Kade: Santanas Cuervo MC (12 page)

Hayden let out a long sigh. “Thank God you’re okay. We’ll take care of this in the morning.”

“I love you, Dad,” she said.

“I love you, too,” he said. “But we’ve got to find out what this is all about and put a stop to it.”

“I hope so. The other three times scared me, especially when they were chasing us in the truck, but this time, it was awful, Daddy. Tom Bickers died because I couldn’t stop the bleeding. Two others were killed before we could get the RV started.”

“Jesus Christ. Just get home, and be careful. I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I’m damned sure going to find out.”

“I will.”

“Call me when you get home so I know you’re safe.”

“Okay. Love you. Bye.”

“Bye, baby girl.”

She hung up the phone and stared at it a moment. “Fuck…pardon my French.”

***

“Okay, Dad. Bye,” Winter said as she ended the call. “That’s it, 2415.”

Kade turned the car into the drive and stopped in front of the garage door of a cream-colored, two-story stucco house barely wider than the garage. Two similar houses flanked it on each side with, perhaps, three feet between them. There was no grass in the front or between the houses, only a few well-manicured bushes and an expanse of cobblestones that connected all the houses together.

“Let me have your key and I’ll open the door.”

“There’s a keypad on the garage…one nine seven three enter.”

“Stay in the car,” he said as he stepped out and entered the number. As the door rumbled up he returned to the car and pulled it inside. The large two-car garage was empty save for a bicycle and a row of shelves along one wall that contained neatly-labeled plastic boxes. When the car stopped, she started to get out until he took her arm and gently restrained her.

“Wait.” He, again, exited the car and pushed the button to lower the door. When the door was closing the last foot, she opened her door and stepped out, picking up Gabbro and cuddling the cat. It was nearly eleven, and with the excitement of the day, she was exhausted.

As Kade pulled the two bags from the trunk, she opened the house, turned Gabbro loose inside, and started bringing the house online by turning on water, turning up the temperature of the hot water tank and turning on the air conditioning.

“Bedrooms are upstairs,” she said as Kade passed.

Kade slipped past as she closed the door to the water heater closet. Winter’s house looked small on the outside, but it was much larger on the inside, the house narrow but deep like a typical patio house. He tromped up the wide wooden steps to the second floor where he found the master suite, a large room that took up the entire back half of the house. He tossed Winter’s bag on the king-sized bed, then stepped into the guest room and did the same with his bag. A quick peek in the other rooms, he found a third bedroom she’d converted into an office area, a second bath, and a laundry room. He paused at the thermostat and flicked the air conditioning on before returning downstairs to find her in the kitchen filling cat bowls with food and water.

“I turned the A/C on upstairs.”

“Good, thank you. That was my next stop.”

He looked around the large kitchen, family room, and dining area. The three rooms occupied the entire downstairs and were open to form one large area with wood floors throughout, an island with pots and pans hanging from a rack above providing visual separation for family room and kitchen. Like upstairs, the decoration was sparse but tasteful. There were a few paintings on the wall for color, a large ruddy red and beige rug in the center of the family room holding leather furniture, while the recessed and directional track lighting gave the house a modern and dramatic flair.

“Nice place,” he said as he admired the bright white cabinets, dark marble counter tops, and stainless steel appliances.

“I like it. The best part is I don’t have to worry with it. I have a cleaning lady who comes in once a week, and I pay a guy to keep the yard, so I know when I come home everything will be taken care of.”

Kade stepped to the kitchen window and peered out. The fenced backyard was tiny and dominated by a large patio made from the same cobbles as those in front. There was a wide walk that arced along the fence to a smaller raised and covered patio tucked in the corner, with a grouping of chairs arraigned under a large fan. Raised beds made from the same stone meandered along the fence line, softening the edge and leaving a small strip of perfectly-maintained grass in the middle. The beautifully landscaped yard was made more magical by hidden lighting and spots that drew the eye to various plants and features. The house was very Winter. Beautiful, elegant, and yet, at the same time, welcoming.

“I’m going to bed,” she said as he stared out the window.

