Page 54 of Hard to Handle
“We’ll talk about it in the mornin’.”I kissed her forehead again.“But right now I want you to sleep.”
Kelly
I sat at the small desk in my hotel room, my laptop in front of me.I searched the Internet for information on the fire.I knew the damn place had blown because I'd been there to see it.
Well, notrightthere, but I'd been a mile out and there had been no mistaking the solid boom that had shaken the earth and the fireball that had shot into the sky.It had taken every ounce of my honed patience not to turn around so I could watch the place burn.Instead, I'd had to imagine Amy burning to death inside, those stupid fucks she worked for going with her.
So far, I hadn’t found anything, but I knew it would come.
And this headache would be over once and for all.
Travis
I sat on the front porch, staring out at the darkness.It was late, but I couldn’t sleep.We’d put the kids to bed hours ago and I probably would’ve been out like a light if Wolfe hadn’t called and given me the news about the explosion at the bar.Now, my brain wouldn’t shut off.I was the take-charge kind and sitting on my ass wasn’t working for me.
Only I didn’t have many options at the moment.
The screen door squeaked behind me.
“Hey, you all right?”Kylie asked, coming closer.
I reached for my wife, pulling her into my lap.“Better now,” I said, pressing my face into her neck, breathing her in.She smelled like baby shampoo, probably from when she’d bathed the kids earlier.I loved that smell.
“Gage is still on the phone,” she said softly.
I nodded but didn’t lift my head.Gage was working his contacts, wanting to control any news reports that went out on the explosion that had burned that little bar to the ground.Our goal was to buy ourselves a little time, to announce that there had been casualties, however, ensuring the reporters were told the bodies would take time to identify.That would allow us the opportunity to put a plan in place.
Sure, that crazy fucker might know otherwise, but he wouldn’t know that no one had been killed in the blast.Thank the Lord.
As soon as the call had come in, as soon as I'd heard Wolfe’s voice, I knew the shit had finally hit the fan.Not long after that, more calls had come in.One from RT, another from one of the security agents who was working the case, both telling me the details of what had gone down.
The good news was, this guy was on a short timeline.The bad news was that we weren’t doing enough to stop him.No way should that bastard have been able to get close enough to set an explosive on a goddamn building in the middle of town.It pissed me off that we’d let my cousin down, that some good people had nearly died tonight because we’d mistakenly believed we had some time.
The screen door squeaked again and Gage’s voice sounded.
“Yes, that’s right.And Reese, Travis, and I will be headed that way first thing in the mornin’.I’ll need you to manage the resort while we’re out.We’re gonna meet with Max’s sister…”Pause.“Yeah, the one in law school… She’s on her way down as we speak.”Pause.“No, I don’t know what his plan is, but it’s more than we’ve got, so we’re goin’ with it.”
I lifted my head, staring up at my husband.Gage merely nodded when our eyes met.
“Yep, this bastard’s goin’ down,” Gage said gruffly.“Thanks.And let me know how things go.”
When Gage hung up the phone, I took a breath and I waited.
“Everything’s in place.”He sighed.“Not sure how happy I am that you’ve got mob ties, but … whatever.”
I smiled.It was good to have friends.Didn’t matter if they were in low places or not.It still helped.
ChapterFifteen
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Reagan
The instant my brain came online, I knew I was in an unfamiliar bed, an unfamiliarhouse.
I inhaled and the scent of coffee drifted in from somewhere.I was reminded of my grandfather’s house.Waking up there each morning before school, the smell of coffee and bacon drifting up from the kitchen.Sometimes I missed those days.Being a kid, not having toadultall the damn time.Those were simpler times.
Forcing my eyes open, I squinted against the sun shining into the room and rolled over.
