Cabin 1 Page 12

  “This from the guy who has more condoms than bullets.”

  I quickly glanced over my shoulder again.

  Ax pounced. “Holy. Shit. You like her?”

  “What’s to like?” I grumbled, stretching my neck from side to side.

  Boisterous laughter from my twin.

  “Shhh. Dammit, Ax.” I stumbled to my feet, holding the creaking swing quiet as it steadied.

  “Fine, I’ll back off, but just know, you sleep with this chick, you might spend the next few months answering phones. Feen’s serious about you getting your head out of your ass.”

  “Get your head out of your ass.”

  “And working on your comebacks.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Nice.”

  I took one last look into the cabin to make sure the light on the alarm system was blinking.

  “Come on, Romeo, we’ve got our Monday morning meeting. Let’s go. She’s fine.”

  I hesitated—embarrassing myself in front of my brother. What the hell was wrong with me? I couldn’t leave this damn woman. I wasn’t thinking straight. Coffee was what I needed, with a little Bailey’s and a swift kick in the ass.

  I stepped off the deck and joined Ax and switched to work mode, running through any updates I had in my head.

  Every Monday since Dad’s death, Dallas held, what she called, an update meeting about the estate, the business, the week’s schedule. She liked to know who was doing what, and where they were doing it. A bit annoying, but we all knew it was her way to attempt to step in and take a portion of Dad’s place.

  I glanced back at the cabin one last time before we stepped into the woods. “Any updates?”

  “Gunner just found the bullet shells on the cliff where the guy camped out. Twenty-two rifle. Clear shot right through the woods to Cabin 1.”

  My gut clenched. “We need to block that.”

  “It’s on the list.”

  “Any boot prints or finger prints on the deck?”

  “Nope.”

  I grunted, not surprised. I’d stayed in the cabin with Niki while BSPD made their second journey through the compound, taking statements and canvassing the area. Within the course of a few hours, Niki’s case had become number one priority and it was unanimously agreed that her attack was not random. Someone wanted revenge for Mickey Greco, using their buddy’s head as a message, a threat. That person was out to kill Niki Avery. And that thought sent my heart slamming and head spinning.

  “What did Wolf find on the security cameras?” We stepped onto the trail that led to the main house. My eyes scanned the woods, miles and miles of trees, cliffs, caves, plenty of places to hide. A duo of squirrels darted in front of us sending my hand flexing for the gun on my hip. Not even seven in the morning and I was already as jumpy as a damn chihuahua.

  Ax, on the other hand, was as on-point as always. Bastard.

  “Our shooter had a black ski mask on—probably same as when he attacked Niki—black gloves and hoodie. Drove a Polaris Sportsman, 450 or 570 Wolf guesses based on the size and features. We’ve got him coming up from the east side, dropping the head—sick fuck—then heading back down the mountain. Last shot was at the base, before we assume he went up to the cliff. I forwarded the photos to the police. Not a great shot of him, but good of the four-wheeler. They’ll look at all recent purchases from local retailers, interview the owners…”

  “Why wasn’t security tripped?”

  “We don’t own the entire mountain range, Gage. The cliff is just off our land. He skirted around our property.”

  “Not when he dropped the head. We need to install motion activated alerts around the cabins.”

  “Tried that, remember? It wasn’t worth the time Wolf was having to check the alerts. Everything was setting them off, squirrels, raccoons…” he looked at me with a wicked smirk. “That tattooed blonde that couldn’t let go.”

  I snorted. Man, I’d hooked up with some real winners.

  “Besides,” he continued. “Our clients come and go as they wish, that’s part of the deal. While they’re with us, or inside the cabins, they’re untouchable. We can put a lock on her.” Ax grinned.

  A lock was when, for special circumstances, we demanded the client not leave the cover of their cabin, not even to take a breath of fresh air. Not even to open a window. They were not allowed to leave, unless sandwiched between my brother and I. It was no fun, for us or for them, and required a lot of man hours, and patience. Something told me that patience was not one of Niki’s strong suits.

  I exhaled. “What’d we pull up on Mickey Greco?”

