Chapter 20
Twenty
GENEVIEVE
“ Y our turn, dove.”
“My turn?”
“Yes, you promised me a question. What happened with Brendan King? I want details so I know just how much pain I need to inflict on him while he dies.”
“Nothing, actually,” Genevieve delivered as nonchalantly as possible. “I was hoping he’d put out because I wanted to try some variety before you came after me, but all I got were some sloppy kisses.”
Lightning fast, Jed clasped her jaw. “That’s all you’ll ever get. You touch me and no one else.” He tightened his grip, pressing her gums into her teeth. “Don’t test me.”
A burn flared behind her eyelids. “Not a problem anymore, babe,” she whispered, her strained voice sounding far away to her ears. “My rebellious streak is over.”
He released her jaw and tapped her nose. “That’s my girl. I never want to hear another word about it. You want to try something new, then you try it with me.”
She swallowed through a sawdust-like lump in her throat. “I’ve only ever wanted you. ”
Jed tsk-tsked. “Such lies, but you’ll learn to be honest with me again, or I’ll be more than happy to teach you the hard way.” He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out an engagement ring—a perfect replica of the monstrosity she’d tossed over the rail.
She went rigid, holding her lips steady to keep them from trembling.
Jed’s voice dropped to an icy whisper. “I let you attempt to work me—partly for entertainment value and partly for information. That you thought any different is laughable. I know you better than you think.” He toyed with the hem of her baby blue blouse, provocatively snaking his fingers along her bare skin. “You probably think you’re going to escape tonight and run back to lover boy, filling in the blanks about my past for his court case.” He shook his head, clicking his tongue. “That’s not happening. It’s clear I’ll have to kill him. Loyalty means you support no one but me.”
Her eyes welled up. “Jed?—”
“Save it,” he bit out, sliding the multi-carat diamond securely on her left ring finger. “Don’t ever take this off unless you’re waiting for it to be cleaned. You’ll find my punishments aren’t to your liking if you keep testing me. I want your heart again, and your love will come more freely to me if I don’t have to punish you. Apologize, and I won’t bend you over my knee.”
Genevieve’s throat closed up while she attempted to control her rapidly increasing pulse. I’ve got to warn Brendan. “I’m sorry, Jed,” she forced out. “For attempting to play you and for taking off your ring. I will never remove your ring from my finger again unless I’m having it cleaned.”
“That’s better, dove.” He caressed her cheek. “Now, let’s discuss?—”
The French patio doors swung open, and Luke strutted in, a sheen of sweat lining his skin and soaking through a light gray muscle tee that did little more than showcase his pudge. “Boss, we’ve got a perimeter alert.”
Jed’s head swiveled, his full attention shifting to Luke. He shoved Genevieve’s legs off his lap and stood. “Details. Now.”
Thank god. It’s now or never, Gen. Focus! She twisted around, noting three arched exits into other rooms.
“A black Hummer coming across the bare terrain.” Luke pointed at the textured, cream-colored wall, presumably in the direction of the vehicle. “They traveled up an unmarked side road, then beelined off-road straight for the house. If I had my guess, they’re following a tracker and knew to stay off the main road. It’s too calculated to be a random encounter.”
Jed seized her arm, and she screeched as he yanked her to her feet. A wild, searing glint burned from the depths of his stormy gray eyes, igniting the fear within her. This was a version of Jed she’d never experienced firsthand.
Genevieve parted her lips, frantically shaking her head. “I have no idea. I thought Archer was genuinely going to help me so I could rescue my mom. I didn’t contact anyone.”
Jed wrapped one of his giant hands around her throat. “I’ve had it,” he shouted. “If it takes you longer to fall for me again, so be it. You’ll quickly learn not to lie to me, and you will never betray me again. My punishments from now on will have you begging me for mercy.”
“Give me a lie detector test,” Genevieve rasped out, clawing at his hand, her nails digging into his skin as he tightened his unyielding grip. “I swear. You have my purse. Tear it to shreds. I have nothing on me. I just wanted to save my mom and run.”
“Don’t lie,” he growled.
Her eyes watered, her lungs screaming for air. “I swear, Jed,” she choked out. “I alerted no one. I don’t know who that is or how they found us. ”
Jed released her, snorting out a breath. “Luke, you said you checked her belongings?”
Coughing and gasping, Genevieve collapsed onto the plush ivory-and-blue shag rug that covered the porcelain tile floor in the center of the room. Archer jogged over, looped his hands under her arms, and helped her to the sofa. Glowering at her ex-bestie, she sank into the solid gray cushions and soothed her throat, gently stroking her raw skin.
“I did,” Luke said, strutting toward the sofa. “She had a Glock and a wad of cash in her purse but no devices.” He scanned her frame with his beady eyes. “There could be something on her person, though. Want me to check?”
