Hard Money (Bad Money #3) (11 page)

"What's holding her back?" Marcus threw his hands out to the side as if questioning everything.

"You."

Chapter 18

Marcus

It was a hard pill to swallow, but Jon was right. Kate would forever stay connected to their current life even though she wanted out of it, and it was his fault. Marcus knew without a doubt that if he pushed her away into Jon's arms, that he would crush her, but only for a time. It would destroy him forever, but maybe that was an okay answer.

"Get out of here. I'm tired of talking about shit. Go to the club and watch over Kate while I clean this shit up." Marcus ran his hand over his bald head and used his words to force Jon away. "Billy's watching her. Get the fuck over there, cop. Now!"

"Fine. Shit." Jon turned on his heel and stormed off to his bike as Marcus worked to get the two dead bodies into the back of the mustang. He grumbled under his breath at the fact that his carpets would have to be cleaned, and that Billy wasn't going to be thrilled with the situation. The bastard had eyes everywhere. He probably already knew about it.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he called Reni.

"Sup, bro?"

"Not your bro. Where are you guys? Word on the street is that the cops are narrowing in on you stupid mother fuckers." Marcus squatted to wipe his hands on the grass, trying to get the blood off of his fingers before touching his steering wheel.

"We've relocated. You back from your trip? You disappeared without a word. Not really a trustworthy move." Reni chuckled.

"Yeah, neither is you sending me and Shorty to a fucking bloodbath under the guise of a drug deal. Tell Billy I'm going to kick his ass for that shit." Marcus stood and walked around the car, opening the door and getting in.

"Whatever. Tell me about the new drug we keep hearing about. I assume you know something about it."

Marcus started the car and pulled out into the small country side street, checking his mirrors around him to make sure he wasn't being followed. It wouldn't have surprised him much.

"I assume you're talking about Zandra."

"That the shit from Kenya?" Reni asked.

"Yeah. It's a mixture of ecstasy and acid. It's hot in the club scene right now for obvious reasons." Marcus stopped at a red light and pulled out a cigarette, lighting up and wishing he had something more potent.

"That's the shit. Is Victor dealing in that stuff?"

"He's trying to, but it's a hard product to get. If Billy's interested, we need to find the right supplier for it. Someone who's cooking it up, and not just selling it."

"And you don't know of anyone?" Reni was digging.

"Nope." Marcus turned on the radio and pressed the phone closer to his ear. "I'm headed to the club. Stop dropping dead bodies all over the fucking streets around us, and I'll find us a supplier. Good enough?"

"Yeah, but make it quick. Hiding Billy isn't easy. The more money we have, the more protection we can afford. Get your ass in gear and make it happen."

"Watch your tone," Marcus barked. The days of him being a lackey to anyone were almost up. He was his own man, and more than capable of running circles around anyone. If he had another boss, it would be the center of a major syndicate, one that allowed him to run his drug cartel the way he wanted to. No more answering to anyone like a pup amidst the litter.

Reni must have handed the phone to Billy, seeing that his voice filled Marcus's ear. "What do you know about the cop, Marcus? I've heard that you're not exactly enemies with the guy." 

"He's been in the center of a few situations we've been dealing with." Marcus shrugged as if anyone could actually see him. "What are you wanting me to say?"

"That you'll take him out. I send Carl and Jerry to waste his ass, and I haven't heard from either of them." Billy chuckled darkly. "You do know who he is, right? He's not the goody-goody our Katie believes him to be."

"How do you know that Kate believes anything?"

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, Marcus. You know me better than to think that I've not kept up with Kate. Come now, boy."

"Kate doesn't give a shit about the cop, Billy. She's trying to survive Victor, just like the rest of us."

"He's my problem. Leave him to me."

"Right." Marcus pursed his lips, not wanting to ask about Jon, but unable to help himself. "Give me the low down on the cop. I'm interested in hearing the story from your side."

"The short and dirty is that before I brought you down from New York, Benton Jefferies ran this ring. He was a strong leader, but some part of him wanted to play good citizen. He didn't last long, but he made his mark by placing a few rats into the police department. When I took the seat of power from him, Jon had just left the syndicate for good. I almost thought we'd have a chance to hook him in, but with you beside me, and Seth soon to be bought off, I figured we didn't need him."

"What part did Jon play for Benton?"

"Enforcer. He was the one that they sent out when someone wasn't paying up or playing fair. He's a dark bastard, but I guess when his little brother joined up with all of us, he switched sides, hoping to pull the kid back out. You remember that guy, right?"

