Bear, page 11
“More importantly, do they all have bat caves?” Blade asked.
“No bat caves, but…” Gauge trailed off as he clicked a few more keys and then turned to the flat screen monitor on the wall. “These three all have space for offices outfitted with computer connections, a war room for missions, an armory, a server room to house our secured networks and databases, a short-range gun range, and basement bunkers if we need to go on lockdown…or a place to crash if one of us gets into a fight with his woman—”
“Or man,” Shelby added.
“You live in a mansion outside of town,” Axle said, cutting his eyes to his sister. “Sleep in one of the other wings of your estate.”
“What’s the difference between the three?” Bear asked.
“Just the layout. This one has space for an entryway and a receptionist. Depends on if we want to use space for the pretense or not.”
“I vote no,” Roc said. “That building’s gonna be locked down. There’s no need to waste the space.”
“Agreed. Use it for a pool table,” Blade said.
“Oh, did I not mention? All three have a game room.” Gauge wagged his brows.
“Hell, yeah. That’s what I’m talking ’bout.” Blade clapped.
“Really, the only thing that matters is where we want the main entry. If we come from the east, this one is the best layout.” Gauge indicated to the one on the left. Then he pointed to the one on the bottom. “I think this one right here is better, though, if we want the building to run parallel to the shop.”
“There’s plenty of room for that,” Roc said. “As long as the two building aren’t right on top of each other.”
Bear nodded. “Let’s run with that one and get a builder lined up.”
The front door dinged, and they all stood up.
When Oz walked into the room, he started shaking everyone’s hand, making his way around the table. Gauge slapped Oz’s hand away and hugged him with a muttered, “Congratulations.”
Bear stroked his beard and watched the new sheriff until the man reached him.
“Thanks for meeting with me.”
“Don’t make me regret it,” Bear said, holding his gaze.
Oz gave him a quick nod, and they all sat.
“Tell us what you found out about the bombing,” Bear ordered, getting right to the point of this meeting.
“Nothing, but you know that. The sheriff’s office couldn’t do a thorough investigation without cooperating witnesses.” When Bear opened his mouth to argue, Oz lifted a hand. “I don’t mean that in an accusing way. Just that things in that office went to shit after the last sheriff disappeared. I’d like to give that man a piece of my mind.”
“Flint doesn’t want to be found. He’s been missing since he helped Alonzo Rudolph kidnap several of our friends,” Bear said, swallowing the bitter taste in his mouth he got whenever he uttered his former friend’s name. Roxie had been caught up in that mess, taken by her own cousin. If Bear ever found that man, he’d beat him just like he had his opponents back in his fighting days before turning him over to the authorities to rot in jail.
“Heard he filched nearly a hundred G’s in pot, too,” Oz said.
“That’s the story,” Bear said with a nod. “You’re gonna have your hands full cleaning up the corruption.” He leaned back and folded his arms. “Question is, can you protect the good citizens of this town and also turn a blind eye?”
Oz rested his elbows on the table and ran a hand over his face. “Let’s just say I know all about cutting the red tape, when needed.”
Axle leaned back in his chair and clapped Oz on the back. Bear knew Gauge and Axle already trusted the man. It was the rest who needed to be on board. Bear glanced around the room. Everyone else looked resolved to working with Oz. Except for Roc…but he always looked like he trusted no one. The only one not here was Brody, and he was at home guarding Xan and Roxie while they prepared for Thanksgiving.
Bear let out a huff of breath. “The man we believe set off the bomb in our shop is a man named Thad Howes, the ex-boyfriend of Roxie Willis and the biological father to her son, Chad. There is no record of Thad Howes in any computer system—federal or otherwise—prior to coming into Roxie’s life nineteen years ago.”
“It’s an alias,” Oz said matter-of-factly.
“It’s an anagram,” Shelby corrected.
Bear nodded. “We got his name from Luciano Grasso.”
