Resisting Ryann Read online

  He gives me a wide grin, smelling like he’s freshly showered. “Both,” he replies, reaching in for a hug. I step out of it quicker than I normally would, feeling a twinge of guilt. He frowns. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I smile, not wanting to explain any further. None of this is his fault. I walk around him. “Just had a long day.” I make my way to the lazy boy chair. I’m reminded of how different Sean is from the stereotypical bachelor. He’s clean, almost to a fault. There’s something about a man who keeps his things in order. I glance at the stacks of files spread across the dining table. “Working on a case?”

  “I was,” Sean says, gathering up his work and setting it aside. He eyes me

  suspiciously. “Sure you’re okay?”

  Gee, am I that obvious? I grin. “I already told you. I’m fine.” Fidgeting with my shirt, I successfully avoid his eyes. “Are all those for one case?” I ask, pointing to the mess.

  He looks over. “I’ve got a handful that I’m working on.” Sean’s a prosecuting attorney. He spends most of his days researching and rarely discusses his work. I guess it’s a confidentiality thing—either that, or he’d rather keep his work separate from his personal life. “You want a beer?” he asks, striding toward the fridge. He’s only being considerate.

  “A water sounds perfect,” I sigh, not comfortable drinking around him. I’ve learned through past experience, the combination of alcohol and men make my inhibitions non-existent.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asks, handing me the water. “You seem distracted.” He takes a pull from his bottle. I hadn’t noticed the long-sleeve button-down, fashionable jeans, and new leather shoes he’s sporting.

  “I like your shoes,” I tell him, giving him a once-over. “You look nice. Why are you all dressed up?” Silently, I’m hoping it isn’t for me.

  “I thought I’d get you out of the house for a change.” He shrugs, taking another swig. “But judging by your face, I’m guessing you want to stay in tonight.”

  “What’s wrong with my face?”

  He chuckles. “I didn’t say anything was wrong with it. You just look upset. That’s all.” He makes his way to the couch and flips on the television. “You going to sit way over there all night? We still need to catch up on The Walking Dead.”

  I can’t believe I’m being this way. Logan shouldn’t have a say in what I do or whom I do it with. I go to the spot beside him, taking a seat. “I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Now we’re getting somewhere.” He grins, setting his beer on the coffee table. Stretching his arms behind his neck, he leans against the couch. “Ask away.”

  “Do you work late tomorrow?”

  His eyes roam to the stack of files in the corner. “Depends. Did you want to go out?”

  “No. Not exactly, but you’re close.” Closing one eye, I’m afraid of his response. He may be polite to Logan’s face, but I know he doesn’t care for him. “I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner—my place this time.”

  “I’d love to,” he replies before I’m finished.

  Now for the hard part. “We thought it’d be a good idea for the four of us to get together.”

  He tilts his head.

  “Gia and I, I mean.”

  I watch his face fall, but he recovers quickly. The corner of his mouth tips up. “Give me the time, and I’ll be there.”

  “Really?”

  He looks at me, surprised. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

  “Cause Logan can be a real jerk,” I murmur.

  “He seems like an all right guy.” He shrugs, taking his empty bottle to the trash, before grabbing another. “Now I want to ask you something.”

  “Uh oh.”

  “Don’t be scared.” He smiles as he strides back over. “If I go tomorrow, will you let me take you out this weekend?” He sits down. “As friends. I promise I won’t try to kiss you.” I cover my face, embarrassed. “Unless, of course, you want me to,” he adds.

  I peek through my fingers. “I’m not scared, and I trust you. To be honest, I could use a little getting out of the house.”

  “I agree.” He lifts his bottle. So I grab my glass of water. We clink them together. “I have a feeling things are going to get interesting.” We both take a sip.

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  Letting out a sharp laugh, he licks his lips. “To tell you the truth … I don’t know.” He kicks his feet up on the table. “It’s just a feeling.” It doesn’t take long before the both of us become engrossed in the zombies on the screen.