He nodded and stepped back. “Yeah, I think I’ll turn in, too.”

They trudged upstairs, Gabbro scampering up ahead of them.

“Goodnight, Kade.”

“Goodnight.”

She retired to her bedroom and prepared for bed. As she cleaned her face, the day began to overwhelm her. She stared at herself in the mirror, seeing Bickers and her blood-covered hands. She thought of Lilly and Jacob, and Dugger’s funeral. Anders and Juice, dead. So much loss, all because of her. She could feel the tears coming and she tried to push them away.

He’d just finished brushing his teeth when Winter appeared in the bathroom door wearing a pale blue night shirt with the words
Don’t take a Geologist for Granit
in bold letters on the front. “Will you hold me tonight?” she asked, her face twisting as if she were struggling not to cry.

“You okay?” he asked.

“No,” she whimpered.

He wiped his hands and mouth and stepped to her, pulling her into a hug. She’d endured so much in the last two weeks. She broke and began to sob softly, holding him tight. He held her for a long time, a hand gently pressing her head to his shoulder, until her tears stopped.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffed as she stepped out of his arms. “I’m sorry for everything that’s happened, for your brothers being killed. It’s all my fault.”

“No. Don’t say that. It’s not your fault. You did
nothing
to cause this.”

“I still feel like it’s my fault.”

“Shhhh…” he hissed softly. “It’s not and you know it. You’ve just had a really tough day. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

“Will you still hold me? I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

He smiled and led her to her bedroom. He felt a stirring within him, but then he thought of Bickers, Anders, and Juice, and the feeling passed. They turned in and she snuggled in close to his side as he lay on his back, his arms closing around her. As he lay there in his underwear, he held her, softly caressing her head and back with one hand, stroking the arm lying on his chest with the other. After a moment, he felt her tears dripping onto his shoulder, though she made no sound. He said nothing, though he ached for her, wishing he could do something to ease her pain. He hoped her ordeal was behind them now. Houston was too far from the Mexican border for the cartels to have much direct influence, unlike Rio Bonita or Laredo, and she should be safe here.

He felt her relax into sleep and he pulled her in tighter, fighting against his own grief, the thoughts of Bickers, Anders, Juice and Dugger tearing at him in the quiet darkness. He’d led them into a fight they were unprepared for, and his brothers had paid the price.

Winter tucked in warm and soft, he tried to draw strength from the fact she was still alive and, physically at least, unharmed. But it wasn’t enough to stop the tears as he silently grieved over the loss of his brothers.

The alarm on her phone was bleating, pulling him out of the darkness of sleep. Winter rolled over and touched the phone, the room falling silent again.

“Good morning,” Kade murmured as she tucked herself into his side, laying her head back on his shoulder as he once again surrounded her with his arms.

“Good morning,” she mumbled then rose up and kissed him on the lips. It was the first time she kissed him, but it seemed appropriate considering they had just slept together, even if nothing had happened.

He accepted the kiss and, as innocent as it was, he could feel the stirring again. “How are you this morning?”

She paused as she took stock of her feelings. She still felt the loss of Bickers, Anders, and Juice, but not as keenly as last night. Whether it was the good night’s sleep or the warmth of Kade’s embrace, or the combination of the two, she didn’t know. “Better I think. How are you?”

“Okay.”

“Are you?”

He gave her a ghost of a smile. “No, not really.”

She kissed him again. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I know it has to be tough, losing four friends, four brothers. Especially when it’s my—”

“Don’t even go there,” he rumbled. “It’s not your fault, so don’t even say it.”

She put her head back on his shoulder. “Maybe, but I still feel guilty.”

“Don’t.”

“Then you don’t either,” she said, rising up again to look at him. “You did everything you could. You got two brothers out, almost three.”

“Almost. That’s a small consolation.”

“I know.” She lay down again. She noticed he had an erection, but he’d made no move to seduce her and she made no reference to it as a pleasant warmth flowed through her. She liked the fact he’d been there every step of the way, how he and his brothers made her feel safe. She was touched how they had given their lives to get her out of two very bad situations without injury. She knew it was all of the Santanás Cuervo working as a team who had protected her, but all those feelings were focusing down on Kade.

