’ body.
The blow of his betrayal had yet to hit the family, but once it did, I had no doubt Alexander would raze the entire organization, ensuring everyone who worked for us was loyal.
Maybe it was long overdue, our father’s murder an indication there were some vulnerabilities within the organization.
We had soldiers at the warehouse where the ‘fake’ shipment was coming in. Jaxon was stationed at the site, prepared for the strike that could occur. We’d called in various favors both in and out of Texas. The Las Riveras were on the move.
As an added benefit, that included Dejandro Santos.
In addition, we had boots on the ground in Texas where three dozen soldiers and explosives experts were in position.
Montgomery was handling the Texas operation.
He could get his jollies locking the Las Riveras soldiers in the still existing prison cells prior to the explosives being remotely detonated.
Through a family meeting, and with Josette’s encouragement, we’d decided the best way of handling their drug operation was twofold. Some destruction. Some interaction with the DEA.
With photographs floating across the internet of the Prince family heading out on the company jet to a meeting elsewhere, we had the element of surprise working in our favor. It was amazing how skilled the computer experts employed by the firm were. They were worth their weight in gold.
Our flight was due to arrive back in New Orleans later tonight, which meant all the players felt comfortable meeting in private. After that, I could only imagine that Santos would wait for my return, exacting his form of revenge in the middle of the night.
Now we were in position, waiting for the meeting my good buddy Greg had put into motion.
He’d been watched carefully, steered in the right direction.
Plus, he knew better than to cross me. In good faith, he’d already provided an impressive computer file on more than three dozen Brotherhood members that he’d come into contact with over the years.
Several were members of our private club. Another family decision had been to keep a few names and their crimes locked away for our future use. The rest would go to federal prosecutors and agencies where we’d already dangled another carrot.
In the end, if things went well, we’d come out as heroes. Imagine that.
The most impressive information obtained from Greg was his copied files of court cases involving several young women that had never reached trial.
They were Zane’s accusers, the files containing reports on rape including photographs.
And my old buddy had been savvy enough to keep copies of the bribes paid to the girls.
He’d anticipated he’d need something concrete to blackmail the Brotherhood with if push came to shove.
Good boy.
As nightfall approached, I leaned against the counter in the back of her coffee shop, keeping the weapon in both hands.
Josette paced the floor, throwing glances in my direction every few seconds. “What if he doesn’t show?” she asked.
“He’ll show. Arrogant entitled men are always determined to get what they want. Or as you told me, what they perceive to belong to them.” I placed the weapon on the steel table, beckoning her with a single finger. A gesture she loathed.
While I grinned, her look became full of frustration and she rolled her eyes. She’d also made me promise not to kill anyone, including Zane. However, as far as the man who’d sexually assaulted her, all bets were off. I’d had my fingers crossed behind my back when agreeing to her demand.
“Maybe you’re right. At least I’m much more educated at how to handle arrogant men.” She moved closer, running the tip of her finger down the bridge of my nose. “Yes, I’d say I’ve learned very well.”
I pulled her into my arms between my legs. “You are going to do everything I told you. Yes?”
She draped her arms over my shoulders. “Why, yes, sir. I wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.”
“You had better not.”
“Or what?”
With a couple of minutes to spare, I couldn’t help myself. I jerked her partially over my knee, cracking my hand against her bottom while she laughed. Just hearing the sweet sound of her voice kept the desire high and the anticipation higher.
After a couple more, I brought her back to a standing position.
“You’re beautiful when you blush,” I gritted out.
“And you’re still a beast.” She tossed her long strands of hair back and forth across her shoulders.
“A step up from a monster. I’m moving in the right direction.” My hand twitched, longing to reach out and tangle my fingers in the silky strands. Her eyes were stormy, reflections of the contrast in emotions. I wanted nothing more than to be her protector but also so much more.
For the first time in my life, I wanted to be someone’s hero.
The blip on my text indicated the game was in the final stage. If all went well, the arduous night would quickly fade into morning light.
The dawn of a new day. A new life.
“You have your phone turned on?” My question sounded more like I was grilling her.
Another look.
Another sassy smile.
“In my pocket. Stop worrying. Every word will be recorded. There’s nowhere for me to run.”
“You know what will happen if you try.”
“I might like it.” As she winked and backed away, I eased from the table.
She knew exactly what the incoming text meant. She plastered on a smile and blew a kiss before returning to the front. She’d purposely insisted on a public meeting place, her place of business.
With a few of my soldiers dressed in casual clothes strategically placed in the coffee shop, including two female employees from the admin pool, a cover was in place. It was my hope that Zane’s arrogance and determination would push him to act on his need to finish what he’d started with her.
Fortunately, with the oval glass in the door leading to the front, I had a perfect vantage point. She deserved a few minutes with her attacker. Besides, the place was surrounded by men working for the Prince family.
Nothing would happen to her.
Unfortunately, that didn’t curtail my anger in the least. Only seconds after she’d walked out the door, holding her head high and reeking of the delicious exotic perfume I’d purchased for her, my protective nature was turning into something much darker.
I stood by the door with the weapon in both hands, able to overhear her conversation given the wireless speaker attached to her phone and positioned in the back room.
An entirely different way of handling the situation than my father would have ever considered.
Zane wasn’t exactly the man I’d thought he would be even though I’d seen a couple of pictures. He’d certainly lost his boyish charm and good looks, giving way to wealth and an opulent lifestyle that obviously included good food.
My little wildcat was still pretending with a customer, one of my highly trained men, when Zane walked in.
I stood in the shadows, listening to the conversation. Almost instantly, my fingers were itchy for a very different reason.
“Well, well. Don’t you look fabulous,” Zane said as he approached the counter.
“And you look like something the cat dragged in,” Josette answered.
“No need to be so hostile. You called this meeting.”
Zane leaned over the counter and instantly, she recoiled. But she held her ground. “Yes, I did. For a very good reason. You assaulted me, Zane. All those years ago you thought I was easy picking.”
“I did no such thing. You craved what I gave you. But you were a very bad girl trying to disappear.”
My entire body tensed. While the promise she’d insisted on remained firmly lodged in my mind, I wasn’t certain the rest of me would comply but for so long.