Corps Security: The Series (91 page)

Pushing my gun back into my holster, I stalk to where Dee is sitting on the floor with Asher’s head in her lap. She’s just running her hand through his hair and whispering softly to him. His eyes aren’t open, but I can tell he’s awake.

“One second, Baby.” I rush out of the kitchen to the garage, grab the rope off one of the shelves, and making quick work getting back inside to tightly secure this fucker Nico. He doesn’t even flinch when I throw his bound body against the wall.

Turning, I rush back to Dee’s side. “Are you okay?” I check her over, making sure there isn’t anything pressing.

“I’m fine. I’m fine.”

She looks up, and when I meet her eyes, I realize that she’s right. She’s obviously shaken up, but there isn’t anything else behind her eyes other than relief.

“I’m really okay, Beck. A little scared, a whole lot shaken up, but I wasn’t going to let that asshole win.”

“You did good, damn good. Fuck, Dee, I think you took ten years off my life when I came in and saw you going head-to-head with that guy!”

Asher makes a noise and opens his eyes. “Would you two shut up? My head hurts. I’m never drinking again.”

It doesn’t take long before the sounds of sirens start to echo through the air. Asher’s already standing and threatening to kill Nico, who is still passed out against the wall.

“That asshole sucker punched me. Didn’t even have the balls to take me out like a man. No! He just waited until I had my back turned and got me. Let me at him!”

At one point, I have to push him out of the room because he won’t stop barking at the officers to turn around and let him finish what was started.

“Calm down, Ash. He doesn’t deserve a quick death. Let him get his ass in prison and make some Big Dick Don happy to have a new little bitch.”

His eyes heat, and the wickedness that is usually present is back with a blinding force. For the first time since Coop’s death, I can see a little of the old Asher coming back. It’s not going to be an easy battle, but he’s going to be all right.

It takes a while to finish answering all the questions, but with Dee tucked to my side, unharmed, we settle in. The detectives don’t even bat an eye when I explain why Nico has a bullet fired from my gun in his shoulder. However, when they find out that Dee is the reason he looks like he just got the shit beat out of him, there isn’t a single person that doesn’t smile at that.

Nico Slater has warrants out for his arrest in four surrounding states. He’s a known drug dealer, a suspected enforcer, and wanted for the murders of numerous individuals. He’s been a ghost to the authorities for the last three years, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be going away for a long time.

When Dee repeats his message to the detective, the energy in the room goes electric. I don’t have to look to know exactly why. I can hear Asher panting, his emotions almost too much to control. Luckily, we now have the name of the motherfucker who put all of this in motion, and if I know Asher Cooper as well as I think I do, there isn’t going to be anything that can stop him from avenging his brother’s death.

Six hours later, the house is empty of all emergency responders, the milk cleaned from the entryway, and all other messes are gone. The house once again looks like it did before the hellish afternoon. The only difference is that the heavy feeling of grief and heartache is starting to thin. Don’t get me wrong. I miss Coop more and more every day, but knowing that we’re one step closer to bringing those responsible down, makes that pain just slightly more bearable.

For once, Asher isn’t passed out drunk, but he’s locked in my office looking up everything he can on Dominic Murphy. I’m sure the day will come when we have to fight again, but for today, for once in the last few months, the good guys win.

After shutting the house down, I make my way upstairs with one thought in mind . . . taking my woman in my arms and reminding her just how much I love her. It’s been a long damn road, but the woman waiting for me in
our
bedroom doesn’t hold a single thread of those ropes that have been holding her back and tying her down. No, not my wildcat. She’s back, and she’s finally, fucking finally mine.

EPILOGUE

Dee

One Month Later

I had my last appointment with Dr. Maxwell today. It feels beyond liberating to know that I have not only hit rock bottom, but have also fought to overcome. Even with all the struggles along the way, I’m finally in control of my own happiness. No, I haven’t just overcome . . . I’m flying higher than I ever thought possible. I’ve embraced the love I never thought existed, and I’ve conquered each and every roadblock that has held me back.

Things with Izzy and Greg didn’t immediately go back to normal. They both held some guilt about everything that happened to me. I kept telling them that they shouldn’t feel guilty about something they didn’t know about. I didn’t want them to know, so I played the part to make sure that they didn’t.