"I didn't know Adam until recently, though Kate became friends with him before we met." Marcus let out a long sigh, not sure what to think about Jon. They were slowly dragging him back into the cesspool, and like all seeds, this one would grow and sprout a monster before long too.

"Come to me. Let's talk more about this drug."

"Soon. I need to check on Kate and do a few things, but I'll head your way before too long."

"You know the cop has to die, right?"

"I thought you sent your boys to take him out."

"I did, fucker. Keep up," Billy barked sharply, and Marcus ground his teeth together to keep from biting back. "There's no doubt in my mind that the bastard killed them."

"Are you wanting me to kill him?" Marcus drove through the center of town, the club in the distance.

"Are you capable?" Billy chuckled. "He's far more skilled than we're giving him credit for."

"I'll take care of it." Marcus dropped the call and tossed the phone in his side seat. Not only was Victor after Jon, but now Billy was too. The odds weren't looking good, and something told him that they were going to have to work faster to take out the two kingpins that were breathing down their necks.

Time was running out and it was edging closer to something explosive.

It's us or them.

Marcus just wasn't sure how to define 'us' anymore.

He parked in the back of the club and locked his car up, noticing Jon's bike next to the back door, but Kate's car wasn't there.

"Odd," he mumbled and walked to the door, pausing only briefly as the wind blew across his shoulders and sent a chill down his spine. It felt as if someone were watching him, but his view from the back of the alley was perfect. There was no one else around.

After putting in the code for the back door, Marcus tugged the heavy-ass thing open and walked into the club, stopping by the darkened office to see if Kate was there. No one.

Movement in the storage room caught his attention, and he pushed the door open.

"Hey. Who's in here?" He lowered his voice, wanting to warn anyone that it was him at the door.

"It's just me, dude." Jeffery stuck his head around the edge of a tall stack of boxes.

"How's it going? Everything all right out there?" Marcus moved around to help the guy re-stack a few boxes he seemed to be messing with.

"Yeah. It's all good. Hey, I was meaning to ask you about something." He rose to his full height and stretched. "You know my folks are in Chicago, right?"

"Sure." Marcus grabbed a few bottles of the liquor that Jeffery was trying to balance and nodded toward the hall. "Walk and talk, man. We got this."

"Right, well, Mom actually helps out with shipping for a large company that sells all sorts of shit." Jeffery walked out behind Marcus, who waited to turn the light off.

"And..." Marcus moved toward the door that led to the club.

Jeffery moved through the door, and waited until they got to the bar to speak again. "They had some shit go down last week, the kid that was in charge of one of their business lines smoked up the product and well... well he died."

"So?" Marcus set the liquor down and turned to face their best bartender. "Is this your way of telling me that you're leaving us? If so, just fucking turn in your apron and get out."

"Jeez. Thanks, Marcus." Jeffery turned and moved into the space behind the bar. "I was just going to tell you that they're looking for someone with your skills."

"In Chicago? Fuck that. I have too much going on down here as it is." Marcus rubbed his head. "What skills are you referring to, exactly?"

Jeffery leaned toward him. "It's a drug cartel. Not sure they'd appreciate the information getting leaked out, but it's a good family, tight group. My mom said that even though they're all into some rough shit they help the community and do all sorts of stuff. No one knows where their money comes from, but Mom seems cool with it."

"I'm not interested." Marcus turned to see Jon standing by the front of the club, checking I.D.s, which was almost comical. Kate was nowhere in sight, but knowing her, she was moving around a hundred miles a minute.

"All right. Just wanted to mention it. I know this city can stain you if you stay too long."

"I love it here. If I left, I'd head back to New York." Marcus scoffed. "Chicago... please."

"All right man. Let me know if you change your mind. Might be a new start." Jeffery shrugged innocently.

"I don't need a new start. I need a joint." Marcus turned and walked off as his bartender called to him.

"If you find one, sharing is caring."

Marcus rolled his eyes and spotted Kate in the middle of an argument with a guy a little too big for her to be yelling at.

"This is why I can't leave you alone for a minute," he mumbled and moved up to the guy, pushing at his chest to force him away from Kate. "Back off or get the fuck out."

He had to duck to miss the guy’s swing. Good. A fight was exactly what he needed.

Time to let off a little bit of steam.

Chapter 19

Kate

The club was packed, which was a good thing. Getting back to some semblance of normalcy was exactly what they all needed. Kate glanced back to see Marcus and Jeffery walk from the door at the far end of the club. A loud voice caught her attention, and she turned to see who had overdone it and needed a good kick to the ass.

The guy was huge, but never being one to back down from a fight, Kate moved toward him and tugged at the back of his shirt.