  Will’s voice startles me awake, along with a woman’s I don’t recognize. I must have fallen asleep during one of the episodes. I had made it through at least three. Now I’m sprawled out on the couch and have no idea where Sean went.

  “Ah man, did we wake you?” Will asks, glancing around. Although Will and Sean are roommates, I rarely see him. It seems like he’s never home.

  I yawn. “Yeah, it’s fine.” Gazing down the hall, I look for Sean. “Sean must be in the bathroom. Will you tell him I went home? And sorry I fell asleep on him?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, he enters the room.

  “Enjoy your nap?” He smiles.

  “Told you it was a long day. I’m going home now. I need to sleep.”

  “You want me to walk you?”

  “No, I’ll be fine.” I reach over and give him a hug, then introduce myself to Will’s friend, since Will so rudely forgot. I turn around to Sean. “Dinner tomorrow,” I point. “When I figure out more details, I’ll call or text.”

  He nods. “I’ll be there. Sleep tight.”

  “I’ll try.” I shut the door and make my way home, anticipating a night of dreamless sleep.

  I’ve taken my fourth shower of the day trying to wash the filth away. It’s imprinted on my skin like a jagged scar. These past few months have been haunting my conscience. Who would have thought I’d be back in the middle of the cesspool I’d fought so hard to stay away from? I guess that’s the way life goes. You get what you’re given. Shut up and deal with the consequences.

  I search for my only source of communication that’ll get me through the day. I need to talk to Andrew. Where are you, little bastard? Reaching into the vent, I feel around for the phone. I must’ve pushed it farther back the last time I used it. I stand on my toes and am able to grab it, then quickly dial the number. He answers on the first ring, which is usual for him, though he never knows when to expect me.

  “You all right?”

  I take a glance at the clock. “Peachy. Look, I don’t have much time.”

  “I understand,” he murmurs. “Talk to me.”

  “It’s Valdez. We’re meeting in twenty minutes.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

  “You serious?” he asks, hopeful. It’s the opportunity both of us have been waiting for.

  “Serious as a heart attack.”

  “You get a location?”

  No, dipshit. “I told you. They don’t give me that information.” I rake my hand through my hair and pace back and forth. “Can they put a tail on me?” I place the phone on speaker and finish getting dressed.

  “Nah, too risky. Either way, it means we’re close. What do you got on him?”

  “One of our guys screwed up a coke deal—took off with over half a mil. I’m headed down to clean up the mess … smooth things over.” I lick my lips. “I hadn’t heard about Valdez’s involvement until today. Called you as soon as I found out.”

  “You know what this means,” he says. “If all goes well, you could be getting out of there within a few days.” I grin at his words, though I find it unlikely. “What’s that idiot thinking, taking off with the money?”

  No idea. “All I know is his wife and kids are suffering for it.”

  He clears his throat. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Yeah, so am I.” I picture the terror on each of their faces. “So what’s next after this?”


  Sighing into the phone, he says, “The deal has to go through. It’s very important you make it happen, Luke.”

  I blow out a breath. “And if it doesn’t?”

  “Then the feds won’t make their move, and you’ll be stuck there a little longer. They need the evidence. It’s the only way to convict him.”

  I’m ready to throw the phone against the wall and shatter it into a million pieces. I have no authority here. We’re dealing with a drug-lord who makes my father’s cruelest of crimes look like Mother Theresa’s. “That’s the best they can do?” I peek out the window. “You’re serious?” I growl, sitting down on the bed.

  “Listen.”

  “No, you listen. This was supposed to be about Reese—about putting my father in prison so she would be safe. Now I’m wondering if this was a mistake!” I tighten my grip on the phone.

  “Look,” he says calmly. “You didn’t have a choice. I know this is hard for you. Just hang in there, and we’ll get him.”

  I snort. “Easy for you to say.”

  “This is hard for me, too. Do you realize how much praying I’ve been doing? Let me tell you. A lot. It’d do you good to give it a try,” he murmurs.

  “Thanks for the advice, but I’m pretty sure Jesus isn’t going to help me with this one.”

  He laughs. “If He helped me. He sure as hell wouldn’t have a problem helping you.”