Oz’s eyebrows shot up. “The new mafia king? Word on the street is he’s not only the new leader of his outfit in Texas, but he took over the Collins’ family up in—”
“That’s him,” Bear said, cutting him off. “What you heard about his takeover of the families is true, but we don’t have to take him at his word. Roxie confirmed the identity of Chad’s father.”
Oz seemed to mull that over for a few seconds. “She was at the shop. You’re saying your garage was collateral damage?”
“Not necessarily. Thad Howes is an anagram for The Shadow.”
“What. The. Fuck?” Oz sat up straighter.
“Yeah, brother,” Gauge said. “The man who tried to kill your wife.”
When Xan had gone into protective custody after turning state’s evidence against her mafia husband, Oz, Axle, and their colleague, Zeke, had been tasked with following Scott’s former nanny, Bryn, hoping the mafia hitman would go after her since she’d been a witness to the Collins family’s crimes. Oz had a long history with the killer, but that was then. This was now. The immediate threat was to Roxie and Chad, and they were his priorities.
Oz shot to his feet. “That man is in town, and you’re just now telling me about this?” he roared.
“We’re telling you now. Don’t make me regret it.”
“Fuck you. Bryn is the only target known to escape him. If he finds out she’s within reach, he’s going to kill her.”
Bear jumped up and pointed at Oz from across the table. “He doesn’t give a fuck about your family. He wants mine!” The word exploded from his chest, but Bear couldn’t stop at just that. “This isn’t about some ego trip for him. He’s been toying with Roxie and her life without her knowing because he’s playing the long game with her. With Chad. He’s known exactly where they’ve been. Whatever has him acting now has been methodically planned. I guaran—fucking—tee it. So don’t you stand there and tell me how dangerous this man can be. I goddamn know it.”
Oz gritted his teeth and sat down without agreeing to shit.
Bear panted, trying to rein in his anger. His fucking fear. “The people in this room? We’re a team, and you’re on a need-to-know basis. You’re a small-town, county sheriff. This case involves an international hitman wanted by every alphabet boy agency out there. We’ve already briefed our contacts with the FBI, US Marshals, and the federal Organized Crime Task Force.” He pointed at Oz as he took a deep breath. “Now, do you want to hang up your sheriff’s hat at the door and work with us on this or not?”
Oz’s gaze hardened. “I’ll help. I want that son of a bitch caught.”
“Just so we’re clear, if you try to do anything official, we’ll bring in the local FBI field office to take over your case. This is done our way or the feds’ way. Those are your only choices.”
“I get it,” Oz said flatly. “The government has never been able to get this guy. I know my office is in no way able to handle something of this magnitude. We find him and take him out, but this need-to-know bullshit about The Shadow stops now. I’m in on everything.”
“Fine,” Bear bit out.
“Good,” Oz huffed.
Shelby’s phone dinged, and she smiled as she read the message. “Xan says she knows everybody’s together, so she wants me to tell y’all not to be late tomorrow.” She looked at Oz. “She also said Bryn can cook her sweet potato casserole at his house if it’d be easier.”
Blade snorted. “It’s gonna be one big happy family Thanksgiving.”
Chapter Fifteen
Roxie walked down Main Street, heading to the last store on her shopping list. She’d tried to get her Christmas shopping done early this year, but every time she’d ventured out, someone had been on her tail. She’d gotten used to the protection detail the Bang Shift had put on her, but it had become a problem when she didn’t know who might be watching. What if it was someone she was shopping for? She’d visited a bunch of different shops to not give anything away, but she wasn’t sure how successful she’d been.
She’d ordered a bunch of stuff online, too, but she liked supporting small businesses and getting some stuff from local artisans when she could. The custom hotrod mobile she’d had made for Xander was finally ready, which was why she was at this fancy baby shop. She gave the lady at the counter her name and looked at some of the tiny clothes, picking up a onesie and reading it.
It said Intake at the top on the front and Exhaust at the bottom of the back. Aww. How cute.
“Why are you shopping for baby stuff?”
Roxie jumped at Anna’s voice. “Shit fire, don’t sneak up on me like some creep.”