She’d been vulnerable last night, needing to feel the touch of another person. Had he tried she was certain she’d have given herself to him. But he hadn’t, he’d only held her, his almost loving embrace making her feel safe and his closeness kept the nightmares away.

She rose again and kissed him, allowing it to linger, and he responded, kissing her back for the first time. Satisfied he was feeling something, too, she slowly pulled back from the kiss, watching his eyes.

He
wanted
her. He’d been physically attracted to her since the moment he saw her, but this was more. Over the past two weeks, and especially the past week, when he’d been her constant companion, he’d gotten to know her. Now the attraction was much more than the fact she was a stunningly attractive woman. He’d shoved those feelings down deep, but that last kiss held promise and desire and it brought back to the surface all the feelings he’d buried.

“We need to get ready,” he whispered as he watched her large dark eyes. He could read the desire there, the same desire he felt.

“Yes,” she replied softly, though her gaze never wavered, as if daring him to start something.

He pulled her lips to his, the kiss quickly become torrid before he pushed her gently away.

She felt a crushing disappointment as he pulled away. She wanted him like no man before. She tried to move in for another kiss, but he held her back.

“We have to meet your dad.”

“Let him wait,” she murmured as she tried again, but one more he blocked her.

“Don’t,” he said softly. “I won’t be able to stop if we start.”

“Then don’t.”

“No,” he whispered, placing a finger gently against her lips. “But later.”

She sighed, the blooming rush of desire fading. “Okay.”

He smiled then quickly rolled her over, looking into her eyes as he lay lightly on her. “But later, after work…”

His kiss was so intense her toes tingled, the fading passion returning in a rush, her hands tangling in his hair and holding him into the kiss. He pulled back slowly, and as she opened her eyes, she saw him smiling at her.

“After work,” she breathed, wondering how she was going to be able to focus on her meeting with her dad when all she could think about was what she’d be doing
after
the meeting.

He kissed her quickly once more then tumbled out of bed. “You shower, I’ll fix breakfast.”

She groaned in frustration but took some small solace in that he was sporting a raging hard on.

***

“Dad,” Winter said, rushing to her father and falling into his arms.

“I’m so glad you’re home safe,” Hayden said, holding his daughter tight.

“Ms. Kelly,” Kade said as Gail came forward and extended her hand.

“Thank you for keeping her safe. I’m sorry for your loss. If there is anything Kelly Oil can do…”

“There is,” Winter said, pulling out of her dad’s embrace. “Gunner, the first man who was killed, has a son. I think Kelly Oil should set up a trust for him to attend school.” She looked at Kade. “Did Bickers, Juice, or Anders have kids?”

“Anders has, had, three little girls. Juice, a boy and a girl.”

Winter looked at her father. “I think it’s the least we can do considering they gave their lives for mine.”

Hayden nodded. “Okay, we’ll talk about it and see if there is something we can do. But right now I need to find out what is going on with you. Why is someone trying to kill you?” He looked at Kade. “I’ll be forever in your debt, Mr. Goddard. Any ideas on why someone is targeting my daughter?”

“No, sir. It looks like a cartel. This latest attempt, especially. But I’m in the dark as to why. If it’s as Ms. Kelly thinks, that you are closing off a route they use, I think the attempts would be more general. But they don’t appear to be. They appear to be targeting Winter specifically. That doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Gail nodded. “I think I agree with you now. Especially since you appeared to be correct that what we thought was vandalism is actually theft. We checked with the nearest scrapyard, and they have seen an uptick in the amount of steel beams coming into the yard.”

Kade nodded and looked at Hayden and Winter. “Any grudges? Anyone who might want to get to you for some reason?”

“No, not that I know of. Not personally. Of course there is always the occasional crackpot who hates oil companies.” Hayden shrugged.

“This isn’t crackpots,” Kade said firmly. “Crackpots don’t generally have access to automatic weapons. It
feels
like a drug cartel, but I can’t figure the motivation.”