  A car pulls up the drive. “Yeah, where is he then? Look, I got to go. Tell the feds thanks for nothing”

  Andrew mumbles something back, but I end the call and put the phone away, then head out to the car where Marcus and Warren are waiting.

  We’re in the middle of the desert. I’ve seen nothing but dirt, cactus, and tumbleweeds for the past forty minutes. Although I’m curious where Gage is, I don’t ask, assuming he’s licking his wounds at home—still weak from the beat down I gave him. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with him today.

  We finally spot a couple SUVs and a van parked off in the distance. Marcus heads that way, then we pull over to park the car. I count six of them, opposed to our three, as we all climb out of our vehicles. All of them are visibly armed, except for a middle-aged man wearing a suit with his hair greased back. I assume this is Valdez.

  He steps forward and reaches out a hand. “Gentlemen.”

  Marcus and Warren give their formal hellos, but Valdez keeps his gaze on mine. “Luke Ryann,” he says with a fake smile. “I’ve watched you fight. I’ve got to say, I’m a big fan.” His eyes tell me the opposite. I use my game face pretending I didn’t notice the animosity in his voice. He’s my one-way ticket to Reese’s safety. Once the feds get what they want, my father is no longer a threat, then Reese and I can get on with our lives. I just hope she’ll be able to forgive me and understand I did what I had to do.

  “I appreciate that, sir.”

  His eyebrows pinch together. “I’m curious, though, what brings you to the business?” he asks, lifting his chin. His men all stand behind him.

  I scan each one of them, noticing most of their sizes evenly match mine, and I’m a big guy. “Just keeping it in the family, sir.” My eyes flick back to him.

  He rubs his chin. “I thought you might say that.” He takes a couple steps back. “Your father and I have done business for years.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  He lets out a short laugh. “Really? I’m surprised by that.” There’s a bite in his tone. “Tell me, what else have you heard?” Lifting his brows, he watches my expression.

  “I wish I had more to give you, but my father keeps the details of his business practices private.” I keep my face blank.

  He nods, seeming pleased by my answer. “It’s too bad our meeting isn’t under better circumstances,” he adds, giving me a firm pat on the shoulder.

  “I agree, but we can’t let it slow us down, right?”

  “No, we can’t,” he replies.

  I gesture to Marcus and Warren. “You guys go ahead.” Valdez looks amused by this. I hold out my hands. “Like I said, I don’t get much of the details. These guys are who you want to talk to.”

  He smirks. “I guess you’re going to have to earn back your father’s trust. Am I right?”

  I tense at his words then quickly release it. How the hell does he know? “I guess so,” I tell him, meeting his eyes. A whole lot of scenarios run through my mind—about my past, and his possible involvement—but it’s not the time to be distracted by that.

  “We still want the deal,” Marcus tells him. “It just may take a little longer to get the money. There are a few more leads we need to follow. Some of our guys are on it now. Could be later today, tomorrow … three days tops.”

  “You sound pretty confident you’ll catch him,” Valdez replies with his hands clasped behind his back. “What happens if you don’t?”

  “You’ll get the money regardless,” Warren answers. “There are other sources we can use if we have to.”

  “Good. Then I don’t see a problem moving forward.”

  “We’re glad to hear that,” Warren replies with an easy grin. He lifts his brows. “You bring us a sample?”

  Valdez looks over his shoulder. “Salinas,” he calls.

  A dude with a buzz cut and a full sleeve of tattoos heads over to the van then opens it. Holy shit! I blink, hoping it’s a hallucination from my lack of sleep. We make our way to the gruesome scene. A lump forms in the pit of my stomach, and my jaw clenches tightly.

  “Where’s the dog?” one of the men say from behind me.

  “I stopped to take a piss. He attacked the fuck out of me and got away,” another one retorts.

  “You shoot it?”

  “I said I was taking a piss. He ran off.”

  “Told you the dog was a bad idea. Dumb ass.”