“Girl, I just walked up to you like a normal person.”
She put the tiny outfit down and looked at her friend. “Why are you here?” She glanced through the window, glaring through the fake snow-covered display. “Is Blade out there lurking, too?”
Anna sighed. “No. I’m a federally trained agent. I’m completely capable of watching you myself.”
Roxie narrowed her eyes. “He didn’t want to go shopping, did he?”
“Literally said if he had to fight holiday traffic one more time, he’d steal Santa’s sleigh, fly to the North Pole, and smack the jolly fuck. For real. His words.” Anna chuckled.
“How can he steal Santa’s sleigh if he’s already at the North Pole?” Roxie quirked an eyebrow. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Really? That’s what you got from that?” Anna rolled her eyes. “You’re missing the point, girl. I volunteered for guard duty today, and they were quick to agree.”
“Lucky me.”
“Yeah, so let’s stop by the leather store, so I can get Blade a new jacket for Christmas. This is the only time I’ll have away from him before the holiday.”
“Ahh, so now I understand why you wanted to follow me today.”
Anna shrugged. “Still counts.”
The cashier returned with the mobile Roxie had ordered, and they left the store, stopping by Roxie’s car to drop off the package before walking farther down the street to the leather goods business. Maybe she could find a gift for Teddy in there. He hadn’t pushed her for sex since Halloween, but she wasn’t surprised by that either, considering they’d flirted off and on for years before they’d slept together the first time…and it was more years between then and when we’d taken her again. With all the confusion she felt when she was around him, she hadn’t made it easy for him to make another pass at her. Whenever he’d gotten close to her when they’d been alone over the last month, she’d shut down. They’d been toeing a line she didn’t even know how to explain, but he somehow understood her hesitation and gave her space while still managing to tease and tempt her.
The man was good.
She had no idea what kind of gift to get a fake fiancé-squatter she secretly loved and outwardly fought, but she had to decide soon. She was quickly running out of time.
“God, I love this smell,” Anna said as they walked into the shop.
“It’s not too late to change your wedding dress from lace to leather.”
“No way. My dress is perfect. Everything is set. I’m just counting down the days now.”
“Oh, please, you are not.”
“Seventy-nine,” Anna said without skipping a beat.
Roxie bit her lip to keep from laughing as she followed her to the jackets. “Damn, these are expensive.”
“I know.”
No way could Roxie afford one of these for Teddy. “I’m gonna look around for a bit.” Maybe she could at least get some inspiration.
“Stay close.”
“Yes, mother.”
Roxie walked down each of the aisles, eyeing wallets, beer koozies, toiletry cases, travel bags…and then she stopped at a display and giggled. She inspected the selection, choosing one that was just the right shade and big enough for him, then she took it to the front. “Can I get it personalized?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Awesome.” Roxie bit her lip as she decided on the perfect message and jotted it down on the order form. She went ahead and paid for it and arranged for shipping, so she wouldn’t have to make a special trip out this way again just to pick it up. Receipt in hand, she went off to find Anna, who was checking out.
“Let me drop this off at my car, and we can stop by the smoothie shop.”
“If by smoothie, you mean milkshake, then yes.” Technically, it was unseasonably warm for winter, but the weather in this state could go from heatwave to snowstorm from one day to the next. Today was leaning toward a December scorcher, and she could use a cold snack. Not that she ever needed a reason to eat ice cream.
Anna popped her trunk with her key fob as they neared. “The guys picked the wrong day not go to shopping with you. There’s hardly anybody out shopping on this side of town.”
“They’re all at the mall and big box stores in town. This is technically part of the county that the city wants to annex.”
With Blade’s Christmas gift secured, they made their way to get their snack.
“How’s Chad doing now that football season is over?”
Roxie sighed. “Sad they lost the championship game. Worried about what it’ll do for his chances of getting signed with the Bears. He already got accepted into the university.”
“Well, that’s good. He could always be a walk-on and show how dedicated he is.”