  “He’s still in prison, didn’t bust out and come for Niki.”

  There went my easy scenario.

  “And he’s a model prisoner, I might add. Jagg knows the warden. Spoke to him personally.”

  “Well, damn. We need to pull a list of everyone who’s come to visit him, called, whatever.”

  “Jagg’s on it. Warden’s pulling it, owed him a favor.”

  “And all the names of people that worked at Greco’s office. Someone is going to great lengths for revenge. They idolize the bastard. We need to look at family, friends…”

  “Done. Wolf pulled together a report. It’s on your desk. He also anonymously forwarded it to Lieutenant Colson, to which Colson replied by sending us a group text promising a round at Frank’s as a thank you.”

  It was a widely known secret that Steele Shadows Security helped local authorities as much as they helped us. Small town departments with even smaller budgets had to do what they had to do to get things done. And considering we ran a personal security firm in the area, we were only happy to help out. Quid pro quo.

  “The guy was on a four wheeler. He has to be a local; has to live around here.”

  “That doesn’t mean shit, Gage. Everyone has a four wheeler around here, and everyone has means to tow it wherever they want. Probably had his truck and trailer parked in a clearing somewhere. You know how many roads snake around these mountains.”

  “I don’t like that lack of faith, Ax.”

  “Just pointing out the obvious.”

  “You’re always good for that.”

  “Someone has to be. Anyway, there’s a campground along Shadow River thirteen miles south. Gunner already called to see if anyone had a four wheeler. Nada. Gunner also met with Opal, who says she spoke with the staff, none of who claims to have left last night, or saw or heard anything.”

  I shook my head. “Anything turn up on Niki’s Jeep? Prints? Anything?”

  “Dude, it’s been ten hours. That takes days.”

  We walked a moment in silence, until I addressed the pink elephant.

  “The guy knows where she’s staying and doesn’t give a shit.”

  “Burns the hell out of me, too.”

  “Ballsy mother fucker to come on our land.”

  “Not a fan of ballsy mother fuckers, Gage.”

  “Me either, bro. Me either.”

  We crossed the lawn to the main house and pushed through the back door where we were assaulted with the whining of trumpets echoing off the walls. Smooth jazz instrumental music only meant one thing—Dallas was cooking breakfast. Despite the ear pollution, my mouth watered the moment I smelled the bacon.

  “Knew you wouldn’t want to miss this,” Ax grinned. “Hot chick or not.”

  “Thanks, smartass.”

  We rounded the corner into the kitchen, and sure enough, wearing an oversized Billy Idol T-shirt, flannel shorts, and fuzzy eskimo-looking slippers, Dallas flipped a pancake like a pro. She glanced over her shoulder at us, the messy bun of blonde hair bobbing on top of her head.

  “Aw, my boys. Good morning.” Pride swelled her face.

  “Morning, Ma. Smells good.” I pecked her on the cheek, eyeing the bag of flax seed on the counter. “Seeds don’t go in pancakes, Ma.”

  “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times, Gage, you need to eat better. Flax has protein and all sorts of goodies
in it. How many eggs you want?”

  “Four.”

  “Five, then. You too, Ax?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I grabbed a mug, filling it to the brim with piping hot coffee from a robo-machine that I still didn’t know how to operate. Thank God for Dallas and Celeste. Both women couldn’t make it through a morning without their coffee. I sipped, savoring the tingle of caffeine on my tongue. Black and strong—only way to drink it.

  “Where’s Feen and Gunner?”

  “Gunner’s out in the woods still looking for tracks. Started at five this morning. And Feen?” Dallas frowned. “Not sure. His mug’s gone, so he’s up and around here somewhere.”

  I glanced into the cupboard where Feen replaced his mug every morning—a cheap, ceramic black cup that said ‘boob man,’ that used to belong to our Dad.

  Just then, wearing head-to-toe camo and covered in dirt, Gunner stepped into the kitchen and immediately clicked down the radio. “Like ice picks through my eyes. Who the hell listens to flutes in the mornings?”

  “Watch your language,” Dallas’s narrowed eyes darted over her shoulder. “Wipe your feet, and put in ear plugs.”