He swung around and got in her face. "What the fuck do you want?"

She used her calm voice that scared anyone that knew her well. "I want you to stop screaming. Next, pack up and get your ass out of my club."

"I'm not going anywhere. I paid to get in here, and I'm staying," he growled loudly, moving closer as his eyes dilated far too wide. He was high on something.

Great.

Marcus moved in beside her, taking over the situation as the guy swung at him. Kate turned on her heel and moved toward the bar, letting him take care of it. He loved a good fight more than the next guy, and after their trip and all the changes in their lives, she needed a fucking break.

"What's up, boss?" Jeffery glanced up from working on a mixed drink as she stopped by the bar.

"Do you think it's okay for someone to give up their dreams for someone else?"

"It just depends on the situation, but if I loved someone, like really loved her... I'd give up anything for her." He handed the guy next to them his drink and turned back to Kate as she shifted her gaze to the door where Jon stood. She had put him to work, and he honestly seemed to be enjoying himself.

"But what if someone does that and then they grow bitter? I could see myself growing angry and hostile if I gave up everything for someone." She turned and let her eyes move across Jeffery's youthful face.

"Then you never loved them anyway, Kate. Love doesn't foster bitterness." He smiled and leaned closer. "Maybe it's not about letting him give up everything for you, but meeting him in the middle. That way you both get a bit of what you're after, but the sacrifice makes you stronger, closer."

She chuckled. "When did you get so wise?"

"While you were out running the streets, obviously. Running this place is a big deal." He shrugged and gave her a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, I guess it is, isn't it." She tapped the bar. "Thanks for keeping it afloat. Remind me to give you a raise."

"I'd rather have a date." He winked.

"Not happening. I'm a taken woman." She turned and walked toward Jon as her mind moved through the idea of him giving up everything for her. She didn't like it.

"Hey." He turned and smiled at her before taking a pretty redhead's I.D.

"Hi." She moved up beside him and slid her arms around his waist, pressing her chest to his thick arm and squeezing.

"What time can we get out of here? I need to talk to you about a few things." He turned and kissed her nose before checking a few more people in.

"What do you want to talk about? That will help me determine if I'm in a hurry to hear it, or if I need to delay the conversation far into the night." She smiled and turned her head to make sure everything was back to normal. Marcus must have muscled the guy on the dance floor out the back of the club, because neither of them were anywhere to be seen.

"I want to explain a little of my past to try to help you understand why I want so badly to be a little more straight-laced than where I think we're headed." He turned his back to the door and slid his hands into her hair, pulling her up a little and kissing her softly. "Get someone to do this. I want some time with you. Just us."

"Okay," she whispered, unable to deny him anything. "I'll grab one of the guys to take your spot."

"Good." He kissed her again and turned as people started to grumble behind him.

Kate turned on her heel and walked back through the club until she bumped into one of the new guys that Jeffery had helped them to hire.

"I need you at the door checking I.D.s for a little while. Good?"

"Of course." The guy moved past her and walked up to Jon, talking with him for a minute.

Kate waited until Jon left the front to walk back up to him. "Let's go out the back door. We can walk around. I want to double-check on Marcus. He was dealing with an asshole of sorts. I just want to make sure nothing went wrong."

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she missed Jon's reply, but followed him to the back. Victor's name flashed on her caller I.D., and she thought about ignoring it, but decided it might just be easier to talk with him. They'd been at serious odds, and where his time was almost up, it wasn't just yet. Starting a war with anyone else was out. She wanted peace, and he wasn't going to give it if she kept stabbing at him.

Lifting the phone to her ear, she paused by the back door and motioned for Jon to go check on Marcus. He left, and she answered the call.

"Hey," she spoke softly, trying to calm the viper before he readied himself for a strike.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I'm just trying hard to figure out whose side you're on." Victor's tone was tight, as if the last thing he wanted to do was apologize.

"I understand." She wasn't accepting his apology. He was a crazy bastard, and she wasn't going to be stuck underneath him for much longer. "I'm at the club. I'll call you later."

"Come home to me tonight. I want to talk about New York. If you don't want to go, then I'm good with that, but someone is going. We can discuss it in a civilized manner if you want, but it's only open for discussion tonight."

She held her breath, trying hard not to react like she wanted to. "I don't get off until three. You'll be asleep."

"No. I'll wait for you. Bring Marcus with you if you like."

"And Jon."

"He's not welcomed here, Kate. We released him. Just because you needed a bodyguard does not mean that I'm allowing him back into my operation."

"Well, he's going to be a part of mine, which is no one's business but my own. You left this seat of power open to me, and for you - I took it." She spoke only the truth.