  I block out their voices, flicking my gaze to Marcus and Warren, finding their only focus is the coke. Neither one of them sparing a glance at the decapitated bodies, or the young girl that’s gagged and bound between them. She’s very much alive, petrified, with tears streaming down her cheeks. She can’t be much older than thirteen.

  Flies swarm the headless corpses, and bile creeps up my throat.

  “Are those her parents?”

  “Not anymore,” Salinas replies, brushing the hair away from her face.

  She cringes from his touch.

  A suggestive smile plays on his lips. “Pretty, isn’t she?” he asks.

  I clench my fists, conflicted. “Sure.” I swallow, knowing her future doesn’t look so good. She’ll be lucky if she isn’t raped, sold, or murdered like her parents. “What do you plan to do with her?”

  “What do you think?” He tips his head toward the bodies. “She’s the spitting image of her mother.” He smirks. “She’s going to make us some Benjamins.”

  My fist slams into his mouth a moment later, and he falls to the ground, lying unconscious on his back. I guess I snapped without even a thought.

  “Enough, Luke!” I hear Warren shout, holding me back with the help of Marcus.

  It takes a total of three seconds to notice Valdez’s men are circled around me, their weapons pointed at my face.

  “Put them down,” Valdez orders. They do as they’re told. I lower my hands, and he makes his way toward me. “So you have a soft spot for children,” he says when he’s close.

  I squeeze my eyes shut, then open them. “I’m sorry, sir.” I might have ruined everything in that moment.

  He pulls a gun from his jacket. “I never liked Salinas,” he says, shooting him in the head like he means nothing to him. His blood drains into the dirt. My pulse picks up. I do what I can to stay calm.

  Putting the gun away, he pats me on the shoulder. “You didn’t come here to discuss the girl. Did you, Mr. Ryann?” he asks, raising his brows.

  I meet his seedy eyes. “No, sir.” But I’ll get her away from you if I can.

  He tilts his head. “Do you know what happens if you betray me?”

  I nod. “I t
hink I have a good idea.”

  He watches me, then paces back and forth, like he’s thinking. He stops. “I consider your father a friend,” he says, pursing his lips. “This is your only warning.” He glances at Marcus and Warren. “Mr. Ryann is new to the business. I assume you’ll better inform him on how to behave before our next visit.”

  “We apologize,” Warren replies, glancing at me sideways. “We’ll leave him at home next time if you prefer.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” he answers. “Use this as a lesson learned,” he tells me. “You won’t get off so easily, if there’s a next time.” He’s inches from my face. I swallow then give a small nod.

  “We’ll keep you posted, Mr. Valdez,” Marcus interrupts—probably afraid I’m going to mess this up. He doesn’t have to worry. I’m too busy thinking about how to help the girl without endangering Reese in the process.

  “Tell Glenn I’ll be waiting,” he replies, heading toward a vehicle.

  Marcus and Warren guide me to the car.

  “Hands off. I’m fine,” I tell them through gritted teeth.

  Valdez yells over his shoulder. “Be careful, Mr. Ryann.” A wry grin stretches his features. “Your physical strength won’t get you very far here,” he warns.

  I watch him climb into the SUV, then one by one they drive away.

  “Do you have any idea how much power he has in his pinky alone?” Marcus asks. “Nobody challenges Valdez the way you did.”

  We’ve been driving through the desert for about twenty minutes. We’re on our way to see my father, who’s been spending a lot of time with Rachelle—the woman I saw him with the other night. I assume she has him by the balls. I’ve never seen my father with the same woman twice, with the exception of my mother.

  “Dude, I about shit my pants when he hit Salinas. I wasn’t sure if any of us would live after that,” Warren chuckles.

  “Yeah, well, next time tell me what I’m up against.”

  “Rules are rules,” Marcus replies.

  I let out a sardonic laugh. “Is that why Valdez put a bullet in Salinas’s head?”

  “Valdez is crazy,” he retorts. “You’re lucky he didn’t give you one to match.”

  A flash of something catches my eye, and I check out the back window, spotting a German shepherd wandering through the desert. It may be spring, but it’s hot, and there’s no way that dog will survive without water.