  I filled another cup of coffee, poured in enough sugar to induce a diabetic coma and handed it to him. He nodded and slapped me on the back.

  “Find anything from our shooter on the cliff other than the bullet casings?” I asked.

  “Nope. Son of a bitch.”

  “Seems to be the general consensus.” I reached around Dallas to grab a slice of bacon and was met with a sharp smack on the wrist.

  “Not yet,” she said. “Everyone, go wash your hands. We’ll start without Feen. Now, Gage, tell me about our new guest. How’s she doing?”

  The image of Niki up on her tiptoes with that smoldering look in her eyes flashed through my head. I cleared my throat. “She’s doing well. Still asleep.”

  “How do you know this?” A cocked brow accompanied a side eye.

  “Just checked the cameras.” I lied.

  Ax winked, knowing I didn’t care to catch the onslaught of questions if Dallas and Gunner knew I’d slept on the porch swing. Hell, I’d been questioning not only that decision, but plenty of things in the last ten minutes. Mainly, how the hell that woman had the ability to throw me off my game so badly the night before.

  “Do we need to call Dr. Buckley over today?”

  Buckley was Berry Springs’ main doctor, still clinging to the old days when house calls were a part of the job. He was a good man and had stitched my brothers and me up more times than I could count.

  “No. She’s fine.”

  “She’s a tough one.” Dallas grabbed a stack of plates from the cabinet.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Can see it in her eyes.”

  Again, I pictured those sultry dark eyes and endless lashes. My stomach dipped. Dammit.

  “Sit, boys. Time to eat.”

  “Ah, just in time.” Sliding his phone into his pocket, Wolf walked in the kitchen, wearing his usual uniform of ripped jeans, hoodie, and a baseball cap.

  “Morning, Wolf. Cap off. Coffee?”

  “Please.” He removed his hat. “And Celeste is on her way in, so add a vat to that.”

  “One cup, black, and a vat, coming up. And a drop cloth.” Dallas winked.

  A second later, Celeste bustled into the room like a tornado, per usual. We nodded, knowing not to say a single word until she’d had her first sip of coffee. Dallas handed her the vat, and she quickly sipped like a drug addict needing a fix.

  “Morning, dear.” Dallas smiled.

  Celeste grunted.

  “Uh oh, bad date?”

  “If you consider dry BBQ, heavy metal, an ex-girlfriend, and me picking up the tab at the end, yeah, bad date.”

  I sucked in a breath. Ax released a whistle.

  “Seriously, guys…” She launched into one of her infamous rants. “When the hell did men stop being chivalrous? What happened to romantic dinners, holding the door open for a woman, or helping her out of your stupid jacked-up truck? What happened to wooing a woman? Flowers? I mean is there a universal flower shortage I don’t know about? Where are the men who give you chocolates? Where are those men?”

  “Stuck in the fifties,” Wolf muttered, scrolling through his phone.

  “Well someone get me a damn time machine then.” Sighing, Celeste sank into the chair across from me. “I’m sick of guys thinking I want to gnaw on a pig rib then hit the rodeo simply because I have tattoos and a good arm.”

  “And a former Marine,” I added.

  “And can outshoot any man in the county, or the Marines, for that matter.” Dallas topped off her coffee, already empty. “You’re intimidating, Celeste. Men don’t know how to respond. Which is why you’ve got to find one with strength to match.” Her eyes drifted to the floor as a moment of silence settled around the table.

  Dallas was a walking firecracker and my Dad was probably the only man in the world that could handle it. She’d met her match, and now, was back to square one. Like we all were.

  “Anyway,” her tone switched and a forced smile crossed her face. “Yesterday sucked. Anniversaries of a loved one’s death usually do, which is why I wanted to make you all a big, nice breakfast this morning. Today’s a new day. A beautiful day. Let’s restart today.”

  I thought of Niki, and wondered if she was awake, restarting her day. Wondering how that was going for her.

  Demanding us to stay in our chairs, Dallas decorated the long, wooden table with a smorgasbord of food. Pancakes—with flax—bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, warm maple syrup, and a bowl of fresh fruit. We dove in like a bunch of POWs who hadn’t seen solid food in months.