Hayden nodded. “I don’t think it matters now. Winter is done in the field for a while, until we open our next lease anyway. Maybe whatever is going on will be resolved by then.”

Kade nodded in agreement. “She should be safe here in Houston, but I would keep security on her for a few more weeks, just to be sure.”

Hayden nodded and extended his hand. “I agree. Thank you again for all you’ve done. We’ll see what we can do about providing for your men’s children. We’ll include a nice bonus. I think you’ve earned it.”

“Wait? What?” Winter asked. “That’s it? What about the security?”

“There are several good firms here in town that specialize in this sort of thing,” Hayden said. “There is no need to keep Kade so far from home.”

“Oh, hell no!” Winter said loudly. “If you think I need security for a little while longer, fine. But it’s going to be Kade and the Santanás Cuervos, or it’s going to be nobody.”

“Winter, it’s okay. If—” Kade began.

“No! Absolutely not! I trust you, Kade. I trust you and the Santanás Cuervo. I don’t trust anyone else. If you really think I need security, then I want it to be you. I’ll go back to Rio Bonita if I have to.”

“Winter, be reasonable,” Hayden said. “There are several firms that have more resources and expertise in this matter than Kade’s men.”

“Yeah? Where were these firms before, huh? If they’re so damned good, why did you hire Kade?”

Gail nodded. “I agree with Winter. Kade’s men took on the job when everyone else said it was too tough. If she wants Kade, I think we should abide by her wishes. He’s proven his men can get the job done.”

Hayden looked at Kade, trying to take the measure of the man. “Can you do it? Can you protect her as well here as out in oil country?”

“There are different challenges here. Many more people, a lot more places to hide. But, yes, I think I can do it.”

“What do you need?”

“I don’t know yet. Until there is a verified threat, I don’t think I need any more men. Most of my guys have other jobs and bringing them to Houston for no reason is an unnecessary hardship for them.”

Hayden looked at Gail and Winter. “This is what I’m talking about. A regular security firm can—”

“No,” Winter said firmly. “If Kade says he can and will do it, I want him.” She looked at him. “Can you do it? Can you leave Rio Bonita for a few weeks?”

He nodded. “I can do it.”

“Then it’s settled,” Winter said decisively then jerked her thumb toward Kade. “You want security around me, he’s it.”

“Now that that’s settled,” Gail said heeding off more discussion, “I need to talk to you about how to stop these thefts.”

***

“How about lunch?” Kade said as he and Winter left the offices of Kelly Oil, stopping by the rented Mustang. While Winter went off and did whatever it was she did, he’d spent the next three hours in discussions with Gail about their theft problem.

He made several suggestions, then had managed to secure another job for the Santanás Cuervo. They were taking over well security for Kelly Oil. Gail, at first, wanted to know what they could do that WSS, their current contractor, couldn’t. Kade had smiled and cautioned her about asking too many questions. Gail had picked up on what he was saying immediately and dropped the matter. The more she talked to Kade, the more confidence she had in him that his suggestions and observations were right on the mark and he could get the job done. He might come across with an
ah shucks
persona, but it was clear he was an intelligent and tough individual. She expected their theft problem to be over in a matter of weeks.

“Good idea,” Winter purred. “What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know,” he grinned, knowing what she was thinking. It was the same thing he was thinking. “I could go for a burger and a beer.”

“Wait. What? I thought we’d go back to my place.”

He smiled and brought his lips close to hers. “Later,” he whispered. “I want to give you time to think about all the things I’m going to do to you, all the things you want me to do to you.”

She shivered as she flashed hot. “You’re a real asshole, you know that?” she murmured.

He smiled and pulled back, stepping around the car to open her door. “You said you liked a guy who stood up to you.”

She flounced to the car and plopped into the seat, smiling as he shut the door. She rather liked that he didn’t try to jump her the moment he got a chance, a pleasant change from all her previous lovers. “How about Bubba’s? Ever had a buffalo burger?” she asked as he slid into the car.

“No, can’t say that I have,” he grinned as he pushed the start button.