Things lately have been perfect. We’re back to the friendship that we had from day one.

Not everything is perfect, though. Chelcie has finally agreed to tell Asher. Since Asher started looking into Dominic Murphy, he’s been channeling all of his pain over losing Coop into a new unhealthy obsession. We all want the people that are responsible for Coop’s death to be dealt with, but Asher isn’t able to do anything else. He eats, sleeps, and breathes vengeance, and I know I’m not the only one that’s worried about how he’s coping with things. Or not coping. So, after a long talk with Chelcie she has decided that maybe if he knows about her pregnancy, he will be able to focus on the positive things left from Coop. It’s a stretch, but at this point, it’s all we have.

They’ve grown closer over the last few weeks. Since selling the North Carolina branch, I’ve had a lot of my time freed up. I have a few more people here, and taken a step back to a less active roll. Chelcie, having her time cut in half as well, has taken to helping Asher whenever possible. I’ve promised Beck that I won’t stick my nose in their business, so I can only hope she knows what she’s doing, and pray she doesn’t get hurt in the end.

Coop being gone is something that we notice more and more every day. It’s hard to fill the void that a personality as strong as his used to fill. I know for a fact, that as long as I live, there will never be another person like Zeke Cooper. The guys have had a photo of Coop in all his big grinning glory framed and it is one of the main focal points when you walk into Corps Security. It’s pure Coop . . . big, smiling, and the twinkle of mischief shining from his beautiful blue eyes. Underneath the picture, a simple quote is engraved into the frame. ‘Tomorrow is never a guarantee; live life to the fullest and never stop smiling.’ He was taken from us before we were ready, but he lived his life unapologetically full, and I know somewhere up there, he’s flirting with angels and watching over each one of us.

The only part of the last six weeks that’s unsettled is Emmy. God, Emmy. She’s hurting, and she’s hurting bad, but she’s also running. I remember Beck sitting me down after all that Nico garbage went down, and he explained to me why he wasn’t home.

He said that Emmy had left a letter resigning from her position at Corps Security, effective immediately. She didn’t leave details on where she was going, but did say that it was just too hard to stay, knowing that Coop was dead because he took a bullet meant for her. She didn’t need to be here, but he did. The guilt and blame that she was carrying was unimaginable. Beck had gone to the office to send Maddox the location her GPS was picking up. Much to my shock, Maddox had placed a tracking device on her car almost a year ago, along with one in her purse, and he keeps her phone tracked. After explaining all of that to me, he dropped the bomb that Maddox was taking a leave of absence to ‘get my girl and bring her home.’ Yeah, I was beyond shocked that Maddox openly claimed Emmy. Between Coop’s death and Emmy’s running, something was awakened inside of Maddox. The last call Beck got from him was three nights ago, and he was no closer to getting her home.

My heart broke for Emmy, but I had a feeling that, regardless of what happens, they have a climb ahead of them. After what I saw at Cohen’s party a few months ago, I have no doubt that the demons he’s fighting are all-consuming. Even if he manages to get her home, there is a lot of healing needed. Not saying that Emmy isn’t less important than Maddox, but something tells me that the scars he has are far deeper than anyone could imagine.

* * *

I pull into the parking lot of the complex where my office, Corps Security, and Sway’s salon are all located. My door is a good four businesses down from the boys, but theirs sits right next to Sway’s.

After Coop’s funeral, I helped Sway extend the sidewalk of gold glitter, to extend all the way down to my door. I wanted a piece of that when I went to work. It’s silly, gaudy, and sometimes obnoxious, but it’s our thing. The other business owners love it, but then again, it’s really hard not to love anything that Sway does.

I have just stepped out of the car when I notice Sway through the window of his salon. He’s waving like he normally does, loudly. I laugh to myself and walk his way. By the time I get to the sidewalk, he’s already thrown the door to the salon open and is bouncing on his purple four-inch heels in anticipation. I love this man.

“Dee! My sweet, beautiful Dee! When are you going to let me have at your marvelous shoe collection! I must have those two-toned Chanel knot-shaped pumps! Don’t think I didn’t notice them, you sneaky little devil! You went shopping without Sway, and oh, my little diva, that is just not okay!” He pauses, I’m sure for dramatic effect, before continuing. “And that outfit! Spin, spin!” He brings one of his large hands off his hips long enough to spin his finger in a circle. “You have the perfect outfit. Oh Darlin,’ it is to die for! I could just take a bite out of your booty. You must tell me your secrets.”