  Dallas took her seat at the head of the table and added exactly four blueberries and one scoop of eggs onto her plate, then said, “Updates first, then we’ll go over the week’s schedule. Sound good?”

  Nods and grunts around mouthfuls of food.

  “Lieutenant Colonel Paranoid Pain-in-my-ass Remy is leaving us today,” Ax began the company portion of the update. “His son finally made it in from Australia. Had a long conversation with him yesterday; good guy. He’s going to move Remy in with him.”

  “Good. Family is exactly what that man needs.”

  “Family and new meds. Which he’s on, and promises to continue.”

  “I’ll schedule Opal to get the cabin cleaned up tomorrow, then.” Celeste made a note on her phone.

  “I think she’ll be more than happy to do that. Don’t think she’s a big fan of Remy.” I scooped up a forkful of eggs. “Anyone noticed she seems a bit on edge lately?”

  “It’s the anniversary of Duke’s death,” Dallas replied—with a hint of attitude—then changed the subject. “And what about Miss Avery?”

  All eyes turned to me.

  “Until we find our shooter, she’s not safe.”

  “Agreed,” Ax nodded.

  “She’s going to stay with us until then?”

  I swallowed, leaned back. “I’m not sure.” The question spread over my brain like a paralyzing virus. Was she going to stay with us until then? Or, was the stubborn, independent Niki Avery going to leave and take matters into her own hands? The thought made my gut clench. Odds were never good for clients who left our services early.

  “Well, she’s all booked in,” Celeste said. “I’ll need an idea of a timeframe. And I’m having Dr. Murray pay her a visit this morning, too.”

  “What?” The fork dropped from my hand. “No.”

  “Why?”

  “The woman majored in psychology herself, Celeste. The last thing she’s going to want is to be psychoanalyzed today by a psychiatrist.”

  “Oh, so then, she doesn’t need to talk about what happened?” Celeste snapped back with an attitude and sarcasm as thick as the maple syrup she’d poured on her mile-high stack of pancakes.

  “Not saying that,” I snapped back. “Shit, drink your coffee, C-note.”

>   “I’m just saying, Gage, the woman is a sexual assault victim—”

  “No, she’s not. The guy never touched her that way. It never got that far.” The heat started rising up my neck. Damn temper.

  “Doesn’t make a difference, you blockhead. She got her ass kicked, then killed a guy who had every intention of assaulting her. Not everyone is trained for that, Gage. Even we are ordered to see a head doctor after we kill someone. A civilian? No, there’s no way in hell you can’t convince me that Niki Avery doesn’t need to talk to someone. A trained professional.” She focused on me, her eyes narrowed with warning—and I noticed everyone else was giving me the same look, too. She continued. “Hell, Gage, that woman is not thinking straight right now. She needs to be met with by a professional and then given some time to work things out on her own. She certainly doesn’t need anything else on her emotional plate right now.” She paused for emphasis, her eyes boring into me. “Right now, Niki Avery is a walking time bomb of bad decisions.”

  The last sentence hit me like a brick wall, flashing with a picture of her lips against mine.

  Bad decisions…

  15

  Gage

  With a full stomach and attitude to match, I was the first to leave the breakfast table. The conversation about Niki was as subtle as a mule kick to the face.

  Don’t get involved with that girl.

  The message was clear.

  Do not have sex with Niki Avery.

  Got it.

  You see, when I was younger, I was the kid that did exactly what he was told not to do. Call it defiance, call it a punk-ass brat, but restrictions and I didn’t mix. Never did. Thing was, half the stuff I was told not to do, I wouldn’t have even considered if not for the caution sign wrapped around it.

  Thing was, the more you told me to stay away from something, the more I decided I wanted to try it.

  Little did Celeste and my family know, the constant attention the situation was getting, the constant don’t-touch-her reminders only made it worse. A perfect storm of you-want-what-you-can’t-have and save-the-damsel-in-distress. It was like someone putting a T-bone in front of a rabid dog.