Yeah, and Roxie would have to sell both kidneys and her uterus in order to afford that school, and with her luck, that would only cover expenses for the first year.
As they rounded the next corner, a man in a trench coat and sunglasses shot out, grabbed Roxie’s handbag, and yanked so hard she fell. It lasted only seconds from the time the man appeared, and she was on the ground. Anna crouched beside her to either lunge at the guy or shield Roxie, but the guy took off.
“Are you okay?” Anna asked.
Roxie winced when she tried to stand. “Yeah. He stole my purse.” She tried to run after him but grabbed her hip when she took a step. “Go after him,” she said, panic lacing her words.
Anna had her phone out. “No way. I’m not leaving your side. Gonna report this and take you to the hospital.”
An emergency room visit would require another organ to be sold. “Nope. Just bruised my butt. I’ll be fine.” She started shaking, so she sat gingerly on the curb, putting her weight on her other side.
Anna paced back and forth as she contacted the police. When she hung up from that one, she made another call, but Roxie was too focused on trying to calm her rattled nerves. Her adrenaline had kicked in, but now it felt as if she was crashing from that rush.
“Called Viola,” Anna said, coming to sit beside Roxie. “She was with Gauge, and he called his brother. Oz will be here in ten minutes.” She placed her hand on Roxie’s back and rubbed small, soothing circles. “This time of year, muggings are common. Seasonal workers don’t get as many hours, utility bills are all over the place, holiday expenses add to already struggling families.”
“Why not try to mug someone at the mall?” Why her? She did not need this added stress right now.
“More witnesses there.”
Roxie glared at Anna. “I don’t need a rational cop right now. I need a pissed-off friend.”
In a gentle voice, Anna said, “I’ll help you burn that motherfucker down.”
Roxie laughed, but it was shaky at best. “Well, that asshole’s gonna be pissed when he finds out I only had twelve dollars in there.”
“Criminals nowadays hack bank accounts and steal identities. They’re not after just the cash.”
Roxie groaned. “I’m gonna have to cancel all my cards. Get a new driver’s license.” She gasped. “Shit, he knows where I live.”
“It’s gonna be okay.”
Oz pulled up right when Roxie was on the verge of freaking out. Okay, she was way past that line. He asked her a bunch of questions, and Anna walked him through exactly what had happened. By the time the report was finished, Roxie’s nerves were shot. She just wanted to lock herself in the bathroom and take a bubble bath. When she walked to her car, Blade was standing beside it. She wasn’t even surprised to see him.
“You’re riding with Anna. I’ll take your car home.”
She didn’t argue. He kissed his fiancée as Roxie climbed into the passenger seat.
The ride to the house was a blur because she kept thinking something that scared her more than the mugging itself. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost didn’t notice Teddy pacing the lawn when she pulled in.
He yanked her out of the car and into a tight hug. He smelled of sweat and grass after being at the park with Chad and Scott running drills. “Just dropped off the boys at Brody’s. Was headed your way, but Oz called and said you were already on your way home.”
No words came as he guided her into the house. “I need a bath,” she muttered.
“Whatever you want, babe.” His words were so soft that she felt tears prick her eyes.
Turning to look at him before she bawled like a newborn baby, she said, “Anna and Oz both said this kind of thing is common, but what if Thad was behind it? After everything that’s happened, I just don’t think I believe in coincidences anymore.”
Teddy ran the back of his finger along her cheek, the touch tender but the look in his eyes fierce. “Gauge and McMillian are already looking into the possibility. All you have to do right now is soak in a hot bathtub and relax. Don’t worry that pretty little head anymore tonight.”
“Don’t you patronize me, Teddy Knight.”
He winked. “There’s my sassy girl.”
“Not your girl,” she mumbled as she pulled away and walked toward her bedroom to get some PJs. She stopped when she reached the hallway and looked over her shoulder. “Do you think…I mean, do you mind sleeping in the house tonight?” She hated the fact that she needed him, needed anyone, but no matter how much they’d bickered over the years, he’d always made her feel safe.