“It’s too late.” Jed pinched his lips together before continuing, “Even if she’s got a tracker somewhere, they’ve already got a bead on it. I should have searched her while she was passed out in the car. That’s on me.” He shot a harsh look toward his head informant. “You know better than to suggest laying a finger on my fiancée.” After a slight pause, he grumbled, “Dammit, Luke, can you not catch a clue? Eyes off.”
“Boss, I’m loyal.” Luke diverted his eyes. “I’d never do anything inappropriate. I only meant to check for?—”
“I know, Luke, we’re good.” Jed gripped the back of his neck. “I’ll check her over later and bring you any devices I find so you can analyze them. For now, take out the Hummer.”
Luke’s head reared back. “You want us to take out the vehicle? In broad daylight? It’s an Alpha, boss. Bulletproofed. That’s going to cause a massive explosion. There will be satellite images of it. Honestly, I’m not even sure if we can. That thing is basically a tank.”
Jed bared his teeth. “It’s him.”
“Could be, but we still have to go about this rationally. We’ve got to be able to explain things to the Feds if they come after us. Brendan King isn’t a nobody. People will miss him. We scanned the vehicle and picked up two people. What if Manning Cole’s with him? We’ll never get away with taking either of them out unless we stage it during their normal routine. We’ve got to cut their brakes while they’re at work or something like that.”
“No way Manning Cole’s in that Alpha. Cole’s smarter than that. It’s lover boy and some excuse of a guard he brought with him for protection. Annihilate them. Surround the target, force them out, and pump them full of lead. This is my property. I dare anyone to challenge what’s mine, especially a geeky little office freak who’s hot on my woman. Brendan King is less than a nobody in the state of Nevada. You’re giving him credit he doesn’t deserve. We’ll bury his body in the desert—no one will challenge us on our turf, and he’ll quickly be forgotten.”
Genevieve bit her tongue, her pulse skyrocketing as Jed turned and studied her tormented eyes. She was one bad decision from losing the man she loved.
“Problem, dove?”
“No, Jed,” she whispered. “I’m with you.” She swallowed and forced out, “I love you.”
Jed tilted his head, narrowing his eyes into slits. “On second thought, Luke, let’s bring the bastard in here. I want him to fully register that he’s lost before he dies. I’d like Brendan King to hear my girl acquiesce to me and know there’s nothing he can do about it.” He waltzed over to the sofa and kissed her with a possessiveness that rose bile in her throat. “I told you not to lie to me, dove, but in this case, I’ll let it go. If you say the words enough, perhaps they’ll become ingrained in that beautiful brain of yours. Say it again.”
Oh god, not again. She’d only said it to protect Brendan, and that hadn’t worked. But if she challenged Jed right now, would she get the chance to save the man she loved?
“I love you, Jed. I’m with you. ”
“That’s my girl. Don’t forget where your loyalty lies.” He motioned with his head. “Go stand by Archer.”
Genevieve stood and walked obediently to Archer’s side, doing everything she could not to roll her eyes.
Pointing a commanding finger toward Archer, Jed said, “Don’t let her out of your sight. That’s your one and only job. My men don’t fail me. You are to bring her to me at my every request.”
Archer nodded, holding his thumb up in a lame gesture that made her want to slap him across the face. “You got it, boss.”
Jed turned on his heel and marched out the door with his full brigade trailing behind him.
Archer waited until Jed was out the door before eyeing her in disgust. “Why are you fighting Marshal? Give in, Gen. You’re making this worse for both of us—prolonging the length of time it takes him to trust you and putting extra pressure on me. If you keep pissing him off, we’ll be stuck in this house all the time. I want to be able to go shopping, hit the clubs, maybe even gamble now and again.”
“That’s what you’re worried about?” Scoffing, she shook her head. “So selfish and sneaky . I can’t believe I ever thought you were my friend.” With a hiss, she tacked on, “Snake.”
“It’s you who’s acting like a snake.”
Genevieve swiveled toward Archer, bent her open palm backward, and struck upwards into his nose. The crunch was as sickening as it was satisfying.
“Ow,” Archer wailed. “For fuck’s sake, Gen. Have you lost it?”
Genevieve smiled with satisfaction while she flexed her fingers against her sore palm. “Take that, snake.”
A man’s laugh erupted from across the room.
She turned her head, crinkling her eyes as a muscular figure with mythical tattoos covering his arms and legs emerged from a hidden corner. “Killian?”
He smiled as he made his way to her side, the gesture softening his features and making him look like a burly teddy bear rather than a bodyguard. Had he laughed that she’d taken it to Archer because he was jealous?
“Why aren’t you with Jed and his main men ?” Genevieve asked.
Killian chuckled at her dig. “His men other than Archer, you mean?”
She bit her lip, nodding. “I guessed right, didn’t I? You’re bitter about Archer getting promoted above you.”