He’s right. I look damn good, but then again, I chose this outfit for my man today. I’ve got on one of my favorite dresses. The light pink color looks amazing against my tan, and the hemline hits mid-thigh, covering just enough leg that Beck won’t flip his shit, but leaving the rest of my long legs bare. I know he has a weakness for my legs; he’s never shy about reminding me . . . usually when they are wrapped around his waist. The bandage style dress is as skintight as possible without looking trashy, hugs my figure, and pushes my breasts up. The bust is a weave of black and pink lines that make my already generous chest look even bigger. Two straps hug my shoulders and wrap around the top of my biceps. I’ve finished the look with my five-inch black heels.

I laugh, and twirl until Sway stops moving his finger. He’s got the biggest grin on his face. “You are something else! I know what you’re up to. You’re going to seduce that fine hunk of yours. Don’t think I don’t know this. Good Lord was he looking edible today. Walking sex, I’m telling you. That man is a walking, talking orgasm.”

I throw my head back and laugh because he isn’t wrong. Beck is
that
good-looking. “Sway, what did I tell you about fantasizing about my man?”

He cocks his hip to the side, tosses his blond hair over his shoulder, and rolls his eyes. “Then you should put a bag over his head.” He pauses and seems to space out for a second. I don’t even bother opening my mouth because I know he isn’t done. “Better yet, you’re going to need to start stuffing his clothes . . . making him look good and thick, so no one will look at him.” He laughs before pulling me into a hug. I wrap my arms around his thick waist and hug him back.

“You’re a mess, Sway, but I love you.” I press my cheek against his silk blouse and enjoy the moment. Sway can be a bit much for anyone, but his heart is pure gold.

He pulls back and his face gets serious for a second. He looks both ways before motioning me to lean closer. “Have you seen him yet?”

“Have I seen who? Beck?” I honestly have no clue who he is talking about. I know Axel, Greg, and Beck are in today. Asher is at the house working from Beck’s office, and Maddox is still . . . well, Maddox isn’t here. I take a second to really look at Sway and notice the excitement written all over his face. Good Lord, he looks like he’s about to pop.

He leans in, moves my long brown hair off my shoulder, and whispers in my ear, “The new one. Oh my gawd! My senses tell me there is
finally
hope for one of those boys. My team, Dee. Do you hear me? This one is all over team rainbow, I can tell!” By the time he finishes ‘whispering,’ he might as well have just yelled that out loud.

I pull back and look at him. I had no idea there was a new guy. Last I heard from Beck, they were just going to hire a temp to take Emmy’s spot until she came back.

“You’ve got me, Sway. I have no idea, but I guess I’ll find out soon.”

He doesn’t even give me a chance. He opens the door to his Salon and yells to Brandy, the adorable pixie like receptionist, that he’s going next door to ogle the hunks. She laughs, clearly used to this from Sway, and waves him off.

“Does this mean you’re coming with me?”

He doesn’t answer, laces our hands together, and all but pulls me to the door of Corps Security. The glass is tinted so we can’t see in, but that doesn’t stop Sway from vibrating his excitement.

“Would you calm down? You’re going to jerk my arm right off my body.”

He doesn’t respond, but the second I open the door, he rushes in, pulling me with him.

I smile at Coop’s portrait before my eyes sweep over to Emmy’s desk. I’ve been so used to hearing her sweet voice over the years that the very masculine voice echoing through the room takes me off guard. When I look over and see just what has Sway in knots, I can almost understand his ridiculous behavior.

“See what I mean? Gorgeous.” He doesn’t even try to keep his voice down, and the object of his eyes looks right at him with a large smile.

What the hell am I watching right now? This man is most definitely gorgeous. His blond hair is perfectly styled, not a single piece out of place. His face is almost too perfect . . . high cheekbones, strong jaw, big smile and perfectly white teeth. I can’t tell from where I’m standing, but his eyes almost look violet. His body is partially hidden by the desk, but from what I can tell, the rest is just as good as his face . . . strong shoulders, and trim, muscular chest.