"Very well, bring him, but I can't promise that I'll be at all cordial. I'm not interested in anything he has to offer, and I believe he's become a distraction of the worst sort for you. He has to go."

"I'll see you soon, Victor." Kate dropped the call and slid the phone into the tight pocket of her black jeans. Jon wasn't
going
anywhere, and nothing Victor could do would push him away from her.

Kate pushed the back door with her shoulder and stepped out into the alley as Marcus lit up a joint. He lifted it to his lips and took a deep drag before handing it to Kate as she walked up.

Jon stood to Marcus's right, his eyes on her as if waiting to see what she would choose. Sex mixed with a good old fashion high was the best way of doing things, but she knew that Jon liked her sober when she was with him.

"No, I'm good." She moved toward Jon, but turned her face to Marcus. "We're gonna go talk. You wanna come or are you going to keep an eye on the club?"

"I'll stay here. You guys go ahead." He took another hit. "What's up for later tonight? I want to sleep in my own bed. You guys staying here?"

"I need to go out to Victor's for a little while. He wants to talk." Kate shrugged and took Jon's hand as he extended it to her.

"I'm going with you." Jon pulled her toward him.

"Me too." Marcus rubbed her back and popped her butt. "Just grab me when we need to go, and I'll drive."

"All right." Kate slipped her arm around Jon's back as they walked around to the front of the club. "You're awfully quiet tonight. Something wrong?"

"Just tired." He pressed the code to the door and tugged it open. "I put in my resignation with the force today."

Kate froze in the doorway of her place. "You what?"

Jon touched her lower back, pushing softly. "Let's get into your apartment and we'll talk about it."

Turning, she walked up the stairs numbly, not quite sure of what to think about him leaving the police force. Maybe that was what he was referring to in giving up his life to support hers. She knew he was on leave until the situation with him working Adam's case was cleared up, but him leaving entirely was a big deal. A really big deal.

She typed in the code on her apartment door and pushed it open, walking in and breathing in deeply. It felt like heaven to be home. Kicking off her shoes, she turned to face him, more than ready to talk.

"I don't want you giving anything up for me, Jon." She reached for him as he moved to stand in front of her, his hands sliding down her sides, over her hips and grabbing her rear tightly.

"I'd do anything to make this work." He leaned down and pressed his lips to the side of her neck, dragging them up and licking at her ear. "I've wanted you for myself since the last time I had you."

"Why didn't you just say something?" She tugged at his shirt. "I thought you wanted to talk."

"I do, but let's get comfortable." He pulled his shirt off and worked to get hers off of her as well. Pulling her close, he leaned down and made love to her mouth slowly, licking and kissing as she whimpered softly against him.

Something about him left her feeling vulnerable and open, raw and yet so incredibly alive.

"Talk to me first, then I need a shower if we're making love." She slid her hands up Jon's taut back, loving the delicious warmth of his skin.

"I was once like Marcus, working for the guy before Billy. I swear, I must have just missed you coming to be a part of the syndicate." He nipped at her lips and worked on her bra. "My father died when I was younger, and I couldn't handle it. I was so fucking angry at God, at the world, at my mother for letting him go. He rotted away due to his cancer, and when I saw him last, he was nothing but bones."

Jon shivered and Kate pulled him close, pressing her lips to his chest and working on his jeans.

"I'm so sorry, baby," she whispered as her heart contracted painfully in her chest. She had some inclination that Jon had lived a rough patch of life, but never once considered that he might be connected to the same group of dealers that she'd cut her teeth with.

"I dove in so deep, killing for business and fucking for fun." He pulled her close and pressed his lips to her shoulder, sucking softly before scraping his teeth against her flesh.

She cried out in pleasure and slid her hands down into his jeans, forcing them over his hips as they dropped to the ground.

"When I realized Adam was joining me, I pushed back. I forced myself to finish my training at the force and worked like crazy to regain the life that was mine before my dad passed. I thought maybe if I was the one that got Adam into the shit that I could be the one to get him out. If I could just be good enough." Jon's voice cracked a little, and Kate stepped back as tears burned her gaze.

She pressed her fingers to his lips. "No more. He made his own choices, and you and I have made ours. This isn't your fault, and you have to stop blaming yourself for it."

"I don't know how, but I wanted to come clean with you. I'm not the great guy you think I am. I'm just a thug trying to play the part of a good man, in hopes of finding a good woman that will save me." He reached out and undid her jeans, pushing them down her legs and he knelt in front of her. "But for the first time in my life, I'm not looking for someone to save me. I can't get over the fact that I'm supposed to save you."