Killian shrugged. “Fifteen years I’ve supported Marshal, and that backstabber”—he pointed a finger at Archer—“gets a top position. I don’t like how he turned on you.” Crossing his arms while shaking his head, he added, “Don’t care for the weasel one bit.”
“Neither do I. Not anymore.” Genevieve sighed. “Obviously.”
Archer shot daggers at them both while he held the base of his black knitwear shirt to his nose.
An amused expression flitted across Killian’s face. “I can break your bestie’s arm, too, if you’d like? We can claim he tripped and fell.”
“I can break it myself.” Genevieve grinned and winked at him. “I’ve been training.”
Killian belted out another laugh. “I’m on your side, Ms. Genevieve. You’ve earned my respect in a short timeframe.” He motioned a finger at Archer. “I’ll take the snake’s place if you’d like and watch over you daily.”
“You’re not taking my place, orc,” Archer wheezed, dabbing more blood onto his trendy black shirt.
Killian furrowed his brow. “Orc? ”
Genevieve pointed at the tattoo on his bicep. “Apparently, Archer’s giving you a nickname.”
“Oh.” Killian snorted. “Couldn’t be more creative than that, snake?”
“I’m going to wash up,” Archer seethed. “Watch her.”
“So much for not letting me out of his sight.” Genevieve rolled her eyes. Once Archer disappeared, she grabbed Killian’s arm and fired out in a whisper, “Killian, any chance you’d be in favor of changing alliances?”
His head snapped back. “What?”
“Jed’s going down one way or another. I have a tracker on me, and my boyfriend’s got a court case that’s going to level Jed and his whole network.”
“Your boyfriend?” His voice sharpened. “The flash grenadier?”
“Yes, you saw what Brendan did—he risked his life for me. I learned from him that there truly are good people in the world willing to make sacrifices for others. Without Brendan, Archer’s betrayal would have me doubting that, but not anymore. You’re loyal to the wrong person. Switch sides. Be loyal to us —Brendan and I.”
Killian’s eyes darted around. “I’m loyal to Marshal. Better change tunes, Ms. Genevieve.” He held out his palm and waggled his fingers. “Hand over the tracker.”
Genevieve pulled out her small amber-brown hair barrette, which encased her embedded tracker, and dropped it in Killian’s hand. It didn’t matter anymore—whoever was in the Hummer had already used it to track them.
She tucked both hands under his thick arm. “Listen, Killian, we’ve contacted the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency. Jed’s going down, and everyone who backs him will go down with him. If you help Brendan and I escape this unscathed, then I’ll protect you. I’ll make sure you get a plea deal. Brendan loves me. He won’t stop until I’m safe. He’s a multi-millionaire with Manning Cole on his side. Jed will never win. His ego’s so big that he can’t even foresee it.” She pleaded at him with her eyes. “Killian, if you back us, I’ll hire you. You can remain my personal bodyguard for life. I’ll find a way to pay your salary.” She bounced up on her toes, tugging him closer. “I’ll even match it.”
Killian’s mouth pinched into a frown. “I’m sorry, Ms. Gen, but my allegiances will never change. If you keep pressing me on this, I’ll have to alert Marshal.”
“You have my word that I’ll remain on your side. My boyfriend protects his people. Jed will let you fall. He’s only interested in number one. Mark my words. Test him.”
“You broke it, Gen,” Archer shouted in a congested, nasal-like tone from one of the arched entryways as he walked back into the room. “You broke my fucking nose. Should I have the orc break yours now?”
“Poor you.” Genevieve mocked a pout. “You can ask Killian to, but I doubt Jed wants his prize possession damaged. I look forward to spending eternity breaking your nose over and over, though. I don’t think Marshal will discipline me as long as I dote on him.” She cocked her head. “Do you?”
Killian chuckled.
Archer tightened his eyes and winced in reaction, gingerly touching the swollen skin across the bridge of his nose. “What’s your problem, orc?”
“I agree with Ms. Gen. You shouldn’t have been a snake. Ms. Gen doesn’t like that.”
Cupping his nose, Archer wheezed out, “Whose side are you on?”
“I was under the impression you were on Ms. Gen’s side. Am I wrong?”
“Gen has to earn some serious points back from me if I’m ever going to be on her side again.”
Genevieve braced her head on Killian’s arm. “I was thinking that I’d beg Jed to have Killian take your place. After all, I can trust him. I think a new bestie is in order. A few lip pouts and promises to Jed is all it will take. Then you’ll lose your right-hand man spot and the thousands that go with it.”
Archer sneered and winced again. “I’ll claim the two of you are having an affair. You’ll never win.”
Genevieve nudged Killian. “Did you hear that, new bestie? I’ll never win . Sounds just like something Jed would say.” She eyed Killian with meaning. “When people care, it isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about love and loyalty. There are people who care.” She lowered her voice and whispered, “I’m on your side if you’re on mine.”
The hesitation written across Killian’s resilient features gave her hope.